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Preface
5 Planes of Existence
Introduction
Five Planes of Manifestation
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TRIBES OF ISRAEL, TWELVE
Symbolic of twelve kinds of mental ? qualities in
an early stage of development, but gradually becoming disciplined by
the moral nature. They may also stand for the races of mankind which
serve to represent on the mental plane some special side of the
Logos.
"The Saviour knew of what nature each of his disciples was, and that
it needs must be that each of them should go to his own nature. For
from the twelve tribes he chose twelve disciples, and through them
he spake to every tribe. Wherefore, also, neither have all men I
hearkened to the preaching of the twelve disciples, nor if they
hearken, can they = receive it " (Statement by the Naasene
Gnostics). - IPPOLYTUS, Philosophumena, Bk. V. 3.
The Christ knows the nature of each of the twelve disciplined
qualities (disciples), because the Higher always knows the lower. He
points out that each quality must develop according to the
conditions of its own special nature. The "chosing from the twelve
tribes” signifies the calling of the qualities to a differentiated
state higher than before; that is, from each of twelve varieties of
primal qualities (tribes), the most advanced quality is raised to
the status of a "disciple." Then through the disciplined qualities
Christ is able to influence the less disciplined (every tribe). The
last passage refers to the fact that the different grades of mental
qualities cannot hear and understand that which is above them, and
that when they are enabled to perceive the higher, they no longer
remain on their former level.
"Without-our eyes can see the immense variety of tribes which have
come forth from Adam, all of which are but various forms or
manifestations of man or human nature. But within-though secret and
hidden-the outcome is the same. Old Adam in us brings forth as many
different minds, each of which throughout this book (Genesis) is
figured and set before us in some son of Adam, or Noah, or Shem, or
Ham, or Japhet; some outward, some inward, some sensual, some
natural, some spiritual, and this in different measures; the elect,
all representing some form of the spiritual mind in us; the
non-elect, some form of that mind which is earthly, sensual,
devilish." - A. JUKES, Types of Genesis, p. 400.
"The twelve tribes signify the Lord's church as to all its truths
and goods. They signify all truths of doctrine derived from the good
of love from the Lord. Tribes signify religion, and the twelve
tribes, the church as to all things relating to it." - SWEDENBORG,
Apocalypse Revealed, n. 349.
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