Awakening

the Divine

life

Book 23

Max Seltmann

Recommended chronological reading list:

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

1. Childhood years of Jesus (Jakob Lorber)

2. Book 1 – John the Baptist

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

4. Book 3 – Jesus’ Life

5. Book 4 – Jesus’ Life

6. Book 5 – Jesus’ Life

7. Book 6 – Jesus’ Life

8. Book 7 – Jesus’ Life

9. Book 8 – Jesus’ Life

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

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

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

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

14. Book 11 - Good Friday

15. Book 12 - Judas Iscariot in the beyond

16. Book 13 - On the road to Emmaus

17. Book 14 - The Risen One!

18. Book 15 - The New Life in man

19. Book 16 – At Bethany – story of Theophilus

20. Book 17 - Ascension

21. Book 18 - Pentecost!

22. Book 19 - Among the first Christians

23. Book 20 - Divine guidance of the first Christians

24. Book 21 - The chamberlain from the Orient

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

26. Book 23 - Awakening the Divine life

27. Book 24 - Experiences with Jacob, Part 1

28. Book 25 - Experiences with Jacob, Part 2

29. Book 26 - Experiences with Jacob, Part 3

30. Book 27 - Experiences with Jacob, Part 4

31. Book 28 - Naeme

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

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

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Table of Contents

1.  Ursus and Paul 4

2.  Guided tours through inner worlds 6

3.  Jesus – our example 13

4.  Farewell to Bethany 25

5.  Day of celebration in New Bethany 28

6.  The return to Rome 34

7.  The awakening life of God in man 36

Ursus and Paul

Since Ursus had to take care of many business matters in Jerusalem with Demetrius before their departure for Rome, he soon got to know the new disciple Paul, who preached everywhere about the risen Jesus, as the almighty Lord of heaven and earth, as he himself had experienced Him.

Since the Templars tried to catch Saul, his friends often had to hide him secretly, so Ursus took him and the mother Mary to Bethany one day.

His to-life-awakened spirit drove Paul ever more mightily to work for the Lord, and even Ursus was somewhat disconcerted by his fiery speeches.  He said to himself: "Paul is like a strong mountain spring, his words are pure and clear, but often also like a roaring waterfall that floods the young seeds to the utmost; while Theophilus is only love, and like the disciple John, knows how to gently restore even a fate-crushed heart."

Soon an occasion arose when Ursus asked him: "Brother, is it so difficult for you to acknowledge Jesus, the Risen One, our holy God, as the most loving Father and to preach about Him to all your listeners?  Your testimony of His sublime omnipresence is full of life, and your zeal in this is worthy of imitation by many; but I have seen Jesus quite differently, have come to know Him differently - and to love Him!  See, in me all life urges to embody Jesus, preferably without words.

In my heart, He lives like a source of power, which has the property to fill all my thoughts with strength and to unite them, who rules my world in me and transforms it into a heaven.

"Dear Ursus" - Paul thoughtfully replied - "I would like to respond to every one of your wishes, but look, what is as if burned into my nature I cannot remove, and I believe that if the Creator has so prepared me for His service, I must not want to change anything about it, or should I be able to work against my conviction?  But all your love does my heart so much good, it often gives me courage and strength for new endurance."

"Oh Paul" - Ursus cried excitedly - "if our love can serve to strengthen you, then tell me, on what is your love for Him based?  Is it born only of faith in Him, or does it spring directly from the awakened Savior-life within you?  You priests and scribes always refer to faith, without which scripture and word would be useless.

Far be it from me to want to shake your faith, because to be able to believe - is grace, but to be able to love, is first of all, life!  Faith without love is not living faith, as love without life cannot contain power!  But there are big differences in what someone believes and to whom his faith is.

I do not want to say of myself that I believe in God with all my heart and soul.  But I gladly confess that my whole inner being is filled with blessed knowledge: I belong to my eternal Father!

And as a child of His redeeming love, my inner world has become a temple and God's house.  Since that time, I know only one true God - Jesus!  For Jesus has become for me the most vivid concept of the highest perfection.  Only His Spirit frees everything that is bound and narrow in us, and we look at the world and everything that happens in it, with His eyes of love.  Our heart becomes the place of His heavenly peace, and what now comes out of such a heart, can and will go to the heart again at any time.

Do not give me an answer, brother Paul, because love knows no being right, only the desire to make free and happy.  Should you need my love, how gladly I give it to you!  And the greatest sacrifice would only mean 'service for my Jesus' to me."

Paul had become inwardly silent, then he still said: "Oh Ursus, I thank you!  Your testimony was as if God had spoken to me.  All your words I want to keep in my heart, but your love I want to claim right away, asking you: let me go with you on your journey home, I am longing for my homeland, for Sicily."

Paul remained silent and thoughtful in inner contemplation.  He asked himself: "Do these brothers in Bethany have a different concept of Jesus than in other places?  Jesus is God!  Here every human child is convinced of that, while elsewhere, Jesus is recognized only as the true Christ."

Guided tours through inner worlds

At night, Paul quietly left the house and went to the nearby hill, where a small columned temple beckoned him to stop.  He hardly noticed that one of the great watchdogs was following him, but when it lay down at his feet in the temple, he stroked the silent companion, and a great calm came over him, so that his soul prayed: "Oh my Lord and God!  How good it is to live under Your protection, and even in this loneliness of my soul, You provide me with a faithful guardian!  So I dare to ask You fervently: Help me!  Help me in these doubts about Your being!  Let me see deeper into Your nature of goodness and wisdom!  Let me experience through Your grace whether I am on the right path to be filled with the Holy Spirit You have promised me!  Only one proof I ask of You, You gracious God and Lord, and I will joyfully consecrate my whole life to You!"

The night was quiet, only the stars shone in the dull glimmer.  Then suddenly it became bright around him.  A light figure stood before him and asked: "Do you recognize me, brother Saul?  God's greetings and peace be with you!"

Paul was slightly startled - he recognized Stephen, who said: "The eternal and merciful love in God, which you cannot yet quite comprehend, has charged me to explain some things to you in more detail, since you have begged for a single proof.  See, I am the proof: I am blessed!  I am allowed to rule over many worlds, which are not outside of me, but in me.  If you want, I will lead you into one of my worlds, which, if I want it, can become outwardly visible for others.  For see, is not every man a world of his own?  And if you take him into your heart, you give him home-rights in your world given to you by God - he also brings you his own, inner world.  And also in this world of his, you may then work and testify before him the grace and the truth of God!

We, standing on a high spiritual level, look into the worlds of our fellow men in a completely different way than you do.  Everything that delights you as a human being in nature, in the human being or in the animal, is only a very weak image of what we may see here in it's innermost beauty as versatile life.  Do you now already recognize something of my worlds?"

Paul answered: "I am beginning to understand something of your language, but it's meaning is not yet completely comprehensible to me.  If you will, lead me into such a world of yours within, that I may learn the ways to my own salvation better and more clearly!"

But Stephen answered him: "Not only for your salvation, but mainly for the salvation of many others, the Lord wants to fill you with His Holy Spirit!  I will now touch you, then your body may rest here, guarded by the faithful watchman; for only in your immortal shell, will you be able to follow me."

The next moment, both floated away as light-figures.  From a distance, a city with many towers surrounded by a high wall became visible.  They came closer and saw a small gate - Paul thought: 'We must make ourselves very small, otherwise it is impossible to pass through.'

But Stephen answered him: "Do not worry about that, because from a distance, everything big looks small!  But we want everything that looks small from the outside, to become really big and significant.  Behold, the gate is already opened for us.  The entrance door to our spiritual world - otherwise enclosed by high walls - must be opened by a higher hand.  Only then can our spiritual being, together with it's guide, go in and see what God wants us to experience here; but we must go through one after the other.  You go ahead - I will follow you."

After some hesitation, Paul went through - he had expected a city, but saw only trees, a forest of trees, and asked Stephen about it.  The latter answered: "We are only three steps through the gate, don't be surprised that you are standing here, because your entry into this world can and must be completely similar to your inner state of development.

Now we want to go further to see what God wants to show us in this sphere of yours.  Because here it is like everywhere on earth, everything that you also see or experience is a language, is a meaningful language as revelation from an inner world!  Observe this, and you will learn to see everywhere into the secret chambers of life!"

They now passed bare hills, on which dark beings squatted, but which could not perceive the two figures of light.  As they floated past more and more hills with such beings, Paul expressed the desire to eavesdrop on these spiritual beings.  They approached very close and heard ghastly imprecations from one who had puffed himself up profusely.  From another hill, some men came and talked loudly: "Everywhere, here as well as there, nothing but damp ground, no bread, no roof over us.  What good was our keeping of Moses' commandments and all the sacrifices?"

Said another: "We feel deceived and betrayed, but if perhaps it is the same with our priests, are they then deceivers?  Who has imposed the law on us as a burden?  How happy must be those who know no commandments, no laws!”

Another instructed him: "How can there be an order if there are no laws to maintain it?  Still the forest and the meadows provide for our food, and perhaps there will come another time, when it will be different!"

"Don't hope for it" - said another - "because He who wanted to bring us better times, we have nailed to the cross!  It serves us right, therefore bear this fate with dignity!"

"Can't they be helped?" - asked Paul, full of pity.

"It will take a long time and much hardship" - explained Stephen - "for they loved mammon more than anything else.  Look, here around us is light; you can see and hear everything.  But all these poor souls will remain in the night, until their anger is extinguished and they recognize and are willing to bear humbly and patiently their self-inflicted fate.  Only then can angels and messengers of God come to instruct them and lead them to brighter places.  Here in the kingdom of eternity, everything must be regulated within the framework of the primordial laws, and no being can be benefited too much, but also not disadvantaged."

Now they passed graves, on which emaciated figures squatted; like animals they stared at the ground, as if they were looking for lost things.  Stephen instructed: "Here every approach is even dangerous, they are mostly priests from the temple caste, their haughty sense dominates them completely.  But let it be enough here!

We will now go in a different direction, and when we visit the spiritually higher ones here, you will also find that everything around them must be exactly according to their nature, because their inner state is reflected in it.

Dear Saul, it is not without reason that the Lord lets you experience all this.  God's messengers must see clearly, should have clarity in all events, and the spark of God awakened in man, helps them to do so.

Therefore, in the deepest depths, every human being on earth could already experience these worlds in himself.  But he who cannot separate himself from his acquired concepts or those transmitted by the intellect, will never be allowed to experience the grace of seeing the true and eternal spiritual world in his inner world already on earth.

Be aware: The Lord can do everything, but He cannot transform your inner world!  Every human being must carry out this transformation in himself, and only for this purpose, he has received his so completely free will.  Here, in his own spiritual world, each one stands on the ground he has made his own and must nourish himself from what he has acquired as a human being in his activity of love for this eternity."

Paul asked: "But what is in store for all those who would not believe any of these truths?  This disappointment after laying aside the body, must be terrible."

"Only what a man sows, he will reap!" -  answered Stephen.  "But it is not faith that is the condition, but the righteous practice of it.  But called servants of God must be able to recognize these laws, and therefore let now all that you may see here, speak to you!  For it will show you more than I could explain to you!"

Both hurried on and came to vast water.  Paul thought: "Is this the border of a changed world?  But how do we get across this stream?"

Stephen answered immediately: "Yes, we want to cross over, and if we think and want to do this consciously, the Lord will also provide us with advice and the means to do it.  Fear not!  Here, in the kingdom of truth and life, everything is possible for those who not only believe, but also sincerely want it!  We want it! - and behold, a boatman is already coming with a boat, as if he had only been waiting for us."

The boatman waved, and Stephen immediately boarded.  Paul, however, looked at the man for a long time and was affected, he must have known him - but it was like darkness on him, he could not remember. Then he also got into the boat."

