The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ
Transcribed from The Book of God’s Remembrance (Akashic Records)
by Levi H. Dowling (1844-1911)
––– Continued –––
SECTION XI
CAPH
Life and Works of Jesus in Egypt
CHAPTER 47
Jesus with Elihu and Salome in Egypt. Tells the story of his journeys. Elihu and Salome praise God. Jesus goes to the temple in Heliopolis and is received as a pupil.
AND Jesus came to Egypt land and all was well. He tarried not upon the coast; he went at once to Zoan, home of Elihu and Salome, who five and twenty years before had taught his mother in their sacred school.
2. And there was joy when met these three. When last the son of Mary saw these sacred groves he was a babe;
3. And now a man grown strong by buffeting of every kind; a teacher who had stirred the multitudes in many lands.
4. And Jesus told the aged teachers all about his life; about his journeyings in foreign lands; about the meetings with the masters and about his kind receptions by the multitudes.
5. Elihu and Salome heard his story with delight; they lifted up their eyes to heaven and said,
6. Our Father-God, let now thy servants go in peace, for we have seen the glory of the Lord;
7. And we have talked with him, the messenger of love, and of the covenant of peace on earth, good will to men.
8. Through him shall all the nations of the earth be blest; through him, Immanuel.
9. And Jesus stayed in Zoan many days; and then went forth unto the city of the sun, that men call Heliopolis, and sought admission to the temple of the sacred brotherhood.
10. The council of the brotherhood convened, and Jesus stood before the hierophant; he answered all the questions that were asked with clearness and with power.
11. The hierophant exclaimed, Rabboni of the rabbinate, why come you here? Your wisdom is the wisdom of the gods; why seek for wisdom in the halls of men?
12. And Jesus said, In every way of earth-life I would walk; in every hall of learning I would sit; the heights that any man has gained, these I would gain;
13. What any man has suffered I would meet, that I may know the griefs, the disappointments and the sore temptations of my brother man; that I may know just how to succor those in need.
14. I pray you, brothers, let me go into your dismal crypts; and I would pass the hardest of your tests.
15. The master said, Take then the vow of secret brotherhood.
And Jesus took the vow of secret brotherhood.
16. Again the master spoke; he said, The greatest heights are gained by those who reach the greatest depths; and you shall reach the greatest depths.
17. The guide then led the way and in the fountain Jesus bathed; and when he had been clothed in proper garb he stood again before the hierophant.
CHAPTER 48
Jesus receives from the hierophant his mystic name and number. Passes the first brotherhood test, and receives his first degree, SINCERITY.
THE master took down from the wall a scroll on which was written down the number and the name of every attribute and character. He said,
2. The circle is the symbol of the perfect man, and seven is the number of the perfect man;
3. The Logos is the perfect word; that which creates; that which destroys, and that which saves.
4. This Hebrew master is the Logos of the Holy One, the Circle of the human race, the Seven of time.
5. And in the record book the scribe wrote down, The Logos-Circle-Seven; and thus was Jesus known.
6. The master said, The Logos will give heed to what I say: No man can enter into light till he has found himself. Go forth and search till you have found your soul and then return.
7. The guide led Jesus to a room in which the light was faint and mellow, like the light of early dawn.
8. The chamber walls were marked with mystic signs, with hieroglyphs and sacred texts; and in this chamber Jesus found himself alone where he remained for many days.
9. He read the sacred texts; thought out the meaning of the hieroglyphs and sought the import of the master’s charge to find himself.
10. A revelation came; he got acquainted with his soul; he found himself; then he was not alone.
11. One night he slept and at the midnight hour, a door that he had not observed, was opened, and a priest in somber garb came in and said,
12. My brother, pardon me for coming in at this unseemly hour; but I have come to save your life.
13. You are the victim of a cruel plot. The priests of Heliopolis are jealous of your fame, and they have said that you shall never leave these gloomy crypts alive.
