Experiences

with

Jacob

Part 2

Book 25

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)



Table of Contents

PART II 4

1. Examination of the faith 4

2. The Reward of Faithfulness 9

3. Awakening Life 15

4. Passing over into the light 20

5. Love without end 26

6. Victory of life 31

7. United in Faith 35

8. In Anticipation of what was to Come 39

9. The Reward of Love 44

10. A word in Conclusion 49

PART II

Examination of the faith

In Edessa, a small town in Mesopotamia, lived Abgarus.  His kingdom was in good order.  Since he became aware of Jesus' existence, he sought and established contact with Him.  His wish to have Jesus of Nazareth in his country as a full citizen, was unfortunately not fulfilled but something greater was given to him, namely the grace and benevolence of Jesus.  Several times Brachus, his servant, journeyed to Judea and brought glorious promises. But the desire to bring him and the sick son healing was denied him, since the Lord and eternal God had other intentions with him.  So this son and heir to the throne went out of this world with the knowing of a free and eternal life, to begin a life in eternity, that was at that time still completely new.

The time of mourning for his son was not yet over when King Abgarus and his whole house had to prepare for an even greater mourning, because he had learned through his servant that they wanted to crucify Jesus, the miracle man.  All efforts by King Abgarus to move Jesus to leave Judea failed, because of Jesus' willingness to make the greatest sacrifice.

It was on a Friday, in the afternoon, when Brachus came to his master and told him that the sun was darkening and loosing it's light.  Then Abgarus ordered a mourning for three days, as Jesus of Nazareth died on the cross, according to the will of the temple priests.

"How can you know that sir?", asked Brachus, "since it was only a few days since the previous message.  After what I have experienced and seen, it is an impossibility."

Abgarus: "Brachus, obey – announce the mourning, you shall soon receive the confirmation.  But to let nothing but pure mourning live in our hearts for the Saviour Jesus, we shall abstain from everything but only the bare necessities.”

Thus it happened according to the will of the king.  He, however, stayed in his rooms, except for early mornings and late afternoons, when he went out on the roof to pray and to do introspection.  So also on Sunday early morning.  When he finished his prayer with sunrise, he saw two young men in white robes in the air, approaching him.  He watched and watched – then he recognised his deceased son.  He wanted to call, to rush towards them, but his feet were paralyzed and he had to stay.  Before he could recover from the pain in his feet, the two figures were with him, greeting him with raised right hands.

Then his son spoke: "Father, rejoice, we have just come from the tomb of the Lord, it is empty, nothing has remained a prey to death."

Abgarus: “Is it really you, my deeply mourned-for son?  I have never seen you that healthy and radiating;  come here to my arms, I want to press you to my breast.”

“It is not possible my father, but within a very short time – as my guide have told me – you can also once come to our world and see the great wonder of the love and mercy of God.

One thing I can tell you: all the gates of life are open.  What the earth has been experiencing in miracles the last three years, has become the spirit realm in three days.  Wherever the name of Jesus is called, it has become a source of light.  So much has been changed in this light, that it is impossible for earthly concepts to describe it.  Only that what was evil has remained dark.  There should also be light and joy around and in you.  Therefore hear the glad news: Jesus has risen from death, the dominion over all of life has become His.  For eternity, death will be there only where one avoids the life the Risen One gives.  Look at both of us, you will not find a trace of decomposition, because life has embraced us by the infinite mercy of the Lord.  Now put away all mourning forever, life has gained victory over all death."

Abgarus: “Have you seen the Lord, our eternal God, our Light out of the Primordial Light?”

“Yes, my father, not only seen, but blessed and consecrated unto eternal life.  We were allowed to receive from His fullness to the measure of our longing.  Through Him, the Eternal and the Living, we have become a new creation. Tell everyone this good news, so that everyone has a share in this life. But to you, my father, all salvation from Jesus, the Living One."

Abgarus: “My son, who is your guide, why is he looking at me so seriously?”

"My father, it is my guide and teacher. I would never have been able to find my way in the eternal world of God. Light and light everywhere surrounded me, my eyes were unfamiliar with this light. So this leader took me by the hand and led me into a world that is completely alien to me and yet so overwhelmingly beautiful.  Glorious estates, blue lakes and radiant people attracted my attention, but then I was greeted by the elders as if I had long been expected.  My joy was immense.  But when I told them about the Saviour, who is none other but God from eternity, they did not really understand me.  It is different now.  When He brought the message of His suffering and death, they all threw themselves down on the ground and wept out very loudly.  But when He said that He will not remain in death and that all shall be enlivened through His life, they all arose and the rejoicing did not want to end.  We received the true blessing from Him, but we were also allowed to see those in horror.  He rushed over to them, to bring the message of life to them, too."

Abgarus: "Oh my son, you are fortunate by the grace of the eternal God, I would like to quickly go at your side to Him, Who is my life's Support and the consolation and content of my soul."

“Father, be patient for yet a little while, for soon there will be no difference between humans and spirits anymore; for God, as the Eternal and now Risen from death, will return to His primordial heaven, and will be in Spirit wherever anyone is enriched by His Saviour's life, which He revealed to all of us.  You too, will soon be initiated into it.  Remain in this love, remain in this peace, then His Spirit, which is the Spirit of all lives, become one with your spirit.  Amen.”

Then the two radiating figures disappeared, but Abgarus trembled with joy.  Disregarding his sorrow, he rushed down into his chamber, to describe to his wife and children the grace he had just received – the visit of his son and brother, and that it was indeed their son who announced the resurrection of the Saviour.

Abgarus summoned his faithful, servants and friends, to share the joyful news with them, but he was disappointed – they did not believe him.

Hethmann, the house administrator to whom all servants, slaves and maids were subordinate, said:  "Lord, until now I have kept silent, I did not want to hurt you, because you are a good lord and good father of your country's children.  It is hard to understand you, because sometimes your actions contradict good sense.  You cling to the Saviour, who could not help you or your son.  To people who deserve the heaviest punishment, you appoint posts that requires trust.  You order a country-wide mourning because men have crucified your Saviour.  And now you want to make us believe that your dead son has come and brought the message that your Savior was brought back to life.  Lord, too much is too much.  We are no longer children who believe every word that comes from the Father's mouth."

“I am saddened, Hethmann, to hear such words from your mouth.  You have only the Saviour Jesus to thank that you remained in service.  After all these years you should know that I can distinguish good from bad, the false from the true.  If you can not believe me as your lord and king, then at least trust me as a friend.”

Hethmann: “Lord, forgive me, it is far from me to grieve you.  It does nothing to me, but you can not expect of the people to believe things which are pure fantasy.  You have made enemies of the priests.”

Abgarus: “Hethmann, it is good, the evidence will be provided, it just depends on whether you and all your people accept the evidence as well.  But while you are open and honest, I also want to ask you of what nature the evidence should be; for since it is about great things, the evidence should also be great.”

Hethmann: “Certainly, Sir, the hour you get healed and you could again move without pain, I want to be of your faith and put everything in motion to convert to your faith.”

Abgarus: “Good, Hetmann, so it is.  The hour is not far off, when the greatest salvation will come to me, to you and to all the people.  But until then we do not want to talk about it anymore."

Then weeks – months – passed.  Abgarus did not change his order.  Early mornings and late evenings belonged to Jesus and his son, Omar.  Hethmann continued watching his master.  He could not see any change in his person, but the peace and certainty of his goal, made him unsure.  He therefore one day went to the chief priest of the local temple and gave him a true description of his master.

The chief priest, an elderly and experienced man, inaugurated in various sciences, said: “Hethmann, it is good that you have come and faithfully revealed everything to me.  I'm afraid that we'll have to abandon all our gods and approach the one and true God whom we do not know.  Your communication corresponds with the king's.  The strictest instruction from Rome is not to oppose the preachers of the new doctrine of the Jewish miracle man.  The governor Cyrenius recommended to all priests of pagan religions the doctrine of the unknown god."

“It was recommended, yet does not mean it is accepted – do we not already have enough gods and priests?”

The chief priest: “Hethmann, do not misjudge the situation.  I know the God of the Jews, and partly also the doctrine – see, it is my bread.  If I could leave my gods, I would do it immediately, but how would I stand before the people?  We will therefore wait on what the king will do, everything depends on him.”

Hethmann answered: “That way, it is good; shall I make friends with the few Jews in Edessa?”

The chief priest: “I would not recommend it.  They are wheelers and dealers.  Profit is their religion, their conduct is against the teaching of the God of the Jews.  The miracle man was even an enemy of the temple.”

Hethmann: “My chief priest, Abgarus claims out of himself that the miracle man was crucified by the Templars and resurrected from death to new life.  I've put it down to be fantasy.”

The chief priest: “Hethmann, I believed Abgarus.  According to the teaching of the unknown God, a son should come from Him, take upon himself all debts and misdeeds, and reconcile deity and humanity through His sad end.  For us humans, only good can arise out of this, for there is much, much love hidden in this doctrine, which is not to be found among our gods.  But you can already become familiar with the idea that the God of the Jews is infinitely more than all our gods together.  Now that I'm old, I look at everything with different eyes.  How happy I would be if I could learn the pure truth.  Do come back to me."

Hethmann: “Gladly, when Abgarus is healed, you will be the first one I will bring to the king's court.”

The interview with the chief priest Zeno has caused Hethmann much thought.  Then Brachus responded to Hethmann's questions about what the king was doing on the roof in the morning and in the evening: "He prays."

Astonished, Hethmann says: "He prays? Since when is it the custom to be alone and pray in the morning and in the evening?"

Brachus answered: “See, Hethmann, our lord converted to another religion.  You know of my journeys to Judea, you know that the Savior Jesus is not a fairy tale, but a fact. But you also know that I am right in all things to the king, our Lord, because I have spoken to the Savior Jesus and his disciples myself.  You also know that our king has changed, [and] became a just and loving leader.  Behold, we have all experienced our lord's transformation.  Is it then not our duty to research the reasons?  I am glad to have done it, because I have been moved to change too.”

"You might be right, Brachus – but where do we stand then?  Where should I go with my gods, who are dear and appreciated by me?  I can not chase after a phantom, for your Saviour Jesus is no different.  I would so much like to believe you.  Day and night I have no rest, I want to flee from myself.”

Brachus: “But Hethmann, is this not exactly the best proof to you that you are in need of a Saviour?  Why do your beloved Gods give you no rest and peace?  With me, it is different – in me is rest, peace, blissful assurance, that I have a living and not a dead God.  The unspeakably great thing has happened, that I can talk to my God and hear His comforting answer.  Calmly bury your gods.  If they would become alive again, like Jesus, the Saviour and miracle man, then remain faithful to them; if they remain in their graves, then they are not even worth the thought of mourning.”

Hethmann: “Brachus, you are asking much, I can not break with what is sacred to me!”

Brachus: “But, Hethmann, the truth about the eternal being and life demands it, or can you stand for the life of your gods?  I can do it for Jesus the Saviour, because I feel Him, experience Him, hear His word in me so dear and trusting and have only one desire: never to lose Him again.”

Hethmann: “Oh Brachus, I can not understand you anymore either.  Instead of coming to meet me, you move away from me.  Your words did not have the effect I expected from you – on the contrary, you have confused me even more.”

Brachus: “With these words you show me once again the worth of your gods.  It is therefore not necessary to speak about it anymore.  I trust in my God that everything will be thus, that you and all in Edessa shall confess to my God.”

The Reward of Faithfulness

Early one morning, when Abgarus performed his morning devotion as usual, he suddenly heard the words: “Abgarus, I have tested your faith; your trust and your patience give My heart great joy.  Therefore I want to perform My word given to you.  You have experienced my grace, now shall My glory be revealed to you and your whole house, so that the enemy of life will find no more ground.  In three days, My messenger will bring My living word to you.”

Abgarus looked to the left and the right, but saw nobody.  “Lord, I hear Your words, but I do not see you – I believe Your words”, he said, stood up from the roof and said to Brachus: “Listen, the Lord's word informed me that the awaited messenger shall come in three days.  Take care that he will not be delayed on his way to me.”

Brachus said: “Sir, I also know that the disciple is coming.  Hence my great joy.  Shall I inform the gatekeeper?”

Abgarus: “No, Brachus – everything shall remain as it is, the Lord knows everything.”

The awaited day finally arrived.  Abgarus changed nothing in his order.  But when the sun stood at it's highest and no disciple could yet be seen, he did become restless.  He therefore sent Brachus into the city to enquire.

Not far from the city gate was a small house that belonged to a widow. Two children were playing in the garden when a stranger approached.  Some stray dogs was barking at the children, who fled to the stranger in fright, screaming loudly.  But the dogs pulled in their tails before the stranger and wimpered.  The mother of the children saw this.  As she rushed out of the house to her children, the children was under the protection of the stranger.  She thanked him with many words.

But he said: “Peace be with you.  What I did is not worth the gratitude.  But if you want to do something for me, give me a drink of fresh water, because it is very hot today."

“Then come into my house, but let me first wash your feet.”

She took her children and went before the guest.  In the middle of the doorway, she washed his feet and said: “Be welcome, whoever you are, I trust you.  Consider this house as yours, for no-one as of yet have wished me peace, while I am struggling so much.”

She quickly brought a carafe with fresh water, a piece of bread, and said: “Strengthen yourself, you are my guest.  I can not offer you any more at the moment, I will get something for the night.”

“I thank you, Helena.  Since you have offered me your home and brought me in in full trust, you should be greatly rewarded – yet not with earthly treasures, but with what brings true peace.  I am a messenger of peace and an announcer of the eternal truth of salvation.”

The woman listened attentively to the words.  Then the guest blessed the water and the bread and quenched his thirst, and then took some more bread.  Then the woman said: “How did you know my name, you have hardly arrived at the city?”

“Helena, whoever is connected to the true and eternal God, knows many things which others do not know.  I also know that your husband died of a malicious illness six months ago.  But you should not be sad anymore, because the God of peace is also a God of life.  You will get to know Him even more, and all sadness will be transformed into joy.  I bring to you all the message of life, of the light and the eternal truth revealed to us by Jesus, the Savior."

Brachus, on his way to the city gate, saw Jacob sitting in Helena's house, and quickly went in there.  Then he stopped, intrigued – for Helena sat on a footstool, her two children leaning against her, attentively listening to the words of the long-awaited one.