The stranger gave Stephen the rudder and said, "Dear friend, I will stay at the helm, then I can land you in the best place."

After a few pushes, they were already at the opposite shore.  Stephen invited the boatman to come along, and the three of them climbed a hill with a wide view.  There, in the distance, they saw a city.  A golden dome towered over all the houses, and Paul wondered: "Before the great wall we also first saw a city, and now you see a city again in the first city, to me this is incomprehensible!"

Stephen instructed him: "If you would look with the eyes of an awakened child of God into all these glories of our eternal Father, nothing would seem incomprehensible to you.  But now your old concept of God still holds you captive, and you are amazed at all the wonders that are revealed to you here!"

The stranger pointed to crowds of people making pilgrimage to the city and said: "Come friends, let us also hasten there to rejoice in their joy!"

The road lead through beautiful, festively decorated streets and ended at the great consecration temple.  In the wide halls, many knelt at the altars of sacrifice and looked prayerfully into the blazing flames.  They felt happy in devotion and listened and waited while a delicate fragrance drifted through the halls.  From several pulpits, priests blessed the crowd and the flames blazed brighter as a sign that their sacrifice was well regarded by God.

After contemplating this kind of service for some time, Paul asked: "What are these worshippers waiting for?  It must be an uplifting feeling to watch these people in their devotion and also to admire the beauties of their temple, but shall we not now go further?"

"Brother" - replied Stephen - "do they not behold the presence of God in these flames of sacrifice rising straight up?  Truly, Abel's sacrifice could not have looked more pure!  In their earthly life, they yearly offered the greatest sacrifice to worship in the house of the Lord - Him!  Here now, in the realm of the spirits, nothing prevents them to devote themselves completely to this contemplation of God's being!  Or did you have a change of faith?"

"Oh Stephen, do not remind me of my wrong ideas about God" - Paul pleaded - "I realize that my life was a complete error until the Lord put an end to it.  It is incomprehensible to me that I have not come to a better knowledge of our great God myself!"

Paul noticed such a melancholy look in the boatman's face and felt a sadness rising in himself, so he asked: "Dear friend, have I made you sad because I did not appreciate these devotions enough?  Oh forgive me!"

"Don't worry" - he said - "Look at all those praying people, they were pious and lived strictly according to the laws of Moses, but they can't easily leave behind their concept of God, which they brought with them from the earthly world, in order to feel called to something much more useful.

That you, Saul, may now see this with your own eyes and experience it with a feeling heart, is a grace that is granted to only a few!"

Paul asked: "Can no-one be found who could pave the way for them to higher knowledge of true life?"

"Oh, thousands of helpers are waiting for these labors of love, but behold, not a moment too soon must they be begun, otherwise harm rather than benefit would be done to their souls.  These here are blissful in their way and just do not yet suspect that bliss has many, many degrees.   You, too, are not yet completely free from your old concepts and will hardly become free from them as long as you do not feel the desire to attain even higher levels of perfection!"

Once again, the three enjoyed the magnificent panoramic view from this spiritual hill, then they returned by boat.  As they were leaving, Paul asked the boatman: "Dear friend, it is only grace that I was allowed to stay in this world; but don't you want to continue to accompany us?  I would like to be with you still."

Stephen urged them to make good use of the little time they had here, and so the three hurried toward the morning.  On a hill, Paul stopped, concerned - he asked: "Friends, do not let me go further - I do not belong there.  It has never occurred to me that there are such beauties.  Only the purest souls can live there!"

"Brother Saul" - replied Stephen - "if you do not want to come with us, then we too must turn back, for we are here only for your sake.  But I think that if the Lord has called me to show you all this, you should not feel unworthy of it, for the Lord certainly has a holy purpose in mind.  But we know: no-one has ever earned heaven with all it's glories; they are always only gifts of our Father's holy love, and are given only to those who have become His children.  So I ask you: may we lead you further?"

"Oh friends, lead me then!  If the old Saul still sometimes prevails in me, remind me that I want to be Paul after all."

"Dear Saul, then come!" - says Stephen - "but you must now let yourself be completely enveloped here by this love that surrounds you all around!  As a true Paul, everything in you must become love!

Look, now we are coming into very beautiful regions, and you will find many a one to whom you have done hard things on earth.  Here, however, everything that hatred once caused, will be repaid with selfless Divine love!  But also consider that this grace, which you will now experience here, shall be a proof for you of what is possible for this pure love!   (and so later, I Cor ch.13 came into being.)

They passed lovely front gardens with colorful flower arbors, and the inhabitants waved lively at them; but greeting them, they hurried quickly past.  Already from a distance they saw a large square with many people.  As they approached, they saw beautiful light figures in white pleated dresses adorned with golden belts.  They were received jubilantly, all wanting to invite Paul into their home.  One young couple pressed the hands of the friend who had come along to their bosom and asked: "May we entertain you with us, with the brother Saul and Stephen?"

"Yes, you may" - the friend replied, holding his finger to his mouth.  Paul noticed this, but he was so deeply moved, that he did not pay any attention to it, because he knew these two, they had to give their lives in a cruel way through his fault, because of their faith!

Then the young man said: "Dear Saul, do not be frightened that we will meet again in this glorious world!  What once happened on earth, served us only for the inner perfection.  And what is happening here now, shall help still many earthly citizens to maturity!  Therefore, the gates of my heart are opened, and the love dwelling in me asks: Come into our hut, so that we can entertain you and your friends in heavenly manner."

Deeply shaken, Paul said: "You are Simon, and your young wife is Naeme.  I would perish to think of the hour when I myself laid hands on you - and now you will entertain me after the heavenly manner?  Oh You holy God!  What are You able to do through the living Spirit of Your love!"

"Come brothers, our hearts burn with joy, because at last our great longing is fulfilled" - said Simon, seizing Saul with his left hand, and his friend with his right, and saying to Naeme: "Do bring the brother Stephen, that our joy may be complete."

In a few minutes, they reached their little house; the flowers were fragrant and tilted their crowns as they walked through the front garden.  At the door, Simon paused and said: "Welcome!  What love can think of, shall make you happy!  May this hour remain unforgettable to us, which brought us the highest revelation of love!"

Paul was amazed at the quiet beauty here; through the windows was a wide view, and in the garden, everything was in bloom and ripening.

Simon had taken a seat at the table with his guests and said: "Today, our grapes have received their full ripeness!  Come, Naeme, and bring us some of it, that we may make our dear guests quite happy!"  Naeme brought in her basket two unusually large grapes, shining like gold, put each on a golden bowl and set them on the table.

Simon now pushed a bowl to his friend and asked Him: "Oh You, Who can see into my innermost being, Your coming makes me the happiest in this world!  And that You bring with You the very One to whom all our prayers belonged, is bliss for our hearts!  I beg you, Friend of my heart, bless these grapes!  You have made me and Naeme happy by Your coming, oh let our gratitude and love make you happy, too.

And you, brother Saul, sitting at the table of a blessed one, never forget this moment, when many look upon us and feel with us the joy of having forgiven and overcome all the grave wrongs once inflicted upon us.  I know that you may stay with us only by special grace of the Lord, but take our love, our blessing with you into your world and strengthen yourself with the fruits of our love from our hearts!"

Said the friend: "Simon, and you Naeme, your home is like a treasury in which the king keeps the finest and best!  My heart is filled with great joy, but it is not enough that we only rejoice, but that we never tire in the work of pleasing others.  Do not forget that as long as there are still unfortunates, erring and apostates - your Father still feels sorrow.

Thus I bless you and these fruits.  Take - and eat of them!  They embody the love of the Son for the Father and cause holy powers to help the poor and the downtrodden!  Amen!"

After Paul had awakened as if from a deep meditation, he tasted a berry, and as he did so, such a pleasant feeling pervaded him, that he happily exclaimed: "Brothers!  If all on earth knew how supremely Divine Love orders all that is wrong in us and then causes it to blossom, when we too, as here, forgive our enemies from the heart!  If we learn to bless those who curse us, and try to teach them about their mistaken ideas, truly, soon all hard hearts would melt with the longing: to create such heaven already on earth!"

Said Stephen: "You are right, but the world has it's own lord!  And as long as people do not want to acknowledge the holy God as the only Lord also over their worlds, it cannot become better with them!"

Naeme stood up and said: "Dear Saul, I still have a beautiful bunch of grapes from another vine; long ago I tended them with special joy for you, I will bring them to you now!"

And Naeme came in again with a wonderful bunch of grapes, saying: "Brother Saul, into your hands I place this fruit, which forgiving love has secretly ripened for you!  I am so happy to be able to give it to you now, because I asked it directly from our holy Father for you.  Take it - it is yours!"

Shaken by this simple act of her heart, Paul fell on his knees and confessed aloud: "Oh God!  You love without measure!  You Father of all blessedness!  By what will I ever be able to pay You my thanks?  Now You have overpowered my inmost being!  Let me go back to earth, that I may devote all my activity to this Your love!"

And then he asked those present: "Now you also eat of these berries, you Naeme, that you may taste for yourself how much you have given me with them; you, dear friend, because you have come here with us; you Stephen, because you have taken on the task of leading me here; and you Simon, because your heart held open for me the gate into your beautiful inner world."

Devoutly, they all tasted of this grape of Naeme.  At this, Paul suddenly became so inwardly enlightened that he happily exclaimed: "Oh friends, only now do I begin to realize that You, dear friend, - are the Lord Jesus Christ Himself!  Who in such a mighty way snatched me back from the path of destruction!"

Said the Friend: "As long as only your recognition holds Me for Him, you will not remain free of doubts.  Only when you are convinced in the depths of your being that you have met Him! - your heart will feel true joy and full certainty!

For only what the heart can hold as the highest sanctuary, is yours forever - and never can the enemy of life lay claim to it.  But what you have taken up only in your intellect and in your knowledge, can slip away from you again over time.  If only your intellect considers Me to be your Savior and Redeemer, it is still a long way to reach the world of your heart.  You will have to reckon with many adversities until you have completely convinced yourself, because your faith in understanding will have to be tested until the last breath of your life on earth!

Look at these two radiant brothers and their sister, they are imbued with the spirit of blessed certainty.  Their Father is the first and last thought, what lies in between is true, living knowledge that without Him, they can do nothing, but with Him and through Him, they are everything in everything.  The privilege of true children consists precisely in this, that they stand above all law, and let that glorious Spirit work and rule in them, which fulfills all law and makes true, pure love the source of all existence and life."

"And now I will depart!  If your hearts burn with longing for Me - I will gladly come again!

You, Naeme, have offered Me today the ripe heavenly fruit of forgiving, victorious love!  You, Stephen, know your way, and so continue to carry out My will.  But to you, My Saul, I give My special blessing!  May it give you strength for your work, comfort in your heart and light in the days when it will become dark around you."

As He left, Naeme snuggled up to her Friend and escorted Him out.  Saul still heard her say to the departing man: "Father!  Today You have put us to a severe test, since we have not been able to receive You properly according to our love.  Come again quite soon!"

Then Stephen said: "Saul! - Saul! - become fully Paul, that you may experience in yourself all the glorious promises, and that the holy God and Father may see fulfilled all the hopes He has placed in you!  We do not need to say goodbye, because you also live in our world, and we take great part in your work for the Lord.  So now awake again in your earthly life, but this recollection shall remain with you through the Lord's love and mercy!  Amen!"

Jesus – our example

Paul awoke.  He looked around - everything was dark, only the stars spread a weak light.  Now he saw the dog nestling close to him, and as if remembering, he said: "A wonderful dream - I almost have to believe, it was so real!  Should Jesus, the great Savior, have truly appeared to me?  This resemblance!  Only the eyes looked at me much milder."

And then Naeme stood before him with the vine.  Her words: "Take it, it is yours, since forgiving love made it ripe for you!" - resounded again and again in his heart.

