shall nonetheless mention that which beseemeth this day and age, that it
might serve as a guidance unto whosoever desireth to gain admittance into
the retreats of glory in the realms above, to hearken unto the melodies of
the spirit intoned by this divine and mystic bird, and to be numbered with
those who have severed themselves from all save God and who in this day
rejoice in the presence of their Lord.

64 Know then that “life” hath a twofold meaning. The first pertaineth to
the appearance of man in an elemental body, and is as manifest to thine
eminence and to others as the midday sun. This life cometh to an end with
physical death, which is a God-ordained and inescapable reality. That
life, however, which is mentioned in the Books of the Prophets and the
Chosen Ones of God is the life of knowledge; that is to say, the servant’s
recognition of the sign of the splendours wherewith He Who is the Source
of all splendour hath Himself invested him, and his certitude of attaining
unto the presence of God through the Manifestations of His Cause. This is
that blessed and everlasting life that perisheth not: whosoever is
quickened thereby shall never die, but will endure as long as His Lord and
Creator will endure.

65 The first life, which pertaineth to the elemental body, will come to an
end, as hath been revealed by God: “Every soul shall taste of death.”(42)
But the second life, which ariseth from the knowledge of God, knoweth no
death, as hath been revealed aforetime: “Him will We surely quicken to a
blessed life.”(43) And in another passage concerning the martyrs: “Nay,
they are alive and sustained by their Lord.”(44) And from the Traditions:
“He who is a true believer liveth both in this world and in the world to
come.”(45) Numerous examples of similar words are to be found in the Books
of God and of the Embodiments of His justice. For the sake of brevity,
however, We have contented Ourself with the above passages.