Like many of us at Earthchangers College, we have grown up in a Christ-haunted culture. I say “haunted” because we are living in a post-Christian era – after the death of the Christian church. Mainstream Christianity long ago lost the war with the world. The death throes in the U.S. have been going on for decades. Say Good-bye to the old, distorted Christianity.
But, is this the end of Christianity? As the institution founded by Paul of Tarsus, based on his interpretations of the death, resurrection and second coming of the Christ, yes. But, as to the message of Jesus, no. To his message and its esoteric meaning, I say Hello.
There are groups of Christians (and have been for two thousand years) who understood the hidden meanings underlying his message and, when the tide turned in favor of institutional Christianity, they went underground to protect and preserve it.
[If you are thinking gnostic, there is some of what is labeled gnosticism (Greek for “knowledge”) inherent in Christ-ianity, but gnosticism, as to what evolved as a belief system--wherein salvation resides only in knowledge--like everything else, went off track, too.]
So, there are two kinds of Christian churches. The extoteric (public) church, is the one that everyone is familiar with, and preaches the parables and stories. Then, there is the esoteric (hidden) church, consisting of those who wanted to know more and were able to understand the hidden meanings. As you know, the history of the church shows how those who didn't toe the line with mainstream dogma (Roman Catholic Church-RCC) were subjected to some very unloving actions—quite the opposite of what Jesus the Christ preached.
Ah, but the Reformation came about. That handled the abuses. Didn't it? To some extent and for a time. But still, there has been so much emphasis put on Paul's teachings, and scriptures that are rife with mis-copyings, missing text, added information, legends born of oral traditions, etc., as to make the scriptures informative, but not infallible. (Details are in the attachment below).
It has been said that what became the RCC kept Christianity alive, because of its codification of scriptures and its cohesiveness (and force when needed). But, was it alive in the first place? The RCC propagated Paul's version of salvation by belief in the death and resurrection of the Christ, but Jesus never preached (as far as history allows us to know) that people had to rely on his death and resurrection to find salvation. And, it begs the question, salvation from what? It is said there is a hell and salvation is from its eternal damnation. But, that's not what Jesus preached. He preached love. L-O-V-E.
What Jesus did say to his followers was that we, too, could do the things he did, and even more. He also said the kingdom of God is within. So, what was he saying? That he was God? No, he was saying he was human, and that we can achieve what he had achieved.
While its a well-known New Age concept (that all answers lie within), it dates back to the Christ himself. Imagine if you will that Jesus was born a human, just like you and me, but a human far along on his spiritual path, so much so that he ascended that lifetime. Did he ascend by the same method he expected the rest of us to follow? To just believe that his death and resurrection would cause his own ascension? How could he?
As you will see in the following summaries from one of my studies of early Christianity, his saying “believe on me” is not necessarily something he said. As you will learn from the summaries, his saying you can do this, and even more, and the kingdom of God lies within, are not sayings Christians would have made up, since it goes against the proto-orthodox (the early beginnings of the RCC) grain. In case you are unfamiliar, the RCC was the Christian church up until the Protestant Reformation, beginning in 1517 A.D.
I hope the summaries will give you a quick, but insightful, glimpse into why the Bible, as well as the belief systems that rely on it, isn't what it seems. Understand, the textbook from which the summaries were made is a scholarly examination into the literature of early Christian writings. And, there was a lot of it, much of which never made it into the Bible. There is no intent to proselytize. It's a work about the historical accuracy of Christianity and Jesus, history that can be proven, with a reasonable level of certainty. For the best understanding, I encourage you to pick up a used copy of the book on amazon.com and read it.
In closing this introduction, I'd like to share how I ended up in these studies. Through a series of synchronicities, I ended up in a small, esoteric seminary wherein, through one of the initiatic rites, I had a most marvelous vision. It was of a giant cross arising out of a lily. The real message, as Jesus intended, is being resurrected.
Summaries attached. Christianity-Goodbye-Hello.docx
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LESSONS from Our Lord for the World
Volume IV Lesson #41
7/27/92
GROWTH
My dear one, because you do not see your interior growth being relayed to your exterior actions, does not mean that other people do not see your growth. It is the same, not only for you, but all My people. Remember, you are blind to many things of yourself, and what I do outwardly through you may not be noticed according to either your understanding or expectations. This, however, does not mean that My works through you go unnoticed.
When you grow slowly, it is difficult to see the change at once. Also, this is for your humility. The vices of the flesh need taming; and the worst vice, that of pride, is the most poisonous and the most difficult to tame! It is not as important for you to see the change as it is for you to be open, to be a vessel of love!
“When you are in the forest, it is hard to see the trees.” It is the same with spiritual growth. My people should not focus on where they are in their journey, because selfish vanity can develop. They should, rather, seek the journey lived by My Saints as a guide to assist them in identifying the path.
Why is it so necessary for you to know the great works I do through you? When you are totally empty is when you shall know; but by that point, you will not desire to know. Tame this vice of pride now! I am not only speaking to you, but to all My people. You are no different than they are. The human vices need to be tamed. How shrewd the subconscious to deceive you to experience self-pity and need for acceptance and praise of your graces! Put aside these harmful thoughts and continue to simply live quietly in My Love.
There is nothing you could say that I could not say without you! There is nothing you could do that I could not do without you! I molded you. I gave you the words to speak. I gave you the gift of knowledge. I gave you the strength and wisdom to succeed. So, as you receive, give back to Me what is Mine.
But also remember My Love for you, and that I need you because I came for you! I was broken for you, and so much desire your happiness and love. So, see My teachings, not as a reprimand, but as encouragement to face your vices and to surrender even more unto Me, that I may clean you and make you pure of your human vices of the flesh. I will replace them with the spiritual virtues of Heaven.
I regret to have exposed you, child, to your own inadequate vices for the sake of My people, but My people shall come first, and you shall be last. For I will not let one of My lambs be lost. The gems of My Heart shall shine; and each, in their own beauty and rarity, have a priceless value!
Much more Lessons of our Lord:
http://www.centeroftheimmaculateheart.org/foundation/news_archive.a...
Return to God, return to love, lessons of our Lord (by locution through Gianna Talone Sullivan)
http://www.centeroftheimmaculateheart.org/foundation/lessons_final.asp