Jesus’

Life

Book 6

Max Seltmann

Recommended chronological reading list:

(with regard to Jesus’ life in flesh and Spirit, up to the time of the book of Revelation.  All books are written by Max Seltmann, unless otherwise indicated. The book marked with bold, is the book currently opened.)

1. Childhood years of Jesus (Jakob Lorber)

2. Book 1 – John the Baptist

3. Book 2 – John the Apostle in his youth with Jesus (Love overcomes Part 1)

4. Book 3 – Jesus’ Life

5. Book 4 – Jesus’ Life

6. Book 5 – Jesus’ Life

7. Book 6 – Jesus’ Life

8. Book 7 – Jesus’ Life

9. Book 8 – Jesus’ Life

10. Book 9 – Jesus prepares for His ministry Part 1

11. Book 10 – Jesus prepares for His ministry Part 2

12. Great Gospel of John, Volumes 1 – 10 (Jakob Lorber)

13. Great Gospel of John, Volume 11 (Leopoldt Engel)

14. Book 11 - Good Friday

15. Book 12 - Judas Iscariot in the beyond

16. Book 13 - On the road to Emmaus

17. Book 14 - The Risen One!

18. Book 15 - The New Life in man

19. Book 16 – At Bethany – story of Theophilus

20. Book 17 - Ascension

21. Book 18 - Pentecost!

22. Book 19 - Among the first Christians

23. Book 20 - Divine guidance of the first Christians

24. Book 21 - The chamberlain from the Orient

25. Book 22 - The God-spark and Saul's conversion

26. Book 23 - Awakening the Divine life

27. Book 24 - Experiences with Jacob, Part 1

28. Book 25 - Experiences with Jacob, Part 2

29. Book 26 - Experiences with Jacob, Part 3

30. Book 27 - Experiences with Jacob, Part 4

31. Book 28 - Naeme

32. Book 29 - John the Apostle as a guide (Love overcomes Part 2)

33. Book 30 - John the Apostle as a guide (Love overcomes Part 3)

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Table of Contents

1. Reunion with Cornelius and Julius 4

2. Jacob's narrative of Jesus' youth 6

3. Conversations about Jehovah's voice in man 8

4. Revelations about the primordial creation of man 9

5. Spiritual experiences on the hill 14

6. Raphael as the Lord’s servant 15

7. Raphael shows everyone the mastery of the forces of nature 20

8. Farewell 23

- Reunion with Cornelius and Julius

Fresh and lively, Jesus and Jacob finished building the hall, and by the middle of the week everything was finished and ready to serve the people.  In the evening, Jesus said to Zacchaeus: "We have done it!  Now that we have finished the work that serves the body, we hope that the work that serves the spirit will also be finished.  But today, leave us alone!  Tomorrow you will have guests, and then we will gladly continue to serve you."

After an hour, everything in the house had gone to rest.  But in the night a mighty storm arose, which made all get up again.  But Jesus and Jacob remained in their chamber and did not let themselves be disturbed from their rest and sleep, for they knew that this spectacle was only a scene of spectacle-loving spirits; and after the morning, everything became quiet again.

Jesus and Jacob rose an hour before the sunrise and went back to the hill to do their usual devotions.  They stayed even a little longer, since no work awaited them, until Jacob said: "My dear Jesus!  We will not be comfortable with this rest for long, since we are used to work."

Jesus answered, "Yes, you are right. But this time it is already over with the rest - nevertheless, the work is finished.  We are now working for the eternal and infinite kingdom."  Things came to life in the house.  Old Zacchaeus came running up the hill to find them, knowing they were up there; and Jesus said, "Come, Jacob.  Let us go out to meet him and return home with him, for there is much work for the house of Zacchaeus to do today."

They greeted each other warmly, and Zacchaeus asked: "Were you not afraid this night?"  Jesus answered with a smile: "We do not know fear - and not at all of the little storm.  We know that all our fear and worry is useless.  For the Lord God is our refuge and our strength.  And without His will, no stone falls, let alone a man."

For a long time Zacchaeus looks at Jesus and then says: "Yes, I forget that more lives in you than in me."  Jesus now asks to go back to the house and asks Zacchaeus to prepare everything for the guests arriving at noon.  Zacchaeus shakes his head doubtfully and says: "Yes, my son wanted to come.  But guests?  Surely today is not the time to hold great guest banquets!"

"Only believe," says Jesus: "your house will be full, and your new hall will receive it's consecration this very day."  Zacchaeus says nothing more and arranges everything else.

In the meantime, Jacob and Jesus inspect the entire house and lend a hand, since many things were still in disorder.

At noon, Zacchaeus the son arrives, bringing several more guests with him: a Roman judge, along with Julius and Cornelius, and their attendants.

When the young Zacchaeus had finished his negotiations with the Romans and had all the contracts in his hands (it was about the road and bridge tolls in the whole district), Zacchaeus invited the Roman judge and Julius to visit his father with him.

But Julius then sent for his brother Cornelius to let him also participate in this rare invitation; for Zacchaeus had already told Julius about the peculiar carpenters from Nazareth.

In a short time servants, horses and luggage were accommodated, and only now the old, dignified Zacchaeus greeted his son's friends most cordially, concluding with the words: "Be assured: this house is dedicated to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!  And as I greet and bless you with a joyful heart, so may our God, the Lord Jehovah, look upon you and bless you! - Welcome! - Welcome!"

The Roman judge joyfully thanks the old man and says in conclusion: "As I thank you, I also want to thank your God.  But I don't know Him yet; I've only heard about Him so far; but in the course of the day I may learn more about Him."

The tables were set, and the old father of the house asked his guests to sit down.

Zacchaeus the younger, however, fetched Jesus and Jacob and introduced these young craftsmen to his Roman friends, and the two bowed down.  Then Cornelius and Julius could not hold back any longer and greeted them with moving, heartfelt words.  Old Zacchaeus, however, went from one amazement to another when it turned out that the two Roman officers were acquaintances of the Nazarenes.

