This little book is a summary of what we know about the holy old man whom Sadhou Sundar Singh met at Kailas, a high snow-capped mountain in the Himalayan range. What is described in these pages is what the author heard from Sadhou Sundar Singh's own mouth, and of which he took note. The holy man's stories about Heaven and its inhabitants will be received by some as a great revelation, inspired by God and uplifting. But they will bring unprecedented dismay to others, who will find it very difficult to give credit to this man's claims.
This is only a matter of personal opinion and everyone is free to think what they want. We will therefore leave the reader alone to judge this narration.
We will simply point out that these accounts, whether they are correct or not, have been and will continue to be a source of edification and true spiritual help for many.
As for proving the existence of this holy man, especially when he claims to be 318 years old at the time, that is another problem. Perhaps it could be solved by someone organizing an expedition to the very places where he lived.
But those who will criticize the Sadhou's claims about Maha Rishi will outnumber those who will want to walk 800 kilometers through the craggy rocks of the Himalayan valleys to prove or deny his existence once and for all.
So what we can say ourselves about the existence of this old man is that Sadhou Sundar Singh is certainly not someone who cannot be trusted.
For this devoted servant of the Lord, this true man of God, gave his whole life and without reserve for the service of the Master. Finally, we ask the reader to be careful not to judge these stories too hastily. Because he can find in them a real nourishment for his soul, as well as the solution to disconcerting problems, which neither the theological volumes, nor all the books of the specialized bookstores have been able to neither solve nor explain. The author will consider that his work will have been blessed if the hearts are touched, and brought closer to the light which filters in these pages. Alfred Zahir
Sundar Singh meets Maha Rishi
Sundar Singh has practically traveled all over India. But he always had a particular attraction for the mountainous regions of the north of the country. The people there are generally ignorant and the authorities there are opposed to the influence and spread of Christianity. Reading "The Love of the Cross" is enough to show the reader the dangers faced by those who travel through these regions.
It was in the summer of 1912, while preaching in several high-altitude districts, such as Tehri Garwal and Gangotri, that Sundar made his way to Kailas, a peak in the Himalayas reaching 6715 m, considered as very sacred by Tibetans and Indians and regarded as the abode of many Hindu masters and prophets. Somewhere along the way, suddenly, Sundar saw a stone cross fixed on a rock. His surprise was great to see a cross in this place known to be the high place of the Hindu gods. He immediately decided to look for an explanation. But a long and tiring walk of several kilometers around this place only resulted in more confusion. And besides, he lost his own way.
After desperately wandering for several days, Sundar was forced to postpone his research and return to the plains. On the way back, as he descended a steep slope, the sun was so dazzling it blinded him to the point of not being able to see where he was walking. He was walking like this without knowing where he was going when he suddenly lost the balance and tumbled down the slope. He fell a few meters lower and the shock left him unconscious for a few minutes.
When he came to himself and opened his eyes, he realized that he was standing in front of a huge cave with a gaping entrance, in front of which sat an old man with white hair and a dreadful figure. Sundar Singh was overcome with such fear at the disturbing sight that he almost passed out a second time. Examining more carefully the figure standing in front of him, he had no doubts then. It was indeed a human being. But the look of the long, flowing hair that covered his entire body, he looked more like a bear. Here's how Sundar portrayed him:
“His hair and beard were so long they touched the ground while his eyebrows formed a sort of screen on his face. His fingernails - which he used to dig - were several inches in height. He was not wearing any clothes but her long hair covered most of her body. "
As Sundar had often heard of Hindu masters in these regions, he thought it was surely one of these prophets. From the start, Sundar had stood still, wondering how he was going to start the conversation. Finally, he pulled himself together and spoke to her in his own dialect. At first, the man seemed to ignore Sundar's words. He was seated with his eyes closed. He hadn't opened them yet. But, a minute or two after Sundar spoke, the man opened his eyes. "Those eyes," said Sundar, "were so bright and piercing that they seemed to look into my heart and read my thoughts." After the old man opened his eyes, he said these words: “Before we start talking, let's have a moment of Prayer.”
And saying this, he opened his voluminous New Testament of parchment and read in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 5. When the reading was finished, he knelt down and prayed in a fiery and solemn manner, ending "in name of the Lord Jesus ". How amazing it was to poor Sundar who never expected to find a man in these desolate places, much less a devoted Christian and a man of prayer. At first he thought that the man was cheating on him. But the conversation that followed confirmed to him that all of this had been brought about by divine intervention and that God had brought him there to teach him and reveal to him what was lacking in his knowledge of spiritual things; and also to make him a stronger and more faithful servant of God. Sundar then asked the old man to tell him his story and explain the circumstances that had brought him there. What follows is therefore a summary of his life in the terms he used with regard to the Sadhu.
Maha Rishi recounts his life
"I will give them eternal life, and they will not perish, for no one will take them out of my hand." (John 10:28). 318 years ago, I was born in Alexandria, Egypt, into a Muslim family. At the age of thirty, I gave up the world. I have become a hermit, so that through nocturnal watches and daily meditations I can reach the divine mysteries and come to a perfect knowledge of spiritual things. But although I struggled hard to get there and find rest for my troubled soul, it seemed like nothing was helping me achieve this goal. On the contrary, as the days and weeks went by, my soul was more and more tormented and I longed for something that would give me the strength to overcome this inner war, and who would bring peace and rest to my sad heart. I was struggling in this spiritual suffering, when one day I heard that a Christian had come to India and that he was preaching a savior, able according to him to bring salvation to sinners and to give rest to weary men. . When I heard this, I too wanted to meet this Christian and ask him if he could do anything to help me in my difficulties.
I was preparing for a meeting with this holy man, when to my great joy he himself came to me one day. He saw me so sad that he spoke to me from the bottom of his heart to comfort me and cheer my downcast spirit. In his conversation, he told me a lot about the Lord Jesus, about the simple and exemplary life that He had lived on the earth, with His power to save sinners, with His love and care for the lost and forsaken. The love and sympathy of this man of God, and the little he told me about Jesus strangely affected my heart. I became aware, with a strong inner conviction, that the moment was near when my ordeal would end and when I would finally achieve that peace of heart and that joy of soul that I had been seeking for so long, but in vain. After this first visit, this Christian made me several others. He told me more about Jesus Christ and his power to save. The more I heard and learned about the Savior, the more my heart was won by Him. Finally, I did no longer had any doubts that Jesus - and Jesus alone - could soothe my troubled soul and bring me into peace and joy.
I received my master's baptism and became a Christian. Immediately a new joy entered my soul and I received a burning desire to go and tell others about the Savior of my soul. So, I begged my master to accept that I follow him on his evangelistic tour across the country, so that I too could learn more and be strengthened in the faith. He accepted my request with joy, and I followed the holy man on his tour. This venerable man who taught me was called Jernaüs. He was the nephew of Francis Xavier, a world famous Jesuit missionary and perhaps the greatest of the Jesuit missionaries to roam the East. (Author's note: Francis Xavier (1506-1552) has been called "the apostle of the Indies". It has been said of him: "His charity was beyond measure, his courage was heroic, and his missionary work in India, Japan and other countries of the Far East was followed by astonishing results.") This Jernaüs, meanwhile, has traveled virtually all over the world. He also spent several years in India where, among other things, he baptized Emperor Akbar and several other prominent figures and religious authorities of the time.
