Dr. Sang Hun Lee's Teachings from Spirit World

Section 4: People whom I met in the spiritual world

Jesus Christ August 10, 1997

You are all concerned about Jesus staying in Paradise. Then, what does Jesus do? He lives as if he were the only existing person in the cosmos. What does that mean? It means that he feels extremely lonely. There are many Christians around Jesus. Some are wearing crosses; some are holding rosaries. However, even though Christians serve Jesus, fulfilling the highest goal of their earthly lives, Jesus feels lonely. What is the reason for this? If, as Christians believe, Jesus is the Christ of glory, why is he staying in Paradise? It is because Jesus is still praying and working for the complete fulfillment of God's will on earth. Since most Christians do not really understand his heart, he is in a lonely position with which we should sympathize. From this perspective, even Paradise is not a perfectly happy place. So, Christians who are in Paradise beg Jesus to take them forward to the door of the kingdom of heaven. "Oh! Our Lord! We want to go together with you!" They are begging like that. Whenever they do so, Jesus feels pain in his heart. He answers, "I stay here because I am God's son, but my mission as Christ is continuing, and I am happy to be in this place."

Then, when will Christians be able to move from Paradise to the kingdom of heaven? Until when will Jesus stay there? He will wait until the True Parents come for liberation. At that time, the people in Paradise will be able to receive many advantages.

I often saw Jesus walking together with God, but many Christians did not recognize that Jesus was with God. This is one difference between Paradise and the kingdom of heaven, where everyone will understand Jesus and God.

The Holy Mother Mary August 10, 1997

The Holy Mother Mary was a great woman who is respected as Jesus' mother. Even though she is always with Jesus in Paradise, she displays humility and a sense of unworthiness in front of him. She lives with a burdened conscience because she did not fulfill her entire responsibility for Jesus on Earth. Even though she was not a nun, she now lives as a nun. Therefore, the relationship between Jesus and his mother is not easy. Nonetheless, there is no blame between them, and they relate with great care for each other.

Joseph August 10, 1997

Joseph, Holy Mother Mary's husband, lives in the same level as Mary, but he is also living a very lonely life in separation from Mary. Even though they were a couple on Earth, now they live as strangers and do not even meet. Joseph feels it would cause difficulty if he met Jesus, and even the Holy Mother Mary also feels apologetic meeting Jesus. Moreover, they seem to worry about what people think of them. Joseph is repenting for his past earthly life and feels very sorry to Jesus. Because most people who are around them know of the relationship between Joseph and Mary, they feel pressure and tension. We can see that Paradise is not a superficially happy or dazzling place; rather, it is the place of hope and desire.

Buddha August 11, 1997

Buddha is the most famous and respected personage for Buddhists. I am going to tell the story of meeting Buddha. He was spending his time sitting at the foot of a high mountain and sighing deeply. When I asked him why he sighs so much and has so many concerns, he answered, "You did not come here to meet me, but came to analyze me. Since you are living in God's love, you may know every situation. In spite of that, why do you ask me? On every April 8, Buddhists celebrate my birthday with a festival, but I have only the heart to want to hide. I feel very sorry and repent that when I lived on earth, I did not teach how to serve God. Because I also refused to acknowledge God, my teaching seems to lead many people astray. What can I do?"

He spoke to me like this, with deep sighing. His face does not seem to look bright and he likes to walk in the high mountains. He dislikes meeting people and wants to go where nobody is. He is always repenting in his prayer and continues to offer full bows before God with a completely sincere mind. Even though some Buddhist believers are following him, he does not appear in places where many people are gathered. Finally, the place where Buddha is living seems to be the highest level of the middle spirit world. I am going to share the Divine Principle and Unification Thought lectures with Buddha continuously.

His character is very mild and humble. He does not walk proudly with an uplifted head, but drops his head at a 45-degree angle. He always talks with a benevolent face. When he was listening to a lecture, he continuously thanked me for my lecture. When I ask him to make a promise for the next lecture, he does not promise easily. After a few silent moments, he makes a facial expression as if to say, "If you have extra time, please come." He does not say any unnecessary words. He is very humble and benevolent.

How can Buddha meet God? Some Buddhists may believe that he was the highest religious founder on earth and so he should be treated most highly. However, even though it may be a very troubling story for Buddhists, he cannot meet God directly. However, he can sometimes receive God's direction through a messenger. When he is to receive God's direction, then as a servant does before a king, he gives a full bow before God and kneels down to receive it. Then he gives another full bow as he receives God's direction, as one does in reading a king's order. Buddhists can sometimes witness such a scene, but they do not know what is taking place. Moreover, God's direction does not come often.

