eI-32/1.          ONCE MORE DARKNESS had settled over the earth. Triumphantly it overshadowed men, and barred their way to the Primordial Spiritual Realm. The Light of God had withdrawn from them. The body that had served It as an earthly vessel hung bleeding and mutilated on the Cross, as a victim of the protest of those to whom It wished to bring happiness and holy peace.

eI-32/2.          At the summit of the entire Creation, in the radiant vicinity of God, stands the Grail Castle as the Temple of Light. Deep grief prevailed there over the erring human spirits far below who, blindly imagining that they knew everything better, closed themselves in hostility to the Truth, and allowed themselves to be driven so far by the hate-filled Darkness as to commit this crime against the Son of God. The curse thus created by mankind fell heavily on the whole world, pressing them into an even greater limitation of understanding. –

eI-32/3.          Gravely perplexed, a youth beheld this monstrous happening from the Castle of the Grail … the future Son of Man. He was then already being prepared for His Mission, a process which took thousands of years; for He was to descend well-equipped into those lower regions where, through the volition of mankind, Darkness reigned.

eI-32/4.          A woman’s hand was gently laid on the shoulder of the dreaming one. The Queen of Womanhood stood beside Him, and spoke in a sad and loving voice:

eI-32/5.          “Let this event impress itself upon you, dear son. Such is the battlefield through which you will have to pass in the hour of fulfilment; for at the request of the murdered Saviour God the Father grants that before the Judgement you shall once more proclaim His Word to the faithless, in order to save those who are still willing to listen to It!”

eI-32/6.          The youth bowed His head in silence and sent up a fervent prayer for strength, for such great Divine Love re-echoed mightily within Him!

eI-32/7.          The tidings of the last, of another possibility of Grace spread rapidly through all the spheres, and many souls besought God to grant that they might be permitted to help in the great work of the redemption of all those who still wish to find the way to God. The Love of God the Father granted this to many a soul, who was thereby helped in its ascent. In grateful joy the host of these so blessed ones jubilantly gave a solemn pledge of loyalty to fulfil the opportunity of serving that was granted them.

eI-32/8.          Thus those Called ones were trained, who were later to hold themselves at the disposal of the Envoy of God when His hour of fulfilment on earth came. They were carefully developed for these tasks and incarnated on earth at the right time, so that they might be ready whenever the Call reached them, and their first fulfilment of duty remained to listen for this Call!

eI-32/9.          Meanwhile the legacy of the murdered Son of God, His Living Word, was exploited on earth solely for selfish purposes. Mankind had no conception of the true Principles of Christ. On the contrary, they gradually grew into such a wrong and purely earthly doctrine of love that finally they rejected anything else as not coming from God, and they still today reject and revile whatever does not conform to this nauseating sentimentality desired by them, and what does not practise a similar and very unwholesome servile worship of mankind.

eI-32/10.        Everything that does not have as its foundation the acknowledgement of the supremacy of man is simply labelled as false, and not belonging to the Word of God. This behaviour, however, actually only conceals the uneasy apprehension that the long-felt hollowness of the false edifice might become apparent.

eI-32/11.        This is what had been made of the sacred legacy of the Son of God! On such degrading assumptions His clear words were interpreted and passed on in all too human a way. Adherents were solicited through courting human frailties, until some earthly power could be developed, which has always remained the ultimate goal. Then, however, by their brutal cruelties they very soon showed how far the bearers of the misconstrued Christ-Principle were from the real understanding of it, and how little they lived it.

eI-32/12.        Continually and ever more clearly there was proof that the very ones who wished to be the bearers of the Christ-Principle were shamelessly and unpardonably the worst enemies and greatest offenders against the true Christ-Principle! After Christ’s life on earth the whole of history, from the beginning of the churches, sets forth these facts so clearly, in letters so indelibly engraved and branded, that they can never be denied or glossed over. The stigma of conscious hypocrisy was undisguisably established throughout the long history of individual and mass murders under unpardonable invocations of God, and even today this is being extended in many places, but in different forms adapted to the present time.

eI-32/13.        Thus, thanks to the willingness of all the human spirits, the Darkness became ever denser as the time approached when the Son of Man had to be incarnated upon earth.

