Because of their obedience to God, Biblical prophets knew that they were fulfilling a divine mission on earth. Their understanding of God's supremacy enabled them to speak and act with authority. They were consciously forwarding the revelation of God's nature to mankind. Their demonstrations of this divine nature proved their spiritual-mindedness and signified their spiritual destiny.
Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, to name only three Old Testament prophets, lived their understanding of God. Isaiah and others foresaw and foretold the coming of the Messiah, a fuller representation of the divine idea than had been demonstrated in their own lives. Their prophecies implied that God's nature must be more fully understood for mankind progressively to overcome sin and disease. As obedient servants of God they discerned something of the spiritual creation that must be known on earth, something of the divine consciousness that must replace material sense.
Christ Jesus was the greatest of all Biblical prophets, for he demonstrated the highest measure of spiritual understanding and gave the broadest proofs of God's healing power. Jesus knew from the beginning of his ministry that he was fulfilling Scriptural prophecy.
After his triumphant forty days in the wilderness he went into a synagogue and read from the book of Isaiah, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." Luke 4:18, 19; When he had finished reading, he told his listeners, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." Jesus knew that his ministry fulfilled Messianic prophecy; he knew that his life was not a development of human desires and plans but the execution of the divine plan of salvation for himself and all mankind.
Knowledge of his spiritual purpose was again made clear when on the walk to Emmaus after the crucifixion he enlightened two of his disciples. We read, "Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." 24:27; Thus, at the beginning and near the close of his ministry he let the Scriptures testify to his fulfillment of prophecy.
Jesus also said that his age was not able to receive all that he had to disclose, that another Comforter would come which would reveal all truth. So Jesus not only fulfilled prophecy but also prophesied the completion of God's revelation of Himself to mankind.
The truth of Jesus prophecy has now been proved. The healing works which he and his disciples did and which he said others could do are being repeated in this age. The power and transforming energies of Spirit, God, are blessing mankind now on a permanent basis through Christian Science. This is the promised Comforter, which will remain with us because it is based not on person but on divine Principle, impersonal, universal, eternal Truth.
In Science and Health Mrs. Eddy explains the Comforter to mankind. She makes clear the Christianly metaphysical system of scientifically understanding God and healing spiritually through this understanding. Christian Science reinstates the way of spiritual living and healing taught and practiced by Christ Jesus; it unifies and completes the chain of Biblical prophecy concerning God's revelation to human thought. It will outlast all human personalities and remain to advance the spiritual growth of all future generations in attaining an understanding of God and of man's dominion over evil.
Mrs. Eddy made a supreme effort to follow and obey the teachings of Christ Jesus. She was successful in doing this, for she had discovered the strictly spiritual mode of healing which Jesus utilized. Further, she grasped and defined the nature of God so completely that Science and Health stands as our reliable instructor in following the Master and learning to heal the sick.
The author of such a book must have been conscious of divine laws higher and superior to herself. Mrs. Eddy's mission was to be the clear transparency through which God revealed His healing laws. She did not ordain herself for this mission. She loved God, obeyed Him, lived His precepts as stated in the Bible, and through her spiritual fidelity was fitted to receive the revelation of Truth promised by Christ Jesus.
Mrs. Eddy writes in the textbook, "God had been graciously preparing me during many years for the reception of this final revelation of the absolute divine Principle of scientific mental healing." Science and Health, p. 107; The trials of her human experience erased reliance upon material things. Her trust in God kept developing until Spirit became predominant in her affections and enabled her to receive the final revelation.
One who is consciously doing God's will surely knows what he is doing. One who is proving God's law in spiritual healing of the sick knows from whence comes his understanding and ability to achieve it. One who is bringing the gospel of divine Life to mankind knows that his inspiration and perception of Life is of God. Then isn't it logical that one who is putting God first in his life knows that God is directing his thoughts and acts to fulfill a divine purpose?
So it is logical that Mrs. Eddy, so closely following Christ Jesus, who was aware of his spiritual mission, should also be aware of her spiritual mission. Isn't it rational to assume that she knew she was fulfilling New Testament prophecy just as Jesus knew he was fulfilling Old Testament prophecy?
Mrs. Eddy states: "The twelfth chapter of the Apocalypse, or Revelation of St. John, has a special suggestiveness in connection with the nineteenth century. In the opening of the sixth seal, typical of six thousand years since Adam, the distinctive feature has reference to the present age." pp. 559, 560; Then she quotes from Revelation, "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars."
A scientific, spiritual understanding of this prophecy of St. John leads us to a higher appreciation not only of Christian Science as the final revelation of the healing Principle but also of its revelator. Mrs. Eddy explains this verse, and here is one important point she makes: "In divine revelation, material and corporeal selfhood disappear, and the spiritual idea is understood." p. 561; She adds, "The woman in the Apocalypse symbolizes generic man, the spiritual idea of God; she illustrates the coincidence of God and man as the divine Principle and divine idea."
Mrs. Eddy perceived the spiritual meaning of John's prophecy and explains it in that light. In understanding the spiritual sense of the woman in the Apocalypse, she was able to demonstrate its meaning on earth and fulfill its prophecy.
As far as the Bible records show, only to the two disciples mentioned above did Jesus explain in some detail how Old Testament prophecy related to him. Mrs. Eddy has devoted an entire chapter in Science and Health to an explanation of certain prophecies in the book of Revelation and their fulfillment in this age. Every earnest seeker of Truth may study this chapter entitled, "The Apocalypse," and through maturing spiritual sense be able to ascertain the deep truths of the Bible which enlighten his present footsteps. To grasp the higher meaning of the Scriptures and their relation to today's needs, we should be willing prayerfully to ponder this chapter. Truth is always present in Scriptural prophecy; trusting it leads us to understand it intelligently.
Jesus required active believing. To Philip he said: "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake." John 14:10, 11; Jesus knew his relation to the Father and his place in prophecy: he was urging Philip to believe these spiritual facts. Peter, disclosing his perception of Jesus' true being, had already declared that Jesus was the Christ. Undoubtedly John had already grasped something of the meaning of the Master's Messiahship, for later John reveals in his Gospel and in the book of Revelation his highly spiritual discernment of Jesus' sonship with God and his place in prophecy. These disciples believed, and their obedient trust was rewarded with further spiritual growth.
Wherever prophecy or any spiritual revelation from God exists, whether in the past or in this age, a clear believing in it is required to prove it. After Jesus instructed Philip to believe his words as God's messenger, he also assured him that he who so believed would be able to do the works of the Master.
The scientific disciple of today believes that Jesus' prophecy of the Comforter has come to this age and is found in Christian Science. He believes it is true because in some measure he is proving its teachings in healing the sick and regenerating human life. He believes that its messenger, Mrs. Eddy, through her obedience to God revealed and proved Scriptural prophecy. He respects her place in prophetic history.
Mrs. Eddy's lifework testifies to her spiritual understanding and accomplishments, unmatched since the days of Jesus. The Master lovingly urged Philip, "Believe me for the very works' sake." Should not today's disciple adopt this admonition in relation to today's scientific revelation of Christ, Truth, and its revelator?
The rewards of trusting the messengers of God are fittingly stated in the Old Testament, "Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper." II Chron. 20:20.