The contents of God's direction seem to be comforting to Buddha, as he knows he will need to wait silently for a long time until he can come into the direct realm of God's love. It was very surprising that God is walking with Jesus but not with Buddha directly. Why is that so? Jesus is the Son of God, but because Buddha is not, he is in the realm of the Fall, without the fundamental condition to go before God. However, God forgives him and consoles him.

Confucius August 11, 1997

Confucius is the great King of Confucianism. He stays in the same level as Buddha, which is the highest level of the middle spirit world. Even in the coldest winter, he wears the classical oriental overcoat and hat, and has deep meditation, sitting on the snow for several hours. Therefore, if I do not make an appointment with him, it is not easy to meet him. When I greeted him saying, "I came here to meet teacher Confucius," he responded, "Isn't it rude if you come here without an appointment?" I introduced myself to him. "When I was living on earth, I thought of your Confucianism as a most valuable thought, and I wrote Unification Thought, and I lived having a new view of life through the Reverend Moon's teaching."

When I had finished introducing myself, he said, "How can you call your great teacher's name directly? You should call his name respectfully as calligraphy characters Moon, then Sun, and then Myung." He taught me like that. He also said, "Since your seat seems to be uncomfortable, please change to this seat." His word and behavior were very courteous. So, it was not easy to share my opinion. Whenever I visited him, he came out wearing humble attire. He seems like a stone Buddha. Since he did not speak quickly, it took time to listen to his words. His facial expression also would not change and looked severe. He liked very much the lectures of Divine Principle and Unification Thought, and he gently asked me to come again. However, because he was worried that his request might cause me trouble, he glanced at my facial expression. Since his character was very reticent, it is difficult to know his inner situation.

I was curious how God's love is delivered to the place where Confucius lives. In the case of Buddha, God's love was delivered through someone, but with Confucius it was different. God called Confucius. When God said that he should teach God through his thought, he gave a full bow before God. Because he gave the full bow very politely, it took quite a long time. Why does God treat them differently? Buddha himself acted like God, but Confucius taught the various requirements of etiquette and norm. He did not act like God. There are many people around Confucius who look courteous, wearing the traditional dress, such as overcoat and hat. It was not easy to meet Confucius. When I went to meet him, I had to pass through many doors, like passing the 12 gates.

Muhammad (PBUH) August 12, 1997

Muhammad (PBUH) is a little distant from God and the Holy Spirit. If this were the physical world, I could say the name of the place where he dwells, but in the spirit world, it is difficult to express. In going to meet him, I encountered many difficulties. It was difficult even to find the way to go to him. As it is on Earth, he does not want people to focus on himself, so in spirit world he dislikes being easily revealed. Therefore, the meeting place wasn't bright.

He asked, "What is your motivation for coming to meet me?" After introducing myself, I respectfully said, "Since you are the noble one whom many earthly people want to meet, I also came to see you." After thinking for a while, he began to open his mouth to speak. "My life on earth was not perfect; I made mistakes and God made me realize this by sending me here. I deeply repent that I gave God cause to worry about me. But despite that, God gave special grace by letting me stay here, so I am grateful."

He continued, "When I was staying on earth, I thought that my thought was the most systematic and detailed teaching of God. I feel very ashamed for that. I cannot lift up my head before God. However, since you have come here, please feel free to say whatever you came to say." Since then I have met him four times. The reason I met him so many times is that I wanted to understand his thought clearly. During the second meeting, I explained a part of the Unification Thought and introduced True Father, and he had a surprising comprehension of it. He has already known True Father very well. He said that he was very much looking forward to seeing the Reverend Moon in the spirit world.

When I asked why he is waiting for the True Father, he said that he already knew that True Father will establish the law of the spirit world and liberate the people of the spirit world. When I asked how he came to know that, he said that it was through attending many seminars about this that were held in the spirit world.

Muhammad (PBUH) was wearing a robe, which covered his entire body from head to foot. He had the character of religious founder, and stood as a dignified figure. Most people surrounding him were dressed similarly, such as we see in the Arab countries. People who are living in this Arab area were trying to avoid meeting others. If I tried to see them, they turned their faces. Even though I asked the reason, they didn't give me an answer. I came to guess that they feel uncomfortable around me.

