2000-8-29 11:17:00
There are many other scriptures that speak of Zion. We will mention just several more:
"And in that day (when Zion is established) seven women (churches) shall take hold of one man (the Christ) and say, 'We will eat our own bread (we have our lamps full of oil and supply our own spiritual food. We are self sufficient) and wear our own clothes (we have our own organization and ceremony which is satisfying to us) if only we may be called by your name; to take away our disgrace." (they will want to be recognized as one with Christ and Zion.)" [Isaiah 4:1]
This scripture could have a literal fulfillment if there is a third world war, and the majority of men are killed in it. This possibility we seek to avoid.
"On that day the plant that the Lord has grown shall become glorious in its beauty, and the fruit of the land (works) shall be the pride and splendor of the survivors of Israel. Then those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, every one enrolled in the book of life, shall be called holy (whole). If the Lord washes away the filth of the women of Zion and cleanses Jerusalem from the blood that is in it by a spirit of judgment, a consuming spirit, then over every building on Mount Zion and on all her places of assembly the Lord will create a cloud of smoke by day and a bright flame of fire by night; for the glory shall spread over all as a covering and a canopy, a shade from the heat by day, a refuge and a shelter from rain and tempest." (Isaiah 4:2-6 New English)
Symbolically speaking, the cloud here illustrates the protection that Zion will have from the elements
and its enemies, and the fire is the great enlightenment therein, but a literal fulfillment will also
eventually take place. This will not be the first time that the fire of God has descended on the earth.
Concerning the escaping Israelites at the time of Moses we are told that "The Lord went before them by
day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light;
to go by day and night." (Exodus 13:21) Later the cloud hovered over the tabernacle
the Israelites built: "And on that day that the tabernacle was reared up THE CLOUD COVERED THE
TABERNACLE, namely the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were THE
APPEARANCE OF FIRE, until the morning. So it was always: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance
of fire by night." (Numbers 9:15-16)
Elijah also brought down a visible fire which consumed his sacrifice and also his enemies.
A fire was also seen on the day of Pentecost:
"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues LIKE AS OF FIRE, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with. the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:2-4)
This process of drawing the fire of the Spirit is called "transfiguration" and Jesus demonstrated it to
his apostles upon a high mountain: "And he was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as
the sun, and his raiment was white as light." (Matthew 17:2)
Here Jesus was literally on fire.
In more recent times we also have a record of the appearance of fire. This happened in an early Mormon
temple built through the instrumentality of Joseph Smith. This temple was built after a divine pattern
just as the tabernacle of Moses was. A witness to the revelation of the temple wrote the following:
"About this time Fredrick G. Williams, one of President Smith's counselors, came into the temple, when the following dialogue took place in my presence: Carpenter Rolph said, 'Doctor, what do you think of the house?'
"He answered, 'It looks to me like the pattern precisely.' Then he related the following:
"Joseph received the word of the Lord for him to take his two councilors Williams and Rigdon and come before the Lord, and he would show them the plan or model of the house to be built.
"We went upon our knees, called on the Lord, and the building appeared within viewing distance: I being the first to discover it. Then all of us viewed together.
"After we had taken a good look at the exterior, the building seemed to come right over us, and the makeup of this hall seemed to coincide with what I saw to a minutia.
"Joseph was accordingly enabled to dictate to the mechanics, and his counselors stood as witnesses; and this was strictly necessary in order to satisfy the spirit of unbelief in consequence of the weakness or childishness of the brethren of those days." (Autobiography of Truman O. Angell; pages 4-5)
Brigham Young affirmed this statement: "Joseph not only received a revelation and commandment to
build a temple, but he received a pattern, also as did Moses for the tabernacle, and Solomon for his
temple...." (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 2; Pg 31)
What happened when a temple was built according to this TUWR, or divine pattern?
On March 27, 1836 the following incident is recorded in Mormon history at the dedication of this building,
the Kirkland temple:
"Brother George A. Smith arose and began to prophesy, when a noise was heard like the sound of a rushing mighty wind, which filled the temple, and all the congregation simultaneously arose, being moved upon by an invisible power; many began to speak in tongues and prophesy; others saw glorious visions; and I beheld the temple was filled with angels, which fact I declared to the congregation.
"The people of the neighborhood came running together (hearing an unusual sound within, and SEEING A BRIGHT LIGHT LIKE A PILLAR OF FIRE RESTING UPON THE TEMPLE), and were astonished at what was taking place." (Documentary History of the Church 2:428. Parenthesis in the original).
Notice that this fire was also visible to the unbelieving townspeople as well as the Mormons. A
literal visible fire descended and the temple was transfigured just as was the tabernacle of Moses.
