PART 2
This morning, according to the foregoing word of prophecy, there was presented to my view a certain number of figures riding upon white mules, with golden censors, sending up a smoky perfume which rose up to a fiery flame, which drew down many bright flaming figures as descending out of the heavens. When, upon inquiry, it was shown to me that these should be the prevailing army that, by their strong cries and supplications, should effect and bring forth deliverance to the groaning and oppressed in Zion, therefore this summons was sent forth to the holy warriors to engage herein without delay and to come together to hold up their hands unweariedly, staying them upon the two golden studs of faith and love, and thus the conquest should be obtained, not by outward strength, but by power, spirit and might. By which spirit, as Joshua did command the sun not to go down till the enemies were all made to fly before him, so should the everlasting sun give its light in a sevenfold degree till an overcoming should be.
First, each one within themselves, and then they should herewith expel and overthrow what is opposite to the reign and kingdom of our Emmanuel. This, it was shown me, should be the present and first pitched battle (that battle within), after which there might be some rest, but still keeping their ground, expecting that there might be new onsets. But as they in holy bravery shall continue to hold out, wonderful things shall be effected by this holy army that is yet concealed.(24)
November 29, 1699
Having finished our course of our more sequestered days of waiting, to the number of seven times seven and three times three, at the end of which I enquired of my Lord what further of His mind was to be known by us? Whose spirit replied in me,
"Think not that here you are to stop or stand, for the measuring line still is stretched out upon you to lead you deeper, wherein your true rest you shall find by the descent of your New Jerusalem Mother, which will open her bright glance distinctly in each individual spirit. Then a peaceable habitation shall be known so that the noise of the warriors shall not here molest."
For I heard this acclamation of joy sound, saying,
"The circle of Peace upon these holy waiters shall descend and surround upon them, that they may attend with all sereneness and calmness till the tabernacle of God shall come down and therefrom mightily empower to act and work, in order to the maintaining of the dominion and reign in the appearance of the Lamb that was slain. He that was dead and is alive again."
The word opening thus further in me,
"I shall put no other burden upon you but that you hold fast the word of my counsel, which is to abide, and not start aside till you be endued with all those spiritual powers, as the present occasion doth require. Then shall you know you are in that boundless circle into which neither the Dragon nor any of his adherents shall be able to break, to annoy or to hurt."
Then was added this word,
"Blessed are those that are found watching and waiting till the Lord shall appear in the full power of His Godhead, to magnify His own kingdom and maintain the right thereof above all kingdoms of the world."
Even so come, Lord Jesus, and make good all of these thy faithful sayings, to the joy and praise both of the Jerusalem above and of that beneath. For which, waiting in all obedience, we acquiesce in thy will herein.
December 10, 1699
As upon the mount-watch I was taken up in my spirit, a soft whispering voice I did hear as from the higher sphere. To the Lamb's battlers it was directed, that had fought the good fight of faith, whether near or remote,
"To you is the salutation of love, with approbation and kind acceptation, in that you have so valiantly held out. Now nothing more is required, but that you rest in the bosom-joy of your true native Mother, there drawing out the all-nourishing spirit of life. So shall you become as Nazarites white, to receive and entertain your glorified King and Bridegroom with His holy virgin train that have been touched with those fiery sparks of your love that have prevailed for their descent, so to concur and operate with you in the united powers of their spirits for help and aid, as seeing you have great need for such extraordinary strength and assistance."
For it is well seen in the upper world, that it is now as it was in the days of Esther and Mordecai, who do represent the royal seed and free born of the New Jerusalem mother that are scattered here and there as captives in the Babylonish land, against whom many plots and conspiracies have been hatched to break and cut them off that they might be no more a peculiar holy people upon the earth.
This being figured(25) out to me, that upon the breaking forth of this more sublime dispensation of the spirit (as relating to the children of Wisdom, who had been taking in the deep sense thereof), a consultation was to be held in the Mordecai and Esther spirit, what was to be done to still the enemy and the avenger that is so enraged and embittered against the children that are taken up into the bright and glorious appearance of Christ's kingdom.