The food was served, and as a result of the exhausting journey, hunger and thirst were also sufficient.  But before that, Zacchaeus the elder asked Jesus to bless the meal after the manner of the faithful Jews.  And Jesus blessed the meal and the guests with both hands.

After a long time, when the meal was finished, all visited the new hall and admired the solid work.  Jesus and Jacob had to give many an explanation, for the hall rested only on pillars and was built like a veranda.  A staircase led to the upper floor, where a small room with a beautiful view pleased everyone.  In this room they all made themselves comfortable; and here Zacchaeus the younger approached Jesus and Jacob and once again thanked them for their beautiful work.

But Jesus said kindly: "Zacchaeus, speak less!  Listen, and let the building speak to you, so that your mind may also be filled with the Spirit that gave us the strength for this work!  And recognize: this Spirit carries the characteristic of love in itself!  But even if we made the most magnificent work of art, but from the spirit of everything lowly, truly I tell you: Before it is finished, the decay would already begin!  But this house shall yet witness many glorious things!  But now ask nothing!  For only with time and patience will this also become clearer to you."

- Jacob's narrative of Jesus' youth

Julius got up from his seat, went to Jacob and asked him for some explanations, saying: "Yes, how could it be that no one heard anything from you?  My brother Cornelius would have liked to hear many things from you, but none of this!"

Jacob said calmly and modestly: "Behold, Lord and Master, to tell you all this about us, days will not suffice!  In the house of Joseph, my father, everything went it's quiet course; there also not one could be spared, because we were poor and remained poor.  Our only wealth was: trust in Jehovah;  and in this we were often very severely tested."

And turning to Cornelius, Jacob continues: "You lord and friend of our house, Cornelius!  You know the honest will of my father Joseph, you also know the modesty of my mother Mary!  As long as there was something in the house, it was served and the last bread was still shared with the hungry; but we were always provided with work.  And then the worries began with Jesus.  I do not deny, from Jesus we hoped a lot; and what we hoped for was betterment of our humanity!  And here Jesus disappointed us completely.  Silent, withdrawn and taciturn, we worked with our brother, sometimes creating such a gloomy atmosphere in the house that we felt dislike for Jesus growing in our hearts; but just then came worry after worry!

The mother did not understand us anymore, but also not our brother Jesus.  And when she spoke to Him, His eyes looked away from the mother into the distance, and then brother Jesus went His own way.  I remember: one day Jesus disappeared!  One day, and another day, but He did not come!  The old father tore his robe, the mother cried, and we put aside our work.  We looked for Him everywhere, but we did not find Him, and we returned home empty-handed.  Mourning had come to Joseph's house, for Jesus must be dead, must have had an accident somewhere.  All acquaintances were asked, but there was no trace of Jesus, and something had broken down in me, too.

Then, after seven days, Jesus comes in the door, emaciated, his garment torn, greets us and asks us all for forgiveness.  He could not do otherwise, because His Spirit wanted to be released from the bonds of the flesh and the soul!

All of us, tears in our eyes, hurried to Him and asked Him: "Come!  Freshen up!  Strengthen yourself, and all shall be forgotten!"

But this bitterness repeated itself even more often!

And every time when merriment and exuberance appeared among us, then - silently and unseen - our brother Jesus disappeared.

How often we reproached Mary because Jesus and always only Jesus was the object of her love!  And so we all suffered, so father and mother suffered.  But now we have come to terms with it, because we know that all this was an innermost necessity for Him.  And now let Jesus himself tell you everything else!  For if you, lord and friend Julius, had not asked me, I would certainly have kept silent."

The Roman judge, a serious, calm man of Herculean stature and yet with a fine tenderness in his face, goes to Jesus and says: "If all this was as your brother described it, I take the liberty of asking you: What drove you away from the circle of those who loved you so much?'  And if it does not offend you, then give me an answer.  I have heard many things about you, but I have not believed them all.

Jesus looks at all present with His faithful eyes and says: "My dear friends!  Here it is not good to talk about it!  Let us wait until the sun inclines; there on the hill we can talk much better, let us first become a little more personally acquainted."  This suggestion was accepted.

- Conversations about Jehovah's voice in man

Now Zacchaeus the younger also had many things to discuss with his father and in the presence of the Roman judge, especially: "How is it compatible with the faith of our fathers if I serve the Gentiles?  And yet I can not do any different!  For rather be a sinner and a publican than support the abominations of the temple!"

The old father was distressed by this speech and said with a sigh: "Perhaps Jehovah will soon help us and send us the eagerly awaited Messiah, who will free us from all questions and know how to remove every error.  Thus the speech went back and forth, and the Roman judge also took part in it.

Cornelius and Julius were talking with Jesus and Jacob.  Then, after a while, Zacchaeus the younger came to the four of them, asked Jesus to listen to him, and also presented his and his father's concerns to him.

Jesus, in His gentle way, responded to this request and said: "Behold! Your faith in Jehovah is your ancient family right, because you are descended from Abraham.  Abraham obeyed the voice of God, "Go to a land that I will show you!" (1 Moses 12:1) And see, he did not take counsel from others, but obeyed immediately!  For him it was clear: "God wants only my good!"

Do not think that God came to him visibly.  No!  In the heart-connection, clearly perceiving His eternal will, Abraham fulfilled this will of God.  And his actions are still today - and will be for eternities - a testimony to such inner contact with God.

Now suppose God had also called out to you:  "Serve those who do not yet know your God!  What would you do?  Do you think: obey like Abraham?  For behold!  It is just as it was then.  You received the call, though not directly from God, but the rulers of this your fatherland called you into their service.  And so you accepted, since you need not fear the temple, for you became a Roman.  My foster father Joseph did something similar.  He, too, asked for the protection of the Romans and yet did not break allegiance to his God!

Always think like this: God is everywhere.  His eye overlooks everything that lives and moves in an instant.  And His great, sublime and purest love is for all beings, including the heathen.  Therefore, fulfill your outward duty to all, but always remain faithful to God in your heart.  And God will prove to you at any time that He is able to keep His faithfulness to you.  Have you understood this – in principle?"

