Since the "Road to Zion" is the road of the purification of the heart, or of the navel or center of one's heart and soul and all that this marvel entails, this stupendous Path must now be mapped in such a way that henceforth it will be so easy to travel "even a fool need not err therein," as Isaiah promised. And its breathtaking purpose must be made plain in the wonder and glory of exquisite desirability.
Since it is only "The pure in heart who shall see God" then the plan for the purification of the heart must be unveiled. And the Promise of heaven goes with this sacred purification that "They shall have Eternal Life!" This is the everlasting pledge of God to all men that those who travel this Path need never die. They shall not taste of death and the decaying discomforts of aging and the pain and anguish and suffering that leads to dying.
Isaiah reveals in his 40th chapter, beginning with verse 31, the following: "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint." To mount up with wings as eagles is the promise of being "Born of the Spirit."
And in the fulness of this revelation it reads thus: "They shall receive treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures. They shall receive health in the navel and marrow in the bones and strength in the loins and in the sinews, and I, the Lord, give unto them a promise that the destroying angel (death) shall pass them by and not slay them." And all such will truly be prepared to "Be Born of the Spirit insomuch that they will be able to come and go as the wind" in a service so great even Christ acknowledged that it would be a greater work than that which He accomplished, because He was going to His Father and would not be permitted to remain on this earth in such a service. It is called "THE GREATER WORKS!"
The first step upon this Straight and Narrow Path of purification is begun when one opens his mind and heart and soul in a desire to fulfill and LIVE by those Two First and Great Commandments of LOVE! To actually LIVE them is much more than just accepting them as Christ's sayings. It means to make them a living part of one's life.
This road to Zion or to the purification of the heart is the Pathway of all-fulfilling. It is indeed "The Straight and Narrow Path that leads to Life Eternal!" It is the road of OVERCOMING. It contains the joy and the glory of all existence and the divine purpose of it. In traveling this road one takes upon himself to truly LIVE Christ's Words and not just hear them, that he might KNOW and EXPERIENCE the truths of them for himself.
This Royal Road to Zion, or to the purification of the heart, is the Road the Three Wise Men traveled in their journey as they followed the Star. This road is every man's to follow who so desires or chooses to travel it. It is not an instantaneous journey, nor a short one. It is a long journey as one travels it "from AFAR" even as the Magi of old. It must be traveled from one's first glimpse of it or from his first awakened desire for the purification of his heart even to the fulness. But so many think they are already upon the Path who have never set one foot upon the sacred, Holy Way.
There is a way, and ways and THE WAY,
And the High man travels the High Way
And the low man travels the low;
And in between, on the misty flats,
The rest drift to and fro.
But for every man that goeth
There's a high way and a low --
And every man decideth
The way his soul shall go!
Even the greatest sinners deceive themselves as they seek to justify their wickedness. And those who assume they are righteous and have no faults or failings are often farther from the path than the wicked. But as the slothful, indolent, wicked or the self-righteous travel this sacred Path, in their wish to behold the KING, they begin their own purification. The sinner becomes repentant. The self-righteous begin dropping one by one their bigotries, their self-acclaim, their distorted, erroneous beliefs and cluttering precepts and their pride. And the slothful, lazy individual becomes awakened. On this Holy Path the weaknesses the negative attitudes and all personal ideas of self-importance drop away. And the gifts he bears within himself become ever more real and exquisitely beautiful. The hidden glory of those fabulous jewels begin to become apparent and desirable to the bearer. The very gifts themselves begin to make manifest the increasing purity of the individual who carries them. They become sacred, hallowed gifts, fit for a King -- A GOD!
