Abstract
The life of man on earth is framed by two states - the initial state in Paradise and the final state when he attains the Kingdom of Heaven. It is in these two states that the essence of man is revealed in its fullness, but life on earth in between is only an opportunity for the manifestation of this essence through deification, namely, the acquisition of man’s unity with God which was lost in the fall into sin. It is through the means of acquiring this unity that the essence of man in his earthly life and the very meaning of man’s life are manifested. These ways and means include living in accordance with the commandments, accepting the will of God, acquiring the fear of God, attaining the virtues of faith, hope, love, charity, joy, meekness, repentance, kindness, humility, salvation, etc. Man can manifest and realise these means