Son of Man and Seven Inner Churches of Asia

The theme of ancient systems of inner cultivation and ascension continues from last week's rapture with a deeper look into the Book of Revelation. Book of Revelation is the final book of the New Testament, an apocalyptic parable written by John of Patmos, revealing the luminous path of the Son of Man and the Kingdom of Heaven within.

While the text is often taken for a prediction of future events, the events to come are primarily internal in nature — so much so that the narrative even features Son of Man in sequential future forms, inspiring each "earlier" church to move forward. The Book of Revelation is a revelation on how to build the Kingdom of Heaven within; with parallels in mystic traditions the world around.

"If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man. (1 Corinthians 15)

Today's studies cover Revelation chapters 1-3, featuring John's vision of Son of Man and the mystery of seven churches, lampstands, angels and stars. In these chapters, Son of Man addresses the seven churches of Asia, dictating a series of approvals, cautions, and blessings for those who persevere in spirit — until claiming the everlasting crown of victory.

The last three of the seven inner churches (in chapter three) have been re-ordered for ease of sequential reading from ☺☺☺ Heaven to ☻☻☻ Earth. This is a short illustrated journey into the stars of the churches, although much remains to be said. Suffice it to say that every good child of luminosity should diligently attend the seven churches daily!

~≈☺≈☯≈☻≈~

Blessing: "Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth." (Revelation 1:4)

Background: "On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: 'Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea...
   "The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.'" (Revelation 1:10-11,19)

~≈☺≈☯≈☻≈~

Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:20)

☺☺☺ [+++] Heaven — Son of Man (Rev. 1:12-16)

Luminous Christ: "I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a Son of Man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance."

~≈☺≈☯≈☻≈~

☺☺☻ [++-] Lake — To Church of Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7)

Speaker: Holder of seven stars who walks among seven golden lampstands. (Speaks from +++ Heaven: Crystal Sea Above the Stars.)
Approval: Deeds, hard work, perseverance, intolerance of wickedness, overturning false apostles, unweariness in face of hardship, aversion to immorality.
Caution: Forsaken their first love; "Repent and learn from your beginning, lest your lampstand be removed!"
Victory: Given right to eat from the tree of life in the paradise of God.

~≈☺≈☯≈☻≈~

☺☻☺ [+-+] Fire — To Church of Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11)

Speaker: Alpha and Omega who died and came to life again. (Speaks from ++- Lake: Well of Soul and Self.)
Approval:  Afflictions, inner wealth in poverty, slandered by misguided hypocrites.
Caution: Trials and persecution; "The devil will imprison some of you; stay firm to the point of death!"
Victory: Will not be hurt in the least by the second death.

~≈☺≈☯≈☻≈~

☺☻☻ [+--] Thunder — To Church of Pergamum (Rev. 2:12-17)

Speaker: Who has a sharp, double-edged sword in his mouth. (Speaks from +-+ Fire: Fierce and Grasping Analysis.)
Approval: Faithful despite temptation, living at Satan's throne, faith over fear of death.
Caution: Immorality and idolatry; "Repent or I will fight you with the sword of my mouth!"
Victory: Receives hidden manna and a white stone with a new concealed name.

~≈☺≈☯≈☻≈~

☻☺☺ [-++] Wind — To Church of Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-26)

Speaker: Eyes like blazing fire, feet like burnished bronze, searcher of hearts and minds, repays according to deeds. (Speaks from +-- Thunder, Striking Sacral Power.)
Approval: Love, faith, service, perseverance; "Now doing more than you did at first."
Caution: Followers of obstinate female prophet of idolatry and immorality: "Repent or be cast to a bed of suffering!". Others: "Hold on to what you have until I come."
Victory: Given authority to rule over nations with an iron scepter, along with the morning star.

~≈☺≈☯≈☻≈~

☻☺☻ [-+-] Stream — To Church of Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-21)

Speaker: Amen, faithful and true witness, ruler of God's creation. (Speaks from -++ Wind: Throat of Word and Testimony.)
Approval: Loved, therefore rebuked and disciplined.
Caution: Lukewarm deeds; "I wish you were cold or hot! I am about to spit you out". Satisfaction in wealth; yet wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. "Buy from me gold refined in the fire, cover your nakedness in white, put salve on your eyes to see."
Victory: Gains right to sit with Son of Man on the throne, as he sat with Father on the throne.

