629 lines
41 KiB
Plaintext
629 lines
41 KiB
Plaintext
Urantia Book Paper 181 Final Admonitions And Warnings
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SPIRITWEB ORG, PROMOTING SPIRITUAL CONSCIOUSNESS ON THE INTERNET.
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Subjects Archive The Urantia Book Urantia Book PART IV: The Life and Teachings
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of Jesus : The Bestowal Of Michael On Urantia The Times Of Michael's Bestowal
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Birth And Infancy Of Jesus The Early Childhood Of Jesus The Later Childhood Of
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Jesus Jesus At Jerusalem The Two Crucial Years The Adolescent Years Jesus'
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Early Manhood The Later Adult Life Of Jesus On The Way To Rome The World's
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Religions The Sojourn At Rome The Return From Rome The Transition Years John
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The Baptist Baptism And The Forty Days Tarrying Time In Galilee Training The
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Kingdom's Messengers The Twelve Apostles The Ordination Of The Twelve Beginning
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The Public Work The Passover At Jerusalem Going Through Samaria At Gilboa And
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In The Decapolis Four Eventful Days At Capernaum First Preaching Tour Of
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Galilee The Interlude Visit To Jerusalem Training Evangelists At Bethsaida The
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Second Preaching Tour The Third Preaching Tour Tarrying And Teaching By The
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Seaside Events Leading Up To The Capernaum Crisis The Crisis At Capernaum Last
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Days At Capernaum Fleeing Through Northern Galilee The Sojourn At Tyre And
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Sidon At Caesarea-philippi The Mount Of Transfiguration The Decapolis Tour
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Rodan Of Alexandria Further Discussions With Rodan At The Feast Of Tabernacles
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Ordination Of The Seventy At Magadan At The Feast Of Dedication The Perean
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Mission Begins Last Visit To Northern Perea The Visit To Philadelphia The
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Resurrection Of Lazarus Last Teaching At Pella The Kingdom Of Heaven On The Way
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To Jerusalem Going Into Jerusalem Monday In Jerusalem ... Final Admonitions And
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Warnings
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Paper 181 Final Admonitions And Warnings
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Introduction
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AFTER the conclusion of the farewell discourse to the eleven, Jesus visited
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informally with them and recounted many experiences which concerned them as a
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group and as individuals. At last it was beginning to dawn upon these Galileans
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that their friend and teacher was going to leave them, and their hope grasped
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at the promise that, after a little while, he would again be with them, but
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they were prone to forget that this return visit was also for a little while.
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Many of the apostles and the leading disciples really thought that this promise
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to return for a short season (the short interval between the resurrection and
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the ascension) indicated that Jesus was just going away for a brief visit with
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his Father, after which he would return to establish the kingdom. And such an
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interpretation of his teaching conformed both with their preconceived beliefs
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and with their ardent hopes. Since their lifelong beliefs and hopes of wish
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fulfillment were thus agreed, it was not difficult for them to find an
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interpretation of the Master's words which would justify their intense
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longings.
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After the farewell discourse had been discussed and had begun to settle down in
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their minds, Jesus again called the apostles to order and began the impartation
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of his final admonitions and warnings.
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1. LAST WORDS OF COMFORT
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When the eleven had taken their seats, Jesus stood and addressed them: "As long
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as I am with you in the flesh, I can be but one individual in your midst or in
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the entire world. But when I have been delivered from this investment of mortal
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nature, I will be able to return as a spirit indweller of each of you and of
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all other believers in this gospel of the kingdom. In this way the Son of Man
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will become a spiritual incarnation in the souls of all true believers.
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"When I have returned to live in you and work through you, I can the better
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lead you on through this life and guide you through the many abodes in the
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future life in the heaven of heavens. Life in the Father's eternal creation is
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not an endless rest of idleness and selfish ease but rather a ceaseless
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progression in grace, truth, and glory. Each of the many, many stations in my
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Father's house is a stopping place, a life designed to prepare you for the next
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one ahead. And so will the children of light go on from glory to glory until
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they attain the divine estate wherein they are spiritually perfected even as
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the Father is perfect in all things.
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"If you would follow after me when I leave you, put forth your earnest efforts
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to live in accordance with the spirit of my teachings and with the ideal of my
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life--the doing of my Father's will. This do instead of trying to imitate my
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natural life in the flesh as I have, perforce, been required to live it on this
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world.
