To
The Reader
From
The (Original) Editor
The Author
(under God) is very sensible to the fact that the subject matter contained
in this Treatise will appear more than ordinarily strange to the greatest
part of those who shall read it. Yet, it is not the least doubted that
it will carry with it a Living Testimony for the confirmation of its truth,
not only to those who are already redeemed from the earth to follow the
Lamb whithersoever He goeth, being set free from the traditions, rules
and manuductions (hand-led) of men, but also to some who may be yet under
the name, mark and image of the beast, and of this worldly principle.
This may
sufficiently prove its primary Author (God), and demonstrate that the Great
Shepherd of Israel is now desiring to lead His sheep into fresh pastures.
The reception which the former books, offered through this instrument,
(The Heavenly Cloud, and of the Revelation of Revelations [The Heavenly
Cloud has been offered through this ministry under the title, Ascension
Angels--Present Editor]) have found among the nations in the High Dutch
tongue, is certainly greater than could have proceeded from any dead or
lifeless testimony. To relate how God has blessed them and does daily bless
them, as it appears from letters continually coming from foreign parts,
would be to write a history.
And if a
prophet is not so much esteemed in his own as in another country, this
is no new thing nor to be more wondered at than that our blessed Lord Himself
did meet with the worst reception where he ought to have found the best.
He was, as to His divine power, more a stranger and less believed in by
His own town than by any other.
The Wisdom
of God is exceedingly wonderful in the choice He makes of instruments through
which to Manifest Himself, so that which belongs only to Him may not be
attributed to the creature. He takes up a meek and fearful vessel to make
the most haughty powers to tremble; the youngest and most despised son
of a shepherd, to make him a glorious conqueror over many potent princes
and to leave a kingdom to his posterity in peace; an ordinary plowman,
to make him mighty to command both heaven and earth, even to teach him
to destroy his enemies by an invisible power and to raise up again the
dead to life; a woman, to be a mother and savior in Israel when no man
was found; and a few fishermen, to stand up against and triumph over all
the strength and policy of the world. So that it must be said, "This
is verily the Lord's doing and it is wonderful in our eyes."
There is
certainly so far from being anything of the refinement of man in whatever
has passed through this blessed instrument, and such an inability in the
subject to make use of it, that it cannot fail to give great offense to
all that seek to be offended. So to those who seek more for the Wisdom
that is from above than that which is below, there is here a clear demonstration
from whence it must have proceeded. And I have permission to say here,
that whoever in the meek and sober spirit shall desire further satisfaction
in this subject here dealt with, the author will readily answer to such
inquiring minds while still alive.
This much
is undeniable; that even though some may think that what is advanced here
may serve to render some souls more careless concerning their future state
and to stop their provision for it, there is not so much as a possibility
of admission, even into the lowest heavens, without the New Birth. This
is in accordance with the foundation upon which all this stands. Wherefore,
it highly behooves everyone to secure that New Birth and to press forward
with the greatest earnest so that they get entirely out of the hellish
source and the evil nature, raising themselves up above whatever is elementary.
Then, upon their leaving this visible world they may be found clothed upon
with the Holy One Element.
What I have
revealed here might not have gone any farther than among a few confessing
friends, except the same Spirit who revealed it was pleased to raise up,
in a wonderful manner, a great and princely defender and protector of these
divine truths and of the high mystery of faith. This person's name shines
gloriously in the unsealed book of life.(1) He seems committed
to do all that is needful for the promulgation of the glad tidings of the
everlasting covenant and kingdom of God and man. This shall no doubt result
in the building of the Temple of Jerusalem and the raising of the
Tabernacle
of David that is fallen. The effect of this will be more abundantly
manifested by what shall be published hereafter through the assistance
and direction of the great Master Builder, the Lord, Blessed forever.
The
Contents
1. A Manifestation concerning
the Eight Worlds, Regions Allotted to Human souls
2. A Further Manifestation
concerning the Four Heavenly Worlds
3. An Answer to a Question
The
Wonders of the Eight Worlds
"Whereas
it hath been sounded in my ears that no new spring of revelation from Him
who is ascended into the heavens doth come down, BEHOLD,
I, JESUS THE LORD, have given
and raised up, and will yet more evidently give and raise up, witnesses
to contradict the unbelieving. They, while they continue so, will be excluded
from this great and inestimable privilege of taking from Me and thereby
of knowing the hidden secrets that lie in God, the Fountain of Eternity.
"Now then,
to you who have already borne a true witness for Me, I do give a further
commission to go forth from an unsealed book within. Herein you shall meet
with an immeasurable deep of revelation to publish for the universal enlightening
of the ignorant and blind in mind. For as the result of this, the Spirit's
day shall break up apace so that it may be known that God in His Christ
has not forgotten to reveal Himself to the inhabitants of this lower world
in truth and righteousness. But together with this, there will be that
which shall take up a false covering of the Spirit."
Therefore,
my Lord did say to me that pure and right revelation shall not go forth
naked or only literally, but clothed with power to the number seven, where
the strength of an almightiness shall be guard upon its testimony of truth
and verity.(2)
Now then,
I am to make report of some particulars revealed by the Spirit of Christ.
The
first of which is this: That the time is very near approaching in which
the earth shall call forth the dead that have been buried in the body of
sin.(3) For this end, a terrible blow and stroke upon the nations
of the earth must suddenly come. God says He is wearied out with the sinful
abomination of this world to which He purposes shortly to put an end.(4)
For it hath
accordingly been sounded in my inner ear that the ends of all sinful worlds
are now determined by the great Creator of them. Upon this saying, I queried
in Spirit with my Lord, "In what other worlds besides this visible and
known world did the evil of sin yet remain?" Whereupon it was replied
that such as go out of this world in their gross earthly life without a
death to self or clarification, obtained through the waters of regeneration,
and the blood of Christ shed in them, and so atoning for sin and trespasses
(which not being entirely done away before they go out of this life, will
still abide with them in their nature and quality after death), these pass
into such worlds, stations, or centers which are most agreeable and natural
to them. They do accordingly bear great varieties and sundry degrees of
punishments proportioned to the impurity that is left in them.
