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Edna Lister’s Sermons, 1937
Daring to Do “Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts; he slew two lion-like men of Moab: also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day. And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and slew him with his own spear.”–1 Chronicles 11:22-23.
The Light of Men “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”–John 1:1-12.
The Word Made Flesh Mankind Shall Ascend “Most assuredly, I say to thee, we speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”–John 3:11-15.
The Simplicity of Faith “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is Truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth, the Spirit, the water, and the blood: and these three agree as one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He has testified of his Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”–1 John 5:1-12.
Edna Lister outline, February 7, 1937, Niagara Falls, NY. April 29, 1956, Tacoma, WA. 1 Chronicles 11:22-23.
Benaiah, the son of a valiant man, slew a lion in a pit on a snowy day. Courage is bravery. You can be brave, yet experience a torturing fear.
One’s background in life can be poverty, lack and want, or money, position and family, honor. Against this, life may paint a foreground filled with trouble, barriers, obstacles, hurdles, handicaps of illness, debt, discouragement and despair.
A pit is a small, cramped place with no easy way out. Being in a pit on a snowy day evokes an image of discomfort, being stuck in a slippery hole, cold and alone. What is your lion? No matter your background, you can paint your own foreground as a son or daughter of God.
Dare you believe in God? In His Power? In His glory? In your own destiny? Faith that surmounts all odds can overcome all trouble, tear down any barrier, melt, dissolve and absorb obstacles, and jump the highest hurdles because it dares to do.
Edna Lister outline, February 28, 1937, Niagara Falls, NY. John 1:1-12.
The Word is a vibration, the Logos, the first begotten Son of God. The life in him was the light of men.
Lent is seed time. A farmer plants in early spring, when the bare earth is still sere. Light draws forth the life within the seed, enticing it to grow. The seed draws forth the life within the soil to grow into a plant. Finally, the farmer harvests his crop in June, July, or August.
Light needs a witness to its qualities and action, whether it works through a plant or a man. John was the Messiah’s precursor, sent to bear witness to him.
“He [John] was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”–John 1:8-9.
God created us to be the caretakers of His world. Yet, we let Him do the work while we speak the Word.
Declare powerfully, “I AM that Word I AM. I AM that Light I AM. I AM that Power I AM. I AM that strength I AM.”
No one is ashamed of beauty or good health, which everyone considers desirable. Logically, you cannot complain about good looks or health. Plenty of Light is all you need to restore your health. With plenty of Light, you have plenty of life. When you have plenty of life, your face shines with the glory of victory and soul triumph.
Edna Lister outline, March 7, 1937, Buffalo, NY. John 1:1-34.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.”–John 1:1-7.
The first idea is that the Word is both life and Light. Thus, principle is established. The second idea is that principle establishes your method for finding your identity.
“The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.”–John 1:14-16. These verses establish your identity with God.
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.”–John 1:29-34. This passage reveals that you must know who you are and to whom you belong.
God sent John to establish the Master’s identity. “Behold the Lamb of God” reveals his purity and innocence of soul as the Father’s offering of redemption. The Master was the spiritual individualized phase of the “Word made flesh.”
As Jesus approached John, he said of him, “I knew him not,” yet “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.” The dove never lights upon the unworthy, but upon him who carries the precious gift of peace.
“He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”–John 1:11-13.
The third idea is that those who “believe on his name” are born “not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
Once you are born again, you receive the Baptism by Water, and the Baptism by Fire. You then take the three steps described above to faith, hope, charity, to joy, as your practical application of the “Word made flesh.”
To establish your identity through principle, you must know that Power is both life and Light. Second, you must be aware of your identity as an ambassador and witness of Light twenty-four hours a day. The method is to be “born again,” but how? You must settle your debts to law. Can you pay them all now?
Once you know the Master is still the Lamb of God, still taking away “sins of the world,” still walking as he did by the Sea of Galilee, and is still being wounded by your flippant, indifferent remarks—you realize that you must do as he has done.
He pays no attention to what you say. He does not judge, but suffers the hurts of those you wound. He is forever pointing the way for you to follow.
The world needs Light as life. The world needs to know that Christ is here. You must bear witness daily, hourly for others to know this. How many souls, disciples have you brought him this year? You are glorious, victorious, and triumphant as all Light as all Power.
