TSW ~ E.W. King: "True Christian Mysticism" ~ TSW

Yes, the Rose of Sharon is a poetic title for Jesus Christ in many writings, songs, and minds. The term is derived from the Song of Solomon, where it is written, “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys”.

Ancient Antiochene

Christian Mysticism

By Presbyter Eric William King

November 30th 2024

“Antiochene Mystical Christian Vision.”

I would like to relate to my fellow Christians some interesting insights regarding Christian Mysticism which help us to view our “outside” world with the “special insight”, with the Mind of Christ. I hope that you have read and contemplated [mentally studied] some of my lectures and writings regarding Dispensations, Earth Ages, Space & Time, and other theological issues before going into our articles regarding “Ancient Antiochene Christian Mysticism”.

First of all, just what is mysticism? Well, this has different answers depending on who you are talking with. As a Biblical scholar I can say that I have looked into this topic due to its connection to “religion” in general. The apostle Paul used the Greek word “mystery” and “mysteries” when referring to a special knowledge that he claimed to have. He always summed up all mysteries as being contained “in Christ.” In apostle Paul’s time the word “mystery” and “mysticism” was not referencing something “strange” or “weird”. It was understood to mean “a special knowledge gained through experience.”

Jesus Himself stated that it was given to His apostles to know and understand these mysteries, but many could not understand. Not all are mystics. Jesus stated that only those who “have eyes to see, and ears to hear” will truly understand. Of course, Christ is referring to “spiritual sight” and “spiritual vision” here. So, as we go a bit deeper into the Christian message, we find that only those who receive the Holy Spirit will have proper discernment regarding “spiritual things”. Those who experience spiritual things minus the Holy Spirit will have distorted experiences which open the doorway to Demonism.

As Christianity began to develop in its early stages, those who knew that they were “spiritual beings” had longed for the right path, “the Way”. Divine Intelligence introduced the Way through St. John the Baptist who pointed to Christ and stated: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world.” So, though there are many paths in which “mysticism” can be experienced and known, it’s clear path and techniques come through the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Older “paths” that were introduced through the dispensations of time past were prepping the Human race for its introduction to God Himself in the person of Jesus the Christ. We must understand the ages and dispensations are like classrooms. Each dispensation a new grade for learning. All build upon each other until we arrive to where we are now, in the Ecclesiastical Dispensation.

Mysticism can be explained also as an experience, not just some kind of “esoteric or theological knowledge”. It can be the experience of the reality of a Divine Creator, a connection is made in the psyche which gives and inner confirmation and sometimes an epiphany. This communication or awareness can come on immediately. This would be an example of a “mystical experience”. A false “mystical experience” would be one that expresses something that is different than the Divine Will of God or in conflict with the Divine Matrix. Only a true Christian can gain this discernment through the study of God’s word ~ the Holy Scriptures.

Remember, we have a “spiritual fight” between the “principalities and powers of the air” and those who are truly seeking God. There are dark and deceiving spiritual forces that God makes us aware of in His precious word. God protects those who are truly “sealed” with and through, the power of the Holy Spirit of God. Let us always make sure that we have the “Christian Cross” with the “Rose of Sharon” at its center, Jesus the Christ ~ the true Christian Rose Cross, C.R.C.

Today many false “New Age” groups are teaching that all people have an “inner connection with God” and that there be no need for an “intermediary”. This is the current and most popular concept of mysticism. The true Ancients understood the fallen condition of man. Man for thousands of years had mystical “revelations” of God but they did not have the proper “Way” to interpret those mystical experiences. Even today, those stuck in religions have no clarity of true mystical experience. People today will say; “There are many roads to God.” What this simply means is the fact that God will and does make Himself known to people in multiple and under complex circumstances but these are not necessarily “salvation moments”.

In other words, many people are experiencing the reality of God but that is not what gives you “new birth” or proper “regeneration” – Healthy Growth! Only the Revelation of Jesus Christ gives one the proper mystical experiences and healthy spiritual growth – it includes growing pains. Many have this idea that God wants them to “feel” at ease and “peaceful” at all times. How would you learn or grow if you felt “right” all of the time? As the new Christian begins to learn - a fight happens between his new nature in Christ and his old rotten nature – the war begins. Growth takes work but it is well rewarded, in this life and the next.

One misunderstanding today for most going by the name “mystic” or “mystic Christian” is this idea that all Humans contain a particle of God’s essence within them. Though the Bible teaches that Humans are created in the “image” [icon] of God it does not teach that we are “little God’s”. As Christians, we become “little Christs” in that we take on the nature of Jesus Christ [Christlike] - through the Holy Spirit we are “partakers of the Divine Nature.”

To become “saved”, regenerated from spiritual death, one must accept the person of the Holy Spirit. True faith comes by hearing the Word of God. By this and the unction of the Holy Spirit the person may have a “spiritual marriage”, one receives true union with the Holy Spirit and is thus “sealed” unto the day of redemption [the Sacrament of Baptism]. When a person becomes “born from above” then the clarity of understanding “the Human mystic connection of God” begins. Jesus stated the fact that; “No one comes to the Father but by Me [Jesus Christ].” So, to receive the full revelation of the Triune God we must accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. Jesus Saves us from the “fallen program”, from sin and death. Jesus shows us the Way back up into the Divine Matrix – freeing us from this Fallen Matrix.

It is very true that people who have a mystical experience with the Great Divine will interpret that experience objectively based on their own learning and experiences. It is the objectivity that gets us in trouble sometimes. A person may think: “Because this is the way I experienced it; this is the way that you also must experience it.” Thus, the myriads of manmade religions. The Christian message teaches us that there is truly only one God and God is not trapped in multiple personalities. Though our experiences in our personal relationship with God are sometimes very different and unique that doesn’t change the person that God truly is. Our God has talked with us through other Humans and given us a communication device called Holy Scriptures.

As Christians we can document and understand that God has worked with all of His creation throughout our present space-time continuum in differing dispensations of time. God reveals information as Humanity is ready to understand and properly experience it, much like a parent raises a child. During growing pains, we experience emotions but just because we may experience happiness, sorrow, anger, etc. we must realize that these emotions are not all the same for everybody because what sparks these emotions is a different point in each individual based on past experiences and personal logic.

We must never confuse true Christian Mysticism with metaphysics, occultism, magic or any other of the fanciful New Age topics. Many religions are practicing some form of spirituality or “mysticism”. What religions do is capitalize on one person’s experience and make money off of it. Many denominations were started this way. True experience with God is a most personal thing. As Christians we must never forget that.

It is my hope that this short article has helped those who might inquire about this topic. If you are able, use your Bible everyday and study with us here at “The Shepherds Way” and the “Nugget of Truth”. As a Christian you are to become a living copy of the title-deed or testament (will) of God. “You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the Living God, not on tables of stone but on tables of human hearts.” (2^nd Corinthians 3:3) You are to become “sealed” with the TRUTH…with the WORD of God. The Gospel was sealed by “the blood of Jesus Christ” and He becomes our LIVING TESTIMONY that the title deed transaction was complete. We now have a written copy of the WILL OF GOD, a title deed containing the complete history of our planet and the entire Pleroma. This title-deed is the Holy Scriptures.

We are taking time out to learn about true Christian Mysticism.

This is most certainly true.

Eric William King (February 30^th 2024)