16. Part One — 15

1The meaning of "heaven" in the revealed verse is known and understood through these clear, sound and evident explanations. As to the saying that He will descend in a cloud: By "cloud" is meant things contrary to the egotism and desire of men, as mentioned in the formerly quoted verse "Ye therefore, whenever a Messenger cometh unto you with that which your souls desire not, proudly reject him and accuse some of imposture and slay others" (K. S. 2). Such (clouds), for instance, are the changing of ordinances, substitution of laws, removal of customary rules and ceremonies, and pre-eminence of those who become believers among the common people over the learned who deny. Likewise is the appearance of that Eternal Beauty according to human limitations, such as eating, drinking, poverty, riches, glory, abasement, sleeping, waking and similar things which cause people to doubt and which hinder them. All such veils are interpreted as "clouds."

2These are the clouds whereby the heavens of the knowledge and wisdom of all in the earth are rent and cloven, as it is said: "On that Day the heaven shall be cloven asunder by the clouds" (K. S. 25).

3As clouds prevent the eyes of men from viewing the phenomenal sun, so the above conditions hinder the people from apprehending that Ideal Sun. It is mentioned in the Book and attributed to the tongue of the unbelievers thus—" And they say what kind of a messenger is this? he eateth food and walketh in the streets (as we do); unless an angel be sent down to him and become a (fellow-) preacher with him" (K. S. 25). As those Temples of Holiness were subject to outward indigence and adversity and also to natural and bodily necessities, such as hunger, diseases and incidental happenings, the people would become bewildered in saharas of doubt and suspicion and in deserts of imagination and perplexity, (wondering) how could one come from God, claim predominance over all in the earth and ascribe to Himself the motive of the creation of beings as He hath said,—"Were it not for thee, I would not have created the firmaments,"—and yet be afflicted by such trifling matters. For it is heard how every Prophet and his companions suffered adversities such as indigence, diseases and contempt; how the heads of their followers were sent as presents in the cities; how they were prevented from that whereunto they were commanded, and each of them suffered by the hand of the enemies of religion, to such an extent that the latter inflicted upon them whatever they desired.

4It is evident that the changes and alterations effected during every Manifestation are the dark cloud which prevents the eye of the servants' knowledge from knowing that Divine Sun which shines forth from the Day-spring of Deity. When the servants who have continued for years to imitate the religion of their ancestors and who have been brought up in its established ceremonies and customs, suddenly find one who hath been among them, their equal in all the human limitations, abolishing those religious ordinances in which they have been trained for successive centuries and the contradictor and denier of which they consider as infidel, impious and profligate,—such circumstances naturally constitute a veil and cloud for those whose hearts have not tasted the Salsabile of Severance nor drunk from the Kawther of Knowledge. As soon as they hear these things, they become so veiled from the comprehension of that Sun, that they declare Him as infidel and condemn Him to death, without appeal. This hath been witnessed since the earliest centuries and is also seen in this time. Therefore an effort should be made that through the Invisible Assistance we may not be prevented by similar dark veils and the cloud of Divine tests from beholding that shining Beauty; that we may know Him in Himself, and if we seek any proof, we may be satisfied with one evidence and argument, in order that we may attain to the fountain of the Infinite Bounty before which all bounties are accounted as nothing; and not to oppose Him every day by an imagination nor by clinging to a fancy.

5Praise be to God! Although these things have been formerly announced with wonderful symbols and references, so that all the people might know and not be deprived of the Ocean of Oceans of Bounties in this day, yet the matter hath happened as witnessed.

6Similar texts are also revealed in the Koran saying—"Do (the infidels) expect less than that God should come down to them overshadowed with clouds, and the angels also" (K. S. 2)? Some of the outwardly learned have considered this verse to be a sign of an imaginary resurrection day which they have understood, although the same statement is recorded in most of the Heavenly Books and is spoken of in all passages in connection with the signs of the subsequent Manifestation, as formerly mentioned.