Gifts of Heaven · Volume 2 · Chapter 168

The Pharaseeism of today

19th July 1841, afternoon

[1] Not today, but tomorrow start writing this work! Today you are foolishly concerned and worried about the sermons and slander of many an overblind stone-papist, who is full of self-interest, since he either seeks the worldly treasures or at least the lazy, lazy life of heaven, which is not much better than the Turkish, (which, of course, does not exist anywhere and will not exist anywhere forever). But they praise and extol Me if things are still going well, only for the sake of a certain heaven, but mostly only for the sake of appearances, for the sake of worldly goods and high honorary offices; and almost none of them praises Me, please and love Me for My own sake.

[2] But so that you and all like-minded may find the most sufficient, most reassuring comfort in themselves, consider first the 23rd chapter of Matthew the 13th, 14th and especially the 15th verse! These three verses will adequately show you how it is with today's Phariseeism, of which the Jewish was only prophetic and exemplary.

[3] But then turn the pages and read the 23rd chapter of Luke, and also the 13th, 14th and 15th verse! There you will find Pilate's testimony about Me and a great reassurance for you! And again you will also see the true love-relationship of the present Pharisees to Me. Or don't you think that if I came into the world today and would like to dispute the pope's dominion, he would like to set himself against Me far worse than once Caiaphas did?

[4] Verily, he would expend himself with all regents to be allowed to burn Me publicly as the greatest arch-heretic at the burning stake under the most horrible, eternal curse of hell as a deterrent example. I will be crucified daily and hourly many thousands of times anyway, as well as sold and betrayed! You understand it!

[5] But in the 13th chapter of John, in the 18th verse, you will find who and what the now privileged "bread-eaters" and "wine-drinkers" are, and how they are mostly against Me. For indeed, these are the ones who have always trampled Me underfoot!

[6] Understand it well: Judas was only a bad prophet to them, and they are now in corpore what Judas was in a bad likeness.

[7] But measure your condition according to the third chapter, verses 12-14, of Paul's letter to the Romans. There you will find clearly how things stand with you, and what you have to do continually! For in the daytime the works of darkness are of no avail; let him who fights, fight with the weapons of light, and let the glutton and the drunkard perish in their towered chambers. But you are honorable in all things, and do not keep company with the glutton and drunkard, but keep company with Me in all love, patience and gentleness, and so attract Me – thus you will live!

[8] But if you take care for the body, do so that it does not become luxuriant, and you may easily suffocate in the flesh and in everything that is of the flesh! Understand it well! For you all still have much "flesh"! But whoever falls in the flesh stands up more heavily than a fully laden elephant that has fallen into a swamp.

[9] Therefore you also write the 14th verse of that letter firm as a nail in your hearts, and so you will go a level way. Amen.

[10] I say this, whom the builders have rejected and over whom they have always fell and will always fall and will continue to fall. Amen.

Thanks of the servant Oh my dearest Lord Jesus, you true comforter! Everywhere and always You will find the most correct and effective word of consolation for us poor, weak sinners! Therefore eternal thanks, eternal praise and all our love and adoration be to You for everything! And always Hallelujah and Hosanna to You in Your most holy name!