Returning again to First Corinthians, chapter thirteen, verses eight to eleven and verse thirteen, it states that "Charity never faileth; but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
"For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
"But WHEN THAT WHICH IS PERFECT IS COME, then that which is in part shall be done away.
"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought (and acted) as a child, but WHEN I BECAME A MAN (a son of God), I put away Childish things.
"And now abideth FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY, THESE THREE: but the greatest of these is charity," or the pure, divine, Christ-like LOVE. And only when the childish demonstrations are put aside can that which is PERFECT be brought forth. For that which is PERFECT IS LOVE, and it does not need to demonstrate. It just IS! LOVE or PERFECTION is the power of God made manifest in the divine FRUITS, not in the noisy gifts put on display.
"The law made nothing perfect, but the bringing of a BETTER HOPE DID!" (Heb. 7:19). This marvelous wonder of HOPE, which cannot be acclaimed or demonstrated, reveals the patterns of PERFECTION -- "Even as the Father in heaven is PERFECT!"
"Enthusiasm doesn't consist of raising your voice, of turning handsprings or of jumping and yelling. Enthusiasm is knowledge on fire." (Bill Wood, from Case and Comment).
As Paul explained these tremendous gifts of almost unspeakable power, he pointed out that all these powers were a worthless and empty display, without value, unless they were accompanied by that divine and holy attribute of LOVE. And when the perfect LOVE is brought forth then that which is PERFECT IS COME and all the other things, or demonstrations, will be done away. The gifts availeth nothing in themselves, and he that only possesses them is NOTHING without true love. "And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I AM NOTHING. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity (or the pure love of Christ), it PROFITETH ME NOTHING!"
The most tremendous, powerful gifts under heaven availeth nothing without LOVE. Yes, all the greatest gifts in existence are but a total loss without that which is PERFECT! And the only thing that is PERFECT IS LOVE! The gifts are only a PART of or a small portion of the fulness of the perfection which God holds out to His children. These designated gifts are but the toys of infancy. And any who are satisfied with the playthings of childhood can never move on into that which is PERFECT.
It is most clearly stated that when that which is PERFECT is come then that which is only in part shall be done away. The undignified, childish behavior, the romping and shouting will be done away as completely and thoroughly as the dolls and the toys of childhood. The follies and foibles of "make-believe" will be an amusing or even an embarrassing memory as one moves on into the reality of the three glorious attributes of FAITH, HOPE and CHARITY, in a full possession of the divine majesty which must accompany them.
In this maturity one naturally perfects FAITH in order to fulfill the divine HOPE, or vision, which is revealed to his soul through that glorious "SPIRIT OF PROMISE:" which PROMISE always includes the PERFECTION OF THE PURE CHRIST-LIKE LOVE!
All the childish ideas, the immature behavior, the ungodly self-acclaim and displays will be understood to be but the noisy brass and the clanging cymbals used to keep one entertained or occupied with the worthless amusements of childhood, in the crib that is so short one's attention must be held upon outside rattles and foolish demonstrations in order to restrain and hold his attention. While his discomfort in the tiny, outgrown bed of unprogressiveness, with the covering that is too narrow for comfort, becomes increasingly unacceptable if he becomes STILL and takes time to observe.
The ancient cry of God is heard at the present time to counteract the increasing noise and confusion of those without knowledge, as it is echoed and re-echoed around the world: "To whom can He (God) teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk and drawn from the breasts." (Isa. 28)
Added to this record of Isaiah is the one in Hebrews, chapter five, verses twelve to fourteen, which states that those who are fed by others, or who accept whatever is given to them are only receiving the diet of milk. Those not drawn from the breasts accept whatsoever their leaders offer them, even as an infant accepts the milk without question or resistance. In this attitude of complete acceptance or infantile satisfaction they remain immature. They continue to be numbered among "Such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
"For everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness; for he is a babe.