For sin does
not die totally with the body unless there hath been a dying to it while
yet in the body, by the Spirit of righteousness spreading over it. So because
of this, a cry goes forth to all nations, peoples and languages to purge
out the corrupt leaven of sin that it may not go with them into that world,
or worlds, where their lot may be.
It hath been
revealed to me that there are eight regions, or worlds, that do
receive the souls of all degrees and ranks:
- The FIRST
of these is this mortal visible world.
- The SECOND
is the astral or aerial world.
- The THIRD
is the waterish elementary world.
- The FOURTH
is the fiery dark world.
These are
all the worlds where sinful lusting may be, with punishments answerable
until sin shall expire therein through the mediatorship and propitiation
of Christ the Almighty Redeemer. For into the next four (upper) worlds
nothing of evil or sin can enter to dwell with the inhabitants.
The first
of these is the PARADISICAL WORLD.
This world is all celestial and a very pleasant state where there is a
growing to higher degrees of perfection.
The completion
of this perfection is for the second world called, the KINGDOM
OF MOUNT
ZION. This is where Christ the
Lord's Kingdom is in great magnificence with all the angelic principalities
under Him with the elders, patriarchs, prophets and apostles.
The third
heavenly world is the royal and principal seat
of God the Father, with the eternal Virgin Wisdom and the Seven Spirits.
The title of this great city is called the NEW
JERUSALEM, where the Glassy Sea
doth encompass it about.
Then above
this (the fourth) is that world called the STILL
ETERNITY. Out of this were generated
all of these worlds above mentioned.
For of these
I must give an account as I have had them shown from the deep center and
Original Being of them. I did not know, when I published my two last treatises,
(The Enochian Life and Laws of Paradise) that my God would ever have made
use of me any more in this way, the day of my life being so far spent and
growing to its evening rest. But my Lord still follows me with fresh revelations
and enkindlings from His own immense deep, which run as a fiery stream
through me so that I find there is no resisting this all-propelling power.
By such enkindlings are hidden and unknown worlds made manifest in this
last age of times.
Before I
go upon this large and copious matter, it will be proper to answer the
grand objection that is expected to be cast upon the reading hereof, "Since
the Holy Scripture makes no mention of such various worlds and realms,
how shall we give credit to it?"(5) In answer to this, it
is given from Him who Was, and Is, and Will Be the true Inspirer to open
new volumes of His mind which are not to be less honored and credited than
the earlier Scriptures. The Old Testament has been appropriated to the
ministration of the Father; the New Testament, to the Son; now the third
day is come in which the Holy Ghost will have His.
As for revealing
and unsealing what was never before known or understood, they (the third
day Scriptures) will excel all before them, and will be communicated
to and by such as are sanctified and set apart in an extraordinary manner
for this holy unction. For from this Spirit's Day, a new spring of things
yet to be revealed must go forth, both as to the present and future state
that has lain hidden within these mentioned worlds.
This account
I am more particularly to give according as it hath been shown to me from
the Spirit of inspiration. For I write here from no other ground than what
the Spirit of Christ, in the glass of Wisdom, hath presented to my inward
eye, which pierceth into the deep of God's mind and is to be concealed
no longer. For the Holy Unction is given for this end; to drop His Golden
Oil, which will dissolve all those seals that have stood so long for a
hiding and shutting up of those mysterious truths that a commission is
now given to bring forth. This is in order for their being proclaimed and
inscribed upon the pillars and temple of God's House.(6)
Whether believed or not, it must stand as the engraving of God's hand.
The first
order is this corporeal visible world in which we now live, where good
and evil births have been produced from Adam.(7) Such birth
shall still go on to be procreated until the numbers shall be filled up,
that are indeed to us as innumerable but numbered and known by God. Here
a foundation is laid for His manifold Wisdom to be made manifest in a wonderful
way from this first ground of natural generation. These births, after a
limited time, must pass through the death of the elementary body to such
regions as to which their lot will fall. As for such ranks of souls that
die unregenerate, these, having no part in Christ and having lived ignorant
of Him and as without God in this present world, go to their own direful
place within the circumference of the evil worlds. There they will be proved
and tried by the mighty God and Savior until the general restitution of
all lapsed worlds shall come to be effected. But of this we will not further
insist now, having more largely declared it elsewhere.
Now therefore,
beginning
from below, I proceed to make known to the true simplified inquirers
what the first and lowest of the worlds, or elements, is. This is
entitled the DARK HELLISHWORLD,
and is allotted a receptacle for Lucifer and the rest of the apostatized
angels of that hierarchy by the only supreme Creator and Judge.(8)It
may be also calledTHE DIREFUL AND BLACK KINGDOM,
over which Lucifer is King, ruling there in the pride of his might in the
wrathful fire. Now from hence it is given us to understand that such souls
which, in the time of this life, are infected and deeply essenced in this
satanic principle, being stained with all that is diabolical and leaving
this life without being renewed and transformed in some degree by the light
and love principle, must expect this hellish world to be their habitation
and portion when they die out of the body. This shall be accompanied
with all those punishments that the evil angels (spirits)
shall delight to inflict upon them.
Oh, that
this dreadful place and company could warn and terrify all that are of
this diabolical spirit! For who would ever endure, were it but for a year,
or a few years, such intolerable sufferings if they might by any means
be prevented?(9) This may be done if in holy fear they shall
shun all those evils which lead here.
So having
no more to say to this Dark Kingdom, we must leave it to the fiery purgation
until the venom of sin in every evil property shall expire by means of
it, whether angels of the hellish source or such souls as have been deceived
and captivated by them.
