Let us take a quick look at a book that has inspired billions of Christians around the world: the Bible—a book that reveals the secrets of our creation. According to that text, there are two kingdoms in the spiritual world: the kingdom of humans and the kingdom of God.
Those kingdoms, like an electric generator and a light bulb, must be connected in order to generate light; otherwise, there will be no light. Similarly, we must connect our souls to His Generator in order to receive any light from the One who made us. Otherwise, we will see only doom and gloom in our lives and the lives of others. Where are those two kingdoms? One of them is buried deep within our soul’s rich mine, where God etched His own image. The other is our Creator, who grants us glimpses of His glory and understanding in proportion to our spiritual capacities and abilities. He provides this information to us through a physical-human being at different points in humanity’s history, when we are in desperate need of it. It’s helpful to compare the physical and spiritual kingdoms to learn God’s design for our creation.
How Do Scientists Discover the Mysteries of the Universe?
Scientists must contend with two kingdoms: the mind’s kingdom and the world’s kingdom. Scientists must connect the two kingdoms in order to unravel the universe’s mysteries. What’s the difference between those seeking the secrets of the physical kingdom and those seeking the secrets of the spiritual kingdom? The mind is responsible for the physical realm, while the soul is responsible for the spiritual kingdom. The mind is a special kind of soul power that specializes in reasoning and thinking. It’s similar to computer software, it is neither the hardware nor it is the user; it is the medium by which the soul user operates in this world.
What about the human spirit? The soul possesses both the ability to reason and the ability to feel. Our soul is reflected in our personality. It’s possible that two scientists with similar mental talents will have opposing personalities. They may have completely different lifestyles. One of them could be a saint, while the other is a thief. The material and spiritual domains are governed by laws that are very similar. The mind’s function is to connect with the physical realm; the soul’s function is to connect with the spiritual kingdom. Some of the world’s greatest scientists are atheists. Others of a similar stature believe in God as well. They reach opposite conclusions despite having identical mental abilities. Their difference stems from their souls, not from their minds.
A Critical Law of the Design of Creation
One of the rules of creation, in both the physical and spiritual realms, is that we must experience something in order to have total conviction about it. Is there any way to know the sweet taste of honey without tasting it, for example? Is it possible that simply hearing about it will disclose the genuine meaning of sweetness to us? Is it capable of bringing us to a state of ultimate certainty? Similarly, the only way to know for sure how sweet it is to know and love God is to taste it. Another example: Could you imagine the beauty and splendor of light even if you had never seen it?
There are millions of people who would claim at any given time: I never realized what I was missing out on by ignoring or disregarding the spiritual kingdom until I actually experienced the delight of living in it. Those who do not enter that kingdom will never know what they have been missing out on.
Connecting the Two Kingdoms
We must connect the kingdom within us with the one outside us, just as scientists must connect their minds to the universe. We must connect our spirit with God’s Spirit. Consider the human soul or spirit to be a diamond, and God’s Spirit, or His heavenly Kingdom, to be light, expressed in His Word. Is it possible for a treasure as valuable as a diamond to unveil its beauty and brilliance in the dark?
God’s Word is His instruction manual for discovering and connecting our kingdom with His. Without being exposed to the Light of His Knowledge as revealed in His Word, it is impossible to manifest the beauty and splendor of God’s Image in our spirit.
Many people find this difficult to believe. When a violent Islamic sect came to power in Iran, it oppressed a small group of non-Muslim believers known as Bahá’s. They killed almost 200 of their leaders and most active believers to instill dread in this nascent Faith’s adherents. These leaders were given the option of living or dying if they denied their faith by simply proclaiming, “I am not a Bahá’.” They all chose death. We might believe they were insane. They weren’t crazy; they were among the most rational, educated, and peaceful people on the planet. Professors, doctors, lawyers, and rich businessmen and ladies were among them. Mona, a 16-year-old girl, was one of the active believers. They tried all they could to get her to say one word of denial, but they couldn’t. What did these warriors know that we didn’t? They’d tasted the bliss of knowing and loving God to the point that it was simpler to give their lives as a gift to Him than to deny Him in words!
The Desire to Search
Jesus compared the spiritual kingdom to a treasure hidden in a field to emphasize the importance of searching. Is it possible to uncover a treasure without having to hunt and dig? And how would we react if we came across one? Shouldn’t we be even more ecstatic if we discovered that such a treasure resides within our own soul?
Why does the divine Jeweler keep His assurances hidden from us? It is a reflection of His ultimate wisdom that He has hidden them. Imagine Edison’s delight and excitement when he uncovered the secret of light! Imagine our excitement and rapture if we discovered that such a light exists in God’s spiritual kingdom as well. The roles of light are the same in both kingdoms. One of these enlightens our perception, while the other enlightens our vision.
To find God’s hidden treasures, we must follow two steps: first, we must “leave no stone unturned” until we find them, and second, we must carefully analyze them to ensure that they are genuine.
The One who created us, knows us intimately, and deeply loves us, asks us to seek out His glorious Image imprinted deep inside our souls and expressed in His Word. Who is to blame if we don’t perform our fair part of seeking and testing? Should we hold God responsible for our failure?
The glitz and glam of the visible treasures are so captivating, charming, and entertaining that they distract us from the invisible treasures. Every joy and pleasure He had in His Kingdom was placed within our reach by the One who designed us. But how many people would choose spiritual treasures from God’s magnificent World above earthly riches? How many people would choose a treasure that will be theirs forever over one that they will have to give up? Few people pay attention to this warning:
Provide for yourselves…a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth can destroy.
-Luke 12:33
Few people would choose to read a book on their heavenly destiny over drinking and dancing at a party. Congratulations if you are still reading this Invitation! You could be one of a select few among the many who have been invited.