The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ E-Book

Levi H. Dowling

• Herausgeber: Books on Demand
• Kategorie: Sachliteratur, Reportagen, Biografien
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Beschreibung

"Before creation was the Christ walked with the Father God and Mother God in Akasha. "The Christ is son, the only son begotten by Almighty God, the God of Force and God omniscient, God of thought; and Christ is God, the God of Love. "Without the Christ there was no light. Through Christ all life was manifest; and so through him all things were done, and naught was done in forming worlds or peopling worlds without the Christ. "Christ is the Logos of Infinities and through the word alone are Thought and Force made manifest. "The Son is called the Christ, because the Son, the Love, the universal Love, was set apart, ordained to be creator, Lord, preserver and redeemer of all things, of everything that is, or evermore will be. "Through Christ, the protoplast, the earth, the plant, the beast, the man, the angel and the cherubim took up their stations on their planes of life. "Through Christ they are preserved; and if they fall it is the Christ who lifts them up; and if they sell themselves to sin the Christ redeems.

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Levi H. Dowling

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Table of contents

INTRODUCTION

SECTION I .ALEPH. Birth and Early Life of Mary, Mother of Jesus.

SECTION II.

SECTION III.

SECTION IV.

SECTION V.

SECTION VI.

SECTION VII.

SECTION VIII.

SECTION IX.

SECTION X.

SECTION XI.

SECTION XII.

SECTION XIII.

SECTION XIV.

SECTION XV.

SECTION XVI.

SECTION XVII.

SECTION XVIII.

SECTION XIX.

SECTION XX.

SECTION XXI.

SECTION XXII.