Muhammad (PBUH) seemed glad to meet me, and at the same time, seemed to feel shy. He always met me bashfully. While staying here, I have never seen God call Muhammad (PBUH) or make any request of him. Even though Muhammad (PBUH) recognized God's love and felt sorry for God, I could not see that he gave a full bow and devotion as did Buddha and Confucius. However, I don't know if he is doing that when I am not there. He doesn't seem to feel lonely, as Buddha does, and he also doesn't seem to have a meek face like Confucius.

How did so great a man as the leader of Islam come to be in this situation in spirit world? I have thought deeply about that and here is my viewpoint.

Man was created to pursue goodness by loving as God loves. However, it seems that Muhammad's successors at times pursued individual desire through autocratic authority rather than following goodness and love. The mind by which we serve God should spring automatically from the original nature. Faith produced by forcible and cruel methods is just formal faith. Moreover, forcible methods oppress the original human nature. It is far from God's way. Therefore, those who practiced it cannot but take responsibility for it in spirit world. Muhammad (PBUH) is looking forward to seeing the true God, but he is in a difficult situation. He can resolve this problem and go before God only when he has the cooperation of earthly people. Therefore, if people of his faith attend the Blessing ceremony and pray for him, he will like that very much.

Emmanuel Swedenborg August 13, 1997

Swedenborg was the one whom I most wanted to meet in my earthly life. In order to meet him, I waited for God's will. What does God think of that? God said that even though man's ability is limited, the power of the Holy Spirit is infinite. Swedenborg was one who thought the power of God more preciously than human ability.

He is staying in a good place that is close to Paradise. Before I met him, I looked around at his surroundings. His disciple came out to meet me. He said, "My teacher welcomes you." He said that his teacher received the revelation that God's messenger would visit today. So, now he is waiting for you. When I entered the room, Swedenborg greeted me with a bright smile and face. It was a very good feeling.

When I sat silently to introduce myself, he said, "You are the one who received God's love and special grace and lived attending a precious teacher. Therefore, can you give me a lecture of your teacher's thought?" So, I introduced briefly about Divine Principle and Unification Thought. He also asked me to introduce True Father, who had given such precious teaching.

When I responded that he would already know about True Father, he said, "Your teacher is the one who is a luminary like the sun and the moon. Because you attended such a teacher who cannot be evaluated by human thinking, I have to learn from you." He asked me with that humble attitude. I promised him to have many chances to talk with him.

Swedenborg had a very systematic and logical thought. I was wondering why this person stays near Paradise even though he experienced God's love and was serving God. He was in the place where he could see God closely and was waiting for God's grace.

However, because he lived communicating with God for a long time, even when he came to the spirit world, his spiritual eyes shone very brightly. People who are attending him also had bright faces and humble minds. However, because they don't know True Parents' thought and the Blessing, I came to think that before True Father comes to this world, I would witness to them by giving lectures as soon as possible.

Sundar Singh August 13, 1997,

This person is the one who saw the high-level spirit world while on earth. I could compare Swedenborg and Sundar Singh. The place where Sundar Singh is staying is located in the middle spirit world, which is lower than Paradise. Before I met him, I came across various decorations that were spread all around. It was as before a female shaman dances. The surroundings of the house were similar to the Buddhist style. When I entered his house to meet Sundar Singh, a servant guided me, spreading salt before my way. Sundar Singh did not come out from his room, but instead someone else opened the door. When he saw me, he said, "How does such a precious person visit here?" I introduced myself in detail, and I told him that I came here in order to introduce Divine Principle, Unification Thought, and True Parents. He said that "You are very gracious to me, but I don't have any qualification and I have come to have a guilty conscience." When I asked what was the reason, he said that while he stayed in the physical world, he received not only the Holy Spirit, but also spirits from other levels. So, he feels shameful before God. He said that after giving a sacrificial offering, he would listen to my lecture.

He was very humble and silent, but he spoke very clearly and logically. However, I could not say that God would not like the decorations around his house. I think that when he receives the Divine Principle lectures, his ideas will change.

The spirit world differs according to level, and people who are close to God are more comfortable, while people who do not know about God tend to argue very much with one another and be in anguish. Although I wanted to restore this area, I do not have confidence to accomplish that even by giving dozens of Divine Principle lectures. I feel very sorry for True Parents.

Socrates

Many people may think of Socrates when they are in a complicated and confused situation in their thought. Man is trying to seek God according to the original nature given at his birth. Before human beings rationally recognize the fact that they were created by God, they are in the heartistic relationship with God, which is the relationship of parent and child. Therefore, man's original mind to pursue God will necessarily seek and find God. However, if you are captured too much by your own thought, you will lose God. I think that Socrates is such a person.

