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DISCOURSE 8

The “SHROUD OF
TURIN”

--- The “FACE” OF JESUS ---

The ‘Marks’ of “STIGMATA”

THE “SHROUD OF TURIN”

Revered as the actual burial cloth of Jesus by many millions of devout Christians, and accepted as such by some scientists. In stark contrast, however --- despite indications to the contrary achieved by new cutting- edge science --- it is regarded by a variety of “experts”, religious and scientific, as an outright fake, a clever forgery. So: Where lies the Truth?

Well, Reader: Let us find out!

Firstly, however, we should explain that the three aspects of this Discourse vis-à-vis, the “Shroud”, the “face” of Jesus thereupon, and the phenomenon of “stigmata”, are all necessarily interlinked in a triangular reality.

In other words, we cannot have the phenomenon of stigmata mirroring the wounds of Jesus if His Crucifixion were not an historic reality. That would be a rather silly and unworkable notion, for such “stigmata” is connected only to just one figure of history --- Jesus Christ!

Therefore, the obvious question: Of the tens of thousands of crucifixions throughout history, why should that focus be on Him, solely?

In truth, it is the only crucifixion recorded that possessed exactly the right amount of historical and religious provenance to “rewrite history”, and thus “change the world”. In addition, the account of His wounds in the Bible concurs with the “marks” on the Shroud. Moreover, the Shroud reveals a perfectly clear “facial image” of a crucified man.

Secondly, we stress that this “essay” is not, nor is it intended to be, a scientific treatise on the subject. Numerous books have been written on the science and mechanics of it all; on the medical side, and on pretty much every other aspect as well. That is not our purpose. Instead, we will weave into our “three-point paradigm” particular and especial threads that will complement the latest findings on the “Shroud” in the debate of for, and against.

In DISCOURSE 5, we looked at the Birth, Life and Death of Jesus, in particular the horrendous torture He underwent prior to being crucified, His actual Crucifixion, and thence to the contentious “belief-aspects” of a “physical” Resurrection and Ascension. In terms of the “physical” side of the controversial legacy of His death, post Crucifixion, we are left with an object known as the “Shroud of Turin”, upon which is “imprinted” or “displayed” the wound images of a man scourged and tortured, and then crucified. Forensically, the Shroud image exactly matches that of Christ’s torture and death on the Cross.

As with many “mysteries” that have baffled the minds of scientists, Church leaders, “gurus” of esoteric knowledge, ancient lore theorists and researchers, and, indeed, many millions of just “everyday” people, this one is especially intriguing. Why? Well, if the whole thing is a fake, then the question need not be bothered with.

If, however, it is not --- and it certainly “won’t go away” --- then it must be regarded as one of the most important objects in the history of humankind. In short, a truly especial treasure! So, it is one or the other. Perfectly commensurate with the nature of one of our favourite sayings, it surely cannot be both at the same time!

As to its exact nature, the religious and scientific worlds are divided into two main camps, for one really cannot “sit on the fence” on the issue of the “Shroud”. Inevitably, there will always be those who are “very sure” in their determination about it i.e., for or against. However, with such a controversial object, it is very unlikely --- though not an impossibility --- that any two of the very many notions put forth by researchers striving to “unlock” this “mystery” could ever translate to a final, definitive Truth.

The Documentary channels --- the History Channel in particular --- sought to find an answer to this “mystery”. The series, “Myth Hunters” --- previously brought to your attention --- whilst certainly fascinating in terms of the subjects that the series covers; despite the large amounts of research undertaken in delving into ancient manuscripts, in archaeology and even “cutting-edge” science, nonetheless invariably leads us just to interesting possibilities, perhaps even to probabilities. So, despite all the very valuable research, that is all they offer or, indeed, can offer.

In terms of all those “interesting possibilities”, what does that tell us? In blunt terms, it tells us that it is all just “guesswork”, for not one of the myriad theories is correct to any kind of final “yes-we-have-finally-cracked-it” proclamation. It must be said, however, that in the case of the Turin Shroud “mystery”, one scientist did “get it right”.

(Reader, we will ensure that you are made aware of that marvellous recognition when we arrive at that point.)

However, despite his “seriously-correct recognition”, as is usually the case with “other” scientists and researchers anyway, it was regarded as just one “possibility” of many.