For the creating
fiat will move the mystery yet once again for the making of all things
new. Then shall the old things of hell, death, sorrow and pain come no
more into remembrance. (Rev. 21:4) God is said to be everlasting and unchangeable
in Love, but not so in anger and wrath, for Love must drown and swallow
that up.
Now the elementary
worlds, with their peculiar inhabitants severally allotted to them, are
next to be searched into. Be it known then, that each element or realm,
has a Spirit of another kind than what is known or can be seen amongst
mortals. The fiery region has a spirit proper to it that is only
of the nature and quality of the Fire. The Water likewise and the Air,
each has its proper spirit to inhabit therein.
4. Present
Visible World
3. Astral
World (Airy)
2. Waterish
Elemental World
1. Fiery
Dark World
In these
are filled up the wonders of God's Creation having their several offices,
known to the Creator, which are not yet manifest to mortals. Only this
much is revealed and deserves to be known; that these elementary spirits
cooperate and qualify with the elementary nature of man, both for good
and evil, according to the propensity of the mind, however it may incline.
But we shall leave this mystery until the one everlasting element shall
stand open for unveiling these secrets and so proceed to let you know the
state of such as depart out of this body. This I am to order according
to their several ranks and degrees:
The first
I have already mentioned; those who depart out of the body in the diabolical
spirit.
The second
sort is such as are ignorant of God and of their own eternal Being, looking
no further than to an earthly animal and rational life in which they are
swallowed up. Yet, these do darkly see something beyond, believing in God
and Christ historically, and are convinced by the light of nature that
they stand in need of a Savior and so falsely take hold of Him.(10)
These, when they die, pass no higher than the airy region,(11)
where they are to abide until they receive power and strength to mount
higher. For in these elements the proper rest is not found.
Now for the
third degree of souls, they are those that are more knowing and believing
in God and Christ. These are truly convinced of their depravity and lost
estate, yet cannot come off clearly from the worldly principle and so do
not pass through the strait gate of the New Birth of Regeneration. Still,
withstanding all this, they entertain hopes of salvation through Christ.
They believe that at death they may presently enter without more ado into
the heavenly Kingdom, in which millions of souls are deceived.(12)
They that
are of this rank and sort have but somewhat a higher degree in the elementary
regions, where their receptacle and mansion must be, until time shall wear
out all the gross matter of the impure elements. And as they feel not much
pain, agony or sorrow, so also but little pleasure or joy, because they
cannot reach the vision of God. But redemption will operate in these and
work through great distress of mind and reflection for the lost time and
opportunity which has been missed to gain a higher state.
Here a query
may be put concerning the fiery soul that is eternal and breathed forth
from God and found to lie hidden in the unregenerate persons. It may be
asked, "Where does this divine and pure Spirit go upon their decease?"
In answer to this, we may give you to understand according to what has
been made known in the divine Wisdom; that the supreme Spirit returns to
God who introduced it into the elementary (dusty) body (Eccl. 12:7).
Thus God
takes that which is His own to Himself. For this is a high graduated Spirit
that belongs to the soul and, being smothered and stifled by the contrary
principle, never came into any dominion to suppress and reign over the
opposite nature. And so with relation to this, God said of the old wicked
world that His Spirit should no longer strive with man. So that the soul,
which never was renewed and born again, may go into deprivation and suffering,
together with the astral and elementary part, for a known and limited time,
until that which is elementary shall be refined and transmuted.(13)
When therefore
the set time shall come for God to move and open the one element that shall
transmute all elements into itself, then the New Creation of pure celestial
bodies in every region will be made manifest.(14) Here I must
stop my pen, for the mystery of both living and dead is so hidden and deep
that the Holy Ghost brings to light a new record which this present
age cannot well bear nor understand.
Nor will
it be well borne or understood until there comes a breaking off from the
old traditional knowledge and a weaning from the breasts of a strange
mother so that they, as newborn spirits, may draw fresh unction from
the Eternal Word of Wisdom, which gives light to the understanding and
by which the counsel of the Most High is made known and all the secrets
that can be desired are manifested. Which leads on to the Four Heavenly
Worlds:
The first
of these is the Paradisical World. The inhabitants of this world
are such as have attained to a good degree of regeneration, being born
of the Spirit and have been partakers of the baptism of the Water, blood
and Spirit for change and alteration. These qualifications are so that
the principle of the Paradisical World might be opened in them before
they depart out of the body of mortality. If such may be their case, then
they shall find a swift passage to enter Paradise where, as plants, they
spring and grow for an higher transplanting into the Kingdom of Mount
Zion.
It is very
rare that any souls come up to be with Christ the Lord immediately upon
the departing from the body, though I do not say that some may not reach
to such a perfect degree of Christlikeness so that when they die, this
angelical World may stand open to receive them. Such, being admitted into
that high glorification may ascend from glory to glory until at length
they arrive to the New Jerusalem State. Beyond this there remains
no more to pass into except the innermost place of purity, which bears
the title of the Still Eternity. There is nothing to be perceived
here but everlasting rest, stillness, and silence. Of course, there are
some particulars of each of these worlds to be declared at this time from
the faithful Witness (Virgin Wisdom) so that it may be known who are made
fit to inhabit them.
1. Paradise
2. Mount
Zion
3. New
Jerusalem
4. Still
Eternity
It ought
then to be made known that those souls which are born of God and so renewed
in every part (the whole man being changed into a
deified nature), must needs enjoy and know beforehand
the joys and pleasures of these worlds to which they do belong. For the
joys and pleasures of these worlds shall be according to that degree to
which any reach in this lifetime. When they expire, such as are allotted
for the Paradisical world, will have it open to them and in them at some
time or other while yet in the body. For the spiritual property will qualify
most interiorly, so the true mystical paradise puts forth its flowing glory
in the inward ground of a renewed mind.(15)
This is so
that this Outward Principle and evil world does not prevent those pleasant
golden springs from running to encircle and water every plant in the holy
and heaven-born souls which have been renewed by the Spirit of Christ.