And it was given out by way of advice that there was a fair way opened for such as did wait in Wisdom's temple, because of that affinity and favor through espousal to the great and mighty King which over all worlds and spirits doth rule, that after their time of sequestration and dedication and fasting from all mortal things, they might adventure to make their address from the Jerusalem court below to the Jerusalem court above, presenting their petitions and showing the danger that this young planted sprig of a spiritual Lebanon was in, to be rooted out by subtle foxes.
This, in the Esther spirit, was presented and was as graciously accepted by the Most High and lofty One with this gracious answer and assurance, that all fury and despite of this kind should be overturned and quelled, so that whatever the dark Prince of this world hath decreed should be controlled and made void. Though permitted for a little season, the dark mystery of Babylon might work till the light and divine mystery shall rise in its might and victory.
In order to which, this word of promise was given, that Mount Zion's orb should open, and a heavenly host should come out from there. In special was noted the number of four and twenty elders, that should come down from the Lamb's throne to influence and empower the holy waiters that are found in the stillness and passiveness of the spirit of faith. Then all deliverance and redemption, both inwardly and outwardly, should be wrought out without noise or sound. It was further said to me,
"Now wait and expect that all this shall be performed to you in certainty. But you are not to reckon your attendance to be bound up to time's calendar here, for you are entered into the New Jerusalem sphere, where boundless glories and powers shall meet you, as you persevere."
January 6, 1700
About three o'clock in the morning, I was awakened with a sound as of many voices harmonizing together as in one voice saying,
"Arise -- up to your watch tower! For there is a great day that is drawing near for expectation of what is ensuing upon and after the opening of the 1700th year, which belongs to and is to be understood by those only that have passed the first and second watch, and entering upon the third as the break of a new springing morning that shall rise brighter and lighter till the whole earth shall be filled. For many stars shall rise out of this orb, in order hereunto, and go forth and appear to lead the way into Wisdom's all-plenteous and blissful land."
As I was considering these voices, from whence they did sound, I had a sudden glance of light which broke forth, and I saw numerous figures appearing in shining garments of a silver brightness, with golden shields on their breasts and vials of golden oil in their hands. And in a silent inquiry of my mind as to what these were, it was answered,
"They are holy watchers sent down from the heavens, to pour out the consecrated oil into those vessels that were sanctuary proof, so that they might be enabled to hold out the third watch with those of the higher order."
It was further noted to me,
"The high faith of some persons and families who are found under this vow of consecration and watchful sequestration, shall unite with and secretly assist and support their hands to hold out the probation-hour.(26)"
For it was said to me,
"That must of necessity be, before the mighty deeds and works that are to usher in the great dominion of Christ's kingdom can be brought forth."
Then I was further informed that the two first watches that I and my fellow watchers had passed through were preparative for the third by centers of light and revelation and prophecy breaking open. And that this third ward and watch belonged to the Father's appearance for a special empowering and opening Himself within the center of the soul as a deep gulf and perpetual flowing fountain of all variety of gifts and powers. For which the mediatorial power in Christ the Lord, in answer to the cries and petitions that have been put up, does interpose with the Father. He knowing that there would be but little advance of His kingdom so long as a mean and contemptible figure (as of this outward nature and body) was the clothing of His saints upon earth in impotency, poverty, and subjection to the spirit of this world, which is indeed the shame of their nakedness.
Now these following rules were prescribed to such persons as had obeyed the summons to be the Lord's warriors and had engaged themselves in the fight of faith till they should overcome all those contrary powers and forces that would put a stop to the reign and dominion of Christ's kingdom. These are those that are now called to the third watch as seeing the morning break from the cloudy and dark night.
Now the first rule is to put on a resolution not to go off from the watch till some extraordinary appearance of the working and acting powers shall open from the center of the Deity. It lies hidden in the essence of the soul, from which eternal nature must be raised and recovered again to bring forth a new created form after the similitude of the triune God Himself, according to its virgin nativity in Christ the firstborn, both of the first and second creation.
