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Posted on www.notjustnotes.ws on 14 April 2007

THE SPIRITUAL WORLD

Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889 -1929) was a Indian Sikh who turned to Christ after a heavenly
vision and had a tremendous ministry that spanned the globe. He also had a series of
defining experiences and his books are filled with uncanny wisdom. He disappeared in the
Himalayan Mountains in 1929 and his body was never found.

The following is taken from his collected writings - "The Christian Witness of Sadhu Sundar
Singh", published by the Christian Literature Society, Chennai, India. 3rd Edn, 1994.

What follows is the entire chapter 5, "The Spiritual World" (written in 1926), with the Foreword
by H.B. Durrant and the Introduction by Rt. Rev A.J. Appasamy.

These collected writings are a very good and simple read and well worth buying, though the
book is very hard to come by.

Check Amazon for his biography:

http://www.amazon.com/Sundar-Singh-J-Appasamy/dp/0718890159

[The visions are already in the public domain; added here are the foreword, preface,
introduction and structure of the published book.]

[***An additional quote from Sundar Singh (unknown book) and a quote from Anna
Rountree's Book "The Heavens Opened" are found at the end of this page (Both highlighted
in Blue). Sums up a lot of things. For those who need the Scriptural references, you may wish
to look around the website for articles like “Aion Forever” and “Please, please, please”.]

Tony

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 THE SPIRITUAL WORLD
Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889-1929)
Originally published under the fuller title Visions of the Spiritual World

Published by Macmillan in 1926

and

First Published by C.L.S. in 1967

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD ...................................................................................................4
AUTHOR’S PREFACE ....................................................................................6
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................8
1. LIFE AND DEATH .....................................................................................10
LIFE.................................................................................................................... 10
DEATH............................................................................................................... 10
MAN CAN NEVER BE DESTROYED .............................................................. 10
2. WHAT HAPPENS AT DEATH?.................................................................11
3. THE WORLD OF SPIRITS ........................................................................13
SONS OF LIGHT................................................................................................ 13
SONS OF DARKNESS ....................................................................................... 14
DEATH OF A CHILD ........................................................................................ 14
DEATH OF A PHILOSOPHER .......................................................................... 15
4. MAN’S HELP AND TEACHING –NOW AND AFTER ...............................16
UNSEEN HELP .................................................................................................. 16
WHO IS THE GREATEST?................................................................................ 16
THE CORRECTION OF ERROR ....................................................................... 16
THE MANIFESTATION OF CHRIST................................................................ 17
A LABOURER AND A DOUBTER ................................................................... 17
5. THE JUDGMENT OF SINNERS................................................................19
A GOOD MAN AND A THIEF .......................................................................... 19
SECRET SINS .................................................................................................... 19
WASTED OPPORTUNITIES ............................................................................. 20
A WICKED MAN PERMITTED TO ENTER HEAVEN .................................... 20
THE SPIRIT OF A MURDERER........................................................................ 21
AND THE SPIRIT OF THE MAN MURDERED................................................ 21
THE SPIRIT OF A LIAR .................................................................................... 22
THE SPIRIT OF AN ADULTERER ................................................................... 22
THE SOUL OF A ROBBER ............................................................................... 23
6. THE STATE OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THEIR GLORIOUS END..........24
THE DEATH OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN ............................................................ 24
COMFORTING HIS DEAR ONES..................................................................... 24
THE MANSIONS OF HEAVEN......................................................................... 25
A PROUD MINISTER AND A HUMBLE WORKMAN .................................... 26
HEAVENLY LIFE.............................................................................................. 27
7. THE AIM AND PURPOSE OF CREATION ...............................................28
NAMES IN HEAVEN......................................................................................... 28
SEEING GOD..................................................................................................... 28
DISTANCE IN HEAVEN ................................................................................... 29
THE WITHERED FIG TREE.............................................................................. 29
IS MAN A FREE AGENT?................................................................................. 30
THE MANIFESTATION OF GOD'S LOVE ....................................................... 30
ANOTHER QUOTE FROM SUNDAR SINGH ...............................................32
QUOTES FROM “THE HEAVENS OPENED” ..............................................33

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FOREWORD

By The RT. REV. H.B. DURRANT

(Formerly Bishop of Lahore)

I feel it is a very great privilege to be allowed to accede to the request of my

friend, Sadhu Sundar Singh, that I would write a brief foreword to his book
Visions, because I hope and believe that the little book will help many souls in
their struggle to find Reality. I wish that all who read the book could have the
privilege, that we in this Diocese and a number of people in London also
have, of knowing the Sadhu personally. The message of the book gets an
added force from the impression of a sweet sanity and simplicity that is left in
one’s mind after a talk with the Sadhu.

Inevitably, I think, some who read the book will feel impelled to ask the
question: “What is the exact nature of these spiritual experiences? What, for
instance, was the part played in them by the sub-conscious mind? Did what
was seen in the “Visions” have an objective reality?”

I have not the philosophical knowledge that would enable me to give an

answer to these questions: and I am by no means sure that, if I had it, I
should feel that there would be any profit in using it in this case. Saint Paul
was content to leave his deepest spiritual experiences without full explanation:
“Whether in the body or out of the body I cannot tell: God knoweth.” The
simplest view to my mind seems the truest. I read the book in Manuscript one
Sunday afternoon in Simla this summer, and as I tried afterwards to analyse
my impression, I felt it was this:

I felt that for me the veil, which normally shrouds the real world, had been for
a few moments lifted and that I had been allowed, through the help of Christ’s
faithful servant, to see things as they really are. I do not know, but I am
inclined to think that my friend the Sadhu would himself prefer that the
“visions” should be “explained” in this completely simple way. As I let my mind
dwell on what I had read in the little book, a passage of Scripture came up
over the margin of consciousness into my conscious mind, as recounting what
was in some sense a parallel experience.

In all the conflicting opinions about the coming of the Kingdom of God, we
have our Blessed Lord’s own authority for its having come in one particular
way. “There be some here that shall not taste of death till they have seen the
Kingdom of God come with power.” In both St. Mark’s and St. Matthews’s
Gospels, these words are closely linked on to the story of the Transfiguration
that I cannot doubt that they interpreted this memorable event in the life of the
three chosen Disciples (one of whom was, as it were, the sponsor of St.
Mark’s Gospel) as a coming of the Kingdom with power . It consisted of the
lifting of the veil which shrouds the unseen world, so that the denizens of that
world were visible and audible to human eyes and ears, and in the glory of the
real Jesus shining through the veil of flesh.

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May it not be that this kind of experience is still given sometimes to God’s
servants? I personally believe that the Sadhu’s experiences recounted in
these “Visions” were something of this kind: that for him, as for these other
servants of God, the veil which shrouds the real was lifted, so that he saw our
Lord as He really is and that world.

Messages that come as a result of such experiences must be reverenced, but

they must also be tested to the revelation of God in Jesus Christ. I have tried
my best to apply this “test” to these messages, and I find them in accord with
that supreme revelation of God’s character which we have in our Lord’s life
and teaching.

I therefore gratefully accept them as one more proof that God is still speaking
to His people, and I pray that this little book may open the eyes of many to
“the real world” that is all around us, to which we are too often blind, for
“closer” is He than breathing, and nearer than hands and feet.”

H.B. DURRANT
Simla,
6th August 1926

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AUTHOR’S PREFACE

By Sundar Singh

In this book I have attempted to write about some of the visions which God
has given me. Had I considered my own inclinations, I would not have
published the account of these visions during my lifetime; but friends, whose
judgement I value, have been very insistent that, as a spiritual help to others,
the publication of the teaching of these visions should not be delayed. In
deference to the wish of these friends this book is now presented to the
public.

At Kotgarh, fourteen years ago, while praying, my eyes were opened to the
Heavenly Vision. So vividly did I see it all that I thought I must have died, and
that my soul had passed into the glory of heaven; but throughout the
intervening years these visions have continued to enrich my life. I cannot call
them up at will, but, usually when I am praying or meditating, sometimes as
often as eight or ten times a month, my spiritual eyes are opened to see within
the heavens, and, for an hour or two, I walk in the glory of the heavenly
sphere with Christ Jesus, and hold converse with angels and spirits. Their
answers to my questions have provided much of the material that has already
been published in my books, and the unutterable ecstasy of the spiritual
communion makes me long for the time when I shall enter in permanently to
the bliss and fellowship of the redeemed.

Some may consider these visions as merely a form of spiritualism, but I would
emphasize that there is one very essential difference. Spiritualism does
presume to produce messages and signs from spirits out of the dark, but they
are usually so fragmentary and unintelligible, if not actually deceptive, that
they lead their followers away from, rather than to, the truth. In these visions,
on the other hand, I see vividly and clearly every detail of the glory of the
spiritual world, and I have the uplifting experience of very real fellowship with
the saints, amid the inconceivably bright and beautiful surroundings of a
spiritual world made visible. It is from these angels and saints that I have
received, not vague, broken and elusive messages from the unseen, but clear
and rational elucidations of many problems that have troubled me.