"But strong meat (the food of maturity) belongeth to them that are full of age, even those by reason of use have their sense exercised to discern both good and evil." And, because of their exercised intelligence, they can make a choice of that which they desire to accept, without FEAR. Those who are still infants, accepting only what their selected leaders offer, are often fed only on a diet of FEAR and are, therefore, afraid to look in order to see what is really good or evil. These are truly held in an unprogressive, infantile state. The FEARFUL are the first on the list who will experience the "SECOND DEATH," according to Revelations, chapter twenty and verse eight. The FEARFUL are already damned because they are afraid to investigate or even look. Therefore, their progress and knowledge cease. Paul admonished the believers in Jesus Christ to PROVE ALL THINGS -- and to hold fast to that which is GOOD! Those who seek only to disprove all new things are only condemning themselves into the realms of those who have relinquished their right of progress and who are, therefore, damned. Damnation is a state of complete unprogressiveness where all growth and progress is stopped.
This quotation must be included here, from the great Herbert Spencer, a true thinker: "There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all argument, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance. That principle is condemnation before investigation."
Another jewel of truth comes from the Rev. Arthur Ford:
"From the cowardice that fears new truth,
From the laziness that accepts half truths,
From the arrogance that knows all truth,
O Lord, deliver us!"
"A Thirst for knowledge is just as important as the acquisition and the application of knowledge." (J.O. Brisbin. -- Business Fundamental World. 12-68)
Only those searching souls who are "hungering and thirsting after righteousness" are truly prepared to KNOW TRUTH. "KNOW THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH WILL MAKE YOU FREE." It is then that the half truths, the partial truths and the untruths become inadequate. To KNOW the TRUTH one must "HUNGER AND THIRST" after a complete knowledge of God, not just be willing to verify what he has already accepted or espoused. Only the full truth can appease the awakened hungering of the soul -- which TRUTH IS PERFECTION! "For those whose eyes become single to the glory of God will be filled with Light and there will be no darkness in them, and THEY WILL COMPREHEND ALL THINGS!" In other words, "THEY WILL KNOW THE TRUTH!" These are the ones whose eyes are truly single to the glory of God and are not upon their own imagined importance or on half-truths -- or perhaps untruths.
Those who are no longer satisfied or willing to accept anything and everything that is fed to them by their "blind leaders" will reach beyond the crib of infancy and the childish methods of entertainment. They will no longer "TRUST IN THE ARM OF FLESH" but with their own souls alerted they will go on to God to ask for a KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH. They will seek diligently. They will seek HIM early -- AND THEY WILL FIND HIM! These awakening, progressing ones are fulfilling that merciful invitation to "ask, to seek and to knock." And God's promise is that "EVERYONE", regardless of his background, mistakes, race, color or creed, "SHALL RECEIVE!" "EVERYONE who asks receives! And he who seeks shall find (TRUTH), and unto him who knocks it shall be opened!" So stands the eternal, everlasting PROMISE of Almighty God! And those who go to men for their information and answers, instead of to God, are trusting in the arm of flesh. "Woe be to him that trusteth in the arm of flesh, or maketh flesh his arm!"
As one is weaned from the milk and drawn from the breasts, or from "trusting in the arm of flesh," which is symbolical of the restraining arms with which an infant is held, he will develop his own tastes and choices and judgment. And as he humble himself to "ask, to seek and to knock," to KNOW TRUTH as it is revealed to him personally, from God, instead of from the blind leaders, he will "Grow and wax strong" in the process of a glorious maturing into sonhood.
"And they who are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, joint-heirs with Christ." (Romans 8:14, 16, 17).
In Galatians, chapter five, verse eighteen, it also states:
"And they who are led by the Spirit of God (not men) they are the sons of God."
Or, according to the 82nd Psalm, verse six, and verified by Jesus Christ, in the record given in John 10:34-36, as follows: "Is it not written in your law, I said ye are Gods: And if he called them Gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scriptures cannot be broken; say ye of Him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the son of God?"
John 6:45, quoting from the Prophets, which prophetic records are not included in our present scriptures: "It is written in the Prophets, and they shall all be taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me," (Christ).
The Christ gave this information: "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send, in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26)
In Hebrews 7:19, it states so clearly that "The law made nothing PERFECT, but the bringing of a better HOPE DID." This "Better hope" which is to be brought forth through FAITH is the PROMISE of awareness that every blessing ever given by the prophets and by Jesus Christ can literally be fulfilled in us. This is the "BETTER HOPE" which reached beyond the laws and the prophets into that which IS PERFECT -- which divine Perfection is to be fulfilled in us. And this PERFECTION is brought forth through the developing and use of LOVE. The whole pattern is revealed in that sacred, holy Sermon given by Christ upon the Mount.