Jacob turned around and said: “Brachus, the peace of the Lord be with you.”

Brachus: “Brother Jacob, you have finally come!  All thanks, praise and all honour to the Lord Jesus;  Abgarus expects you, will you come along?”

Jacob: “Yes, I will come with you.  But since Helena has offered me her home, I will live here for the duration of my stay here.  Helena, many will come to your house, are you ready to make this sacrifice?  Many sick will come, and you will have to have much patience, since I will be absent a lot."

Helena: “Sir, I want to do everything and be your handmaiden in everything.”

Jacob: “Not so, Helena – I am no lord, but merely a messenger of the Lord.  Call me brother Jacob, like Brachus did.  Do not bother with my physical well-being, I only need the small chamber for my rest, everything else will be brought to you, and you are my sister."

After a few more words of blessing, Jacob went with Brachus to king Abgarus' estate.

“The peace of the Lord be with you”, was how Jacob greeted the ruler, who was sitting alone in an armchair in the front yard, waiting on the disciple.  He could not utter one word.  He pressed both the disciple's hands to his breast and wanted to get up.  Then Jacob said: “The Lord wants you to be healthy;  get up – henceforth, no illness shall hinder you.”

Then the king got up and said: “Lauded and praised be You, Lord Jesus.  You have made Your word true, have freed me, sickly and miserable man from my bodily evil.  Oh Lord of all life, You Light of all lights, Victor over all suffering, how can I thank you?”

Jacob: “By keeping silent for the time being, and let only your heart speak.  The Lord sees your heart and knows all your thoughts.  The time has come when he shall give His Spirit to all who are good and pure of heart.”

Abgarus: “What shall I call you, you glorious messenger of my God and Lord?”

Jacob: “Call me brother Jacob, nothing more is needed.  It is exceedingly great grace that I may serve our Lord Jesus, and that I may love, is His glorious life.  In this life I am following the call of the Lord and wish that everyone in your country with whom I come into contact, would know and understand this life.”

Abgarus: “This is also my wish.  Still, brother Jacob – there is plenty of place in my house, choose the best room for you.  I want to have you as my son, you should feel completely at home.”

Jacob: “Abgarus, my brother in the Lord, I have already decided, I have found a home at the widow Helena.  Many will come out of the city and the surroundings – partly out of need, partly out of curiosity.  The many people will feel much freer and more joyful in her small house, rather than in your royal estate.  For remember, Abgarus, I am sent to all, salvation should not be withheld from anyone."

Abgarus: “The Lord did not command any silence today, but to witness from His Spirit and His truth, that all should be set free.  My Brachus, go ahead to prepare the joy, for great salvation has come to us.”

Brachus: “Oh gladly, my king – but then Hethmann should be first to experience the evidence of the living God.”

Abgarus: “Yes, do that – Hethman's eyes will grow big when I shall walk around as a healed man.”

Jacob gave a slight bow before the royal family, then Abgarus said: “Diana, I can go on my own, the living Saviour have helped me.  Now all mourning is over, salvation has come to us.”

Jacob had to take the place of honour.  On his refusal, Abgarus said: “Brother Jacob, the place of honour is not about you, but the One Whom you brought to us in the spirit.  With this honorary meal we're having, we're not honouring you, but Jesus, the Living and the Eternal, the Victor over all death.”

Jacob: “I understand you, Abgarus, your love for the true Chrst has become a blazing fire.  I can assure you, the joy of the Lord is great.  But if you look around with eyes of love and mercy, you will sometimes become sad, because people are ignorant. Superstition and stupidity still dominate their thoughts, they know nothing of true and eternal life and do not want to know anything.  But His eternal primordial Spirit, released by the great sacrifice of the Master over life, should become everyone's – everyone's – possession, so that man may find himself again on the way and on the ground of the right order of God.”

Brachus brought Hethmann.  Abgarus went over to him with quick steps and said: “Hethmann, what do you want to do now?  For see, I am healthy now and all pain has left me.”

Hethmann: “Lord, I shall make your God mine, do not deny me your help.”

Abgarus: “Hethmann, go to Jacob, the messenger of the eternal and living God, he is His witness and His representative.”

The greeting was formal, but Jacob said: “My brother, love is a gentle weaving as it comes from the heart of Eternal Love. It will also penetrate deep into your hearts when you are open to it. It is not law that unites God and man, but only His holy life. But this life is revealed to all through the Spirit of God, who makes man a true man again.

We also had to struggle a lot for the right spirit, because we all had many wrong and erroneous bonds, even though we possessed much knowledge about Jehova – the living God – but through Jesus, everything became clear to us.  We experienced His guidance, His growth and becoming the Son of God, until His death on Golgotha on the cross.  If all that He taught and did bordered on the miraculous, then His resurrection from death to life was the greatest miracle.  What the earth had never seen and experienced, had become reality.  The One who left earthly life in the most cruel of ways, has returned to earth with an indestructible body, to prove to His witnesses, and through these to all men, that He lives.

You, my faithful Abgarus, have gone to great lengths to prevent this suffering and death.  He knew it, and could not accept this sacrifice, because the judgment and the death needed a Savior.  We were all horrified, desperate and beaten.  But when He revived Himself, His love became our love and His life our life.  Out of this life I work, to testify of His doctrine, and to glorify His Spirit.  Seven weeks of the greatest grace we still experienced with Him, then He returned to His original home, to overflow from there, all who believe in Him and do according to His words, with His Holy Spirit."

Hethmann asked: “What are His words in essence?”

Jacob answered: “Love God above all, your neighbour as yourself, because God is the Love and the Life.  Whoever makes this love his life, has made God active in him.”

Hethmann asked: "What is needed for His worship to express my faith?"

Jacob: “We have the word of the Lord that the most intimate connection can not happen in the temple or anywhere other than in the innermost heart.  He who has found the true foundation of life in his innermost, will, wherever he looks with his eyes, see the works of the omnipotence and the wisdom of God, consider all people as his true brothers and serve them in the right spirit of the true eternal life.

But whoever would remain the old man in his inner being, and keep on living according to his old man, for him is everything he sees, just 'nature'.  And people are just products of nature, with which one can do as you like.  The greatest worship of God is therefore to make poor and sickly people, happy and healthy.”

“To make happy and healthy where one can, where it is possible – there should be no lack of zeal”,  Hethmann replied.  “One thing I've learned from the few - but more substantive - words, is that the belief in the unknown God must be something great.  Making everyone happy must be the greatest happiness.  Abgarus, my king and lord, your country will become

the happiest, for the living God is the means!"

“Hethmann”, Abgarus replied, “what is greater – the evidence of God's might and glory, or the teaching of life?”

Hethmann: “Lord, the teaching – for through it, all people can become happy, while through the proof, only a few can experience the happiness.”

Servants have brought food and wine, therefore Abgarus said: “Brother, since you are the emissary of the eternal Lord and God, do bless this meal, that it may bring glory to the Lord only.”

Jacob prayed: “Oh Lord, You are among us in Spirit and in Your wonderful love.  As Giver, do bless this food and receive our thanks, that this may satisfy us.  To You the praise and thanksgiving for time and eternity.  Amen.”

During the meal, Abgarus asked how the journey was, whether hardships and difficulties had made his journey more tedious.

Jacob: "Brother Abgarus, my way here was a chain of proofs of His eternal love.  Every evening I was allowed to testify to the grace and love of Jesus Christ, so many sick people received the salvation of health.  The events around the crucifixion and the resurrection of the Lord are in everyone's mouth, they only still lack the real truth."

“How do the priests react to His teaching and message?”  Abgarus kept on probing.

Jacob: “Yes, brother, if we only brought the teaching, the Lord's work would be done.  But since the Spirit drives us to do works of mercy only out of Him in great power and glory, they must be silenced.  Just today, in a big town, a young boy got bitten by an otter.  I saw the excited people and a Jewish priest from a distance.  When I got closer, the mother pleaded fervently with the priest to help her son.  Then I heard the words from the priest's mouth: 'He shows the signs of death, all help is in vain, only God will be able to help.”

The woman screamed with a weeping voice: “But you are His anointed and representative, I ask you to help.”

The priest wanted to leave, so I went there and said: “Mother of the boy, do not weep.  If you believe in the power of God, you shall see His glory.”

The woman fell at my feet and spoke while weeping: “Your words, oh stranger, sounds like a promise, like words of God.  Yes, I believe in Your power, You – great God and Lord Zebaoth.”

I then took the woman by the hand, helped her up, touched the boy with my hands and said: “Lord Jesus, You living, You Life of all life, do prove Yourself also here as the Lord over all life and death, and give this mother her son back in health.  To you, Ahab, I say: 'get up and walk in the power and grace of Jesus Christ.'

Then the boy stood up, and was healthy.  But the priest said: 'What did you do, or are you of the sect of the Nazarene?'

'I did what the Love commanded me' - I said - 'It would be good if you too would direct yourself more according to God's love, than to the laws of Moses.  All the world is filled with the grace and wonder of the living God.'

Then the priest left me standing there with the crowd and left in silence, but I had a rich harvest, for all accepted the teaching.”

When the meal was over, Hethmann wanted to summon his friend, the chief priest – but Jacob said: “Brother, do not bother, tomorrow is another day.  You have enough sick and poor ones, the day is running out.  You still have much to arrange in yourself.  If the Lord is to take up residence in you, everything needs to be cleansed.”

“Is this just your way to call all people brother”, Hethmann replied, “or have I truly become a brother to you?  I do not know you so well, but I have to believe your words, I cannot help it.”

Jacob: “Brother, the Spirit of Christ, Who lives in me, sees all people as brother or sister; but the Love, as His life in me, crosses all – all – bridges.  So I share my life with yours, and I want to give you out of the fullness of the Spirit, so that your spirit may be enlivened and awakens you.  The Lord does not want you to believe due to the evidence, but that you would seek the light, the truth and the life yourself!  It was revealed and brought to all the world in Jesus.  Whoever accepts it will live, but whoever does not respect it, will remain in death."

Hethmann: “I do not understand that, because up until now we have lived without faith in Jesus.”

Jacob: "Your life is no life, just a necessary judgment, because your flesh and blood has no life, it is the shell of your soul.  But a soul, without the living spirit of God, is dead and can only be educated to a higher life through the added spirit of God. In the following days there will be enough opportunity to get to know the difference between life and death.  Everything we see with our eyes, is subject to corruption.  Through the Spirit of God, everything corruptible is put  on a higher level.  If God did not become human Himself, if He did not deprive death of it's power through His own death, very few would be able to really achieve it.

“You did not believe Abgarus when he told you that he have spoken with his son;  you doubted the message that was the greatest bliss for all the heavens.  It will not be accounted to you as sin, but by that, you have put a stop to your heart's door.  Life can only unite with the living.  Jesus, the Living One, can only be received where the door of life is open.  Through us, the Lord of all life shakes hands with everyone, so that all men come to the knowledge of truth and life.

We as His disciples did experience much.  But what we experience now that the Lord is with us in His Spirit, passes over into the supernatural.  We not only bring the teaching, but also the life.  But life can come only from Him Who is the Life.  This life can be absorbed only by the spirit of love, of which there is a spark in every human soul.  To take up Jesus and His life, means to enliven the love and life-spark in us through active brotherly love and charity."

Hethmann: “Then it seems even more meagre, for one needs to learn to love people.  There is still much to address, but I think it can be done.  I must beg your forgiveness, my king and lord, that I have erred against your exemplary love.”

Abgarus: "Hethman, take care of your salvation.  Get to know and love the Savior and the Lord Jesus, then His Spirit will lead you into all truth.  I am now completely healthy, no-one in the whole country shall be denied salvation.  If you want to accept this new faith, then do so;  if not, we shall not look at you with scorn.

Years ago, I would have considered it the greatest mercy for the Lord and Savior Jesus to have come to our city, but today we have Him abiding in us.  This is a thousand times more, since from now on we live only by His grace and love.  Oh You, my Jesus, You the Light and Sun of life, You the Primordial Source of all joy and bliss, take my heart, it only beats for You and Your love.  Your life is like a river, who enlivens us with Your love, strengthens us with Your power, let us become all love.”

Jacob: “You see, brother Hethmann, the king has embraced life, death can reap no harvest with him anymore.  Everything belonging to the earth is already sanctified, one day it will all be revealed.

This is then enough for today.  Tomorrow, I will visit your friend Zeno.  The will of the Father is as a light and guide in me; to fulfill His will is my greatest joy.  You, brother Abgarus, rejoice in the extraordinary grace, which the eternal Love keeps in readiness for you and yours.  Do not call me, I will be wherever the eternal Love wants [me]; also do not send a messenger with me.  The Lord is my Guide, He gives me safe passage.  But I should assure you again from the spirit of Christ: He is among you, with you, and wants to be completely in you. His holy peace remain with you."

Awakening Life

Helena looked out for her guest.  Despite her poverty, the table was covered with bread, milk and cooked fruit.  Time and again, she looked down the street.  Finally – it was [already] dark, she saw him coming.  She went to greet him in front of the house and said: “I was afraid that you would loose your way, since I live rather far out.  Come, the evening meal is ready, your resting place is waiting for you.”

Jacob: “Helena, you should not worry, for the Lord Whom I serve, provides abundantly.  Only one word to the King would have sufficed, and you would have been relieved of all trouble. But I hope your salvation will be the very Lord Jesus Christ whose glory you will soon experience. For the sake of your love and willingness, I will gladly take the supper with you and your children."

Helena encouraged her guest to go to his resting place, he must be tired after so much travelling in the hot sun.

“I will make my bed in front of your door, that no-one should disturb your sleep.”

Jacob: “Helena, do not do that, sleep with your children.  This house is as of today under special protection – angels keep watch that the enemy of all life can cause no harm.  The Lord Jesus is our Protective Lord and our castle, in Him there is good rest.  His will is also power, before which everything has to bow.”

*

Helena prepared breakfast very early in the morning.  But when she looked into her cupboard to take out bread, she was astonished to find another fresh bread.  She wanted to rush to Jacob to report her find, but then the words came to her that she would experience the glories of Jesus Christ.  Yes, who was this Jesus Christ?  She was a pagan – she did hear about the God of the Jews.  But her astonishment grew even greater – she had flour, oil, figs and dates,  of which just yesterday, there were nothing of in her cupboard.  She stared at everything.

