2022/01/17

22. The Earthly Warfare

"When the dragon saw that it had been thrown down to the earth, it pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child" (Revelation 12:13). This description, which follows the previous discussion, shows that the "earth" to which the dragon was thrown down is still the realm of the Apostles' brain. It is the realm of the conscious mind which governs thoughts, judgments, decisions and other things that lead to action, and it can be said to be the “earth” as a contact point at which one interacts with others. The Apostles, on the other hand, were "given the two wings of the great eagle, so that she could fly to her place in the desert" (12:14). These wings consist of "the blood of the Lamb" and "the word of their testimony."¹ Each of them represents the new covenant made through the blood of Jesus and the Apostles' words of response to his choice that bear witness to it.² "Her place in the desert" represents their seat at the table of Jesus' last supper. It is in the unconscious realm of the Apostles where the memory of Jesus who had lived with them, the worldview of Jesus Christ, is alive. The "serpent" in Revelation, in the Apostles’ realm of the conscious mind, spews a torrent of water out of his mouth and tries to sweep away their memories.³ This water represents a fiction, an illusion, which, if taken in, would create a contradiction between the realm of the unconscious mind and the realm of the conscious mind, and it would cause the Apostles to hesitate. So, the earth "opened its mouth and swallowed the flood that the dragon spewed out of its mouth" (12:16). The fact that Revelation here replaces the word "serpent" with "dragon" shows that the influence of the "serpent" grew as they interacted with other people. The "earth" which helped the Apostles is the "enmity" of which God said to the "serpent" in Genesis: "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers" (Genesis 3:15). This "enmity that God has put in place", which lies deep in one's realm of the conscious mind, comes into full effect when he holds the worldview of Jesus Christ. The Apostles, amid persecution, conquered hesitation and spared their lives even unto death to distribute the Body and Blood of Christ for the community. The earthly warfare always begins in the realm of consciousness of each individual. This current that has begun can be stopped from becoming "the work of man" only when the "enmity which God has put in place" placed in the innermost sphere of human consciousness fully works. For this to happen, it is essential to have the worldview of Jesus Christ in one's unconscious realm. That is one of the reasons why God added the Book of Revelation to the New Testament, and so the unconscious realm of people can be filled with the worldview of Jesus Christ.

Reference　1. Revelation 12:11, 2. Matthew 26:35, 3. Revelation 12:15　

Maria K. M.

 2022/01/10

21. Heavenly Warfare

A great red dragon appeared in Revelation 12. A dragon is a creature of legend, so the description of its appearance and attack is fictional. The expression: "And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear a child, that he might devour her child when she brought it forth" (Revelation 12:4), shows that heretics and persecutors were the imminent reality in the memory of the Apostles and that their fear was growing. And the solemn image of themselves collaborating with the Holy Spirit that appeared in the form of a woman in their minds¹ indicates that they had also taken the gravity of their duty. "[S]he brought forth a male child," which means that the Body and Blood of Christ were born of the Holy Spirit and his "helpers," the Apostles. The child was the "one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne" (12:5). Meanwhile, the Apostles had a place prepared by God in the "wilderness."² In this timely moment, war arose in heaven, "Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven" (12:7-8). The "heaven" refers to the Apostles' brains. The "wilderness" is the unconscious realm of their brains. It was also the place where Jesus was tempted by Satan after fasting for 40 days. The description in the Gospel of Jesus being with the wild beasts in the "wilderness"³ suggests the "wilderness" is an unconscious realm inherent in both man and beast. Satan appeared even in the unconscious realm of Jesus, who was both divine and human, and he tempted him. But Jesus, with the word of God, bruised his head and dismissed him.⁴ And the angels ministered to him. Likewise, in the unconscious realm of the Apostles, the memory of Jesus who had lived with them, the worldview of Jesus Christ, was alive, where Michael and his angels were guarding. They threw the great dragon down to the earth, the conscious realm, along with his angels, from the unconscious realm of the Apostles, where the worldview of Jesus Christ was alive.

Reference 1. Revelation 12:1, 2. Revelation 12:5-6, 3. Mark 1:13, 4. Matthew 4:1-11

Maria K. M. 

