CHRIST JESUS, as quoted in the twenty-first chapter of Luke, significantly depicts the confusion, fear, discord, and dismay which should come in a mighty struggle between the negative so-called forces of evil and the positive forces of omnipotent good. The prophetic utterances of this chapter are, however, interspersed with comforting promises of divine protection and assurances of the triumph of good over evil. One of these promises reads, "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." How shall this promised redemption be brought into human experience in the hour of humanity's great need? May not the answer to this question be found in the closing words of the thirty-first verse of the chapter under consideration, "Know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand"?
Throughout the ages, mortals have earnestly endeavored to find the way into the kingdom of heaven. Concepts of what constitutes the heavenly kingdom may have widely differed, but the conviction of the desirability of admission to it has been universal. The question which has been continually asked by perplexed humanity is, "Where is the kingdom of heaven, and how may one be assured of entrance to it?" Christian Science furnishes satisfactory information concerning these fundamental questions. On page 587 of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy defines heaven as "harmony; the reign of Spirit; government by divine Principle; spirituality; bliss; the atmosphere of Soul." Heaven, therefore, exists in the individual spiritualized consciousness and obviously can be reached by no road other than the one of right thinking. Mrs. Eddy's ability to discern the great fact that the kingdom of heaven is not a place, but a state of consciousness, was achieved by earnest, consecrated devotion to the things of Spirit. Every individual who so desires can begin at once to follow her example, and by purification of desire and spiritualization of thought find his way into the heavenly kingdom.
Since the redemption of humanity depends primarily upon spiritual thinking, it is incumbent on each individual to establish and maintain a watchful guard over his own consciousness. The spiritual understanding of God and man is the proper foundation upon which to build correct thinking. Here Christian Science is of incalculable value, for its conclusions are based upon the Scriptural facts of creation as recorded in the first chapter of Genesis, where man is declared to be in the image and likeness of God, wholly good, and therefore indestructible. The real universe and man have, therefore, always existed, and continue to exist, in divine Mind, and are perfectly harmonious. All that does not conform to the scientific facts concerning creation should be promptly rejected as untrue and unreal, the emanation of the carnal mind, which Christ Jesus characterized as "a liar, and the father of it." Infinite Truth, cleansing human consciousness of all that is impure, unlovely, or degrading, is moment by moment redeeming and saving mankind from binding and enslaving beliefs.
