Edna Lister’s Sermons, 1971

Resurrection from All Darkness
Edna Lister transcript, May 9, 1971, Cleveland, OH. Elizabeth Barnes, Ruth Johnson, Irene White, scribes. John 11:1-45.

  “Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.”–John 11:1-45.
  Many people, from all walks of life, followed Jesus. Earlier in the Gospel of John, he had announced that he was the Son of God, offending some, thrilling others, and confusing many. Some called him a blasphemer and regularly sought to stone him. He made himself invisible and escaped those who wanted to kill him. Becoming invisible when necessary is one of the powers of being. Jesus could walk unnoticed through the crowds because his righteousness cloaked him from their view. They could not see him because his vibration varied so greatly from theirs.
  In this episode, Jesus sacrificed his personal safety and returned to where those whom he had offended had tried to stone him. A messenger brought him news of his friend Lazarus’ illness unto death. He told the disciples that Lazarus was not dead but merely asleep. Further, he declared that Lazarus’ illness was for the glory of God, so that the Son of God might be glorified. Then he tarried for two more days. Jesus knew that the story of Lazarus’ miracle would live down through the ages. To teach the perfect way to prepare for a miracle, he declared everything good before he said, “I go to awaken Lazarus.”
  The Master wept when Mary failed to understand that love could conquer even death. To weep in sympathy is not disobedient to law, but betrays an emotional weakness. He also groaned in spirit, yet he was closer to God than ever when he commanded Lazarus to “Come forth!” from the tomb.
  You must face and make every new sacrifice in the sure knowing that the time of this sacrifice will end, and the condition will be lifted eventually. To conquer, you must know that Power is moving through you as Light, absorbing darkness, and every problem.
  If you desire to conquer fear and remain conscious of the Light, you must walk in the Light twelve hours a day, without any doubt. Then God will take care of the night hours for you. Under sacrifice, you grow closer to God through your devotion to Him. Light then absorbs all darkness near you, but first you must become an ambassador of Light.
  Declare, “Father, please fill my aura and my body with Light!” Then you are ready to look every problem in the face, and make it pay great dividends as you pray for Light to penetrate, fill and lift the lines to evil. Do not lift the evil itself.
  Declare Light is moving into the situation. Let Light take over, then stand ready to declare that whatever comes is good. Know that the Light does the work. Whatever it is, declare it good and know that God will take care of you and all those who are on your lines of Light. Say, “Father, please take of me and those for whom I am responsible. Absorb me into Thy Light.”
  Declare that darkness cannot take over the government. “Light shall take charge, for Light always wins!” Lift and declare good for whatever comes. You can say in a loud voice, “Let the good come forth!” and good does come forth. After returning to Lazarus’ house and speaking to Martha, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” When you leave the physical, you leave your old worn out shell and return to a spiritual body that is whole and complete. Life just goes on after the death of the physical vehicle.
  What is the temperature of your zeal about the Resurrection and the Life of God? Send your line of faith to the Source of God, and Light comes forth to conquer evil. Everything is made of Light. Say, “Let there be Light!” Then stand, declaring, “Come forth!” knowing that Light is Power, which can resurrect anything, if you believe. Since Easter, until Pentecost, the Father has poured out a new robe of soul on you. You are an heir to the kingdom, and an ambassador of Light, which moves through this outer sheath you wear.
  Declare, “Let God come forth for the world as in the beginning. God, as Light, is going forth, conquering now. With every breath I draw, let me declare that God is sending forth Light that is conquering darkness.” Proclaim, “Let there be Light!” then stand. Declare, “Come forth!” and meet whatever is there. Let the Light do the work and know that your declarations are good. You are returning home to God. Live, move, have your being in Light, which is the Resurrection.

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From Surrender of Self to Soul Ascension
Edna Lister transcript, May 16, 1971, Cleveland, OH. Elizabeth Barnes, Lotus Landis, Ruth Johnson, Linda Mihalic, Irene White, Ross Whitehead, scribes. John 21.

  “After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. his spake he, signifying by what death [Peter] should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.”–John 21.
  The Sunday before Ascension Day is so important that we must set the stage with a scripture from Holy Week. The women went to Jesus’ tomb after the Sabbath. There was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.–Matthew 28:1-7.
