THE VISION OF THE NEW JERUSALEM

PART I

    The Lord took me away from my mortal part and shewed me the situation of this great glory and said, "Behold, and see the pattern of the heavenly houses and mansions which make up the New Jerusalem where the glory of the one only God doth fill all with the essential light and splendor of His divine goodness." I shall, as I am able, describe what I did see in the Heavens of this mother city (for so it was named to me), who is to bring forth her first and freeborn to replenish the new earth and heavens. It appeared as a city founded upon one square stone whose dimensions were very large. It was all paved with light flaming colors, appearing like so many various sparkling stones inlaid on the great foundation stone which gave forth a lustre as of so many bright suns had been there. Towards the verge or outside of this square stone were seen many seraphic bodies wreathing arm in arm and several rows of various spiritual forms of different ranks and stature.

    These rows appeared like the stories of a building which were carried up higher and higher in a square figure till it was wonderfully high. Upon the heads of the most inward glorified bodies, a covering was spread by one more diaphanous and of greater splendor than all the rest. The height of His person was higher by the head than all the others, who called to me out of this most glorious building to take good heed of all I had seen for it had a further meaning which I was to have revealed when driven by the Spirit into the light mystery where all deep things do open. Oh my dear Lord! Be thou an all-springing testimony within and from this New Jerusalem.

    My spirit was drawn out for a further enquiry concerning this New Jerusalem state and what the appearance of it to us did signify for this present time. The foundation stone thereof gave forth this word, "That such a city the mighty Cyrus⁽¹⁾ would himself be the founder of, upon the visible stage of this world, although there be little appearance of it as yet because the elect stones are at present lying among the rubbish of confusion, who, in due time, are to be linked together to make up a strong city of defense, through the gates of which no unclean vessel shall pass nor whatsoever is lame or blemished, according as was seen in the pattern."

    This the Lord will effect by His might and spirit and will establish this city on mount Zion, at which the whole world shall tremble.

    While the Lord was communing with me about the heavenly city, I saw it descend and cover the whole earth, and all those who were not prepared to enter and who could claim no birth-right freedom in this mother city, did flee away by multitudes, heaps upon heaps, to hide themselves from the bright splendor of the Divine Body with the anointed Head in the midst of it. The glory was so great that we can only give an eclipsed account of what was seen. But as the descent of this magnificence did terrify and cause above three parts of this world to flee away as having an irreconcilable enmity to spirits and bodies of such purity, so on the other hand, I saw a numerous company gathered to it from all quarters. The trumpet-shout of Jerusalem's Great King was calling them in from all parts. They were all the firstborn of this mother city, who well knows her own, calling them by that name which is impressed upon them in flaming characters of love. Multitudes of this kind encompassed the holy city, but few were admitted to the seraphic wreath, even those only who had put on the glorified body.

    Whereupon I asked, "Why those who were called and had the name of the heavenly city upon them were not received in?" The Lord said, "Those who were taken into the glory have finished their inward transformation to the utmost perfection, waiting only for the consummation of the nuptial glory but the rest, though far gone in true regeneration, could not be admitted until⁽²⁾ their redemption were perfectly wrought out, to the end that no flaw may be found in the stones that are to constitute this divine building. But as any shall arrive to this degree of perfection, so this city shall descend and take them in."

    Hereupon followed a further discovery to let me know the royal freedom of this spiritual seed proceeding from the New Jerusalem as the Virgin Bride of God, who, though come down into this visible birth of time, yet was before all time in the substantiality of spiritual essence; by whom the renewed fruitfulness of this free birth shall in this last age of the world be made manifest. This was the joyful message which sounded in my Heavens with what is further to be declared for our consolation.

    It was thus laid before me that the Jerusalem from above hath been this many ages travailing to bring forth her first and freeborn according to that divine likeness whose descent is not to be found within the boundary of time. For here the gate of God's deep hath been opened to let us in to see the wonderful mystery that was foreordained to work through all the vicissitudes of time since the first creation.

    Now then, let us consider what the first plant of Paradise was from whence we are all sprung. It was but a flower from the earth! For out of the dust of the earth, the Lord God created man and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul which was pure as immediately proceeding from the Most Holy.⁽³⁾ But how soon did this glory fade and return to earth again. Whereas if he had kept his first estate he would have been advanced to higher degrees of perfection and become fruitful in God's Virgin offspring. All which design for a limited time was overturned. But the foundation of God's election stood so firm in the essentiality of the outbreathed word (which was the light of Adam's life in the center of immortality) that the same word shall restore all⁽⁴⁾ again, according to the first gracious extent of the wise Creator whose purposed grace shall renew the face of all things that have been marred in the first Adamical image.

