APOSTOLIC FATHERS (trans. and ed., J. B. Lightfoot)
Atheists and Believers are each opposite sides of the Paradox of Shared Reality - a Paradox where both are right, and both are equally in error. In possessing fragments of truth -- while rejecting the opposing paradoxical fragment -- neither the Atheist or Believer is able to grasp the Higher Truth of Spiritual Enlightenment. In the same way that the Child of Higher Truth must be born from the divided reality of it's parents, the below Intro written by the Brother of Yeshua/Jesus, and the Text of the first century writing known as the Shepherd of Hermas, have the power to overcome the gulf of division between believer and non-believer. In discovering the great wisdom that most modern believers reject -- a wisdom that was so clearly defined in the original teachings of Jesus and TheWay -- the reader will become aware of a reality they never knew existed. You will ask: How can believers be so blind -- and unbelievers so uninformed as to the facts as presented by the earliest of Church authorities? Are you willing to open the mind in pursuit of Higher Truth? Are you ready to understand why the Church Father Origen who is referred to as the greatest Christian theologian after the Apostles, called the blind believers of today idiots? Why Augustine said they were slaves to signs they did not comprehend the meaning of? Why the Apostle Peter warned that you can easily get the Bible to say anything you virtually want it to read? And in realization of this fact, whey the Church Father Origen called the literal text of the Bible worthless? Stating the truth that every Atheist believes, that the text of the Bible is untrue? Why Eusbius would have categorized the modern believer as misguided people of very small intelligence? What is written herein will utterly shock you, when you learn what modern Christians have closed their hearts and minds to the reality of!
If it is true that the Shepherd of Hermas was the most widely accepted and used Book by the earliest of non-Jewish followers of Jesus, then it is also true that what Jesus taught has very little in common with what Christians believe today. And if this is true, then the Atheist and non-believers who oppose Christianity, do not find fault and oppose what Jesus taught -- but rather, the manmade doctrines of the Church of Constantine that came into existence in the fourth century (see The Death Of the Religion of Jesus).
Every believer and non-believer has the ability to prove the Truth beyond any doubt whatsoever by virtue of their own spiritual experiences. And while it is true that the modern believer has alienated themselves to the Truth by virtue of the adoption of manmade beliefs and doctrine, those unbelievers who oppose them are equally imbued with error. And while each individual has the ability to prove the Truth for themselves, the Laws that control this world would inhibit them from revealing this Higher Truth to either the body of believers, or their unbelieving brothers and sisters. Therefore, being able to point out the error of others does not in and of itself constitute Truth, because both the believer and unbeliever dwell in a divided reality where each possesses valid facts that are rejected by their opposites, each remains equally in error! Most believers need what many unbelievers possess, and most unbelievers have been themselves alienated from the Higher Truths by virtue of the same government secular forces that ruled the Church for over a thousand years.
FIRST BOOK: VISIONS
SECOND BOOK: COMMANDMENTS
THIRD BOOK: PARABLES
By Allan Cronshaw
The man who in a previous life lived as the Brother of Yeshua/Jesus
In the introduction of the early Christian writing known
as the Shepard of Hermas, it is written: “The
Pastor of Hermas was one of the most popular books, if not the most popular
book, in the Christian Church during the second, third, and fourth centuries..."
A. D. Howell-Smith writes concerning the Shepherd of Hermas (Jesus Not a Myth,
pp.120-121): "The Shepherd of Hermas, a strange
allegory written sometime in the second century, had a great vogue in orthodox
circles and was even included in some copies of the New Testament (it is found
in the Sinaitic Codex). The theology of the Church must have been very elastic
at a time when such a book could enjoy popularity and implicit, if not explicit,
ecclesiastical sanction... The Shepherd speaks of a Son of God; but this
Son of God is distinguished from Jesus. 'That Holy Spirit which was created
first of all, God placed in a body, in which it should dwell, in a chosen body,
as it pleased him.' This is Martini's translation. F. C. Conybeare renders the
passage: 'God made His Holy Spirit, which pre-existed and created all creation,
to enter and dwell in the flesh which He approved.' In this text the Holy Spirit
appears to be a divine substance. But we must not suspect Patripassionism. The
'flesh' is spoken of as a person who 'walked as pleased God, because it was not
polluted on earth.' 'God, therefore, took into counsel the Son and the angels in
their glory, to the end that this flesh might furnish, as it were, a place of
tabernacling (for the Spirit), and might not seem to have lost the reward of its
service. For all flesh shall receive the reward which shall be found without
stain or spot, and in it the Holy Spirit shall have its home.' This passage
appears to make the 'tabernacling' of the Holy Spirit in Jesus a reward for the
purity of his life. Jesus then becomes divine through the power of God, after
consultation with the Son of God, who elsewhere in The Shepherd is identified
with the Holy Spirit. 'The most venerable angel,' 'the glorious angel,' 'the
holy angel' are titles that Hermas gives to Jesus in his allegory; but it is
understood that the angelic status of Jesus is not his by nature. His labours on
earth to save and to cleanse have gained him a co-inheritance with the Holy
Spirit, God's primary Son, so that Jesus now is the second Son of God."
What is clear in the above is that modern Christianity has become spiritually
disenfranchised from it's pre-Nicene fourth-century roots. That the Son of
God and Jesus were separate, is well represented in the original teachings of
the Ebionite/Nazirene disciples -- as demonstrated in the teaching that Jesus
became the Messiah/Christ through a “supernatural
union of a man and God... In their eyes, Jesus of Nazareth was a mere mortal,
the legitimate son of Joseph and Mary: but he was the best and wisest of the
human race, selected as the worthy instrument to restore upon earth the worship
of the true and supreme Deity. When he was baptized in the Jordan, the Christ,
the first of the aeons, the Son of God himself, descended on Jesus in the form
of a dove, to inhabit his mind, and direct his actions during the allotted
period of his ministry” (Gibbon; The
Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire, V.4, P.366)
Christians today have lost all understanding of the Law that the early Gentile Church embraced and the Ebionite/Nazirenes adhered to. Thus the words found in Hermas 78:17-18) `As many,' saith he, `as transgressed the law which they received from him, these he left under my authority for repentance; but as many as already satisfied the law and have observed it, these he has under his own authority.'" And while the man known as the Apostle Paul was correct in his assertion that Jesus came to free us from the ritual observance of the Law as practiced by the Sadducees, Pharisees and Jews of a carnal mind, the Royal Law of the Most High is Spiritual, and remains in effect throughout all time (see The Law And TheWay; The Spiritual Torah/Law; and No Jew Has Ever Read The Torah/Law).
Why was the Shepherd of Hermas which was held in such high esteem by the earliest of non-Jewish followers of Jesus, and is even found in one of our oldest Bibles, rejected by the Church which came into existence in the fourth century? Because of the great importance of both this question and the writing to not only modern Christians, but also those Atheists and non-believers who reject the reality of God and the whole foundation of religion, both believer and non-believe have been equally spiritually disenfranchised by the Church of Constantine which rejected the most read and accepted of early Christian writing -- i.e., the Shepherd of Hermas!
Something that is easily observed throughout all of
humanity is the fact that it is natural for people to move in groups -- all
groups of people have their leaders -- and leaders retain their position of
authority either by force, or because they say what the group wants to hear.
Successful leaders learn to speak to the people’s imagination.
In the case of religion, these leaders convince the people that they are
the chosen people, and they will inherit the good, while those who oppose the
doctrines of the leader or group will meet with destruction.