  I desire that you know the beauty and greatness of your Guardian Angels, who care for you. Be grateful that your Guards have carried you through this period of darkness, and appreciate that they gather you unto the Source while you are here on earth. The countenance of the angel at the tomb “was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.” He had descended to gather and lift the dark substance of evil that Jesus’ Crucifixion had attracted and that was still floating around. Do not look to a man for this glory, but behind the scenes. The Roman guards were so frightened that they shook with fear when the angel appeared. The angel told the women that Jesus had risen.
  You reach the point in soul ascension where your sacrifice of self burns away your silver cord, which carries your records of earth life. A golden cord of Light then descends, as did the angel at the tomb. The golden cord is a ray of Light with a thousand strands, named and numbered to suit only your specific identity. You must weld this golden cord to the silver cord’s thousand strands to ascend.
  Since Easter, the Light has doubled the Power of your spoken Word, day after day. Accept this; believe to see, to feel it. The Power of your spoken Word is now so great that if you were all on one vibration, you could move the whole world and heal everyone on earth. Until now, you have had miracles and seen miracles in bits and parts. Now you are purging earth of evil and darkness, and Light is moving through.
  Today, I discover something new in this chapter, John 21, which records the events following the Crucifixion and Resurrection: Here we have a whole book of lessons on how to act. Each time he appeared after the Resurrection, Jesus asked for something to eat. Religious orthodoxy ignores this fact. He invited the disciples to breakfast, and he himself furnished something to eat. Eating, as a symbolic action, is also an element in Acts 27. During the storm, while the Romans were taking Paul to Rome, he told them to stop and eat.
  “And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.”–Acts 27:33-36. Your body needs to be well fed and rested before you undertake any strenuous activity or important work. To save themselves in their situation, the seamen and passengers needed to eat and drink, to recover from their long fast.
  Jesus, in this Resurrection lesson, is teaching you to pay attention to the upkeep of your physical body. People are paying more attention to this. The entire natural food movement is to raise the body’s rate of vibration, to prepare us to recreate new physical bodies. You use everything that earth produces (vitamins, minerals, meat and herbs, not just fruit, nuts, grains, etc.) to fulfill the law of taking care of your outer physical body. While they ate, Jesus expounded about the prophets, and opened their eyes, their hearts and minds.
  Jesus appeared to his disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-53), and “beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” They did not know him until he broke bread with them that evening. “He opened their eyes, and they knew him.” He had fulfilled a prophecy. In each of his appearances, he taught important lessons, which they discussed. The disciples immediately returned to Jerusalem to tell the others. Eleven met, commenting and questioning, especially about Jesus eating and why he emphasized food. Jesus appeared to them, and challenged Thomas. Some of us, like Thomas, must put our fingers in holes to believe that Power is coming through. Must you see to believe before you can accept?
  Jesus continued appearing in a body that was almost as dense as flesh. He had to appear to them before they could really accept that he had risen. Thus, he showed them how he could leave earth, taking his body with him. Finally, he told them to tarry in Jerusalem for the descent of Power at Pentecost. This was about thirty days after the Resurrection. Peter, the Aries, was impatient with waiting. “Why can’t we go to work?” He said, “I am going fishing” tonight. Six others went with him. They fished all night, but caught nothing. They had discussed everything that Jesus had said and done, but had not prayed themselves up in consciousness. Then they saw Jesus on the shore.
  “Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.”–John 21:5-6. If you pray and do not have a miracle, you have not cast your net on the right side of the boat. The miracle is coming from the Father above, the up side, not from the net under the water of your emotions. The right way to pray must include your repentance. For instance, if you have been doubtful, you must change your net to the other side, the faith-full side of the boat.
  To say, “I’m sorry” at night, then to hold the same old doubts and fears in the morning, is like remission and relapse in an illness. The same lessons remain to learn again. You must lift the negative vibrations you have created. At the same time, you must also move the net to the right side of the boat. When they had cast their net on the right side, it became so full they could hardly get it in the boat. The catch numbered 153 fish. Mystically, the 153 fish symbolize: One (1) the individual, five (5) freedom of choice, and three (3) perfected personal expression. This totals nine (9), a trinity of expression, the complete release of God’s Power.