    But though so desperate a fall hath overtaken the whole creation, yet it is but as the fading or cropping of a flower whose eternal root remaining will put forth and spring afresh in a more glorious beauty and figure than the first ever had. For though by one man's disobedience all are made subject to death and the curse (which is the bruising of the heel), yet the Headlife remains which will recover, raise and make sound again. For in this promised Seed, the total life will be quickened according to the election of Him who will hereby more eminently make known the riches of His grace and glory in His vessels prepared thereunto. For though there be in all men a holy word remaining whereby they are in a possibility of recovery, yet because all have not a heart to improve this talent, it continues an unprofitable dead seed to many.

    Notwithstanding all are called to take of the water of life freely that by its quickening virtue the buried seed may be raised to a new life in a body of its own kind. Which seed through many deaths does now renew its never fading flower of life for a higher degree of glory in the New Jerusalem state of fixation.

    Now from what hath been said, we are informed that there is an elect number,⁽⁵⁾ which is to make up the New Jerusalem bride here upon earth, who shall finish the mystery of the Seventh Seal and be all instated in that kingdom which the Alpha and Omega hath designed for his virgin bride before Paradise or this world were. And that I might know that this design and unchangeable purpose of God is still going on, there was shown me a clear white stone in which were engraven innumerable names all ordained to make up the glory of this city of God, which shall be the praise and admiration of the heavens and a dread and amazement to the earth. For the revelation of it will bring a woe upon them who have no part in it. This the Lord Himself did signify saying: "Henceforth know your freebirth name and place in this city and be not fearful or unbelieving, but travail on in the assured hope that shall not be made ashamed. For the everlasting Father hath prepared for you this city of which I am the builder in you."

    The hand of the Lord was strong upon me still and took me up into a high and lofty place where I saw a burning furnace which appeared all blue like the airy clouds and the Lord walking in it to and fro, who said, "See whether thou canst make thy pass to me and abide in this pure everlasting burning region which is the spirit's purging fire which will devour whatsoever is not of the same essentiality with me." Upon which I replied, "Ah! My Lord! I am free to make my pass to thee but how shall I get rid of this body? I would fain exist in that pure essence with thee where nothing of this lump of earth might prevent my constant walks in those high places with thee whose presence will make these outward elements to flee away from the superior Spirit."

    The Holy One replied, "Be not troubled at thy binding mortality for I will descend in this fiery cloud into thee as a baptizing fire which shall take away the gross impurities of the senses that thou mayest be clarified in order to thy co-deification. This will manifest the outspreading name of thy Emmanuel, whereby thou shalt receive power to ascend through fire and air and continue that all-desirable freedom of communion with the Holy Trinity. And though none in a body of flesh and sin can come up to me, yet grace, pity and love do move to descend in the spirit's flaming cloud to make the way free that such may have a pass who account no place their rest or dwelling besides me. Wherefore, pursue and watch to drink in of this pure spirit of burning which will clear and take out of the way whatsoever hath kept from ascending into the Holy City."

    While these words were unspoken from the anointing, I felt a sensible rising and spreading over all my heart, head, and body as if all were covered with a cloud of sun heat, giving out light by which I could see what was inwardly done as well as feel it. Then it was further spoke in me that I should take notice that this was also the bright garment of the sun. Such is the nature of this secret flaming matter that it feeds, strengthens, and clarifies a naked spirit all at once. Then was I inquisitive to know the substance or ground of it, but it was replied, "Meddle thou not with that, only receive it passively and cooperate with it when it raiseth, and then walk with and draw in the feeding fire and air and when it resteth in its own place, rest thou with it and be assured it will not leave thee till it have concentered thee in the Deity."

    This light flaming cloud encompassing me, gave this further Revelation to show what the Holy One is about to do in order to the laying of the foundation of this strong city in which the mighty God will pitch His tabernacle and settle His rest forever. Many types, images and foregoing figures of this Jerusalem have been given through the several ages of the world, but the heavenly thing itself hath not been brought forth, as now it will be because the set time approacheth. For the trying burning furnace is kindled and the wind of the Almighty forcibly blows up the flames thereof in the center of the soul of everyone who is of the elect members of this holy corporation. Now is the time for the spirit of burning and judgment to prepare each stone which is designed for this super-excellent glory. No counterfeit gold or reprobate silver can pass through this furnace which is ordained to prove whatsoever comes to be built on this foundation.