INTRODUCTION

THE BOOK.The full title of this book is “The Aquarian Age Gospel of Jesus, the Christ of the Piscean Age,” and the critical reader is apt to ask a number of pertinent questions concerning it. Among the many anticipated questions these are perhaps the most important:1 What is an Age?2 What is the Piscean Age?3 What is the Aquarian Age?4 What is meant by the Christ as the word is used in this book?5 What relationship existed between Jesus of Nazareth and the Christ?6 Who is Levi, the transcriber of this book?7 What are the Akashic Records?1 What is an Age? Astronomers tell us that our sun and his family of planets revolve around a central sun, which is millions of miles distant, and that it requires something less than 26,000 years to make one revolution. His orbit is called the Zodiac, which is divided into twelve signs, familiarly known as Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. It requires our Solar System a little more than 2100 years to pass through one of these signs, and this time is the measurement of an Age or Dispensation. Because of what Astronomers call “the precession of the Equinoxes” the movement of the sun through the signs of the Zodiac is in order reverse from that given above.Exact Time of the Beginning of an Age. Regarding this matter there is a disagreement among astronomers; but in this Introduction we are not called upon to give the reasons of the various investigators for their opinions; there are enough well authenticated facts for our present purposes. It is conceded by all critical students that the sun entered the zodiacal sign Taurus in the days of our historic Adam when the Taurian Age began; that Abraham lived not far from the beginning of the Arian Age, when the sun entered the sign Aries. About the time of the rise of the Roman empire the sun entered the sign Pisces, the Fishes, and the Piscean Age began, so that early in this Age Jesus of Nazareth lived.2 What is the Piscean Age? This question requires further consideration. The Piscean Age is identical with the Christian Dispensation. The word Pisces means fish. The sign is known as a water sign, and the Piscean Age has been distinctly the age of the fish and its element, water.In the establishment of their great institutions John the Harbinger and Jesus both introduced the rite of water baptism, which has been used in some form in all the so-called Christian Churches and cults, even to the present time. Water is the true symbol of purification. Jesus himself said to the Harbinger before he was baptized: “All men must be washed, symbolic of the cleansing of the soul.” (Aquarian Gospel 64:7.)Fish was a Christian Symbol. In the earlier centuries of the Christian Dispensation the fish was everywhere used as a symbol. In his remarkable book, “Christian Iconography,” Didron says: “ The fish, in the opinion of antiquarians generally, is the symbol of Jesus Christ. The fish is sculptured upon a number of Christian monuments, and more particularly upon the ancient sarcophagi. It is also upon medals, bearing the name of our Savior and also upon engraved stones, cameos and intaglios. The fish is also to be remarked upon the amulets worn suspended from the necks by children, and upon ancient glasses and sculptured lamps. “ Baptismal fonts are more particularly ornamented with the fish. The fish is constantly exhibited placed upon a dish in the middle of the table, at the Last Supper, among the loaves, knives and cups used at the banquet.”In the writings of Tertullian we find this statement: “We are little fishes in Christ our great fish.”The last two thousand years, comprising the Piscean Age, has certainly been one of water and the many uses of that element have been emphasized, and sea and lake and river navigation has been brought to a high degree of efficiency.3 What is the Aquarian Age? The human race is today standing upon the cusp of the Piscean-Aquarian Ages. Aquarius is an air sign and the New Age is already noted for remarkable inventions for the use of air, electricity, magnetism, etc. Men navigate the air as fish do the sea, and send their thoughts spinning around the world with the speed of lightning.The word Aquarius is derived from the Latin word aqua, meaning water. Aquarius is, however, the water bearer, and the symbol of the sign, which is the eleventh sign of the Zodiac, is a man carrying in his right hand a pitcher of water. Jesus referred to the beginning of the Aquarian Age in these words: “ And then the man who bears the pitcher will walk forth across an arc of heaven; the sign and signet of the Son of Man will stand forth in the eastern sky. The wise will then lift up their heads and know that the redemption of the earth is near.” (Aquarian Gospel 157:29, 30.)The Aquarian Age is pre-eminently a spiritual age, and the spiritual side of the great lessons that Jesus gave to the world may now be comprehended by multitudes of people for the many are now coming into an advanced stage of spiritual consciousness; so with much propriety this book is called “The Aquarian (or Spiritual) Gospel of Jesus, the Christ.”An Important Event. The transfer of dominion from one Age to another is an important event in the world of Cherubim and Seraphim. Among the manuscripts of Levi we have found a most remarkable paper describing the transfer of dominion from the Piscean Age to the Aquarian Age, but it is difficult to determine whether it is a recital of facts or a prophetic statement. We reproduce the paper in full.THE CUSP OF THE AGES. “ In Spirit I was caught away into the realms of Akasha; I stood alone within the circle of the sun. “ And there I found the secret spring that opens up the door to Wisdom and an understanding heart. “ I entered in and then I knew. “ I saw the four and twenty Cherubim and Seraphim that guard the circle of the sun, the mighty ones who were proclaimed by masters long ago ‘the four and twenty ancient ones.’ “ I heard the names of every Cherubim and Seraphim, and learned that every sign in all the Zodiac is ruled by two—a Cherubim and Seraphim. “ And then I stood upon the cusp where Ages meet. The Piscean Age had passed; the Aquarian Age had just begun. “ I saw the guardian Spirits of the Piscean Age; Ramasa is the Cherubim; Vacabiel is Seraphim. “ I saw the guardian Spirits of the Aquarian Age, and Archer is the Cherubim; Sakmaquil is the Seraphim. “ These four great spirits of the Triune God stood close together on the cusp, and in the presence of the sacred Three—the God of Might, the God of Wisdom, and the God of Love—the scepter of Domain, of Might, of Wisdom and of Love was there transferred. “ I heard the charges of the Triune God; but these I may not now reveal. “ I heard the history of the Piscean Age from Piscean Cherubim and Seraphim, and when I took my pen to write Ramasa said: “ Not now, my son, not now; but you may write it down for men when men have learned the sacred laws of Brotherhood, of Peace on earth, good-will to every living thing. “ And then I heard the Aquarian Cherubim and Seraphim proclaim the Gospel of the coming Age, the age of Wisdom, of the Son of Man. “ And when the crown was lifted from the head of Ramasa and placed upon the head of Archer of the Aquarian Age; and when the royal scepter was transferred from Seraphim Vacabiel to Seraphim Sakmaquil there was deep silence in the courts of heaven. “ And then the goddess Wisdom spoke, and with her hands outstretched she poured the benedictions of the Holy Breath upon the rulers of Aquarius. “ I may not write the words she spoke, but I may tell the Gospel of the coming age that Archer told when he received the crown. “ And I may breathe to men the song of praise that Seraphim Sakmaquil sung when she received the royal scepter of the newborn age. “ This Gospel I will tell, and I will sing this song in every land, to all the people, tribes and tongues of earth.”4 What is Meant by “the Christ,” as the Word is Used in This Book? The word Christ is derived from the Greek word Kristos and means