In order to meet this person, I made great efforts. However, it was not easy to meet him. The place where he is staying is located in the lowest level of the middle spirit world. The reason why it was difficult to meet him is that he was not willing to meet me. When I visited there the third time, he agreed to meet me, with a dark and gloomy facial expression. The reason why he did not want to meet me is because he didn't want to discuss with people who had a philosophy different from his own. He wanted to maintain the fruit of his own thought continuously, and especially he did not feel any need to listen to another way of thought. He was very arrogant, and disliked even to talk. He was unwilling to listen my talk.

However, I began to speak about the Unification Thought step by step. While I was giving a lecture, he suddenly asked me, "Who made those ideas? Is it your thought? If it is yours, you seem to think about it very much." Therefore, I began to introduce True Father, but he had not known about True Father. After I had talked for a long time, it seemed that he opened his mind a little bit. Through him, I came to recognize that philosophical thought can be an obstacle before God. Because he was filled with his own thought and logic, it seemed to take a long time to change his thinking.

When I came again the next time and asked if he wanted to listen my lecture, he said, "Since your lecture is not necessary for me, if you came with the mind to change my thought, I can hardly welcome you."

When he has a problem, he is not willing to meet other people until it has been solved. Therefore, his surroundings are dreary and at a little distance from people. He did not try to have interest in the harmony of nature in which flowers bloom and wilt, or in the fact that man's death and life are derived from God's power, or in God's existence. Because of that, it seems it will take a long time to remove his egotism. However, I did not give up hope for him, because our thought is on a level higher than any other is. When the medium asked me if he does not know about True Father and if he knows about God well, I said, "Even though he knows about God, he does not know about True Father well, and he doesn't want to know about True Father because of his own philosophy."

Adam August 14, 1997

Adam, the first human ancestor and the first grandfather, is a handsome-looking man with a warm personality, and he always made us feel comfortable. I was curious on what level of spirit world he was living. If I tell all the details, it will take too much time, and I will be sorry for Mrs. Lee.

Adam remained too distant from God to appear before Him. However, since his indemnity period is finished, he is now living in a good spirit world that is close to God. Adam is always afraid of coming before God, being cautious.

Adam says that his life in that realm of spirit world is a lot better than that in the Garden of Eden. Things are abundant and he can meet with many people. When he was living in the Garden of Eden, he was lonely and fearful to face God. According to Adam, he did not know that he was supposed to make Eve happy. He just thought that he was to stay with Eve in the Garden of Eden. In other words, he was not mature enough to relate to Eve as a man. He was not old enough for him to realize that Eve was to be his wife. When things went wrong with Eve, he finally realized it, but it seemed too late for him to do anything about it.

Since Adam failed to fulfill his responsibility as the first human ancestor, he suffered a lot, working hard for many thousands of years. Therefore, as a sinner, he felt tremendous guilt before God. Although he is now living near God, he still is always cautious before Him.

Eve August 19, 1997

It may sound too harsh to say that Eve is the greatest sinner in human history, but it is true that she committed a truly serious mistake. Eve is now living with Adam near God. She is always warm and thoughtful but also quite stubborn. To me, her face is not the most beautiful one, but she is very good-looking. Whenever I tried to speak to her closely, she always turned her face away. When I had another chance to see her, she again turned her face away from me or bent her head down so that she would not have eye contact with me. Therefore, it took time for me to have an opportunity to talk with her.

As we were conversing with each other, when she discovered that I was close to God, she attempted to have an open and honest dialogue with me. She started by saying, "It may not be necessary for me to talk about my fault in the past, but I would like to be honest with you. Adam and I always lived close to each other, eating together, sleeping together, etc. We were so young at that time and we did not know that we should become husband and wife. Adam always liked to have fun, running here and there. I also liked to play, but I preferred to stay in a quiet place, spending time with the creation. Although Adam and I had some time together, since we were both busy playing separately, we did not have the opportunity to express our love for each other as a man and a woman. The being that actually opened my eyes to the opposite sex was Lucifer.

"Lucifer was always with me. He was always kind and willing to teach me everything. Sometimes he would bring things that I liked to eat. In the meantime, through Lucifer I developed a feeling towards the opposite sex. Lucifer also came to fall in love with me. At the time my relationship with Lucifer came to fruition, Adam began to notice it. But Adam did not interfere in our relationship, nor did he express his love for me. He just left me alone. Then my love for Lucifer became more passionate, and Lucifer led me well. I just could not let go of Lucifer. This lasted for quite some time. Lucifer was scared and so was I. Yet whenever Adam saw me, he ran away from me. After a while I came to realize that my deeds were wrong. One day God struck us with a terrible reproach. He said that we were no longer qualified to be with Him.