This “Communion of the Saints” was a fact so real in the experience of the
early Church, that it is given a place among the necessary articles of its faith,
as stated in the “Apostles Creed”. Once in a vision, I asked the saints for proof
from the Bible of this communion of saints, and was told that it was to be
found clearly given in Zachariah 3:7-8, where “those that were standing by”
were not angels, nor “men” of flesh and blood, but saints in glory; and God’s
promise, on condition of Joshua fulfilling His command, is that he will be given
“a place of access to walk among them (saints) that stand by”, and these are
his “fellows” –the spirits of men made perfect with whom he could commune.

There is repeated mention of Spirits, Saints, Angels in this book. The

distinction I would make between them is that Spirits are both good and bad,

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who after death exist in a state intermediate between heaven and hell. Saints
are those who have passed on through this stage into the higher sphere of the
spiritual world, and have had special service allotted to them. Angels are
those glorious beings to whom all kinds of superior service have been allotted,
and among them are included many saints from other worlds, as well as from
this world of ours, who live together as one family. They serve one another in
love, and, in the effulgence of God’s glory, are eternally happy. The World of
Spirits means that intermediate state into which spirits enter after leaving the
body. By the Spiritual World is meant all spiritual beings that progress
through the stages between the darkness of the bottomless pit and the throne
of the Lord in light.

* * * *

I wish to express my sincere thanks to the Rev. T.E. Riddle of the New
Zealand Presbyterian Mission, Kharar, Punjab, who has journeyed up to
Subathu to translate this book from Urdu into English. My thanks are again
due to Miss E. Sanders, of Coventry, for having corrected the proofs of this
book.

SUBATHU,

July 1926.

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INTRODUCTION

By The RT. REV. A. J. Appasamy, D.Phil., D.D.

(Formerly Bishop in Coimbatore)

What happens after death? What is the kind of bliss enjoyed by the righteous?
What is the nature of the punishment given to the wicked? How does a God of
Love meet the demands of love and justice in dealing with the wicked? Does
this brief span of life wholly determine our destiny hereafter? To these and
other questions about the future life Sadhu Sundar Singh attempted an
answer in his book Visions of the Spiritual World.

When Sundar Singh was perplexed by anything, he turned to God in earnest

prayer and asked for light on the subject. And he received answers which
satisfied and comforted him. In this little book he has given us some of the
thoughts this imparted to him about the future life. Readers will find in my
book Sundar Singh: A Biography another detailed account of the visions
which Sundar Singh saw. [See the two chapters entitled “Man of Prayer”
(Chapter 12) and “Visions of the Spiritual World” (Chapter 16).]

For a great many the future life is clouded with uncertainty and doubt. To a
great many more heaven may be a happy place but far off, while the present
is more alluring. But to Sundar Singh heaven was real and vivid. His radiant
belief in a loving God filled his outlook upon the future with sunshine. Death
had no terrors for him but was the portal which opened into the shining
presence of god. Even in this life Sundar Singh knew the reality and the joy of
fellowship with God. The thought of a future life stirred in him visions of a state
of existence in which this fellowship with God continued forever unhampered
by the physical limitations with which we are familiar in this world. To read this
book is to breathe pure mountain air, which braces us and exhilarates us; it
drives out of our system any sense of world-weariness.

The emphasis in this book on the progress of man after death deserves
careful attention. A great many of us tend to think that with the end of our
earthly life all progress ends. But Sundar Singh affirmed again and again in
most emphatic terms that the possibilities of progress hereafter were infinite.
This vision of a continued development is not overshadowed by the fear of
any return to the wheel of life and death (as in the Hindu doctrine of rebirth)
but is a steady growth accomplished under helpful spiritual conditions. This
stress upon continued growth is significant. We quote here his account of this
progress. “There is a world of spirits, which is a temporary dwelling place of
spirits after they leave the body of death. This is an intermediate state –a
state between the glory and light of the highest heavens, and the dimness and
darkness of the lowest hells. In it are innumerable planes of existence, and
the soul is conducted to that plane for which its progress in the world has
fitted it. There, angels specially appointed to this work instruct it for a time,
that may be long or short, before it goes on to join the society of those spirits

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–good spirits in greater light, or evil spirits in the greater darkness –that are in
nature and mind to itself.”

How do we know all this is true? This question may occur to any thoughtful
man. Sundar Singh answered it with a characteristic parable. In a sermon
preached in Switzerland in 1922, he said:

“If the little chicken in the egg were to declare that nothing existed outside the
egg, and its mother were to reply: ‘No, in the outside world there are
mountains, flowers and a blue sky’ and the little chicken were to reply: ‘You
are talking nonsense, I can’t see any of these things,’ and if the shell were to
break suddenly, then the little chicken would see that his mother was right. It
is just the same with us; we are still in the shell, and we see neither heaven
nor hell. But one day the shell will break, and then we shall see. At the same
time there are hints of the future state: the little chicken in the shell has eyes
and wings, which are in themselves a sufficient proof that they will be needed
for a future life. The eye is created for seeing, yet what can it see while it is in
the shell? The wings are created for flying, but how can it fly while it is in the
shell? It is quite clear that neither eyes nor wings are intended for a cramped
life within the limits of a shell. In the same way, we have many desires and
longings which can never be satisfied here. There must be some way of
satisfying them, however, and this opportunity is Eternity. But just as the little
chicken needs to be kept warm as long as it is in the shell, so while we live in
this world we have cherished and warmed by the brooding Presence and Fire
of the Holy Spirit.” (Par Christ et Pour Christ, p.120.)

Archbishop Fisher (formerly Archbishop of Canterbury) wrote in the Church

Times (September, 1966): “I never think of a friend after his death as now
resting in the sleep of peace. I cannot believe that he has passed to the state
of personal inactivity which the words suggest. I am completely sure that he
has passed to more life and more activity to a state of greatly increased
spiritual awareness and exercise.

“St. Paul clearly thought so too when he said that for him ‘to live is Christ, and
to die is gain’. And our Lord must have meant this in his words on the Cross to
the penitent thief. Is it not certain that the same is true in some sense for
every man who passes from this life to lies beyond?”

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1. LIFE AND DEATH

LIFE
There is only one source of Life--an Infinite and Almighty Life, whose creative
power gave life to all living things. All creatures live in Him and in Him will they
remain forever. Again this Life created innumerable other lives, different in
kind, and in the stages of their progress man is one of these, created in God's
own image that he might ever remain happy in His holy presence.

DEATH

This life may change but it can never be destroyed, and though the change
from one form of existence into another is called Death, this never means that
death finally ends life, or even that it adds to life, or takes away from it. It
merely transfers the life from one form of existence to another. A thing that
disappears from our sight has not thereby ceased to exist. It reappears, but in
another form and state.

MAN CAN NEVER BE DESTROYED

Nothing in this whole universe was ever destroyed, nor can it ever be,
because the Creator has never created anything for destruction. If He had
wished to destroy it, He would never have created it. And if nothing in creation
can be destroyed, then how can man be destroyed, who is the crown of
creation, and the image of his Creator? Can God Himself destroy His own
image, or can any other creature do it? Never! If a man is not destroyed at
death then at once the question arises, where will man exist after death, and
in what state?

I shall attempt to give a brief explanation from my own visional experiences

though it is not possible for me to describe all the things which I have seen in
visions of the spiritual world, because the language and illustrations of this
world are inadequate to express these spiritual realities; and the very attempt
to reduce to ordinary language the glory of the things seen is likely to result in
misunderstanding. I have, therefore, had to eliminate the account of all those
subtle spiritual occurrences, for which only a spiritual language is adequate,
and to take up only a few simple and instructive incidents that will prove
profitable to all. And since at some time or other every one will have to enter
into this unseen spiritual world it will not be without profit, if we, to some
extent, become familiar with it.

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2. WHAT HAPPENS AT DEATH?
One day when I was praying alone, I suddenly found myself surrounded by a
great concourse of spirit beings, or I might say that as soon as my spiritual
eyes were opened I found myself bowed in the presence of a considerable
company of saints and angels. At first I was somewhat abashed, when I saw
their bright and glorious state and compared with them my own inferior
quality. But I was at once put at ease by their real sympathy and love-inspired
friendliness. I had already had the experience of the peace of the presence of
God in my life, but the fellowship of these saints added a new and wonderful
joy to me. As we conversed together I received from them answers to my
questions relating to my difficulties about many problems that puzzled me. My
first inquiry was about what happens at the time of dying and about the state
of the soul after death. I said, ' We know what happens to us between
childhood and old age, but we know nothing of what happens at the time of
death or beyond the gates of death. Correct information about it can be known
only by those on the other side of death, after they have entered the spiritual
world. "Can you", I asked, "give us any information about this?"

To this one of the saints answered! "Death is like sleep. There is no pain in
the passing over, except in the case of a few bodily diseases and mental
conditions. As an exhausted man is overcome by deep sleep, so comes the
sleep of death to man. Death comes so suddenly to many, that it is only with
great difficulty that they realise that they have left the material world, and
entered this world of spirits. Bewildered by the many new things that they see
around them, they imagine that they are visiting some country or city of the
physical world, which they have not seen before. It is only when they have
been more fully instructed, and realise that their spiritual body is different from
their former material body, that they allow that they have, in fact, been
transferred from the material world to the realm of spirits."