Of those in this day who desire to travel the sacred High Way it is also required that they follow the Star of Promise in an increasing wonder of anticipation and devotion. These holy ones, for so they become, who continue upon the Path, must keep their eyes upon that Star always, never upon the deserts being crossed nor the deep, rocky canyons, nor the rugged passes of high, desolating peaks. It is quite necessary to keep one's vision focused above the vicissitudes of earth in order to overcome them. They do not need to be denied, but in the glory of the journey they must not be given the power to detain, overwhelm or retard one's progress. And with this attitude "All things work together for the traveler's good." This is indeed a sacred road, full of joy and power and increasing satisfaction. It is how one becomes a Wise Man, a Magi, a Priest in the hands of God.
And as one travels this Path he becomes the bearer of the three priceless, sacred jewels of all existence -- his own gifts for the King of glory.
As one travels this Royal Road of purification the three divine, exquisite jewels are the jewels he bears within himself. And they become ever more effulgent and beautiful as one guards them humbly and in true devotion. They become divine, polished gems of everlasting glory, fit for the God of Heaven.
The first jewel is of the mind. It is the sacred gem of FAITH. And Faith is the first requisite required in undertaking this journey of purification. This jewel of Faith is the key of power. It is dynamic in its scope and assignment of fulfilling. This is the first gift made apparent or visible as it is brought forth in the journey to behold the King.
But in this jewel of Faith lies a temptation to detain the unwise. This jewel of Faith is the first gem one becomes aware of, as a rule, as he takes his journey to Zion. This is the journey of the wise. But all can become wise who become aware of this one trap and avoid it, by deep humility and deeper desire to fulfill.
The jewel of Faith is so desirable and so blinding in its power there are literally thousands who have become so entranced by its brilliance they have sought to hold it to themselves, seeking to display it for their own satisfaction and credit and self-glory. These are the ones spoken of in I. Cor. 13:1-3: which is as follows: "Though I speak with the tongues of men (or many nations), and with the tongue of angels, and have not charity (Pure, Christ-like Love), I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal." And often such become only a great noise of proud self-acclaim.
"And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and have not the pure Christ-like love, 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 divine Christ-like love) it profit me nothing."
Yes, Faith is the jewel of power, but it can be so coveted by lower mortals they can be blinded by its power and beauty as they seek to hold it to themselves as their very own.
And so it is that some may forget the purpose of their journey to bestow their gifts upon the King of Glory.
This jewel of Faith can never be worn in self-display without destroying the wearer. Yes. "Enter ye in at the Straight Gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in thereat.
"Because straight is the gate and narrow the way, which leadeth to life, and few there be that find it." (Matt. 7:13-14).
And also from that divine Sermon on the Mount must be quoted this warning to those who seek to glorify themselves with the breathtaking power of Faith, which can so easily be used amiss. "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
"Many shall say to me in that day, Lord have we not prophesied in thy name; and in thy name have cast out devils; and in thy name done many wonderful works?
"And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matt. 7:21-23).
"By their fruits ye shall know them," not by their words or much speaking. And the list of the "Fruits of the Spirit" are named and identified and cannot possibly be mistaken. (Matt. 7:15-20)
The signs and the works of Faith, being used amiss, as it is worn by individuals seeking acclaim and credits and rewards, is so deceptive and so adored by the self-seeking that God is forgotten and one's own imagined power is worshiped. These unwise ones do not realize that the jewel of Faith can never be worn on self-display, without stopping the progress of such so that their journey to Zion has been turned into the broad open way which leads to destruction. Instead of purifying themselves they are increasing their impurities of soul and mind. They become but an empty shell of vanity -- a nothing. "For if I have all the powers on earth and have not charity I am NOTHING."
Faith is one of man's sacred gifts to be held in trust as it is guarded and glorified in humility and a constant awareness of thanksgiving. This very awareness is the continued consciousness that the jewel is being held and glorified for a gift to the King of Heaven. It is to be perfected that it might be bestowed even as a divine offering of the WISE to be released in thanksgiving and everlasting gratitude when one reaches his journey's end. Or one may use it in silent reverence without self-acclaim as he meets those on his journey to whom God signifies that his gift of Faith may be shared for a moment, to bless or heal. But always it must be used for the glory of God, for it is of God.
