John the Apostle

as a guide

Love gains the victory

Part 2

Book 29

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.  John works in Jerusalem 4

2.  Debate with a Persian priest and two Persian merchants 5

3.  The arrest of four brothers by the Templars 9

4.  Explanation about the beyond 11

5.  The rescue of the four captive brothers and the Persians’ departure 13

6.  Mary’s death 16

7.  Internalization of John and discussion with Jesus about the future of Jerusalem 18

8.  John in Ephesus. Heresy of Boethos in Ephesus about the false body of Jesus - and his conversion 20

9.  Maternus is blessed with the gift of healing 24

10.  John's sea journey from Ephesus to Smyrna 29

John works in Jerusalem

The time that John was with Jesus, had long since passed.  Jesus had accomplished His work of salvation, and the disciples had followed in the footsteps of their Master.  For them, it was uplifting hours when they thought back to the times spent with their Master.  Now the seriousness of the present brought other experiences.  If they had experienced glories with Jesus, now they experienced heavens, which they built in themselves in the love and Spirit of their Master.  Glorious visions and revelations were the result of their love-life that was now taking effect.  Much contributed to this that the mother Mary almost always stayed with John in Jerusalem, while the other brothers moved from city to city, from country to country, equipped with the power of the Master; John, on the other hand, almost always stayed in Jerusalem and was brother, priest and servant to all.

Debate with a Persian priest and two Persian merchants

Life had placed him on a level from which he could speak to and minister to everyone, and to his brothers, when they were sometimes in distress, he became in the truest sense the Master's representative.  He was more intimately connected with Jacob, the Lord's brother, than with Peter.  The whole congregation had such great trust in no-one else besides Jacob as they had in John.  So it is understandable that Mary's house became a home of love and a place of salvation.  How angry were the priests when they had to experience how those who were hungry for love and truth went again and again to the home of love.  Many an attempt was made to destroy the hated home, but always without success.  John, thanks to the care of a Roman, had succeeded in having some Roman soldiers appointed to protect the home.  The tasks of the brothers became bigger and bigger, but also the needs of the seekers became bigger and bigger.  Most of the time the brothers were away for weeks, often for months, so John felt it was his duty to stay in Jerusalem.

Once again, all the brothers were on the road.  Just then, foreign merchants, far from Persia, came to John to experience at the source the truth and the living power they had heard described with great eloquence in Persia.  They were joined by a Persian pagan priest named Karsna.  This one was also quite serious about the truth.  John in his love received these people, and soon the right contact was found that united them all.  Mary, who was present, was asked by John to remain at his side in service.  It would be necessary.

The Gentile priest went straight for the target and asked: "What is it about Jesus who is supposed to have risen from the dead?  Who is his mother and who is his father, and how did his youth go?  There are so many rumors going around about this person.  I would like to know the truth."

John replied: "Here, this Mary is His mother.  Jesus' conception and birth, however, are a great miracle."

When John remained silent, the priest inquired further: "Why miracles?  Is not every birth of a human being a miracle?"

John: "Certainly, but there is still a mystery about Jesus which the mind of even the most understanding will never fully comprehend.  Already the prophets foretold His coming, and prophesied that He would be born of a virgin; and so it came to pass."

"Friend" - said the priest - "how am I to understand this; we are experienced men."

Said Mary: "Friends from afar, incredible as it may sound, I conceived this Jesus without the intervention of a man, and also gave Him life without pain.  The promise was made to me by an angel who became visible and audible to me.  I was still half a child and did not understand the angel nor afterwards the people who made me aware of my condition.  It was a bitter time for me at that time, and the temple did everything to clear up this circumstance, since I had been brought up in the temple and then given to old Joseph to take care of me.

We had to drink poison-water, and since it did not harm us, our innocence was revealed.  When little Jesus was born, your countrymen also came and honored this child as a king.  Jesus grew up like other boys; but already at the age of two, he uttered greater wisdom than experienced men.  It is impossible to tell all this in brief.  But after all, the most important thing is not His person, but the Spirit dwelling in Him."

The priest replied: "It is difficult to believe this without further ado, but in my opinion the person is just as important as the Spirit by which He was animated.  But I ask you not to blame me for my doubts.  Incredible things are told about Him, after all, which is why I spared no sacrifice to learn the truth."

John: "Friend, be assured: We serve you in the Spirit of Jesus and have only one wish, that you may understand us rightly.  Regarding the birth of Jesus, there will be doubts in the distant future.  But we were witnesses of His life, activity and work.  Nevertheless, it will be much easier for you and all others to grasp His nature and His Spirit, than it was for us in the past.  We have seen His humanity as well as His glory which He revealed to us, but not in words, but truly in deeds.

You, who have come to know the truth about Jesus, will be permeated by the truth by yourselves, if you allow yourselves to receive and accept His Spirit.  This Spirit is love, love and always love; but not a love that is blind, but joined with the highest wisdom.  When people met with Jesus, there have often been shocks because of His humanity.  You, who will only experience the Risen One, and that according to the Spirit, have nothing more to do with His humanity."

The priest: "My friend, it is quite encouraging for us when you give us the promise to experience this Risen One.  For you, such a thing is easy; but for us, the question arises again: Is this risen Jesus the same one you knew as the man Jesus?  Many forces are revealed in nature as well as in the supernatural."

John: "I have to agree with you there; but whoever has lived with Him for years, as we have, and experienced His death and resurrection, can no longer be deceived.  But that is not yet the most important thing, that we are convinced of His resurrection from the dead, but that His Spirit fills us, which He promised us long before His death.  To gain this Spirit, is the most important thing; for in this Spirit of His, We all have gained His power and wisdom.  Once you have experienced this on and in you, then all questions about Jesus cease, because then you have acquired His life with His Spirit and have become a new person.  What would all the truths mean without His Spirit and what would faith in Him be, if you were not enlivened by Him!  Nothing could satisfy you in the long run; but in Jesus' Spirit and life, every life has acquired a new value, and the questions about eternity are answered."

"But no-one who died has yet come back" - the priest replied - "and until now, we have remained without any hope."

John: "Not we, dear friends, for death is now no longer a terror to us.  Jesus' love has conquered death for all who believe in Him and live according to His teaching, and has promised them eternal life.  This eternal life, however, is not revealed only after our death in the body, but already here in our life on earth; and you can be assured that all gates are open to me in the hereafter."

Said another: "Friend, what you are telling us has not yet been heard.  All the gates of the unknown hereafter shall be open to you?  How then are we to understand this?"

John: "Not differently, than that I can see those who dwell in the hereafter at any time.  You will be surprised when I tell you that you are accompanied by a young man who loves you very much.  He is your brother's son; he lost his life in a carriage accident which had befallen you on a journey.  You yourself suffered little damage.  But you were inconsolable, since you had promised your brother to look after his son conscientiously."

"That is true, this has indeed happened to me" - confirmed the merchant - "but it is inexplicable to me how you can know about this, and - that this my deeply grieved Karkas is always with me?  To know this is a mystery to me."

John: "If it is still too little proof for you, then know: this Karkas accompanying you is telling you that you may not conclude a business with the Templars, because you shall be abused to great wickedness."

Said the merchant to the priest: "Listen, friend Karsna, what is to be believed now?  Now I am not even to conclude the business with the Templars, for which I have striven so hard; what then do you say to all this?"

Karsna: "I am faced with great puzzles.  If all that this disciple says is true, then every search for another truth has no more purpose, then we are at the goal of our longing.  But let the disciple reveal more to you, for I have the greatest interest in it."

John: "I do not see the point of revealing anything more.  Either you believe these proofs given to you, or you do not.  If you are seriously concerned about the truth, then this little is already enough for you, because I am not there to talk about spiritual things, but to proclaim life from God.  Once again I say to you, who is a priest: let yourself be seized by this truth, and you will bring life from God to the souls entrusted to you.  Until now, the superstition and ignorance of these people have not yet seriously pressed you for truth; but how will you be able to stand when some of your members now demand proof from you as you demanded from me?  I need not fear them, for I am in possession of eternal truth.  But what proofs can you offer me, if I ask you about your gods and about the dead whom you have loved?  I am thinking of your wife, whom you have not been able to convince of the truth of your gods and who still has not reached the Source of life in the hereafter."

Karsna: "What kind of person are you that you know about this too?  I believed her dead, and you say that she still has not come to the Source of life!"

John: "Friend, the life out of God gives me this as a proof for you.  You think I read your thoughts; you are right.  But not only do I know your thoughts, but I also know things from your past that you have long since ceased to think about.  For example, you who have never really bothered to understand the life of your gods, cannot wash away the sins of your youth, and to this day do not know why your children have such bad eyes.  How your wife complained about this misfortune.  But you were the author yourself.  You never thought about the fact that in your youth you blinded captive birds and that you enjoyed it immensely when the blind birds did not know where to fly.  Never did it occur to you that such an animal must also look for food and now could no longer find any."

