Baha'i sacred writings on the afterlife are abundant. Here is an excerpt from Baha'u'llah's works: (2:15)

Thou hast asked Me concerning the nature of the soul. Know, verily, that the soul is a sign of God, a heavenly gem whose reality the most learned of men hath failed to grasp, and whose mystery no mind, however acute, can ever hope to unravel. It is the first among all created things to declare the excellence of its Creator, the first to recognize His glory, to cleave to His truth, and to bow down in adoration before Him. If it be faithful to God, it will reflect His light, and will, eventually, return unto Him. If it fail, however, in its allegiance to its Creator, it will become a victim to self and passion, and will, in the end, sink in their depths (2:16)

Whoso hath, in this Day, refused to allow the doubts and fancies of men to turn him away from Him Who is the Eternal Truth, and hath not suffered the tumult provoked by the ecclesiastical and secular authorities to deter him from recognizing His Message, such a man will be regarded by God, the Lord of all men, as one of His mighty signs, and will be numbered among them whose names have been inscribed by the Pen of the Most High in His Book. Blessed is he that hath recognized the true stature of such a soul, that hath acknowledged its station, and discovered its virtues.8 (2:17)

In this world we see only the visible. Sometimes we doubt that we will ever enjoy the fruits of our labor. "One cold February day a snail started climbing an apple tree. As he inched slowly upward, a worm stuck its head from a crevice in the tree to offer some advice: 'You're wasting your energy. There isn't a single apple up there.' The snail kept up his slow climb. 'There will be when I get there,' he said." (2:18)

Among the most beloved and blessed attributes in the sight of God is patience. Those who endure the unpleasant with resignation will receive "the choicest gifts:" (2:19)

Say, this earthly life shall come to an end, and everyone shall expire and return unto my Lord God Who will reward with the choicest gifts the deeds of those who endure with patience. Verily thy God assigneth the measure of all created things as He willeth, by virtue of His behest; and those who conform to the goodpleasure of your Lord, they are indeed among the blissful.9 The Bab (2:20)

We all know we can never get out of this world "alive." And yet we live as if we will. Life is a journey; we must consistently set goals and move on. What matters is not where we started but how far we have traveled. Our life is like a taxi ride. Whether we go anywhere or not, the meter keeps ticking. Sooner or later our earthly ride hits a dead end. And the ticking taxi has no reverse gears (2:21)

O CHILDREN OF NEGLIGENCE!

>Set not your affections on mortal sovereignty and rejoice not therein. Ye are even as the unwary bird that with full confidence warbleth upon the bough; till of a sudden the fowler Death throws it upon the dust, and the melody, the form and the color are gone, leaving not a trace. Wherefore take heed, O bondslaves of desire! (10 Baha'u'llah- ) (2:22)

All sacred Scriptures encourage us to take advantage of the opportunities we have in this life to advance spiritually. While here, on our journey towards God, we can advance in one instant as much as a thousand years. This will never again be possible. The most critical feature of this world among all the worlds of God is this: It sets the pace for everything that follows throughout all eternity. We are asked a thousand times and more to seize the moment before it is gone forever: (2:23)

Seize your chance...inasmuch as a fleeting moment in this Day excelleth centuries of a bygone age ...Neither sun nor moon hath witnessed a day such as this. (11 Baha'u'llah- ) (2:24)

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