anointed. It is identical with the Hebrew word Messiah. The word Christ, per se, does not refer to any particular person; every anointed person is christed. When the definite article “the” is placed before the word christ a definite personality is indicated, and this personality is none other than a member of the Trinity, the Son who had a glory with the Father-Mother before the worlds were formed.According to the teachings of all ancient masters this Son is Love; so the Christ is Love, and Love is God, since God is Love.Another remarkable manuscript found in Levi’s Akashic portfolio gives the clearest possible ideal of the Christ, or Love of God. It is presumed that this manuscript is a direct transcription from the Akashic Records and its importance demands its reproduction here in full.THE CHRIST“ Before creation was the Christ walked with the Father God and Mother God in Akasha. “ The Christ is son, the only son begotten by Almighty God, the God of Force and God omniscient, God of thought; and Christ is God, the God of Love. “ Without the Christ there was no light. Through Christ all life was manifest; and so through him all things were done, and naught was done in forming worlds or peopling worlds without the Christ. “ Christ is the Logos of Infinities and through the word alone are Thought and Force made manifest. “ The Son is called the Christ, because the Son, the Love, the universal Love, was set apart, ordained to be creator, Lord, preserver and redeemer of all things, of everything that is, or evermore will be. “ Through Christ, the protoplast, the earth, the plant, the beast, the man, the angel and the cherubim took up their stations on their planes of life. “ Through Christ they are preserved; and if they fall it is the Christ who lifts them up; and if they sell themselves to sin the Christ redeems. “ Now Christ, the universal Love, pervades all spaces of infinity, and so there is no end to love. “ From the great heart of Love unnumbered spirits were sent forth to demonstrate the height, the depth, the width, the boundlessness of Love. “ To every world and star and moon and sun a master spirit of this Love divine was sent; and all were full anointed with the oil of helpfulness, and each became a Christ. “ All glorious in his majesty is Christ, who spread the pure white robe of Love o’er all the planes of earth—The Christ of earth, its heaven, its graves. “ In course of time the protoplast, the earth, the plant, the beast, the man sold out their birthrights unto sin; but Christ was present to redeem. “ Hid in the holiest place in all infinities is locked the scroll that bears the record of the purposes of God, the Triune God, and there we read: “ Perfection is the ultimate of life. A seed is perfect in its embryotic life, but it is destined to unfold, to grow. “ Into the soil of every plane these seeds, which were the Thoughts of God, were cast—the seeds of protoplast, of earth, of plant, of beast, of man, of angel and of cherubim, and they who sowed the seeds, through Christ, ordained that they should grow, and should return at last, by effort of unnumbered years, to the great granary of thought, and each be a perfection of its kind. “ And in the boundless blessedness of Love the man was made the Lord of protoplast, of earth, of plant, of beast; and Christ proclaimed: Man shall have full dominion over everything that is upon these planes of life; and it was so. “ And he who gave the lordship unto man declared that he must rule by Love. “ But men grew cruel and they lost their power to rule, and protoplast, and earth, and plant and beast became at enmity with man; he lost his heritage; but Christ was present to redeem. “ But man had lost his consciousness of right; he could no longer comprehend the boundlessness of Love; he could see naught but self, and things of self; but Christ was there to seek the lost and save. “ So that he might be close to man in all the ways of life, that man might comprehend the mighty spirit of the Love, the Christ of earth made manifest to human eyes and ears by taking his abode in some pure person, well prepared by many lives to be a fit abiding place of Love. “ Thus Christ made manifest Love’s power to save; but men forgot so soon, and so Christ must manifest again, and then again. “ And ever since man took his place in form of flesh the Christ has been manifest in flesh at first of every age.”5 What relationship existed between Jesus of Nazareth and the Christ? Orthodox Christian ecclesiastics tell us that Jesus of Nazareth and the Christ were one; that the true name of this remarkable person was Jesus Christ. They tell us that this man of Galilee was the very eternal God clothed in flesh of man that men might see his glory. Of course this doctrine is wholly at variance with the teachings of Jesus himself and of his apostles. The Aquarian Masters in council have formulated an answer to this question that so well covers all the information required that we give it in full: “ Jesus was an ideal Jew, born in Bethlehem of Judea. His mother was a beautiful Jewish girl named Mary. As a child Jesus differed but little from other children only that in past lives he had overcome carnal propensities to such an extent that he could be tempted like others and not yield. Paul was right when to the Hebrews he said: ‘He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.’—Hebrews 4:15. “ Jesus suffered as other men suffer, and was made perfect through suffering; for this is the only way to perfection. His life was an example of attainment by the way of crosses and cruel treatment. Paul was right again when he said: ‘It became him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons into glory to make the captain of their salvation perfect through suffering.’—Hebrews 2:10. “ In many respects Jesus was a remarkable child, for by ages of strenuous preparation he was qualified to be an avatar, a savior of the world, and from childhood he was endowed with superior wisdom and was conscious of the fact that he was competent to lead the race into the higher ways of spiritual living. But he was conscious also of the fact that he must attain the mastery by trials, bufferings, temptations and sufferings. And all his life was spent in attaining. After his death, burial and resurrection he appeared in materialized form before the Silent Brothers in the temple of Heliopolis, in Egypt, and said: “‘ My human life was wholly given to bring my will to tune with the deific will; when this was done my earth-tasks all were done. “‘ You know that all my life was one great drama for the sons of men; a pattern for the sons of men. I lived to show the possibilities of man. “‘ What I have done all men can do, and what I am all men shall be.’”—Aquarian Gospel 178:43, 46. “ Jesus was the name of the man and it was the only appropriate name for this kind of a man. The word means Savior and Jesus was in more senses than one a savior.The word Christ means “the anointed one,” and then it is an official title. It means, The Master of Love. When we say “Jesus the Christ” we refer to the man and to his office; just as we do when we say Edward, the King, or Lincoln, the President. Edward was not always King, and Lincoln was not always President, and Jesus was not always Christ. Jesus won his Christship by a strenuous life, and in the Aquarian Gospel, chapter 55, we have a record of the events of his christing, or receiving the degree Christ. Here is where he was coronated by the highest earth authorities as the Christ-King; properly speaking, ‘The Master of Love’; and after this was done he entered at once upon his Judean and Galilean ministry. “ We recognize the facts that Jesus was man and that Christ was God, so that in very truth Jesus the Christ was the God-man of the ages.”The Nazarene’s Testimony. Jesus himself made the matter clear. Once when he was speaking to a congregation in Bethany the people called him King and he stood forth and said: “‘ I am not sent to sit upon a throne to rule as Caesar rules; and you may tell the ruler of the Jews that I am not a claimant for his throne. “‘ Men call me Christ, and God has recognized the name; but Christ is not a man. The Christ is universal Love, and Love is King. “‘ This Jesus is but man who has been fitted by temptations overcome, by trials multiform, to be the temple through which the Christ can manifest to men. “‘ Then hear, you men of Israel, hear! Look not upon the flesh; it is not king. Look to the Christ within who shall be formed in every one of you, as he is formed in me. “‘ When you have purified your hearts by faith, the king will enter in and you will see his face.’”