Another of the saints who was present gave this further answer to my
question, "Usually," he said, "at the time of death the body loses its power of
feeling. It has no pain, but is simply overcome by a sense of drowsiness.
Sometimes in cases of great weakness, or after accident, the spirit departs
while the body is still unconscious. Then the spirits of those who have lived
without thought of, or preparation for, entering the spiritual world, being thus
suddenly transferred into the world of spirits, are extremely bewildered, and in
a state of great distress at their fate, so, for a considerable period, they have
to remain in the lower and darker planes of the intermediate state. The spirits
of these lower spheres often greatly harass people in the world. But the only
ones that they can injure are those who are like in mind to themselves, who of
their own free will open their hearts to entertain them. These evil spirits,
allying themselves with other evil spirits, would do immense harm in the world
were it not that God has appointed innumerable angels everywhere for the
protection of His people, and of His creation, so that His people are always
safe in His keeping."

"Evil spirits can injure only those in the world who are like in nature to
themselves, and then they can do it only to a limited extent. They can, indeed,
trouble the righteous, but not without God's permission. God sometimes does

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give to Satan and his angels permission to tempt and persecute His people,
that they may emerge from the trial stronger and better, as when He allowed
Satan to persecute His servant Job. But from such a trial there is gain rather
than loss to the believer."

Another of the saints standing by added in reply to my question, "Many whose

lives have not been yielded to God, when about to die, seem to become
unconscious; but what actually happens is that when they see the hideous
and devilish faces of the evil spirits that have come about them, they become
speechless and paralysed by fear. On the other hand the dying of a believer is
frequently the very opposite of this. He is extremely happy for he sees angels
and saintly spirits coming to welcome him. Then too, his loved ones, who
have died before, are permitted to attend his deathbed, and to conduct his
soul to the spiritual world. On entering the world of spirits he at once feels at
home for not only are his friends about him, but, while in the world he had
long been preparing himself for that Home by his trust in God and fellowship
with Him."

After that a fourth saint said, "To conduct the souls of men from the world is
the work of angels. Usually Christ reveals Himself in the spiritual world to
each one in degrees of glory differing in intensity according to the state of
each soul's spiritual development. But in some cases He Himself comes to a
deathbed to welcome His servant and in love dries his tears, and leads him
into Paradise. As a child born into the world finds everything provided for its
wants, so does the soul, on entering the spiritual world find all its wants
supplied."

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3. THE WORLD OF SPIRITS
Once in the course of conversation the saints gave me this information. "After
death the soul of every human being will enter the world of spirits, and every
one, according to the stage of his spiritual growth, will dwell with spirits like in
mind and in nature to himself, either in the darkness or in the light of glory. We
are assured that no one in the physical body has entered into the spiritual
world, except Christ and a few saints, whose bodies were transformed into
glorious bodies, yet to some it has been granted, that, while still dwelling in
the world, they can see the world of spirits, and heaven itself, as in 2 Cor.
12:2, though they themselves cannot tell whether they enter Paradise in the
body or in the spirit."

After this conversation these saints conducted me around and showed me

many wonderful things and places. I saw that from all sides thousands upon
thousands of souls were constantly arriving in the world of spirits, and that all
were attended by angels. The souls of the good had with them only angels
and good spirits, who had conducted them from their death-beds. Evil spirits
were not allowed to come near to them, but stood far off and watched. I saw
also that there were no good spirits with the souls of the really wicked, but
about them were evil spirits, who had come with them from their death-beds,
while angels, too, stood by and prevented the evil spirits from giving free play
to the spite of their malicious natures in harassing them. The evil spirits
almost immediately led these souls away towards the darkness, for when in
the flesh, they had consistently allowed evil spirits to influence them for evil,
and had willingly permitted themselves to be enticed to all kinds of
wickedness.

For the angels in no way interfere with the free will of any soul. I saw there,
also, many souls who had lately come into the world of spirits, who were
attended by both good and evil spirits, as well as by angels. But before long
the radical difference of their lives began to assert itself, and they separated
themselves--the good in character towards the good, and the evil towards the
evil.

SONS OF LIGHT
When the souls of men arrive in the world of spirits the good at once separate
from the evil. In the world all are mixed together, but it is not so in the spiritual
world. I have many times seen that when the spirits of the good--the Sons of
Light enter into the world of spirits they first of all bathe in the impalpable air-
like waters of a crystal clear ocean, and in this they find an intense and
exhilarating refreshment. Within these miraculous waters they move about as
if in open air, neither are they drowned beneath them, nor do the waters wet
them, but, wonderfully cleansed and refreshed and fully purified, they enter
into the world of glory and light, where they will ever remain in the presence of
their dear Lord, and in the fellowship of innumerable saints and angels.

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SONS OF DARKNESS
How different from these are the souls of those whose lives have been evil. Ill
at ease in the company of the Sons of Light, and tormented by the all-
revealing light of Glory, they struggle to hide themselves in places where their
impure and sin-stained natures will not be seen. From the lowest and darkest
part of the world of spirits a black and evil-smelling smoke arises, and in their
effort to hide themselves from the light, these Sons of Darkness push down,
and cast themselves headlong into it, and from it their bitter wails of remorse
and anguish are heard constantly to arise. But heaven is so arranged that the
smoke is not seen, nor are the wails of anguish heard, by the spirits in
heaven, unless any of them for some special reason should wish to see the
evil plight of those souls in darkness.

DEATH OF A CHILD
A little child died of pneumonia, and a party of angels came to conduct his
soul to the world of spirits. I wish that his mother could have seen that
wonderful sight, then, instead of weeping, she would have sung with joy, for
the angels take care of the little ones with a care and a love that no mother
ever could show. I heard one of the angels say to another, "See how this
child's mother weeps over this short and temporary separation! In a very few
years she will be happy again with her child." Then the angels took the child's
soul to that beautiful and light-filled part of heaven, which is set apart for
children, where they care for them, and teach them in all heavenly wisdom,
until gradually the little ones become like the angels.

After some time this child's mother also died, and her child, who had now
become like the angels, came with other angels to welcome the soul of his
mother. When he said to her, "Mother, do you not know me? I am your son
Theodore," the mother's heart was flooded with joy, and when they embraced
one another their tears of joy fell like flowers. It was a touching sight! Then as
they walked along together he kept on pointing out, and explaining to her the
things around them, and during the time appointed for her stay in the
intermediate state, he remained with her, and, when the period necessary for
instruction in that world was completed he took her with him to the higher
sphere where he himself dwelt.

There, on all sides, were wonderful and joyous surroundings, and

unnumbered souls of men were there, who in the world had borne all kinds of
suffering for the sake of Christ, and in the end had been raised to this
Glorious place of honour. All around were matchless and exceedingly
beautiful mountains, springs & landscapes, & in the gardens was abundance
of all kinds of sweet fruits & beautiful flowers. Everything the heart could
desire was there. Then he said to his mother, "In the World, which is the dim
reflection of this real world, our dear ones are grieving over us, but, tell me, is
this death, or the real life for which every heart yearns?" The mother said,
"Son. this is the true life. If I had known in the world the whole truth about
heaven, I would never have grieved over your death. What a pity it is those in
the world are so blind! In spite of the fact that Christ has explained quite

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clearly about this state of glory, and that the Gospels again and again tell of
this eternal kingdom of the Father, yet, not only ignorant people, but many
enlightened believers as well, still remain altogether unaware of its glory. May
God grant that all may enter into the abiding joy of this place!"

DEATH OF A PHILOSOPHER
The soul of a German philosopher entered into the world of spirits and saw
from afar the incomparable glory of the spiritual world, and the boundless
happiness of its people. He was delighted with what he saw, but his stubborn
intellectualism stood in the way of his entering into it, and enjoying its
happiness. Instead of admitting that it was real, he argued thus with himself,
"There is no doubt at all that I see all this, but what proof is there that it has
objective existence, and is not some illusion conjured up by my mind? From
end to end of all this scene I will apply the tests of logic, philosophy and
science, and then only will I be convinced that it has a reality of its own, and is
no illusion." Then the angels answered him, "It is evident from your speech
that your intellectualism has warped your whole nature, for as spiritual, and
not bodily, eyes are needed to see the spiritual world, so spiritual
understanding is necessary to comprehend its reality, and not mental
exercises in the fundamentals of logic and philosophy. Your science, that
deals with material facts, has been left behind with your physical skull and
brain in the World. Here, only that spiritual wisdom is of use which arises out
of the fear and love of God." Then said one of the angels to another, "What a
pity it is that people forget that precious word of our Lord, 'Except ye be
converted, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the
Kingdom of Heaven' (Matt. 18:3). I asked one of the angels what the end of
this man would be, and he replied "If this man's life had been altogether bad,
then he would at once have joined the spirits of darkness, but he is not
without a moral sense, so for a very long time he will wander blindly round in
the dim light of the lower parts of the intermediate state, and keep on bumping
his philosophical head, until tired of his foolishness, he repents. Then he will
be ready to receive the necessary instruction from the angels appointed for
that purpose, and, when instructed, will he be fit to enter into the fuller light of
God in the higher sphere."

