In Chapter Twelve, we receive an education in science, in Faith, in fear, in Power, and in the great omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient breathtaking wonder of the great I AM. This chapter could be broken up into several sub categories. Learning the meaning of the name "I AM" opens a whole new world of understanding - as does the revealing lesson in the omni-ness of God. The "omni" lesson is very scientific. Annalee even works in an explanation of one of the great prophesies in the Bible. At the end of chapter twelve, you will understand that all the lessons contained in this extensive chapter tie together many loose ends (mysteries) about the Holy Spirit. "For in Him we live, and move and have our being."
Everything on earth is moving forward at such a rapid pace man himself has been left far behind. New ideas, new facts, new power, new knowledge is flooding upon the world faster than man can use it -- and unless he begins to grow, in some degree, to measure up to his surroundings he will be annihilated.
Of all things on the earth Christianity alone has stood still. Oh, it may be true that each church is making a few more converts, that there are children reaching an age in which they may become members -- but what are the creeds and doctrines of the Master doing for these millions of individuals? "Have they become free?" Have they lost their burdens, their fears, their prejudices, their darkness and confusion? Have they found that contact whereby they can prove that they believed in Jesus Christ, by being able to do the works that He did, even the greater works? If they do not have this power, if they are not free from all earthly miseries, if they cannot heal the sick, the blind, the lame, the halt, then Christianity is a dead and useless thing in the lives of its followers. At best it is only a rather impotent sedative.
True Christianity, and by that, I mean the applied teachings of the Son of the Living God, in every phase, in every "jot" and in every "tittle," is the most dynamic power ever placed in man's hands. It is the perfect way of life. It contains power unspeakable. It is life in its complete fullness. It is joy and glory and happiness complete. It is an obedience that is not a burden, but a devotion of sublime glory leading one to the highest exaltation of existence -- a life right here on this earth of supreme peace and abiding power. It is majesty that will lead to divinity, and give man the power to move mountains, not figuratively, but literally. It alone can save the world -- not as it is being taught and lived today -- but as Christ lived it.
It is time that His teachings came out of the musty covers of the past and become a living, vital reality of the present. Mankind is worn out with listening to what the prophets of old said and did -- or even what the Apostles of Christ did, or the Saints, or their own forefathers, though these accounts are of value in giving one a view of his own possibilities. Man must be shown just what this same force and power can do for him -- how it can change his life -- solve his problems -- speak through his lips -- burn in his heart -- work through his hands. Man must know that what has been done once can be done again -- that he is as much a child of God as any other human being who has ever lived upon this earth. He must begin to visualize what he can do, for man's ears are truly dull of hearing the word of the Lord, without seeing its powers made manifest. "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." "Let the elders either obtain the power of God to heal the sick, or let them cease to minister the forms without the power."
This power does not come from man, no matter what his calling or authority. The power to work the works of God comes only through the power of God, or when man has become so humble he has completely submerged himself and permits the power of God to operate through him. If Christ, who was the Son of God, could do nothing of himself, then surely man cannot take upon himself any authority or power. He can only use that power, which belongs to God, as he is humble enough to contact God, thus letting God work through him.
In order to even begin to get the vision of this dynamic power of the Almighty it will be necessary to view briefly some of the evidence at hand concerning the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth -- and all things that in them are. To place all the available scripture on the subject into this work would be impossible. Therefore I shall only make a list of the most important passages at the end of this chapter -- and to him who truly desires to know All Truth -- to know the only true and living God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent, I would advise a thorough study of the references given -- to pray earnestly to understand them with an open and unsealed mind. Truth and understanding can never penetrate a sealed mind. Neither can light penetrate it -- and only earnest prayers, prayer that is an acknowledgement of not knowing, like the mind of a little child, can have power to unseal a mind that is already set.
There are verses upon verses which declare God to be omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient, or filling all time and space, being all-powerful, all-knowing, all-glorious and so breathtakingly dynamic in His power and scope that the mind of man must continually expand to even begin to comprehend Him. The divine records of scripture give a vision of such majesty, such breathtaking glory, such supreme, incomprehensible, all-existing power that man stands lost in contemplation, and completely overwhelmed by His awe-full-ness.
The word "fear" which has been handed down from the old English was more closely related to the word "awe" than the word "afraid." In the old Anglo-Saxon, from which the word fear came, meant "awe-inspiring," "breathtaking," "overwhelming." Thus, the command to fear the Lord did not mean to be afraid of Him, but rather to seek to begin to comprehend His unspeakable majesty and to share in his power -- or in other words, "seek to know God."
In the record of the creation of the world we get a glimpse of this power -- there is vision, knowing, the confidence of the true architect, the talents of the artist, and the tender love of the Creator. These gifts and powers blend with the master words of, "Let there be!" "And it was so!"