This temple is still standing and is now a tourist attraction. I visited it a few years ago and the tour
guide noted that back in 1836 the local townspeople did see the fire and actually thought the temple was
burning down. He stated that the local paper reported the next day that the temple had burned down, but
to the dismay of the enemies of the Church it was still there the next day.
We have another interesting account of this:
"In the morning Father Smith prayed for a Pentecost, in the opening of the meeting. That day the power of God rested mightily upon the saints. There was poured out upon us abundantly the spirit of revelation, prophesying, and tongues. The Holy Ghost filled the house; and along in the afternoon a noise was heard. It was the sound of a mighty rushing wind. But at first the congregation was startled, not knowing what it was. TO MANY IT SEEMED AS THOUGH THE ROOF WAS ALL IN FLAMES. Father Smith exclaimed, 'Is the house on fire?'" (Women Of Mormondom, Page 208)
Another witness testified: "The angels of the Lord appeared unto them and cloven tongues of FIRE
sat upon many of them and they prophesied and spoke in tongues." (Erastus Snow Sketchbook)
Concerning the temples, Joseph Smith received the following revelation:
"And ye shall not suffer any unclean thing to come in unto it; AND MY GLORY SHALL BE THERE, and my presence shall be there. But if there shall come into it any unclean thing, my glory shall not be there; and my presence shall not come unto it." (Doctrine & Covenants 94:8-9)
Unfortunately this was the only Mormon temple that had a pillar of fire rest upon it. Joseph Smith was
killed before the second temple at Nauvoo was dedicated and the saints were driven out of Illinois before
they were able to finish it. They dedicated the building just before it was finished (because of
persecution) and many were disappointed that another pillar of fire did not rest upon it. Other temples
that followed created the same disappointment until today a descending fire is the last thing expected
at a Mormon temple dedication. Joseph was the only one with the key of renting the veil of matter and
spirit at that time and place, and he was taken from them. Their latter-day Moses was gone.
Eventually this key will be restored again
and all the inhabitants of Zion will have knowledge of it and
the heavens and the earth will come together and eventually produce the Great Transfiguration of the
Earth, but the total event will occur over a long period of time. It will begin with a periodic and
occasional transfiguration of individuals, then small groups of individuals, then larger groups, and
later entire cities of Zion. Finally the transfiguration will spread over the entire earth and the
"whole earth will be filled with the glory of God."
The knowledge to release the light
of life from God, which permeates all things, lies in the order of
the New Jerusalem. Concerning the city John saw descend from heaven he said: "And there shall be
no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light."
(Revelation 22:5)
The order of the New Jerusalem causes an interplay of forces that separates the veil between spirit and
matter and causes the light within to
be manifest without. The New Jerusalem is the key that unlocks the
prison bars of matter, and the prison gates are unfolded releasing the central light of the One Living
God within. Then as John said, "the Lord God giveth them light."
This principle pertains to an atom, solar system, or universe. When the New Jerusalem is perfected in an
atom the light of God is then released and the element will then have a light of its own, and glow in the
dark. The luminous radium is an example of this.
When an individual aligns the various centers of force within his own body after the order of the New
Jerusalem he then is one of the wise virgins who does not need to borrow the oil of the Spirit from
others but is self sufficient, leaning only on the God within. When the alignment is perfect he is then
transfigured as Jesus or Moses and may even display a light which can be physically seen by others.
If a group were to build a temple, a city or even human order after the principles
of the New Jerusalem such as the tabernacle of Moses or the Mormon Kirkland temple, and the
human souls
within are set in the proper alignment, the light of the Spirit which permeates all things, in whom we
"live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28) will again shine forth.
If a group were to build an entire city after the order of the New Jerusalem, and the inhabitants
themselves were seeking the New Jerusalem consciousness then the entire city could be filled with light.
First, a highly refined spiritual light, and finally a materialized physical light so that from a
distance others would see Zion as "a flame of fire by night" [See Isaiah 4:5.] as
Isaiah said.
The New Jerusalem sequence also puts the forces within the city in harmony with nature so the inhabitants
have the correct rain in their season, and have no fierce winds or great storms. The earth cooperates
with the living city and brings forth an abundant harvest and dresses the city with beautiful flowers,
plants, and smells to bring gladness to the heart of those who breath the scented air that permeates
them.
Eventually as cities of Zion spring up and interlink in triangles and sevens and twelves and pyramids of
energies are formed, the whole earth will be transfigured and lighted with the glory of God.