Now that this may not be prevented in its rising, all powerful body, this counsel and direction was given (as the second rule). There must be a sinking and dying away out of the creaturely life and being, which consists of all the degenerated properties that have estranged and banished us from that living principle of light and free liberty in which man was first created and which there is no way to be recovered again but as the deepest deep of the uncreated word shall come to spring as a seed of life renewedly sown in nature's ground. This is the eternal word and seed of faith that must exclude and bind down all that would put forth from the rational and sensitive nature, whose first husband must expire before there can be a true matrimonial tie with the Lord, that is risen out of that body, wherein He was subjected to all the evil occurrences that the fall of man brought forth. These He passed through as bearing the weight and burden of our sins, that by His conquest we might be set free.
Upon this internal speech of the spirit conferring, it was further expressed,
"Who would not be willing to enter upon this third watch-gate; there to wait in a silent deep till this resurrection-marriage may be consummated?"
For by this nuptial union with Christ the Lord, nothing less may be expected but the fullness of the Godhead to bring forth its Own increase, incorporating with the pure virgin-humanity (which is Christ in us) from whence all fruitful gifts and powers of the Holy Ghost must unavoidably be brought forth. This will show another day of Pentecost(27), more durable, lasting, great and wonderful. And as the Apostles had power to transfer the Holy Ghost by laying on of hands,(28) so it will be renewed from those that are of this first resurrection-union of life with Christ, who shall produce births of the Holy Ghost, by way of spiritual impregnation, in those who are in a good degree made meet and qualified herefor through purification by faith. And thus shall the offspring of Christ, in conjunction with the true Bride, spread forth upon the earth and multiply into a spiritual generation that shall stand up in this latter day as distinguished from all others that have been only in a formal profession.
They shall be known by the resurrection-mark,(29) wherein they do bear that new and hidden name (implies another nature) that gives them right to possess and to inherit the true Virgin-Wisdom's dowry. This is all mighty and defensive power from the Father and the Son, managed by the Holy Ghost, that is the agent instructed to move in that part which is immortal and that too which is mortal, that all may be leavened from out of the springing root of the Deity, which will give the wonderful decision and character as to who they are that have their dwelling in the heart of Christ, out of whose fountain heart does flow an incessant river of oil that does empty itself into such hearts as do lie near to His.
From out of this running stream which opens from the Godhead-deep, there arise seven lamps, which are the seven spirits proceeding from the throne of the Majesty. These seven spirits are appointed to attend and guard the holy watchers that do stand steadily upon faith's tower. These seven spirits are to be as flying eyes sent forth into all parts of the creation to spy and discover what is stirring, moving and doing and so accordingly to shut and bind up whatever may be of evil consequence and hindrance to the promulgation of the weighty matters relating to Christ's appearance in His kingdom.
On the other hand, they open and set at liberty that which may answer to the heavenly orb and kingdom, that the same that bear record in heaven may also bear record on earth. The fullness of time, which by these seven spirits is foreseen, is at hand and therefore calls up to such a faith as may turn the now moving wheel in order to bring about that great change so long expected and hoped for, in reference to a new modification of what now lies in rubbish and confusion.
This deplorable state has been presented and carried up by the petitioners for the redress of it, which hath prevailed and moved the heart of God through the mediation of the great High Priest, to raise up some principal worthies that shall be as mighty saviors and deliverers, furnished and replenished with the seven-fold powers of the Holy Ghost. For the infinite Divine Wisdom sees it is expedient that they should be thus invincibly empowered and clear-sighted to make infallible judgment of the present state of matters and things, now in this difficult and critical age, in which such various pretensions on the account of religious profession are found.(30)
All which has opened a way for God to set His own mark and seal, as first, by giving forth the spirit of prophecy and revelation and thereupon to follow the fulfilling and consummation of whatever has referred to the establishing of the New Jerusalem state as that Bride that has put on such rich adornments of divine gifts and powers as may well suit and agree with the mighty kingly Heir of all kingdoms and worlds. Who, being thus made ready, the Bridegroom in His glory cannot fail to suddenly appear.
