Tag: Bible

The Gathering and Technology

Joseph Dewey

May 11, 1999

The Gathering and Technology

The Molecular Relationship has been accomplished on some other worlds and also exists among the Masters on this one.

John wants to know my opinion about the gathering at the tower of Babel. There is a key verse illustrating the principle of the gathering in this story: “The LORD said, If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” The people gathered in one place and had one language and this caused all things to become possible for them.

There is a legend of that period that the Gods were jealous of man, so they scattered him so he could not compete with them. Another interpretation is that they were building a spacecraft to “reach heaven”, and man was not yet ready for this.

One thing that illustrates the power of the gathering is the development of the Atomic Bomb. This was created by the gathering together in one place of the greatest scientists in the world.

The standard interpretation is that the tower of Babel took man’s attention away from God, that they were supposed to reach heaven through God and not through other means. It also showed a lack of faith in God’s promise to not flood the earth again.

There is another gathering mentioned in the Bible that was approved by God, and that was the gathering of the Israelites out of Egypt. As we read, this was accompanied by numerous miracles. The gathering was not very successful, because the higher teachings that Moses brought down were destroyed, because the people were not ready for them.

Now, the Bible predicts that a similar occurrence shall occur again on a higher level, and the great miracles and occurrences shall be repeated again in our age with some differences. This time, the people will be ready for the higher teachings.

Question: In addition to the Molecular Relationship, can you think of other gatherings in our history that stimulated the evolution of the race?

It wasn’t on my hot list for gathering episodes, but I must admit that Woodstock was a great example. Even though it lasted just a few days, this mass instant gathering of like minds created an energy implant in the history of the human race. If a gathering for a short time of fairly normal folks with good intentions can have such an impact, imagine a more permanent gathering with directed purpose?

It is enlightening to contemplate how a small group of like minded souls gather together in a band and create together much more than they can in the separate condition.

Imagine what would happen if thousands of people applied this principle to changing the world and bringing peace on earth, good will to men (and women). Martin Luther King and Gandhi (as someone noted) were examples of a temporary gathering with purpose.

Attempts to gather the lights of the earth have been few. Moses made the first attempt in recorded history, but the lights he gathered out of Egypt were not much more enlightened than those who remained in Egypt.

Jesus made the next major attempt and was only able to gather a couple dozen around him capable of soul contact. That was still much better than Moses who only had two or three out of the millions. Even though the numbers around Jesus were few, look at the effect their oneness had on history.

The next great attempt was through Merlin and his student King Arthur in creating the Knights of the Round Table and Camelot. It is no coincidence that there were twelve knights, but there were also twelve females. Unrecorded in the Bible is the fact that there were also twelve female disciples who assisted in the work with Jesus.

Camelot went a step beyond that which Jesus did in his lifetime and that was the establishment of a physical kingdom. After its fall, succeeding leaders, through jealousy, did everything in their power to destroy records of that great period. It is interesting that the fragments of truth in the legends are much more fascinating than the real history of those who sought to destroy reality.

Several religious leaders such as Mohammed and the Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith sought to gather people. Joseph sought to build an enlightened kingdom, but his vision was lost shortly after his death.

The Library at Alexandria was a different type of gathering, a gathering of knowledge. It was by far the largest library in ancient times and as such became a magnetic force that drew the great minds of the age into one location. This gathering of knowledge was responsible for many great discoveries and philosophical ideas that have eventually altered the course of history.

Today, the foundation of the Internet is comparable to the foundation of the Alexandrian Library, but a higher octave thereof. The Internet provides means for the sharing of knowledge on a scale that was hitherto unknown, and few can see where it is leading us.

Did you know the Internet is prophesied of in the Bible? I’ll give another free autographed book to the first person who can tell me where the prophesy is. You have until Friday evening to find the answer.

The Internet in the Bible

Several of you gave some interesting scriptures in the right direction, but none gave any of the ones I was thinking of. Nevertheless, we’re going to have to give Dave a gold star for coming up with one that was entirely original and could certainly be applied to the Internet. Even though it was not what I had in mind, I’m going to send him a free autographed book.

Here is the scripture Dave quoted:

“Can you find the place where the light is distributed, whereon words are scattered upon the earth? Its back is made of shielded rows, shut up closely as with a seal. One is so near to another that no air can come between them. They are joined one to another; they clasp each other and cannot be separated. Its sneezes flash forth light, and its eyes are like the eyelids of the dawn. From its mouth go flaming torches; sparks of fire leap out.”

Job 41:15-19

If any of you want to comment further on this it is fine with me, but overall the connection is obvious.

One of the greatest predictions of the Internet was a parable of Jesus:

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, (the Internet) that was cast into the sea (the peoples of the earth – See Rev 17:15), and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full (when most are online), they drew to shore (many physically gathered from the Internet), and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels (Cities of Light), but cast the bad away (those who do not have soul contact leave). So shall it be at the end of the age: the messengers shall come forth, and sever those in error from among the just (the teachings of light will be rejected by those who are not ready), And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Matt 13:47-50

The truth of enlightened teachings will be so obvious that it will burn like a fire in those who refuse to accept them. The fire will produce the heated emotions of anger in the lesser evolved.

Isaiah talks about a highway that will be used as a tool to gather the lights.

Isaiah chapter eleven reads: “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people (those with the soul consciousness), which shall be left from Assyria (in the Hebrew this means the successful and prosperous people), and from Pathros (the southern countries), and from Cush (the darker skinned peoples), and from Elam (those who seek out the mysteries of God), and from Shinar (those who are seeking to leave unenlightened areas and situations and want to dwell with more enlightened people), and from Hamath (those who are seeking protection from possible future calamities), and from the islands of the sea (not only literal inhabitants of Islands, but also signifies those who think for themselves and raise above the sea of emotions). And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” (Isa 11:11-12)

The “ensign” will be a teaching or a sign that will be visible from “the four corners of the earth”, and will be a magnetic force to attract the lights of the planet.

The next verse is interesting: “But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines TOWARD THE WEST; and they shall spoil them of the east together…” (Isa 11:14) “The Philistines” is a symbol of intelligent people, but without soul consciousness. This scripture will have an amazing fulfillment. When the Israelites (the lights) gather first in the West, many of them will literally “fly” in aircraft owned by the modern Philistines toward the West, and they will spoil them of the East together. Those of the East are the religions supposedly enlightened in the east that will be “spoiled” by the West, because eventually, the West’s teachings will be greater than those had among the Jews, Hindus or Buddhists.

The verse continues: “…they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.” Verse 14 The word “lay” is a mistranslation of the Hebrew SHALACH, which means to “send out, stretch forth, or reach forth”. “Shall obey them” is also misleading. “Obey” is from MISHMAATH which is better rendered “hearken” or “to hear intelligently”. Several possible words are also left out. The ancient Greek Septuagint manuscript has the word “first” inserted twice in this verse.

Most important is understanding what is meant by Edom, Moab and Ammon. “Edom means red and corresponds to the American Indian. Moab is literally “her mother’s father”. Israel or Jacob’s mother’s father was Bethuel which means “destroyed of God” or “broken in pieces by God or great power”. “God” comes from the EL and can also be translated as “strength” or “power”. Those who are to receive the hand of fellowship will be those who have broken hearts and contrite spirits, those who have had their faith destroyed, or those who have suffered physical calamities.

Putting this all together and adding the two “firsts” from the ancient manuscript, we have the following meaning: “They shall first extend their hand to the downtrodden and humbled peoples and those who have been broken by great power, but those who are the most like the IsraELites (or those closest to soul contact) will be the first to hear intelligently.”

Verse 16 reads: “And there shall be a highway (the Internet) for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.” Here we are told that there will be a highway that will be a means to gather the lights out of Assyria (the prosperous areas of the world) that will be a higher correspondence to the gathering of the Israelites out of Egypt.

Isaiah further states:

“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD (Second Coming), make straight in the desert (a time when little real truth is taught) a highway (Internet) for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low…” Isa 40:3-4 Intelligent people with something to say but have no power are those in the valleys. Large corporations and the rich are those in the mountains. The Internet “exalts” those in the valleys so they have much more power to present their message, often making them equal to the rich and powerful (the mountains).

“…and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain.” (Verse 4) If governments, the rich and powerful, try to present lies to the people, they will be exposed on the Internet and “made straight”. The “rough places” are cover-ups, spins and deceptions presented to the people through the media and the powerful. The Internet will grow more and more powerful until such distortion will no longer be effective, but the truth will become “plain”.

Finally Isaiah sums it up:

“Go through, go through the gates (gateway to the net); prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway (gather on the super highway); gather out the stones (from EBEN implying those who build, create or initiate); lift up a standard for the people. Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world (earth), Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. And they shall call them, The holy (into wholeness) people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.” Isa 62:10-12

Remember each inspired writing has at least three interpretations. These scriptures can be interpreted from another angle of vision, but I think you will agree this is a fascinating one.

To visualize the complete fulfillment of these prophesies, we must realize that this “super highway” is just in its infancy. If we could see ten or twenty years into the future, (written in 1999) we may not even recognize it, but I think we can all see from participation on this small discussion group that it can be a great tool in gathering knowledge as well as great people who have much light to share.

Here is one final scripture that could refer to the Internet. Let us throw it out to the group to interpret it.

“For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.” Luke 12:2

The possible connection to the internet and modern communications is obvious.

Added April 29, 2017

I was asked:
The comment about “few can see where it is leading us” — made/makes me curious.

Any ideas?

JJ
This was written in 1999 and what we did not foresee back then was how easily the internet would now be accessed through mobile devices. People literally have it available wherever they go. Who thought that we would now just be speaking into a phone and getting answers like something from Star Trek. And of course, this is just he beginning. We’ll eventually have implants available that will only require thought to bring information and images from the internet into our brains. Not sure if I will participate in that though.

As far as the one language at the time of the Tower of Babel goes it consisted of the power of telepathy. Did it ever make sense to you that people could just forget how to speak their native language? Instead, their downward focussed eyes lowered their vibration and they lost mind to mind communication, or the spiritual internet.

We are now taking a step again toward the one language with the Internet. The next step is to become telepathic again. At that time nothing will be impossible for us.

Copyright by J J Dewey

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Is Evolution Contrary to the Biblical Teachings?

Joseph Dewey
This entry is part 17 of 57 in the series Mysteries

Question Seventeen

Is Evolution Contrary to the Biblical Teachings?

Many believers despise the idea of evolution and see it as an attempt by atheism to undermine God, the scriptures and all that is holy and good. Just mentioning the word in any context will make their hair stand on end.

Then there are other believers who accept evolution in varying degrees, seeing that God uses this mechanism of creation. Some literalists tolerate such views where others see any such acceptance as apostasy and heresy.

Let us start our discussion by examining what we know for sure about the subject. Fundamentalists often speak of evolution as if it has no true existence anywhere, but this obviously is not true.  Here are some areas where we should all agree evolution does take place.

(1) A child evolves into an adult.

(2) As we study our learning evolves from the simple to the complex.

(3) Computer programs evolve and become more capable and sophisticated.

(4) Civilization has evolved. We have evolved from hunters and gatherers, to farming, to manufacturing, to the space age, to the computer age, and show few signs of slowing down.

(5) Through selective breeding animals, plants and insects have been observed to evolve within their species.

(6) We have found skeletons of ancient humans that were definitely less evolved than modern man.

Okay, so certain types of evolution technically exist but the question at hand concerns the Bible’s teaching on it. Does the Bible really teach that there s no evolution?

First we must understand why many Bible believers see evolution as taught by science is not in harmony with scripture.

Many maintain that Genesis tells us that God created the earth, life on it and man from the dust of the earth, not some random selection from evolution. There is no mention of Adam and Eve evolving from a lower life form.

On the other hand, many believers have looked at the evidence of evolution as well as Intelligent Design and concluded that both may have played a hand. Perhaps God did use some type of evolutionary process in his work of creation.

That said, let us now look at what the Bible actually says or doesn’t say about the creative process.

(1) The word “evolution” is not mentioned in the Bible. It is doubtful that such a concept even entered the heads of any of the thinkers in Old Testament times. Since this was not a concept available to those who actually wrote the Bible then one cannot expect it to be argued for or against there.

(2) The Bible tells us that God spoke commands and then creation took place. As we noted earlier the time frame of creation is not clear, but in addition it doesn’t say clearly how the words of God were fulfilled.

Let us suppose I was telling a child a quick story of the things created by Steve Jobs saying, “And Steve said, let there be an iPhone created. And it was so, just as it was commanded, and Steve saw that it was good.”

Is this statement truthful? Yes. Steve did give orders for the iPhone’s creation and he was happy with the finished product.

Does this mean he just snapped his fingers and it instantly materialized?

No.  Of course not.

So, when God ordered he creation of the sun, moon and stars does this mean they all instantly appeared?

No. The Bible leaves out the details of how creation took place. It takes a tremendous leap of belief and reason to think that the trillions of stars materialized within 24 hours of a command.

(3) The Bible does give us a hint that evolution was a part of the creative process.  It says:

“And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.” Genesis1:11

“Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.” Genesis 1:20

“And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.” Genesis 1:24

Notice that God spoke and the earth and the life on earth just didn’t materialize but the earth and the waters cooperated to “bring forth,” or perhaps evolve the life that we now see around us.

Concerning the creation of man, the Bible doesn’t give many details except to say that he was created from the dust of the earth, something we all acknowledge to be true. Many believers think that God just said the word and a fully formed human appeared in an instant, but that is not what the Bible says. Exactly what process was used is a mystery, but nothing in the Bible rules out the possibility of evolution guided by the intelligence of God.

Copyright by J J Dewey 2014

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Fundamental Doctrines

Joseph Dewey
This entry is part 25 of 34 in the series 2011C

INTRODUCTION

 TEACHER: Today’s lesson reviews some fundamentals of The New Age. First we are going to show you from the scriptures why the churches are lacking in knowledge and stimulation. Next we are going to talk about Jesus Christ and the mystery of his name. Then we will go into the real purpose of baptism and the Holy Spirit. Finally we will show that the Bible itself teaches that it does not contain a fullness of His word and prophets and revelation exist today as much or more than it did in ancient times. We think you will find this and other lessons we have quite stimulating and interesting. But first why don’t you tell us a little about your background. Are you familiar with any church?

STUDENT: Yes. (Discuss his or her background a few minutes).

 

TEACHER: There are certainly a large number of churches in the world today. There are over a thousand Christian as well hundreds of non Christian faiths. Why do you think there are so many?

