that he loves his
country, but let him rather glory in this that he loves his kind."

Previous Prophets have heralded an age of peace on earth, goodwill among
men, and have given Their lives to hasten its advent, but each and all of
Them have plainly declared that this blessed consummation would be reached
only after the "Coming of the Lord" in the latter days, when the wicked
would be judged and righteous rewarded.

Zoroaster foretold three thousand years of conflict before the advent of
_Sh_ah Bahram, the world-savior, Who would overcome Ahrman the spirit of
evil, and establish a reign of righteousness and peace.

Moses foretold a long period of exile, persecution and oppression for the
children of Israel, before the Lord of Hosts would appear to gather them
from all the nations, to destroy the oppressors and establish His Kingdom
upon earth.

Christ said: "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not
to send peace, but a sword" (Matt. x, 34), and He predicted a period of
wars and rumors of wars, of tribulations and afflictions that would
continue till the coming of the Son of Man "in the glory of the Father."

Muhammad declared that, because of their wrongdoings, Allah had put enmity
and hatred among both Jews and Christians that would last until the Day of
Resurrection, when He would appear to judge them all.

Baha'u'llah, on the other hand, announces that He is the Promised One of
all these Prophets--the Divine Manifestation in Whose era the reign of
peace will actually be established. This statement is unprecedented and
unique, yet it fits in wonderfully with the signs of the times, and with
the prophecies of all the great Prophets. Baha'u'llah revealed with
incomparable clearness and comprehensiveness the means for bringing about
peace and unity amongst mankind.

It is true that, since the advent of Baha'u'llah, there have been, until
now, war and destruction on an unprecedented scale, but this is just what
all the prophets have said would happen at the dawn of the "great and
terrible Day of the Lord," and is, therefore, but a confirmation of the
view that the "Coming of the Lord" is not only at hand, but is already an
accomplished fact. According to the parable of Christ, the Lord of the
Vineyard must miserably destroy the wicked husbandmen before He gives the
Vineyard to others who will render Him the fruits in their seasons. Does
not this mean that at the coming of the Lord dire destructi