Therefore, the Holy Trinity often delights to manifest themselves in the
souls of Paradisical hearts and minds, now as well as hereafter.
From here
it was given me to understand that, as with the mystical Paradise,
so also does the mystical Zion, by the same operation of the Spirit,
stand open in the ground of this pure heart, gradually shooting forth and
revealing itself in it. And concerning this more-than-glorious world (the
kingdom of Christ in which He reigns with His perfected saints), it is
shown me how the same light and pure principle opens itself in those souls
where the Paradisical or angelic life springs spiritually.
Every world
or principle attracts to itself its own which belong to it. The powers
and influences of each are sensibly felt according to the spiritual constellations
to which one is born.(16) The vile and wicked sort are pulled
and drawn by the power of the dark world. The heaven-born souls however
are inspired and qualified by these upper worlds, and this is well known
by some, so that Paradise and the Mount Zion World are manifested
in their own original light in the center of the soul. From this center
I do give a description of these invisible worlds as they were first opened
within.
From here
Love, power, joy and peace do spring, and make heaven to be present in
those souls dwelling with Christ. Also, all the angelical train, though
not visibly seen is essentially enjoyed. But this is only to be known by
spirits that are deeply introverted and carried out beyond a creaturely
life.(17) When any worthy ones shall be established in this
light principle, then we may expect that the eternal powers will move and
work through such, to whom the dominion of Christ's Kingdom here below
will be entrusted.(18) For this assertion we have many Scripture
prophecies in Isaiah, Revelation and Daniel that do abundantly declare
how it must and will be given to the saints of the Most High to possess
the Kingdom. There is also a confirmation of this by a renewed Spirit of
Prophecy that assures us that this day is very near and that it will be
upon the world before they are aware of it.
For as the
man of the earth has had his ruling day universally, so shall the Lord
from heaven descend in such a manner into His own prepared vessels here
below, in His Kingly and Priestly power, as shall overturn and bear down
all earth powers. Of this we shall speak further in the next step up to
the third court or principality of God the Father's majesty.
The Jerusalem
City is more glorious and magnificent than what has yet been mentioned,
far surpassing the glories of the two lower blessed worlds. As to the walls
and foundations of it, with the gates that open into it, they are all so
diaphanous
(delicately sheer and transparent)
and full of radiant light that it is altogether impossible to describe
it in any degree as it has been seen in the Spirit. All metaphorical figures
of it fall very much short of the excellence of its actual spiritual substance.
The City
mentioned here is God Himself, dilating and spreading forth His Godhead
in such amazing varieties as to be impossible to describe. This is a principle
and world into which none but Christ in His glorified humanity, with such
high saints as are glorified with His glory, can have any access. Of this
inconceivable abundance of glory, these do continually participate with
Him, ascending and descending as cause requires.
There is
no pass into this City but through the Glassy Sea.(19) (Rev.
15:2) None do tread and stand upon this sea but such
spirits as are qualified and clothed upon with the self-same matter which
is all crystalline water and transparent fire. O, how I am lost out of
myself while this globe of light and all the wonders therein do open! For
in this interim, it was said to me, "Behold! All the weights of glory
have I prepared not only for pleasure to Myself, but for such as do love
and put on their Lord Christ in Deiformity and so, as conquerors, pass
through the Glassy Sea to enter through the gates, having this City written
upon their foreheads."(20)
Now it remains
to open the more mystical sense of the Invisible Eternity(21)
of this Mother City, the New Jerusalem. From here the Father, in
union with His Virgin Wisdom, multiplies and fills up that principle with
virgin spirits that are most perfectly pure and immaculate. Nothing of
the redeemed can any arrive unto beyond this realm. Mount Zion Kingdom
is most great and glorious, but inferior to the New Jerusalem. The
reason is, the Mount Zion Kingdom is part of the Priestly mediatorship
of Christ, but in this New Jerusalem all is completed and finished.(22)
So when this New Jerusalem shall descend, it will soon put this old, sinful
and impure world to an end.(23) Being able to give no more than
a short and finite description of this infinite, eternal and all-glorious
world, I am led to further open the mystery of it so far as it relates
to this present age and to the saints who are to make up this city and
bring their glory to shine in it.
Here it may
be questioned whether any spirit or person in this mortal world can possibly
become so clarified as to be a part of that High Court of Eternity,
that is, New Jerusalem. It is clear that none may come here but those who
have passed through the first two principles: Paradise and Mount Zion's
Kingdom.
The answer:
it is granted that it must be so. Yet, it is not impossible for those of
goodwill and obedience to be made suitable to this order, for these heavenly
worlds will come down and open and diffuse their qualifying powers into
them in order to make them partakers of this Jerusalem world.(24)
These shall enjoy its spiritual substance, which will enter souls into
a present most happy and blissful fruition of GOD.
This is not
spoken only by an intelligence revealed from the heavens, which is a great
enough witness to confirm the truth of it, but there is yet another evidence
as to where and in whom this City is already come down in its purity and
brightness, though veiled to mortals here below.(25) The resplendent
Deity may lie obscured for a time under the shade of contemptible humanity,
but Virgin Wisdom's day will pierce through the dark pitcher of
this earthly form to shine forth by her bright star. Even in this time
of our eventide her morning light shall spread upon the earth.
But methinks
this question meets me by the way, "What do you mean by this Virgin
Wisdom(26) who is the true Mother of the Citizens of this
Jerusalem and the Princess of this Kingdom?"
