PART I - Section 4

NOW COMES THE RESURRECTION

 

    Having laid the foundation stone with Christ in death, the Archangel's Trumpet soundeth for a resurrection in spirit, soul and body. There hath been a foregoing resurrection in the spirit (which hath been frequently known) being more sublime and ready to fly and mount up to its own heavenly place. This I have experienced while my soul has been under heavy and ponderous bindings.

    But now for the soul to rise is a more difficult case, because it cannot rise until it has a spiritual body, all new and reorganized. For, it is sown in death a natural sinful body, dishonorable and vile and must lie in the mystical grave until all of its nature is decayed away, so that in new matter and form it may rise and come forth according to the working of the heavenly mystery.

    Herein a soul is to be wholly passive and can contribute nothing to this new frame and model. All it has to do is cease to do. God knows how to give to the spiritual seed a body after its own kind in order for it to be suitably clothed upon in preparation for the honor of the resurrection, of which I shall now present to you a design.

    First, how it (the soul) is raised and by whom and to what state and the inscription it bears after the resurrection in order to distinguish it from all others:

    The first particular, which is how and after what manner the dead in Christ are raised; There is a secret, infused breath, after the manner of Ezekiel 37:10, which gave life to the dry bones, which properly typifies the resurrection of the soul. To which we may add that which the Lord Christ also discoursed to Nicodemus of the birth of the spiritual man as born again from the dead -- so undiscernibly coming that none can see how this pure breath enters in except as it is felt as a quickening life.

    For as a child which lies in a natural womb is passive and contributes nothing to its own life, so it is with one that is born from the dead as to the matter of its constitution. Which qualities and makeup is from the superior and incorruptible element and fashioned within this gross bodily form as airy thin and of a transparent purity in which the spirit and soul moves.

    Upon the first awakening to life, it may stir but feebly and the soul may therefore not discern its own awakening life. Yet, all the motions are working in a right and due order, increasing in strength from the Eternal Root and Fountain of Life. So it comes daily to grow strong in every organical faculty. As it died to the corrupt animal, rational, sensitive life and has lost all of that, so it has regained to a thousand-fold advantage,(54) a new realm, by the resurrection.

    In this is felt a divine animation of life that runs into pure, high union with the Holy Trinity where it centers, finding all pleasurable and fulfilling delights in which one can know no bounds or excess. The chaste eye may be allowed to fully gratify itself upon heavenly objects without control. Nay, now it may be taken with its own beauty and comeliness.

    Whereas before, in the other state, there was a matter of abhorrence, having reason enough to despise its own image, now it may admire itself as having put on the fine robe of the resurrection. Whereas self-love in the old body was shunned and denied, here it is perfectly lawful, for now it loves the Holy Trinity as itself and every spiritual member belonging to the Eternal Body as itself, and as to dignification and rights--fullness.

    This takes it within the circle of the superior heavens; those precious things which the Sun and Moon do typify, being established in one pure element to put forth blessing and increase. Then, as to the lower earthy orb, as the situation requires any exercise, all is made subservient to the resurrection state.

    The Holy and Just One can well confide in a soul that is fully risen, to make him ruler over much, knowing of what spiritual temper it is raised up in. It will not abuse its trust either as to eternal or temporal gain. In this there is no crude or ill-bred partial spirit as to anything with which it is entrusted as a steward for God, giving all out freely in love-communion.

    In the second place, we shall look at what is to be considered for the loss of the subtle spirit of Reason that managed all things by exterior craft. For this management now comes from the high, graduated, new-found Wisdom which comes from the Father of Light by which He made all that is of a visible constitution out of nothing.

    This wins out over rationality and shames all which moved upon the wheel of earthly and visible things that, taken all together, are under the curse, for rationality has no other matter to work upon. But the Superior Wisdom, that is one with the body of the resurrection, is that which cooperated with the eternal Living Word that created all things anew, calling those things into being which were not. There is no matter or cause obvious to the natural eye. The matter it works upon is not gross or tangible. It is all Ethereal and Spiritual where God is the only productive Cause and Ground.

