Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-05-27

Gees IoE IL issLLL the text. when
He assembled up on
high He led o multitude OF captives"
CEphesians iy, $40.
In this week occurs the anniversary
of Jesus ascension. In one sense of
the word our Lord assembled that Is.
from human nature and the tomb. 10
the divine nature and immortality AT
the time of His resurrection from the
dead He tarried however, for forty
days. with the Apostles for their es-
adjustment and instruction-H on
the spirit plane. invisible 10 them, cx-
ccpt when he manifested Himself by
appearing miraculously in various
forms to convince them that lie was
no longer deceased. and also that He
was no longer confined to human CON
ditions-that His resurrection had
made Him again Il spirit being on the
higher plane. where He was before
He took human nature for the suffer
ing OF death. for the redemption of
humanity.
Not alone by His words. but also by
His conduct. our Lord taught His fol
lowers They had not as yet been be
gotten OF the Holy Spirit. and hence
could not understand or appreciate
spiritual things. They could there
fore receive instruction only along nat
ural lines Jesus was raised from the
dead n spirit being, far above angels.
principalities and powers. Had He
then gone directly to the Father with
out manifeSting Himself TO His disci-
pies. they would never have been able
10 understand the truth of the matter.
Hence their lessons were given them
largely In pantomlmc. corroborated by
the Masters words, explaining that II
was necessary that Messiah should
die In order that He might redeem the
world. and that Il was also necessary
that lie ascend up on high and re-
enter upon the spiritual plane of cx-
istence. which He had before lie came
into the world-in order that from
that higher plane of being He might
be the more capable OF filling the
great Office Of Prophet, Priest. Medi-
ator and King Of the world
Flesh and Blood Cannot Inherit the
Kingdom Of God"
Not only. therefore. did Jesus mani
fest Himself during the forty days.
some seven times. for few moments
each time. in various forms. but final
IT,. Mt the conclusion of the forty days.
He assembled in full view of His dis
ciples This was one way of telling
them Of His ascension, that He had
gone TO the Father that they need not
expect 10 see Him again as formerly
We are not. however. to suppose for
a moment that Jesus assembled ileshly
or human being; we remember. on the
contrary, tint flesh and blood cannot
inherit the Kingdom of God" and that
He was put to death in the flesh but
quickened in he spirit" and that
thenccforih. rs the Apostle declares,
THE Lord is that Spirit Oh CORN
thians HI. ~.
Seen by Saul of Tarsus.
The Apostles were 10 bear witness
to the resurrection Of Jesus; but Judas
having lost his place. and IL having
been given 10 81. Paul. 1t was proper
that the latter, rs well rs the rest of
the Apostles, should be able 10 bear
witness 10 Jesus resurrection. Re
counting those who had seen the Lord
after His resurrection, in some of the
various manifestations, st. Paul says.
Last Of al He was seen of me also
as one horn before the time"
Jesus appeared TO st. Paul in the
glorious brightness of His Spirit Be
ing. shining above the brightness Of
the sun ~ pponday" The sight caused
injury 10 the eyes of the beholder
Such a manifestation would have been
inappropriate and unsatisfactory had
the Redeemer so appeared 10 the elev
Ell during the forty days How could
they have identified the glorious Per
sonage, who shone above the bright
ness Of the sun al MONDAY, as the Lord
Jesus, whom they had known for
years. How could they have been en-
abled 10 fully identify Him, in His
WIN $40
former self-their Friend. their Teach
err: But 10 Saul OF Tarsus. the reveal
ing in fiery light above the MONDAY
glare, was very appropriate. II con
WINGED him. In manner that no human
appearance In the flesh could have
equalled. that Jesus was no longer &
man and that He was no impostor. 81.
Paurs conversion was instantaneous
"who art thou Lord;" he asked. y
am Jesus Whom thou persecutest'-
still represented In My followers. OF
whom St stephen was one, whom YOU
murdered. and others Of whom You
have been hailing TO prison.
II should not cause us TO marvel that
Jesus ascended as He declared. up
where He was hafere" John vi. G2l. II
should not surprise us that the Heav.
emily Father gave Him back all the
glory and honor which lie had before