As we have previously stated: In the case of any seemingly “unsolvable mystery”, it is not possible for there not to be an answer --- a correct answer. Just because we humans may say there is not, or there cannot be, an answer to a particular question; in the end that is a fallacy. So, in this case we say there is just one correct answer.

From this writer’s point of view there is one Documentary that is the definitive one! It also is one of the History Channel’s documentary series: The Conspiracy Show.

The Series is hosted by Richard Syrett, and each presentation is very well-researched and marked by measured logic and intelligence, and clearly explained. Reader: If you are looking to cut through the many differing views on the “Shroud” enigma, Syrett’s impressive presentation of The Turin Shroud is the one to watch. Because of the evidence he presents, he actually does reach and state a definitive conclusion ---- with which I absolutely concur --- and with which, as you will learn as we proceed, stands as the clear Truth on this critical issue!

There is one point we should address at the start: Since this Work primarily examines the opinions of monotheism with regard to the many religious tenets and subjects relating to the “big three”; on this particular one, Islam really does not feature at all. The history of Islam obviously has no bearing on the subject itself because the religion came into being long after the time of Christ, so it is a Christian consideration in the first instance. We might therefore assume that because of the veneration accorded to the “Shroud” by global Christendom in general, the object might be regarded with suspicion at best; and, at worst, one more thing that is anathema to a religion which has no affinity with the “people of the book”.

Surprisingly --- at least to this writer --- that appears to be not the case. In a kind of “reverse-psychology” aspect, the notion of an authentic “burial Shroud of Jesus”, in Muslim thought processes ostensibly strengthens Koranic texts which state Jesus did not die on the Cross.

KORANIC SCHOLAR, M.M. ALI: --- AN OPINION.

For you, now reader; as one example of “online” Islamic commentary, we have chosen the following article for your consideration. (A short excerpt.)

Despite the fact that we have visited this theme in a number of places in previous Discourses, the reference to Koranic Chapter 4:157 to give --- as Imam Mohammed Rasheed puts it --- some kind of authenticity to his “Shroud” argument, means that we should delve just a little deeper into the Muslim world here. So, in concert with our featured “three-point paradigm” for this present Discourse, a full understanding of Muslim thought over the whole range of points concerning the actual Crucifixion of Jesus and His post-Crucifixion “resurrection” requires a fuller airing than we have previously offered.

To that end, we will employ the talents of M.M. Ali and let him explain the many different arguments that Islam promotes to “ostensibly validate”, or “authenticate, this particular and most critical subject.

(*) Verse 4:157. Ali’s extensive but necessary commentary reproduced as he presents it:

Most of the points Ali raises have been addressed in the Discourse on Jesus. However, some of Ali’s arguments are specious at best, plainly illogical, and therefore impossible. Some are even just plain silly. In concert, let us once more set about refuting his many unworkable arguments ultimately derived by “selective reasoning” from Bible Scripture.

(1) “Jesus Christ remained on the cross for a few hours only and thus escaped death.”
   We addressed this notion in Discourse 5; not least from the point of view of medical forensics. The fact that Jesus succumbed far more quickly than most crucified victims is no argument that He somehow therefore “did not die” on that “death cross”. He died thereupon. And before He did --- if we are going to take our “authenticity” from Bible Scripture --- He stated the momentous final words: “Father, into Thy hands, I commend My Spirit.”
   Did you get the actual words; “...commend My Spirit”. In other words, His “Life-Force”, His “inner animating core” --- exited His physical body at the precise moment of physical death. It’s not hard to grasp, people. The physical body was finished with, of no further use in a physical world --- because there was no “Life-Force” left inside to animate it. That had gone; it was no longer there. So: No possible way to “rise to life” --- physically --- from a “physically dead” state. I shake my head in wonderment in a belief that is both “spiritually” and “scientifically” illogical” and thus utterly foolish and totally unworkable.

(2) The fact that the two men crucified with Jesus were still alive when taken down was due to simple expediency on the part of the Romans; to get them down before dusk. Where stands the presumption that Jesus was therefore alive. He was pronounced dead by the Romans’ there, whose job it was. And they were well-practised in that task.

(3) The breaking of legs in the case of the two criminals was necessary to accelerate their deaths but was ‘dispensed with in the case of Jesus’ because He was already dead! Simple: No mystery here!