"Then I looked for Adam with a sincere heart. I desperately clung to him, appealing to him to help me. Afterwards, as was taught by Lucifer, we slept together. When I had a sexual relationship with Adam, I could not feel the same passion for Adam that I felt toward Lucifer. I came to miss Lucifer more and more. Strangely, Adam and I came to feel distant from each other. Whenever Lucifer glanced at me and tempted me, he was irresistible. Eventually I was drawn to the bosom of Lucifer and could satisfy my burning physical desire through him.

"As time passed, I could not avoid God's eyes on me. I was scared of his anger towards me. Then I went to Adam. Although I had no physical relationship with him, strangely enough I felt a sort of peace. Without knowing why, whenever I went near Lucifer, I was captured by an intolerable fear. As time passed, I came to realize that what I did with Lucifer was wrong, and I felt more guilt in front of Adam.

"Adam comforted me, but my heart was always tormented. That has been the story of my life. I felt sorry for Adam, and I am a terrible sinner who cannot even ask for forgiveness and salvation from God. As the indemnity period is over, I am elevated to this place, but I am the worst sinner."

I wondered why God called such a sinner, Eve, so quickly to be near Him. When thinking that Adam and Eve, as the first human ancestors, are the unforgivable sinners and the ones who caused the greatest pain to God, I was curious how they could be in this spiritual realm.

As human history flows, the day of joy when hell is liberated should arrive as soon as possible. Otherwise, human beings cannot be liberated from pain and suffering on earth. Now, since an indemnity condition was established on their behalf, Adam's family is finally liberated. Through the liberation of Adam's family, a foundation for all sins and crimes to be forgiven is also established. Someday, the gate to hell will be wide open, and an eternal day of liberation will come.

Noah August 19, 1997

I came to encounter Noah, Father of Faith, who built an ark on the top of a mountain. He was residing in the upper level of the middle spirit world. He always prays, bowing down and making special conditions such as sacrificial offerings to God, with all of his heart, mind and soul. He works very hard and dresses similar to the way of a farmer who plants rice seedlings. He makes an altar to make an offering to God. Using his talent that built the ark, he thoroughly checks here and there to make sure everything is perfect. He does his very best with everything he is involved in. He does this wherever he goes, in whatever he does, not only for himself but also for others. He also encourages others to pray and makes special conditions. His facial expression shows he is very kind, good-hearted, and pure, without thinking of his own interest.

I asked him, "Did you never change your heart while building an ark for 120 years at the top of a mountain?" Noah answered, "According to the direction of God, I was building an ark. Therefore, I could not change my mind in the middle. If I changed my mind, I should have doubted whether that direction was from God. I do not recall how the time period of 120 years passed because I was totally committed to building the ark. Actually, it was fun to build it. My children and wife also helped me, but their support was not 100%. People usually seek for what is visible. They often turn their faces away from God who is invisible. So, many times they shook me while I was only focusing on building the ark. They would say, 'How can we live alone when all others die in the flood? Why would God let us live alone? Let us ask this question to God and when He gives us a clear answer, we can continue to build the ark. If God destroys all humankind, there will be no descendants. God is not so cruel as to do such things to human beings, etc.' All kinds of temptations came to me, but I did not pay attention to any of them, but only focussed on building the ark. Still, I am grateful that my wife and children did not turn away from me. While we were living on earth, the greatest joy was to attend God with all of our hearts and obey His words. That is why in a wonderful place like this, I am teaching people how to attend God in the right way. This is the most joyous time for me. It may sound rude, but may I ask how you came to be given such a great grace of the love of God? How well did you attend God when you were living on earth?"

Noah did not know about the True Parents well. I explained about them for some time. Then he was immersed in deep thought for a while until he said, "You seem to have been born at the right time." He seemed to be expressing an envious heart by saying this. When I told him that everyone can be this close to God, he replied, "I am grateful for where I am. People go to the level that corresponds to the merit they received while attending God on earth." He expressed the desire to learn more about the True Parents.

Another thing that I was interested in was the time of the flood judgment. Noah responded. "God one day gave me an urgent order: 'Noah, Noah, hurry up and get into the ark with the others.' Three days thereafter, it started to rain. From that time on, all family members began to believe in me. While we were confined for three days, everyone including the animals made such a commotion to get off the ark. At that time I depended on God only and prayed constantly. The main theme of my prayer was, Please build your nation through the flood judgment. As it started to rain, everyone inside the ark remained silent. All of my family members paid attention to every single movement of my action.