    The mighty King sends forth his decrees to fulfil the ancient prophecies concerning the return of the long captivity of these who belong to this mother city, that they may know their original freedom and no longer abide as captive exiles among the Babylonians in confusion and reproach. And what sign will the Lord give for this but by loosing the last seal under which doth lie the rich bank and vast treasury of wisdom, spirit and power which shall so vigorously carry on this New Jerusalem building that all the powers which the dragon and beast can raise by their agents, visible and invisible, shall but turn to their shame and confusion when the Lamb ariseth to open the Seventh Seal under which the most precious things, even that fine transparent matter, lies hidden to be manifested in due time for the beautifying of this divine building.

    But here an objection may arise and question this revealed grace and proclaimed liberty to the children of the captivity who are now called to sit upon this heavenly building, which is this,-- "That the time is not yet, and that the last seal is not so near breaking open; and who is it that can give a sign for a testimony that this decree is already gone forth?"

    To all which the Spirit of Truth gives this answer, (who best knows what He hath wrought in order hereunto, in the central deep of some elect vessels who are not to make any outcry until the mystery be fully finished in them) "Know that the time is at hand. Wherefore let none look afar off or run out from themselves and neglect their own vintage at home, but regard how near the grape is to ripeness, which contains the wine that is to be drunk at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, who charges it as a great oversight upon those that are regenerate that they have put this day afar off, not discerning the Lord's Body, who is quickened from the dead in them who are passed from death with Him and so are put in subordinate commission with the Lamb to break open all those seals which shall make way for the descent of the holy city."

    For what in John's Revelation is mentioned concerning these things is very obscure and mystical, and there is no fathoming of it to the utmost until the Lord himself come with the plummet line of the Holy Spirit to measure out the meaning. Though there are some who have been favored with the Light of Revelation, by means of which they understand what lies hidden under those allegorical expressions and through the opening of the Seals have discovered those rich jewels which were concealed under that dark covert, the opening of which Seals I shall set down in order according as it was acted in my own particular through my soul's waiting with the Lamb's rising power in a particular experience of my own in the divine mystery.

    At the opening of the First Seal, the Spirit of Faith came forth to encounter with the fearful and unbelieving spirits that set before me an impossibility of ever reaching to a Paradisiacal Purity and Mount Zion dignity, and was kept under a great fear and perplexity under the dominion of unbelief until this First Seal was broken open, for thereupon the strong Lion of the tribe of Judah set me free to run the race of faith unto the end, giving in this caution to take care to be well mounted on this horse of the spirit of faith and to hold fast to Him who rides on it who hath the conquering bow in His hand to shoot His arrows into those unbelieving spirits that would still keep us in doubts and perplexity.

    At the opening of the Second Seal, all peace, pleasure and joy were taken away from the earthly life. With this, such a light broke forth which made me see the vile abomination of an earthly state as compared with the perfection of the Divine Life. Now I rejoiced in nothing more than to see Him who sat upon the red horse slaying with His sword the beasts and creeping things of the earth. That is, all the moving stirring essences springing from the original source of evil, and to find Him taking away peace from the earthly life so that the earthly mind is bereft of all peace, rest, content and satisfaction in all its goings out, whether in thought, word or action.

    But how comes this to pass? And why? Because He that sits on the red horse gives a mighty sword to the Spirit of the Soul that thereby it may kill and destroy all the essences of the earthly life, in joint union with Christ. Which sword is nothing else but the power of the Spirit of Life, which is Christ's Deity in His eternal humanity now fixed in the center of the soul. It is Christ's rising life in His saints enabling them to conquer the essences of the earthly life, which is the beast in themselves.⁽⁶⁾ Now this taking away of peace from the earthly life is a blessed introduction to its final destruction which is to follow according to the intention of the Kingly Redeemer.