(4) M.M. Ali’s notion that the side of ‘Jesus being pierced and blood rushing out’ being indicative of ‘a certain sign of life’ is nothing more than fanciful conjecture on his part, purely to try to make clear medical facts fit the religious doctrine of Islam.

(5) Pilate’s surprise that Jesus died in so short a time did go against the norm for Roman crucifixions, but in no way meant that Jesus must therefore be alive after His torturous ordeal.

(6) “Jesus was not buried like the two criminals ...” I am not sure why that is an issue for M.M. Ali, and that Jesus was buried in a tomb owned by a wealthy Jew. What is Ali’s “point” here?

(7) On the third day, ‘the stone was found to have been removed’ from the mouth of the tomb. Clearly in Ali’s mind, the stone would have to have been removed to facilitate a “physical-body” resurrection, which, in his opinion, ‘would not have been the case if there had been a supernatural rising’. What we must assume, therefore, is that this “body” of Jesus --- after hours of agonising torture, to death --- had been strengthened so considerably in the three days in the tomb that, upon “awakening” --- and on His own --- could roll the stone aside from the inside. The standard practice for such tombs then was for there to be a deep groove into which a very large “sealing stone” was rolled, thereby producing a reasonably firm seal.

(8) Ali’s point 8, if pictured as he writes it, is really quite humorous. For Jesus rises from the dead draped only in His burial shroud, rolls aside the very heavy stone of His tomb, and walks out to search for “gardener’s clothes” with which to disguise Himself. E.g., When Mary saw Him, she took him for the gardener, which shows, according to Ali, ‘that Jesus had disguised himself as a gardener’. Such a fanciful and rather silly interpretation.

(9) ‘Such disguise would not have been needed if Jesus had risen from the dead.’ Ali, Ali, Ali: Can you not see that your interpretation of this terrible distortion of the very Divine Laws of Creation actually indicts you and all of Islam? Stop thinking religiously. Stop trying to make your Islamic interpretation “fit” where it simply cannot!

Now: Points (10) and (11) bring us to perhaps the most contentious features of a “resurrection” concerning Jesus. For it is “recorded” that, post-resurrection, Jesus invited “Thomas the Doubter” to “feel” His wounds, and that He “ate” with His Disciples. Those two aspects would naturally tend to strengthen the “physical resurrection” belief.

However, in strict accordance with The Divine Laws of Creation, in order to fully understand what really took place, and in contradistinction to what the Gospels report, the knowledge of the complete make–up of man on earth is imperative for the correct answer.

(We will illuminate that question fully in a later Discourse dedicated to that knowledge.)

For now, it is sufficient to know that Jesus rose “from out of His physical shell” in His “Ethereal body”.

This lawful “other-body” of Jesus thus answers the question of how Thomas could feel the wounds of Jesus. It is simply a matter of the same kind of body within Thomas i.e., of the same consistency, bearing witness to the world of this stupendous event. Thomas was invited to “touch” and “feel” purely because he was “Thomas the doubter”. Interestingly, Thomas’s fulfilment of his amazing mission to India after that must surely be seen to be one of hugely transformed conviction from a previously doubting nature.

Point (12) Ali’s assertion that the journey to Galilee with two of his Disciples showing Jesus was fleeing for refuge and that a journey there was not necessary to rise to heaven makes no sense. Firstly, who was He “fleeing from”? He was about to depart --- to “return to the Father”. The journey was more likely to simply close the cycle of His earthly Ministry, for the Core of His Disciples He once called there with words: “Follow me, and I will make you ’fishers’ of men”!

Surely the shores of Galilee would be the most symbolic place from which to ascend; to become again: “One with The Father”.

Point (13) Ali’s notion that Jesus hid Himself, post-Crucifixion, ‘as if he feared being discovered’ is redolent of a “physical-resurrection only” scenario. Get this: He was no longer in a physical body. (That had been removed by a few of his Disciples and sealed in a secret vault under Jerusalem and, if not yet discovered, still there to this day.) So, the ability to disappear at will and reappear elsewhere is nothing more than the natural attribute and ability of the Ethereal Body --- which we all possess!

