Some Prerequisites Before Translation
Greetings and good morning brothers and sisters. This is Dr. James Perry continuing with our series
where we seek to explore the deeper meanings of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Over the years,
the heavenly Father has revealed many revelations of spiritual truth to me, and I want to share them
with you. This morning we seek to understand some prerequisites before translation.
And now, sit back and listen to today's message.
Some Prerequisites Before Translation
"Behold, I show you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in
the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed." First Corinthians, Chapter 15, Verses 51 and 52.
Brothers and sisters, we know that there are certain criteria that must be met before the soul can be
translated by the divine spirit. Using a material analogy to help us grasp the meaning of this
anticipated state, we hope that new insights will be generated that will not only give us greater
understanding into this eternal phenomenon but will inspire our efforts to more fully achieve this
state at the earliest possible moment. The translated state is the passport to the endless exploration
of the Heavenly Father.
There is a certain high school that has been in existence for a long time. It has turned out many
graduates, many of whom have gone on to prestigious colleges and universities. In fact, this high
school has the highest graduation rates in the state. The excellent staff are dedicated to helping the
students meet the criteria necessary for graduation. And many of those who are blessed to attend this
school really appreciate the efforts of their instructors. The instructors seemingly work tirelessly to
ensure that all of the students have all the assistance they need to graduate. The program here is
individualized according to student ability.
Unlike other high schools this school begins in the 6th grade. The work of middle school is still
completed but in a different format. It was realized that it was better, according to the curriculum
scheme, if these students enter high school at this level to become more fully integrated. As soon as
the 6th graders arrive at SGH (Soul Generating High), they are immediately assigned to instructors
who will teach them the 7th grade material. Now you would think that there would not be enough
instructors to go around if the instruction is individual, but there are.
Each instructor is a student who is one grade higher than the student who is being taught. The official
instructors serve as supervisors, advisers, and reference sources. The instructor student qualifies for
the next grade as soon as he is able to bring his charge up to his level. When his charge has mastered
the information that he himself has mastered, both the instructee student and the instructor student
move up to the next grade, thereby allowing for each student to have a teacher. This marvelous
arrangement allows the student to be taught by someone not too far removed from him, and who is
thus able to provide sympathy and empathy as well as encouragement and inspiration.
Doing the final school year, no new information is given. Instead, the instructors assist the seniors
in integrating and correlating all the information they have learned during the preceding years. Here
also the final trimmings are applied so that the students are enabled to appreciate the value of
learning for the sake of learning. Whatever deficiencies remain are removed. The instructors
personally examine the seniors to ascertain that they have mastered the curriculum, which is based
upon the student's inherent ability. In this connection, all students before entering the 7th grade are
tested to ascertain their potential for academic performance. No grades are ever given at this school.
Each student is instructed and required to do his very best. Though there are no grades, student
performance as teachers demonstrate their proficiency. And the proof that this system works is the
acceptance and performance of these students at colleges and universities.
But even though this system of instruction is well nigh perfect, free will still exists in the students.
They retain the final choice as to how they will perform with the opportunities given them and
respond to the stimulus of this innovative environment. A few of these students truly do their best
while others just do enough to get by. Then there are those, a small number though, that don't even
try. These are the dropouts, the ones who truly fail. Some of these students through no fault of their
own--through illnesses, accidents, or other tragic circumstances--are not able to complete the
instruction.
And now having given a feel for the process of growth and development from this example, we shall
endeavor to expand this to the spiritual level. During spiritual growth and development, the students
who are admitted as prospective candidates for exploring the Father's infinity upon graduation from
the mortal life already meet the criteria, which are the acquisition of a moral and spiritual
nature——soul creation and growth. This is what qualifies them to begin the instruction process. In
the life after material dissolution, there are also instructors, though they are spiritual instructors.
Their jobs are to move students through the seven grades of spiritual progression. The work is
progressive and increasingly difficult. It requires the good will faith efforts of the students to
graduate. It requires that the students do their best if they are to receive the covetous degree. And like
the material example, a student’’s achievement is based on his potential.
When the student finally makes it into the third grade, he is given individual spiritual instruction to
help him complete the third, traverse the second, and enter the first grade. Prior to entering the third
grade, the student's instruction and his growth and development do not warrant an individual
instructor, but group teachers prepare him to eventually receive an individual instructor: the personal
guardian angel and her many assistants. The assignment of a personal instructor is contingent upon
the fact that intellectual and spiritual values have been recognized and are being pursued. This course
of instruction involves self-mastery, the ability to actualize all of potentials resident in the student.
Thus intellectual, moral, and spiritual potentials must all be actualized prior to graduating from the
course of instruction. The consistent and persistent effort of the student soon yields those progressive
values and meanings that constitute growth and development.
The spiritual instructors constantly present multitudinous stimuli from the social, moral, and even
physical environments designed to create a rich situational proving ground in which the student can
learn. One learns by moral and spiritual choices. Each correct choice--when presented with the
alternative choice of error and evil--moves the student forward. And like the material example, no
grades are given, but progress is determined by the student’s ability to function on progressive levels
of experience, which is demonstrated by his choosing good over evil and truth over error.
Finally when the last grade level is entered the student is able to really see the results of all his
striving; he is able to integrate and correlate all previous growth. This is the self-actualization
process, the core feature of which is that the student is in full control of himself. There is now no
conflict between what he desires to do and what he does. He is now ready for the finishing touches
that will give him the prized degree--the translation of his soul by the divine spirit. This comes about
when the student finally realizes the nature of this exploration. When the student finally and forever
agrees to abide by the Father's will, to explore His infinity, then is the decree to translate given.
We know that some mechanism must exist for those who do not meet the requirements for
graduation. Those who did not try to achieve are excluded from the process of exploring the Father's
infinity. Those who did just enough to get by will be given remedial instruction and further
opportunity to do their very best. And for those whose careers were cut short by illnesses and
accidents, provision is made for them to complete the course work requirement, and then they will
be given their prized degrees. "There are many mansions in my Father's house." Having once
received this prized degree, the student becomes a student for eternity. Not only does he pursue the
intellectual values of infinity, he also pursues the infinite spiritual values of divine love.
This concludes today's message on understanding the prerequisites before translation. We hope you
find something in this message to ponder and pray about as you go about your day.
Until next time,this is Dr. James Perry.
Inspirational Messages
By Dr. James Perry
Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done!
Some Prerequisites Before Translation