Of this I
shall doubtless give the unbiased and godly inquirer a true and right account
from the great knowledge that has been freely communicated to me, and of
which I have made mention in some formerly printed books (Ascension
Angels and Laws of Paradise [You may send for them at the
address found on cover]). Now upon the opening of the four heavenly
worlds, a fresh stream of her brightness has encircled my inward mind so
that I might know and understand what has lain hidden in her secret deep.(27)
This I am commanded to bring forth to light and manifestation. I must obey
this command for publication and observe all her rules and methods.
In the first
place, we shall describe her Eternal Originality, which is from
God the Triune Deity. Her Eternal Originality is that of a Virgin hidden
in Him from all eternity. But, as to her nativity brought forth in time,
I shall not speak in a proverb but plainly. God created Adam at the first
to bear His own image and figure. He was to represent God Himself, the
High and divine masculine, Male and Female. Thus Adam had his Virgin within
himself, in imitation of his Creator, which in time was brought forth in
a distinct figure. This was a type of the Eternal Virgin Mother
(Wisdom) who lay hidden in God, the center and heart of flaming Love.(28)
From here (the flaming heart of God) the production of a glorious female
figure was brought forth which was so co-mixed and mingled with Deity that
she became God's Spouse and Bride, being Spirit of His Spirit.(29)
Now be it
known unto all, that from this Eternal Virgin Wisdom, a new generation
of virgin spirits shall be born to make up the glory of the New Jerusalem
City.(30)
Jesus Christ
shall be the head and the Firstborn of this royal and princely generation.
He was conceived in the womb of that Virgin Mary after the way and manner
of human nature, which was but a type of the Eternal Virgin (Wisdom)
who brought forth the Son of God before all time. But Mary's womb was sanctified
to bring forth that Christ in time, who was the Son of God before all time.
And so the Eternal Virgin Womb goes on still, according to nature, to bring
forth Wisdom's Off-spring by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost and the
qualifying powers from the Jerusalem World.
The next
place I am to acquaint you with is the way of nurturing and the manner
of education in which Virgin Wisdom's children are to be matured and disciplined.
Because their birth is great and high, being heirs to the Father's Kingdom
of Eternity, they must have all those worthy accomplishments suited to
an (31)Eternal Kingdom. Such is required. The chiefest of these
accomplishments, as they have been revealed by the Spirit of Wisdom, shall
be declared and made known:
The first
proviso or caution which is given, is to be aware that these holy births
are encompassed with an evil and sinful principle wherein are great dangers
and temptations to prevent and hold down this pure thing from springing
forth. Therefore, as soon as this birth occurs, it must deny and despise
the image of the earthly sinful birth by which the heaven-born spirit will
be daily proved. For Christ the Lord was not exempted from such temptations,
so all must be tried in like manner until the conquest be wrought out.
Therefore we are charged to forsake our sinful native country and people,
with our father Adam and Eve's family and to return unto our first and
ancient City of which God is the Light. This is the City which Wisdom rules
through the Eternal Spirit and governs in all Love-sovereignty.
This then
being proposed, I come to give the particulars concerning after what manner
Wisdom's children are to be educated. In the state of their infancy and
minority, as soon as they are spiritually born, care is to be taken that
this holy birth draw the sustenance of life from no other than its own
Virgin Mother(32) whose breast must at all times satisfy and
nourish it. For according to what it sucks in, so such a kind, nature and
quality the birth is, for it draws in the spirit and life of its Mother.
Therefore watch to it and hang not upon any strange breast.
Question:
"What kind of clothing must this Royal Birth have?"
Answer:
Though it is born a pure spirit, yet it must not be without a body (naked)
and in want of that sort of clothing which becomes Wisdom's Princely Children.
You may ask, "What is that?" It is a pure and fine robe made up
of a Diaphanous Matter from the one Eternal and Unmixed Element which can
never fade as did Adam's Paradisical body. That Paradisical body, though
celestial, was yet alterable. When it withdrew itself, he became naked.
For he had
thus lost his Virgin Body wherein his strength did lie. But now again,
care is taken in the New Creation that a body be fitly prepared for the
making up the New Jerusalem Bride. It may be objected that none can expect
to be made so ready and rarified in this lifetime, so long as they are
clothed with the body of the four elements (as refers to nature--air, water,
fire and earth).
In answer
to this, be it said that the corporeal body is but an outside covering,
as the Badger's Skin was a covering upon the Tabernacle Glory. Yet I must
distinguish between those who are renewed and born into this Virgin
Mind and Nature, and those who are strangers to it. They who know nothing
of it are in such a state only because they have not searched into their
own deep where the (33)Original Matter of it doth lie. They
who will not seek Him and find Him within, may and do wear out their clothes
and go away naked without being clothed upon with this Spiritual Body.
WITHOUT
THE SPIRITUAL
BODY THERE IS NO GETTING UP HIGH ENOUGH TO FACE THE
THRONE
MAJESTY.(34) So they
must abide in centers of low degree until they can put on Christ's Resurrection
Body. This is the Royal Robe in which the Virgin Bride, with all
her offspring, shall appear at the festival day when the Marriage shall
be solemnized.
The Firstfruits
of it (the new spiritual body) are given as tokens and pledges to Wisdom's
Children by Christ, now in the time of His Betrothal, unto the pure in
spirit who keep their Virgin Mind undefiled. He will, as a most intimate
lover, make frequent visits, bringing to them choice spiritual food. This
is so that the espoused may banquet with Him while the cup of Love is renewed
and refilled as fast as it has been drunk.
Oh, is this
not a Ravishing Love which our Emmanuel confers upon this degree of persons,
considering that we are yet but in our minority and carrying the profane
appearance of a mortal cast? Out from this delightful relationship shall
He give such a drawing and shaking as shall make the vile and gross image
which we now bear to be more fine than the Gold of Ophir. It is by means
of the Superior Element (the Royal Robe of the Resurrection
Body) co-mingling with our minds which shall qualify
and cause the Light to arise in a shining brilliance (as
at Christ's transfiguration--Editor). This co-mingling
shall bring one up into the unity of the Lord's glory.