Point (14) Ali’s interpretation of the events in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus, The Son of God, prayed in order to be saved from death on the cross is destroyed in the words of The Son of Man’s declarations that follow. Ali’s interpretation, of course, mirrors the very incorrect global Muslim view in that: “...he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save him from death”.

Reader: After dealing with such a “religiously-heavy” text, it’s time once more to let the Power of Imanuel --- The Son of Man --- spiritually-illuminate the Mission of Jesus --- The Son of God --- and once more “put right” the appalling errors long-surrounding His death!

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Abd-ru-shin:
THE “ETERNAL MEDIATOR”!

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Reader: In the context of this Discourse and in concert with M.M. Ali’s 14 “unassailable” Points --- as he clearly believes them to be --- what you have just read from The Hand of Imanuel is both a clarification of the Truth behind the reason why Jesus had to come to earth, and an explanatory precursor to Imanuel’s next more admonishing declaration about Jesus, pre-crucifixion, which effectively destroys Ali’s coarse and religiously-distorted view.

Now whilst we have previously quoted from the following Lecture out of The Grail Message, what we have taken from it here is exactly the right excerpt to especially correct Ali’s Point 14!

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Abd-ru-shin:
THE “ETERNAL MEDIATOR”!

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The “SHROUD OF TURIN”

Reader: by now you will have well-recognised that there are certain and precise Inviolable Laws which govern all life and also to which all human decisions and processes are subject. And therefore, in their inherent Perfection these Laws are, in their perfect outworking, Absolute, Immutable; and thus Unchangeable!

So: “Why” and “How” the image of a perfectly formed “face” on the Shroud; a “face” that exudes both calmness and Power? In direct concert, of course, why the marks of Stigmata on certain individuals? Why should such marks appear on anyone? Why, historically, on the relatively few, were they so accentuated over a long period of time and accompanied by acute pain? And why was one such Stigmatic, in perhaps the most celebrated and documented case of all, eventually shut off from the world by the Catholic Church?

A favoured method of execution by the Romans, crucifixion accounted for the deaths of many hundreds of thousands of prisoners, dissidents, mutineers, slaves, criminals and others over the long time-period that the Roman Empire ruled the known world. Yet the signs of Stigmata are exclusively associated with just one crucified individual, not the uncounted numbers who died that way. That must surely be regarded as a mystery in itself. Or is it? Currently, the phenomenon of “Stigmata” certainly fits into the category of a “mystery”; purely because medical science does not know the actual source of it. Therefore, can light be shed on this most unusual and scientifically-problematic phenomenon? Indeed, it can; reader!

Despite the many documented cases, the occurrence of Stigmata is a phenomenon that is relatively rare, yet is of immense portent for all mankind. The phenomenon traces its genesis to a time two thousand years ago when a “lone Preacher” came to earth with His Message of Divine Love, Justice and Salvation for a “chosen” race in the first instance, but also for whoever else was willing to hear It. However, His irksome teaching wrought the subsequent key “event” that had to inevitably follow.

That event was the Crucifixion of Jesus!

His ordained Mission of bringing The TRUTH to the “chosen race” unjustly brought Him to a most excruciatingly-painful death on a wooden cross; at that time crucifixion being a common method of execution!

Those who have since been reported as bearing the marks of the Crucifixion are said to have been “stigmatised”. The marks of Stigmata are the wound-marks that Christ Himself bore at the time of His murder. They are the wounds arising from the crown of thorns on His head, the nail-piercings in His hands and feet, and the spear-wound in His side. This is aside from the marks of the terrible scourging He suffered when He was mercilessly whipped by Roman soldiers before being crucified.

The reasons for “His murder” were purely political, thus very far from any spiritual considerations. The leaders of the “churches” of that time –-- or rather the Jewish scholars and priestly dignitaries –-- recognised that their power over the people was waning. Already for a long time they had had to withstand the erosion of their political control through the domination of Rome. Now they saw how their spiritual control was also being taken away, but through the power of one man who was able to suffuse the masses with a true longing for God; something that the priests themselves had been unable to do. The religious control they had formerly exerted was shown for what it was --– a tradition-based system of religious dogma that was essentially lifeless and provided no genuine understanding of Spiritual Truth; of Creation-Law!