"You know that too?" - said the priest.  "So my youthful stupidity is the cause of my children having bad eyes?  Oh how cruel is the fate; my children must atone for their father's stupidity!"

John: "Do not talk about fate, but think of the eternal laws of a Deity!  The eternal God and Creator of heaven and earth, who could reveal Himself in Jesus, the Son of Man, has made us experience many more things.  Let it be said to you, too, that only the eternal God can heal your children's eyes, if you believe in Him and want to make good according to His will everything you have failed to do in your life."

Karsna: "Friend, here is my hand, I want to believe, even if everything should turn against me!  You know my thoughts and see that I mean it sincerely, and this because you established facts, but you did not reproach me, but even assured healing.  Have thanks for it and let me know His teaching!"

John: "Soon you will learn of the teaching; but first I want to come clean with your friends, for they have also come for Jesus' sake."

Now one of the merchants said to John: "Friend, it is a great joy to me that I have finally reached the steps of the true temple of God.  I need not ask about this, but only hear.  Everything you told my friends is as good as told to me, and therefore it is my pleasure to thank you for being so honest and not being afraid to tell our priest the truth.  Well, he has thanked you, and that he keeps his given promise, of that I am convinced, I know him.  But that his wife cannot yet be at the Source of life is distressing, but what is to be done, she is no longer alive?"

John: "In body she is no longer, but in spirit and soul she has the same life as we have, only with the difference that we still wear the flesh, the shell of our soul.  She, too, is here by the grace of God and witness of what is spoken here.  A God who is love and life, has no pleasure in the downfall of His creatures.  Through His incarnation in Jesus, He has created ways and means so that even those who could not experience the message of His love and teaching, can turn to Him.  Therefore, do not worry about those who live in His care, but rather worry about yourselves, so that you may understand and recognize life and in this recognition, come to know yourselves.

Man, as he is now, goes towards his ruin if he does not find himself in God.  But to find oneself in God, means to search for God and His truth and to remain in this then found truth.  When man is ready, he is given what serves him for his further development by the Spirit of grace, which comes forth like a spring from the truth of God.  No-one could ever say that he has come short with it."

"With God's help you have succeeded well in this, dear friend; for every word has penetrated my inner being like a truth.  Only about Karsna's wife am I still in doubt."

John: "Be content with the truth that has become truth to you; for know that it is ‘not good to know too much at once.'  Believe in Jesus, Who rose from the dead, for His sake you have come, and I tell you that today you will see many wonderful things."

The arrest of four brothers by the Templars

Mary entered the room.  "John, brothers have come again; will you receive them or shall they come again some other time?"

"Oh no, Mother Mary, just lead them in; these brothers are prepared and are no longer strangers."  Mary then brought four brothers to John, whom he greeted warmly.  Then one said: "John, I can go no further; I am without any support.  My sons have now also become victims of the Templars.  What am I to do?"

John: "Brother, above all, do not complain and do not lose yourself in complaining.  Are you no longer aware of the glorious proofs of His love, and has it escaped your notice that our glorious Master, with His love, strength and power, stands above all the wickedness of the Templars?  Oh Brother, how small you now stand before our God and Savior Jesus."

"Yes, John, you are right, and you are also right to tell me this; but see, the hardship and the suffering are greater than all my knowledge."

"You are mistaken in this case, dear brother, for hardship and suffering are precisely meant to lead you inwardly to stages that reveal even greater glories.  You say that you are without any support, but you do not consider that you have broken off the support of the Lord Himself.  It is precisely in these hours of trial that it is all the more important to hold on to the Lord and make His promises come alive.  Has He not said that He will not forsake nor neglect any; has He not said that He will fulfill every request if it is spoken in His Spirit?  Behold, our house is most frequented by the followers of His love and by those who seek Him.  And yet it has never happened that a Templar has been able to disturb our peace.  Can you imagine why this is so? I will tell you: because we are completely devoted to the Lord."

"John, I believe you; but what shall I do to set my sons free again?"

John: "Become completely quiet, brother, and maintain connection with the Lord; and now become completely quiet and inwardly free from fear; for the Lord can effectively help only where full trust is placed in Him."

The merchants, who had listened to every word, now asked John what it was all about.   John now explained to the strangers how the temple with it's henchmen was always out to persecute and exterminate the followers of Jesus' doctrine.

"Is this what your priests do!?" - the merchant was horrified - "where is your right as citizens in the city of God?"

John replied, "Oh brothers, the temple takes every right for itself.  We Jews are powerless against the machinations of the Templars, that is, with the exception of those who have completely surrendered to the Lord.  But even there, the greatest trials are to be expected.  Only with the grace given to us from God, is it possible for us to escape the reenactments and thus not bring the Templars into greater judgment."

"Why greater judgment?" - asked the merchant - "why do you not resort to self-help?  What the Templars dare to do, you may do also."

John: "No, this is not the Lord's will; His words are clear and unmistakable: be wise and without falsehood, and you will be right.  To convert a priest is not our task, since the Lord Himself did everything possible in this regard; but we are secure in the Lord if we are completely of His Spirit.  Here with this brother, this very prudence has not been applied, for it is an impossibility with those who are united to the Lord that He should let His little children perish."

Said the brother: "John, do not misjudge the situation; in spite of the greatest caution of my sons, a traitor crept in among the believers, otherwise it cannot be explained.

Said the merchant: "Friends, I am pressed to know the truth here too; can't help be given here?"

John: "Certainly help can be given.  Thousands have been set free again with the Lord's help, but it takes courageous hearts."

"I would dare to try" - the merchant explained - "no sacrifice would be too great for me; after all, the Templars are only human, and what they can do, must be possible for others."

John: "Brother, are you serious, would you be ready for any sacrifice?  Yes, now I see in you that you are ready, and now be assured that the Lord can also use you for this great work of help."

Thereupon the complaining brother pushed his way to the merchant and spoke excitedly: "Oh friend, if you succeeded in getting my sons free, how I would thank you!"

"You must not speak to me about this, dear friend; for if I dare to do something, I do it only for the sake of Jesus, because here I was allowed to learn the truth about Him.  His Spirit and His nature are still strange to me; only this I have grasped, that He must be infinite love, for otherwise He would not take care and provide so that everyone may receive His life.  But to you, John, I give special thanks, because you are honest and in your love do not spare even your brothers, and clearly reveal what justifies the Lord."

John: "You have said quite right.  With the Lord's help, you will also 'succeed in doing the relief work’.  We still have to wait and see how.  But thank you in advance for your will; and now let everything be good and let us lean completely on the Lord - He will make all things known to us.  But now let us first have a small meal, that our bodies may be strengthened.  While we do so, let the others also have their say."

Explanation about the beyond

Mary felt urged to prepare a light meal; and just then she came into the room where the brothers were sitting and said: "Brothers, come and have a meal with us; Love commanded me to fix it.  You may have had nothing to eat all day."

"You are right" - confirmed the priest Karsna - "in the urge for truth we did not notice the hunger, but now we feel it already very much."

At the meal, the priest Karsna once again came to speak about the deceased and said: "Friends, do not take offence at my request; I cannot cope with what I have heard about my wife."

"And with Karkas, neither do I" - said the other.

John: "Friends, soon the ground will be ripe for further revelations, but take your time!  Sate yourselves first, and enjoy a sip of wine, that your spirit may be quickened."

John was not immediately understood, but when the wine did it's work, they realized what John had meant.  They became lively and talkative.  John, in the meanwhile curbed their eagerness by saying: "My brethren, can you now understand that I can have overflowing confidence in Him to whom we give thanks for everything?  Should He who can give us this wine and make us glad and happy not be able to do more?  Oh my brothers, what is our life compared to the life out of God, and what are all the things of our life against the things that remain ours in God for ever!  There is no longer a separation for me between this world and the hereafter; for both are opened to me: the hereafter through the teaching of Jesus and obedience to it from the Lord, and through grace, we experience the hereafter daily with and through the Lord.  You lament the death of the Lord.  For us, on the other hand, His death is the expression of His eternal love.  Without His death, no life would be eternally conceivable, and His teaching of love would fall flat and produce no life.    But thus He is victor over all death and all judgment and has put the stamp of eternity on all life.  But whoever can penetrate to the highest love by means of the grace of His love, will also carry the highest life in himself, and the Lord as the life Himself, will always and forever profess Himself to those who have His life in themselves and represent it outwardly.

In this life, the Lord has taken away the boundaries between this world and the next, according to the love of the life risen in the spirit, and so the Lord wills that by His grace you may see and converse with all those who are devoted to you in love."