We can see Him upon Mount Sinai as the whole mountain quakes with the flaming majesty of His nearness, bursting into burning glory at His presence. We can stand silently awed as we view the Red Sea divided. We can hold our breath as we walk between its walls of water. Yea, we can walk down the hallways of the ages and know that His very fingers engraved the archives of the universe -- that His plans, or thoughts, became a world -- that His breath brought life -- that His love fulfilled all existence.
We can hear His voice demand, "Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see? Saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? Saith the Lord." (Jer. 23:23-24).
With David we can sing:
"Oh Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
"Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
"For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
"Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
"Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
"Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
"If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
"If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
"Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
"If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
"Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
"For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
"My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
"Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
"How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
"If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee." (Psalms 139:1-18).
We can lend our listening ear of attention and hear Him say, "One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, WHO IS ABOVE ALL AND THROUGH ALL AND IN ALL." (Eph. 4:6).
We can hear the challenge: "And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temples of the Living God; and God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (I. Cor. 3:16-17 and II. Cor. 6:16).
We hear the unmistakable invitation ringing down the years: "Seek me early and ye shall find me." Or "Seek me diligently and ye shall find me." "For in him we live and move and have our being." (Acts 17:28).
We hear the tender words of promise, "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you." "If you will abide in me, I will abide in you."
Then we contemplate the very name "Jehovah" and again stand awed by the marvel and the wonder of it. Many times before God appeared unto Moses, He had announced Himself to the various patriarchs of old in such words as: "I am God." "I am the Almighty." "Behold, I am the Lord Thy God." etc. Then to Moses He gave the greatest, most dynamic, superb introduction of all.
"And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire and was not consumed.
"And Moses said, I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
"And when the Lord saw that he turned to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses, and he said, Here am I.
"And He said, draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
"Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid His face; for he was afraid to LOOK upon God." (Ex. 3:2-76).
"And Moses said unto God, who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt.
"And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve GOD UPON THIS MOUNTAIN.
"And Moses said unto God, Behold when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, the God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, what is his name? What shall I say unto them?
"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
"And God said moreover unto Moses, thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, the Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name forever, and this is my memorial unto all generations." (Ex. 3:11-15).
"And God spoke unto Moses and said unto him, I AM THE LORD: and I appeared unto Abraham and unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them." (Ex. 6:2-3).
"Jehovah" is the Greek rendition of the Hebrew word "Yehveh" or "Ehyeh" which signifies "I AM."
This name "I Am" the Israelites regarded as an ineffable name, not to be spoken; they substituted for it the sacred, though to them the not forbidden name, Adonai, signifying the Lord.
Yet when God spoke to Moses out of the burning bush, proclaiming himself to be "I AM THAT I AM" he said "This is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations."
In other words, any one from then on throughout all generations of time who used the simple phrase, "I am" would be bearing witness of God, for no man could possibly exist unless God existed. If any man should humbly declare, "I am a street-cleaner," "I am a farmer," "I am a doctor," "I am a king" he would be bearing witness to his own existence and being, hence to the existence of the Creator also. These words "I am" bear witness to the very fact of life, which is of God.
It is the very testimony of being, or existing. And as man proclaims "I am . . ." he is also bearing testimony of his own relationship to God, and God's relationship to him.
Such is the testimony of God in every man's being -- the testimony of life.
There are many passages of scripture that identify God as being all power, all light, all existence, filling heaven and earth. There are many more that make Him into a personal Being who can appear and talk with His children face to face. These seemingly conflicting descriptions need not be upsetting. The mind of man is far superior to anything he has ever invented. Man is so much greater than any of the mechanical marvels of this atomic age that there is no way to compare his supreme superiority -- only man doesn't realize it. God does. God knows what He is. He uses His powers with complete and perfect understanding and full knowledge. Thus we see a God of mighty, unspeakable power -- a God who is truly omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient -- a God who knows and comprehends all things, who is everywhere present, and who is all power, operating through His Holy Spirit, touching all things, filled with wisdom and love unspeakable. If then, in direct contrast, according to man's way of thinking, we see a God who sits upon a throne, surrounded by myriads of angels, far away, and very much occupied by heavenly matters, not having time to be concerned with the affairs of men, then it is because man has lost the vision of God -- not God of man. And there is no conflict in these descriptions except in man's power to comprehend. Because man is restricted and does not in any way understand what vast powers he has within himself -- he tries to judge God according to his own restricted powers. Man is truly traveling in almost the "worm consciousness" of his potential powers. This restriction is not something that God has placed upon man, but something that man has placed upon himself -- and accordingly has also placed upon God. If we would cease trying to judge everything by the standards of our own mortal concept, and turn to the Spirit within, we could begin to comprehend even God, "For the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God."
It is utterly impossible for one person to reveal God to another. Only God can do that. No books can reveal Him. They can only bear witness of His existence. But it is up to each individual to find Him through his own efforts, his own searching, his own seeking and knocking. When God said, "Seek me diligently and ye shall find me," He did not mean that we would have to travel out to some far distant sphere, and some far-off time, to reach out into the immensity of space. No. God meant for us to begin to search for Him from the very point in which we are standing, and right now. Therefore it is a search of the spirit and has to be carried on in our own hearts and souls, lighted by an ever increasing flame of desire, that we might "Know Thee, the only true and living God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent -- for this is life eternal."
Then in John is given the information that the Spirit will lead us to Christ, and that Christ will reveal the Father to us. Therefore the first step necessary in the search is to begin to prepare ourselves to be worthy to be directed by the Spirit of God, to understand its functions and its power. This search for God cannot begin out in space, but must begin right within man.
"The earth rolls upon her wings, and the sun giveth his light by day, and the moon giveth her light by night, and the stars also give their light, as they roll upon their wings in their glory, in the midst of the power of God.
"Unto what shall I liken these kingdoms, that ye may understand?
"Behold, all these are kingdoms, and any man who hath seen any of the least of these hath seen God moving in his majesty and power.
"I say unto you, he hath seen him: nevertheless, he who came unto his own was not comprehended.
"The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not; Nevertheless, the day shall come when you shall COMPREHEND EVEN GOD, being quickened in him and by him.
"Then shall ye know that ye have seen me, that I am, and that I am the true light that is in you, and that you are in me, otherwise ye could not abound."1 So we must seek to know Him through that light that is within our own selves.
The above scripture also informs us that if we have beheld any of the wonders of heaven, the planets, the stars, the marvels of creation, earth, and nature, we HAVE seen God moving in His majesty and power -- but in order to KNOW we will have to "COMPREHEND" Him. Therefore it will have to be our Spiritual understandings that will have to expand, and our spiritual vision begin to contemplate and comprehend, rather than just our mere physical eyes and minds beholding.
This is verified in the following: ". . . That inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am -- not with the carnal neither natural mind, but with the spiritual.
"For no man has seen God at any time in the flesh, except quickened by the Spirit of God.
"Neither can any natural man abide the presence of God, neither after the carnal mind.
"Ye are not able to abide the presence of God now, neither the ministering of Angels, wherefore, continue in patience until ye are perfected."2 (D. & C. 67:11-13).
From this we learn that it is only possible to "comprehend" God after we have completely purified ourselves with a perfect cleansing that casts out fears, jealousies and all pride, along with all human weaknesses, for the natural man means one with all his human traits of blindness and bigotry, pride and confusion, worries and darkness still upon him. "Carnal mind" means one who thinks entirely upon the earthly plane or the physical, material realm. Therefore it is quite necessary that one lift his vision to begin to embrace the spiritual conception of existence. After this complete purification the promise is given that the veil will be rent and then man, being "quickened" or "spiritualized" by his higher concept of thought, in tune with the Holy Spirit, will be able to see God, but not with his physical or natural mind and eyes, but with the full knowing of his whole being, with his whole soul, and with every little ounce of his intelligence. It will be a complete, all-inclusive comprehension of positive KNOWING God -- and "In that day you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you."
The complete purification is necessary before one can receive the "fullness of the Father" else he would be utterly consumed by the profound glory filling his being, for no natural, or unpurified man could possibly abide the presence of God, or comprehend Him.
And the light which is the force back of all creation and all existing things "is the same light which shineth, which giveth you light. It is the same light that enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;
"Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space.
"The light which is IN all things, which giveth Life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, EVEN THE POWER OF GOD, WHO SITTETH UPON HIS THRONE, WHO IS IN THE BOSOM OF ETERNITY, WHO IS IN THE MIDST OF ALL THINGS." (D. & C. 88:6-13). This great light mentioned above is explained in these words: "He that ascendeth up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be IN AND THROUGH ALL THINGS, THE LIGHT OF TRUTH. Which truth shineth. THIS IS THE LIGHT OF CHRIST. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made" -- and the stars, and the earth upon which you stand -- etc.
"He comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him, and all things are round about him: and he is above all things and in all things, and through all things, and is round about all things: and all things are by him, and OF HIM, even God, forever and ever." (Ibid., verse 41).
Now, to even begin to comprehend this great force of light, which is called the Spirit of Christ, or the power of God, who sitteth upon his throne in the bosom of eternity, it will be necessary to consider the cosmic ray, which is known as "Nature's Mightiest Force."
"As long as the world has existed, the tiny charged particles called cosmic rays from outer space have been hurtling through its atmosphere and driving deep into its rocky crust. As long as there have been men on the earth their bodies have been pierced 20 times a second by these infinitely minute bits of matter." Yet it has only been within the last forty years that scientists have been aware of this force. It has become the most arduous branch of modern physics. It has led scientists to the equator and to the poles, to the highest mountains, and into the deep caverns of the earth. Scientists stand overwhelmed before this endless source of power and boundless energy -- but none know its source, nor its purpose. Some have even designated it as the "death cry of the universe."
