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Home Preface 5 Planes of Existence Introduction Five Planes of Manifestation A to Z Contact Related Information BIBLE VERSES |
SICKLEA symbol of outgoing spiritual energy to overcome and cut down the attachments to the lower nature, in order to liberate the soul. “And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed upon the earth; and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he knoweth not how. The earth beareth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is ripe, straightway he putteth forth the sickle, because the harvest is come.” — Mark iv. 26–29. So are the higher planes attained by the ego — it is as if the Self should cast the germs of truth, righteousness and love into the lower nature of the soul (the earth), and then should await their growth through the process of rests and re‑incarnations; and that the germs should expand and develop in secret and unobserved. The lower nature (earth) brings forth that which is implanted in it: first the faint aspiration for what is better, then the higher quality, and lastly the perfect fruition of wisdom and love. But when the qualities are perfected, the Self puts forth spiritual energy (sickle) to sever the ties that bind the ego to the lower nature, because the time has come when the ego receives on the higher planes the spiritual results of its aspirations and sacrifices on the lower. “By a sickle the same thing is signified as by a sword. That by a sword is signified divine truth fighting against falses, and vice versa.” — Swedenborg, *Apocalypse Revealed*. “The very moment the soul begins to desire God, God comes. The change may not be great at first, but whatever it is God takes advantage of it to the full to heal, and bless, and lift up. It is like what happens at this (winter) season of the year. It is the sun that starts the process, and then unceasingly follows up every slightest response thereto. It may be long before the buds show themselves, and longer still before the foliage and the flowers arrive, but they are on the way. From afar God comes, like the sun of heaven into our wintry dreariness and death, and lays hold of every feeblest desire of the soul for eternal life, fostering and encouraging it with his grace and love as opportunity affords till he has brought it to perfection.” — R. J. Campbell, Serm., *God's Loving-kindness*. |
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