Besides, the legal institutions laid down by Baha'u'llah secure the continuity of divine authority and guidance. With the passing away of the prophet the divine guidance of the people of God would have ceased. In the Book he left behind, divine guidance can be found, but the Book has been revealed to last over a long period of time and therefore offers only a framework as far as social norms are concerned. As the times and conditions change, it becomes necessary to have complementary laws. This cannot be dependent upon the more or less imperfect and above all uncontrollable guidance of individual believers. It must be possible for legal guidance of the community to be recognized on an objective basis. In the Baha'i Faith divine guidance continues in an objective way, with an institution to which Baha'u'llah has promised his guidance and upon which he has conferred supreme authority. The Universal House of Justice has its residence in Haifa and leads the destinies of the Faith on the whole planet. The community order of Baha'u'llah is thus of a theocratic nature: god himself rules His people (46:3)

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The Light Shineth in Darkness
Udo Schaefer