A strange sadness, however, came over him, when once again the words came alive in him, which the dear Friend said to him: "If your mind considers Me only for the Savior and Redeemer, then it is still a long way - to your heart-world!"

Once again he let all the incidents pass before him and thought: "The inner world remains a mystery to me.  Stephen cannot separate from me, because I live - in his world?  That is dark to me.  I must speak with Lazarus about it" - he decided - "and seek clarity, otherwise doubts come to me again and again."

Slowly all life around awoke and he looked at his surroundings as if with different eyes.  Then he saw Lazarus coming, who made his morning round.  Paul walked up to him, greeted and asked: "May I accompany you?" Lazarus answered gladly: "So then, experience with me early in the day how glorious it is to be only servants of Eternal Love!"

Thus they strode by the stables and into the servants' house where in the kitchens the women were already active to prepare the early meal for the many inhabitants of Bethany.  Lazarus explained to the listening Paul: "Here I come most gladly, because it is to me a lovely correspondence, how industrious women's hands work, in order to strengthen the creating properly.  So also with the heavenly Father.  In His kitchen, where everything is active, everything is set to make us capable, but also nothing is missing!  It is as if Eternal Love had given instructions to take into account every heart, so that it becomes firm and capable!"

Lazarus stayed longer than usual with the women, who were very happy about the visit.  His instructions were not like orders, but only like advice, and Paul became aware only through this, which spirit was taken into account in Bethany.

After the morning meal in the large living room, Paul said: "Brother, I feel as if everyone is more joyful and hearty today, yes, as if a whole new spirit has filled me, because I have experienced quite incredible things this night, which actually belong to the realm of dreams."

Said Lazarus: "This is perhaps now your opinion, in reality it was nevertheless a rare experience, even if only as if a dream, however they are facts, which remain.  Only one must be able to believe it, and want to believe, then the Divine guidance has reached it's purpose.

The quiet working and labor of Eternal Love at our completion, never ceases.  It is like that of the day-mother in the sky.  All souls, even the most distant from God, are illuminated by her, day after day, on and on, for all eternity, because Divine Love is the condition for the preservation of everything that has been created.

Behold, the Lord has instructed us about all things and left us in the dark about nothing.  He will also instruct you in the same way and perhaps even more deeply, but you must believe His holy guidance!  You believe in Jesus now, since you have been convinced of His light-filled Being and life.  But it is much easier for us, who have recognized the Master so truly, to understand Him in His Divine intentions with all mankind.  For you are well convinced of His existence, but we of His love-life living in Him!"

Paul replied: "But brother, I would like to understand this, but there is something in me that wants to prevent me from doing so!  Therefore, allow me to ask you - it is not curiosity: You had already died once and thus had been carried away into a completely different world.  Are you still aware of all details there and do you consider it possible that I, too, was led into a completely different world this night, similar to you?  I have no-one besides you, whom I would like to ask about it, because you must have been in reality somewhere, when your body lay in the grave."

"Brother Paul - you ask a lot" - said Lazarus - "and yet it can be said in a few words.  What lay in the grave?  Only the flesh-cover, which gave dwelling to my spirit- and soul-man.  The process of dying is only a laying aside of this heavy cover, but at the same time a drawing into the own, inner world, which every man can and should develop in himself by the activity of his own love-strivings.

An evil man, when he ceases to be a man and begins to become a spirit, can find in his inner world no other products than those which was sowed by his egoistic self-love.  A good man, however, can already get an idea in a small way what kind of life awaits him.  There is no measure on earth of such accuracy as the one according to which everyone is measured on the other side, depending on his love-activity.

Certainly, I can still remember vividly where I stayed at that time in wonderfully beautiful places - and yet was called back again for further service on this earth.  But, dear Paul, I did not consecrate my life to the Lord because I am convinced of His Divinity, but because His death and resurrection transmitted to me a completely new victorious Spirit, which wants to make me a true child of God.

You yourself, as a Pharisee, must admit that the morals you preached were good, but your example was all the worse!  Jesus, however, did not bring us morals, but revealed to us a life permeated by the true Divinity as an example.  In Jesus of Nazareth, everything was a revelation of His inner life.  Be it His teaching, be it His work, be it His miracles or His devotion to His brothers, everything was exemplary, and will remain exemplary as long as the earth bears human beings.

Therefore, it is our sacred task to place His Word and His life like a lampstand on an elevated level, so that it may shine before us all as an example: It may remain a signpost for us on the narrow way inward and open up for us the secret gate into our own inner world, so that Jesus may become the Lord and the King, the Priest and the Prophet in it, and finally reveal Himself to us as the most glorious, the Father of all!"

Paul replied: "Brother, I believe you.  After the Lord let me experience so many things from the delightful inner world of mankind this night, He will also show me the grace to fill me with power and light, in order to complete the task assigned to me for His work - in the right way.  Let me still be silent until all thinking in me is organized, then you shall experience my wonderful guidance."

"So be it, brother Paul" - Lazarus spoke firmly - "only when you feel completely free and as if carried by a beatific spirit, then you may speak of the proofs of His love and grace which have now completely filled your heart!"

Demetrius and Ursus now began to be more active, for they were preparing for the journey home to Rome.  Caravans of valuable goods had arrived, and at all meetings, Jonah was called in to prove his ability to manage a business house in Damascus.

In Pura, invisible to everyone else, a great miracle was taking place.  She had already embraced something of the new life of her God-spark, and Mother Mary became for her the model of a helper who could bring not only comfort, but also real help to all who were suffering.  For this purpose, the new home was quite welcome to her.  She still spoke of it to no-one but her Savior, and in the hours when she was alone with her child, she held long conversations with Jesus.

The day of departure was set and a great consecration-feast was to form the conclusion.  For Ursus, duty was the highest form of worship, and when all business was finally settled down to the smallest detail, he wanted to spend the last three days completely in devotion to everyone.  He knew that once he returned to Rome, a trip to Judea would not be so easy.  So, the day before the feast, he had the chariot hitched and asked Paul to ride with him to Jerusalem - "we can be back in a few hours."

"That is very dear to me, you faithful brother," Paul replied: "with you I am in less danger, for Jerusalem is now hot ground for me!"

“Oh Brother, why do you smell danger?" - asked Ursus on the way - "it is only humans you are afraid of, and of humans, I have never been afraid!  Are you, firmly united with the Master, not more powerful than all who want to harm you?  See, your fear is weakness, and it must be overcome in you!

As long as we are still afraid of people, they are our enemies.  But when the consciousness comes alive in you: no-one can harm you, no-one can cause you pain, if Eternal Love in God does not will it, then these people in your inner world are only poor, lost people in need of help, and all their evil intentions against you become ineffective before they can execute them."

Paul considered this instruction seriously and then said: "Ursus, you have given a mighty blow to my weakness, and therefore I still have to think about it.  You say: He who is united with the Master, is more powerful than all who want to harm us!  I believed and hoped to be completely one with the Master, this was proven by the merciful guidance and the deeds that I could already work through Him.  But at the same time, this foolish fear of the hatred of the Templars is now coming up in me.  There my faith receives a tremendous blow.  Am I mistaken or are you mistaken?"

Ursus answered: "It is good that you talk to me again about this matter, for nothing is worse than when such a thought is not clarified, and disciples of Jesus must think very clearly in all things.  You and I are different in character and in our whole nature.

You, above all, still cling to your former faith in the Law of Moses, and consequently you take the promises of the prophets almost literally, while I am quite free from them.  You learned to believe in His only begotten Son besides your God, and therein perhaps lies the cause of your inner discord.  With me, it is different.

The essence of Jesus Christ has permeated every fiber of my being in such a way that I could not find my way without His Spirit, without His power.  I am filled with the consciousness that my life would be completely worthless without Jesus.  But if this Jesus of ours would remain only the Son of God, then our brother Jesus would also have to go to God in great, decisive things, asking for help, as we also have to do as true children of God!

But now the miracle has taken place in me: The Son has merged with the eternal Father, and is, like fire and heat - one!  And, brother Paul, I tell you: in the whole of infinity, no other God will be able to reveal Himself than Jesus Christ!

Although He was man and wore earthly flesh, yet in His innermost being, He remained God.  If He had been begotten by a man, you would be absolutely right!  But thus His becoming human is the same miracle as He could become everything in me.  The miracle of His great love for us human beings, is the most incomprehensible!

For your sake, dear Paul, I said this, and who urged me to do so?  It is Jesus in me.  It is Jesus - the Father of all of us!  Without Him, I am nothing, but with Him, I am everything.

Paul confessed: "To all your words, dear Ursus, I can only say: I wish it would be the same with me!  Only now can I explain to myself why I could not immediately recognize Jesus in a dream the night before and why I did not understand His words: ‘He who has only grasped Jesus in his mind, still has a long way to go to reach the world of his heart!’”

"Be of good cheer" - replied Ursus - "the Lord sees through your inner being and sees your will and desire!  He still gives you as much strength as is necessary and as much wisdom to further His work in all things and your tasks in it.

He cannot give you only love, because man is supposed to offer it to Him.  According to the measure of your love, His I grows in you.  But as much as He has grown in you, you must consequently have taken away from your own self.  We don't want to talk about this any further, because every child of God must find out for himself how he wants to adjust himself to the glorious Father-love."

Ursus was silent - and Paul had to conclude: "This Roman thinks like Simon and Naeme" - and again all the experiences in the dream came to life.

They soon arrived in front of Mary's house.  Paul entered, Ursus first went to the Roman captain Benno for a short visit.  Paul had noticed that Mary was already prepared to leave and asked: "How did you know we were coming to get you?"

Smiling, Mary said: "Dear brother, don't be surprised, because the inner spark illuminates us faster than lightning also about the processes in the outer world.  Of course, he who first wants to understand everything with his intellect, can only feel a little of the blowing of the Spirit-spark in himself!

Only those who already live in themselves, in the true world of God, will often be informed about the thoughts of other people.  But this is not a fruit of mere faith, but the full unification of the God-spark dwelling in us, with the fire of the eternal primordial Spirit!

Become completely love!  Then you will be able to experience such miracles every day, but they are only the natural consequence of God's life stirring in you.

To make this even clearer to you, I tell you: Last night you passed by many blisses, and that is why today you consider all that you have experienced only as a dream.  In general, I want to tell you: Every process, whether by day or by night, is a language that only the awakened heart can understand.  Place yourself on the ground of pure, true childlike love for the holy Father, and you will see wonders never imagined!"

Then Ursus came and took them to Bethany.  On the way, Mary told them about the events of grace that the brothers experienced daily, and Ursus was also a silent listener.

In the evening, John came with some of the disciples, and after supper, Lazarus asked Paul to tell them something of his marvelous grace-guiding during the night, to which Paul was gladly willing.  Full of devotion, all listened and experienced with him the blessedness of Naeme's forgiving love.

The next morning, David sang the morning prayer with Salome in especially jubilant joy, because Lazarus had invited both of them to go with the caravan of Demetrius to New Bethany, where Theophilus was already working as a minister of God.

After the morning meal already, the captain Benno appeared with his wife Verona and his sub-leader Herminius; and as always, one saw heartfelt joy and beaming faces.

Lazarus asked Paul to join these Romans: "There is a special task for you there, for these also did not know the Master in His earthly life."

Verona went with Mary to the sisters of Lazarus and then to Pura, Miriam and Ruth.  The men had engaged in a serious conversation about the new victorious Spirit that had come to them from the Risen One, and Herminius, who had become an earnest seeker of God, listened very attentively.

Then the talk came to the origin of man and the high intentions of God with mankind and Ursus explained: "Certainly all recollection is extinguished, but with the degree of maturity, where man recognizes himself and enters into inner connection with his eternal Creator, the awakening spark of God comes to the aid of our consciousness and reveals to us things that seem almost fantastical.