From a spiritual perspective, this causes stagnation -- as was the case
with the Jewish sects of the Sadducees and Pharisees that Jesus condemned.
The result is that these groups squander their opportunity of life, so
limiting themselves with their doctrines of belief, that they never perceive
either their own spiritual nature, or the inner mind and spirit of the
scriptures.
In his Stromata, Clement of Alexandria writes:
“now
that the Savior has taught the Apostles, the unwritten rendering of the written,
this has been handed down also to us”.
What Clement is stating is that it was Jesus who taught his disciples the
inner meaning of the scriptures. Clement
explains that “the mysteries are delivered mystically, that what is
spoken may be in the mouth of the speaker; rather not in the voice, but in his
understanding”.
In his search for Truth and Meaning, man is perpetually
confronted by the path that leads to a higher understanding of the mysteries of
life that Clement makes reference to -- but because man does not endeavor to
properly prepare the mind to embrace spiritual reality, he continually rejects
the higher path of knowledge. To
overcome this stagnation, the scriptures are themselves designed to impede the
literal perception of the written word -- and the more one reads and studies the
Bible, the more difficult it is to believe the written word. On this very issue, Origen is quoted pertaining to this
biblical fact in the Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics: “Scripture
contains an unhistorical element in-woven with the history, in order that the
worthlessness of the latter may drive us to seek the spiritual meaning”.
What does this mean?
“Scripture contains an unhistorical element
in-woven with the history” --
or, there exists events reported in what, on the surface appears to be history,
that never actually happened. Why?
Why would the scriptures contain events that never physically happened?
In answer to this question Origen writes: “...in
order that the worthlessness of the latter may drive us to seek the spiritual
meaning”. What
Origen is stating is that to read scripture as history is a worthless endeavor!
Why? Because what
happened during historical events of the past cannot save you -- you can only be
saved by entering within the Kingdom and becoming a disciple of the Living
Christ. Yet Christians today
not only read their scriptures solely as history, but unceasingly argue over
their many interpretations of what Origen labels as being worthless.
In this respect, Christians today are falling prey to the
very trap that has been set by the literal word of the scriptures.
In the Clementine Homilies the Apostle Peter is found explaining the
nature of scripture to his disciple Clement: “…consider
with me that if any one, as he pleases, form a dogma agreeable to himself, and
then carefully search the Scriptures, he will be able to produce many
testimonies from them in favor of the dogma that he has formed”.
In considering this, Clement then asks Peter: “How,
then, can confidence be placed in them against God, when what every man wishes
is found in them?”
What Peter is stating is this great truth: All the many
conflicting opinions, that all the sects of Christianity have argued about
throughout all of Christian history, are the product of the design of the
scriptures themselves. As
Peter warns, “if anyone form a dogma, …and then
carefully search the Scriptures, he will be able to produce many testimonies
from them in favor of the dogma”.
In other words, no matter what you choose to believe, you will find in
the scriptures conformation of your beliefs.
Why, we ask, would the Bible be written in such a convoluted manner?
Why not compose the scriptures so they make sense?
The answer can only be realized when we begin to comprehend the true
problem. If the scriptures
were composed in such a manner so they made perfect sense, then it would be to
the carnal mind that the body of the text would make sense to.
The purpose of the scriptures is to awaken the dormant part of the mind
that corresponds to man's soul and spiritual nature -- thereby enabling the
disciple to use a greater part of his potential of mind.
The scriptures themselves are written from a universal
perspective. Therefore, the
exoteric doctrine -- or milk of the scriptures -- is designed to prepare all
mankind to walk in The Way. If
each person did not see their own personal mindset present in the writings, then
the scriptures would be useless in their purpose of being the means to lead all
men into the Kingdom. Clement
of Alexandria puts the whole problem into perspective when he quotes a passage
of scripture that is no longer in our bibles today: “For
by doing the will of God we know the will of God” (Stromata, Bk
1, Ch 8).
What we must begin to grasp is that the scriptures are
created in a Divine Pattern that is beyond our very limited comprehension.
If all men see their own mindset and predetermined beliefs in the
scriptures, and claim the scriptures as their source of spiritual truth, and
then begin to incorporate the Commandments of God into their lives, then the
scriptures will begin to mold them, and prepare them to receive the higher
knowledge. It is by design
that the man who is a Jehovah's Witness sees his doctrine in the scriptures --
God wants it that way. It is by design that the Baptist sees his -- that the
Pentecostal or Seventh Day Adventist sees theirs -- and it is by design that
even the Atheist sees his doctrine.
Regardless of how many pamphlets the born again Christian
publishes in an attempt to prove the doctrine of the Trinity, the Jehovah's
Witness will continue to see their favorite passages of scripture that affirm
their position that Jesus was not God. In like manner, the sects that are considered more
mainstream, will continue to use the Bible to prove that the other two groups
are fundamentalist extremists. Why?
Because these mainstream groups are so attached to the philosophy and thinking
of this world, that they would be incapable of a fundamentalist perception of
life and the Bible.
The result is that each group uses the same book to prove
the other group in error. Why
was the scriptures written in such a way?
Because the Bible is universal -- and though each of them embraces the
Bible from a different doctrinal perspective, when they begin to do the will of
God, they will then begin to know the Will of God -- and in the process of
knowing and doing, the disciple begins the process of spiritual transformation.
How successful each one will be in their religious quest, will be in
direct relation to how quickly each can shed their carnal mindset and
limitations, and begin to truly come to the Lord in word, thought and deed.
In the words of Origen, the Word takes on a form that is
appropriate to a certain group of people, that it might bring those people to a
spiritual level of maturity: “If a Greek wished by
wholesome instruction to benefit people who understood only Egyptian or Syriac,
the first thing that he would do would be to learn their language; and he would
rather pass for a Barbarian among the Greeks, by speaking as the Egyptians or
Syrians, in order to be useful to them, than always remain Greek, and be without
the means of helping them. In the same way the divine nature, having the purpose
of instructing not only those who are reputed to be learned in the literature of
Greece, but also the rest of mankind, accommodated itself to the capacities of
the simple multitudes whom it addressed. It seeks to win the attention of the
more ignorant by the use of language which is familiar to them, so that they may
easily be induced, after their first introduction, to strive after an
acquaintance with the deeper truths which lie hidden in Scripture. For even the
ordinary reader of Scripture may see that it contains many things which are too
deep to be apprehended at first; but these are understood by such as devote
themselves to a careful study of the divine word, and they become plain to them
in proportion to the pains and zeal which they expend upon its investigation”
(Origen Contra Celsum).
This statement by Origen is of the utmost importance if
we are to begin to comprehend the manner in which God reveals Himself to all
peoples of the world. The scriptures are written in the language and the culture of
the people. In order to
benefit the Jews, the Divine Nature was revealed in the Old Testament scriptures
in a manner that would be acceptable to the Jewish carnal mindset of the people
in the time-frame they were composed.
The New Testament, on the other hand, was written for the people of the
New Covenant who were known as the Essenes, Ebionites and Nazirenes.
And as the Gospel message found its way into the hands of the Gentiles,
there were then literally hundreds of scriptures composed from the perspective
of the Greek converts known as Christians.
In many instances, these scriptures that were published
by the Gentile Christians did not even retain a connection with the Jewish
heritage of the Gospel. Is
God Jewish? In the Old
Testament the Divine Nature that Origen makes reference to, incorporates the
language of the people in order to develop the people.
The authors of the scriptures were the historical Essenes who, in the
words of Origen, “would rather pass for a
Barbarian… in order to be useful to them”.