    The opening of the Third Seal showed Christ in us riding on a black horse with a pair of balances in His hand signifying famine on the life of the beast in His saints. This signifying that its day of plenty is passing away⁽⁷⁾ and that its earthy essences must be weighed in the balance of righteousness. For the Lamb's life rising in His dead and rising saints is putting them into one scale, weighing all their thoughts, words and actions in the weight of perfection; Christ, the Holy One in the other to see whether they be brought into an even poise with it so that all increase and plenty might richly abound in the fruitfulness of the Spirit. From which heavenly sowing such a crop doth spring as may proclaim a plenty that may all further exceed, and thus it will naturally spring in the soul which is even balanced with Christ the Anointed. And nothing of the oil and wine, which from hence shall proceed, shall ever be hurt or diminished.

    At the opening of the Fourth Seal, Christ rides in His saints on a powerful horse whose name is Conquering Death and hath hell following Him. But though this death looks grim, yet it is such a death as shall only hurt the fourth part of the earth. That is, the evil principle in the earthly life which reigns and hath the dominion until the life of Christ be risen in His saints. Till which time the Beast may be permitted to kill the life of Christ in the soul with hunger, famine and languishing death. For it is said that the Beast shall make war with the saints and for a time overcome them.⁽⁸⁾ That is, keep them under by reigning over them in the worldly dominion which reacheth to their outward man as standing in his elementary kingdom where he hath great power to afflict and banish unto death by several cruelties, when so far permitted.

    But I have experimentally found that the greatest fury, hellish force and wrath of the Dragon is quelled and overcome by the blood and inlaid life of the Holy Lamb of God rising in His powerful might within me. Who, upon my complaint of the continual usurpation of the beast's kingdom, hath given assurance that there is a vial of wrath preparing to be poured out upon him which shall drown his kingdom in everlasting perdition that he may no longer insult over the sealed ones of God, to whom power shall be given to bind him in everlasting chains. For the Lord Omnipotent in the life of the Lamb is coming to reign over all the beasts of the earth and to exalt to a victorious kingdom those who have been killed and slain with them.

    The opening of the Fifth Seal discovers the souls of the slain saints under the altar of the Deity and humanity. Here the soul witnesseth conformity to the death of the Lamb and lies as a live burning coal under His altar and cries incessantly to rise in such power of majesty that it might be able to take vengeance on those that have killed the Just One. This eternal generation is to be counted from the Virgin seed introduced into nature, who hath lain a long time sealed up in death. But as Abel's blood did cry for vengeance, so doth the blood of Jesus cry more strongly in the souls of them who are dead with Christ. The Lord hath expressly assured that when the rising incense goeth up from the altar from the soul's live coal, it is a sure testimony that the Resurrection is nigh when the naked soul⁽⁹⁾ shall be clothed with its long white robe.

    Though this hath been a long rest and confinement to many, yet it hath only been permitted that a stronger cry may ascend. Even as we see now that John's long sleeping prophecy is now by some strong crying souls awakened till all the Seals be made to fly open, to the end that the imprisoned souls in Christ may by their opening come to sit upon the throne where they shall judge the Dragon and the Beast with all their adherents that formerly exercised cruelty over them unto death. Therefore, rejoice all ye who do find the effects of the Fifth Seal opening in yourselves, for by them you may know the nearness of the Jerusalem Kingdom. Look for its fulfilling in the world within which shall also in due time be fulfilled in the outward world.

    I proceed now to the opening of the Sixth Seal where the first thing observable is the great earthquake representing the terrible shakings of the very foundation of the old earth in which is the original seed of sin (the hour of whose judgment is come) and the trumpet hath sounded for the dissolving this first earth and heavens that their place may be no more found. The wind of the mighty Spirit blows upon all flesh to make it die and wither. The sun of the outward reason is changed into blackness and the moon of the senses into blood, and all the starry imaginations drop like untimely fruit, and every island and mountain of strength melteth away. There can be no hiding in this day-- a consumption being determined upon the whole universe⁽¹⁰⁾ which hath been under the Beast's captivity. We may call this a blessed ruin and undoing to see a destruction come upon all that hath kept the Lamb and his kingdom out.

    This causes a great outcry and perplexity in the properties of degenerate nature where the king of reason and the captains, the senses, do not know whither to flee from the face of Him who is come to make all things new which could not be till all of the old building was broken down and taken to pieces where the fretting leprosy of sin did still rise.

    The wisdom of God could no better way contrive for the laying of a sound and sinless foundation for the New Jerusalem according to this fore-contrived model, as by express word it came unto me, that none could or ever should come to the opening of the Seventh Seal till all this was fully finished. And I must give witness that it is happening and it doth not seem grievous because of what is to succeed and follow when the next Seal shall be opened.

