In the world of existence man has traversed successive degrees until he
has attained the human kingdom. In each degree of his progression he has
developed capacity for advancement to the next station and condition.
While in the kingdom of the mineral he was attaining the capacity for
promotion into the degree of the vegetable. In the kingdom of the
vegetable he underwent preparation for the world of the animal and from
thence he has come onward to the human degree or kingdom. Throughout this
journey of progression he has ever and always been potentially man.
In the beginning of his human life man was embryonic in the world of the
matrix. There he received capacity and endowment for the reality of human
existence. The forces and powers necessary for this world were bestowed
upon him in that limited condition. In this world he needed eyes; he
received them potentially in the other. He needed ears; he obtained them
there in readiness and preparation for his new existence. The powers
requisite in this world were conferred upon him in the world of the
matrix, so that when he entered this realm of real existence he not only
possessed all necessary functions and powers but found provision for his
material sustenance awaiting him.
Therefore in this world he must prepare himself for the life beyond. That
which he needs in the world of the Kingdom must be obtained here. Just as
he prepared himself in the world of the matrix by acquiring forces
necessary in this sphere of existence, so likewise the indispensable
forces of the divine existence must be potentially attained in this world.
What is he in need of in the Kingdom which transcends the life and
limitation of this mortal sphere? That world beyond is a world of sanctity
and radiance; therefore it is necessary that in this world he should
acquire these divine attributes. In that world there is need of
spirituality, faith, assurance, the knowledge and love of God. These he
must attain in this world so that after his ascension from the earthly to
the heavenly Kingdom he shall find all that is needful in that life
eternal ready for him.
That divine world is manifestly a world of lights; therefore man has need
of illumination here. That is a world of love; the love of God is
essential. It is a world of perfections; virtues or perfections must be
acquired. That world is vivified by the breaths of the Holy Spirit; in
this world we must seek them. That is the Kingdom of life everlasting; it
must be attained during this vanishing existence.
By what means can man acquire these things? How shall he obtain these
merciful gifts and powers? First, through the knowledge of God. Second,
through the love of God. Third, through faith. Fourth, through
philanthropic deeds. Fifth, through self-sacrifice. Sixth, through
severance from this world. Seventh, through sanctity and holiness. Unless
he acquires these forces and attains to these requirements he will surely
be deprived of the life that is eternal. But if he possesses the knowledge
of God, becomes ignited through the fire of the love of God, witnesses the
great and mighty signs of the Kingdom, becomes the cause of love among
mankind, and lives in the utmost state of sanctity and holiness, he shall
surely attain to second birth, be baptized by the Holy Spirit and enjoy
everlasting existence.
Is it not astonishing that although man has been created for the knowledge
and love of God, for the virtues of the human world, for spirituality,
heavenly illumination and life eternal, nevertheless he continues ignorant
and negligent of all this? Consider how he seeks knowledge of everything
except knowledge of God. For instance, his utmost desire is to penetrate
the mysteries of the lowest strata of the earth. Day by day he strives to
know what can be found ten metres below the surface, what he can discover
within the stone, what he can learn by archaeological research in the
dust. He puts forth arduous labors to fathom terrestrial mysteries but is
not at all concerned about knowing the mysteries of the Kingdom,
traversing the illimitable fields of the eternal world, becoming informed
of the divine realities, discovering the secrets of God, attaining the
knowledge of God, witnessing the splendors of the Sun of Truth and
realizing the glories of everlasting life. He is unmindful and thoughtless
of these. How much he is attracted to the mysteries of matter and how
completely unaware he is of the mysteries of divinity! Nay, he is utterly
negligent and oblivious of the secrets of divinity. How great his
ignorance! How conducive to his degradation! It is as if a kind and loving
father had provided a library of wonderful books for his son in order that
he might be informed of the mysteries of creation; at the same time
surrounding him with every means of comfort and enjoyment; but the son
amuses himself with pebbles and playthings, neglectful of all his father's
gifts and provision. How ignorant and heedless is man! The Father has
willed for him glory eternal and he is content with blindness and
deprivation. The Father has built for him a royal palace but he is playing
with the dust; prepared for him garments of silk but he prefers to remain
unclothed; provided for him delicious foods and fruits while he seeks
sustenance in the grasses of the field.
Praise be to God! you have heard the call of the Kingdom. Your eyes are
opened; you have turned to God. Your purpose is the good-pleasure of God,
the understanding of the mysteries of the heart and investigation of the
realities. Day and night you must strive that you may attain to the
significances of the heavenly kingdom, perceive the signs of divinity,
acquire certainty of knowledge and realize that this world has a creator,
a vivifier, a provider, an architect,--knowing this through proofs and
evidences and not through susceptibilities,--nay, rather, through decisive
arguments and real vision; that is to say, visualizing it as clearly as
the outer eye beholds the sun. In this way may you behold the presence of
God and attain to the knowledge of the holy, divine Manifestations.