Edna Lister outline, March 21, 1937, Buffalo, NY. John 3:11-15, 6:53-68.
“Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.”–John 6:53-68.
Jesus was closing his remarkable 3.5-year ministry. His self-professed enemies had never caught him in any mesh or weaving they had created to entrap him. He always knew who he was, and what his destiny included. He set the pattern of ascension, the style of living spiritually forever. For 2,000 years, man has striven to understand the scope of living in Christ.
The Christed pattern is receptive, flexible and balanced. To be receptive is to remain open-minded. To be flexible is not to break, but to bend under pressure. To be balanced is not to criticize unjustly or to submit weakly to be criticized. The “son of man” describes the form of the self. The “son of God” represents the soul, which is like the Father. The soul uses the terms “I, me,” and “I am” to represent your God-likeness.
The Master pushed to reach the Light and to show his disciples the way. Paul and Silas pushed to reach the Light, and an earthquake came to free them. Every man and woman must push to find his or her Source of Light.
Lent is the preparation for the Crucifixion and Resurrection. From Palm Sunday to Easter is a week of devotion, during which God sends the Power through you in great measure, as much as you can bear.
When Jesus spoke of the truth behind the mysteries in public, many people left him. Even his disciples said, “This is an hard saying; who can hear it?”
Are you repeating history, or are you ready to resurrect all your old life? It takes forty days of listening and watching, to become ready. You must lift the body from death to a high place of refuge. The Master spoke the truth. Come, let yourself hear, act receptively, and be flexible. Let the truth balance your soul.
Edna Lister outline, April 4, 1937, Buffalo, NY. August 19, 1937. 1 John 5:1-12.
Simplicity means to make a task easy to do, to open the way. To simplify mathematics, they created formulas so easy of understanding that anyone can work the problems or apply the rules.
One may be a little child in years or in receptivity, according to his ability to accept. Even a dog or a horse will offer its master devotion and faithfulness.
John’s faith was a simple compound. First, believe on Jesus as the Son of God. Second, keep his commandments. You do two things, from which actions, three results occur. First, believe on the Son of God, and then bear witness to him in yourself. You need only to believe and obey simple laws to bring such vast results.
Water, blood and Spirit witness on earth. The Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost bear record in heaven. God records in heaven what you witness on earth: Water, blood and Spirit. Being a witness is having total faith in Power.
Ask yourself three questions: What is this Power capable of doing? Can everyone use it? Can I contact the Source?
Maeterlinck’s play, “The Blue Bird,”
Can you contact the Source? Yes—everyone has lines of Light and responsibility extending to their loved ones. Each has a line of Light into the Father’s heart. You lift all your lines of responsibility and Light to Him. This is the victory: Your faith overcomes all obstacles.
Peace, Power and Plenty
Edna Lister outline, April 18, 1937, Buffalo, NY. Mark 4:39-40, Luke 7:12-14, 5:4-10.
“He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?”–Mark 4:39-40.
“Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.”–Luke 7:12-14.
“Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.”–Luke 5:4-10.
Jesus used the declaration, “Peace, be still” to command obedience. He controlled the elements, the wind and waves. Water represents emotions, false vibrations and disobedience, which are destructive.
The widow of Nain, weeping over her son, awakened the Master’s compassion. He declared, “Young man, I say unto thee, arise!” His command, simple and concrete, was to live.
“Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.”–Luke 5:4-10.
The disciples were finished. They had quit because fishing was useless. They had worked all night in the darkness, and caught no fish. Then the Master told them to cast their nets once more.
It takes peace, power, and plenty of persistence to do anything, to resurrect anything, to make ascension possible. A miracle consists of having peace, power and plenty, here and now. Do you believe this? Do you act as if you believe?
You can triumph over the elements and enemies within and without through resurrection of soul into all strength. You must resurrect all your past dreams and wishes for ascension.
You and the Glory
Edna Lister sermon outline; May 2, 1937, Buffalo, NY. November 10, 1946, January 8, 1956, Tacoma, WA. Luke 17:1-2.
“Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.”–Luke 17:1-2.
The earth has a shell, a crust that is 1400 miles thick, and is getting warmer. Most people have a 1400-mile-thick shell, too, a rhinoceros hide of opinion and prejudice so dense that nothing can crack or penetrate it.