~≈☺≈☯≈☻≈~

☻☻☺ [--+] Mountain — To Church of Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-13)

Speaker: Holy and true, who holds the key of David, who opens and shuts with might. (Speaks from -+- Stream: Noble and Open Beating Heart.)
Approval: Deeds, "open door", endurance, patience, recipients of love, of little strength yet faitful.
Caution: "Liars and hypocrites will fall at your feet in acknowledgement", "Spared from the hour of world trials", "Hold on to what you have to keep your crown".
Victory: Becomes a pillar in the temple of God to never return; receives the name and city of God, and the new name of the son of man.

~≈☺≈☯≈☻≈~

☻☻☻  [---] Earth — To Church of Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6)

Speaker: Who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. (Speaks from --+ Mountain: Third Eye and Glimpse of Heaven.)
Approval: Some are unsoiled, worthy and dressed in white, walking with the Son of Man.
Caution: Alive in name yet dead in works, unfinished in deeds before God; "Wake up and strengthen the remainder, or I will come like a thief in the night."
Victory: Name will kept in the book of life, acknowledged before God and his angels.

~≈☺≈☯≈☻≈~

"Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.'" (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)

~≈☺≈☯≈☻≈~

— Project: Code of Revelation —

Further reading:

≡ Dealing with Rapture Level Scenarios

≡ Enigmatic Soul Matrix of Eight Towers

≡ Ikthys Yogi and the Body of Heaven

≡ "IAHA: I Am Here Absolute" — Art and Perspectives

References:

≡ Book of Revelation (several versions), chapters 1-3
≡ High Resolution Source Images / Facebook Photo Album

≡ Art Foreground: The Transfiguration, Fra Angelico (1400-1445)

≡ Art Background: The Last Judgment, Michelangelo (1475-1564)

Advisory: Dealing With Rapture Level Scenarios

While the much-anticipated May 21st Judgment Day and Rapture seems to be seriously behind schedule, I observed a personal rapture today at 18:28 hours for a rapture exercise scenario. The End of Days comes like a thief in the night. You never know with certainty when the end is nigh for you, for our beautiful planet, for the universe as we know it — and for all composite objects ever fabricated into being for that matter.

"Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm." ~ Revelation 11:19

When time of rapture is at hand, Son of Man addresses the goods and evils of the Seven Churches of Asia. Then God will place his wrath in the Bowls of the Seven Angels, the Seven Trumpets will blow, the Four Horsemen of Apocalypse will ride, and the Two Witnesses will prophecy with the Two Friendly Fishes as the Day of Judgment rages in the human microcosm.

The Seven Churches of Asia form the basic lay of the land. Seven churches are seven angels, seven trumpets, seven lampstands, seven stars, etc. Rapture and Ascension are routed through the [++] Wheel at Clouds; and rapture rays sweep away those who have died in the [+++] Crown of the King of Heaven, already living in the Kingdom of Balance within. I will expand and cross-reference Revelation in upcoming texts, along with the rest of the apocalyptic toolbox.

"The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches." ~ Revelation 1:20 

~≈☺≈☯≈☻≈~

"I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance." (Revelation 1:12-16)

~≈☺≈☯≈☻≈~

• ☺☺☺ [+++] Son of Man = Description of the "Son of Man" as John sees him in a luminous vision. (1:4-20)
• ☺☺☻ [++-] Ephesus = Earnestness, Righteousness = "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil." (2:1-7)
• ☺☻☺ [+-+] Smyrna = Tribulation, Wealth = "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty – but you are rich." (2:8-11)
• ☺☻☻ [+--] Pergamon = Abode, Satan's Throne = "I know your works, and where you live, where Satan's throne is." (2:12-17)
  
• ☻☺☺ [-++] Thyatira = Love, Service, Faith, Patience = "I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience." (2:18-29)
• ☻☺☻ [-+-] Laodicea = Lukewarm, Spewn Out = "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. Because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth." (3:14-22)
• ☻☻☺ [--+] Philadelphia = Unclosable Door = "I know your works. I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it." (3:7-13)
• ☻☻☻ [---] Sardis = Dead Works = "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead." (3:1-6)

~≈☺≈☯≈☻≈~

"From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal." ~ Revelation 4:5

≡ Book of Revelation — Online Reference

≡ Ouroboros vs. Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

≡ Enigmatic Soul Matrix of Eight Dimensions

≡ Breakfast: Eating Straight from the Book of Life

Valentine's: Love All Beings - Love Your Planet!