    Therefore, from God alone, through an effectual operation for the bringing forth into essences and substances in the spirit and soul, this Wisdom shall lay its design for restoration of that Virgin nature and God-like simplicity that have been deflowered through the subtlety of Reason. It is not to be said what wisdom cannot do, as it is in marriage union with God's omnipotence from whence it will not go forth naked but clothed upon with power and strength to effect strange and marvelous things.

    It will in this manner implement the planting and regulating of this old creation that now lies drowned in the earthly craft and Babylonish confusion. All of this must fall as the day of wisdom's resurrection comes to be manifested. For what shall be able to stand when she opens her realm where the powers of Eternal Nature will be set to work to clothe the old face of things with a spring of fadeless glory?

    Oh, there is a great need this day of wisdom's resurrection so that this old corrupt figure of things may pass away. For which passing away we have many prophecies from Christ the Lord, so many ages past. The beloved John signified as much, testifying to the desolation that must come upon the Great City Babylon, where all worldly merchandise have been carried on.

    Oh, what a sudden destruction will come upon this as in one hour, when the Mighty Angels(55) of God's Wisdom shall descend, having great power to burn and consume, to shake and dissolve the earthly frame of things. At these things the children of the resurrection shall not be dismayed but shall rejoice for this long expected day through which all shall be governed by the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation.

    Now we come to the third particular, which is the restoring of the lost senses in a supernatural way. A risen soul and spirit have all the sensation of a spiritual body. This is very high and inconceivable to any except such as have been caught up out of the earthly body (as is mentioned by Paul) to know something of it beforehand.

    This may happen before the full and total resurrection is attained, as there are some that have known this and can therefore more knowingly define it as to what manner this divine sensation shows itself forth. It is an advance beyond the life of faith and all visional representations which were through faith.

    For it now ceases to see through that glass which presents heavenly objects at a distance and but dimly. In this spiritual body of the resurrection, things are seen in the light of God's Eye -- as being translated into that realm where one perpetual, everlasting Day shines.

    It beholds greatness, goodness and purity as being entered into. This is a broad open sight that doth change from glory to glory. This was that which made that worthy apostle, having known something of this glory when he was caught up to the third heaven, press so after the resurrection to be in that body in which he might know no more absence from the Lord, of which he spake in II Corinthians 5:7. We yet live by faith and not by immediate sight, although faith is the great moving wheel that must bring us to this resurrection, because its operation is in the power of God.

    Then, upon coming to the resurrection, it has done its work and we have received the end of our faith, even the resurrection of our spirit, soul and body. Now it may be given us to understand that spiritual sensation in this realm excels the life of faith, for we will have been translated to a realm in which we do see eye to eye and hear as we are heard and know even as we are known.

    Whatever there was of eternal and heavenly objects that were invisible before, they are now become most clearly obvious by exercising each particular sense as tasting and feeling the power, goodness and sweetness of God. Whereby unutterable pleasure is enjoyed without the least shadow or interruption of fear or sorrow.

    When once gotten beyond the resurrection-probation, then it (the redeemed spirit, soul and spiritual body -- the angel) can go out of time into mansions of eternity as often as it pleases. But it may be questioned whether any shall arrive to such a resurrection before this visible body is dissolved after the manner of all flesh?

    To this we shall answer in Christ's own words, "That such as shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world and the resurrection from the dead, they can die no more for they are equal to (angelic) the angels" --Luke 20:35-36. So mortality comes to be swallowed up in the body of the resurrection. To this agrees that saying of Paul's -- "We shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed" --I Corinthians 15:51. Even this visible vile body shall be transfigured.

    Therefore it is no questionable thing, even though it has been so rarely seen, because the way into these things has not been walked in, as the Spirit of Christ has shown. There are few that have gotten through the death and even fewer still that have reached the resurrection.

    But the time is now at hand when the Chief Shepherd will quicken the slow-paced of His own flock who are too much behind in the dying. Rising, He will work to give forth His Spirit in greater abundance for the unveiling of this great mystery.(56) This is verily the strange and new thing that will spring forth in which an everlasting God will be clearly seen for highest wonder and praise.