With these revelations from our previous world, come - of course - also revelations for our future mission, and only through this, does our earthly life receive it's exceeding value.  Man now knows why and for what purpose he lives here.  It becomes light in him, and he begins to order his thought-world and to transform it into an inner world, which becomes completely his property, since it has arisen from the product of his love-inclinations.

If God lives in you, even if only according to your narrow concepts, He will never be able to approach you in any other way than according to these very ideas of yours.  Behold, this is the whole mystery presented in a few words, and yet for most people their life on earth is not enough to grasp it and to adjust themselves to it.  Believe, if you are able to believe.  If you cannot, wait quietly for the time when the Lord will show you the right maturity for it."

Paul went over to Ursus and said: "I thank you, my brother!  Your words were addressed to me especially - with one stroke, you swept away every doubt.  Now I see clearly!  I see my tasks with different eyes and can calmly abandon myself to the work of the redeeming love of the Savior.  Ursus, I realize that the more we search for words, the further we move away from His life in us.  But if I become completely quiet in myself, then He will be the Lord in my house!"

The tables were covered, and Lazarus invited all to the common noon meal.  The guests conversed casually, and David and Salome created the consecration mood by harp and song.

At the end, Lazarus spoke: "Today we are all loaded by the love of our brother Demetrius.  His heart felt the need to spend some more beautiful hours with us, which should remind of nothing but heavenly things.  Soon the Roman friends will come from Jerusalem, and I ask everyone: Just as our glorious Master was equally good and loving to all people, so shall we be!

Demetrius, you our faithful brother, rejoice in this: your guests are also our guests, and your friends shall also be our friends.  On this evening, may a light of the love shining in us, penetrate out into other spheres and give the message: The great Lord and Savior is our light and love-life."

After that, everyone went to the beautiful gardens full of grateful joy.  Only Ruth had become somewhat anxious and confessed to her Ursus: "If only this day were over!  As a hostess, should I welcome the strange guests?  Ursus, do you know what it means: Here - I was a child, now I am to appear like a mistress - with dignity?  Spare me this task, I am not capable of it!"

"But Ruth" - exclaimed Ursus earnestly - "are you not the wife of a Roman and the daughter of the merchant Demetrius?  You don't want to sadden father when he invites his friends to his farewell party today.  You have your parents, you have Lazarus and Mary around you, all are there to support you.  And, my Ruth, remember: also towards the world - you must fulfill your duties!

Remain simple and plain and be aware that it is much better to build bridges to the hearts of strangers than to withdraw from them!  Lazarus wants to form this celebration consecratingly.  But this can be possible only if all hearts are attuned to it.

Do not worry, before our guests, friends and brothers and sisters, you are a hostess today - but before our loving Jesus-Father, you are and remain a child!"

Mary also smiled for the sake of this worry, she said: "Oh child, one day you must begin to be a representative, because children of God here on earth are to become representatives of God!

Be aware of your dignity as a child of God, so that you too may receive a permanent place in the hearts of your friends!  After all, we are still in Bethany, where everyone joyfully professes to be a glorious community of God."

Already the first guests arrived, merchants with their wives in festive costumes, and more and more wagons arrived.

Demetrius and Ursus, as well as Ruth, welcomed them and introduced the strangers to the members of the house.  Servants brought refreshments and led the guests into the shady gardens and plantations.

The center of their interest, however, remained Ruth.  She suddenly overcame all her shyness.  Her dignity and delicate beauty evoked admiration; and yet she herself was full of joy and cheerfulness, so that Enos and Miriam were silently amazed at their young daughter.

Lazarus was Demetrius' support and the soul of the whole feast.  Nothing escaped his eyes, for it was necessary to raise the status of the Christians before the Romans and at the same time to do full justice to hospitality.  In the great hall, the feast was being prepared.  Demetrius himself marvelled at the riches of Lazarus and said: "Oh brother Lazarus, I admire this splendour!  Whence then came this profusion of gold and silver vessels?"

"Be without worry" - Lazarus replied - "all this does not belong to me, but to the Lord, who once presented it to me for proper use.  Only on the most festive occasions, entirely for the sake of love, do I have the chests opened and this brought to the tables.  With this procedure, however, I now also make the Lord the host, and I am only His faithful servant.

Oh Demetrius, if we both now together acknowledge the Lord as our Host and make use of His offer of delicious treasures, then part of our mission is accomplished, and we bring joy to His Father's heart."

Toward evening, Lazarus said: "Now, dear Demetrius, call your guests and lead them to the dining room - everything is ready."

When all were assembled and waiting for their places, Demetrius told them: "My friends, here in Bethany there is no order of rank; please, consider yourselves as brothers and take your seats according to your choice."

The strangers were surprised, but they knew Demetrius and Ursus and always respected their often peculiar views; and when Ursus and Ruth had already taken their places in the middle of the hall, they too sat down.

All were quietly amazed at the splendour that had been displayed.  Golden candlesticks burned on all the tables, golden dishes, smaller and larger golden cups and silver jugs sparkled in the candlelight.

Demetrius rose, looked kindly at all present and said: "My friends!  I have asked you to be my guests today in the house where I myself am only a guest.  You have come and have given me a real pleasure.  This party is to be a farewell celebration and have the purpose to keep all of us in lasting memory.  In two days, we will already be on our way to our homeland, to Rome - and who knows if and when we will meet again on earth.

You all know that I and mine have found a great, real happiness for our souls here in Judea, and this we owe to the great Nazarene Jesus, whom you almost all know by name.  He no longer lives as a man in our ranks, but in our hearts, He is a living personality.  Therefore, I do not want to begin this meal without remembering Him, indeed without His spiritual presence and His Divine blessing.  I ask you, therefore, to rise from your seats so that I may invoke His blessing and His presence!"

Everyone had stood up - then Demetrius prayed: "Oh Jesus, Lord and Father of all people!  In Your Spirit and in Your love I have invited my friends here for a farewell celebration.  But You make our meal a love-meal and our get-together a holy feast!  So we ask You: oh come, and be our dearest guest, and bless with Your love all our hearts and all gifts for the sake of Your great work! Amen! … I thank you all, my friends, and now strengthen yourselves with what our love has prepared for you."

They sat down.  The servants silently handed out the food; bread and wine were already on the tables, and so everyone gladly helped themselves.  But looking at each other in amazement, they confessed: "Oh, what a delicious taste!  We have never eaten anything so delicious!"

Now Ursus rose from his seat, took a filled cup in his hand and began: "My friends, brothers and sisters, our love has invited you to this feast, which He Who is 'Eternal Love', consecrates to us!  I feel the need to announce this to you and to ask you to drink with me of this wine especially blessed by our Divine Father.  Therefore, in your hearts, agree with me when I say: ‘Oh kind and holy Father of all the human children!  Yours is the love, yours is all the power and the glory, which we receive by Your grace now and forever.  So let us all drink of this wine, blessed by Your love, with the desire that the tender bond which Your Fatherly love weaves around us - may become an enduring one!  Amen!’"

The foreign guests were touched, but did according to his wish and immediately felt so elated by the delicious drink, that a silent desire arose in all of them to enjoy still more of this gift of the gods!  Then a Roman, a giant in stature, rose, but in his voice there was a wonderful sound as he said: "My friend Demetrius - and you my dear Ursus, I must make a confession before you and do not hesitate to do so before these your friends and guests.  I know you as capable merchants, but I have sometimes regretted you and also expressed: Oh these love-dreamers - what disappointments they will still experience!

Today I must ask your forgiveness, today you have defeated these opinions of mine.  What your words could not do, this meal has achieved, especially this wine.  I know every wine - but this one not yet!  That is why I now believe in both of you and therefore I must also believe in the One who made this wine grow for you.  And I gladly confess: Yes, with such a Father - one must be able to feel well as a child!  As a sign that you have forgiven me everything, I ask you both, drink with me, you dear and yet so rare people, from my cup!"

Demetrius rose and answered happily: "Dear Benito!  How gladly we grant you such a wish!  But we would still like to invite our brother Lazarus to this fraternization of ours, for he is, after all, the guardian and lord of Bethany, and the perfect expression of our Master Jesus' will!  Come, dear Lazarus, and make this covenant with us for the sake of heavenly love!"

Lazarus came, bringing with him a great golden cup, filled to the brim, and said: "As we will now drink from this cup, to enjoy the goodness of this blessed wine, so will we be and remain one in love with our good Father!  Therefore, oh Lord, bless this drink still more especially, and likewise this our covenant!"

Lazarus drank and handed the cup to the Roman; he sipped slowly and with devotion from this precious wine - handed it to Demetrius and this then to Ursus.  When Ursus gave the cup back to Lazarus, he said: "My brothers!  We have made a covenant which shall be valid for eternity.  But to you, my new brother Benito, I give this cup in memory of this hour.  As often as you drink from this cup in grateful remembrance of the great giver Jesus, you shall again feel this heavenly taste!"

Quite surprised, the Roman asked: "Oh my brothers!  To what do I owe this exceedingly precious gift?  For this cup is a masterpiece, truly, I have not seen anything like it."

Answered him Lazarus: "Brother Benito!  May this gold cup mean to you a visible gift of heavenly love, which prompted me when you confessed your low esteem for us followers of Jesus and have now publicly transformed it into high esteem for our faith in the power of Divine Love.  In doing so, you honored us and the love of our God."

Benito looked at the heavy, golden cup silently and attentively, and asked after a while: "What do these engravings mean?"

Then Lazarus explained: "I will indicate it to you very briefly - if you have time, you will find still much more in it.  Here this section shows the creation of the first man, and how he lives happily with his wife in harmony with all created things in the Garden of Eden.

The next section shows the man in the fight with his brothers, and how he loses thereby his highest, his God-likeness.  Here this section shows the "becoming man" of God, where animals become the witness and angels heralds to simple shepherds, because of this extraordinarily big world event!

The last section shows the crucifixion', as a work of hate, and then, the resurrection' of Jesus as Divine Master!  So a history of mankind in it's becoming, it's falling away from God in error and delusion, and it's redemption by the power of Jesus-love.

Do not thank us, but may your thanks become a service to your human brothers!  Do not ask about the artist, because if God has created this earth, sun, moon and all the starry worlds, He will be able to give existence to this seven-pound cup.  Now it is yours!  Keep it in faithful remembrance of Jesus, and use it in the service of His love!"

The strong Roman was shaken - at last he said aloud: "I thank You, You Master Jesus abiding here in Spirit!  Allow also me to get to know You, that I may prove worthy of Your wonderful gift."

This scene was witnessed by all present, and all would now like to take a closer look at this cup as well.

Benito wanted to let all drink from this cup, but asked Lazarus first.  The latter answered him: "What could prevent you from doing so?  Is there not wine enough to please everyone?  For us in Bethany, there is no greater activity of joy than to make our fellow men happy."

So Benito has the cup filled and speaks to everyone: "Dear friends! - I almost want to say: Dear brothers! In honor of the Lord and Master Jesus, all of you drink from this cup, so that your hearts may also learn to rejoice in all that is given to us by Him! To Him be glory and praise!"

So everyone drank from it - the mood became more and more uplifted, and the guests talked in groups about this Divine Master Jesus.  Benito had learned that the Mother of Jesus was present here, and asked to be allowed to meet her, so that he could get an idea of her Son.

Mary, however, said kindly: "Dear friend - and now in His Spirit - also brother!  Look here at these brothers, they completely embody His nature.  You can converse with each one and each one will give you what Jesus would give you.

See, you have expressed the desire to get to know Him better.  But with Jesus it is a different matter, because I do not get to know him - when I let myself be instructed by Him, His being, His doing and working, but when I make His great will, His holy work, my cause - and his Holy Spirit open my heart and my inner world.”