STUDENT: I guess people have different ideas and interpretations.

 

TEACHER: Do you think they could all be right?

STUDENT: Not really. (Only use the next paragraph if he thinks one is as right as another).

 

TEACHER: There are many opposing doctrines taught in the churches where both sides cannot be correct. For instance some teach that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, a perfect man. Others teach that he was a fraud and imposter. Both teachings could not be correct now could they?

STUDENT: I guess not.

 

TEACHER: On the other hand, none of the churches are entirely wrong either. They all teach us to submit to God and love our brother and sister don’t they?

STUDENT: Yes.

 

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CHURCHES?

 TEACHER: A person with pure intent will get some good out of any church. The problem is that they all have some good things about them, but they do not take the people far enough. The Bible talks about these problems connected with our day. Let us read here in Isaiah: [Scripture #1] (Read Isaiah 29:9-10) Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. It tells us here that the people of our day will not be drunk with regular wine, but with what?

STUDENT: A deep sleep.

 

TEACHER: Yes. The scripture tells us that this condition of sleep has caused the prophets and rulers to be “covered” and the people’s eyes will be closed. Have you noticed that many of the religious people of today seem to have their eyes closed to new knowledge and new and better ways of doing things?

STUDENT: It seems so. (The problems in the Middle East are a good example.)

 

TEACHER: Let us read more about this subject. Here in Chapter 28 the Lord is talking to people of our day that he calls the “drunkards of Ephraim”. [Scripture #2](Read Isaiah 28:7) But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgement. We have seen from the last quote that drunkenness is not always caused by a literal wine. The wine the ministers of today are drunk with is the scriptures. That may seem funny that the religious leaders and followers are drunk on the scriptures but when you think of all the things that people do in the name of God, it makes sense. Have you heard of people going to war because of some literal interpretation of the Bible or some other religious book?

STUDENT: Yes I have.

 

TEACHER: And have you heard of people abusing children because of something written in the scriptures?

STUDENT: Yes.

 

TEACHER: There are many other strange things people do who are drunk with scripture. They handle poisonous snakes, many men are tyrants over their wives in God’s name. Others believe babies are in a state of sin. Some hate other races because of the Bible. Some will die rather than take a blood transfusion. Many believe their priest or prophet cannot make a mistake when talking about religion because they have a special place with God. Others sell everything they have and go to a mountain top to await the return of Jesus believing he will destroy everyone but themselves. Others will not let their children go to school because they think it is controlled by Satan. Others think the Bible contains all the truth in the world. One of the most common signs of drunkenness is that most religious people think that God is going to send everyone to hell that does not have the same belief system as they do even if they are good and loving people. Now when you think about it, doesn’t it seem like people would have to be drunk to believe and do these things?

STUDENT: It would seem so.

 

TEACHER: Would you say that Isaiah is right when he says they err in vision, they stumble in judgement.

STUDENT: Yes.

 

TEACHER: Now read verse eight. [Scripture #3] For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean. Do you think that some religious leaders, like the child abusers we read of, helped to fulfill this prophecy?

STUDENT: Yes.

 

TEACHER: There are many other things besides infidelity that cause uncleanliness. The only real sin condemned by Jesus was hypocrisy. Do you think that this is a problem with the teachers today?

STUDENT: Definitely.

 

TEACHER: One of the biggest problems in this area is that many people teach love, but do not demonstrate it. Have you noticed this before?

STUDENT: Yes.

 

TEACHER: Now read verse nine: [Scripture #4] Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. The apostle Peter tells us that milk is the scriptures. (See I Peter 2:2) and breasts are linked with organizations that claim to be God’s people (see Isa 66:11). Isn’t it interesting that God says that people will have to look beyond the scriptures and churches to find knowledge and understanding?

STUDENT: Yes.

 

TEACHER: Next read verse 10: [Scripture #5] For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. What does the scripture say “must” be added?

STUDENT: Precepts must be added.

 

TEACHER: Wouldn’t it be difficult to continue to add precepts, knowledge and understanding if we used nothing else but the Bible?

STUDENT: I suppose so.

 

TEACHER: All of our schools and universities add much knowledge that is not in the Bible. On the other hand, there is much spiritual knowledge that the Bible does not clearly explain. For instance, it does not plainly tell us what happens after we die or how the universe was created. Have you ever had questions that have not been answered from the Bible?

STUDENT: Yes.

 

TEACHER: Verse eleven tells us why he repeated himself in verse ten: [Scripture #6] For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. We are taught in English today which is a different language than Isaiah used but the word “stammering” is particularly interesting. It comes from the Hebrew LAEG (Law-ayg) which indicates a silly or imperfect repetition of a foreign speech or a foreign person. Therefore he is prophesying that the people of today will be taught out of the Bible (which was written by a foreign people in another tongue) with silly repetition. Does this prophecy seem to be fulfilled?

STUDENT: Yes.

 

TEACHER: Now read verse 12: [Scripture #7] To whom he said, this is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. God has always promised his people a rest and refreshing. He did through Moses (Exodus 33:14) and also through Jesus. You may remember the words of Jesus when he said: [Scripture #8] Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matt 11:28-30) Would you say that the ministers of the world have made the burden of the people easier or heavier?

STUDENT: It would seem to be heavier.

 

TEACHER: The burdens they have heaped upon the people have been great. They expect them to give large sums of money and the people get nothing in return but a large stone building and a sermon once a week. Followers give ministers their dedication, but they receive no new precepts, they give of their spirit yet they get no healing. Lastly they give them custody of their souls yet they have much more guilt and a heavier yoke than the so-called heathen. All the teaching of the scriptures is directed toward lifting our burdens and entering into the rest of God, but how does it say that people will react toward the invitation of rest?

STUDENT: That they would not hear it.

 

TEACHER: It is amazing that people almost seem to want to have guilt, worries and heavy burdens. Now read Isaiah 28 verse thirteen: [Scripture #9] But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept: line upon line, line upon line; here a little and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. Here he repeats or stammers on the words, “precepts” and “lines” again. Why do you suppose he does that?

STUDENT: To emphasize that the people will be taught with great repetition.

 

TEACHER: The little light they are given with great repetition will cause the people to do what?

STUDENT: To fall backward, and be broken, and snared and taken.

 

TEACHER: How do the scriptures, even if they are true, make the people fall backward?

STUDENT: The teachers and the people are asleep and do not understand them.

 

TEACHER: The word “taken” comes from the Hebrew Lâkad (Law-kad) which means “caught in a trap.” The great repetition and misunderstanding of simple scriptures will actually lead the people backward, instead of forward, into a trap that God has set for the Bible teachers of today. Isaiah tells us in this same chapter that a “report” (verse 19) or message of light will be given and certain calamities will follow it to get the people’s attention. But the trap will be seen when regular church teachings are compared to this message. Is a light more visible in daylight or darkness?

STUDENT: In darkness

 

TEACHER: The people will see the trap set for the Bible teachers when their darkness is compared with the light of the New Age. The Bible tells us that people will not only stumble with the scriptures, but with Christ himself. Peter here talks about this. (Read I Peter 2:8) [Scripture #10] And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. Here Peter tells us that those who stumble at the word, or the scriptures, and do not fulfill their appointments will have Jesus as “a stone of stumbling.” We talked about how teachers are often blind to the scriptures. Do you think that many of them are also blind to the Living Christ and who he really is?

STUDENT: Yes.

 

TEACHER:In the days of the early Christians Paul wrote concerning those who thought they had a corner on the scriptures in that day; (Read Romans 11:8-10) [Scripture #11] (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap. and a stumblingblock, and a recompense to them: Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. Do you think that history is repeating itself and that this scripture applies to the religions today?

STUDENT: Yes.

 

JESUS CHRIST AND THE MYSTERY OF HIS NAME

 TEACHER: It is important here that we clear up some of the darkness surrounding Jesus. The various sects today are purporting the idea that Jesus is the one and only Son of God. The Bible, on the other hand, shows Jesus as our wiser brother who came to show us an example and to teach us. A lot of the problem is caused through mistranslation. Let us read John 10:36: [Scripture #12] Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said I am the Son of God? Notice Jesus is quoted as saying he is “the” Son of God but in the Greek that it is translated from there is no ‘the’ and it is correctly translated as “a Son of God.” Why do you suppose the translators mistranslate it even though they know better?

STUDENT: Because it goes along with what they believe.

 

TEACHER: It is surprising that they did not repeat the error with the word Saviour because most sects call him “the Saviour.” Let us read Luke 2:11: [Scripture #13] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. When someone is called “the” something it generally means he is the only one, but when he is called “a” something it means he is one of many. Since Jesus was called a Son of God and a Saviour would this mean that there are other Sons of God and other Saviours besides him?

STUDENT: I suppose so.

 

TEACHER: We will prove it. Read Obediah verse 21: [Scripture #14] And Saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s. How do we know there will be more than one saviour here?

STUDENT: Because Saviours is plural.

 

TEACHER: There are numerous instances in the scriptures where we are called brethren to Jesus. (See: Matt 25:40; Heb 2:11 & Rom 8:29) If Jesus is our brother would we also not be sons of God?

STUDENT: I would think so.

 

TEACHER: There are many scriptures that teach this. We’ll just read one (Read Romans 8:14-17): [Scripture #15] For as many as are lead by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. How many of us are sons of God according to verse 14?

STUDENT: As many as are lead by the Spirit.

 

TEACHER: It says we will be joint-heirs with Christ. What does this mean?

STUDENT: It would mean that we will inherit the same benefits that he will.

 

TEACHER: Another false teaching is that the man Jesus created the heaven and earth. This is because Jesus is identified with the word of God in John (Read John 1:1-3): [Scripture #16] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. If Jesus was the Word it certainly sounds like he created everything, doesn’t it?

STUDENT: Yes.

 

TEACHER: There is an important word here that is mistranslated. In verse three instead of “him” it should read “it.” Now read it over and tell me how that changes the meaning.

STUDENT: “It” would not refer to a person.

 

TEACHER: “It” here is the creative Spirit of God that not only flows through Jesus, but through all of us. Just as Jesus is not the only Word he is also not the only Christ. To understand what Christ is it would be helpful to read all of First Corinthians Chapter Twelve. We will just take time for verse 12 however: [Scripture #17] For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. Here Christ is not referred to as a person but what?

STUDENT: A body.

 

TEACHER: Does it say that the body has one member, or many members?

STUDENT: Many members.

 

TEACHER: Now read verse 27. It tells who the members of the body were: [Scripture #18] Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. Who are the members that made up Christ?

STUDENT: The people Paul was writing to and probably us today also.

 

TEACHER: The man Jesus is not all of Christ there is but is merely the head (Colossians 1:18) of the body of Christ. Now another startling fact is that the Master from Galilee is only one of many that bears the name of Jesus Christ. The name actually signifies a calling and means “anointed to deliver, or save.” Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world, but there are many who cooperate in that calling. The man Jesus is our head or leader, but the name is shared with infinite beings throughout the universe. Others who were called Christ or Messiah (which has the same meaning) are Saul (I Sam 24:10), David (Psalms 89:38), King Cyrus (Isaiah 45:1, Israel Psalms 105:14-15) and the High Priest (Leviticus 4:5). The root of the word is used in connection with the early saints: (Read II Corinthians 1:21) [Scripture #19] Now he which stablishesth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God. The word “anointed” here comes from the same root as Christ does and could be translated as “Christed”. Now read it again translated this way.

STUDENT: Now he which stablishesth us with you in Christ, and hath Christed us, is God.

 

TEACHER: Were other people besides Jesus Christed then?

STUDENT: It appears so.

 

TEACHER: This name that we can share is a great mystery and a stumbling block to the religions throughout history. Let us read here where Paul is talking about Jesus Christ. (Read Ephesians 1:21): [Scripture #20] {He is} Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in the world to come. The name of Jesus Christ is higher than any name not only in this world, but where else?

STUDENT: Also the world to come.

 

TEACHER: Now read Philippians 2:9: [Scripture #21] Wherefore God hath highly exalted him (Jesus), and given him a name which is above every name. The name of Jesus Christ is higher than how many names?

STUDENT: “Every name.”

 

TEACHER: Jesus often talked about his Father’s name. Let us read an interesting scripture about it. Read the first two lines of verses 6 & 26 in John Chapter 17. [Scripture #22] I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me… And I have declared unto them (the disciples) thy name, and will declare it… Here we are told that Jesus revealed to men the name of the Father. Do you remember any scripture where Jesus identified the name of the Father?

STUDENT: No.

TEACHER: The name of the Father was revealed many times. We have just missed it. We can read a hint in the last sentence of John 14:28: [Scripture #23] My Father is greater than I. Who was the greatest? Jesus or his Father?

STUDENT: The Father.

 

TEACHER: Therefore who should have the greatest name?

STUDENT: The Father

 

TEACHER: But who does the scriptures say has the highest name in this world or the world to come? (Refer back to Eph. 1:21 and Phil 2:9 [Scriptures 20&21] if necessary)

STUDENT: Jesus Christ

 

TEACHER: How could Jesus Christ have the highest name when the Father is greater?

STUDENT: I’m not sure.

 

TEACHER: We’ll read one more scripture to clarify this. Let us turn to John 10:25: [Scripture #24] Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed me not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. Whose name did Jesus do his works in?

STUDENT: The Father’s.

 

TEACHER: And what name was that?

STUDENT: The name of Jesus Christ.

 

TEACHER: This makes everything logical. If the name of Jesus Christ is the highest then and the Father is greater than the man Jesus, then the name of the Father would also have to be the highest name, wouldn’t it?

STUDENT: Yes.

 

TEACHER: Obviously, the Father would not have a lower name than the Son. On the other hand do not sons carry the same name as their fathers?

STUDENT: Yes they do?

 

TEACHER: This is verified in Ephesians 3:14-15: [Scripture #25] For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. Earlier we read that God’s sons are those who have his Spirit. Would you agree that the Father’s family are the Sons and Daughters of God, or those who are in tune with His Spirit?

STUDENT: Yes.

 

TEACHER: This scripture says that God’s family in heaven and on earth is named after who?

STUDENT: The Father.

 

TEACHER: And what name does he have?

STUDENT: Jesus Christ.

 

TEACHER: Do you remember what this name means?

STUDENT: Anointed to deliver or save.

 

TEACHER: The reason it is the highest name is because there is no greater calling in the universe than to be anointed to deliver or save others from a lower estate or plane of consciousness and bring them up higher. Can you think of a greater work than helping someone else in their progression?