In one sense the whole of infinite space, filled as it is with the presence of
God, who is Spirit, is a spiritual world. In another sense the World also is a
spiritual world, for its inhabitants are spirits clothed with human bodies. But
there is yet another world of spirits after they leave the body at death. This is
an intermediate state -- a state between the glory and light of the highest
heavens, and the dimness and darkness of the lowest hells. In it are
innumerable planes of existence, and the soul is conducted to that plane for
which its progress in the World has fitted it. There, angels especially
appointed to this work, instruct it for a time, that may be long or short, before it
goes on to join the society of those spirits -- good spirits in the greater light, or
evil spirits in the greater darkness -- that are like in nature and in mind to
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4. MAN’S HELP AND TEACHING –NOW AND AFTER

UNSEEN HELP
Our relatives and dear ones, and at times the saints as well often come from
the unseen world to help and protect us, but the angels always do. Yet they
have never been allowed to make themselves visible to us, except at a few
times of very special need. By ways unrecognised by us they influence us
towards holy thoughts, and incline us towards God and towards good
conduct, and God's Spirit, dwelling in our hearts, completes that work for the
perfecting of our spiritual life, which they have been unable to accomplish.

The greatness of any one does not depend upon his knowledge and position,
nor by these alone can any one be great. A man is as great as he can be
useful to others, and the usefulness of his life to others depends on his
service to them. Hence, in so far as a man can serve others in love, just so far
is he great. As the Lord said, "But whosoever will be great among you let him
be your servant" (Matt. 20:26). The joy of all those that dwell in heaven is
found in this that they serve one another in love, and thus, fulfilling the object
of their lives, they remain forever in the presence of God.

WHO IS THE GREATEST?

The greatness of anyone does not depend upon his knowledge and position,
nor by these alone can any one be great. A man is as great as he can be
useful to others, and the usefulness of his life to others depends on his
service to them. Hence, in so far as a man can serve others in love, just so far
is he great. As the Lord said, “But whosoever will be great among you let him
be your servant” (Matt. 20: 26). The joy of all those that dwell in heaven is
found in this that they serve one another in love, and thus, fulfilling the objects
of their lives’ they remain forever in the presence of God.

THE CORRECTION OF ERROR

When people earnestly desire to live lives pleasing to God, the readjustment
of their views, and the renewal of their lives, begin in this world. Not only does
the Spirit of God teach them directly but in the secret chamber of their hearts
they are helped by communion with the saints, who, unseen by them are ever
at hand to assist them towards the good.

But, as many Christian believers, as well as non-Christian seekers after truth,

die while still holding false and partial views of truth, their views are corrected
in the world of spirits, provided that they are not obstinately welded to their

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opinions, and are willing to learn, because neither in this world, nor in the
next, does God, or any servant of His, force a man to believe anything against
his will.

THE MANIFESTATION OF CHRIST

I saw in a vision the spirit of an idolater on reaching the world of spirits begin
at once to search for his god. Then the saints said to him, "There is no god
here save the One True God, and Christ, who is His manifestation." At this the
man was a good deal astonished, but being a sincere seeker after truth, he
frankly admitted that he had been in error. He eagerly sought to know the
correct view of truth, and asked if he might see the Christ. Shortly after this
Christ manifested Himself in a dim light to him, and to others who had newly
arrived in the world of spirits, because at this stage they could not have
endured a full exhibition of His glory, for His glory is so surpassing that even
the angels look on Him with difficulty, and cover their faces with their wings
(Isaiah 6:9). When He does reveal Himself to any one He takes into account
the particular stage of progress to which that soul has attained, so He appears
dimly, or in the fuller light of His glory, that the sight of Him may be endured.
So, when these spirits saw Christ in this dim but attractive light, they were
filled with a joy and peace which is beyond our power to describe. Bathed in
the rays of His life-giving light, and with the waves of His love, which
constantly flow out from Him, flowing over them, all their error was washed
away. Then with all their hearts they acknowledged Him as the Truth, and
found healing, and, bowing in lowly adoration before Him, thanked and
praised Him. And the saints, who had been appointed for their instruction;
also rejoiced over them.

A LABOURER AND A DOUBTER

Once I saw in a vision a labouring man arrive in the spirit world. He was in
great distress, for in all his life he had given no thought to anything but
earning his daily bread. He had been too busy to think of God, or of spiritual
things. At the same time he had died another had also died, who was a
doubter, obstinate in his opinions. Both were ordered to remain for a long
period far down in the world of spirits in a place of darkness. In this, being in
distress, they began to cry for help. Saints and angels, in love and sympathy,
went to instruct them that they might understand how to become members of
the Kingdom of Glory and Light. But in spite of their distress, like many other
spirits, they preferred to remain on in their dark abode, for sin had so warped
their whole character and nature that they doubted everything. They even
looked with suspicion on the angels who had come to help them. As I watched
I wondered what their end would be, but, when I asked, the only answer I got
was from one of the saints, who said, "God may have mercy on them."

We can form an estimate from the depravity of man's perverted nature from
this, that, if an evil report about another goes round, even if it is false, a man
whose outlook is distorted by sin will at once accept it as true. If, on the other
hand, a good and perfectly true report is received, for example that such and

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such a man is a devout man, who has done this or that work for the glory of
God and for the good of his fellows, then, without hesitation, such a hearer will
say, "It is all false. So-and-so must have some motive of his own at the back
of it all." Should we ask such a man how he knows that the former case is true
and the latter false, and what proof he can give, he will have not the slightest
proof to put forward.

All that we can learn from such an attitude of mind is, that, as his mind is
tainted with evil he believes evil reports because they fit in with his evil nature,
and he thinks good reports are lies because they do not fit in with the evil of
his heart. By nature a good man's attitude is the opposite of this. He is
naturally inclined to doubt an evil report, and to believe a good report,
because this attitude best fits in with the goodness of his nature. Those who in
this world pass their lives in opposition to the will of God will have rest of heart
neither in this world nor in the world to come; and, on entering the world of
spirits they will feel bewildered and distressed. But those who in this world are
conformed to the will or the Lord will be at peace on reaching the next, and
will be filled with unspeakable joy, because here is their eternal home, and the
kingdom of their Father.

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5. THE JUDGMENT OF SINNERS
Many have the idea that if they sin in secret then none will ever know about it,
but it is altogether impossible that any sin should remain hidden forever. At
some time or other it will certainly be known, and the sinner will also receive
the punishment he deserves. Also goodness and truth can never be hidden.
In the end they must triumph, though, for a time, they may not be recognised.
The following incidents will throw light on the state of the sinner.

A GOOD MAN AND A THIEF

Once in a vision, one of the saints recounted this story to me, "Late one night
a godly man had to go a distance to do some necessary work. As he went
along he came upon a thief breaking into a shop. He said to him, 'You have
no right to take other people's property, and to cause them loss. It is a great
sin to do so.' The thief answered, 'If you want to get out of this safely, then get
out quietly. If you don't there will be trouble for you.' The good man persisted
in his efforts, and, when the thief would not listen, he began to shout and
raised the neighbours. They rushed out to seize the thief, but as soon as the
good man began to accuse him, the thief retaliated and accused the good
man. 'Oh-yes;' he said, 'you think this fellow is very religious, but I caught him
in the very act of stealing.' As there were no witnesses both were arrested,
and locked up together in a room, while a police officer and some of his men
hid themselves to listen to their conversation. Then the thief began to laugh at
his fellow prisoner.

'Look,' he said, 'haven't I caught you nicely? I told you at first to get out or it
would be the worse for you. Now we'll see how your religion is going to save
you.' As soon as the officer heard this he opened the door and released the
good man with honour and a reward, while he gave the thief a severe beating,
and locked him in a prison cell. So, even in this world, there is a degree of
judgment between good and bad men, but the full punishment and reward will
be given only in the world to come."

SECRET SINS
The following was also related to me in a vision. A man in the secret of his
own room was committing a sinful act, and he thought that his sin was hidden.
One of the saints said, "How I wish that the spiritual eyes of this man had
been open at the time, then he would never have dared to commit this sin."
For in that room were a number of angels and saints, as well as some spirits
of his dear ones, who had come to help him. All of them were grieved to see
his shameful conducts and one of them said, "We came to help him, but now
we will have to be witnesses against him at the time of his judgment. He
cannot see us, but we can all see him indulging in this sin. Would that this
man would repent, and be saved from the punishment to come."

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WASTED OPPORTUNITIES
Once I saw in the world of spirits a spirit who, with cries of remorse was
rushing about like a madman. An angel said, "In the world this man had many
chances of repenting and turning towards God, but whenever his conscience
began to trouble him he used to drown its prickings in drink. He wasted all his
property, and ruined his family, and in the end committed suicide, and now in
the world of spirits he rushes frantically about like a mad dog and writhes in
remorse at the thought of his lost opportunities. We are all willing to help him,
but his own perverted nature prevents him from repenting, for sin has
hardened his heart, though the memory of his sin is always fresh to him. In
the world he drank to make himself forget the voice of his conscience, but
here there is no possible chance of covering up anything. Now his soul is so
naked that he himself, and all the inhabitants of the spiritual world, can see his
sinful life. For him, in his sin-hardened state, no other course is possible but
that he must hide himself in the darkness with other evil spirits, and so to
some extent escape the torture of the light."