Calling the boundless energy of the cosmic rays "The death cry of the universe" is the most untrue statement that could be made about it. It is the very pulse-beat of the universe. It is the force of light and life, sent out, shall we say, from the throne of God, who is in the very bosom of eternity. This force is life eternal, renewing the soil, giving growth to plants, vigor to a world and is the quickening force in the soul of man. It is boundless, everlasting energy. It is activity in its unceasing release of breathing, living, majestic power.
This great cosmic energy is light -- "And light is Spirit -- even the Spirit of Jesus Christ." From some great central sun, in the very bosom or center of eternity, far above our little sun, this power pours out over the entire universe. It might be called the life force of all existence, of worlds and plants and men.
These little charged particles of cosmic rays are more or less broken up as they hit the atmosphere of the earth. For this reason we do not receive the full force of the bombardment of this gigantic force, or "The Mightiest Force of the Universe." If this great power was withheld for one second only, there would be instantaneous death and disintegration of all composed things. Or, in other words, there would be one grand atomic explosion of the entire earth that would probably rock our whole galaxy, for as the light or power of this cosmic force would be withdrawn, every particle of this earth and everything on it would be drawn instantly back into that great source of power from which it was originally composed.
These cosmic rays are broken up in their shattering collision with the atoms of the earth's atmosphere, creating secondary particles in much the same way as a ledge can be shattered and broken up by a heavy bombardment of shells. This bombardment of the cosmic rays against the atmosphere is known as nature's most gigantic cyclotron, or atom smasher.
At the present time scientists are interested in cosmic rays only for the purpose of studying the component parts of an atom and what holds it together. In searching from this angle they are putting the cart before the horse, yet it will lead them onward to new truth. They will soon know that the cohesive power of the entire universe is an intangible element, called LOVE -- and that all things are composed, fundamentally, of energy, which is light -- and light is Spirit.
It is the earth's atmosphere which is the great retarder of the full force of the cosmic ray. If it were not for the thick, almost impenetrable veil of atmosphere which stands as a wall of innumerable atoms, the force and power of these rays would be stupendous. Perhaps the removal of this veil of atmosphere can best be described by John the Beloved, in Revelations 6:14: "And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their place." This is a most interesting bit of scripture, telling of the time when the earth's atmosphere, that holds back the cosmic rays from reaching us in their full power, will probably be rolled back. Then the great force of these rays will come full and direct from the throne of God, without any withholding veil. In other words, "The veil will be rent." The very shock of this complete bombardment of life and light will be death to the wicked. It will be so great that every mountain and every island will be moved out of their place. It will reveal fully, and completely the knowledge and power of God, and the following scripture will be fulfilled, "For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."
The results of this removal of the veil when it is rolled together as a scroll will bring the following results: "Behold the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
"For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. (The above is verified in Isa. 24:23; Joel 2:10; and 3:15; Matt. 24:29; Mark 13:24; Luke 23:45; Rev. 6:12 and D. & C. Sec. 29:14; 34:9; 45:42; 88:87 and 133:49).
"And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
"I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
"Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger." (Isa. 13:9-13).
The next reaction will be not a period of darkness, but one of blinding light described as follows: "And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of water in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.
"Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the Lord bindeth up the breach of his people and healeth the stroke of their wound." (Isa. 30:25-26).
From the foregoing it is easy to understand what will cause the great earthquake that has been predicted by the prophets of the Lord -- an earthquake so great that every mountain will be lowered, every wall fall, the islands and the continents thrown back together as "they were in the beginning." It is also easy to comprehend how great cities shall sink into the sea. Always the moon has a tremendous pull upon the sea, and during full moon tides surge up as though the ocean itself were being pulled out of its bed. This same pull is felt upon the land, except it is not so apparent because of the density of the hemispheres. But if the moon became as bright as the sun, then no land could remain unshaken, no sea undisturbed, no wall stand. The very continents would be shaken as a piece of cloth, and the sea would be hurled or pulled up over the edges of the land in waves so high all the great cities would be submerged, for all great cities are built upon rivers, lakes or seas. Then if the sun is to be sevenfold brighter than seven days that would make it forty-nine times brighter than an ordinary day. No wonder the wicked shall lift up their voices and curse God and die -- and five out of every six of all the Heathens that gather down to Jerusalem with the Russians to battle will die on the battlefield -- for it will take God to conquer the Russians.
The foregoing contains an account of the things that are to come when the Lord shall arise to make bare His holy arm-- and to show forth His power to save a world from utter destruction. The great shock to the earth when the full impact of the dynamic force of the cosmic ray, and cosmic means great, when the great light is released in its fullness over the earth the wicked will die. To those who learn to know God and to understand His righteousness will be given the power to escape such utter destruction as shall be poured out without measure upon a world that is bent on destruction -- either self-destruction, or destruction by the wrath of the Almighty because of their great wickedness.