This ability to grow into the status of a son of God demands that one leave the trappings of babyhood, the childish crib, the toys and playthings of infancy behind and grow into sonhood.
As one's physical, infant body is formed in the womb, it is fed through the umbilical cord until the body is full fashioned; then the baby body, completely prepared, is BORN into this physical, mortal world.
And so it is also as one develops the spiritual body that it might "BE BORN OF THE SPIRIT." The same process of growth is necessary. The need for spiritual food is the meaning of the Lord's Prayer, which states: "Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name * * * GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD --" etc. This prayer is not for the physical food, the potatoes and meat of the flesh, or of mortality. This request, which Christ placed in the hands of man, is for the divine food by which the spiritual growth can be fully accomplished. This holy prayer of the Lord has a far deeper meaning than for mere earthly needs. It contains the eternal request of the soul for an awakened awareness and "Hungering" by which it might "Partake of the food which mortal men know not of."
This is the food of which both John the Baptist and Christ partook. "And they grew and waxed strong" (in spirit).
The spiritual food that goes beyond the milk of infancy into the food of manhood, the meat of which only the strong, maturing man can partake, is the request for the daily supply needed for spiritual growth, for the perfecting of the soul. It is the food that will appease the "hungering and thirsting" of the soul for complete fulfillment.
Those who are no longer content with their infant conformity and their inadequate, childish crib, their baby toys and who awake to throw off the swaddling clothes of an outgrown covering, the noisy brass jangling of empty demonstrations, the clanging of cymbals and the undignified entertainment and confusion of childhood will automatically begin to "hunger and thirst" for the divine diet of Almighty God, the meat of the Father. And it is this development, this "hungering and thirsting after righteousness," which starts the development into manhood or sonship.
Truly is it stated: "Blessed is he who hungers and thirsts after righteousness," "For he shall be filled with the fulness of God", according to the complete revelation of this scripture, which was left out of the Bible.
Only as one "hungers and thirsts after righteousness" or the true spiritual knowledge, that he might "KNOW THE TRUTH," can his full maturing take place. The very "hungering and thirsting" is the opening contact between God the Father and the individual as he begins to develop and to use the spiritual umbilical cord that furnishes that which is necessary for his spiritual growth. Only those who "hunger and thirst" can be fed with the bread of life so that eventually they might be prepared to "BE BORN OF THE SPIRIT!"
There are thousands who have claimed and who do claim that they have received that sacred BIRTH, who know nothing about it. They are but tiny children rattling their toys in the childish game of "make-believe," even while vomiting up the spiritual food intended for them to use for their own growth and development.
They who have received momentary nourishment as they have been touched by inspiration, as God has fed them a small serving of His Holy Spirit, hoping to prepare them for the fulness of LIFE so that they could, in time, mature into their own perfection and "BE BORN OF THE SPIRIT," have so often failed to use that divine nourishment righteously. Instead of using that glorious portion of spiritual ecstasy as the divine substance on which they could grow into perfection, they have failed to assimilate its power and have immediately spewed it out in "UNSEEMLY BEHAVIOR" as they have "defiled the banquet tables of the Lord with their vomit," as Isaiah proclaimed.
Whenever anyone has received a touch of the Spirit of Almighty God it was intended for his own divine growth into majesty and honor and perfection. It was never intended to be spewed out in "Unseemly Behavior" of defilement. That holy, glorious touch of inspiration or Spirit was given to be used for spiritual growth and not intended to be spewed out and squandered. It was meant to be held in silence and digested as the entire being of that individual absorbed and fed upon its hallowed perfection of majestic development and everlasting power. Those who have squandered that divine, holy nourishment and Spirit of God thus will never grow into the glory of maturity to be born of the Spirit. They will remain infants, living upon milk, instead of the meat of the Father. And they will continue to vomit up that milk in "UNSEEMLY" displays.
"He who knows not God always tells it. He who knows God tells it not." This is the ancient truth spoken by the Great Ones. And it is so! This knowledge of God is too sacred to speak, too glorious to share except with those who already KNOW GOD -- and then there is no need to discuss it or explain. This knowledge is held in that sacred depths of the soul as it continually blesses and heals and enlightens.
