-for the connection which
exists between the reality of things, whether they be spiritual or
material, requires that when the mirror is clear and faces the sun, the
light of the sun must become apparent in it. In the same way, when the
elements are arranged and combined in the most glorious system,
organization and manner, the human spirit will appear and be manifest in
them. This is the decree of the Powerful, the Wise.

53: THE RELATION BETWEEN GOD AND THE CREATURE

Question.--What is the nature of the connection between God and the
creature--that is to say, between the Independent, the Most High, and the
other beings?

Answer.--The connection between God and the creatures is that of the
creator to the creation; it is like the connection between the sun and the
dark bodies of contingent beings, and is the connection between the maker
and the things that he has made. The sun in its own essence is independent
of the bodies which it lights, for its light is in itself and is free and
independent of the terrestrial globe; so the earth is under the influence
of the sun and receives its light, whereas the sun and its rays are
entirely independent of the earth. But if there were no sun, the earth and
all earthly beings could not exist.

The dependence of the creatures upon God is a dependence of emanation--that
is to say, creatures emanate from God; they do not manifest Him.(143) The
relation is that of emanation and not that of manifestation. The light of
the sun emanates from the sun; it does not manifest it. The appearance
through emanation is like the appearance of the rays from the luminary of
the horizons of the world--that is to say, the holy essence of the Sun of
Truth is not divided and does not descend to the condition of the
creatures. In the same way, the globe of the sun does not become divided
and does not descend to the earth. No, the rays of the sun, which are its
bounty, emanate from it and illumine the dark bodies.

But the appearance through manifestation is the manifestation of the
branches, leaves, blossoms and fruit from the seed; for the seed in its
own essence becomes branches and fruits, and its reality enters into the
branches, the leaves and fruits. This appearance through manifestation
would be for God, the Most High, simple imperfection; and this is quite
impossible, for the implication would be that the Absolute Preexistent is
qualified with phenomenal attributes. But if this were so,