2005-11-28 05:36:00
The three and a half periods generally applies to a period of work or tribulation that ends with a step of progress if the labor is not terminated.
The cycles could be divided like this.
First Period:
This is the period which lies within the expected time that the work is thought to be successfully completed.
Second Period:
This is the period that goes beyond that which was expected. Now it is apparent to all that the labor is much more difficult than expected. If the initiator perseveres some complaints will surface, but it appears he still has the support to continue to victory.
Third Period:
The initiator has persevered with bullheadedness, in the eyes of many, and it seems the work is doomed to failure and any more effort is a waste of time. Even many friends and supporters turn on the initiate and attempt to make him alter his path.
The Half a Time, or Period:
Only the committed initiate on the path of the Christ has the will to continue until this final time of enduring to the end is reached. Perhaps the best example of this was the work of Lincoln, a high initiate, during the Civil War. After over 500,000 deaths of his own brethren he continued to the half a time with a determination seen by few people in history. Now, on hindsight, we see that this half a time of perseverance was extremely important to the history of the world.
Even so it is with any disciple who follows the path of Christ. He will see a vision of his work and within himself form an estimate of how long it will take to achieve success.
This is the first period and after it passes it will seem he is farther from success than when he started. Then twice that time passes and still the goal is far away and initial supporters are starting to grumble and fall away.
Two times or cycles have passed and now he enters the "time," or the third cycle. Not only do supporters turn on him and wonder if he was ever right or inspired to begin with but he doubts himself. Only by going back in his mind to the initial revelation of the work and reminding himself of its reality can he manage the power to continue.
The disciple who does not do this only cries out "My God, why have you forsaken me!" and quits.
The disciple who does correctly reflect may still make this cry but he continues for the half a time despite the appearances and circumstances.
As he endures to the end through the final maze and fog the inner sun arises and its blazing flames dispel the mist and all doubts evaporate. After the half a time the disciple wonders why he ever doubted, for he is glad beyond measure that he did not give up.
Those who fell away from the cause return as if they were supporters all the time.
Those who betrayed him retreat into silence and dare not speak as they did before, else they appear as fools.
Those who stayed with the initiate are seen as true friends to himself and to each other and have joy and knowledge of real brotherhood - a brotherhood known to a sacred few.
Three and one half is half of seven, the number of days in a week and the number of cycles of creation.
After three a half days of creation God was in the middle of making the great lights in the heavens, darkness was no more.
After the three and a half cycles are passed the work is not done but the second half of the work begins. This is the work where the laborers proceed in the light rather than in the dark. It is now seen the labor is beneficial and desirable and many come to the aid of the initiator (who is often dead or gone) and finish the work.
For instance, after the civil war, even though Lincoln was dead, the people now saw the value of the labor and sought to finish his work and reconstruct the country. Indeed, there were many problems but overall the labor benefited many generations to come.
Remember that after God completed the seven days of labor his greatest creation (Adam) fell and still more labor was required to salvage him.
The earth itself was beautiful, but was far from perfect. Even so, no work started by an initiate is perfect and beyond criticism, but it will be a thing of beauty and will be a vehicle to assist humankind to go where they have not gone before.
Next we will more closes examine the following concerning the Two Witnesses:
And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. Rev 11:6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. Revelation 11:5
Space isn't remote at all. It's only an hour's drive away if your car could go straight upwards. Fred Hoyle (1915 - )
Copyright © 2005 by J J Dewey, All Rights Reserved