Know that the conditions of existence are limited to the conditions of
servitude, of prophethood, and of Deity, but the divine and the contingent
perfections are unlimited. When you reflect deeply, you discover that also
outwardly the perfections of existence are also unlimited, for you cannot
find a being so perfect that you cannot imagine a superior one. For
example, you cannot see a ruby in the mineral kingdom, a rose in the
vegetable kingdom, or a nightingale in the animal kingdom, without
imagining that there might be better specimens. As the divine bounties are
endless, so human perfections are endless. If it were possible to reach a
limit of perfection, then one of the realities of the beings might reach
the condition of being independent of God, and the contingent might attain
to the condition of the absolute. But for every being there is a point
which it cannot overpass; that is to say, he who is in the condition of
servitude, however far he may progress in gaining limitless perfections,
will never reach the condition of Deity. It is the same with the other
beings: a mineral, however far it may progress in the mineral kingdom,
cannot gain the vegetable power; also in a flower, however far it may
progress in the vegetable kingdom, no power of the senses will appear. So
this silver mineral cannot gain hearing or sight; it can only improve in
its own condition, and become a perfect mineral, but it cannot acquire the
power of growth, or the power of sensation, or attain to life; it can only
progress in its own condition.
For example, Peter cannot become Christ. All that he can do is, in the
condition of servitude, to attain endless perfections; for every existing
reality is capable of making progress. As the spirit of man after putting
off this material form has an everlasting life, certainly any existing
being is capable of making progress; therefore it is permitted to ask for
advancement, forgiveness, mercy, beneficence, and blessings for a man
after his death, because existence is capable of progression. That is why
in the prayers of Baha'u'llah forgiveness and remission of sins are asked
for those who have died. Moreover, as people in this world are in need of
God, they will also need Him in the other world. The creatures are always
in need, and God is absolutely independent, whether in this world or in
the world to come.
The wealth of the other world is nearness to God. Consequently it is
certain that those who are near the Divine Court are allowed to intercede,
and this intercession is approved by God. But intercession in the other
world is not like intercession in this world: it is another thing, another
reality, which cannot be expressed in words.
If a wealthy man at the time of his death bequeaths a gift to the poor and
miserable, and gives a part of his wealth to be spent for them, perhaps
this action may be the cause of his pardon and forgiveness, and of his
progress in the Divine Kingdom.
Also a father and mother endure the greatest troubles and hardships for
their children; and often when the children have reached the age of
maturity, the parents pass on to the other world. Rarely does it happen
that a father and mother in this world see the reward of the care and
trouble they have undergone for their children. Therefore children, in
return for this care and trouble, must show forth charity and beneficence,
and must implore pardon and forgiveness for their parents. So you ought,
in return for the love and kindness shown you by your father, to give to
the poor for his sake, with greatest submission and humility implore
pardon and remission of sins, and ask for the supreme mercy.
It is even possible that the condition of those who have died in sin and
unbelief may become changed; that is to say, they may become the object of
pardon through the bounty of God, not through His justice; for bounty is
giving without desert, and justice is giving what is deserved. As we have
power to pray for these souls here, so likewise we shall possess the same
power in the other world, which is the Kingdom of God. Are not all the
people in that world the creatures of God? Therefore in that world also
they can make progress. As here they can receive light by their
supplication, there also they can plead for forgiveness, and receive light
through entreaties and supplications. Thus as souls in this world, through
the help of the supplications, the entreaties, and the prayers of the holy
ones, can acquire development, so is it the same after death. Through
their own prayers and supplications they can also progress; more
especially when they are the object of the intercession of the Holy
Manifestations.