14. The higher priests do not go forth to teach the world, and you are doomed to temple servitude.
15. Now, if you would be free, you must deceive these priests; must tell them you are here to stay for life;
16. And then, when you have gained all that you wish to gain, I will return, and by a secret way will lead you forth that you may go in peace.
17. And Jesus said, My brother man, would you come here to teach deceit? Am I within these holy walls to learn the wiles of vile hypocrisy?
18. Nay, man, my Father scorns deceit, and I am here to do his will.
19. Deceive these priests! Not while the sun shall shine. What I have said, that I have said; I will be true to them, to God, and to myself.
20. And then the tempter left, and Jesus was again alone; but in a little time a white-robed priest appeared and said,
21. Well done! The Logos has prevailed. This is the trial chamber of hypocrisy.
And then he led the way, and Jesus stood before the judgment seat.
22. And all the brothers stood; the hierophant came forth and laid his hand on Jesus’ head, and placed within his hands a scroll, on which was written just one word, SINCERITY; and not a word was said.
23. The guide again appeared, and led the way, and in a spacious room replete with everything a student craves was Jesus bade to rest and wait.
CHAPTER 49
Jesus passes the second brotherhood test, and receives the second degree, JUSTICE.
THE Logos did not care to rest; he said, Why wait in this luxurious room? I need not rest; my Father’s work upon me presses hard.
2. I would go on and learn my lessons all. If there are trials, let them come, for every victory over self gives added strength.
3. And then the guide led on, and in a chamber, dark as night, was Jesus placed and left alone; and days were spent in this deep solitude.
4. And Jesus slept, and in the dead of night a secret door was opened, and, in priest’s attire, two men came in; each carried in his hand a little flickering lamp.
5. Approaching Jesus, one spoke out and said, Young man, our hearts are grieved because of what you suffer in these fearful dens, and we have come as friends to bring you light, and show the way to liberty.
6. We once, like you, were in these dens confined, and thought that through these weird, uncanny ways we could attain to blessedness and power;
7. But in a luckful moment we were undeceived, and, making use of all our strength, we broke our chains, and then we learned that all this service is corruption in disguise. These priests are criminals just hid away.
8. They boast in sacrificial rites; they offer to their gods, and burn them while alive poor birds, and beasts; yea, children, women, men.
9. And now they keep you here, and, at a certain time, may offer you in sacrifice.
10. We pray you, brother, break your chains; come, go with us; accept of freedom while you may.
11. And Jesus said, Your little tapers show the light you bring. Pray, who are you? The words of man are worth no more than is the man himself.
12. These temple walls are strong and high; how gained you entrance to this place?
13. The men replied, Beneath these walls are many hidden ways, and we who have been priests, spent months and years within these dens, know all of them.
14. Then you are traitors, Jesus said. A traitor is a fiend; he who betrays another man is never man to trust.
15. If one has only reached the plane of treachery, he is a lover of deceit, and will betray a friend to serve his selfish self.
16. Behold, you men, or whatsoe’er you be, your words fall lightly on my ears,
17. Could I prejudge these hundred priests, turn traitor to myself and them, because of what you say when you confess your treachery?
18. No man can judge for me; and if I judge till testimony all is in I might not judge aright.
19. Nay, men; by whatsoever way you came, return. My soul prefers the darkness of the grave to little flickering lights like these you bring.
20. My conscience rules; what these, my brothers, have to say I’ll hear, and when the testimony all is in I will decide. You cannot judge for me, nor I for you,
21. Be gone, you men, be gone, and leave me to this charming light; for while the sun shines not, within my soul there is a light surpassing that of sun or moon.
22. Then, with an angry threat that they would do him harm, the wily tempters left, and Jesus was again alone.
23. Again the white-robed priest appeared, and led the way, and Jesus stood again before the hierophant;
24. And not a word was said, but in his hands the master placed a scroll on which the word suggestive, JUSTICE, was inscribed.