Then Jacob stood before her and said: “Helena, why are you amazed, did I not tell you that you would see the glory of God?  God, the Eternal, do not want to be your debtor.  You gave your last, so He blessed your deeds with greater joy.”

The woman said: “Jacob, this is all like a dream, we have never experienced anything of God yet.  If all people could experience these glories and already have experienced it, I believe that everyone would serve your God.”

Jacob: “Helena, people not only experienced these, but also many other glories, yet they still have forgotten God, for whoever loves God, cannot love the world.  The prince of lies and death has set up his quarters in this world.  He knew how to pull a veil over all.  Everything is deception, appearance and blind glory – it is abandoned to ruin.  So God, the Eternal One, who is also the Safeguard, had to take care of the salvation and preservation.  He did so by sending His only begotten Son into this world and proclaiming the truth about all judgment and the new ways that lead to redemption and salvation.  You will still be a witness of many things, so let us take the morning meal and then search for the will of the Lord.”

The children were already at the table, so Jacob blessed the food and drink and said: “O You my Jesus, my Lord and God, You Giver of all heavenly gifts, thank You that we may receive Your gifts; thank you that we may serve in Your Spirit.  Send us according to your will, where we need to be.  Your Spirit is our guide, Your love is our life, Your power is our power.  Let everything therefore happen according to your holy will.  Amen.”

As he was leaving, Jacob said: “Helena, soon some will come and ask for me.  Tell them to come tomorrow and bring their sick with them.  Strengthen and support the poor in the Name of Him who is holy and alive.  That way, you are giving back to Him the gratitude which is burning in your heart.  Praise be to Jesus Christ.”

Zeno was informed by Hethmann, so he impatiently waited for the disciple to arrive.  He was uncomfortable, because he felt he was about to encounter the unknown God.  He did not like it at all, that there were already visitors bringing sacrifices, hoping to be heard in the temple.  No other day have so many appeared  - also a woman with her gouty mother.  He was about to humble them for another day, when Jacob arrived and stopped in front of the temple, looking at the many people waiting in mute devotion and reverence for the chief priest.  Since the crowd was quiet, he was also calm, but they looked anxiously at him, since he was in Jewish clothes.

A servant finally informed the chief priest that a stranger in Jewish clothing was waiting outside the temple with the others. Then Zeno opened the temple, and went out to the waiting crowd himself.  He went over the crowd with his eyes, and then he saw Jacob.  How eager was he to go to him, but his feet failed him.

Then Jacob went to him and said: “Zeno, the peace of the Lord be with you.  Do not expect me to visit your temple which serves the dead gods, unless you can prove to me that they are alive.”

Zeno: "You are welcome, stranger - I can use the peace of your Lord. Hethmann told me about your coming and the healing of the king.  It is a great pity that our gods do no more miracles, therefore I can not prove their vitality.  But if I see the need and the desire of the people, I recognize my powerlessness and must nevertheless fulfill the desire of the people."

Jacob: “Zeno, I believe we will understand each other better when you are ready for a big sacrifice.  You heard from Hethmann that the king is healed by the might and power of the living God.

Zeno: “Stranger, you expect much.  Who gives me the assurance that all their desires will be satisfied?"

Jacob: “Your own faith, Zeno, you are not strangers to the God of the Jews, you have heard enough of the miracles of His Son. But you did not believe the new and the powerful, your heart was full of doubt. In me, the eternal God comes to you and offers you liberation from ancient dead idolatry and hands you the life, which is the ground of all existence and being.  Do not hesitate, because the visitors are looking rather uncomfortably to both of us.”

Then Zeno said, audible to all: “You dear people, I see your longing and your need in your eyes, but in this hour I come to you as a different person.  Since yesterday, unheard-of things have happened in our city.  The king, our righteous lord, is no longer paralyzed, but completely healthy through the power and glory of the to us unknown God.  This God seeks us humans and wants to help everyone, but demands a greatest sacrifice.  No sacrifice of gold, cattle or other goods, but that we turn our backs on our gods, recognize Him as the only God, serve Him and are His very own. Your will be done, I want to be your servant."

Then Irene, the daughter of the gouty mother Ilona, came forward and said: “Chief priest, so very often we have made sacrifices and requested our holy desire for help, but it was useless.  My elderly mother's suffering which is also mine, urged me time and again to the gods for help.  If the unknown God is able to make my mother healthy, why should we serve the dead gods any longer?  Or are you afraid that they will take revenge on us and on the unknown God?"

Zeno: "Irene, and you, sick Ilona, and all of you who have come, I can not and is not able to answer you.  But this stranger, who is a messenger of the unknown God, will give it to you.  I will be the most attentive listener myself, and evaluate the message.”

Jacob raised his hand in a greeting and blessing and said: “Men and women, the peace and all salvation out of God, the Eternal and Living, be your salvation.  There has been plenty of opportunity in recent years to explore the truth of the living God, unknown to you.  It pleased this God to send His Son to us, to bring witness to all people about the true and living God, and to again reveal His will to humanity.

The priests of the living God, who knew the will of their God, degenerated and carries much guilt in letting the people part from the living God.  He did that for three years, moving from city to city, from town to town, proclaiming the new salvation from God, and affirming His message, which is only a message of love, through the greatest miracles.  The dead became alive, the sick healthy, the blind and the deaf heard.

One would have to believe that the priesthood would welcome Him with open arms. Oh no, the opposite happened, they persecuted Him, even nailed Him to the cross, believing that with His death, everything would be over.  The opposite happened – after three days, He rose  from the dead and removed the power of death.  Everyone who believe in Him and act according to His teaching, becomes established in His life and shall see, feel and taste no death.  His holy life is love, peace and power, and all who work in His Spirit of love, peace and power will experience the blessing of the living God."

Then Irene went to Jacob and said: “If you are a messenger of God – and I believe it, for from your mouth I heard words that aroused a fire of yearning in me to also experience this holy love, peace and power.  See, my mother's limbs are crooked, pain chases away sleep, no priest or god could yet help her.  If you would succeed in at least taking away my mother's pain, then I want to be your most faithful handmaiden and avert myself completely from our gods.”

Jacob: “Irene, and also you, Ilona, the Lord Jesus have said in the most beautiful saying: “Everything you ask of My Father in My Name, I want to do for you.”  It is therefore not up to me, but to yourselves.  If you could believe that He can help you, then ask earnestly, and you will see His glory."

Irene said: “Mother, how easy the living God is making it for us, we only have to ask.  Oh You, living God, who came to us through your messenger, we ask you for a little love, peace and strength, and for mother to be free of her pain.”

Jacob placed his hands on Ilona's hands and said: “Ilona, in the Name of the Lord and Saviour Jesus, I tell you: be perfectly well, and give honour only to Him alone"

Ilona stood up and a jolt went through her body, her limbs straightened, and her appearance was healthy.  She then wanted to kneel before Jacob, but he said: "Not I, but the eternal God touched you. Thank Him with your heart, mouth and hands, then your life will henceforth be sustained by Him."

Irene wept for joy and cried out for happiness, but Jacob said: “The peace of the living God fills your heart with joy and gratitude.  You shall not regard yourself as a debtor of the eternal God, but as a free child, wanting to give your everything to Him.”

Zeno was speechless.  Everybody crowded in on Ilona, who was well known.  He saw her smooth limbs and her joyful tears silenced him completely.  He at last got himself together and said to Jacob: “Stranger, why did God, the Living One, come to us only today?  Why the much suffering and the great need, while it is so easy for your God to help us?”

Jacob: “You talk according to your understanding and you want to cover your guilt with it.  God has always been close to people, but the people went away from Him, from His Spirit – and created laws, even dead idols.  But to embrace and recognize the God of life, is left to man himself.  Everybody can turn to the Life, it is deeply embedded in every person.  Awaken it with holy love, and the eternal and living God can enter into your being again."

An elderly man, stooped over by the burden of age, came forward and said: “Oh you man of God, I plead for my son who lays mortally ill at my house.  May I also come with a plea for help?  It is not about me, for my life lays behind me, but for the boy – his life still lays before him.”

Jacob: “Yes, you may ask, you old, faithful Father of your son.  Go in peace, and come tomorrow morning with your son and his wife to Helena, near the city gate – your son shall live.”

“I believe you, you man of God.  You, temple, have seen me today for the last time.  Blessed by your God and praised be His Name.”

Then everybody crowded in on Jacob, but he said: “My friends, go in peace to your huts, the Lord and eternal God is gracious and well-disposed to you.  Turn away from your gods, clean up your house and your heart so that you may be able to understand the truth about the living God and His life.  He will give you according to your wishes.  All who are sick, leave the city healed in the Name of the Lord, and His will shall become your life.”

Everyone was healed, but nobody wanted to leave.  Then Zeno said: “Follow the words of this messenger, he will stay longer in Edessa.  Do not forget gratefulness.”

Still, the healed pressed in towards Jacob and wanted to kiss his feet and the hem of his garment, but he said: "Friends and brothers, go home to your huts.  Zeno will remain your priest and serve you.  But you must make yourselves completely free of your gods, otherwise you can not enter freely into communion with God.  Life has come to you to make whatever is bound in you, free and happy.  Jesus, the Saviour and Master over all of life, wants to become yours, when you believe in Him and do according to His will.  That is, to love one another as He has always loved you, that everything foreign and hard in you might become true joy of life.  Jesus lives, whoever will make His life your own, shall also live.”

Ilona spoke again: “Dear messenger of God, the living God restored my health, my limbs are straight again.  A great longing now came to life in me, to get to know Him very soon and get to know His will in more detail.  Where do you stay, when may we come?”

Jacob: “At the widow Helena.  You are always welcome, because the holy God will tell me if I am to be there for you.  Today, I will still go to king Abgarus, on the Sabbath, I will give you the blessing, when you have freed yourselves from the fetters of paganism.  Go your way in peace, praise be to Jesus Christ.  Amen.”

Passing over into the light

Jacob invited Zeno to King Abgarus. He was already waiting for him with great joy; he had already learned all about the wonders at the temple grove.

Abgarus: “Brother, be greeted in the love that make us happy and new people.  Our tongues can not boast enough of the grace and mercy of the Lord, which is granted to all - all."

“Yes brother Abgarus, who have embraced life, see, hear, feel and experience the mercy of the Lord and eternal God;  but by seeing, hearing, feeling and experiencing, I am not yet a carrier of His Spirit and executor of His will.  It requires much zeal and even more dedication to live only for Him and to work for His cause.”

Servants gave an invitation for the midday meal.  It was soon consumed and the conversation  turned to Jesus the Saviour.  They looked at the painting Abgarus possessed, for the longing to see Him, was great.

Jacob asked Abgarus whether he would want to get baptised as an external sign that he gave himself completely to the Master of life.  Then Abgarus answered: “Not only I, but my whole house.”

“On this promise of yours”, Jacob answered, “the Lord wants you to gain insight into the eternal and true world, that had it's beginning – but no end – in you.  Close your eyes, let it be according to the Lord's will.”

They remained in this living grace and love for a full hour.  Then Jacob said: “Awake again in your natural state, for your own spirit can not bear to stay longer.”

All looked at each other, stunned.  Then Abgarus said: “Brother, was this a dream, or a walk in eternity?”

Jacob: “Neither, but a look-around, a sojourn in your own inner world.  There is eternal and perfect life in everyone, just like the invisible life in every grain of seed;  put it in the soil, and you will soon see the sprouting life.  Give yourself completely to the eternal order of God, and not only you, but all men will see in you the new life from the living God, which will have in you it's beginning and for ever no end."

Abgarus: “Yes, brother – but now I do not understand you.  When I closed my eyes, it became dark.  Then a light appeared, which became increasingly bigger.  Then the light came to me and enveloped me completely.  While I wondered what would happen, I began to see a most beautiful region opening up before me.  In the distance was mountains, their peaks reaching up to heaven, completely blue and bright.  When I looked around me, two men approached me, greeted me very amicably, and then I recognized in one of them my deceased son.

I said: 'Omar, is that really you?'

He answered: 'Yes, father – this is my guide Zuriel.  Through the Lord and eternal God's mercy, we may guide you in our world, which is also yours.”

I wanted to embrace him, then Zuriel said: “Come, brother, this is enough greeting, we want to make good use of this hour of grace for the salvation of all.”

Then we went – no, we flew – in the direction of the evening.  It was less bright there, the area seemed truly barren, for I saw big stones everywhere.  While walking through there, we saw some men hewing and chiselling the stones.  The men were almost naked and did not notice us.

I asked: 'What do these people do on these stones?'

Zuriel answered: "Brother, these are trying to give these stones shape and life, for their sole love on earth was the dead rocks and gods.  For as long as they are still working on their stones, our help is useless.  Only when they begin to smash their stones according to their love, we can first begin to give help.'

I asked: 'Can one talk to these people?'

Zuriel said: 'Rather not, for they do not see us.  They are not lost brothers.  The message of the resurrection of the Lord will be brought to them as soon as they become frustrated with their stones.  Let us turn towards the evening, there you will see some things.'

We were soon in an area which was quite dark, but our eyes could still see everything very well.  We came to an old castle, with dilapidated gates.  We went in there and saw a multitude of men and women, almost naked and looking really miserable.  They were bitter and dreary, their beautiful castle was not a safe refuge anymore, all food supplies were consumed.

Then one said with a rumbling voice: 'Now we are trapped and have nothing more.  We should have held the others back when they left with the benevolent messengers of God.'

Another said: 'You bigmouth, when the messengers were here, you were afraid when they just touched our castle, because it threatened to collapse.  I wish I went with the others, their lot will be definitely better than ours.  What is going to happen now?  Since the hour the Crucified brought the message of life, there's no creature to be found around here anymore.'

`Do not start again, otherwise you'll feel my fists. In any case, we do not need one who ends up on the cross and promises all kinds of things that can never happen.  Here, we are the lords and will remain so.'

The other then laughed loudly and shouted: 'Yes, the lords without servants, a beautiful life of starving and freezing.  Go ahead, I'm glad you're just as hungry and cold as I am.'

