“Prayer for Messiah” by Ghenadie Sontu.
As promised, we now come to the point of exploring the main themes of Harold’s interpretation of Jesus’ mission. In Gerald Heard’s introduction, he wastes no time in getting to the point…
THE SHINING STRANGER is based upon a revolutionary and, insofar as I am aware, unprecedented interpretation of Jesus’ Messianic mission which Harold develops as the discourse progresses, drawing upon Jesus’ own words and actions to support his thesis. This interpretation involves the following points:
1. Jesus recognized the Messianic hope to be valid and universal, but misdirected when man looked beyond his individual being to find the Christ (Logos, God-Son) which Jesus saw to be incarnate in every person, revealed through humankind’s unique power of speech and expression of the Word, God, One, I.
2. Jesus realized that until the ancient Messianic doctrines were superseded by a valid, ethical concept of the Christ, of God, and of man, the individual and society would suffer the ravages of Messianic pretension, as well as the curse of Messianic delusion which Jesus suffered but from which he recovered before beginning his ministry, recognizing himself to be no more, no less, than any other human being.
3. Jesus was convinced that until man ceased to look for a Messiah to come and solve all problems, the development of human consciousness would be arrested because man would not seek his “inner kingdom” to find the Christ of himself, the Authority that governs his life and inevitably leads him to become responsible to and for himself as well as a responsible member of society in which truth alone actually governs and reigns, in time destroying whatever is false, spurious, and incompatible with man’s true nature and need.
4. Therefore, Jesus’ purpose was to complete and destroy the Judaic Messianic tradition together with any Messianic concept akin to it through a withering of this idea as the Messianic idea he espoused, the idea of the Christ in everyone, took root and flowered to overshadow prevailing Messianic expectation. He knew exactly what he was doing and was in no sense victimized.
5. Jesus’ mission was to destroy Messianic tradition creatively by making “Israel” and its history a symbol of human personality or consciousness, while making himself a symbol of the Christ in every person which insures his eternal life and the evolution of his consciousness through dealing with his own forces of good and evil which Jesus saw to be equally essential to life and satisfaction in it, but he saw also that each force was in process of regeneration; Jesus made himself a symbol of the Logos in humankind to establish the pattern of the operation of the Christ in Homo sapiens’ evolution from child to man free of destructive impulses by virtue of being fully conscious and completely empathetic, with dominion over himself, his flesh, and his life.
6. The Bible, one body of words encompassing the limits of human consciousness, truth bearer that can dwell always with men and which Jesus knew must be brought into being as a result of his works and his command to his disciples, is itself historical Judaic Messiah.
Pretty provocative stuff, no? Hopefully some of these ideas are new to you, or if you are familiar with them the approach to them will be new. Both of these are true of me when I first encountered this work, and I was certainly intrigued enough to delve into the book and explore further. At this point I must confess that one of the main reasons for this blog is for me to “journal” my own thoughts as I read through the book, and to use the book as a launching pad for journaling thoughts and observations from other momentous works I have read in the past. I would certainly appreciate any and all comments, and feedback from you, the reader, as there are many ways of understanding, as the Logos expresses itself individually and creatively through each human being.
OK, we’re almost ready to start Chapter 1. But before we do, my next post will deal with the ground rules Harold sets if we want to take this journey with him. We’ll examine his view of the historicity of the Gospels, and the importance thereof. Until then, peace…
The Shining Stranger 
Looking forward to seeing Harold’s view on the historicity of the Gospels. There is plenty of room for debate on this topic to be sure.
Indeed there is, Joshua.
“…Paul rightly understood”. This rings as an oxymoron for a seeker or facilitator of truth. It resounds more like the stance of a proselytizer.
Whose ‘right’ is acceptable? Especially from amongst persons living centuries away from the life, events and motivations of Paul?
Paul heard everything. It’s written word The question remains. Paul was blind. That could be why he ran into so many people.
I love this comment. Thank you, Rafiki! Question: Are there any methods or tools that we modern day earthlings may use to help deduce and/or understand the life, events and motivations of Paul?
Why would you want to relay on somebody else?
I’m assuming you mean “rely?” I don’t think engaging in conversation is relying on somebody else. I’m only trying to understand where Rafiki is coming from.
I believe Paul’s purpose was to (as TSS) points out, tie the message of Jesus to the Old Testament, so it could be carried through the ages. For those who needed it. Vicarious atonement and someone dying for your sins, still sustains many people…until they can see the logos within, and that no one can save you, but yourself. Messianic pretensions we still see…with political leaders and others. Paul’s mission is complete to me. Though there is an esoteric side to Paul…15th Corinthians. He understood that Jesus was a forerunner and came at that cyclical time as discussed in many metaphysical books to tell us the “good news”. Preston Harold brilliantly shows that Jesus used hypnotism, so his deciples could transcribe his message after He was no longer with them. How so? Our life is phantasmagoric.
Certainly Paul ties Jesus to the Old Testament Law and Prophets. This connection would be the milk by which one needs to be nourished in the beginning throes of the faith, but then be weaned from to move on to the solid meat of the mystical teachings. There is absolutely an esoteric side to Paul; as a matter of fact I would contend the esoteric message is the meat and potatoes of his gospel. Paul says God revealed His Son IN him, not TO him (thanks for mistranslating, modern translators). Then he went to Arabia for 3 years. I wonder what doctrines and practices he was learning during this time. Paul described his gospel as a “Theosophy- the Wisdom of God in a mystery.”
Change a belief, change reality! Paul was blind. Who did the writing?
Apparently Paul was “blinded” for a time. May I ask from where you get the understanding that Paul was physically blind? More important than who did the writing is who thought the thoughts that lead to the writing.
Of course Paul is at the heart of Christainty. I believe yes most people are still at the beginning of a Chistain understanding as to the message of Jesus. And Paul knew this. But in order for the new faith to survive, he had to marry it to the Old Testament. Vicarious atonement and being ransomed for a price were necessary for believes. But it is time to move on and see the deeper meaning of Paul’s work.15th Corinthians Paul makes plain the mission of Jesus. And then there were those who sought Jesus out like Nicodemus to get a better understanding of the esoteric side of His teaching.
Agreed, Mo.
Shalom Dear Sir, I want to ask You to add some details for a image that you use in this article. Details: Title: “Prayer for Messiah” oil painting by Ghenadie Sontu.
Thank you, Avtor. Done!