Love is a universal force. Have it and spread it wisely for all! When love is a universal, it heals and beautifies. When love becomes narrow, it incites and consumes. Have balance in love, life and deep within; — and have love for balance, life, and deep within.

While love is in the air, let's put it into good use and paint the world in lush colors of crimson and green!

≡ What would you describe as the pinnacle of positive weirdness? ≡
"A monkey-headed, giraffe-necked, whale-torsoed, lion-legged demigod talking
about respecting nature and stopping this nonsense shitztem." - Brie Dreamer

≡ ) Synergetic Angel Symposium, Nepal 08/2008 ( ≡

The confederation of angels has assembled;

it seems that the nations of the world are finally at peace;

memories of the days mankind lived in harmony are rekindled;

a beautiful nostalgia, the ancestors are dancing once again...

The spacious assembly hall is full of light;

chairman gabriel is giving his well-prepared speech;

rumor has it that god helped him sketch the outline;

sentient beings applaud the deeply illuminated speech.

Lobbying is over, the time for action is at hand;

it has been resolved that flowers be planted everywhere;

a task-force is in place for re-establishing mountain streams;

and a crew has been dispatched to clean the stratosphere.

A new era of bliss and celebration unfolds;

celestial bodhisattvas have flown to their quarters;

son of man has left for his kingdom in a chariot of fire;

and the ancient sufi masters are playing their last lullaby...

The pestilence of worlds is buried in the abyss;

mankind has finally been cured of its obsessive cravings;

lust, hatred and delusion are now bizarre tales the grandfathers tell;

harmony prevails, there is now a foundation for universal peace!

Enigmatic Soul Matrix of Eight Principal Towers

Pondering the Great Enigma of the Sphinx of Heaven, the Soulless Soul-Seeker returned to the enigmatic labyrinth in search of a primal key to present for passage into domains unknown. Thirsty for the waters of the Stream of Infinity, Pogo held a long and silent vigil of contemplation. He was pooling strength and insight to take on the Towers of Confusion looming above the great and perplexing maze of reality.

≡ The Great Vision of the Sphinx of Heaven ≡
A timeless riddle of polarities and archetypes is reflected in countless models of systemization
and enlightenment across the ancient worlds. Some reach for the matrix by magic and mystery.
Others model it as elementary patterns. Despite our theories, the matrix grips us hard and fast.

Pondering the Great Enigma of the endless labyrinth of reality, Pogo gazed at the Sphinx of Heaven beyond twelve long cycles before the Sun. On the thirteenth hour of the final day of the introspective vigil, the sky transformed with Moon squaring Jupiter and imploding into itself. A pattern emerged from the third eye of the being in a vision of celestial splendor. Knock on the Sphinx, and the Sphinx will knock back. Listen to the Sphinx, and the Sphinx reveals the primal nature of the mind.

The cryptic matrix of patterns engulfed and embraced the Heaven above and the Earth below. Then Heaven and Earth merged into a united matrix of polarities, blessing Pogo with a worthy map for navigating the perilous paths of confusion in the great matrix of perceptions and premonitions. The formulae written in the sky were a blueprint of the obstacles ahead, a guide revered by sages and seers since the time sentience was first derived from the mirror of the cosmic hub.

The Eight Towers of Confusion are the domain of General Confusion, the iron-fisted ruler of all sentient beings. General Confusion is the binder of souls in tight and impenetrable nets of steel, the great puppet master in charge of wanderers in the enigmatic labyrinth of endless plurality.

The Principal Towers are eight in number, the Phenomenal Towers are four in number, and the Axial Towers are two in number. Each tower yields an axiomatic key for unlocking the secret treasure chests of the great matrix. The Golden Mirror at the inner chamber of the conjoining peaks of the Axial Towers holds the integral key for unlocking the primal riddle.