The Romans on the other hand did not seem overly concerned about the agitation attributed to Jesus. When confronted by a question as to whether one should pay one’s taxes to Rome –-- a question deliberately intended to trick Him into saying something seditious against Rome; Matthew (22:21, Fenton) the Bible recounts Jesus’s simple answer:
“Return,” He then told them, “Caesar’s own to Caesar; and God’s dues to God!”

Such stern reprimands did not sit well with the Jewish Sanhedrin, but they could not use any of His statements against Him at that time. As long as Jesus did not oppose the paying of taxes to Caesar and did not stir up revolt against Rome, there could be no grounds for taking Him before the Roman Governor to be tried.

Only when the Jewish leaders learned that His followers believed Him to be “The Son of God” could they then distort this fact to their advantage. Consequently, lies were fabricated that He intended to overthrow Roman rule there and proclaim Himself “King of the Jews”. This was the spur the Sanhedrin needed to insist that the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, place Jesus on trial. However, Pilate found there were no charges to answer. John, in his Gospel, (18:38, Fenton) intimates that Pilate’s soul was so moved that he asked of Jesus the age-old question:

“What is Truth?”

According to the Biblical narrative, Pilate bluntly told the crowd that in his opinion Jesus was innocent. The Jewish leaders, however, wanted Him out of the way. In certain situations –-- in this case the celebration of the “Passover” –-- a protocol existed between Rome and the Jewish Religious Authority that allowed for the release of a prisoner in exchange for another condemned to death. Jewish religious leaders demanded that right and chose the release of Barabbas, an agitator against Roman rule. Jesus was to be crucified in his place. The Roman Governor had no choice but to acquiesce. He, however, washed his hands in front of the crowd to signify that he considered Jesus innocent.

Thus, one of the most singularly-cruel punishments that could ever befall a human being, let alone a true Son of God, was perpetrated. Christ therefore being Who He actually was, how much greater would the reciprocal effect of the very Laws of Creation be for all those responsible for that evil crime? [That we have already determined.]

Unfortunately, the same principle applies today in the general reaction of nearly all churches and religious organisations to any genuine Truth-bringer. Afraid they will lose their power over their followers should someone enter their congregation with true enlightenment, they strive to do everything they can, either overtly or covertly, to discredit the new knowledge or destroy the person’s reputation. And in the past, to even eliminate the “troublemaker” altogether if possible --- to “kill the messenger”!

That evil happening two thousand years ago was a most unfortunate outcome for all of mankind. Christ was killed because of the jealousy, fear and hatred of the priests of that time. Most Christians, however, would like to see in this a higher guiding Hand driving those events in order to provide for mankind a propitiatory sacrifice for the forgiveness of all sins. However, such beliefs contradict the natural Law of Sowing and Reaping, of Karma, which is also the Law of Love and strictest Justice.

That great Law of Reciprocity is one of the Prime Laws of Creation. It returns to each person exactly what he deserves without any deviation, for it contains the very reason for the inordinate amount of suffering in the world today. The Creator, in His Eternal Perfection, does not intervene in the operation of this Law, because It is Perfect in its inviolable and automatic outworking!

In this regard, therefore, recognition of the Eternal Perfection inherent in His Sublime Supremacy should surely only call forth awe and wonder in us.

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This very Perfection, on its own precludes the possibility of such a propitiatory sacrifice for mankind. For such a thing would intimate the impossible scenario that many already believe; to be afforded a place in Heaven or Paradise at absolutely no cost --- with no personal effort for the spiritual development crucially-necessary for such an “ascent”. There would thus be the potential for “double standards” and therefore also imperfections, which are absolutely, out of the question in anything instituted by The Almighty. Therefore, it beggars belief that any human being would actually accept something so illogical as someone else being murdered for their sins. Only blind, religious fools could possibly entertain such arrogance!

For those who would still like to maintain the Christian doctrine, we refer to a Parable given by Jesus Himself:

The parable clearly indicates that the landlord did not send his son to be killed! He sent his son in the hope that the tenants would treat him better than they had treated the servants he had sent out beforehand to collect the rent. It was an expectation on the landlord’s part, a hope that they would heed his son instead. But this hope was not fulfilled because of simple and evil greed, ignorance and arrogance on the part of the tenants.