'Stop' - another shouted - 'watch us get something to eat.'

'Come on' - said Zuriel - 'time is short. Here they are still nearly dead and do not know what fools they are.  About 100 brothers were saved when the Lord Himself revealed their blindness and folly to them, and showed them the way to salvation.  These will have to wait a long, long time, because they were hard masters, their slaves were like pack animals.'

We hurried on, and came to a wide river.  There was a small ship at the shore, we boarded.  We quickly sailed downstream to the South, where it was bright and sunny.  We disembarked near a big city and proceeded inland.  There, my eyes grew big, for never have I seen such splendour.  There were also very beautiful people of both genders, strolling along beautiful facilities and flowerbeds.

Then we went to a temple.  There seemed to be a meeting, because there was a great many people.   Unfortunately we could not get any closer as there were too many. Zuriel said: 'A priest is giving a lecture about the light, which will not interest you, for these people are very intellectual and love life in their own way.  Here are also many artists, you can see that in the architecture and the temple.  They know God intellectually, talk about subjects for days, until everything is exhaustively clarified.  Here is no need, no complaint, yet also no joy – it is difficult to bring anyone to the concept of love.  Look all around you, these people are a testimony of a will-power and perseverance, which will be almost impossible on earth.  These dead straight roads, the accuracy in measurement, everything – everything – corresponds to their wisdom.  We now still want to go to Omar's home, and so we will let Omar lead us.'

We headed South again with the boat, again to a mountain range.  We disembarked, went over the mountain, saw a small village, small huts, and Omar said: 'Oh my beloveds, here I am at home.  How poor was my earthly life in comparison to life here.  Wherever your eyes look is beauty, yet this is reality.  Come, come, look for yourself how good the eternal God and holy Father is.  Here is only one faith - that of love - and only one life, which is lived for the other.  Look at these little houses, aren't they lovely?  They do have small doors, that one should bow to enter.  Come and see, it will soon come alive.  My sisters and brothers are coming, they took notice of your intention and are coming to greet you.  Do you recognize, dear father, that first pair who are approaching us with beaming eyes?'

I was astonished, I thought my heart would burst for joy.  It was my father and mother.  They greeted me with the words: 'Much beloved Abgarus, and also you, brother in the Lord, be heartily welcome home.  We long for all of you.  You should for once see how the Lord and eternal God rewards trust and faithfulness.  What you see here, is the property of our love – you are also part of this.  And as far as our thoughts can reach, that far do the fields of this world stretch.  The greatness of our love determines the greatness of the power to work in the Spirit of all life out of God, the living and holy Father.  Only One is the Father of all, Jesus the Living and Eternal, of Who's life and love you know very little.  If you see them fully, then your soul is too weak to carry the spirit in you that wants to realize with all its power what brings not only you, but all, fulfillment. Look, this door is open, but do not be afraid to enter, for it is the realm of true life, which shows itself to your eyes.  Also I want you to look inside, since your time is still coming, to endure everything.'

What I saw, was too much [for me].  I said: “Let me turn around and return to earth.  An inhabitant of the earth is not yet able to endure what I have experienced here.'

Then my father said: 'Abgarus, everything in you is even more glorious, for everything is a gift of eternal love to all who may dwell here by the grace of God.  But much more glorious things are crystallizing within you, because your Creator is your love.  What we call here our world, has become ours through the grace of God.  But what lives in you because of your childlike love unto the Lord, God and Father, is already your property.  Everything will take shape according to your love, your will.  Here, look at Omar.  Everything is still in process of development; but when love will become his whole life, then all earthly suffering would not have been in vain.  Be content with what you have seen, if it would be up to us, we would let you share in a meal, but your hour has not yet come.  Go in peace.  Your life is a life of love, but your love is the life of the Lord.  Go in the name of Him who will live in you as the First and Last, unto the salvation of all for ever.'

The experience is over, and this was supposed to be a process inside of me?  I was very obviously with Omar, with my parents.  This still need an explanation, brother Jacob.”

Jacob: “Correct, brother Abgarus, now Zeno may also briefly describe what he has seen, but he had it worse than you.”

Zeno: “I do not know where to start and where to stop.  I suddenly was in the world of dead stones.  I recognized all the people, they were members of my congregation.  I was exceedingly amazed that they could be that foolish to take so much trouble with dead stones.  All of a sudden the people noticed me.  One gave me a hammer and an iron in the hand, I was supposed to make the stone alive and compliant, since I was their teacher and priest.  I said: 'Dear people, these are then dead stones, and will remain so forever, let go of this useless labour.'

This was how I arrived; they said they were glad to finally have me there, I should teach them how to bring the stones to life.  All their life, I praised the gods – who were mere stones – highly.  I was stuck.  They swung the hammer threateningly.  I wanted to flee, but the ground held me tight.

Then came a bright man with a wide hat on his head, and said: 'Stop, no more foolishness.  If you want to relieve your displeasure with your hammer, then do it on the stones – but your priest stand under the protection of the living God, Who's servant I am.  Long after the living God, and your stones will disappear.  Build the temple in the heart of your brother, then a life will awaken in you that will make you forget all follies of your life.  Seek God, the eternal Creator and Sustainer – but not with iron and hammer, but with meek hearts, He will let Him be found.  Your gods forsook you after your bodily death;  But God the Eternal, wants to give all of you a life of joy and happiness.'

That was my experience.  Messenger of the Lord, do tell me what I should do with that”

Jacob: “I will gladly do that, for you now have knowledge of a world inside of you, which is still externally invisible and unknown to you.  Your love and your attitude in life is the foundation of your inner world.  If your love is such that it can be creative in the spirit of love and life, then you perform things which is miraculous to you, yet is in truth the effects of your own love.  Through the Lord Himself, everything which is unique to every single person, is revealed.  But now that the Lord has become the way and the goal of eternal salvation to all men, no-one should be left in uncertainty.  For His Spirit, whom anyone can accept (appropriate), will reveal all truth and lead into the depths of God's life, which is also deeply hidden inside of humans.

What you have seen, was a glimpse into your world, and glimpse into the home of your love and life.  How immensely difficult it is to break away from what man has made his possession.    In the eternal world – which has it's starting point in you – the spirit is the determining factor.  If it is of divine nature, he will consider himself 'divine';  if it is human or even animalistic or devilish, he will stay with whatever is his love.”

Zeno said: “Messenger of God, your words are like fiery darts, lighting a fire wherever they hit.  I was aware that our religion could not be the right one, because the heart was not touched in any way.  But I did not know that man lives on, having to do away with all follies.  Well, I served the people for the benefit and piety's sake, but I never thought that this was wrong, until finally the news of the miracle man and His teachings reached me.  But how can I now ease the situation of those who I have misled?

Jacob: “By acknowledging Jesus Christ.  By making His teaching your own and serving your brothers in His Spirit only.  What seems to be terrible to you, is not so bad in reality, for as long as anger and hatred is not the driving force.  Over in the life beyond, angels and messengers of the Lord are always busy with instruction.  No-one is hindered to lay down the old and accept the new.  When God became human and revealed the true spirit of salvation to all, everyone was also given the opportunity to accept this spirit of salvation.  This is what you have experienced in your temple.  The love of the Lord is the active love towards people.  Your power to redeem will be according to your love and faith in Him Who is all life.  We, as witnesses of His love and power, are not the perpetrators, but the accomplishers, it is the Lord whose Spirit lives and works in us".

Abgarus: “Brother Jacob, your words are light and life.  It is now clear to me that it is only the Spirit of the Lord who lives and speaks in you.  Tell me one thing, will I be able to look at any time into the world which I've seen today?  It will be of great comfort to me if I could experience it more often.”

Jacob: “Brother Abgarus, you can do that, if the Lord approves – for all of this is in you.  But if you are fully satisfied in the Spirit of Jesus Who enlivens you, then He is the beginning and the end of your life, but you are the creator through your own life.  If the Lord is your whole life, then brother, you would need no consolation, have no yearning to see what glories you have created inside of you, but your longing will be to give out of the created life and the Spiit of the Lord, which is your full love.  It will be your joy to display the fruits of love for others.”

Abgarus: "Now I am content.  Your words are like light-beams penetrating through my darkness, showing me something so beautiful and big, that no further information is needed.  Oh my Jesus, You Sun of suns, Light of all lights, how rich and how great is Your love for us.  Only now do I understand Your reluctance to come to Edessa – we should find everything in ourselves without your personal presence, so that our joy would be even greater, and in this joy, be given a spiritual space, which is only Yours.  Oh, now I am seeing the miracle of Your love and am filled with blissful delight.  But you, Zeno, make no secret of your experience, it applies to all.  These truths of life, these beams of love, stops any attack any adversary would launch.  Now the Spirit of Jesus, the Living and Eternally true One, is no legend anymore, but a force which brings fulfillment to all who truly believe in it.”

Jacob: “Abgarus, stay in this life, then the Spirit in you shall reveal much greater things, which you could not understand today.  But always consider: everything comes from the Lord, everything is His love – so that everything in you would become love.”

Hethmann, who have observed the whole time and absorbed every spoken word with a ravenous appetite, said: “Do not be angry with me if I submit a reply and some questions to this messenger of God.  It's all so mysterious and yet natural, it borders on fantasy, and yet I have to believe it to be reality.  I also had an experience, but I would rather call it a dream, because everything seems so mysterious to me.  First of all, I would like to emphasize that I am convinced of the Divinity, simply because this messenger of God demanded no sacrifice, and only wants to give happiness out of an inner urge, to make people healthy and truly satisfied.

But now comes my key question: How can I really determine that the urge to help is truly the Spirit of Jesus, for there were at all times also people permeated with the pull and urge to help others.  Also our priests wanted the good.  There were not a few of them who were the love and the truth itself, I am thinking of our Zeno."

Zeno wanted to waive it off, but Jacob said: “Brother, it is good that you have freed your heart.  But to prove to you the divinity of the Spirit in me, I am going to describe to you what you have experienced and imagine to be a dream:

You closed you eyes, it was dark around you.  There was a light close by, which grew ever bigger.  You wanted to go to the light, but it kept it's distance from you as you went.  'Strange', you thought, 'I do not see anybody carrying the light, and yet the light is there, where did it come from?'  While you thought that, a wind began blowing.  You were afraid that this light might become extinguished.  Then you heard a voice saying: 'If you want to walk in the light, then receive this light, yet no one could reach that goal without light'.  You looked around you, wanting to see the speaker; a gust of wind came and extinguished the light.

It was again dark around you.  Then you thought of your gods, but everything remained silent, you searched for words in you and found none.  Then faithful Zeno came to meet you and said: 'Man, Hethmann, what are you looking for in the dark, come to the light, you will find what you are missing.'

Then you said, `Zeno, if only I knew what I was missing, the terrible darkness made me stupid.  Bring at least one light so I can see you.  I do not even know where I am.

Zeno answered: 'Open your heart to the Jewish God, then His Son will come to meet you and all darkness will come to an end'.  Finally, after much hesitation, you said: 'Oh God, let me believe in You.  My gods left me or were never there at all.  Give me a chance to sacrifice to You, so that your Son can find the way to me.'

Then it began to thunder and flash.  There you were well, joy welled up in you.  You said: 'Be welcome, even though under thunder and lightning, you true Son of God, your God shall be my God and your Father shall be my Father'.  A lightning tore through the  darkness.  You were in a beautiful meadow, beautiful people passed by, they sang 'Hosanna to the Son, who became the light and life of all'.  Then you woke up, and believed it was a dream."

Hethmann: "You were right, that's exactly how it was. But that's another miracle. Do you know any more such hidden things?"

Jacob: “Brother Hethmann, I do not know any more than you do.  But the Spirit of God reveals these things, everything is open for this Spirit.  The Spirit can only be divine, it wants to emphasize the divine in you, in your own world, in which no worldly man believes.

See, the light shining for you, but which you could not acquire, was the message of the incarnate Word of God.  Your carnal sense extinguished it again.  Your spirit had to remain in it's prison and that was depicted by the darkness.  Then God came as Zeno to you and shook you up.  God could not come as God, because you do not know Him.  But Zeno – who has your love and trust and whom you blindly believe, is the symbol behind which God could hide Himself.  See brother, the eternal love of God chose this way, otherwise you would never have found the way to Jesus, the Son of God.

You now have repaired the connection with the eternal and living God in you.  Take hold of all His love and life, then you will be given everything you need to make others happy, joyful and seeing.  Just as the Lord in His endless love became the lamp and light to all, he likewise became your light and your eternal salvation.”

Love without end

It was becoming dark, when Jacob went to his quarters – eagerly awaited by Helena, for she could hardly ward off all the many inquirers and curious, who have heard about the healing at the temple grove.  Since she was ignorant herself, the people waited stayed and waited on Jacob.  Then she remembered the words of the disciple, to give them refreshment and strengthening in the name of the Lord.  She kept the miracle a secret from those waiting; but because she was poor, they asked her where she got the good bread from.  So she said: “The holy God whom the disciple serves, do not let him live in want.  I ask you to go and come again tomorrow, and do not forget your patients.”

The people left, but a few stayed and camped outside the house.

Jacob finally arrived.  The people waiting before the house, timidly did not dare to enter into the house.  Then Jacob said: “The peace of the Lord and eternal God be with you.  Your curiosity should make way for a heartfelt yearning in you, the word of the eternal and living God is no good as only a passtime.  Consider seriously whether you are willing to accept the message of peace and eternal life, then nothing will be withheld from you.  But first you have to break with your gods, because the true and eternal God does not want to be accepted alongside your dead gods.  His love and mercy is your wake-up call and power for your progress to begin.  Amen.”

Jacob again entered into the house.  Helena, who heard every word, was amazed at how the disciple has discerned the visitors, therefore she said: “Your God is now also mine.  A stream of blessings gushed over my house, so that all need and cares are over and made place for a joy in me, for which I will always be grateful.  Oh disciple and proclaimer of your God, teach me how to pray to Him, for the grace and blessings are obvious.  The bread was enough for everyone, the supper is ready, without anything missing from the cupboard.”