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top of page - 1954
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"The Father sent me into this world, but only a few of you have chosen fully to
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receive me. I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh, but all men will not
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choose to receive this new teacher as the guide and counselor of the soul. But
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as many as do receive him shall be enlightened, cleansed, and comforted. And
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this Spirit of Truth will become in them a well of living water springing up
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into eternal life.
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"And now, as I am about to leave you, I would speak words of comfort. Peace I
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leave with you; my peace I give to you. I make these gifts not as the world
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gives--by measure--I give each of you all you will receive. Let not your heart
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be troubled, neither let it be fearful. I have overcome the world, and in me
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you shall all triumph through faith. I have warned you that the Son of Man will
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be killed, but I assure you I will come back before I go to the Father, even
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though it be for only a little while. And after I have ascended to the Father,
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I will surely send the new teacher to be with you and to abide in your very
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hearts. And when you see all this come to pass, be not dismayed, but rather
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believe, inasmuch as you knew it all beforehand. I have loved you with a great
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affection, and I would not leave you, but it is the Father's will. My hour has
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come.
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"Doubt not any of these truths even after you are scattered abroad by
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persecution and are downcast by many sorrows. When you feel that you are alone
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in the world, I will know of your isolation even as, when you are scattered
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every man to his own place, leaving the Son of Man in the hands of his enemies,
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you will know of mine. But I am never alone; always is the Father with me. Even
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at such a time I will pray for you. And all of these things have I told you
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that you might have peace and have it more abundantly. In this world you will
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have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have triumphed in the world and shown
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you the way to eternal joy and everlasting service."
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Jesus gives peace to his fellow doers of the will of God but not on the order
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of the joys and satisfactions of this material world. Unbelieving materialists
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and fatalists can hope to enjoy only two kinds of peace and soul comfort:
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Either they must be stoics, with steadfast resolution determined to face the
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inevitable and to endure the worst; or they must be optimists, ever indulging
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that hope which springs eternal in the human breast, vainly longing for a peace
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which never really comes.
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A certain amount of both stoicism and optimism are serviceable in living a life
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on earth, but neither has aught to do with that superb peace which the Son of
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God bestows upon his brethren in the flesh. The peace which Michael gives his
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children on earth is that very peace which filled his own soul when he himself
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lived the mortal life in the flesh and on this very world. The peace of Jesus
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is the joy and satisfaction of a God-knowing individual who has achieved the
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triumph of learning fully how to do the will of God while living the mortal
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life in the flesh. The peace of Jesus' mind was founded on an absolute human
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faith in the actuality of the divine Father's wise and sympathetic overcare.
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Jesus had trouble on earth, he has even been falsely called the "man of
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sorrows," but in and through all of these experiences he enjoyed the comfort of
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that confidence which ever empowered him to proceed with his life purpose in
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the full assurance that he was achieving the Father's will.
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Jesus was determined, persistent, and thoroughly devoted to the accomplishment
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of his mission, but he was not an unfeeling and calloused stoic; he ever
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top of page - 1955
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sought for the cheerful aspects of his life experiences, but he was not a blind
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and self-deceived optimist. The Master knew all that was to befall him, and he
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was unafraid. After he had bestowed this peace upon each of his followers, he
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could consistently say, "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be
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afraid."
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The peace of Jesus is, then, the peace and assurance of a son who fully
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believes that his career for time and eternity is safely and wholly in the care
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and keeping of an all-wise, all-loving, and all-powerful spirit Father. And
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this is, indeed, a peace which passes the understanding of mortal mind, but
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which can be enjoyed to the full by the believing human heart.
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2. FAREWELL PERSONAL ADMONITIONS
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The Master had finished giving his farewell instructions and imparting his
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final admonitions to the apostles as a group. He then addressed himself to
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saying good-bye individually and to giving each a word of personal advice,
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together with his parting blessing. The apostles were still seated about the
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table as when they first sat down to partake of the Last Supper, and as the
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Master went around the table talking to them, each man rose to his feet when
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Jesus addressed him.
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To John, Jesus said: "You, John, are the youngest of my brethren. You have been
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very near me, and while I love you all with the same love which a father
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bestows upon his sons, you were designated by Andrew as one of the three who
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should always be near me. Besides this, you have acted for me and must continue
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so to act in many matters concerning my earthly family. And I go to the Father,
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John, having full confidence that you will continue to watch over those who are
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mine in the flesh. See to it that their present confusion regarding my mission
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does not in any way prevent your extending to them all sympathy, counsel, and
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help even as you know I would if I were to remain in the flesh. And when they
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all come to see the light and enter fully into the kingdom, while you all will
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welcome them joyously, I depend upon you, John, to welcome them for me.