Benito tried to absorb everything, as new as it seemed to him, then he asked: "Mary, would you also speak of Jesus in this way if He had not been your son?

Mary answered: "The fact that I was allowed to be His mother here will probably only be fully explained in eternity, but it has nothing whatsoever to do with my testimony for Him.

With His resurrection, a completely different relationship has come about between me and Him, because from that hour on - I was no longer His mother, but child, like you!  I have to take every opportunity not to be distracted, but to stay in contact with Him through His language in the innermost chamber of my heart.

And everyone who gladly and voluntarily fulfills the conditions for this: ‘Love God above all and your neighbor as yourself!’ - will soon enter into a closer relationship with Him.  For God can dwell and work only where the world of the heart is opened to Him.

Benito said seriously: "Your testimony of Jesus is completely enough for me, dear Mary.  And when people like Demetrius and Lazarus put their fortune and their lives at His service, and do not feel poorer, but visibly happier and more joyful, I now know what to answer His enemies."

Lazarus brought him now the cup back.  Benito asked still some questions about it's origin, and thus Lazarus said: "How long this cup already lies in the chests with the other gold dishes, I cannot say.  Yes it seems to me as if I had it today for the first time in my hands.  With the great gifts of grace from the Lord or His angels, one is not eager to look at every object properly either; for often angels have arranged everything for the meal in an instant.    Today, as I was looking at the cup, the Lord said in me: ‘If your heart urges you to give a proof of My love, this cup will be the right one.’  Behold, thus I did according to the commandment of the Lord, who lives in me, and to whom I give thanks for all things."

"Lazarus, you must tell me more about this!  But not today, I'll bring you to my house one day to hear about your Jesus and your experiences with Him in the presence of my family and some friends."

"We are happy to do this, Brother Benito, because every such request is like a call from God to me!  But when you have entered into the right conversation about Jesus with the Mother Mary and the brothers, perhaps everything else will become unnecessary.

See, here with us, science and art are not cultivated, here no-one is more and no-one less, but we all strive to give to everyone what Eternal Love holds in constant readiness for him.  In this effort, the Lord never leaves us alone, and His word: 'Behold, I am with you always' - has so far always been true.  But now our singer comes and also wants to testify of his love for God before all!"

David had prepared his harp, and his hands sounded such pure notes from it that all were silent.  Loudly the strings rejoiced - and he sang to his playing a hymn of praise to the great love of God for all the human children.  Then he concluded: "Therefore, friends, I would ask you with all my heart, do not forget the hour when you tarried with the Lord!  He passed through our ranks when the cup was given to us to drink.  Hallelujah – Amen."

Thanks were given to him from all sides.  David, however, said: "The singing in my heart continued ever since I experienced the love of our Lord."

Now some of the Roman guests asked for another song - he gave a hint to his daughter, and both sang Psalm 23: The Lord - is my shepherd - in their glorious way.  If at first the many guests were amazed at the beautiful voices, now they were touched by the Divine breath, and their hearts were prepared for a word from on high.

Demetrius announced that the disciple John wanted to speak to everyone from the Spirit of love of God, which David had just sung about, and John began: "Sisters, brothers, and dear friends!  Love invited us to this feast and we came gladly.  Therefore it was not only an earthly pleasure that we got to know each other here in Bethany, but it was the high intention of God to unite all our hearts with a tender bond of love.  None of you remained without instruction about the Divine, and there is also no-one among us whom God has not already met!

But most of us will have hardly paid attention to this and perhaps not paid enough attention to the Divine guidance.  God, however, as the eternal Father-love, does not resent because of this, but always looks for new means to be able to reveal Himself in His infinite love-intentions to all human children!

Today, a new proof of His great love is given to all of us, but even today some would carelessly pass by these tender vibrations of his soul, if His children had not so lovingly reminded you of them!

Oh my friends and brothers!  If ever a man should find himself in the greatest distance from God, even in the deepest mud of sin - even there His merciful Love-Spirit hastens and waits for the voluntary conversion of the erring ones!

The Lord may have departed from us in His person, but His Holy Spirit has remained with us, and is the key to all heavens, to all bliss!

This Holy Spirit, if He is allowed to enter into a soul, causes the acquittal from all wrong and perverse!  And this His Spirit is at the same time the driving force, which admonishes and urges to fulfill only His holy will: ‘Love God - above all!  But love your neighbor as yourself’.

If we do this, then the conditions are fulfilled, and our eternal God and Father can dwell with us and distribute the gifts of His love and blessings to us, according to the measure of our love.  Therefore, all of you rejoice because of His love for us, and truly love one another, for He first loved us!  His holy peace - be with you all!  Amen!"

Deep silence fell over those gathered.  Quietly, David sang another short psalm as a conclusion, and then Demetrius closed this celebration: "Friends, soon we will leave this land, where we were allowed to experience the greatest grace of God, to get to know the eternally kind Lord and Father of all people in the Master Jesus Christ.

Thus, all of you, my guests, have today received a foretaste of what is prepared for all those who go on pilgrimage with this Father through their earthly life, and who want to become bearers of His Spirit of heavenly love and faithful keepers of His holy Word.

So now I say to you with a glad heart: There, in eternity, we will surely meet again, and there we will experience what we have sown here!  Keep a faithful memory of me and my children in your hearts, as we will keep it of you!  Everything else, the Lord will arrange in His infinite love and mercy for us!

But you, Lord and Father in Jesus Christ, remain with us always!  Let Your eyes shine upon us, and Your grace be to us always the gift of Your love!  Amen."

Lazarus let still fruits, wine and bread be served.  The spirit of brotherly love had found it's way into all hearts, and this inner elation was reflected on all faces.  What took place in the early morning hours at the farewell, became an unforgettable heart-experience for all - because it became a loyalty vow for time and eternity!

Farewell to Bethany

The next day, Lazarus had still another last conversation with the old Enos and his wife Miriam: "You my friends!  It is only love and care, if I make you once again the suggestion: Use the good opportunity and go with the caravan of Ursus to your children to New Bethany!  Remember, your daughter Ruth is going to Rome with her husband, Jonah and Pura are going to Damascus, Salome and David are not coming back, and your son Theophilus is already administering his office in New Bethany.  Consider that you would feel very lonely here and would mourn for those who have to leave now.

Dear Enos, the Spirit urges me to ask you: "Move with Me there!"  Do not say that you have grown old and tired.  The life of the Lord in us is sustenance and strengthening.  For the sake of the great work, I ask you to agree, because you have become a real support for the Lord, in whom He still has great hope!  There your life will receive a new content and you will get over the separation from Ruth more easily.”

To these urgent requests, Enos answered at last: "Dear Lazarus!  In the last days I have also thought a lot about how lonely it will be here for us, and so I think it will be the right thing if we follow your advice and take leave here.  And Miriam will also agree with my opinion."

"Oh brother Enos and dear mother Miriam" - said Lazarus delightedly - "you will still be missed by me, for you have become dear to me and mine.  But it is not about us, but about the Lord's cause!  Here, care is taken of the pastoral care for the brothers and sisters.  Even if many are added, there is always opportunity for all to be saturated with spiritual strength.

But there in New Bethany, especially in the orphanage, Mother Elisa still needs a lot of help in the proper education of the children in our spirit of helping love.  Your work will bring you much joy, and you will gather grateful hearts around you, that is my conviction already today!

So I will talk with Demetrius and Ursus about it and arrange everything for your relocation today.  In the meantime, you will visit the old and the young here once again.

This day passed very quickly.  A farewell mood lay over all hearts, and yet many things still had to be thought of if the journey was to go smoothly.  And so it became evening.

From Jerusalem came a squad of Roman soldiers under the leadership of Herminius, who commanded.  Captain Benito considered it his duty to safely escort his Roman friends with their large wagon procession, because he did not trust the Templars!  Lazarus felt much lighter in heart and silently thanked the Lord for His kind provision.

The bell called for dinner - and the farewell feast.  The tables were decorated as they had been for yesterday's feast.  This last service of their get-together was consecrated by John, who blessed the departing ones once again: "Be faithful, so that the world may not rob you of what the Lord has given you as a new life!

You, brother Enos, and you, dear Miriam, it has already become evening for you, but the Lord's love and power is your part.  Your former worldly concepts of a servant of God have now become apparent to you, dear Enos - through the entreating love of our Master - as very wrong, therefore give back to the erring world out of your present life with God, so that it may learn how to serve God in truth!

Give of this light to all who may come to you, and much blessing shall come forth from your doings!  May your love be like a cool dew, refreshing all that is weary and dull, to new life."

"You, brother Demetrius and Ursus, your longing is realized.  It looks as if love is showering you with it's gifts, and yet I say to you: great and serious are your tasks which you still have to fulfill in Rome!

Here we all know the Lord, the Master and loving Father, but there, where you will now live, people shall first get to know Him through you.  Do not be afraid of these holy duties, because the Lord will be the Alpha and the Omega also there!  The Guide and Leader and also the Perfecter.

A new life shall arise!  A new generation shall be filled with the spirit from the heavens!  Therefore faithfulness - for faithfulness!  Love - for love!  And the richest blessing will crown your work, for the salvation of you all!  And you, Ruth, are commissioned to watch over this Spirit of love, because you have asked for this task."

"My Jonah, and you, Pura!  A life full of new tasks now lies before you!  You have experienced the miracle-working power of love.  Oh remember that there are still many erring human children, to whom you shall become a guide and support!

I also call to you: Remain faithful to Him!  Do not stray from the way of helping love, then you are safe for time and eternity with the Lord as your kind Father!

"You, brother David, and you, my Salome, like a spring flow from you the highest good of love, to make all souls happy and enliven them.  Remain always in this lovely activity and in His holy service!  You have made many a poor heart rich.  You have been sad, and yet you have made so many happy!  Do likewise henceforth, and love and cherish every new life!

"To you, brother Paul, I say: whoever, like you, has experienced the great mercy and love of the Lord in such a special way, can only know the one task of revealing to all people the great truth about God's redeeming love-intentions!  According to the measure of your love for all souls, power will flow to you!  According to the degree of your full devotion to God, light and clarity!  May His Holy Spirit fill your whole being, so that your outer life as well as your inner world, may embody only Jesus Christ!  The Lord's blessing - and His holy peace be with you all!  Amen!"

It was completely quiet among the assembled - then John still asked: "Brother Lazarus, now you say the blessing! - You, as the father of the house, stand among us as the representative of His whole Being!  And your word shall be -as the Lord Himself blesses us all!"

Lazarus rose - prayed within - then he spread his arms and said: "’The Lord bless you and keep you!  The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you!  The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you His Peace!’  Amen! - Amen! - Amen!"

Early the next day, when the morning meal had been prepared, everyone was uniting once again in the large living room, and Lazarus was about to say the blessing, when Captain Benito came riding into the yard.  He looked out for his riders of yesterday, who were busy with their horses behind in the stables, then he dismounted and entered the house.

Lazarus and Ursus greeted him warmly and invited him to partake of their morning meal, which was taken almost silently; for this hour of separation was more difficult than anyone had thought.

Benito said to Lazarus: "Dear friend, I wanted to see you all again - and then I have brought some very reliable people with me, whom I would like to leave here while you are away from here, because I do not trust the Templars, because they know that Paul is staying here with you."

"Brother" - said Lazarus, moved - "with your care you anticipate my wishes, now I can also be reassured outwardly.  But in the Lord's blessing, all things are indeed due!"

The meal was finished.  Once again John, imbued with the Spirit of love, spoke: "Do not be afraid, my beloved, of the moments when you will depart from Bethany, for the Lord's holy, all-pervading life pulsates within us and sets us free from all that oppresses us.  You all remain unforgotten to us, because the Lord unites us.  From this 'Life' the Father calls to you: ‘Little children, go on your way joyfully, guided by My angels, guided by My powers of blessing, which help you to overcome every difficulty, and guided by the blessings of those to whom you have done so much good here!

Go in My peace!  I Myself long for the time when you, carried and driven by My Spirit, will lay the foundation for a new time, a time when all people shall recognize the righteous God as the loving Father!  As you have experienced and lived the life of My love, so let your fellow men also experience the dawn of this completely new life!  Be concerned about the souls entrusted to you, then your doing and omitting will be rewarded by glorious fruits.  Remain active in My Spirit, so heaven will create in you and also around you, a place of peace for all whom you love.  So accept My blessing - My grace - and My holy peace! - Amen, Amen, Amen!’"

It took another full hour, then they had overcome all the pain of parting and sat down in the comfortable wagons.  Demetrius with Enos and Miriam; Ruth with Pura, Jonah and the child, while David with Salome and Paul prepared a chariot for themselves, since they wanted to stay together.

Ursus and Lazarus rode alongside with Benito, to keep the long wagon train in order.

However, several wagons had already gone ahead with escorts who were familiar with the requirements of such journeys; and the Roman soldiers, who secured the whole train, secured the rear.  After two hours, Captain Benito took leave of Ursus, Lazarus and Demetrius, recommended vigilance to his men, and rode quietly back to Jerusalem.

Day of celebration in New Bethany

The weather was fine, and traveling was a joy to all, as each day brought new diversity.  The large caravan, which had all the precious goods in it's care, always drove two hours ahead, and the escorts made sure that the tents were already set up when Ursus wanted to rest with his loved ones in the evening.  After a general meal, a devotion was held with singing and harp playing, in which everyone gladly participated.

Thus eight days passed, when the tents were pitched at Lake Meron.  Here the ways parted, the large wagon train was to go directly to Damascus and took Jonah and Pura with it.  The others went to Bernhart and hoped to follow in five or six days.  The night was beautiful, Paul held the devotion, and his words sounded out in the psalm: "Longingly I have waited for the Lord, and He inclined His ear to us, and heard our supplication, and drew us out of error and out of destruction!  Now we stand on solid ground and He has become our salvation!  Let all see this, so that they too may praise and extol the grace and love of the Lord - forever!  Amen."

The next morning, they took their leave and Ursus went on with his people in the direction of Bernhart, where towards afternoon, New Bethany could already be seen from afar.

All hearts were full of joy at the unexpected arrival.  Smiling, Lazarus said, referring to Enos and Miriam: "Brother Bernhart, a small burden I had to place on your shoulders, for Theophilus' parents would have felt very lonely in Bethany now."

Bernhart, however, interrupted him: "Oh Lazarus, dear one, do not say 'a burden', but it will still give us great joy, if both remain with us; for Theophilus is often absent for days, and of spiritual work in the service of the Lord, there is enough here."

Mother Elisa was also delighted to have in Mother Miriam a true help in the education of her orphans.

Theophilus was not present; he had been staying in Achibald's settlement for several days.   Bernhart wanted to send a messenger to him the next morning, but Enos said: "I have a hunch that he will come soon, because he should feel our longing for him.

When they sat at the big table in the evening, Bernhart asked everyone to thank the Lord with him for this get-together.  Then he blessed the meal and concluded: "Lord!  Father of us all!  You giver of all joy!  With living hearts we thank You, because You have entered our hearts in Your holy love.  So let us strive for only one thing: To learn to thank You - with few words, but with greater works.  May Your will always be done in us! Amen."

Now Bernhart lit the candlesticks and invited everyone: "Enjoy with joy what the Lord has given us, that it may become power in you in the new life of God."

After the meal, David wanted to fetch his harp - then Theophilus entered the room.  He was so astonished by all the visitors, that he could not say anything at first.  At last he recovered his strength, embraced his mother and cried overjoyed: "Oh Lazarus!  This is the work of your love!  No-one would have succeeded in bringing father and mother away from Bethany.  Oh let your love continue to work, that both of them remain here forever, it would be for all of us like a gift from the heavens!"

But Lazarus said: "Dear Theophilus, now we are here and remain some days together, then already a solution for this will be found.  After all, it is not our will but God's will that must be put into practice in everything!  You are here a servant of God and your fellow men and must know only one thing: Obedience!  But everything else is done by God, our most loving Father!

These wise words made him calm.  Only now could Theophilus greet everyone and go to his father.  His bride Salome he pressed to his heart with emotion.

For a long time he looked at brother Paul - then he said: "I feel as if I knew you from before, but it was a long time ago, and from a time I would like to undo.  But now that you have come here with me, you too will have found the only true Lord and God."

Paul replied: "Brother, from the accounts of your parents, I have learned enough of your background.  Yes, I too have left the temple.  My life no longer belongs to me, but to Him who saved and redeemed me, our Master Jesus Christ!  To Him therefore, all glory!"

The next morning, when the sun had long since sent it's invigorating rays to the earth, Bernhart with Demetrius, Lazarus and Ursus made a long ride into the surrounding terrain.

Theophilus meanwhile showed his father, mother and Salome the buildings and stables of the new settlement and happily greeted the sisters and brothers who were at work.

The next days were to be devoted entirely to rest and comfort, so first the children of Eusebius were invited to the Sabbath, and then also to celebrate Theophilus' marriage in the circle of his loved ones; the priests were, after all, Enos and Paul.

To the mother Elisa, these days seemed too short for all the preparations for a beautiful wedding, but Lazarus said encouragingly:

"Sister, why so much worry and trouble?  Everything will work out if you have enough help, and I will also contribute my gifts that we brought from Bethany.  Of course, this requires a firm will!  But he who is filled with true trust in Him Who alone is the best help, succeeds even in the seemingly impossible."

David was inwardly delighted when Bernhart offered him a home in his house for the rest of his life, because Salome would sometimes stay with the others with Theophilus.

So it was Sabbath.  Very early, Achibald came with his young wife Ruth from their settlement.  She embraced Salome warmly and asked her to come to stay with her as soon as possible, since she often felt so alone.

An hour later, old Eusebius arrived with his children Joseph and Joram and their wives.  The large living room in Bernhart's house was festively decorated.  An altar had been erected for the marriage ceremony, which made a festive impression with flowers and candlesticks'.

Salome, however, wept, while mother Elisa with Miriam decorated her bridefully, because her mother could not witness this love and joy, Miriam comforted her: "Oh child, today is your day of joy!  Know that your dear mother is around you just as we are!  She wants to surround you with blessings and offer her thanks to the holy God and Father for your happy future with even more love than usual."

At the beginning of the celebration, Paul walked to the altar with Theophilus at the very front; then came Salome, led by Enos and Lazarus.  Behind them David, accompanied by Demetrius and Ursus, then the other fathers and brothers and sisters, and last of all the inhabitants of the settlement, as much as there was room for.

Brother Paul was entrusted with the office of officiating the wedding, and with eloquent words he set forth the grace and love of the Lord Jesus Christ for all people.  Then he urged to work and create more consciously in this Spirit of Jesus in order to prove worthy of His gifts and to experience His nearness more and more tangibly.  "Thereby the earth becomes heaven for us, in which today, a new covenant of hearts shall be made for time and eternity.

Therefore I ask you - Theophilus and Salome - in the presence of our God and Lord and in the presence of your fathers and brothers and sisters: are you ready to become one in joy and sorrow, in good days and in gloomy days, and always remembering that such a holy covenant imposes on you many more duties than rights, then answer with a sincere ‘yes!’"

Both answered "Yes."

"On this answer, you are now a married couple before God and man!  And so take another word from our Psalms to guide you (143:8): 'Let me always hear Your grace, for in You I trust!  Make known to me Your will, and let me see the way in which I shall go; for unto You, oh Lord, do I lift up my soul!  Amen.'  And now, may His holy blessing and all our good and heartfelt wishes be your first gift to your new marriage covenant! - Amen."

For minutes there was silence - everyone prayed in silence - then Lazarus went to the altar and said: "My dear Theophilus, and you, Salome, and all of you who are here as witnesses!  In the name and in the sense of Jesus, our Lord and Master, I bring you His greetings and His blessing.  For us humans it is always something great and holy, even heavenly, when we may hear a word from Him in faith.  It is His word, not mine.  It is His life that we experience here in us; because He wants to make us happy, we should feel something of His life and His joy.

My sisters and brothers!  We have all gone through suffering and pain, through bitter struggle and great affliction.  But He, the Great and Glorious One, knows and understands every longing for happiness and peace and offers us full fulfillment.  But this can become ours only if we also fulfill His holy will and acknowledge His laws of love.  And so I say to you in His name: Prepare your hearts to be a consecrated temple, so that on the altar of the heart, the flame can blaze up, which first grows and is nourished out of the God-spark of His redeeming love!

As He as Jesus became our Savior and Redeemer Christ, for our and all people's salvation, so also His holy love-flame in us shall make us the redeemed - and redeemer, so that we then may reveal the 'Christ' in us, which wants to grow and increase in all hearts.  Then heaven descends to the earth and gives powers that let a new heaven come into being on earth, but which must have it's foundation in the hearts of His faithful.

As Jesus gladly comes to the aid of all those who ask, in order to make them happy, so we too want to be always active in our love.  We want to build on the kingdom of the Lord, who blesses us for this and lets us experience His grace anew every day!  Amen."

Now David went to his harp, played a gentle prelude - and then, reaching ever more strongly into the strings, he exulted in his favorite song, a psalm.  When the notes faded away softly - he still said: "My brothers, happy we can praise ourselves, since all sorrow, all suffering has turned into purest joy!  But we do not want to become lukewarm in this joy, because we are always surrounded by invisible, lurking powers that seek destruction.  But if we stand in constant readiness to serve Him, to thank Him, then we keep the entrance open in our hearts for heavenly powers that want our preservation!

That is why we want to watch over ourselves as brothers.  And what is subsequently imposed on us for examination, shall only unite us more intimately.  Then all joy will become double joy, while all pain will become halved.  But you, my son Theophilus - receive my father's blessing!  May it be your strength for your salvation and that of your loved ones!  Praised be Jesus Christ!  Amen."

The celebration was over.  Mother Elisa still said: "Now let us set the tables, for a love feast shall end this beautiful celebration, which we will remember for a long time."

The servants house was prepared for the servants, maids and soldiers, and there was now plenty of room in the living room.

Lazarus had brought delicious wine from Bethany and asked Bernhart to serve only of this wine at this meal.  When all had taken their seats and the jugs were filled, Bernhart said: "Dear brothers and sisters!  Before we begin this meal, according to ancient custom, let us ask the presence and blessing of the Lord through the elder, our dear brother Eusebius."

The latter stood up, blessed the tables with the food and drink, blessed all present - and then he prayed: "Holy Father!  We are united here in Your Spirit, blessed by Your power, and want to enjoy what Your love has so richly given us.  Therefore, we all ask You: come into our midst and bless once again what childlike love has already blessed.  Amen."

After the meal, all remained still long at the wedding table, only the old Enos, Miriam and Eusebius went to rest.  Only when the new day already dawned, Lazarus urged departure: "Shall we not take in the beauties of the rising sun outside?  There is nothing more delightful after such happy hours of celebration than the great power of nature, which shows us everything again in a different light."

In the meantime, it was getting brighter, and they walked together toward the sun, which was showing it's rise by soft blushes in the sky.  "My dear ones" - said Lazarus - "the dawn of a new day never escaped the Master!  Often I walked alone with Him, and we watched in full devotion the breakthrough of the light and the sun-sphere rising higher and higher.

We did not exchange words - everyone experienced a special process in his inner world.  And so today we too want to sit down in the grass wetted by the morning dew and quietly look outward as well as inward, and we will experience miracles of His love!"