    Thus I have been driven on according to experience and Revelation to open the mystical meaning of what is written in the Revelation according as it is to be fulfilled in holy and heaven-born Saints. I also well know that their opening will cause a terrible day of woe to the rebellious and unregenerate, for they who shall then be found in the beast's kingdom must look to fall and go into perdition with him, for as there are inward vials to be poured forth, so there are outward vials to be poured forth on the world, which I could enlarge upon but that it is not my commission, being otherwise prompted. Besides, the Lord showed me that to every Seal there is an eye which opens within⁽¹¹⁾ which is therefore called upon to look inward where the great mystery is to be opened.

    As every Seal hath its eye, so the ear hath its sounding horn which is filled with holy oil, which makes kings and priests in God's tabernacle. These are the trumpets that give the most certain sound for time to end and the everlasting Kingdom of the Alpha and Omega to begin in that soul where the sixth trumpet shall sound. Upon which follows the loosing of those angels that have been bound, who are to fight the Lamb's battle and revenge His quarrel. For the great and last war will be upon this Sixth Seal opening.

    The Lord did testify it would be such as had been known in no foregoing Seal. But He said withal-- "I am the Lord, strong and mighty, who will prevail and wholly overturn the kingdom of the Dragon and Beast. Continue thou, while I am doing this, in the most holy secret of my being where the constant mediatorship and offerings may go on as the strength of an army that shall all overcome through the burning incense that is mingled by the angel whose place is to stand always at the altar. No hurt nor suffering by all this conflagration shall touch the jewel that lies hid in my Deity that would shine forth again the body of its native virginity as before time was. Wherefore suffer thou all this violence on thy elementary part as knowing that it will not at all disturb the inward temple worship and communion of the pure Spirit."

    But now, as of old time, in the first elect church and people, God was ministered to and worshipped in a dark, formal, mixed manner going up and down in a moveable tabernacle till Solomon's day where the typical temple, which was to be filled with the glory, was built. Even so, since the time of the Son of Man's offering up Himself, the Holy One hath walked in clouds and hath been worshipped after an imperfect rate, and therefore He hath prepared a burning, flaming day for all His vessels to pass through to know whether they be sanctuary proof or no. For the Lord is carrying on a pure Jerusalem worship in truth and substantiality. Rejoice all ye who shall stand the trial of this Sixth Seal in order to receive the benefits of it.

    Now, according to this divine interpretation of the Sixth Seal, we may know how near the end of time and the passing away of the old heavens and earth in ourselves are. For that is what we are to look for at every Seal's opening. For from the first to the last there is a sounding trumpet to bring ruin and desolation to the first six days creation⁽¹²⁾ because of sin by which the curse came in. Upon such a basis, the Beast hath erected his kingdom and corrupted the whole principle of time. The Holy One hath suffered now so many thousand years during which all just men died, indeed, in the faith of this prophecy but attained not to that degree which is to usher in the heavenly New Jerusalem in her glory. But the Lord is now stirring and in good earnest is sounding His trumpets for battle. There is that in us which doth witness He is going on gradually to unmake and dissolve all of the first creation, for the Lamb will not much longer carry the weight and burden of a sinful creation. He hath in some already sounded to judgment and will set Himself free thereby, as well as the spirits and souls of those who are resolved to follow him through every Seal till they shall overcome.

    It was given me to observe that there are six engagements to which six overcomings do answer, mentioned in the Revelation and to every conquest a most high and wonderful reward promised. All which is to encourage to follow Him cheerfully who is our leader, who hath sworn that time shall be no longer than till He hath gotten the victory over the Beast and Whore and hath destroyed the Dragon's kingdom in every property within us who are elected to reign in His life with Him on His throne with a train of new created power in the properties of the redeemed earth in the soul's essence. Then we shall know how unconfined the lordly dominion over all outward things is, even over all the beasts of this visible earth who must be subjected to the Lamb who hath taken His victorious crown and put it on the heads of the holy warriors that have passed through all and are come to the last overcoming that gives entrance into the Seventh Seal.

    As I was collecting in my mind the near approaching time for the manifestation of this great overturning, which is to bring in the overflowing stream of Christ's Kingdom into the overcomers, behold, I did see and hear the voice of Him from whom the first heavens and earth did flee away, who uttered these words,

    "There hath been a long and tedious war between the house of God and the Serpent's brood, together with the Harlot and Beast who have maintained their envious war on the ground of fallen nature. But now come and see the place where they shall lie bound in perpetual captivity."