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"And now, as I enter upon the closing hours of my earthly career, remain near
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at hand that I may leave any message with you regarding my family. As concerns
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the work put in my hands by the Father, it is now finished except for my death
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in the flesh, and I am ready to drink this last cup. But as for the
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responsibilities left to me by my earthly father, Joseph, while I have attended
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to these during my life, I must now depend upon you to act in my stead in all
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these matters. And I have chosen you to do this for me, John, because you are
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the youngest and will therefore very likely outlive these other apostles.
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"Once we called you and your brother sons of thunder. You started out with us
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strong-minded and intolerant, but you have changed much since you wanted me to
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call fire down upon the heads of ignorant and thoughtless unbelievers. And you
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must change yet more. You should become the apostle of the new commandment
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which I have this night given you. Dedicate your life to teaching your brethren
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how to love one another, even as I have loved you."
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As John Zebedee stood there in the upper chamber, the tears rolling down his
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cheeks, he looked into the Master's face and said: "And so I will, my Master,
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but how can I learn to love my brethren more?" And then answered Jesus: "You
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will learn to love your brethren more when you first learn to love their Father
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in heaven more, and after you have become truly more interested in
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top of page - 1956
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their welfare in time and in eternity. And all such human interest is fostered
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by understanding sympathy, unselfish service, and unstinted forgiveness. No man
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should despise your youth, but I exhort you always to give due consideration to
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the fact that age oftentimes represents experience, and that nothing in human
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affairs can take the place of actual experience. Strive to live peaceably with
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all men, especially your friends in the brotherhood of the heavenly kingdom.
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And, John, always remember, strive not with the souls you would win for the
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kingdom."
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And then the Master, passing around his own seat, paused a moment by the side
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of the place of Judas Iscariot. The apostles were rather surprised that Judas
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had not returned before this, and they were very curious to know the
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significance of Jesus' sad countenance as he stood by the betrayer's vacant
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seat. But none of them, except possibly Andrew, entertained even the slightest
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thought that their treasurer had gone out to betray his Master, as Jesus had
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intimated to them earlier in the evening and during the supper. So much had
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been going on that, for the time being, they had quite forgotten about the
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Master's announcement that one of them would betray him.
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Jesus now went over to Simon Zelotes, who stood up and listened to this
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admonition: "You are a true son of Abraham, but what a time I have had trying
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to make you a son of this heavenly kingdom. I love you and so do all of your
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brethren. I know that you love me, Simon, and that you also love the kingdom,
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but you are still set on making this kingdom come according to your liking. I
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know full well that you will eventually grasp the spiritual nature and meaning
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of my gospel, and that you will do valiant work in its proclamation, but I am
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distressed about what may happen to you when I depart. I would rejoice to know
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that you would not falter; I would be made happy if I could know that, after I
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go to the Father, you would not cease to be my apostle, and that you would
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acceptably deport yourself as an ambassador of the heavenly kingdom."
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Jesus had hardly ceased speaking to Simon Zelotes when the fiery patriot,
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drying his eyes, replied: "Master, have no fears for my loyalty. I have turned
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my back upon everything that I might dedicate my life to the establishment of
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your kingdom on earth, and I will not falter. I have survived every
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disappointment so far, and I will not forsake you."
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And then, laying his hand on Simon's shoulder, Jesus said: "It is indeed
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refreshing to hear you talk like that, especially at such a time as this, but,
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my good friend, you still do not know what you are talking about. Not for one
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moment would I doubt your loyalty, your devotion; I know you would not hesitate
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to go forth in battle and die for me, as all these others would" (and they all
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nodded a vigorous approval), "but that will not be required of you. I have
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repeatedly told you that my kingdom is not of this world, and that my disciples
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will not fight to effect its establishment. I have told you this many times,
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Simon, but you refuse to face the truth. I am not concerned with your loyalty
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to me and to the kingdom, but what will you do when I go away and you at last
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wake up to the realization that you have failed to grasp the meaning of my
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teaching, and that you must adjust your misconceptions to the reality of
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another and spiritual order of affairs in the kingdom?"
