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To awaken us to our greatness, to our spiritual destiny, and to Himself, God manifests Himself periodically through human beings known by such titles as divine Messengers, Mediators, Redeemers, Saviors, Prophets, Teachers, and Manifestations. Through them God teaches us truths beyond our reach and inspires us to purity and nobility. (2:1) Each day the sun dawns from a different point. Atmospheric changes around the earth may also alter its appearance, yet it is the same sun, always radiating with full glory. The same principle applies to God's great Messengers; they come from different places and appear to be different, yet they are one: (2:2) The Revelation of God may be likened to the sun. No matter how innumerable its risings, there is but one sun, and upon it depends the life of all things... (2:3) The process of the rise and setting of the Sun of Truth will thus indefinitely continue, a process that hath had no beginning and will have no end. (2:4) Well is it with him who in every Dispensation recognizeth the Purpose of God for that Dispensation, and is not deprived therefrom by turning his gaze towards the things of the past.8 The Bab (2:5) Because of the great favors bestowed on His Messengers, they become His most intimate and devoted disciples and friends. Since they recognize His infinite perfections, they glorify Him beyond measure. They follow His bidding and stand firm in their love and devotion to Him. (2:6) Their main goal is to teach us so that we too may learn to know, love, and glorify God. This knowledge, love, and devotion are the most powerful motivators in all the universe. They can uplift an individual from the depths of immorality, selfishness, despair, and gloom to the highest and richest realms of purity, peace, and perfection. (2:7) We can learn to know and love God in three ways: by looking deep into our own souls, by piercing the mysteries of the universe, and best of all, by pondering the lives and teachings of great Messengers, who give us perfectly accurate and direct knowledge about our Creator. They are the most polished and splendid Mirrors of God's glory and knowledge. Whatever they teach us is indeed God's Word. (2:8) In his book God's Loving Words, Dr. Ray Stedman offers this story to demonstrate the relationship between God and humanity: (2:9) The Danish Christian philosopher Sören Kierkegaard tells the story about a king who fell in love with a peasant maiden. This king was the wealthiest, most respected, most powerful king in the entire region. No one dared oppose him or speak a word against him. But this king, as powerful and respected as he was, had a problem: How could he tell this maiden that he loved her? And how could he know for sure that she loved him? (2:10) The very fact that he was a king, rich, famous, and powerful, was a barrier. (2:11) He could lead an armed escort of knights to the door of her humble cottage, and he could demand, by his authority as king, that she marry him. (2:12) But that wouldn't do. The king didn't want a fearful slave for a wife. He wanted someone who would love him, someone to share his life, someone who would be happy and eager to spend her days at his side. (2:13) He could shower her with gifts and jewels and beautiful robes and -- No, no, that wouldn't do either. He didn't want to buy her love. He wanted her to love him for himself, not for his gifts and his wealth. (2:14) Somehow he had to find a way to win the maiden's love without overwhelming her, without destroying her free will. Somehow he had to make himself her equal. (2:15) So the king clothed himself in rags and went to her as a peasant. But the truly amazing thing is this: The king did not merely disguise himself as a poor man. He actually became poor! He loved this maiden so much that he renounced his throne, his wealth, and his kingly power to win her love!9 (2:16) This beautiful parable shows how the King and Creator of the universe manifests Himself in a humble human being and subjects Himself to the requirements of nature: hunger, pain, disease, and even death. If God overwhelmed us with His infinite power and glory, we could not love Him freely. We would act more like fearful slaves. (2:17) Knowing God is the first and foremost knowledge:
(2:18)
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