The New Testament of parchment is also something that I received from my master. It is a precious treasure for me. It is one of the few copies of the New Testament that was written during the time of Emperor Constantine. Francis Xavier himself owned this parchment for several years. It was at his death that he became the possession of his nephew Jernaùs who taught me. After spending several years with my tutor, I left alone. He asked me to go where I would be led and preach the Word of God there. According to his advice, I left. And I have almost traveled the whole world. For 75 whole years, until I was 150, I preached the Word of God from city to city and from country to country. I have worked in many different countries, and as a result, today I am fluent in 21 languages. Having reached the age of 150, my physical and mental faculties began to decline, and I felt that I was not going to be able to continue my work for very long. I decided to spend the rest of my days in solitude and body rest, and to end my life spending all my time in prayer, meditation, and intercession for the servants of God engaged in His work. It was with this intention that I came to this region of India that I had traveled a number of years before.
The place I have chosen is many kilometers from any habitation and there is no risk of a human disturbing the ease and tranquility of my solitary life. It is a perfect haven of peace and rest. All around me stretches the garden of nature which abounds in all kinds of fruits and plants. And that's what I feed on. Some of these fruits and plants have specific properties to cure certain diseases. Others actually contain the juice that gives life. It is by consuming them that I kept such strength in me. In winter, when it snows day and night, several bears come into the cave. When we are against each other, we keep each other warm.
MAHA RISHI'S CURRENT MISSION
After spending several years here, I thought the time had come for me to leave this mortal tabernacle for my heavenly home. But although I was very advanced in years, I felt no decline in my physical and mental faculties. One day as I was sitting, meditating and praying to God to call me "home" if it was His will, I suddenly heard a strange hum in the cave. It was as if there were hundreds of birds inside. I looked up. I looked down. But I didn't see anything. The noise continued for a while, and as I couldn't see anything, I knelt down and prayed, "O God, if there is any spiritual mystery behind all of this, reveal it to Your servant and do know me Your will. " This prayer was still on my lips when I felt like someone had touched my eyes. No sooner had that hand withdrawn than my spiritual eyes were opened.
I saw that beside hundreds of angels who filled my cave, there was a whole army that came down from Heaven and sang hymns ofpraiseto the glory of God. Behind this army I saw their King, Christ Himself, descending from Heaven and coming to me. Before that, I fell on my face and worshiped Him. But immediately the Master took me by the hand and made me stand up with these words: "My faithful servant, I now grant you eternal life. For you will never die. You will live in your body until my second coming, which is now near.
From now on you will spend your time praying and interceding for my Church which fights on earth. This will be your special mission. " When the Lord had finished speaking to me, a new heart was given to me, a heart washed from sin and its defilements. I felt like born again. Then I saw the Lord and His great army of holy angels return to the heavenly places. After they were gone, several saints then came to me and wished me joy in my regeneration. They told me about the great privilege that had been granted to me. They were of those who had completed their earthly journey and had entered their eternal rest. They had won the crown of glory. Since that day some of these saints are still with me. They help me complete the tasks given to me by God. Now my only service is to pray and intercede for the various branches of the Church of Christ spread throughout the world. I start my day with hours of prayer and intercession. I sing hymns and psalms to the glory of God.
I read and meditate on His Holy Word. God also granted me another special privilege: that of visiting every part of the world in spirit. Because how else could I intercede for the various churches without knowing their particular needs and their weaknesses. During the few hours of the day that I spend in mind visiting different people and different places, my body remains stretched out at the bottom of the cave.
Communion of saints
In addition to the great privilege of having permission to move in spirit independently of my body, the constant communion of saints helps and strengthens me a lot. In the apostles' creed, you say, "I believe in the fellowship of saints." Not only do I believe; but I see this wonderful fellowship, every day, every hour, with my spiritual eyes. Just before you came, Francis of Assisi, Lynus and Polycarp were present with me in spirit. Lynus is the saint who is the true author of "The Imitation of Jesus Christ", the origin of which was mistakenly entrusted to Thomas A. Kempis. But Lynus is not affected by this false attribution. For he said that the only object of his work was to glorify the name of Jesus Christ. And this goal has been achieved. "After all, he said, who was I to have been able to write such profound things? It was under the inspiration of Christ that I wrote them. Also, glory to Him. "
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOUL AND BODY
During the conversation, Maha Rishi pointed out that his mind not only had permission to travel on earth, but also sometimes had access to Heaven. Sundar was greatly surprised upon hearing this. He asked the Rishi how a spirit could travel apart from the body and then return to it. Here is what he was told: The relationship between body and soul is so tenuous that human language cannot describe it, nor intelligence can understand it. In order for a complete and final separation of soul and body to occur, the breaking of this fine link is essential. The following texts will confirm what I am saying and will also tell you that a temporary separation between soul and body is not impossible. Even Scripture bears witness to it.
Examine carefully the following texts: Ecclesiastes 12: 8: "Before the silver cord comes loose ... before the dust returns to the earth as it was there, and the spirit returns to God who gave it . " 2 Corinthians 12: 2-4. The apostle said: "I know a man in Christ who was, fourteen years ago, delighted until the third heaven (if it was in his body I do not know, if it was outside his body I do not know, God knows it.) And I know that this man ... was taken up into heaven and heard ineffable words that a man is not permitted to speak. " 1 Corinthians 5: 3-4. The apostle said: "For me, absent of body but present of spirit, I have already judged as if I were present, ..." Colossians 2: 5. The apostle said again: "For, He also accurately recounted to him the course of the accident which had occurred in Sadhou while the latter was on the way to Kailas; and how, in falling, he had broken his nail on his big toe. Furthermore, he told the Sadhu that several days before his arrival at the cave, he knew he would come.
And that was why he had found it. "It's not very usual," said the Rishi, "but I was away from here the entire time your way here." he would come. And that was why he had found it. "It's not very usual," said the Rishi, "but I was away from here the whole time your way here." he would come. And that was why he had found it. "It's not very usual," said the Rishi, "but I was away from here the whole time your way here."
MAHA RISHI EXPLAINS HIS REAL NAME
"And you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me and I in you." John 14:20 Hearing these wonderful things which only - it was now sure - a true and devoted servant of God could know and report, the Sadhu soon became convinced that this old man was a great prophet and a very deep spiritual man. . But in order to have absolute confirmation, he pushed his investigation further by asking the holy man a number of questions. For each of them, he received an answer that gave him complete satisfaction, and all of the answers were surprisingly sound. But the explanation the Rishi gave him about his name is perhaps the most wonderful of all.
To the Sadhu's question "What's your name?" The Rishi answered this: When I was a man like everyone else, I had an earthly name. But now I'm not like other men. My name is "CHRETIEN". Look at the word "sinner" (SIN in English) which was my old condition. I then had a sinful nature like all human beings. But now the I (me, in English) has been changed to O (the circle), that is, a limitless life has come to me which has no beginning and no end. What was "SIN" (sinner) has changed to "SON" (son). The Lord Jesus dwells in me. It has no beginning or end. He's the same yesterday, today, and forever. Now, by His grace, I'm dead to sin, but living in my Savior Jesus Christ. Praise and glory be to Him! Now and forever! Amen!
Relations between the material world and the spiritual world
After giving this brief explanation of the meaning of his name, the Maha Rishi described various scenes which he had the opportunity to witness in spirit. Some are related below in its own terms.
