Chapter XVI - The Apocalypse
Man's present possibilities
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rial or spiritual? They could not be the former, for the
rial or spiritual? They could not be the former, for the
human sense of space is unable to grasp such a view.
The Revelator was on our plane of existence, while yet
beholding what the eye cannot see, – that which is in-
visible to the uninspired thought. This testimony of Holy
Writ sustains the fact in Science, that the heavens and
earth to one human consciousness, that consciousness
which God bestows, are spiritual, while to another, the
unillumined human mind, the vision is material. This
shows unmistakably that what the human mind terms
matter and spirit indicates states and stages of con-
sciousness.
Nearness of Deity
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Accompanying this scientific consciousness was an-
Accompanying this scientific consciousness was an-
other revelation, even the declaration from heaven, su-
preme harmony, that God, the divine Principle
of harmony, is ever with men, and they are
His people. Thus man was no longer regarded as a mis-
erable sinner, but as the blessed child of God. Why?
Because St. John's corporeal sense of the heavens and
earth had vanished, and in place of this false sense was
the spiritual sense, the subjective state by which he could
see the new heaven and new earth, which involve the
spiritual idea and consciousness of reality. This is Scrip-
tural authority for concluding that such a recognition of
being is, and has been, possible to men in this present
state of existence, – that we can become conscious,
here and now, of a cessation of death, sorrow, and pain.
This is indeed a foretaste of absolute Christian Science.
Take heart, dear sufferer, for this reality of being will
surely appear sometime and in some way. There will
be no more pain, and all tears will be wiped away. When
you read this, remember Jesus' words, "The kingdom of
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God is within you." This spiritual consciousness is
God is within you." This spiritual consciousness is
therefore a present possibility.
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The Revelator also takes in another view, adapted to
The Revelator also takes in another view, adapted to
console the weary pilgrim, journeying "uphill all the way."
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He writes, in Revelation xxi. 9: –
He writes, in Revelation xxi. 9: –
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And there came unto me one of the seven angels which
And there came unto me one of the seven angels which
had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked
with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride,
the Lamb's wife.
Vials of wrath and consolation
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This ministry of Truth, this message from divine Love,
This ministry of Truth, this message from divine Love,
carried John away in spirit. It exalted him till he be-
came conscious of the spiritual facts of being
and the "New Jerusalem, coming down from
God, out of heaven," – the spiritual outpour-
ing of bliss and glory, which he describes as the city
which "lieth foursquare." The beauty of this text is,
that the sum total of human misery, represented by
the seven angelic vials full of seven plagues, has full
compensation in the law of Love. Note this, – that the
very message, or swift-winged thought, which poured
forth hatred and torment, brought also the experience
which at last lifted the seer to behold the great city, the
four equal sides of which were heaven-bestowed and
heaven-bestowing.
Spiritual wedlock
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Think of this, dear reader, for it will lift the sack-
Think of this, dear reader, for it will lift the sack-
cloth from your eyes, and you will behold the soft-
winged dove descending upon you. The very
circumstance, which your suffering sense
deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel
entertained unawares. Then thought gently whispers: