Special Focus Of Significance
Martin
Cecil Grace Van Duzen Lillian Cecil September 16, 1981
During this month, September 16 to be exact, the forty-ninth birthday of this ministry occurs, completing the cycle of seven seven-year periods [eighty-fourth birthday in 2016—twelve seven-year periods]. I am sure we all have some sensing of a climactic point being reached, the point which declares whether this Emissary ministry is to be characterized by victory or failure. I never like to contemplate failure—my whole concern, and I trust yours also, centers in this matter of victory. Victory, however, is not something that occurs through wishful thinking, just because we might like it to be so. There must be the fact to back it up. These things will prove themselves out. It is well, however, that we should all have an awareness of what it is that needs to prove itself out. The question might be put, “Can we individually, and consequently together, be counted upon?” This does not only relate to those of you who are here gathered this morning but to many others as well.
It is good that we are all together on this rather special evening,
September 16, 1981. We have chosen this particular day as a beginning point, in
outer form, of this ministry forty-nine years ago. It might perhaps have been
one of several days but this one is fitting.
It is not just a matter of celebrating a birthday but of participating
in a creative cycle which rises to a special focus of significance at this
time. Celebrating birthdays is not particularly important in and of itself but
if a particular anniversary does relate in a specific way to the unfoldment of
a true creative cycle, then we have opportunity to play a part in what it is
that is in focus in the present moment. This has come out of the past, quite a
lengthy past, so that we are here now, and there is movement into the future by
reason of this creative spirit which has been moving throughout. So we are
indeed thankful to the Lord that He has seen fit to receive us in this present
assembly, that we might fulfil the purpose for which we are here now in this
moment, and continue to move in that which unfolds in the days to come.
During this hour there will be those who play particular parts in the
sense of providing special focus, but of course it is true that all who are
here present are responsible for very special parts to be played, and I trust
all are keenly conscious of this fact and this responsibility. In the first
instance Grace will be offering something to you, and I would invite her to
come to this particular position.
Grace Van Duzen — I would share some words with you tonight, by
Uranda, written September 14, 1936. This would have been practically in the
middle of the first seven-year cycle and here we are at the climactic point of
the seventh of these cycles. As always, the word of the Lord is timeless, and
these words are timeless. Particularly toward the close of the passages I’m
reading you will recognize that they could have been said last Sunday, or the
Sunday before, or the year before, or the cycle before. The word of the Lord is
timeless.
I came upon these, and chose these, because of my recent sojourn in
Egypt, and these are Uranda’s words with regard to those great symbols that
were established in the earth—the sphinx and the pyramid—so long ago. We could
be reminded that when these were established the earth was a different place;
man was different. We find ourselves at this wonderful point, on the eve of
what Martin has called the golden year, when the gold is refined in the fire.
Very specifically we have a sober and joyous responsibility. So I would share
these words.
I have shared pictures of these symbols with you. The miracle is that
they are still in the
earth. Regardless of what has happened to it, regardless of the fact that they
are in the center of a vast desert—nothing grows—still they stand, symbols of
the earth and of man. When they were established it was a beautiful place, a
garden. I will read The Sphinx Speaks.
In the desert within thyself, I AM. From out the sands of time, I
speak. My Voice hath been sounding from within thee always, but thou hast not
heard because My Voice is the Voice of the Silence. To thee I have been the
Sphinx. Thou hast sought to understand and thou hast failed. Thou hast listened
for My Voice and it hath not been heard by thee, not because I did not speak,
but because thou didst not know how to listen. I AM the God of the earth, and the Sphinx in the land of Egypt is a
symbol of Me, prepared in the days when mankind knew Me as I AM. Turning within
thine own earth, thou hast found thy land of Egypt, and it hath been dense
darkness unto thee, and in the darkness of that desert place thou hast but
dimly seen the outline of My Presence, and I have been unto thee a great
mystery.
It hath not been my will that I should be a mystery unto thee, for I
have revealed Myself to thee in all the experiences of thy life, and I have
made known My Presence in all that thou hast seen during the period of thy
manifest form upon the earth.
My mystery is now revealed in the earth because of the faithful ones
who are turning to see the Voice that speaks with them, and they are beginning
to know the One Who I AM, and having turned they find that I AM not afar off,
neither am I difficult to understand.
In My symbol thou hast seen the face of a man lifted high above the
desert sand, the face of a man set upon the body of a beast. The beast is the
animal expression of man that hath been rampant in the world, the animal
expression of man which hath thought itself to be greater than I AM, and the
world hath forgotten even the face of the man that is on the beast. Having
forgotten this which it could see, it likewise forgot Me Whom it could not see.
My symbol was established in its appointed place beside the symbol of
the God of Heaven and earth, who is known to the people of the world as the
LORD of Lords and KING of Kings, that My symbol might be a key to His symbol
and an entrance thereto, yet hath the world failed to understand His symbol or
My symbol, for the two are One. Even as I AM the Lord, thy God within thee, the
God of the earth, even so am I the Way whereby thou mayest enter into the ALL
and become aware of the God of Heaven and earth, the LORD of Lords and KING of
Kings. His symbol hath the world known as the Great Pyramid, and His Place,
even the Secret Place, hath the world known as the King’s Chamber, and He hath
revealed Himself to the world through the ages as the invisible Capstone of His
symbol. Even so, I have revealed Myself to the world through the ages as the
Soundless Voice of the Silence, which the world hath not heard nor understood.
As the world hath failed to hear My Voice directing it in the Way, so also hath
the world failed to see His Presence as the Capstone of His symbol in the
earth.
Oh man, look at thyself and thou shalt see the stone symbol which the
world calls the Sphinx. As the face of the stone Sphinx is broken, so also is
the face of man, for it can hardly be seen that man hath the face of man, for
man hath contented himself to be the beast.
Behold, every man who shall harken to these, My Words, and who shall
become the living Sphinx, shall know what it means to stand with the LORD of
Lords and KING of Kings in the earth made new, where Heaven and earth are One,
under His direction and filled with the Flaming Fire of His Love.
Beloved of the Lord, Reality is ever coming forth, and its coming
cannot be stayed nor its manifestation changed.
Look out upon the earth, Beloved, and thou shalt see that it is a
melting-furnace wherein the Fire of My Love brings all to that white heat of
transformation. The gold of Being, responding to My hand, comes forth pure, and
ready for the shaping of a higher realm.
Now it is ordained that all self-consciousness shall be removed from
the realms of the dross, that consciousness may be only in the realms of
Reality; and so it is that the Flaming Fire of My creative Force shall work its
Will in Peace and all Tranquility, changing the dross to purest gold until the
whole world shall shine forth as a Sun of glorious Light in the Universe where
it is ordained to be.
Lillian Cecil placed a picture of Uranda on the altar, then stood at
the lectern
Lillian Cecil — I too would share a
few moments with you in this very special hour. It is, of course, a man-made
picture of a man who walked on earth; and yet we all know, very particularly,
of that spirit, that glorious, beautiful spirit that filled this form on earth.
And I think my own contribution tonight would simply be to speak briefly of
Uranda.
He was the opening door, the focus of the awakening, at this very
special moment in eternity, forty-nine years ago. And I am deeply thankful—and
I know everyone is—that he let this happen in his consciousness. Grace spoke of
those symbols in the earth today that represent the Lord. And they still stand,
after how many centuries? I wonder how good a symbol we each are of the Lord on
earth. Surely Uranda brought this to focus living, vibrant symbol.
Some of us met him within the framework of the
first seven years; others have met him in the later seven years. But it doesn’t
really matter, as long as we all know the spirit, the utter, beautiful spirit
of this precious Being who walked the earth. I suppose the world, if they
really actually knew about him, would say, “Well he was just another human
being.” But we all know differently. I met him at very tender years and I
didn’t have to be told that he was special. The joy of meeting a person who is
vibrantly full, who is vibrantly shining, radiating with the spirit of God on
earth, is priceless: and here was this beautiful man.
How thrilled Uranda would have been to hear this
gorgeous organ sound in this beautiful building. And yet he was never daunted
by the fact that the forms around him were quite less than we know: a little,
old pump organ, in a small building which we now call the Ranch House. But it
was the same, wasn’t it? It was joyous because the symbol of God was on earth
and there were those who were awakening to that fact. And as we have all awakened,
and share this in our hearts, and as we produce it—the living example in our
living—his life was not in vain. Indeed it was the most glorious thing for
thousands of years!
Maybe my words are simply, this evening, Martin, to
offer our collective tribute to the truthful, the special, life which Uranda
portrayed. Some of us heard him speak many times, in person. He could be very
serious, he could be witty, he could drive the point home so that you squirmed,
but you were glad to wake up and see the truth of being, available. He spent many
happy hours on earth and perhaps a few sad ones too, but he lived life to its
fullest. And I know in my own living, that has been a right example to follow.
And we remember the Master’s words, “Follow me”—and in everything Uranda did
and said he issued that word also, to all peoples on earth, “Follow me.”
So I am thankful to have these few moments in the
Lord’s house to express my heart thanksgiving that he walked the earth, that
Uranda was indeed in form with us and that his spirit continues, as it ever
shall.
Martin Cecil — The way of salvation,
of restoration, has been established on earth ever since the original failure
on the part of man. The way of restoration is the same now as it was anywhere
back along the way. The worldly circumstances may have changed but the way by
which the restoration occurs is the same as it ever was—exactly the same thing
is required now as was at the point of the original failure. That requirement
has been outlined in many ways over the ages.
Recently I have been speaking of failure, because
unless the fact of failure is seen for what it is and is honestly
acknowledged—not merely in a general sort of way but specifically by each
individual—the way of restoration is prevented from being experienced. “Repent:
for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The true state is as available in this
moment as it was twenty thousand years ago and all through the centuries in
between. If it has not come on earth it is indication of the continuing failure,
which includes the failure to repent. So I emphasize this matter of repentance because
it is crucial at this particular time.
Human beings suffer their ups and downs. This all
relates to the emotional realm, doesn’t it? Sometimes a person feels up; if he
does then he presumably says of himself he feels good. Other times he feels
down; then he feels rotten. The question always is as to whether, because of
what is so experienced, one is going to prove to be unstable, undependable.
Dependability has nothing to do with these ups and downs. It only seems to have
something to do with them when emotions are the god. Repent. Acknowledge the
fact of failure—those elements which are very specific. If there has been a
failure of some kind, acknowledge it without excuse, without attempting to
explain it away, to yourself particularly. Acknowledge it as failure, without
excuse; and there is no possible explanation which would cause it to cease being
failure, one’s own personal failure.
I spoke recently about a certain toughness. Here is
an indication of it: if you do not feel that you have to explain anything,
because there is nothing to explain. If there was failure, that was failure for
which one was personally responsible. The human mind is a little crafty, isn’t
it? “Yes know I was responsible, but...” No buts!
If there has been failure, one is personally responsible for it in one’s own circumstance,
and there is no excuse, and no valid explanation. So why look for one? One must
come to a point of absoluteness in this regard, so that there is an
acknowledgment of failure when there has been failure, without any equivocation.
That begins to be repentance; and it opens the door for what emerges out of the
state in which that failure was the experience. Something is to emerge out of
that, because the spirit of God is still moving. And as there is a direct
participation in what does creatively emerge, that
is forgiveness.
Most people are looking for forgiveness to come
from somewhere: “Oh will you forgive me? Oh Lord, will you forgive me?” Well of
course. He offers the opportunity to participate in the creative cycle and that
is forgiveness when you do it. But nobody can do it, in fact, without first repenting,
so that there may be a releasing of what gave evidence of failure relative to
the creative cycle as it was moving before. Unless that is done, so there is an
absolute cutoff—what is now moving cannot be shared and therefore there cannot
be forgiveness. That is forgiveness. That movement in the creative cycle as it
now emerges is the experience of forgiveness. It isn’t something that the Lord
is going to plaster on people! It is what comes forth through oneself. One is
for giving expression to the creative cycle, according to one’s own particular
responsibility in the matter.
Now here is a central core element which has been
offered lo these many, many years but which has been turned aside so much by
continuing human emotions and the figuring of the mind. It can find excuses; it
can find reasons as to why it’s impossible to do what is really quite natural.
The way of restoration has been made available countless
times but we have very specific record in particular places: in the Bible, for
instance. We have the story of that day of Pentecost long ago, when the
disciples were all gathered in the upper room. They were all with one accord in
one place, it says. They didn’t stay that way long, but sufficient to allow the
way of restoration to begin to emerge. We are aware that there was failure;
that was spoiled. We are also aware of what happened before that at the time of
the children of Israel. There is one very clear-cut description of the way of restoration;
you know it because we have considered it many times. It relates to that story
of Elijah’s contest with the prophets of Baal. Let me read this, part of it at
least.
The prophets of Baal had been given their innings,
which they enthusiastically accepted and really went to it, anticipating that
the answer would come that way—just as human beings in the world have done and are
doing now in this day, and the answer doesn’t come. There are more people
awakening, it seems, in these days to the fact that the answer isn’t found
along those lines; but there are still vast numbers in the population of the
world who imagine that the answer is going to come that way—they can’t see the
possibility of any other way.