STUDENT: No.

 

TEACHER: As final evidence of this let us read the final words of Jesus to his disciples: (Read Matthew 28:19) [Scripture #26] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Look at the word “name” here and tell me if it is singular or plural.

STUDENT: It is singular.

 

TEACHER: Now if the Father, Son and Holy Ghost had three names it would read “the names of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost,” but because it is singular, how many names would he be referring to?

STUDENT: One name.

 

TEACHER: Peter clearly tells us what name that was (Read Acts 2:38): [Scripture #27] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. So what was the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost that they were commanded by Jesus to be baptized in?

STUDENT: The name of Jesus Christ.

 

TEACHER: The next thing we need to learn is how to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ. An ordinance was instituted to help us accomplish this. Do you know what it was?

STUDENT: Was it baptism?

 

TEACHER: Let us read the effect of baptism: (Read Galatians 3:27): [Scripture #28] For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. What is supposed to happen through baptism?

STUDENT: We put on Christ.

 

TEACHER: Do you suppose that means that we take his name upon us as well as his nature?

STUDENT: It could.

 

TEACHER: Not only do we take his name upon us but we also are to bear his image. (Read Romans 8:29): [Scripture #29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son [Christ], that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Whose image are we supposed to bear?

STUDENT: The Christ or the Son of God.

 

TEACHER: How do we know from this scripture that Jesus will not be the only Christ, or the last one born?

STUDENT: Because it calls him the firstborn among many brethren. Therefore there are going to be many more like him.

 

TEACHER: In addition we are supposed to have another part of Christ in us. Read here in Philippians: (Phil 2:5-6) [Scripture #30] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. What is supposed to be in us?

STUDENT: The same mind that was in Jesus.

 

TEACHER: Now let us read about what we are supposed to be like when the Master appears: (Read I John 3:2) [Scripture #31] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. What are we to be like when he appears?

STUDENT: Like him.

 

TEACHER: And why is that?

STUDENT: Because we shall see him as he is.

 

TEACHER: And what is he?

STUDENT: Our brother. (Remember he was the firstborn of many brethren?)

 

 

BAPTISM AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

 TEACHER: The mode of baptism as well as the reason is clearly given by Paul: (Read Romans 6:3-5) [Scripture #32] Know ye not, that so many of us were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. When we are buried in the water through baptism it is a symbol of what?

STUDENT: The burial of Christ in the tomb.

 

TEACHER: And what is being raised up out of the water a symbol of?

STUDENT: Christ being raised from the dead

 

TEACHER: It is also a symbol of being born again. Before we are born for the first time we are completely submerged in water. By submerging ourselves completely in water through baptism we are symbolizing a new birth. Let us read about this newness. (Read II Cor 5:17) [Scripture #33] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. This new birth is a symbol of starting over in the life of the Spirit with a clean slate, as if all past mistakes have never been, and all guilt is instantly washed away. Why do you suppose Jesus, the greatest of us all, was baptized?

STUDENT: To set the example for us.

 

TEACHER: Do you remember what descended and rested upon Jesus when he was baptized?

STUDENT: The Spirit of God

 

TEACHER: There is an ordinance to assist us in receiving the spirit which is mentioned in Acts Chapter Eight verses fourteen through seventeen: [Scripture #34] Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. What did the apostles do to help the church members receive the Holy Ghost?

STUDENT: They laid their hands on them.

 

TEACHER: Again this follows a correspondence. Right after we are born we come out of water and have the spirit of life enter us. After we are born spiritually through baptism what is to enter us?

STUDENT: The spirit of God.

 

 

CONTINUAL REVELATION

 TEACHER: Many of the churches today teach that all that God has to say to man is contained in the Bible. Does it make any sense that God would speak to people in one age, but not another?

STUDENT: Not really

 

TEACHER: The Bible indicates that this is true. (Read Acts 10:34) [Scripture #35] Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respector of persons. If this is true would God respect the people in one age and give them revelation, but close the windows of heaven to their requests in another?

STUDENT: I would not think so.

 

TEACHER: Many churches teach that there will be no more prophets after Jesus, but this is not in harmony with the Bible. Let us read here in Ephesians (Eph 2:19-20): [Scripture #36] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God. And are built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. What is the foundation of the church of Christ?

STUDENT: Apostles and prophets.

 

TEACHER: The Bible even names prophets that were in the church after Jesus left. (Read Acts 13:1) [Scripture #37] Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. How many prophets were named in the one city of Antioch alone?

STUDENT: Four: Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, and Manaen.

 

TEACHER: Now a prophet is one who has power to prophesy or reveal spiritual truths. An important ingredient in becoming a prophet is mentioned in the Book of Revelations: (Rev 19:10) [Scripture #38] And I fell at his (the angel’s) feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy. This scripture tells us that we will have the spirit of prophecy if what happens?

STUDENT: If we have a testimony of Jesus.

 

TEACHER: If you had the spirit of prophecy then you’d be a prophet, wouldn’t you?

STUDENT: I suppose so.

 

TEACHER: This spirit is supposed to rest upon many people in the time we are approaching. We can read about this in Joel (Read Joel 2:28-29) [Scripture #39] And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. It sounds like there will be many prophets doesn’t it?

STUDENT: Yes.

 

TEACHER: Will the prophets be just men, or men and women?

STUDENT: The scripture mentions daughters and handmaids so it must be men and women.

 

TEACHER: Did you ever think that you may become a prophet yourself?

STUDENT: I never thought about it that way.

 

TEACHER: We must always remember that the gifts of the Spirit are for all men and women, not just a select few. One of the reasons many churches do not believe in revelation today is because of one of the last verses in the Bible. (Read Revelations 22:18): [Scripture #40] For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. Many people think that the book talked about here is the Bible and that whoever adds new revelation to it will be damned, but did the Bible even exist as a book at the time John was writing the Book of Revelations?

STUDENT: No.

 

TEACHER: The Bible was not compiled as we have it today until hundreds of years later; therefore what book could John have been referring to?

STUDENT: The Book of Revelations.

 

TEACHER: John was merely telling readers not to alter his book. If you wrote an inspired book you wouldn’t want people to change it either, would you?

STUDENT: I guess not.

 

TEACHER: Furthermore John himself added to the Bible after the Book of Revelations was written. Scholars say that he wrote the Gospel of John after the Book of Revelations and that it is the last book written for the Bible. Therefore, if the books of the Bible were placed in chronological order the Book of John would be last. Now let us read the true last verse of the Bible. (Read John 21:25) [Scripture #41] And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. Does this sound like that there could be more spiritual books than just the Bible?

STUDENT: It certainly does.

 

TEACHER: In fact the Bible clearly tells us that all things hidden shall be revealed. (Read Luke 12:2): [Scripture #42] For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Do you think it will take more than the Bible to reveal all hidden things to mankind?

STUDENT: Definitely.

 

TEACHER: In the past God has revealed his word through scriptures. You are probably aware that there are many other scriptures in the world. Almost every religion has some type of holy book. We read earlier that God is no respector of persons. Therefore do you think he may have given inspiration and revelation to other people besides the Jews?

STUDENT: It is possible.

 

TEACHER: Therefore do you think that these other world scriptures may also have many worthwhile things in them just as the Bible does?

STUDENT: Probably.

 

TEACHER: A church teaching the truth does not recognize any book or an interpretation of any book as infallible because all truths have to be filtered through human consciousness. But we can get infallible truth from any scripture if we read it in connection with what?

STUDENT: The Spirit of God within us.

 

TEACHER: Therefore we encourage people to read and teach from any of the world scriptures that teach truths that are verified by our Higher Selves. Does that sound fair enough?

STUDENT: Yes.

 

TEACHER: There are many other good books in the world too numerous to mention that teaches many great and important principles. We encourage people to read and study several books which we believe are revelations given out either through Jesus Christ or under His direction. They are as follows: (1) Many of the world scriptures. (2) The Secret Doctrine through Madame H. P. Blavatski. This was published in 1888 and revealed by a Master working under the Christ. It contains introductory teachings for the New Age. (3) The writings of Alice A. Bailey. She published twenty-four books with revelations from the same Master. These contain the intermediate teachings for the New Age. The advanced teachings will be given out around 2025. (4) The Course In Miracles. This is a three-volume set designed to lead us away from the illusion to the true reality. (5) The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ. This is a revelation given out around the turn of the century giving a history of the entire life of Jesus. (6) Inspired writings that will be given out from time to time. This ought to give us plenty of study materials for a while, shouldn’t it?

STUDENT: You’d think so.

 

Copyright 2011 by J J Dewey

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THE LAW OF REBIRTH

Joseph Dewey
This entry is part 21 of 34 in the series 2011C

TEACHER:  Where we came from, why we are here and where we are going are three questions that have been asked since man came on the earth.  We will delve into these as clearly as possible using the scriptures and common sense as guidelines.  Most religious teachers seem to think that we began at birth and before that time we were in total oblivion.  Few realize that this idea is contrary to the Bible.  In this lesson we are going to show you that:

(1)  Man is an eternal being who existed before birth.

(2)  Why we are here.

(3)  Where we go after we die

(4)  That man is reborn, or reincarnated until he reaches perfection.

 

The Bible clearly tells us that there is a spirit in man but a scripture that illustrates this quite well was given by Paul.  (Read II Corinthians 12:2)   “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (Whether in the body, I cannot tell, or whether OUT OF THE BODY, I cannot tell:  God knoweth;)  such an one caught up to the third heaven.”  II Cor 12:2  Paul here speaks of being caught up to the third heaven and he tells us that he could not tell if he was in the body or out of the body.  Why do you suppose he could not tell if he was out of his body or not?

STUDENT:  Because being out of the body was similar to being in the body.

 

TEACHER:  Have you heard of out-of-body experiences that people have had in recent times?

STUDENT:  Yes.

 

TEACHER:  As you probably know there are many books written on the subject  relating near-death experiences where people have left their bodies and were hardly aware of it.  In fact their astral, or spirit, body seemed so much like their regular body that they often thought they were still in the physical.  Often when these people are brought back to life they will relate conversations they heard or events they have seen that happened some distance from their physical body, but were verified to be true.  Does it sound here like Paul may have had an out-of-body experience?

STUDENT:  It seems so.  He even uses the phrase “out of the body.”

 

 

TEACHER:  First we’ll read one of the more metaphysical scriptures in the Bible.  (Read Eccl 12:6-7)  “Or ever THE SILVER CORD BE LOOSED, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel be broken at the cistern.   Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was:  and the SPIRIT SHALL RETURN unto God who gave it.”  Those who have had out-of body experiences have seen that the spirit or astral body is connected to the physical by a silver cord.  Many spiritual people throught the world believe that this silver cord is a life cord that sustains us and that at death it is severed.  In this scripture the writer is talking about what happens at death.  What does he say happens to the silver cord?

STUDENT:  It is loosed.

 

TEACHER:  He also tells us that at death the golden bowl is broken.  Do you have any idea what this is?

STUDENT:  I’m not sure.

 

TEACHER:  This is the etheric body which is an energy body of light and us usually golden or yellow in color.  The great thing about this is that you can actually see it.  Would you like to see my golden bowl, or etheric body?

STUDENT:  Why not?

 

TEACHER: (Stand several feet away against a light wall, perferably white.)  Now look at me right in the center of my forehead for a minute or so and don’t take your eyes off for a second.  (Have the student stare at you for about two minutes.)  Now  keep staring at this same location without moving your eyes while I move away.  What do you see?

STUDENT:  Wow!  I see a glowing yellow or golden image.

 

TEACHER:  This is the golden bowl which is broken at death.  It is not the spirit which continues to survive.  The pitcher  broken at the fountain, and the wheel be broken at the cistern refers to the destruction of the physical body.  What does it say happens to the spirit of man at death?

STUDENT:  It says it returns to God.

 

TEACHER:  Can you return to a place if you have not been there before?

STUDENT:  Not really

 

TEACHER:  If we return to God, does that mean that we came from there?

STUDENT:  It would seem so.

 

TEACHER:  Now most people believe  that  we as individuals had no existence before birth.  How does this scripture indicate to us that this is not the case, that we did exist before birth?

STUDENT:  If we return to God at death we must have been there sometime before birth.

 

TEACHER:  Now there are a lot of religions who believe that all this spirit is is breath and that we have no consciousness or form away from the body.  Lets read a scripture from Paul that clarifies this:  The things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.  For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle (the physical body) were dissolved, we have a building of God, (The Spirit of man) an house not made with hands, ETERNAL in the heavens.  II Cor. 4:18;5:1  Now the “earthly house” would be our physical body.  What happens when this dies or dissolves?

STUDENT:  We still have a house made without hands, eternal in the heavens.

 

TEACHER:  Now reread the first scripture.  How does that tell us we still have consciousness out of the body?

STUDENT:  If Paul could not tell if he was out of the body or in the body then we must still have our natural consciousness out of the body.

 

TEACHER:  There are a number of scriptures that clearly teach that we lived before birth.  Please read Titus 1:2:  In hope of eternal life which God who cannot lie PROMISED BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN.  When did God promise eternal life to us?

STUDENT:  Before the world began?

 

TEACHER:  How could he promise it to us if we were not there?

STUDENT:  He couldn’t.

 

TEACHER:  Now we will read a fascinating scripture that reveals where we were before the world began.  Here the “I” referred to represents the wisdom of God.  This could have been Jesus Christ.  (Read Prov 8:1,22-31)  The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.  I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.  When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.  Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:  While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.  When he prepared the heavens, I was there:  when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:  When he established the clouds above:  When he strengthened the fountains of the deep:   When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment:  When he appointed the foundations of the earth:  Then I was by him as one brought up with him:  and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; rejoicing in the habitable part of HIS EARTH; and my delights were WITH THE SONS OF MEN.  How do we know that wisdom, or Christ was speaking of a time before the creation of the world?

STUDENT:  It says clearly that the earth was not made yet.

 

TEACHER:  And who did Wisdom share his delights with (verse 31)?

STUDENT:  The sons of men.

 

TEACHER:  Are you and I part of the sons of men?

STUDENT:  Sure.

 

TEACHER:  Where were we at when we rejoiced with God and wisdom?

STUDENT:  In the habitable part of his earth?

 

TEACHER:  Do you think this may mean that we lived on other planets and spheres before we lived on this earth?

STUDENT:  It seems to indicate that.

 

TEACHER:  God verified to Jeremiah that he knew him somewhere before he was born on this earth.  (Read Jeremiah 1:4-5)  Then came the word of the Lord unto me saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I KNEW THEE; and BEFORE thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.  Why did God know that Jeremiah would make a good prophet?