The Master said, “It is impossible but that offenses will come.” If you spend all your time watching for, thinking about, and adding up your efforts, your gifts, your services to others, you will bleed all the joy and glory from life.
His vestry called an English clergyman to task, and told him he was a failure because he had added no new members. He replied that he had befriended one boy who was attending services. “Oh that boy,” they said. “He doesn’t add anything to the Church!”
The following Sunday the youth touched the clergyman’s hand as he turned to leave. The young man said, “I feel I want to study for the ministry.” The old man took him in, trained him, and helped him through school. Twenty-five years later, Robert Moffat
You fashion tomorrow from today’s redeemed soul substance. Your success tomorrow depends on your use of substance in accordance with law today. Today’s glory makes tomorrow glorious.
The Windows of the Soul
Edna Lister outline; May 16, 1937, Buffalo, NY. Daniel 6.
“It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; and over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first, that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.”–Daniel 6:1-3.
The Plot Against Daniel: “Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.”–Daniel 6:4-9.
Daniel Is Accused: “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king’s decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, that no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.”–Daniel 6:10-15.
Daniel Is Cast into the Den of Lions: “Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his Lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him. Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.”–Daniel 6:16-24.
The Conspirators Consumed: “And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den. Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. I make a decree, that in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.”–Daniel 6:25-28.
Darius, the king represents intellect. Daniel symbolizes good judgment. The three presidents represent your faculties of desire, will and imagination. One hundred and twenty men had been made princes over provinces, so the king would receive all the revenue coming to him.
The king preferred Daniel and had promoted him over his own countrymen. Daniel’s enemies sought to kill him. They knew they could find no fault in him except through his religious beliefs and practices.
They asked the king to create an unalterable law that no one in the realm was to call on any God or man, save the king for thirty days. The penalty for doing so was to be cast into the den of lions. The king signed the law and the trap was set.
Daniel knew about the law, but ignored it, continuing to pray as usual. He had his three soul windows open toward Jerusalem, which represent Love, Wisdom and Selflessness. His enemies among the princes found him praying, and went to the king, invoking the decree of death. The king was vexed with himself for having signed that decree, but could not change his own law.
He wanted to save Daniel, but he could not. By sunset he admitted to himself that he was helpless. Daniel was taken to the lions’ den and the king said, “Thy God whom thou servest continually, He will deliver thee.”
So Daniel was cast into the den, facing the lions. He turned his back on the shadows of fear, malice, envy, deceit, hate, avarice, jealousy, doubt, and found the Light. Daniel, whose name means “judgment of God,” opened his soul windows to pray.
Darius the king symbolizes intellect, and the presidents represent good judgment, desire and will. The one hundred and twenty princes represent the twelve virtues required to control the zodiacal influences. The greatest negative influences are fear, deceit, jealousy doubt, hate, avarice, and envy. Daniel bowed three times a day before the Lord, judging his own self. In this, he showed his good judgment.
King Darius commanded that everyone connected with the false decree—the men who proposed it, their wives and children—were to be given to the lions, to be consumed. The lions represent the sun, the fire element, and the white Light of Christ, which burns up all dross. The lions consumed the conspirators.
You may choose whether you face life’s shadows or live in the sunshine.
Love Never Faileth
Edna Lister outline; May 30, 1937, Buffalo, NY. September 11, 1955, Tacoma WA. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
“Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”–1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
“Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”–1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
Love never fails, but bears, hopes and endures all things that stand in its path. Love is not bondage, but shows you how to command freedom. Because of the freedom inherent in the cat’s nature, the Egyptians venerated the cat as sacred, above the domesticated animals that they whipped, drove, and made to work. Many people are just like domesticated animals.
When you dictate, demand or force, love begins to lash and is no longer love. If you were to dictate, demand and force a cat, the cat would no longer love you.
The Egyptians also revered the cat for its independence in the way it acts. You must respect a cat’s individuality. A cat has no worries, and carries no burdens. Like a cattle rustler, a cat hunts independently. After it works, the cat rests.
If you lock a cat out, it cries at another door persistently, until someone lets it in. A cat, waiting at a mouse hole, is the epitome of concentration. A cat’s nine lives symbolize immortality.