If this gives a picture of a terrifying, unjust God that is not intended. He will have to intervene in this manner to save the world, for it will be the very exploding of men's bombs that will cause the earth to be flung out of its course and to rend its atmosphere. At the time when all men would be utterly destroyed, if God did not intervene, He will step in to save the world He created with such infinite love. He will have to step in to save those who have not failed in seeking, in some measure to fulfill at least the laws of the Golden Rule. But for those who have fulfilled the higher laws of loving the Lord their God with all their hearts, souls, and minds, the experience need hold no dismay.
"And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you and my people shall never be ashamed.
"And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions:
"And also upon the servants and upon the handmaidens in those days will I pour out my spirit.
"And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. (The bombings).
"The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.
"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered." (Joel 2:26-32).
This promise of any individual who is upon the earth during this great destruction, who will only call upon the name of God, will be saved. This is verified in Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13.
Afterward will come the great peace that men have been giving their lives for, for over two generations. "And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths -- and he will judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks; and nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." (Micah 4:2-3). This scripture is also verified in Isaiah chapter 11, and in the last three chapters of Revelations.
This great day is at our doors -- the great day of God Almighty -- when the armies of Russia move down toward Iran and into the valley just north of Jerusalem, the valley of Jehoshaphat know that the rest will soon follow. Know that soon the great and mighty Spirit of God shall cover the earth in its complete fullness of power, with no restraining barrier of outer atmosphere to hold out its full power and force.
This boundless flow of released energy of cosmic rays would indeed be the "death cry of the universe," if it were only being poured out upon the universe without any returning of the energy or power dispersed. But the process of breathing is drawing in the breath of life and then again dispelling it. This is also the process of the cosmic rays. It is a circulating, inhaling, exhaling process of the eternal energy of life. It might also be compared to the circulatory system of the human body -- the eternal gathering of the blood back to its source to be purified, and then the pumping of it through the body again. This is life, never ending, eternal. So is the life-giving energy flowing back continually to the great central source from which it comes. It sends out, but it gathers back. Every prayer offered -- every ounce of effort spent in achieving some worthy accomplishment -- every melody released -- every vibration of love from a human heart -- every sacrifice -- every spark of courage ever exerted -- every thunder storm, every howling wind, every wrung-out tear -- every anguished pain is gathering energy and releasing it back again into the eternal source of life. Yes, from the suffering altars of mankind energy is being returned. The price of every birth is paid in released anguish and pain. Scientists have not yet become aware of this returning, ever flowing, unceasing circulation of eternal energy, nor of the great powers contained in the righteous desire of a human heart.
In the beginning, this whole glorious force of light, life and energy, through which and by which the worlds are, and were created, was called "Christ," which means "anointed with light." It was the Word. And that WORD was the light and life of worlds, and of men -- it became flesh -- and is the essence of true light -- the light of God. Thus it is definitely true, "That in Him we live and move and have our being." And "That by Him, and through Him we consist" or "abound", or in other words, exist. And thus it is, that we are not only made by Him, but we are made OF HIM, as the scriptures testify, for we are made, fundamentally, or, are composed of this very light force -- this eternal energy --this source of all life. We are immersed in it. We are composed of it, but are without comprehension of it. It is "The light that shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not." We do not any more comprehend it than the fish comprehends the water.
This light is also known by the title of the Holy Spirit of God. And as we become aware of it, knowing that it not only surrounds, but is also in and through us, we can draw it to us with increased power and intelligence. When we cease to ignore it as a rejected factor in our lives, it will become a source of divine power within us. We can bathe in its light and be refreshed, not just the outside of our bodies, but every little cell and particle of our beings can be renewed by it. When we begin to contact it with our consciousness we can be in instant connection with the mind and will of the Almighty God. We will feel His power flowing through us. When we learn to love and reverence this Holy Spirit its love will enfold us completely and no evil will be able to touch us.
"And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with the fullness of God." (Eph. 3:19).
There is a record from India that describes the Holy Spirit of God as the "Whole I Spirit of God." As we receive of this complete gift of glory and light we no longer absorb or use just enough of this cosmic light to barely sustain life and keep us going; we can, through opening our understanding, contact it in its fullness, this "Whole I Spirit" which fills all space, contacts all knowledge, and is perfect, divine Christ-like love, and light, for in its realms time and space do not exist. "It is everywhere present." Through this glorious medium of Spirit man can keep in direct contact with God -- and the very light and power and intelligence of God can abide in him. He can become one with it. And gradually as he purifies himself and gathers this source of loving, enfolding light to him, he will be able to fully comprehend even God, "Being quickened in Him and by Him."
The Holy Spirit of God is the most sacred gift that can be fully bestowed upon man, for in its fullness is contained all light -- "And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things (even God).
"Therefore, sanctify yourselves, that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.
"Remember the great and last promise which I have made unto you; cast away your idle thoughts and your excess of laughter far from you." (D. & C. 88:67-69).
