As the womb is the place of preparation for this life, so is this life for the next. We should take advantage of every opportunity to attain the greatest growth possible. After passing away from this realm, we will not enjoy the unlimited opportunities we have had here. This world is a school. Our goal is to graduate with honor and distinction. The uniqueness and significance of this life lies in this: It determines our eternal destiny. (3:1)

The conditions of the next life are beyond our comprehension. It is futile to try to know exactly what will happen or what everything will be like. Some day we will all make the journey. What we need most is patience and trust. (3:2)

Our perception of the next life may be as perfect-- or as imperfect-- as that of children. These examples from Angels Must Get Their Wings by Helping Little Angels Like Me show what children think about heaven: (3:3)

Heaven is a place where girls get turned into angels. Then God tries to do the best He can with the boys." "It's a place where you could eat all the pizza you want and never get a tummy ache." "Jesus is in heaven. He leads the prayers and I think He still likes to fiddle around and do some carpenter's stuff with his dad." "If you take a trip away from heaven, God will always leave the light on for you." "Last one to enter heaven takes out the garbage. But don't get too bummed out, because in heaven even the garbage smells real good." (3:4)

In the following statement Baha'u'llah offers insight into the afterlife: (3:5)

Know thou of a truth that the soul, after its separation from the body, will continue to progress until it attaineth the presence of God, in a state and condition which neither the revolution of ages and centuries, nor the changes and chances of this world, can alter. It will endure as long as the Kingdom of God, His sovereignty, His dominion and power will endure. It will manifest the signs of God and His attributes, and will reveal His loving-kindness and bounty. The movement of My Pen is stilled when it attempteth to befittingly describe the loftiness and glory of so exalted a station. The honor with which the Hand of Mercy will invest the soul is such as no tongue can adequately reveal, nor any other earthly agency describe. Blessed is the soul which, at the hour of its separation from the body, is sanctified from the vain imaginings of the peoples of the world. Such a soul liveth and moveth in accordance with the Will of its Creator, and entereth the all-highest Paradise. The Maids of Heaven, inmates of the loftiest mansions, will circle around it, and the Prophets of God and His chosen ones will seek its companionship. With them that soul will freely converse, and will recount unto them that which it hath been made to endure in the path of God, the Lord of all worlds. If any man be told that which hath been ordained for such a soul in the worlds of God, the Lord of the throne on high and of earth below, his whole being will instantly blaze out in his great longing to attain that most exalted, that sanctified and resplendent station... (3:6)

The nature of the soul after death can never be described, nor is it meet and permissible to reveal its whole character to the eyes of men. The Prophets and Messengers of God have been sent down for the sole purpose of guiding mankind to the straight Path of Truth. The purpose underlying Their revelation hath been to educate all men, that they may, at the hour of death, ascend, in the utmost purity and sanctity and with absolute detachment, to the throne of the Most High. (3:7)

The light which these souls radiate is responsible for the progress of the world and the advancement of its peoples. They are like unto leaven which leaveneth the world of being, and constitute the animating force through which the arts and wonders of the world are made manifest. Through them the clouds rain their bounty upon men, and the earth bringeth forth its fruits. All things must needs have a cause, a motive power, an animating principle. These souls and symbols of detachment have provided, and will continue to provide, the supreme moving impulse in the world of being. The world beyond is as different from this world as this world is different from that of the child while still in the womb of its mother. When the soul attaineth the Presence of God, it will assume the form that best befitteth its immortality and is worthy of its celestial habitation.19 (3:8)

Thus as Baha'u'llah indicates: (3:9)

The human soul continues to advance after its departure from the body. (3:10)

The nature of the soul cannot be fully described. (3:11)

The purpose of God's Messengers is to prepare us spiritually not only for this life but for the next. (3:12)

The pure souls of the departed exert a profound impact on our lives. (3:13)

This world compared to the next is like the womb compared to this world. (3:14)

Sacred Scriptures contain two critical words about hell. One is the "fire," the other "forever." This passage contains both these words: (3:15)

Such as have believed in God and in His signs are indeed the followers of truth and shall abide in the gardens of delight, while those who have disbelieved in God and have rejected that which He hath revealed, these shall be the inmates of the fire wherein they shall remain forever.20 The Bab (3:16)

And the smoke of their torment goes up for ever and ever. Revelation 14:11 (3:17)

The word "forever" transcends human understanding, yet we should constantly ponder its meaning, for that is the most significant aspect of our nature. Every thoughtful person should ponder the meaning and implications of this most critical word. (3:18)

Ages and eons must pass to regain the lost blessings and honors that can be ours even in a twinkling of an eye. The possibilities for spiritual advancement here are infinite. While on the earthly plane, it takes only a moment to decide to step from the darkness of denial into the light of hope and faith. Eternal joy is only one step away from eternal grief and sorrow: (3:19)

O SON OF LOVE!
>Thou art but one step away from the glorious heights above and from the celestial tree of love. Take thou one pace and with the next advance into the immortal realm and enter the pavilion of eternity. Give ear then to that which hath been revealed by the pen of glory.21 (3:20)

Every intelligent person should ask this question: Is it worth risking an eternity for a little negligence or inattention? Is it wise to ignore God's numerous warnings for trivial reasons or excuses such as: "I am too busy," "I am not interested," or "I am happy with what I have"? (3:21)

It is hard to imagine an act that would require so little effort and yet offer so much reward. It is hard to think of an act that would result from so little negligence and yet lead to such dire consequences. (3:22)

This prayer should ascend from our hearts to Heaven on every moment of our lives: (3:23)

All that I beg of Thee, O my God, is to enable me, ere my soul departeth from my body, to attain Thy good-pleasure, even were it granted to me for a moment tinier than the infinitesimal fraction of a mustard seed. For if it departeth while Thou art pleased with me, then I shall be free from every concern or anxiety; but if it abandoneth me while Thou art displeased with me, then, even had I wrought every good deed, none would be of any avail, and had I earned every honor and glory, none would serve to exalt me.22 The Bab (3:24)

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