—Aquarian Gospel 68:10–14.Surely this question has been answered. Jesus was man; Christ was Divine Love—the Love of God, and after thirty years of strenuous life the man had made his body fit to be the temple of the holy breath and Love took full possession, and John well said when he declared: “‘ And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.’”6 Who was Levi, the Transcriber of this Book? Regarding the personality of Levi we are permitted to write but little. Suffice it to say that he is an American citizen, and has been a close student of the religions of the world from childhood. When but a boy he was impressed with the sensitiveness of the finer ethers and believed that in some manner they were sensitized plates on which sounds, even thoughts, were recorded. With avidity he entered into the deeper studies of etheric vibration, determined to solve the great mysteries of the heavens for himself. Forty years he spent in study and silent meditation, and then he found himself in that stage of spiritual consciousness that permitted him to enter the domain of these superfine ethers and become familiar with their mysteries. He then learned that the imaginings of his boyhood days were founded upon veritable facts, and that every thought of every living thing is there recorded.In his manuscript entitled “The Cusp of the Ages,” a part of which we have already reproduced in this Introduction, we find the following copy of the Commission, which Levi received from Visel, the Goddess of Wisdom, or the Holy Breath. LEVI’S COMMISSION.“ And then Visel the holy one stood forth and said: “ O Levi, son of man, behold, for you are called to be the message bearer of the coming age—the age of spirit blessedness. “ Give heed, O son of man, for men must know the Christ, the Love of God; for Love is sovereign balm for all the wounds of men, the remedy for every ill. “ And man must be endowed with Wisdom and with Power and with an Understanding heart. “ Behold the Akasha! Behold the Record Galleries of Visel where every thought and word and deed of every living thing is written down. “ The needs of men are manifold, and men must know their needs. “ Now, Levi, hearken to my words: go forth into these mystic Galleries and read. There you will find a message for the world; for every man; for every living thing. “ I breathe upon you now the Holy Breath; you will discriminate, and you will know the lessons that these Record Books of God are keeping now for men of this new age. “ This age will be an age of splendor and of light, because it is the home age of the Holy Breath; and Holy Breath will testify anew for Christ, the Logos of eternal Love. “ At first of every age this Logos is made manifest in flesh so man can see and know and comprehend a Love that is not narrow, circumscribed. “ Twelve times in every revolution of the sun this christed Love of God is made full manifest in flesh upon the planes of earth, and you may read in Akasha the wondrous lessons that these Christs have taught to men; but you shall publish not to men the lessons of the Christs of ancient times. “ Now, Levi, message bearer of the Spirit Age, take up your pen and write. “ Write full the story of The Christ who built upon the Solid Rock of yonder circle of the sun—the Christ who men have known as Enoch the Initiate. “ Write of his works as prophet, priest and seer; write of his life of purity and love, and how he changed his carnal flesh to flesh divine without descending through the gates of death. “ And you may write the story of Melchizedec, the Christ who lived when Abram lived, and pointed out to men the way to life through sacrifice; who gave his life a willing sacrifice for men. “ And you may write the story of the Prince of Peace, The Christ who came as babe in Bethlehem, and traveled every way of life that man must tread. “ He was despised, rejected and abused; was spit upon, was crucified, was buried in a tomb; but he revived and rose a conqueror over death that he might show the possibilities of man. “ A thousand times he said to men; ‘I came to show the possibilities of man; what I have done all men may do, and what I am all men shall be.’ “ These stories of The Christ will be enough, for they contain the true philosophy of life, of death and of the resurrection of the dead. “ They show the spiral journey of the soul until the man of earth and God are one forevermore.”Levi in Prophecy. About two thousand years ago Elihu, who conducted a school of the prophets in Zoan, Egypt, referred to Levi thus: “ This age will comprehend but little of the works of Purity and Love; but not a word is lost, for in the Book of God’s Remembrance a registry is made of every thought and word and deed; “ And when the world is ready to receive, lo, God will send a messenger to open up the book and copy from its sacred pages all the messages of Purity and Love. “ Then every man of earth will read the words of life in the language of his native land, and men will see the light. “ And man again will be at one with God.”—Aquarian Gospel 7:25–28.Further references to the personality of Levi are, seemingly, unnecessary. It matters but little who he is; his work in the transcription of the Aquarian Gospel of Jesus, the Christ, stands unimpeachable. The lessons of this book all bear the stamp of the Nazarene, for no man except the world’s greatest master could have touched the high chords of divine Love and Wisdom which characterize the pages of this marvelous book.7 What are the Akashic Records? Akasha is a Sanskrit word, and means “Primary substance,” that out of which all things are formed. According to Aquarian philosophy, it is the first stage of the crystallization of spirit. This philosophy recognizes the fact that all primordial substance is spirit; that matter is spirit moving at a lower rate of vibration, becoming, as one master expressed it, a coagulum.This Akashic, or primary substance, is of exquisite fineness and is so sensitive that the slightest vibrations of an ether any place in the universe registers an indelible impression upon it.This primal substance is not relegated to any particular part of the universe, but is everywhere present. It is in very fact the “Universal Mind” of which our metaphysicians speak.When the mind of man is in exact accord with the Universal Mind man enters into a conscious recognition of these Akashic impressions, and may collect them and translate them into any language of earth with which he is familiar.In the infinite One manifest we note the attributes of Force, Intelligence and Love, and a person may be in full accord with one of these attributes and not with the others. One may enter fully into the spirit of the God of Force and not be imbued with the spirit of Intelligence; or one may be wholly absorbed with the spirit of Divine Love and be far removed from both Intelligence and Force. Furthermore, a person may enter fully into the consciousness of Holy Breath, or Supreme Intelligence, and be not at all in rapport with either Love or Force. Knowledge is not gained through the spirit of either Force or Love. It is only from Universal Mind, which is Supreme Intelligence, called by Oriental scholars the Akashic Records, and by Hebrew masters, the Book of God’s Remembrance, that knowledge of any kind can be obtained.Consciousness; we note three phases of it:1 Consciousness of