Elijah
“And it came to pass, when midday was past, and
they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that
there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.” What a very
pathetic situation. It is the exact situation of the world now. “And Elijah
said unto all the people, Come near unto me.” Here was the prophet of the Lord,
the representative of the Lord, opening the door to the way of restoration,
provided that those concerned would repent and leave behind, cut off, the state
in which they had previously been involved, acknowledging failure.
“And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near
unto me. And all the people came near unto him.” I am thankful to see all of
you who are quite closely together in the physical sense. You’re not scattered
all over the Chapel. The invitation was offered to come near unto me, and
presumably you heard it and did so. Of course it isn’t a matter just of coming
physically near—although this may be a symbol of something—but coming near with
open hearts, open repentant hearts, that there may be participation in the
experience of forgiveness.
“And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken
down.” This seven periods of seven years, which brings us to this day, has been
a time when the altar of the Lord was in the process of being repaired. Seemingly
it has been rather a slow process. It depends on what time frame one might put
it in. If we’re thinking of thousands of years then I suppose it’s been quite
rapid. If we think of it in our rather limited life spans then it has taken
quite a while.
“And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the
number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came,
saying, Israel shall be thy name:“And with the stones he built an altar in the name
of the Lord.” Here is indication of representation from all the tribes of the earth.
I think that has happened, pretty well, insofar as our own experience of
rebuilding is concerned. We have, within the range of our awareness, people
from virtually every land.
“And he made a trench about the altar, as great as
would contain two measures of seed.” There has been a hedge about this development,
what has been taking place by reason of this ministry and those who have been
associated with it. There has been a hedge of protection, which also is the
facility by which something may be achieved. The hedge of radiance does provide
protection but it also provides the means by which seeds are planted; something
is brought forth in this way. “And he put the wood in order, and cut the
bullock in pieces.” That has something to do with our physical, emotional,
mental facilities being put in order.
“He put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in
pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and
pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.” Well, you know that something
of the sort has been going on over the years. The water of truth has been
freely offered. “And he said, do it the second time. And they did it the second
time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.”
Twelve barrels—quite a soaking of body, mind and heart. “And the water ran
round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.” All was
permeated by the truth. At that point the truth was somewhat dormant, just wet,
sitting there—which has at times been the condition experienced by those who
have been associated with this ministry. They’re sitting there like wet rags.
“And it came to pass at the time of the offering of
the evening sacrifice.” This was occurring at the same time as the other
situation with the prophets of Baal. The cycle is drawing to a close, to allow
whatever is to come next to emerge. “And it came to pass at the time of the
offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said,
Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou
art God in this body (Israel), and that I am thy servant, and that I have done
all these things at thy word.
“Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may
know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back
again. Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the
wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the
trench.” Here is a very different state of affairs to the state of a wet rag.
What of your hearts? Are they really turned back again? The very moment that this
is so the fire of God does fall from heaven. We may see and know this in this
moment. We also see and know and understand it as relating to this particular
aspect of the creative cycle that opens before us: the fire of God falling from
heaven, pouring forth to consume the lives of those whose hearts are turned
back again, so that they cannot help but allow the glory of the Lord to be
revealed on earth in the oneness of His body.
“And when all the people saw it, they fell on their
faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.” Is
that really what is being said by all those present in this Chapel this evening—“The
Lord, He is the God”? Are there in fact no other gods before Him? The Lord, He
is the God in fact, whether anyone acknowledges it or not. But only with that
acknowledgment, because there has been repentance and participation in the creative
cycles of forgiveness, does this truth have creative effect in the world.
This evening we share an hour when these things may
be brought to focus in our consciousness, that as individuals we may
acknowledge the fact of failure, obviously so heretofore, and repent. No
excuses whatsoever offered for anything that has happened in which we have been
involved in times past; no explanations needed, but simply a willingness to
repent, to let it be cut off, that there may be full and free and wholesome
participation in what is now emerging. We see this casting its shadows before—so
that what is of this creative cycle now emerging may be allowed to take form
because there are those present to let it be so. The Lord, He is the God; the Lord, He is the God.
What say you?
The congregation answered, “The Lord, He is the God.”
Upon a further
listening stance from the Bishop, it was repeated, “The Lord, He is the God.”
That’s
better! There is a tendency, isn’t there, to do things partially because we
have lived in a partial world. I rejoice in this hour very greatly, to the
extent that in speaking those words you in fact told the truth. That will reveal
itself, won’t it? Woe unto those who do not speak the truth. “Rejoice, ye
heavens, and ye that dwell in them,” for the truth is revealed and made
manifest because you live.
© Emissaries of Divine Light