A WICKED MAN PERMITTED TO ENTER HEAVEN

Once in my presence a man of evil life entered at death into the world of
spirits. When the angel and saints wished to help him he at once began to
curse and revile them, and say, "God is altogether unjust. He has prepared
heaven for such flattering slaves as you are, and casts the rest of mankind
into hell. Yet you call Him Love!" The angels replied, "God certainly is Love.
He created men that they might live forever in happy fellowship with Him, but
men, by their own obstinacy, and by abuse of their free will have turned their
faces away from Him, and have made hell for themselves. God neither casts
any one into hell, nor will He ever do so, but man himself, by being entangled
in sin, creates hell for himself. God never created any hell."

Just then the exceedingly sweet voice of one of the high angels was heard
from above saying, "God gives permission that this man may be brought into
heaven." Eagerly the man stepped forward accompanied by two angels, but
when they reached the door of heaven, and saw the holy and light-enveloped
place and the glorious and blessed inhabitants that dwell there, he began to
feel uneasy. The angels said to him, "see how beautiful a world is this! Go a
little farther, and look at the dear Lord sitting on His throne." From the door he
looked, and then as the light of the Sun of Righteousness revealed to him the
impurity of his sin-defiled life, he started back in an agony of self-loathing, and
fled, with such precipitancy, that he did not even stop in the intermediate state
of the world of spirits, but like a stone he passed through it, and cast himself
headlong into the bottomless pit.

Then the sweet and ravishing voice of the Lord was heard saying, "Look, My
dear children, none is forbidden to come here, and no one forbade this man,
nor has any one asked him to leave. It was his own impure life that forced him
to flee from this holy place, for, 'Except a man be born again he cannot see
the kingdom of God' (John 3:3).

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THE SPIRIT OF A MURDERER
A man, who some years before had killed a Christian preacher, was bitten by
a snake in the jungle, and died. When he entered the world of spirits, he saw
good and bad spirits all around him, and because the whole aspect of his soul
showed that he was a son of darkness, the evil spirits soon had possession of
him, and pushed him along with them towards the darkness. One of the saints
remarked, "He killed a man of God by the poison of his anger, and now he is
killed by the poison of a snake. The old Serpent, the devil, by means of this
man, killed an innocent man. Now, by means of another snake, which is like
him, he has killed this man, for 'he was a murderer from the beginning' " (John
8:44).

AND THE SPIRIT OF THE MAN MURDERED

As he was being taken away, one from among the good spirits, who had
come to help him, said to him, "I have forgiven you with all my heart. Now can
I do anything to help you?" The murderer at once recognised him as the same
man whom he had killed some years before. Ashamed and smitten with fear
he fell down before him, and at once the evil spirits began to clamour loudly,
but the angels who were standing at a distance rebuked and silenced them.
Then the murderer said to the man whom he had killed, "How I wish that, in
the world, I could have seen your unselfish and loving life as I see it now! I
regret that through my blindness, and because your real spiritual life was
screened by your body, I could not then see the inner beauty of your life. Also
by killing you I deprived many of the blessing and benefit that you would have
given them. Now I am forever a sinner in God's sight, and fully deserve my
punishment. I don't know what I can do except hide myself in some dark cave,
because I cannot bear this light. In it, not only does my own heart make me
miserable, but all can see every detail of my sinful life." To this the man who
had been murdered replied, "You should truly repent, and turn to God, for if
you do there is hope that the Lamb of God will wash you in His own blood,
and give you new life that you may live with us in heaven, and be saved frown
the torment of Hell."

The murderer said in reply, "There is no need for me to confess my sins for
they are open to all. In the world I could hide them, but not here. I want to live
with saints like you in heaven, but when I cannot bear the dimness of the self-
revealing light in the world of spirits, then what will be my state in the
searching brightness and glory of that light-filled place? My greatest hindrance
is that, through my sins, my conscience is so dull and hardened that my
nature will not incline towards God and repentance. I seem to have no power
to repent left in me. Now there is nothing for it, but that I shall be driven out
from here forever. Alas for my unhappy state!" As he said this, fear-stricken,
he fell down, and his fellow evil spirits dragged him away into the darkness.
Then one of the angels said, "See! there is no need for anyone to pronounce
a sentence of doom. Of itself the life of any sinner proves him guilty. There is
no need to tell him, or to put forward witnesses against him. To a certain
extent punishment begins in the heart of every sinner while in the world, but
here they feel the full effect of it. And God's arrangement here is such that
goats and sheep, that is, sinners and righteous, separate of their own accord.

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God created man to live in light, in which his Spiritual health and joy are made
permanent forever. Therefore no man can be happy in the darkness of hell,
nor, because of his sin-perverted life, can he be happy in the light. So
wherever a sinner may go he will find himself in hell. How opposite to this is
the state of the righteous, who freed from sin, is in heaven everywhere !"

THE SPIRIT OF A LIAR

In the world there was a man so addicted to lying that it had become second
nature to him. When he died and entered the world of spirits, he tried to lie as
usual, but was greatly ashamed because even before he could speak, his
thoughts were known to all. No one can be a hypocrite there, because the
thought of no heart can remain hidden. The soul as it leaves the body bears in
it the imprint of all its sin, and its very members become witnesses against it.
Nothing can blot out that stain of sin except the blood of Christ. When this
man was in the world he regularly tried to distort right into wrong, and wrong
into right, but, after his bodily death he learned that there never is, and never
can be, a possibility of twisting truth into untruth. He who lies injures and
deceives no one but himself, so this man by lying had killed the inner
perception to truth which he had once possessed. I watched him as,
inextricably tangled in his own deceit, he turned his face away from the light
from above, and hurried away far down into the darkness, where none could
see his filthy love of lying, except those spirits who were like in nature to
himself.

For Truth is always Truth, and it alone gave this man the sentence of his
falseness, and condemned him as a liar.

THE SPIRIT OF AN ADULTERER

I saw an adulterer, who had shortly before arrived in the world of spirits. His
tongue was hanging out like a man consumed by thirst, his nostrils were
distended, and he beat his arms about as if a kind of fire burned within him.
His appearance was so evil and loathsome that I revolted at looking at him. All
the accompaniments of luxury and sensuality had been left behind in the
world and now, like a mad dog, he ran frantically around, and cried, "Curse on
this life! There is no death here to put an end to all this pain. And here the
spirit cannot die, otherwise, I should again kill myself, as I did with a pistol in
the world in order to escape from my troubles there. But this pain is far greater
than the pain of the world. What shall I do?" Saying this he ran towards the
darkness, where were many other like minded spirits, and there disappeared.

One of the saints said "Not only is an evil act sin, but an evil thought, and an
evil look is also sin. This sin is not confined only to trafficking with strange
women, but excess and animalism in relation to one's wife is also sin. A man
and his wife are truly joined together not for sensualism but for mutual help
and support, that they with their children may spend their lives in the service
of mankind and for the glory of God.

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But he who departs from this aim in life is guilty of the adulterer's sin."

THE SOUL OF A ROBBER

A robber died and entered the world of spirits. At first he took no interest in his
state, or in the spirits about him, but, as his habit was, he at once set about
helping himself to the valuables of the place. But he was amazed that in the
spirit world the very things seemed to be speaking and accusing him of his
unworthy action. His nature was so perverted that he neither knew the true
use of these things nor was he fit to use them rightly. In the World his
passions had been so unbridled, that, for the most trifling cause, he, in his
anger, had killed or wounded any who had offended him. Now in the world of
spirits, he began to act in the same way. He turned on the spirits, who came
to instruct him, as if he would have torn them to pieces, like a savage dog will
do even in the presence of its master. On this one of the angels said, "If spirits
of this kind were not kept down in the darkness or the bottomless pit, then
they would cause immense harm wherever they might go. This man's
conscience is so dead, that even after he has reached the world of spirits, he
fails to recognise that, by murdering and robbing in the world, he has wasted
his own spiritual discernment and life. He killed and destroyed others, but in
reality he has destroyed himself. God alone knows if this man, and those who
are like him, will remain in torment for ages or forever."

After this the angels appointed to the duty took him, and shut him down in the
darkness from which he is not permitted to come out. The state of evildoers in
that place is so terrible, and so inexpressibly fierce is this torment, that those
who see them tremble at the sight. Because of the limitations of our worldly
speech we can only say this, that wherever the soul of a sinner is, always and
in every way, there is nothing but pain that ceases not for a moment. A kind of
lightless fire burns forever and torments these souls, but neither are they
altogether consumed, nor does the fire die out. A spirit who was watching
what had just happened said, "Who knows but that in the end this may not be
a cleansing flame?" In the dark part of the world of spirits, which is called Hell,
there are many grades and planes, and the particular one in which any spirit
lives in suffering is dependent on the quantity and character of his sins. In fact
God made them all in His own image (Gen. 1:26, 27; Col. 1:15), yet by their
connection with sin they have disfigured this image, and have made it
unbeautiful and evil. They have, indeed, a kind of spiritual body, but it is
exceedingly loathsome and frightful, and if they are not restored by true
repentance, and the grace of God, (while on earth), then in this fearful form
they must remain in torment forever.