    And immediately I was all filled with light from the opened center of the peaceable kingdom that flows in as a virtual life, felt in the quality of the pure glassy sea, with sounds, powers and lightnings as if all the old earth were now drowned in this bright ocean. And followed a bright star with a voice going forth which said,

    "The Lamb riseth out of this new Elementary Sea, overcomes the Serpent and Beast with all their seed, and this will be their deluge to an everlasting victory."

    So from hence it was demonstrated that the Beast hath his sea within which the great Leviathan sporteth himself and casts out floods to persecute and make war against the virgin-seed whose element is the mild and sweet temperature of the glassy sea. The other, out of which it is said that the Beast did rise, is a terrible tossing working sea where all the worldly spirits drive their traffic to make Babylon pompous and great. These spirits ever love the earth and are admirers of the Beast who gives riches and worldly honors to such as serve him. But oh! Come here and see how he must fall with his whole hierarchy!

    Wherefore, let none trust to his kingdom which in one day shall be made desolate through the fiery judgments. Here are two seas at strife one against the other. Turn your eyes inward, you who are the Lamb's warriors, and bear witness to these two seas meeting within the ground of nature.

    The sea of the Beast contains great abundance of riches according to its perishable kind. Besides, there is an overflow to the merchants of it that are in a free trade to uphold that worldly kingdom wherein all nursery of sin's witchcraft is maintained. But according as I was called upon to come and see how the Beast and all his rich trafficking sea is to be dried up as the Lamb of God shall fill His vials from out of this glassy sea and pour them upon it when all its pomp and riches shall sink as a millstone never to rise again. Oh! At this, let all our nations rejoice within us as this vision is fulfilling!

    Now follows another great mystery which I was called upon to look into concerning the Seventh Seal, wherein lies hid the reward and rich price, which though not yet given in possession, yet the Holy One hath seen it expedient to reveal it by breathing forth this word in me saying,--

    "Come thou apart and sanctify a fast, touching nothing of the leaven which is found in the house of fallen nature. Abstain from any other cup but what I, the Anointed, shall fill unto thee from the burning sea of glass which will be a lamp to give light and perfect knowledge in the most hidden things that everlasting Wisdom hath hitherto sealed up."

    For to you who are come to the Sixth Seal and to your burning elements in the heat of that melting furnace, these further secrets are disclosed for the consolation of you who shall hold out in this last battle race for conquest. Therefore, put on your life-armor day by day and continue in the fight for joy of that which is now revealed as your reward, taking all care to abstain from the leaven of imaginations which may stop the stream of revelation in its purity. The empty bowl with light burning oil began to come in and became a rising spring which did give light to the dark socket of my understanding within. The first thing that was shown me was an open book written within and every one of the Seven Seals broken. It was in the hand of the Godhead man who said,

    "Come and read what the seven wonders which my faithful witness did declare of in his day of revelation, which were therein to be sealed up because the day of their fulfilling was so far off."

    But now in this present time, there hath been such a fervent heat of flaming intercession, which hath made all these Seals to melt away, that the secrets contained in the book might be opened and made known. This Living Book, which was presented to my view to read, was the glorified person of the Lord Jesus who did now appear to reveal what was sealed up in the Seven Thunders. His presence was not terrible as appearing under the veil of pure humanity where He hides me as in the clefts of His own spiritual body whilst He talketh with me. He thus said,

    "Thou art come to a deep knowledge, for here the greatest good and highest Being stands unsealed to the introverted eye of thy spirit that can enter into the light of eternity where the looking glass of all mysteries does stand open."

    Now the cry of the First Thunder was this,

   "Behold! How the six day creation is come to its limit and man ceaseth to be, being returned to the eternity of his own spirit, there to rest in God while the number of the Beast is summed up and his kingdom finished with the ordinances of day and night which takes place in this changeable element from whence the craft and subtilty of reason doth arise to uphold and maintain the lapsed earthly life."

    All which there will be no further need of, according to what the Second Thunder doth utter. The Second Thunder uttered as follows,

    "Come and see who out of the bed of passive stillness do now arise and come forth all new and immortalized to rule as God's in an immutable creation. These are they who have been exercised in great tribulation and lain as dead under the Seals but they are come to live and take the Lamb's power to reign in God's omnipotence which is the only instrument they shall play upon to subdue all inwardly and outwardly. For they are now put in commission under Him who is come to judge the quick and dead and to remove all things wherein the serpent's brood hath been nourished."