STUDENT:  He knew him before he was born.

 

TEACHER:  This also makes sense.  Most of the religious world tells us that man will live forever but began at birth.  Modern mathematics teaches that this is impossible, that there is no such thing as a beginning to something that lasts for infinity.  Therefore, if man lives forever after death, he also had to exist forever before birth.  That sounds logical doesn’t it?

STUDENT:  Seems to.

 

TEACHER:  One of the great mysteries sages have pondered on throughout time is the question of why we are here.  Have you ever wondered this?

STUDENT:  Yes.

 

TEACHER:  Now the Bible does not come out and say point blank what the purpose of man is, but the answer can be discovered by searching the scriptures.  A clue to our destiny is given in the name of God.   When  Moses had his great revelation and spoke to God face to face the first question he ask of Him was his name.  The reason he asked his name was simple.  In those days a persons name represented something  very important about the person.  For instance  Moses meant “drawn from the water,”  Joseph meant “he will increase”  and David meant “Beloved of God.”  Moses thought that God’s name would tell him once and for all who or what he was.  We can read  God’s answer in Exodus 3:14.   And God said to Moses, I AM THAT I AM:  and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.   I AM THAT I AM seems like a strange name doesn’t it?

STUDENT:  Yes.

 

TEACHER:  One of the reasons that people have had difficulty in making sense of it is because this is not an accurate translation.  It is more correctly rendered:  I AM BECOMING WHAT I AM BECOMING.  In other words, God was telling Moses that he could not give him a name like  the Hebrews used that would reveal who he was because he was becoming whatever it was he wanted to become.  Moses learned that God was an evolving God and that His goals, pupose and plan would be different tomorrow than it is today.  Therefore a meaningful name given in one age may loose its meaning in the next.   After examining this name do you think that God himself still sets goals for himself?

STUDENT:  I would think so if he is in a state of becoming.

 

TEACHER:  “Becoming” is very close in meaning to “evolving.”  What God chooses to be, or evolve toward is certainly a goal isn’t it?

STUDENT:  Yes.

 

TEACHER:  Imagine what your life would be like if you had reached some ultimate perfection and could have no new goals.  That sounds pretty boring, doesn’t it?

STUDENT:  Yes.

 

TEACHER:  Yet the sects of the world seem to wish this nightmare existence on God.  Actually, they have it backwards.  God is the God of life and life is newness and change.  A static condition is death and this is the true hell.  Now we’ll read an interesting scripture in Isaiah 43:7  Even every one that is called by my name:  for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.  Does it say here that we can be called by God’s name?

STUDENT:   Yes

 

TEACHER:  When the I AM presence in us decides to be or do a certain thing and we allow ourselves the freedom to do it then we bear the name of God.  Now why does it say that God created us?

STUDENT:  For his glory.

 

TEACHER:  We bring glory to god by glorifying his name and we do this by becoming free to accomplish any good goal that we set for ourselves to all eternity.  Just like we are proud of our children, and happy they bear our names when they learn to set worthwhile goals and reach them, even so is God glorified when we realize we must actively pursue a joyous life.  That sounds a lot better than just playing a harp for eternity doesn’t it?

STUDENT:  Yes.

 

TEACHER:  Now let us find out what happens when we die.  Jesus gives us a clue in his words to the repentant theif that was crucified with him:  (Read Luke 23:43)  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.  Where did Jersus say that he and the thief would be after death?

STUDENT:  In Paradise.

 

TEACHER:  Peter tells us of another place Jesus visited (Read I Peter 3:18-19:  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:   By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison.  Where did Jesus go to preach here?

STUDENT:  To the spirits in prison.

 

TEACHER:  From these two scriptures we have read we know that Jesus visited two places in the spirit world.  One was a place called paradise where he promised to meet te repentant thief.  The other place is called the spirit prison where live the “unjust.”  In the next chapter Peter tells us why Jesus visited this spirit prison.  (Read I Peter 4:6)  For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.  Who did Jesus teach the gospel to here while his body was in the tomb?

STUDENT:  The dead.

 

TEACHER:  Why is that?

STUDENT:  So they can be judged on the same basis as the living.

 

TEACHER:  Its only logical that the dead need to be taught the truth just as much as do we the living.  Now we basically know where we go right after we die the question is:  What happens to us next?  The next scripture gives us a clue.  (Read John 5:28-29)  The hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.  How many does it say here will here the voice of God and  be resurrected?

STUDENT:  All that are in the graves.

 

TEACHER:  The scripture talks about two resurrections.  What are they?

STUDENT:  The resurrection of life and the resurrection of damnation.

 

TEACHER:  The word “resurrection” means “to come to life again.”  The scriptures make it clear that the resurrection of life was the kind that Jesus had.   That is, even though his body was destroyed,  he came back from the spirit world and brought it back to life and then ascended to his Father.  Do you have any idea what the resurrection of damnation is?

STUDENT:  I’m not sure.  Hell perhaps.

 

TEACHER:  People misunderstand what the resurrection of damnation is because the word is a mistranslation.  “Damnation” comes from the Greek word KRISIS and in the King James Bible has been translated as “accusation, condemnation, damnation and judgement.”   Translators are reluctant to render it correctly because it does not support orthodox Christian thought.   The modern English word “crisis” comes from it and the Greek implies “a decision that brings correction.”  The word “damnation is not even a close word to this.  Therefore, if we translate the phrase “resurrection of damnation” literally from the Greek it would read:  “Coming to life again to face decisions that bring correction.”  The modern English word that is closest to this meaning is “reincarnation.”  Have you ever considered that we may live more than one life on the earth?

STUDENT:  I’ve thought about it.

 

TEACHER:  It is interesting that the only useful scripture in the Bible for refuting reincarnation has this word in it.  (Read Hebrews 9:27)  And as it is appointed  unto man once to die, but after this the judgement.  On the surface here it sounds like we will only die once and therefore only live once, doesn’t it?

STUDENT:  Seems to.

 

TEACHER:  When we read it in the Greek,  however,  we get a different view.  “But” comes from ALLA which literally means “contrariwise.”  This tells us that “after this the judgement” contradicts the “once to die.”  The word “judgement” here is the key to the scripture.   Again, it is a mistranslation for it also comes from the word KRISIS.  No doubt Paul is telling us that we will only have to die once if we are entering the resurrection of life, but the exception will be those who enter the resurrection of KRISIS.  This is supported by another scripture.  (Read Revelations 20:12-15)  They [the dead] were judged every man according to their works.  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.  This is the second death.  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast [to suffer a second death] into the lake of fire.  How do we know that we can die more than once?

STUDENT: Because the scripture clearly mentions a second death.

 

TEACHER:   Those who do not suffer the second death are written in the book of life.  Which resurrection do you suppose these people will have.

STUDENT:  The resurrection of life.

 

TEACHER:  Which resurrection will those not written in the book of life have who also suffer a second death?

STUDENT:  Probably the resurrection of KRISIS (mistranslated damnation).

 

TEACHER:  The Bible tells us how long we must suffer the resurrection of KRISIS:  (Read I Corinthians 3:16-17)  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy:   for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.  The scriptures tell us that the temple of God is the body.  What happens if we defile it?

STUDENT:  We will be destroyed.

 

TEACHER:  Our bodies return to dust and are destroyed until we quit defiling ourselves.  We live many lifetimes and are reborn again and again until we do not defile ourselves.  When perfection is reached we are then written in the Book of Life and are brought back to life again in a perfect undefiled body that does not have to ever die again.  A few verses later Paul gives some interesting information to those who are following the Spirit.  (Read I Corinthians 3:21-23):  Therefore let no man glory in men.  For all things are yours;  Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come, all are yours;  And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.  How many things are promised to those who follow the Spirit?

STUDENT:  It says “all things are yours.”

 

TEACHER:  In other words those who do not defile themselves can have their choice of anything they want.  It even says they can choose life or death.  How do you syppose we choose life?

STUDENT:  That would probably be the everlasting life that is talked about.

 

TEACHER:    It says that we can also choose death.  It is not speaking of death here as a punishment, but as something we are free to choose.  Do you have any idea as to how this could happen?

STUDENT:  I’m not sure.

 

TEACHER:  The average person is forced to be reborn whether he wants to or not in circumstances not to his choosing, but he who follows the spirit may choose to be reborn and live a mortal life in circumstances of his choosing to accomplish some good purpose.  Being able to choose death in this way is a nice option to have, isn’t it?

STUDENT:  It seems to be.

 

TEACHER:    Paul also says “things present, or things to come” are ours.  If we have the freedom to be reborn whenever we want in circumstances we choose then that gives us the power to enjoy the challenges and experiences of any future age we wish.  Have you ever thought that you would like to live in an era when there was perfect peace and harmony on the earth?

STUDENT:  Yes.

 

TEACHER:  If we follow the spirit then we can make that choice.  Jesus elaborates on this further.  (Read Matthew 19:28-29):  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you.  That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.  The word “regeneration” is an interesting one.  It comes from the Greek PALLGGENESIA.  It basically means “to be reborn again and again.”  Therefore, the scripture is telling us that the Son of man will sit on the throne of power on the earth not once, but numerous times and that his followers will judge (or set right) Israel numerous times.  Next he tells us that those who forsake ‘houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands” for his sake shall receive a reward.  What is that?

STUDENT:  A hundredfold and life everlasting.

 

TEACHER:  What will the person receive a hundredfold of?

STUDENT:  I’m not sure.

 

TEACHER:  The Gospel of Mark carifies this somewhat.  (Read Mark 10:30):  But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time (era), houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.  We are plainly told here that if we make a sacrifice for Christ and have to forsake a mother or father, for instance, that in this era we can have a hundred of them  back.  Is there any way you can literally have a hundred mothers and fathers without being reborn?

STUDENT:  No.

 

TEACHER:  Now we can see how this whole scripture makes sense when we translate “regeneration” as  “to be reborn again and again.”  The Bible indicates that reincarnation was a popular doctrine among the people.  When Jesus was with his disciples he asked them who the people were saying he was.  We can read their response in Matthew 16:14:  And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist:  some, Elias (Greek for Elijah.  We will hereafter use Elijah for this word); and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.  Why would the common people think that Jesus could be Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets returning?

STUDENT:  They must have believed in rebirth.

 

TEACHER:  One of the reasons that they thought Jesus may have been Elijah is that the Bible prophesied that he would appear before the coming of Christ.  We can read this in Malachi 4:5-6:  Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:  And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.  Who would God send before the coming of the Lord?

STUDENT:  Elijah.

 

TEACHER:  Now let us read the Angel Gabriel’s words concerning John the Baptist: (Read Luke 1:17)  And he (John) shall go before him (Jesus) in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.  Does this sound as if John the Baptist fulfilled the prophecy of the coming of Elijah?

STUDENT:   It seems to.

 

TEACHER:  Jesus tells us clearly that  John the Baptist was Elijah in answer to his disciple’s question on the subject..  (Read Matthew 17:10-13 [Quoting the New English Version]):   Why then do our teachers say that Elijah must come first?  He replied, Yes Elijah will  come and set everything right.   But I tell you, that Elijah has already come, and they failed to recognize him, and worked their will upon him; and in the same way the Son of Man is to suffer at their hands.  Then the disciples understood that he meant John the Baptist.  Who did Jesus here say fulfilled the prophecy of the coming of Elijah?

STUDENT:  John the Baptist.

 

TEACHER:  Jesus not only said that Elijah had already come, but notice that he said that he also “will come and set everything right.”  How do you think this prophecy will be fulfilled?

STUDENT:  Perhaps John will be reborn before the next coming of Christ.

 

TEACHER:  Jesus repeats this affirmation in Matthew 11:14.  We will read from the Concordant Version which is more accurate than the King James:  And if you are willing to receive him (John the Baptist), he is  Elijah…  That’s about as clear as word can be, isn’t it?

STUDENT:  Yes.

 

TEACHER:  Elijah is not the only prophet who is to be reborn and do an additional work.  A similar promise was made to John the Revelator.  (Read Revelations 10:10-11)  And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey:  and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.  And he said unto me,  thou must prophesy again before many people’s, and nations, and tongues, and kings.  John was an old man when he received this vision so how could he fulfill the prophecy to teach many people in different lands?

STUDENT:  He’d probably have to be reborn.

 

TEACHER:  One of the main reasons that more and more people are accepting reincarnation is that it introduces the principle of fairness in God’s plan.  The orthodox way of looking at the opportunity for eternal life seems to be lacking something.  For instance most religions teach that we only have one life and when we die that is it.  There are no more chances to prove ourselves in the flesh or to catch up on what we missed out on.  If eternal life does indeed last billions of years then this life is less than an hour in comparison to it.  Do you think it would be fair for someone to sit you at a desk  with no preparation and command you to take a test for one hour which will determine whether you life in rags or riches for the rest of your life?

STUDENT:   It doesn’t seem so.

 

TEACHER:  Yet this is the reasoning that man thinks God uses.  Would it be fair if you were placed with others of better natural ability than  yours, yet judged by the same standards?

STUDENT:  No.

 

TEACHER:  Yet the people think that God makes no allowances for the differing stages  of man’s spiritual awareness.    What if you were to die before you could finish the test, or even review your answers?  Would it be fair to judge your test with a half hour’s work on the same basis as those who had the full hour?

STUDENT:  No.

 

TEACHER:   Yet people think that if a person dies when he is twenty, or thirty, he will be judged on the same basis as one who lives to be a  hundred.  Let us say that two brothers were headed to hell at age twenty and one dies.  The other lives to a ripe old age and straightens out his life and dies a saint.  Is it fair that the brother who died first suffer for all eternity without another chance whereas the other one has eternal bliss.

STUDENT:  I wouldn’t think so.

 

TEACHER:  Furthermore, if the latter man loved his brother could he really enjoy heaven if he knew his brother was suffering?

STUDENT:  No.

 

TEACHER:  Could you enjoy being in heaven if your loved ones were suffering in hell for all eternity without the possibility of another chance?

STUDENT:   No.

 

TEACHER:   What is wrong and injust with the  orthodox doctrine of heaven and hell.

STUDENT:  It is not fair.

 

TEACHER:  Jesus tried to correct the notion that God was  not fair.  (Read Matthew 7:9-11)  Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?  Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?  Here Jesus tells us that earthly fathers have enough sense to try and give good things to their children, but God is much better and wiser than they.  Now would you sentence one of your children to burn forever in hell?