25. And Jesus was the master of the phantom forms of prejudice and of treachery.
CHAPTER 50
Jesus passes the third brotherhood test, and receives the third degree, FAITH.
THE Logos waited seven days, and then was taken to the Hall of Fame, a chamber rich in furnishings, and lighted up with gold and silver lamps.
2. The colors of its ceilings, decorations, furnishings and walls were blue and gold.
3. Its shelves were filled with books of master minds; the paintings and the statues were the works of highest art.
4. And Jesus was entranced with all this elegance and these manifests of thought. He read the sacred books, and sought the meanings of the symbols and the hieroglyphs.
5. And when he was absorbed in deepest thought, a priest approached and said,
6. Behold the glory of this place: my brother, you are highly blest. Few men of earth, so young, have reached such heights of fame.
7. Now, if you do not waste your life in search for hidden things that men can never comprehend, you may be founder of a school of thought that will insure you endless fame;
8. For your philosophy is deeper far than that of Plato, and your teachings please the common people more than those of Socrates.
9. Why seek for mystic light within these antiquated dens? Go forth and walk with men, and think with men, and they will honor you.
10. And, after all, these weird initiations may be myths, and your Messiah hopes but base illusions of the hour.
11. I would advise you to renounce uncertain things and choose the course that leads to certain fame.
12. And thus the priest, a demon in disguise, sung siren songs of unbelief; and Jesus meditated long and well on what he said.
13. The conflict was a bitter one, for king Ambition is a sturdy foe to fight.
14. For forty days the higher wrestled with the lower self, and then the fight was won.
15. Faith rose triumphant; unbelief was not. Ambition covered up his face and fled away, and Jesus said,
16. The wealth, the honor, and the fame of earth are but the baubles of an hour.
17. When this short span of earthly life has all been measured out, man’s bursting baubles will be buried with his bones,
18. Yea, what a man does for his selfish self will make no markings on the credit side of life.
19. The good that men for other men shall do becomes a ladder strong on which the soul may climb to wealth, and power and fame of God’s own kind, that cannot pass away.
20. Give me the poverty of men, the consciousness of duty done in love, the approbation of my God, and I will be content.
21. And then he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said,
22. My Father-God, I thank thee for this hour. I ask not for the glory of myself; I fain would be a keeper of thy temple gates, and serve my brother man.
23. Again was Jesus called to stand before the hierophant; again no word was said, but in his hands the master placed a scroll on which was written, FAITH.
24. And Jesus bowed his head in humble thanks; then went his way.
CHAPTER 51
Jesus passes the fourth brotherhood test, and receives the fourth degree, PHILANTHROPHY.
WHEN other certain days had passed, the guide led Jesus to the Hall of Mirth, a hall most richly furnished, and replete with everything a carnal heart could wish.
2. The choicest viands and the most delicious wines were on the boards; and maids, in gay attire, served all with grace and cheerfulness.
3. And men and women, richly clad, were there; and they were wild with joy; they sipped from every cup of mirth.
4. And Jesus watched the happy throng in silence for a time, and then a man in garb of sage came up and said, Most happy is the man who, like the bee, can gather sweets from every flower.
5. The wise man is the one who seeks for pleasure, and can find it everywhere.
6. At best man’s span of life on earth is short, and then he dies and goes, he knows not where.
7. Then let us eat, and drink, and dance, and sing, and get the joys of life, for death comes on apace.
8. It is but foolishness to spend a life for other men. Behold, all die and lie together in the grave, where none can know and none can show forth gratitude.
9. But Jesus answered not; upon the tinseled guests in all their rounds of mirth he gazed in silent thought.
10. And then among the guests he saw a man whose clothes were coarse; who showed in face and hands the lines of toil and want.
11. The giddy throng found pleasure in abusing him; they jostled him against the wall, and laughed at his discomfiture.
12. And then a poor, frail woman came, who carried in her face and form the marks of sin and shame; and without mercy she was spit upon, and jeered, and driven from the hall.
