ed to the world of
contingencies and not to the divine world. For God the end is the same
thing as the beginning. So the reckoning of days, weeks, months and years,
of yesterday and today, is connected with the terrestrial globe; but in
the sun there is no such thing--there is neither yesterday, today nor
tomorrow, neither months nor years: all are equal. In the same way the
Word of God is purified from all these conditions and is exempt from the
boundaries, the laws and the limits of the world of contingency.
Therefore, the reality of prophethood, which is the Word of God and the
perfect state of manifestation, did not have any beginning and will not
have any end; its rising is different from all others and is like that of
the sun. For example, its dawning in the sign of Christ was with the
utmost splendor and radiance, and this is eternal and everlasting. See how
many conquering kings there have been, how many statesmen and princes,
powerful organizers, all of whom have disappeared, whereas the breezes of
Christ are still blowing; His light is still shining; His melody is still
resounding; His standard is still waving; His armies are still fighting;
His heavenly voice is still sweetly melodious; His clouds are still
showering gems; His lightning is still flashing; His reflection is still
clear and brilliant; His splendor is still radiating and luminous; and it
is the same with those souls who are under His protection and are shining
with His light.

Then it is evident that the Manifestations possess three conditions: the
physical condition, the condition of the rational soul, and the condition
of the divine appearance and heavenly splendor. The physical condition
will certainly become decomposed, but the condition of the rational soul,
though it has a beginning, has no end: nay, it is endowed with everlasting
life. But the Holy Reality, of which Christ says, "The Father is in the
Son,"(124) has neither beginning nor end. When beginning is spoken of, it
signifies the state of manifesting; and, symbolically, the condition of
silence is compared to sleep. For example, a man is sleeping--when he
begins to speak, he is awake--but it is always the same individual, whether
he be asleep or awake; no difference has occurred in his station, his
elevation, his glory, his reality or his nature. The state of silence is
compared to sleep, and that of manifestation to wakefulness. A man
sleeping or waking is the same man; sleep is on