And anyone who actually KNOWS God has the gift of eternal life and need not die.
In this day and age the whole earth is defiled under the constant bombardment of false statements concerning God. In the very bigotry and ignorance of man God's holiness is defiled.
When Christ prayed that his Apostles might be One, even as He and the Father were One, feeble-minded ones have assumed that they were one identical, amalgamated being. And even that in time all mankind would be amalgamated into that being, losing their own identity, their personalities and the purpose and the meaning of existence. And this is Devil's doctrine.
God, in the beginning, when performing that first marriage, proclaimed that "Man and His wife are ONE." He did not mean that they would amalgamate into one glob, losing their individuality. He meant they would be united in purpose and aim as helpmates to each other.
The false idea and teaching that God and Christ are one identical being is disproved by the scriptures in so many different passages.
Matt. 3:16-17: "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and lo, the heavens opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon him.
"AND LO A VOICE FROM HEAVEN SAYING, THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED." (See also Mark 1:11 and Matt. 17:5)
"While he (Peter on the Mount) yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold A VOICE OUT OF THE CLOUD, which said, This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him." (Mark 9:7 and Luke 9:35).
In II Peter 1:16-19 is given this information: "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye witnesses of his majesty.
"For HE RECEIVED FROM GOD THE FATHER honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him FROM THE EXCELLENT GLORY, THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED.
"AND THIS VOICE WHICH CAME FROM HEAVEN WE HEARD WHEN WE WERE WITH HIM IN THE HOLY MOUNT.
"We have also a more sure word of Prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your heart." It is true that one might see with his eyes and be deceived. He might hear with his ears and not fully comprehend. But that "More sure word of prophecy" is that inner witness of God which cannot lie or possibly be misunderstood. This is that seat of contact right within man which cannot be duplicated. When this is developed one receives that most sacred of all gifts -- THE GIFT OF DISCERNMENT!
This sacred Gift of discernment is a guarantee against false doctrine, false witnesses and evil pretenders. It is also a guarantee as the true witness to truth. This most sacred, holy gift is the only one which can place one among the "ELECT"! It is true that the powers of darkness are raging up and down on the earth as Satan is working double time to put across his false doctrines and beliefs. And so great and so subtle are his methods that he "WILL DECEIVE THE VERY ELECT, IF POSSIBLE!" But it is impossible to deceive the ELECT because "they have that more sure Word of Prophecy," which has been brought forth from within, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place." And those who take heed to it will have that "DAY STAR" of inner revelation arise in their hearts, for then will the day of light and understanding dawn -- AND THEY WILL KNOW THE TRUTH. And none can deceive them.
This gift of discernment is most holy and pure. It is developed as one begins to turn inward to the very depths of his own soul to ascertain truth. This is the "SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH!" It is that sacred "HOLY OF HOLIES!" It is the place of contact with God. And it is there that the Holy Spirit bears witness to all things which are true. As one learns "TO TAKE HEED TO THIS MORE SURE WITNESS OF TRUTH" he ceases to judge doctrines or beliefs of others by his own mental capacity, but rather turns to that "MORE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY" or KNOWING, which goes beyond sight or hearing or even of human thinking.
As one begins to take heed unto that glorious witness which abides as a Light which shineth in a dark place, the very inner depths of one's being, the day of complete comprehension will dawn and that day of revelation in all personal matters and of the full comprehension of TRUTH will arise in his heart. And he will receive the "more sure word of Prophecy." HE WILL KNOW THE TRUTH of all things. And none will be able to deceive Him. (There will be more given on this later).
In returning to this false doctrine about God, which is sweeping the earth at the present time, that gift of discernment is most urgently needed.
As you study the following passage of scripture, turn to that inner witness, that more sure word of prophecy and demand to KNOW the Truth.
Now, concerning the greater evidence of Jesus Christ being the Son of God, not God, let us turn for a moment to the histories of Europe, to the records of the martyrs which numbered into the hundreds. Most of them bear witness as they were being consumed by flames that they could see Christ standing on the right hand of God. They were giving their lives for a witness for Him and He bore witness to their greatness and the acceptance of their sacrifice by appearing before them in the company of His Father. There were always the two individuals who were thus seen.