STUDENT:  No.

 

TEACHER:  Then neither would God for he knows how to give better gifts than you do.  We do however, give our children temporary punishments so they can learn don’t we?

STUDENT:  Yes.

 

TEACHER:  God also allows us to suffer pain in this world so we can learn.  Now a good earthly parent would not only refuse to sentence his child to an eternal hell, but he would also never give up on the child and always seek to help him or her progress.  Yet what do many think God’s attitude toward the damned is on judgement day?

STUDENT:   He gives up on them

 

TEACHER:  Fortunately, the fundamentalist view of heaven and hell is not supported by the Bible.  Let us read several scriptures relating the true will of God toward man. (Read I Tim 2:4)  Paul spoke of God who will have all men to be saved, and to come to a knowledge of the truth…. (read Matthew 18:14)  Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.  What is the true will of God here?

STUDENT:  That all should be saved and none perish.

 

TEACHER:  Do you think that God has power to fulfill his will?

STUDENT:  Yes.

 

TEACHER:  Therefore, do you think that all his children will eventually be saved?

STUDENT:  It seems so.

 

 

Copyright 2011 by J J Dewey

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Reincarnation and the Bible, Part 1

Joseph Dewey
This entry is part 1 of 5 in the series Reincarnation & the Bible

ONE LIFE OR MANY?

During my childhood I did not go to any particular church and my parents did not try to influence me toward any particular religion or philosophy.  Therefore, as I look back I see that my earliest thoughts on life were those of a little child forming his most natural conclusions.

One of those natural ideas I formulated was that if God is indeed good  as everyone had said then he must give us all the chances we need to gain all the experience we want and to live full abundant lives.  I thought of how much I looked forward to growing up and making my mark on the world, then of how terrible it would be if some accident took my life.  I thought that surely God would provide some way for me to come back and have the opportunity to fulfill my hopes and dreams.

One day a visiting neighbor was telling my mother about a book she had read entitled:  The Search For Bridie Murphy and she explained the theory of how we are born again and again into this earth life.  I was immediately attracted to this idea for it blended in with my natural thoughts and I continued to believe it until I became active in a conservative church about the age of thirteen.

Around this period I mentioned my belief in reincarnation to one of the brethren.  He seemed shocked and said:  “You’ve got it all wrong.  Reincarnation is the doctrine of the devil. We only live one life, then we are resurrected  to die no more.”

I asked him if there was anything in the  scriptures about having only one life.

At that point he turned to Hebrews 9:27 and read:   “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”

I then looked at the verse and read it several times.  Sure enough.  The Bible did seem to say that we live only once.  There fore, there could be no reincarnation.  I was  very disappointed. It seemed unfair that many people are cut off and unable to enjoy the full fruits of mortality.

On the other hand, I was told by the brethren that the next world was better than this one and it was really a blessing to die early to escape trials and tribulations.  This idea did not help, however, for I looked forward to whatever trials this life may have to offer and, furthermore, I noticed that my fellow church members did not look forward to ending their life either. None seemed anxious to enter that better “other world”;  instead, I heard comments such as:  “I hope Jesus doesn’t come till I am older and I get a chance to do a few things.”    Or:  “I hope I live until I can raise my family.”  Often they would express an interest in living until they are a certain ripe old age.

Nevertheless, I reluctantly accepted the idea of the one life “because the Bible said so” and held to it faithfully for about

fourteen years.    But during this period I did not feel satisfied with the answers I had to the questions of: Where did I come from? Why am I here?  and Where am I going?  The church had pat answers, but they left many unanswered questions they called mysteries that were not important to our salvation.

The unfairness of orthodox doctrine is what bothered me most. What about people who die with dreams unfulfilled?   What about babies that die with no chance of participating in mortality? What about those who are killed before accomplishing their heart’s desire?

The mindless answer that God would take care of things just left me vacant and helped to keep my mind open to greater light and truth.

It was my study of regression, however, that caused me to seriously consider reincarnation again.  It has long been known that a person can be guided back to any time in his past and relive it as if it were occurring all over again.  This can be done through hypnosis or by merely directing the mind to return.

I did many experiments with regression and watched with fascination as people returned to their early childhood, even the day they were born to recall events verified by older family members. I was often tempted to take individuals back beyond the date they were born, but for a long time I almost felt it was sacrilege,. I also found myself being somewhat fearful and apprehensive of what I may find.

Nevertheless, one can only suppress curiosity so long and eventually I did take someone back before birth.

The first person I regressed to a previous life was  a young lady. I was quite surprised at the ease and familiarity with which she went back.   She recalled a life over one hundred years ago in the North east of England and began speaking in an English accent recounting events from that life.   Anyone listening would have been amazed at the accent coming  from one who had never been to England in this life.  However, I was particularly startled because I had spent several years in Britain and most of it in the area she described.

Anyone who travels England becomes acutely aware that most of England does not speak the “Queen’s English”, but there are numerous dialects.  There can be a noticeable accent change in a distance of fifty miles.  However, there is a marked difference between the way the people in the North and South of England speak.  I believe it is a greater difference than the accent change between the North and South of the United States.

What amazed me is that this young lady said she had lived in the northeastern part  of England and her accent exactly duplicated the dialect in that area.  We must take into consideration that the Northeast British accent is much more difficult to imitate than the Queen’s English which is usually used by movie stars.

In America one rarely hears a North British accent over the media and I was 99% sure that the female involved had never even once heard a North Englander speak – at least in this life.

Another time I was attending a church party and decided to liven it up somewhat.  I told the group that I could take people back to any point in their lives, even the day of birth, and have them re call it.  People seemed interested in this and the first volunteer was a newly married lady whose husband was out shopping for some snacks for us.

I not only took her back to her youth, but before the entire non believing crowd I took her back into three past lives.  In two of them she knew her current husband.  One life was back in prehistoric times when they had no names and the other was in the days of the Roman Empire.  She said she was married to a Roman senator named Marcus Aurelius who was later killed in a battle.

The details she gave certainly awed everyone there, but the best was still to come.  When her husband came home everyone insisted that I take him back also.  He was a good subject and regressed to prehistoric times and described the same surroundings that his wife had. But then, amazingly, he went back to the days of the Roman Empire and said his name was Marcus Aurelius, a Roman senator who was killed in Battle.

Everyone was so stunned at this that they began to doubt their belief in the   church and I found myself being the one to reassure them that the church was correct and not to let this bother them for I still felt that there must be some logical explanation besides reincarnation.  Even this and other amazing regressions did not make me cast aside my church’s doctrine in the one mortal life.

I will not make the effort here to recall how, time after time, I was presented with evidence that there is more than one mortal life, but each time I refused to believe it until I was hit with an explosive piece of personal evidence  that had no other explanation than reincarnation.  I found myself face to face with reality. I had to either deny the logical process completely and doubt my own ability to come to a truthful conclusion, or open my mind and sincerely ask myself if I could have been wrong.

Then the thought occurred to me:  If reincarnation is a true doctrine I should be able to find evidence of it in the Bible.  I will “search the scriptures” with an open mind and see what is truly there.

As I started my search I realized that I knew of only one scripture that seemed to refute reincarnation and that was the one previously quoted from Hebrews 9:27:   “And as it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment.”

The “once to die” sounds like an absolute statement not open to debate until we realize that it is boldly contradicted by the Bible itself:  “They (the dead) were judged every man according to their works.  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.  THIS IS THE SECOND DEATH. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast (to suffer a second death) into the lake of fire.”  Rev 20:12-15

The book of Revelations has quotes from John, an angel, and Jesus Christ, all using the phrase “second death” so we know there has to be one.  Thus it is quite obvious that if Paul were writing the truth he did not literally mean “once to die” except perhaps once per lifetime, or that  there is one general mortality passed upon all mankind.

There are other scriptures that are quite deceiving if they are read with a black and white state of mind:  A pertinent one was made by Paul again.  He said:  “I die daily.”  I Cor 15:31 He also said:  “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience…It is a shame for women to speak in the church.”  I Cor 14:34-35  Paul also advised the saints to remain single as he was (I Cor 7:7) and if they were married to not have sex (I Cor 7:29).

Jesus told us to cut off our right hand if it offends us (Matt 5:30) and talked about making oneself a eunuch (literally a castrated person) for the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 19:12)

If we do not read difficult passages like these in their correct context and with some knowledge of the customs and beliefs of that ancient era we may reject the whole Bible as being the work of madmen.

Let us examine the verse that precedes the “once to die” scripture:  “But now once in the end of the world hath he (Christ) appeared to put away sin by sacrifice of himself.”  Heb 9:26

If we read this verse literally we are led to believe that Jesus appeared only once at the end of the world to sacrifice him self.  Two thousand years has passed since then so those who thought Paul was talking about the real “end of the world” were wrong. Also, Jesus did not appear once  but appeared many times to many people.

To interpret this  scripture accurately one has to read it in its correct context as well as examine the Greek from which it was translated.

In examining the Greek we find that the word “world” is a mistranslation.  It comes from the word AION.  The modern English word “eon” is derived from this and it means “an age”.  Thus we see that Jesus came once at not the end of the world, but the end of the ages as the word is plural here. We realize that his “one” coming refers to his general life (with all his numerous appearances counted as one) at the end of one age and the beginning of a new one.

Here we see that Hebrews 9:26 cannot be interpreted in a black and white literal manner.  How about the next verse?  Does it mean what it seems to mean?  Are we really appointed only “once to die” or is there more meaning here below the surface?  Are there many deaths within the one death as there were many “comings” within the one general first coming of Christ?  Is it talking about physical death or spiritual death?  If it is talking about spiritual death, then that would leave open the possibility of more than one physical death.

In examining this scripture there are three words that are generally overlooked:  “men”, “but”, and “judgment”.  We’ll quote this scripture one more time emphasizing  these:   ‘And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”  Men comes from the Greek ANTHROPOS which in this context indicates the human race as a whole.

The word “but” here is quite interesting.  It comes from the Greek DE  which literally means  contrariwise.   In other words, it indicates that the information that is forthcoming may contradict that which has just been said.

That would  mean   that “after this the judgment” may have an opposite meaning to “it is appointed unto men once to die”. It would indicate an exception as in the sentence:  “I rise every morning at 8:00 A.M., except when the alarm doesn’t go off.”

“After this the judgment” does not sound like it contradicts or has an opposite meaning to “once to die” so let us look closer to see  what the original language says.  Judgment comes from the Greek  word  KRISIS.  This is one of the most misunderstood words in the entire Bible.  Translators don’t quite seem to know how to handle it and seem to render it according to their bias rather than the actual meaning.  In the King James version they have rendered it:  accusation, condemnation, damnation, and judgment.  These words all have diverse meanings, but none of them are an exact translation.

The modern English word “crisis” (which is derived from the Greek KRISIS) is a more accurate rendering than the Bible translations. The actual Greek word implies a decision that brings correction. If it is used in connection with the word “judgment”  the idea of a corrective judgment should be implied.

Another mistranslation in this verse is the phrase “to die”. It is more correctly rendered “to be  dying”.  Let us now take into consideration these corrections and render the verse as close as possible to the Greek:   “And as it is reserved for mankind once tr. be dying, but on the other hand, after this [after the state of dying is over we have] the judgment [or KRISIS the decision to correct the state of death].

The verse could be describing either a spiritual death, physical death or both.

The word KRISIS is used in another very interesting scripture:

“The hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation (KRISIS).” John 5:28-29

Notice here that John tells us that there are two resurrections: (1) The resurrection of life, and (2) the resurrection of damnation or KRISIS.

“Damnation” is an incorrect word for translators to use.  The second resurrection should more appropriately be called “the resurrection of correction” or “the resurrection which forces correct decisions”.

The word “resurrection” comes from the Greek ANASTASIS which literally means “to stand up again” or “to come to life again”. The word does not imply that the new life will always be an immortal one as indicated by the following scripture:  “Women received their dead raised to life again (from the same Greek word ANASTASIS): and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.”  (ANASTASIS) Heb. 11:35.

The reference “women received their dead raised to life again” refers to miracles performed by Elijah and Elisha where the dead were revived to a mortal existence.  Here the word ANASTASIS refers to something other than an immortal life.

Here is another interesting scripture spoken by the Christ years before his resurrection:  “The Son can do nothing of him self, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise…For as the Father RAISETH UP THE DEAD,  and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.”  John 5:19h21

Here we are plainly told that the dead were raised to life again by the power of the Father BEFORE the resurrection of Jesus.

On the other hand Paul said that Jesus was “THE FIRST that should raise from the dead.”  Acts 26:23.

This seems like a paradox.  On one hand we are told that there were resurrections before Jesus and that both the Father and the Son raised up any of the dead that they wished.  On the other hand it is written that Jesus was the first to raise from the dead.  How is this to be explained?

It is quite simple.  There are two resurrections.  Jesus was the first to attain to the resurrection of life.   But the second type of resurrection, the resurrection of KRISIS or correction has been occurring since the beginning.

The resurrection of KRISIS or correction can refer to one being revived to mortal life in the same body as Lazareth was, or it could refer to being “born again” in a new body with a new life experience giving us an opportunity to “correct” our imperfections.

Jesus was not the first to attain the resurrection of KRISIS, but he was the first to gain the resurrection of life.

It was the resurrection of life that Paul spoke of when he said that it was something he had to attain:  “If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after.”  Phil 3:11-12.

Paul indicates that we must be “perfect” to “attain” this resurrection.  He can  only be referring to the resurrection of life for Jesus said that all the evil ones go to “the resurrection of correction”  while they who have done good attain the “better resurrection”.

This makes sense doesn’t it?  We are sent again and again to the resurrection of correction to live life after life on the earth and then when we have corrected our errors and become without sin as was Jesus we “attain” unto the resurrection of “life” and “this mortal must put on  immortality”. I Cor 15:53.

How do we avoid the resurrection of correction?  The Lord tells us:  “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation (from KRISIS, the resurrection of correction): but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24

The scriptures plainly tell  us that by hearing, believing, and doing the words of God so that we are perfected leads to escaping the resurrection of Krisis and “attaining” the resurrection of life.

With this knowledge in mind we can place still another interpretation on Hebrews 9:27:  “And as it is appointed unto men once to die (in this present age), on the other hand after this comes the resurrection of correction” (where we will be born and die again in a future age.)