Then the friends saw all those who had so many things to say to them.  After a little hour, their sight were closed again.

The merchant said: "John, there is no need for further words; I stand by my resolution and have even been strongly encouraged.  Karkas is completely transformed by your teaching, and if he may, he wants to stay with you.  He is not to be had for the temple; black crows and blood-red rabble dwell there.  Now, if I may consider this hour as a gift of the miraculous Savior, then, dear John - here you have my hand - I remain yours."

Karsna reported: "John, I do not dare to express any more wishes or the like; for what I experienced, was first horrible and then later beautiful.  Now I do not know: are we happier or those who have gone home?  We, because the paths of grace are still open to us, or the others, because they have overcome.  For us, the way and grace are something completely new; for them, however, all gates seem to be closed, because their only lot is lamentation and remorse.  To be sure, a light-bearer made promises to me, but he emphasized that it would still cost much effort and abundant good will; thereupon it became bright and sunny."

The distressed brother, meanwhile, smiled slightly and said: "Brothers, we are fools to worry.  Oh what a boost in the world beyond; never would I have believed that we had such helpers; what a pity that we cannot always see them.  Then we would not be so despondent."

Said John: “Brothers, the Lord does not waste His grace in vain.  He also has His intentions in doing so.  First of all with you, dear brother, who has long been initiated into the teaching and guidance of the Lord; unfortunately, however, it has little occurred to you that you must first give the spiritual helpers the right and also the means: the right by always being full of faith and trust, and the means by affirming the Lord's love.  In affirmation, life-forces flow out of your heart, and it is from these life-forces that the spiritual helpers can be helpers to you.

I also testify to you other brothers, who were allowed to look behind the curtain of the tomb for the first time, that those living in the hereafter, live in a completely different world.  On the one hand, we humans live in the world of grace of the Lord, which He opened up for us through His death and resurrection; on the other hand, the departed live in their world or in the love they brought with them into the other world.  Yes - brought with them, dear brothers - because in the hereafter, no-one, not even we, can have more than what he brings from earth as spiritual good.  The people who have never been able to learn anything from the Lord are trained there, but on their ground and in their sphere.  But then  it is so difficult to remove something from oneself in such a way that one becomes free of it.  For where do I get the means, since I depend only on what I have brought with me?  We human beings still have our hands and feet in this world of grace, and above all, brothers and sisters: through the grace of the Lord, we are given the opportunity to practice love. Through this active love, means and powers of a spiritual nature grow and remain with us for eternity.

Your wife, Karsna, is difficult to approach: her old gods are burned into her soul, and it will take many more hints before she will renounce them.  In general, do not imagine that the Lord will grant us, as well as the departed, every wish without further ado, or that He will disregard His own eternal laws.  The greatest law that our God Himself has made His own, is that He never imposes His will on a human being or spiritual being, even if it endures the greatest pain or places itself on hostile ground against Him.  He remains true to Himself and can only intervene to help where the heart turns to Him in free love.  We human beings, too, can do nothing but ask and give thanks and be active in brotherly love.  In all our activities, however, let our attention always be directed to serving as the Lord and Master served us humans, and to strive for the Spirit which He gave us as an eternal gift on Golgotha."

The brothers stayed for a long time, and when they parted, the merchant said: "John, before I go, I want you to know that I will strive to serve the Lord and Master.  Your words are by no means the words of man, and the revelations have not come from your will, but are purely God's work; therefore I also judge not by you, but by God, whom you have revealed to us as beautifully as you created opportunity for Him to reveal Himself to us."

The rescue of the four captive brothers and the Persians’ departure

It took about three weeks, then the merchant came back and brought the news that he had bought more than 500 slaves and would take them to his homeland.  He asked John if he wanted to see them and give them a word.  John agreed; but he would not do it in Jerusalem, lest the temple become suspicious.

John got himself a wagon, and with two brothers, Jacob and Andrew, he drove to the camp where the merchant had taken them.

They drove for a whole day, and when the sun began to set, they reached the resting place.  Of the people who were in this great transport, none suspected that they were going toward their deliverance.  They all felt that they had been sold into slavery, and prayed to God to give their new master a good and mild heart.

The camp was set up in the usual way.  The people had cooked their food in cooking pots; then the wagon with the disciples arrived.  Amazed, they recognized the disciples.  But since they were slaves, they had to keep silent and wait to see if they would be allowed to make themselves known.

After the disciples had been fed and the tired horses had been taken care of, the order was given by the attendants that the people should sit together in the camp in order and without distinction.  Curious to know what this meant, they quickly arranged themselves.  Then their new master came with the disciples. "Praise be to Jesus Christ" - said the Persian in a loud, firm voice - "only now can I speak to you, knowing you and I are safe.  I have bought you to prepare a tolerable lot for you.  By the grace of your God, who is now also my God, I was allowed to dare to go into the dangerous trade of buying you.  I have no right to trade people, and so I give you all back your freedom.  If I have been a little hard on one or the other of you yesterday and today, I ask your forgiveness now.  And now I ask you: Which one of you wants to go back to Jerusalem?  I will have him immediately be transported back, but consider the danger of being imprisoned again by the temple!  But whoever wants to go with me, I will be a righteous brother to him.  I have great possessions and would not take advantage of your freedom.  My other slaves will receive freedom like you after my return, because I also became free from the fetters of a false idolatry by the grace of God.  Whoever of you wants to remain with me, let him remain in his place; but whoever wants to return, let him step out to the right!"

Only a very few stepped out.  Then the Persian said: "So, my friends, now let us have something be said by the disciples of the Lord Jesus; for without parting and without the Lord's blessing, we do not want to go to our new home.  Therefore I have asked the disciples to show this love to you and to me."

John then stepped forward and said: "My brothers, sisters, and little children, moved by the act of love that restored to you the freedom you longed for, I extend my hands to you in the Spirit of Jesus and rejoice to be able to serve you.  The joy that we all feel in our hearts, is also the joy of the Lord and Master Jesus, and He lets you be told through me: 'Be joyful and grateful always, because it was possible to save you, my children, from the bonds of My adversaries.  It is a great sacrifice that was necessary to make, and a gift from the heavens, and so you, My son, accept the thanks for having made this sacrifice for the sake of your brothers and sisters.  For this love of yours, receive My grace, and receive, My son, My blessing, together with the gift of seeing all those for whom you will ask Me for in My Jesus-Spirit.  I come to meet you with this gift, because you did not want to anticipate Me with the desire for this gift.  Use it rightly, and blessings will blossom from it.  But I thank you, My little children, because you have remained faithful to Me and have not let yourselves be carried away by the promises of My adversaries.  Be true servants to your new master and remember that in your new home, you are the ones called to build a new Bethany for Me there and thus to found a place of care in the time of trouble and tribulation that will befall people here and everywhere.  I cannot avert the judgment because the spirit of the Antichrist has only one goal in mind above all laws of human reason: To defeat Me and to seize the dominion of all life.  To My angels, I can also give no other word than the one I give to you; because from now on, only he can become and be My child, who confesses Me in the freedom of his love.  You have done that, and therefore I bless you as My children, who have now become bearers of My heavens, but which must first be opened up in you through your love.

If you knew what a gift you have received with it; but only the future and your development will reveal it.  Never again will you need to ask Me: Lord, come to us and reveal Your love, but always and at all times, I will be with and in you, and My Word will remain your lamp and your guide in all situations of life.  But whoever will arise completely in My love and in My Spirit, I will become visible to him, as I now become visible to you.  Rejoice in My love; this shall be the thanks for what I ask of you.  Rejoice so that joy may become common property among you, and rejoice so that all who will be around you, may also experience the Spirit of My love, My joy and My peace through you, My little children.  So I bless you visibly with My hands, which announce to you the witness of My love, and bless you with My mouth, so that the whole of infinity may know how your Father rewards love and faithfulness, and bless you with My heart, so that you may know where your eternal home is - at My heart.  Amen.  Amen.  Amen.’"

The visible Savior and Father then went through the rows again, laid His hand on everyone's head and then stood behind the disciples, whereupon He visibly disappeared.

All were deeply moved.  The voice of Jacob sounded in the emotional silence: "Dear hearts, what an act of love we were allowed to experience now!  Our beloved Father, Jesus and Savior blessed us with His hands, with His mouth and with His heart, visibly to us and to all the spirit-world.  Truly, such acts of grace have rarely been experienced, and why?  Because you, dear brothers and sisters, have persevered in faithfulness to your Savior.  What a wonderful experience Eternal Love has planned for you: on the threshold of a new life, you are raised to become children of His love and His heart, and your new brother is accepted into the union that you, like the heavenly father, now also receive an earthly father, equipped with gifts from heaven.