The Holy Spirit of God contains all that the soul of man could possibly desire -- wisdom, light, life abundant and eternal, understanding, peace, joy, happiness and plenty -- for all things will be added to the one who is fully possessed of it. It is love so gentle and enfolding there can be no discord, fears or confusion. It is the full perfection of life and power. It has always been with us, surrounding us, knocking on the door of our intellects, seeking admission, but we have never opened our minds to receive it. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, and if any hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in and feast with him, and he with me." "It is the Spirit that enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world." It enlightens each man according to the heed and diligence and reverence he gives to it. It is known as the great and glorious gift of the Holy Ghost only when one has opened his mind and heart, through deep desire and perfect love, and true obedience, to receive it in its fullness. Then he receives all that it can bestow.
Most people are inspired occasionally. Some reach at times, a high pinnacle of inspiration -- and then again they are left to themselves, in darkness. This is caused because of lack of understanding of the laws of the Spirit. This Holy Spirit is pure beyond any substance that man can possibly conceive. It is pure light -- it is the very essence of perfect love -- it is the divine power of Almighty God -- it is tenderness, compassion and mercy, therefore any discord, any selfishness or greed, any bigotry or pride, any boasting or boisterousness, any uncontrolled thought or word of jealousy or anger will shut it out from our consciousness -- and thus the benefits are eliminated from our bodies and they begin to sag, to wither and grow old -- and die -- and we drag through life, groping blindly along wondering what is wrong.
With full and complete understanding this need never be, this lack of the Spirit of God in our lives. This great and Holy Spirit is always around us, filling all space, enfolding us in its divine love, seeking to find admission into our consciousness -- for that is truly the only place from which it is excluded. "Draw near unto me, and I will draw near unto you." It is a condition of awareness. As we become more conscious or aware of it we gradually begin to feel the force of this great spiritual power, and to comprehend the glory of it. This is done by keeping every thought high, every breath a song of glorious praise and devotion, every thought a melody. This will banish darkness and we will be able to bask continually in the blessings of the Holy Spirit of God and to rejoice in Its power and light. It will prepare our hearts and minds to receive the full revelation of Jesus Christ -- and eventually He will reveal the Father to us, and we will comprehend even God. Thus our progress to divinity is an orderly procedure based entirely upon our desires to know and comprehend. All power, both in heaven and on earth can become ours to use, if we will only believe, then follow that belief to its complete fulfillment.
It should no longer be an incomprehensible thing to "comprehend" even God. In fact, it should not be difficult at all to begin to understand, since man has invented the radio and television. One person can broadcast, and the thunder of his words go out instantly to encompass the earth. Any instrument that is tuned in can pick up his words, share in his song, feel the very vibrations of his thoughts. And now it is possible to behold his face. If man can bring forth these wonders, under the inspiration of God, these wonders we are already beginning to take "for granted," surely God, who comprehends all things, who is so much mightier than man, and so divinely perfect in the full awareness of ALL His powers can accomplish as much.
It is assuredly possible that God can guide the universe and yet be aware of the sparrow's fall. It has been said that all things belong to Him. I think it could best be expressed that He belongs to all things -- to the sparrow, for he created it and gave it life -- to the world he formed -- to man made in His own image and likeness, with all His attributes. He belongs to all things with such tender, infinite love, such longing and patience that all suffering could be instantly healed if only proud man would permit it, and stop trying to rule all things in his human blindness. God, through the Spirit of His power can instantly contact all space. He can hear the whisper of a child, the cry of the widow, the prayer of the righteous and help to guide the destinies of men, for Spirit fills all space -- and in it there is no space, nor time -- it is everywhere present, in complete, instantaneous contact with itself, from the throne of God to the very farthest realm of the universe. No World has ever been created by Him and forgotten -- no man can ever completely withdraw from Him. Yet with all this boundless, unending love and power, God never tries to force himself upon any man. It is always, "Draw near unto me, and I will draw near unto you." "Seek me early and ye shall find me."
God never forces Himself upon any child of His. Nevertheless there is a standing invitation to, "Come unto me and I will give you rest." And the words, "How often would I have gathered you as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and ye would not." "Seek me and ye shall find me, for every one who seeks finds." "Ask and ye shall receive knowledge and wisdom, and love and truth and power, or anything that becomes a burning desire in your heart." "Knock and the doors of the kingdom of heaven shall be opened unto you." "For everyone that asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" Added to this is, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering, for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed."
"Yea, he yearns Jealously over the Spirit which He made to dwell in us." (James 4:5-6 Original Greek).
Thus as we learn to "ask in the Spirit," or release our desires into this great Spirit substance, we are fulfilling the law and the desire of God, and are asking according to His will, and the law is that it will have to be fulfilled.