The cat also symbolizes freedom and flexibility because no matter what, it always lands on four feet. Finally, a cat is never lost. It always knows its way home.
Spiritually, the cat represents desire, decision and action. These three combined lead to the right use of faith. Love is freedom. Love is your means to success, to triumph and to victory.
The Second Coming
Edna Lister outline; June 6, 1937, Cleveland, OH. Matthew 24:27-31, 28:20.
“For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”–Matthew 24:27-31.
“Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”–Matthew 28:20.
Three questions concern us in regard to the Second Coming of Christ. How can you know when the Messiah comes? How will his arrival occur? How can you take advantage of knowing and be ready?
One great soul, a creator god, serves as the messiah, the avatar for a great Day of Manifestation. Many lesser racial and cultural saviors appear in each lesser age. Yet this great avatar comes to renew the soul of the world.
Such a soul, who arrives to fulfill the Messianic cycle, always brings an advanced message to uplift humanity, yet the older message overlaps the new. For example, the fish symbolizes the Piscean Age, and the water bearer represents the Aquarian Age. The fish was among Christianity’s earliest symbols, yet Jesus referred to himself as the “living water.”
“In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”–John 7:37-38.
From lowest to highest, from youngest to oldest, the law always applies, “As above, so below.” Nowhere does it say that the Messiah will be reborn in the body, but that a “second coming” will occur. The Messiah will come again, and you must be ready for his arrival.
“For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”–Matthew 24:27.
“Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”–Matthew 28:20.
These are simple statements, yet people ask, How will Jesus come again without building a body?
We are familiar with the message, “Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ” {Burial Service, Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 1662}.
When you lower the rate of vibration of Light, you condense it into substance under the laws of contraction and expansion. The thoughts of the Elect release this “stardust” body substance. You can release enough Power to condense the thought into form.
Genesis 14 records the story of how Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High, walked earth in a stardust body. Jesus has used a stardust body to walk earth for the past 2,000 years. It is now becoming brighter, bright enough for many to see him.
The first coming of the Messiah was prefigured by John the Baptist, who foretold Jesus’ arrival. John’s mission was as a precursor, and he opened a preparatory period.
“And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.”–John 1:19-23.
Then Jesus appeared before John to receive his Baptism by Water, which opened his ministry on earth. Today, the Second Coming is happening on the inner as Christ consciousness is born in man. Later, Jesus Christ will become visible in a star dust body.
The second coming will be divided into two phases, as was the ministry of the first coming. First, Christ consciousness will be born in the minds and hearts of men. Then the actual coming of Jesus the Christ as a person will occur.
The invisible realms, which are largely uncharted, are destined to be known.
How can you be ready? Release spiritual soul substance now. As Light lowers in vibration, it condenses into substance. It works the same for your body.
Nowhere does it say that Christ will come again as an infant in the flesh. He will come again in glory, like lightning. Christ will come again like a thief in the night. “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”–Matthew 28-20.
The Light on the Path
Edna Lister sermon outline; September 12, 1937, Cleveland, OH. 1 John 1, 2 Peter 3:8-9.
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”–1 John 1.
“Beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”–2 Peter 3:8-9.
The world is fumbling around in the dark—people live in want, need relief, languish in prisons, and suffer from lack. Wars and rumors of wars circulate daily. The Great Depression is finished, yet the darkness remains. Why? This text gives a clue because it deals with life itself. People are clamoring for help but none comes. They ask, Where is God? Why doesn’t He answer my prayer?
“Beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”–2 Peter 3:8-9.
You ask, “Why the delay?” Yet, God has given you the tools, all manner of equipment, brains to use, feet for traveling, hands for execution, and even wings to fly! The wings of the mind can encompass any challenge.
God sent His only Begotten Son, the Master, to show us the path when all was in darkness. What is your attitude toward this? What have you done with it?
You say you have “fellowship” with him, yet walk in darkness. Where do the wings of your mind carry you? How high? What is your desire and how can you reach it?
John says to bring others into fellowship, sharing and participating with you, to walk closer with God. You are the Light in the world.
Love fills you full of joy. Each hour finds you in a new space with time to fill, yet how? You have wings of Light to lift you, mind and body. It’s time to use them.