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Simon wanted to speak further, but Jesus raised his hand and, stopping him,
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went on to say: "None of my apostles are more sincere and honest at heart than
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you, but not one of them will be so upset and disheartened as you, after my
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top of page - 1957
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departure. In all of your discouragement my spirit shall abide with you, and
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these, your brethren, will not forsake you. Do not forget what I have taught
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you regarding the relation of citizenship on earth to sonship in the Father's
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spiritual kingdom. Ponder well all that I have said to you about rendering to
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Caesar the things which are Caesar's and to God that which is God's. Dedicate
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your life, Simon, to showing how acceptably mortal man may fulfill my
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injunction concerning the simultaneous recognition of temporal duty to civil
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powers and spiritual service in the brotherhood of the kingdom. If you will be
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taught by the Spirit of Truth, never will there be conflict between the
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requirements of citizenship on earth and sonship in heaven unless the temporal
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rulers presume to require of you the homage and worship which belong only to
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God.
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"And now, Simon, when you do finally see all of this, and after you have shaken
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off your depression and have gone forth proclaiming this gospel in great power,
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never forget that I was with you even through all of your season of
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discouragement, and that I will go on with you to the very end. You shall
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always be my apostle, and after you become willing to see by the eye of the
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spirit and more fully to yield your will to the will of the Father in heaven,
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then will you return to labor as my ambassador, and no one shall take away from
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you the authority which I have conferred upon you, because of your slowness of
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comprehending the truths I have taught you. And so, Simon, once more I warn you
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that they who fight with the sword perish with the sword, while they who labor
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in the spirit achieve life everlasting in the kingdom to come with joy and
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peace in the kingdom which now is. And when the work given into your hands is
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finished on earth, you, Simon, shall sit down with me in my kingdom over there.
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You shall really see the kingdom you have longed for, but not in this life.
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Continue to believe in me and in that which I have revealed to you, and you
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shall receive the gift of eternal life."
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When Jesus had finished speaking to Simon Zelotes, he stepped over to Matthew
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Levi and said: "No longer will it devolve upon you to provide for the treasury
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of the apostolic group. Soon, very soon, you will all be scattered; you will
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not be permitted to enjoy the comforting and sustaining association of even one
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of your brethren. As you go onward preaching this gospel of the kingdom, you
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will have to find for yourselves new associates. I have sent you forth two and
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two during the times of your training, but now that I am leaving you, after you
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have recovered from the shock, you will go out alone, and to the ends of the
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earth, proclaiming this good news: That faith-quickened mortals are the sons of
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God."
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Then spoke Matthew: "But, Master, who will send us, and how shall we know where
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to go? Will Andrew show us the way?" And Jesus answered: "No, Levi, Andrew will
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no longer direct you in the proclamation of the gospel. He will, indeed,
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continue as your friend and counselor until that day whereon the new teacher
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comes, and then shall the Spirit of Truth lead each of you abroad to labor for
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the extension of the kingdom. Many changes have come over you since that day at
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the customhouse when you first set out to follow me; but many more must come
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before you will be able to see the vision of a brotherhood in which gentile
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sits alongside Jew in fraternal association. But go on with your urge to win
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your Jewish brethren until you are fully satisfied and then turn with power to
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the gentiles. One thing you may be certain of, Levi: You have won
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top of page - 1958
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the confidence and affection of your brethren; they all love you." (And all ten
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of them signified their acquiescence in the Master's words.)
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"Levi, I know much about your anxieties, sacrifices, and labors to keep the
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treasury replenished which your brethren do not know, and I am rejoiced that,
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though he who carried the bag is absent, the publican ambassador is here at my
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farewell gathering with the messengers of the kingdom. I pray that you may
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discern the meaning of my teaching with the eyes of the spirit. And when the
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new teacher comes into your heart, follow on as he will lead you and let your
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brethren see--even all the world--what the Father can do for a hated
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tax-gatherer who dared to follow the Son of Man and to believe the gospel of
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the kingdom. Even from the first, Levi, I loved you as I did these other
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Galileans. Knowing then so well that neither the Father nor the Son has respect
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of persons, see to it that you make no such distinctions among those who become
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believers in the gospel through your ministry. And so, Matthew, dedicate your
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whole future life service to showing all men that God is no respecter of
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persons; that, in the sight of God and in the fellowship of the kingdom, all
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men are equal, all believers are the sons of God."
