These Magi said:  “Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east and are come to worship Him!"(48) When they had searched, they found out that in Bethlehem, in the land of Judea, the Child had been born.  This was the sign that was manifested in the visible heaven.  As to the sign in the invisible heaven—­the heaven of divine knowledge and understanding—­it was Yahya, son of Zachariah, who gave unto the people the tidings of the Manifestation of Jesus.  Even as He hath revealed:  “God announceth Yahya to thee, who shall bear witness unto the Word from God, and a great one and chaste."(49) By the term “Word” is meant Jesus, Whose coming Yahya foretold.  Moreover, in the heavenly Scriptures it is written:  “John the Baptist was preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, Repent ye:  for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand."(50) By John is meant Yahya.

Likewise, ere the beauty of Muhammad was unveiled, the signs of the visible heaven were made manifest.  As to the signs of the invisible heaven, there appeared four men who successively announced unto the people the joyful tidings of the rise of that divine Luminary.  Ruz-bih, later named Salman, was honoured by being in their service.  As the end of one of these approached, he would send Ruz-bih unto the other, until the fourth who, feeling his death to be nigh, addressed Ruz-bih saying:  “O Ruz-bih! when thou hast taken up my body and buried it, go to Hijaz for there the Day-star of Muhammad will arise.  Happy art thou, for thou shalt behold His face!”

And now concerning this wondrous and most exalted Cause.  Know thou verily that many an astronomer hath announced the appearance of its star in the visible heaven.  Likewise, there appeared on earth Ahmad and Kazim,(51) those twin resplendent lights—­may God sanctify their resting-place!

From all that We have stated it hath become clear and manifest that before the revelation of each of the Mirrors reflecting the divine Essence, the signs heralding their advent must needs be revealed in the visible heaven as well as in the invisible, wherein is the seat of the sun of knowledge, of the moon of wisdom, and of the stars of understanding and utterance.  The sign of the invisible heaven must needs be revealed in the person of that perfect man who, before each Manifestation appeareth, educateth, and prepareth the souls of men for the advent of the divine Luminary, the Light of the unity of God amongst men.

And now, with reference to His words:  “And then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”  These words signify that in those days men will lament the loss of the Sun of the divine beauty, of the Moon of knowledge, and of the Stars of divine wisdom.  Thereupon, they will behold the countenance of the promised One, the adored Beauty, descending from heaven and riding upon the clouds.  By this is meant that