These graces commit you anew and put you in a position to become bearers of a Spirit for which thousands must struggle all their lives.  This holy state, to which Eternal Love has now elevated you, also makes you heirs of His love and His life.  As His heavens have become the property of His love, you should also become the owners of glorious heavens, so that you can offer all whom you love, a heaven for eternity, which makes them your co-inhabitants.  So now go with joy to your new home and know: our hearts remain with you, and if the Lord will send a witness to you, receive him as if the Lord Himself were coming to you!  For with the same love with which you receive the servants of His love, He can also be a servant to you.  Receive now also my blessing from my love, it is power and consciousness of my love through the grace of Jesus!  Amen."

Then those who had come out before, went up to John and said: "Brother John, on such a promise we too prefer to go far away with the new brother; would you inform our loved ones at home that we are in good care and in the right grace of the Lord?"

Said John: "Gladly, brothers, with joy I will bring the glad tidings to your loved ones and free them from their sorrow.  Now know also that you of all people were the cause that your new brother received this urge from the love of Jesus and that you all now experienced this act of most glorious love!"

They now asked their new master to accept them into his house, which he joyfully granted.  Now a rejoicing arose which cannot be described.  They were now all free from fear and worry, and the disciples had a difficult task: they had to write down all the names, so that the relatives could be informed; after a good hour, this was also done.

In the meantime, the Persian had described to his friends all that he had experienced and was still experiencing; for this joy of the redeemed and liberated people, had attracted an exceedingly great number of blessed people.   Even if he could not hear their words, he experienced an indescribable delight.  "O friends" - he exclaimed - "what does this joy mean compared to the sacrifice I had to make; Oh believe me: even if I had had to sacrifice my whole fortune, this joy would not have been too dearly paid for.  The most joyful is Karkas, who has come to us with a young but most glorious friend and, it seems, will remain with him.  No, this simple and yet outsized beauty!  But who of you could but once see this radiance that emanates from the disciples themselves!  Now I have the assurance that no adversary could harm them."

Then came the disciples, having done the business.  "Now we can still live the whole night of our love."  Jacob supplemented the Persians with everything worth knowing, and everyone else also heard Jacobs' words, which were pure revelations.  The night, rarely beautiful and quiet, soon gave way to the dawn.

Now the attendants began to prepare the early meal, and the disciples took leave of their brothers and sisters, because they still wanted to be alone with the Persians for the last hour.  In that last hour, Eternal Love revealed itself once again through John, and Karsna, who was silent to all words but most alive with the heart, was enabled by love to become an instrument of healing.  What an act of devotion the brothers experienced through Karsna!

"From now on I do not want to be a priest, but only a brother in the sense of love for the Savior.  Oh Jesus, Who allowed me to behold You in all Your loveliness, Who transformed my whole being and kindled a fire in me that I may be Your servant!  Now I see Your grace in me, and this grace is like a spring that gives light and light again and again."

Karsna could not continue speaking, the inner life so overwhelmed him that he sank to his knees and wept for joy and thanksgiving.  John laid his hands on him and said: "Brother, enter fully into Jesus' love, so that His life may be manifested through you!  Do not be afraid for the sake of your past, but look with a clear view - into the future, so that you may be in full service of Love as a mediator in His Spirit!"

Once more the brothers embraced, then the disciples boarded their wagon, which was surrounded by all - once more they greeted and waved, and an experience of most glorious grace came to an end.  John remained in the chariot and blessed as long as he could see the camp.  Then those who had stayed behind, also prepared to leave.

Mary’s death

In Jerusalem, the conditions became worse and worse.  Mary seldom went out, and then never alone.  Also the disciples became more careful, only Jacob remained the same.  John also never left Mary alone at home.  The Templars took this as an opportunity to spread an evil rumor about Mary as "the saint" - and John as "the hypocrite".  This rumor caused many followers to avoid the house and to reproach the other disciples.

Mary suffered greatly from this situation, and John was forced to leave Jerusalem for a time.  He took the opportunity to visit the newly founded communities. There, too, the ugly rumors reached him, but it took only a few words, and the image of Mary - who was revered almost divinely by almost all the sisters and brothers - was purified.  During this time, when Mary was mostly alone and surrounded only by a few faithful, a great maturity took place in her, and she came closer and closer to her beloved Jesus.

John had no idea of all this.  His love for the mother of his Master, who had become a mother to him through the love of Jesus, saw only one task, to break off the tip of every false thought that could have polluted Mary's image, and so Eternal Love urged him to return to Jerusalem.

He returned on a pre-Sabbath.  Mary's house was full of the friends who were waiting for him, because Mary had received the message that he who had left for the sake of her call, would return from the banishment he had imposed on himself.  How great was the joy that John had returned.  But when those present saw the joy of the reunion and the embrace of the two, a shadow settled on their souls.

John, noticing this, said: "Brothers and sisters, by what spirit are you possessed that you profane this holy hour of our reunion?  What is the greatest joy to the heavens and to all the blessed, you mar by your bondage and impurity.  Purify your hearts and become free in yourselves.  I will not speak a word more to you if such thoughts in your soul shadow this pure love."

Mary was moved by John's earnestness and said: "John and you dear friends, much died in me at the death of my Son, but this hour gave the death blow to what still lived in my soul of my own.  I was never closer to my Jesus than in the last days, but that hour brought me complete surrender to Him.  What you and the world will say about me, will never affect me again; for my place is now with my Jesus.  Have all thanks for your love, and now for the sake of your salvation, I will make myself completely free, so that the enemy of all life may come into no greater judgment."

Mary wept, reached out her hand to everyone and embraced her John once more; then she knelt down and communed with her son Jesus.  Her gaze became more and more transfigured, her eyes more and more radiant, a glow emanated from her body so that everyone was astonished.  Then, the glow of a bright flash, fragrances filled the room, and - Mary was no more.  Her clothes lay like a heap of ashes in the place where she had prayed. Everyone was quite excited, and John said, "Brothers, now Mary is completely with our Master and Father, Jesus."

This going home of Mary was the greatest experience of his life; from that time on, he was only love and even more intimately united with his Master in love.  Where John was needed, he was; where love was needed, he had the greatest success.  Yes, even the Templars were afraid of his perceptiveness; for no-one like John knew how to recognize and express their thoughts so clearly that fear struck them.  But John also became clear-sighted in the things to come.  His visions took on the character of direct revelations; he was often no longer understood by the others.  John now no longer stayed in Jerusalem, but let himself be guided by the Spirit, which was Eternal Love itself to him, and in this, he also found external confirmation.  He always came at the right hour, he was always there when it was necessary, and thereby he could almost only say the one thing over and over again: "Little children, love one another, so that everything may breathe only love, peace and joy."

Often the older ones no longer understood him, while the younger ones clung to him.  Even his brothers, the old disciples, were amazed how their John became more and more like a "father".

Little by little, one after another was taken from their ranks by death, but John remained the same.  "Little children, our turn also comes" - he said - "but be wise, lest we anticipate our Father.  He is love, and we want to become love, come what may.  He is love, and everything must be love.  All heavens look upon us, and all angels are ready to serve us, but to each only according to his love.  Let us strive not to disappoint anyone, and then we will not disappoint our eternal Father; and it is from Him that come all the blisses that seem to originate in us and can also cause greater bliss in others."

Now came another event that did not pass by the Jerusalem Christians without impression: the death of Jacob, who was thrown down from the pinnacle of the temple by the Templars.  Many came to John and said: "Brother John, how is it that our Father and Master Jesus allowed this to happen?  Did Jacob, the fearless and powerful one, fail, or does the fault lie with us?"

John answered: "Oh little child, ask not!  Jacob, by dying, only glorified Eternal Love and gave his blood toll so that the judgment would come all the sooner.  Certainly our eternal Father could have prevented this, but not with love, but with His omnipotence, and who would have been served by this?  Not us, at any rate.  Jacob knew what was to happen to him and could have prevented it by the power out of God, if he had wanted it.

Above all, Jacob did not want to be above his Master, but like Him, let everything happen to him so that all the weapons of God's enemies would be taken away.  Then Jacob knew that dying would not be a horror for him, but a blessed experience that all enemies would envy one day.  Further, through his devotion, Jacob redeemed a life that was meant to be a witness.  Now he is in the freest body, and everything earthbound has been stripped from his soul.  If you were to see him, your rest would be gone, for it would cause Jacob pain if he had to cover himself for the sake of your salvation."  Then the brethren marvelled and admired John, because in this calmness and love, he said not a word of displeasure, complaint or reproach, and they remained silent.