eI-32/14.        Joyful activity in the elements heralded the earthly birth. Angels lovingly accompanied Him down to this earth. Primordial Beings formed a solid rampart around Him and around His earthly childhood. His earthly youth was allowed to be bright and sunny. In the evenings He saw the Comet, radiant above Him, like a greeting from God the Father; He regarded it as nothing unusual, as one of the other stars, until the bandage which He had to wear during His bitter training on earth was put before His eyes.

eI-32/15.        Then life around Him seemed strange; only a great unquenchable longing filled His soul, increasing to a restlessness, to a continual nervous seeking. Nothing the earth offered could satisfy it.

eI-32/16.        With the ethereal bandage over His eyes, He now stood on hostile ground facing the Darkness, on a battlefield where everything dark could have a firmer foothold than He Himself. Therefore it was only natural that wherever He sought to undertake something He could find no response and no success, but only the Darkness hissed up in enmity every time.

eI-32/17.        As long as the time of fulfilment for Him had not arrived, the Darkness could always remain stronger, and could inflict material damage upon Him wherever He engaged in some earthly affairs; for everything earthly quite naturally had to oppose the Envoy of God with nothing but hostility, because all human volition today is directed against the true Will of God in spite of the alleged search for Truth, behind which there always lurks only self-conceit in various forms. The Darkness easily found willing creatures everywhere to hinder the Envoy from the Light, and to injure Him grievously and painfully.

eI-32/18.        Thus His time of learning on earth became the path of suffering.

eI-32/19.        Just as spiritual substance, with great power, appears to have a magnetically attracting and holding effect upon animistic, ethereal and gross material substances, so in a similar and much more powerful way whatever has its origin above the spiritual in Subsequent Creation must exert an influence on everything that lies below it. This is perfectly natural, it could not be otherwise. However, it only resembles the power of attraction in its manifestation. The power of attraction in the ordinary sense is effective only among homogeneous species.

eI-32/20.        But here it is a question of the existing power of the stronger in a purely objective and most noble sense! It is not to be thought of in an earthly human way; for in the World of Gross Matter this Law, like everything else, has been coarsened in its effect through the actions of men. The natural effect of this dominant power reveals itself outwardly like a magnet attracting, uniting, holding together and controlling.

eI-32/21.        Now because of this Law, men too felt themselves magnetically drawn to this veiled, more powerful Stranger from On High, although often resisting Him with enmity. The thick veils He wore around Him could not entirely prevent the emanation of this power that was alien on earth; while on the other hand this power could not yet radiate freely either to exert that irresistible might which it has after the falling away of the covering veils in the hour of fulfilment.

eI-32/22.        This brought conflict among the intuitive perceptions of men. The very being of the Stranger was enough to awaken in those who met Him hopes of the most varied kinds which alas, because of their attitude, were always brought down to merely earthly wishes, which they nourished and fostered within themselves.

eI-32/23.        The Stranger, however, could never heed such wishes, since His hour had not yet come. Thereby many were often greatly disappointed through their own imaginings and, strange to say, even felt themselves deceived. They never reflected that in reality it was only their own selfish expectations which were not fulfilled and, indignant about this through their disappointment, they laid the responsibility for it on the Stranger. Yet He did not call them; but they forced themselves upon and clung to Him because of this Law which was unknown to them, and they often became a heavy burden to Him, with which He journeyed through those years on earth that were ordained for Him as His time of learning.

eI-32/24.        Men on earth perceived something mysterious and unknown about Him, which they could not explain, they sensed a hidden might which they did not understand, and in the end through their ignorance they naturally suspected only intentional suggestion, hypnotism and magic, according to the nature of their lack of understanding; whereas there was no question of any of these. Their original attachment, the consciousness of being strangely attracted, then very often turned into hatred, which expressed itself in moral stone-throwing and attempts to defile Him from Whom they had expected much – too soon.

eI-32/25.        No one took the trouble to make a just self-examination, which would have revealed that the Stranger, living apart with different views and ideals, was the one made use of by those who crowded towards Him, but not that He had taken advantage of anyone, as the obtruders, in their bitterness over the non-fulfilment of their desires for a life of ease, encouraged themselves and others to believe. Blindly they repaid the friendliness shown them with senseless hate and enmity, similar to the deed of Judas.