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Jesus then stepped over to James Zebedee, who stood in silence as the Master
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addressed him, saying: "James, when you and your younger brother once came to
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me seeking preferment in the honors of the kingdom, and I told you such honors
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were for the Father to bestow, I asked if you were able to drink my cup, and
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both of you answered that you were. Even if you were not then able, and if you
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are not now able, you will soon be prepared for such a service by the
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experience you are about to pass through. By such behavior you angered your
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brethren at that time. If they have not already fully forgiven you, they will
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when they see you drink my cup. Whether your ministry be long or short, possess
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your soul in patience. When the new teacher comes, let him teach you the poise
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of compassion and that sympathetic tolerance which is born of sublime
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confidence in me and of perfect submission to the Father's will. Dedicate your
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life to the demonstration of that combined human affection and divine dignity
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of the God-knowing and Son-believing disciple. And all who thus live will
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reveal the gospel even in the manner of their death. You and your brother John
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will go different ways, and one of you may sit down with me in the eternal
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kingdom long before the other. It would help you much if you would learn that
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true wisdom embraces discretion as well as courage. You should learn sagacity
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to go along with your aggressiveness. There will come those supreme moments
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wherein my disciples will not hesitate to lay down their lives for this gospel,
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but in all ordinary circumstances it would be far better to placate the wrath
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of unbelievers that you might live and continue to preach the glad tidings. As
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far as lies in your power, live long on the earth that your life of many years
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may be fruitful in souls won for the heavenly kingdom."
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When the Master had finished speaking to James Zebedee, he stepped around to
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the end of the table where Andrew sat and, looking his faithful helper in the
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eyes, said: "Andrew, you have faithfully represented me as acting head of the
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ambassadors of the heavenly kingdom. Although you have sometimes doubted and at
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other times manifested dangerous timidity, still, you have always been
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sincerely just and eminently fair in dealing with your associates. Ever since
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the ordination of you and your brethren as messengers of the kingdom, you have
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been
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top of page - 1959
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self-governing in all group administrative affairs except that I designated you
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as the acting head of these chosen ones. In no other temporal matter have I
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acted to direct or to influence your decisions. And this I did in order to
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provide for leadership in the direction of all your subsequent group
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deliberations. In my universe and in my Father's universe of universes, our
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brethren-sons are dealt with as individuals in all their spiritual relations,
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but in all group relationships we unfailingly provide for definite leadership.
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Our kingdom is a realm of order, and where two or more will creatures act in
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co-operation, there is always provided the authority of leadership.
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"And now, Andrew, since you are the chief of your brethren by authority of my
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appointment, and since you have thus served as my personal representative, and
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as I am about to leave you and go to my Father, I release you from all
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responsibility as regards these temporal and administrative affairs. From now
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on you may exercise no jurisdiction over your brethren except that which you
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have earned in your capacity as spiritual leader, and which your brethren
|
||
therefore freely recognize. From this hour you may exercise no authority over
|
||
your brethren unless they restore such jurisdiction to you by their definite
|
||
legislative action after I shall have gone to the Father. But this release from
|
||
responsibility as the administrative head of this group does not in any manner
|
||
lessen your moral responsibility to do everything in your power to hold your
|
||
brethren together with a firm and loving hand during the trying time just
|
||
ahead, those days which must intervene between my departure in the flesh and
|
||
the sending of the new teacher who will live in your hearts, and who ultimately
|
||
will lead you into all truth. As I prepare to leave you, I would liberate you
|
||
from all administrative responsibility which had its inception and authority in
|
||
my presence as one among you. Henceforth I shall exercise only spiritual
|
||
authority over you and among you.
|
||
|
||
"If your brethren desire to retain you as their counselor, I direct that you
|
||
should, in all matters temporal and spiritual, do your utmost to promote peace
|
||
and harmony among the various groups of sincere gospel believers. Dedicate the
|
||
remainder of your life to promoting the practical aspects of brotherly love
|
||
among your brethren. Be kind to my brothers in the flesh when they come fully
|
||
to believe this gospel; manifest loving and impartial devotion to the Greeks in
|
||
the West and to Abner in the East. Although these, my apostles, are soon going
|
||
to be scattered to the four corners of the earth, there to proclaim the good
|
||
news of the salvation of sonship with God, you are to hold them together during
|
||
the trying time just ahead, that season of intense testing during which you
|
||
must learn to believe this gospel without my personal presence while you
|
||
patiently await the arrival of the new teacher, the Spirit of Truth. And so,
|
||
Andrew, though it may not fall to you to do the great works as seen by men, be
|
||
content to be the teacher and counselor of those who do such things. Go on with
|
||
your work on earth to the end, and then shall you continue this ministry in the
|
||
eternal kingdom, for have I not many times told you that I have other sheep not
|
||
of this flock?"