Mark 16:19: "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, AND SAT ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD."
Romans 8:34: "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea, rather, that is risen again, who is even at THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD!"
Acts 7:55-56: In regard to Stephen's dying as he was stoned to death is added this glorious witness from the scriptures. "But he (Stephen), being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and JESUS STANDING ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD,
"And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and THE SON OF MAN STANDING ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD."
If Christ and God were one it would be a rather stupid, awkward position to see HIM sitting on his own right hand. Or according to the above quotation it would be even more idiotic to be standing on his own right hand. Try it and see.
Then Peter gives this testimony of Christ "Who is gone into heaven, and is ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD: Angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him." (I Peter 3:22)
Heb. 10:12: "But this man (Jesus), after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD."
"AND SO DO I BEAR WITNESS ALSO."
Now in Luke 22:69 are the words of Jesus Christ Himself concerning this dynamic truth of two individual personalities: "HENCEFORTH SHALL THE SON OF MAN SIT ON THE RIGHT HAND OF THE POWER OF GOD."
There is nothing in all the scriptures to verify the erroneous belief that man is God. "They were called Gods, unto whom the WORD OF GOD CAME." This scripture does not say that they WERE GOD. However, there is the record which states: "As man is God once was, and as God is man may become." Which is no more than saying that the infant in its crib can become a man even as his father is a man. It does not state that the infant will become his father.
"Man and his wife are one," This assuredly does not state that they blend into a bunglesome, uncoordinated, awkward single being. It does not mean that either or both give up their status as individuals or lose their own identity.
Isa. 14:12-15: "HOW ART THOU FALLEN FROM HEAVEN, O LUCIFER SON OF THE MORNING! HOW ART THOU CUT DOWN TO THE GROUND, WHICH DIDST WEAKEN THE NATIONS!
"FOR THOU HAST SAID IN THINE HEART, I WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN, I WILL EXALT MY THRONE ABOVE THE STARS OF GOD: I WILL SIT ALSO UPON THE MOUNT OF THE CONGREGATION, IN THE SIDES OF THE NORTH:
"I WILL ASCEND ABOVE THE HEIGHTS OF THE CLOUDS: I WILL BE LIKE THE MOST HIGH!
"Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit."
Christ often bore witness of the Father within. He was speaking of "the Great God who standeth in the congregation of the Mighty who judgeth among the Gods." He was speaking of the God of Whom it is said, "For in Him we live and move and have our being." But remember this, before the infant is born or matured enough to be born into this world it lives and moves and has its being in the mother. But that does not make it the mother. So it is that man, seeking to fulfill his spiritual development, lives and moves and literally has his being in his Holy completeness and essence and love which is the reality of the God who does sit in the congregation of the mighty and who judges among the Gods -- for there are Lords many and there are Gods many. And this earth is the school for Gods for all those who take advantage of the opportunity so exquisitely divine.
However, regardless of the many times in which Christ bore witness to the father within, Who doeth the works, when Mary went to throw herself down at his feet in adoration and worshipping devotion he restrained her, saying, "Touch me not, for I have not yet ascended to my Father which is in Heaven. This is our Father, Who art In Heaven. He is the one with whom we dwelt before we ever came to this earth to accept the responsibility of taking upon us the training of mortality. He was the One Who assigned us to our various nationalities and even to our family assignments.
And even as Christ was chosen from the foundations of the world to be the Redeemer, then let it be here known that He was an individual and there were others to choose from else He could not possibly have been chosen. There cannot be a CHOICE unless there is more than one to choose from.
And it was Christ who engraved those names upon that most Holy of all Scrolls, that "Sacred Lamb's Book of Life." To have one's name thus entered upon that record was one of the greatest possible honors to receive. And those whose names were engraved upon that divine document had earned that right through personal achievements. They were individuals then -- and would always be distinct with personalities all their own. Through the eons of existence, before the foundations of the earth were laid, each individual who was to have the privilege of eventually inhabiting this world had progressed according to his own desiring and choice. And, according to the many passages of scripture which testify of that Sacred Scroll, those only who were worthy had their names thus written into that Sacred Book. And, according to the scriptures, there were those whose names were not written in that "Lamb's Book of Life."