Unlike the Sadducees and Pharisees, the Essenes did not slaughter animals
for the redemption of sin in the temple -- neither did they eat only certain
kinds of animals, because they were vegetarians and embraced a spiritual
lifestyle that was free from the defilements of this world.
Why did they write the scriptures in the manner that we
observe in the Old Testament? Because
the carnal Jews had been for a long time sacrificed animals to the gods -- and
by sacrificing only to the One God, in the One Temple, and only sacrificing
certain animals that represented higher symbols in the consciousness of man,
they were able to begin the process of preparing barbarians to embrace the
teachings of The Way. Moreover,
they were successful -- i.e., the Old Testament moral law and symbolism
incorporates concealed mysteries that pertain to man's spiritual nature and his
relationship to God which the average person whose mindset is imbued with our
modern culture would be unable to even conceive of.
In much the same manner, the Gentile converts created
scriptures that basically performed the same function -- i.e., they made the
Divine Nature acceptable and perceptible to the people of the Nations.
Jesus became severed from his original Hebrew foundation, and became more
universal in his appeal to the mind of the Greeks and Romans.
Though these scriptures were successful in their purpose to transform the
Greek convert into a Spiritual Christian, they presented another problem.
Regardless of the level of their spiritual revelation, because they could
not be used in an historical sense, they were later condemned by the Roman
Church. In view of the fact
that the Gentile Christians had no relationship to Judaism, the leaders of these
movements wrote their scriptures in the language and culture of the Gentiles,
which meant that there was little or no connection to either the Old or New
Testament writings that we have today.
In each case, the scriptures were written to reveal the
Divine Nature in a way the people could accept.
A common thread to all the sacred writings, though, was the fact that the
body of the scriptures contained many points that were not historically accurate
or true. Why?
Because the Divine Nature is not Jewish, Greek, Roman, or of any other
worldly culture -- and, like the scriptures, the body of man is just the tip of
the iceberg in relation to the totality of his being.
Therefore, both the body of the scriptures, as well as the body of man,
always points to -- and is dependent upon -- a mental (soul) and spiritual
nature that is not perceived with the physical senses.
The ThreeFold Nature Of
The Scriptures: By Divine Providence, everything in this world -- which
is the body or physical embodiment -- is always incomplete without the higher
spheres of mind and spirit. In
the same way that the concept of male and female can only be defined by their
relationship to each other, nothing in the body can be explained without its
interconnected mental and spiritual natures.
Throughout all of life there is a Divine Pattern: In the same way that
the organic life chain of this world begins with the sun (spirit), the
atmosphere (mind), and the physical manifestation of life (body), this same
pattern exists within each of us and throughout all of Creation.
The “correct…
understanding of the Scriptures, and the investigation of their meaning, we
consider to be of the following kind” writes Origen, “for
we are instructed by Scripture itself in regard to the ideas which we ought to
form of it”. Origen
then goes on to explain that: “In the
Proverbs of Solomon we find… the following laid down, respecting the
consideration of holy Scripture: 'And do thou,' he says, 'describe these things
to thyself in a threefold manner, in counsel and knowledge, and that thou mayest
answer the words of truth to those who have proposed them to thee.’” Scripture, then, is patterned after all of creation,
and exists in a threefold manner -- i.e., body, mind and spirit.
Origen then goes on to state: “Each
one, then, ought to describe in his own mind, in a threefold manner, the
understanding of the divine letters -- that is, in order that all the more
simple individuals may be edified, so to speak; by the very body of Scripture;
for such we term that common and historical sense: while, if some have commenced
to make considerable progress, and are able to see something more (than that),
they may be edified by the very soul of Scripture. Those, again, who are
perfect, and who resemble those of whom the apostle says, 'We speak wisdom among
them that are perfect, but not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of
this world, who will be brought to naught; but we speak the wisdom of God,
hidden in a mystery, which God hath decreed before the ages unto our glory’”.
The carnal man, then, sees only the body of the
scriptures -- which body instructs him in the proper lifestyle to embrace in
order to make spiritual progress. In
our analysis we must ask the question: Does the carnal Christian believe that he
knows the Word of God? From
his perception, everything that he believes can be demonstrated by reading the
Bible in its literal sense. If he
did not believe it, then it could have no lasting and beneficial effect upon
him. Therefore, it is the
Will of God that he believes -- and it is the Hand of God upon his heart and
mind that causes him to proclaim the truth of the Gospel that he perceives.
What he fails to comprehend, though, is that the scriptures were designed
so that he would easily see his beliefs in the written word.
From a spiritual perspective, what he believes about the Mysteries of
Creation that is beyond his understanding is not important at that point in his
life. What is important, is
that he begin the process of cleansing and surrendering to the Light of the
Word.
In view of the fact that all carnal perceptions of the
scriptures are equally very partial and incomplete, does it really matter from
the Divine Perspective which flavor of incompleteness he embraces?
From one perspective the answer is no -- and from another perspective,
there is a necessary and good reason why each man views both the Bible and life
itself from a different point of view.
The person who progresses beyond the milk of the Gospel,
and becomes a disciple in the beginning of his walk with the Lord, seeks the
gnosis or mind of the scripture that he might learn “The
Way” by which he can enter the Kingdom.
And further along the path, those who have ceased to be of this world --
those who no longer live in slavery to sin and carnal desire -- and have
themselves entered the kingdom and are walking in “The
Way” of the Lord, are those who perceive the spirit of the
scriptures.
With this foundation laid, Origen then explains that: “…all
such as these may be edified by the spiritual law itself (which has a shadow of
good things to come), as if by the Spirit. For as man is said to consist of
body, and soul, and spirit, so also does sacred Scripture, which has been
granted by the divine bounty for the salvation of man”.
The scriptures are universal -- and are made for the salvation of all
men. The carnal sees the
physical laws of God -- the disciple sees The Way -- the perfected soul sees God
and the Divine Nature that manifests throughout all of Creation.
Origen then observes this same great truth being conveyed
in an early Christian scripture known as the Shepherd of Hermas, and he writes: “Hermas
is commanded to write two little books, and afterwards to announce to the
presbyters of the Church what he learned from the Spirit. For these are the
words that are written: 'And you will write,' he says, 'two books; and you will
give the one to Clement, and the other to Grapte. And let Grapte admonish the
widows and orphans, and let Clement send through all the cities which are
abroad, while you will announce to the presbyters of the Church.' Grapte,
accordingly, who is commanded to admonish the orphans and widows, is the pure
understanding of the letter itself; by which those youthful minds are
admonished, who have not yet deserved to have God as their Father, and are on
that account styled orphans. They, again, are the widows, who have withdrawn
themselves from the unjust man, to whom they had been united contrary to law;
but who have remained widows, because they have not yet advanced to the stage of
being joined to a heavenly Bridegroom. Clement, moreover, is ordered to send
into those cities which are abroad what is written to those individuals who
already are withdrawing from the letter -- as if the meaning were to those souls
who, being built up by this means, have begun to rise above the cares of the
body and the desires of the flesh; while he himself, who had learned from the
Holy Spirit, is commanded to announce, not by letter nor by book, but by the
living voice, to the presbyters of the Church of Christ, i.e., to those who
possess a mature faculty of wisdom, capable of receiving spiritual teaching”.
When James, the brother of Jesus writes that: “Religion
that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans
and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the
world” (James 1:27 NIV), he is not saying that pure religion is
to look after the wives and children of those whose father has died. Widows and orphans are those believers who are still
carnal in nature. It is these
believers who see only the letter -- or body -- of the scriptures, of which
Origen writes whose “youthful minds are
admonished, who have not yet deserved to have God as their Father, and are on
that account styled orphans”.