  Jesus had built a fire and was cooking bread and two fish on the fire when they put the net on the right side of the boat. He told them to bring their fish to the fire. They were hungry and they ate their fill. John had said this was the Master, but they did not dare ask if he were Jesus, because they were supposed to know.
  Then three times, Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” Twice, Peter said yes, and Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” The third time, Peter was wounded, grieved, and said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus wept in the garden of Gethsemane because they still needed him. Peter had tried to eavesdrop on Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin, but he had no right to be there. When accosted, he denied Jesus three times to save himself for the work. Yet that lie went out to permeate the whole world. So on the beach, Peter was brokenhearted. He had learned that “I am sorry” fails to pay the debt. When Jesus asked, “Do you love me,” he sent forth a vibration to lift every life spark enmeshed in Peter’s denials. Peter’s repentance of his lies, and Jesus’ remission of the sin, covered Peter’s transgressions and lifted them into the Light. To repent, stand and declare, “Let Light cover this debt.” Do you obey the law? Have you obeyed perfectly this year?
  “He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”–Psalm 91:11. The Father has charged Councils to assign angels to have charge over you, who have held and supported you as the Power is moving through you. You must accept this just as you must accept and know the Power that is touching you is real. If you make a mistake, say, “Let there be Light. Let the Light move through everything I have done,” and lift it into the Light immediately. Let there be enough Light on it, and move your net to the right side.
  This week is the preparatory period for the descent of Power on Pentecost, next Sunday. Believe, and the food you eat will be manna from heaven. Prepare to receive and you will see your Guards and your Begotten Father. Stretch your vision to know that this will be so, and that altar will be lowered on a cloud to whatever height you can reach. Power shall be increased, according to your surrender, hour after hour. Pray fervently without ceasing, not as a mental act but from the soul of you. More Power will fill your spoken Word. Your whole Oversoul will move in and possess you, depending on your surrender and desire to touch the Source of God.

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The High Altar
Edna Lister transcript, May 23, 1971, Cleveland, OH. Elizabeth Barnes, Ruth Johnson, Linda Mihalic, Irene White, Ross and Virginia Whitehead, scribes. Acts 1.

  “The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which he was taken up, after he through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom he had chosen, to whom also he presented himself alive after his suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. And being assembled together with them, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, ye have heard from me; for John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. Therefore when they had come together, they asked him, saying, Lord, will you at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said to them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Now when he had spoken these things, while they watched, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw him go into heaven. Then returned they to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room, where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about an hundred and twenty), and said, Men and brethren, this scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; for he was numbered with us, and obtained a part of this ministry. (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle, and all his entrails gushed out. And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that the field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.) For it is written in the Book of Psalms, Let his dwelling place be desolate, and let no one live in it: and let another take his place. Therefore of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John to that day when he was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection. And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”–Acts 1.
  No time or space exists in the absolutes of eternity and infinity, which are aspects of the One. Time and space are phenomena od the Creation. When you reach for eternity, space begins to collapse on itself and you can stand as you did in the beginning, one with God. I erase time and the years so that we, as a group, stand on the Mount of Olives with the Master at his last appearance. So this morning, we stand with the Master, whose bodies had been enfolded one into the other, who had been resurrected and was about to ascend. This morning we are one with the Messiah. You each become a little messiah in your place, according to your belief.
  The first chapter Acts is the foundation Jesus established by his Resurrection and Ascension. He opened the Gates to Heaven, which were more closed than they are today, merely unlocked. I am pleased and joyous to ask you to go with me now to view the record of the Power and glory that followed the Crucifixion, and the storm that rent the temple veil that day. Among you are those who followed devotedly. Those with enough faith and devotion will be there in the Light.
  The high priest Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin had stopped their evil-doing for a time because their venomous wishes had been granted. Jesus had been crucified. They were not watching the disciples, who were thus allowed to do what they wanted. They were not hounded again for two weeks, until after Pentecost. The most mysterious time in the Master’s life was the period between his Ascension and the Pentecost. Jesus was with his disciples forty days. While they beheld, he was taken up on a cloud into heaven.