For the which end there has been a fresh summons to call up the true disciplehood to watch and wait in Jerusalem, the holy city of peace, till they receive anew the promise of the Father as the second shower of the holy power that may bring up the second crop and full harvest of the spirit.(31) Now the voice of inquiry may be to these watchmen that have already sat upon the third or break-of-day watch. What hope and expectation is there for the fulfilling of these prophecies? The reply is, behold there is seen in the heavens, troops and myriads of angels with trumpets in their hands, that are sounding that there is a joyful jubilee at hand! Giving this word of consolation,
"Fear not, faint not, but hold out patiently, for the redeeming Power is strongly moving and breaking forth and the crown of dominion is descending, guarded by the Heavenly Host of Angels, to be put upon the first overcomers."
All this is sufficient motive and excitement to such, either single persons or families, whether in this nation or more remote, who have put on the shield of faith and are enclosed with us in the flaming circle of love.
To whom the watchword is from the Lord Jesus,
"No other commandment do I put upon you but that you hold fast in the band of love and unity until I come to clothe you with power, strength and glory. Draw and wind up your faith to the mount where I will not fail to meet you who are one in My spirit. For now is the season and time for a more bare and naked manifestation of Myself, which you shall know by immediate speech from your Lord what has hitherto been kept secret, finding so few that could gather up their faith and expectation herefor, but it will be given to the close sitters and waiters for it.(32) Because the Lord has taken notice what wrong judgments have passed from those that have professed to promote light and knowledge, relating to the mysteries of His kingdom. Therefore He will call some aside, as He did Moses, to hear His own voice expressly out of the Burning Bush. As that was visible and outward, so now it will be invisible and inward in the flaming heart of Christ's humanity that stands guarded and separated from all whatever that is of the imaginary and outward part from which the soul must turn aside, that nothing of a mixed spirit may here enter in."(33)
Now further it was intimated to me that when any great deliverance was to be wrought for the Zion-Flock, there would be a calling up of such as should stand in the meek and gentle and yet zealous spirit of Moses, to receive counsel and command, to be as God's agents to perform all that shall be revealed to them from the mouth of the true infallible prophet, Christ the Lord in them. This is the needful season to be commissioned for such principal work and office. Therefore is required this watch and ward, to receive not only ordination and commands but also the Divine magical(34) rod to confirm the truth given forth.
For what has passed away in former ages shall now, by way of revelation and miraculous deeds following thereupon, serve the peculiar needs of this present age of time and what is approaching. Wherefore, it is required by the Lord Himself that there should be an expectation of something greater yet(35) that has been hid in the manifold wisdom of God to be brought forth, as this latter day does require, wherein the Omnipotency of His reign and kingdom in His saints as they stand united to their head, Christ, shall be consummated.
Now to whom shall this kingdom first appear and come but to the holy, separated priesthood that is continually waiting in the inward court and sanctuary. These are offering up the grievances and calamitous state of the oppressed flocks(36) of Christ, whose cries these holy ones do present in the unwavering and high wound-up faith that admits of no doubting but that the Lord will suddenly appear in these as if He were personally made manifest for redeeming and releasing the groaning captives that have been under the tyranny of the Luciferian and bestial kingdom.
Oh, blessed and happy are those who are thus called and chosen to stand in a prepared readiness to entertain and receive the first openings of what has been so long concealed from the world, but that will happen to this present and the ensuing age of time.
A further notation was given, that there was a call to all, universally, to expect and believe for the Lord's appearance in that kingdom which shall prevail and overpower all the kingdoms of this world. This should first be exhibited in such holy watchers as should hold out and maintain their ground at the watch-gate. There were three orders or degrees of persons which had their invitation hereunto, in allusion to the three sorts of guests in the parable of them that were bidden to the marriage feast.
The first of these made their excuses that they had no leisure nor time from the worldly business and occasions. Their minds were engaged to pursue and hunt after pleasures and preferments, not looking beyond what the animal and sensitive life pleases and satisfies itself in, cutting themselves off hereby from what might bring them into the possession of all durable and everlasting treasures. These made good that word, many are called, but few chosen.