And so it happened; - more and more brightly the dawn broke forth - but the praying ones had already opened their inner world by the grace of the Lord.  They were allowed to stay here for a full hour, then the noise of everyday life brought their souls back to the outside world.

At the morning meal, some asked what the others had experienced?  Paul had been with Stephen; Ursus had had a discourse with his guardian angel; David, however, had seen the Lord among many poor human brothers; the others had experienced things that were still much connected with the earthly.

Enos asked: "My dear David, would you like to tell us what you have seen?  It seems significant to me that only you have seen the Lord."

"I am willing to do this" - said David - "and so listen: I was alone - and looked around for my harp.  Only dimly I still remembered that we wanted to experience the sunrise, because I saw before me a broad road, which was marked by many wagon tracks, and something urged me to go along this way.  Then I felt as if the landscape was just flying past me, and all at once it was as if I were in Bethany.

I went into the residential house, but oh miracle, I stepped into the living room of my parents, but nobody was there; I called, nobody heard.  In a corner was our old chest.  I saw that something was moving in it, I went to it - and now I felt like the king's daughter at the Nile when she found Moses - a small child, a baby was lying in it.

Since no man was to be seen, I said full of compassion: "You poor child, have all abandoned you?  Then come, I will take you home to Salome."  I wrapped it up and took the baby in my arms.  Then a man came in the door.  I apologized: "Don't be angry with me because I wanted to take the abandoned child to my Salome."

The man spoke kindly: "Oh, there are so many abandoned children, therefore it pleases Me if you have pity and want to care for this child."

As if in gratitude, He extended His hand to me - then I was frightened, I saw a deep wound from a nail mark and asked: "Isn't it very painful, this open wound?"

"Oh no," He answered: "but it is painful when I have to see daily how people always inflict new wounds on themselves!"

I said: "But dear man, is not every man mostly to blame for his own sufferings?"

"No, My friend!  Many a one has been thrust deep into misery and distress through someone else's fault or some mysterious interconnection of circumstances, and for these victims, My ever-caring Father's heart beats!  But he who pays attention only to the visible sufferings of others, easily passes by their sorrowful hearts."

At this I realized that I too had not paid attention to my heart, and I asked: "Oh forgive me, my Father, for not having recognized You at once!  An inner voice was already telling me: 'You are the eternally good Father of all children!'  How gladly I would like to please You and take care of Your children who have been abandoned by all earthly love!"

"Yes, My son, do that!" - answered the Lord; "but let us not speak much about it, for the time is serious, and the enemy is already striking new blows!  Therefore I must seek and strengthen all those who want to help in My work of redemption - from all unkindness.

Just as this baby needs care and nourishment to flourish, so also the life of the God-spark in My children needs care - and nourishment!  For true life can only be ignited by life, as it can only be sustained by truth.

Therefore, My son, look into My eyes, from which life and truth shine towards you!  And always, when you see Me in you, My eyes shall strengthen you and shall announce to you that I want to sustain you with My life, so that you make My truth your truth!  So take this little child to your heart."  I looked at the child -  the Lord had disappeared.  I wanted to press the child to my breast, then I awoke - and had empty hands."

All present were grateful to David, for a new love flared up in their hearts for all the forsaken.

"Strange" - said Eusebius - "how different the revelations of the Lord are."

"Yes" - answered Lazarus - "very different!  As the human children - so also the gifts of grace, but yet always the right one for each.  Important for me was the word: ‘We should not talk much about what we are going to do, since the enemy is already lashing out for new blows!’  That is why I want to return to Bethany soon."

During the day, Lazarus, Demetrius and Ursus decided to leave for Damascus the next day.  Under the protection of the Roman soldiers, Lazarus wanted to rest then on the way back still another day with the old Mark in the welfare bath, in order to return from there to Bethany.

Ruth still remained with her parents, who were pleased now to have followed the suggestion of Lazarus to move here.  After a few days, Demetrius and Ursus already returned; the business was done to full satisfaction, and Jonah had already settled in well as a merchant.  Pura was grateful for her husband's new profession and had tears in her eyes when the three brothers took leave again amid many blessings.

Once again the travelers visited Eusebius and Achibald, then the day of departure came, but everyone tried hard that no gloomy farewell mood prevailed.  Ruth tried hard to be strong for the sake of her parents.  The latter, however, and Theophilus, were in a serious, solemn mood.

Bernhart said: "We want to be quite grateful for these festively beautiful days of our togetherness.  And I hope and wish to see you all again."

The last evening devotion was held by Ursus, who described with lively words the hours of grace he was allowed to experience here with the Lord, and concluded: "Tomorrow we will go back to our home, to Rome, which will now also become Ruth's home.  We have not acted solely according to our own desires, but have accommodated ourselves to God's perceived will.  Therefore I thank You, You my faithful Jesus, You my God and Savior, for all Your love and grace, and I pray You: keep us in Your truth and in Your blessing, and grant us Your peace for strength and fortification in our interaction with the world.  Amen."

The return to Rome

Early in the morning, Ursus and his people had prepared everything for departure.  When the morning meal was finished, they said goodbye, and he, too, felt the heaviness of this parting when he and Ruth once again received the blessing of their parents.  When they left the house, all the brothers and sisters of the settlement came to shake their hands in farewell, and this stream of love took away all the heaviness of the moment.

Now they were seated, and Ursus gave the signal to leave.  He remained in the carriage and had taken Ruth firmly in his arms - one last wave - and then they had disappeared from the gaze of those who remained behind.

The journey went through beautiful landscapes and high mountains, but Ruth showed little sense for all the beauties of nature.  The farewell still weighed too heavily on her young mind, and Ursus had to wait until she had made up her own mind.  Paul, however, was happy to see his hometown and his loved ones again.  When they reached the great military road leading to Sidon, they stopped at an inn.

That evening, by the grace of the Lord, Paul succeeded in freeing the innkeeper's eldest son from his possession, from which he had been suffering for a long time.  Delighted with the healing, they all stayed together with pleasure and talked about the revelations of the love of the Savior Jesus.  And Paul promised to stop in with them again on his return journey.

The next morning, Ursus called for an early start, and by noon, the cityscape of Sidon was in sight.  Here Demetrius owned a large business house at the harbor, and the young couple entered amidst heartfelt expressions of joy from the employees.

Paul left for Antioch the next morning, as a ship was sailing there.  The farewell was very heartfelt - no-one believed in a reunion.  In the book of destiny, however, it was recorded differently.

Demetrius and Ursus still had a lot of business to do here.  Ruth spent these days in the greatest silence.  She wanted to be alone, to overcome the last heaviness of parting from home.

Then when Ursus said: "The day after tomorrow we are going to Rome on a big warship" - her eyes lit up, and she confessed to him: "Here I could never feel happy; I feel as if a hundred hands were trying to hold me!  How glad I am to get away from here to your home, to Rome."

Now Ursus knew that her soul had overcome the farewell, and with joy he said: "My Ruth, you shall never regret having followed me there!  Now nothing stands in the way of our happiness!"  Ruth knew that her Ursus was now her place, her support and her comfort!

On the long waterway, the ship had mostly good weather, and at last home was near.  "Tomorrow at this time, we land in Rome" - Demetrius announced - and with that, the monotony of these last weeks was forgotten.

When they left the ship, Ursus first had to have the precious goods belonging to him moved to the storerooms.  Ruth, however, preferred to enter her new home together with him, while Demetrius had himself driven to his home in order to prepare everything worthily for the reception.

When all the boxes and chests were handed over to trusted hands, Ursus said seriously, yet happily: "Now let yourself be led, my Ruth, into our home!  Love - awaits you! - And love - is expected of you!"

As they stood before the beautiful home, he said solemnly: "Behold, your new home!  May your step across this threshold, bring blessing to us all! - Jesus - do enter with us!"

Standing at the door, Demetrius took Ruth in his arms and said with emotion: "Many blessings from Above be with you, my child!  May your entrance into our house bring us all much joy!  Help us to do so, dear Savior Jesus!  Amen."

And Ruth created a new home for herself here.  She was serious about her duties and her vow: not to deviate from the path to the Lord despite all the worldly beauties in the rich, great imperial city.

Ursus travelled a lot on business, and strict fulfillment of duty was a sacred commandment for him, too.  In their Roman circles of acquaintances, the young couple was well respected and gladly seen, for from Ursus and Ruth emanated a sphere of love and blessing that everyone felt pleasantly.  They also often spoke of their faith in Jesus, and so their home gradually became a place of worship for people seeking truth, or longing for love.

But there was also no lack of struggle.  Pagan and Jewish priests suddenly agreed to disturb, even destroy, this harmonious union of their believers with the young Christians, and used the most reprehensible means to do so.

Ursus was aware of their hidden spite and open slander, but he did not care much about it, since he had such a strong trust in Jesus, which made him more and more secure, in spite of many hostilities.

Demetrius had often warned: "They are after you - they want your misfortune.  Dear Ursus, speak less of our faith in Jesus, be more quiet.  After all, He has a thousand means to defeat His enemies!"

Ursus, however, said boldly: "Dear father, from these words only the concern for me and for Ruth speaks, but not the unconditional trust in our Jesus.  Shall we really withdraw and give way to our adversaries?  No, Father!  We want to prove ourselves as His children here, and gladly help every seeker of truth to also find the way to Jesus within.  I am so filled with happiness by the Spirit of the Lord, that He makes me ever more confident in quietly resisting all enemies!"

Questioningly, Demetrius replied, "Ursus - is it really His Spirit from Above, or is it your own fighting spirit that makes you so unconcerned?"

"Father, the Savior Jesus is, after all, our love!" - reassured Ursus - "His holy life in us is the greatest gift of grace!  Therefore do not worry, we are His property, and also He, our God and Father, takes care that nothing evil can harm us.  With no thought would I ever grieve my eternal Father, by being afraid or fearful of men!"

In this way, Ursus remained always alive connected with the life of the Savior and could always give new proofs of the good news of our redemption from all error through the Son of God Jesus Christ, who became man, to all those who asked about God.

The awakening life of God in man

There was great commotion in the store rooms of the merchant Ursus.  A boy of about 12 years of age was seriously injured by a heavy box that fell from a loaded cart, and his enemies used this accident to make serious accusations against him.

Ursus, however, had been absent for two days and could not immediately reject the spiteful accusations that were being spread everywhere by the father of the injured boy.  When he returned, it was too late to silence all these rumors against him, and in investigating, he learned that this father was a Jewish priest whose intentions had always been to accuse the Christians of being in league with Beelzebub.

Ursus himself went to the priest, who bore the name Elias, and demanded a discussion with him, which was, however, scornfully refused, for fear - to thereby come into contact with 'the evil one'.  In a cynical way, Elias still emphasized that he had no other wish than also to hurt Ursus as badly as his poor son had become unhappy through him!

Ursus had no choice but to trust in Him who is the supreme patience and forbearance with all the wicked.  But the agitations against him became louder and louder, and Ursus suffered bitterly under these ugly circumstances.  After one night - which he spent in a deep heart-to-heart talk with his Jesus - he had full inner clarity!  He sought out the town magistrate he knew and openly presented his case to him.

The magistrate, an old, serious Roman, was honestly surprised that Ursus did not want to bring a just charge, but only demanded a public debate.

Ursus justified this: "In order to create real clarity, we must meet somewhere in public, so that everyone can find out by which so different concepts about God, I and the real evil Elias are inspired.  It is not a question of saving my honor, but of the holy truth: Who is the true, living God?  Who knows Christ, His messenger to us human beings?  From which Spirit do His followers live and work?  And what are the evil powers?”

The town judge tried to dissuade Ursus from this delicate subject, but Ursus boldly confessed: "With Jesus I am victorious over all His enemies who want to destroy not me, the man and merchant, but our faith in Christ!"