    The cry of the Third Thunder is this,--

    "Ho! Come ye whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. The way is all cleared and the great river Euphrates ("Euphrates, the great head or stream of reasoning, has become the channel of the strength and wealth of great Babylon; while Gihon, or the Nile, the channel of knowledge through the senses, is the river of Egypt, from which we are redeemed." -- Andrew Jukes' "Types in Genesis," pp. 50, 51) is dried up⁽¹³⁾ to give passage into the Holy Land where the Tree of Life shall meet you with its flowing fruits whose savor leaves a perpetual sweetness and such a strength of joy as will make you know the feast of tabernacles is come indeed with God alone to celebrate and keep. The walls are all ranged with seraphim that are appointed for your guard to usher you into a higher sphere and more magnificent place than that which was the seat of the first Paradisiacal man, where you are to make but your forty days stay.⁽¹⁴⁾ For a higher orb doth descend as a cloud to take up the elders⁽¹⁵⁾ that have their throne seats prepared in the great Jerusalem city, which is the settled rest where no more removing is feared, for there is an indissoluble link all fixed in a cooperating power which never ceases."

    The Fourth Thunder opened thus unto me by way of vision. I saw seven golden candlesticks branched out from a stud of gold and each socket appeared empty. There came one in the appearance of a jasper light and poured in some sparkling liquor, and there arose a shining burning which sent forth flakes of light very numerous, running up and down like lightning so as nothing could contain them nor prevent them from going whither they would. Then was it cried in my hearing:

    "What hast thou seen? The great wonder of the Fourth Thunder disclosing the fiery lamps that are appointed to be fixed in a renewed nature, which are so empowering that on whomsoever they rest, they may act and do whatsoever they will to them. For the concord of these seven spirits is of that force as they can save or destroy, bind or loose. They are the seven proper powers that must discern who are God's co-deified ones commissioned to act in this last scene of wonders, in the wonder city⁽¹⁶⁾ that shall be all compacted of pure spirits. Hear and see that ye shall be planted there as the great cannons. For these powers will multiply as a great host which can cut off this visible world at one stroke. This is the great reserve to be given as a reward to the suffering conquerors."

    The Fifth Thunder cried --

    "Now unseal the Tabernacle testimony. Let the eternal gospel of love and peace go forth in the cloven tongue which alone can speak out what springs from the original law of restored nature in its primary purity, that is, out of the fountain of the Deity. Behold, these are the separated and anointed ones who have this gospel dispensation as a perpetual rising spring, proceeding from the Holy Spirit who can indeed absolve and pronounce remission of sins. For power will rest upon those who can convey the New Testament blood to heal and deliver from the infective root of sin. Not in a painted, formal imitation, but there shall go forth a fire-breath to send this healing gospel into the very center-root of the sick and sorrowful in spirits, who, under the wound of sin have laid long for cure. To which true royalty and priesthood, some shall be more eminently ordained for the gathering in of those who lie under the Babylonish rubbish, who shall be raised through the out-going might of the everlasting testimony in the blood of the Lamb's life, which is the known character that shall be given only to them."

    The declaration of the Sixth Thunder was thus represented to me --

    "I saw one holding forth a sapphire signet, or sealing stone with which were to be marked all the freeborn that do belong to the New Jerusalem, for none but such as are marked⁽¹⁷⁾ can have right to the vast riches which are concentrated in wisdom's bank, who to this day hath locked up the bride's dowry and will not part with it till she can come with this Seal upon her heart, which is now brought out to put the highest impress of sapphire glory and purity that may signify that the Lamb's bride is all thus dignified. Oh! Who shall henceforth detain those riches, wealth and honors which have been treasured up from before the foundation of the world? For all must now be given up to her command, whether it be in heaven or earth or in the glassy sea, whether in heights or in depth or in any of the eternal spheres. The sealing name is everywhere the authority that must set all open which hath been locked up hitherto, because none could bring along with them the Seal, which is now freely brought down of God's own engraving and therefore can never be counterfeited. It bears the Holy portraiture of the Father, Son and Spirit, to whom all right power and glory are given."