Internalization of John and discussion with Jesus about the future of Jerusalem

John became even quieter, his visions increased more and more, and he still communicated with only a few.  His visions announced the destruction of the city of God, Jerusalem.  In this, however, John was not understood.  Some said: Strange, otherwise our John is pure love, and here he sees only bad, but the others said: "Why now all of a sudden this change?  If our sacrifices are not yet enough, he should after all make known in clear words what is still necessary."

But John only said: "Little children, love one another and make love your task; for soon there will be a time when you would want to love and no longer may.  Seek your bread outside Jerusalem, if you wish to be spared.  Behold the decay of Bethany; since Lazarus is no longer there, another spirit has also moved in there.  Lazarus did everything to give his faithful another place; why do you hesitate?  Must seriousness first teach you when it is too late?  My admonitions are the Lord's admonitions, and my visions are given to me out of love for you, so that none can complain and excuse themselves afterwards."

Many believed, but the others created confusion, and in his grief over this, John fled to his beloved Master: "My Jesus, what else can I do?  Is there no means to avert the dreaded?  People do not think it possible that love can be so hard, and do not want to believe that all this will happen; I am at the end, now you come and help with your love and wisdom!"

Then the Master stood before him and said: "My John, I and you have become one, and with the same question I come to you: what more shall I do?  I can no longer stop the evil, just as you cannot stop the doubt of your brothers.  Do you think that I could complete My work of redemption with My omnipotence?  You know as well as I do that everything has to come this way because people want it that way.  When you pray: 'Lord, your will be done to and with us', I say to you: 'Oh child, your will be done now and always, because I no longer want to be a Lord, but a Father.'  There is only one thing I can still do, and you know about this one thing.  Therefore, do not be discouraged, because to all those who love Me as their Father, I am and remain the faithful Father, and all those to whom I am only a Lord, do not depart from their laws. There is still one way out for you, namely, that you keep a heaven in readiness in your provident love, in which I can receive all those whom you want to have safe in your love."

Said John: "But, my Father, I am to have a heaven in readiness?  You did say that You would provide dwellings for those who believe in You?"

"Certainly, my John, to believe in Me is to live in Me, but whoever will not accept the love from Me through you excludes himself from My love, and therefore you take care of your brothers, so that the reproach of the enemy of life does not strike Me!"

Then it became light around John, and he saw a wide sea, whose waves moved gently.  The sun shone in it's brilliance, and each wave reflected it's image.  In each of these radiant suns, John perceived the image of his beloved Master.  As the sea grew larger and larger, and the impression made on him by the reflected suns grew more and more powerful, he said: "Father, now you have told me more than I wanted to know.  Now I am no longer afraid, because Your love is greater than any man or angel will ever be able to comprehend.  You want to be only that, as far as love embraces You, and want to and can help only there, where love gives You the possibility for it.  My will be Yours and Yours, mine, oh Father; such humility You can give only wordlessly, since there is no word for it."

John in Ephesus.  Heresy of Boethos in Ephesus about the false body of Jesus - and his conversion

Conditions in and around Jerusalem became worse and worse.  No-one was safe anymore, and since the Romans had left, there was no help from outside.  Only a few disciples were left to strengthen the brothers.  John was long gone from Jerusalem, as the Spirit drove him away to the oppressed churches.  Everywhere the Romans had gathered their soldiers, and the circle around Jerusalem became tighter and tighter, but in Jerusalem itself, the people remained unaware.  Now the judgment was taking place, and the promise: "Not one stone will be left upon another" - literally came true.  All hell seemed to break loose in the whole land of the Jews; but John was already staying in Ephesus.

There, in the churches founded by Paul, a great work was waiting for him.  It looked bad in some churches, because wrong concepts and a wrong spirit were spreading. Above all, a priest by the name of Boethos stood out, who had been given the gift of healing and who also had great success.  But John in his love saw deeper and went to the priest who preached Jesus, but rejected Him in His humanity.  He thought that Jesus had only walked on this earth in a borrowed body by the power of God as the Son of God, and therefore it had been easy for Jesus to go to the cross.  Because of the priest's success in healing, the foolish believed him.  John did not have an easy stand, and only by his persistent preaching: "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us" - he could slowly clear up this great error.

The priest changed.  Converted by the grace of the Lord and imbued with the powers of Jesus' love, it still did not occur to him that Jesus was born as a child and had to be raised and educated like any other child.  It would not occur to him that Jesus, as a young human child, had to recognize himself just like another human being and had to work and struggle hard on himself and his soul.

He said: "John, you as His disciples know Jesus in His power and glory, and now you want to put Him on the ground on which we humans stand?  No, Jesus is so high above all humans, that it would be sinful to put Him on par with humans."

John replied: "I have come to know Jesus as a wrestling and struggling man and have made His wrestling my own.  You think you are belittling Jesus by seeing Him as a man on the same level as we are, and I tell you, you are only exalting Him and making Jesus a perfect man, which He still is today and will be eternally.

That is the great and unattainable thing, that He could spiritualize everything lower in the flesh in such a way that in the end there was nothing fleshly in Him, but only Divine.  Exactly that which you desire, is the best weapon for the enemy of life, and with your service, you stand in the enemy camp.  If Jesus had only carried a body by the omnipotence of God, immune to every human and sensual impulse, then Jesus would not have been accessible to the love that wants to help even the most depraved and lost.  For Jesus first created a love and a heaven in Himself and was able to reveal this love and the heaven created in Himself to us.

And we all saw this glory, a glory of the Father, which was His love, and therefore it became evident to all of us: God became man, born of a woman and died on the cross like the two criminals who were crucified.  He was buried like any other man and was the first and only one to come out of death into true and eternal life by His own power and glory, bearing a body that can never die or be destroyed.  His present life will also come over all those who believe in Him and in His Incarnation."

Boethos replied: "John, you speak many words, but in essence you can prove just as little as I can.  See how many I have been able to help by the grace of Jesus.  That you too, John, can heal the sick, I have no doubt, but it will not be enough for you either."

But John said: "Oh poor brother, into what error you have lost yourself; your faith is nothing but error, because you have the gift of healing in you.  Jesus allowed this to be done in His name, since it is done in His name after all.  But you yourself carry another Jesus in you, one who is far from the true and eternal Jesus.  You may have appropriated the words that the Lord's apostle preached to you, but you, as a servant of His Word, are also obligated to enter into the essence that is the very basis for His Word given to us to become the true food for body and soul.  His essence of love and life is the unmistakable proof of His Divinity and makes us a new person.  Only as a new man can we call out: 'Abba, dear Father' and can regard ourselves as His children, whom He enabled with His death and through His shed blood to receive this His being and His life."

The priest as well as the others did not fully understand what was said.  One who had been healed, named Maternus, said: "Dear brother John, I thank my health to the Savior Jesus, and nothing changes, since I will also remain grateful to this Savior.  What advantage do I have whether Jesus is man or spirit; for God is also Spirit and wants to be worshipped in spirit, as Paul said?"

John answered him: "It is good, my brother Maternus, that you tell me this.  You are also truly grateful, but you are not happy because your own inner spirit is not touched by the Spirit of Jesus.  You say: God is also Spirit, but first of all God is truly God.  You are not yet aware of the fact that the Spirit of God bears witness to our spirit that we are His children.  Only this testimony makes you truly free and full of peace and joy; and only then is the cornucopia of His love poured out upon you supremely.  Has the life of those who have acquired His Spirit ever been revealed to you?  You shake your head in the negative.  Have you ever experienced the glory which is experienced by those who not only call themselves His children, but also act as His children?  Oh how far are you still from the true Jesus and Savior's love, and how little do you know your true glorious Jesus!"

Maternus said: "John, how could you know my real name, since I live here under a foreign name.  And what do you intend by your words?"

John: "Brother, nothing else than that you should believe in the true Savior Jesus and arise in His Spirit.  Your name was given to me by this same Jesus, who wants to fill you all completely with His Spirit for the sake of your salvation and redemption.  Jesus alone can reveal everything with His Spirit, and only Jesus as a perfect man can reveal the true God to us.  Therefore, no-one can attain God except the one who believes in Him and strives to live as He lived as the Son of man.  Whoever fulfills these conditions, will experience Jesus as He worked and still works as the Son of God; and when I do something in this His Spirit, it is not I who work, but Jesus.  I am only the mediator or instrument of His love, power and glory.

Has the longing never awakened in you to experience this Jesus and to see him at least once?  Have you not yet felt the desire to glorify this wonderful and living Jesus?  You look at me amazed and think: Who would have told us this so far, isn't the testimony of Paul enough?  Yes, it was enough; but because you pass by the suffering of others in your dead faith and cold wisdom, it does not occur to you to become a Savior and Son of God like Jesus.  Only the one who seriously wants it, will succeed - and the one who seeks it, will find it.  I, too, can only be a guide for you, and my words are not mine, but God's; but this you must believe and do accordingly.