You have the path to follow to overcome the self and the world, to receive the promises the Lord has made to His Elect. Do you believe this? Do you accept? The world is now ready to be conquered by Light. When no darkness remains, glory triumphant shall reign.
Light Overcomes Darkness
Edna Lister sermon outline; October 17, 1937, Cleveland, OH. Matthew 5:14-16, 6:22-23.
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”–Matthew 5:14-16.
Necessity can bring you to Light and joy, or to darkness and grief. You can take Light any place, up, down or in. A city on a hill today reflects its light into the sky above it. You can see it from many miles away.
Candles, oil lamps, gas and electric lights all produce indirect light, but God’s Power comes from above as supernal Light, which descends from on high. Correspondingly, everything is now moving up in consciousness, in ascension, its rate of vibration is increasing.
To view this, you must see with the single eye of the soul, the mystic eye of soul vision, never with the two eyes of earth that see God and whatever earth produces. When you want darkness, you put out the light. You do not light it, then wear blinders. Light comes down from above, through all shutters and blinds. Nothing can escape the Light of God.
“The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!”–Matthew 6:22-23.
If people have no Light in their darkness, how dark their darkness will be. Yet no
Edna Lister outline, October 20, 1937, Cleveland, OH. Matthew 18:3, 6:22, 22:37, Philippians 2:5.
“The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.”–Matthew 6:22.
Persistence is an outstanding childlike quality. You need such real tenacity to reach the kingdom and hold your place there in consciousness.
If your eye is single, you will be full of Light. When you focus on your goal persistently, you build the vision of the single eye.
The single eye creates the single mind. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”–Philippians 2:5.
The single heart holds to the single purpose. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”–Matthew 22:37.
The lily bulb is planted in darkness to grow and reach the Light. It will push and push and push to reach that Light. Be like the lily bulb and be the world’s best finisher!
The Open Door to Success
Edna Lister outline; October 24, 1937, Cleveland, OH. September 18, 1955, Tacoma, WA. Revelation 3:8, 3:11, 3:20.
“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”–Revelation 3:11.
The world views success as materialistic accomplishment. Yet to accomplish something depends on a man’s degree of desire as to the kind of success he wants and will work to attain.
Depending on your viewpoint, a hero is good, and a racketeer is bad. Both objectives have their own followers.
A goal is a target, an aim, a place, position or item attained. Your aim or purpose in attaining that goal can be selfish or humanitarian. Your methods of attainment can be good or bad.
You may open or close all kinds of doors to your home, to love, to friends or to children.
“I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.”–Revelation 3:8.
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”–Revelation 3:20.
Do Your Own Broadcasting
Edna Lister sermon outline; October 31, 1937, Cleveland, OH. Matthew 6:1-18.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.”–John 1:1-14.
Logos means word, the Word, which is a vibration of God as Light. The Holy Breath is its method of operation through man. The Holy Breath enters the crown of the head and fills the brain cells with Light as you inhale and exhale in automatic respiration. The question is, are you conscious or unconscious of what you are breathing?
The Light operates through you differently depending on whether you are conscious. Unconscious breathing pastes Light’s life and benefits on you like labels or stickers on a package.
Since we all inhale the Light, we also radiate something, but what? The alternatives can only be passive poise or active power. A passive receptacle of Light is like a Christmas tree hung with ornaments, lovely in appearance, but dead. When you inhale Light as active power, its vitality prompts you to new growth, like peaches growing from a tree.
Nonresistance is powerful in the love vibration, active or slow. If active, the faster the vibration and the more power. If slow, it is passive, vibrating with not much power. You do not need rest, but more life. Too many people rest themselves to death.
Every cook knows that if you improperly seal a canning jar, the contents will ferment and blow up when they spoil. When you allow others to dictate to you, to label you and put stickers on you, your resentment ferments toward an inevitable explosion.
Only you can choose what tree you will be, a Christmas tree or a peach tree. Will you allow folks to hang their ideas on you from the outside, or grow your peaches, your spiritual fruit from within?
Living passively means that you are half asleep and lukewarm.
Except Ye Be Born Again
Edna Lister outline; November 7, 1937, Cleveland, OH. John 3:1-21.
“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”–John 3:1-21.