Copyright by J J Dewey

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Reincarnation and the Bible, Part 2

Joseph Dewey
This entry is part 2 of 5 in the series Reincarnation & the Bible

WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH

Paul tells us plainly that all will not attain the resurrection of life. He said “the wages of sin is death”. When we sin we need correction so we are sent to the resurrection of KRISIS where we are again in mortal bodies subjected to death. Paul further said: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God (sin), him shall God DESTROY; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” I Cor 3:16-17.

Those who continue to sin and suffer the resurrection of KRISIS are reborn and live a mortal existence where their temple of God (their body) dies or is destroyed. Interestingly “destroy” comes from the Greek PHTHIO which means “to waste, spoil, or decay”. That certainly describes the mortality we experience in the resurrection of KRISIS.

It is only fitting that Paul said that “the last enemy to be destroyed is death.” I Cor 15:26. This is because we are born again and again into the resurrection of KRISIS until we have corrected all of our mistakes. The very last correction we make is when we overcome death and “put on immortality”.

Jesus admonished us to follow in his footsteps: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, EVEN AS I ALSO OVERCAME, and am sat down with the Father in his throne.” Rev. 3:21 If we are to overcome as did Jesus then we must obey the injunction: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matt 5:48 I do not know of even one person who has attained perfection and overcome all things as did Jesus. Consequently, the only way the scriptures can be fulfilled is for one to be physically born again until he can live a life without sin just as Jesus did. Those in the kingdom of man must literally be “born again” to enter the kingdom of God.

When that happens the promise will be fulfilled where Jesus said: “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and HE SHALL GO NO MORE OUT.” Rev. 3:12 We will have to “go no more out” of one physical body into another- one when we have overcome all things.

Until that time Jesus tells us that “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, (of physical bodies), and find pasture.” John 10:9.

After we go in and out and find pasture the time will come when: “he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I GIVE POWER OVER THE NATIONS: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: EVEN AS I RECEIVED OF MY FATHER.” Rev. 2:26-27

These scriptures we have quoted make it very clear that there are two resurrections. We enter the resurrection of KRISIS each time we fall short of the glory of Christ. When this happens God causes our bodies to be destroyed. He asks us to “overcome” “even as I overcame”. Obviously we cannot overcome AS he did unless we will eventually live a perfect life as he did on the Earth.

Jesus said that we will do “greater works” than he did. John 14:12. To this day I know of no one who has done greater works than Jesus, but when the time comes that some of us are living our last life to “attain” the resurrection of life, then will the world see these greater works. At that time we will come to the “knowledge of the Son of God, UNTO A PERFECT MAN, unto the-measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Eph 4:13. When one becomes “a perfect man” he then receives “power over the nations” as promised.

Reincarnation is merely the result of the law of cause and effect as pointed out by Paul: ‘if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that SHALL HE ALSO REAP. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh REAP CORRUPTION (the resurrection of KRISIS or rebirth in mortality); but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap LIFE EVERLASTING” (or the resurrection of life).. Gal 6:3-6.

Again we have here a vivid description of the two resurrections. The word “corruption” here comes from the Greek PHTHORA which is derived from PHTHEIRO the word that is used when Paul said that God shall “destroy” the defiled temples. PHTHORA indicates a state of “decay”. Thus Paul is simply telling us over and over again that if our mind is centered on carnal things we will return not to some state of immortality, but will “reap corruption” or decay.

Paul even goes so far as to warn us to not be deceived for God is not mocked on this matter. He further says that “flesh and blood CANNOT inherit the kingdom of God; neither doeth corruption (obviously referred to here as flesh and blood) inherit incorruption.” I Cor 15:50.

Here the “corruption” that we reap is, identified as “flesh and blood”. This is only logical since all flesh and blood is proceeding toward death and decay. After all Paul said that the corruption would be reaped “of the flesh”.

Since flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God that simply means that if we fall short of it we will be “born again” in this state of “corruption” or flesh and blood. Flesh and blood is the resurrection of KRISIS and we must come back again and a gain and inherit this corruption until we have “corrected” all of our mistakes and attain the resurrection of life or “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Eph 4:13

Jesus was subtly referring to the resurrection of KRISIS when he said: “Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.” Matt 5:26

No orthodox Christian has ever answered this question: If we reap according to how we have sowed and if we “of the flesh reap corruption” and we die before we have reaped all that is due us, then how can we reap “of the flesh” with no flesh? How can we reap corruption if there is no corruption?

The only answer is reincarnation. We must return to mortality if we are to reap corruption in the flesh. Is there another way to fulfill the scripture without mocking God? Verily no.

The principle of reaping as we sow is repeated many times in the Bible. Jesus said: “ALL they that take the sword shall PERISH with the sword.” Matt 26:52. Now it is obvious that many people in history have slain with the sword, yet died a peaceful death. Why then did Jesus use the word “all”? Why did he say these words to Peter in an effort to get him to put away his sword and cease his attack on the angry mob? Obviously, if Peter went forth and killed with the sword then he would have to reap what he sowed and come back (even if it was a future life) and reap destruction by a sword or some similar destructive weapon.

This is confirmed in the thirteenth chapter of Revelations where we are told about the Anti-Christ who will slay all those who will not worship his image and will have power over the Saints. Here the saints are told why they must suffer: “He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword MUST be killed with the sword. HERE IS THE PATIENCE AND THE FAITH OF THE SAINTS.” Rev 13:10

In other words, the reason the patience and the faith of the saints is tested so is because of mistakes they made in past lives. In previous lives they killed with the sword as Peter wanted to do. They also lead others into captivity even as did Paul before his conversion. Thus when the saints are persecuted they are often reaping what they have sowed in previous lives. This answers the eternal question as to why some of the best people must suffer so. They are paying off debts from a past era when they were not so good. When one becomes a disciple of Christ he must pay the “utter most farthing”, for Jesus said: “Everyone shall be salted with fire.” Mark 9:49

This principle was further emphasized by the Lord’s own mouth to Noah: “And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, BY MAN SHALL HIS BLOOD BE SHED: for in the image of God made he man.” Gen 9:5-6

Of course, there have been many who have shed blood who have not reaped what they have sowed. But remember “God will not be mocked” and let the person escape the punishment he has decreed. He will be reborn and “of the flesh” reap his just reward with interest.

The principle of rebirth also helps us to understand the dialog that God had with Cain: [God said to Cain:] “A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth… [And Cain said:] I shall be a fugitive and vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that everyone that findeth me shall slay me.” Gen 4:12-14

Notice here that Cain expects to be slain more than once. Also study the Lord’s response: “And the Lord said unto him, therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him SEVENFOLD. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.” Gen 4:15

There are several things that do not make sense here without re incarnation. First, Cain was told he would be a fugitive and vagabond in the earth, but instead the scripture tells us that he settled in the land of Nod and built a city named Enoch. (See Gen 4:16-17) It sounds as if Cain was fairly settled in that life. One would have to stretch the imagination to call him a fugitive and vagabond in the earth so how could the decree of God be fulfilled? Reincarnation is a possible answer. It’s quite probable that Cain has been reborn a number of times and has been a vagabond in the earth more than once.

Cain also made the interesting statement: “Everyone, that findeth me shall slay me.” indicating he expected to be slain more than once. But the scriptures give no indication that Cain died other than a natural death in that life.

Finally we are told that whoever kills Cain will have vengeance taken on him “sevenfold”. The question arises: How do you take seven fold vengeance on murder? If a killer is put to death then the vengeance is merely onefold; yet, short of torture, that is the worst punishment that can be inflicted. Taking this into consideration how else can the Lord take vengeance “sevenfold” on murder unless the man gives his life seven times?

In other words, if a man kills Cain, or possibly one of his descendants, thinking he deserves it then he would have to forfeit his life in seven different lifetimes to pay for the deed. That seems like a stiff punishment, but we probably do not know the whole story here.

We are told that a terrible reaping will be given out to those who change the revelations of God: “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book (the book of Revelations), If any man shall add unto these things, God shall ADD unto him THE PLAGUES that are written in this book. Rev. 22:18

Now for an interesting question… Why did John warn those in the first century that if they added extra words to his book that they would suffer the plagues, which plagues would not come upon the earth for another two thousand years? How could a scribe living in the first century (who commits the sin of adding words to John’s book) suffer the plagues unless he were here reborn thousands of years later?

The plagues from the Book of Revelation include such things as men dying of waters that are polluted, men being killed by the symbolic beast, men being scorched by the heat of the sun. people receiving sores over their bodies and numerous others.

How could a person from the first century possibly receive these physical plagues unless he is here, born again in a physical body???

We also find that those who have shed the blood of saints and the prophets in past ages will come back and suffer the plagues: “And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and upon the fountains of waters; and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. FOR THEY HAVE SHED THE BLOOD OF SAINTS AND PROPHETS, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.” Rev. 16:4-6

It seems only fair that those who have shed the blood of the prophets through the ages will have to come back and reap the harvest of their deeds by drinking blood in a future lifetime.

Copyright by J J Dewey

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Reincarnation and the Bible, Part 3

Joseph Dewey
This entry is part 3 of 5 in the series Reincarnation & the Bible

PROOF THAT MAN EXISTED BEFORE BIRTH

The orthodox Christian believes that man began at birth, but after that point in time he will live on endlessly never dying again. In other words, before birth for every person there is a total blank. He was nothing. He did not exist.

To begin with this is a mathematical impossibility. If a line has a beginning and no end then it extends in to infinity. Every mathematics class teaches that one half of infinity is still infinity. In other words, if a thing has no end mathematically it has to have no beginning. Nothing exists in nature which has no end unless it had no beginning. Anything in nature that has a beginning can be proven to have an end.

A ring provides a good example of this principle. It is circular and has no beginning and no ending point. On the other hand, if one puts a slit in it one will have both a beginning and an end. Nevertheless, it is impossible to cut or mold the ring in such a fashion as to produce an object with a beginning but no end. Such a form does not exist anywhere because one half of infinity is still infinity.

Those who believe in reincarnation recognize the fact that the body of form we live in has both a beginning and an end, but there is within us an intelligent part of God that is one with God and never had a beginning or end. Paul talks about this and calls it “eternal” which would mean without beginning or end: “The things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle (the physical body) were dissolved, we have a building of God, (our Spirits) an house not made with hands, ETERNAL in the heavens.” II Cor 4:18; 5:1.

Here we are clearly told that if the body were dissolved we will yet have an “eternal” house to live in, or that eternal part of ourselves we call the Spirit. If it is eternal as Paul says then it existed before birth for that which is everlasting has neither beginning or end.

Paul tells us that this eternal part of us is connected with the Heavens. No wonder Jesus told us that “The kingdom of God is within”.

Paul mentions again this spirit: “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, “whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether OUT OF THE BODY, I cannot tell: God knoweth) such an one caught up to the third heaven.” II Cor 12:2.

Paul’s out of body experience is really not that unusual for now that mankind has ceased burning out-of-the-ordinary persons at the stake people are talking more-about their spiritual experiences. Many who have experienced the near death state have re ported actually leaving their bodies in the spirit and returning with an accurate memory of all the conversations of the doctors and nurses.

Some who have gone through this report that their spirit body is connected to their physical by a silver cord of great elasticity. Many believe that death occurs when this silver cord is severed. Interestingly, the Bible makes reference to this: “Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel be broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall RETURN unto God who gave it.” ECCL. 12:6-7

Evidently Solomon had knowledge of the silver cord which connects the spirit and body as well as the golden bowl which is a golden etheric life energy (invisible to the untrained eye) which ceases or is “broken” also at death. The broken pitcher and wheel describe a cessation of bodily functions.

Next we are told that at death the spirit “returns” to God. One may object here and say that if there is reincarnation then why doesn’t the spirit go to a new body. The objector forgets that there is always a resting space between lives and during this interim period the spirit returns to God.

The word “return” here is a powerful proof for a premortal existence. If all that which is us began at birth how can we return to God? If orthodox Christian thought is true all we could return to would be nothingness. We can only return to God if we came from God and we can only come from the presence of God if we had some form of existence with him before birth.

The scriptures reveal that the Lord knew numerous people before they were born. Concerning Jacob and Esau he said: “The Elder shall serve the younger.” Gen 25:23 Eve said of Cain: “I have gotten a man FROM the Lord.” Gen 4:1 Another good example comes from Jeremiah: “Then came the word of the Lord unto me saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Jer 1:4-5

Concerning himself Isaiah said: “The Lord called me from (can be translated ‘before’) the womb; and from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.” Isa 49:1

Of John the Baptist it is written: “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.” John 1:6

Evidently The Lord knew Paul before his birth for he said: “He (Paul) is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.” This was spoken before Paul began his work. Paul also wrote that God “set me apart from (or before) birth and called me through his grace.” Gal 1:15 New English. We are told that the saints are written in “the book of life from the foundation of the world.” Rev. 17:8

In addition we are supposed to be “In hope of eternal life which God who cannot lie promised BEFORE the world began.” Titus 1:2 How did God promise eternal life to us before the world began if we were not there? It would be silly for God to make promises to nothingness.

The scriptures seem to make it crystal clear that people existed, were called, ordained, and had promises made to them before they were born. It makes it amazing to see the objections that come forth. The objector says that Jeremiah and others were not in existence before they were born, but they were in God’s mind like an architect has a building in his mind. Therefore, they feel it was like God “sanctified”, “ordained”, “knew”, and “promised” to a blueprint. The argument sounds very weak to anyone who thinks about it. One doesn’t have to “Wrest” the scriptures when he merely accepts them the way they read.

The Bible gives us powerful evidence that Job was with God before he was born. In chapter 38 God is reprimanding Job for questioning his wisdom and sovereignty and reminds him of works and events which he is supposed to already be aware of. He tells Job that he will demand an answer of him evidently aware that Job should know the answer to the following: “Where was thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding…When the morning stars sang together, and all the SONS OF GOD shouted for joy?” Job 38:4~6.

Who are the “sons of God”? The scriptures give a clear answer. John the beloved said: “WE are the sons of God…” I John 3:2

It is only fitting that we should be called the “sons of God” for he is called the Father of our spirits in Heb 12:9 Paul also said: “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that WE are the children of God.” Rom. 8:16

Since Job was one of the sons of God and “ALL the sons of God shouted for joy” at the foundation of the earth then Job had to be there shouting for joy with them. Evidently, the sons of God (which included you and me) were rejoicing over the planet that was prepared for us to inhabit.