The second sort are Half-Believers. These have some conviction that there is a blessed and wonderful time approaching, according to the prophecies recorded of the dominion coming to the oppressed daughter of Zion. These being quickened by the alarms of prophetical spirits sent forth as this day grows clearer and brighter, moving them hereunto, they most readily offer themselves to come up to this watch tower as hoping some sudden breakings forth of the miraculous powers from the heavens may come down. Waiting awhile and meeting with some suspension and frustration as to their present expectation, they begin to faint and grow weary in their minds, saying in themselves, "Why should we wait for the Lord any longer, for we may spend out our days and see nothing of Zion's full redemption, as many ages have run out their time hitherto and so may we. Therefore we may take a lawful liberty to draw off from such a strict attendance and take up and be satisfied with what we have hitherto attained and reached unto relating to the kingdom that is yet in change." And in this demur and doubting they draw off from this watch-gate.
But here comes on in the third place such as do take up a resolution in an heroical spirit of faith, resolving to live and die at the foot of this gate in a watchful posture, and keeping up in the faith an ardent vehement love and importunity of prayer, the time not seeming long and tedious (the true believers make not haste), being confident that the Lord will not fail their expectations. This for a stay to these waiters, was presented in a visional way, wherein a voice was heard as a rushing sound of many waters, saying,
"No longer delay, for the watch hour is now passed away. Therefore open wide the gate, and give free passage to enter the Blessed Land where the everlasting rock does stand, consisting all of sparkling stones."
Out of this rock which opened to view, were seen going forth seven fiery streams which did represent the seven spirits made mention of in Rev. 1. This completes the full number of the spiritual powers with which those faithful holders-out were to be baptized and so to go forth back again out of this gate as fire-stones, to show themselves to their fellow brethren that they have obtained the prize they had waited for so perseveringly, for excitement and provocation to them to obey this watchful call. And it was further made known that to these that had made their way through this gate, it should no more be shut upon them, but they should go in and out and renew their strength and power from this flowing rock that they might hereby act the mighty wonders of the Deity. Whereby a great change and overturn throughout all nations should be effected so that the mighty Lord and Savior might come to set His foot here upon the earth, representing Himself in such worthy overcomers and holders-out in the faith as shall be raised up in this latter age of time.
Oh, stupendous and immense love, that hath revealed these great mysteries and motives to strengthen the hands of the fearful and feeble, that they may be strong to preserve and hold out the proving hour. Then will there be no failing of the seven rewards promised to the seven overcomings. Therefore this word sounds aloud,
"So watch as that you may not lose your crown, but among the conquering worthies in the celestial world be found to take your place and seat with Christ upon His throne, which is the reward from the yea and Amen".
THE PROCLAMATION OF THE JUBILEE
Ye glorious, wondrous few, Arise!
God's heralds true; throw off your mortal guise.
Now lift your sweet, loud-speaking trumpets high;
Now -- let your jocund levets fill the sky;
Tell, tell the drowsy world, their GOD is
nigh.
Now let eternal song unbounded flow
With torrent deep, serene, majestic, slow,
Disdaining art's control,
Now, NOW -- let your inspired
seraphic strains,
In mighty numbers roll!
Proclaim, proclaim the gracious Jubilee,
And set the sin-bound captives free!
Proclaim, proclaim aloud, the mighty jubilee
That sets each world of captives free!
And ye fair Virgin Daughters of the morn;
Zion's first blossoms, from NEW SALEM born:
High Paradisical Maidens -- appear;
The Virgin Queen's attendant graces dear,
Haste, haste away
And join your powers unanimous to proclaim
THE WONDROUS YEAR;
The great, the good, the NOW
revolving day;
Full period circle bright, of endless fame --
Arise and shine
Illustrious troops of Heroines divine;
Celestial Amazons; untaught to yield,
With Heaven aspiring ardor's sprightly vigor fill'd
In this, the virgin's day, most forward bent
Zealous, their very Heroes to prevent,
In terrible -- majestic -- gay Parade
Hell's fierce embattled Legions first to invade;
With orient beams of light.
Scattering the misty gloom of night,
And chasing every black Infernal shade.
Illustrious Heroines!
Arise! Arise, and Shine."