Jacob: “Helena, did I not say you shall see the glory of God?  The eternal and holy God saw your helpful heart – the greatest gratitude is His.  If you have a fervent desire to speak with Him, silently emerge yourself into your 'I'.  If all your thoughts are only about Him, the Eternal and Living, then say: 'Oh You, Father of all love and life, whom I want to carry always in my heart, come to me and to all people and build Your eternal kingdom of life, in which only your will be done, which your love revealed to us.  Give us our daily bread for body and soul, and forgive all our folly and all the guilt that accumulated in us, as we forgive those who are in debt to us.  Let not Your Spirit allow temptations to come that might separate me from You and from Your life, and free me from the evil still living in me, for Your kingdom is the eternal, and all power and glory are Yours.  Amen.'

See, Helena, if you would say this to Him with a pure, faithful heart, then be assured that He will fulfill all your longing, and prove Himself to be the One Who fulfills everything and stills all longing that serves your salvation.  We will now take supper and then rest completely in His care.  Much will be revealed tomorrow.”

It was just like Jacob said.  Soon after sunrise, visitors already began arriving to see the disciple who has healed so many sick at the temple grove.  They did not go into the house, though – but waited for the others who were already on their way with wagons and stretchers with patients on them.  Ilona and her daughter were among them too; she was in fact the driving force, for she was known and loved in Edessa and her healing went from mouth to mouth and from house to house.  Irene organized the patients in front of the house and instructed all to remain completely at peace.  She was confident that everyone would have the fortune to encounter the living God.

Ilona and Irene went into the house, where Jacob where still sitting with Helena and her children at the morning meal.  Then Ilona greeted him and said: “All salvation, all thank to the eternal and holy God; to you, dear messenger of God, our greeting.  Our hearts are urging us mightily due to the great gift of His love and mercy.  If I would not speak about it, my heart would be constrained and my joy would become sorrow.  I wanted to scream out loud about what the great Lord has done for me and others.  I therefore brought my sick friends, recommending you and the living God to them.  It would be our greatest bliss if you could tell all of us a good deal about the Living and Risen One.  To receive charity is special to an extent, but to not know the benefactor, is rather distressing.”

Jacob: “Ilona, do not worry – the God Who has the power to eliminate all evil, will certainly have the power to look into your heart and to fulfill all the unspoken.  You were right to bring your sick friends, for which I thank you in the name of my God. But you, Irene, never let the thought arise that it might be too much for the eternal living God.  On the contrary, bring those longing for salvation, all - all - shall be helped.  Let all those who are without peace and joy know that there is happiness, let all doubters be brought to order.  Can you accept this as truth?"

Irene: “Oh you messenger of peace, you herald of life from Life.  What shall I answer – Is not every word as if God Himself is speaking?  The healing you yesterday gave to my mother and many others, was an immense miracle.  But that you have looked into my heart, found my secret fear and thoughts, is much more, for it is a manifestation of that love for which man is still too poor.  Oh, holy God, you holy life, like a rising dawn, you kindle your light and life and make us ripe for your love.  Everyone should be helped, everyone should own your love, that's why I want to thank you with my life."

Irene wept.  Then Helena said: “Irene, you know only a small part of the love of God and are so moved?  How will you be when you are in the midst of His miracles?  Yesterday I was still poor and had to go to beg others, but today all were satisfied from my hand.  Here, look in my closet, it's all filled up, without asking for anything.  As long as Jacob is among us, I can give to all.  Do you want a greater miracle of His glory?  But the most beautiful you will experience only when you experience the miracles of His love."

Jacob: “So it is.  His power shall be revealed in glory to all men, but his holy redeeming love, shall be the possession of those who recognize the holy Father only in Him, and when His children shall live in His Spirit and His life.  Those waiting are becoming impatient, we shall go to them.”

Everyone went to the front of the house. Jacob made the sign of the Cross and said: "The peace of God and His helping love be with you, and His grace be with you forever.  It is good that you have the desire to know the living God.  He called me to serve you.  I was a witness of His power and glory when He lived among us in the garment of a son of Man.  Consider what love must be in God, the Creator of heaven and earth, that He left all His heavens to live among men as a human being, faithfully doing everything necessary to fulfill all divine and human laws.  I have known Him from His first to last breath, witnessing His deeds, His life.  It was a chain of proofs of His divine being, and yet the world did not recognize Him, despised Him, even crucified Him.

It is understandable that you now shudder under my words, but now come the comfort.  He did not remain in death, but gloriously arose.  Everyone – all – who would believe in Him, becomes part of the life He is now living.  I am a witness of this life of His, which reveals itself as love.  But not love as you understand love, but a love which redeems, saves, wants to make happy and is accompanied by a peace that you as people of this earth, does not know.

I've told some of you yesterday that you should break with your gods.  Today I say, break with your false and wrong views, so that God can redeem you completely and make you really happy.  There are still a few on their way, so we shall wait a while and not withhold from them the greeting of the living God.”

There were many – among them some priests – who have heard somewhat, but have not yet encountered the whole truth.  They wanted to confront the disciple harshly, but Jacob stepped onto the street and said: “The peace and the grace of the living God be with you.  Lay down your patients on this side where the others are already laying, your desire will be fulfilled.”

Then a priest stepped forward and said, "What I have heard last night made me come here.  I can not understand all of you, how you can offend your gods like that.  Have you forgotten all the blessings that came to you, will you conjure up your doom by running after a man who can only be a sorcerer?”

Irene stepped forward and said: “Hermes, you know me and my mother.  Look at her limbs and look into her eyes, and then say that this is only possible for a sorcerer?  You come and condemn without having tested – talk of damnation – as if we were conjuring.  While this messenger have only the words of life which have never come from your mouth, you come with your set judgement.  By that, you have proven to us that you must be very poor and without love.”

Hermes: “Who gave you the right to speak with such a tone to me, your priest, and to throw my dignity into the dirt?  Be glad that I will not punish you.”

Irene: “I do not fear your punishment any more, because I have repented that I have spent my time on false gods.  Here we are experiencing the living God not only through words, but also through deeds.”

Jacob stepped over and said: “Hermes, you came to execute judgement, but you did not consider that the living God - of whom you are aware – is in possession of all might and power.  It would be easy for me to make you dumb and deaf in the name of this God, but I will not do that, for that will be a judgement.  I will gladly stand back and be deaf and dumb forever, if you could give these patients their health in the name of your gods.  Yes, even more – I shall be your servant and your will shall be my will.  So do then according to my words, then you will be justified and the honour of your gods be preserved.”

Hermes: “Stranger, man shall not tempt the gods by trying to force them to do things that does not come from their own resolve.”

Jacob: “Well, in other words: you can not do it, my priest Hermes.  Would it not be more truthful to openly acknowledge the impotence of your gods, because you are personally convinced of it.  Here, a living God is revealed to you, who is for ever the Only and True One, to whom we owe our existence.  It is an unhappy hour for you, for behold, over 100 have come who expect news from the living God; and over 20 sick people have been brought back who want to regain their health.  You don't want or can't help them, because your gods don't exist.  So I must do it because the living God is alive among us in His Spirit.  But because a sick man is not able to receive words of life in such a way that they create life again, so we first want to look at the sick and you, Hermes, shall witness what God is able to do through one of His servants."

Hermes would have liked to leave, but a power held him fast.  He knew that this was the decisive moment.

Jacob said: “Hermes, I am willing to retreat if you are able to help these patients, there is still time for you.”

Hermes was silent.

After a few minutes, Jacob came to the sick, blessed them, and said: "Listen, the God of all life, of all power and strength does not want the demise of men, but that they would arise in joy and contentment, to realize that He is the one Who takes part in your life.  Therefore, do not think that it is I who bring you help, but believe that it is God who is among us in His Redeeming Spirit, in the Spirit of His redeeming Love. I can not do anything without Him, so ask Him, as I ask Him, for His help and for His love and grace. But You, You eternal and glorious God, You Life of all life, you God of power and might, in your hands I lay the fate of these lying sick here in front of me.  You gave your word: 'For all that you ask Me, I want to do for you'.  So I ask You, as Your servant and sendling, prove Yourself also to this sick man as the Lord of all life and being.  Fill us with Your power through Your glorious grace.  Amen.  All of you who have come and have been brought, rise in health through His power and love.  Amen."

Something like a lightning strike went through the patients, even the others present there felt the current.  One after the other got up and wanted to rush over to Jacob, but he said: “My dear brothers, my dear sisters – do not thank me, but Him Who gave you back your health.  But the gratitude in your hearts is far more preferable than thanksgiving with your mouths.  Since you have not enjoyed anything for days, you should first be satisfied and then receive the message of His redeeming love and mercy.  But you, Helena, bring bread, figs and dates which shall strengthen the weak souls.”

Helena, being so captured by the living grace that she was trembling all over, stared at Jacob.  Then she calmed down, went into the house and fetched bread and the bowls with fruit.  Jacob broke the bread while blessing it, took some fruits from the bowl, and served everyone with bread and fruit.  The bread did not diminish, the bowl stayed full.

Hermes, who was watching all of this – the healing, the distribution of the bread and fruit, said: “Do forgive my hardness and my wilfulness.  What I have seen have never happened before.  What millions of words would not be able to do, this deed of your God accomplished.   I give myself to you, that I can truly come to know this God of yours.”

Jacob: “Hermes, you do not need that, but to learn to believe in the living God and to love Him, then you fulfill everything He asks of you.  Do excuse me, my time should be spent on those here who did not yet dare to eat.”

Turning to the healed, Jacob said: “Eat at your ease, it shall serve to the strengthening of your body and soul, for this food is given to you by the love of the Lord and eternal Father, Who is among us in spirit, wanting to make you strong and receptive for His Word and His Spirit of Love.  But those of you who still feel hungry can still get bread; it will be enough for everyone.

Ilona now asked for some bread, the others were not yet free.  But when Ilona tasted the bread, she burst out in tears and said: “Oh good God, what for a heart full of love you must have, that even this bread of yours have such a wonderful taste.  Oh if I could see You and sink down at Your feet.  Why am I so poor and can not offer You anything but my stammering.  Oh You good God, make Yourself known, make Yourself understandable, for life without You became unthinkable.”

Ilona could talk no more.  She sank to the ground, her hands covering her face.  Jacob helped her up and said: “Ilona, and all of you, hear what my word – which is the word of the Lord, will now give to you.  This God have revealed Himself in the son of man Jesus, who's witness and disciple I am.  His life was sacred, His conduct exemplary and His deeds, the fulfillment of the holy will of God, which He heard in Himself.  There was nothing He did not know about.  He knew the farthest sun as well as the grain of sand on His feet.  There were no suffering He could not eliminate, yes death had to return it's booty at His command.  All elements obeyed Him.  In short, He was a lord over all things.

They killed this glorious man on the cross, because it was the only way to save people from certain death and destruction, according to the plan of Eternal Love.  Since Jesus allowed all this to be done to Him, the way to God is free.  There are now no more obstacles before God, for Jesus created all of this.  The only thing He could not do, was to remove the obstacles that everyone carries within him, separating him from God and His Redeemer-Spirit.

Search within you – in you is a world still strange and unknown to all of you.  Therefore His mouth also spoke the words: 'The kingdom of heaven is in you', and on another occasion: 'your worst enemies will be those of your household', your own worldly wishes and desires.  It is therefore so important for all your temporal and eternal life, that you recognize yourselves, and in this realization, you will also find God.

It would be wrong to announce to you a God to whom you should be subordinate.  But since I know God, permeated with His nature, my testimony can not be any different from how God, the Eternal and the Holy, lives in me.  Do not consider me as a servant of His deity, but as a representative of His Spirit, of His love and mercy."

Victory of life

Two men brought a man on a two-wheeled cart.  They have fastened the man with strong cords to a wooden block.  Foam bubbled from his mouth, his eyes shew brokenness.  The crowd was upset at the sight of such misery.

Then one said to Hermes: “We have heard of the healing of many patients and have learned that the sick were brought here.  Our poor, crazed brother had a particularly severe attack today.  We were forced to bind him to the wood, otherwise great misfortunes could have happened. May we also count on help?  Or where is the miracle man so that we can talk to him?"

Hermes: “There – the one holding Ilona by the hand.  But why do you come to me since you are Jews and believe in your God?”

[The inquirer:] “Forgive me, in my need, I have overlooked the fact that you are wearing the garb of a pagan priest.”

Jacob, who was watching this scene, went over to them and said: “Loosen this sick from his fetters.  He is suffering terrible torments, for it was out of love for your tormented brother that you have brought him, but out of fear that something bad would happen to you.”

The other said: “It is dangerous to loosen him, in his anger, he does not know what he is doing.”

Jacob: “Because you do not treat him like a sick person, but like a mad animal. You know Moses and the prophets.  Your faith must be in very bad shape, otherwise your brother would have been healthy long ago.”

Both remained silent.  But when the patient began groaning again, the first one said: “I loosen him at your responsibility, perhaps you can still help us.”

He was free in a few minutes.  He laid on the street, making a miserable picture with bloody welts and being almost naked.  He was too weak to get up himself, but the look in his eyes was so pleading, that Jacob said: “In the Name of Jesus, the living God and eternal Lord, get up in full health and be completely free.  But you, dark being, go back into your dark sphere, humble yourself before God the Lord, Whose goodness you abused.”

“Never!” the being roared from the patient's mouth, “He was cursed!”

“Stop! Not a word anymore”, Jacob said with a stern voice, “I now command you in the Name and Spirit of Jesus: leave this person immediately, lest a greater damnation befalls you.”

The patient jerked around one more time, then he stood up, and his glance was childlike.  He said: “Oh God and Lord Zebaoth, how easy is it for me now.  May I thank you, good man, or the light-being whom I see in you?”

Jacob: “First strengthen yourself with this bread and fruit, that your hunger can be stilled and you can come to rest in yourself.  But you, Helena, bring water to cleanse the wounds on his body, which was caused by the lovelessness of his brothers.”

A bowl with water was quickly there.  Without asking, Helena washed the filth off the body of the healed man, who have knelt down.  She then fetched oil to dab onto the sores.

Jacob turned to the brothers – who objected against the washing – and said to them: “Be silent for now, for you did not come for the sake of your salvation.  This brother of yours shall stay here and find somewhere else to stay.  Take your wagon and go back home, for I only serve those who are hungry and thirsty after the eternal truth of the living God.