Who are the “morning stars (that) sang together”? They were the lightbringers and the prophets to the people of earth with the Christ being at the head. Jesus said: “I AM … the bright and morning star.” Rev 22:16 Others will be given the morning star and evidently become morning stars them selves in a future round. (See Rev. 2:28)

The writer of Proverbs gives us a definite confirmation that the sons of men were present at the foundation of the world. The voice speaking in the eighth chapter of Proverbs is identified as wisdom and understanding. In other words, the wisdom and understanding of God has always been in existence and Solomon writes of it as if it were an entity: “Doth not wisdom cry? and under standing put forth her voice?”

After explaining some of the attributes of wisdom the writer emphasizes how long wisdom has been around and how eternal she is: “The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: When he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: When he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; rejoicing in the habitable part of HIS EARTH; and my delights were WITH THE SONS OF MEN. ” Prov 8:1,22-31.

This scripture makes it clear that when God promised us “eternal life…before the world began” (Titus 1.2) that he was not merely speaking to blueprints, but the “sons of men” were with him in “the habitable part of HIS EARTH.” Evidently, we dwelt on another earth in another time where the wisdom of God was manifested. Here the Bible clearly tells us that the sons of men are very ancient beings.

Orthodox people will not like the above interpretation, but they can produce no argument against it. It must be frustrating for them to even read it.

This Proverbs scripture, however, helps us understand numerous scriptures from the New Testament. For instance, Paul said: “For whom he did fore know he did predestinate.” Peter said that the Saints were “elect according to the foreknowledge of God.” Evidently God gained this “foreknowledge” of us “in the habitable part of his (God’s) earth”.

Another powerful witness that we have had a pre-mortal existence comes from the eleventh chapter of Hebrews. This is a famous chapter on the faith of the prophets (the Morning Stars) on the promises of God. One of the most interesting promises God has made concerns the heavenly city of the New Jerusalem. In describing this city John said he “saw the holy city of the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband ( Jesus Christ). And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the TABERNACLE OF GOD is with men, and he shall dwell with them…And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” Rev. 21:2-3,14

It’s quite possible that the new Jerusalem is presently located “in the habitable part of his (God’s) earth.” The author of Hebrews tells the saints who presently dwell there’ “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the City of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant.” Heb. 12:22-24

From these verses we have quoted we find that the inhabitants of the heavenly city Sion (Zion) or the new Jerusalem are: (1) God (2) The twelve apostles (3) Jesus (4) Angels (5) The general assembly (6) The church of the firstborn (7) The spirits of just men made perfect.

The question naturally arises as to how long the city of the New Jerusalem has been in existence and how long the various types of inhabitants have been there.

Since the New Jerusalem in heaven is the habitation of God one would assume it is very ancient. One thing we know for sure is that it is older than Abraham for the scripture says: “He (Abraham) looked for a city which hath foundations (the twelve apostles of the Lamb), whose builder and maker is God.” Heb. 11:10.

Since Abraham was aware of the foundations of the city and the foundations had in them the “names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” it is natural to assume that the twelve apostles lived in the city from the days of Abraham or earlier.

The writer of Hebrews tells us concretely that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sara, Noah, Enoch, and Able all lived in the Heavenly New Jerusalem before they were born: “These (those just named) all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS ON THE EARTH. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country (‘country’ is from the Greek PATRIS which literally means FATHERLAND and figuratively means: Heavenly Home) And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. (If they were looking for any country on the earth they would have had no trouble finding and returning to it). But now they desire a better country, THAT IS AN HEAVENLY: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them A CITY.” (The New Jerusalem) Heb. 11:13-16.

This interesting scripture deserves a closer examination. First, the prophets are called “strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” This is significant because both words imply that they originated somewhere else besides the earth.

“Strangers” comes from the Greek XENOS and means “foreigner” or “alien”. “Pilgrim” comes from PAREPIDEMOS and literally means “resident foreigner”.

No matter which translation one uses a previous existence is indicated here. For instance if a man were a stranger in New York it means he had an existence and residence in another city before he arrived there.

The prophets are “strangers” on the earth; therefore, they lived somewhere else before they lived here.

If a man is a foreigner or an alien in the United States then he had to have a true citizenship in another country before he arrived here.

Therefore, if the prophets are foreigners or aliens on the earth, then their true citizenship belongs to another country that they originated from before they were born.

The pilgrims who arrived at Plymouth Rock did not originate in America but came from a distant land. They had a pre-America existence.

The prophets are called “Pilgrims on the earth” meaning that they had a “pre-mortal” existence. A pilgrim is a traveler who comes from somewhere else.

The next verse makes it crystal clear that the choice of these words was no accident. We’ll quote it using the more accurate translation of “fatherland” instead of “country”: “For they that say such things (that they are strangers and pilgrims) declare plainly that they SEEK A FATHERLAND.” Verse 14

It’s amazing that this scripture is not universally accepted as proving that the prophets lived before they were born for the writer says that it is “declare(d) plainly” that those who say they are strangers and pilgrims on the earth are seeking a Fatherland, or an origination point that they could have only lived in before they were born.

The next verse puts a seal on this point: “And truly, if they had been mindful of that country (fatherland) from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.” verse 15.

In other words, if their originating country was on the earth they could have returned to it while in the flesh. They were in an unfortunate position in that they were citizens of a Father land that was not on the earth, and that they could only return to after they died.

The next verse elaborates this: “But now they desire a better country, that is an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God for he hath prepared for them a city.” (the New Jerusalem) Verse 16.

The prophets all sought the day when the heavens and the earth would come together and their Fatherland, the New Jerusalem, would descend on the earth so the tabernacle of God would be with men, and the prophets would no longer be strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

John talks of those whose names are “written in the book of life from the foundation of the world.” Rev 17:8 Most probably these would be those who lived in the heavenly New Jerusalem since that time. Those who are true citizens of the city would have their names recorded there. This record could very well be the book of life, since the inhabitants thereof are living life most abundantly.

Copyright by J J Dewey

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Reincarnation and the Bible, Part 5

Joseph Dewey
This entry is part 5 of 5 in the series Reincarnation & the Bible

INTERESTING SCRIPTURAL EVIDENCE

The great Solomon wrote:  “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing.”  Pro. 25:2  Imagine.  God actually conceals things from us so when his secrets are revealed it will add to his glory.  Jesus said:  “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.”  Luke 12:2  Isaiah prophesied:  “The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”  Isaiah 11:9  Daniel said that at the time of the end “knowledge shall be increased.”  Dan. 12:4.

What are some of the things that God has concealed from us? What are the things “which have been kept secret from the foundations of the world”?  Matt 13:35

Obviously one of the doctrines kept secret is the law of re birth.   Many of the prophets did not openly teach it because they felt the people would misuse the knowledge.  Many people will not try hard in the present if they think they will get a second chance in the future.  The emotionally polarized person  will tend to feel that it is no big deal to waste a lifetime if he has another one coming down the road.  However, the mentally polarized person will use common sense and will not want to waste a month let alone a lifetime.  Thus the Spirit of God has waited until the race of man is more mental, as it is approaching now, before it caused the doctrine to permeate our consciousness.  Most of the prophets, initiates, and wise men of the past, however, have been aware of it, but have used constraint in speaking of it.

There were many things that even Jesus could not speak to his most trusted followers:  “I have many things to say unto you, but ye CANNOT bear them now.” John 16:12

In other words, Jesus knew many things that would be hard for them to accept.  If he would have told them some of the secrets he knew they probably would have thought their master was mad and turned against him.

As it was he revealed more than the Jews could accept and they fought against him.  Even so this treatise will be difficult for many people to accept and they will refuse to believe it even though the truth stares them in the face.  We must mentally force ourselves to remain open and “rejoiceth in the truth; Heareth all things, believeth ALL things, hopeth all things…” I Cor 13:6-7

If we become as a little child and are open to believing all things then we will avoid becoming modern day Pharisees and scribes who fight against truth.  Isaiah declared:  “Wo unto them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness: that put bitter for sweet. and sweet for bitter!” Isa 5:20  Many Christians have formed the non scriptural opinion that reincarnation is evil, but why is this when the doctrine is interspersed  throughout the Bible?  And why do they call it evil when it is such a good and holy doctrine?

Why do they call it “good” if their child fails the first grade and he gets a chance to repeat it so he can honorably go on to the second, yet call it “evil” to consider the thought that if someone fails in one of his lifetimes then God will give him a chance to correct his errors in the “resurrection of correction”? Let us be more consistent than the Jews in the days of Jesus.

Jesus certainly attracted a lot of attention when he began his work and many people were speculating as to who he was.  There were many who actually considered that he may have been one of the prophets born again.  Jesus asked his disciples: “Whom do men say that I the  Son of man am?  And they said, some say that thou art John the Baptist:  some Elias, others Jeremias, or one of the prophets.”  Matt 16:13-14

Notice here that Jesus did not refute this belief in rein carnation, but merely accepted Peter’s answer that he was the Christ.

The apostles evidently believed in reincarnation at the time that they were current disciples of Jesus:   “And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.  And his disciples asked him, saying,  Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?”  John 9:1-2

We see here that the disciples thought that the man who was born blind may have had to suffer so because of a previous sin.  In other words, they thought he may have committed sins in a previous lifetime that led to his present condition. Jesus pointed out that the man was a special case.  He was not born blind because of sin, but so that the works of God  should be manifest.  In other words, the man came with a mission to glorify the works of Christ by the great miracle to his eyes.  Jesus did not, however, say anything to indicate that the disciples belief in a sin before birth was not a possibility.

Many people attribute unusual questions such as these to the ignorance of the apostles.  They believed that Jesus just picked up a handful of uneducated  derelicts and his teachings were all the education they received.  This is not correct. John the Baptist was their first teacher and Jesus called John the greatest prophet in history, partly because he did such a good job in preparing and teaching the disciples.  If the disciples believed in reincarnation (which they undoubtedly did) then they had to first learn it from John.

In the Apocrypha we are warned that the way we live in one life can affect our bodies in a future life:  “Woe to you, ungodly men, who have forsaken the law of the Most High Lord. AND IF YOU BE BORN, (indicating born in a future life) you shall be born in malediction, and if ye die, in malediction shall be your portion.”   Ecclesiasticus 4:11-12  Another example: “And I was a witty child and had received a good soul, and where as  I was more good  (in a previous life), I came to a body undefiled.”  Wisdom 8:19-20

No wonder David wrote:  “Guilt was with me already when my mother conceived me.”  Psalms 51:7 Knox Version  In other words, we have original sin because of previous lives.  “All these things God may do to a man, again and yet again, bringing him BACK FROM THE PIT (death) to enjoy the full light of life.”  Job 33:29-30 New English

No wonder Jesus told a man who had been sick for thirty eight years to “sin no more lest a worse thing come upon thee.” (See John 5:1-9)  If it was any worse than suffering for thirty eight years he would have to pay the  debt in a future life. This also illustrates that sin can result in the punishment of a physical affliction as the apostles believed.

The doctrine of reincarnation teaches us that when we commit any act either good or evil then we must receive a payment for that deed either later in the present life or in a future one. This reward is called Karma.  If we are said to have “good karma” it is indicated that we have paid off most of our bad debts and can now collect on our good ones.  If we have “bad karma” then we have debts coming due that we have to pay for.  Jesus confirmed this doctrine when he said “he shall reward every man according to his works.”  Matt 16:27

John also wrote the words of an angel:  “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord…their  works do FOLLOW them.”  Rev  14:13

Again he said:  “They  (the dead) were judged every man ac cording to their works.”  Rev 20:13

If the dead are judged according to their works and their works follow them then the doctrine of karma coincides perfectly with the Bible.  There are some works that could only follow us if there were future lives on the earth awaiting.  Either killing or saving physical lives would fit in this category.

One may naturally wonder about the fate of those who crucified our Lord.  What is their destiny?  How could they possibly pay for their sin?  What punishment could be fitting enough to recompense such an evil deed?

This is one of the most interesting thoughts of the entire range of the scriptures and amazingly the question is answered with startling  clarity.

First, we know they will be forgiven because Jesus requested it.  On the cross he said:  “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.”  Luke 23:34

Later Peter was preaching to these Jews and said:  “Ye denied the Holy One and the Just…and killed the Prince of life… Repent ye therefore, and be converted,  that your sins may be blotted out, WHEN THE TIMES OF REFRESHING SHALL COME FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD.   And he shall send Jesus Christ (speaking of the second coming), which before was preached unto you.  whom the heaven must receive (hold – Greek) until the times of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.”  Acts 3:14-15,19-21

We are told that the heavens must hold Jesus until all things are restored that was spoken of by the prophets.  Reincarnation is one of those things for many of the teachings about the doctrine of rebirth were taken out of the church in the days of Constantine.

Peter told those who crucified the Lord to repent but told them that they would not receive forgiveness in this life, but in the times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord or at the time of the second coming.  Why do they have to wait  until then?  Because no one can repent unless they realize they are wrong and the Bible goes on to tell us that these murderers will not realize they are wrong until they see their Lord again.

They certainly did not believe the first time he told them who he was:  “And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.  Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said:  nevertheless, I say unto you, Hereafter SHALL YE SEE the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.”  Matt 26:63-64

No wonder Peter promised forgiveness at the second coming because those who put him to death will see him coming in the clouds.

John the Revelator makes this point clear beyond dispute: “Behold, he cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see him, AND THEY ALSO WHICH PIERCED HIM (The Jews in 34 AD):  and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.”  Rev 1:17

At the second coming they will finally be able to be for given because they will realize they made a great mistake: “They (The Jews of 34 AD who will be reborn for the second coming) shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first born.”  Zech 12:10

There is perhaps no punishment greater than coming face to face with a great error and having to accept the truth whether you want to or not.  When Jesus comes again the ancient Jews reborn will definitely recognize him for who he is.  They will also see their blindness in their current lives, but it is also quite possible that their memory of their past lives in the days of Jesus will return to them so they can feel the enormity of their shame.  After two thousand years they will realize they killed their Savior.

Jesus spoke further of this:  “And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.  But the Children of the kingdom (the Jews 34 AD) shall be cast out into outer darkness:  there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”  Matt 8: 11-12

When the reincarnated Jews (and they may not be Jews in this life) face their rude awakening they will weep and gnash their teeth in despair and disgust with themselves and may not feel worthy or ready for the teachings of Christ for sometime.  Forgiveness is promised them at the second coming, but apparently they have to go through some anguish (and who knows what  else) first.

Our prayer should be that we will not be caught in the same predicament as the ancient Jews where the blind were following the blind and refused to examine any doctrine that was not approved by authorities.  Let us be open as a little child and be pre pared to “believe ALL things” so when the Christ  does come again we will not be  caught without our wedding garment.

