the text of the Gospel. For while Jesus Christ walked upon
the earth, He said, "The Son of Man is in heaven." Therefore, holding to
literal interpretation and visible fulfillment of the text of the Holy
Books is simply imitation of ancestral forms and beliefs; for when we
perceive the reality of Christ, these texts and statements become clear
and perfectly reconcilable with each other. Unless we perceive reality, we
cannot understand the meanings of the Holy Books, for these meanings are
symbolical and spiritual--such as, for instance, the raising of Lazarus,
which has spiritual interpretation. We must first establish the fact that
the power of God is infinite, unlimited, and that it is within that power
to accomplish anything.

Second, we must understand the interpretation of Christ's words concerning
the dead. A certain disciple came to Christ and asked permission to go and
bury his father. He answered, "Let the dead bury their dead." Therefore,
Christ designated as dead some who were still living--that is, let the
living dead, the spiritually dead, bury your father. They were dead
because they were not believers in Christ. Although physically alive, they
were dead spiritually. This is the meaning of Christ's words, "That which
is born of flesh is flesh; and that which is born of Spirit is spirit." He
meant that those who were simply born of the human body were dead
spiritually, while those quickened by the breaths of the Holy Spirit were
living and eternally alive. These are the interpretations of Christ
Himself. Reflect upon them, and the meanings of the Holy Books will become
clear as the sun at midday.

The Holy Books have their special terminologies which must be known and
understood. Physicians have their own peculiar terms; architects,
philosophers have their characteristic expressions; poets have their
phrases; and scientists, their nomenclature. In the scripture we read that
Zion is dancing. It is evident that this has other than literal
interpretation. The meaning is that the people of Zion shall rejoice. The
Jews said Christ was not the Messiah but Antichrist, because one of the
signs of the Messiah's coming was the dancing of Mount Zion, which had not
yet come to pass. In reality, when Christ appeared, not only Mount Zion
but all Palestine danced and rejoiced. Again in scriptures it is said,
"The trees of the field shall clap their hands." This is symbolical. There
are terms and expressions of usage in eve