eI-32/26.        But the Stranger on earth had to bear everything patiently; for it was only a quite natural consequence of His existence, so long as mankind were still living in error. By this alone He, to Whom all wrong-doing and wrong thinking were entirely alien, was able to recognise what earthmen in their nature could become capable of. At the same time, however, such experiences also gave Him the necessary hardening, which slowly laid itself like an armour around His otherwise ever-present helpfulness, and thus created a gulf between that and mankind … through the wounds inflicted upon His soul, which brought about a separation, and which can only be healed through the complete change in mankind. These wounds inflicted on Him have formed from that hour the gulf which can be bridged only by that man who wholly follows the road of the Laws of God. This alone can serve as a bridge. Everyone else must be dashed to pieces in the abyss; for there is no other way over it. And to remain standing before it means destruction.

eI-32/27.        At the exact hour, even before the end of this arduous time of learning, the meeting came to pass with that Companion Who as a Part of Him was to journey with Him through earthly life, to participate in the great task according to Divine Ordinance. Herself a Stranger on earth, She joyfully entered the Will of God through Her own recognition, and gratefully merged with It.

eI-32/28.        Only then came the time for the Called ones, who had once solemnly pledged to God their loyalty for service! The granting of their petition had been carefully carried out. At the appropriate time they were incarnated on earth. Through faithful guidance they were equipped in the earthly sense with everything they needed for the fulfilment of their respective tasks. It was brought, given to them, so noticeably that they simply could not consider it other than as a gift, as a loan for the hour of fulfilment of their former promise.

eI-32/29.        At the precise moment they came into contact with the Envoy, through His Word, and then also personally … but many of them, although they sensed the Call and intuitively perceived something unusual in their souls, had meanwhile in the course of their earth-life permitted themselves to be so ensnared by purely earthly matters, and to some extent even by the Darkness, that they could not summon up the strength to conquer themselves for the true service, to fulfil which they were permitted to come to earth for this great time.

eI-32/30.        A few did show a faint willingness to fulfil, yet their earthly faults held them back from it. Unfortunately there were also others who certainly set out on the path of their mission, but who from the very beginning sought first of all to gain earthly advantage for themselves thereby. Even among those of earnest volition there were several who expected Him Whom they had to serve to smooth their way to the fulfilment, instead of the reverse.

eI-32/31.        Only a few isolated ones really showed themselves capable of growing into their task. To these was then given in the hour of fulfilment ten times greater strength, so that the gaps were no longer perceptible, and in loyalty they became capable of accomplishing even more than the great throng could ever have achieved. –

eI-32/32.        It was with grief that the Stranger on earth saw the havoc among the group of the Called ones. That was one of the most bitter experiences for Him! Much as He had learned, much as He suffered at the hands of men … before this last fact He stood uncomprehending; for He found no excuse whatever for this failure. In His conception a Called one who, in the granting of his petition, was specially guided and incarnated, could do no other than faithfully carry out his task in the most joyous fulfilment! For what other purpose was he on earth! Why had he been faithfully guarded up to the hour when the Envoy needed him! Everything had been given to him solely for the sake of his necessary service.

eI-32/33.        So it was that the Stranger, on meeting the first Called ones, put His full trust in them. He regarded them only as friends, who simply could not think, intuitively perceive and act in any other way than in the most steadfast loyalty. Was it not the highest, the most precious privilege that could fall to the lot of a human being. The possibility never entered His mind that even Called ones could have become impure during their time of waiting. It was inconceivable to Him that any human being, in view of such grace, could wantonly neglect and trifle away the real purpose of his earth-life. With the faults clinging to them they only appeared to Him as being in need of great help … And so the dreadfulness of a recognition struck Him all the more severely when He had to experience that even in such exceptional cases the human spirit is not reliable, and that it shows itself unworthy of the highest blessing even with the most faithful spiritual guidance!

eI-32/34.        Deeply shaken, He suddenly saw before Him mankind in all their unspeakable inferiority and depravity. They filled Him with disgust.

eI-32/35.        Misery fell more oppressively upon the earth. The instability of the false structure of all that mankind had hitherto produced became ever more apparent. Proof of their incapacity came more plainly to light. With the increasing confusion everything slowly began to sway, with one exception: Man’s conceit in his own imagined abilities.

eI-32/36.        This was just what sprang up more luxuriantly than ever, which was quite natural, because conceit always needs the soil of narrow-mindedness. The increase of narrow-mindedness must also bring with it an abundant growth of conceit.