WINNER OR WINNER
Many people seem to think that what they are doing in secret is not known to anyone except themselves. But remember the words of Paul, and what the Lord Jesus Himself said: "For there is nothing hidden that shall not be revealed, and no secret that shall not be known." (Matthew 10:26) What the Lord and the apostle evoke I have experienced with my own eyes. Once, present in spirit in Liverpool, I remember seeing a man near whom the elder brother and the grandmother were also present in spirit. Both had been God-fearing people during their lifetime. And it wasn't just us. An army of angels was there too. Seeing him commit a horrible sin, both parents of this man shed tears of bitter sadness, grieving over their loved one, unworthy. Myself, I was deeply saddened by what I saw. It was then that an angel told me this:
- What this man is doing now will be remembered after his death. But even if he repents then and asks forgiveness, it will not be granted to him. On another occasion, in Pittsburg, I saw a man who was beset by a very strong temptation to sin. But instead of giving access to his desires, this man fell to his knees several times and prayed for divine help to deliver him from his evil passion. It was a terrible struggle, which was waged in front of his parents, also present in spirit and who observed him with great suspense. Finally, through prayer, he conquered his temptation. Seeing this, his parents rejoiced enormously, as did the hundreds of angels who also witnessed the scene. These then went back to Heaven,
THE ONLY SON OF A WIDOW
Our parents and loved ones who have left this transitory life follow our lives as human beings with great interest. They share our joys, sorrows and sufferings, and sometimes they come very close to us, although we can never see them with our carnal eyes. I remember seeing something particularly touching one day. A Christian widow in Madras had an only son who fell seriously ill and died within weeks. This poor mother was very much shaken by the loss of her young son. She spent all her time crying and lamenting. One day when she was setting and weeping with all her heart for that dear son, I was there in spirit, and I saw her son setting on her lap. He tried to comfort her and said to her:
”It will be remembered that our Lord Jesus Himself once taught a similar lesson (see Luke 16: 19-31). When wanting to spare his relatives the torments that were his part, the bad rich man implored Abraham to send someone to bear witness to his brothers. He received this response from Abraham: "They have Moses and the Prophets. Let them listen to them!" ”It will be remembered that our Lord Jesus Himself once taught a similar lesson (see Luke 16: 19-31). When wanting to spare his relatives the torments which were his part, the bad rich man implored Abraham so that he would send someone to bear witness to his brothers. He received this response from Abraham: "They have Moses and the Prophets. Let them listen to them!"
OUR GUARDIAN ANGELS
Every faithful servant of the Lord, says Maha Rishi again, benefits from the help of the guardian angels that God has assigned to him. They are always with him to rescue and comfort him in times of weakness and despair. No one can see these angels except those - very few - who immerse themselves in divine love.to the point of having their spiritual eyes partially open. So every now and then they catch some glimpse into the spiritual world, and they begin to understand the mysteries of the fellowship of saints. Apart from a particular group of them, most spirits have the fullest freedom to visit any place on earth. But it is rare that we hear of celestial spirits appearing to human beings. This does not come from any restriction imposed by God. The only reason is that their heavenly sinless nature gives them a natural aversion to the defiled nature of human beings. The very smell of sin, as much as sin itself, is repugnant to their heavenly nature. So it is very unpleasant and painful for them to be called by men. For example, when Saul called the spirit of Samuel, Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you troubled me by bringing me up?" (1 Samuel 28:15)
On the other hand, evil spirits are all too ready to interfere in human affairs. And because their very nature is sin, they burn with a burning desire to satisfy that sinful nature. But since it is impossible for them to have a physical body themselves, it is when a human being commits a sin that their base lusts derive any benefit from it. They also find a certain satisfaction there in the gratification of their own passions. Moreover, the knowledge that they have their fate after Judgment Day makes these evil spirits hopelessly miserable. They know the day is coming when the eternal torture of hell will be their fate. Also, their only ambition, their only pleasure, is to lead other humans into evil deeds, so that they are with them the heirs of hell. All spirits are reaping the fruit of what their earthly works have been.
But there are others who are not entirely responsible for their final fate. All spirits are reaping the fruit of what their earthly works have been. But there are others who are not entirely responsible for their final fate. All spirits are reaping the fruit of what their earthly works have been. But there are others who are not entirely responsible for their final fate.
THE WICKED YOUNG GIRL AND THE GOOD YOUNG MAN
Once, for example, in England, I was there in spirit when for a young girl the hour of death came. Her parents had never taken care of her. They had enabled him to grow in the ways of wickedness. After her death, when she arrived in the spirit world, she was told what her end would be. At this, she got very angry. And in her anger and despair, she began to curse her parents who had never reprimanded her for her bad actions, nor warned of their consequences.
Another time I saw a boy who had been brought up very well and taught very well by Christian parents. When at his death he saw that he had inherited joy and eternal peace, he felt deeply grateful to his father and mother who had guided his steps in righteousness and led him on the path to eternal life. She holds the keys to the soul in her mission as a mother. She forges young character in the child. His loving care will produce a Christian of who could only have been a pagan savage.
The destiny of atheists and agnostics
Evoking the spiritual world, the holy old man related the disturbing facts that will follow in order to describe the final destiny of those who deny the existence of God.
SUTTON, SAVANT GENEVOIS
A certain Genevan scholar, named Sutton, denied the existence of God. He believed that soul and life were one and the same and that there was no form of life in the Hereafter. Strange as it may sound, this man's wife was a deep and devout Christian, and his children, who had been brought up under maternal influence, were also God-fearing Christians. His wife and children often tried to get Sutton to question himself. They wanted to convince him of the existence of God.
But he only laughed at what they said and called them stupid and superstitious. It happened that Sutton's wife and her children all died one after another. A few years later, Sutton also died. It does There was therefore, according to him, no life after death. So when the hour of his death drew near, he thought that it would all be over by the time his breath died out on the earth.
But hardly had he left the world, what was his surprise to find himself transported into another life, although he had left behind the body which had been his earthly dwelling. Discovering himself thus, Sutton immediately thought of his wife and children who had often tried to persuade him that a celestial life also existed after earthly life. He hadn't thought so soon that his wife and children appeared to him there in front of him.
But to his disappointment, he realized that there was between him and his loved ones an immense abyss which it was impossible for any of them to cross, although they can see and hear each other, on both sides, in a very clear way. Seeing his wife and children in such glory and happiness, and comparing their condition to his, miserable, loathsome, repulsive, tears came to his eyes. He began to cry bitterly. On the other side, his wife shouted at him:
- O my dear husband! You were sad when I died. And for several days, you cried a lot. But didn't I tell you, on my deathbed, that I was just passing into another life and that I would see you again after a while? But you didn't believe my words. You persisted in your own ways. And here we are now separated forever ... Death was only a temporary separation. But this time the separation is eternal. Hearing these words, Sutton tried to reach his wife by jumping from where he was. But I saw that instead of approaching her, he sank deeper and deeper, while his wife and children, having turned their backs on him, returned sadly to Heaven where they were. Venus.
Some might think that the servants of God who are now in Heaven must have felt a great deal of sadness when they saw their sinful parents dying in the torments of Hell. But to understand that this is not so, let me tell you a little more about Sutton, his wife and his children. As they returned to Heaven from whence they had come, Sutton's wife and children felt so broken-hearted and so miserable at her fate, that before entering Heaven's gate they said to God: "O God, how can we live in the joy of Heaven when one of our loved ones has been condemned to the eternal punishment of the torments of hell?" Nothing was answered to their cry of pain as they were returned silently to their house.
But the moment they entered Heaven, they forgot everything about whoever was close to them and they began to rejoice as if they had never known pain or sorrow. For the atmosphere of Heaven is totally free from pain and sorrow. The children of Satan have nothing to do with the children of God. While the first will have before them only suffering and eternal death, the second will know neither sadness nor any problem. But they will rejoice in the freedom of the celestial kingdom. Heaven's atmosphere is totally free from pain and sorrow. The children of Satan have nothing to do with the children of God. While the first will have before them only suffering and eternal death, the second will know neither sadness nor any problem. But they will rejoice in the freedom of the celestial kingdom.
Heaven's atmosphere is totally free from pain and sorrow. The children of Satan have nothing to do with the children of God. While the first will have before them only suffering and eternal death, the second will know neither sadness nor any problem. But they will rejoice in the freedom of the celestial kingdom.
