The October Online Satsang with Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) will be on October 5th at 12 Noon, EST.
Home » Original Christianity » The Aquarian Gospel for Awakening » Chapter One Hundred Forty Six

Chapter One Hundred Forty Six

Hoffman's portrait of ChristPart 158 of the Aquarian Gospel for Awakening

The work of Jesus in the land of Galilee was done, and he sent forth a message, and the many came from many towns of Galilee; came to receive a benediction from his hand. Among the multitudes who came was Luke, a Syrian from Antioch, a learned physician and a just and upright man. Theophilus, a Grecian senator, a minister of Caesar’s court, was also there; and many other men of honor and renown. (Aquarian Gospel 146:1-3)

Here were find Saint Luke the Evangelist mentioned. Though he was a physician he was also a gifted painter and many of his icons are still in shrines throughout the world. I have seen one myself–Our Lady of Tikhvin–that was a living embodiment of the Virgin Mary.

The important point here is that Jesus was renowned in the land of Israel and that people of influence and from far places sought him out. His entire ministry was known to the whole nation and even throughout the Roman Empire if an official of the Roman court came to hear him.

And Miriam sang:

All hail the Day Star from on high!

All hail the Christ who ever was, and is and evermore shall be!

All hail the darkness of the shadowland! All hail the dawn of peace on earth; good will to men!

All hail triumphant king, who grapples with the tyrant Death, who conquers in the fight, and brings to light immortal life for men!

All hail the broken cross, the mutilated spear!

All hail the triumph of the soul! All hail the empty tomb!

All hail to him despised by men, rejected by the multitudes; for he is seated on the throne of power!

All hail! for he has called the pure in heart of every clime to sit with him upon the throne of power!

All hail, the rending veil! The way into the highest courts of God is open for the sons of men!

Rejoice, O men of earth, rejoice, and be exceeding glad!

Bring forth the harp and touch its highest strings; bring forth the lute, and sound its sweetest notes!

For men who were made low, are high exalted now, and they who walked in darkness and in the vale of death, are risen up and God and man are one forevermore,

Allelujah! praise the Lord forevermore. Amen. (Aquarian Gospel 146:4-16)

This is truly a marvel, revealing that Miriam either was a prophetess or had been told by Jesus in detail of his future even beyond the cross.

All hail the Day Star from on high! All hail the Christ who ever was, and is and evermore shall be! One of the gravest errors of Christianity has been the confusion of Christ with Jesus. Christ is God, the source, pervader and controller of the universe, the Second Person of the Trinity. Jesus is an individual spirit who has attained perfect union with Christ and is a perfect reflection of Christ.

All hail the darkness of the shadowland! All hail the dawn of peace on earth; good will to men! Why is “the darkness of the shadowland” being hailed? Because it is in the shadowland that the light of Christ has shown forth into the world. “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined” (Isaiah 9:2). If there had been no darkness the light would not have been sent to us. So even that which is negative ultimately has a positive effect.

All hail triumphant king, who grapples with the tyrant Death, who conquers in the fight, and brings to light immortal life for men! The resurrection of Jesus is not just some tremendous wonder to awe us, but rather is the revelation of immortal life that is the very nature of every single human being.

All hail the broken cross, the mutilated spear! All hail the triumph of the soul! All hail the empty tomb! Even that which has been defeated is glorified by being made a vehicle of the truth of immortality.

All hail to him despised by men, rejected by the multitudes; for he is seated on the throne of power! Jesus was the King of Immortality and enthroned in power from the moment of his birth. The mystery-drama of his life, death and resurrection was proof of that.

All hail! for he has called the pure in heart of every clime to sit with him upon the throne of power! We have not been called to grovel before Jesus and make the claim that he is absolutely unique. Rather, we have been called by him to Christhood, to possession and manifestation of the Kingdom of Christ.

All hail, the rending veil! The way into the highest courts of God is open for the sons of men! That which was rent was the veil that kept humanity blinded to the truth of both God and man. The rending of the veil was not a destruction, but a restoration of humanity to the immortality of Paradise.

Rejoice, O men of earth, rejoice, and be exceeding glad! Bring forth the harp and touch its highest strings; bring forth the lute, and sound its sweetest notes! For men who were made low, are high exalted now, and they who walked in darkness and in the vale of death, are risen up and God and man are one forevermore. Allelujah! praise the Lord forevermore. Amen. Humanity has not been redeemed or saved but has been restored and placed back in the eternal path of evolution that leads to establishment in the consciousness that is the oneness of God and man. The door that has been opened to us shall never again be closed.

And Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, My Father-God, let now the benediction of thy love, thy mercy and thy truth rest on these men. The lamp is taken from their midst, and if the inner light be not aflame, lo, they must tread the ways of darkness and of death. And then he said to all, Farewell. (Aquarian Gospel 146:17-20)

What Jesus says has applied to humanity throughout its existence and should never be forgotten by us: “If the inner light be not aflame, lo, they must tread the ways of darkness and of death.” We must at all time keep that consciousness of the spirit, the inner light, bright within us and walk in that light in the world, as well.

Then Jesus and his mother, and the twelve, and Miriam and Mary, mother of the two disciples, James and John, and many other loyal souls who loved the Christ, went to Jerusalem, that they might celebrate the Jewish feast. And as they journeyed on their way they came to Enon Springs, near unto Salim where the harbinger once taught.

And as they rested by the fountain, Mary, wife of Zebedee, and mother of the two disciples, James and John, came to the master and she said, My Lord, I know the kingdom is about to come, and I would ask this boon: Command that these my sons shall sit with you upon the throne, the one upon the right, the other on the left. And Jesus said to her, You know not what you ask.

And then he turned to James and John and said, Are you prepared and are you strong enough to drink the cup that I will drink? They said, Yes, master, we are strong enough to follow where you go.

Then Jesus said, You shall indeed drink of my cup; but I am not the judge of who will sit upon my right or my left. The men who live the life and keep the faith will sit upon the throne of power. (Aquarian Gospel 146:21-30)

If we would be of the immortal Company of Christ, then we, too, must love the Christ, must both love God the Son and seek and find our personal Christhood which is the only way to God.

Not only did Mary not know what she asked, she had no real grasp of the nature of the kingdom of God. Nor did her sons, as their confidence when questioned revealed.

The glorious truth is this: ALL “who live the life and keep the faith will sit upon the throne of power.” It will not be one or two, but every single person who enters and abides in the divine kingdom.

Now, when the apostles heard the pleadings of the mother for her sons, and knew that James and John were seeking special favors from the Lord, they were indignant and they said, We surely thought that James and John had risen above the selfish self. Who can we trust among the sons of men?

And Jesus called the ten apart and said to them, How hard for men to comprehend the nature of the kingdom of the soul! These two disciples do not seem to know that rulership in heaven is not akin to rulership on earth. In all the kingdoms of the world, the men of power, they who exalt themselves, show their authority, and rule with iron rule; but you must know that they who rule the sons of light are they who seek no earthly power, but give their lives in willing sacrifice for men.

Whoever would be great must be the minister of all. The highest seat in heaven is at the feet of him who is the lowest man of earth. I had a glory with our Father-God before the worlds were made, and still I come to serve the race of men; to be the minister of men; to give my life for men.

And then the Christines journeyed on and came unto Jerusalem. (Aquarian Gospel 146:31-39)

We surely thought that James and John had risen above the selfish self. There has to be what is called “the occasion for sin” for a sin to occur. For example, if there is a place where there is no alcoholic drink and in that place there is no way to manufacture it, then drunkenness cannot occur. So often what appears to be virtue is simply the absence of opportunity. Or it may be the fear of being thought a bad or undisciplined person. But when the situation that prevents negative behavior is changed or when there is no longer an interest in appearing virtuous to others, then the negative conduct can feely happen.

As soon as there seemed to be a chance of obtaining a special rank for her sons, then the mother came forward and asked Jesus to bestow it on them. So it could then be seen that it was not a matter of having risen above selfishness and self-seeking, but of simply not knowing such a favor might be had for the asking.

It is good to study the surroundings of people, for then we may find that their behavior comes from far different motives than we might naively think.

How hard for men to comprehend the nature of the kingdom of the soul! This is not a condemnation, for how can those who have had no experience of spirit or the supernatural possibly comprehend those things? To prevent ourselves from making similar mistakes, we must ensure that our consciousness is continually immersed in spiritual realities. This is only made possible by spiritual discipline (sadhana), by the steadfast practice of yoga (meditation).

Rulership in heaven is not akin to rulership on earth. Again, there must be a supernatural perspective uppermost in the aspirant’s mind. A “normal” person involved in the “normal” things of the “normal” world cannot comprehend even the simplest realities of heavenly life that transcends earthly life. It is a matter of the opening and development of consciousness, the key to which is yoga.

They who rule the sons of light are they who seek no earthly power, but give their lives in willing sacrifice for men. Those to whom we must look for the opening of our awareness to higher, spiritual life, are those alone who have devoted their lives to the uplift of others. This is the Way of Christ. Jesus did not come to earth for himself, but for others, just as did Krishna, Amitabha Buddha, Gautama Buddha and the other saviors of humanity.

In India spiritual leaders are often made potentates. One time I was in Delhi where huge posters were found on walls throughout the city proclaiming that a famed guru and his wife were going to be put on a huge scale and weighed so their disciples could give them their weight in gold to prove their devotion. The posters urged all viewers to come and observe the wonder! Nearly all gurus are declared by their disciples to be God revealed. How different is the picture Jesus draws of those who truly can uplift and free lost and bound humanity.

Whoever would be great must be the minister of all. The highest seat in heaven is at the feet of him who is the lowest man of earth. That is, only those who are the servants of the least and the lowliest can be enthroned in the heights of heaven. This truth was marvelously revealed in Swami Sivananda. He was indeed the servant of all mankind. I witnessed this myself many times. Love for mankind, service to all, and perfect humility: these were his constant glory. How few are those who embody this ideal. Jesus washed his disciples’ feet (John 13:3-17). Where can this be seen in today’s world?

I had a glory with our Father-God before the worlds were made, and still I come to serve the race of men; to be the minister of men; to give my life for men. This is not boasting but a pledging to give himself in sacrifice for all, a sacrifice that continues even today in many ways, but especially in the sacred eucharistic rites of Eastern and Western Christianity. This is the glory of Christ unparalleled even unto this day.

Read the next section in the Aquarian Gospel for Yogis

(Visited 96 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 96 time, 1 visit today)