things are capable of changing the whole atmosphere of the earth and
their contamination would prove lethal....(96)

In later writings, including those addressed to humanity collectively,
Baha'u'llah urged the adoption of steps toward what He called the "Great
Peace." These, He said, would mitigate the sufferings and dislocation
which He saw lying ahead of the human race until the world's peoples
embrace the Revelation of God and through it bring about the Most Great
Peace:

The time must come when the imperative necessity for the holding of a
vast, an all-embracing assemblage of men will be universally realized. The
rulers and kings of the earth must needs attend it, and, participating in
its deliberations, must consider such ways and means as will lay the
foundations of the world's Great Peace amongst men. Such a peace demandeth
that the Great Powers should resolve, for the sake of the tranquility of
the peoples of the earth, to be fully reconciled among themselves. Should
any king take up arms against another, all should unitedly arise and
prevent him. If this be done, the nations of the world will no longer
require any armaments, except for the purpose of preserving the security
of their realms and of maintaining internal order within their
territories.... The day is approaching when all the peoples of the world
will have adopted one universal language and one common script. When this
is achieved, to whatsoever city a man may journey, it shall be as if he
were entering his own home.... That one indeed is a man who, today,
dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race.... It is not
for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him
who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and mankind its
citizens.(97)

"NOT OF MINE OWN VOLITION"

In His letter to Nasiri'd-Din _Sh_ah, the ruler of Persia, which refrains
from any rebuke concerning His imprisonment in the Siyah-_Ch_al and the
other injustices He had experienced at the king's hand, Baha'u'llah speaks
of His own role in the Divine Plan:

I was but a man like others, asleep upon My couch, when lo, the breezes of
the All-Glorious were wafted over Me, and taught Me the knowledge of all
that hath been. This thing is not from Me, but from One Who is Almighty
and All-Knowing. And He bade Me lift up My voice between earth and heaven,
and for this there befell Me what hath caused the tears of every man of
understan