Said the priest Boethos: "You have wasted many words, but you have not given us one revelation.  Give us the proof that it is really the living man Jesus who uses you as a mediator!  I will gladly accept your teaching, because it seems to me that you are more interested in the attitude of the teaching than in the effect of the gifts of God."

John replied: "Poor brother, you call what I said to brother Maternus a waste of many words?  And yet every word was a revelation from God.  You want proofs; well, they shall be given to you: and so I want you to lose your gift of healing the sick until you correctly recognize the true God and Savior Himself and believe in His words.  But so that the congregation will not be deprived of it's helper, Brother Maternus will receive and keep the power.  You, brother Maternus, come and have hands laid on you, and to whom you will lay your hands in the living faith in Jesus - the true and living Son of God and Savior - he will be healed in that hour.  But mind you, for nothing you receive the gift, and for nothing you shall use it."

Then Boethos laughed and said: "John, do not make yourself laughable!  If I want, I can heal when I want.  I won't let you tell me what to do.  Jesus or not, whether man or spirit; I have always had the power, and you are already therefore not able to take the power away from me."

Without saying a word in reply, John laid his hands on Matemus and said: "Receive the gift from the Spirit of Jesus' love and grace, and all that you desire in this love and in this Spirit will be yours.  Rise completely in His love, and no enemy will ever be able to take this gift from you again."

Many stood by as John laid hands on Maternus, and saw John glowing with holy earnestness.  One said: "Brother John, this was a holy celebration, and I feel that your words are even more highly regarded than Paul's.  True, Paul also placed high value on keeping the commandments and following the doctrine of love, but tell us, why do you place the greatest value on believing that Jesus was a man like us?"

John said: "Brothers, listen: If Jesus had not been a man like us, He could not have become our Savior from death and judgment.  For if humans had eternal life out of God, there would be no need for a Savior to become man, and every man could be his own Savior, if he could fulfill all moral commandments.  But unfortunately, man fell too deeply into his flesh and senses, so that the death of his flesh and also of his spirit, was the consequence.  Therefore, in Jesus, God Himself came as a man and re-established the connection with the Eternal and the means to obtain redemption through Jesus, the Son of God.  Death needs a redeemer, life does not - and all people are marked by death until people turn to life out of God.  If Jesus had not been a man like us, the enemy of all life would have celebrated an eternal triumph over the work of redemption; for then the crucifixion of Jesus, the Son of God, would not have been a sacrifice of His love, but a spectacle.  His last words, however, were: "It is finished" - and in these words lies Jesus' charter for His own.

Do you understand now that I can no longer stand by and watch this error, which has such a disastrous effect among you?  Be aware of the love and grace of Jesus; always be grateful for the blessings from the love of those who serve in His Spirit, and you thereby increase the love of Him who has always loved you.  This Jesus has overcome all death and all judgment through His sacrifice and has given everyone the promise that He always wants to be there in His Spirit, where His Spirit is lived, and to be active in His love there, where just this Jesus-love is given space.  Now it is up to you to glorify this Jesus - but in His Spirit, so that the enemy of life can no longer narrow the blessings of His love."

Said Maternus: "John, I thank you; for now I also feel in myself the strength and a joy that I could embrace everything."

"Hold on to this, Maternus" - replied John - "for this is the awakening and active life out of Jesus, our Lord and Master; but let it not be only an urged life, but an active one that wants to be lived out at all times."

Maternus is blessed with the gift of healing

Then many others came, among them a woman with a boy who had epilepsy.  When she saw the old priest, she went up to him and said: "Boethos, my son has fallen ill again; all day long I have been urging you to help my son."

Said Boethos: "It is good that you come to me; then I can test right away whether this disciple of the Lord can maintain the claim that I have lost the gift of healing."

Then the priest went to the boy, who had remained under the care of his sister, and laid his hands on his head as usual.  The priest now noticed that there was no more strength coming from him.  He nevertheless let his hands rest on the child's head.  After a short time, however, the boy began to rage, and foam stood on his mouth; then the mother could no longer calm her boy.  She lamented with tears: "What have I done that my boy does not want to keep still as usual; yet I have prayed so fervently to the Savior?"

Said John, who had been quietly watching like the others: "Maternus, in the name of the Lord, lay your hands on the boy, and do not be afraid, for the glory of the from-God-born Son Jesus Christ shall be revealed."

Maternus then laid his hands on the boy's head and said: "Jesus, You good Savior and Redeemer, penetrate me with Your power and help this poor boy to become free and healthy.  Your holy will be done now and always.  Amen."  Then the boy became calm, his appearance softened, and after a short time, he said to Maternus: "Lay your hands on my head once more, it did me so much good, my mother will thank you for it."

Then Maternus wept and said: "Come, my boy, if it does you good, but let us not forget to give thanks, for now I know that only Jesus helped.  Oh Jesus, how poor we were that we first had to be compelled to recognize You.  But You saw our unbelief and restored us to the right faith through Your disciple John.  Receive our thanks, You good and true Savior, and make us all free, so that Your work may not suffer from our unbelief.  Bless us all, especially our brother Boethos, that he may know You rightly and be again the priest and helper of us all, but by Your grace and Your love, which we have just experienced so abundantly!"

But Boethos said: "Let me go; I am not worthy to remain among you.  I see my folly, but I cannot yet humble myself among you, because I demanded faith in me from you.  You, John, have indeed acted rightly, because you have acted in the name of the Lord and of your Master Jesus, but I am still not convinced that this very Jesus - the same Jesus I mean - was born of a woman."

Said one: "Boethos, what do you actually have with your Jesus when you say: the one I mean?  Are there then two Jesuses?"

"But of course, the Jesus I mean and the Jesus John means."

"That is nonsense, brother, how can you as our priest be so frivolous; there can only be one Jesus, John should know."

Boethos said: "Brothers, leave me alone; I myself cannot believe it yet.  You have heard from John that Jesus was born of a woman, and my opinion that Jesus had only an apparent body, has been refuted enough.  As if it should matter today whether Jesus was born or specially created!"

Said John: "You rebellious spirit, if you do not want to believe the greatest miracle of all love, then at least do not hinder the others to experience this love.  This is the greatest move of the enemy of life, to deny Jesus or God an incarnation, in order not to disturb the people in their lukewarmness.  Listen, everybody: If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then there is no resurrection for us humans; if Jesus was not a man born of a woman, then God will also never be able to reveal Himself as a man; because in order to be able to reveal Himself to His human children, God had to create the means for Himself.  He created it by becoming man Himself, by placing Himself under His own commandments and by having to gain everything for Himself from the bottom up, because for the sake of this redemption, the way to omnipotence was now cut off and had to be."

Said another: "John, Paul did not speak so clearly, and yet he emphasized faith in Jesus.  We have also experienced hours of grace when Jesus was among us in spirit, but no-one has seen him.  You awaken in us a longing for the Lord; though I do not know whether it is right to desire to see Jesus one day."

John: "My brothers, seeing Jesus is not the main thing, but loving Jesus is the goal and task of life.  And to serve all people as my brothers in this love of Jesus, is then the thanks because I was allowed to recognize Jesus, how He as a man struggled for all of us and wrested us, so to speak, from the enemy of life and death and judgment.  This Jesus stands among us in spirit and wants to reveal Himself to us as God, Father and brother; but He cannot, because you take away His possibility by false concepts about His life and nature."

"Brother John:" - said another - "how am I to take this: we are to blame that God cannot reveal Himself to us?  Now I do not know what else to do.  We are supposed to have taken away God's possibility; is that possible?  Then God would be the weaker and we the stronger!  Explain this to us, or we will return to our old faith."

John: "Oh you who are still weak and underage children!  How shall I even explain this to you, if you do not want to separate yourselves from your old, confused concepts?  Do you think that Maternus could have healed the boy if he had remained stuck in his old concepts?  Ask him; he will give you the right answer."

Maternus was at that moment completely filled with a holy urge; he said: "Oh my brothers, sisters and children, what a life stirs within me and what happiness that I could weep for joy and laugh at the same time.  Weeping because I feel so infinitely blessed, and laughing because we are all still so stupid and argue about who is the more stupid.  Behold, John comes to us and brings us a glorious Jesus, a Jesus who knows our humanity, and why?  Because He Himself lived as a man, just like another man, among humans.  In the few hours since I have realized this and am now convinced that it cannot be otherwise, I see Jesus in a different light, and this also makes me see my humanity in a completely different way.  Certainly, Paul has brought us the right Jesus, but - we have made a different one out of it.  We have made it easy for ourselves by making Jesus, the crucified and risen, a sacrificial animal, letting His blood wash away our sins and not even thinking about changing our lives, because His blood makes us free from all sins.  Oh what a boundless error to remain in the old life at the mercy of grace!  But Jesus was human and as a human gave us an example.  His life was devotion, as we have heard, a service and a preparation so that He could make the sacrifice necessary to become our Savior.  Of course, it would have been easy for God to give Jesus, the Son of Man, an illusory body, but then the sacrifice of Calvary would not have been a sacrifice.  But now Jesus was man and just as capable of pain as we are, and so the sacrifice on Golgotha has become something completely different for me, namely the dawn of a new day of life, in which my earthly life has now received a completely different meaning and purpose.