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6. THE STATE OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THEIR GLORIOUS END
Heaven, or the Kingdom of God, begins in the lives of all true believers in this
world. Their hearts are always filled with peace and joy, no matter what
persecutions and troubles they may have to endure; for God, who is the
source of all peace and life, dwells in them. Death is no death for them, but a
door by which they enter forever into their eternal home. Or we may say that
though they have already been born again into their eternal kingdom, yet
when they leave the body, it is for them, not the day of their death, but their
day of birth into the spiritual world, and it is for them a time of superlative joy
as the following incidents will make clear.

THE DEATH OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN

An angel related to me how a true Christian, who had wholeheartedly served
his Master for thirty years, lay dying. A few minutes before he died God
opened his spiritual eyes that, even before leaving the body, he might see the
spiritual world and might tell what he saw to those about him. He saw that
heaven had been opened for him, and a party of angels and saints was
coming out to meet him, and at the door the Saviour with outstretched hand
was waiting to receive him. As all this broke upon him he gave such a shout of
joy that those at his bedside were startled. "What a joy it is for me," he
exclaimed, "I have long been waiting that I might see my Lord, and go to Him.
Oh friends ! look at His face all lighted by love, and see that company of
angels that has come for me. What a glorious place it is! Friends, I am setting
out for my real home, do not grieve over my departure, but rejoice !" One of
those present at his bedside said quietly, "His mind is wandering." He heard
the low voice and said, "No, it is not. I am quite conscious. I wish you could
see this wonderful sight. I am sorry it is hidden from your eyes. Good-bye, we
will meet again in the next world." Saving this he closed his eyes, and said,
"Lord I commend my soul into thy hands" and so fell asleep.

COMFORTING HIS DEAR ONES

As soon as his soul had left his body the angels took him in their arms, and
were about to go off to heaven, but he asked them to delay a few minutes. He
looked at his lifeless body, and at his friends, and said to the angels, "I did not
know that the spirit after leaving the body could see his own body and his
friends. I wish my friends could see me, as well as I can see them, then these
would never count me as dead, nor mourn for me as they do." Then he
examined his spiritual body and found it beautifully light and delicate, and
totally different from his gross material body. On that he began to restrain his
wife and children who were weeping and kissing his cold body. He stretched
out his delicate spiritual hands, and began to explain to them, and with great
love to press them away from it, but they could neither see him, nor hear his
voice, and, as he tried to remove his children from off his body, it seemed as if
his hands passed right through their bodies, as if they were air, but they felt
nothing at all. Then one of the angels said, "Come, let us take you to your
everlasting home. Do not be sorry for them. The Lord Himself, and we also,
will comfort them. This separation is but for a few days."

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Then in company with the angels he set out for heaven. They had gone
forward only a little way when another band of angels met them with cries of
"Welcome." Many friends and dear ones, who had died before him, also met
him, and on seeing them his joy was further increased. On reaching the gate
of heaven the angels and saints stood in silence on either side. He entered,
and in the doorway was met by Christ. At once he fell at His feet to worship
Him, but the Lord lifted him up, and embraced him, and said, "Well done,
good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." At that the man's
joy was indescribable. From his eyes tears of joy began to flow, and the Lord
in great love wiped them away, and to the angels He said, "Take him to that
most glorious mansion that, from the beginning, has been prepared for him."

Now the spirit of this man of God still held the earthly idea, that to turn his
back on the Lord as he went off with the angels would be a dishonour to Him.
He hesitated to do this, but, when at last he turned his face towards the
mansion, he was astonished to see that wherever he looked he could see the
Lord. For Christ is present in every place, and is seen everywhere by saints
and angels. In addition to the Lord, he was delighted to see that on every side
there were surroundings that filled him with joy, and that those who are lowest
in rank meet without envy those who are higher, and that those whose
position is more exalted count themselves fortunate to be able to serve their
brethren in lower positions because this is the kingdom of God, and of love.

In every part of heaven there are superb gardens which all the time produce
every variety of sweet and luscious fruit, and all kinds of sweet scented
flowers that never fade. In them creatures of every kind give praise to God
unceasingly. Birds, beautiful in hue, raise their sweet songs of praise, and
such is the sweet singing of angels and saints that on hearing their songs a
wonderful sense of rapture is experienced. Wherever one may look there is
nothing but scenes of unbounded joy. This, in truth, is the Paradise that God
has prepared for those that love Him, where there is no shade of death, nor
error, nor sin, nor suffering, but abiding peace and joy.

THE MANSIONS OF HEAVEN

Then I saw a man of God examining his appointed mansion from a great
distance. When this man, in company with the angels, arrived at the door of
his appointed mansion, he saw written on it in shining letters the word
"Welcome," and from the letters themselves "Welcome, Welcome," in audible
sound was repeated and repeated again. When he had entered his home, to
his surprise he found the Lord there before him. At this his joy was more than
we can describe, and he exclaimed, "I left the Lord's presence and came here
at His command, but I find that the Lord Himself is here to dwell with me." In
the mansion was everything that his imagination could have conceived, and
everyone was ready to serve him. In the near-by houses, saints, like-minded
to himself, lived in happy fellowship. For this heavenly house is the kingdom
which has been prepared for the saints from the foundation of the world (Matt.
25:34), and this is the glorious future that awaits every true follower of Christ.

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A PROUD MINISTER AND A HUMBLE WORKMAN
A minister who looked on himself as an exceedingly learned and religious
man died at a ripe old age. And without doubt he was a good man. When the
angels came to take him to the place appointed for him by the Lord in the
world of spirits, they brought him into the intermediate state, and left him there
with many other good spirits, who had lately arrived, in charge of those angels
who are appointed to instruct good souls, while they themselves went back to
usher in another good spirit.

In that intermediate heaven there are grades upon grades right up to the
higher heavens, and the grade into which any soul is admitted for instruction,
is determined by the real goodness of his life on earth.

When the angels, who had put this minister in his grade, came back
conducting in the other soul, for whom they had gone, they brought him up
beyond the grade in which the minister was, on their way up to a higher plane.
Seeing this the minister in a blustering voice called out, "What right have you
to leave me half-way up to that glorious country, while You take this other
man away up near to it? Neither in holiness, nor in anything else, am I in any
way less than this man, or than you yourselves." The angels replied, "There is
no question here of great or small, or of more or less, but a man is put into
whatever grade he has merited by his life and faith. You are not quite ready
yet for that upper grade, so you will have to remain here for a while, and learn
some of the things that our fellow-workers are appointed to teach. Then, when
the Lord commands us, we will, with great pleasure, take you with us to that
higher sphere." He said, "I have been teaching people all my life about the
way to reach heaven. What more have I to learn? I know all about it."

Then the instructing angels said, "They must go up now, we can't detain them,
but we will answer your question. My friend, do not be offended if we speak
plainly, for it is for your good. You think you are alone here, but the Lord is
also here though you cannot see Him. The pride that you displayed when you
said, 'I know all about it' prevents you from seeing Him, and from going up
higher. Humility is the cure for this pride. Practice it and your desire will be
granted."

After this one of the angels told him, "The man who has just been promoted
above you, was no learned or famous man. You did not look at him very
carefully. He was a member of your own congregation. People hardly knew
him at all, for he was an ordinary working man, and had little leisure from his
work. But in his workshop many knew him as an industrious and honest
worker. His Christian character was recognised by all who came in contact
with him. In the war he was called up for service in France. There, one day, as
he was helping a wounded comrade, he was struck by a bullet and killed.
Though his death was sudden he was ready for it, so he did not have to
remain in the intermediate state as long as you will have to do. His promotion
depends, not on favouritism, but on his spiritual worthiness. His life of prayer
and humility, while he was in the world, prepared him to a great extent for the
spiritual world. Now he is rejoicing at having reached his appointed place, and

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is thanking and praising the Lord, who, in His mercy, has saved him, and
given him eternal life."

HEAVENLY LIFE
In heaven no one can ever be a hypocrite, for all can see the lives of others
as they are. The all-revealing light which flows out from the Christ in Glory
makes the wicked in their remorse try to hide themselves, but it fills the
righteous with the utmost joy to be in the Father's kingdom of Light. There,
their goodness is evident to all, and it ever increases more and more, for
nothing is present that can hinder their growth, and everything that can
sustain them is there to help them. The degrees of goodness reached by the
soul of a righteous man is known by the brightness that radiates from his
whole appearance; for character and nature show themselves in the form of
various glowing rainbow-like colours of great glory. In heaven there is no
jealousy. All are glad to see the spiritual elevation and glory of others, and,
without any motive of self seeking, try, at all times, truly to serve one another.
All the innumerable gifts and blessings of heaven are for the common use of
all. No one out of selfishness ever thinks of keeping anything for himself, and
there is enough of everything for all.