"Now I am free of all worries," was the happy answer.  "And you, good old father, be content; I no longer need your Messiah!  For in this young craftsman beats a heart full of love, wisdom and understanding.  This is quite enough for me, and the future will teach better still."

Old Zacchaeus now asks his guests to take some light refreshments, continuing: "And then we will visit the hill.  In the meantime, I will have blankets and seats brought up."  So it happened, and the company went to the hill.

- Revelations about the primordial creation of man

For now, everyone enjoyed the beautiful view up here.  Then, tears in his eyes, old Zacchaeus said, "Oh God of my fathers!  When I look at our beautiful fatherland, the wonderful palm groves, the splendid, beautiful fruit and oil crops, and in it the huddled and unsteady people under foreign rule, I want to ask: Oh take me away from this place, which so saddens my heart and my eye!

But again I think now: Let me still live quite long, so that I can still see him who will redeem us from all bondage and tribulation!  But you, my dear guests and friends of my son!  Forgive me, old man, if I did not hold my heart firmly in my hands and declare that you are these unloving masters!"

The old Roman judge reached out his hand and said: "Believe, you best and noble man, we understand and appreciate your suffering and also your pain!  Therefore we come not as enemies, but as friends.  We never interfere with your special rights.  We respect your law from Moses, and we set up a temple for your God, as the unknown God.

And therefore we do not fear your coming Redeemer or Messiah.  If He comes, He will also come to us.  For, although we serve different gods, we worship in them not personalities, but essences.  And all the images or likenesses of our gods are only to remind us that worship should be the holiest thing in earthly life.

But I think we should listen to Jesus now, because the desire to gather here came from Him.  And so, dear young man, I repeat here my request: Tell us about your life!  And why and for what purpose you have so often excluded yourself from human society!"

"Dear friends," Jesus began, when all were comfortably seated.  "What shall I tell you about Me, since you will not fully understand Me?  But I will show all of you the image of a man as it is, and as it should be.  Behold!  ‘Everything has it's beginning and also it's end’ is a well-known proverb.  But with man this does not apply; a beginning - yes, but no end!

If God had created human beings only to let them perish later, this earth and all it's inhabitants could look very different.  And to the joy of their Creator, love and understanding among each other would be common property.  But since this mankind is created for an eternally continual life and further development, so the Creator gave them only the means to gain these development-possibilities, up to being God-like, themselves.

But man, as he is now, misuses these precious means - he does not want to consider the high intentions of his Creator with humans.  He thinks only of the earthly he has in mind and wants to live here forever as a ruler.  Thus he seeks to enrich himself at the expense of his fellow men, in order to possess so much that it should be enough for eternities, and thereby lets the other quietly perish.

Now I will show you the image of a human as he should be.  See!

God, the Eternal, as the Creator and His first created angel represent: God = The Giving.  The original fire.  (The primordial light.)

Lucifer = The receiving.  The light-bearer.

God = The begetter.  The positive principle.

Lucifer = The birthing.  The negative principle.

And from their covenant came forth creations upon creations.  And all glorious creations received their light from Lucifer, but their permanence from God.  And in this harmony, eternities passed.

Then the envy stirred in Lucifer against the giving principle.  And as something unknown to him, he nourished this wrong thought until he asked God for account and clarification about it.

Then God revealed Himself to His being created by Him as his 'Father', as the begetting elementary power of the elementary fire and showed to Lucifer and all conscious beings, which came out of him, that they were only the receiving principle, the negative pole, that they could only be light-receivers and light-bearers of this elementary fire.  And that a true connection - for eternity - could exist between them both only if everything that could separate was overcome voluntarily by them.

"For behold," said God, "if you would remain what you are now out of Me as your Creator, where you cannot be otherwise - then you, Lucifer, and all that has come forth from us, would be nothing but a garment of My Divinity, which, when it is used up, must make way for a change.  For I could, as God and Creator, create for Myself another spirit as receiving principle, and so on.  But no!  This I did not want!

That is why I, as the original will, as the original fire of all creative power, have put all My love into it: into your outer form (in perfect beauty), into your inner formation (the independent thinking and cognition) and into the great development-possibilities of your striving.

Yes, I have given you the complete inner freedom of your will towards the highest goals, so that you can achieve your glorious perfection for yourself through these means like a second god besides Me.

But now see: It is your task to cleanse and purify yourself voluntarily with these means, through which a wanting to be different and being able to be different is also possible for you, in order to perfect yourself equal to Me - similar to God - through these precious means and only then to become and be 'one' with Me eternally.

Lucifer heard this message well, but his completely released self-will killed in him all good will to the Divine, and he raised himself to be the lord of his world and all his creations from it.

Then God took the light, the Divine wisdom, which He had given to His light-bearer Lucifer, and put this light as the smallest 'spark' into the hearts of the entities created by Lucifer and decreed that everyone, who wants to accomplish what was said to Lucifer, can become one with God Himself and be called to be the heir and co-owner of all His creations in infinite space!

God saw, for the times of worlds, these hopes of His unfulfilled.  Then the love in God took pity and created man, carrying both poles: God and Lucifer, the Divine and the luciferic.  And this man, who came out of God's love, populated the worlds existing in the solar region of the earth.

There man lost himself.

And, poorer by one hope, God's love went one step further, and both poles were separated and became man and woman. (1 Moses 2:22) The man should find himself in the woman and the woman in the man and should then be the unity that is necessary to become one with God.

But these two also failed, and this hope of Divine love had to be transferred to their descendants. (1 Moses 3:6,7,15)

And behold, dear friends, God's love and patience had to wait a long time!  Finally, in the man Abraham, this spark of God, which lay in him as a seed, sprouted to growth.  Abraham voluntarily nurtured this spark of God's light in his inner being and allowed this Divine Spirit of his inner life to triumph in him, even in hard tests of faith. (1 Moses 22) Then God revealed Himself to Abraham as his eternal Father (1 Moses 15), so that he would know that he was a child of the highest descent, and gave blessing upon blessing.  (1 Moses 14:19) And gave him a promise, which said that from his seed should one day come forth the One who, in voluntary love for God as his Father, would sacrifice in Himself everything that prevented Him from becoming truly "one" with God.

