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"What an infinite degree of love is reflected by the divine Manifestations toward mankind! For the sake of guiding the people They have willingly forfeited Their lives to resuscitate human hearts. They have accepted the cross. To enable human souls to attain the supreme degree of advancement, They have suffered during Their limited years extreme ordeals and difficulties. If Jesus Christ had not possessed love for the world of humanity, surely He would not have welcomed the cross. He was crucified for the love of mankind. Consider the infinite degree of that love. Without love for humanity John the Baptist would not have offered his life. It has been likewise with all the Prophets and Holy Souls. If the Bab had not manifested love for mankind, surely He would not have offered His breast for a thousand bullets. If Baha'u'llah had not been aflame with love for humanity, He would not have willingly accepted forty years' imprisonment. (pup 256-7) (107:1) It is an axiom that God is all powerful, and His sovereignty endures for all time. Likewise, there is no greater evidence of power and sovereignty existing in the world than that which the Manifestations of God exercise over the hearts and consciences of humanity. It is pervasive and enduring. (107:2) Their followers, so transformed by the Manifestations' influence, have decided time and again to renounce their possessions, even their lives, rather than recant their beliefs. Diverse groups with the most violent antagonisms have been united in common agreement. Social harmony has prevailed over strife, and the resulting cooperation has given rise to new civilizations.
(107:3)
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