With regard to widows Origen writes: “They,
again, are the widows, who have withdrawn themselves from the unjust man, to
whom they had been united contrary to law; but who have remained widows, because
they have not yet advanced to the stage of being joined to a heavenly
Bridegroom”. The
unjust man is the citizen of the far country in the parable of the prodigal son
-- i.e., the god of this world.
Thus, widows and orphans do not represent widows and
orphans in accordance with our understanding of these terms, but rather they
represent stages of spiritual growth.
Moreover, because of our modern politically correct mindset where the
Bible is at time viewed as sexist, in these words we must perceive that the term
widows is used with respect to both men and women.
We can never get a right sense of either the scriptures, or life, until
we begin to realize that all of us are reflective with respect to our soul, and
therefore we are often rightfully portrayed in the feminine gender.
In the words of James: Pure religion consecrated by the
Father is for the disciple to be of the spirit, minister to the orphans and
widows, while keeping oneself “unspotted from the
world” (KJV). Unspotted
denotes that condition where one has absolutely no part of the world, with the
exception of ones manifestation as a spiritual presence.
It is these unspotted individuals who are those who have been reborn into
the spirit, and have totally manifested the Light of Christ in their lives.
Widows and orphans see only the body of the scriptures,
and are yet carnal believers who the Apostle Paul describes as the Christians of
the simple faith. We can see
the next stage of development in Origen's words as he describes those who are
more mature: “Clement, moreover, is ordered to
send into those cities which are abroad what is written to those individuals who
already are withdrawing from the letter -- as if the meaning were to those souls
who, being built up by this means, have begun to rise above the cares of the
body and the desires of the flesh”.
Those who are abroad are the people who have transversed the sea of
spiritual cleansing, and have risen above the “cares
of the body and the desires of the flesh”.
It is these men and women who have consecrated their lives in the pursuit
of Truth, that will see the mind of the scriptures in their quest to walk in The
Way.
With regard to the more mature in Christ, Origen writes
of Hermas: “…while he himself, who had learned
from the Holy Spirit, is commanded to announce, not by letter nor by book, but
by the living voice, to the presbyters of the Church of Christ, i.e., to those
who possess a mature faculty of wisdom, capable of receiving spiritual
teaching”. The
name Hermas means the “messenger”
-- thus it is only the spiritual Christians who are able to hear the Shepherd --
or in the Shepherd of Hermas, the Living voice of Christ.
Clement means merciful -- and it is only those who are themselves walking
in The Way, who receive the mercy of the Lord.
The widows and orphans -- or those believers who remain of the flesh and
see only the letter of the scriptures and the exoteric doctrine or good news of
the Christ -- must spiritually mature in order to begin to receive from the
Lord, perceive the Gospel of God, and enter the Kingdom.
Returning once again to the writings of Clement, we can
now see that Peter's explanation should make perfect sense in the confrontation
that is to take place with Simon Magus: “Therefore
Simon, who is going to discuss in public with us tomorrow, is bold against the
monarchy of God, wishing to produce many statements from these Scriptures, to
the effect that there are many gods, and a certain one who is not He who made
this world, but who is superior to Him; and, at the same time, he is going to
offer many scriptural proofs. But we also can easily show many passages from
them that He who made the world alone is God, and that there is none other
besides Him”.
Thus, it is foretold that each side will be able to prove
their dogma with many scriptural passages.
Simon will be able to prove that the world was created by a false god --
and Peter will be able to prove that the world was created by the One God.
Both will be able to use the same scriptures to prove their assertions.
This inherent design of scripture is by Divine Providence that each
person sees in the body of the writings confirmation of their own beliefs.
Peter then goes on to state that: “But
if any one shall wish to speak otherwise, he also shall be able to produce
proofs from them at his pleasure. For the Scriptures say all manner of things,
that no one of those who inquire ungratefully may find the truth, but simply
what he wishes to find, the truth being reserved…” for the
disciple who can only learn the correct meaning of the scriptures from the
Shepherd and True Prophet.
During their discussion, Simon became hostile when Peter
refused to engage in his interpretation of the scriptures and said: “Then
said Simon: 'You are manifestly avoiding the hearing of the charge from the
Scriptures against your God.' Then Peter: 'You yourself appear to me to be doing
this; for he who avoids the order of inquiry, does not wish a true investigation
to be made. Hence I, who proceed in an orderly manner, and wish that the writer
should first be considered, am manifestly desirous to walk in a straight
path’”.
In these words are noted the most profound error of Bible
readers today who only perceive what is literally written in the narrative of
the written word. Believers
see and read the scriptures in the manner of their doctrines, while ignoring the
very warning of the scriptures that it is their own perception of the Word that
is in error. Simon wants to
engage Peter and use the scriptures to prove that the world was created by a
lesser god. Peter states that
anyone can prove almost any doctrine by using the scriptures -- and therefore,
before the scriptures can be understood, the “writer
should first be considered” -- meaning that the reader must
look past their own opinions and beliefs, and perceive the inner meaning
conveyed by the writer.
That Peter's warning is correct, is overwhelmingly proven
by the modern church. Many
very intelligent minds and astute biblical students have studied the scriptures
and continue to hold conflicting opinions that oppose what the next person sees
very clearly represented in the Bible.
Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe that Jesus is God -- and they can
demonstrate their doctrine in the bible.
Baptists, Pentecostals, and most other Evangelical Christians believe
that Jesus is God, and they have a whole host of biblical citations to prove
their doctrines. The Mormons
believe in the pre-existence of the soul.
The Quakers have no formal doctrine, and believe only in the revelation
of the inner Light. Presbyterians,
Methodists, Lutherans, this Orthodox, that Orthodox, this Church of God, the
Universalists, the Reformers, the all inclusive Liberals, the Conservatives,
etc., all faithfully read the scriptures, and all find important points of
disagreement. What we must
begin to understand is that many of these people are very intelligent and
sincere believers -- and yet they all see something different when they read the
scriptures. Their flaw is not
in what they see -- but like Simon, they all failed to heed Peter's words when
he warned that the “writer should first be considered” -- and if the
writer is the Holy Spirit, then it is the interpretation that this writer
teaches that is the only true meaning.
If what the early church authorities say is true, and any
number of doctrines and dogma can be proven using the same scriptures, then the
reader must learn to relinquish personal interpretation. What, then, is the answer?
The genuine revelation of the scriptures can only be learned from the
True Prophet as to the correct meaning of the narrative.
“Hence, O beloved Clement”,
proclaims Peter, “if you would know the things
pertaining to God, you have to learn them from Him alone, because He alone knows
the truth. For if any one else knows anything, he has received it from Him or
from His disciples”.
These words -- that you can only learn the things of God from Him alone
-- are as true today as when Peter spoke them to his disciple Clement in the
first century.
Modern Christians who are in search of the correct
doctrine to believe in, are aghast and horrified at the thought that the Bible
was purposely designed so that anyone could prove almost any doctrine by using
the scriptures -- or that the scriptures contain narratives that are not
historically accurate. Modern
believers will rightly ask: If what is written in the scriptures is not a
faithful portrayal of the historical events that transpired, then of what value
are they? This type of
thinking is carnal, and is the result of anti-Gnostic thinking -- i.e., tell me
what to believe, so I can be on the right side of God. The problem is that man can never be on the right side
of God, until he returns home to the Kingdom.