VISIT BY THE SPIRIT OF A DAMN
Besides the saints, sometimes evil spirits come to me. I once had a visit from the spirit of an atheist from Rohtak, a town in Punjab, India. This spirit seemed very miserable and as if it had found no rest. He told me that during his earthly life he had despised the Christian faith, even totally denying the existence of God, and that he had lived in debauchery and lust, convinced that there was no life after dead. He added :
- But when I left my earthly life, I found myself in another life. Now, although like other like minds I enjoy complete freedom, although I can go where I want, when I want, that freedom is worse than prison. For the thought of what is in store for me stays with me and fills me with sorrow and despair. I'm looking for relief, but I can't find any. I call for death, but it does not come. I was deeply touched to see this unfortunate spirit turn desperately in circles in its tragedy.
- But why don't you repent? I asked. Why don't you pray for a second chance to repent?
VISIT BY THE SPIRIT OF A RIGHT AND BY AN ANGEL
I had hardly asked my question when I saw another spirit arrive. It was the spirit of a righteous, a good man, from New York. Then answering my question, the evil spirit said to me:
- This is no longer possible. Because now I have lost the opportunity that was offered to me. At these words, I thought maybe I could do something for him. So I prayed for her. Hearing my prayer, an angel came to us from Heaven and said:
- There is no more hope for this being now, because there is no longer any possibility of changing his nature which he formed during his earthly life.
But as I kept begging the angel to do something for this miserable spirit, the angel brought him before God.
As God knew his condition, he appeared to him in very dim light. But even that dim light was too blinding for this son of darkness and he fell full length on his face.
So the just man from New York, who had listened very silently until then, gave me the explanation of this riddle:
- As long as an earthen vase is still wet, it is possible to shape it. But after it has been fired in the furnace, any attempt to do so can only break it.
Likewise, death is the ripe fruit of life. And no one can change his nature after death. This is why it is written in the book of Revelation (22:11): "Let him that is unjust still be unjust, let him that is filthy be filthy still; and let the righteous still do righteousness, and let he who is holy sanctifies himself still. "
There is no way to change anyone's life after death. A bad life can in no way be transformed into a good life, nor an infernal life into an angelic life.
Because each spirit, from head to toe, is absolutely identical to what his love is, therefore to what his life is. To transform this life into its opposite would be to destroy the spirit completely.
Man, after death, continues to be like he was on earth.
No one in the spiritual world can escape his desires, because his desires belong to his love. His love belongs to his will, his will belongs to his nature, and everyone acts according to his nature.
At death, although he leaves his body behind, man keeps and takes with him into the spiritual world his nature, which is his life.
This is why the annihilation of its nature would mean the annihilation of its very existence.
Jerusalem from above
Evoking the realities of the spiritual world, Maha Rishi then related another anecdote, interesting and edifying.
MAGGY'S DEATH AND HER ARRIVAL IN HEAVEN
One day, I wanted to pray for France. While I was praying I suddenly saw angelswho were heading quickly towards the city of Paris. To the question that I formulated, I was told that they were going to welcome and escort to Heaven a spirit who was to leave the earth that day. I asked for permission to follow the angels, so that I could see how the spirits were welcomed into Heaven. My request was granted and I followed the angels to a poor woman's house.
Inside, the body of a twenty-one year old girl named Maggy lay on her deathbed. She was surrounded by her relatives, in tears. After only fifteen minutes, one of the angels touched Maggy's eyes with his hand, and suddenly his spiritual eyes opened. She saw then that a great number of angels had come to welcome her, and with them, many of her relatives and friends, who had predeceased her. Looking a little higher, she also saw a large golden ladder that led to Heaven, and upon which descended another army of cherubim, singing hymns of praise and glory. To the right of the end of this golden ladder, she saw an enormous portal on which, in sparkling gold letters, were written these words: "I am the way, the truth and the life".
Immediately, Maggy remembered that these were the words the Lord Jesus Himself had spoken from His lips. No sooner had she thought about it than she saw this Lord standing in the doorway, his face shining with light. Maggy's heart overflowed with joy and she began to console her crying family: a large number of her relatives and friends, who died before her. Looking a little higher, she also saw a great golden ladder that led to Heaven, and on which descended another army of cherubim, singing hymns of praise and glory. To the right of the end of this golden ladder, she saw an enormous portal on which, in sparkling gold letters, were written these words: "I am the way, the truth and the life". Immediately, Maggy remembered that these were the words the Lord Jesus Himself had spoken from His lips. No sooner had she thought of it than she saw this Lord standing in the opening of the portal, his face shining with light.
Maggy's heart overflowed with joy and she began to console her crying family: a large number of her relatives and friends, who died before her. Looking a little higher, she also saw a large golden ladder that led to Heaven, and upon which descended another army of cherubim, singing hymns of praise and glory. To the right of the end of this golden ladder, she saw an enormous portal on which, in sparkling gold letters, were written these words: "I am the way, the truth and the life". Immediately, Maggy remembered that these were the words the Lord Jesus Himself had spoken from His lips. No sooner had she thought of it than she saw this Lord standing in the opening of the portal, his face shining with light. Maggy's heart overflowed with joy and she began to console her crying family: Looking a little higher, she also saw a large golden ladder that led to Heaven, and upon which descended another army of cherubim, singing hymns of praise and glory.
To the right of the end of this golden ladder, she saw an enormous portal on which, in sparkling gold letters, were written these words: "I am the way, the truth and the life". Immediately, Maggy remembered that these were the words the Lord Jesus Himself had spoken from His lips. No sooner had she thought about it than she saw this Lord standing in the doorway, his face shining with light. Maggy's heart overflowed with joy and she began to console her crying family: Looking a little higher, she also saw a large golden ladder that led to Heaven, and upon which descended another army of cherubim, singing hymns of praise and glory. To the right of the end of this golden ladder, she saw an enormous portal on which, in sparkling gold letters, were written these words: "I am the way, the truth and the life". Immediately, Maggy remembered that these were the words the Lord Jesus Himself had spoken from His lips.
No sooner had she thought of it than she saw this Lord standing in the opening of the portal, his face shining with light. Maggy's heart overflowed with joy and she began to console her crying family: and upon which descended another host of cherubim, singing hymns of praise and glory. To the right of the end of this golden ladder, she saw an enormous portal on which, in sparkling gold letters, were written these words: "I am the way, the truth and the life". Immediately, Maggy remembered that these were the words the Lord Jesus Himself had spoken from His lips. No sooner had she thought of it than she saw this Lord standing in the opening of the portal, his face shining with light. Maggy's heart overflowed with joy and she began to console her crying family: and upon which descended another host of cherubim, singing hymns of praise and glory.
To the right of the end of this golden ladder, she saw an enormous portal on which, in sparkling gold letters, were written these words: "I am the way, the truth and the life". Immediately, Maggy remembered that these were the words the Lord Jesus Himself had spoken from His lips. No sooner had she thought of it than she saw this Lord standing in the opening of the portal, his face shining with light. Maggy's heart overflowed with joy and she began to console her crying family: were written these words: "I am the way, the truth and the life". Immediately, Maggy remembered that these were the words the Lord Jesus Himself had spoken from His lips. No sooner had she thought of it than she saw this Lord standing in the opening of the portal, his face shining with light. Maggy's heart overflowed with joy and she began to console her crying family: were written these words: "I am the way, the truth and the life". Immediately, Maggy remembered that these were the words the Lord Jesus Himself had spoken from His lips. No sooner had she thought of it than she saw this Lord standing in the opening of the portal, his face shining with light. Maggy's heart overflowed with joy and she began to console her crying family:
- Don't be sorry for me. I will very soon enter a place of rest and great happiness. Hundreds of angels shining with light have come here to seek me. It is true. And not just angels, but the Lord Himself is waiting for me at the door ... Instead of crying, you should rejoice. Because I leave this life of misery to enter the kingdom of rest and endless joy. But these words did not console those close to him. They thought she was delusional. And when the time came to go, she cried:
- Lord, I put my mind in Your hands.