To be born means to come into the world. To be born of the flesh describes the birth of the soul into an earthly body.
Water symbolizes the emotions, and to be born of water confers the ability to change darkness into Light. When you are born of the Spirit, it refers to being filled with the Holy Ghost from above.
“No man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.”–John 3:13-14.
Coming down from heaven represents descending from your true place in God. Ascending to heaven signifies how you return to the Father. Raising the serpent in the wilderness symbolizes lifting the creative fire from the sacrum to the head, which subordinates self to the soul.
Some people hide from the Light to cover their evil deeds. When you are living justly, you are open to the Light and do not fear it.
Throughout the centuries, various orders of mystics have known and understood that mirrors double what they reflect, Light or darkness. You are a mirror for others as they are mirrors for you.
If you stand in the world’s light, you may continue to be blind to your reflected selfishness. You see only your self until someone so pure, so surrendered, so selfless lifts the vibration high enough for you to stand in the true Light.
Jesus the Christ was that true Light. He brought Light that was so bright that the people of the world cannot help but to see themselves reflected in it.
To see the self, to accept it, knowing that you must lift it to ascend, is the first step. The final step is to give everything to the Light in surrender to God.
What Is Rebirth?
Edna Lister outline; November 14, 1937, Cleveland, OH. 1 Corinthians 15:1-10, 31-36, 45.
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”–1 Corinthians 15:1-10.
“I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? Let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die.”–1 Corinthians 15:31-36.
“And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.”–1 Corinthians 15:45.
“I die daily.”–1 Corinthians 15:31. Birth is the soul coming to earth to inhabit a body. Yet, you are also reborn each day, just as the morning glory’s flower unfolds in the increasing light.
Coming from heaven gives you the ability to ascend into heaven. It places two steps before you into sunlight, the sunlit way.
The world had grown dark, yet Jesus brought the Light and opened the Gates of Heaven for his and our ascension.
The Light is like a shuttle
Rebirth
Edna Lister outline; November 21, 1937, Cleveland, OH. Acts 16:14-40.
Because someone could no longer make money, Paul and Silas were beaten and cast into prison as trouble-making Jews. Paul was a Roman citizen, and Silas was the apostle who accompanied him.
While in prison, they prayed and sang praises unto God. Gratitude is the greatest of soul qualities. Completely lacking in destructive character, it is born of a perfect balance of Light, wisdom and substance.
Joy is the Light you bring with you and release on earth. Voiced praise is like planting sturdy seeds that will come up in spring.
Religious Slavery
Edna Lister outline; November 21, 1937, Cleveland, OH. October 9, 1955, Tacoma, WA. Genesis 1:14, 2 Corinthians 5:10-17.
“We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”–2 Corinthians 5:10-17.
Religious slavery flourished in the old notions of Hell and eternal damnation. Yet, with Christ there came a new dispensation.
“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”–2 Corinthians 5:17.
All things are now made new, including Hell and Heaven. When the Light renews your consciousness, you, too, are made anew.
God created all judgment, truth, and peace as lights reflecting the truth. The very stars of Heaven reflect the divine Light.
“And God said, let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years.”–Genesis 1:14.
Fate represents the rigid law of necessity and the old order, which can be neither swayed nor moved. Love, which is flexible and self-renewing, creates the tolerance of only the good and the Light.
The Second Coming
Edna Lister Bible study outline; November 28, 1937, Cleveland, OH. Matthew 22:14, Revelation 15:2.
“Many are called, but few are chosen.”–Matthew 22:14. The chosen few are the Elect, those who have chosen God, and to obey His laws.
The Elect are the 144,000 standing on the Sea of Glass. The number, 144,000, is symbolic of the embodied soul having conquered the self and having opened the higher creative centers in the head, including the pineal body and pituitary gland.
“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.”–Revelation 20:1-3.
The Plan of Salvation provided that Satan would be bound a thousand years, while the martyred souls would live, and reign a thousand years with Christ. This represents the first Resurrection.
“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”–Revelation 20:14-15.
The second death is of the soul identity, not the body. The “dead” includes all souls who do choose not to live in the Light.
The sign of the Second Coming of the Son of Man perhaps may be a great star exploding, like a nova. If so, it shall be visible from one end of heaven to the other.
