Chapter 3

The Crisis

    Thus it was that spirit won the election by a wide margin. As soon as the election was decided, all of Reason's lights in the city of Mann mysteriously went out, and Mann was plunged into total darkness.

    No sooner had this strange darkness descended like a shroud upon Mann than it was everywhere noised abroad that Mann had suffered the loss of its head-life! It was true that Mann had received its light from Reason and its very life-currents from that center; but now all lay inert and unmoving -- dead! At first, no one knew what to do, for the entire city of Mann had always turned to Reason and his lights when doing was in question. Now, all looked to spirit. Even Soul watched him intently to see what he would do in such an unusual event. Whatever spirit did, as far as Soul was concerned, she and he were one.

    It had never before happened on this order in the city of Mann, so all wondered what could be done to resolve such a dilemma. As all eyes were upon spirit, he did nothing (John 5:30). He did not consult with his newly departed predecessor, Reason, for it had been Reason in the first place who had gotten them into that state of outer darkness where his lights had been of little or no use anyway. He did not turn to Logic or Common Sense or least of all to Proof, for Virgin-Faith stood loyally at his side.

    All the members of the city of Mann watched spirit as he just stood and did nothing. They watched to see if Soul would once again take things into her own able hands and re-install Reason, but she too was watching spirit.

    As she watched him standing motionless, as one who could of himself do nothing, a remembrance of things long forgotten came flooding back to her. In tears, she remembered how it had been when she and spirit were innocent and knew nothing of themselves and cared not about anything but to serve their Sovereign in their innocence.

    After her error so long ago, she seemed to have stepped over a threshold which, when once crossed, nothing seemed to matter, and she had gone from bad to worse, adding sin to sin until she had become sin-hardened without the desire to return. That is, until that recent day when she had overheard spirit speaking so caringly of her to Reason. She had verily been touched in a way she had forgotten was possible. Ever since that time, there had been the thought, no, the hope, that there might be a way made for her to return to the lordship and care of spirit and therefore to the Lordship of her abandoned Sovereign.

    "Oh! Just the thought of Him makes me want to weep!", she thought within herself. "Could it really be that He would receive me back, after all the trouble and confusion and pain I have caused Mann?"

    Her thoughts went back to the time when the Sovereign's own Son had come to Mann and of how Mann had treated Him so shamefully, even beat Him and mercilessly crucified Him between two thieves! On several occasions, spirit had sought to explain to her that this had all been the Sovereign's merciful plan which would eventually bring about the redemption and full reconciliation of all of Mann (I Corinthians 15:22), but she couldn't help but feel a crushing remorse and grief for having been the cause of such pain and suffering to One so undeserving of it.

    Soul remembered well how spirit had come to her with soberness, compassion and a firmness which told her there would be no measure of compromise on his part. She remembered how she had admired that in him. It had been shortly after that day when she had surprised Reason and spirit in the midst of their debate concerning the election of Mann. When spirit had come to her the day following, she had thought within herself, "Already he comes to persuade me to return to him! His affection for me must be even greater than I had thought."

    "Good morning to you Soul. I do pray that all is well with you, though I know things can and will be better when you have returned to your rightful place under my care and guidance.", said spirit.

    "Why, good morning to you, spirit.", Soul replied. "I'm surprised that you are so soon come to court me and to provoke me to your way of thinking concerning my return to your headship."

    "Oh, I'm sorry if I gave you that impression, Soul.", spirit said. "For, while I do love you with all the love of which I was ever capable and desire only your good and well-being, I have absolutely no intention of, as you stated yesterday, 'fighting for you.' I have come to merely tell you that unless you see the value and worth of such a return and are willing to commence it at any and all cost, it would be but an empty and meaningless farce on your part to go through the motions of returning. Nay, except you are willing to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow after the Lord Christ, you shall in no wise come into aught of the good our great Sovereign deigns to bestow upon you."

