The Household of God
Volume 2
Rise and spiritual prime of the first world empire Hanoch
- Chapter 267 -
THE DISSATISFIED, JEALOUS GRUMBLERS. THE LORD'S REPLY TO THE GRUMBLERS (7th March 1843)
These words almost cost Terhad his life; but the Lord of Life knew how to preserve and moreover to strengthen the new guardian's life and he lived for another 260 years, conducting his office with great vigor.
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When also all the other guests in the hall had heard these words from the Lord's mouth, some were amazed and spoke to each other in an undertone:
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"Just look at this situation! On the obdurate one who, hard as rock, could hardly be moved to a belief in this God-man, such a great grace is bestowed; but not even a little word is said to us who accepted Him at once in our heart without the slightest contradiction! No, this is surely somewhat peculiar.
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"Of course, as the sole Lord of heaven and earth He can do whatever He wants, and no one can say to Him: 'Lord, what are You doing?', but all the same this matter remains most peculiar.
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"If we had to explain this matter literally, truly, we could say nothing else but: Grace to the most obdurate; but to the gentle, tractable, loving one a little mercy at the utmost, and nothing else.
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"However one looks at the matter, it remains - Notabene regarding it from the divine viewpoint! - surely very peculiar."
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Here the Lord interrupted the people and said to them: "Yes, it is truly peculiar that I do this; but it is still considerably more peculiar that you here in My visible presence take offence at Me because I showed to a poor brother of you a grace I had to withhold from you weaklings;
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"If you were as you ought to be, you would only greatly rejoice because I am gracious to a sinner; since your attitude is wrong and you are by far not what you should be, you are angry and find it peculiar when I am gracious to a sinner.
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"Listen, I will tell you something and show you the reason why you are angry because I showed such grace to Terhad.
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"Look, you like to criticize and see the dust in the brother's eye; but you fail to see when whole mountains swim around in your eyes! Therefore you could not see the reason why I showed such grace to Terhad.
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"I tell you: I saw it for a long time that your hearts are filled with jealousy; therefore, I only bestowed enough grace on you to make you realize that I am the Lord of heaven and earth.
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"But jealous officials I cannot possibly use in My great household.
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"So cleanse your hearts first of al1 jealousy and always think - even after the best cleansing possible -: 'We are not even worthy of the slightest grace.'
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"Only then shall I probe you as to whether you are truly pure before Me and I shal1 choose the completely pure for the grace of a higher office out of Me; otherwise let the free grace of life out of Me suffice you.
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"Heed the small gifts out of My hand, if you want to be My children, and I shall then anyway let you share in the greater gifts.
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"If even you give smal1 toys to your little children and are very happy when such gifts please them, - say, am I less of a Father to you all than you are to your little ones? I reckon this will by no means be the case.
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"So take pleasure in what you receive from Me as little children; however, once you become stronger I shall surely see for which office you are suitable."
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Here they all felt hot with shame because of these words by the Lord, and they fel1 down before Him and asked His forgiveness for such sin.
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But the Lord told them all to rise, comforted them and went back to His main company.