God, who is Love, is seen in the person of Jesus sitting on the throne in the
highest heaven. From Him, who is the "Sun of Righteousness," and the "Light
of the World," healing and life-giving rays and waves of light and love are
seen flowing out through every saint and angel, and bringing to whatever they
touch vitalising and vivifying power.

There is in heaven neither east or west, nor north nor south, but for each
individual soul or angel, Christ's throne appears as the centre of all things.

There also are found every kind of sweet and delicious flower and fruit, and
many kinds of spiritual food. While eating them an exquisite flavour and
pleasure are experienced but, after the are assimilated, a delicate scent,
which perfumes the air around, exudes from the pores of the body.

In short the will and desires of all the inhabitants of heaven are fulfilled in God,
because in every life God's will is made perfect, so under all conditions, and at
every stage of heaven, there is for every one an unchanging experience of
wonderful joy and blessedness.

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7. THE AIM AND PURPOSE OF CREATION
A few months ago I was lying alone in my room suffering acutely from an ulcer
in my eye. The pain was so great that I could do no other work, so I spent the
time in prayer and intercession. One day I had been thus engaged for only a
few minutes, when the spiritual world was opened to me, and I found myself
surrounded by numbers of angels. Immediately I forgot all my pain, for my
whole attention was concentrated on them. I mention below a few other
subjects on which we conversed together.

NAMES IN HEAVEN
I asked them, "Can you tell me by what names you are known?" One of the
angels replied, "Each of us has been given a new name, which none knows
except the Lord and the one who has received it (Rev. 2:17). All of us here
have served the Lord in different lands and in different ages, and there is no
need that any know what our names are. Nor is there any necessity that we
should tell our former earthly names. It might be interesting to know them, but
what would be the use of it? And then we do not want people to know our
names, lest they should imagine us great and give honour to us, instead of to
the Lord, who has so loved us that He has lifted us up out of our fallen state,
and has brought us into our eternal home, where we will forever sing praises
in His loving fellowship - - and this is the object for which He has created us."

SEEING GOD
I asked again, "Do the angels and saints who live in the highest spheres of
heaven, always look on the face of God? And, if they see Him, in what form
and state does He appear?"

One of the saints said, "As the sea is full of water, so is the whole universe
filled with God, and every inhabitant of heaven feels His presence about him
on every side. When one dives under water, above and below and round
about there is nothing but water, so in heaven is the presence of God felt. And
just as in the water of the sea there are uncounted living creatures, so in the
Infinite Being of God His creatures exist. Because He is Infinite, His children,
who are finite, can see Him only in the form of Christ. As the Lord Himself has
said, "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father" (John 14:9). In this world of
spirits the spiritual progress of any one governs the degree to which he is able
to know and feel God; and the Christ also reveals His glorious form to each
one according to his spiritual enlightenment and capacity. If Christ were to
appear in the same glorious light to-the dwellers of the darkened lower
spheres of the spiritual world, as he; appears to those in the higher planes,
then they would not be able to bear it. So He tempers the glory of His
manifestation to the state of progress, and to the capacity, of each individual
soul."

Then another saint added, "God's presence can indeed be felt and enjoyed
but it cannot be expressed in words. As the sweetness of the sweet is enjoyed
by tasting, and not by the most graphic descriptive phrasing, so every one in
heaven experiences the joy of God's presence, and every one in the spiritual

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world knows that his experience of God is real, and has no need that any
should attempt to help him with a verbal description of it."

DISTANCE IN HEAVEN
I asked, "How far from one another are the various heavenly spheres of
existence? If one cannot go to stay in other spheres is he permitted to visit
them?"

Then one of the saints said, "The place of residence is appointed for each
soul in that plane to which his spiritual development has fitted him, but for
short periods he can go to visit other spheres. When those of the higher
spheres come down to the lower, a kind of spiritual covering is given to them,
that the glory of their appearance may not be disconcerting to the inhabitants
of the lower and darker spheres. So when one from a lower sphere goes to a
higher, he also gets a kind of spiritual covering that he may be able to bear
the light and glory of that place."

In heaven distance is never felt by any one, for as soon as one forms the wish
to go to a certain place he at once finds himself there. Distances are felt only
in the material world. If one wishes to see a saint in another sphere, either he
himself is transported there in a moment of thought, or at once the distant
saint arrives in his presence.

THE WITHERED FIG TREE

I inquired of them, "Everything is created for some purpose, but it sometimes
appears that that purpose is not fulfilled, for instance, the purpose of the fig
tree was to produce fruit, but, when the Lord found it fruitless, He withered it
up. Can you enlighten me as to whether its purpose was fulfilled or not?"

A saint replied, "Undoubtedly its purpose was fulfilled, and was fulfilled more
fully. The Lord of Life gives life to every creature for a certain specific
purpose, but if that purpose is not fulfilled He has power to take back the life
in order to fulfil some higher purpose. Many thousands of God's servants have
sacrificed their lives in order to teach and uplift others. By losing their lives for
others they have helped them, and thus fulfilled the higher purpose of God.
And if it is lawful, and a most noble service, for man, who is higher than fig
trees and all other created things, to give his life for other men, then how can
it be unjust if a mere tree gives its life for the teaching and warning of an
erring nation? So through this fig tree Christ taught this great lesson to the
Jews, and to the whole world, that those whose lives are fruitless, and who fail
in the purpose for which God created them, will be altogether withered and
destroyed."

And the facts of history make it abundantly plain to us that the bigoted and
narrow Jewish national life of that day was, because of its barrenness,
withered away like the fig tree. And in the same way the fruitless lives of

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others, though outwardly they may appear fruitful, are a cause of deception to
others, and will be cursed and destroyed. If any one should object that when
the Lord cursed this fig tree, it was not the fruit season and figs should not
have been looked for, then he should reflect that for doing good there is no
fixed season, because all seasons and times are equally appointed for good
works, and that he himself should make his life fruitful and thus fulfil the
purpose for which he was created.

IS MAN A FREE AGENT?

Again I asked, "Would it not have been far better if God had created man and
all creation perfect, for then man could neither have committed sin, nor
because of sin would there have been so much sorrow and suffering in the
world; but now, in a creation made subject to vanity, we have all kinds of
suffering to undergo ?"

An angel who had come from the highest grades of heaven, and occupied a
high position there, replied, "God has not made man like a machine, which
would work automatically; nor has He fixed his destiny as in the case of the
stars and planets, that may not move out of their appointed course, but He
has made man in His own image and likeness, a free agent, possessed of
understanding, determination, and power to act independently, hence he is
superior to all other created things. Had man not been created a free agent he
would not have been able to enjoy God's presence, nor the joy off heaven, for
he would have been a mere machine, that moves without knowing or feeling,
or like the stars that swing unknowingly through infinite space. But man, being
a free agent, is by the constitution of his nature, opposed to this kind of
soulless perfection -- and a perfection of this kind would really have been
imperfection -- for such a man would have been a mere slave whose very
perfection had compelled him to certain acts, in the doing of which he could
have had no enjoyment, because he had no choice of his own. To him there
would be no difference between a God and a stone."

Man, and with him all creation, has been subjected to vanity but not forever.
By his disobedience man has brought himself, and all other creatures, into all
the ills and sufferings of this state of vanity. In this state of spiritual struggle
alone can his spiritual powers be fully developed, and only in this struggle can
he learn the lesson necessary to his perfection. Therefore, when man at last
reaches the state of perfection of heaven, he will thank God for the sufferings
and struggle of the present world, for then he will fully understand that all
things work together for good to them that love God (Rom. 8:28).

THE MANIFESTATION OF GOD'S LOVE

Then another of the saints said, "All the inhabitants of heaven know that God
is Love, but it had been hidden from all eternity that His love is so wonderful
that He would become man to save sinners, and for their cleansing would die
on the Cross. He suffered thus that He might save men, and all creation,

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which is in subjection to vanity. Thus God, in becoming man, has shown His
heart to His children, but had any other means been used His infinite love
would have remained forever hidden.

"Now the whole creation, with earnest expectation, awaits the manifestation of
the sons of God, when they shall be again restored and glorified. But, at
present, they, and all creation, will remain groaning and travailing till this new
creation comes to pass. And those also who have been born again groan
within themselves, waiting for the redemption of the body; and the time
approaches when the whole creation, being obedient to God in all things, will
be freed from corruption, and from this vanity forever. Then will it remain
eternally happy in God, and will fulfil in itself the purpose for which it was
created. Then God will be all in all" (Rom. 8:18-23).

The angels also conversed with me about many other matters, but it is
impossible to record them, because, not only is there in the world no
language, no simile, by which I could express the meaning of those very deep
spiritual truths, but also they did not wish me to attempt it, for no one without
spiritual experience can understand them, so in that case, there is the fear
that, instead of their being a help, they would be to many a cause of
misunderstanding and error. I have, therefore, written only a few of the
simplest of the matters talked over, in the hope that from them many may get
direction and warning, teaching and comfort.

Also, that time is not far distant when my readers will pass over into the
spiritual world, and see these things with their own eyes. But before we leave
this world forever, to go to our eternal home, we must with the support of
God's grace, and in the Spirit of prayer, carry out with faithfulness our
appointed work. Thus shall we fulfil the purpose of our lives, and enter without
any shade of regret, into the eternal joy of the Kingdom of our Heavenly
Father.