"The flood that continued for 40 days and nights was truly an astonishing tempest. Due to the heavy rain, the entire world was dark. The rain flowing in the valleys made mountains fall down, with their tree branches broken. Lightening and thunder was ceaseless. Realizing that this was truly a punishment from God, I only continued to pray. All I was wondering about was when God's indignation would be stopped. Forty days later, after the rain had stopped, God said that my faith had calmed His indignation. A ray of sunshine shone on the window of the ark, the tempest started to die down. After that, all of my family members followed my directions, depending on me. There was unity in the family. It was a happy time of our life together."

I asked, "May I ask you about the mistake made by Ham?" He replied, "That year, all of us worked very hard. Especially, the harvest for grapes was a great success. Since all of us did our best, everything was abundant and our hearts were peaceful. We were just so happy. One day, I had a glass of wine after working hard and happened to fall asleep out of fatigue. I must have been too hot from drinking the wine and without realizing it, I must have taken off all my clothes, making me naked. Usually, my second son was obedient to me. Since I was sleeping, he had the desire to make sure I was sleeping comfortably. He must have come into my room, and when seeing me sleeping naked, he must have been surprised.

"My family members who had returned from work and saw me in such a condition made a commotion about it. Especially, my wife was upset with me, asking me why I could not even take care of myself as a person who attended God. The fact that I could not do it became a great sin before God. Although I had attended God all of my life, since the flood judgment I had become arrogant rather than being humble. For this, God punished us, admonishing us. God always thinks that humility comes first." Then he added that whenever he thinks of his mistake, he always feels repentant and is unable to lift his face up before God.

Noah attended God all of his life. Thus he thought that God should be able to forgive the mistake of his son, Ham, but He would not. That was because of the Fall of man, for if God forgave, it could be another condition for Satan to invade. That is why God would not forgive Ham's act. This is the law of the spirit world. There is no exception in the Heavenly law. Therefore, those who want to be treated generously before God should live a life that can pass the Heavenly law in the spirit world. Then you can be recognized and dealt with by God accordingly. I sincerely hope that people on earth will be able to come to God by passing all of His tests.

Abraham and Isaac August 20, 1997

I think I was introduced to Abraham and Isaac even before I went to meet them. I had heard, while in the spirit world, that Abraham had been meeting important figures in God's providence. They came to visit me, saying that they could not have someone important as I to come to them. Abraham is a good-looking and gentle-hearted person. When I said that I would like to go and visit his place, he answered that people around him are able to attend God well, bowing down to God in the morning and in the evening, according to the Heavenly law.

As I expressed my interest in the burnt offering of Isaac, he understood me, agreeing with me. He stated, "Since I did not have a child for a long time, I made special efforts in attending God. There was nothing that I could reject or deny in God's voice. Further, my wish was that I depend on God in everything and live with Him. As I made special efforts every day, at my age of 100 He gave me a son. The preciousness of this son was indescribable. I was so immersed in enjoying him, almost forgetting to make offerings to God, although God is the one who had given me that son.

"As the child was growing, he was interested in everything that I, his father, was doing. He loved me very much. Perhaps, it is because he is a son who was given to me after my making many special conditions for God. He would say, 'Father, today, why is there no water on the altar? God should be upset with this, and I will bring some water for Him.' In such a way he grew and grew in health and wisdom. One day, God called me and said, 'Abraham, I would like to receive an offering from you, which may be a difficult offering for you to make. Will you still do it for me?' I replied, 'I will do whatever you ask me to do. Please go ahead and tell me what to do.' Then God said, 'Abraham, I would like to have you offer your precious son, Isaac.' I thought I misheard Him and asked Him again, 'What have you said?' He answered, 'I told you to offer your son.'

I could not tolerate the pain. Whether it was day or night, everything seemed so dark to me. For several days, I was in torment. Then Isaac came to me and asked, insisting on my answering him, 'Father, is anything wrong?' I told him, 'God has asked me to make an offering.' Isaac was surprised and asked, wondering, 'Father, why are you taking so long to execute God's direction? Please do it quickly.' With his push I told him, 'I should make this offering not here, but at a place far away, in a deep mountain.' Isaac said, 'Then it is all the more reason why you should be in a hurry. Let us leave quickly.' Owing to his pressure, I could no longer resist him. Several days after our departure, when we arrived at a mountain, he asked me, 'Father, what will be the sacrificial offering object this time?' I could not answer him. As firewood was piled up, I just called Isaac's name and embraced him. Then Isaac said, 'Father, God asked you to offer Him Isaac, right? I knew it when I saw your gloomy face.' Then he continued, 'I am grateful for God to choose me as the offering object. Father, what are you worried about? Becoming an offering object is good. It is a blessing.' Then he lay down on the firewood without hesitation. Looking at the sky, I earnestly prayed with mixed feelings in my heart and with fear towards God and grief for my son, 'Father, I am offering my son to you!' With this prayer, as I was about to strike Isaac with a sword, I heard a voice from the sky,