Concerning the heavenly New Jerusalem John said:
"The city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with a reed, twelve thousand furlongs (1500 miles). The length and the breadth and the HEIGHT of it are equal." (Revelation 21:16)
The amazing part of this description is that the height of the heavenly city is equal to the width which
is approximately 1,500 miles (or possibly 1,440 miles). Many think that this would make a large cube, but
this is not necessarily so. A giant pyramid would also fit this description. The ancients had some
working knowledge of the New Jerusalem and applied some of it in the building of pyramids found around
the world.
Ironically, two symbols of the New Age
are found on the back of the [US] dollar bill. On the left we have the
symbol of the New Jerusalem, the pyramid with the all seeing eye of God at the top. The eye of God
radiates light indicating the release of the light at the center of all living things. Below the pyramid
in Latin is written NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM which means "a new order of the ages begins."
On the right we have the eagle which is the symbol of the gathering of Israel which is necessary to
solidify the New Age. Above the eagle's head are thirteen stars. In the Bible a star is a symbol of an
Israelite. These stars are a symbol of Israel and his twelves sons, or the twelve tribes, and also
correspond to the Christ and the twelve apostles. In the right foot is an olive branch symbolizing
"Peace on earth goodwill toward men," and his left foot has gathered twelve arrows telling us that
it is the destiny of this country to commence the gathering of the Twelve Tribes of Israel which will
become arrows of truth in the hands of God.
Even though future cities and Communities of Light may not follow an exact pyramid formation many
correspondences of the pyramid will be seen. Eventually there will even be a cities in [outer] space
symbolizing the top of the pyramid.
The 1500 mile height, in addition to physical components, will be composed of
mental energy rather than
material building blocks. This will enable the people of the earth to link up with many other New
Jerusalems on other planets and open up communication and transference possibilities that even the
most daring science fiction writer has not contemplated. Perfecting the New Jerusalem on this earth
is only a small step in the overall reality, for the greater
lives of the Solar Logos up to and beyond galactic lives are seeking to reveal the glory of God for
the whole, and not just the part, and the whole purpose of God is seemingly unfathomable to us now.
The whole Chapter 60 of Isaiah gives us a good description of Zion after the defeat of Gog and Magog.
Here we find that the nations who were once opposed to her now nurse her, build her walls, minister to
her, and bring their riches to Zion because she is the most secure investment in the world, and because
they feel that God is with her. Eventually there will be a great contrast between those who serve the
cause of Zion and those who do not, just as there is at present a contrast between the wealth of the
free nations and those under bondage. Many of the common people under totalitarian or dictatorial
regimes survive on a few hundred dollars a year. This contrast eventually forces a struggling nation to
adopt the more workable methods. Sooner or later the common people tire of being clothed in rags while
their neighbor is enjoying luxury.
Thus will the scripture be fulfilled:
"The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and shall call thee, the city of the Lord, the Zion of the holy One of Israel." (Isaiah 60:14)
We saw this correspondence
materialize between America and Great Britain. At first the British fought
tooth and nail to prevent the rise of liberty, but soon after the rise of the United States they
adopted it themselves. Then later in the two world wars they were brought to their knees and desperately
sought the assistance of the people they once persecuted.
A similar correspondence will occur among those who will oppose Zion.
Isaiah also writes:
"Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory (Man will look below the surface and see the inner beauty and light). Thy sun (the inner light) shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon (inner peace and love) withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Thy people also shall be all righteous (shall see the right way): they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
"A little one (one insignificant city) shall become a thousand (Zion shall grow to over a thousand cities), and a small one a strong nation (the thousand cities expands or creates a strong nation or people): I the LORD will hasten it in his time." (Isaiah 60:18-22)
The United States corresponded to this prophecy.
They began as a little one and grew to a thousand
cities, and the thousand cities became a small nation which grew into a great one.
On the future turn of the spiral Zion shall begin
as one small city and grow to a thousand. Then the thousand cities will grow into a great people, not
covering merely one nation but eventually filling the whole world which will break down national
boundaries until the inhabitants will begin to look upon themselves, not as citizens of a particular country, but world citizens of Zion. Then there shall
be no more Americans, or Russians, or Britains, but a world brotherhood that recognizes the oneness of
man. All men will be brothers regardless of race or location. After this, mankind will extend its
ring-pass-not to an interplanetary level. His
progression will cyclically continue onward and upward
into further reaches of space, time and dimensions until the great creative breath of the universal God
has ended billions and billions of years hence and the great pralaya sets in only to give way to a
greater creative manifestation of the One God.
-- End Of Chapter 31 --
Go To:
Next Chapter
Previous Chapter
The Gathering Of Lights (Chapter Index)
Copyright 2000 by J.J. Dewey, All Rights Reserved