13. And then a little child, with timid ways and hungry mien, came in and asked for just a morsel of their food.
14. But she was driven out uncared for and unloved; and still the merry dance went on.
15. And when the pleasure seekers urged that Jesus join them in their mirth, he said,
16. How could I seek for pleasure for myself while others are in want? How can you think that while the children cry for bread, while those in haunts of sin call out for sympathy and love that I can fill myself to full with the good things of life?
17. I tell you, nay; we all are kin, each one a part of the great human heart.
18. I cannot see myself apart from that poor man that you so scorned, and crowded to the wall;
19. Nor from the one in female garb who came up from the haunts of vice to ask for sympathy and love, who was by you so ruthlessly pushed back into her den of sin;
20. Nor from that little child that you drove from your midst to suffer in the cold, bleak winds of night.
21. I tell you, men, what you have done to these, my kindred, you have done to me.
22. You have insulted me in your own home; I cannot stay. I will go forth and find that child, that woman and that man, and give them help until my life’s blood all has ebbed away.
23. I call it pleasure when I help the helpless, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick, and speak good words of cheer to those unloved, discouraged and depressed.
24. And this that you call mirth is but a phantom of the night; but flashes of the fire of passion, painting pictures on the walls of time.
25. And while the Logos spoke the white-robed priest came in and said to him, The council waits for you.
26. Then Jesus stood again before the bar; again no word was said; the hierophant placed in his hands a scroll, on which was writ, PHILANTHROPY.
27. And Jesus was a victor over selfish self.
CHAPTER 52
Jesus spends forty days in the temple groves. Passes the fifth brotherhood test and receives the fifth degree, HEROISM.
THE sacred temple groves were rich in statues, monuments and shrines; here Jesus loved to walk and meditate.
2. And after he had conquered self he talked with nature in these groves for forty days.
3. And then the guide took chains and bound him hand and foot; and then cast him into a den of hungry beasts, of unclean birds, and creeping things.
4. The den was dark as night; the wild beasts howled; the birds in fury screamed; the reptiles hissed.
5. And Jesus said, Who was it that did bind me thus? Why did I meekly sit to be bound down with chains?
6. I tell you, none has power to bind a human soul. Of what are fetters made?
7. And in his might he rose, and what he thought were chains were only worthless cords that parted at his touch.
8. And then he laughed and said, The chains that bind men to the carcasses of earth are forged in fancy’s shop; are made of air, and welded in illusion’s fires.
9. If man will stand erect, and use the power of will, his chains will fall, like worthless rags; for will and faith are stronger than the stoutest chains that men have ever made.
10. And Jesus stood erect among the hungry beasts, and birds, and said, What is this darkness that envelops me?
11. “Tis but the absence of the light. And what is light? ’Tis but the breath of God vibrating in the rhythm of rapid thought.
12. And then he said, Let there be light; and with a mighty will he stirred the ethers up, and their vibrations reached the plane of light; and there was light.
13. The darkness of that den of night became the brightness of a newborn day.
14. And then he looked to see the beasts, and birds, and creeping things; lo, they were not.
15. And Jesus said, Of what are souls afraid? Fear is the chariot in which man rides to death;
16. And when he finds himself within the chamber of the dead, he learns that he has been deceived; his chariot was a myth, and death a fancy child.
17. But some day all man’s lessons will be learned, and from the den of unclean beasts, and birds, and creeping things he will arise to walk in light.
18. And Jesus saw a ladder made of gold, on which he climbed, and at the top the white-robed priest awaited him.
19. Again he stood before the council bar; again no word was said; again the hierophant reached forth his hand to bless.
20. He placed in Jesus’ hand another scroll, and on this one was written, HEROISM.
21. The Logos had encountered fear and all his phantom host, and in the conflict he achieved the victory.
CHAPTER 53
Jesus passes the sixth brotherhood test and receives the sixth degree, LOVE DIVINE.