 2022/01/03

20. The Connection

When the Lamb opened the first four of the seven seals in order, horses associated with the four Gospels appeared (Revelation 6:1-8). Thus, the first half of the Book of Revelation prophesied the establishment of the New Testament, suggesting its connection with the other books of the New Testament employing the coincidence in words and allusions. In addition, the "event" that appears at some important points announced at the end of chapter 11 that the Mass was ready.1 So, it is clear that the great sign that appeared in heaven in the form of a "woman" at the beginning of chapter 12 represents the image of the Holy Spirit and the Apostles collaborating in celebrating the Mass. The description that follows: "She was with child and she cried out in her pangs of birth, in anguish for delivery" (12:2), refers to the Apostles, who, amid the persecution and the daily hardships, celebrate the Mass with the Holy Spirit and try to bring forth the Eucharist by the Holy Spirit. We can see this from the fact that it corresponds to Jesus’ words at the last supper in John's Gospel: "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman is in travail she has sorrow, because her hour has come; but when she is delivered of the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a child is born into the world" (John 16:20-21). Jesus compared the Apostles, who were to give birth to the Word as "helpers" of the Holy Spirit, to a pregnant woman. The Apostles, who had heard Jesus' words of instituting the Eucharist at first hand and had engraved in their memory these words by which the bread and wine became the Body and Blood of Christ, conceived the Word by which the Holy Spirit brought forth the Eucharist as "helpers" of the Holy Spirit. They indeed became like another Mary. Jesus could not afford to lose any of them, who had been set aside for the Holy Spirit in this way, until the Holy Spirit came.2 Jesus foretold to the Apostles that the time would come when they would be scattered and return to their homes, leaving him alone, and he kept them away from his suffering and death. And this warning came true, and the Apostles were protected. Only the disciple whom Jesus loved went to the foot of the cross of Jesus, taking Jesus' mother, Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene, which was for establishing a parent-child bond between the mother of Jesus and the disciple, according to Jesus' command on the cross. At that time, the disciple must have been confident that the one of whom Jesus had said, "who will not taste death," was himself.3

Reference 1. this blog №18, 2. John 18:9, 3. Matthew 16:28, Mark 9:1, Luke 9:27, John 21:23

Maria K. M.

 2021/12/27

19. Divine Authority

"And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars" (Revelation 12:1). Last time, I wrote that this portent shows the image of the Holy Spirit and the priest collaborating for the body and blood of Christ becoming present in the Mass. This image echoes the words of the angel Gabriel to Mary: "He will be great (clothed with the sun), and will be called the Son of the Most High (with the moon under his feet); and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David (on her head a crown of twelve stars)" (Luke 1:32). On the other hand, the words an angel told Joseph in his dream was different from what Mary had been told; he was told that Jesus would save his people from their sins.¹ God's way of "saving from sin" was to forgive and heal sins. The blood and water that flowed from the side of Jesus on the cross was a sure sign that the divine authority for forgiveness and healing of sins covered the whole of humanity. The Evangelist writes: "He who saw it has borne witness – his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth – that you also may believe" (John 19:35). Jesus came into the world with the divine authority from his Father to forgive and heal all sins. While Jesus was an infant, his earthly father, Joseph, was entrusted with this authority and exercised it to protect Jesus and his mother Mary, following the angel's instructions.² After Jesus' ascension and the descent of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles, receiving the Holy Spirit, are entrusted with this authority and practice it to protect the Body and Blood of Christ and the Church collaborating with the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the risen Jesus, to make the Apostles remember he said this when the Holy Spirit descends, breathed on them beforehand and told them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained" (John 20:22-23). Thomas was not there at that time, but fellow Apostles must have shared with him what had happened, saying, "We have seen the Lord." However, he could not believe what they said. When Jesus appeared again eight days later, Thomas saw him and believed. Jesus said: "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe" (John 20:29). What Jesus talked about at that time was the blessedness of those who believe the Holy Spirit, who is invisible and was to come and guide them after his ascension.

References 1. Matthew 1:21, 2. Matthew 1:24-25, 2:13-23, Luke 2:1-7, 2:41-50

Maria K. M.

 2021/12/20

18. There Shall Be No More Delay

The voice of a mighty angel, who came down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, said, "There shall be no more delay. At the time when you hear the seventh angel blow his trumpet, the mysterious plan of God shall be fulfilled" (Revelation 10:6-7). When the seventh angel sounded the trumpet, a particular event took place in heaven and on earth (11:15-19). In Revelation, there were two more events before it, and each of the three events has key words: the first was the throne and the seven spirits of God (4:2-11), the second was the angel, the censer, and the altar (8:1-5), and the third was the temple of God and the ark of the covenant (11:15-19). These words and the words, "the mysterious plan of God shall be fulfilled," tell us that these events are the omens of the beginning of the Mass. So, we see the phrase, "There shall be no more delay," referred to the birth of the Body and Blood of Christ. Then, a great sign appeared in heaven (12:1). This sign is depicted as a woman, but actually, it shows the image of the Holy Spirit and the priest collaborating for the body and blood of Christ becoming present in the Mass. The Holy Spirit is the Counselor, whom Jesus will send from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father.¹ Jesus, before he entered into his Passion, made the Apostles, whom he had chosen himself as helpers of the Holy Spirit, inherit all his mother's authority. The authority of the mother of Jesus is, firstly, to have conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit and become his mother. So, Jesus instituted the Eucharist and input the Word, by which the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ, into Apostles' memories. They, at every Mass, perform their role of giving birth to the Word in a way asking the Father to fulfil the Word. Secondly, it is to know everything about Jesus, and the Apostles were given the grace to know everything about Jesus by the Holy Spirit.² Thirdly, it is that just as Jesus turned water into wine, responding to his mother's request,³ the Apostles would ask the Father for anything in Jesus' name,⁴ especially for the bread and wine to become the body and blood of Christ. Finally, Jesus, on the Cross, united his mother and the Apostle, his beloved disciple, in a parent-child bond. And from that, the Apostle also took her into his home.⁵ By this action, the Apostle became the legitimate heir of the authority of Jesus' mother.