  They walked from the Mount of Olives into Jerusalem, as he had told them. Then the disciples and other followers gathered in the upper chamber. Their faith was marvelous. They had not yet established a ritual, but they gathered, each with his idea of how to carry on without their leader. Their teacher had just gone, and each wanted to add what he had heard. Peter, the Rock, took the lead, and began his ministry right there. I am sure that Peter told them to pray for Judas.
  Judas’ suicide by hanging is the Hollywood movie version. As the atoms burst with Jesus’ forgiveness, Judas let go of his body and fell onto the rocks, his body bursting from the impact. Many persons in both Testaments died with such an invasion of divine Power. Intestinal disease results partly from greed and the desire to be exalted, self-aggrandizement, all of which are misuses of Power. When you treat for intestinal disease, lift all pride, greed and selfishness.
  Peter was the first disciple to hold fast to what Jesus had said. He told them they must appoint another to take Judas’ place, and that it had to be someone who had been at the River Jordan with John the Baptist. They proposed two candidates to succeed Judas: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. They elected Matthias. Peter spent the time before the Pentecost organizing and teaching. Others wanted to know what Jesus had said to the women and to Peter. He wanted to gather all the lessons and stories Jesus had told each. He told them about the Holy Spirit and how to prepare for the descent of Power.
  The second chapter of Acts tells of the first Pentecost. They were waiting eagerly to see how the Power would come. It came as a sound from heaven, as a rushing wind. Cloven tongues of flame sat on each who was filled with the Holy Spirit. They began speaking in tongues, and strangers in the multitude observing were surprised to hear their native languages. It was the event spoken of by the prophet Joel. Peter preached to the House of Israel and told his audience to be baptized and, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” They probably used a garden pool for the baptisms before the religious authorities could act.
  I saw the Holy Spirit in operation when my younger son was only eighteen months old [1917]. I knew he was dying of a high fever, but held him up and went to God, counting on the promise that whoever called on Him could be healed. Because I was in “one accord” with God, the very events of Pentecost happened in our cabin in the Idaho Rockies: The Holy Spirit, which seemed like a rushing, mighty wind, came at once. It filled that small pioneer homestead and actually shook the house. I thanked the Father that He had heard my prayer and sent the Holy Spirit. I do not know how long it lasted, but it continued for what seemed many hours. When it stopped, everything was cooler. It was summer. The birds were singing. My son was asleep, completely well, just as beautiful as an angel.
  It has happened. It will happen again today. Healing is in the wings of the Holy Spirit. They began with 120 and added 3,000 souls that first Pentecost day. You do not need to be dunked in the Holy Spirit, but you do need to accept that the Holy Spirit is descending. Your privilege is to accept and to declare it for yourself and for the world. Today we establish a new Pentecost and descent of Holy Spirit. The Father is doing the work of making it so. Reach for it and declare that it is part of your healing work for the world. The Holy Spirit is pure, undefiled Light, coming as rays of Light from the Source. It moves through your body, cleansing and purifying. Light will destroy every germ, virus, or bacteria that can touch the physical body for those who believe. You must believe this.
  Do you believe your spoken Word stands fast? As you believe, the work is done. As you think and declare it, Light is cleansing everyone. The work is being done. Lift headlines and stories. Declare the Holy Spirit is taking care of them. Do not take in what is happening in the world. This is how to lift the effects of evil from earth.
  Look at the world around you. Jesus the Christ is known throughout the world today. Evil is doomed to be consumed by groups like this, by families who pray, by churches that believe. How much Light do you want to ask the Father to send through you? Send Light through the evil concocted by committees, groups, governments, people.
  From today on, we begin to finish Christ’s work. The world is turning again to God. The Holy Spirit now descends on the vibration from heavenly choirs o’ershadowing the earthly singers throughout the world. Accept and declare that the Master releases the Power from above and the Holy Spirit is doing the work!

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The Light of Illumination
Edna Lister transcript; June 6, 1971, Cleveland, OH. Elizabeth Barnes, Ruth Johnson, Linda Mihalic, Irene White, Ross Whitehead, scribes. Acts 8:39-40 and Acts 9.

  “Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.”–Acts 8:39-40.
  “Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.”–Acts 9.
