THE INHERITANCE OF PARADISE

 

THE INHERITANCE OF PARADISE

THE INHERITANCE OF PARADISE

The believer is like a solid tree, which is nourished by the whole universe. Sustained by his belief, he grows like a splendid tree, with his roots spread out under the ground and his branches reaching up into the sky. Never deserted by divine succour, he exudes freshness and vitality at all times. He prospers in this world and the next.

The unbeliever, on the other hand, is like a bramble bush, or a weed which grows on the surface of the earth, bereft of divine succour. He is unstable in this world, and will give no fruit in the next. He loses out in both places.

God has given unbelievers some rein in this ephemeral world, and the opportunities they have been given on earth should be seen in this light. Since they are being tested in this world, they have the chance to grow and develop temporarily on earth. But when the period of trial has run its course, they will burn forever. The only souls to inherit the luxuriant world of paradise will be those who have shown a true devotion to the Lord on earth.

HEAVENLY CHARACTER

HEAVENLY CHARACTER

God requires men of excellence to take up their abode in Paradise. To this end, He has provided models throughout the cosmos to inspire human beings to attain that level of excellence. Take the iron found in the cosmos. That is man's model for human resoluteness. The water which gushes forth from barren rocks is his model for leniency and compassion. The immutability of the laws of nature shows man how faithfully he must keep his promises. The fragrance, colour and beauty of the material world are there to inspire man to deal equitably with others. The fact that billions of stars remain in orbit without colliding is example of how man should operate within his own sphere and avoid clashing with others.

Returning good for evil is exemplified by the trees who take in harmful carbondioxide and supply us with life giving oxygen in return. The mountains and everything that stands erect cast their shadows on the ground as if in self-prostration: man is required in the same way to be humble. He should never be proud or domineering.

Whoever wishes to share in God's eternal blessings should obey God in the way the cosmos does. He should be pleased only with that which pleases God. Whoever wishes to share in God's eternal blessings should be pleased only with that which pleases God; he should obey God, as the cosmos does.

The iron of the cosmos should be the model for human resoluteness. The water which flows forth from hard rocks gives man the example of leniency and compassion. The laws of nature are immutable; so man is required to be faithful to his promises. The world of matter is fragrant, colourful and elegant; man following the same pattern should deal equitably with others. Billions of stars revolve continuously, but never collide with one another; man following this cosmic pattern should operate within his own sphere, being careful to avoid clashing with others. Trees take in carbondioxide and supply us with exygen in return; this action is required on a human level in the form of certain ethical values such as doing good to those who harm one. Mountains, and everything that stands erect, cast their shadows on the grounds as if in an act of self-prostration; so man is required to be humble in the same way; he should not be domineering or proud.