Each individual who has learned to love God, will also know and feel that divine love of the Father enfold him. He will know of a protection, a security, a peace and a power that nothing else on earth can give. And for each individual who seeks God diligently there will come the time of great knowing -- for the eternal law of God is that earnest, continued prayer has to be answered. The continued asking will purify the soul and prepare it to receive whatsoever it asks. Yea, anyone who knocks, and continues to knock, at the door or veil of God's inner sanctuary, or Celestial kingdom, shall have that door or veil opened. This is the promise of the Almighty to every child of earth -- "FOR EVERYONE WHO ASKS RECEIVES." Then when God has at last been found, and one knows Him, he finds to his unspeakable, breathtaking wonder that man himself is a part of the very glory and power of the Almighty. He then steps forth to fill his place in the power of God, and nothing is impossible.
God cannot be monopolized. He belongs equally to every child of earth. No man, or group can possibly have a monopoly upon God. He belongs to every man who will seek diligently to find Him. He will answer the cry of any man who will ask for help, for wisdom, knowledge and understanding -- yea, He will continue to pour out knowledge upon any seeker after Truth until the very storehouse of knowledge is opened wide and that man will be filled with light and comprehend all things -- that man who will only believe, who will ask, who will knock and who will seek.
And the time has arrived when mankind will no longer accept teachers who teach only with words, who try to fill the road that leads to God with their own personalities. These men will be shoved aside, for they are neither entering in themselves, or permitting others to enter. Every man has the right and the power to find God, to be directed by Him, to walk with Him, to know His mind and will -- for God belongs to every man. He cannot be monopolized, though down the ages thousands and thousands of souls have been sacrificed by those who have professed to have such a sacred monopoly.
The whole works of man have been backwards, each trying to convert, instruct, and purify or perfect everyone else -- without first purifying himself. The work of God must first be perfected within each man before he can have the power of vision to assist in saving his brother. After he has removed the beam of imperfection from his own being then truly he will see clearly and have the full power to remove the moat from his brother's vision so that he too can see the light. And light and direct contact with God is the direct heritage of every man -- and no man has the right to try to lead others, who does not have the power of that contact -- "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power" -- power to do the works of God, to heal the sick, open the eyes of the blind, cause the deaf to hear, the lame to walk -- to do all the works that Christ did -- even greater works. Seek for God -- and find Him and that power will be yours. He stands waiting to bestow it upon you, when your soul is humble, when your heart and mind is completely purified, "for no man can perform a miracle in the name of Jesus Christ until he is purified and cleansed from all sin." To such nothing is impossible.
God Himself is all power, all love and all light. When you find Him you too will share in these great gifts for you too will be like Him, "For all that the Father has is yours." You already have access to all his unspeakable power. Everything that the Father has is already yours -- use it. "Know the Truth and the Truth will make you free" from every darkness and every lack.
Thus God stands in His great and mighty majesty, in His humble, tender love, in His infinite compassion and patience waiting for you to turn to Him so that you can receive literally all that He has and become like Him, compassionate, loving, humble, merciful and at last be clothed in the full light of knowing and majestic power. These great blessings can only be glory to you as you ask for them, as you seek for them and as you desire them. Any gift that is not desired is not appreciated, brings no joy and is considered as a thing of naught. In order to use His gifts they must be understood, appreciated and desired with a great and holy reverence.
Stand for a moment above the tumult of the day and feel the great, all-knowing love of God enfold you. It is not necessary to try to reach Him by long-distance cablegram, or through some saint or symbol. Man has lost the contact because of such methods. They have placed God out somewhere in infinity, on some far distant, unreachable sphere some x-rillion miles away, then try to reach Him. Cease trying to send you prayers across eternity through the strength of your intellect. Instead, "Be still" and whisper softly into the little microphone right within your own heart. Speak your words softly, firmly as you speak to your own subconscious mind when wishing to impress something upon it that must be remembered -- then believe. Open your soul to feel His great love pour into your being, every fibre and tissue of it. Bask in that love, and in His all-knowing as His power and forces are permitted to become active in your life -- then watch your own desires be fulfilled as you continue to praise and give thanks, glorifying Him with every breath and every thought. Christ tried so hard to teach that God belonged to all -- to you -- to His own followers, to everyone, showing plainly that even He did not have a monopoly upon the favors or power of the Father, for He so often said, "To my God and your God" -- "To my Father and to your Father." This is as true today as it was then, for no matter how battered and beaten you are, how terrible your mistakes have been, how blundering your way, how rebellious your mind, how dull your understanding -- He is still your Father -- and the moment you turn to Him, He will turn to you -- to gather you close -- and the heavens will rejoice and the very angels sing.
Thus this great and mighty God, this heavenly Father of ours, whose power reaches to the endless boundaries of space, Who loves with a love beyond the understanding of men, Who is all-powerful, all-knowing becomes a very personal God to every man who diligently seeks Him -- even as He was the personal God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob -- so is He my God, and your God. The very reverence and diligence exerted in learning softly to use one's own little broadcasting and receiving set, the very developing of the tenderness of the heart in fulfilling its true function, will automatically purify anyone who begins to use it. "And Christ commanded the multitude that they should cease to pray, and also his disciples. And he commanded them that they should not cease to pray in their hearts."
