m the realities of things, and He will certainly not be able
to establish a religion conformable to the facts and suited to the
conditions. The Prophets of God, the supreme Manifestations, are like
skilled physicians, and the contingent world is like the body of man: the
divine laws are the remedy and treatment. Consequently, the doctor must be
aware of, and know, all the members and parts, as well as the constitution
and state of the patient, so that he can prescribe a medicine which will
be beneficial against the violent poison of the disease. In reality the
doctor deduces from the disease itself the treatment which is suited to
the patient, for he diagnoses the malady, and afterward prescribes the
remedy for the illness. Until the malady be discovered, how can the remedy
and treatment be prescribed? The doctor then must have a thorough
knowledge of the constitution, members, organs and state of the patient,
and be acquainted with all diseases and all remedies, in order to
prescribe a fitting medicine.

Religion, then, is the necessary connection which emanates from the
reality of things; and as the supreme Manifestations of God are aware of
the mysteries of beings, therefore, They understand this essential
connection, and by this knowledge establish the Law of God.

41: THE UNIVERSAL CYCLES

Question.--What is the real explanation of the cycles which occur in the
world of existence?

Answer.--Each one of the luminous bodies in this limitless firmament has a
cycle of revolution which is of a different duration, and every one
revolves in its own orbit, and again begins a new cycle. So the earth,
every three hundred and sixty-five days, five hours, forty-eight minutes
and a fraction, completes a revolution; and then it begins a new
cycle--that is to say, the first cycle is again renewed. In the same way,
for the whole universe, whether for the heavens or for men, there are
cycles of great events, of important facts and occurrences. When a cycle
is ended, a new cycle begins; and the old one, on account of the great
events which take place, is completely forgotten, and not a trace or
record of it will remain. As you see, we have no records of twenty
thousand years ago, although we have before proved by argument that life
on this earth is very ancient. It is not one hundred thousand, or two
hundred thousand, or one million or two million years old; it is very
ancient, and the ancient records and traces are entir