  The disciples clung together because they were being persecuted for having followed Jesus. Stephen, an apostle, was stoned to death. I have always wondered what Stephen said to so anger the mob that they stoned him for it. We are now closing out the mob urge to violence. Everything points to how we are reaching up in consciousness and away from killing. The strong ones in each generation are responsible for leading the way in this. Stephen had prepared the way for Philip, who was also outspoken, but he continued, taught with all the fervor of his love for Jesus, and spoke at many places. The Ethiopian Queen Candace sent her eunuch to Philip, who interpreted scripture, converted and baptized him. With his mission complete, Philip was caught up by the Spirit of the Lord and disappeared. Philip fulfilled the law of becoming invisible, which is one of God’s powers of being. The disciples used this law to great advantage, especially to save their lives. This is important, and explains how you can avoid involving yourself or another in a mess. The moment you desire to become invisible, your rate of vibration increases.
  The eight powers of being include conquering the forces working in the lower self, command of all inner forces under the process of growth, command over all outer forces, setting aside gravity (becoming too light to be held by earth gravity), becoming too heavy to be moved, becoming invisible, to create or to invoke life by the spoken Word, overcoming death by becoming law and comprehension.
  The story of Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9) is tremendous. Saul was born into a good family. Yet he hated Jesus’ followers and held a revenge motive toward the early followers of Christ. A great light suddenly blinded him, and he fell to the ground. (Some skeptics have theorized that Saul was an epileptic.) He and the men with him heard a voice, saying, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” They took Saul, still blinded, to the house of a Christian. In three days, his illumination was complete. Jesus sent the disciple Ananias to Saul of Tarsus, and he declared that Saul’s eyes were healed. He was given not only spiritual vision, but hearing also.
  When someone stubbornly refuses to accept, and uses great force, all the Power released through him turns inward on him. The heavier the repudiation and cursing, the greater his subsequent love, devotion, and release of Power will be when he does accept. For instance, the greedier one is, the more violently he reacts to having no money. Ananias feared to go to Saul and bless him, but he believed and trusted God and went. The Holy Spirit later possessed Saul, and as Paul, he immediately began to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul became completely devoted to Jesus and preached more than any other follower.
  Paul’s experience describes having the scales fall from your eyes. As you accept your new place, it grows greater. When you look back, you see when you put on the spiritual blinders. The first great miracle is more than having the scales fall from your eyes. The second is discovering that you are always watched over and hidden in Light. Paul’s supporters hid him in a basket and slipped him into and out of Jerusalem and brought him to Caesarea, a meeting place of early Christians.
  In Lydda, Peter healed Aeneas of palsy (paralysis accompanied by involuntary tremors), which had afflicted him for eight years. Peter said, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: Arise, and make thy bed.”–Acts 9:34. So we know that the Word can heal paralysis. In Joppa, a woman named Tabitha (Dorcas), who had made robes for the apostles, had died. They called Peter and he met with the others who were mourning her. Peter put all the mourners out. He could not have that deadening vibration, but could only speak Jesus’ words. He knelt and prayed, then spoke the Word, “Tabitha, arise.” She did. “She opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.”–Acts 9:40.
  You can be empowered to raise the dead. You do not need to be in a church or surrounded by the faithful to speak the Word. If Jesus Christ has given us the power of the spoken Word, then the power of the spoken Word is strong enough to work through you, as you, alone. All healing occurs on the power of the spoken Word, but you do not need anyone else to speak the Word. If you are with someone who has let go of the body, you have the right to apply the Power of the spoken Word. The soul could have momentarily stepped from its body. You can say, “Name, back move into your body! You are needed here!” Do not be afraid. If someone faints, put your fingers on their wrist at the pulse point, breathe with them, and say, “Name! Move back into your body!”
  A law applies to calling someone back: You must promise the Father that you will share their indebtedness while they remain in the body. Some change their lives and pay their own debts. Declare that an embodied soul will be changed as Saul was changed into Paul. Hold them on a line of Light and declare that they are perfect. “Name is perfect! Let there be Light!” When a call comes to attend an ill one, do not be afraid. When you make the right declarations, taking responsibility for the debts is not always necessary. Yet you must know that the soul you treat will always be on your prayer lines of Light. I truly want you to see that this is part of your work. Declare, “The Father reaches out with arms of Light to lift this group,” and you will have miracles.
  What is illumination? You will know because the scales will fall from your eyes as the Light of the living God heals your vision. You lift the effects of evil according to your faith.