Generations came and passed, but this promise of blessing did not come!  There were always conscious bearers of the Divine Spirit, but no-one could offer this greatest sacrifice to himself, in order to become completely one with God.

And so I also came forth from and according to the will of God.  And I am a carrier, a vessel of the Divine Spirit and Divine life.  And am ready to prepare Myself in free will, to offer this sacrifice.

You, friend Cornelius, know My childhood and must confess that you have not known a more self-confident child than Me, and sometimes admired My will.

Behold, this was the blessing of those who in faithful obedience fulfilled their duty as servants of God and as priests to the people of the Jews; and everything else about Me was the result of purest conception.

Thus My soul is purer and freer than those who are conceived and born in sins.  But from the human fetters I am not free either; and all these fetters must be sacrificed voluntarily.

Already early I recognized My mission.  And as long as I was guarded and cared for by the Mother, influences were also kept away, which would have poisoned many things in Me; and so "I grew and increased in wisdom and grace". (Luke 2:52)

The seriousness that prevailed in our family made Me mature earlier than others; and the daily worship in Joseph's house led Me into My inner being.  So I searched and searched in Myself everything that I saw in other people.  And sometimes I was put to hard tests in order to see something in Me that seemed so monstrous in others.

Then I began to wrestle, to wrestle with Myself, with My humanity.  I went voluntarily to places where sin and horror ruled and conquered the spirit that wanted to arise in Me, that wanted to judge and correct others.  And so I found everything in Me.

But through this struggle, a new Spirit grew in Me.  And in this newly arising Spirit of God in Me, new revelations and certainties became more and more.  Yes, after every successful fight, this Spirit of all Divine life grew and now already lives in Me like My own self.   My self-love became less and less - less and less the interest in My human person.

Only to mature and mature quickly, in order to come faster into the possession of these Divine powers, was and is My slogan.  And in the obedient fulfillment of My earthly duties, the will towards this great goal of God - to become one with God - quietly grew in Me.

I did not need to search and search for God's truths!  The more I became truth, the more I felt the approach to the great Original Spirit as My origin, My Father.  And every day that I experienced until now, this confirmation grew in Me: 'I am, one with God'.

Already I feel in Me the power to step out of My sphere and to show to all beings this Spirit of all Divine Life and existence in man.  And if you, dear friends, have understood all this said only a little bit in it's meaning, then also this holy truth will seize you, and in it you will become free (from the narrow fetters) for the salvation of your souls.

And so I ask you for the sake of your salvation: Have you understood My words?"

The old Zacchaeus bowed his head and said: "I could hear every word, yes; but to understand it in such a way that I could make it My own, this I cannot yet say.  Because what I experienced in these days, is too much.  The rapid construction!  The beautiful dream vision!  My son as a Roman and Gentile servant and you, my young friend, as an overcomer of all sin!?  This is too much!  Therefore, let me take my time and forgive me, old man; I am still too fused with the old and existing."

For a while, everything is silent.  Then the Roman judge begins to speak: "Dear friends and you, young man!  I not only heard your words, but I saw your spiritual inner life pass before my eyes in fixed forms and images and I solemnly confess that I have never had these sensations and experiences in my whole life!  Certainly, many things are still dark and unexplained, but I hope to learn many things in this respect.  And so my only concern is: how do you want to shape your future?

This question of mine arises for two reasons.  First, from my boundless love for You, which I feel so alive within me.  And then, can I, as the head and official of my authority, go with You?  For I am bound by my oath.  And when you, young friend, speak of duties: for me, as an old civil servant of many years, it has become second nature to be dutiful.  And so I ask you to let me know."

"Dear, old, good friend!" replied Jesus.  "I know that you and I will understand each other.  Therefore do not worry!  For the Spirit that made Me free, will also make you free, if you fulfill the conditions that I fulfilled long ago.  These conditions are: "Love God above all!" and "Consider all people as your brothers!"

But if you do not know God yet, God will come to you in the exercise of your brotherly love.  He will reveal Himself to you and will also show you the way to eternal life.

When God will call me to the great work, I do not know today yet.  And my way is dark to Me Myself, since the further organization must depend on the people: how they receive Me and My teaching.  For with My appearance, the old will become new and the upper will become lower!

In this future kingdom that I will preach, I am preparing people to seek God in their own hearts and to practice Divine worship on brothers and sisters.  In doing so, each one should respect the change equally, and each one should give glory only to God.  Are you satisfied now?"

"Yes.  But you give new riddles," says the judge, "and if I keep on asking, you will certainly give another, new riddle !"

“You are not entirely wrong,” says Jesus.  “Because if I brought you all truth and all wisdom and would prove them to you with the help of facts, dear friend, then all happiness would be gone and your inner free development would suffer forever.  So let your heart, as the temple of God, become calm in the deepest silence, so that this beautiful evening too becomes an event for you and a landmark in the history of your inner life!

- Spiritual experiences on the hill

In the sky the constellations now become visible, and in this silence, the thoughts reach up to the stars.  Also in the house now everything becomes more quiet.  All rooms are illuminated, which increases the beauty of this evening; then a messenger comes from the house and asks what should still happen now, since everything is supplied and done and also for the guests, the rest beds and places are already prepared.

Zacchaeus the younger says: "Stay up, all of you, because tomorrow is also a holiday for the house of Zacchaeus!  We may still need your services.  Prepare a night meal!  In two hours we will be in the house."

The son asks the father: "Was that all right?" - and the old Zacchaeus nods his head.