    Soul's hand had gone unconsciously to her mouth in surprise. It was a habit which spirit remembered about her. Her eyes were now wide with amazement. "You mean, . . .that is, . . . You mean you didn't come to ply me with presents for my return?" Soul said falteringly.

    spirit answered, "Gifts enough are in store for you should you decide to join me in this dying way, but you must repent of your present evil ways with the same earnestness with which you repented of the good we enjoyed initially. For if you will return to the Shepherd and Bishop of souls (I Peter 2:25), it must be to the exclusion of all else, as He hath said, 'He that loveth father, mother, sister, brother, houses, lands, or children more than Me, is not worthy of Me'"(Matthew 10:37).

    "Surely you could not mean what I take you to mean, spirit," Soul queried, a puzzled frown now making its way across her face. "For, not only are you not wooing me to return in the solicitous manner I had thought, you seem verily to be building a fence across my way of return."

    "Building a fence, indeed," replied spirit. "Yet the fence thus built is one scaled easily enough by all who are in good earnest of returning and has never been known to deter even one honest-hearted and worthy seeker-after-God. 'He that findeth, or preserveth his own soul (life) shall lose it; and he that will lose his own soul (life) for My sake, says the Lord Christ, shall save it' (Matt. 10:39). This the good Sovereign says, not to limit you, but that being released from the captivating influences of the things of this outward life and realm, you might gain all things in Him. I am persuaded better things of you, Soul, and know that 'you are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul, that you might receive the end and effect of your faith, even the salvation of your soul' (Heb. 10:39 & I Pet. 1:9).

    Soul was quite obviously unsettled now, and her disappointment was showing through very clearly, still she did not give the impression that she was rejecting anything spirit was saying to her. On the contrary, in spite of her obvious present distress she displayed a keen interest, which told of the fact that Holy Spirit had already begun to set to work on her in good fashion. She verily seemed as one with a hook in her jaw, being drawn to shore.

    After a moment's silence, Soul said, "I am quite beside myself and there is, as it were, a great sob within me, and Emotion isn't even with me this morning! If what you are telling me is true, spirit, and I have no reason to doubt you in these things, you are asking me to die to myself! A prospect which, I must admit with all candor, causes an involuntary shudder to run through my being. Tell me about this "dying way," as you call it. What are its marks and benefits, and are we speaking here of a perpetual dying, or is there a set time to this death of which you speak, and what comes of it all?"

    "I can well understand your feelings at this time, Soul," spirit assured her. "It is with the same fear and trepidation that all venture out upon the dark waters of this Jordan, only to find that our precious divine Ark has passed through here about 2,000 cubits (years) ahead of us (Joshua 3:4), thus causing the waters of so threatening a death to stand up on a heap as we pass through as on dry ground. Surely, the waters shall not over flow us.(Isaiah 43:2). The dying way of which we speak is for receipt of the New Body (I Corinthians 15:44) and for entrance into resurrection life, the final stage of that great salvation wrought by the Lord Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago when He tasted death for every man. (Hebrews 2:9) That upon which you are about to embark may be likened to the death, burial, resurrection, ascension and glorification of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Sovereign's own Son.

    "For it is not enough that we merely die," spirit said. "There must also be a resurrection so that we are not caught, as you say, in a perpetual dying with no living in view. This death to self is purely a work of grace as we offer ourselves up, as the Lord Jesus Christ did, through the Eternal Spirit. Upon death, that is, upon the cessation of all activities from the outward realm (Reason, the Quintuplets, and the prevailing outlook of man [flesh]), then the same Spirit which raised Christ from the dead shall also quicken you and raise you from the dead (Romans 8:11). In this you will be tempted sorely by suggestions arising from within and speaking to you in your sufferings as the thief did to the Lord Christ -- if thou be Christ's, save thyself. Let Deity secure and save the soul, and let it not die so ignominiously."⁽¹⁾

    Soul was noticeably apprehensive upon hearing these words from spirit. The twiddling with the ribbon in her lap had increased. spirit, seeing this, spoke to reassure her.

    "But there shall be dispatched to your aid, succoring angels whose only charge shall be to assist, strengthen and sustain you in your hour of trial until your veil is irrevocably rent," spirit told her. "Be it known unto you Soul, that there is nothing hid from the eyes of Him with whom we have to do (Hebrews 4:13) and that there will be no deception nor fraud in this dying. So none of this must move a living Christ in a dying soul to spare it, for He sees deeper and beyond the visible appearance of things. It will not be in concept or in a mere faith-claim, even though Virgin-Faith shall play a part in it. What we are here confronted with are realities, and only that which has come to a very real death shall come to know a very real and inward resurrection."

    spirit paused to allow Soul time to consider these things and to ask any questions she might have. Soul was unconsciously giving the ribbon in her hand a very hard time of it.