Reference 1. John 15:26, 2. John 14:26, 16:13, 3. John 2:1-11, 4. John 16:23, 5. John 19:26-27

Maria K. M.  

 2021/12/13

17. Two Witnesses

When the voice spoke to the author John commanding to prophesy again (Revelation 10:11), he was given a staff-like measuring rod and told: "Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations" (11:1-2). The word "staff" reminds us of the Apostles because of the pastor's staff. The words "temple of God and the altar" and "those who worship there" here make us recall the scenes in Acts in which they appear. In addition, the fourteen epistles of Paul, who became the apostle of the Gentiles, seem to be also implied because the voice speaking says of the court outside the temple, "[I]t is given over to the nations." These two books are taken up in this chapter again and given the authority of prophecy and testimony because some people had not given up worshipping idols, nor had they repented of their murders or their sorceries or their immorality or their thefts even after the sounding of the sixth trumpet (9:20-21). As the text says: "These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands which stand before the Lord of the earth" (11:4), the two books are personified as "two witnesses" and compared to olive trees, from which pure oil is taken, and lampstands, both of which are used to keep the light running because the experiences and teachings of those who are involved in the evangelical mission described in these books timelessly illuminate people who preach the gospel. The two books were taken to heaven like a lamp is put on a lampstand. Their foes also saw them going up to heaven (11:12). The trainees of Revelation will soon know that "their foes" mentioned here are also foes of their own. Revelation Chapter 11-12 is a bridge between the first half that injects New Testament images into the trainee's memory and the second half that settle the problem of the accidental information¹, which is also called a serpent, devil, and Satan. Those who continue to practice the daily training of Revelation will spend the rest of their lives settling it, crossing this bridge again and again.

Reference 1. This blog number 4

Maria K. M.

 2021/12/06

16. The Seventh Seal

The seventh seal signifies the Book of Revelation. It invites people to the training of Revelation by telling at its beginning, "Blessed is he who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written therein." The form of letters to the churches is adopted here so that the trainees may practise the training with a sense of presence and that it may be effective through the ages (Revelation 1:1-20). And seven letters were written concretely (2:1-3:22). The trainees will relate to the contents of these letters, seeing in them the same problems they and their community have, and will feel remorse not a little. They unknowingly prepare themselves for hearing finding the words, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches," which are repeated at the end of each letter. The trainee, sensing the biblical imagery in the throne, the seven spirits of God and the four living creatures that are described immediately afterwards, tries to hear as "He who has an ear." As he continues to practice reading aloud the texts and hearing them in this way, the images of the New Testament are infused into the unconscious realm of his memory (4:1-11). Then, these images are suggested with tense words "opening the seal" (5:1-7:17), and a sense of presence becomes intensified even in the unconscious. When the seventh seal, the Book of Revelation, is opened, the efficacy of the seven books of the New Testament is stated with the sound of trumpets the seven angels have. The images are established in the trainee’s memory by the repeated trumpet sounds with further tension (8:1-9:21). The author likens himself to an eagle that flies in midheaven and cries with a loud voice, "Woe" (8:13). This passage indicates that the sound of the fourth trumpet signifies the Gospel of John, while the sounds of the preceding three trumpets the Synoptic Gospels. We can identify the books that correspond to each subsequent two trumpet sounds, using their descriptions as clues.¹ Also, the Catholic Epistles represented by the "seven thunders" are mentioned,² and we can say the entire New Testament has been prophesied here. The "little scroll which is open" in the hand of the angel who came down from heaven was the New Testament. As the author, when he received it and ate all of it, realized the words of the angel, "[I]t will be bitter to your stomach, but sweet as honey in your mouth" (10:5-11), the trainee will realize the meaning of them soon.

Reference 1. The sound of the fifth trumpet (9:6) is paradoxically consistent with the description of those who were slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne (6:9-10). The command heard from the four horns of the golden altar in front of God when the angel blew the sixth trumpet (9:14-15) is consistent with the description of the opening of the sixth seal (7:1-3). 2. This blog №12

Maria K. M.