Pogo's progress through the Towers of Confusion was inscribed in the sky by the all-seeing Sphinx of Heaven, recording the greatest conquest in the history of being. The thoughts of all sentient beings are witnessed by the lamp-posts of light and darkness and stored in the endless book of deeds, a carefully guarded secret in the great repository of knowledge beneath the sphinx.

The Sphinx of Heaven mediates passage for those who seek the unseen and unheard spheres of infinity, acting as a reflective inquisitor for sentient beings on behalf of the evasive Prime Riddler of the worlds. This is the tale of Pogo's epic quest across the Principal Towers of Confusion, written across the ancient heaven in days beyond the grasp of human memory.

≡ Thundery Tower of Confusion: Fourth of the Eight Principal Towers ≡
Reaching for the key of thunder, Pogo has to plot a clever course around the obstacles.
They appear in all directions, flying in formations of Two-as-Four and Two-as-Three-in-Eight.

"Tower of Earth [---]. This tower is extremely tranquil and the pull of gravity is formidable. Each floor is filled with large and fearsome beings, proud of their position, unwilling and unable to move on their own. They become more cooperative when I contemplate on their primal stillness, humbled before the immovable solidity of fundamental being. When I absorb myself in the nature of their essence, they lift me peacefully upwards. If I have pride in passing one, the next one will bind me down. The peak of this tower conceals the key of receptive awareness.

"Tower of Mountain [--+]. This tower is a firm and imposing gigantic beacon of power. The stairways are swarming with brave and tall beings of great mental prowess, directing countless unwilling and idle beings to carry out their bidding, absorbed in controlling their subjects and objectives. They seem to leave me in peace when I move towards my goal with industrious and single-minded fortitude. Whenever I'm idle, they insist that I carry out their endless lofty biddings. The peak of this tower conceals the key of protective cognition.

"Tower of Water [-+-]. This tower is seamless but it fluctuates and flows. Countless beings run around the base of the tower, catching drops of water from the streams flowing above. Some of the beings drink too much and drown in their own streams, while others are parched with thirst. Drinking too much makes me bulge and fall down. Drinking too little makes me crippled. The streams of nature are modest and balanced. Forsaking gluttony, the flow carries me effortlessly onward. The peak of this tower conceals the key of natural awareness.

"Tower of Wind [-++]. This tower grows wider and lighter towards its peak. The four winds are blowing from the four directions, pushing me a step backward for every pair of steps I take forward. Battling the wind with furious anger is a futile fight against the machine. The wind blows as it blows, and the more you push, the more you will be pushed. When I become as light as the gentlest breeze of wind, touching the environment only when I must, the wind carries me upwards into the sky. The peak of this tower conceals the key of expansive cognition.

"Tower of Thunder [+--]. This boasting tower is shaky and flickering. The magical gem-studded walls are painted with ephemeral glitter, flashing day and night to entice the sentient beings. Infatuated beings race after countless attractions, bouncing off the walls and hurting themselves in their craze after the alluring sparkle that lasts but an instant. As long as I remain chaste to my path and refrain from chasing and clinging to the glitter, I see no hindrance. The peak of this tower conceals the key of obsessive awareness.

"Tower of Fire [+-+]. This tower consumes itself from both directions. The walls are lined with arrays of blazing and furious beings, kindling fires of their own creation, arguing and fabricating tales all day and night to produce more fuel. Giving away the excess fuel I carry, my journey becomes lighter and the fiery beings become pleased, illuminating the way forward. If I carry too much fuel or start too many fires, I will catch fire and be scorched in the flames of my own design. The peak of this tower holds the key of analytical cognition.

"Tower of Lake [++-]. Two thirds of this tower are buried deep underground. The expansive subterranean halls are a home to plumpy and jolly beings, who find joy in interacting with the slim and and stressed beings at the levels above the surface. Some of them laugh and despise the stressed beings while longing for the warmth of life above, while others teach the stressed beings to laugh along to the tune of the ebb and flow of life. The echo of kind laughter leads towards the peak, and the echo of envious laughter leads downwards to the bottom. The peak of this tower conceals the key of subconscious awareness.