Back to Table of Contents

THE END

(The rest below not is not part of the main book)

* * * * * *

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ANOTHER QUOTE FROM SUNDAR SINGH

Here is another quote from Sundar Singh posted on Robert Beecham's

site
http://www.growthingod.org.uk/UniRec.htm

“I was also told that the love of God operates even in Hell. God does not shine
in His full light, because those there could not bear it, but He gradually shows
them more and more light and by and by brings them on and moves their
conscience towards something better, although they think that the desire is
entirely their own. Thus God works on their minds from within, something in
the same way, though in the opposite direction, as that in which Satan
suggests temptation to us here. Thus, what with God's work within and the
Light without, almost all those in Hell will ultimately be brought to Christ’s feet.
It will perhaps take millions of ages, but when it is attained they will be full of
joy and thankfulness towards God: though they will still be less happy than
those who have accepted Christ on earth. Thus Hell also is a training school,
a place of preparation for Home. Those in Hell know that it is not their home
because they suffer there. Men were not created for Hell and therefore do not
enjoy it and, when there, desire to escape to Heaven. They do so, but they
find Heaven even more uncongenial than Hell, so they return. But this
convinces them that there is something wrong in their lives, and thus they are
gradually led to repentance. At least, that is the case with the majority, but
there are some few personalities, Satan for instance, in regard to whom I was
told, 'Don't ask about them.. And so I didn't like to ask, but I hoped that for
them also there was some hope.

“They also told me that the saints help in the work of saving souls in Hell,
because there can be no idleness in Heaven. Those in Hell will ultimately be
brought to Heaven, like the prodigal son, but with regard to the ultimate fate of
a certain number you must not ask.’ The Sadhu is inclined to think that
perhaps these few will be annihilated.

“Once I said ‘So many people will be lost because they have not heard of
Christ.’

“They said, ‘The contrary will be the case; very few will be lost.’

“There is a kind of heavenly joke - no joke is not a good word for it. Very few
will be lost but many will be saved.

“ ‘It is so but don’t tell,’ they said, as it were in jest, ‘because it will make men
careless, and we want them to enjoy the First Heaven - that is, the Heaven on
earth - as well.’

“If there were no hope for all the non-Christians in the world and all the
Christians who die in sin, God would stop creating men. We must do our part
here on earth to save sinners, but if they refuse we need not be without hope
for them.” Back to Table of Contents

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 * * * * * *

QUOTES FROM “THE HEAVENS OPENED”

The following is a quote from Anna Rountree's Book, "The Heavens Opened
", (p 69-73) Published in 1999. She was caught up to the heavenly sphere
and has recorded the tremendous events in her book about heaven, training
angels, God’s throne, a weak Church, promises of the end-time and much
more. She was taken by Christ to see satan's kingdom during this visit, and
we end this booklet with her words on this event:

An Attack: The Devil

By this time I thought I saw some light at the end of the tunnel. I started to
become anxious for relief. I wanted out. Out.

Then, as if in my own voice, I heard, “Jesus may love you, but it’s a strange
sort of love that would bring you into a place of such great danger. And I can’t
see that He’s protecting you as He should. Of course, if He’d told you
beforehand what you would be facing…but He didn’t. If you could acquire
more knowledge yourself, you wouldn’t need to rely upon Him for protection.
You could protect yourself. You deserve better than this.”

There it was: pride, presumption, unbelief, accusations against the Lord’s

lovingkindness, and an invitation to be independent of Him, better than Him –
in other words, rebellion. All these were the deep things of Satan.

“Oh, God,” I said within myself, “forgive me. That I would think I could do
anything by myself, when I know that apart from You there is no life. I love
You, and I know that You love me. You alone are the victor, You alone. You
alone will do all and be all and are all; I trust You, my Savior and my Lord, my
God in whom I trust.”

With great passion I cried out within the tunnel: “I have been crucified with
Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me!”

The Gigantic Cavern

Joyously the white Eagle burst through the far mouth of the tunnel. Now we
seemed to be flying inside a gigantic cavern within that mountain, but I could

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not be sure, for I was unable to see the top. Within this cavern, if it was a
cavern, the atmosphere was gray and deathly still, but electric, as it might be
in the eye of a hurricane.

Tunnels honeycombed the encircling mountain, both up high, as was the one
we had travelled, and at the base.

Satan’s Palace

Just ahead of us was another mountain rising from within the center of this
cavern. It looked as though it was made of shiny, jagged coal. On its top was
an exquisite palace, as perfect and lustrous as a jet gemstone. A thick, yellow
liquid oozed from beneath the structure and slid down the mountain. The air
reaked of sulphur.

At the base of this mountain, large red dragons luxuriated in a cesspool moat,
as wild beasts might cool themselves in muddy water on the Serengeti. Their
heads rested against the base of the mountain. Slight fire would come from
their nostrils; when this fire touched the yellow liquid sliding down the
mountain, a flame would ignite but quickly go out. They rolled their eyes up at
us, but we must have been outside of their designated patrol area, for we did
not raise their ire enough to protect the castle.

The palace itself was ingenious in design –imaginative and tasteful, but dark,
cold, uninviting, and foreboding.

“Satan’s mountain and his palace,” the white Eagle said. He continued to fly
towards it.

Attack of the Harpies

Suddenly, dark angels by the thousands poured out from the tunnels and
began encircling us, like bats leaving caves at sunset. They had the heads
and torsos of women and the wings, tails, legs, and clawed feet of rapacious
vultures.

“They cannot touch us,” the white Eagle said. “Remain calm.”

These harpies would pass by us closely, crying and taunting, but they never
obstructed our view of the palace nor hindered the white Eagle’s relentless
flight toward it.

The Prince of Darkness

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High in the black palace at a lightless window, a solitary figure appeared,
looking at us. From a distance, one could sense his power, authority, and
extreme loneliness –separation, isolation, and a cold, cold heart.

He looked like a Spanish prince. He wore an elegant black velvet robe

encrusted with jewels; he was tastefully and perfectly groomed. He was
handsome, almost perfectly handsome, with shiny black hair an dark
intelligent eyes.

He waved his hand, and the harpies flew away as quickly as they had come,
retreating into the honeycomb of tunnels. The sound of thousands of leathery
wings dwindled away, leaving the cavern quiet in comparison.

After that he continued to stand unmoving at the window, his eyes fixed upon
us: lonely, like a king who is also a rejected lover.

I thought to myself, There he is: he who was full of light that he was named
‘the shining one’ –now ‘the prince of darkness,’ he whose executive ability still
is such that he manages a vast, global empire of deceit, seducing the whole
world.

Seeing his impeccable, ageless beauty, I could not help wondering what he
must have been like before his fall, for he was created sublime in order to hold
the most exalted position in the heavenly court. He was “the anointed cherub
who covers.” I wondered if once there were three cherubs guarding the throne
of God, one on either side and one above? Was that why he was created so
beautiful, wise, and powerful? To guard the throne from that elevated
position?

He walked amid the coals of fire, sharing the very heart of God, intimate with
the Godhead. Did he betray the One who loved him by striking at Him from
above? Is that the reason he boasted that he would exalt his throne above the
stars of God?

There he is, I thought to myself, still superior, but superior now only in evil,
and because of his vaulting pride, isolated –beyond mercy’s reach and
beyond asking for it.

The white Eagle turned from the palace and began to fly back toward the
tunnel.

Taunts of the Black Raven

A huge black raven suddenly appeared beside us. Its feathers were a brilliant
ebony, and its eyes flashed a fiery red. "Why have You come?" hissed Satan.
"Does it please You to shame me before my subjects? Does it please You to
bring love and warmth here to torment us? You are cruel!"

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The Lord said nothing.

"Don't You miss me?" Satan continued. "Did You come here because of Your
loneliness for me? Would You like to come here more often to be with me, just
to see me?" The raven cracked a hard, cruel laugh. "You miss me and love
me still," he exulted. Then in tones venomous with bitter scorn, he mocked:
"You are a fool to love me even now, Jesus of Nazareth."

The Lord's silence infuriated the raven.

"Don't come back to shame me before my subjects! I am king here. Stay

away! I don't love You, and I wish all manner of exquisite torments upon You
to express my contempt. Stay away!" Satan spewed vehemently.

Having said that, the raven made a sharp turn and flew back to the palace.

The white Eagle continued through the tunnel from which we had come. A
void, deathly silence was in that darkness now.

Return to the Sheepfold

He flew to the sheepfold and stopped before the gate. I climbed down from
His back. He became the Lord again with His shepherd's staff in His hand. He
opened the gate and led me inside.

We both removed our shoes and stood barefoot within the sheepfold. I was
shivering, and He put His arm around me.

"It is all right, Anna," He said. " You needed to see that Satan is cruel. Rest
now."

Warmth began to flow into me, and I tried to breathe deeply, settling myself.

"Why did You show me these things?" I asked.

"To you it has been granted to know," He said. "Mark well what you have seen
and heard."

--END QUOTE-- (A real "must read" book!)

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