Thus, for ages and eons, each individual developed his own personality and identity and worthiness or his own unworthiness. And to think that there are those who actually try to teach that those ageless eternities of development are to be blotted out as man is, according to their erroneous interpretation, absorbed back into NOTHING, is wicked, even blasphemous, and an insult to both God and man.
That we existed as individuals is verified in numerous passages of scripture; in the calling of Jeremiah the prophet; in the record of Job, who so bewailed the day of his birth into this world, and to whom God spoke out of the whirlwind, demanding, "Job, gird up now thy loins like a man, for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me, Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth and ALL THE SONS OF GOD SHOUTED FOR JOY -- AND THE MORNING STARS SANG TOGETHER?"
Remember also, as Christ was dying on the cross, He uttered these everlasting words of eternal truth: "Father, into thy hands I commend my Spirit." (Luke 23:46). At that moment he certainly was not attempting to put across a falsehood to deceive the world. He was speaking the dynamic words of everlasting truth.
Christ did testify that he and his Father were ONE. He also prayed that his apostles would become One even as he and the Father were ONE. This ONENESS did not mean a mass amalgamation of all, but a unity of love and purpose and agreement and individual perfection.
"THERE IS NOTHING IN SCRIPTURES THAT ONE'S LIFE IS TO PREPARE HIM TO GO SLOPPING ABOUT THE COSMOS WITH NO IDENTITY." (Michael Drury, of Cedar Crest College.)
Those who are teaching that all men are going to be amalgamated into one great being -- God -- are teaching Devil Doctrine.
The condemnation which Lucifer and his followers will receive, along with all those they are able to deceive, is that they shall receive the "Second Death."
The Second Death is reserved for those who failed to fulfill their own inborn goodness and who were unworthy to have any part in the great promises of fulfillment. The Second Death is also for those who have been orthodoxed into a state of fear so that they dare not search for TRUTH, but live by the dead doctrines and creeds of their ancestors and pastors. They are dead and withered branches that are fit only to be burned. The FEARFUL are the ones who head the list of those to receive that Second death. Those who follow are "the unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters and all liars." (Rev 21:8)
The completion of that Second Death is the death of the soul as it is required to relinquish the personality as the essence and energies it consists of are drawn back into the great source of energy from which it came. And that essence no longer has an identity or a personality. It is no longer a being -- a living soul. It is NO-THING!
Lucifer knows this is the great condemnation and the judgment that is awaiting him. He knows he cannot escape it, but proud and haughty as ever he is seeking at this time to try to make it appear as the most glamorous condition possible to receive, in hopes that he can take the blind, unsuspecting ones along with him. His entire existence has been a flaming desire to destroy, to torture, to afflict and to torment man and to control him as a puppet on a string. He has sought always to produce great dictatorships upon this earth in order that he could dominate all mankind. He demands that all obey him as he seeks to control even their thinking -- and to absorb their personalities.
And now that Lucifer's reign is nearing its close he is seeking even more desperately to deceive and to glamorize that Second Death which awaits him and his followers and those who have yielded themselves to his false teachings and his sway. And so has the false, evil doctrine of being ABSORBED back into God as nonentities been spreading and expanding until it has become a stench to cover the earth. It seeks to give a glamor of importance to those without understanding and who KNOW NOT THE TRUTH.
And many of those who are without comprehension, and who are so weak in soul and erring in judgment they do not desire to face the responsibility of their own frauds and failures, are proclaiming that they will be absorbed back into God, or declare in outrageous blasphemy that they are God. And thus they are deceiving themselves as they seek to deceive others who are willing to become Satan's instruments in endeavoring to glamorize that most hideous judgment, the SECOND DEATH.
Those who, in humility and loving devotion, seek to KNOW TRUTH will not be deceived by such evil, defiled teachings. They will have the ability to discern between the truth and the error, abiding wholly in the Secret Place of the Most High or in direct contact with that "Light that shineth in a dark place." And they will be taught of God, and will need no man to teach them.