"Tower of Heaven [+++]. This tower floats thrice its own height above the ground. Luminous beings of great power and vision soar the celestial mansions and coordinate the power of the seven lesser towers. Severing the mind from my corporeal being, I can soar as a dove of spirit on wings of faith and winds of hope, guided by the crystal patterns painted in the clouds. They seem to be the map the angels use in navigating to the eight corners of the world.

"A secret chamber in the Tower of Heaven hides the eight principal treasures. The eight great treasures are guarded by eight groups of celestial beings known as the Protectors of Life, the Recorders, the Inquisitors, the Tormentors, the Journeyers, the Kind Blessers, the Overseers and the Lords of Hades. I am called for a trial of soul before each group of angelic beings before the key of divine power and vision becomes accessible. The peak of this tower conceals the key of lucid cognition."

≡ Heavenly Tower of Confusion: Last of the Eight Principal Towers ≡
Pogo seeks the key of heaven in the Integrating Celestial Sphere of the Seven Towers.
Choirs of heavenly bliss can trap Pogo in a stagnating bubble of tickling light and joy.

Reaching the eighth key of lucid principal cognition, Pogo returned to the Sphinx of Heaven in great haste. In hopes that the greater part of the quest would now be over, our Soulless Soul-Soul-Seeker reported his success in a spirit of great jubilation, presenting the Eight Wisdom Keys from the Eight Towers of Confusion before the unwavering inquisitor.

"I am now guided by lucid cognition from the Tower of Heaven; I soar on the wings of the eight great angels. I have conquered the subconscious mind in the Tower of Lake and all my intentions have been purified. I can examine and consume all things under heaven in the flames of analytical cognition from the Tower of Fire. I have also overcome gross cravings and obsessive awareness in the Tower of Thunder, mastering the law of magical attraction.

"I have conquered the gravity of my environment, floating above the four domes of expanding cognition in the Tower of Wind. I have seen the streams and pulling currents of the Tower of Water, floating on the waves of natural awareness. I have conquered the Tower of Mountain and other obstacles with great fortitude, sparing no effort to cross beyond the matrix of confusion. I have touched the primal stillness of being in the Tower of Earth, reconciling the elemental underworlds.

"Here are the Eight Keys of Wisdom I have obtained — may I now pass beyond the gate?"

≡ Eight Wisdom Keys: Common Denominators Missing ≡
Eight separate keys would lead to a number of destinations. To complete his quest,
Pogo must journey further, rising beyond towers in the principal realm of particularity.

The Sphinx of Heaven glanced at Pogo with an ambivalent smile, estimating the mind and heart of the Soulless Soul-Seeker on his journey across the great labyrinth of soul's wisdom. Pogo's premature query received a stern and solemn negative reply, and the reflective ancient riddler continued with an added enigma of fourfold-spinning towers in four directions and four dimensions.

One should not be hasty in proclaiming final conclusions, for premature conclusions lead to premature destinations, and premature destinations are a long and scenic route down to the trampoline and back up again. When potent seeds fall into fertile soil in nature's womb of wisdom and when the season is right, sweet children of enlightenment are born and made all day long.

"You have conquered but a quarter of the towers of the Primal Riddle. Do you expect eight keys to be a match for a single lock? If your heart were child-like and pristine, your thoughts would be simple and pristine, and your key would be simple and pristine too. Eight mysteries become four mysteries, four mysteries become two mysteries. The two axial mysteries reveal a key in the quantum mirror of the secret chamber at the conjoined twin peaks of the great labyrinth.

"Three quarters of your quest remain unfulfilled. Return to the maze to seek for the key once again. One door opens with one key, two doors open with two, four doors open with four, and eight doors open with eight. How many destinations do you seek? Used wisely together, the eight keys will lead you to the Four Phenomenal Towers that spin wildly in four dimensions on a binary axis.

"I am the Sphinx of Heaven, the chief inquisitor at the Gate of Infinity. I riddle the world on behalf of the unknown mystery lurking behind the mirror of manifold being. Who is who? Where is where? Answer to pass."