In the exuberance of his feelings, Zacchaeus the younger could then no longer hold on to himself and, bowing before the others, he speaks: "Dear friends!  I feel as if the earth had disappeared, as if I am living in a world where everything happens by itself and thousands of invisible hands work for our well-being!  My insides are so full that I want to embrace each of you warmly.  Yes, I think I could even show love to my enemies!  Oh, how it makes me happy to have met You, Jesus!  You have such a special way of making others happy."  "Yes, I suppose you're right," Jesus replies pensively, "but have you ever considered what a great advantage you have over your fellow man?  Do you know hardship?  Do you know suffering?

Ask your friends who know war and suffering, who have seen the most bitter hardship in some foreign countries!  Their hearts are hardened and have, not only once, even wrestled with death!  Anyone who had a childhood like you and only dreamed away in worrying about earthly well-being does not yet know life in all its diversity.  Because all seriousness of life is born only from the conflicts around us and in us!  And so I also do not want to tell you what to do or not to do, but: Let the Spirit of all life make you free from this inclination to worldliness, so that you too may become an instrument of the eternal love of God.

Until today, the sun has always shone on you.  When you were born, you wept, but your own rejoiced.  In the future, live in such a way that when you die, you may rejoice and your own may weep for you.  Remember Me often; and remember, My name is Jesus, but the Spirit in Me is Jehovah of hosts.  And now close your eyes for a few minutes!"

Suddenly there was light on the hill.  Everyone's eyes were opened and they could all see the luminous figures animating the hill.

And the judge asked in amazement: "Can I speak with these beings?  Or is this only a dream or fantasy?!"

Then Jesus said: "Yes, have a conversation!  One hour this is granted to you, but then they will disappear again."

And they all do according to His command and communicate with the light-beings; and so speech, question and answer goes back and forth, for these beings were departed relatives, guided by blessed angels.

Much too fast this hour passed!  Then Jesus got up from His place and blessed the blissful beings, visible to all.  But then their spiritual eyes were closed again, and all at once, it was as if there was a terrible darkness on this earth!

- Raphael as the Lord’s servant

Only now did the Romans notice that an unknown young man had arrived, and they were surprised that his coming had not been noticed by anyone.  The young man now asked Zacchaeus, the innkeeper, for admission into his hospitable house - and this was gladly granted.  But it did not become a real conversation, because it was suddenly all so quiet around, and they felt lonely.

Jesus spoke softly to Jacob and then greeted the newcomer with a slight nod of the head.  The young man, however, bowed down to the ground with his hands crossed on his chest.  Then Jacob went to the young man and welcomed him in the name of Jesus with the words: "The Lord wills it, and so His will be done here!

Then a beautiful shooting star fell, a whistling sound was heard, and for a moment the whole area was illuminated.  But then it became dark again, because Jesus wanted it that way.  Then Zacchaeus said: "Dear friends!  Do you want to stay up here - I will have lights brought, or will we go back to the house?"  And it was decided to return to the house and have the night meal.

In the house, everything was already prepared.  The landlord was busy among his guests and then said to Jesus: "You know, all this I owe only to you!  Oh, if I could keep you here like this, permanently, as my son!  Truly, You would be a comfort and a light in my old age - for of my Zacchaeus, I have almost nothing!"

Jesus says: "Yes, your wish is right, because I would also like to remain here with you permanently.  But in body I cannot, but in spirit I remain with and among you."

The old man shook his head and could not understand even these simple words, because he saw in Jesus only the son of the old Joseph.  After a while, he asked: "My dear young friend!  What did you mean by: according to the spirit?  There is only one Spirit, and it is Jehovah in His power and glory."

Jesus answers: "There will come a time when you will understand this, when the Messiah will come and make arrangements to redeem His people with His Spirit.  But let us enjoy the meal and then tend to the rest!"

The Romans were still talking about the luminous beings and could not express their joy about it enough.

The calmest was and remained Cornelius.  For he knew enough and had always been calm to absorb deeply all the words and all the actions of Jesus.

Then the old Roman judge began to ask Jesus across the table about the events he had experienced today and asked for clarification of many a doubt that was still stirring within him.

Jesus in His calm, loving way began to speak: "Dear friends of the truth!  I like nothing better than to serve those who need it; first, to fulfill My mission, and second, to illuminate the Spirit of life, love and truth and create values for eternity.  When I speak to you of things you do not know, be assured: they are not destined for time and space, but from time for eternity!

Everything that you see with your eyes is based on laws; and the ravages of time do indeed remove these things, but not these laws.  The basic principle of all preservation of the created, however, is the effect of Divine forces.

Everywhere your eyes look, there is a fight, and the strongest wins and struggles his way up.  Who flees the fight, or is too cowardly, will be defeated.  This life in all of nature tells you.  But it is also like this in man himself.  His whole inside is the constant battlefield between the world and the spirit.  But to all struggles man is given a free will, which he can apply everywhere, where he, from his intellect, only wants.  Through such a will to act or to resist, forces become active that previously rested in him as if mute or latent.

And so the whole life of man is nothing but an endless chain of victory and defeat.  But the God-pole resting in man is constantly pushing to new deeds.  Admittedly, man feels nothing of this in his outward form.

But in hours when he is moved by great distress or deep joy, the bar that kept the door to his inner being closed, is loosened - and for a moment, the inner man can be seen in his true form: in his distress, or in his most blessed existence.

Believe Me: all the beings you saw on the hill, are the same as you!  Only you still carry flesh and blood and can only enter into this spiritual state after laying aside your flesh-body.

See, just as there were and are people here on earth who are close to their perfection - I am thinking of Enoch, of Elijah and of My bodily Mother - there are also beings in the hereafter who are still deep down there and others who are already close to their perfection.

Verily, I say to you: Only the inhabitants of heaven can see the happiness that dwells in the hearts of such God-fearing people.  But inhabitants of this earth never, because their mind is too much directed to earthly things.  But humans can by exception, however, also see the most blessed happiness of the angels and pure spirits, if they are allowed to show themselves to people, as you could have experienced this evening for yourselves".