IN all the land there is no place more grandly furnished than the Beauty Parlors of the temple of the sun.
2. Few students ever entered these rich rooms; the priests regarded them with awe, and called them Halls of Mysteries.
3. When Jesus had attained the victory over fear, he gained the right to enter here.
4. The guide led on the way, and after passing many richly furnished rooms they reached the Hall of Harmony; and here was Jesus left alone.
5. Among the instruments of music was a harpsichord, and Jesus sat in thoughtful mood inspecting it, when, quietly, a maiden of entrancing beauty came into the hall.
6. She did not seem to notice Jesus as he sat and mused, so busy with his thoughts.
7. She found her place beside the harpsichord; she touched the chords most gently, and she sung the songs of Israel.
8. And Jesus was entranced; such beauty he had never seen; such music he had never heard.
9. The maiden sung her songs; she did not seem to know that anyone was near; she went her way.
10. And Jesus, talking with himself, said out, What is the meaning of this incident? I did not know that such entrancing beauty and such queen-like loveliness were ever found among the sons of men.
11. I did not know that voice of angel ever graced a human form, or that seraphic music ever came from human lips.
12. For days he sat entranced; the current of his thoughts was changed; he thought of nothing but the singer and her songs.
13. He longed to see her once again; and after certain days she came; she spoke and laid her hand upon his head.
14. Her touch thrilled all his soul, and for the time, forgotten was the work that he was sent to do.
15. Few were the words the maiden said; she went her way; but then the heart of Jesus had been touched.
16. A love-flame had been kindled in his soul, and he was brought to face the sorest trial of his life.
17. He could not sleep nor eat. Thoughts of the maiden came; they would not go. His carnal nature called aloud for her companionship.
18. And then he said, Lo, I have conquered every foe that I have met, and shall I now be conquered by this carnal love?
19. My Father sent me here to show the power of love divine, that love that reaches every living thing.
20. Shall this pure, universal love be all absorbed by carnal love? Shall I forget all creatures else, and lose my life in this fair maiden, though she is the highest type of beauty, purity and love?
21. Into its very depths his soul was stirred, and long he wrestled with this angel-idol of his heart.
22. But when the day was almost lost, his higher ego rose in might; he found himself again, and then he said,
23. Although my heart shall break I will not fail in this my hardest task; I will be victor over carnal love.
24. And when again the maiden came, and offered him her hand and heart, he said,
25. Fair one, your very presence thrills me with delight; your voice is benediction to my soul; my human self would fly with you, and be contented in your love;
26. But all the world is craving for a love that I have come to manifest.
27. I must, then, bid you go; but we will meet again; our ways on earth will not be cast apart.
28. I see you in the hurrying throngs of earth as minister of love; I hear your voice in song, that wins the hearts of men to better things.
29. And then in sorrow and in tears the maiden went away, and Jesus was again alone.
30. And instantly the great bells of the temple rang; the singers sung a new, new song; the grotto blazed with light.
31. The hierophant himself appeared, and said, All hail! triumphant Logos, hail! The conqueror of carnal love stands on the heights.
32. And then he placed in Jesus’ hands a scroll on which was written, LOVE DIVINE.
33. Together they passed through the grotto of the beautiful, and in the banquet hall a feast was served, and Jesus was the honored guest.
CHAPTER 54
Jesus becomes a private pupil of the hierophant and is taught the mysteries of Egypt. In passing the seventh test, he works in the Chamber of the Dead.
THE senior course of study now was opened up and Jesus entered and became a pupil of the hierophant.
2. He learned the secrets of the mystic lore of Egypt land; the mysteries of life and death and of the worlds beyond the circle of the sun.
3. When he had finished all the studies of the senior course, he went into the Chamber of the Dead, that he might learn the ancient methods of preserving from decay the bodies of the dead; and here he wrought.
