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The natural world is a metaphor for the spiritual world. For example, the sun, or light, is symbolic of truth. Physical light enables us to see our way in the world so that we will not injure ourselves by colliding with other objects. Spiritual light (truth) enables us to find our way in the world morally so that we do not bring harm to our souls. Thus Christ stated, 'As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world' (John 9:4-5, emphasis added). Baha'u'llah teaches that this type of metaphorical relationship between material reality and spiritual reality is at the heart of the imagery in Jesus' prophecy: (109:2) By the terms 'sun' and 'moon', mentioned in the writings of the Prophets of God, is not meant solely the sun and moon of the visible universe. Nay rather, manifold are the meanings they have intended for these terms. In every instance they have attached to them a particular significance. Thus, by the 'sun' in one sense is meant those Suns of Truth Who rise from the dayspring of ancient glory, and fill the world with a liberal effusion of grace from on high. These Suns of Truth are the universal Manifestations of God in the worlds of His attributes and names, even as the visible sun that assisteth, as decreed by God, the true One, the Adored, in the development of all earthly things, such as the trees, the fruits, and colours thereof, the minerals of the earth, and all that may be witnessed in the world of creation, so do the divine Luminaries, by their loving care and educative influence, cause the trees of divine unity, the fruits of His oneness, the leaves of detachment, the blossoms of knowledge and certitude, and the myrtles of wisdom and utterance, to exist and be made manifest. (Certitude 33-4)
(109:3)
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