And Jesus speaks further: "But to show you this glorious and most desirable goal of perfection, I have invited such an inhabitant to serve you (for your spiritual progress) and to show you the steps into your heart-temple and to give you hints from his life-experience, which will bring you significantly closer to the eternal truth!  So be it!

And now you can ask him.  He will not owe you an answer."  Stunned and yet curious, everyone looked at the handsome youth, who acted as if he had lived in this house for years.  The old Roman judge now asked the youth to come to his side and asked where he had come from in the middle of the night.  "For it is quite against good custom for a stranger to stop at a house that is not even an inn!"

Then the fair youth smiled and said: "Yes, you have spoken right, according to your opinion.  I, on the other hand, have a different opinion.  For me there is no night and I can stay where I want.  My Master called me to serve Him in this house.  And so I am here and stay as long as my Lord and Master wants me to!"

"Yes, who is your master?" - asked the judge in amazement.  "I know almost all of those who have servants, slaves and serfs, but I have never seen you with any of the masters!  Or - are you one of the beings we saw on the hill as in a dream?  But you - I have not seen there either!  I ask you for a satisfactory answer, because nothing is worse than doubt.

"My Lord is also yours," said the youth.  "But you have not yet known the dominion and the essence of my Lord.  For if you knew my Lord, you too would serve Him gladly and willingly!  Therefore I want to show you on me and in me the signs of my Lord and why I am a servant to Him."

Then the old Roman gets excited and says: "Young friend, whoever you may be, do not talk in riddles, because Jesus already gave me enough.  Always, when the most important and worth-knowing came or should come, a riddle came and now you come and are certainly also such a wonder-boy?  Therefore I ask you to say in a natural way and manner who and what you are!"

"Dear friend, don't get excited!" - the young man answered.  "You will learn everything that will serve you!  But listen: who I am will be difficult to make you believe!  For according to the will of my Lord, I bear this body only to show you that all powers, which lie in man, are not rooted in his flesh, but in the spirit-man, who is indestructible according to the eternal order of the Creator!

Grab once my hands, or touch me anywhere!  What do you notice?"  The old judge answers: "Well, that you are a boy of some twenty years and have been very well cared for, for your flesh does not show a single blemish."

Raphael, however, smilingly said: "Now touch me again, but roughly, for I am not as sensitive as you suppose!"

Then the old Roman grabbed the young man's hand and squeezed it tightly.  But -  he had nothing in his hand and reached through!  He reached for the head, for the neck, for the ears: there was nothing tangible there, and yet he saw the youth standing before him and smiling.  "Now, after all, stop everything!  This may be understood by whoever wants to!  A human, and yet not a human!"

"Listen, dear friend," said Raphael - for it was Raphael whom the Eternal Love for mankind had decided on - "we will understand each other, because the conditions for it have already been created.  The question is, of course, whether you and all of you will believe it.  Because all the beings which you have seen and with which you have talked, are inhabitants of great, but spiritual worlds.

The Lord and eternal God had detached you, for one hour, from the shells and had shown you the pure spiritual life, ascending from the lowest to the highest.   Also in me you see an inhabitant of spiritual worlds permeated by the will of God.  And since I know no other will, no other zeal and no other service than that of my Lord, my Creator and eternal God, I stand before you as a witness of His infinite greatness and power, but also of His most merciful love.  Where God is, we are also!

For us angels everything is one! (a unity) - Whether day, whether night; whether here or there, it doesn't matter to us!  And faster than thought are all our movements.  We never age, remain eternally young and are in everything except space and time.  And it is only due to the grace and mercy of the great love of our God, that we are here to serve you!

I see through you and know your thoughts. You - think this is impossible?  But, to prove to you my spiritual reality, I ask you for quite a big wish to fulfill for you, according to the will of my holy God!"

The old Roman marvels and slowly comes to his senses.  "Yes, if you can, get or let be brought here the ring of my mother, long since deceased, which was lost in the family home some thirty years ago and for which I still mourn today!"  The old man shaded his eyes, as if he didn't want to let those memories come up.  Then Raphael said: "Here you have your ring, which has brought you many a wistful hour.  If you had paid more attention at that time, you could have seen how a crow carried it away and kept it in a wall!  But God willed it so!  For He knew the right time when the lost ring, your silent love, should be delivered to you again.  But first look at it!"

There the old man wept, who otherwise knew no tear, where death and destruction was.  He remained calm during the execution of many death sentences: here he became soft, overwhelmed by his feeling!  This experience was now the first ray of Divine Love, which could seize him in the innermost, which could show him the being and essence of the true God!

Raphael dries his tears and says: "Dear friend!  Now true life has taken hold of you, and now all riddles cease for you!  Now, in this spirit, love God, the Eternal, and all people as your brothers, then you have not lived here in vain!  Consider: All your life, your God and Creator served you, even if invisibly, to call out to you in this hour: "Oh, so now you also serve Me!"  And those invisible forces and helpers will assist you in the struggle for this great goal!"

Then the old man took the ring and wanted to put it on Jesus' finger.

But Jesus said: "By no means, My old friend, can I accept this, since an even greater joy is held in store for you with it!  Keep your ring!  But let it always be a witness and testimony to you of this hour!  Only go back to your young friend and ask him for even more!"

Then, with teary eyes, the Roman said to Raphael: "Yes, dear friend, if you were able to bring me my mother's ring, then bring my mother here once, if God allows it, because I now believe in eternal existence and life.  And surely you will know the place of her stay?"

Then Raphael stroked the Roman's eyes, and he saw not only his mother, but also his father and grandfather; yet he did not dare to address them.  Then the mother said, visible and audible to all: "At last my many prayers have been answered!  Now I thank God!  I know you are saved now that you have turned to the living God!  Oh, leave all idols, leave all worldly things, for they are sham, lies and deceit!  Only we are truth as spirit-people, eternal truth of life, and alive out of the great fullness of God's grace.