4. And carriers brought the body of a widow’s only son to be embalmed; the weeping mother followed close; her grief was great.
5. And Jesus said, Good woman, dry your tears; you follow but an empty house; your son is in it not.
6. You weep because your son is dead. Death is a cruel word; your son can never die.
7. He had a task assigned to do in garb of flesh; he came; he did his work, and then he laid the flesh aside; he did not need it more.
8. Beyond your human sight he has another work to do, and he will do it well, and then pass on to other tasks, and, by and by, he will attain the crown of perfect life.
9. And what your son has done, and what he yet must do, we all must do.
10. Now, if you harbor grief, and give your sorrows vent they will grow greater every day. They will absorb your very life until at last you will be naught but grief, wet down with bitter tears.
11. Instead of helping him, you grieve your son by your deep grief. He seeks your solace now as he has ever done; is glad when you are glad; is saddened when you grieve.
12. Go bury deep your woes, and smile at grief, and lose yourself in helping others dry their tears.
13. With duty done comes happiness and joy; and gladness cheers the hearts of those who have passed on.
14. The weeping woman turned, and went her way to find a happiness in helpfulness; to bury deep her sorrows in a ministry of joy.
15. Then other carriers came and brought the body of a mother to the Chamber of the Dead; and just one mourner followed; she a girl of tender years.
16. And as the cortege neared the door, the child observed a wounded bird in sore distress, a cruel hunter’s dart had pierced its breast.
17. And she left following the dead, and went to help the living bird.
18. With tenderness and love she folded to her breast the wounded bird, then hurried to her place.
19. And Jesus said to her, Why did you leave your dead to save a wounded bird?
20. The maiden said, This lifeless body needs no help from me; but I can help while yet life is; my mother taught me this.
21. My mother taught that grief and selfish love, and hopes and fears are but reflexes from the lower self;
22. That what we sense are but small waves upon the rolling billows of a life.
23. These all will pass away; they are unreal.
24. Tears flow from hearts of flesh; the spirit never weeps; and I am longing for the day when I will walk in light, where tears are wiped away.
25. My mother taught that all emotions are the sprays that rise from human loves, and hopes, and fears; that perfect bliss cannot be ours till we have conquered these.
26. And in the presence of that child did Jesus bow his head in reverence. He said,
27. For days and months and years I’ve sought to learn this highest truth that man can learn on earth, and here a child, fresh brought to earth, has told it all in one short breath.
28. No wonder David said, O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
29. Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength.
30. And then he laid his hand upon the maiden’s head, and said, I’m sure the blessings of my Father-God will rest upon you, child, for evermore.
CHAPTER 55
Having passed the seventh brotherhood test, Jesus receives the seventh, and highest degree, THE CHRIST. He leaves the temple a conqueror.
THE work of Jesus in the Chamber of the Dead was done, and in the temple purple room he stood before the hierophant,
2. And he was clothed in purple robes; and all the brothers stood. The hierophant arose and said,
3. This is a royal day for all the hosts of Israel. In honor of their chosen son we celebrate the great Passover Feast.
4. And then he said to Jesus, Brother, man, most excellent of men, in all the temple tests you have won out.
5. Six times before the bar of right you have been judged; six times you have received the highest honors man can give; and now you stand prepared to take the last degree.
6. Upon your brow I place this diadem, and in the Great Lodge of the heavens and earth you are THE CHRIST.
7. This is your Passover rite. You are a neophyte no more; but now a master mind.
8. Now, man can do no more; but God himself will speak, and will confirm your title and degree.
9. Go on your way, for you must preach the gospel of good will to men and peace on earth; must open up the prison doors and set the captives free.
10. And while the hierophant yet spoke the temple bells rang out; a pure white dove descended from above and sat on Jesus’ head.
11. And then a voice that shook the very temple said, THIS IS THE CHRIST; and every living creature said, AMEN.
12. The great doors of the temple swung ajar; the Logos journeyed on his way a conqueror.
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