Belief, or faith, then, is not part of the equation where these things
are independent of man's efforts to walk in The Way. If you do not pick up your own cross, and follow in the
footsteps of the Lord, then you are neither a believer, or a person of faith.
In the words of Origen, those who demand historical
accuracy do not understand the very purpose of the scriptures -- they have yet
to “withdraw themselves from the unjust man”,
and are still carnal and under the power of this world.
As believers, they are orphans, and not yet even considered widows.
They may proclaim they are chosen -- saved -- they may even wear the garb
of a priest, minister, rabbi, or other clergy -- but they have yet to begin the
process of spiritual maturity. The
disciple knows that in order to draw nearer to God, they must possess Spiritual
Truth -- and truth can only be found in the mind and spirit of both the
scriptures and the Kingdom within themselves.
What man must come to terms with is that reality only
exists in the Kingdom -- the world in which we presently dwell is only a shadow
of reality; and by virtue of its incompleteness, is an illusion.
The scriptures were not written to comfort the believer during their stay
in this world. The scriptures
were not written to confirm tradition, or to verify ones doctrines of belief.
What the scriptures were written for was to provide the disciples with
the keys to escape this world and enter the kingdom.
The scriptures speak of life in our present realm of existence as being a
state of death, because we dwell in the world of incompleteness and illusion.
From the vision of spiritual reality: We literally dwell in the realm of
allegorical appearances. The
scriptures -- though not always historically accurate -- are real keys that
provide the disciple with genuine truths in his spiritual quest.
In conformation of what Origen said regarding the fact
that in the narrative of the scriptures there exists many things that are not
true, Peter said: “If, therefore, some of the
Scriptures are true and some false, with good reason said our Master, 'Be ye
good money-changers,' inasmuch as in the Scriptures there are some true sayings
and some spurious. And to those who err by reason of the false scriptures He
fitly showed the cause of their error, saying, 'Ye do therefore err, not knowing
the true things of the Scriptures; for this reason ye are ignorant also of the
power of God.’”
In his celebrated work, De Principiis, Origen wrote
concerning the factualness of the literal narrative of the scriptures: “Where
the word found that things done according to the history could be adapted to
these mystical senses, he made use of them concealing from the multitude the
deeper meaning; but where in the narrative of the development of super-sensual
things, there did not follow the performance of those certain events which were
already indicated by the mystical meaning, the scripture interwove in the
history the account of some event that did not take place, sometimes what could
not have happened; sometimes what could but did not.”
What is Origen saying to us?
Where the Word found that using events from history could fulfill the
purpose of the scriptures, the Word used these historical events, “concealing
from the multitude the deeper meaning”.
In this respect, Jesus lived and taught the people the Royal Law of God
and the means to gain entrance into the Kingdom. These things are true.
But scripture is designed for a greater purpose than to inform us with
respect to the past -- scripture is the handbook of those who desire to enter
into Life.
What is the purpose of the scriptures? Surely not to teach us about history -- how can history
open the door to the Kingdom within us.
By placing spiritual truths in what appears to he an historical document,
accomplishes the necessary task of putting the sacred truths of God in the hands
of the people -- in a language they can understand and relate to -- even during
that time when they are yet carnal, and unable to comprehend the Mysteries of
God. By writing the
scriptures in this fashion, the carnal Jew could relate to the scriptures
because the writings appeared -- on the surface -- to communicate and manifest a
history of the people who were using them.
Yet, Origen warns that, even when the scriptures are historically
accurate, there is concealed within the narrative a deeper meaning than what is
grasped by the carnal reader.
Was there a historical man named Jesus? Yes -- but it is the Living Christ that will save you.
Because the scriptures are written for the purpose of assisting the
disciples in finding the Christ, even when the scriptures are conveying
historical truths pertaining to the Christ, the genuine message is still
embedded within the body of the text.
Why? Because the
purpose of the scriptures is that of a guide and road map out of this world --
not to convey to us a system of doctrines in which we should blindly believe and
remain immersed in lives of materialism.
Why two gospels? Why
would Jesus have incorporate in his teachings what has been referred to as a
secret doctrine? The modern
believer who only possesses a very limited perception of higher reality will
reject the idea of an inner meaning to the scriptures, and will reason that
Jesus would have spoken all truths very clearly.
To the carnal believer, if it is true that Jesus concealed the mysteries,
this would be viewed as being dishonest.
Moreover, they would ask why, even when the scriptures are historically
accurate, would the true meaning of the message be concealed from the reader?
The believer asks the question: Why not just write the truth.
The answer is found in the words of Ignatius: “Might
I not write to you things more full of mystery?
But I fear to do so, lest I should inflict injury on you who are babes.
Pardon me in this respect, lest, as not being able to receive their
weighty import, ye should be strangled by them”.
In the words of St. Nazianzen: “The
Divine Nature then is boundless and hard to understand”.
And in the words of St. Gregory: “The man
who in calculating the transcendent powers of the Deity limits them by his own
is a fool”. In
order to perceive God and reality, man must go beyond the physical, and activate
his own spiritual nature that is lying dormant within his carnal nature.
Until this spiritual nature is manifested, man's true reality makes no
sense, and man is unable to understand things of any real value.
Carnal man places great confidence and reliance on the
events of history -- so the Holy Spirit uses what appears to be historical
narratives to convey great spiritual truths in the form of allegories.
Origen writes that some parts of these historical narratives are based
upon a correct perception of historical facts.
This causes us to adopt them, and cling to them as a source of spiritual
truth. But, Origen warns,
even when the narratives of the scriptures are historically accurate, they are
still written in such a way that a higher level of spiritual truth is contained
within the vail of what is written.
Did Jesus heal a man who was born blind? Yes he did.
But how does this knowledge of an historical event draw you closer to
God? Even if it makes you
believe and have faith in Jesus, this knowledge means nothing if it does not
provoke you to strive to walk in The Way.
On the other hand, when you begin to recognize the fact that all men born
of woman are congenitally blind from a spiritual perspective -- and will remain
blind until healed by the Son of God -- then this knowledge has the capacity to
provoke you to change, and cause you to desire to see and behold man's true
reality.
Unlike our modern text books which are different for each
level of instruction, the scriptures are written for believers and disciples of
all levels of spiritual maturity. This
is seen in the words of Origen when he wrote: “Since,
then, it was the intention of the Holy Spirit to enlighten with respect to these
and similar subjects, those holy souls who had devoted themselves to the service
of the truth, this object was kept in view, in the second place, for the sake of
those who either could not or would not give themselves to this labor and toil
by which they might deserve to be instructed in or to recognize things of such
value and importance, to wrap up and conceal, as we said before, in ordinary
language, under the covering of some history and narrative of visible things,
hidden mysteries. There is therefore introduced into the narrative of the
visible creation, and the creation and formation of the first man; then the
offspring which followed from him in succession, and some of the actions which
were done by the good among his posterity, are related, and occasionally certain
crimes also, which are stated to have been committed by them as being human; and
afterwards certain unchaste or wicked deeds also are narrated as being the acts
of the wicked. The description of battles, moreover, is given in a wonderful
manner, and the alternations of victors and vanquished, by which certain
ineffable mysteries are made known to those who know how to investigate
statements of that kind. By an admirable discipline of wisdom, too, the law of
truth, even of the prophets, is implanted in the Scriptures of the law, each of
which is woven by a divine art of wisdom, as a kind of covering and veil of
spiritual truths; and this is what we have called the 'body' of Scripture, so
that also, in this way, what we have called the covering of the letter, woven by
the art of wisdom, might be capable of edifying and profiting many, when others
would derive no benefit”.
Thus, the body of the scriptures which are not
necessarily historically accurate, are “capable of
edifying and profiting many” by the reading of the literal
word. Yet, as the believer
matures, he begins to realize that the endless expose of wars, genealogies, and
stories of carnal strife against Divine Providence, are absolutely meaningless
in the life of the disciple. As he begins to spiritually develop, and starts to
experience a shift in perception, he begins to realize that these wars,
genealogies and strife in the flesh have great meaning within his own being, as
he travails to overcome his carnal nature in his quest to enter the Spiritual
Kingdom of his soul. What,
therefore, the carnal believer sees as history, the disciple sees as great
spiritual truths that are imparted to him in his pursuit of spiritual perfection
and manifestation.
Origen writes that the scriptures contain many places
where what is written literally could not have happened.
In examination of this statement we ask why? Why not create a written word that was totally factual?
The answer that Origen provides to this question is once again very
simple: “But
as if, in all the instances of this covering (i.e., of this history), the
logical connection and order of the law had been preserved, we would not
certainly believe, when thus possessing the meaning of Scripture in a continuous
series, that anything else was contained in it save what was indicated on the
surface; so for that reason divine wisdom took care that certain
stumbling-blocks, or interruptions, to the historical meaning should take place,
by the introduction into the midst (of the narrative) of certain impossibilities
and incongruities; that in this way the very interruption of the narrative
might, as by the interposition of a bolt, present an obstacle to the reader,
whereby he might refuse to acknowledge the way which conducts to the ordinary
meaning; and being thus excluded and debarred from it, we might be recalled to
the beginning of another way, in order that, by entering upon a narrow path, and
passing to a loftier and more sublime road, he might lay open the immense
breadth of divine wisdom”.
What Origen states is not only true, but is of the utmost
importance for us to comprehend in our present day: If the scriptures were
historically accurate, then we would believe, and never move beyond the written
word. In never moving beyond
the written word, we would fail to develop those parts of our mind that relate
to our soul and spiritual natures and reality -- and in our failure to mature,
we would remain lost in this carnal world, and never open the door to the
Kingdom within our being. From
a scriptural perspective, the prodigal son would never return home to his
Father.
Origen and many of the other early Church Fathers
comprehended this design and higher purpose of the Gospel.
They understood that the scriptures are written in such a way that our
reading them would be interrupted by the many instances where what we read
literally is not true -- and in coming to this scriptural roadblock, the
intension was for us to seek to understand the deeper meaning -- a meaning that
can only be perceived by drawing closer to our own spiritual nature.
Some of the more outrageous and blatant untruths in the
literal word would be the classic case of the sun and moon standing still: “Then
Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites
before the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, 'O sun, stand
still at Gibeon, and O moon in the valley of Aijalon.' So the sun stood still,
and the moon stopped, until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies. Is
it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the
sky, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day” (Josh
10:12-13 NAS). In the first
instance, the sun does not revolve around the earth.
Secondly, there exists sufficient records of the time in question to
confirm that such an event never took place.
“Nor was it only with regard
to those Scriptures which were composed down to the advent of Christ that the
Holy Spirit thus dealt” writes
Origen, “but as being one and the same Spirit, and
proceeding from one God, He dealt in the same way with the evangelists and
apostles. For even those narratives which He inspired them to write were not
composed without the aid of that wisdom of His, the nature of which we have
above explained. Whence also in, them were intermingled not a few things by
which, the historical order of the narrative being interrupted and broken up,
the attention of the reader might be recalled, by the impossibility of the case,
to an examination of the inner meaning”.
Just one of these examples are provided at the time of
the crucifixion where it reads: “And it was about
the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth
hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the
midst” (Luke 23:44-45 KJV).
There exists sufficient historical records of that time to demonstrate
conclusively that the earth was never plunged into darkness for a period of
three hours. In view of the
fact that this event took place at the time of the Passover, when the moon is
full, it could not have been an eclipse.
Moreover, neither can an eclipse bring darkness over all the earth for a
period of three hours.
Since this event could not have taken place in the
historical sense, why is it reported?
Origen explains this when he writes that, in the development of “super-sensual
things… the scripture interwove in the history the account of some event that
did not take place” -- which denotes episodes such as these in
the scriptures that a reasonable mind must conclude is not historically
accurate. In the words of
Origen, “sometimes what could not have happened”
-- events reported as history that could not have taken place -- and “sometimes
what could but did not”.
Sometimes the inconsistencies in scripture are blatant.
This is done intentionally, so the believer is unable to read the text of
the body of scripture in its literal sense.
Speaking of the conversion of Paul along the road to Damascus, Acts 9:7
reads: “And the men which journeyed with him stood
speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man”.
Yet, in Acts 22:9 the narrative reads: “And
they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not
the voice of him that spake to me”.
Which account was true? In
the first instance they heard the voice but saw nothing, in the second they saw
the light but heard nothing.
By design the reader is supposed to question and reason
to themselves that, if the same person wrote both accounts, then why were they
written in direct opposition to each other?
If you look in the many Bible commentaries you will observe numerous
creative attempts to explain away this apparent contradiction.
Yet, none of them perceives that Saul/Paul is spoken of as being in The
Way -- that Saul in this New Testament rendition is synonymous with the Saul who
proceeded David as king of Israel -- that only Saul/Paul was struck down with
blindness, while those who were with him were not -- and that they were on their
way to Damascus -- that Saul/Paul was blind for a period of three days -- that a
disciple named Ananias was told in a vision to go to Saul/Paul, who would be at
the house of Judas, on a street named “straight”,
and heal and baptize him.
This account is so rich with important symbolism and
meaning to the disciple, that it is almost inconceivable that it could be read
as an historical, rather than a spiritual event.
The idea that Saul (the forerunner of David) was in The Way, and was
blinded by the Light for a period of three days (a period of time used
throughout the scriptures to denotes a certain spiritual transformation), and
was at the house of Judas (the betrayer of the Christ), on a street named
straight, where he was to be baptized.
Thus, we see the common references to the command to “Enter
ye in at the strait gate” (Matt 7:13 KJV); “Prepare
ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” (Matt 3:3 KJV);
as well as the connection between the concept of the straight path and baptism: “Every
valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and
the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And
all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Then said he to the multitude that
came forth to be baptized of him…” (Luke 3:5-7 KJV).
What is important here is that the reader understand the
things conveyed not as the conversion of an historical man, but rather the
evolution of consciousness from Stephen who was stoned by Saul and the Jews --
to Saul who began to walk in The Way -- was transformed from a Jew, who was
blind when he resided at the house of Judas, the betrayer of Christ -- and after
his baptism became Paul, who was the little one who was chosen to serve the Lord
by bringing the teachings of The Way to the Gentiles -- Gentiles being that part
of us that worships the gods (powers and things) of this world. Where
these things mean very little to us from an historical perspective, they are of
the highest importance to us from the perspective of spiritual events that are
to take place in the life of the disciple.
Was Paul an historical man?
Yes. But what is
conveyed in the scriptures is not historical -- and cannot even be read in a
literal sense. What is
important is that we see that the death of Stephen -- a man who is constantly
referred to as a person of great faith, and whose name is defined in the
Thayer’s Lexicon as one who is “crowned”.
As we investigate we must also recognize that Stephen was one of seven
deacons in the Jerusalem Church, and the first martyr.
Just as important is the fact that after Stephen is introduced into the
narrative of the scriptures, we see the recital of an historical account of the
Jewish people -- and in this recital, the names, places, events and numbers are
conveyed in such a manner, so as to instruct the disciple into the necessary
stages with respect to the evolution in consciousness and God awareness.
Death in the scriptures has nothing to do with physical
death -- but rather, the transitioning from one level of consciousness to
another. Thus, when Stephen
is stoned by the angry Jews, we see the immergence of Saul -- which Thayer’s
Lexicon defines as having to do with desire.
Again in the transformation of this desire into Paul, which is defined as
the “little one”, we are
presented with the pattern that one must “turn
about”, and become a “little
one”, in order to enter the Kingdom.
In order to force the reader to stop, and contemplate the
inner spiritual message, a conflicting account is purposely entered into the
scriptures: Acts 9:7 reads: “And the men which
journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man”. Yet, in Acts 22:9 the narrative reads: “And
they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not
the voice of him that spake to me”.
It means absolutely nothing for the modern reader to believe that Saul
was converted on the road to Damascus -- there is no spiritual edification or
uplifting when we relate this knowledge to an historical event at the beginning
of our Common Era. But what
is conveyed spiritually is of great value to the disciple in search of the Light
-- and must bring about a change of mind in his quest to open the door to the
Kingdom. Thus the disciple
begins to see his own transformation from the death of Stephen as spirit became
clothed with flesh, to Saul -- from a Jew to Paul -- from Paul the little one,
whose blindness was healed by Ananias -- the gift from God.
The many points at which the scriptures conflict in order
to force the reader to look for the inner meaning is so numerous, that an entire
book could be written in their compilation.
Acts 7:14 has 75 persons coming with Jacob into Egypt -- Gen 46:27; Ex
1:5; Deut 10:22 state there were 70.
Acts 7:16-17 has Jacob buried in Shechem -- Gen 49:28-30; 50:13 buried in
Mamre which is Hebron according to Gen 23:19. If the Holy Spirit wrote both sets of scriptures, there
should have been uniformity between them.
Moreover, if the New Testament authors were attempting to convince others
that they knew what they were speaking about from a literal sense, they would
have been very careful to get the facts correct.
Perhaps one of the finest examples of the carnal mind's
attempt to explain away what it should be investigating is demonstrated in the
genealogies of Jesus. The
fact that the genealogy presented in Luke is not the same as that in Matthew has
been the source of many dogmatic theories.
But the fact that the genealogy in Matthew contains four women, and three
foreigners, should immediately send up a red flag warning that these genealogies
cannot be read literally.
Two of the women were strangers to the commonwealth of
Israel, Rachab a Canaanitess, and a harlot besides, and Ruth the Moabitess.
In the pedigree of the kings of Judah, between Joram and Ozias (v. 8),
there are three left out, namely, Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah -- and therefore
Joram could not have begat Ozias. When
it is said (v. 12) that Jechonias begat Salathiel, that Jechonias was the son of
that Jehoiakim who was carried into Babylon, the scriptures tell us that
Jechonias was childless (Jer. 22:30), and in direct contradiction to what is
written in Matthew, it is written that “No man of
his seed shall prosper”.
In order to insure that the genealogies cannot be read
literally, it is further stated in Matthew: “Thus there were fourteen
generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to
Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ” (Matt 1:17 NIV).
With regard to the many problems presented in the genealogies, the Adam
Clark Commentary writes:
[Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time
they were carried away to Babylon:] There are three considerable difficulties in
this verse.
1.
Josias
was not the father of Jechonias; he was only the grandfather of that prince: (1
Chr. 3:14-16)
2. Jechonias had no brethren; at
least, none are on record.
3.
Josias
died 20 years before the Babylonian captivity took place, and therefore
Jechonias and his brethren could not have been begotten about the time they were
carried away to Babylon.
To this may be added a fourth
difficulty, namely, there are only thirteen in this 2nd class of generations; or
forty-one, instead of forty-two, in the whole
When we closely examine the literal word of the Bible,
all of the scriptures could be deciphered in this same manner to demonstrate the
inconsistencies from an historical perspective. Moreover, the problem would be even more serious than
it is at present if the Bible had been left in its original condition.
In many instances, where these many places that appear to be
contradictions were detected, they were fixed by later scribes who copied the
scriptures. In their
ignorance of the very manner that scripture is composed, every time they fixed a
contradiction or offending verse, they defiled and obstructed the very purpose
of the Word of God. In the
case of the difference between the genealogies of Matthew and Luke, there are
Greek texts that exist where the genealogy of Luke was replaced by the one in
Matthew in the endeavor to conceal this easily detected flaw in the written
word.
Where the carnal believer sees a genealogy that would be
impossible to be read literally, it never dawns on the readers that what we have
is the pedigree of the three minds of man -- physical, mental, and spiritual --
and that in the formation of the series of numbers in the pattern of fourteen,
fourteen and fourteen, what is being indicated has great spiritual significance.
Moreover, the fact that there is forty-one, instead of forty-two, is also
important in our quest to understanding the spiritual meaning of what is being
conveyed with regard to what Jesus had yet to accomplish in his endeavor to
become the first Son re-born into the Kingdom.
Does all these things mean that the scriptures are
untrue? In the words of Paul:
God forbid! It is us who is
not real and untrue; not the scriptures. In understanding why the Bible is written in this
manner, we must not allow ourselves to be burdened by carnal thinking, and lose
sight of what sets scriptures apart from any other writings known to man.
“The chief object of the Holy Spirit”,
writes Origen, “is to preserve the coherence of
the spiritual meaning, either in those things which ought to be done or which
have been already performed, if He anywhere finds that those events which,
according to the history, took place, can be adapted to a spiritual meaning, He
composed a texture of both kinds in one style of narration, always concealing
the hidden meaning more deeply; but where the historical narrative could not be
made appropriate to the spiritual coherence of the occurrences, He inserted
sometimes certain things which either did not take place or could not take
place; sometimes also what might happen, but what did not: and He does this at
one time in a few words, which, taken in their 'bodily' meaning, seem incapable
of containing truth, and at another by the insertion of many. And this we find
frequently to be the case in the legislative portions, where there are many
things manifestly useful among the 'bodily' precepts, but a very great number
also in which no principle of utility is at all discernible, and sometimes even
things which are judged to be impossibilities. Now all this, as we have
remarked, was done by the Holy Spirit in order that, seeing those events which
lie on the surface can be neither true nor useful, we may be led to the
investigation of that truth which is more deeply concealed, and to the
ascertaining of a meaning worthy of God in those Scriptures which we believe to
be inspired by Him”.
Origen writes that we must come to the realization that “those
events which lie on the surface can be neither true nor useful”.
In opposition to this statement we ask: Isn't the belief in the
historical Jesus useful? The answer is yes, but only to the degree that the
historical narrative assists the disciple in manifesting the Living Christ in
their life at the present time. What
does the name Jesus mean? What
must we do in order to bring about that state of mind which is portrayed in the
scriptures in the life of the historical Jesus, into our present life?
What is important is that we “be
led to the investigation of that truth which is more deeply concealed”. Since we know that everything we can learn from others
in this world is of a preparatory nature, and the one true doctrine that will
nourish us, can only be revealed to those who are in “the
house”, and are deserving to be taught privately the Mysteries
of the Kingdom, we must therefore seek to enter into the house with our Lord and
Savior. It is important that
we perceive that whatever is written literally in the historical narrative is
the exoteric doctrine -- or good news -- that serves as merely the invitation to
the masses to enter the mystical house of the Lord where the Secrets of Creation
can be revealed to us.
In fully comprehending these statements in relation to
the whole purpose of the teachings of The Way, let us again examine the
definitive statement which conveys to us the very essence of the Gospel -- and
especially the Revelation of John: “Blessed are
those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life,
and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and
sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves
and practices a lie” (Rev 22:14-15 NKJ).
If the Revelation represented the end of the world, as is
commonly believed by the majority of Christians today, then why are those who
remain outside the city portrayed as “dogs and
sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves
and practices a lie”?
Armageddon, then, indicates the disciples personal conflict as he
endeavors to overcome his own lower nature through the crucifixion of what is
symbolized by the flesh, in order that he can possess the Knowledge of the fruit
of the Tree of Life, transcend the natural barriers of this world, and “enter
through the gates into the city”.
With regard to those who call themselves Christian, and continue to
remain in this world, these are the ones who, like the Sadducees and Pharisees, “loves
and practices a lie” in their refusal to follow in the
footsteps of the Master.
Again let us revisit the statement by the Wycliffe
Commentary on Genesis 2:7 where it writes about the nature of man: “Man's
body was fashioned from the dust of the ground, while his spirit came from the
very 'breath' of God. He is literally a creature of two worlds; both earth and
heaven can claim him”.
What the fundamental teachings of the New Covenant convey is that if man “turns
about”, and re-focuses his direction in life through the
process of “opening and unloosing the mind”
-- freeing it from the attachments and constraints of this realm -- man will
discover that God has given him the power to gaze upon that which is Eternal.
As with all things Created by God, the scriptures are
multidimensional. Even in
what appears to be historical, we see the same form being followed.
Our scholars know that Herod could not have been king during that time
frame that Jesus was born. They also know that the plight into Egypt to evade
being killed is also not true: “Then Herod, when
he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth,
and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof,
from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently
inquired of the wise men” (Matt 2:16 KJV).
Such an act would have been well documented in the numerous writings of
the many historians of the time.
The answer is found in the meaning of the names Herod and
Egypt -- and why it was important to make the connection between the same
episode that is portrayed in the saving of Moses when the slaughter of the
infants was ordered. Thus,
what is a meaningless and worthless historical account to the modern believer,
is used to convey great truths to the disciple of the Light -- in that they,
themselves, must undergo these same transformations in order for the Christ to
be born within them.
In an attempt to clarify his position, and place these
things in their proper perspective, Origen writes: “No
one, I think, can doubt that the statement that God walked in the afternoon in
paradise, and that Adam lay hid under a tree, is related figuratively in
Scripture, that some mystical meaning may be indicated by it. The departure of
Cain from the presence of the Lord will manifestly cause a careful reader to
inquire what is the presence of God, and how any one can go out from it. But not
to extend the task which we have before us beyond its due limits, it is very
easy for any one who pleases to gather out of holy Scripture what is recorded
indeed as having been done, but what nevertheless cannot be believed as having
reasonably and appropriately occurred according to the historical account. The
same style of Scriptural narrative occurs abundantly in the Gospels, as when the
devil is said to have placed Jesus on a lofty mountain, that he might show Him
from thence all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them. How could it
literally come to pass, either that Jesus should be led up by the devil into a
high mountain, or that the latter should show him all the kingdoms of the world
(as if they were lying beneath his bodily eyes, and adjacent to one mountain),
i.e., the kingdoms of the Persians, and Scythians, and Indians? or how could he
show in what manner the kings of these kingdoms are glorified by men? And many
other instances similar to this will be found in the Gospels by any one who will
read them with attention, and will observe that in those narratives which appear
to be literally recorded, there are inserted and interwoven things which cannot
be admitted historically, but which may be accepted in a spiritual
signification”.
Where the carnal mind looks upon the world and attempts
to see continuity, it is the disciple who knows full well that we dwell in a
world of incompleteness and illusion.
Where the carnal believer attempts to read the scriptures as a witness to
historical events, the disciple probes to the depths of the scriptures and
understands them as the means by which we begin to awaken to the inner Truth and
the Light of the Spirit.
The believer will rightly ask, if God wants us to know
what to believe, why would the scriptures contain events that did not, and even
what could not have happened? Again,
the purpose of the scriptures is not to induce people to believe what happened
in the past, and then dwell in the comfort of their beliefs -- but rather, to
focus their attention to what is taking place at the present time in their own
lives. That the scriptures
were written to coincide with a particular time or event in history, only makes
them that much more acceptable to the common people. This acceptance is important -- because even though the
scriptures are not historically accurate, they contain within the body of the
narrative the essential truths that each of us must embrace in order to find the
ultimate Truth which is our destiny.
In their original form -- prior to their being defiled by the Roman
Church -- what was written in the scriptures was one hundred percent accurate
with respect to man's quest to enter the Kingdom.
With regard to reading the narrative as actual events in
history, Origen wrote: “What man of sense will
agree with the statement that the first, second and third days in which the
evening is named and the morning, were without sun, moon and stars, and the
first day without a heaven. What
man is found such an idiot as to suppose that God planted trees in paradise in
Eden, like a husbandman, and planted therein the tree of life, perceptible to
the eyes and senses, which gave life to the eater thereof; and another tree
which gave to the eater thereof a knowledge of good and evil?
I believe that every man must hold these things for images, under which
the hidden sense lies concealed” (Origen - Huet., Prigeniana,
167 Franck, p. 142).
A man of reason will ask: If there was no sun, moon and
stars, how could there have been a day, night and dawn of a new day?
“What man of sense”,
Origen asks, will blindly believe such statements?
This fundamental question is very similar to that asked by Jesus with
regard to the blindness of the Sadducees and Pharisees, who also attempted to
read the scriptures literally. Who
could believe that God planted trees in the Garden of Eden which gave to the
eater the knowledge of good and evil, while the fruit of another tree gave
eternal life? These things
are not history, writes Origen, but rather “images,
under which the hidden sense lies concealed”.
Origen explains that the scriptures are an allegory that conceal the
deeper truths of the spirit, and writes: “It is
sufficient however, to represent in the style of a historic narrative what is
intended to convey a secret meaning in the garb of history, that those who have
the capacity may work out for themselves all that relates to the subject.”
When Clement (Clementine Homilies) asked of Peter
concerning the many things in scripture that are not true, he said: “Truly
I rejoice, and I give thanks to God, who in all things doeth well. However, he
knows that I shall be able to think nothing other than that all things are for
God. Wherefore do not suppose that I ask questions, as doubting the words
concerning God, or those that are to be spoken, but rather that I may learn, and
so be able myself to instruct another who is ingenuously willing to learn.
Wherefore tell me what are the falsehoods added to the Scriptures, and how it
comes that they are really false. Then Peter answered: Even although you had not
asked me, I should have gone on in order, and afforded you the exposition of
these matters, as I promised. Learn, then, how the Scriptures misrepresent Him
in many respects, that you may know when you happen upon them”.
In his Ecclestical History Eusebius writes that: “Many were led astray by reading the allegorical contents of the scriptures literally in the method of the Pharisees and Sadducees”. In these words we are provided great insight into the true heresy of the Pharisees and Sadducees, and why Jesus condemned them as being blind guides. When it is realized that Jesus was born among the Essenes, who were Gnostic, and a people who comprehended the inner meaning of the Law, we begin to understand that the true focus of the conflict in scripture was the spiritual Israelites vs the carnal Jews. On the side of the spiritual Israelites was Jesus and the Essenes -- who perceived the true meaning of the scriptures as the guide that assists the disciple in opening the doors to the true Temple of God. The Pharisees and Sadducees, on the other hand, read the scriptures literally -- and were un