    All this now considered, who would not set themselves only and altogether in earnest pursuit of the Eagle rising Body which the Lord, our only Life and resurrection, is compared to? But it may be yet said that if we could see any example for it in this present time we might gain a belief for this great thing you declare.

    Answer: whether or not there is any example in this age which can give proof of such a resurrection, we shall not decide that but hope and believe what is not yet made manifest may in time be. For the mortal form, housing a rising spirit and soul and not yet changed, must necessarily be as a cloud and a hiding of the excellent perfections that are there. But if nothing of proof could be produced, it would still not make void the true doctrine of the resurrection. It is sufficient that Christ, the Firstfruits, is risen for us to follow after.

    We shall add one more evidence mentioned in the Revelation of John as to the raising of the two witnesses.(57) There are various interpretations concerning this, but that which may be grounded upon as sure and firm is, Christ, being raised both in His Deity and in His Humanity. He rises in the soul, where He has been slain and has lain as dead in the properties of a degenerated nature, speaking as an example of by whom we do come to be raised -- the mighty power of the Deity.

    Now we will consider what we are to be raised unto. Is it not to sit with Christ in heavenly places, to have all our living and dealings there and to have nothing more to do with the state of things below? For the angels of the resurrection are now only for high communion and fellowship with the Trinity and with those of their own spiritually raised order.

    They can contract no low unions with creatures, nor walk among the dead, nor amuse themselves with anything that should lessen the dignity unto which they have been raised, while they go in and out among mortals.

    For there is a probation time between resurrection and ascension, as our Lord did herein show us in His own person. He went in and out among His disciples forty days before He ascended into His high throne of glorification, taking care to secure Himself from being touched.

    No, a beloved Mary must stand off at this time lest she should detain from ascension. All of which deportment of our Lord is for our example to be very cautious what we touch, taste, or handle of those perishing things that we are risen from. Nor is there permitted any endeared thing to lay the weight of their concerns upon us, for this is as Enoch's life, walking with God as if not to be.

    But you will say, "How can such a high raised life exist with the present state and circumstances of things in this creation where there must be care, industry and commerce in these low things for the service of one's self and of one another?" This is indeed a considerable mountain which has kept down Christ's risen Life in His saints.

    As to this mountain, only faith in God alone will remove it. But to answer this grand objection, you are to understand that this is a state of life wholly peculiar to such as are born again from the dead. It is not to be expected that others can altogether live so untouched and unconcerned by the affairs of this mortal life.

    But they who are, in special, called out of the numerous worldly interests to be God's Anointed Priests, Prophets and Messengers and to act and live after such a spiritual and consecrated way, are different from others who are not assigned to this holy separation.

    Although Moses may have desired that the whole heritage of God were ordained Prophets and instituted for more high and heavenly services, which we hope shall be worked out in time, it must first begin with those who can freely leave all rudimental things and give them up for holy dedication. This is expedient for all who would come to be in this high calling and profession.

    I must say, it is great, it is worthy and exceeding joyous. Honorable and blessed are those who can get discharged from all low and earthly impediments to follow and mind this heavenly vocation which turns to the best of accounts. In its conclusion, it will prove to have been the most gainful employ and calling.

    Now we return to where we left -- to the watchful, wary deportment that is required between resurrection and ascension. This is the last probation, therefore it concerns the risen soul to be very cautious to stay in the celestial region, improving all those sublime faculties in which it is raised.

    We may observe that our Lord, after His resurrection, did show Himself only to the brethren, going in and out and giving them but short stays, having other worlds and spheres, to visit the inhabitants there. So it is with those in whom Christ is risen, who are His living witnesses, who do appear to their fellow saints to their great astonishment, declaring the Lord is indeed risen in them.

    Where a doubtful spirit would question the truth of this, they are able to show the conspicuous marks as evidence. But you may ask, "What are these marks, that we may not be deceived by them?"

