This goes back to the Oedipian Chorus saying solemnly "Count no man lucky until
he is dead."
The Bab says more productively and usefully:
"WORSHIP thou God in such wise that if thy worship lead thee to the fire, no
alteration in thine adoration would be produced, and so likewise if thy
recompense should be paradise. Thus and thus alone should be the worship which
befitteth the one True God. Shouldst thou worship Him because of fear, this
would be unseemly in the sanctified Court of His presence, and could not be
regarded as an act by thee dedicated to the Oneness of His Being. Or if thy
gaze should be on paradise, and thou shouldst worship Him while cherishing such
a hope, thou wouldst make God's creation a partner with Him, notwithstanding
the fact that paradise is desired by men.
Fire and paradise both bow down and prostrate themselves before God. That
which is worthy of His Essence is to worship Him for His sake, without fear of
fire, or hope of paradise.
Although when true worship is offered, the worshipper is delivered from the
fire, and entereth the paradise of God's good-pleasure, yet such should not be
the motive of his act. However, God's favour and grace ever flow in accordance
with the exigencies of His inscrutable wisdom."
(The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 77)
Regards,
Scott
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