And she breathed her last.
As soon as her soul left her earthly tabernacle, she saw her dear mother embrace her lifeless body, then burst into tears and cry out in pity, while the whole family also cried very bitterly.
At this sight, Maggy's heart was filled with great sadness. So, in order to console them, she began to say words of comfort to her loved ones.
But she was greatly surprised when she realized that they didn't seem to hear her. She then wanted to touch his body and feel his existence. But to her amazement she discovered that this body could not be felt or touched. Then it was announced to him that the hour had now come not to linger on the earth anymore.
The angels escorted him to Heaven, forming a hedge on either side of the path. Every two hundred meters, she passed entire companies singing psalms and hymns accompanied by various instruments.
When she reached the gate of Heaven, some of the most important angels came out to greet her.
And the Lord Jesus Himself was there. He stretched out His blessed hand, received it in His loving arms, and they entered Heaven. Tears of joy filled Maggy's eyes at this great honor the Lord bestowed upon her.
Several times she asked:
- Lord, what have I done to deserve such a reception? After all, I was just a sinner.
All her life this young girl had tried to walk in the ways of the Lord. And in this spiritual walk, she had performed several actions that she considered insignificant. But she was told that all this honor was given to her in thanks for what she had done for God during her earthly life. And just as God remembers every evil deed that a man has done, so man receives the just reward for all that he does good on earth.
Heavenly abodes
As I had never entered Heaven before, I asked permission to follow Maggy and her escort in order to get a feel for it. Which was granted to me. Here is what I saw. As soon as I entered Heaven, I saw tall and magnificent mansions that stretched long distances in all directions. But they weren't built of brick, clay, and mortar, or glass, crystal, or any other material. Unlike earthly things, they do not have a palpable existence. They are neither limited nor unlimited, yet they do exist, and they are so transparent that the eye can see through thousands of them.
In short, these are homes that no human language can describe and that imagination can not understand. When Maggy saw these imposing and beautiful palaces, she was stunned. She asked the angels who accompanied her who were the occupants of these majestic dwellings. He was told that this is where the saints now resided who had fought and won spiritual battles on earth. These vast heavenly mansions had been prepared for them while they were still on earth. A little further, the angels stopped at one of them. Surprised at her astonishing magnificence, Maggy wanted to know if she belonged to some monarch. He was told that this is where the saints now resided who had fought and won spiritual battles on earth. These vast heavenly mansions had been prepared for them while they were still on earth.
A little further, the angels stopped at one of them. Surprised at her astonishing magnificence, Maggy wanted to know if she belonged to some monarch. He was told that this is where the saints now resided who had fought and won spiritual battles on earth. These vast heavenly mansions had been prepared for them while they were still on earth. A little further, the angels stopped at one of them. Surprised at her astonishing magnificence, Maggy wanted to know if she belonged to some monarch.
- No, answered the angels, because there is not here this kind of distinction. The king and the beggar are on an equal footing. The splendor of these mansions depends only on the merits of the servants of God. This is yours. It has just been completed today. Upon entering her home of eternal joy and peace, Maggy saw inside a crown set with four sparkling gems. She asked who this crown was meant for and what these four inlays meant. He was told that this crown was his and that the four precious stones represented the four souls that his biblical teaching had won for the Lord. At these words, Maggy exploded in overflows of joy. VS'
Jerusalem from above (Continued)
THREE DISTINCTIONS FOR THE SAINTS
After the angels escorted Maggy to her heavenly abode, they gave me some further explanation about these houses. Among these, they showed me one in which stood a saint who wore a golden crown.
- This man, they said to me, is a saint who has lived on earth in the faith and the fear of God, and who has spent his life doing good. They showed me another in which sat a saint whose crown was encrusted with sparkling gems and rubies.
- This one, they said to me, is another saint who has not only lived a righteous life, but who has saved several other souls by leading them on the path of salvation. The number of gems in his crown matches the number of souls he saved. They will shine eternally like stars, testifying forever to his work on earth.
Do you remember what the prophet Daniel said? "Those who have been clever will shine like the splendor of Heaven, and those who have taught righteousness to the multitude will shine like the stars, forever and ever." (Daniel 12: 3) Then I was shown yet another house in which there was a saint whose entire body was covered with twinkling stars.
- This one, again said the angels to me, is one of those saints who suffered persecution and martyrdom for the cause of Christ.
While observing these huge houses, I noticed that some of them were not inhabited, that others were unfinished and that still others were only foundations. I asked why this was so. I was told that since these houses had been assigned to particular servants of God, the progress of their construction depended solely on the spiritual progress of those servants of God.
- When in advancing in life they have a progression in their good deeds, their heavenly abodes likewise progress in their construction. The incomplete mansions that you see here belong to those servants of the Lord who still fight on earth and who still have far more than a day's labor before them before entering Heaven. Pointing to an empty house, I asked the reason for this vacancy. An angel answered me:
- It is today that its owner has just finished his race. He is also on the verge of arriving in Heaven.
He had not finished speaking when I saw that a large number of angels were escorting a saint to this empty house which had prompted my question.
Oh, what glory! For all the faithful servants of the Lord will one day leave this mortal world to go and dwell in their heavenly abode, as the apostle Paul declares in his second epistle to the Corinthians, in chapter 5 and in verse 1: "We know, indeed, that if this tent where we dwell on earth is destroyed, we have an edifice in heaven which is the work of God, an eternal dwelling which was not made by hand. "
Interviews with inhabitants of Heaven
THE SON OF THE DWARF WIDOW
Besides what I saw from Heaven with my own eyes, I know a certain number of other things, which the spirits evoked for me, at one time or another. I once received a visit from the spirit of the young son of the widow of Nain whom the Lord Jesus had raised from the dead. We read in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 7 and verses 11 to 16: "The next day Jesus went to a city called Nain; his disciples and a large crowd were traveling with him. When he was near the gate of the city, behold, they carried in the earth a dead man, his mother's only son, who was a widow; and with her many men of the city were. The Lord seeing her, was moved with compassion on her. she and said to him: Do not cry. He approached and touched the coffin.
Those who were carrying him stopped. He said: Young man, I tell you, get up. And the dead man sat down and began to speak. Jesus returned it to his mother. All were fearful, and they glorified God, saying, A great prophet has appeared among us, and God has visited his people. "Here is a brief account the young man told me, in his own words:
- When I left this world to find myself in the spiritual world, I began to feel very miserable. I couldn't find rest. Because all my life I had heard good things about the Lord Jesus, but yet I had not paid attention to Him. When I arrived here I discovered that without Jesus no one could be saved, I was very disappointed and cried out to God to grant me a new opportunity. I asked Him for the possibility of returning to the world from which I had come, in order to serve Him and thus become an heir to Heaven. This was absolutely contrary to heavenly laws.