In this parable, Jesus unveiled the entire happening of His own earth-life, as well as that of the later Son of Man Who He promised would come at the end-time to bring the Judgment! God The Father sent Jesus to “collect the rent” from humanity, essentially demanding from us stern adherence to The Divine Laws that God had instituted in the whole of Creation. For this purpose, He had to teach how to live according to those Laws. His Commandments to love God and love one’s neighbour clearly gave global humanity everything it needed if we were ever to produce an earth that flourished under the aegis of beneficent Creation-Law, provided, of course, that we truly understood the meaning of His words!

Out of His Infinite Love --- which we did not deserve then, and deserve even less now --- God nonetheless sent Jesus for man’s Salvation, hoping He would be listened to, so that “... whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) To believe in Christ, however, simply means to believe Him, to absorb the Word of Truth that He offers us and transform it into deed so that, gradually, we may spiritually-purify ourselves. Or, rather, so that we may wash ourselves clean of all our former guilt! But God’s wish for mankind was not fulfilled by us because instead of accepting His Son, we crucified Him!

Thus, the symbol of Christendom has become a cross to which a murdered Saviour, depicted as wearing little more than a loincloth and a ‘crown of thorns’, is crucified. The millions of “figurines” produced since His death shows His head drooping to one side, blood streaming down His lifeless countenance from the crown of thorns, and out of His hands, feet, and side. But this is no cross of salvation; rather is it a cross of suffering, a “cross of death”, which, in an accusing way, symbolises something very potent:

In addition, however, every religion and every human being that refuses to bow in humility to the reality of Who He truly was --- and still is ---- must also face “the Sword” when its time of wielding against humanity arrives! For, historically, the Crucifixion of Christ is perhaps the most unique ever recorded. No other is known to have followed such a sequence of events.

For instance, the uncountable thousands crucified over centuries did not generally have crowns of thorns placed on their heads. And in most cases, those sentenced to crucifixion took such a long time to die that soldiers broke their legs in order to hasten the death process. But in the case of Christ, that did not happen because He had already exited His physical body. In addition, a soldier pierced His side with a spear in order to verify that He really had died!

Two thieves were crucified along with Jesus. Classical and contemporary paintings often depict them on smaller crosses, one on either side of Jesus. Below these three wooden crosses stood “a howling mob” who were mocking the crucified Christ. “If thou be the Son of God, come down from the Cross”, they jeered, not realising the spiritual karmic processes that were already underway –- processes which would eventually return to them the fruit of all their evil tenfold, as per the “whirlwind constant”. One of the thieves, despite the excruciating pain of his own crucifixion, also challenged Christ: “If thou be the Son of God, save thyself and us!”

The other thief, however, rebuked the first, acknowledging that they were crucified because they had actually committed a crime, whereas Christ was innocent and thus wrongly condemned. On the cross, despite his pain, this second thief acknowledged the terrible injustice and besought Jesus to remember him in His Father’s Kingdom. That transforming confession and the recognition of all his personal guilt, coupled with the intense suffering of the crucifixion-process became, for that second thief, the instant purification of all his former wrong-doing. In that single moment all his past transgressions were completely atoned for and expiated and, moreover, without the slightest deviation in the immutable and inviolable operation of the great Law of Reciprocal Action.

For him and him alone in that moment, therefore, Luke [23:43] records that Christ spoke the following words: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

In concert with the doctrinal-belief that Jesus could have descended from the Cross had He so wanted, repeated here is the relevant part of exactly the appropriate Lecture from out of Imanuel’s All-Truth:

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Abd-ru-shin:
SON OF MAN
AND “ETERNAL MEDIATOR”!

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Whilst one thief in that moment decisively recognised the error of all his wrong thinking and was thereby “saved”, the one who mocked Christ spiritually-bound himself much more decisively in the returning reciprocal karma, for he did not take the opportunity to completely redeem himself like the second thief. [Further on we illuminate the precise degree of “returning reciprocal karma” that the impenitent thief had to experience --- and why!]

In our explanations on the “Death Process” in a later Discourse, we note the fact that the spirit of a human being who has striven after only material things is more tightly bound to the earth after death. Binding oneself to matter makes the death process much more difficult than it need be. One who is not so bound to matter, however, will not have to experience any kind of a prolonged “death struggle”. Thus, Jesus, as an incarnated Part out of God, was not bound to the earth at His death. It is because of this fact that Christ exited His physical body far more quickly than was expected by His executioners!