Jesus taught a very important principle:  “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.  For EVERY ONE that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.  Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?  Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, HOW MUCH MORE shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”  Matt 7:7-11

Indeed.  We know how to give good gifts to our children, and whenever they ask for any good thing no matter how bad they have previously been, we will go out of our way to give it to them. We would not consider saying to our children:  “I will forgive you for a certain time period, and then no more for all eternity.”

Hypocrites!  They think they are more righteous than God, that they will go to greater extremes to save their children than God will for us.  NO NO NO!!!  The opposite is true.  God knows how to give better gifts than we do and when we ask for a good thing he is committed to give it to us.  He has put no time limit on it.  He did not say ask only until you die but merely ASK. Period.  If we ask during this life, the space between lives, or in the next life, then he is our committed Father waiting with love to respond and has devised a plan where we can all receive a second chance because a father (that is a loving Father) will ALWAYS give his children a second chance, and a third, and a forth…etc.

One should feel good about contemplating the doctrine of reincarnation, especially when thinking of all those who died in ignorance of the gospel, many who may be good friends, loved ones, or family.  It is scriptural to believe the following: If we wish our loved ones could achieve salvation, then God wishes something better and has complete power to carry out his will. “God having provided something better for us, that they (the dead) WITHOUT US should not be made perfect.”  Heb 11:40

The dead and the living have a karma that is intertwined and we must both work together in the flesh again to correct all of our problems and the problems of the planet.  We shall all rise again and work together and be perfected until the “last enemy” of death is destroyed and we achieve immortality or the resurrection of eternal life.

Copyright by J J Dewey

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Kalispell Gathering 2006, Part 23

Joseph Dewey
This entry is part 8 of 24 in the series Kalispell Gathering 2006

Audience: In raising my son I do not even want him to feel guilty because of what we feel or think so what I try to do with him is I will just suggest that he make his own decisions, this might be what I choose to do, and I just want to have him figure out himself. If he feels right about doing it and does not feel guilty then go ahead and do it even though I might, I want him to learn that.

JJ: Another interesting thing to do with kids is to just ask them, “what do you think? Do you think stealing this cookie is the right thing to do?” Let them judge for themselves, and they will say, “well I guess not.”

Then you say, “What do you think Mommy should do to you for stealing this cookie?” And they will often come up with a worse punishment than you will come up with such as, “I guess I deserve not to have cookies for a week.”

Audience: 1st member: Unless the child is not buying what they are doing is wrong in internally.

2nd member: When I was younger up until about the age of ten, God was never mentioned and my father was very strict. Until I was about ten, I heard nothing about God and no one talked or taught me anything about God. We had a Catholic back round and his sister came to visit and then she wanted us to take first communion so we began to go to church to prepare and take lessons. The nuns were teaching the basic principles there and the funny thing was that I knew the answers and I do not know where they came from because I had never been taught anything about God.

JJ: Did you feel guilt much when you were a child?

Audience: I was really good so I did not. Laughter My brother got picked on a lot so I felt a little guilt there and neither one of us liked our father. But I do not associate with the word guilt. I do not even think of fear, I just think to do what is right or to obey.

JJ: Yes and we have a sense of right and wrong within us and when we violate that there is a natural guilt that comes because we do not really understand how to resolve it when we are young. We don’t understand that it is just a mistake and not a violation. If we see it as a violation it is different than seeing it as a mistake. The original word for sin in the bible comes from a Greek word meaning, “to miss the mark.” So when the ancients shot an arrow at a target and they missed they sinned according to the word.

When you shoot an arrow at a target and you miss you do not think that you are such a bad person and think that you are not going to shoot another arrow at another target until you feel better. No, you just shoot the arrow at the target right away and that is the way we are supposed to handle a sin or a mistake.

But what we do instead is we start to condemn ourselves and we see it as a violation. If you shoot an arrow at a target and miss you see it as an error, but if we view it as a violation we have a totally different view and we can suffer this guilt. So whether it is an atheist or believer child if they see that when they steal a cookie is a violation rather than an error then they will condemn themselves to a degree.

Audience: There are some things that I think guilt would be accurate for, I would think that betray a master, cheat on my husband –  that is an action that I am doing that should cause guilt, right?

JJ: No if you were violate a great light and you understood guilt and how to resolve error, what would happen is the light from your soul would be taken and you would feel quite depressed over this. You may not feel guilty but you would feel a tremendous loss which could be very painful. You do not feel guilt, you feel the pain of desertion.

So if you were under the tutelage of a Master and you committed this violation of His trust then He would withdraw His light and your soul would withdraw it’s light and you feel a tremendous amount of spiritual pain over this. You would either have to choose to go to the dark side or straighten yourself out. If you understood guilt and knew how to resolve it then you would not feel guilty over it. Now if you were to feel guilt on top of everything else then that would make it even worse.

Audience: (Wayne) The problem I have that others may share a little bit is that I can resolve and do quite often. For example I will take that extra piece of cake, and I feel genuine guilt and I am ashamed that I took the second piece or the larger piece but then can tune it out until I eat and then I see evidence later. I end up consuming the guilt.

JJ: Nothing is completely good or bad and even guilt serves it’s purpose. Many do not understand how to resolve guilt. Guilt at least will guide them basically the right direction but it is not very efficient. It is like going back to shooting the arrow at the target. If you only shot once a month and then went and cursed yourself once a month it would take a long time to become a good archer. Eventually you could do it, it would just take a long time and that is the way it is with us. If we are progressing because of the guilt it is very inefficient because it takes us a long time to move ahead.

When we make a mistake we curse ourselves and feel unworthy to try again for heaven knows how long, and some people it will take an entire lifetime to make any progress. They may have an accident, injure someone and feel guilty for the rest of their life and never accomplish anything because they do not feel worthy of enjoying their life because they hurt somebody else.

So, guilt is a primitive guide but it is a guide that moves the masses overall slowly along. This is one of the reasons that during our first seven or eight hundred lifetimes we make such slow progress. We progress very slowly until we reach near the end of the wheel so to speak. When we resolve guilt so we can get it out of the way. Then our learning is greatly accelerated. This is a major milestone in resolving guilt.

The Bible talks about being saved of your sins, what this means basically is being saved from guilt. Once we understand guilt and resolve it then we are delivered or saved from the lower nature and our learning and progression is greatly accelerated.

Audience: It sounds like another form of worry, an ineffective crippling type of impediment to slow us down.

JJ: All guilt produces worry but all worry does not produce guilt. It is a closely related emotion.

Audience: When I was young I lived with my grandparents and my grandmother was very religious and she used to stand us up in a line and explain to us that before long the Russians were going to be here and the first thing they were going to ask was, is your allegiance to Jesus Christ? She would make us answer, and I would be walking home from school looking for the Russians over my shoulder. Laughter

JJ: That would make you nervous. That was the way it was in the days of ancient Christianity. Once a year you had affirm allegiance to Caesar as god. If the regular Christian would do this than they would go ahead and let him go and he could attend his service and so on. They just had to affirm that Caesar was lord and of course the Christians could not do that so they were persecuted. All they had to do was that one thing. I imagine that ones that did affirm Caesar as lord had a tremendous amount of guilt over it.

Guilt is a major thing and for us growing up and becoming adults the main thing that causes guilt is what we have been taught because very few people understand that they are to be guided by their inner God – the God speaking to their heart within themselves. Then they have an outer god somewhere.

Even many new agers that I have met that claim to go by the inner God still have guilt and the reason is because they have not got rid of that outer god yet. Many of them will have the outer god as a guru and the guru may teach the inner God but if they violate what this guru says then their mind computes it as violating what God says. Because the guru has such power over their hearts and mind, they still have not let go of the outer god idea even though they all believe in the inner God.

A number of new agers I have talked to were raised in a religious setting and in talking to them you can tell they are still bothered by things. If you start talking about religion with them they will often bring up something and you can tell by their emotional reaction that they are still strongly affected by this and still have a little fear of going to that hell fire in the next world and they are trying to suppress it.

They put in the back of their mind and they have not resolved that belief and they will claim to have a more enlightened philosophy but when you talk to them you find out that damnation and hell still kind of bothers them and they have not got it completely resolved. You can usually see tell tale signs like when they talk about religion they feel angry. We need to resolve all the anger, the guilt, just let it all go. If the parents forced you to go to church and you did not like it then just let it go. Again we need to let it all go so that we can put all of our attention on the God Within.

The key in understanding this is that “Energy follows thought” and if your thought is totally between you and the God Within then you can resolve all the outer conflicts. If your thinking is controlled by an outer source then you are going to have some problem with guilt. Most of us are influenced by the outer god our entire lives. I would say over 95% of the population is controlled by the outer god to great degree. The only way to release our selves from that control is to realize that the law of God is written within our hearts.

The Bible talks about the age of peace to come and it says, God will write His law upon your hearts and this is where the law of God needs to be written. If the law of God is given outwardly or in the words of a book and if these words of the book are read to us, or this prophet speaks to us or outer authority, a preacher or priest, is speaking the words of god to you and you accept that as the word of God then he has power to make you feel guilty because you are accepting the outer god instead of the God Within. When we accept the outer god then we have power to feel guilt.

I remember the time when I released from guilt entirely, when this teaching really dawned on me. It was when I was excommunicated from the Mormon Church. When I was in the church I obeyed the rules of the church. Because I obeyed the rules of the church, even though I understood a lot of these principles, I could still feel guilt. Then when they excommunicated me I had no outward authority anymore so I had to look totally within and one thing that dawned on me was I did not feel guilt anymore, I thought this is great! This is the best thing they could have done for me was to throw me out! (Laughter)

And since that time I have not felt guilt over anything. I have made mistakes but when I make mistakes and I realize it is wrong to make a mistake I have that attitude that shooting an arrow to a target and if I miss the target then I am going to do better next time. And so my progression has been greatly accelerated since they threw me out as I have no outward authority telling me what to do so I have had to rely on inner authority. If you have not been excommunicated from your outward authorities then excommunicate yourself. Release the outer authority and say, “you have no power to make me feel guilty. I am not subject to you.” What was interesting was even though I thought of myself as enlightened while I was still in the church I did not realize until I was thrown out that the church still had residual power over me even though I realized these things.

Additional Note: Excommunication by itself is not enough to release a –person from guilt. If I had still held the view that the word of the Mormon authorities was closer to God than the inner voice then I would have still been plagued by guilt. Because I let go of the outer voice and gave heed to the inner my guilt was no more.
Copyright 2006 by J J Dewey

Evidence of Reincarnation

Joseph Dewey
This entry is part 53 of 62 in the series 2010

Posted Oct 19, 2010
Alex writes:
Strictly speaking, regressive hypnosis can not prove reincarnation. It proves that a person under hypnosis is able to reproduce or play back some information, which this person can not consciously know. Indeed, the person becomes sort of a VCR, and the medium can rewind the tape to any point.

However, it does not prove that the events described by a hypnotized person are related to THIS PERSON’s previous life. Admit it, it can be a fragment of anyone else’s life as well. It can be a random snapshot of some events, like a video tape randomly picked up from the store and inserted into the “VCR”.

JJ
First, let me state that my accounts of regression provided interesting evidence, but did not prove reincarnation to me.

The evidence through regression had little effect on me but the inner voice took over and spoke to me. This caused me to seek for even more proof. The real kicker for me was the discovery of the handwriting of a person’s past life and finding it to be a match so close that it was beyond the laws of probability that they could not be the same entity. (This person was not me, by the way. My handwriting has changed a lot in this life let alone multiple lives so I would not be a good subject).

After this discovery I figured that if reincarnation were really true that proof of it should be in the scriptures. I didn’t recall reading anything about it in the several times I read them but this time I decided to start at the beginning and read them all the way through as if I had never read them before.

When I did this I was amazed indeed. As I read through the Bible as well as the LDS scriptures I found hundreds of scriptures that could only be true if reincarnation was a fact. I was beside myself that these went over my head in the past. It is amazing how much truth a belief system can hide from a person.

Since this time I have had confirmation of the truth of reincarnation on a regular basis.

Alex says that a person regressed can tune into the mind of the past life of someone other than yourself. This is possible and I’ve had someone do this before but when the person is directed to recall his own past lives why would he recall someone else’s’?

Evidence that one normally returns to his own past lives and not that of random minds floating in the ethers is this. I have returned numerous people to past lives after a space of time has elapsed. In each case where the person had good recall he went back to the same past lives. If he was tuning into one of billions of other entities one would think he would go back to different entities in the same time period.

I already recited some pretty powerful evidence from regression. Now I’ll give you one more that rules out tuning into the memories of another.

After I separated from my first wife I figured that I would soon meet another person from my past lives and would marry her. I knew who she was and felt within myself that she should be arriving soon and kept an eye out for her. She finally did arrive but about a year later than I expected. I asked her why she did not show up earlier as she moved here from Indiana.

She told me that at the time I was expecting her that she received a message to move to Idaho, but she ignored it until it became too strong to resist.

When she moved here one of the first guys she met was my good friend Wayne. I first learned of her through my nephew Curtis who came to me one day and said:

“Guess what? Wayne’s got a new girlfriend and this one is actually good looking. He wants us to have lunch and meet her.”

We met them at the Sizzler and I was pleased to see that Wayne found someone who was both nice looking and intelligent.

Nothing unusual registered with me until Wayne gave me a call the next day. He said his girlfriend (named Brenda) was very impressed with what I had to say and thought I had a lot of knowledge. She wanted me to teach her.

I told him I thought that was unusual since she was his girlfriend. But he said this was fine with him and insisted I give her a call.

I gave her a call and we talked for a couple hours. After I hung up I knew this was the person I had been waiting for. I visited her several times and answered all her questions.

I found out why she wanted to contact me. She said that when we all had lunch together that she saw a blue light around my head and thought this was some kind of sign. After teaching her a couple times I received a spiritual confirmation of who she was and that I was to marry her. But then I decided to take it a step further. I asked her if I could regress her. I wanted to see if she would go back and give me the name that would prove who she was.

She was a good subject and went back in full consciousness. She not only gave me the name I was looking for but other information that she couldn’t have known from this life.

After this I approached Wayne (who was still dating her) and gave him this information and asked him if he would give me permission to pursue her romantically. In an act of great friendship he stepped aside and actually encouraged me onward.

We were married for four years and even though it didn’t last what we had was meant to be to consummate a relationship began in a past life.
Copyright 2010 by J J Dewey