    First, you may know them by their swift motion and sublime faculties, going in and out as strangers no longer dwelling upon the earth. Their home is properly with the Lord and, with their invisible spirit and body, they are able to pass through different unknown spheres, sometimes more immediate with the Deity.(58)

    At other times they are with the orders of glorified angels and saints of high degree who have gone beyond mortality and then can return again to be seen and known of those who are in lower estate. The truth is, they are so spiritually increased by the birth of the resurrection that they cannot but despise all mortal and earthy appearances of things in this low world.

    Although, while living in this world while the visible physical form remains, such are subject to the just and necessary things of it in all moderation. For Christ Himself appeared in His human body after His resurrection and did eat common food with His disciples in order to prove that all this might consist with a risen life.

    Then again, you may know the risen in Christ by their designing only great and noble enterprises. They, having gotten so much of God's nature into them, are pressed until they bring it forth into manifestation by way of fruitful powers and showing forth of God's great wonders upon the visible stage of this world.

    Therefore, they always keep the Ladder of Ascension steadily in view, knowing their stay is not to be long before their way will be made to the everlasting throne of God's Open Face. Being thus qualified, they stand in all readiness for ascension.

    But we may add this by way of information, that there are many degrees of risings and liftings-up which often may be so beset with a watch of unbelieving spirit as may beat back the resurrection life. This has been known by such as have been hard pressing forward to be of the resurrection flock.

    In this I speak of my own experience, finding it the greatest obstruction. For when the mystery of the resurrection first opened to me along with incitements from my Lord that as He raised up Himself personally, so He would me spiritually.

    No sooner did I begin to entertain a belief in this than I had legions of spirits come about me to make all void as not attainable in this present time, discouraging and weakening my faith. But the mighty God stood up in me as a flaming wall, driving back that floating sea of sensibility and invading spirits, shutting and binding them out of His own risen body.

    Now then, by all this that has been declared and proved by Scripture and experience, we hope it may fasten a belief of this truth and leave a provocation for getting up upon this resurrection-step, by which a high advance and great assurance is given for another and third step of Jacob's Ladder to set foot upon, of which we shall go on to describe.


54. Physicists declare that when one reduces from the atom to the nucleus of the atom, you have reduced in size 10,000 times. But when you have reduced in size by 10,000 times, you have increased in power by 10,000,000 times! I believe this law also holds true spiritually. Only when we have decreased does He increase in power and life.

55. This has reference to those Ascended Angels who have ascended inwardly and spiritually and have thereby received the new Paradisiacal body from whence the powers of the world to come shall flow out. When we have read, "He that overcometh shall inherit all things. . ." --Revelation 21:7, that is precisely what God means. The fullness of God's Spirit will so rest upon these who are fully redeemed, and the mighty acting power of God shall so work, that fear and dread shall come upon all nations, both visible and invisible.

56. We believe this is the reason for having these books containing Jane Leade's writings edited and printed at this time. Please understand that "the unveiling of this great mystery" is not a mere reading and understanding it. It is the unveiling of Christ in living essence in the lives of those walking in the experience of these things.

57. Speaking here of the twofold raising of Christ in His Deity and in His humanity, she refers to His actual personal raising and of His spiritual raising in us where He has long lain as dead in our degenerated nature. Now, in the end of the age, as the appointed time for it is at hand, He is to be raised in our humanity!

58. This is referring undoubtedly to that which is typified in the Zadok Priesthood, which is the same as the Melchizedek Priesthood, in Ezekiel 44:19. "And when they go forth into the utter court, even to the utter court to the people, they shall put off their garments wherein they ministered (to the Lord) and lay them in the holy chambers, and they shall put on other garments: and they shall not sanctify the people with their garments." Meaning, just as Jane Leade indicates, that they will be able to minister in different realms -- in the outer court, in the holy place, and in the immediate presence of God in the Holy of Holies. They will, therefore, have the ability to take off one body (garment) and be clothed upon with another, just as Jesus when He appeared to Mary as the gardener, and to those on the way to Emmaus who did not recognize Him.