When the judge pointed out the boy who was becoming more and more miserable, Ursus replied with confidence: "Only the great Savior Jesus Christ could help here!"   Then Ursus further elaborated on his plans about this matter and concluded: "You, as chief judge, can call upon the priest Elias to publicly repeat his ugly accusations against me and provide proof that we, as Christians, are truly in relationship with evil forces."

Said the chief judge: "Well - today in eight days I will not only summon you and Elias, but everyone who wants to, may be present to find out: ‘Does your Jesus, as the almighty God, really live in the followers of His teachings, or are you in connection with evil powers?’”

Then the judge added doubtfully: "But Ursus, consider: If your faith - fails?  How will you then still stand before your friends?  It was always a joy for me to hear from you how harmonious your contact with the most different faith-friends was.  But if your Jesus fails here, you would certainly lose many of them."

Ursus smiled and spoke: "I hope that also you will soon be a friend of my faith and put aside your many gods as error!  For through an experience with Jesus, we come closer and closer to the great truth about God, as the Creator and Sustainer of all people.  And through this, we first learn what we as human beings could accomplish if we want to give the life of God in us room to work."

During these eight days, Ursus remained mostly alone.  A great silence had come over him.  He longed for nothing and wanted nothing but to be a pure vessel for the Savior-life, which now had to give proof of the eternal truth about the 'Divine life' in man before the public forum.

The public confrontation was scheduled to be in a large grove outside the city, which belonged to a pagan temple.  The city judge had to force the priest Elias, his wife and the sick son to come there, because he, as a Jew, did not want to enter a pagan temple place.

Ursus and Demetrius came gladly, and many Jews, Greeks and Romans had gathered and waited with excitement for the things that were to be discussed here, because the Jews paid homage to superstition like all pagans.

Ursus greeted his brothers in faith, receiving the blessing of their love and strength.  He thanked his holy Father and felt even more clearly a warm stream of Divine omnipotence running through his heart.

Yes, he heard inside: "Rejoice that you are called to prove the truth of your faith and love here!  But do not condemn the others - your opponents, because even for all of them - the Father-Love is still waiting!"

The judge opened the meeting and explained that this was intended to be a court session, but Ursus and his whole house did not want to be plaintiffs, but only wished that clarity be created and that the hostile behavior of the opponent be transformed into a friendly understanding.

Then he continued with a raised voice: "The merchant Ursus, known to all, rightly complains that it is said of him that he is to blame for the accident of the boy, because he is in contact with evil spirits.  And so now the priest Elias, as the father of the sick boy, has the floor first."

The priest scowled - then he spoke of his work among the Jews in Rome, and how he was esteemed by all, and no-one had anything to complain against him.  But recently Ursus, as a Gentile, was trying to do a lot of harm in his Israelite community, and to cast a spell on all those who were still somewhat fickle, with fine words.  With a loud voice, he concluded: "Thus I am firmly convinced that the devastating spirit of Beelzebub, which also caused the great misfortune of my son, is manifesting itself here!"

An icy silence set in after these words.  Then the judge asked Ursus to refute this speech, which contained a serious charge against him.

Ursus began: "Friends!  I bless this hour!  I have to give a testimony, which is not to excuse me, but to glorify the Spirit of Him, who wants to awaken everywhere only sunny knowledge and new life!  It is true that in the ranks of my many friends, some who once belonged to Elias as the proclaimer of their God, no longer stand by him.  But this is not my fault, but is due to Elias himself, because he does not confess a different God than the one who was prescribed to him by Jerusalem.  And because of this, he has become the bitter enemy of all Christians.

But I, who came into the closest contact with Jesus, Who rose from the dead, got to know the great, living God through Him, who wants to help all erring people full of love and mercy, and equips those who follow Him with courage and strength, in order to testify of such His Divine life among us!

Is it surprising that in the consciousness of my mission as a human being, I make rich use of all the gifts which flow to me daily through the life of Jesus in me?  And not only I, but all who like me open their hearts to Him and His teachings and want to serve His great work of redemption, can experience something of His purely Divine life of love!

It hurts, of course, when these gifts of heaven are ridiculed, mocked, or even, as Elias does, condemned to the realm of Beelzebub.  And now I want to take a public stand against such slander.

Through ancient traditions, we know that all of mankind descends from God, as the epitome of all good and beauty.  And every human being therefore carries within himself a spark of His Divine life, which, if developed in the right way, could make people almost like gods.  But through wrong thinking and desire, (already by our ancestors) this bright God-spark is covered in the human heart.  In such increasing inner spiritual night, the meaning of His Divine Word to us has become completely unrecognizable.

But God, as the all-good One, Who loves all His creatures, and whose concern it is to redeem us humans from the rampant misconceptions about Him, became Himself 'human' - in Jesus Christ - in order to reveal to us the high Divine intentions with mankind.

By His far shining example as man and His clear, simple teachings about our love-activity, He wants to show us the way to revive this hidden God-spark and to develop it further by the joyfulness of God-like love-services.

Elias now claims that this Spirit of God in man, which comes to life again in all followers of Jesus, and of which I want to testify here, is the one who did the harm to his boy, while I have to testify that already such an intention is quite impossible in a Christian mind.  For a man, as a bearer of this Spirit of Jesus, will never neglect his duties.  He will cheerfully obey all worldly and Divine laws and will try to be an example for his environment in everything!

As the bearer of this Savior's life, I am also aware of taking upon myself an extraordinary responsibility.  For only by acting correctly, can I glorify the reputation of my Jesus and benefit my fellow men.

As a bearer of this Spirit, however, I am also obliged to make use of all the knowledge and powers that flow to me through daily contact with His Spirit.  But not in order to enrich myself or to be celebrated, but in order to help many who suffer and to lead erring ones on the right way to Him.

Jesus lives.  He lives among us through the fullness of His love and grace.  And whoever earnestly seeks Him, will meet Him!  There is only one true Divine life in our inner being, everything else is only an illusory life in the outer world and cannot become effective with Divine powers.  And this ‘awakening life of God’ in man can and will reveal itself through us, if we ask for it!

Now, Elias, I ask you: do you already know something of these truly Divine life forces in your own heart?  Then ask your God and Lord for the grace to reveal Himself to us through His helping love and to destroy the power of evil like a true Savior, in order to make your sick son healthy and happy again!  And behold, all grievance and accusation from your side I would have to acknowledge as justified by the working of your God!  Yes, this whole assembly I hereby call to witness, and I stand by my words, for I am not only a Christian - but also a Roman!"

Loud applause rang out - then the judge said: "Elias!  You have heard what Ursus told you.  The testimony he gave of his Jesus as the God of love here, cannot be dismissed - even if for the time being it was only in words!  So, Elias, move to action and ask your God to reveal Himself to us - by knowing how to destroy the ‘evil powers’ you accuse!"

"Never, never will I tempt the holy God with this!" - retorted Elias in self-righteous pride - "Ursus is and remains in my eyes only one who knows how to beguile his listeners by beautiful words."

Now Ursus stepped close to Elias and spoke very seriously: "Elias!  You are blinded!  Remain so then - as long as you want, but you announce your own judgment with it!  We should be able to find each other like two brothers who have one Father!  But now I see no other way for you than that of bitter experience!"

As if spellbound, the sick boy looked for a long time with wide eyes to and fro at Ursus and his father.  Then Ursus approached him, held out his hand and asked: "Tell me, boy, are you also angry with me?"

"No, good sir, all the others are evil!"  In a gentle, tone Ursus said: "The others are not evil either.  But if you were to recover, then do no more foolishness, lest greater misfortune befall you!"

The boy pleaded: "Lord, I would like to be healthy again and become a decent person!  This misfortune - was only my fault.  I was trying to hide behind the box to scare the other boys, and it hit me."

Ursus looked at him kindly and spoke reassuringly: "Because you have now admitted your guilt so freely, God will also be merciful to you and be ready to help you!  Will you pray with me to Him?"

When the boy nodded, weeping, Ursus took his hands and prayed aloud: "Oh Jesus!  You Savior and Redeemer of us all!  You great God, we thank You for Your grace and love and ask You, oh help us all from error and night, and heal this young human child from his suffering, that he may be permeated by Your Spirit, by Your truth and by Your nature!  Bless us - and all here - and let Your peace become the guiding star of our lives!  Amen."

The boy breathed a deep sigh of relief - stretched and straightened - and slowly stood up.  Rejoicing, his mother embraced him - but Elias cried commandingly: "Leave off this comedy, it is all mere witchcraft after all!"

Now the judge said to those who had followed all these events with great astonishment: "Friends!  Here the God of Ursus has visibly worked!  Never in my long life have I witnessed such a thing, and I must suppose Ursus to have shown us all a path worth treading in order to learn new truths about God!"

Then the judge turned to the priest and spoke gravely: "Elias - go home!  Your cold mind has judged you!"

"My verdict is: Ursus, I absolve you from any charge here!  You have proved yourself a worthy representative of your God!  And I publicly ask you here for forgiveness, that also I could not quite believe your views about Divine life in man.  Yes, I feel the desire to ask you: Let me also learn more about such a God, so that it may become light in me over many doubts and questions!"

Full of joy, Ursus answered him: "Not only you, but everyone who wants to, can come!  My home is open to all seekers, and everyone may experience the great truths about this eternally living God.

For only the truth about the Divine life in man, can make us free from all the old, narrow, wrongful ideas and erroneous concepts, so that it may become light in us and around us about the heavenly laws, and so that real warmth of heart may fill us all with joy and honor of our God, who wants to be to us all - such a kind 'Father'!  Amen."

After this rare experience, many of those present soon came to Ursus to receive further enlightenment from his God and his truths.

They all felt the blessing of his house, and many a sick person experienced the grace of being healed.  But the most glorious thing was how every seeker was taught here that all this activity of love, kindness and right understanding, could only be a small reflection of the joys which the eternal and holy Father of all people wants to give to His children Himself, if their hearts long for Him!

And so a new Bethany gradually came into being here, where many a longing for truth was satisfied, many an earthly sorrow was alleviated, and the way into the inner world was opened to many honest seekers after God.

The way that leads - through the own heart-experience - to the great Father-heart!  Amen!



God lives in us

What is it, My child, that I still have to give you,

what is it that all your longing is for?

If you received My life from Me,

that your child's breast would fill it! -

Well do you still live now as from My hand,

and accept, as outwardly,

the food which your soul found in My word,

in order to nurture your inner core of life!

You have become of Me, My Word',

carry more in you - than: "outer word",

which flowed to you through heavenly gates

to your earthly place of life.

I live after all, although I died for you;

My life now culminates in the child's heart.

Therefore My Holy Kingdom lies in the child,

there it is born only through sacrificial pain.

What I spoke to you one day,

you shall now find in yourself!

Therefore, listen to your heart's throbbing

and quietly open the gates to Me,

so that I may reach My hand to you from within

and speak to you from within!

Then you will become an angel,

sent to Me by simply childlike true-to-life praying.

Then I have nothing more to give you!

Remain praying, loving, silent.

I want to live as Jesus in you,

so that My plan is completely fulfilled!

To open My eternal kingdom to you -

was My death, so that sinners could live again.

If you can grasp it, it will be a dawn for me,

because I found 'my life' again in the child.

I gave you children - Me imprisoned,

"My God-spark" testifies to it,

which I let emblazon in your soul,

where I still live - as a prisoner!

If, children, you now give ear to My Spirit

and open the gates for Him in your soul,

My sea of love also flows to the outer world,

and hymns of victory cheer Me in the choir.

Otto - Hillig

Table of Contents

1.  Ursus and Paul 4

2.  Guided tours through inner worlds 6

3.  Jesus – our example 13

4.  Farewell to Bethany 25

5.  Day of celebration in New Bethany 28

6.  The return to Rome 34

7.  The awakening life of God in man 36