|
Home
SCENES BEYOND THE GRAVE Freebees "There are no means to convey to man through his external senses, any just idea of the scenes I witnessed, while my body was reposing in its unconscious slumbers. You urge me to a history, and yet I am so sensible of my utter inability that thoughts associated with the attempt give me pain." Marietta's unedited book can be read in it's entirety on this website www.layevangelism.com/heavhell/book1-c.htm Following is a brief summary of her book. As her body was sinking in illness, her mind was occupied with a longing for the knowledge of immortality. Her spirit left her body and she was met by an Angel of Peace who instructed her and guided her to the City of Peace. There she met the Redeemer, and loved ones. She saw the glory of the cross of Jesus, prophets and martyred saints. She was then taken to the Infant Paradise where ministering angels carry infants from sorrowing mothers on earth to Paradise in Heaven. She saw how the infants were loved, instructed, and classified in nurseries and schools most suitable to their interior type of mind: scientific, artistic, social, industrious, or intellectual. She also described the beauty of their edifices and homes, and their happiness. She saw infants being received by the Savior who blesses each one, and how Heaven is filled with praises for the Redeemer. She witnessed an infant spirit being restored to wholeness by the Redeemer. And learned that there is no Heaven without the cross of Jesus. She was taken to a superior plain and viewed the city with its sublime architectural arrangements. At this point Marietta's spirit descended to realms of darkness. There the hoarse voice of conscience echoed in her mind like a living thing mocking her and saying, 'in your day you spurned and rejected the necessity of that which could prepare your soul for fitness in the world of spirits.' Added to that voice were her former doubts and skepticism. She realized the disharmony in her soul was more suited to the darkness than the light. Spirits of the lost spoke to her saying, 'the wicked go to their own place, the realm of illusion.' The law of evil attraction was explained to her, and the result of the violated law. This is the land of hopelessness with the memory of lost opportunity, and remorse too late. There was recognition in this place. She descended even lower to the abyss, the realm of the desperately wicked. There she spoke with false philosophers, and free thinkers. She saw mock worship by false priests, and pandemonium and despair. She realized the bitter incriminations of mercy spurned, the wages and consequences of sin, and that like attracts like. Upon ascending Marietta learned that Heaven is for the willing, and that there is an attractive power in sin. She learns of her unfitness to enjoy Heaven, and that human nature is discordant with the harmony of Paradise. She understood why the unsanctified soul is unfit for Heaven, and that hell is better than Heaven for the unsaved. Marietta is then taken to the center dome of the Infant Paradise where she watches a living drama prepared for the instruction of the infants. The drama opens with a forlorn and doomed being, diseased in spirit. His companions vainly seek to help him. But human remedies failed. Neither could the man save himself. The infants were so sad that their angels prayed for strength for them. Then appeared the Babe of Bethlehem, the birth of the Savior. Justice and mercy have a discussion. Justice says he must execute the penalty for violation of the law. But mercy pleads the cause of the sinner. In the next scene Judas was seen betraying Jesus in rendezvous with the priests, Gethsemane, and the betrayal. Cruelties were inflicted upon Jesus. Mercy explains that this is the ransom for the forlorn being. Justice demands Christ to tread the winepress alone. Death and hell gather in triumph. Jesus is before the tribunal. Justice explains what must be. Mercy presents the ransom. The infants are shown Pilate's wife's dream. But Jesus was led out to be crucified. The arch demon and his hosts proclaimed victory. Justice explains the result of sin uncontrolled. Jesus struggles toward Calvary. Judas does not find a place of repentance. The infants are instructed concerning the depravity of the heart that betrays his friend for money. The infants were given a time of rest and relaxation before proceeding. They were given floral necklaces, a drink from golden goblets, and fruit from the trees of Paradise. Returning to their former position they watched Jesus on the cross. They saw the conversion of the thief on the cross. Jesus spoke seven sayings from the cross. Then they saw the hosts of darkness swirling around the cross in victory, taunting the Savior. Death was claiming victory. Then Jesus spoke, "Lo! I come through death's portals to bind thee, thou destroyer; and from thy power, rescue my people-those whom I redeem. That I may prevail, I meet thee in thy dominions. Lo, I come! to set the captives free; to open the prison doors; to bind thee and destroy thy power. Thou art conquered." Thus saying He bound Death with a chain of light. Then raising His eyes toward Justice He said, "Behold! the Spirit of Life prevaileth over death." The infants saw angels singing over the tomb where the body of Jesus peacefully lay. Jesus then arose from the tomb holding in His hand the keys of the dark dominions. Mercy addressed Justice, "This is the offering I bring, and this is the trophy of His victory, even the body of Jesus now raised from the tomb and made immortal. Dost thou, O Justice, accept the offering?" Justice replied, "The offering is accepted. Heaven accepts the offering and acknowledges the victory." The ascension was portrayed. The forlorn man was rescued by Jesus. Marietta received a farewell and returned to Earth. She said, "I will go to those realms of bliss, I will praise my heavenly Father for my hope in Jesus, and when I arrive in Paradise I will exalt the name of my Redeemer while eternity endures." This humble and brief summary nowhere comes near the delightful expressions of Marietta's descriptive and poetic language. SCENES BEYOND THE GRAVE by Marietta Davis, 1854 and 1856 editions can be purchased at www.amazon.com, www.bookfinder.com |