But since God has now become much more glorious and lovely to me, He can also reveal Himself to me in a completely different way than before, when Moses and the prophets had to suffice me.  Therefore, brothers and sisters, understand me, since I am and will remain one of you.  So now only a longing has come alive in me to see Him, the glorious and lovely Savior Jesus, even if only from a distance, so that His image may always become more and more alive in me.

John: "Maternus, now you have embraced the right Spirit from Jesus, and now I advise you: do not inhibit this Spirit and make right use of the grace that has become yours!  Henceforth become a Savior to your brothers and sisters, and think that in every brother and sister, there shall also arise a new Savior and Son of God, for salvation to all and joy to the Lord.  But the rest of you, love one another and remain in love; for only in this love can He be and remain in us, among us, and with us.  Everything we do in this love is as if He had done it Himself, and yet He wants to reward us as if we had done it.  If you have sick people, bring them to your brother, but in the faith that only Jesus will heal them.  But whoever enters completely into the will of the Lord, will find the Source of all life in Himself, and Jesus will prove to be the Superior One.  So receive His blessing, and let His peace be your portion and His love your life!"

For a long time John remained in Ephesus and worked beneficially in the surrounding communities, and the image of the Master of Love arose much more sweetly in all hearts.

Maternus became a brother who understood John in all things, and his longing to see the Lord, grew greater and greater.  His healing successes caused joy and gratitude, but Boethos lost himself more and more.  The gift of healing was more to him than the grace of the Lord.  Maternus suffered greatly as a result.

One Sabbath, when everyone had gathered because John was going to travel to other churches, Maternus did not let Boethos rest; he simply had to come along to the service John was holding.  Everyone had come, and they were all anxious to see how their old priest would behave, whom they had all given up on; but John in his familiar loving way, was pure love.  He immediately went up to Boethos, took him by the hand, and led him to the altar where he was ministering to the congregation.  Boethos could not resist in the least; for he had not expected this love, and the congregation recognized in this love for the erring man, the purest love of Jesus.

John said: "Beloved hearts, for a long time I will be far from you externally, but my heart and my love remain here with you.  Let us once again be so intimately united in the love of Jesus, and let everything that lies behind us, be and remain our school and education.  Everything beautiful made us free and everything unpleasant made us ripe for new schools of life.  Today is the day of joy, a joy that we bring to our Lord and Master.  Just as we long for joy, the Lord also longs for it, and thus says the Lord, our Father and God from eternity to eternity: 'Beloved little children, thank you for your love and for the joy you have given Me especially on this day, but also on all the other days.  Therefore, open your hearts wide so that you may all feel the blowing of My love within you, and so I open your eyes so that you may see Me in My loveliness.  As you have brought joy and fulfillment to My longing heart, so can I bring joy and fulfillment to you today.  But you are not to see Me alone, but also all those who have come with Me and want to rejoice like you and show their gratitude to you.  Little children, hold on to such holy love, for this love is the drawstring that unites all, and this love is the bridge between heaven and earth.  First of all, in full freedom, so that My love may be a salvation for all of you!’”

What had not yet happened in Ephesus, now took place in this hour: angels and blessed people mingled with the congregation, but the Lord went from one to the other, and everyone could hear what He said to him.  Everyone was also able to talk to the blessed ones, and several times the question was raised: "Why are we experiencing this grace only today?"

The answer was given to them: "We were always here, but you were still not free because you did not show enough love for your brother who had gone astray, and now, see how the Lord lets himself be touched by your brother; look how he kisses the scars and lays at the Lord's feet.  But now also experience the grace, how he is accepted by the Lord!"

Thus their eyes turned to Boethos, as the Lord takes him by the hand, raises him up and says to him: "Stand up, My son, and make yourself completely free!  This hour shall be the proof also for you that I am love, truly love.  I have not forgotten what you have brought Me in love, and what was false in you, has now given place to what is beautiful and true.  You asked me to give you strength so that you could forget this unfortunate time, but behold, I am not able to do this; but I have forgotten it out of Myself, and so you must also forget it out of yourself.

Only your will I can strengthen; and if you want to be a true brother and servant to Me and your brothers again, so be it!  It was not I Who withdrew your service, but you yourself.  You forgot that I came to you in My John to set you free from your error.  It succeeded, and now arise in a new spirit of love and life out of Me, your Savior and Redeemer!  I will not be the determiner, but the supplicant; through your love from Me, you will always be given opportunity to accomplish in your brothers what you want to do for Me."

Then the Lord blessed all those present once again, and their eyes were closed, but the feelings and the bliss remained.

John said: "Little children, this hour was an hour of grace that you will never forget.  You saw and heard how our holy Father and God stayed among us like a brother and even made up for what was still uneven.  No-one heard a reproach; therefore, let all that is past, rest and make every effort to grow more and more in the Spirit that you experienced in this hour, so that our holy Father may rejoice among you always.  His thanks will make you experience blisses for which even an angel has no words.

Now I leave you for a time.  According to the will of the Lord, your brother Boethos will be your servant again.  Have full confidence in him, for in him you will experience the word of the Lord, which will be and remain your guide and light in your earthly life and existence.  Do not dampen the Spirit, and be thankful for the gifts from His Spirit!"

Said Boethos: "Brother John, is it really the Lord's will that I may serve my brothers again?  I acted unworthily.  Maternus is by far the more worthy."

John: "Brother, it is the Lord's will.  Maternus will support you as your right and true brother; the more you will be, the firmer the church will stand.  You were Jews - in the future, there will be many who were Gentiles.  Make no distinction between you and them; for what is united in love, belongs together.  But you Ephesians, practice love more and more and learn to understand each other.  Do not appeal to man, but always to the Lord and Master Jesus; for to live in Him, is also to be perfected in Him.  Thus I bless you in His love and from His Spirit, and may His peace remain His life-portion in you!  Amen."

The brothers remained together for a long time, and John still had many things to testify, since the experiences of this day were a miracle of love for all of them.

John's sea journey from Ephesus to Smyrna

Boethos and Maternus accompanied John a long way.  But since his destination was Smyrna, the port city, John tried to get there by ship, which he succeeded in doing.  The shipmen were Greeks and did not think much of the Jewish faith.  The owner of the ship, Nausicles, was not interested in John because he was a Jew; but John was not deterred and soon brought up a conversation about Jesus, the Crucified and Risen one.

Tired and almost sad, the ship owner looked at John: "My friend, many things, almost too many things, I have learned about Him, but who vouches for the truth for me?  An apostle - Paul was his name - has indeed been able to convince many, but I have never had the good fortune to speak to an apostle of the Crucified One; and I care little about what I hear from third parties."

John told him: "Today and in the days to come, you will have plenty of opportunity to talk with a disciple of the Lord.  As a twelve-year-old boy I already knew Jesus and followed Him when He called me to follow Him.  But do not think that I want to win you over to the teachings of the Savior Jesus.  Therefore, I tell you right away that I bear witness to my Master, but leave the full decision to you.  And now I give you this advice: Be careful, we will have a big storm today, which will be very hard on your ship.  But do not be afraid, for my God and Savior Jesus is also a Lord over all storms."

The sailor asked: "Friend, how do you know that a storm is coming; the weather outlook is particularly favorable today."

John: "Nausicles, believe my words if you wish to be preserved from harm; for what my Lord and Master tells me, is and remains truth."

Nausicles: "How do you guess my name, and how can your God and Master tell you things while He is not here?  What is your relationship with your God?  For my gods I give sacrifices, everything else I leave to the priests.  Gods or not; so far I have not received any proof of their reality; it is all nature, and this has it's laws.  A storm today?  No, I don't believe it yet, because all preconditions for it are missing.  What shall I call you; you priests are mysterious fellows?"

John: "Nausicles, call me John.  In my youth, I was a fisherman.  Since Jesus called me, I am a fisher of man.  I am not fit to be a priest, for I do not want to be a teacher, but a brother and servant to all, including you and the people on your boat."

Nausicles: "So John you are; your name instills confidence in me, and your eyes betray a fatherly gentleness.  My people, however, are great brutes and must be dealt with harshly.  You will have a hard time with your brotherhood and servanthood; it is better that you keep to yourself and much near me."