the omnipotence of God and man.2 Christ consciousness, or consciousness of Divine Love.3 Consciousness of the Holy Breath, or of Supreme Intelligence.We must bear in mind that one of these phases of consciousness does not necessarily imply either of the others. People are frequently found who are completely filled with the Love of God, are far advanced in the science of Christ consciousness, who are absolutely ignorant; have not the slightest conception of the laws of natural things or of spiritual things; are not in rapport with the great Teacher which is the Holy Spirit.The Akashic Records. The imperishable records of life, known as the Akashic Records, are wholly in the domain of Supreme Intelligence, or Universal Mind, and the Akashic Record reader must be in such close touch with the Holy Spirit, or the Holy Breath, as the ancient masters call this spirit of Supreme Intelligence, that every thought vibration is instantly felt in every fibre of his being.Differentiation. Since all space is charged with the vibrations of thoughts of all kinds how may the Akashic Record reader differentiate and gather only the thoughts and life events of a particular person or group of persons?Every person has his own distinct vibration and when the reader fully understands the law of discrimination his whole being is tuned for the reception of the one particular tone and rhythm, and it is impossible for any other tone or rhythm to make the slightest impression upon him. This principle is demonstrated in wireless telegraphy.It required many years for Levi to learn the Law of Differentiation, and to come in rapport with the tones and rhythms of Jesus of Nazareth, Enoch and Melchizedec and their co-laborers. But under the direction of the Spirit of Supreme Intelligence, he has attained unto this accomplishment, and now he instantly feels in all his being the slightest vibrations that come from any of these great centers and, of course, all of his transcriptions are true to the letter.Man.“ What is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man that thou visiteth him?” This was the earnest question of David, the Hebrew Psalmist, and the 8th Psalm is given wholly to the contemplation of man, the crowning work of manifest creation. Among the many great lessons that Levi has been permitted to gather from the Akashic Records, or the Universal Mind, we find one on Man in which his descent into physical matter and his final ascent into an eternal oneness with God is so graphically described that it certainly merits a place in this Introduction, and we give it in full: “ Time never was when man was not. “ If life of man at any time began a time would come when it would end. “ The thoughts of God cannot be circumscribed. No finite mind can comprehend things infinite. “ All finite things are subject unto change. All finite things will cease to be, because there was a time when they were not. “ The bodies and the soul of men are finite things, and they will change, yea, from the finite point of view the time will come when they will be no more. “ But man himself is not the body, nor the soul; he is a spirit and is part of God. “ Creative Fiat gave to man, to spirit man, a soul that he might function on the plane of soul; gave him a body of the flesh, that he might function on the plane of things made manifest. “ Why did creative Fiat give to spirit man a soul that he might function on the plane of soul? “ Why did creative Fiat give to soul a body of the flesh that it might function on the plane of things that are made manifest? “ Hear, now, ye worlds, dominions, powers and thrones! “ Hear, now, ye cherubim, ye seraphim, ye angels and ye men! “ Hear, now, O protoplast, and earth, and plant and beast! “ Hear, now, ye creeping things of earth, ye fish that swim, ye birds that fly! “ Hear, now, ye winds that blow, ye thunders and ye lightnings of the sky! “ Hear, now, ye spirits of the fire, of water, earth and air! “ Hear, now, O everything that is, or was, or evermore will be, for Wisdom speaks from out the highest plane of spirit life: “ Man is a thought of God; all thoughts of God are infinite; they are not measured up by time, for things that are concerned with time begin and end. “ The thoughts of God are from the everlasting of the past unto the never ending days to come—And so is man, the Spirit-man. “ But man, like every other thought of God, was but a seed, a seed that held within itself the potencies of God, just as the seed of any plant of earth holds deep within itself the attributes of every part of that especial plant. “ So spirit-man, as seed of God, held deep within himself the attributes of every part of God. “ Now, seeds are perfect, yea, as perfect as the source from which they come; but they are not unfolded into life made manifest. “ The child in utero is perfect as the mother is. “ So man, the seed, must be deep planted in a soil that he might grow, unfold, as does the bud unfold to show the flower. “ The human seed that came forth from the heart of God was full ordained to be the lord of plane of soul, and of the plane of things made manifest. “ So God, the husbandman of every thing that is, threw forth this human seed into the soil of soul; it grew apace, and man became a living soul; and he became the lord of all the kingdom of the soul. “ Hark, now, let every creature hear, The plane of soul is but the ether of the spirit plane vibrating not so fast, and in the slower rhythm of this plane the essences of life are manifest; the perfumes and the odors, the true sensations and the all of love are manifest. “ And these soul attributes become a body beautiful. “ A multitude of lessons man must learn upon the plane of soul; and here he tarries many ages until his lessons are all learned. “ Upon the boundary of the plane of soul the ether began to vibrate slower still, and then the essences took on a garb; the perfumes and the odors and the true sensations and the all of love were clothed in flesh; and man was clothed in flesh. “ Perfected man must pass through all the ways of life, and so a carnal nature was full manifest, a nature that sprang forth from fleshly things. “ Without a foe a soldier never knows his strength, and thought must be developed by the exercise of strength. “ And so this carnal nature soon became a foe that man must fight, that he might be the strength of God made manifest. “ Let every living thing stand still and hear! “ Man is the lord of all the plane of manifests; of protoplast, of mineral, of plant, of beast; but he has given up his birthright, just to gratify his lower self, his carnal self. “ But man will full regain his lost estate, his heritage; but he must do it in a conflict that cannot be told in words. “ Yea, he must suffer trials and temptations manifold; but let him know that cherubim and seraphim that rule the stations of the sun, and spirits of the mighty God who rule the solar stars are his protectors and his guides, and they will lead to victory. “ Man will be fully saved, redeemed, perfected by the things he suffers on the plane of flesh, and on the plane of soul. “ When man has conquered carnal things his garb of flesh will then have served its purpose well and it will fall, will be no more. “ Then he will stand untrammeled on the plane of soul where he must full complete his victories.” “ Unnumbered foes will stand before the man upon the plane of soul; there he must overcome, yea, overcome them every one. “ Thus hope will ever be his beacon light; there is no failure for the human soul, for God is leading on and victory is sure. “ Man cannot die; the spirit man is one with God, and while God lives man cannot die. “ When man has conquered every foe upon the plane of soul the seed will have full opened out, will have unfolded in the Holy Breath. “ The garb of soul will then have served its purpose well, and man will need it never more, and it will pass and be no more. “ And man will then attain unto the blessedness of perfectness and be at one with God.”