|
||
|
||
Jesus then went over to the Alpheus twins and, standing between them, said: "My
|
||
little children, you are one of the three groups of brothers who chose to
|
||
follow after me. All six of you have done well to work in peace with your own
|
||
flesh and blood, but none have done better than you. Hard times are just ahead
|
||
of us. You may not understand all that will befall you and your brethren, but
|
||
never doubt that you were once called to the work of the kingdom. For some time
|
||
there will be no multitudes to manage, but do not become discouraged; when
|
||
|
||
top of page - 1960
|
||
|
||
your lifework is finished, I will receive you on high, where in glory you shall
|
||
tell of your salvation to seraphic hosts and to multitudes of the high Sons of
|
||
God. Dedicate your lives to the enhancement of commonplace toil. Show all men
|
||
on earth and the angels of heaven how cheerfully and courageously mortal man
|
||
can, after having been called to work for a season in the special service of
|
||
God, return to the labors of former days. If, for the time being, your work in
|
||
the outward affairs of the kingdom should be completed, you should go back to
|
||
your former labors with the new enlightenment of the experience of sonship with
|
||
God and with the exalted realization that, to him who is God-knowing, there is
|
||
no such thing as common labor or secular toil. To you who have worked with me,
|
||
all things have become sacred, and all earthly labor has become a service even
|
||
to God the Father. And when you hear the news of the doings of your former
|
||
apostolic associates, rejoice with them and continue your daily work as those
|
||
who wait upon God and serve while they wait. You have been my apostles, and you
|
||
always shall be, and I will remember you in the kingdom to come."
|
||
|
||
And then Jesus went over to Philip, who, standing up, heard this message from
|
||
his Master: "Philip, you have asked me many foolish questions, but I have done
|
||
my utmost to answer every one, and now would I answer the last of such
|
||
questionings which have arisen in your most honest but unspiritual mind. All
|
||
the time I have been coming around toward you, have you been saying to
|
||
yourself, `What shall I ever do if the Master goes away and leaves us alone in
|
||
the world?' O, you of little faith! And yet you have almost as much as many of
|
||
your brethren. You have been a good steward, Philip. You failed us only a few
|
||
times, and one of those failures we utilized to manifest the Father's glory.
|
||
Your office of stewardship is about over. You must soon more fully do the work
|
||
you were called to do--the preaching of this gospel of the kingdom. Philip, you
|
||
have always wanted to be shown, and very soon shall you see great things. Far
|
||
better that you should have seen all this by faith, but since you were sincere
|
||
even in your material sightedness, you will live to see my words fulfilled. And
|
||
then, when you are blessed with spiritual vision, go forth to your work,
|
||
dedicating your life to the cause of leading mankind to search for God and to
|
||
seek eternal realities with the eye of spiritual faith and not with the eyes of
|
||
the material mind. Remember, Philip, you have a great mission on earth, for the
|
||
world is filled with those who look at life just as you have tended to. You
|
||
have a great work to do, and when it is finished in faith, you shall come to me
|
||
in my kingdom, and I will take great pleasure in showing you that which eye has
|
||
not seen, ear heard, nor the mortal mind conceived. In the meantime, become as
|
||
a little child in the kingdom of the spirit and permit me, as the spirit of the
|
||
new teacher, to lead you forward in the spiritual kingdom. And in this way will
|
||
I be able to do much for you which I was not able to accomplish when I
|
||
sojourned with you as a mortal of the realm. And always remember, Philip, he
|
||
who has seen me has seen the Father."
|
||
|
||
Then went the Master over to Nathaniel. As Nathaniel stood up, Jesus bade him
|
||
be seated and, sitting down by his side, said: "Nathaniel, you have learned to
|
||
live above prejudice and to practice increased tolerance since you became my
|
||
apostle. But there is much more for you to learn. You have been a blessing to
|
||
your fellows in that they have always been admonished by your consistent
|
||
sincerity. When I have gone, it may be that your frankness will interfere with
|
||
your getting along well with your brethren, both old and new. You should learn
|
||
that the ex-
|
||
|
||
top of page - 1961
|
||
|
||
pression of even a good thought must be modulated in accordance with the
|
||
intellectual status and spiritual development of the hearer. Sincerity is most
|
||
serviceable in the work of the kingdom when it is wedded to discretion.