But for Christ to be glorified through my return to life, my request was granted and permission was therefore granted to return to earth. Back to earthly life, I was surprised to find that the same Lord that I had seen in the Hereafter was also there, standing next to me. This amazed me so much that hardly had the Lord Jesus returned me to my mother I told others. But they all laughed at me and told me it was a dream. So, as no one wanted to believe what I said about Heaven and what I had observed, I kept all these things to myself. After my resurrection, I spent the rest of my life serving the Lord. I was one of the seventy disciples he sent two by two to preach the good news around the world. After that, he described to me the Sky, its inhabitants and its huge houses, exactly as I had seen them with my own eyes. This totally clarified the meaning of the words of the Lord Jesus who had declared: "There are many mansions in the house of my Father. And if it was not so I would have told you." (John 14: 2)
AN ATHENIAN PHILOSOPHER
One day I received a visit from a prominent philosopher from Athens who told me how he had obtained salvation:
- Being versed in my sciences, I yearned to know the invisible world and to know if the soul was a reality or only the product of the human imagination. I was continuing my investigation with various sources when someone told me about the son of the widow of Klain whom Jesus had raised from the dead. I walked over to him and asked him about what he had seen on the other side. Listening to his description of Heaven and the omniscience of Christ, I was extremely impressed and immediately accepted that Jesus was truly the Son of God and the Savior of mankind. I felt very happy then and I was grateful to God for giving me such a precious opportunity to find Jesus while I was still on earth. Yes ! Glory to His name!
A ROMAN PHILOSOPHER
The man I am now going to talk about was called Phineas. He too was a philosopher when Christ lived on earth. He had heard many things about Christ and the wonderful works that He was doing, and he had an intense desire to see Him. The following is the narration of her meeting with Him, in her own words:
- When I arrived in the land of Canaan, I went in search of Christ. But most of those I met on my way told me that I was not going to get the chance to see him because there was always a huge crowd around him. This disappointed me very much. But as I approached where He was said to be, I met a man on the road carrying his bed. I asked him where he came from and he answered that it was from where Jesus was. I was particularly encouraged and questioned him to find out how he had gone about approaching Him. He laughed and said:
- It's not difficult in the least. Those who come to Him with good intentions never come back disappointed. Look for me! I stayed forty-one years lying at the edge of the reservoir of Siloam. There was no one to help me and I never had the chance to jump into the water when it started to fidget. It happened that one day the Lord Jesus passed by and saw me from afar. He himself approached me and said:
"Take your bed and walk!" No sooner had He said these words than I jumped out of bed with vigor. Then I went away praising God and glorifying the most holy name of Jesus. You see, you must not be afraid! Because so many of those who can't even see Him, He calls them by name. And He listens to their requests. He knows the secrets of human hearts. He heals many people by calling them to Him. But hundreds more recover their health only by touching the hem of their garments. "
These things encouraged me even more and I continued on my way rejoicing. Arriving at the place where Jesus was, I did see that a huge crowd was gathered around Him. Making my way through the multitude, I was able to come close enough to be able to see His face and hear Him. The face of the Lord emerged from the crowd and it caught my gaze, or rather, the depths of my thoughts. I remained absolutely fascinated by the charm of His face, and by the humility and kindness that emanated from His eyes: He looked at the crowd around Him with a melancholy and compassionate gaze.
As I saw His face, I saw someone in the crowd come up to Him. It was a man with a withered hand. When the man asked Him to be healed, all the Lord answered was this, "Go, your sins are forgiven you." And the man's hand went back to normal.
I was told later that this man had previously served as temple treasurer and had a habit of embezzling large sums of money. The atrophy of his hand had been the punishment for his sin. But as sin had become his very nature, it never occurred to him that the sickness of his hand was due to his dishonesty. But when the Lord said to him, "Your sins are forgiven you." he instinctively received the revelation that his sins had been the cause of his unhappiness. And the very moment they were taken from him, his hand was immediately healed as well.
I noticed that in most cases of healing Jesus said nothing other than this, "Your sins are forgiven you." He thus proved that sin was the root of disease and that its suppression was the normal disappearance of disease.
Besides those I have just described, I have seen the Lord Jesus perform many other miracles. I had now been able to draw closer to Him but could not yet meet His gaze, although I was burning with the desire to speak to Him. It was then that reading my thoughts, the Lord Himself called me. At His voice, I pressed up to Him, and there I fell at His feet and worshiped Him. It was Himself who picked me up. He granted me forgiveness of my sins and He blessed me by placing His holy hand on me.
I returned to my country rejoicing in my new life.
And although at that time those who were His disciples and who confessed His name risked death, I had no fear.
And I openly proclaimed that Jesus, and He alone, was the Savior of mankind.
AT TIME OF DEATH
Since witnessing many deaths, Maha Rishi knows a lot about Heaven. Here is what he says about what happens at the time of death. In the few minutes immediately following death, the man hardly sees any difference in himself. But when the angels tell him that he has been transformed, he is surprised to find that although he does have an existence, he still does not have a palpable body. You could call it the first stage. In the second stage, human spirits see two different paths before them. One is bright, radiant, while the other is dark. The spirits of the righteous are naturally drawn to the luminous path, but the spirits of evil men, because they cannot endure the light, rush to the darkness to escape the light. The third stage is when the spirits learn what their destiny is going to be. As has already been said, the spirits of the righteous are escorted to Heaven.
They are taken to their homes. They are presented with their crown and are made aware of the variety of their privileges. As for the spirits of sinners, when they examine their spiritual body, they find it covered with plagues, filth and leprosy. It is the consequence of the faults they committed in their earthly bodies. And because they are the children of darkness, they run towards the dark path. "For everyone that does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his works be revealed; but he that acts according to the truth comes to the light, that his works may be made manifest, because they are done in God. (John 3: 20-21) They then learn that after the day of judgment they will be cast into hell. After that, they are released and have complete freedom to roam wherever they want.
But just as the angels of God come to welcome the righteous who leave the world, the fallen angels rush to receive the evil spirits. The big difference is this: while the righteous rejoice at the prospect of entering Heaven, the wicked are terrified at the sight of the dreadful faces of satanic angels, and they have the immediate and instinctive understanding of what is happening to them. waits. Arriving in the spiritual world, the spirits of evil men seek an opportunity for repentance, but they do not obtain it. As it is written: "For if we sin willfully after having received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifices for sins, but a terrible expectation of judgment and the ardor of a fire which will devour them. rebels. " (Hebrews 10: 26-27) On the other hand, the few sins that the spirits of the righteous take with them into the Hereafter - for after all, the nature of man is sin - are immediately washed in the blood of the Lamb and the redeemed then become spotless. Some might think that after entering Heaven, spirits have nothing more to do. But this is not true. In fact, alongside thanksgiving, praise and
THE RADIANT GLORY OF GOD
The glory of God is something that is beyond description. For God does not appear only to sit on His glorious throne. The radiance of His face illuminates the smallest part of Heaven, the smallest corner of its vast dwellings. So much so that it is in the heart of each of His saints that we see Him enthroned. In addition, from every part of His glorious body one can see beaming rays of brilliant light and streams of heavenly power. Resplendent, they spread far and wide, to the very earth itself, where they penetrate the hearts of those whom He has chosen to serve Him. They are then a reflection of His face down here. It is truly by these radiant streams of heavenly light and power that the hearts of all His saints are sanctified.
The spirit world and the day of judgment
FOUR OTHER CATEGORIES OF MINDS
It has been explained above that practically all spirits enjoy complete freedom to visit any place in Heaven or on earth, as they wish, but that the spirits of the righteous only very rarely visit the earth, for contact with sin repels their very nature. But besides the spirits who are clearly either good or bad, there is a third group that is not allowed to walk, neither in Heaven nor on earth. They are kept in a certain part of Heaven where they are taught about the person of Jesus Christ. These spirits are not allowed to leave the specific area where they have been placed until they have completed their period of instruction. In this third group are the spirits of four categories of people.
1) Children and babies, who died before they had the opportunity to understand the mysteries of Heaven and Earth.
2) The mentally deficient and the ignorant, who did not have the resource of intelligence, even if they had heard of Jesus Christ.
3) The blind, the dumb and the deaf, who were physically incapable of knowing and understanding the things of God.
