Gifts of Heaven · Volume 1 · Chapter 6

Superstitious use of the cross and crucifixion objects; right and

wrong love for Jesus. 24th April 1840

[1] The one who takes pleasure in My 'skin' and is called M.S. and holds in high reverence the wood of the Cross and the iron of the nails, equal to the hands pierced, and the Cross equal to the Crucified One – and who has suffered much because of her double love, who says what I let her say, for the sake of her health and salvation.

[2] She shall love the cross no more than Me and the nails no more than the crowned head! For those who do so, must suffer much from this their wrong love. To him who loves the cross I gladly give it, and so the nails, so the crown. And whoever loves the cross, the nails and the crown out of love for Me will be crucified like Me. But whoever loves Me in this way, for the sake of the cross, the nails and the crown, loves My "skin", because it is full of drops of blood, blows and scars, and is therefore like those children who only then begin to love their parents when these, pressed by many sufferings, cry on their children's doorstep.

[3] But whoever wants to love Me properly, keep My commandments and love Me out of My love, which I have given to everyone, without cross, nails and (thorny) crown, completely pure as I am. Tell her: He who truly loves Me, loves Me even without cross, nails and crown. But to him whose love is doubtful I will certainly give either the cross, the nails or the crown – so that his love for Me will be strengthened, since he will see that suffering is more difficult than loving and that I do not take pleasure in the sufferings of My children, but only a contrite heart.

[4] For behold, My yoke is gentle and My burden is light (Matt 11:30). Only the children of the world have to do "violence" to My kingdom if they want to seize it (Matt 11:12). My children on the other hand are not to go into the field for Me and let themselves be wounded by My enemy – I will fight for them. Because love is higher than all struggle.

[5] But he who wants to fight himself and enjoys fighting must be prepared for all kinds of wounds and see that he does not succumb in battle. But the victor is not above pure love, but is under it as long as he does not throw the crown of victory into the flame of love.

[6] Therefore: Those who love Me, for them I will fight and win, and their love will be the most beautiful crown of victory for Me. But those who want to fight with Me, I will assign them to their posts. And they will have to fight with their strength in great fear and heat, and the victory will often be very bitter for them and will cost them dearly, and one day they will have much to account for.

[7] One more thing must be added (as a spiritual parable for the state of faith), namely: If someone buys a house, he is not satisfied with just looking at the beautiful exterior, which is dazzling; but he goes to the seller and says: "Let me examine the foundations, the walls, the floors and the roof". And if he finds the house strong, he will buy it at any price, for it is a good house. But if it is not, then let it be as it is, and do not deal with the malicious merchant, even if he would say that the house has been standing for so long anyway – if an earthquake comes, it will collapse. But if such a man lives in an old house, he must always keep himself ready to travel at the threshold; and when he becomes aware of the heaving and swaying, it is high time to leave quickly.

[8] This is what the good Shepherd tells a tame lamb in the hard pasture of the servants. Amen. I Jesus-Jehovah. Amen!