|
||
|
||
"If you would learn to work with your brethren, you might accomplish more
|
||
permanent things, but if you find yourself going off in quest of those who
|
||
think as you do, in that event dedicate your life to proving that the
|
||
God-knowing disciple can become a kingdom builder even when alone in the world
|
||
and wholly isolated from his fellow believers. I know you will be faithful to
|
||
the end, and I will some day welcome you to the enlarged service of my kingdom
|
||
on high."
|
||
|
||
Then Nathaniel spoke, asking Jesus this question: "I have listened to your
|
||
teaching ever since you first called me to the service of this kingdom, but I
|
||
honestly cannot understand the full meaning of all you tell us. I do not know
|
||
what to expect next, and I think most of my brethren are likewise perplexed,
|
||
but they hesitate to confess their confusion. Can you help me?" Jesus, putting
|
||
his hand on Nathaniel's shoulder, said: "My friend, it is not strange that you
|
||
should encounter perplexity in your attempt to grasp the meaning of my
|
||
spiritual teachings since you are so handicapped by your preconceptions of
|
||
Jewish tradition and so confused by your persistent tendency to interpret my
|
||
gospel in accordance with the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees.
|
||
|
||
"I have taught you much by word of mouth, and I have lived my life among you. I
|
||
have done all that can be done to enlighten your minds and liberate your souls,
|
||
and what you have not been able to get from my teachings and my life, you must
|
||
now prepare to acquire at the hand of that master of all teachers--actual
|
||
experience. And in all of this new experience which now awaits you, I will go
|
||
before you and the Spirit of Truth shall be with you. Fear not; that which you
|
||
now fail to comprehend, the new teacher, when he has come, will reveal to you
|
||
throughout the remainder of your life on earth and on through your training in
|
||
the eternal ages."
|
||
|
||
And then the Master, turning to all of them, said: "Be not dismayed that you
|
||
fail to grasp the full meaning of the gospel. You are but finite, mortal men,
|
||
and that which I have taught you is infinite, divine, and eternal. Be patient
|
||
and of good courage since you have the eternal ages before you in which to
|
||
continue your progressive attainment of the experience of becoming perfect,
|
||
even as your Father in Paradise is perfect."
|
||
|
||
And then Jesus went over to Thomas, who, standing up, heard him say: "Thomas,
|
||
you have often lacked faith; however, when you have had your seasons with
|
||
doubt, you have never lacked courage. I know well that the false prophets and
|
||
spurious teachers will not deceive you. After I have gone, your brethren will
|
||
the more appreciate your critical way of viewing new teachings. And when you
|
||
all are scattered to the ends of the earth in the times to come, remember that
|
||
you are still my ambassador. Dedicate your life to the great work of showing
|
||
how the critical material mind of man can triumph over the inertia of
|
||
intellectual doubting when faced by the demonstration of the manifestation of
|
||
living truth as it operates in the experience of spirit-born men and women who
|
||
yield the fruits of the spirit in their lives, and who love one another, even
|
||
as I have loved you. Thomas, I am glad you joined us, and I know, after a short
|
||
period of perplexity, you will go on in the service of the kingdom. Your doubts
|
||
have perplexed your brethren, but they have never troubled me. I have
|
||
confidence in you, and I will go before you even to the uttermost parts of the
|
||
earth."
|
||
|
||
top of page - 1962
|
||
|
||
Then the Master went over to Simon Peter, who stood up as Jesus addressed him:
|
||
"Peter, I know you love me, and that you will dedicate your life to the public
|
||
proclamation of this gospel of the kingdom to Jew and gentile, but I am
|
||
distressed that your years of such close association with me have not done more
|
||
to help you think before you speak. What experience must you pass through
|
||
before you will learn to set a guard upon your lips? How much trouble have you
|
||
made for us by your thoughtless speaking, by your presumptuous self-confidence!
|
||
And you are destined to make much more trouble for yourself if you do not
|
||
master this frailty. You know that your brethren love you in spite of this
|
||
weakness, and you should also understand that this shortcoming in no way
|
||
impairs my affection for you, but it lessens your usefulness and never ceases
|
||
to make trouble for you. But you will undoubtedly receive great help from the
|
||
experience you will pass through this very night. And what I now say to you,
|
||
Simon Peter, I likewise say to all your brethren here assembled: This night you
|
||
will all be in great danger of stumbling over me. You know it is written, `The
|
||
shepherd will be smitten and the sheep will be scattered abroad.' When I am
|
||
absent, there is great danger that some of you will succumb to doubts and
|
||
stumble because of what befalls me. But I promise you now that I will come back
|
||
to you for a little while, and that I will then go before you into Galilee."