    The Last Thunder comes in great power to declare the great day of the marriage feast of the Lamb --

    "The fountains run now with that spirit-wine that was in the grape before all time. The choice and precious fruits ripened by the serene and pure elements are prepared, and the table is covered with all replenishments that God Himself can set out to express the contentment and joy He takes to see this consummating day wherein Isaac hath brought home his Rebecca into God the Father's and Jerusalem's glory, where henceforth, a perpetual feast of joy is forever to be kept. Angels! Now sound your trumpet songs, because the harvest is reaped and God's kingdom come! The Lamb and Bride now are met to maintain a living frame in another creation. The redemption is finished -- salvation is witnessed -- the mystery of God is unsealed. The harpers are summoned to the holy choir with their sounds and fiery tongues that may proclaim the Lamb hath given up the kingdom consisting of perfect Spirits, that God alone may be the top covering of great majesty, strength, wisdom and glory in and over all the inhabitants of this holy city which beareth this Name. The almighty creating power dwelleth and taketh up His abode here."

    Henceforth Bless the Lord on high,
    It's He that hath unsealed treasures richly.
    What can them hide from the Spirit's eye,
    That have pierced into the heart of the Deity?
    Tribute offerings pay to our God and King,
    Who hath revealed wonderful things.

    Oh what seraphic sounds do I hear!
    Are they not the thunders of the celestial sphere?
    Calling for an attentive spirit-ear to hear o'er,
    Which as the doors be to the golden ore,
    Where vast treasures are laid up in store;
    But found are only by spirits that are poor.

    This is the state in which the soul's blest eye
    May see God without thought intellectually.
    Tho' speech and converse away may fly,
    The thunder of His power abides essentially;
    This is the day we rejoice to see,
    Even the acting power of the Deity.

    What is it but the fiery-piercing eye,
    That can the unsealed book untie?
    Wherein the perfect number seven lie;
    Blessed is that power from on high,
    That hath struck the crystal rock,
    From whence the thunders did fly.

    I feel the gushing in of crystal springs,
    That whirleth as upon cherubim wings:
    No more to look down to earthly things.
    The glass so clear through which I see,
    Beholding glorious objects variously,
    That snatched away ere before I am aware.

    Pass we on to the sea of glass;
    Through all worlds we make our pass.
    Brought we are to our own land,
    Where all wonders in order stand;
    Rueing what the mortal cannot endure,
    Even those celestials that are ever pure.

    Blessed are those in whom the wonder
    Of the Seven Thunders uncloaked be,
    That feel, that see, that possess God in unity,
    Raised high into the heart of the Deity;
    Where outspring secret pleasant things,
    That swallows up in joy that ever spring.

    Thus were the Seven Thunders opened and interpreted to me from the springing word upon which I closely waited and witnessed and felt a sweet and precious anointing and refreshing joy to come in from every thunder cry. Oh! This is so great, so weighty and rich and such surprising goodness which in this Book of Life is found, which is now unsealing, that no other thing any more ought to be minded by us.

    Thus the triumphant king and conqueror (who is possessed of all these royal powers and dignities that are unfolded in these Seven Thunders) hath given His word that none of these shall fail in any one that hath the mark of the Seventh Conquering Seal⁽¹⁸⁾ broken up in themselves. To them joint power and authority will be given in order to the beginning of that reign which is to be settled here on earth according to the prophecy in John's Revelation. Which revelation presseth hard upon me from the fiery cloud that circles round my spirit from a defensive banner, which will let nothing of the eclipsing dark principle come in whilst the center deep from the soul's fiery essence opens and the bright streamers from the heart of the glorified Jesus who meets me in such a peaceable love-paved walk into which none can come to see or hear what passeth by way of prospect or communication. But what, and so much as I am ordered to declare, I shall faithfully give out according to the mind of my Lord who sees the effect that shall follow all these revelations given by Him.

    The prophecy of the thousand years reign mentioned in the Revelations was set before me and opened. As to the time, persons and place, much controversy hath been concerning this mystery, which I shall not meddle with but shall only faithfully declare what the morning star hath expressly revealed from His own mouth, who with this salutation began --

    "Awake ye who have been under death and judgment. Know ye not that My reign is near? The foregoing prophecy must have its fulfilling and there are those who are ripening for it, upon whom my kingdom shall be fixed. Wherefore do thou warily observe the following particulars which are the foregoing signs of my personal reign whereby it may be known how near it is."