END
24. Jane Leade cautions us from the Lord not to put the day of fullness afar off but to view it as already accomplished in us. But unlike so many today who presume and declare in their possession what no one has any right to believe, she is also constantly admonishing to wage the good fight of faith and to win the battle within. This, it seems to me, is a wholesome and well-rounded view of things.
25. She uses the term "figured out to me," in the sense that it was revealed to her in a figure -- that of Esther and Mordecai.
26. This is that testing time after resurrection when one is to maintain that life to which one has been raised, not allowing the cares, obligations and concerns of their former soulish life to place themselves upon them. To lapse back into the soulish realm from which they have been raised, disqualifies from ascension whereby union with Christ and His glory is obtained.
27. Fulfilled 204 years later in the 1904-06 outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Wales and the U.S..
28. Fulfilled 248 years later in the 1948 outpouring which began in North Battleford, Canada at Sharon Bible College.
29. This resurrection-mark is no less than the true baptism of the Holy Ghost, the seal of God unto the day of redemption of the purchased possession upon all them that have it. Truly, the Holy Ghost is that "same Spirit which raised Christ from the dead" and is such a quickening power that to be baptized in Him is, in a spiritual sense, to be raised to walk in a newness of life. The importance of receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit cannot be overemphasized. It is the power received by which one is enabled to overcome and is the earnest or good-faith payment of the final inheritance, a new name/nature. What a glorious bestowal upon us by the Lord!
30. Thus shall our Father lay to rest all controversy as to who the true virgin church really is. Gone shall be the claims and pretensions of those now saying they are arrived at fullness without its attending marks. Gone shall be all the vaunted pretenses of the "wannabe great ones." These are the offspring of the lowly Nazarene, and as such they are clothed in His humility. They make no claims. They simply reveal a life. His life!
31. This, I believe, refers not to another Pentecost-like, in part outpouring as at Azusa St. in Los Angeles and in Wales in 1904-06, but to a reaping of the fullness of the Spirit. This belongs to Tabernacles only.
32. Many who have ministered the "sonship" message now for 20-30 years have come to the realization that the people they are ministering to understand as much (if not more in some cases) as they do about "sonship" and its requirements, and they have begun exhorting the people to get up off the pew and go out and begin to "do" the Word of God, that now is the time for action, etc.! A few months back I wrote an article in TSL entitled, "Waiting For the Lord." It was meant as a rebuttal to the idea of doing in the flesh that which we have not yet attained to in the Spirit. Jane Leade here gives a strong witness to that very principle: that we are not to be about doing things, but to wait for Him in Jerusalem, that is, in peace. Jerusalem means, city of peace. He is coming to Jerusalem and nowhere else. If we are not found in a believing posture, in the place of peace, how shall we know Him at His coming? Allow no one to call you away from that to which the Lord has called you aside.
33. All of us who are honest with ourselves know that there has been much mixture in this realm of what is of God and what is not of God. How often we have heard, "God said . . .," or "God told me . . ." when it was not God at all, but merely one's imagination, sincere as it may have been. There must be a place at which one arrives wherein the mixture is purged and purity prevails. That is what this section deals with -- its importance and the way into it.
34. Remember, this word is one whose meaning has changed considerably from Jane Leade's time. It now carries something of an occultic meaning which it did not in her day. In her day it simply meant wise or powerful.
35. This something greater is the great outpouring of the Spirit which we are about to experience and which will empower us to make entrance into realities concerning glorification and the subsequent ministry which will proceed from that realm.
36. We are not to suppose, as the Israelites did when they said to Jesus, "We are Abraham's seed and were never in bondage to any man" --John 8:33, that bondage is always a natural, outward bondage. There is a servitude under which the royal seed to this day groans and from which it has not yet been made free. When the children of Israel groaned under the hard servitude of Pharaoh, this was but a figure and type of that servitude under which you and I have for so long groaned, not under Pharaoh, but under that of which he was but a type. We are still serving, and subject to, the flesh, with all its demands, limitations and impositions. But I hear the Jubilee Shofar sounding forth from the mountains of Zion, and everyone with ears to hear is about to go free!