This glorious Spirit of Discernment is one of the most Sacred, powerful, holy gifts possible to receive. It is not a gift to be put on display or boasted about. It is a gift to prepare one to DO THE GREATER WORKS. Those who love God with all their hearts, minds and souls will naturally grow into the living wonder and marvel of this most divine, powerful gift of DISCERNMENT.
The holy ones, for such they are, who have this sacred gift of discernment are THE ELECT. And their very election is to be called to associate with that glorious, chosen group of the ELECT, WHICH CANNOT BE DECEIVED, because it is impossible to deceive them. Their eyes being single to the glory of God, instead of being centered upon their own imagined importance and their false concepts, is proof against deception, for there shall be no darkness in them. They will be filled with Light -- and comprehend all things. These will be able to discern between TRUTH and error. And no man will be able to deceive them. No! Not even Lucifer himself. FOR THEY WILL KNOW THE TRUTH! To them the guilds of Satan and all the clever, powerful doctrines of falsehood which he has so cleverly disguised and fostered are as nothing.
And so, as Lucifer goes down into that Second Death and his legions of demon followers with him, his one consuming desire will be to take the whole human race with him. And so it is he is trying so desperately to make the yielding up of personality of each individual as something very desirable. And his teachings are a lie! And he is the father of lies! And to have to relinquish that divine personality which has taken such long ages and eons to develop is an abhorrent condition, not a thing desirable nor righteous. He is seeking to make it appear as the very ultimate in all existence. And to him and to his followers it is indeed the ultimate -- THE VERY END!
Pray for the gift of discernment, that you be not deceived. Pray to be taught of God. Pray for the gift of perfect love. And know that deep desiring or intensity automatically draws attention from the worlds beyond. This is the blessed "Hungering and Thirsting After Righteousness." This very intensity or deep desiring is the most urgent, dynamic form of ASKING possible to generate. This is the "Praying with all the energy of heart" required for fulfillment.
"Know the TRUTH and the TRUTH will make you free!" Accept falsehood and you are forever in bondage.
"My sheep hear my voice and they know me, and a stranger they will not follow!" Christ's voice is the voice of TRUTH and those who know Truth will never be deceived.
"And when ye shall receive these things (or anything for that matter), I would exhort you that ye ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Jesus Christ if these things are not true; and IF YE SHALL ASK WITH A SINCERE HEART, WITH REAL INTENT (or desire), having faith in Christ, he will manifest the TRUTH UNTO YOU BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST.
"And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the TRUTH of all things." (the ancient prophet, Moroni).
In the center of the soul is where one abides under the shadow of the Almighty, "in the secret Place of the Most High." And when one goes inward with his questions, to this place of divine contact, he cannot possibly be deceived. Only truth can abide here and only TRUTH will be revealed here.
As one goes thus within he will be exalted into the status of the ELECT! These holy ones who have faith enough to PROVE ALL THINGS will learn to trust not in their own understandings but will go to that more sure word of Prophecy. This is the realm of the Elect and it is impossible to deceive them.
Some are born with that most sacred, holy gift of DISCERNMENT. But all may develop it. It is for those who trust in God and walk with God, not leaning to their own understanding. These are the ones whose hearts and minds are open, that they might be taught of God. These follow not every foolish "wind of doctrine" devised by man or instigated by Lucifer.
The 38th Ode of Solomon is beautiful indeed on the power of TRUTH. "I went up to the light of truth as if into a chariot;
"And the Truth took me and led me; and carried me across pits and gulleys; and from the rocks and the waves it preserved me;
"And it became to me a heaven of Salvation; and set me on the arms of immortal life:
"And it went with me and made me rest, and suffered me not to wander, because it was the TRUTH;
"And I ran no risk, because I walked with Him;
"And I did not make an error in anything, because I obeyed the Truth.
"For error flees away from it, and meets it not; but the Truth proceeds in the right path, and
"Whatever I did not know, it made clear to me, all the poisons of error, AND THE PLAGUES OF DEATH WHICH THEY THINK TO BE SWEETNESS."
Come, Beloved! Come! Join those sacred, holy ones, the ELECT, and the power of the deceiver will never be able to touch you with the falsehoods of error and destruction. "Ask God the Eternal Father" to KNOW truth -- and the Truth will be revealed to you by the power of the Holy Ghost! Amen!