Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/287

 about Elisha and his servant, or about Balaam's ass? and the many instances in the Scriptures which illustrate this principle, that spirit beings can be present among men, yet invisible ? Furthermore, you are of the Pharisees, who pro- fessedly believe in angels as spirit beings. But this illus- trates what I told you at first : Except a man be begotten from above, he cannot see [know, become acquainted with, or understand as reasonable] the Kingdom of God and the various things connected with it.

If you would enter into and become a joint-heir with me of that kingdom which I am announcing, you must follow the light, step by step. As you do so, more light will come, and this as rapidly as you will be prepared for it. I have been preaching these things now due which you can under- stand, and performing miracles, and you acknowledge me to be a teacher come from God, but you have not acted out your faith and openly become my disciple and follower. You must not expect to see more, until you live up to all you do see ; then God will give you more light and evi- dence for the next step. <c Verily, verily, I say unto thee, we speak that we do know^ and testify that we have seen, and ye [Pharisees] receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things?" It would be useless for me to attempt to tell you of heavenly things, for you would not be convinced and my preaching would seem the more foolish to you. If what I have taught, which has been of an earthly character, or illustrated by earthly things, which you could and do understand, has not brought conviction enough to your mind to lead you openly to become my dis- ciple and follower, it would be no more convincing to you if I were to tell you of heavenly things, of which you know nothing ; for no man has ever ascended into heaven, hence none could corroborate my testimony* I, who descended

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