Religious Freedom
Edna Lister sermon outline; November 28, 1937, Cleveland, OH. October 9, 1955, Tacoma, WA. 1 John 3:1-2.
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”–1 John 3:1-2.
God, our Father and Mother, has endowed us with all potential powers, for He created us in His image and likeness. Thus, we are inheritors of His life eternal, and our inheritance is freedom.
Fulfillment
Edna Lister sermon outline; December 5, 1937, Cleveland, OH. Matthew 11:2-15.
“Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”–Matthew 11:2-15.
We may know a prophet by the signs following the words he has spoken, the message he has prophesied. A prophet must be made of tough fiber to endure. Like well-tempered steel, he must be able to bend nearly double and not break.
“And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”–Matthew 11:14-15.
Jesus told the crowd plainly that John the Baptist had been Elijah, the prophet who was destined to announce the coming of the Messiah. Those who could accept the truth could hear what Jesus had said, but those who repudiated remained deaf to the truth.
Elijah’s story is recorded in the Books of Kings and Chronicles. He faced great evil, lost his nerve and ran, but regrouped when God called him to task. He was the first to say that he heard God speaking to him as a “still, small voice.”
Let me share a Christmas story with you. A woman, who lived in the Rocky Mountain forest with her husband and two small children, was alone and ill. Her husband had gone to town for supplies. The mother and her sons had no food. To make matters worse, her husband was marooned in town. In her extremity, fearful for her husband and sons, she prayed for the ability to heal and nurture minds and hearts. God answered and told her she could do so with just a little more love, and a little more praise. So she poured out her love of God in prayer and praised Him until she fell asleep. On Christmas Eve, the weather broke, and by Christmas Day her husband returned safely.
Beloved John
Edna Lister sermon outline; December 12, 1937, Cleveland, OH. 1 John 3:1-11, 1 John 3:16-18.
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.”–1 John 3:1-11.
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”–1 John 3:16-18.
Love, Wisdom and Selflessness are three inseparable principles. Wisdom is your mental strength, and love is provides your understanding. These principles are life and Light to your soul.
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.”–1 John 3:1. Love in deeds and truth grows into strength in your actions. Then no lie can be proven against you.
Selfishly self-centered willfulness grows in conceit. Yet then the heart condemns you, for it knows that God is greater. The heart condemns you not when you have confidence in God.
The commandments you must obey are to believe in Jesus and to love one another. As the sons of God, it doth not yet appear—now—what you shall be, for your destiny is hidden in the brilliancy of celestial Light and glory.
God has given you all Power to gain victory and triumph. Your destiny shall become manifest when you have learned to love enough.
Your Mission in Life
Edna Lister outline, December 26, 1937, Cleveland, OH. September 18, 1955, Tacoma, WA. Romans 13:10, Revelation 3:18-19, Zechariah 13:7-9.
“Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”–Romans 13:10.
“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”–Revelation 3:18-19.
Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: Smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.
–Zechariah 13:7-9.
Love the fulfilling of all law.
–Romans 13:10.
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
–Revelation 3:18-19. The eyesalve you need is love, which is the gold tried in the fire.
I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.
–Zechariah 13:9.
To refine silver or gold, you need a crucible, which is “a vessel used for melting and calcining a substance that requires a high degree of heat; a severe test; a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development.”
Earth is the crucible for refining and trying the soul. God will say, “These are My people” when we have finally become seekers after perfection. Then we shall say, The Lord is my God.
Edna Miriam Lister
1884 – 1971
The original Christian Pioneering Mystic,
Platonist philosopher, American Idealist, Founder, Society of the Universal Living Christ, minister, teacher, author, wife, and mother.
Edna Lister resigned as Minister of the Buffalo Unity Center in June 1937, when the local Unity directors ordered her to cease preaching and teaching the divinity of Jesus Christ as the first and only Begotten Son of God. She left her congregation of more than. 900, then located her headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cleveland population was 900,429 in the 1930 census, 372,624 in 2020. The Buffalo, NY population was 573,076 in the 1930 census; 278,349 in the 2020 Census.
References
The Oxford English Dictionary: Compact Ed. 2 volumes. Oxford University Press, 1971.
The Holy Bible. King James Version (KJV).