Similarly, the Pen of the Centre of the Covenant has
repeatedly prophesied the intolerable calamities which must beset this wayward
humanity ere it heeds the life- giving Teachings of Bahá'u'lláh.
“Chaos and confusion are daily increasing in the world. They
will attain such intensity as to render the frame of mankind unable to bear
them. Then will men be awakened and become aware that religion is the
impregnable stronghold and the manifest light of the world, and its laws, exhortations
and teachings, the source of life on earth.”
Every discerning eye clearly sees that the early stages of
this chaos have daily manifestations affecting the structure of human society;
its destructive forces are uprooting time-honoured institutions which were
a haven and refuge for the inhabitants of the earth in bygone days and
centuries, and around which revolved all human affairs. The same destructive
forces are also deranging the political, economic, scientific, literary, and
moral equilibrium of the world and are destroying the fairest fruits of the
present civilization. Political machinations of those in authority have placed
the seal of obsolescence upon the root principles of the world's order. Greed
and passion, deceit, hypocrisy, tyranny, and pride are dominating features
afflicting human relations. Discoveries and inventions, which are the fruit of
scientific and technological advancements, have become the means and tools of
mass extermination and destruction and are in the hands of the ungodly. Even
music, art, and literature, which are to represent and inspire the noblest
sentiments and highest aspirations and should be a source of comfort and
tranquillity for troubled souls, have strayed from the straight path and are
now the mirrors of the soiled hearts of this confused, unprincipled, and
disordered age. Perversions such as these shall result in the ordeals which
have been prophesied by the Blessed Beauty in the following words: "...
the earth will be tormented by a fresh calamity every day and unprecedented
commotions will break out." "The day is approaching when its
[civilization's] flame will devour the cities." (The Universal House of
Justice from a letter dated 10 February 1980; Messaged from the Universal House
of Justice 1963-1986)
