The time of the Second Coming has always been a dilemma for advent seekers. Jesus spoke of the coming of the Son of Man in the last days to realize the Kingdom of God on earth (Matt. 24, Lk.16), but confessed that “he, himself, did not know the specific time.” (Matt. 24:36 ). He however, informed his disciples that at the time of the coming of the Son of Man there would be great turmoil, confusion, natural disasters and conflicts on the earth. Based on the above information, many have speculated and tried to calculate the time when the Lord will return. Although many religious groups (from the first disciples of Jesus to modern believers in the 21st century) have arrived at various times for the return of Christ, still, today, Christianity awaits the coming Lord.
 According to Jesus, “only God knows the day and time of the coming of the Son of Man” ( Matt.24:36). The major question confronting us today, is: “Will God reveal this vital information to those who are genuinely seeking to know?” The Divine Principle concludes in the affirmative, citing Amos 3:7, and other relevant scriptures such as Lk.21:36 and Rev.3:3. In conjunction with God’s direct revelation to particular prepared individuals and groups (similar to the shepherds in the fields at the time of Jesus’ birth and to
Continued on Pg.4
(First of a three part series) History does repeat itself; not as an exact duplication of former happenings, but according to certain principles that fashion similar patterns and parallel events. Two thousand years ago, Jesus who proclaimed himself to be the Messiah, appeared in the tradition of Judaism. He pronounced his “Gospel of the Kingdom” which involved: healing the sick, comforting the poor and teaching his good news of the Kingdom of God (Matt.11:5). Although the Gospel of Jesus is well accommodated in the culture of our nation today, two thousand years ago, it was an anathema to traditional Judaism. The Jews accused him of heresy, blasphemy and flagrant attempts to destroy the Law of Moses and the prophets (Mk.2:7; 3:22). Jesus was forced to expend much energy defending himself and fleeing from town to town. In the end, he was eventually arrested, tried and killed. Before he died he promised: “the Comforter will come to reveal all truths….” ( Jn.16:13). In the same vein, he also said : “The time will come when I will speak to you plainly about the Father.” (Jn.16:25) Are we now living in the providential age for the fulfillment
Continued on Pg.3
The Divine Principle is God’s message of the Completed Testament age (Second Coming and new millennium)
Spirit World and Physical World—Human Beings as the Center |
The universe was created after the pattern of human beings, who is in the image of God’s dual characteristics. One aspect of the universe corresponds to man’s mind, and the other aspect, to man’s body. The universe therefore, consists of the incorporeal world (spirit world) and the corporeal world (physical world). (Gen.1:1). Both are real and substantial. The spirit world can be perceived with the five spiritual senses (these are comparable to the five physical senses). The spirit world was created to be the subject partner to the physical world as object partner. The latter is like a shadow to the former. When we shed our physical bodies after our life in the physical world, we go to live eternally in the spirit world. God created man to be: 1), ruler over both worlds. The physical body consists of the elements that constitute the physical world, and his spirit body constitutes the elements of the spirit world (Gen.2:7; Zech.12:1; 1Cor. 15:44). 2), Mediator and center of harmony of both worlds. A true person, one who has accomplished God’s purpose of creation, becomes the harmonizing center to integrate both worlds, and also act as mediator between God and both worlds. And, 3), human beings encapsulate the essences of both worlds. Thus, he is a microcosm of the universe (Jn.1:2; 1Cor:15:27). The vitality elements (good or evil) provided by one’s actions in the physical self determines whether one’s spirit self becomes good or evil. Man’s spirit is able to communicate directly with God. The spirit self matches the physical self but is of spirit elements. God dwells in the center of man’s spirit mind (his heart). The spirit self grows based on two elements: life elements from God and good vitality elements from his conduct. The spirit grows only when it abides in the flesh. The growth towards perfection takes place through three stages: form spirit, life spirit, and divine spirit stages. In the human mind (spirit and physical mind), the conscience directs us toward that which we think is good. The original mind is that faculty which directs us towards absolute goodness.
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revealed through Rev. Sun Myung Moon (Jn. 16:13,25; Rev.10:10,11). Excerpts are cited from the Exposition of Divine Principle, HSA-UWC, 1996—English translation of the Korean text.
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