Tribulations, persecution and hardship seems to be something to be expected for God’s prophets and chosen ones when they appear.

 

231. Tribulations and persecution seems to be something to be expected for God’s prophets and chosen ones when they appear: Tribulations seem to be a common factor in the lives of many of God’s chosen ones and the followers of His faith. Islam: 11. “Never came there unto them a messenger but they did mock him.” (Qur’an, Surah 15 – The Rock) Many people who follow in the path of God’s chosen ones suffer affliction at the hands of the people who just don’t see the light of God, but feel it’s their obligation to punish those that do.  Christianity: John 16:2 “They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.”  Judaism: Psalms 34:19 “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but The LORD delivereth him out of them all.”  Christianity: Matthew 13:21 “Tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word,” Mark 4:17 “Affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake,”

BAHA’I FAITH: “Know ye that trials and tribulations have, from time immemorial, been the lot of the chosen Ones of God and His beloved, and such of His servants as are detached from all else but Him, they whom neither merchandise nor traffic beguile from the remembrance of the Almighty, they that speak not till He hath spoken, and act according to His commandment. Such is God‘s method carried into effect of old, and such will it remain in the future. Blessed are the steadfastly enduring, they that are patient under ills and hardships, who lament not over anything that befalleth them, and who tread the path of resignation….”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 129)

 CHRISTIANITY: 2 Timothy 1:8 “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;” 2 Timothy 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 4:5 “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” Philippians 1:29 “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;” Acts 14:22 “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”  Judaism: Deuteronomy 8:2 “And thou shalt remember all the way which The LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep His commandments, or no.” Deuteronomy 8:16 “Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that He might humble thee, and that He might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;”

 ISLAM: 83. “But none believed in Moses except some children of his People, because of the fear of Pharaoh and his chiefs, lest they should persecute them; and certainly Pharaoh was mighty on the earth and one who transgressed all bounds.” (The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr) Surah  10)

BAHA’I FAITH: “The first teaching of Bahá’u’lláh is the investigation of reality. Man must seek the reality himself, forsaking imitations and adherence to mere hereditary forms.” “The Jews were expecting the appearance of the Messiah, looking forward to it with devotion of heart and soul but because they were submerged in imitations they did not believe in His Holiness Jesus Christ when he appeared. Finally they rose against Him even to the extreme of persecution and shedding His blood. Had they investigated reality they would have accepted their promised Messiah.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i World Faith – Abdu’l-Baha Section, p. 238)

 CHRISTIANITY: Romans 8:34 “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:35 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” Romans 8:36 “As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

 BABI RELIGION: “How numerous the verses which have been revealed concerning the grievous tests ye shall experience on the Day of Judgement, yet it appeareth that ye have never perused them; and how vast the number of revealed traditions regarding the trials which will overtake you on the Day of Our Return, and yet ye seem never to have set your eyes upon them.”

(The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 140)

 Babi Religion: “The Báb was born in Shiraz, in the month of October, 1819. At the age of twenty-four he heralded the advent of a universal teacher whom God would manifest, and through whom the unity of all nations would be established. The Báb (door or gate) effected a reformation of Islam, opening the way for a broader movement — for always with earnestness and zeal he cried of one who was to come after him to illumine not only Islam, but the whole world. The young reformer made his declaration in 1844 at Shiraz and afterward at Mecca, where one hundred thousand people had congregated.”

   “His teachings met with instant opposition on the part of the orthodox religionists of the day. After two years he was imprisoned and held a prisoner until 1850 when he was shot in the public square of Tabriz.” “The Cause of the Báb, the birth and tribulations of which he had himself witnessed, and the triumphant progress of which he was now beholding, had risen phoenix-like from its ashes and was pressing forward along the road leading to undreamt-of achievements.”