When the time came to hasten the deaths of the three condemned, the Roman soldiers could not believe Jesus had died. To ensure that such was the case, one thrust his spear into Christ’s side whereupon blood and water gushed out.

But John, the Disciple of Jesus, [John 19:36], in his account of Christ’s Death, recorded that:

From these explanations, it should be clear to all that the Crucifixion of Jesus was, indeed, historically singularly-unique. It was one, moreover, that seems not to have been repeated since that time!

Contrary to the assertions circulated in many quarters, the record clearly shows that the physical body of Christ could not possibly have survived such an excruciating death. The fact that He exited His physical body quickly means that the connecting cord between Him and the body would have been severed instantly, thereby totally precluding the possibility that He could have returned to His body to re-activate it -- as He had done for the dead whom He called back to life. [This “lawful process” will be clearly explained in later Discourses, exactly pertaining to Divine Creation-Law.]

Therefore: From the knowledge of The All-Truth, we now know that once the connecting cord between the soul/spirit and body is completely severed, there is no possibility of a so-called physical resurrection in that way. This is totally impossible because it would mean that the immutability of Perfect Creation-Law would have to be “turned on its head”. So here, once again, we face the irrefutable fact that:

Jesus Christ did not rise from the tomb --- in His earthly body!

That which the Bible records as His Resurrection was a spiritual event, like much else depicted in that especial Book. As we have previously explained, it was His Ethereal body --- different from the Gross Material body He previously bore --- in which He afterwards appeared to the Disciples. This was why they did not initially recognise Him --- as is clearly written in the Bible. Had it been Christ resurrected physically --- in His original body --- they would have recognised Him immediately!

Naturally, His Ethereal body also bore the wound-marks, i.e., the Stigmata. For mankind’s crime against Him had also to bear the stamp of ethereal ramifications so that those unbreakable threads would reach down through the centuries to our present time in order to finally settle the still, as yet:

“Unpaid Debt for Golgotha”!

As we have previously strongly-stressed, it was because of this inescapable reality that one of His Disciples, Thomas, was able to thus ethereally feel the wounds in Jesus’s Ethereal body. That act thereby convinced Thomas that it was indeed the resurrected Christ!

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THE TURIN SHROUD

Now we arrive at what many consider the greatest “mystery”, the Turin Shroud. In this Section we will look primarily at the more recent scientific findings concerning the Shroud. Being the object in which Jesus was stated to have been wrapped immediately post-Crucifixion, those discoveries actually confirm everything that has been written and said on the subject of Christ’s death.

In concert with the Title heading and the “general form” this Work takes; on our subject of the moment, some input from the Jewish perspective is important. The following information by Robert Perry is from an “online” source. On the manner of Christ’s burial --- from which obviously came the imprint of a body --- Perry states in his essay:

Our next “online” contributor is a medical man; one with many “letters” after his name, and whose view is diametrically opposed to that of our first contributor.

A very telling aspect from this writer’s viewpoint is Zugibe’s insistence that the “image” can only make sense if the “body was washed” prior to enshrouding, and that the other alternative “would not be readily acceptable by the forensic pathologist”. Science to the fore here; not spiritual intuition deriving from the unassailable knowledge of The Divine Laws of Creation --- out of which all earthly science has its genesis in the first place anyway.

For it must surely be no small, insignificant reason that so many books, articles, essays and documentaries have been produced about the Shroud. The time and energy that has been expended over many decades in striving to determine the Truth of it, in my view, is driven by the Power of Divine Will, so that humanity might truly recognise the clear and obvious, but nonetheless stupendous, portent of what the image is really telling us.

Reader, if your interest is piqued by this Discourse, then certainly read the many essays by scientists and church “scholars” currently available. However, when you have tired of all the theories, assumptions and “possibilities”; simply return to The All-Truth of Imanuel. There you will find all that you need for complete understanding!

Zugibe continues for some length analysing wound and blood-flow patterns from a pathologist’s viewpoint. Despite another expert opinion, the key point of it all is completely missed. How the image was imprinted is, in the final analysis, the only consideration that really matters. Why? Because predicated on a correct answer will be recognised the “person” of the Shroud. For, in the final analysis, whether the body was washed or not washed does not change in the slightest that key reality. Zugibe resumes his assessment: