Home - Original Christianity - The Aquarian Gospel for Awakening - Chapter One Hundred Forty Five

Chapter One Hundred Forty Five

Hoffman's portrait of ChristPart 157 of the Aquarian Gospel for Awakening

A company of Pharisees came up to speak with Jesus and they said, Rabboni, we have heard you say, The kingdom is at hand. We read in Daniel that the God of heaven will form a kingdom, and we ask, Is this the kingdom of the God you speak about? If so, when will it come?

And Jesus said, The prophets all have told about this kingdom of the God, and it is just at hand; but men can never see it come. It never can be seen with carnal eyes; it is within.

Lo, I have said, and now I say again, None but the pure in heart can see the king, and all the pure in heart are subjects of the king.

Reform, and turn away form sin; prepare you, O prepare! the kingdom is at hand. (Aquarian Gospel 145:1-6)

The Kingdom of God is in the spirit. Religionists do not usually like this because they want to say that their sect is the Kingdom of God on earth, implying that no one is in the Kingdom of God except the adherents of their organization. Bigots really detest the idea that no one can judge who is in or out of the Kingdom because it is purely spiritual in nature. Christian bigots equally dislike the idea that various institutions are branches of the Christian Church which is also purely spiritual in constitution. What no one seems to ponder is whether an exclusionary attitude is itself a sign that a person is separating himself from the Church, though claiming to be part of all that is really the Church. Sri Ramakrishna told the story of a sectarian Hindu who was so bigoted that he would not even touch anything sacred to those outside his particular group. The form of God he claimed to be so dedicated to appeared to him and said: “You can have nothing to do with me as long as you hate.”

The truth is this: God is the Kingdom. And we are all living in God at every moment. Nothing is outside God. That is why in the esoteric Mass rite used in our monastery the Creed begins: “We believe in God, the undivided Unity, embracing all in oneness. We believe in the Holy and all-glorious Trinity, who pervades the whole universe, who dwells also in the spirit of man.” Absolute unity is implied in these words. No one is outside the Kingdom; all are part of it. Some are more aware than others, but the creation itself is a great school for evolving consciousness, and it is to be expected that all sentient beings within creation will be manifesting a vast range of degrees of consciousness from zero to one hundred percent. And all are moving onward to the single Goal of union with God.

Also implied here is that only those who live inwardly can be aware of the Kingdom. Purity of heart and mind fits us for the life of the Kingdom. Those who reform themselves, transmuting their consciousness through deep spiritual practice, especially meditation, will certainly enter into and possess the Kingdom, living in God.

And then he spoke to his disciples and he said, The seasons of the son of man are past. The time will come when you will wish above all else to see again one of these days; but you can see it not. And many men will say, Lo, here is Christ; lo, there is Christ. Be not deceived; go not into their ways. For when the son of man will come again no man need point the way; for as the lightning lights the heavens, so will the son of man light up the heavens and earth. But, lo, I say, that many generations will have come and gone before the son of man shall come in power; but when he comes no one will say, Lo, here is Christ; lo, there. (Aquarian Gospel 145:7-11)

A Kingdom and a Christ that need to be pointed out are not the true Kingdom or Christ. Jesus is telling us that when he comes again those who are ready for entry into the Kingdom will know it from within. None of the worthy will need to told where and how. Their spirits will illumine their minds and show them the way.

But as it was before the flood in Noah’s day, so shall it be. The people ate, they drank, were filled with merriment and sang for joy, and did not know their doom until the ark was done and Noah entered in; but then the flood came on and swept them all away. So, also, in the days of Lot; the people ate and drank; they bought, they sold, they planted and they reaped, they went their ways in sin, and they cared not; but when the righteous Lot went from their city’s gates the earth beneath the city shook, and brimstone fires fell from heaven; the gapping jaws of earth flew wide, and swallowed up their homes, their wealth, and they went down to rise no more. So shall it be when comes the son of man in power. (Aquarian Gospel 145:12-17)

This is extremely severe, but Jesus has spoken it. The worthy will not need to be told of his second advent and the unworthy will be incapable of knowing it. Indeed he implies that they will be swept away in some manner. This deserves serious consideration.

I charge you men, as I will charge men then, Seek not to save your wealth, or you will lose your lives. Go forth, and look not back upon the crumbling walls of sin. Do not forget Lot’s wife. (Aquarian Gospel 145:18)

The message is: Flee for your life and take nothing of your old life with you. Remember Lot’s wife who simply looked back to the place of her old life and remained there forever as a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). When Jesus the Messiah comes again we must run to him for the saving of our lives and souls, caring for nothing else. It will apparently be a time of great upheaval.

Whoever tries to save his life will lose his life; whoever freely gives his life in serving life will save his life. (Aquarian Gospel 145:19)

Those who dedicate themselves to the helping of others will themselves be saved, but those who selfishly think only of themselves will perish. Frankly, this is always the truth at any time. “Thy neighbor as thyself” is the immutable law.

Then comes the sifting time. Two men will be in bed; one will be called, the other left; two women will be working side by side; one will be snatched away, the other left. (Aquarian Gospel 145:20)

This indicates that only half will be saved (survive). Whether this means half of the total population or half of those that could be saved is not clear. But that we need to act quickly and rightly is very evident.

And his disciples said, Explain to us this parable; or is it not a parable?

And Jesus said, The wise will understand, for where the bread of heaven is, there you will find the pure in heart; and where the carcass lies will gather all the birds of prey.

But lo, I say, before these days will come, the son of man will be betrayed by one of you into the hands of wicked men, and he will give his life for you and all the world.

Yea, more; the Holy Breath will come in power and fill you with the wisdom of the just.

And you will tell the wondrous story in Judea and in Samaria and in the farther lands of earth. (Aquarian Gospel 145:21-25)

Those whose lives are centered in the invisible Presence of Christ, especially in the sacred Eucharist, will be drawn to Jesus when he comes again. But much has had to happen before them, as Jesus describes. Even now, awaiting his advent, we must tell the Wondrous Story to all who will listen: not in the sectarian sense but in the esoteric sense of the need to realize and manifest our own Christhood.

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His heav’nly love to me;
He from death to life hath brought me,
Son of God with Him to be.
(Philip P. Bliss)

And then to teach that men should pray and never faint, he told this parable: There was a judge who feared not God, nor yet regarded man. There was a widow who oft implored the judge to right her wrongs and to avenge her foes. At first the judge would hear her not, but after many days he said, I fear not God, and I regard not man, yet, lest this widow wear me out by pleading every day I will avenge her on her foes. When the disciples asked the meaning of this parable, the Lord replied, The wise can understand; the foolish have no need to know. (Aquarian Gospel 145:26-31)

What a marvelous statement of spiritual wisdom: The wise can understand; the foolish have no need to know. May we be wise.

There is a profound esoteric principle here regarding the controlling and shaping of our life. Often what is required to obtain something is a building up of psychic energy on the inner planes. When the amount, the critical mass, is reached, then the desired effect follows inevitably. The widow in this parable invested her life energy in her insistence to the judge. She built up a thought-form in the etheric levels and when it was substantial and strong enough then even the unjust and uncaring judge was compelled to comply with her demands. Sometimes, even oftentimes, it is not a matter of “God’s will be done” but “My will be done.” For we are the sons of God, are we not?

And then to teach a lesson unto certain of his followers who trusted in themselves and thought that they were holier than other men, he told this parable:

Two men went to the synagogue to pray; one was a Pharisee, the other was a publican. The Pharisee stood forth and prayed thus with himself, O God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, who are extortioners, unjust, adulterers; not even like this publican. I fast two times a week, and I give tithes of all I get.

The publican came not a-near; he would not lift his eyes to heaven, but smote his breast and said, O Lord, be merciful to me; I am a sinner in thy sight; I am undone.

And now, you men, I say to you, The publican knew how to pray, and he was justified. The Pharisee knew how to talk, but still he went away condemned.

Lo, every one who lauds himself shall be abased, and he who does not praise himself shall be exalted in the sight of God. (Aquarian Gospel 145:32-40)

Humility and a clear seeing of our erroneous ways is necessary for purification. Again, we are not to loathe ourselves and condemn ourselves, but we are to reject the idea of continuing in our mistaken thoughts and deeds and pray fervently for help from God, Christ, the angels and the saints. Then mercy shall come to us and our souls will be healed. Those who acknowledge their weakness shall gain the strength of God. Humility is the most precious treasure of the soul.

Read the next section in the Aquarian Gospel for Yogis

(Visited 72 time, 1 visit today)

.

The Aquarian Gospel—Commentary and Text

The Aquarian Gospel for Awakening—A Commentary on the Aquarian Gospel
by Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke)

  1. The Mother of Jesus
  2. Prophecies of the Births of Saint John the Baptist and Jesus
  3. The Birth of Jesus
  4. Revelations in the Temple
  5. Coming of the Wise Men
  6. Herod’s Reaction
  7. Revelations in Egypt
  8. The Two Selfs
  9. Deliverance From Gods and Demons
  10. About God the Tao
  11. From India to Chaldea
  12. The Wisdom of Buddha
  13. God and Prayer
  14. The Mission of Jesus and John the Baptist
  15. Sin and the Forgiveness of Sin
  16. The Universal Law of Man’s Free Will and the Divine Will For Man
  17. Understanding Death
  18. The True Teacher
  19. The Value of Ritual
  20. The Law Behind All Laws
  21. Opening To The Truth
  22. In the Temple at the Age of Ten
  23. Revelation to the Teachers and People in the Temple
  24. Jerusalem to Nazareth
  25. Nazareth to India
  26. What is Truth?
  27. What Is Man?
  28. What is Power?
  29. Understanding
  30. Wisdom
  31. Faith
  32. Healing and Healers
  33. Conflict Over Caste
  34. The Destiny of All Men
  35. God and Man
  36. The Voice in the Heart
  37. Seeing the Unseeable
  38. To God Through Man
  39. Who Is Jesus?
  40. The Real Versus The Apparent
  41. The Brotherhood of Life
  42. God…and Man
  43. Relating To God
  44. The Worthy Host
  45. Come to the Light
  46. The Kingdom Revealed
  47. The King Revealed
  48. Perspective On Death
  49. Fire and Sword
  50. Evolution: The Path of Glory
  51. The Real Heaven
  52. Getting to the Essence
  53. New Perspective on Religion
  54. In Tibet and Ladakh
  55. Words to the Worthy
  56. The Thirty-Eighth Chapter
  57. The Origin of Evil
  58. The Silence
  59. The Source of Healing
  60. The Fivefold Gospel
  61. Homecoming
  62. In Athens
  63. The Oracle of Delphi
  64. The Real God
  65. Return to Egypt
  66. First Steps to Wisdom
  67. Strong in Will and Intent
  68. Here Comes the Ego
  69. Blessed are the Merciful
  70. Claiming Our Freedom
  71. The Great Test
  72. Comprehending Death
  73. The Christ!
  74. The Asembly of the Masters
  75. The Seven Pillars of the Aquarian Age – I
  76. The Seven Pillars of the Aquarian Age – II
  77. The Declaration of Jesus
  78. John the Baptist – I
  79. John the Baptist – II
  80. John the Baptist – III
  81. Baptism – Jesus and John
  82. Self-Examination and Temptation
  83. The First Disciples Follow Jesus
  84. Jesus’ First Sermon
  85. The King and the Kingdom
  86. Dealing With Challengers
  87. The First Miracle of Jesus
  88. Kings and Kingdoms
  89. The Temple of God
  90. What Is A Messiah?
  91. The Laws of Healing
  92. Nicodemus Finds The Kingdom
  93. The Prince of Peace
  94. Dealing With Spiritual Opposition
  95. The Opened Gate
  96. John the Baptist Speaks of the Christ
  97. John Speaks Further About Jesus
  98. The Woman at the Well
  99. The Disciples and Samaritans at the Well
  100. Jesus in Sychar
  101. More Wisdom In Samaria
  102. The Imprisonment of John the Baptist
  103. In Jerusalem
  104. The Insights of Jesus
  105. Sabbath Wisdom
  106. Prayer and Good Deeds
  107. Divine Laws and Principles for Seekers of the Divine
  108. A New Understanding of the Ten Commandments
  109. Aspects of the Higher Law – 1
  110. Aspects of the Higher Law – 2
  111. Aspects of the Higher Law – 3
  112. Aspects of the Higher Law – 4
  113. Chapter One Hundred One
  114. Chapter One Hundred Two
  115. Chapter One Hundred Three
  116. Chapter One Hundred Four
  117. Chapter One Hundred Five
  118. Chapter One Hundred Six
  119. Chapter One Hundred Seven
  120. Chapter One Hundred Eight
  121. Chapter One Hundred Nine
  122. Chapter One Hundred Ten
  123. Chapter One Hundred Eleven
  124. Chapter One Hundred Twelve
  125. Chapter One Hundred Thirteen
  126. Chapter One Hundred Fourteen
  127. Chapter One Hundred Fifteen
  128. Chapter One Hundred Sixteen
  129. Chapter One Hundred Seventeen
  130. Chapter One Hundred Eighteen
  131. Chapter One Hundred Nineteen
  132. Chapter One Hundred Twenty
  133. Chapter One Hundred Twenty One
  134. Chapter One Hundred Twenty Two
  135. Chapter One Hundred Twenty Three
  136. Chapter One Hundred Twenty Four
  137. Chapter One Hundred Twenty Five
  138. Chapter One Hundred Twenty Six
  139. Chapter One Hundred Twenty Seven
  140. Chapter One Hundred Twenty Eight
  141. Chapter One Hundred Twenty Nine
  142. Chapter One Hundred Thirty
  143. Chapter One Hundred Thirty One
  144. Chapter One Hundred Thirty Two
  145. Chapter One Hundred Thirty Three
  146. Chapter One Hundred Thirty Four
  147. Chapter One Hundred Thirty Five
  148. Chapter One Hundred Thirty Six
  149. Chapter One Hundred Thirty Seven
  150. Chapter One Hundred Thirty Eight
  151. Chapter One Hundred Thirty Nine
  152. Chapter One Hundred Forty
  153. Chapter One Hundred Forty One
  154. Chapter One Hundred Forty Two
  155. Chapter One Hundred Forty Three
  156. Chapter One Hundred Forty Four
  157. Chapter One Hundred Forty Five
  158. Chapter One Hundred Forty Six
  159. Chapter One Hundred Forty Seven
  160. Chapter One Hundred Forty Eight
  161. Chapter One Hundred Forty Nine
  162. Chapter One Hundred Fifty
  163. Chapter One Hundred Fifty-One
  164. Chapter One Hundred Fifty-Two
  165. Chapter One Hundred Fifty-Three
  166. Chapter One Hundred Fifty-Four
  167. Chapter One Hundred Fifty-Five
  168. Chapter One Hundred Fifty-Six
  169. Chapter One Hundred Fifty-Seven
  170. Chapter One Hundred Fifty-Eight
  171. Chapter One Hundred Fifty-Nine
  172. Chapter One Hundred Sixty
  173. Chapter One Hundred Sixty One
  174. Chapter One Hundred Sixty Two
  175. Chapter One Hundred Sixty Three
  176. Chapter One Hundred Sixty Four
  177. Chapter One Hundred Sixty Five
  178. Chapter One Hundred Sixty Six
  179. Chapter One Hundred Sixty Seven
  180. Chapter One Hundred Sixty Eight
  181. Chapter One Hundred Sixty Nine
  182. Chapter One Hundred Seventy
  183. Chapter One Hundred Seventy One
  184. Chapter One Hundred Seventy Two
  185. Chapter One Hundred Seventy Three
  186. Chapter One Hundred Seventy Four
  187. Chapter One Hundred Seventy Five
  188. Chapter One Hundred Seventy Six
  189. Chapter One Hundred Seventy Seven
  190. Chapter One Hundred Seventy Eight
  191. Chapter One Hundred Seventy Nine
  192. Chapter One Hundred Eighty
  193. Chapter One Hundred Eighty One
  194. Chapter One Hundred Eighty Two

The Text of the Aquarian Gospel—by Levi Dowling

(Visited 72 time, 1 visit today)