Sunsets Into Sunrises
Bishop Martin - The Progress of a Soul in the Beyond
- Chapter 37 -
THE CELESTIAL FEAST. - BLESSING OF THE NEWLY REDEEMED AND THEIR CELESTIAL HOME.
We now enter a large hall facing mainly the east and decorated in true celestial splendor.
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In its center there is a large round table of purest transparent gold resting on twelve feet made of a variety of gems. Around the table are as many chairs of pure gold as there are now guests in this hall. The floor is as white as new snow, and from the light-blue ceiling bright stars are shining. A glorious light enters the hall through its twenty-four windows, each of which is twelve feet high and seven feet wide, and through each window a magnificent and lovely landscape can be seen. On the table are seven loaves of bread and a beautiful large goblet filled with the most delicious wine.
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The unexpected magnificence of this hall has an overwhelming effect on all who have just entered. The party, led by the bookseller, is quite overawed, and the thirty, who only a while ago had complained about the lack of heavenly splendor, are speechless.
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Only our Martin is unperturbed, and says, pointing to Me: "Dear brothers, what makes you so amazed at the magnificence of this hall? I personally don't care about it, and I wouldn't give a rotten orange for it if our Lord and Father were not with us in this hall. He alone is everything to me, and nothing else counts without Him!
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If He were with me in a simple hut, I would be much happier than if I were alone in this magnificent hall. He alone, Who is our Father, Lord and God, deserves our respect, love, admiration, and worship, for all this great splendor is His work! Of course, you are all free to do and think whatever you want, but this is as I see it!"
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(Say I): "Martin, you are doing well and have now become a real Paul. But watch out that you do not, at some time or other, weaken again and say, 'But if the Lord would not constantly be with me!' However, even then I would not leave you. Now, let us all sit down at the table and eat and drink, for great tasks are already waiting for us. So be it!"
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They all follow My invitation and I break the bread and give it to them. They eat the true bread of eternal life with great love and thankful hearts, and then drink the living wine of cognition, all from the same goblet, feeling cheerful and vigorous. For after drinking the wine, they are filled to such an extent with sublime, heavenly-wise understanding, that they are overwhelmed with joy and are unable to find words to express their love for Me and their boundless bliss.
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However, I bless them all, and appoint them true workers and servants for My Eternal Kingdom.
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After this has been done, Bishop Martin rises, and says: "Lord, I have noticed something, namely, that I, too, might have to leave You to carry out some important task. Do whatever You will, but I cannot possibly leave You! Lord, I am nothing without You and I will not leave You ever, because my love for You is now so great!"
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(Say I):"My dear brother Martin, I can assure you that you will not for a moment be separated from Me. The same applies to all the others here and to everyone of the countless who have apprehended Me and taken Me into their hearts! On the other hand, it is necessary that everyone go where I send him, apparently without Me, for otherwise his joy would be incomplete and his life without purpose.
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Therefore, each one here must be extremely active in the performance of good works. The greater the activity, the deeper is the happiness which consists solely in working in accordance with My established eternal heavenly order.
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Look out the window, towards the east. There, in a beautiful large garden, you can see a nice little house, whose interior is much more spacious than it would seem from the outside. Go there and take full possession of it.
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In one room you will find a shining white, round tablet. Whenever you return home after some task, look at this tablet, for drawn on it you will, from now on - always - find My will, which will guide you in all your actions. If you will at all times carry out conscientiously what My will requires of you, you shall soon be given greater responsibilities; if the contrary is the case, you will have lesser responsibilities, dependent on your will-power.
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If there is anything that you do not understand, come to this place and you will be instructed. Whenever in your house you call Me, I shall be with you. Now I have told you what you have to know at this stage. Go, therefore, to your little house where you will get all necessary instructions, which you have to observe in all detail."
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What I have told you just now I am at the same time telling everyone in this party. Look outside, all of you, and each one will own the house he sees. Go there and do as I have just told brother Martin, for every one of you will find the same arrangement in his house. So be it!"
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Bishop Martin scratches his head, but then goes where I have sent him, although he still thinks that he will not have nor see Me there. The others of the party, who are still too overwhelmed by My presence, go with easier minds to rest from the great emotions they have experienced.