'Abraham, I now know that you respect me. Stop what you are going to do.' Then Isaac, who was lying on the firewood sat up and pushed me, asking, 'Why are you stopping? Please continue to make the offering!' He continued, crying out loud, 'Father, if you falsely swear before God, I cannot look at your face.' Then God called, 'Isaac!' Isaac who heard His voice this time listened to me. Through this, although I had failed in making the burnt offerings according to God's direction, God forgave us, both father and son. At that time Isaac joked, 'Perhaps God thought that I was too young to be an offering object.' "

Isaac has a small build, but he is taking after his father; he is a good-looking man with a humble heart. Abraham and Isaac were close to each other to the extent that I was envious of their relationship. Abraham's offering of Isaac teaches us many lessons.

Judas Iscariot August 20, 1997

Judas Iscariot always ran away whenever I saw him. I went to visit him a number of times, but he would not want to see me. So one day, I left a message on a piece of paper, "Your past fault should not be hidden, but should be revealed in order to be forgiven." I again visited him several days afterwards, at which time he agreed to see me, and bending his head down like a sinner, he asked me, "Why are you coming after me who is such a great sinner?" I did not answer immediately. After some time, Judas continued, "A historical criminal like me cannot come to God or to the Lord. As I am repenting about my sin living here like this, please do not come to see me anymore."

"How painful your heart must be. It may not be a great comfort to you, but I thought I might be able to ease your painful heart," I said. He responded, "So far, there has not been even one single person who tried to comfort a sinner such as I. But no one and nothing can be a comfort to me, and therefore I again request you not to visit me anymore." I could not introduce either the Divine Principle or Unification Thought to him. His living environment was barren, like that of a prison, and I could hardly see anyone around him. Earthly people usually think that hell is a place where many people are crying and screaming, filled with an unbearable bad odor, but actually, hell is a lonely place. I returned to my place thinking that I would visit him again and help him after a while, when he is calmer.

John the Baptist August 20, 1997

John the Baptist is short but has a smart-looking face. When I asked Jesus how John the Baptist was doing, Jesus asked me not to say that I had met him. He also added that John the Baptist would not want to meet me, and so I would not be able to meet him. The place of John the Baptist was very distant from that of Jesus. When I went to visit him, a gigantic person who was carrying a sword stopped me, saying that not everyone was allowed to see his master. Then he asked me to put down my name in the visitors' book. As I entered his house after signing my name, John the Baptist received me, bowing down and said, "How could the messenger of God come to such a humble place as mine," and he sat down, kneeling down before me. Even before I asked him any questions, he started to talk. "On earth, I was respected and followed by many people, but now, my dwelling place is so humble and I cannot even see the Lord. Further, even if I would like to attend the Lord, He would not come here. I was so accustomed to be attended and I did not pay attention to Jesus' life at all. Because I thought and related to Jesus not with God's eyes, but with human eyes... I did not realize that it would be such a great sin. Since I do not know how to be forgiven, I am frustrated. As you came here as the messenger of God, could you help me?"

When I asked him why a man with a sword was guarding the gate, he answered that he is always insecure with a fear that someone might come to hurt him and therefore he meets people selectively. I told him, "You need to continuously repent until the day when the gates of hell will be opened," and I introduced True Parents to him. Then he asked me when that day of liberation will come. As I was returning home, my heart ached because I know that before True Parents there are many people like him on earth, who will be living a life like that of John the Baptist in the spirit world.

Kim, Il Sung August 21, 1997

To meet him I had to go everywhere to look for him. I asked God about his whereabouts but God only shook his head. I asked around but nobody knew. So I finally decided to go down to low levels to look for him. When I went down to a low level, I really felt that there is hell. Then what happened? A giant man injured by gun and knife was leaning against the door, not able even to go inside, and sat there, such a ghastly sight. I asked him, "By any chance are you the Premier IL Sung Kim?" He was moaning and groaning and could not even hold his head up, and asked who I was. I told him who I am and mentioned Father's name.