Now, having
given you an account of the Seven Worlds, with the inhabitants assigned
to fill them up, I will proceed to the Eighth. It is the beginning
and the highest of all worlds, called the Still Eternity. It is
impossible for anyone to describe or give an account of this world. They
must be taken up into it in order to know it.
Yet there
is a freedom to attempt a description according to what hath been seen
in this world by a spirit (Jane) that has been translated there. It may
be most properly entitled, the Highest Principality of the Triune Majesty.
The situation of it is founded upon an abyssal deep. From this place an
inaccessible light generates and spreads itself without bounds as a vast
globe of Eternity. God is here to be known and understood abstractly from
Eternal
Nature as abiding in His own simplified Deity before either the angels
or any other creatures were created. Here the Holy Trinity dwells in the
meek stillness, enjoying themselves before they brought forth any image
or likeness of themselves. For in this high and lofty sphere, no
figures
of glory can be seen. Yet, great powers did move here, and various wonders
did appear, sending forth a majestic awesomeness.
1. Jane
here emphasizes that it is not only the primary instrument whom God wills
to bless for its part in declaring this great message but also all those
who volunteer their resources to make it possible. In Jane's day, it was
this gentleman to whom she refers here. In our day, it is you who have
unselfishly given of your finances to make it possible to get this word
to those who otherwise would never have had the opportunity to hear it.
There will certainly be some surprises in that day when rewards are given.
2. It should
not be thought extraordinary that such a word as this should go forth in
might and power for certification and not simply as a literal word, since
God saw fit to send forth a lesser declaration of Pentecost clothed with
power for validation.
3. Those who
have read much of Jane's writings, know by now that she incurably speaks
in beautiful metaphor. She is not referring here to that resurrection known
as the general resurrection which takes place at the close of the 1,000
year reign of Christ on earth in which all that are in the grave shall
come forth. She is speaking metaphorically of those who have long lain
in the grave of the mortality of this vile body. The time is now coming
on when such a grave shall no longer be able to retain them.
4. This phrase
sounds very much like that spoken by Him just prior to the sending of a
deluge of waters upon the earth in order to bring an end to all flesh.
The difference is that this time He will not send a deluge of water but
of Spirit! Such a deluge shall accomplish what water never could. It will
usher in a new race of human-beings through whose instrumentality all flesh
shall finally and ultimately cease from existence. Not in a day or a year,
but as God usually does everything; little by little, starting with a small
remnant which shall grow to cover the face of the whole earth.
5. Because
traditional fundamental thought has placed such emphasis upon the error
that all inspiration has ceased since the completed canon of Scripture,
many have unconsciously bought into it. Yet, the Scriptures themselves
declare otherwise. "The things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit
of God" --I Corinthians 2:11. Meaning, it requires as much inspiration
of the Spirit to hear what God is saying through Scripture as it took for
holy men of God to write them in the first place. This denies that inspiration,
or the need thereof, has ceased. We are clearly taught of Scripture that
we are to be a people born of the Spirit, taught of the Spirit and led
of the Spirit. Are we therefore to limit the Spirit to teaching and leading
us only out of the written Word? Is He never allowed to give forth
fresh and new revelations which God, in His infinite Wisdom, has seen fit
to close up under seal of secrecy until that set time for their unsealing?
Surely this cannot be, or else the Scriptures would not refer to such things
as, "The mystery of Christ which in other ages was not made known
unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles
and prophets by the Spirit" --Ephesians 3:5. The answer which the Pharisees
of Jesus' day gave was, "No." Therefore they missed the new thing God would
perform.
The Spirit is the true Author
of all Scripture. If He wishes to speak in addition to what has been written
and canonized, may He not do so? Where is it written that there can be
no further Scriptures after our canon? Scripture completion and conclusion
of inspiration is but the error of man.
6. Those elected,
prepared and installed are the pillars and collective temple of the Lord.
That these things must be inscribed upon them is an idiom meaning that
these truths have been so believed and absorbed that they have become a
part of them. These truths have become so much a part of their hearers
that they work toward making up the character and nature of these pillars
and this temple.
7. It strikes
me as more than ironic that this present world in which we now live and
with which mankind is so enamored and captivated, is but the highest of
the four hellish dark worlds. Adam fell farther than most realize.
8. A much
fuller account of this is given in her writing, The Everlasting Gospel
which is made available by writing to us and requesting it. It should be
noted here that the great fear held almost universally by those believing
in eternal torment (that we believe in no hell at all) is seen to be unfounded.
We declare a hell just as tormenting, just as horrid and dreadful as the
hell declared by those who hold it to be eternal. The only difference is
that we hold that it is not eternal, but for a set time and duration
and for a wise, loving and prescribed purpose.
9. I cannot
bring myself to believe that those holding to an eternal punishment really
believe it. This question Jane here asks begs an answer. If the creature
can ask it, why would not the God of all wisdom and compassion ask it before
creating a condition in which almost 100 billion of His creatures languish
for an eternity in torment without ever a hope of deliverance? Such is
not the God of Love of which the Bible speaks. 360 verses of Scripture
declares that His mercy endures forever. 700 verses state that God loves
all mankind, the mercy of Jesus is mentioned 360 times, His kindness 52
times, His goodness to all men 100 times and His lovingkindness 29 times.
10. These
are those who have not heard of Christ, who have not been taught concerning
him or who, like the New Agers, do not acknowledge Him or give Him His
due honor and glory. It is those who have not purposely turned their backs
on Him. They simply have not known Him.
11. Jane
speaks of these four regions out of the order she has listed them.
If the reader will refer to them as they are named, and not as they
are numbered, all should be cleared up.
