Letters from Adina - #5

Letter V. On Jordan's Banks

John The Baptist at the River Jordan

My Dear Father:

"After the prophet had ended his second discourse, and baptized full two hundred more in the sparkling waters of Jordan," resumed the eloquent cousin of Mary, "he sent them away to the city to lodge and buy meat; for few, in their eagerness to hear him, had brought provisions with them.

"At length, one after another, the multitude departed, save a few who encamped beneath trees on the banks of the river. Joseph of Arimathea and I were left almost alone standing near the prophet, and regarding him with reverential curiosity.

He appeared rapt in heavenly meditation, and we stood silent and gazed upon him, not daring to speak. At length he turned towards us, smiled, and, saluting us, grasped the crook or staff on which he had been leaning—for he was weary and pale with his labors of the day—and slowly walked down the shore in the direction of the wilderness.

He had not advanced many steps when I felt an irresistible impulse to follow him. “I burned to talk with him—to sit at his feet, and ask him questions about the great things I had ‘heard him utter in both of his discourses! I wished him to explain and unfold what had seemed mysterious, and yet teeming with mighty revelations.

I panted for light - for knowledge. I yearned to have him open the Scriptures to me, and give me that illuminated understanding of them which he possessed. I therefore said to my companion:

"'Let us follow him, and learn more of these great things which we have this day heard."

"Joseph, like myself, being anxious to hold converse with him, at once assented, and we proceeded slowly after him, as he moved in a contemplative mood along the desert path. The sun had already gone down, and the full moon rose on the opposite shore, and the prophet stopped as if to gaze upon its autumnal beauty.

  We drew near to him. He beheld us, but did not avoid us; seeing which, I advanced with timid confidence, and said:

"Holy prophet of the Most High God, wilt thou permit two young men of Israel to speak to thee, for our hearts yearn towards thee with Love?"

After a few moments silence, the prophet spoke and said:

"'You sought me, brethren of Israel; can I do aught for you?'

"'We would hear more, great prophet, touching this mighty man, if man he may be, who is to come after thee," said Joseph.

"'I can tell thee but little, my brethren, save what thou hast heard from me this day. The future is veiled. I bear a message, indeed, but I may not break the seal and read. I am but the courier of God to man.

To you it will be given to know what is now unknown to me. Happy, thrice happy are ye who will, behold face to face the Divine One who I can only behold afar-off.

If it be permitted me to see Him, it will be but for a brief space, for when He cometh I depart - my errand is done. Blessed are those who live to witness His glory, and to hear the gracious voice of God that proceeds from His anointed lips."

"And when will be His advent, and with what form and power cometh this Divine Being?" I asked.

  "As a man, but not with comeliness of form that men should desire Him. His appearance will be humble, lowly and meek."

"Yet you said to-day, Rabbi,' I continued, 'that His power should be infinite, and that of His kingdom there should be no end. You spoke of the glory of His dominions, and the bowing down of Gentile kings beneath His sceptre."

"This I cannot explain - it is a mystery to me! I speak as God, by whom I am sent, gives me utterance. I know that He who cometh after me is greater than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose.'

"You taught us this evening, holy prophet, that He would be the Lord from heaven; and yet that Esaias saith He will be despised and rejected of men, wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities!"

"The spirit of God teaches me that these words apply to Shiloh; but I cannot comprehend how these things can be," the Prophet answered, with deep sadness.

"May I remind you, good Rabbi,' said Joseph, 'that you taught us how this Divine One should die, though Lord of life, and be numbered in His death with transgressors, though the Holy One of God?"

"And such will be the events that are to happen; but seek not to know what no man hath had revealed to him. The Divine Messiah Himself must be his own interpreter. Blessed will be the eyes that behold Him, and listen to the wisdom of His mouth, and keep the law of His lips."

 "His kingdom is not of this earth," answered the prophet. "I know not. These secrets are with God. I can reveal nothing. I am but the trumpet through which Jehovah speaks. I know not the words I utter. This I know, that the smallest child and the lowliest hireling that liveth in the day of Messias is greater than I. I am the last of the prophets.

"We were both deeply moved - I myself even to tears - at hearing these words spoken by him. I sank on my knees, and kissing his hand, bathed it with my tears.

"He gently raised me, and said in a sweet voice:

"'Brother beloved, thou shalt see Him to whom I bear witness; and He will love thee, and thou shalt repose in His bosom!'

"At this saying, I burst into tears once more, and, rising, I walked a little ways apart, and lifting up my eyes toward heaven, I prayed the God of our fathers that I might be found worthy of this blessed honor.

"'And shall I also behold this mighty Son of God?' asked Joseph, anxiously

"The prophet took his hand in his own, and fixing upon him his eyes of prophetic brightness, said slowly, and in tones awe-inspiring and painfully sorrowful:

"Thou shalt one day bear Him in thine arms, and lay Him upon a couch which thou hast prepared for thine own rest. Thou knowest not now what I say, but thou shalt remember it when it cometh to pass."

"When he had thus spoken, he arose, and waving his hand to us both, he walked rapidly away towards the desert, and was soon lost in the obscurity of the darkness which hung over it.

Having now, my dear father, communicated to you all that John related to us, you will see what grounds there are to look upon the prophet of Jordan as a man sent from God, or to believe that he is the true Elias, whom Malachi hath foretold, and who, as the most learned of the Scribes say, must first come to proclaim the approach of the Prince of Peace, the Shiloh of Israel's hopes.

The account brought by John has set Rabbi Amos to study the Prophets; and indeed all men are looking into them with interest unknown before, for the multitudes that go away from the new prophet noise his predictions abroad throughout all the land.

Oh that God be indeed about to bless His people, and remember His inheritance!

Your affectionate daughter,

Adina.

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 LADY DONNA PROGRAM

The new Lady Donna Immersion in Spirituality, Academics and Citizenship @ the "I AM" School will study abridged excerpts of the Letters from Adina taken from Reverend Ingraham's original edited version of 'The Prince of the House of David', published by Cassell & Co. Ltd (1903), that reveal remarkable insights into the Living Etheric Record left by Beloved Jesus's Ministry in the Holy Land.