The second jewel is exquisite beyond thought. It is the divine gem of LOVE held deep within the heart. It is the glorified treasure of "Charity" that alone can completely exalt the gift of Faith and give it true meaning. LOVE can never be worn on self-display. It is the fulfilling glory of Faith itself. Only LOVE can magnify and enhance Faith and make it perfect. LOVE contains all the divine purity of rare, exquisite, highly wrought beauty and perfection! It is eternal! It never fails! LOVE is the jewel of jewels! It is the gem of glory and fulfillment and when brought forth humble from a human heart one becomes divine. It works with Faith to complete and fulfill and glorify as both jewels are perfected -- FAITH and LOVE united in celestial LIGHT!
What is LOVE like? May I tell you? It is described beautifully by Paul in I. Cor. 13:4-11, thus: "Charity (or the perfect Christ-like Love) suffereth long and is kind. It envieth not; It vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.
"Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.
"Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in Truth;
"Beareth all things, believeth all things (the great Promises of God without doubting), hopeth all things, endureth all things.
"LOVE never faileth; but whether there be prophesies, 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 (and many times only babbled), I understood as a child, I thought as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish things," the sounding brass and the clanging cymbals or rattles, as I outgrew the milk and the infant crib with its inadequate covering. And only in this discarding could I become a man -- "A SON OF GOD."
The third precious jewel is of the soul. It is the very glory of heaven. It is LIGHT! It is the Light of understanding in which all the darkness is cast out and banished! It is the jewel of wisdom. It is the gem of infinite fulfilment and eternal glory. Light is not only the divine substance of all created things it is the purifier, the precious jewel of rapture and full OVERCOMING! It is the joy and the eternal glory to all who perfect it within themselves. It is the STAR which becomes forever enthroned within the soul of man. It is his glory! And so it is that one perfects his gifts for God -- himself made perfect and clothed in LIGHT and radiance and limitless power.
And so it is that one is admitted into the Presence of God to bestow his gifts of pure, holy FAITH and LOVE and the fulness of Glory as the LIGHT is brought forth perfected and radiant. The Light of the Star becomes a very part of man himself as he follows its Light or Guiding. This divine gift of Light is the holy gift of the soul made perfect in the fulness of one's journey to Zion -- the journey to God. And then it is that one can kneel in His Presence and bestow the gifts he has developed and polished and glorified in this journey to the complete purification. And henceforth and forever he is a SON OF GOD, no longer an infant entertained by the clanging noise of shouting self-acclaimers or by the showy display put on in childish make-believe. He has reached the Kingdom of Heaven as his heart becomes purified and then will "all else be added" -- all the jewels of PROMISE and whatever else he can wish for or desire.
And Faith, when united by the Light of the Star, or with the divine gift of understanding, along with the great LOVE one becomes a divine generator of the pure radiance of Divinity.
These three jewels must be perfected right within each one as he travels that divine Highway to Zion, the Straight and Narrow Way into the very presence of God. "And the Path is so plain a fool need not err therein, though the wicked can never cross over it."
And so it is that when accompanied by LOVE and the great LIGHT of understanding the wonder of FAITH becomes glorious and powerful and can accomplish all things, for they will become subject unto him.
And as one offers this three gifts or priceless jewels to the King they become forever his own with all that goes with them, for they are a part of man -- MADE PERFECT. "Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father in Heaven is perfect!" And it is so!
And now I must share with you some of the words to Daniel as they were delivered by an angel centuries ago.
Daniel 12:9-10: "And I heard, but I understand not; and then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
"And he said, "Go thy way Daniel; for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." (WHICH IS NOW!)
"And many shall be purified, and made white, and tried, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand." Remember, it is the wicked who can never travel over the road of purification to Zion.
Then in verses three and four of that twelfth chapter of Daniel we are given this glorious information: "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.