He was bleeding everywhere but he changed his position to kneel down. He said, "I committed so much sin, and did so many wrong things to him; therefore I am paying for all that now." I asked him, "Why don't you go inside instead of staying here by the entrance?" He said, "I wish I could do that, but as soon as I go in, those people throws stones, knives, guns, and all kinds of things at me and create such a riot that I cannot endure. Also they scream and say, 'Go away, you son of a bitch,'-so I cannot stay inside.

"Why are you looking for me? Do you think that my son Jung Il would know about all my misery? North Korea will perish. I knew that already, but I could not do anything about it. I was just hoping that Jung Il would attend True Father and listen his advice to lead the country. I never knew that the North Korean people's shouting and screaming was as loud as this. I really did not know my sin was so great like this. Nobody welcomes me anywhere. Could you please save me?" he begged. I had to give Divine Principle and Unification Ideology lectures, but I really could not bear to see that gruesome scene. I went inside the door; it was like the open space of a jail. All the people who were there rose and asked me, "Who are you? How could you come in here so imposingly?" I told them that I am a messenger from God and requested a little bit of time to talk.

From here and there, I heard people saying sarcastically, "All right. We have plenty of time. Give us a speech." I explained to them that God is the central person of love, and after that gave a lecture about the dual characteristics of God. I also appealed to them with tears for about 40 to 50 minutes that they should live for others, love and help each other and forgive each other's fault. They must endure and wait until the day of liberation of hell.

After that, I told Il Sung Kim to lie down for treatment of his wounds. People around us started to help by cleaning his wounds, and the atmosphere changed to very calm and composed. I asked to come again later on for more lectures. Some said that would be fine and some said to let it be and did not want to be bothered.

Il Sung Kim sat down anxiously. He could not lift his head up and he could not even look at me when I was leaving. On the way back I was thinking that earthly life is so short. Who can know about this kind of fact? Earthly people cannot see the Spirit World; therefore, they only cling to what they can see and live their lives. This kind of punishment of hell, the life that can only face this kind of wretched hell: What a poor life! I am writing this letter in the hope of being a vital energy for our members so that without suffering, all of our members can be directly embraced into God's bosom.

Realm of Unification Spirit World August 21, 1997

I'll explain the realm of Unification Spirit World. Here is a real heaven. Here is a real Eden. Here is real peace. Here, everybody is happy. Here is full of hope. Here is a real garden of love. Here is real rapture. Here is a place that really sprouts a bud of love. Here is a holy place of beauty that cannot be adequately expressed. Here Heung Jin Nim is always the first to do the work very quietly, humbly and with great detail. He always asks God about the work and seeks His opinion. He goes around each level, and listens to people's situations and comforts them and so on. Missionary Chong Goo Park always attends Heung Jin Nim and goes everywhere with him. Sometimes Missionary Park stops Heung Jin Nim from going to very difficult places and he takes care of things instead of Heung Jin Nim.

Dae Mo Nim always prays, just as she had done during her earthly life. She does not move from Heung Jin Nim's living place, and she always prays. Dae Mo Nim lives with only one mind and wish, which is long life for the True Parents. Choong Mo Nim calls Dae Mo Nim elder mother, and she always follows next to Dae Mo Nim and tries to learn even all the little things. One time I witnessed a very interesting scene. Dae Mo Nim's couple and Choong Mo Nim's couple were together and talking to each other, and Dae Mo Nim's husband said, "Let's have a fun time together. I feel we are so distant because we are too serious and too formal with each other." Then Dae Mo Nim said, "How can in-laws have fun time together? Aren't in-laws supposed to be formal and serious to each other?" After that the atmosphere changed to serious again. Choong Mo Nim is always serious and formal, and she tries very hard to learn.

President Hyo Won Eu always gives Divine Principle lectures. He returns to the lecturing position even when talking with members comfortably. Divine Principle lecturing is his life itself. Even in this kind of happy atmosphere, we have some bad times also. Many of our members are here, but that doesn't mean that everybody is happy. They carry the title of their sins like carrying a name-tag so it is publicly revealed. Therefore, until they pay off the indemnity, they face many embarrassments and pains.

Even in heaven, there are different levels. I am not going to say any more about it. But if I summarize it, Heavenly life is the extension of earthly life. The Spirit World is like going in to the storage with the fruit of your own life. But more precious than grain is the attitude of living for the sake of others. We all learned about give and take action from the Divine Principle, and the very basis of that is living for the sake of others. Therefore, if we live for others rather than ourselves, it will be all right.