SECTION I .ALEPH. Birth and Early Life of Mary, Mother of Jesus.

CHAPTER 1.Palestine. Birth of Mary. Joachim’s feast. Mary is blest by the priests. His prophecy. Mary abides in the temple. Is betrothed to Joseph.Augustus Cæsar reigned and Herod Antipas was ruler of Jerusalem.2 Three provinces comprised the land of Palestine: Judea, and Samaria, and Galilee.3 Joachim was a master of the Jewish law, a man of wealth; he lived in Nazareth of Galilee; and Anna, of the tribe of Judah, was his wife.4 To them was born a child, a goodly female child, and they were glad; and Mary was the name they gave the child.5 Joachim made a feast in honor of the child; but he invited not the rich, the honored and the great; he called the poor, the halt, the lame, the blind, and to each one he gave a gift of raiment, food, or other needful thing.6 He said, The Lord has given me this wealth; I am his steward by his grace, and if I give not to his children when in need, then he will make this wealth a curse.7 Now, when the child was three years old her parents took her to Jerusalem, and in the temple she received the blessings of the priests.8 The high priest was a prophet and a seer, and when he saw the child he said,9 Behold, this child will be the mother of an honored prophet and a master of the law; she shall abide within this holy temple of the Lord.10 And Mary did abide within the temple of the Lord; and Hillel, chief of the Sanhedrim, taught her all the precepts of the Jews, and she delighted in the law of God.11 When Mary reached the age of womanhood she was betrothed to Joseph, son of Jacob, and a carpenter of Nazareth.12 And Joseph was an upright man; and a devoted Essenes.