4) Those who have never heard of the name of Jesus and those who were born before He came. You will remember about this what
Jesus said to the thief of the cross who believed in Him. Not: "You will be with me in Heaven." but "You will be with me in paradise." For Heaven is indeed the place where souls are kept for instruction. And this is the place where Christ went to preach after His death on the cross. In paradise, the spirits have been waiting for centuries. They were so anxious to have Christ in their midst to hear His preaching that they rushed to greet Him at the time He died on the cross, as it is written: "The sepulchres were opened and many bodies of the saints who had died were resurrected. Coming out of the tombs, after the resurrection of Jesus, they entered the holy city and appeared to a great number of people. " (Matthew 27: 52-53). All the spirits of the wicked will be sent into the flames of hell after the day of judgment, while all the spirits of the righteous live in happy expectation of the great day, for after this day,
TIMES OF THE END
"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these will be but the beginning of sorrows." (Matthew 24: 7-8) The great day of judgment referred to in the Bible is now very near. Besides myself, there are several other servants of God patiently waiting for this day. These are the ones who will be caught up in the clouds with the Lord Jesus. Their mortal bodies will be changed into heavenly bodies and they will follow the King to His throne. They will reign with Him over an endless world and they will rejoice in eternal life.
For during the thousand years following this great day the Lord will reign on the earth, and His throne will be exalted in the very place where He was crucified. During these thousand years, the devil and his accomplices will be kept in prison. Then, after this long period, and for three and a half years, Satan and his army will be released. When this short period comes to an end, there will be judgment on all those who have either rejected or despised the Lord Jesus. Finally, at the end of this judgment, they will all be cast into hellfire with their leader, the devil, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
ABOUT THE GREAT WAR
Asked what he thought of the war of 1914-1918 which was then unfolding, the holy old man gave the following answer. The old prophecies are being fulfilled. Remember the words of the Lord: "Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom." Men have become so proud of their knowledge and science that many have come to deny the existence of God. However, it is today by the very means of science that lives are being destroyed. The end of the world is very near. The great return of the Lord is at the door. The angel who will blow the trumpet on the last day has recently been placed at the door, and at the Lord's first signal he will blow his trumpet. But alas, though the day is near, His people do is not quick to prepare. In His daily great mercy to mankind, the Lord delays His coming and patiently allows His creation time to be ready. But He won't be much longer. His day will soon be here. "Watch therefore, for you do not know what day your Lord will come." (Matthew 24:42)
CHRIST APPEARS IN HUMAN FORM
Maha Rishi also let it be known that even in the present day the Lord Jesus Christ still comes to earth in human form. However, since He appears as a very poor person, or in very ordinary circumstances, no one suspects that He could be Christ. So He's not recognized. But there are many instances of His quiet coming into this world. Two examples are reported below. First example. One day in England a most ordinary man came to find a pastor and asked his permission to preach in his church the following Sunday. The pastor immediately disagreed. He did not want to satisfy this request, considering that he did not know this stranger at all, and that moreover he did not had really never heard of him. But after a while of conversation, he became convinced that this man was humble and genuine, and that he feared God.
As a result, he granted her permission to preach in his church the following Sunday. The sermon that was preached made an extraordinary impression on the assembly. It was as if the man spoke with supernatural force, with spiritual authority. His warnings impressed and touched people deeply. After the service, the congregation hurried out. All were eager to meet this wonderful stranger. But as soon as the preacher reached the door of the church, he disappeared from their sight. Those who saw the fact were particularly astonished and thought it must have been an angel. But the holy old man believed it was the Lord Jesus Himself in the aspect of a man. Second example.
In a large church in a major city in England, at the time of the service, just before the worship began, a very poor man came forward and sat down on the very first bench, the one that had hired a rich man. The pastor, seeing this, sent him away. And in great humiliation, the man walked back to the back of the church, where he sat down on the last bench. When the service was over, people came out and started chatting, forming small groups of friends. But the poor man was left alone. No one paid attention to him. However, a little girl who had observed him several times said to her mother: was the Lord Jesus Himself in the form of a man. Second example. In a large church in a major city in England, at the time of the service, just before the worship began, a very poor man came forward and sat down on the very first bench, the one that had hired a rich man.
The pastor, seeing this, sent him away. And in great humiliation, the man walked back to the back of the church, where he sat down on the last bench. When the service was over, people came out and started chatting, forming small groups of friends. But the poor man was left alone. No one paid attention to him. However, a little girl who had observed him several times said to her mother: was the Lord Jesus Himself in the form of a man. Second example. In a large church in a major city in England, at the time of the service, just before the worship began, a very poor man came forward and sat down on the very first bench, the one that had hired a rich man. The pastor, seeing this, sent him away.
And in great humiliation, the man walked back to the back of the church, where he sat down on the last bench. When the service was over, people came out and started chatting, forming small groups of friends. But the poor man was left alone. No one paid attention to him. However, a little girl who had observed him several times said to her mother: In a large church in a major city in England, at the time of the service, just before the worship began, a very poor man came forward and sat down on the very first bench, the one that had hired a rich man. The pastor, seeing this, sent him away. And in great humiliation, the man walked back to the back of the church, where he sat down on the last bench. When the service was over, people came out and started chatting, forming small groups of friends. But the poor man was left alone.
No one paid attention to him. However, a little girl who had observed him several times said to her mother: In a large church in a major city in England, at the time of the service, just before the worship began, a very poor man came forward and sat down on the very first bench, the one that had hired a rich man. The pastor, seeing this, sent him away. And in great humiliation, the man walked back to the back of the church, where he sat down on the last bench. When the service was over, people came out and started chatting, forming small groups of friends.
But the poor man was left alone. No one paid attention to him. However, a little girl who had observed him several times said to her mother: a very poor man walked up and sat down on the very first bench, the one a rich man had hired. The pastor, seeing this, sent him away. And in great humiliation, the man walked back to the back of the church, where he sat down on the last bench. When the service was over, people came out and started chatting, forming small groups of friends. But the poor man was left alone. No one paid attention to him.
However, a little girl who had observed him several times said to her mother: a very poor man walked up and sat down on the very first bench, the one a rich man had hired. The pastor, seeing this, sent him away. And in great humiliation, the man walked back to the back of the church, where he sat down on the last bench. When the service was over, people came out and started chatting, forming small groups of friends. But the poor man was left alone. No one paid attention to him. However, a little girl who had observed him several times said to her mother: people came out and started chatting, forming small groups of friends.
But the poor man was left alone. No one paid attention to him. However, a little girl who had observed him several times said to her mother: people came out and started chatting, forming small groups of friends. But the poor man was left alone. No one paid attention to him. However, a little girl who had observed him several times said to her mother:
- Mom, come talk to this poor gentleman. Ask him if he needs anything. So they both approached him. They were so impressed with his demeanor and his words that they asked him to accompany them to their house. Shortly after their arrival, they were seated for the meal. Suddenly, the man rose from the seat assigned to him, and approaching the little girl who had shown so much consideration to him, he put his hands on her head and blessed her. The very instant he did this, he disappeared from their eyes. They looked at each other then, completely dumbfounded. Maha Rishi states that this man too was the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
Interview with John the Baptist in the spiritual world
Another time, the holy old man suddenly encountered the spirit of John the Baptist. He tells us the fascinating story of this meeting. One day, in the spiritual world, I met John the Baptist. He told me about several experiences that were his during his time on earth. But the story of his encounter with Jesus Christ is the most beautiful and the most edifying. This is what Jean-Baptiste told me. “I was fully aware that the holy God had sent me before His dear Son to prepare the way for Him. So I did my best to accomplish this task. In fear of God, and guided by him, I devoted myself body and soul to this ministry which consisted in going to men and preaching repentance for their sins. But when the time was fulfilled, and my dear Lord in the prime of life came to receive the baptism Himself with my own hands, I thought my work was now finished. For He whom I had preached about, He whom I had announced to the world, was now there, present among us.