"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end; when many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Yes -- when great free-ways shall span the continents to make that running to and fro possible. And there are the ship lanes and the sky-ways. And as for the increase of knowledge, both the atom and the universe are being explored, and the hidden secrets of all time and eternity are being revealed for knowledge has increased and is constantly being increased. And the time is NOW!
And the wise are beginning to travel that Holy Road to Zion as they themselves take on the brightness of the firmament and will eventually shine with the STARS -- their own Star, forever and ever as they become purified and made white and tried, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand or be able to behold what is taking place for it will not at first be visible to mortal eyes. But the wise, the purified, they will understand.
"Perfect Love casts out all fear!" "Perfect Faith casts out all doubting!" And it may be said that, the casting out of all doubting will perfect Faith. With the jewels of LOVE and FAITH made manifest the holy gift of LIGHT will be fully revealed and perfected in all its radiant brilliance of pure creative power. It is pure intelligence! It is the exquisite substance of all perfection and of creation! It is eternal splendor! It is the effulgent glory of the firmament brought forth in man. He becomes clothed in It as "he clothes himself in Light!" (Odes of Solomon 21:2-3).
Anyone can take a swift, weak, negative glance at these great Truths and Eternal Premises and harden his heart against them, deny them, or use his strength to fight against them. But such only hurts himself. None can possibly hurt these Truths. They are eternal and indestructible. These who are slothful, expecting others to do their fulfilling for them, or the rebellious can only reject them and those who do so are rejecting the Sacred Road to the purification of their own hearts. Only a softened, believing heart can be purified. To seal one's heart against Truth and Purity and Everlasting Glory is such a tragic mistake for one's denial but places him upon that Broad Open Way that leads to destruction in which the "Many go!"
The Broad Open Way has been traveled by the multitudes and the Priesthoods and the Clergies and the laymen as they have "Trusted in the arm of flesh" to guide them, blindly following the blind along that road that leads to destruction -- or DEATH. And there are those who follow no leaders but "trust in their own understandings" while they have never sought to KNOW GOD! "This is Life Eternal to KNOW THEE, The only true and living God and Jesus Christ, Whom You have sent!" These rejecting ones have been satisfied just to "know about God" but who have never sought to actually KNOW HIM!
The invitation has always been: "Seek me diligently and you shall KNOW ME! Or, "Seek me early and you shall FIND ME!" This very seeking, as one goes directly to God instead of to men, refusing to trust "in the arm of flesh," places him upon that ROYAL ROAD TO ZION, which leads into the very Presence of God!
The millions down the ages who have been satisfied to LIVE and die as mere mortals, trusting in some chosen leader or in some dogmatic doctrines "know nothing at all about ZION, THE CITY OF GOD," the abode of the OVERCOMERS! The Glory of Glories! They have neither believed in the Promises nor sought to fulfil them. These have been the ones who have accepted the doctrines, the formulas or rituals of the conformists and often the radical dissenters, but have never accepted God's Words as being true and eternal and unfailing -- when LIVED!
To look at the generations of the past and the millions living on the earth today and say, "This is an illusion and a lie! It is nonsense! None I have ever known have proved these things!" Then know this, you can be a chosen emissary of God sent to do that proving, for this way is a "Straight and Narrow Way and few there be who find it!" And you may think you are alone upon the road because it is so uncrowded. And then you will find at the end of your journey that the greatest, the most noble, the bravest and the most holy ones who have ever trod upon this earth have traveled this Way and some are traveling it now! And you will, in time meet them and recognize them and rejoice in them.
Remember that upon that broad open way the multitudes travel. They may have honored God with their lips, and with their tongues confessed him, while their hearts (or lives) have been far from Him, while their fear (LOVE) toward Him has been taught by the precepts of men. These have not only accepted that Broad Open Way that leads to destruction they have embraced it, even worshiped it.
