Divine Signs

Neville Goddard 05-01-1968

Those raised in the Christian or Jewish faith are taught to believe that scripture is secular history. But I know that the story of Jesus, from his conception by the Holy Spirit to his ascension into heaven, is a sign rendered by God to those who will receive it.

The visions of the Old and New Testament are unchanged, eternal realities, which are forever. One day you will encounter what appears on paper to be a person, but he will be a state of consciousness, personified.

When Paul recognized this truth he said: “From now on I regard no one from a human point of view. Even though I once regarded Christ from a human point of view, I regard him thus no longer.” After the revelation Paul realized that Jesus Christ was the creative power and wisdom of God, and not a person as he had been taught. But because God became Man that Man may become God, every attribute of God – whether it be faith, called Abraham, or the power and wisdom of God, called Jesus Christ – was personified.

Although addressing the Corinthians, Paul was speaking of the characters in scripture when he said: “From now on I regard no one from the human point of view.” No longer able to think of Abraham as a person (as you are a person) Paul tells this story: “It is written in scripture that Abraham had two sons. One born of a slave according to the flesh, and the other born according to the promise.” Here Paul is telling you that by your physical birth you are that one born according to the flesh. But Abraham’s second son is born of a free woman, born according to the promise.

Then Paul explains the allegory of the two sons, telling us that Hagar – a servant of Sarah – was given over to Abraham, who sired the child Ishmael (meaning, “His hand is against every man, and every man’s hand is against him”). Isn’t that this world? As an offspring of the slave, Hagar, we struggle to make a living, to pay rent and taxes, always trying to keep ourselves above the flood of illusion.

But after the vision Paul realized that there is another birth, which takes place within. Called Isaac, that second son comes from Sarah, for he is born according to the promise. This is all symbolism, for when your spiritual birth occurs a child wrapped in swaddling clothes will appear to symbolize your birth. There are two distinct births from two distinct beings. One from the womb of woman (Hagar) and the other from the skull of generic man, called Sarah. Having seen the vision and, understanding its message, Paul no longer thought of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob – or any character of scripture, including Jesus Christ – as human. Even though he formerly thought of them that way and heard their story as secular history, he regarded them thus no longer.

In his 3rd chapter to the Ephesians, Paul makes this statement: “When you read the Old Testament, you will perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations, but is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets through the Spirit.” It was not known prior to its revelation in Paul that the mystery of Christ comes from within!

In the same letter to the Ephesians, Paul speaks of himself and those with whom he shared the vision, saying: “It has been shown us the mystery of his will according to his purpose which he set forth as a plan in Christ, for the fullness of time.” To Paul, Christ – God’s power and wisdom – is a plan of redemption, which is crucified on humanity and will be raised from the dead.

I tell you now: he has made known unto me the sacred secret of his will according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time. And when that time is fulfilled, he who is buried in you will erupt and God’s purpose will be revealed.

The revelation of purpose gives everything meaning. You could have a million dollars and die tomorrow. Those who inherit your estate will give you lip service, but even after one generation the caring will cease and within three generations they will forget you. That is this world, but there is a plan buried in you which reveals God’s purpose and gives meaning to all life! When that plan is unveiled in you, you will know why you do what you do and dream what you dream. You will know why you have certain visions. You will realize that everything contains within itself a symbolic significance. I will show you in a very simple way.