You are rich, but you act before people as if you are poor.  Your only aspiration was and is after Mammon.  For such people it is not yet time for the message of peace and love.  Change your mind and become faithful to your God, then the gospel of the holy God will not be withheld from you. But you, Rudomin, eat, your body needs strengthening and refreshment.  Let your brothers go who were never your brothers. The eternal love that provided for your salvation will also provide for your further accommodation."

The others were happy to get rid of their brother so easily, took their cart and left.  Those present grumbled about such lovelessness, but Jacob said: “Let go of your grumbling, but let mercy fill you.  You were witnesses of this wonderful salvation, your hearts are to be full of joy, as the others should have been really thankful.  But what causes you sorrow, brings also sorrow to the present God.  Be therefore doubly thankful for this grace, to motivate ourselves to save even more lives, to want to help and help again where there is misery, need and great suffering.”

Rudomin took some bread and fruit, then he said: “I have had enough for now.  Why are there  so many people here.  Their faces shine for joy, what beautiful things has happened to them?  If only I could be so joyful again as I used to be.”

Jacob: "You will become even happier than all these here, for the Savior, whom they have found and accepted, will also be your Savior.  He alone made you well again.  He also sent you this bread."

Rudomin: “Who is this Saviour, that I can thank Him.  Where has He gone, I want to be with Him and be His faithful servant.”

Jacob: “This is not so easy, since the Saviour is invisible.  He can only be felt and experienced in the heart.  You do believe in God, the Lord Zebaoth?”

Rudomin: "Not really anymore, dear man, because it's been a long time since I heard anything from God. My brothers did not like the priest, he cost too much.  But now I can not stay here, I have nothing to sacrifice to the Savior.  I also can not compensate your love."

Jacob: “Do not worry, Rudomin, this good Saviour ask nothing but for what the heart willingly sacrifices.  But you must let go of everything which lived in you as a false love.  Depending on the degree that you give, you will receive – with the only difference that what you receive remains for ever, while you can only give what is temporal.”

With hurried steps, the old man who asked on behalf of his son the previous day, approached.  He brought his son and his wife with.  Jacob saw them.  He said to Rudomin: “Rudomin, now you will experience joy.  You shall right now experience what the Saviour is able to do.”

The old man approached Jacob with tear-filled eyes and said: “My heart is filled with gratitude and joy.  Here is my son – your God has healed him.  How can we reward this benevolent deed of your God?  I can not express in words what I feel for your God.  Everything is new inside of me, everything looks different, yes even the sun in the heaven shines brighter.  Look at my son, does he not look as fresh as if he was never ill?  Look at his wife, the joy making her eyes shine, where up till now was only anxiety and sorrow?  Come, Gabrielle, and you Darius, we want to kneel and worship the unknown God.”

The three knelt down.  Also Rudomin and all the healed knelt down.  Herminus, the elderly father, prayed: “Oh you holy Divine Being, You, the God unknown to us.  With Your own love, you have freed us from all anxiety, need and sorrows.  You are worthy of our gratitude.  We want to give You our love, we want to give You our thanks, but we do not know You – how Your love, Your strength and Your power should sound as a testimony from our mouths.  Oh let us recognize You.  We do believe in You, without knowing who You are;  we do trust You, because Your love, might and power have been revealed so wonderfully and gloriously to us.  You have given so much to us, oh give us just one more thing – that we may understand You.  And remove from us the fear for Your holiness, that we may return Your love with love.  All hail to You!”

Jacob was touched by this scene and experience.  He said: “Brothers, sisters, get up.  In the Name of the Lord and in His Spirit, I proclaim the message of the holy God, who is so close to all of you and will reveal Himself to you through me.  You were healed in your bodies by His power and might and mercy.  You have also heard the words of life, but should not remain with hearing only, but in yourselves, in your inner worlds – which I already told you about – you shall find the foundation and basic life of your knowledge of God, that you might stay in contact with the eternal and living God for ever and always.

God became human and thereby made man the carrier of His Spirit and the finisher of His redemptive work.  Through me, He came to you in His Spirit of love.  It would have been easy for Him to destroy your gods by His omnipotence, or to force you to worship Him by hard judgements.  He does not do that.  With love, He wants to awaken the spiritual life resting in you.  With love, He carries you and chooses to wait until you can also love and trust Him.

If you consider that everything is out of Him, everything is His possession, He could demand.  But He does not do that.  He ask you to convert and make room in yourselves, that His Spirit of love and life may revive you and make you joyful, happy children of His love.

This God of love has only one enemy, it is the evil in the human heart.  This enemy is the one that separates and destroys the Godly life.  As long as this enemy is ruling and alive in you, His life can not prevail.  Since man is in His likeness, he should also be the creator of his own inner world.  Now choose, test yourselves, and everything else your own spirit will reveal to you, which is the eternal gift of His deity in you."

Jacob fell silent, but Herminus – moved to the core, said: “Oh you children and you dear friends, what shall we hear!  As if it is not enough that we've been given holy health in our bodies, relieved of all anxiety, sorrows and trouble, we now hear the message that He wants to be our Father and make us His children.  Think about the days, weeks and years of the past: the anxiety was endless, the future, hopeless.  The priests were unworthy representatives of their gods, their words were cold and dead – and here, everything lives, even the words from God are alive.  Oh, You eternal God, Your power could have made us slaves, if You would demand it, because You have fulfilled my request.  But Your love – as Your messenger have told us – make us children.  So take me up in Your love-covenant, my thoughts and deeds shall always belong to You.”

Jacob went into the house, brought a bowl of clean water, went to Herminus who remained in his devotion, and said: “At your vow, I then confirm this love-bond with the eternal and holy Father and consecrate you with this external sign of fresh water, to God the Lord and holy Father.  His Spirit permeates your soul, His love is your life and His mercy and peace shall be daily evidence to you, unto your and your fellow men's salvation.  Amen.

All of you who now have witnessed this act, go to your huts and to where duty takes you.  Everyone who firmly believes that there is no true life without the living God, do what Herminus did.  Praise God, the Eternal and glory, then I will gladly serve you too and also consecrate you as a sign of a full covenant.  Seriously consider, do not let your love be a flickering flame, but an inextinguishable fire.  Go forth in peace, the grace of God and His love be with you and in you now and for ever!  Herminus, stay here with your children.  Ilona, take care of Rudomin and stay.  Irene may prepare a meal together with Helena, honour to God and blessings to you.”

Then Hermes came to Jacob and said: “Will you also send me away, now that you have given the evidence of the power and might of God?  The question now began to burn in me: 'Who and what is God?'  I do know the writings of the Jews, but it is too mysterious and full of contradictions."

Jacob: “Hermes, stay if you want to – that is, if you are earnestly looking for the truth.  But do consider that you will have to let go of the gods you have served, for the sole and eternal God wants all of you.  In God, there is only the full measure, never a half, so consider very seriously.”

Hermes: “That already happened, because there is no escaping from your God.  Sooner or later everyone has to confess to Him, since all might and power is His.  Introduce me to the right teachings of life, so that I may soon become a true priest, a priest according to the will of the eternal God."

Many said goodbye to Jacob with tear-filled eyes.  The joy of regaining their health was so great.  Jacob also let them go because he knew that the power of the love of Jesus will carry them on and still make righteous followers of them.  But it still took a few hours.  In the meantime Helena had prepared a meal with Irene, which tasted really good for those who had stayed behind.

United in Faith

When the awaited rest had arrived, Jacob laid his hands on Rudomin.  Rudomin became ecstatic and began speaking: “Oh God, you must be good! This beautiful garden, these beautiful flowers and bushes, oh these trees, it is as if they speak and talk to each other, but I can not understand them. It's a language, like muted music, but who understands that? Oh, in

the distance this splendid house, the windows glittering like the most glorious dawn. I'm getting closer to the house or the house is coming to me. Now I'm there, but the door is locked, I can not open it."  After a few minutes he continues: "I can search as I want, I can find no human.  The house and the garden must belong to someone.  It must be somebody doing the work, or should God do it that I do not see?  There's a little house in the back, I go there, maybe I'll meet someone.  It is very nice here, but alone it is unpleasant.

To God be the praise and thanks, there is a man coming to me from the house.  He says: 'Be welcome.  If you are also a wandering brother, and can not yet be received in your homeland, you should still see how everything is still in the old order.  So far, your earthly life has been unsuccessful despite the serious trials.  But now the grace of God have overcome and wants to call you to be a servant of His mercy, you should see here the glorious, merciful guidance only the chosen ones understand.  Come, enter with me into the home give to me by the eternal Fatherly love, but do not be surprised, for you are now entering into a home of love.'

“Oh, you my soul, is this supposed to be a home?  This is then a city.  Are people living here, or are you alone?”

[The man:] 'Come and see, love accomplishes things that no other power can do. But I will only lead you into this big house, then you have seen more than enough.'

A big house with big open windows, a big, wide door, I am already in a great, big all with the man.  There come many, many men in white robes and welcome us, welcome me as their brother.  Their words are so friendly, but they hold back.  Then I really look for the first time at the men.  I wanted to ask, for I began to remember, I have lived with them somewhere.

[The man:] 'Do not torment yourself with the past, my brother, these could not meet you with their love, since you have to return to the earth.  Your visit is designed just to show you, I will explain everything to you.  All these brothers are servants of love.  Their earthly lives were lives of testing and struggle, yet it was their wish to be found worthy for the service of love at the time of times.  Since the earth is in the greatest turmoil, its inhabitants are imprisoned by the prince of the world, yet the love and mercy reaches into the deepest hell, which you also had to wander through.

Now we continue.  Now we go further. Look there, there are young girls who have died in misery and are here to obtain their perfection.  They were innocent and victims of the enemy, but love and mercy have plenty of means and ways.  There on the right, you see young boys, who – like the girls – are attending a high and splendid school.  Let's go upstairs.  Here lives all those who are resting and enriching their inner world through the Spirit of Grace.  I wanted no one to be present here for your sake, otherwise you would lose all the joy of life in your earthly life that was destroyed until your salvation.  Memorize all these words in your heart sanctuary.  But what you see here shall remain with you according to the will of Eternal Love.  But now come, time is up, I will lead you out of my house."

Oh God, what sweetness have I experienced on this road.  I now see people.  Oh, there is a thousand or more.  They are beautiful, their faces radiate joy.  They wave, their voices are like music, like hundreds of harps.  It's a pity that this dream have to end.  I am still seeing everything as if it is in the natural.”

Jacob: Rudomin, do not forget this experience.  You think it to be a dream, but it was an experience.  [To the others:]  What Rudomin told you is only for you, not for the others, because you want to be a bearer of the divine Spirit and a servant of love, like me.  Since Rudomin is much more purified by the torments in his life than you were, this guidance could happen by grace.  Listen, Rudomin, you are allowed to tell your vision only to these your sisters and brothers and no one else, because they would not understand and would belittle the work of love.

What Rudomin experienced was a glimpse into his world.  Everything is incomprehensible, even the language, and why?  Because his world is closed, like the new plant is closed up in the grain of wheat, which yields a hundred grains.

You, Hermes, wanted to know how and who God is.  Rudomin's experience is the answer, for God is not one and the same to all, but how your mind, your love, your devotion shape Him in you.  Your previous gods represented correspondences, their forms and their concepts are immovable.  The eternal God, however, as the creator and preserver of all creation, is God to those who acknowledge Him as God, judge to those who judge Him.  I could give you a lot of pictures.  For me He is the supreme love and mercy, and I am also permeated by His love and mercy, which will remain with me as long as I remain on the ground of humility and devotion.

I believe that this experience, this my explanation, will pave the way for you to know Him who is true and eternal.  But do not seek to force people to accept this knowledge of God.  Since God is the eternal Love and Mercy, likewise should His disciples be loving and compassionate.  Where no violence and no iron 'must' achieves anything, this compassionate love can still achieve great things.”

Hermes: “This is like lightning in me, it is like a whole new life as from yesterday.  How dismal did things look to us, and today?  I can barely put it into words.  Not only does a new glory beckon me, oh no, it is already there, enveloping us like the rays of the rising sun.  When you but want to tell something else, dear faithful messenger of love, describe something else about the Saviour, who was a friend and servant of all people."

Jacob: “Gladly, my Hermes, so listen. In my father's house, this Savior grew up as a child. I was the youngest of my brothers and had the task of overseeing him.  He was a difficult child to mind, He had a strong, unbending will.  He was obedient in all things, but He did not want to pray.  No punishment made him pray even once.  If there was a good meal or a beautiful fruit, the little hands would hold still for a while, he would never take anything unblessed.

Then I asked Him: 'My Jesus, You're giving me real grief early on.  You know that the old father Joseph will never refrain from his prayer, but you stubbornly refuse.  All are allowed to pray, including me, but You do not want to.  Tell me Jesus, why?'

Then the two-year-old boy smiled and said: 'Jacob, you then know Who I am.  Is all the glory you have already experienced not enough?  I have enough trouble putting up with your lip-bawling.'

I said: 'Jesus, what are you saying – you have trouble, while we surround you with the greatest love, and you call our prayers lip-bawling?  Today you are almost unbearable.'

Jesus said: 'Jacob, I know that you love Me, but you do not yet love the true Spirit in Me.  But when the time will have come when I will be completely one with the eternal primordial Spirit, then you will surround Me with a completely different love.  Your eyes will see things differently, and your hearts will become alive for this Spirit I've been wrestling with early on.'

The years went by, but we did not understand Jesus.  In Him, everything divine had come to be.  His eyes had a quiet but serious glow.  And listen and marvel, Jesus went to pray, but another prayer, not with the lips, but with a blazing heart.

When I asked Him whether He still remember His words where He as a child called our prayers as lip-bawling which was hard for Him to bear, He said: “My Jacob, your prayers are still the same today, but My prayer is a union with the Eternal Father in Me.  How shall I hear My Father in Me, while the measure of worldly duties becomes ever greater?  In order to become one with the Father, the greatest harmony is necessary, which I achieve in silence.  Do you believe, my Jacob, that this harmony with the Spirit of God can be achieved when you do not give your own spirit any opportunity to lean into the Spirit of God?  I am still in a struggle with Myself, but when I have achieved union, then I can take on the struggle with the world.  A fight that will lead to victory.  How I want it to be done already.”