You too will soon step onto the steps to eternity!  Use your time, which is still given to you, because salvation is among you!  Through the whole spirit-world goes a murmur: "God is human among humans!" "And all, all happy spirits, blessed in God, long for the time when the bridge will be built for you too (the spiritual connection), so that we can come to you and you to us! God is on earth to make this earth and all it's inhabitants ready for the great, endless happiness: God will become visible to all creatures (John 1:14)!  And times are expected when God and man will join hands like two brothers to fight unitedly against the spirit which does not want to acknowledge eternal life, eternal order and selfless love!

When I entered this spiritual world, I was poor, but friends came and helped until I too could help poorer people.  And so I found your father.  We did not separate any more, because everything that separates has passed away and everything that binds, has been given to us by God, Whom, however, we could not see even once.  But His servants and His friends came and helped; and so we are happy.  Though not rich, we are not poor either.

If God is already so exceedingly well-disposed towards us, He can only be good and most loving!  And so we leave you - only outwardly.  But we can often be invisibly with you, if you can believe in the eternally true God of the Jews.  Believe deeply: He is salvation and only from Him comes all salvation!  And so arise in the spirit, in which we also have risen".

Here the spirits disappeared.  All those present, however, were highly delighted, as there was finally clarity (about the life on the other side).

Cornelius and Julius were now talking with Raphael, and their togetherness caused joy upon joy.  Old Zacchaeus, however, could not yet be quite happy, for the miracle of the ring was too great for him; and after a little pause, he wanted to be told the story of how this ring was lost.  But the old Roman did not know it himself any more, only he could never really overcome the loss.  And so the hours flew by.  No-one thought of sleeping, since Raphael could present the nature and being of God so clearly to everyone!  And he showed his listeners the great, eternal workings of God's order by means of the magnificent constellations that were visible from the hall.

Silence fell in the room.  Then Raphael asked all present to rest for a little hour, so that the interest in the great, holy matter of God would not dwindle!  "And then let us see further!"  Here Raphael disappeared.  But no-one asked for him either.

- Raphael shows everyone the mastery of the forces of nature

The morning showed bright skies again, and it was dewy outside.  Then the company awoke, and Jesus asked who wanted to go to the hill to have morning worship, and all agreed.  Old Zacchaeus did not order the morning meal for another two hours, so they went to the hill together.

But how amazed everyone was when they arrived there!  There suddenly stood a beautiful pavilion, resting on seven pillars!  The roof was made of cedar, the floor was paneled, beautiful, comfortable resting beds were set up, and Raphael was already waiting for them!

With his arms crossed over his chest, Raphael bowed his head in greeting and then invited them to sit down.  "And now, dear friends, let this glorious morning have a right effect on your minds, so that the bonds may be loosened which are still separating God and man!  When God called me to serve in this place, I only wanted to prove to you - thanks to the great love of God - what is possible through the fullness of God's powers.  And so I leave you this small temple for the lasting memory of these holy, solemn hours!

I must not give everything to you in such a way that you only have to take it, rather I want to show you, on the basis of my life-experiences, the new way and the high goal.

Now look once towards the morning!  The sun slowly rises higher and higher, it's light becomes stronger and stronger, and the emerging life in nature is just like an echo of it.  It is as if every creature wants to offer the due thanks to the rising sun, and the mists rising in the lowlands show you the escape of bound and chained life, being parts of the earth-soul still in fermentation.

And so look!  It becomes lighter and lighter all around, and lighter and more joyful becomes your mind!"

High up in the air, an eagle flies and draws it's circles.  Then Raphael lifts his arm and calls out to him: "Hurry here and bear witness that you, a king of the air, are nevertheless subject to the power of God in man!"

The eagle lowers itself, sits down on Raphael's right hand and forearm, and with a slight flap of it's wings, it bows before the small congregation, which marvels at the gigantic animal, which has a wingspan of at least two meters.  Nobody dares to speak a word.  Then Raphael speaks to the eagle: "Listen!  Do me one more service, then you can look for your morning meal!  There, not far from the grove, in a shelter, lies a young deer, which has broken it's leg in a fall.  Bring it here as quickly as possible, for a snake has chosen it as it's prey!"

A tilt of the head, and the eagle rises about thirty meters high; then he shoots towards the grove.  Three times he circles over it, then crashes down to earth; but quickly he rises again into the air, carrying in his beak a snake which he has grasped directly in the head.  The snake, an animal perhaps four meters long and about thirty centimeters thick, now begins to move and wants to pull the abdomen upwards.  There the eagle lets the snake fall and rushes after it as fast as an arrow.  But after a short moment it rises again and circles in the air.  Finally it lowers itself to the earth and lifts itself up again, holding a young deer in it's beak.

Now he comes flying towards the company, circles again three times in the air, lowers himself to the earth and lays the loudly wailing little animal at Raphael's feet.  Three times he bows, gives a loud cry, then rises to a dizzy height and disappears in the direction of the sun.

Everyone watched this scene in amazement, but not a word was spoken.

Raphael runs his hand over the little deer.  Then it becomes quiet.  It is healthy and nestles at the feet of it's benefactor.  Now, dear old father of the house," Raphael begins in the general silence, "what are your wishes?  Tell me what you want me to do for you!  It will be granted to you.  But ask for something that will bring blessing to the people!"

But Zacchaeus remains calm and silent, he does not dare to express a wish.

Then everyone felt a small jolt.  The ground opened, an arm-strong spring gushed forth, and the water immediately sought a path, rushing toward the depths.  The young deer tastes the water first and lies down again at Raphael's feet.

"Now it is enough of the signs", Raphael says: "my service is done.  But you: Know God and His holy will! Then this knowledge will also introduce you to that holy truth, so that you can make correct use of all the wonderful powers that also slumber in you.

As my will conquered the eagle, as my will healed the beast, as my will brought the water out of the earth, so can you do the same and more.  For all that I did was by the power of God.  In the same way, you too should make use of the grace that is shown here in this morning hour.

Now praise God with heart, mouth and hands!  And may the spirit of true human love also fill you in the serious service of the great work of God.  Amen!

A flash of lightning - and empty was the place where Raphael stood.