eI-32/37.        The craving for importance increased to a feverish frenzy. The less man had to offer the more his soul, which forebodingly sensed only too well that it was sinking, cried out anxiously within him for liberation, the more he then, in his false desire to keep his balance, obtrusively pursued outward earthly trifles and human honours. Even if in quiet moments men at last began to doubt themselves, this only made them the more eager to have at least a reputation for knowledge. At all costs!

eI-32/38.        Thus things went rapidly downhill. In the fear-producing recognition of the approaching collapse, each in his own way finally thought to dull himself, letting the outrageous state of affairs continue to take its course. He closed his eyes to the menacing responsibility.

eI-32/39.        “Wise” men, however, proclaimed the time of the coming of a strong helper out of the distress. But most of them wanted to see this helper in themselves or, if they were modest, at least to find him within their circle.

eI-32/40.        The “faithful” prayed to God for help out of the confusion. But it became evident that these petty earthmen, even while praying in expectation of a fulfilment, sought inwardly to impose conditions upon God by wishing for such a helper as would correspond with their views. So far-reaching are the results of earthly narrow-mindedness. Mankind can believe that an Envoy of God needs to adorn Himself with earthly honours! They expect Him to adapt Himself to their narrow-minded earthly opinions in order to be acknowledged by them, and thereby to win their faith and confidence. What incredible conceit, what arrogance, lie in this fact alone! In the hour of fulfilment the conceit will be completely shattered, along with all those who inwardly indulged in such a delusion! –

eI-32/41.        Then the Lord called to His Servant, Who was walking the earth as a Stranger, that He should speak and give tidings to all those who were thirsting for it!

eI-32/42.        And behold, the knowledge of the “wise ones” was false, the prayers of the faithful were not genuine; for they did not open themselves to the Voice that came forth from the Truth, and which therefore could only be recognised where the spark of Truth within man had not been buried by earthly wrongdoing, the domination of the intellect, and all those things that tend to crowd the human spirit from the right path and cause its downfall.

eI-32/43.        It could only awaken an echo where the petition came from a truly humble and honest soul.

eI-32/44.        The Call went forth! Wherever it struck it brought disquiet and dissension. But in those places where it was earnestly awaited it brought peace and happiness.

eI-32/45.        The Darkness began to stir restlessly, and massed ever more densely, heavily and gloomily around the earth. Here and there it was already hissing up malignantly, and spitting in hate into the ranks of those who wished to obey the Call. Ever more closely it surrounded those Called ones who, through their failure, were forced to sink away into the Darkness, to which they had thereby voluntarily held out their hand. Their former solemn vow bound them fast to the Envoy spiritually, and drew them to Him at the hour of the approaching fulfilment, while their faults formed obstacles and repelled them from Him, because a connection with the Light was thus impossible.

eI-32/46.        Now from this there could in turn only arise a bridge for hate, for the whole hate of the Darkness against all that is Light. And so they intensified the path of suffering of the Envoy from the Light until it became a Golgotha, and the majority of mankind only too gladly joined in making it more difficult; especially those who imagined that they already knew and were following the path of the Light themselves, as once the Pharisees and Scribes did.

eI-32/47.        All this created a situation in which mankind could prove once more that they would again behave in exactly the same way today as long ago they acted against the Son of God. Only this time in a more modern form, a symbolic crucifixion through an attempt at moral murder, which according to the Laws of God is no less punishable than physical murder.

eI-32/48.        It was fulfilment after the last opportunity of mercy had been frivolously neglected. Traitors, false witnesses and slanderers came from the ranks of those who had been called. Base minions of the Darkness ventured to approach in ever increasing numbers, since they felt themselves secure, because in fulfilment the Stranger on earth kept silent when confronted with this filth, as He had been commanded to do, and as once the Son of God also was silent before the howling mob that wanted to have Him nailed to the cross as a criminal.

eI-32/49.        But when the faithless deserters in their blind hate already thought themselves close to victory, and the Darkness once more assumed that the Work of the Light had been destroyed, because it hoped that the Bearer of this Work had been rendered quite impotent on earth, then this time God revealed His Will with Omnipotence! And then … even the mockers sank trembling to their knees, but … for them it was too late!