    "spirit, please do tell me of this resurrection of which you now speak, for it seems very much more promising and heartening than this dying of which you have so aptly spoken.", Soul asked hopefully. "How are the dead raised, and with what body do they arise?"

    spirit was encouraged that none of his stout, demanding words had so far disinclined Soul from following on to the end. He was acutely aware by now that Holy Spirit was leading and guiding in this entire conversation.

    With renewed fervor, spirit continued, "The resurrection is now come. As you say, 'How are the dead raised and with what body do they arise?' are but a few of the questions asked about this experience. We are to know that only out of death is there a resurrection, Soul. Only as that which is natural is sown in corruption can it come forth in growing life, or can that which is spiritual be raised to incorruption. 'It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is a spiritual body. For, as it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit' (I Corinthians 15:44,45). God giveth each a body as it pleaseth Him. As the moon differeth from the sun in glory and the stars differeth from each other in glory, so also shall there be varying degrees of glory in the resurrection. But every man shall come forth in his own ordination and course."

    "Oh, please do continue and tell me of this resurrection! At last we have come to something which holds out hope and promise! Do go on!" Soul urged.

    "I am most happy to continue with this good news, Soul," spirit said. "It is here, upon the resurrection and receipt of the new body, that great questionings and doubts arise, for upon the death, yea, and even during the probationary (trial) period after resurrection, there is a great and profound silence with very little of consequence happening. Nothing, to all appearances, is taking place. Where are all the mighty signs of a resurrected life? 'We had expected, saith one to another, that great things would have been shown forth upon finishing such a course; that a present redemption would follow.'⁽²⁾ But as the Lord did not mighty works upon His resurrection, but was in and out among His disciples for 40 days before His ascension, so shall the resurrected soul know what is termed a probationary period. During this time it is for the soul to remain aloof and detached from the doubts and questionings of those looking on from a lower realm, and abide in that celestial region to which a risen soul rightly belongs. This is for the soul's establishment in her new state.

    "Upon receiving the breath of life and being raised from the dead, the soul may at first know but small and feeble stirrings of this new life, but all is in good working order and will grow and develop rapidly now, making ready for the soul's ascension."

    spirit noticed a slight wrinkling of the brow as a question seemed to form itself in Soul's mind. Before she could interject, spirit answered her.

    "For until the soul's receipt of the new spiritual body," spirit said with a smile, "the soul had no way of ascension because of the law of circularity. For to be at home in the (natural, outward) body is to be absent from the Lord. The law of circularity is simply this; everything tends back to its origin, as the Scriptures also attest. "Then shall the dust (body) return (circularity) to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return (circularity) unto God who gave it" --Ecclesiastes 12:7. The spirit has a natural tendency to ascend to God and is always in a state toward ascendancy. But the body is the only vehicle which the soul has, and it has a tendency back to the earth and not to Godward.

    "Thus the need of a new, spiritual body whose essence is spirit and therefore has a tendency toward ascension also. The soul has not the essence in itself by which to ascend, but upon receipt of the new, spiritual body, it then possesses that essence of spirit by which to ascend. Now, with the receipt of the spiritual body (not yet a glorified body) is gained, not only all the senses and sensations of a spiritual body, replacing the loss of these in the natural, outward body, but the soul may now ascend inwardly and spiritually, to walk in celestial realms from which it was heretofore barred.

    "In this place, the soul may leave inwardly, while remaining visible to those in whose presence she may be, and join the other celestial beings in that realm to which she is now begotten" (John 3:13).

    "How do you know this of which you speak, spirit?", Soul asked. "Have you some basis and authority to say these things, as you surely seem to have?"

    "I am glad you have asked this question, Soul," spirit said. "I am most happy to answer you. I, myself, have many times ascended in spirit, for ascension is a very natural thing to me since I am essentially spirit and have a natural facility for ascension. But so that this word might be established in the mouths of two witnesses, hear a report, and a good one I might add, from one such heavenly spy who, having gone ahead to spy out this great and wonderful inheritance so lovingly held out to us by our Sovereign, has returned to share it with us in this latter time" (Jane Leade--1624-1704).

