How the balance of justice is being set: Part 9

CONSEQUENCES OF ACCEPTANCE OF GOD'S STANDARD As each phase of society chooses the alternative embodying justice set forth by God as outlined above, the general consequence is the gradual unfoldment of the world civilization of peace and justice envisioned by Baha'u'llah and includes the following features: 1. The end of tyranny:

We cherish the hope that the light of justice may shine upon the world and sanctify it from tyranny. (G,218)

2. Increased strength for those who are just:

Shouldst thou cause the rivers of justice to spread their waters amongst thy subjects, God would surely aid thee with the hosts of the unseen and of the seen, and would strengthen thee in thine affairs. (G,234)

3. The admiration of those who are just:

Let My counsel be acceptable to thee, and strive to rule with equity among men, that God may exalt thy name and spread abroad the fame of thy justice in all the world. (G,236)

4. Perception for oneself in place of blind imitation:

By its (justice) aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor. (HW,4)

5. Improved perception of reality:

Whoso cleaveth to justice...discerneth the truth in all things, through the guidance of Him Who is All-Seeing. (G,342)

6. Recognition of the station of the Manifestation of God:

If the eye of justice be opened, it will readily recognize...that He, Who is the Cause and ultimate Purpose of all these things, is made manifest in this day. (BC,58)

7. The complete transformation of human society:

There can be no doubt whatever that if the day star of justice, which the clouds of tyranny have obscured, were to shed its light upon men, the face of the earth would be completely transformed. (G,219)

CONSEQUENCES OF REJECTION OF GOD'S STANDARD When one reviews the consequences of rejection of God's alternative for each phase of society as described above, the common denominator, according to Baha'u'llah, is further suffering:

O Ye Peoples of the World! Know verily that an unforeseen calamity is following you and that grievous retribution awaiteth you. Think not the deeds ye have committed have been blotted from My sight. By My beauty! All your doings hath My pen graven with open characters upon tablets of crysolite. (HW,44) O Oppressors on Earth! Withdraw your hands from tyranny, for I have pledged Myself not to forgive any man's injustice. This is My covenant which I have irrevocably decreed in the preserved tablet and sealed it with My seal of glory . (HW,44) Thou hast arisen to put out the light of this Cause; ere long will thine own fire be quenched, at His behest. (ESW,102) The day is approaching when the wrathful anger of the Almighty will have taken hold of them. He, verily, is the Omnipotent, the All-Subduing, the Most Powerful. He shall cleanse the earth from the defilement of their corruption and shall give it for a heritage unto such of His servants as are nigh unto Him. (PDC,2)

In spite of rejection by peoples today of Baha'u'llah's instructions for society, He promises that through this further suffering mankind will come to a delayed, but ultimate enlightenment:

And when the appointed hour is come, there shall suddenly appear that which shall cause the limbs of mankind to quake. Then, and only then, will the Divine Standard be unfurled, and the Nightingale of Paradise warble its melody. (G,119) These great oppressions are preparing it for the advent of the Most Great Justice. (PDC,4) Bestir yourselves, O people, in anticipation of the days of Divine justice, for the promised hour is now come. Beware lest ye fail to apprehend its import and be accounted among the erring. (G,17)

ADMONITIONS TO JUSTICE A review of the definition of Divine Justice, the power of justice, its application by the Manifestation of God to every phase of our current society, and the consequences of acceptance or rejection, might be concluded no better than by quoting some of that Messenger's own admonitions to the reader to be just:

Be fair in your judgment. (G,222) Observe, and judge fairly Our Cause. (G,228) Suffer not yourselves to be deprived of the robe of forbearance and justice, that the sweet savors of holiness may be wafted from your hearts upon all created things. (G,305) Cleave ye to justice and fairness, and turn away from the whisperings of the foolish, them that are estranged from God, that have decked their heads with the ornament of the learned. (G,342) We ask thee to reflect upon that which hath been revealed, and to be fair and just in thy speech. (ESW,11) We hope that thou wilt cause the light of justice to shine more brightly. (ESW,32) Beware lest thou be led to connive at injustice. Set thy heart firmly upon justice, and alter not the Cause of God, and be of them whose eyes are directed towards the things that have been revealed in His Book. (G,230-231) Be vigilant, that ye may not do injustice to anyone, be it to the extent of a grain of mustard seed. Tread ye the path of justice, for this, verily, is the straight path. (G,250) ...the fear of God commands people to do that which is just. (BWF,198) Be fair, be fair; and again, be fair, be fair. (ESW,153) Let the future disclose what the Judgment of God will ordain, and the Tabernacle of His decree reveal. (BC,130)

References (page numbers from pre-1970 editions) BC, Book of Certitude, by Baha'u'llah BWF, Baha'i World Faith (quotes from Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha) ESW, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, by Baha'u'llah G, Gleanings from the writings of Baha'u'llah HW, Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah PDC, Promised Day is Come, by Shoghi Effendi © 2010 James J Keene [Note: Part 9 concludes this series of teaching materials by the author used in years around 1970. Parts 6, 7 and 8 discuss justice for majority and minority races, educators and students, and government and governed, respectively.]