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The Path of Destiny
Edna Lister’s final sermon transcript, June 13, 1971, Cleveland, OH. Elizabeth Barnes, Ruth Johnson, Linda Mihalic, Irene White, Ross and Virginia Whitehead, scribes. James 1:5-8, 17, Ephesians 6:10-20.

  “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”–James 1:5-8.
  “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”–James 1:17.
  “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”–Ephesians 6:10-20.
  It is peculiar yet fitting that our last Sunday together should be entitled “The Path of Destiny.” Every soul coming to earth has freedom of choice about how to accept and use the Wisdom of God. However, you do not have free will, but free choice, which is how you let the Wisdom of God function through your brain cells, vital centers, and glands.
  God gives every soul a fate line, which you can read in the face, palms, and astrological chart. Everyone has this capacity, and anyone can learn to read what a face says. Your features tell the story of your past, and your fate line shows clearly in the palms of your hands. Every soul has free choice in how he will use the Wisdom of God according to what he sees, feels and wants. God has given us the choice. You can accept your text, the Bible, the Begotten Son, or reject and follow the way of materialistic humanity.
  The world has gone wrong on this point because so many have chosen to follow other men as their examples of proper behavior instead of Jesus as the first Begotten Son of God. People come to me, wanting to know how to function as the law, in obedience. Yet when they hear the laws, they say, “But Mary does this. How come she gets away with it?” Who are you following, Jesus the Christ or another person?
  You can blindly follow the fate line or step onto the Path of Destiny. When you follow the Begotten Son and step onto the Path of Destiny, you must put on the whole armor of God. The sixth chapter of Ephesians says to put on the whole armor of God, but what is it? The soul’s impervious armor is pure Light. You are supposed to surrender to the Holy Spirit to receive an aura of pure Light, called nonresistance, which the Father sends. You have the power to ask to be enfolded in the Light of Jesus the Christed One, in a special sphere of Light that the Father will send whenever you ask to enfold anyone who prays.
  You can withstand anything if you believe that Light divinely protects you from everything. Say, “Let the Light of Christ stand before me, enfolding and upholding me.” Always ask in the name of Christ. When you ask in the Lord’s name, you can handle anything. Should something move in to destroy, you can declare, “Let there be Light!” or just the name of Jesus the Christ, and deflect even bullets.
  The “wiles of the devil” can be anything within or outside the self that does not follow the Way that Jesus the Christ taught in the Sermon on the Mount. We are still in the process of needing to lift darkness from the whole world. Imagine that a sphere of Light surrounds you. Invoke the Light, let it encircle you and say, “Let the Light encircle me. Let it enfold me. Let the Holy Spirit, the Power of God move through to expand and protect. This is good!”
  Let Light be your protector, “for we wrestle not against flesh, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers.” You do not wrestle with flesh and blood anytime, anywhere. Call Light down on “principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual hosts of wickedness in the high places.” To do this, you must envelop yourself in the whole armor of God, which consists of Light.
  All you need to do is to think an armor of inviolable Light around you, one that no man can touch. The great law for this is to stand, hold, know and not to let go. Envelop yourself in Light from above, think of it surrounding you and know that it has armored you. Invoke the Light, then stand, hold and know. Do not let go.
  Gird your loins with truth and wear the breastplate of righteousness, which God gave to Moses and the prophets. According to the Bible, its twelve stones are actually twelve lights, the colors associated with the Zodiacal signs and the Tribes of Israel. Do not say, “Let the yellow ray go to this organ,” or even mention the lights. Reach up to the Light of God shining through your breastplate’s jewel-tone colors.
  You can treat and pray for people. “Father, please send Your Light to take care of this.” Undefiled Light then descends through the right jewel of your breastplate of faith, and glory energizes it as color to heal the corresponding organ, eyes, ears, heart, etc. If you wear the breastplate of righteousness and the shield of faith, glory and Light will shine through the jewels to touch whatever they need. This law works.
