l meanings of the Old Testament, they would have become
believers in Christ, inasmuch as the Old Testament was revealed to prepare
His coming. As the Jewish doctors and rabbis did not believe in Christ, it
is evident that they were ignorant of the real significance of the Old
Testament. It is difficult to comprehend even the words of a philosopher;
how much more difficult it is to understand the Words of God. The divine
Words are not to be taken according to their outer sense. They are
symbolical and contain realities of spiritual meaning. For instance, in
the book of Solomon's songs you will read about the bride and bridegroom.
It is evident that the physical bride and bridegroom are not intended.
Obviously, these are symbols conveying a hidden and inner significance. In
the same way the Revelations of St. John are not to be taken literally,
but spiritually. These are the mysteries of God. It is not the reading of
the words that profits you; it is the understanding of their meanings.
Therefore, pray God that you may be enabled to comprehend the mysteries of
the divine Testaments.

Consider the symbolical meanings of the Words and teachings of Christ. He
said, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any man eat
of this bread, he shall live for ever." When the Jews heard this, they
took it literally and failed to understand the significance of His meaning
and teaching. The spiritual truth which Christ wished to convey to them
was that the reality of Divinity within Him was like a blessing which had
come down from heaven and that he who partook of this blessing should
never die. That is to say, bread was the symbol of the perfections which
had descended upon Him from God, and he who ate of this bread, or endowed
himself with the perfections of Christ, would undoubtedly attain to
everlasting life. The Jews did not understand Him, and taking the words
literally, said, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Had they
understood the real meaning of the Holy Book, they would have become
believers in Christ.

All the texts and teachings of the holy Testaments have intrinsic
spiritual meanings. They are not to be taken literally. I, therefore, pray
in your behalf that you may be given the power of understanding these
inner real meanings of the Holy Scriptures and may become informed of the
mysteries deposited in the words of the Bible so that you may attain
eternal life and that your hearts may be attracted t