Only those who will look at the great Truths and Promises of God and believe in them, can possibly travel this sacred, holy Highway, this Magic Street paved with transparent gold. And those who travel this divine Path add the contribution of their own vibrations of glory to that Sacred Way of Eternal Life, making that "Straight and Narrow Path" ever more gloriously desirable.
This work maps that "Way to Eternal Life so plainly that indeed even a fool need not err therein." As one travels this Path the Promises become realities! The Truths become proven facts of dynamic power! Each Promise becomes a signpost, a stepping stone, a measurement of progress along that sacred, glorious, exquisite Path of OVERCOMING -- the Road to Zion!
The desire to KNOW GOD for oneself is a great and holy desire. And as this desire grows within one he grows into the power of its fulfilling. The desire increases as one travels that "Straight and Narrow Path which leads to Life Eternal!" And "This is Life Eternal to KNOW THEE, the only true and living God and Jesus Christ whom You have sent!"
Nothing short of this would ever satisfy anyone. This is the purpose for which we came to earth that we might OVERCOME the things of earth and return into God's Presence, "Without descending through the gates of death," even as Enoch of old and the many others who sought diligently to KNOW HIM!
Those who place the desire to "Be Born of the Spirit," which is actually to know God for themselves, above everything else, are prepared and conditioned to be "Born of the Spirit" which includes all other gifts and Promises. As one takes hold of "THIS BEST GIFT," refusing to be sidetracked or put-off, he becomes "Filled with desire!" This desire becomes the very aim and purpose of his life as he LIVES it! Thinks it! Loves it! Breathes it! And holds to it "without wavering or doubting!" And this "laying hold" of a divine gift, or Promise can only be done by one taking hold of it mentally and believing in it until his very soul holds forth the pattern for its fulfilling as FAITH generates the Light of understanding into the full forming of his request!
As one becomes filled with the desire to "Be Born of the Spirit," his soul takes up the rhythm of his request and holds that perfect pattern of his own hope glorified. AND IT WILL BE FULFILLED! This I Promise, in the name of God, for it is God's own Promise given before the world began, and verified anew to you! No power in existence can withhold this fulfilling for in such desiring one becomes that desire, alive, powerful and radiant with LIGHT. And then is God bound for He must fulfill His part of the Holy Covenant. And it is His joy to grant such a requesting. And it is every man's glory to receive it!
Yes, "Let the same mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God!" This becomes a reality, not a blasphemy as the weak and groveling and wicked maintain.
Train your hearts and minds and souls to become "FILLED WITH DESIRE." The desire to "Be Born of the Spirit" and you will receive all that your soul requests -- AND MORE!
This is the Path! This is the accomplishment! This is the threshold that opens up the doors to the GREATER WORKS -- and unveils the face of God! This contains the full glorification of God by man, (by yourself made perfect). It contains also the glorification of man by God, according to God's own divine desire and power of fulfilling.
And as one holds his eyes and attention upon that Path, or upon his request to know God it becomes ever more apparent and desirable. This is the Path! And in this sacred journey those pledges of Almighty God, those hallowed Promises, those Eternal Covenants become one's own! They become one's own individual covenants to God, for a covenant must be made between two or more in order to become a covenant. As man takes up these Promises or Covenants, and returns them to God, they are literally fulfilled and the Word of God is perfected, "For if you do as I say (or live according to the Covenant I make to you), then am I bound!" "And my WORDS cannot return unto me unfulfilled or void!" In this acceptance and believing the Covenants are made binding to both parties. In this manner are they proven and fulfilled. These Covenants or Promises are man himself glorified!
This Path is open now to every man! It is his to travel or to reject. In rejecting these Truths one is but judging himself to be unworthy or unprepared for such infinite joys and bounteous glories!
Never before has such an opportunity been given with such love and such plainness. This is the Promise Isaiah gave concerning that divine Road of purification, which leads to Zion. "It is the straight and Narrow Way" of singing glory and peace that takes one back into the very Presence of God, glorified and purified and perfected and powerful in understanding and in LOVE!