Yea, "seek me diligently and ye shall find me." "Diligently" according to the dictionary means, "Steady application, industrious, persevering; prosecuted with care and constant effort." "Seek me early and ye shall find me," means to seek Him always upon arising, before your day is started -- "Be still" then whisper gently into your little "speaker" your needs for the day, give thanks always to Him for having heard you, for He does always hear you when you speak thus -- and soon you will know "That I am, God." As you pray thus you will soon learn to let go, with your physical mind, of the worries and the fears, and will let Him work out a day of glory for you -- thus you learn to walk with Him.
In Acts 17:26-28, Paul gives us this information: "And hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.
"That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him though HE BE NOT FAR FROM ANY ONE OF US:
"FOR IN HIM WE LIVE, AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING."
In the original Greek it does not say "feel after him," but definitely "FEEL HIM." Thus the knowledge of God comes first as a "feeling", which can be expanded into positive knowledge and "You shall know God." Yea, "Be still and know that I am, God."
"Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out," said Christ, no matter how lowly, how sinful, how poor or miserable. There are none who will ever be rebuked who turn with all their hearts to Him. None will be condemned. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not." Here is the perfect pattern. First must be the "asking" -- it doesn't necessarily have to be for wisdom. It can be for the sincere desire of your heart, whatever it is. It can be only to heal the desolate longing in your soul -- a relief from pain, sorrow, poverty, stupidity or any human weakness. Then is that promise that will stand forever and forever, that if you will ask, He will never rebuke, condemn nor turn from you. It is so much easier to reach Him than any earthly dignitary, pontiff, governor, or ruler.
Oh come, all ye ends of the earth, and He will gather you tenderly under the protecting love of His wings, even as a hen gathers her chickens, that you might be shielded and protected from the great storms that are gathering over the face of the whole earth.
"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the waters of life freely." (Rev. 22:17).
NOTES:
Below are listed most of the references that proclaim God to be the divine, great ALL in ALL of mighty light and power as taken from the Bible.
Jer. 23:23-24; Eph. 4-6; John 15:4, 5, 7 and 10 and D. & C. 50:43-45 to those who have access to it. Then in Gal. 2:20; Phil 4:4-7 & 9; I. Cor. 3:16-17; II. Cor. 6:16; John 4:22-24; Acts 17:27-28; John 1:1-13; Colossians 1:12-17; I. John 3:1-3; I. John 4:15-18; and John 4:14.
Now are given the references that proclaim Him a personal being who appeared to various men on the earth: Genesis, where Adam is given minute instructions upon various occasions, then the record of how he hid himself after he had transgressed -- etc. See II. Peter 3:8; Gen. 5:22, 24; Gen. 12:1 and 7; Gen. 13:14-17; Gen Chapter 17; Genesis 32:30; Genesis 35:9-13; Ex. chapter 3 to fourteen contain a record of direct contact between God and Moses. Ex. 24:9-17; Ex. 33:9-11 and 18-20; Mark 14:62; Luke 22:69; Heb. 1:1; Acts 7:48-60; Col. 3:1; Rev. 1:13-15; and Eph. 3:10.
Now, for those who have access to the marvelous record known as the Doctrine and Covenants, I shall list the following for prayerful consideration: Sec. 63:23; Sec. 67:10-13; Sec. 88:6-13; also verses 40-41. 45-50, 67-69; Sec. 93:1-37; Sec. 84:44-47; Sec. 76:24-25; Sec. 19:16; and Sec. 76:14.
1. RLDS D&C 85:12a-12f: The earth rolls upon her wings; and the sun giveth his light by day, and the moon giveth her light by night; and the stars also giveth their light, as they roll upon their wings, in their glory, in the midst of the power of God. Unto what shall I liken these kingdoms, that ye may understand? Behold, all these are kingdoms, and any man who hath seen any or the least of these, hath seen God moving in his majesty and power. I say unto you, He hath seen him: nevertheless, he who came unto his own was not comprehended. The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not; nevertheless, the day shall come when you shall comprehend even God; being quickened in him, and by him. Then shall ye know that ye have seen me, that I am, and that I am the true light that is in you, and that you are in me, otherwise ye could not abound. return to paragraph →
2. RLDS D&C 67:3a-3c: And again, verily I say unto you, that it is your privilege, and a promise I give unto you that have been ordained unto this ministry, that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent, and you shall see me and know that I am; not with the carnal, neither natural mind, but with the spiritual; for no man has seen God at any time in the flesh, except quickened by the Spirit of God; neither can any natural man abide the presence of God; neither after the carnal mind; ye are not able to abide the presence of God now, neither the ministering of angels; wherefore continue in patience until ye are perfected. return to paragraph →