“All divine laws that pertain to his children are beneficent; but if thou hast in mind only bodily protection, it may not always be assured, although everything worketh toward that end. But, as thou knowest well, even if the body be destroyed it doth not harm the real man. While we should strive to care well for our bodily manifestation, because it is useful, its loss may be likened to the ruin of a house, with its owner unharmed, and a more fitting habitation awaiting him.”
“As thy departure draweth near, I would fain make inquiry concerning a matter of doctrine, that I may have a fuller understanding,” said Marcius. “I have heard it said by some that the Messias is again to come in visible form, and that the end of all things draweth nigh. What thinkest thou of this?”
“Behold,” said Serenus, “the end of the world only signifieth the closing of the old Dispensation, whether in the world or in each human soul. The Messias is [pg 476]all the time making his advent invisibly in the souls of men, and so far as his coming is perfected, it hath outward expression, though not fully complete in them as it was in the Nazarene. But every man already hath the unspoken Christ, who seeketh fuller and visible articulation. The light is within, waiting for a refinement of the outer nature in order that it may shine through.”
“There also appear to be certain differences of belief among our brethren, concerning the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus!” said Marcius.
“While these are well in the literal and outward sense, their importance is contained in the changes which they symbolize in the inner nature of man. A belief of the head in the sacrifice of the Prophet of Nazareth availeth naught; the Christ mind and life must be born in the soul.”
“How dost thou view the day of judgment?”
“Judgment is set up within man, and is continuous. The divine Image, or Truth, is a tribunal in every one, and until the personal and outer life cometh into full conformity, judgment is never ended. No outward legality, sacrifice, or ceremony can satisfy, but only an inner conformity to the Model.”
“What is the life beyond? and is there a spiritual body?”
“The spiritual body is already formed within the visible organism. Its quality is made by the thoughts and intents of the heart. So far as these are discordant with the pattern of the divine Image, there must still be cleansing and purification in the beyond. Such a discipline to the old man, or fleshly self, seems like a con[pg 477]suming fire, and brings severe growing-pains to the lower consciousness.”
“But, dear friends,” continued Serenus, “why address all these questions concerning the deep things of the Spirit to me? Let Saulus speak of them, and we will listen to him.”