Only when He began His teaching where only love and again love accomplished the greatest of things, it became clear to me Who Jesus was – the true Son from the eternal Father, Who embodied Himself and gave us His Spirit, for all and everything to be guided unto perfection.  Much more could be said, but the Spirit, Who you are to acquire through love towards your neighbour, the same will still reveal everything to you; this is enough for today.”

Ilona said: “Oh you overly fortunate people, how much bliss you must have experienced.  The earth must have been heaven to you, and your lives must have been bliss, I have no ability to describe.  I would have liked to live with you just one single day while we languish in worry, agony and pain."

Jacob: “Sister Ilona, yes, we did experience glories.  But do not think that the earthly enemy left us in peace;  we had to overcome bitter struggles and many defeats in order to experience the glories.  After all, we were only human and we grew up with the law and the prophets – only Jesus was free.  I knew that when a troop of prisoners marched through Nazareth.  Under no circumstances one was allowed to give anything to the prisoners.  The soldiers watered their horses at the fountain helped themselves happily to the fresh water, while the prisoners perished for thirst.  Then, to everyone's horror, Jesus lifted a pail of water from the well and let all the prisoners drink from a cup.

The leader of the transport wanted to get to Jesus, but with big eyes, He looked at him and said: “Since when do you Romans regard people less than cattle?  Should you not be concerned about their distress, as you are concerned for your horses?  It is written: 'the righteous take pity on the cattle', but how much more just will man be, when the need of his fellow men drive him to action, which is good for his heart.”

“You must have a good heart”, the Roman answered, “I will therefore not rebuke you.  I wish all people would be like you, one could love you.”

“Do this anyway – and remember My name, I am Jesus.”

Then the Romans rested and the prisoners were given relief.  For a long time the Roman conversed with my father Joseph and with Mary, mother of Jesus' body.  But Jesus went away, he did not like people praising Him."

Helena: “Oh dear ones, do not concern yourselves so much with what was.  Is the present and future not much more glorious?  Need upon need was our constant companion, but now it is all just delight.  It is good that this Jesus, this overly good Saviour and friend of the people is not here as a human, I would give my heart and emotions complete free reign and be compensated at His breast for past suffering.  But it is good as it is, I can prepare myself for the most beautiful service for Him.  My eyes will search for His love in all people, my ears will listen for every word announcing life.  But my heart shall be open for all sorrow and suffering, for I feel it alive – only there do I find His love, His presence, where I take the sting out of pain and suffering and infuse joy.”

Jacob: Helena, you have captured the life of love.  Rejoice in it, for whoever took hold of the life is also accepted by Him, our glorious God and Father, and all death is overcome.  Jesus lives, in spite of death and death-pains, and all who believe in Him, takes hold of Him with a burning heart, will eternally live with Him in His kingdom, where there will be no suffering and no more crying.  Do not be afraid of the people who want to rob you of this which is now your faith, but be aware that the Father knows everything, that He will not forget anyone who praises Him for His loyalty, and the reward will not be omitted.  You will be loved by Him and He will give Himself as reward."

In Anticipation of what was to Come

Voices was heard in front of the house;  a few men came, asking after the miracle-man.  They were sent by the sick who sought comfort and healing from the chief priest at the temple grove.  But Zeno candidly admitted that he was unable to heal.  He referred them to the messenger of God, who was with the widow Helena in the city, bringing the message of the true and eternal God, and attesting his words with miraculous deeds.

Jacob: "Peace be with you.  Your wish is known to me, turn around and go tell the others that I will come to them."

[The sent ones:] “How can you, a stranger, know our wish, for not a word has been said about it.”

Jacob: “I know even more;  I also know that even more people are on their way to the temple grove.  Since they will remain there longer than they planned for, I want to ask you to buy provision of food and take it there.”

[The sent ones:] “Why should we buy food for them, they should take care of themselves.”

Jacob: “It was just a request, dear men.  If you do not want to, let it be.  But I do believe that since you would receive benefit as well, it is just reasonable that you would contribute something.  Go ahead, I will be there in an hour.”

Helena, who followed Jacob to the door and heard every word, said: “Dear Jacob, these are hard men.  Let me take bread and fruit there, for it is not acceptable that the hearers would go hungry where this glorious love is to be revealed.”

Jacob: “They will not go hungry.  The men will buy bread and fruit and will be satisfied.  Do you want to come with your children?”

All went with Jacob to the temple grove.  Those present longingly waited on the disciple of Jesus.  Prepared by Zeno, their hearts were already receptive and patiently waiting on what was to come.

Zeno went to the disciple, pressed his hands to his heart, and said: “My soul rejoices, that I may experience and embrace the truth of salvation at the evening of my life.  All have been prepared as well as possible, but there are still some sick among them, who have suffered for years.”

Jacob: "Zeno, have full trust and your faith will be richly rewarded.  In the name of Jesus and in His Spirit, you are His representative; what you begin in this faith, He will accomplish."

Zeno: "I am happy to hear these words, but I would be even happier if all would make the Lord their Lord."

Jacob was surrounded, everyone was eager to hear words from his mouth, but he simply said, "Peace be with you, and the love and grace of the Lord Jesus be your portion".

Then he went to the four sick people, who were laid on light carriages, and said, "If you have a firm desire to leave your gods and accept the eternal God of whom your chief priest testified, then arise and be healed in the name of the true and eternal  God, and His grace be with you always."

They got up from their carts, went over to Jacob and gave him the hand.  But one of them said:  “How can we thank you, messenger of the eternal God.  The miracle is not that I am up and going again, but that my idea about the existence of a true, living and almighty God became a reality.  I did suffer greatly, but I suffered even more severely with the teaching of the gods which did not satisfy me.  What Zeno taught was beautiful and good, but it had to be better – so I and all of us want to hear from your mouth the pure truth about the true and real God.  Zeno was not able to do any good for the relief of our paralyzed limbs, but you said that if we could believe, then we would be healed.  I – and all of us – will gladly believe, yes we will gladly do what your God want of us, but you have to describe Him to us, that we may envision Him ourselves.”

Jacob: “Ebraim, your desire is already fulfilled, for it is His wish that He – the Lord of heaven and earth should be recognized by all His human children.  The image I present to you is that of a human, but completely perfected in all goodness and truth.  Perfect in love, power and wisdom, He is the life and all life comes from Him.  So will His life be in all of you who believe in Him and do according to His will; but whoever will not believe in Him, remain in death and judgement.

As a human among humans, He revealed His primordial life.  It was love and compassion, combined with the most glorious wisdom.  Everything have to bow before His will.  As a human, He acquired eternal life for us humans.  Death has no power over life anymore.  We shall all lay down our bodies according to the will of the eternal God, but our souls – which absorbs the life – will be carried by the life out of God, and in His kingdom, which had it's beginning in us, we will live with Him.  You are amazed at these words, but ask Rodomin.  Hours ago still a poor sick one, he was allowed to experience events in the eternal world, which the grace and love of God gave him."

Ebraim said: “Good friend, it would be wonderful to see beyond the grave, but it is surely more important to come to the right faith.  During long years of suffering one had only one desire, to be healthy and happy.  We did live, but a sad life.  You are announcing a life which we could only long for.  Tell me the quickest way to obtain this life, I have lived for too long a life which was only torment.”

Jacob: Ebraim, and all of you, listen – the quickest and easiest way is the way of love.  Love your neighbour more than you do yourself, and want their happiness where you can, help where you can and where help is needed and reach out to all the wretched and the poor.  But do all of these in the Spirit of Jesus the eternal and living God, then you have the life and the Life has you forever.  This is the highest grace of God, that humans can acquire this Spirit of love, which you have so wonderfully experienced.”

Some escorted wagons were approaching – it was Abgarus with his entourage.  He was driven by desire to the disciple of Jesus, the hours without him around, was lost hours for him.  He learned through messengers that many sick have received their health at Helena's house.  On the road he thought about taking Zeno the chief priest with him, to win him over for the work of Jesus.  He was greatly astonished to find the disciple at the temple grove.

Jacob, who saw him first, went over to him and said: “Brother, the love of Jesus did not urge you in vain.  I thank you that you have followed the call of the Master.  But now come and see how happy the people have become through Jesus."

Those present wanted to kneel before their king, but Abgarus said: “Behold, today I have come to you as your brother, wanting to give glory to the eternal God.  But You, Lord Jesus, You Life of all life, You Love of all love, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, for you have prepared me the joy to see happy people around me.  Oh You Saviour of all saviours, You Master of all love, give us Your Spirit, Which will pave the way into the hearts of Your children.”

When the others heard their king talking like this, they cheered their king. But Jacob said: "Dear men, it is right for you to have the right joy; with joy, the heart will grow big and wide.  There is still much to be done as long as the old gods still stand admonishing and warning between you and the living God, there is another wall that is wall that truly prevents you from letting the true God Jesus rule.

Make this temple a temple of the true and living God, then you will have a place where you can come to mutually strengthen and nurture each other.  But the Lord – as Love – is ready to serve you fully with His gifts according to your love, that no-one should go astray.”

Abgarus said: “Brother Jacob, I thank you for the instruction.  The building shall commence immediately, that you can consecrate it on the Sabbath, for those who desire to be baptised.”

What followed, bordered on the miraculous.  Abgarus supervised the work himself, and more and more people came to the temple to see for themselves the change in their beloved temple grove.  Many were waiting for the gods to resist and punish the artisans, but nothing happened.  Zeno and Hermes never before had so much to talk about as in these two days.

The healed, however, made sure that the news of their healing was carried not only in Edessa but far beyond.  Another wonderful thing happened: Abgarus made sure that all were also fed, no one went hungry or thirsty.  At sunset Friday, the work was completed.

Jacob stayed far away from the temple.  In the city, in the inns, he testified during these two days about the merciful love of Jesus and also healed many crippled and sick people.  The healing of the king and the sick was rated higher than his teaching, but his heart was full of joy, his witnessing became ever more alive, so much so that no-one could resist him.  The onrush at Helena's did not diminish – again and again the sick came and waited and waited on the disciple.  And so the Sabbath arrived.

Abgarus visited Jacob together with Zeno in the evening.  They again became witnesses of the wonderful power of the salvation of Jesus' love, which made their hearts really joyful towards the work which were to officially begin the morning of the Sabbath, to which Zeno and his priests were invited.  The last vestiges of the old gods vanished out of Zeno, when he enjoyed of the bread Helena served up with the fruit to all the visitors.  He had never eaten such bread before.  Helena, in her greatfulness and serving love, did not have enough words to witness about the miracle of the bread and fruit, but for Zeno it was a purging from the old gods.  In the city, the temple was prepared for the solemn inauguration to celebrate the Sabbath with dignity.

When the first rays of the sun greeted the coming Sabbath, the crowds were already underway to the temple grove.  Zeno have opened the temple doors, and hesitatingly entered.  A solemn silence enveloped the people who were quickly filling up the temple.  All sacrificial altars were gone, in the very front was an altar with seven burning candlesticks.  A three-meter-high cross stood erect.  On the altar, among open flowers was the painting of the Lord which Abgarus donated to the temple.  The temple hall was divided into two sections where soft carpets invited [the people] to sit.  The alley remained free for coming and going visitors.  Many hundreds were inside and many still wanted to enter, but it was already crowded.

Then Abgarus arrived with his whole household, and were joyfully welcomed by all.  They wanted to make room that they may go into the temple, but he [Abgarus] declined and stayed with the multitude in front of the temple.  Singers with harps, flutes and other instruments came, who forthwith began with a jubilating song and under the sound of the song, Jacob arrived.

With his eyes shining, his hands greeting to the right and the left, he walked up the narrow passage which reached up to the altar, where Zeno with Hermes and also others who have already embraced the teaching, waited.  All became silent.

Jacob stepped in front of the altar, raised his hands and said: “The grace of God and the love of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.  I greet you in His name.  I thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you in the Spirit of His love, which we have so gloriously experienced these last few days.

Your love have recreated this temple into a place where you want to get together whenever your love urges you.  As such, I consecrate this temple for you.  Always remember that the Lord and God does not live in this temple, but you should always gather in this hall in joy and sorrow, with the Lord.  One should be to the other, like as the Lord and Saviour, the faithful God and Father, is towards you.

Zeno, the Lord needs you.  Be a servant to all, your help should always be an example of love.  Everything you give to the one in need, shall be given to you by His Spirit – and so, receive His Spirit, Who shall lead you into all truth.  But You, faithful Lord and God, be among us in this hour.  Let Your river of life flow and enliven all.  Fill everyone who's heart is open for You with Your Spirit and bless us out of the fullness of Your merciful love, that we may bless again others.  Amen!

You Zeno, you Hermes, and you Rudomin, receive the Holy Spirit, Who is making you His servants for ever.  Amen.  Amen.  Amen.”

Very much touched, Zeno said: “Oh Lord, You who are making me worthy to be Your servant of grace and mercy, let me be Your servant in everything, for the sake of all.”

“But you, dear men and women, young men and maidens, in this sacred hour, I can do nothing other than to proclaim that which became alive in me.  Jesus have revealed His holy plan of love.  We should all live a joyful life with Him.  Out of His Spirit, we should love each other as He loves us.  Thus I bless you, as your servant out of the power revealed in me.  Your will and the Lord's peace be with you.

Hermes: “There shall not be a barrier between the priests and you anymore, but we shall serve you with the glorious love which was given to us so abundantly and will henceforth remain.  No laws, no rules, but the free urge of love out of God the Eternal and Living, shall bind us together and bring us ever closer to the Lord.

You Father of all Your children, help us that we too, may become Your true children.  I feel the life in my heart.  I want to fill everyone with it so that the Lord's spirit of love may become everyone's possession.”

Jacob: “This is a sacred hour, for life upon life is penetrating all of you.  Look at the cross, that is the sign of our salvation.  On the cross, the Master have won our freedom.  He made us free from the power of death.  Let the cross always speak to you, for it proclaims the victory.  You are to be free - life belongs to all of you, making you His true children.  So let us go to the  nearby brook to complete the sacred work and administer the baptism to all who desire it.  Go in the name of the Lord, His will shall always be ours!”

All – everyone – went under singing and jubilation.