  The breastplate acts like a shield that covers the heart center from the diaphragm to the stomach, heart and lungs for purity of heart, mind and purpose. The stomach represents your ability to assimilate truth, to see beyond and interpret what you see. Your heart is the anchor for your soul’s silver cord. The lungs are your bellows for inhaling and exhaling Light as your breath of life. Below this is the Land of Egypt, the navel center, the “seat of Satan,” the fate line, and the stronghold of the little self. When you descend in consciousness to live by self, when you “look down,” you open yourself to the outer world and all its evils, everything unlike the Master or the full Power of God. You have mere self-control in the Land of Egypt, not soul conquering. Stand above the “world wash” of chaotic vibration, and put on your breastplate of righteousness. Then firmly plant your feet on your Path of Destiny, to enter the Promised Land and the Garden of Eden.
  The breastplate is a shield of Light that releases all twelve colors you need for health, strength, and kinetic power. The colors represent powers of being. Covering your feet with the “gospel of peace” is like getting cushiony new shoes that fit perfectly. It puts you in a place of protection from anything that creeps and crawls into your life.
  The whole armor of God includes protection wherever you walk, and prevents you from appearing in places where you ought not to be. Instead, you will find yourself in the right place, at the right time. You will be led on your own Path of Destiny. When you follow your Path of Destiny, the darts of evil may strike your shield of faith, but will not touch you. Pay no attention to what people say about you. Nothing anyone can say will hurt you.
  When someone sends forth idle, negative dart-words, catch them on your shield, and declare that you are receiving Light. “You are using pure Light, and I accept it.” Others give you their messes for lifting. In name-calling you can say, “I accept this and am sending it right back as pure Light. It cannot possibly hurt you.” Think of all the criticism that governments receive. How many darts do people shoot, intended to ruin governments? Lift your shield of faith as pure Light, declare that all is being worked together for good, and it will be.
  The “preparation of the gospel” is a protective sheath of Light from the Master. You are supposed to give to others the mystery of the Master’s gospel of protective Light. Be an ambassador of that Light, which is the armor of God. Wear the armor of God, and be enfolded on your Path of Destiny. As an ambassador of Light, Light uses you. What does it mean to say, “Light uses me!” Two verses in the Sermon on the Mount cover this: “Let your Light so shine” that you have a shining face, and “If the Light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness?”
  “I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”–Ephesians 6:20. You choose what bonds you will bear. One kind keeps you out of jail, or you can be bonded in a position of power, authority, and responsibility. Bonds are guarantees or assurances of fidelity and trust. The bonds are there to remind you to raise your shield of faith to repel the darts of wickedness, to hold to righteousness that your twelve lights shine forth. This includes all the laws of the Path of Destiny, speaking in the name of Jesus the Christ with no idle words.
  Say, “Thank You, Father, for sending Light through me, for all my miracles yesterday, today and tomorrow, for holding me in Your armor of Light.” The one Light from above moves through the twelve lights of your breastplate when you speak, so use no idle words. Speak in the name of Jesus the Christ a thousand times a day. How often do you praise and thank the Father for sending Light through you, for miracles, for holding you in your armor of Light? Praise God in devotion and thank Him for the new ideas. Pythagoras, when asked how often you must look up, lift your head to the Light and praise, told his students “A thousand times an hour,” which means always. Keep looking up in consciousness and lift. The gospel of peace will form a sheath about you. The breastplate of righteousness, which covers stomach, lungs and heart, will guarantee your purity of heart, mind and purpose.
  On the Via Christa you live a life of devotion to God first. Your Path of Destiny is solid under your feet; you cannot be pushed from it. The Sermon on the Mount, John 1, and Ephesians 6 together form the Path of Destiny. What is your choice? How much greater is your love for God today than it was yesterday? When you express your love for God in thanksgiving and praise, you receive the helmet of salvation. Declare, “Father, let Your Light move through my helmet of salvation to open my glands for seeing and hearing, and to be able to speak the truth.”
  Stand unwavering while remembering that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”–James 1:17. Light cannot change, cannot turn from you, cannot leave you. Light puts you under the Master’s bond, where he is. The full armor of God covers and protects you. Declare, “Thank you, Master, for holding onto me.” Continue looking up in consciousness always. The Light you invoke comes through you and heals you. Look up a thousand times an hour. Say, “Master, you have never let me down. Praise God, praise God.”

Edna Lister was gathered into the arms of the Father of Lights and passed to the other side August 3, 1971, in Los Angeles, California.

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