Even more astonished, those present look at each other and around them.  Then Cornelius stands up and speaks to Jesus, who sat there as if completely passive: "We owe this to You, You dear friend of life!  I want to love You!  You I will carry in my heart!  Because I recognize now again: With You, God has blessed this earth!  Oh, how happy your relatives must have been when they have fully recognized You!"

"You are right, My dear, faithful friend," Jesus answered.  "But it is unfortunately only too true that the ones who are Mine and also all others, recognize Me much too late!  You yourself have heard from Jacob, what suffering and sorrow reigned in the house of Joseph because of Me; but My time is not yet there - let us therefore remain silent for a while!  Only with the maturity of your souls, also the Divine Spirit matures in you, which was again shown and revealed to you here.  But I still have to keep silent!  Be silent about it, too, because it happens only for your salvation!  Talk to Jacob today; he knows all about it.  Tomorrow in the morning we will continue; but you can do as you like!  Do not intrude upon Me!  My hour is not yet here, because in Me, the call has not yet gone out: to the service of the great work of God!"

Now all of them stand up and ask Jesus to stay with them: "For we are so small spiritually - compared to You!  But Jesus goes away quietly; only the young deer hurries after Him.

"Let Jesus go!  Leave Him in peace!"  Jacob asks, He comes back of His own accord.  We do not know why He does such things, but He certainly knows why and for what purpose!"

The old judge says: "Let's go back to the house, so that we can strengthen ourselves.  May the day that has begun so beautifully, still have a worthy ending!"  And silently they all go to the house, silently they enjoy their meal, but their hearts are with Jesus.

Then Jesus comes in the door, smiling, and gives the little animal to old Zacchaeus as a gift: "So that you can rejoice over a lively little animal and gratefully recognize the kind Creator!"

No one asks, "Where have you been?", but everyone rejoices: Jesus is back!  Then Jesus says to Jacob: "Now your service begins!  See to your cause according to the will of Joseph, so that we too may rejoice this day in the Spirit of the kind Creator!"

And so the day passed, and no-one thought of leaving.  Jacob was now also able to unfold his abilities, and his brotherly love did not tire of witnessing about so many and such a wide range of proofs of grace!  Not until after midnight did all seek their beds.

- Farewell

In the morning, when everyone had gathered for the early meal, Jesus was missing.  The old Roman judge briefly expressed his surprise that Jesus had left without saying goodbye.  But Jacob defended his brother Jesus and asked that His actions not be criticized.  "For He knows what He wants, and lets nothing stop Him!"  Then he asked if the beautiful hours spent with Him, were already forgotten.  Ashamedly, the people remained silent, but no real conversation could get going again.

They went to the hill, stayed a while in the pavilion and returned to the house, hoping that Jesus had come in the meantime.

Old Zacchaeus discussed many things with his son and Jacob and then ordered an early midday meal, since the time of departure had come.  So the few hours had soon passed, and they sat down to the farewell meal.

Jacob, deeply saddened in his heart, asked himself: "Should the friends really leave without having spoken to Jesus once more?  Then the door opened and Jesus entered.  With a smile on His lips and His right hand outstretched in blessing, He came to the table.

"Friends", He spoke, "do not be angry with Me!  I had to be alone, to become free from the inherent desires of my soul!  And I could not come sooner, for the heart, the impetuous one, still has so much earthly desire that I had to flee your presence, which had become so dear to me.  But now I am the old one again!  But do not let yourselves be held back in the fulfillment of your duties!"

The conversation went back and forth over the meal, and finally the time came for them to depart.  Julius and Cornelius asked Jesus and Jacob to go with them, but Jesus said: "Precisely because we want to go alone, I had to come to terms with Myself.  For remember, My Julius, you also need silence, if you want to become like Me!  The time will come when we will meet again; then the joy will be twice as great!  But let us always serve each other in spirit with the gifts and the powers God has given us!"  And so Jesus and Jacob extended their hands to all in farewell.

The old Roman gives thanks with tears in his eyes. He draws Jesus to his bosom and says, "Oh, could you go with me and be my son, how I would hold on to you!  For in my heart there lives only love for You!"

Jesus thanks him and says: "In the spirit of love, we are united forever.  What you wanted to do to Me, My Father in heaven will do to you.  And only then will you know who I am."

It was hard to say goodbye!  Especially Zacchaeus the younger, who had spoken least with Jesus, did not want to let go of His hand.  Then Jesus said: "Zacchaeus!  The time is coming soon when you will become a witness for all eternity.  Do not forget Me, lest tears of sorrow and repentance make you weary before the time! (Luke 19:3-10)  I remember you always! ... And so go your way in peace!  We also go our way!  God's love and blessings be with you!"

And so again a section of His work in the house of Zacchaeus is finished.  They remained here today and this night, and the old innkeeper was heartily pleased, but he could not devote himself to his guests, since he was required by the elders in the town.  Jesus went up the hill with Jacob once more, as if to bid farewell to the surroundings.  In the evening they lay down to rest very early, since old Zacchaeus had not yet come home.  Early in the morning, the old man woke them both up, and before they departed, Zacchaeus thanked them again. "Say what you wish" - he asked Jesus -  "if I can, I will grant it to you right now!"

"Yes, I would have only one wish, and that is: Keep Me in your heart, you and your whole house!  And live and create from the Spirit that lives in Me, and everything will be paradisiacal in you and around you!  But now it is time to part!  Do not forget us, as we will not forget you!  And remain mindful of all the glorious revelations of God!  Jehovah's Spirit with you!"

And so they parted.  For a long way the old man still escorted them, but then he returned with a praying heart.  But the two went back the same way they had come.



Table of Contents

1. Reunion with Cornelius and Julius 4

2. Jacob's narrative of Jesus' youth 6

3. Conversations about Jehovah's voice in man 8

4. Revelations about the primordial creation of man 9

5. Spiritual experiences on the hill 14

6. Raphael as the Lord’s servant 15

7. Raphael shows everyone the mastery of the forces of nature 20

8. Farewell 23