John: "I thank you for your advice, but it remains as I told you.  Do not favor me, it is enough that I have a place on your ship."

Nausicles: "John, be careful!  My people do not like the Jews.  In general, the Jews do not have a good reputation here, since your priests are human traffickers."

John: "Nausicles, I tell you: were!  For a temple no longer stands in Jerusalem.  The judgment of the eternal God has destroyed Jerusalem, and almost all the inhabitants - unless they are captives of the Romans or have fled - are dead."

Nausicles: "John, is this true?  When did this happen?"

John: "Only the other day, my God revealed this to me and made me see the ruins."

Nausicles: "John, now it is too much for me; how will you prove this to me?  Don't let my people hear it!"

John: "Nausicles, let today's storm be the proof; you will not rest all night, and I beg you: take precautions, I would be sorry for you, since you have after all loaded valuable goods."

Nausicles looked at John for a long time, then said: "John, because you ask me, I will do it; but be silent before my people, at least today; I know them."

He then gave his instructions and had everything tied up on board except the sails.  There was a good wind, and they quickly got into the open sea.  Nausicles smiled at this prophecy of a storm, but he kept silent even when his people asked him why he had everything tied up.  "I'm afraid we're going to have a storm," was his reply.  Laughter was the counter-answer.

It was not two hours before a yellow cloud appeared in the western sky, the wind shifted, and the sea started jumping waves several meters high.  Now Nausicles also believed in a storm.  He pointed with his hand to the western sky, where blackish-yellow clouds were already advancing like a giant wall.  John watched all the proceedings, looked at the sky attentively and saw with spiritual eyes the giant upsurge of destructive powers that had connected with the spirits of nature.  Silently he united with his Master and blessed these dark powers, which, however, tried to destroy his blessing with lightnings.

John was not deterred; even when the harbingers of the storm were already making themselves felt, he blessed undauntedly.  Nausicles came to him and said: "Come down in a hurry; soon there will be a riot, and we will get thoroughly wet.  You were right after all, and I am glad I followed your words."

It grew darker and darker, and after an hour, a storm broke out, driving whole mountains of waves before it.  John did not leave his place.  The people worked as hard as they could.  It was a miracle that the mast did not break.  The ship was tossed back and forth like a nutshell.  The people were surprised that John did not leave his place.  Incessantly he blessed the storm, the ominous waves of water and the storm rain that now began.  Now John showed his great faith.  He commanded the dark forces to be silent, in the name of Jesus Christ.  Once again, a terrible crash.  Lightning followed lightning, then silence.  The mountains of water became smaller and smaller, only the great rain did not stop yet.  Now almost everything was quiet, except for the rain.  John, soaked to the skin, went downstairs, where a dry cloak was handed to him.  Nausicles followed.  He said: "John, what a strange man you are!  Just tell me one thing: Why didn't you go down earlier? As a fisherman, you must know what happens in a storm."

"Precisely because I know, I stayed on deck at the command of my God."

"Your God?  I am intrigued - has that ever been heard before?  Don't laugh at me, John, there is certainly something else behind it."

"You are right, Nausicles, there is much behind it; but to describe all this to you is not appropriate, because you would not understand it.  But if I ask you to remain vigilant, this has it's reasons; for the weather is far from over, but I believe the hardest part is over."

"John; now I believe your words, and so stay down here in the warmth; if the situation worsens, I will let you know."

"That is not necessary, Nausicles; my Master, Lord and God informs me in time enough.  But I tell you, it could have been much worse."

It was as John said, the rain did not stop, and after barely an hour, a storm broke out again.  John had come up in the meantime; he stood again in the same place and blessed the weather and the storm; but the weather became more violent.  John asked his Master for assistance, since the powers would not yield.  Now he had seen the enemy who was causing the weather, and now he could turn directly against him.  The response was an even greater storm.  The people tied themselves down again, but John remained in his place.  Nausicles wanted to loop a rope around John, but John waved it off; besides, it was now getting completely dark.

John stood like a rock in the storm.  He commanded calm and silence in the name of the Lord; but the storm would not be silent.  Ten times John commanded calm and silence with all his strength of faith.  Then suddenly a flash of lightning illuminated the night, and John saw the Lord in this brightness, as He commanded the storm to be calm and silent.  In an instant, all was calm.  Nausicles as well as the other people saw the bright lightning, which was not followed by thunder.

This strange lightning had frightened them more than the storm.  But how amazed they were when so suddenly the weather was over and a wonderful starry sky suddenly appeared.  Torches were brought from below to see what damage the storm had done, but John said: "Lay down to rest, the damage can be repaired tomorrow; but do not forget to give thanks!"

All but the guards went downstairs.  John remained awake.  Again and again he wondered how it was that his blessing was too weak and the Lord's power in him was insufficient.  Full of exuberant emotion, he could have embraced everything because the Master had visibly come to his aid.  He had to express his feeling in prayer: "My Jesus, You are the goal and content of my life, You come to the aid in the greatest need and do not allow the enemy to triumph over Your children.  My Jesus, was it because I have become weak?"

Then a bright angel stood before him and said: "My brother, calm down, the Lord Himself had to intervene and put an end to the raging of the storm in order to spare the enemy who wanted to strike the Lord Himself.  And now see all the victims of selfishness and false love of all those who believe to be able to get along without a God!"

John saw a vast host of beaten beings like lambent serpents of fire, and beings that had no form yet. He looked at the angel questioningly: "Brother, what does all this mean?  Surely these beings cannot be held accountable.  There are even still nature spirits among them, what do these have to do with it?"

"Only for the sake of the tumult; look around you and see how the whole spirit-world has been employed so that you should not reach your destination!"

"I thank you, brother, for your instructions; now am I instructed, and understand also the urge within me to go to Smyrna."

"Brother" - said the angel - "it is a joy to serve you children, you always find what is right.  Your inner life is ahead of ours.  Therefore, I requested the service of serving you.  I will stay close to you."

"May you also show yourself to the others, dear brother, or are you bound by instructions?"

"I am not bound, but I do not move in such freedom as what you live in, being but a servant of our God."

"I know, brother, but it gives me joy to know that I can work under your special protection.  I now go joyfully to my new place of activity."

In the morning, things looked nasty on the ship: the sea had thrown all kinds of garbage on deck, and all the ropes were still wet and difficult to work with.  But since sunrise there was a fresh wind, and everyone was happy and in good spirits.

John talked often and long with the seamen.  They accepted the gospel of the Savior Jesus.  They gladly listened to him, and Nausicles was very pleased with John.  He asked him: "Tell me, how did you manage to make such willing humans out of my rough people?"

"Nausicles, why don't you ask yourself why you have not yet succeeded in educating your people to become brothers?"

"Yes, John, I have never thought of that; they are just my servants, and there my will is decisive."

"Nausicles, also for your brothers only your will is decisive, only with the difference: as servants they only do their duty, but as brothers, they want to satisfy you, so that you always have joy in them."

"Oh woe, John, I have never thought of that.  I indeed have always sought joy from them, but have experienced little."

"No wonder, brother, only give joy to all, and you will experience joy upon joy.  This very thing was the Master's greatest and most glorious life-trait: To bring joy and love, and the harvest turned out accordingly."

"Yes, but why did Jerusalem have to fall then, why did all these bitter conditions, these abominations and times of suffering have to come?  John, is there no contradiction in this?"

"All this could not be stopped even by the Lord, because people wanted it to be so.  Man is the product of his upbringing and his way of thinking, and like the sowing, so is the harvest.  Many who believed in the Lord were saved from all the evils, but also many became a victim because they did not heed the advice of His love and wisdom.  I, too, am surrounded by dangers; think of that night, or can you imagine that if the Lord had not been our Protector, we would have come through so smoothly?  I have other proofs."

"Why evidence?  You must explain it to me."

"It is not possible to explain all this, because you would not understand me; but suppose that it is not right for the enemy of life that I go to Smyma and support and strengthen the community there.  Never forget the hours we spent together, and let every word you hear become food for your soul, and you will see how you become more joyful and free in God.  Begin and become love, and all the world around you will look different!  Love one another as true children of our God, and then you will experience the most glorious thing: how God in Jesus has become the brother of us all!"

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Table of Contents

1.  John works in Jerusalem 4

2.  Debate with a Persian priest and two Persian merchants 5

3.  The arrest of four brothers by the Templars 9

4.  Explanation about the beyond 11

5.  The rescue of the four captive brothers and the Persians’ departure 13

6.  Mary’s death 16

7.  Internalization of John and discussion with Jesus about the future of Jerusalem 18

8.  John in Ephesus. Heresy of Boethos in Ephesus about the false body of Jesus - and his conversion

9.  Maternus is blessed with the gift of healing 24

10.  John's sea journey from Ephesus to Smyrna 29