The Bab: (Shoghi Effendi, The Dawn-Breakers, p. 662)

 CHRISTIANITY: Mark 13:19 “For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time.” Many people who claim to believe will be put to the test to see if they truly believe:

BAHA’I FAITH: “Physical torture and death were ineffectual to stop the onsweep of the reformation inaugurated by the Báb. When, some years later, BAHA’U’LLAH arose as the one who was expected, thousands accepted him and at once came under his banner. BAHA’U’LLAH was not personally related to the Báb, nor had he ever seen him, though he became one of the first disciples of the Báb’s teachings.” “Dreadful persecution ensued and more than twenty thousand martyrs joyfully gave up property and life rather than renounce the faith which they recognized as divine truth. At such variance were his teachings with the creed-bound world about him that BAHA’U’LLAH, with his family and followers, was banished to Bagdad, to Constantinople, to Adrianople and finally to the penal colony of Akká in Syria.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 5)

 Babi Religion: “For His sake I have welcomed immersion in an ocean of tribulation. I yearn not for the things of this world. I crave only the good pleasure of my Beloved.”

The Bab: (Shoghi Effendi, The Dawn-Breakers, p. 67)

 CHRISTIANITY: 2 Corinthians 1:3 “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;” 2 Corinthians 1:4 “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:5 “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:6 “And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.” 2 Corinthians 1:7 “And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.”

BAHA’I FAITH: “Bahá’u’lláh endured ordeals and hardships sixty years. There was no persecution, vicissitude or suffering He did not experience at the hand of His enemies and oppressors. All the days of His life were passed in difficulty and tribulation — at one time in prison, another in exile, sometimes in chains. He willingly endured these difficulties for the unity of mankind, praying that the world of humanity might realize the radiance of God, the oneness of humankind become a reality, strife and warfare cease and peace and tranquility be realized by all. In prison He hoisted the banner of human solidarity, proclaiming universal peace, writing to the kings and rulers of nations, summoning them to international unity and counseling arbitration. His life was a vortex of persecution and difficulty; yet catastrophes, extreme ordeals and vicissitudes did not hinder the accomplishment of His work and mission. Nay, on the contrary, His power became greater and greater, His efficiency and influence spread and increased until His glorious light shone throughout the Orient, love and unity were established, and the differing religions found a center of contact and reconciliation.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 145)

 CHRISTIANITY: 2 Corinthians 7:4 “Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.” 1 Thessalonians 3:3 “That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed there-unto.” 1 Thessalonians 3:4 “For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.” 1 Thessalonians 3:5 “For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.” 2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

BAHA’I FAITH: “In Persia the early believers in this revelation met with the utmost opposition, persecution and cruelty at the hands of their fellow countrymen, but they faced all calamities and ordeals with sublime heroism, firmness and patience. Their baptism was in their own blood, for many thousands of them perished as martyrs; while thousands more were beaten, imprisoned, stripped of their possessions, driven from their homes or otherwise ill-treated. For sixty years or more anyone in Persia who dared to own allegiance to the Báb or Bahá’u’lláh did so at the risk of his property, his freedom and even his life. Yet this determined and ferocious opposition could not more check the progress of the Movement than a cloud of dust could keep the sun from rising.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Dr. J.E. Esslemont, Baha’u’llah and the New Era, p. 252)

 CHRISTIANITY: 1 Thessalonians 1:6 “And ye became followers of us, and of The Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:” Colossians 1:23 “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;” Colossians 1:24 “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake,” Revelations 1:9 “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos (a prison isle), for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

BAHA’I FAITH: “Thou hast known how grievously the Prophets of God, His Messengers and Chosen Ones, have been afflicted. Meditate a while on the motive and reason which have been responsible for such a persecution. At no time, in no Dispensation, have the Prophets of God escaped the blasphemy of their enemies, the cruelty of their oppressors, the denunciation of the learned of their age, who appeared in the guise of uprightness and piety. Day and night they passed through such agonies as none can ever measure, except the knowledge of the one true God, exalted be His glory.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 56)

Baha’i Faith: “The Quraysh stopped Him from praying in the Ka’bih, they pursued Him, they covered Him and His disciples with filth when they were praying, they incited children and the rabble to follow and mock them, a woman strewed thorns where He would walk. Bahá’u’lláh says: ‘How abundant the thorns and briars which they have strewn over His path! . . . Such sore accusations they brought against Him that in recounting them God forbiddeth the ink to flow . . . or the page to bear them . . . For this reason did Muhammad cry out: ‘No Prophet of God hath suffered such harm as I have suffered.”’ (Íqán, 108 thru 109).

(Islamic Miscellaneous, Gail – Six Lessons on Islam, p. 7)

 ISLAM: “Bear patiently the sufferings and face bravely the obstacles which come in your way when you follow truth and when you try to uphold it. Adhere to the cause of truth and justice wherever you find it.” “Develop the habit of patience against sufferings, calamities and adversities. This virtue of patience is one of the highest values of morality and nobility of character and it is the best habit which one can develop. Trust in Allah (God) and let your mind seek His protection in every calamity and suffering because you will thus entrust yourself and your affairs to the Best Trustee and to the Mightiest Guardian.”

(Islam, Ali b. Abi Taalib, Letters from Nahjul Balaagh)

Islam: 177. “It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces toward East or West; but it is righteousness to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfill the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah-fearing.” 214. “Or do ye think that ye shall enter the Garden (of Bliss) without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They encountered suffering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that even the Messenger and those of faith who were with him cried: ‘When (will come) the help of Allah?’ Ah! verily, the help of Allah is (always) near!”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah   2)

Islam: 21. “As to those who deny the Signs of Allah, and in defiance of right, slay the Prophets, and slay those who teach just dealing with mankind, announce to them a grievous penalty.” 30. “Remember how the unbelievers plotted against thee, to keep thee in bonds, or slay thee, or get thee out (of thy home). They plot and plan, and Allah too plans, but the best of planners is Allah.” “Ah! alas for (My) servants! There comes not an messenger to them but they mock Him!”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surahs 3, 8 and 36)

Islam: 41. “To those who leave their homes in the Cause of Allah, after suffering oppression — We will assuredly give a goodly home in this world: but truly the reward of the Hereafter will be greater, if they only realize this! They are those who persevere in patience, and put their trust on their Lord.” 10. “Then there are among men such as say, ‘We believe in Allah;’ but when they suffer affliction in (the cause of) Allah, they treat men’s oppression as if it were the Wrath of Allah! And if help comes (to thee) from thy Lord, they are sure to say, ‘We have (always) been with you!’ Does not Allah know best all that is in the hearts of all Creation? And Allah most certainly knows those who believe, and as certainly those who are Hypocrites.” “Those who reject the Signs of Allah and the Meeting, with Him (in the Hereafter), it is they who shall despair of My mercy: it is they who will (suffer) a most grievous Penalty.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surahs 16 and 29)

  ZOROASTRIANISM: “May we never reach that (ill-luck that the sinner) may outstrip us (in our chanting), not in the matter of a plan (thought out), or of words (delivered), or ceremonies (done), nor yet in any offering whatever when he (?) approaches (us for harm).”

(Zoroaster, The Zend-Avesta, Avesta – Visperad 22)

 Zoroastrianism: 7. “Whom, O Mazda (God), can one appoint as protector for one like me, when the Liar sets himself to injure me.” 29. “Let not the man who harms us, mind or body, have power to go forth on both his legs, or hold with both his hands, or see with both his eyes, not the land (beneath his feet), or the herd before his face.” 8. “Who-so is minded to injure my possessions, from his actions may no harm come to me! Back upon himself may they come with hostility, against his own person, all the hostile (acts), to keep him far from the Good Life, Mazda, not from the ill!”

(The Zend-Avesta, Avesta – Yasna 9 and 46)

 Zoroastrianism: 4. “Yea, we send it forth for the encounter with, and for the over-throw of the murderers of the saints, and of those who hate and torment us for our Faith, and of those who persecute.”

(The Zend-Avesta, Avesta – Yasna 61)

 Zoroastrianism: 61. “Plagues will ever pour upon the Aryan nations; hostile hordes will ever fall upon the Aryan nations; the Aryans will be smitten, by their fifties and their hundreds, by their hundreds and their thousands, by their thousands and their tens of thousands, by their tens of thousands and their myriads of myriads.

(The Zend-Avesta, Khorda Avesta – Book of Common Prayer pt. 1)

 Zoroastrianism: Denkard. Zoroaster, “When a man stands by the Religion of God, and then he sees circumstantial troubles (lit. the troubles allotted (to him)) which (occur) in this world, he should pass (his) life, in the course of the troubles that approach him, with agility and in superior endeavors.”

 HINDUISM: 171. “Let him, though suffering in consequence of his righteousness, never turn his heart to unrighteousness;” 8. “Let him be always industrious in privately reciting the Veda; let him be patient of hardships, friendly (towards all), of collected mind, ever liberal and never a receiver of gifts, and compassionate towards all living creatures.”

(Hindu, Laws of Manu chapters 4 and 6)

 Hinduism: “And your exile, good Yudhishthir, is ordained to serve your kveal, Is a trial and samadhi, for it chastens but to heal!” “In thy sorrow, in affliction, ever deeper lessons learn, Righteous be your life in exile, happy be your safe return, May these eyes again behold thee in Hastina’s ancient town, Conqueror of earthly trials, crowned with virtue’s heavenly crown!”

(Hindu, Mababharata (R. Dutt, abridged tr))

 Hinduism: “Sorrow and suffering, trial and endurance, are a part of the Hindu ideal of a Perfect Life of righteousness. Rama suffers for fourteen years in exile, and is chastened by privations and misfortunes,” “It is the truth and endurance of Rama under sufferings and privations which impart the deepest lessons to the Hindu character, and is the highest ideal of a Hindu righteous life.”

(Hindu, Ramayana (R. Dutt, abridged tr))

 Hinduism: 7. “He shall bring evil on the evil-plotter whoever turns against us sin and outrage. Destroy this calumny of him,” “Whoso would kill us, whether he be a strange foe or one of us, May all the Gods discomfort him.”

(Hindu, Vedas, Rig Veda – Book 5 and 6)

 BUDDHISM: “Patiently one endures wicked and malicious speech, as well as bodily pains, that befall one, though they be piercing, sharp, bitter, unpleasant, disagreeable and dangerous to life.”

((The Eightfold Path), Buddha, the Word (The Eightfold Path))

 Buddhism: 15. “Let us live in joy, not hating those who hate us. Among those who hate us, we live free of hate.” 23. “Even so will I endure abuse, For people’s conduct is mostly low.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 2 and 3 (tr. J. Richards))

 Buddhism: 26. “The one I call holy, though having committed no offense, patiently bears reproach, ill-treatment, and imprisonment, has endurance for one’s force and strength.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 2 (tr. J. Richards))

 SABEANISM: “My Lord, High King of Light, Revealer Whose eyes are uncovered, seeking justice And enacting justice for those who love it, Do justice on those who persecute us, Those persecutors who pursue us, And on the wicked and furious ones Who scheme to work evil upon us.” “If it please Thee, High King of Light (Haiyi, God), Look on us and condemn us not!”

   “Behold these souls who believed in Thee And for Thy name’s sake stood by on earth And were persecuted. Show us pure ether air So that we may forget earthly persecution, That we may forget the persecution of earth And the vexation of the wicked and liars.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 71)

Sabeanism: “For my heart hath testified to The First Life (Haiyi, God) and I endure the persecution of the world.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 77)

Sabeanism: “Behold me, who have sought purification before Thee! Look on me, who have borne persecution for Thy name! End for me acts of violence, for I am Thy servant and Thy child. Now I humble myself and my children to Thy name, for I have been true to thy name, and speak (it) in my heart and talk (of it) in my mind. And I subdue my form and my loins,” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 410)