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XC: Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on… |
Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on
the earth is a direct evidence of the revelation within
it of the attributes and names of God, inasmuch as
within every atom are enshrined the signs that bear
eloquent testimony to the revelation of that Most
Great Light. Methinks, but for the potency of that
revelation, no being could ever exist. How resplendent
the luminaries of knowledge that shine in an
atom, and how vast the oceans of wisdom that surge
within a drop! To a supreme degree is this true of
man, who, among all created things, hath been invested
with the robe of such gifts, and hath been
singled out for the glory of such distinction. For in
him are potentially revealed all the attributes and
names of God to a degree that no other created being
hath excelled or surpassed. All these names and attributes
are applicable to him. Even as He hath said:
“Man is My mystery, and I am his mystery.” Manifold
are the verses that have been repeatedly revealed
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in all the Heavenly Books and the Holy Scriptures,
expressive of this most subtle and lofty theme. Even
as He hath revealed: “We will surely show them Our
signs in the world and within themselves.” Again
He saith: “And also in your own selves: will ye not,
then, behold the signs of God?” And yet again He
revealeth: “And be ye not like those who forget God,
and whom He hath therefore caused to forget their
own selves.” In this connection, He Who is the eternal
King—may the souls of all that dwell within the
mystic Tabernacle be a sacrifice unto Him—hath
spoken: “He hath known God who hath known himself.”
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…From that which hath been said it becometh
evident that all things, in their inmost reality, testify
to the revelation of the names and attributes of God
within them. Each according to its capacity, indicateth,
and is expressive of, the knowledge of God.
So potent and universal is this revelation, that it hath
encompassed all things visible and invisible. Thus hath
He revealed: “Hath aught else save Thee a power of
revelation which is not possessed by Thee, that it
could have manifested Thee? Blind is the eye which
doth not perceive Thee.” Likewise hath the eternal
King spoken: “No thing have I perceived, except
that I perceived God within it, God before it, or God
after it.” Also in the tradition of Kumayl it is written:
“Behold, a light hath shone forth out of the
morn of eternity, and lo, its waves have penetrated
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the inmost reality of all men.” Man, the noblest
and most perfect of all created things, excelleth them
all in the intensity of this revelation, and is a fuller
expression of its glory. And of all men, the most accomplished,
the most distinguished, and the most excellent
are the Manifestations of the Sun of Truth.
Nay, all else besides these Manifestations, live by the
operation of Their Will, and move and have their
being through the outpourings of Their grace.
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