|
||
|
||
Then said Peter, placing his hand on Jesus' shoulder: "No matter if all my
|
||
brethren should succumb to doubts because of you, I promise that I will not
|
||
stumble over anything you may do. I will go with you and, if need be, die for
|
||
you."
|
||
|
||
As Peter stood there before his Master, all atremble with intense emotion and
|
||
overflowing with genuine love for him, Jesus looked straight into his moistened
|
||
eyes as he said: "Peter, verily, verily, I say to you, this night the cock will
|
||
not crow until you have denied me three or four times. And thus what you have
|
||
failed to learn from peaceful association with me, you will learn through much
|
||
trouble and many sorrows. And after you have really learned this needful
|
||
lesson, you should strengthen your brethren and go on living a life dedicated
|
||
to preaching this gospel, though you may fall into prison and, perhaps, follow
|
||
me in paying the supreme price of loving service in the building of the
|
||
Father's kingdom.
|
||
|
||
"But remember my promise: When I am raised up, I will tarry with you for a
|
||
season before I go to the Father. And even this night will I make supplication
|
||
to the Father that he strengthen each of you for that which you must now so
|
||
soon pass through. I love you all with the love wherewith the Father loves me,
|
||
and therefore should you henceforth love one another, even as I have loved
|
||
you."
|
||
|
||
And then, when they had sung a hymn, they departed for the camp on the Mount of
|
||
Olives.
|
||
|
||
top of page - 1963
|
||
|
||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
Subjects Archive The Urantia Book Urantia Book PART IV: The Life and Teachings
|
||
of Jesus : The Bestowal Of Michael On Urantia The Times Of Michael's Bestowal
|
||
Birth And Infancy Of Jesus The Early Childhood Of Jesus The Later Childhood Of
|
||
Jesus Jesus At Jerusalem The Two Crucial Years The Adolescent Years Jesus'
|
||
Early Manhood The Later Adult Life Of Jesus On The Way To Rome The World's
|
||
Religions The Sojourn At Rome The Return From Rome The Transition Years John
|
||
The Baptist Baptism And The Forty Days Tarrying Time In Galilee Training The
|
||
Kingdom's Messengers The Twelve Apostles The Ordination Of The Twelve Beginning
|
||
The Public Work The Passover At Jerusalem Going Through Samaria At Gilboa And
|
||
In The Decapolis Four Eventful Days At Capernaum First Preaching Tour Of
|
||
Galilee The Interlude Visit To Jerusalem Training Evangelists At Bethsaida The
|
||
Second Preaching Tour The Third Preaching Tour Tarrying And Teaching By The
|
||
Seaside Events Leading Up To The Capernaum Crisis The Crisis At Capernaum Last
|
||
Days At Capernaum Fleeing Through Northern Galilee The Sojourn At Tyre And
|
||
Sidon At Caesarea-philippi The Mount Of Transfiguration The Decapolis Tour
|
||
Rodan Of Alexandria Further Discussions With Rodan At The Feast Of Tabernacles
|
||
Ordination Of The Seventy At Magadan At The Feast Of Dedication The Perean
|
||
Mission Begins Last Visit To Northern Perea The Visit To Philadelphia The
|
||
Resurrection Of Lazarus Last Teaching At Pella The Kingdom Of Heaven On The Way
|
||
To Jerusalem Going Into Jerusalem Monday In Jerusalem Tuesday Morning In The
|
||
Temple The Last Temple Discourse Tuesday Evening On Mount Olivet Wednesday, The
|
||
Rest Day Last Day At The Camp The Last Supper The Farewell Discourse Final
|
||
Admonitions And Warnings In Gethsemane The Betrayal And Arrest Of Jesus Before
|
||
The Sanhedrin Court The Trial Before Pilate Just Before The Crucifixion The
|
||
Crucifixion The Time Of The Tomb The Resurrection Morontia Appearances Of Jesus
|
||
Appearances To The Apostles And Other Leaders Appearances In Galilee Final
|
||
Appearances And Ascension Bestowal Of The Spirit Of Truth After Pentecost The
|
||
Faith Of Jesus
|
||
|
||
<20><><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>Ŀ
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<20> The Farewell <20> In Gethsemane <20> Urantia Book <20> Search <20> SiteMap! <20>
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