Volume 11 · Chapter 76

JESUS’ RESURRECTION, APPEARANCE TO HIS DISCIPLES AND ASCENSION ON the third day of Passover the deity returned and called on the Son of Man’s body that entirely dissolved itself at once and was now added as garment to the soul. This event was seen by the Roman guards as a brilliant light that filled the cavity of the grave, and this frightened them so much that they immediately ran away from it to announce that I was resurrected. The stone was rolled away from the opening so that everyone could look now into the crypt.

[GGJ.11_76,2] The soldiers hurried to Pilate who was greatly surprised, and with a certain delight he reported it to the High Council. A few members of the High Council went immediately to the place and saw that the spot was empty, and, knowing the discontentment of the people, they anxiously tried to cover up the case, gave money to the soldiers and wanted them to say that the disciples stole the corpse while they were asleep. At the same time they assured them impunity with Pilate who had to punish with death such violation of sleeping while they were on post.

[GGJ.11_76,3] But Pilate did not want to grant this impunity, and said, when a higher priest tried to negotiate with him: “Either the soldiers slept, and then they are doubly guilty because they slept and lied to me, or they did not sleep, and in that case I do not want by a lie to expose myself to the anger of the One who is resurrected.”

[GGJ.11_76,4] Nothing could be achieved with him, and therefore the priests gave much money to the soldiers so that they could flee to far away regions, which they also did. Then the story about the theft of the corpse went around and is still believed today.

[GGJ.11_76,5] It is known from the gospels that I appeared to many after the resurrection. This did not only happen in the indicated places but wherever I had been teaching, to proof My followers that the teaching that I gave to them was right.

[GGJ.11_76,6] I was not the only One who became visible but also many of those who had been called away before appeared to their relatives in clear dreams, and in one case even during daytime, to tell them about the New Jerusalem. These facts were later brought in connection with the moment of death, and this is the explanation for the rumor why many dead had risen and appeared to their relatives in their houses.

[GGJ.11_76,7] That which is still important from the time till I was taken away from the Mount of Olives will now be very briefly mentioned.

[GGJ.11_76,8] The first to see Me was Mary Magdalene. This happened exactly as John described it.

[GGJ.11_76,9] Very early [GGJ.11_in the morning] – even before the High Council was informed – Mary went to the grave with 6 other women to pray there and to once more pour out fragrant ointments over the body to protect it against decomposition. But they saw that the grave was empty and they hurried back to tell the disciples.

[GGJ.11_76,10] When they had calmed down and they all returned to inform the others who did not yet know that something had happened, Mary stayed behind alone.

[GGJ.11_76,11] It has already been said why I turned her down with the words: ‘Do not touch Me’ – her still impure love for Me could have destroyed her if she had touched My Being that was now purely spiritual.

[GGJ.11_76,12] John reports further that I appeared to the disciples when they were together behind closed doors. This happened in the following manner: after the Pharisees had spread their false reports, soon a great agitation arose among the people in Jerusalem. Most of them did not believe the temple servants because contrary to this there was the clear conviction that this was something unheard of: Roman soldiers so greatly neglected a place they had to guard that a grave could be opened and emptied. So all kinds of remarks about the deep sleep of the soldiers was soon spread around and mocked this incredible explanation, comparing the much deeper sleep of the temple with that of the soldiers. The priests became very angry about that and tried, if possible, to capture the disciples and to kill also them because they refuted their lies by telling the full facts.

[GGJ.11_76,13] The disciples came together to deliberate what they would do. This happened with the innkeeper in the inn on the Mount of Olives that is sufficiently known.

[GGJ.11_76,14] However, Thomas was not present at this first meeting since he was in Jerusalem to find out about the situation there.

[GGJ.11_76,15] In the midst of this gathering, where also Lazarus was present, I came in and greeted those who were present, and after their first amazement they were overwhelmed by joy and crowded around Me. I taught them once more that evening about the purpose of My death as well as their task as teacher which they received now, and also that they did not have to be afraid because, with a firm trust in Me and love for Me, they were safe for all persecutions. So I proved to them the immortality in My Kingdom by My personal appearance, and they all were now completely filled with faith and zeal of heart.

[GGJ.11_76,16] Then I left them after advising them to gather here again after 8 days and that everyone should put order in his house.

[GGJ.11_76,17] Then after 8 days the described scene happened with Thomas, also reported by John.

[GGJ.11_76,18] In that time after Passover I appeared to all whom I directly had contact with to give them the proof of My words and to strengthen their mind for the spreading of the teaching. No one was excluded from that. Those who were embittered at the Jews by My death were calmed down, and those who had become wavering were strengthened.

[GGJ.11_76,19] But it is unnecessary to again describe all those events because besides that, nothing happened which everyone cannot imagine himself. These deeds were only a crowning of their faith, but thereby an expansion of My teaching did not take place.

[GGJ.11_76,20] For instance the story of the 2 disciples of Emmaus gives a 300 rather accurate image of all those events that occurred in a similar manner. This is also the reason why it was passed on.

[GGJ.11_76,21] However, the manifestation at the Lake of Galilee was intended to lift up and to strengthen Peter who unspeakably suffered under the awareness that he had denied Me. This is why he was put to the test by which he could transform his faith into actions. When the disciples were in the ship, recognizing Me and told Peter about it, he threw himself immediately into the sea to shorten the way to Me. This faith purified him of the still adhering impurities, because everyone who has recognized Me should seek the shortest way to Me through the surging sea.

[GGJ.11_76,22] So his triple denial also corresponds with the question that was asked 3 times: ‘Do you love Me?’

[GGJ.11_76,23] In this event lies a great corresponding meaning which everyone who read this work with his heart and not only with his reason can solve for himself. Let therefore everyone examine himself and see whether he can solve this correspondence.

[GGJ.11_76,24] The disciples went soon to work to put things in order at home. I instructed them to gather again at a certain time with the innkeeper, and this also happened. This was the 40th day after the Passover, similar with the 40 days in the desert which they all needed to prepare themselves.

[GGJ.11_76,25] All who were close to Me came, and again I entered into their midst and led them to the top of the Mount of Olives from where one has a panoramic view. There I gathered the apostles around Me. The other disciples stood in a big circle around us. Once more I admonished them all to firmly hold on to Me and My teaching. I also instructed My disciples to go everywhere and to preach the Gospel in My name. After that I said farewell to them and explained to them that they would no longer see Me physically but would remain in contact with Me spiritually.

[GGJ.11_76,26] Then I blessed them, and soon I disappeared from their midst.