Jacob, Zeno and Hermes stepped into the cool water.  First Abgarus, second Hethmann, desired to be baptised, then everyone else came – first the men, then the women.  Helena, Ilona and Irene together, then everybody else.  In two hours, the sacred work was completed.  All knelt down.

Jacob, blessing with his hands, spoke: “Sisters, Brothers, there is no difference between heaven and earth.  The Lord, our Jesus Christ, is among us and says: 'Little children, be blessed out of My love, which bears everything, from My life, which bears witness to eternal new life, and from My Spirit, which is to fulfill all of you, so that My work may find it's fulfilment through you.  I sought you, you let yourself be found, I came to you, you received Me.  Hold Me tightly through your love, for I in you and you in Me shall crown the work of My love and mercy.  You have experienced My love.  Let it be your aspiration that all others also experience My love through you and recognize Me as the One Who is life and will be forever.

As love's holy life fills Me, so will My life fill you.  So stay in Me so I can stay with you.  My spirit in you will reveal much more to you that you can not yet grasp. But if you are aware of what you do not know today, your hearts will soon be filled

with bliss.  Do love Me, but with the heart.  Do not forget that in every human being, a home of My love is also to be established, so that we may all be united by one Spirit, that brings salvation and blessing to all.  Go in peace, everyone to his place.  My Fatherly blessing be with you always and My peace is your portion.  Amen.  Amen.  Amen."

The Reward of Love

Jacob walked through the crowd to say a few encouraging words to one or the other.  He then came to Abgarus and said: “My brother, I thank you with an overfilled heart for the work of the Lord.  Just see how they all love you, can you wish for any greater joy?  I tell you, you will experience much, much more joy, because Zeno has embraced the life, Rudomin is his faithful helper, because his gift is seeing.  It will reveal to you things that you all still have no idea about.  The celebration is over.  Little by little the square will become empty, let the temple be open day and night.  It will be enough to have a small lamp burn at night as a symbol."

Abgarus: "Brother, I have a heartfelt request for you.  Come to my house even today, I have invited Zeno and his priests; but do bring the three women with.  I have to have you around today, for without them, the work would not be a success."

Jacob: “I will gladly fulfill your request, brother Abgarus, I also need to think about leaving.  My mission is accomplished, my presence is now more important in other places.  But brother – no great honours, love is the tie that binds us.”

Oh, how many still longed for a word from the disciple, everyone wanted to thank him.  Helena was not pleased to appear before the king, but after Ilona and Irene spoke with her, she went along.  So they rested in the afternoon.

As the sun was setting, Abgarus received his guests.  Zeno, Hermes and Rudomin were already there.  The great dining hall was laid out in a simple way for a supper - for all who had been particularly fond of the work of Jesus, had been invited.

Abgarus was full of joy, greeted everyone with glorious joy and the simple words: “My dear friends, it is a need in my heart to thank you in the place of the Lord and eternal God Jesus Christ.  How lonely I often was, that I could not talk with only a few people about Him – Him, to whom we owe all thanks – and today I experience the love of the children of my country.  Do not be amazed that I only want to make you happy this day, with my love and my gratitude.  How wonderfully everything has been arranged.  Through long nights, I often pondered about how I could bring the real truth to my people – and what happened today?  Almost all wanted to be baptized.  We want to take part in the evening meal without compulsion, but first pray for it: Lord Jesus, be our Guest and bless us all with what Your love bestowed.  Amen.”

After the meal, they remained seated.  Then Jacob said to Rudomin:  “Brother, let go of all shyness.  Think about your brothers and sisters, and that you want to serve everyone with what the Lord gives.  He did not call you and gave you a new home for nothing, therefore make yourself worthy of the grace of being an appointed one.”

Initially slowly, but with increasing surety, Rudomin described what he was seeing.  Rudomin began: “I am not a speaker, so I beg your indulgence if I make mistakes.  Today in the temple, I saw the Lord for the first time, when the disciple mediated the words of the Lord.  But I did not listen much to the words, for the Lord was more important to me.  When the words were delivered, my vision also ended.

When many of us came to the water, I saw – as if sitting on a veil – many beautiful figures.  I also clearly distinguished your son, my lord and king.  When the disciple wetted your head with water, your son made the sign of the cross over you.  His face shone like the sun.

As new ones came into the water, I also saw new figures.  It was as if the baptized brothers and sisters took these figures with them.  I therefore focused on when Helena, our benefactress, was baptised together with the others.  Her late husband, whom I knew very well, was with her and stayed for a long while, until two shining figures enveloped him in their light.

The baptism was over.  The happy people stayed to give thanks, and then a beautiful experience happened.  About 50 glorious figures brought a garland with them, and hovered over the praying ones, embracing us all.  Then the Lord Himself came, took an end in each hand and spoke the glorious words which we heard through the disciple.  As He spoke the 'Amen.  Amen.  Amen.'  He let go of one end and strew the flowers over us, until the garland was done.  And oh wonder, everyone had a flower and precisely there at the left side, where the heart is.  You, my king, have a big, white flower which I unfortunately can not identify;  Helena has the same flower, but red.  Everyone has another colour, but I did notice that all women's were reddish.  Then the Lord blessed us.  When He disappeared, He took all the shining figures with Him.  That was my vision.”

Zeno, very excited about his helper's vision, said: “But Rudomin, you have not yet said anything about your vision.”

Rudomin: “No, my chief priest, I would also not have said anything today, if the disciple would not have prompted me.”

Jacob: “It is so, Rudomin's being still need to completely clear up.  He is not yet free enough to present what he sees.  Due to many years of possession, he was not lord in his own world, but those who controlled him.  But do rejoice with him, he will still mediate much for you.

You, brother Zeno, make use of this, for he will serve you well with patients.  Every possession can be recognized, since he can see the spirit-beings which oppresses the one or the other.  He will also see all the processes of a person's passing away and render valuable services to you as a priest.  He will also be of great help to you, Abgarus.  He will be able to recognize and immediately alert you when anyone is not honest and open.”

Abgarus: “This is completely new to me, that also in this, the Lord makes such wonderful provision.  All sorts of worries come to an end when we are allowed to see clearly in all things."

Jacob: “There will still be enough work for you, my brother in the Lord, but the Lord as the Ever-caring, will reveal to you in your spirit what you should do.  Helena will receive the gift of midwife and bring much blessing when the newborn begin their earthly walk with the blessing of the Lord.

Dear friends, do not wish for a gift from the Lord, but release what so gloriously lays within you.  No-one is given something new, but everything is within you.  Each – even the smallest love from the riches of your inner world, is a gift from the heavenly Father and is meant to make you happy and to enrich you in the Saviour's life.

Hethmann, you are thinking: 'Yes, this is all good and well, but of what good is it to man if he does not know?  Of what use is the treasure in my house, if I do not know about it?  How much better would it be if everything which is in us, would be known?'

Brother Hethmann,  what you now thought, has grown on your own ground.  First allow Christ in you to become your ground, then you will become aware of the treasures in your own home.

All of you, my brothers and sisters, are aware that the grace of the Lord is like a warehouse, and the love is the key to it.  Both are given in order to realize the Spirit of the Lord, with the only difference that as the transitory is given, the eternal waxes in equal measure as it is given to others.  But now Rudomin will make you happy with what is happening here in the spirit.”

Jacob nods to him, then Rudomin said: “My lord and my king, the good God must mean it well with you, for Omar, your son comes, accompanied by the Lord and followed by many beings.  The walls of the house have completely vanished for me, I see with my spiritual eyes.  It is as if we are sitting in the background where it is still dark.  Omar – your son – blesses us all.  Oh wonder, there suddenly is a big festive table in the form of a big cross.  The blessed beings are decorating the table with the most beautiful flowers.  Yes, what is that – they are forming letters and words.  It reads: Jesus Christ, You are the consummate love, in this love is the perfect Deity and eternal preservation.  Oh, how beautiful the splendour of the colours.  Every flower sings of the love of the present God Jesus Christ.

Omar speaks: 'Oh Abba Immanuel, how happy You are making me in this hour of joy with the gift that my parents, brothers and sisters may experience all what is happening in my world right now.'

The Lord speaks: 'My son, I am happy too, for it is not Mine, but your love making this banquet possible.'

Omar: 'If it is my love, Oh my Immanuel, my Abba, then I dare something very big - but ask you in advance for your blessing.'

The Lord: 'In your love, everything is already blessed, so act completely free.'

Omar presses His hands – bearing the nail scars – to his breast, and says: 'Thank you, my Abba, I am pursuing my salvation in Your Name.  Excuse me my absence, I will be back soon.'

Omar disappeared, the Lord blesses him.  Now I see Omar in an area full of rocks.  Since he sees no-one, he calls out.  Then the inhabitants peeks out of holes.  Omar went to them and says: 'Brothers, do you not remember me anymore?'

'We do, you are the king's son.  What do you want here and why do you disturb our rest?'

Omar: 'Not to disturb, but to save you from your stony world, which is death and no life.'

'If you came to preach to us about the God who are supposed to be love, then go back quietly.  We have no longing after a God of whom we know nothing yet.'

Omar: 'I did not come to preach to you, but to lead you to Him where He awaits you.  Your earthly brothers have dedicated your temple to the living God.  The baptism became their sign of being dedicated to the eternal and living God and eternal Father.'

'How can you prove this to us?  We are done with the earth and it's inhabitants, for them we've been exterminated.'

Omar: 'But not for the living God.  Come with me, and if it is not so, you can always come back.'

'If so, then let us try it.  But woe to you if things are different, we are taking our hammers with us.'

This one then calls out, and then everybody come to listen to the message and the request to get to know the eternal God Who lives.  There are many.

Omar comes with shining eyes and brings this great multitude into the magnificent festive hall and says: 'Oh my Jesus, my Saviour, my Father and Immanuel, it was rather easy to bring this multitude here.  If you don't like them, let them eat at your table at least once.  I want to be their servant until they recognize You.'

[The Lord:] 'Omar, do not betray Me – pretend that I am not here, they are your guests.'

Omar encouraged them to take a seat.  One of them says: 'Listen, this is a heaven of the gods! Who then are these radiant beings, you wanted to lead us to the living God.'

Omar: 'First be seated, take the glorious gifts with joy, everything else will come by itself.'

'Well, we are more than hungry; we will sit down and put our hammers at our feet.'

They put down their hammers at their feet, and Omar says: 'My friends, help yourselves – in the realm of eternal life is no hunger and want, everything is there to make you happy.'

That was enough for them.

The one who is their leader, sits besides the Lord.  He says: 'Have you been here for a long time with Omar and with his God who is supposed to be eternal, you understand?'

[The Lord:] 'For as long as Omar was here, I've been here too.  I am very well acquainted with the living God.'

[The leader:] 'Then I am very curious to get to know Him.  You know, in our rocky wilderness is no sustainable life.  This is the first bread I have eaten since my demise on earth.'

[The Lord:] 'Then taste also this wine, for none but the living God can press it.  Whoever enjoys it is not intoxicated, but embraced by life.'

[The leader:] 'If it is allowed, then gladly – but there is no cup.'

[The Lord:] 'Do not do anything, I have one, let us share a drink.'

The Lord drinks and hand it to the other.  He drinks and says: 'But listen, that is a wine!  If the wine is so good, then it must be the God who makes it.  Can't you show Him to me for once, because for the living God's sake, we're here.

[The Lord:] 'Yes my friend, with that I can not help you.  Did you not have a look at the flowers yet, they say more than just preaching.'

[The leader:] “You are right again, where have I had my eyes?  'Jesus Christ, You are the consummate Love.'  Yes, dear friend, that's what we're all still missing.  Omar seems to be better off than we are. His face radiates with delight as we ... oh, do not think about it anymore.  May we stay here and make ourselves useful?  The stones are lost time.'

[The Lord:] 'Omar went to get you for a long time, the question whether you want to.  Your stones will not miss you, without true life, your life is lost.  I am Omar's friend – My word is very much his, and my friend's word is as Mine.  Therefore I ask you: do you want to stay here and begin a new life?  Ask your brothers whether they want too.'

[The leader:] … 'Yes, they want to.'

The cup now went from hand to hand, everyone's joy increased.  Then one said: 'You, I believe we will also become good friends.  But I ask You for only one thing: teach how to get to know Jesus Christ, Who is the consummate Love, very soon, for under this love, I may not be without love any more.'

Now this experience is over.”

Thus ended this Sabbath in a glorious manner. Much was still described, Jacob could do justice to all and the blessings were not lacking.

Helena, who was relieved of all need, only served and to help was her life.  Ilona and Irene were the singers, able to sing about the life of their Saviour's love, also in their actions and deeds.  Zeno was a true priest, always able to find what was right through the love and grace of the Lord and with Rudomin's assistance.

The seed which Jacob sowed have gloriously germinated, especially with Abgarus.  He was the last to receive the promise from Jacob that the Lord and Master of Love would send him two disciples with the task of bringing the message of love to his people, that his yearning would be fulfilled.  It was fulfilled.

Abgarus experienced more happy years.  The desire after the true God grew ever greater.  By the grace of God, this country became a community who knew only one Lord: Jesus Christ, the Eternal and the Living.

A word in Conclusion

If I have only You, I ask not for heaven and earth,

for You, as God, want to live among us as Love of all love

as Man and Son just wanting to fix the wrong,

and as Friend and Brother, to reward the good.

But You have bequeathed the very greatest to Your future child,

of which Your Holy Spirit bears witness to our spirit,

and teaches us and brings light into the darkness of our night,

to let everyone know how You loved Your child.

If You live in me, every day is a gift,

and every hour a testimony of Your merciful love.

All my actions are guided by Your Spirit,

and will be a blessing to me and to many.

But poor are all those who keep their hearts closed,

because You can not enter their hearts,

Your sweet Word and Being has departed from their tongues,

and it fills me and You with burning pain.

Max Seltmann 1949

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Table of Contents

PART II

PART II 4

1. Examination of the faith 4

2. The Reward of Faithfulness 9

3. Awakening Life 15

4. Passing over into the light 20

5. Love without end 26

6. Victory of life 31

7. United in Faith 35

8. In Anticipation of what was to Come 39

9. The Reward of Love 44

10. A word in Conclusion 49