    'Having passed through and gotten over the resurrection step on the ladder of ascension, and held out the probation hour, the heavens do open and the bright cloud breaks as the open Gate of Ascension, to receive the spirit and soul that has put on its risen body. It is now to be parted from the earth and carried up to have conversation with the Holy Trinity and all those princely dignitaries in heavenly places.

    "Oh, what angelical sounds and consummating powers that make a soul all restless until it comes to its own prepared mansion! With what love-zeal is it now fired throughout! Every motion is all ascending towards its own center, for now it is very painful to live any space of time out of its heavenly Element, and it is judged as expedient for a risen soul to depart mystically and spiritually, as the Lord did personally -- nothing must or can long detain it. All dues, debts and demands have been cleared in Christ, the Life and Resurrection.'⁽³⁾

    "Oh!" Exclaimed Soul, clasping her hands to her breast. "Oh! This is that for which I long with all my being! This is like a mighty, irresistible force compelling me to itself and I am wholly given not to resist it in the least. Please tell me more!"

    spirit, now smiling quite openly and clearly enjoying this part of the conversation, continued.

    "Were this union not quite enough, dear Soul," spirit said, "then comes glorification. And let me say very clearly that this glorification is not possible without the foregoing process. Glorification is the same as that which has been termed, 'the placement of adoption'(Romans 8:23). It is that which doth not yet appear, (I John 3:2) being suddenly manifested at the seventh and final trump. For the probationary period of 40 days which our Lord Jesus Christ walked out in type for us is not a set number or time that we may strictly count on. This time shall vary with each individual as to the completeness of their death and their subsequent walk after death, during which time it doth not yet appear at all outwardly what has surely been accomplished and known inwardly and spiritually by the individual soul.

    "Dear Soul, of all that I have here discoursed to you, clear testimony can be seen in that blessed book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ, chapters 11:15 & 19, 12:5 & 10."

    spirit paused, hands clasped behind his back, leaning slightly forward, his eyes now piercing Soul's eyes, "What say you to these things, Soul?", he asked. "Are they not of such moment as to cause any with enlightenment to forsake all, that such as this might be possessed?"

    "Well!", said Soul. There was a long pause as she, still idly fingering the now fairly destroyed ribbon in her lap, sat looking down at it.

    "I must say, spirit, that you do know how to leave a woman breathless. I know neither where to begin nor whereof to comment, but one thing I do know. I have been forever altered in my heart of hearts. I will never again be the same after today and hearing the things you have disclosed to me, spirit. You have, with such words, poured golden oil, as from a fiery horn of love, upon me which now leaves me consumed with an insatiable desire to know Him and the power of His resurrection! (Philippians 3:10) I am well aware, owing to your very clear and uncompromising manner of speech, that I must lose all -- the Quintuplets, even my very head-life, Reason -- if I am to enter into all that our Sovereign so kindly holds out to me."

    Soul paused with a somewhat thoughtful expression upon her now relaxed face. "I find it most astonishing that I am able to actually consider the loss of such things as my life verily has consisted of and find that there is not within me the great sense of dread and of loss one should think to feel upon their departure. However, you have cast so favorable a light on these things as to cause me to see, for the first time ever, everything according to their true value and moment, so that I am able, for the glory set before me, to endure the cross, despising the shame. I will never again be the same."

    Suddenly Soul burst into tears as she continued. "I am overwhelmed with the felicitous sentiments our great Sovereign yet has toward us, after all that has transpired! I cannot contain myself or the love and gratitude I feel toward Him! It makes me verily wish to die for Him and is like a white-hot torrent raging within me, whereas before your discourse I had but a somewhat faint hope. I will, indeed, scale the fence you have built across my way, spirit, and climb with hope the ladder of ascension upon the carcass of a dead self until I can say with the apostle, 'It is no more I that live, but Christ!'" (Galatians 2:20).

1. Quote from Ascension Angels, pg. 41.

2. Quote from Ascension Angels, pg. 41,42.

3. Quote from Ascension Angels, pg. 55, 56.