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40: THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE DIVINE MANIFESTATIONS
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Question.--One of the powers possessed by the Divine
Manifestations is knowledge. To what extent is it limited?
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Answer.--Knowledge is of two kinds. One is subjective
and the other objective knowledge--that is to say, an intuitive
knowledge and a knowledge derived from perception.
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The knowledge of things which men universally have is
gained by reflection or by evidence--that is to say, either
by the power of the mind the conception of an object is
formed, or from beholding an object the form is produced
in the mirror of the heart. The circle of this knowledge is
very limited because it depends upon effort and attainment.
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But the second sort of knowledge, which is the knowledge
of being, is intuitive; it is like the cognizance and consciousness
that man has of himself.
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For example, the mind and the spirit of man are cognizant
of the conditions and states of the members and component
parts of the body, and are aware of all the physical
sensations; in the same way, they are aware of their
power, of their feelings, and of their spiritual conditions.
This is the knowledge of being which man realizes and
perceives, for the spirit surrounds the body and is aware of
its sensations and powers. This knowledge is not the outcome
of effort and study. It is an existing thing; it is an
absolute gift.
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Since the Sanctified Realities, the supreme Manifestations
of God, surround the essence and qualities of the
creatures, transcend and contain existing realities and
understand all things, therefore, Their knowledge is divine
knowledge, and not acquired--that is to say, it is a
holy bounty; it is a divine revelation.
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We will mention an example expressly for the purpose
of comprehending this subject. The most noble being on
the earth is man. He embraces the animal, vegetable and
mineral kingdoms--that is to say, these conditions are
contained in him to such an extent that he is the possessor
of these conditions and states; he is aware of their mysteries
and of the secrets of their existence. This is simply
an example and not an analogy. Briefly, the supreme
Manifestations of God are aware of the reality of the mysteries
of beings. Therefore, They establish laws which are
suitable and adapted to the state of the world of man, for
religion is the essential connection which proceeds from
the realities of things. The Manifestation--that is, the
Holy Lawgiver--unless He is aware of the realities of beings,
will not comprehend the essential connection which
proceeds from 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.
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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.
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