As a result, He was going to accomplish His own mission and bring it to completion. Also, shortly after His baptism, I set out in search of Him, in order to meet Him and ask Him what other work I had to do. I looked for Him for several days, but couldn't find Him. ” When, after some time, I went to a desert region. And there, in the middle of this loneliness where Satan had tempted the Lord Jesus and then left him, what did I see? " My dear Lord was seated on a rock, while around Him, above Him and below Him, a huge crowd gathered. I hid some distance behind a tree to observe this.
I absolutely wanted to be able to observe everything that was happening, without interrupting It. “Listen now to the account of this wonderful and very solemn audience that was taking place there, around the King of kings and the Lord of lords, He who however - how sad - was rejected by men.” Cherubim and lords. seraphim, singing psalms and praises to God, descended from Heaven. All around Him in the air was a gathering of holy angels rejoicing with all kinds of musical instruments, and singing with high voices. They were filled with joy, of exultation, praise and thanksgiving. The glory and light of Christ shone upon each of them. “Besides the angels and the heavenly hosts, there was another group, made up of all the prophets and saints of yesteryear, such as Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Samuel, etc.
Even Adam himself was there. the presence of the Lord with great humility and immense respect. Their worship and prayer were intense. "And next to these two groups, there was still a third, made up of all kinds of wild animals. , reptiles and birds, who stood at the feet of their Master in total submission. “It seemed that everyone's desire was to reach out to their Lord and to hurry at His feet.” But the Lord Jesus had to other concerns.
He was preparing for His earthly ministry and establishing its course. When the angels and the prophets realized what it was going to be, they were amazed. They became very distressed, filled with sadness. At the end, an angel from the heavenly host, unable to contain himself any longer, addressed the Lord: “O master! We are all ready, at all times, for Your service. Serving you is our life! So choose one of us so that he can go and give his life for You. O master of all, in Heaven and in the spiritual world, why must it be You who must endure this suffering and know the crucifixion? ” At these words the Lord smiled and replied: "You do not understand this mystery, and it is not given to you to search it.
work that my Father has entrusted to me, it is necessary that it be I who accomplish it. Your death could in no way save sinners, and that is why it is absolutely necessary that it is I myself who suffer and be killed, so that all men can be freed from the bonds of Satan, and that the whole creation be redeemed. This answer satisfied the angels, but they said to each other: "We knew perfectly well that the love of God was vast, without limits and incomprehensible, beyond all knowledge. But we never knew that His love would go that far, to the point of not regretting giving even His own son, so that he could show His immense love for the world. O Lord Almighty! To You be the glory! For eternity! Alleluia! Amen! " While the angels were thus discussing among themselves, Adam, who was among the crowd of saints and prophets, began to speak: “O dear Lord, it is I who have sinned.
So it would be up to me to bear the sins of the whole world. Send me, so that I will receive the punishment I deserve! ” " No! says the Lord. You can die only for yourself; and not for another. And then your death would not have the power to take away the slightest sin. It is necessary that it is I who die; so that I may become the atoning sacrifice for the whole world. ” Having received this answer, Adam did not say another word. Then it was Moses, Elijah, and other prophets who cried out, "Lord, wouldn't it be good if we were going, we, instead of You?" " No, the Lord answered them also, you have all finished your course. Your work on earth is finished.
On the other hand, it is not possible for you to go to the material world a second time. For this immense work of redemption, no one is sufficiently qualified, except the Son of God. And if He does not shed His own blood, the salvation of the world cannot be accomplished. ” As the Lord finished speaking, the three groups of prophets, saints and angels disappeared. Only the animal creation remained. Then, as to the ass of Balaam, they also were given the use of the word, and they asked the Lord for the righteousness of the earth: “O Lord, since it is Adam who sinned, why do we also have to know death when we are innocent? ” “First,” He replied, “you are not free from faults. Because you kill and devour each other. And you also do a lot of wounds in the world. Second, when Adam sinned - him who had received so much honor when it was created and to whom authority was given over creation - this creation too was to receive its punishment.
When all these animal creatures submitted to their Lord, I John, who I watched the whole scene, I wanted to come forward too to worship Him. But I was only a man and I was afraid of these wild animals. But the Lord Jesus, knowing my fear, m 'called by my name. I was greatly encouraged and I then walked in His direction. And what am I going through? These wild animals that I was afraid of got out of my way to make a passage for me ... And when I was before Him and I fell at His feet to worship Him, they all disappeared from my sight. After worshiping Him, I said to Him, "Dear Lord, I have completed my first task. What do You now have to give Your servant for the future? Command Your servant and he will obey. Let me know.
if I must withdraw from this world and return to the place which is prepared for me to await Your coming. "No, John, answered the Lord. It's not your time yet. You must still earn the priceless crown of martyrs. Go, continue your work until my hour is come. You were chosen to precede me, to smooth the way before me. But know that you will reach the spiritual world before me, and that there too, your mission will consist in preparing the spirits for my arrival. That's exactly what the Lord said happened to me. I experienced martyrdom some time later.
I then left the mortal world and entered the spiritual world. There I gave the good news of Jesus Christ to the spirits and prepared them for what was to come. And when the day came when our dear Lord gave His life, many of these spirits rejoiced to come to earth to pay homage to Him. Is it not said in Matthew 27: 52-53: "The sepulchres were opened and many bodies of the saints who had died were resurrected. Coming out of the sepulchres after the resurrection of Jesus, they entered the holy city and appeared to a great number of people. "" When I received this command from the Lord, my heart was filled with joy, and I gave him a thousand thanks for having given me a second time the great honor of prepare the way before Him. I fell at His feet and gave Him all of my worship. When I sat up, I looked up.
I then saw the Lord seated on a marvelous, immense and majestic throne, and millions of angels resplendent with light stood in line on either side of Him. As it is written: "No one has ascended into Heaven except he who descended from Heaven, the Son of man who is in Heaven." (John 3: 13) I also saw that many thrones surrounded the throne of the Lord and that on these thrones sat His saints, wearing crowns sparkling and shining with light. As I looked at these thrones, my eyes fell on one that was vacant. I wondered what it could mean when an angel informed me that this throne had belonged to the proud angel who had raised his banner of rebellion against the King of heaven. Everyone now knows his disobedience and his name well. It's Satan.
The angel said to me again: “At the end of time, this throne will be given to the man who on earth has been the most humble and the most full of kindness.” I contemplated for some time this infinite work of the Lord, and admiring His dignity and His glory, I was filled with happiness. "A little after, when the vision had faded from my eyes, I worshiped my Lord again and gave thanks to Him. Then I left His gentle presence and walked away. See my Savior face to face, See Jesus in His beauty, O joy! O supreme grace! O happiness! Congratulated! Yes, in Your magnificence I will see You divine king. Forever, in Your presence, I will be like You. Your glory is still veiled, Ah! with a bloody veil. Soon your ineffable beauty will be revealed. Oh ! What transports of joy, When Your eyes lowered on me, Will tell Me with tenderness: "I also died for you." END O happiness! Congratulated! Yes, in Your magnificence I will see You divine king. Forever, in Your presence, I will be like You. Your glory is still veiled, Ah! with a bloody veil. Soon your ineffable beauty will be revealed. Oh ! What transports of joy, When Your eyes lowered on me, Will tell Me with tenderness: "I also died for you." END O happiness! Congratulated! Yes, in Your magnificence I will see You divine king. Forever, in Your presence, I will be like You. Your glory is still veiled, Ah! with a bloody veil. Soon will be revealed Your ineffable beauty. Oh ! What transports of joy, When Your eyes lowered on me, Will tell Me with tenderness: "I also died for you." END
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