228. These words are indicative of an important fact. Man's test lies in
showing whether he accepts reality even though he cannot perceive it directly
through his senses; and whether, after having accepted it, he has the required
moral stamina to obey God even though he is endowed with the capacity to disobey
Him. In sending the Prophets, in revealing the Scriptures, indeed, even in performing
miracles, God has always taken care to leave scope for testing man's power of
judgement and his moral stamina. He has never disclosed reality to such a degree
that man would be inevitably compelled to accept it. For if that were done,
nothing would remain to be tested and the very idea of man's success or failure
would be meaningless.
It is pointed out, therefore, that people should not keep waiting for God and
the angels - the devoted servants of His realm - to appear before them. If that
were to happen, it would mark the end of everything and there would be no occasion
left for man to decide anything. To believe and to bow in submission and obedience
to God are of value only so long as the reality is presented in such a way as
to make its rejection possible.
For, if the Truth were to be fully disclosed and if men were to see with their
own eyes God on His Throne of Majesty with the entire universe acting according
to His command, what would be the worth of their faith and obedience? If all
these things were physically observable not even the most stubborn unbelievers
and the worst sinners would dare either to disbelieve or disobey. Acceptance
of faith and obedience has value only as long as there remains a veil over reality.
The moment when reality is totally unveiled would mark the end of the period
granted to man to decide, and of the testing period for him. It would, in fact,
be the Day of Judgement.