12. These
are those who by far represent the majority of mankind, many, many of which
are regular attendants of some traditional church. They know but a historical
Christ and have never known a birth of His Spirit. What a tragedy shall
be visited upon both minister and people when the day shall reveal that
those under whom they have sat, to whom they have given their money and
time, have been but merely religious spin-masters who had a form of godliness
but none of the power that might have actually touched and transformed
their lives! What disappointment. What confusion, upon death, to find oneself
in quite another circumstance than what had been taught and hoped for.
13. Jane
is here referring to the fuller thought found in Genesis 6:3-- "My Spirit
shall not always strive with man, for that he is also flesh: yet his days
shall be 120 years." God's intention never was simply to drown everyone.
It was a type of that deluge of His Spirit which He would surely send upon
the earth after 120 Jubilees. 50 (Jubilee) X 120 (end of flesh) = 6,000.
Thus, what God was really saying was that at the close of man's six working
days (a day equaling 1,000 years), He would bring an end to the working
of all flesh so that man could enter into the true 7,000th year (day) Rest
of God on the ground of Christ's resurrection.
14. The transmuting
power that Jane is here speaking of, which she alludes to later, is that
which follows the installation of the virgin eternal spirit in its physical
body. This will be entered into for greater explanation later, but the
Still Eternity of God is inhabited only by God in His abstract being as
He is here beheld by those eternal spirits generated out from Him in this
world. Their only function is to behold Him, waiting to be commissioned
and sent to inhabit a body, upon which there is given such a new tendency
of mind that even the physical body itself is affected by it and clarified
to a diaphanous and transparent body of light and power. These see with
that eye which beholds only God; they hear with that ear which hears only
God, so that they can also say, "I do only that which I see my Father
do and speak only that which I hear my Father speaking." They see and
hear only from the eye and ear of their eternal spirit which is in the
Still Eternity with God. It was to this place (the
Still Eternity of God) Jesus referred when He said,
"No man hath ascended up to (this)
heaven, save the Son of man who is in heaven."
15. This
dashes the fairy tale-like ideas of receiving the promises "over there"
on the other side after death. All that any are to enter into after
death must already have begun to be their experience while still in this
life. Indeed, according to what Jane says, it is these experiences and
states of being which qualify for entrance into the various corresponding
worlds after departure from this life. An example: the thief on the cross
who acknowledged Christ could qualify for no higher than paradise, while
Paul was caught into paradise (II Cor. 12:2 &
4) and to, but not into, third heaven
(New Jerusalem) for there is
apparently such a passing from Mount Zion into New Jerusalem and back again
that they are almost considered by Jane to be synonymous.
16. This
is not a reference to astrology. Jane is speaking metaphorically and is
alluding to the spiritual constellations, that is, to the person's
election according to the foreknowledge of God.
17. This
refers to those who have turned inward to the Christ within and have essentially
left the outward life for the kingdom within.
18. I must
draw the reader's attention to the fact that here we see the powers of
the world to come entrusted to those who are established in this place.
I say this because of the much confusion being wrought by those among us
who claim and declare that they have arrived. Such arrival shall not be
completed without the accompanying power. Again and again, Jane asserts
this thought, that God will not send forth such a glorious declaration
naked, but clothed in power. Not the power of a mere Pentecost, either,
but of Tabernacles; a power which speaks of an endless life.
19. This
Sea of Glass is mingled with fire for those still walking out their probation
period. But for those who have overcome the Beast and his mark and his
number and his name, there is no fire, only a Sea of Glass upon which they
now stand. For where there is no wood (fallen human nature), the fire which
cannot be quenched goes out.(Prov. 26:20)
20. A people
who were once so united with the Beast in his nature that they bore his
name in their foreheads and performed his works all so very naturally,
are to become so united with the Father, through the Son, that they now
bear His name and the name of all this City stands for, in their foreheads.
They shall also be so conformed to His nature, with nothing of the fallen
creation to bind them down or to influence them, that they shall now perform
the greater works of which Jesus spoke when He said, "And greater works
than these shall ye do…"
21. This
invisible
eternity is not to be confused with the Still Eternity wherein is God in
His abstract and incomprehensible Being.
22. This
priestly mediatorship speaks of an ongoing work of redemption, for all
must eventually come to the ultimate, God All in all! That is the New Jerusalem
state for which the Son Himself delivers up the kingdom to the Father,
that God may be All in all. (I Cor. 15:24-28).
23. We are
not to carnally consider this statement as meaning that something shall
be perceived as literally and geographically coming down out of
the sky. What is here meant, if I err not, is that this higher world will
come to be the real one perceived by all, though not necessarily into
physical visibility, thus bringing an end to all visible and typical
worlds. Even though we need not the witness of man, the Quantum Theory,
only discovered within the last 40-50 years, does agree with this.
24. It should
not be thought a thing incredible that God is able to so renovate an individual
as to suddenly translate him from one level of existence to another. He
did it when you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, did He not?
25. I cannot
but think this evidence, which Jane fails to name, is this very writing
received by herself. Modesty would not allow her to say that this vessel,
in whom these things were opened, had received such a work of preparation
to this Jerusalem world. Though hid by the contemptible clay of humanity,
it shall declare itself in that day when all things are made manifest.
I must add in all honesty that this is only my personal speculation and
opinion.
26. Tradition-marred
minds have been somewhat stumbled by this metaphorical term, "Virgin Wisdom"
and "God's Spouse." If man was created in the image and likeness of God,
and in so doing, God at the first made him male and female (Gen. 1:27)
so that man had his virgin mate in himself, it is not possible that
God has not the same corresponding condition in Himself. Let us not be
so gun-shy of the Romish dogmas concerning the Virgin Mary (who is, by
the way, truly blessed) and all the appellations erroneously given her,
that we automatically flinch when some of these same terms are correctly
used.
27. I find
it particularly enlightening to stop here and read again Proverbs 7:24-9:6,
and all the things spoken here concerning this Virgin Wisdom.
28. To simplify,
God brought forth from the deepest abyssal deeps and center of Himself,
and that which came forth was Wisdom. So much a part of Himself, so suitable
to Him and agreeable with Him, that she is His spouse. It is she through
whom all generated worlds exist and through which Wisdom all things
are created by the Logos of the Son. She seems to be the generating power
of the Holy Spirit.
29. "The
invisible
things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood
by the things that are seen, even His eternal power and Godhead"
--Romans 1:20. Eve, the spouse of Adam and mother of all living, now brought
forth into visibility, is but the type of God's Spouse as she exists
in the Flaming Heart of Love in the Still Eternity of God, in the abstract.
Abstract, meaning there is nothing visible there. All is intangible, ethereal
and practically undefinable.
The German mystic, Jacob Boehme,
who lived about 1577-1623, explained Virgin Wisdom something like
this: "The Still Eternity of God, which is the nothingness of His freedom,
is nowhere and in no space, but exists in the depths of your own soul.
It is the source of everything, and yet it is nothing. Nothing is in this
freedom except God. In this free sea of nothingness there is nothing for
God to search into except Himself. God actually mirrors Himself
into existence by searching into His own mind to see what He will be; what
He wants to be. The mind of God is His Wisdom. This mind-mirror
is the female aspect of His creative power. His Wisdom is the divine Sophia.
She
is His own mind. Sophia, the mind-mirror does not create. The Father
principle creates, but Sophia holds the images in her mind-mirror of what
the Father can be. Sophia stands symbolically before the Father as a mirror
to show Him what He can be as He looks into His own mind."
30. As Eve
is properly called the mother of all living, so this Virgin Spouse of God
shall be known as the Mother of all who shall inhabit this New Jerusalem
from above. "But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother
of us all" --Galatians 4:26. She will train up all who shall eventually
inhabit this realm.
The virgin spirits mentioned
here are a totally new thought. These are spirits which never fell and
were never essenced with sin and so, have an altogether different tendency
of mind and nature than our human, fallen and redeemed spirits.
In fact, this is a concept so new to the understanding of most that it
raises obvious questions. "What are these spirits? What is their origin
and purpose? Are these spirits other and apart from the Holy Spirit?"
It becomes clear a little further
on that these virgin spirits were generated and brought forth out of God
Himself, through Wisdom, as He exists in the Still Eternity of God. Therefore,
these virgin spirits, being brought forth out from God, are of His very
essence!
They could therefore be no less holy than the Holy Spirit Himself. They
provide the tincture a redeemed man experiences, of which Jane speaks
of in various other places. There is very little reason to become suspicious
or uneasy about these virgin spirits since there are only a select number
who shall qualify in the first place and secondly, by the time any have
qualified for such an honor all doubt will have been removed and fears
banished.
If the New Jerusalem shall
have no light of the sun of reason, nor light of the moon of
the senses, nor even the candle-light of Bible knowledge, then,
on the part of those making up the stones and inhabitants of this glorious
city, it is to be required that a new habit of thought be given them. These
new generated virgin-spirits are that.
31. It is
hoped that the reader will please keep in mind that eternal carries
with it not the sense of duration, but of timelessness; no time,
for it is certain that all reigning in this kingdom, as far as Christ and
the Overcomers are concerned, have certain limitations. "Then cometh
the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father;
when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He
must reign until He hath put all enemies under His feet" --I
Cor. 15:24,25.
32. This
should shed some light on why we were so often so very dissatisfied in
our infancy as we sought to men and doctrines and movements. Milk is not
only good, it is essential for those who need it. It makes them ready and
brings them to the place eventually of partaking of the meat of the Word.
Sadly, some have disdained the breast of Wisdom, preferring instead to
hang at the strange breast of the Harlot, and so never develop the
taste or capacity for meat.
33. Remember,
Jacob Boehme says that God is in the very depths of your soul and He is
the Original Matter from which all else must spring. While most of the
Church World looks without, scanning the skies for the appearing of Christ,
He is appearing within! As there is one form of worship in the Outer
Court and another, yet higher form of worship in the Holy Place, there
is a still higher form of worship in the Holy of Holies. It is a simple
turning within to God to find Him waiting in the same garden from
which Adam was so long ago expelled.
No sooner do we turn within than
we find that we are indeed compassed about with such an evil, hellish principle
which would seek to prevent us from being successful in our turning to
God inwardly. But we are promised that the gates of Hell shall not
prevail against His Church! Jacob Boehme says this of his experience; "So
hard did I dig in, within the recesses of my being, towards the life of
God and against the gates of Hell, that suddenly my spirit crashed through
the gates of Hell and beyond even into the innermost moving of God Himself,
and there I was suddenly embraced in love as a bridegroom embraces his
dearly beloved bride." The bride who finds Him whom her soul loves
shall not find Him upon her bed as before, or even in the broad ways and
streets of religion. She must go down into her garden where she
shall surely find Him feeding among the lilies. That is, feeding among
those who are coming forth in His Lily-life.
34. Those
having put on their New Spiritual Body are seen being caught up to God
and to His throne in Revelation 12:5. Those who are believers but who have
not as yet put on this resurrection body are seen as the woman who must
abide in lower regions, in the wilderness, until she is ministered to by
those who have found the way in reality. She eventually comes up higher
also, but a distinction between the Manchild/Firstfruits Company and those
who later follow, should be understood. Even though the "woman" shall later
follow the Firstfruits Company into the same fullness of the measure
of the stature of Christ, neither she nor any other shall ever attain to
the same rank, honor and status as the Sons -- as it pertains to relationship
to the Father! But they shall be fully satisfied. |