SECTION II.

CHAPTER 2. BETH.Birth and Infancy of John, the Harbinger, and of Jesus.Zacharias and Elizabeth. Prophetic messages of Gabriel to Zacharias, Elizabeth and Mary. Birth of John. Prophecy of Zacharias.Near Hebron in the hills of Judah, Zacharias and Elizabeth abode.2 They were devout and just, and every day they read the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms which told of one to come, strong to redeem; and they were waiting for the king.3 Now, Zacharias was a priest, and in his turn he led the temple service in Jerusalem.4 It came to pass as Zacharias stood before the Lord and burned the incense in the Holy Place, that Gabriel came and stood before his face.5 And Zacharias was afraid; he thought that some great evil was about to come upon the Jews.6 But Gabriel said, O man of God, fear not; I bring to you, and all the world, a message of good will, and peace on earth.7 Behold, the Prince of Peace, the king you seek, will quickly come.8 Your wife will bear to you a son, a holy son, of whom the prophet wrote,9 Behold, I send Elijah unto you again before the coming of the Lord; and he will level down the hills and fill the valleys up, and pave the way for him who shall redeem.10 From the beginning of the age your son has borne the name of John, the mercy of the Lord; his name is John.11 He will be honored in the sight of God, and he will drink no wine, and from his birth he will be filled with Holy Breath.12 And Gabriel stood before Elizabeth as she was in the silence in her home, and told her all the words that he had said to Zacharias in Jerusalem.13 When he had done the service of his course, the priest went home, and with Elizabeth rejoiced.14 Five months passed by and Gabriel came to Mary in her home in Nazareth and said,15 Hail Mary, hail! Once blessed in the name of God; twice blessed in the name of Holy Breath; thrice blessed in the name of Christ; for you are worthy, and will bear a son who shall be called Immanuel.16 His name is Jesus, for he saves his people from their sins.17 When Joseph’s daily task was done he came, and Mary told him all the words that Gabriel spoke to her, and they rejoiced; for they believed that he, the man of God, had spoken words of truth.18 And Mary went with haste to tell Elizabeth about the promises of Gabriel; together they rejoiced.19 And in the home of Zacharias and Elizabeth did Mary tarry ninety days; then she returned to Nazareth.20 To Zacharias and Elizabeth a son was born, and Zacharias said,21 Most blessed be the name of God, for he has opened up the fount of blessings for his people, Israel.22 His promises are verified; for he has brought to pass the words which holy prophets spoke in olden times.23 And Zacharias looked upon the infant John, and said,24 You will be called the prophet of the Holy One; and you will go before his face, and will prepare his way.25 And you will give a knowledge of salvation unto Israel; and you will preach the gospel of repentance and the blotting out of sins.26 Behold, for soon the Day Star from on high will visit us, to light the way for those who sit within the darkness of the shadowland, and guide our feet unto the ways of peace. CHAPTER 3.Birth of Jesus. Masters honor the child. The shepherds rejoice. Zacharias and Elizabeth visit Mary. Jesus is circumcised.The time was nearly due for Jesus to be born, and Mary longed to see Elizabeth, and she and Joseph turned their faces toward the Judean hills.2 And when upon their way they came to Bethlehem the day was done, and they must tarry for the night.3 But Bethlehem was thronged with people going to Jerusalem; the inns and homes were filled with guests, and Joseph and his wife could find no place to rest but in a cave where animals were kept; and there they slept.4 At midnight came a cry, A child is born in yonder cave among the beasts. And lo, the promised son of man was born.5 And strangers took the little one and wrapped him in the dainty robes that Mary had prepared and laid him in a trough from which the beasts of burden fed.6 Three persons clad in snow-white robes came in and stood before the child and said,7 All strength, all wisdom and all love be yours, Immanuel.8 Now, on the hills of Bethlehem were many flocks of sheep with shepherds guarding them.9 The shepherds were devout, were men of prayer, and they were waiting for a strong deliverer to come.10 And when the child of promise came a man in snow-white robe appeared to them, and they fell back in fear. The man stood forth and said,11 Fear not! behold I bring you joyful news. At midnight in a cave in Bethlehem was born the prophet and the king that you have long been waiting for.12 And then the shepherds all were glad; they felt that all the hills were filled with messengers of light, who said,13 All glory be to God on high; peace, peace on earth, good will to men.14 And then the shepherds came with haste to Bethlehem and to the cave, that they might see and honor him whom men had called Immanuel.15 Now, when the morning came, a shepherdess whose home was near, prepared a room for Mary, Joseph and the child; and here they tarried many days.16 And Joseph sent a messenger in haste to Zacharias and Elizabeth to say, The child is born in Bethlehem.17 And Zacharias and Elizabeth took John and came to Bethlehem with words of cheer.18 And Mary and Elizabeth recounted all the wondrous things that had transpired. The people joined with them in praising God.19 According to the custom of the Jews, the child was circumcised; and when they asked, What will you call the child? the mother said, His name is Jesus, as the man of God declared. CHAPTER 4.Consecration of Jesus. Mary offers sacrifices. Simeon and Anna prophesy. Anna is rebuked for worshipping the child. The family returns to Bethlehem.Now, Mary took her son, when he was forty days of age, up to the temple in Jerusalem, and he was consecrated by the priest.2 And then she offered purifying sacrifices for herself, according to the custom of the Jews; a lamb and two young turtle doves.3 A pious Jew named Simeon was in the temple serving God.4 From early youth he had been looking for Immanuel to come, and he had prayed to God that he might not depart until his eyes had seen Messiah in the flesh.5 And when he saw the infant Jesus he rejoiced and said, I now am ready to depart in peace, for I have seen the king.6 And then he took the infant in his arms and said, Behold, this child will bring a sword upon my people, Israel, and all the world; but he will break the sword and then the nations will learn war no more.7 The master’s cross I see upon the forehead of this child, and he will conquer by this