OT: The Visions of Sadhu Sundar Singh of India

The Visions of Sadhu Sundar Singh of India

PUBLISHERS' PREFACE
The life of Sadhu Sundar Singh was most remarkable in its
Christ-likeness. He was born amidst the depths of Indian culture and
religion, and into a Sikh family. During the early part of his life,
Sundar's mother would take him week by week to sit at the feet of a
sadhu, an ascetic holy man, who lived some distance away in the
rainforest.

But with the death of his beloved mother when he was only fourteen
years old, the young Sundar grew increasingly despairing and
aggressive. His hatred of the local missionaries and Christians
culminated in the public burning of a bible, which he tore apart page
by page and threw, into the flames.

Yet before long Sundar was intent on taking his own life. Sundar had
arrived at a point of desperation: he had decided to throw himself
under the Ludhiana express if God did not reveal to him the true way
of peace.

At three in the morning he rose from his bed and went out into the
moonlit courtyard for the ceremonial bath observed by devout Hindus
and Sikhs before worship. He then returned to his room and knelt down,
bowed his head to the ground and pleaded that God would reveal
himself. Yet, nothing happened.

He had not known what to expect: a voice, a vision, and a trance?
Still nothing happened. And it was fast approaching the time for the
Lothian express.

He lifted his head and opened his eyes, and was rather surprised to
see a faint cloud of light in the room. It was too early for the dawn.
He opened the door and peered out to the courtyard. Darkness. Turning
back into the room, he saw that the light in the room was getting
brighter. To his sheer amazement, he saw not the face of any of his
traditional gods, but of Jesus the Christ.

Jesus Christ was there in the room, shining, radiating an
inexpressible joy, peace, and love, looking at him with compassion and
asking, "Why do you persecute me? I died for you..."

From here on the life of Sundar Singh became most Christ-like. Being
unwilling to denounce his Master, it was not long before his family
had rejected him. Sundar took the saffron robes of the sadhu and began
a life of spreading the simple message of love and peace and rebirth
through Jesus. He carried no money or other possessions, only a New
Testament.

He traveled India and Tibet, as well as the rest of the world, with
the message that the modern interpretation of Jesus was sadly watered
down. He visited the West twice, traveling to Britain, the United
States, and Australia in 1920, and Europe again in 1922.

With the large number of "spiritual paths" and "techniques", facing
the world of today it is of special value to consider the life and
insights of one who truly embraced the simplicity, love and freedom
offered through devotion to Christ.

"I am not worthy to follow in the steps of my Lord," he said, "but
like Him, I want no home, no possessions. Like Him I will belong to
the road, sharing the suffering of my people, eating with those who
will give me shelter, and telling all people of the love of God."

PREFACE by SUNDAR SINGH
The following is the preface of the original publication of 1926:

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 life time;
but friends, whose judgment I value, have been 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 I was 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 in 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 that 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 that these visions are 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 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 of the 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 their faith, as stated in the "Apostles' Creed." Once, in
a vision, I asked the saints for a proof from the Bible of this
communion of saints, and was told that it was to be found clearly
given in Zechariah 3:7-8, where "those that were standing by" were not
angels, 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 and Angels in this book. The
distinction I would make between them is that spirits are good or bad,
which 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 intermediary 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 Rev. T. E. Riddle of the New
Zealand Presbyterian Mission, Kharar, Punjab, who has journeyed up to
Subathu to translate the original book from Urdu into English. My
thanks are again due to Miss E. Sanders, of Coventry, for having
corrected the proofs.

SUNDAR SINGH
Subathu, July 1926.

The Visions

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.

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 realize 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 realize 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 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 paralyzed 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."

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 deathbeds. 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.

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 do the spirits in heaven hear the wails of
anguish, 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 honor. 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 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 itself.

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
unrecognized 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.

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 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 laboring 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 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 of 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.

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 recognized. 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
neighbors. 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 honor 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."

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, 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).

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 recognized
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 clamor 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 body screened your real spiritual life,
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.

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.

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
recognize 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.

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
Savior 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."

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,
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, 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
dishonor 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
produces 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.

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. All who came in contact with him
recognized his Christian character. 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 favoritism, 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 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, 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 colors 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
vitalizing and vivifying power. There is in heaven neither east nor
west, nor north nor south, but for each individual soul or angel,
Christ's throne appears as the center 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 flavor 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.

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 honor 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 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 fulfill 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 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
fulfill 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, 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 fulfill 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 fulfill the purpose of our lives, and enter without any
shade of regret, into the eternal joy of the Kingdom of our Heavenly
Father.
THE END

COPYRIGHT NOTE
As we feel this material to be of special value to humankind, this
publication of the "VISIONS of SADHU SUNDAR SINGH of INDIA" is hereby
placed in the public domain. Permission is also hereby freely granted
to include any (or all) of the text in any book, booklet, leaflet, Web
Page or software package. If your Web Page is of interest to seekers
of truth, please install a link to our Web Page. Shalom.

Published By Noah's Ark,
PO Box 607, Armidale,
NSW, 2350, Australia. 1996.
Email: noah@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
.