- 43 - The title by which he held his sovereignty and which God Himself had once issued to him was changed to suit the wishes of his conqueror, Christ. God, in Whose name the victor made terms with Lucifer, is the just and almighty Protector Who guarantees the precise observance of this peace treaty. Everything, even hell, is subject to His power. His commands must be obeyed even by those who are His enemies. Thus, was concluded the mighty task of Redemption. God’s Plan of Salvation had been realized in all of its important aspects. The chasm that gapes between the Realm of Darkness and the Kingdom of God had been spanned by a bridge that could now be crossed freely by all who desired to leave Satan’s foreign legion and to return to their old home in the land of God. No sentinel in the service of hell could prevent them from crossing the border. Surrounded by his triumphant hosts, Christ returned from Satan’s stronghold to the sphere that once had been paradise, and the cherubim who had since stood guard at its entrance lowered their flaming swords in a salute to Christ, their King and Lord, and his victorious spirit legions. Here in paradise, they stayed until the day on which, with Christ at its head, the great procession re-entered the portals of heaven. During this time, however, neither Christ nor his hosts of spirits were idle. Their stay in paradise had to be utilized to spread throughout all Creation the news of the Redeemer’s triumph and to urge all who were of a mind thereto to begin their homeward journey. • Special pains were taken to seek out the countless sufferers in the lower spirit spheres in order that they might be instructed, encouraged and comforted, and urged to rouse themselves and to set out upon the road to the Father’s house, which Christ had laid open. Christ himself directed the counselling of these countless brethren and saw to it that as many as possible set out on the homeward path without delay. This is indicated by Peter in his epistle: I Peter 3: 19-20: ‘As a spirit Christ went and brought the news to the spirits in prison, to those who had once been disobedient, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, while the ark was being built.’ • Christ appeared, materialized in human form, to those who had been closest to him in life and had borne much sorrow with him and on his behalf: his mother, the Apostles and his friends. The day arrived on which Christ returned to the spirit hosts that were waiting for him in paradise, after he had said farewell to his friends on earth and had assigned to each his task. This was the day of his ascension. The day on which, as a conquering hero, he led a great spirit army back into the kingdom of God.
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