sign.8 And in the temple was a widow, four and eighty years of age, and she departed not, but night and day she worshipped God.9 And when she saw the infant Jesus she exclaimed, Behold Immanuel! Behold the signet cross of the Messiah on his brow!10 And then the woman knelt to worship him, as God with us, Immanuel; but one, a master clothed in white, appeared and said,11 Good woman, stay; take heed to what you do; you may not worship man; this is idolatry.12 This child is man, the son of man, and worthy of all praise. You shall adore and worship God; him only shall you serve.13 The woman rose and bowed her head in thankfulness and worshipped God.14 And Mary took the infant Jesus and returned to Bethlehem. CHAPTER 5.Three magian priests honor Jesus. Herod is alarmed. Calls a council of the Jews. Is told that prophets had foretold the coming of a king. Herod resolves to kill the child. Mary and Joseph take Jesus and flee into Egypt.Beyond the river Euphrates the magians lived; and they were wise, could read the language of the stars and they divined that one, a master soul, was born; they saw his star above Jerusalem.2 And there were three among the magian priests who longed to see the master of the coming age; and they took costly gifts and hastened to the West in search of him, the new-born king, that they might honor him.3 And one took gold, the symbol of nobility; another myrrh, the symbol of dominion and of power; gum-thus the other took, the symbol of the wisdom of the sage.4 Now when the magians reached Jerusalem the people were amazed, and wondered who they were and why they came.5 And when they asked, Where is the child that has been born a king? the very throne of Herod seemed to shake.6 And Herod sent a courtier forth to bring the magians to his court.7 And when they came they asked again, Where is the new born king? And then they said, While yet beyond the Euphrates we saw his star arise, and we have come to honor him.8 And Herod blanched with fear. He thought, perhaps, the priests were plotting to restore the kingdom of the Jews, and so he said within himself, I will know more about this child that has been born a king.9 And so he told the magian priests to tarry in the city for a while and he would tell them all about the king.10 He called in council all the Jewish masters of the law and asked, What have the Jewish prophets said concerning such a one?11 The Jewish masters answered him and said, The prophets long ago foretold that one would come to rule the tribes of Israel; that this Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.12 They said, The prophet Micah wrote, O Bethlehem Judea, a little place among the Judean hills, yet out of you will one come forth to rule my people, Israel; yea, one who lived in olden times, in very ancient days.13 Then Herod called the magian priests again and told them what the masters of the Jewish law had said; and then he sent them on the way to Bethlehem.14 He said, Go search, and if you find the child that has been born a king, return and tell me all, that I may go and honor him.15 The magians went their way and found the child with Mary in the shepherd’s home.16 They honored him; bestowed upon him precious gifts and gave him gold, gum-thus and myrrh.17 These magian priests could read the hearts of men; they read the wickedness of Herod’s heart, and knew that he had sworn to kill the new born king.18 And so they told the secret to the parents of the child, and bid them flee beyond the reach of harm.19 And then the priests went on their homeward way; they went not through Jerusalem.20 And Joseph took the infant Jesus and his mother in the night and fled to Egypt land, and with Elihu and Salome in ancient Zoan they abode. CHAPTER 6.Herod learns of the supposed mission of John. The infants of Bethlehem are massacred by Herod’s order. Elizabeth escapes with John. Because Zacharias cannot tell where his son is hidden, he is murdered. Herod dies.Now, when the magian priests did not return to tell him of the child that had been born a king, King Herod was enraged.2 And then his courtiers told him of another child in Bethlehem, one born to go before and to prepare the people to receive the king.3 This angered more and more the king; he called his guards and bid them go to Bethlehem and slay the infant John, as well as Jesus who was born to be a king.4 He said, Let no mistake be made, and that you may be sure to slay these claimants to my throne, slay all male children in the town not yet two years of age.5 The guards went forth and did as Herod bade them do.6 Elizabeth knew not that Herod sought to slay her son, and she and John were yet in Bethlehem; but when she knew, she took the infant John and hastened to the hills.7 The murderous guards were near; they pressed upon her hard; but then she knew the secret caves in all the hills, and into one she ran and hid herself and John until the guards were gone.8 Their cruel task was done; the guards returned and told the story to the king.9 They said, We know that we have slain the infant king; but John, his harbinger, we could not find.10 The king was angry with his guards because they failed to slay the infant John; he sent them to the tower in chains.11 And other guards were sent to Zacharias, father of the harbinger, while he was serving in the Holy Place, to say, The king demands that you shall tell where is your son.12 But Zacharias did not know, and he replied, I am a minister of God, a servant in the Holy Place; how could I know where they have taken him?13 And when the guards returned and told the king what Zacharias said, he was enraged and said,14 My guards, go back and tell that wily priest that he is in my hands; that if he does not tell the truth, does not reveal the hiding place of John, his son, then he shall die.15 The guards went back and told the priest just what the king had said.16 And Zacharias said, I can but give my life for truth; and if the king does shed my blood the Lord will save my soul.17 The guards again returned and told the king what Zacharias said.18 Now, Zacharias stood before the altar in the Holy Place engaged in prayer.19 A guard approached and with a dagger thrust him through; he fell and died before the curtain of the sanctuary of the Lord.20 And when the hour of salutation came, for Zacharias daily blessed the priests, he did not come.21 And after waiting long the priests went to the Holy Place and found the body of the dead.22 And there was grief, deep grief, in all the land.23 Now Herod sat upon his throne; he did not seem to move; his courtiers came; the king was dead. His sons reigned in his stead.

SECTION III.