Revelation: A Living Gospel

By Rev. Donald Murdoch

Revelation: A Living Gospel Let every man or women seeking redemption in these modern troublesome times find solace in this captivating and most enterprising novel. Miraculously conceived and uncompromisingly written, this charming and witty literary work of art has been painstakingly compiled by Rev. Dr. Donald Murdoch and his staff over a period of twenty-five years. With its goals being to inspire refreshing intellectual dialogue amongst its readers and to encourage world peace through community building and social justice. Revelation: A Living Gospel boldly endeavors to unify the diverse religions of the world and make every soul ready for eternity. What a read! This uniquely formatted and highly intriguing book engenders both a sense of calm and exhilarating excitement as it keeps the reader glued to every page.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 10, 2018
• ISBN: 9781641403696

Book preview

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Revelation

A Living Gospel

Rev. Dr. Donald Murdoch

ISBN 978-1-64140-368-9 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64140-369-6 (Digital)

Copyright © 2018 by Rev. Dr. Donald Murdoch

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Publisher’s Preface

Life is a wondrous screenplay of sorts,

much in the same way that a movie is contemporarily understood.

There are actors—ourselves!—who create a plot,

which, in the final analysis, is always reducible to a battle

between higher consciousness (good) and lower consciousness (evil).

Death, a process of which we all partake,

is nothing more than an evanescent passing,

representing that point in God’s grand continuum of life

where all the potentials for spiritual growth and development

in one lifespan have been fulfilled.

All souls, being made in the image of God, have the gift of eternal life.

If you are alive to read these words, you have eternal life!

The many pages of Revelation: A Living Gospel represent

the mission of a Jesus, a Christ, if you will, in the modern era.

It has been done up Hollywood style,

for this is what it takes to make an impact and difference in our world today.

The contents are alive in these quickening times,

as every reader and believer shall see in the extraordinary years to come.

Revelation: A Living Gospel embraces and unites all peoples of

all faiths in every nation and country around the world.

I hope you enjoy the edutainment,

and I will start your exploratory journey

by asking you just one question:

If you knew with absolute certainty that you were god

experiencing himself/herself as you, would you still make the same

decisions that you’re accustomed to?

I don’t think so,

and this is why you have to read this book—

to find your divine inner Self, which you are.

—Rev. Don Murdoch,

Essene Interfaith Minister

And Jesus of Nazareth said

(to His twelve disciples, from the hilltop),

How happy are the poor in spirit:

theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Happy the gentle:

they shall have the earth for their heritage.

Happy those who mourn:

they shall be comforted.

Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right:

they shall be satisfied.

Happy the merciful:

they shall have mercy shown them.

Happy the pure in heart:

they shall see God.

Happy the peacemakers:

they shall be called the sons of God.

Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right:

theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

—Matthew 5:3–10

And Jesus of Eternity said

to His twenty-four second-millennium disciples,

from atop His rose Corvette,

Do you remember the movie Runaway Train?

In many regards, it was a sorrowful flick, for we observed its outcome. It told the story of a man, in chains, executing his deliverance from hell. After our protagonist’s breakout, he and his adulating tag-along were quickly confronted by improvident circumstance: the two became fugitives aboard an out-of-control juggernaut destined for oblivion.

Now, in your mind’s eye, and as an exercise in personal discovery, take it upon yourself to become that Runaway Train. Through the power of your imagination, reduce it to only the locomotive. This means, of course, that everything else goes.

Next, add eleven freight cars filled with unadulterated nitroglycerin. One plus eleven makes twelve: that’s a unit. Then, turn it into a baker’s dozen by adding, at its very end, one last car.

Now, change the composition of its wheels into an alloy of titanium and silver.

Next, alter the tracks beneath it from iron into platinum, blended with just the right amount of tungsten to add the potential for galvanizing freedom.

Then, on a day you feel enthusiastically inclined, project yourself into the engineer’s seat and tug energetically three times on a silk cord attached to a high-tech whistle that radiates inaudible frequency far into the stratosphere. You’re giving the sign to everyone the world over that you’re ready to move ahead—to embark with passion and direction on life’s meaningful journey.

Here’s what happens . . .

Over a period of twenty-four seconds, the Runaway Train, now empowered by the true perception of self-worth, quickly contours itself according to the Laws of Spiritual Physics.

In accordance with the Voice of Providence, instantly it becomes light blue as red and green stripes materialize front to back and it lowers and streamlines itself aerodynamically.

At the sixteen-second mark, a striking blue cheetah with wings of flaming scarlet becomes emblazoned with the imprimatur of heat on both sides of its engine, which houses twelve thousand pistons and 124 well-tuned carburetors, each fed by the highest-octane fuel available. Finally, a resplendent three-foot diamond becomes its headlight. The transformation is nearly complete.

As all things are now coordinated and rushing towards fulfillment, the heavens undergo a sublime metamorphosis: the sun begins to shine ever so brightly, an azure sky takes on a lustrous, gilded sheen, a seductive breeze begins to caress the land from east to west and whispers excitement.

Three seconds later, a deafening peal of thunder echoes far into space. Mother Earth, responding immediately, begins to pump out a thumping disco rhapsody in perfect tempo with the rhythm of God’s own quickening heartbeat.

The stage now set, the silken Curtains of Destiny begin to rise as perfectly-contoured rails are strategically laid down for thousands of miles in front of you, forming a distinctive line leading right to your goal.

Receiving the blessing of full spiritual throttle, the Runaway Train undergoes one final enhancement: its giant diamond headlight fires up blindingly as ever so smoothly it accelerates at an astonishing rate and begins to fly upon its Ribbon of Life.

A soothing sense of peace and harmony is disseminated to the four corners of the world as, regally, it conquers mountains and valleys, and you, and everyone aboard, begin to exhilarate in the possibilities of your wondrous potential, as leaving tiresome jails behind, you begin to approach salvation.

The Runaway Train has become the Locomotion of Love.

Gathering momentum by the minute, you’re on your way to . . .

Hollywood

(A Town without Pity)

Will the real Jesus

Please come forward!

(The First Millennium Parable)

And so did it come to pass as the End of Times approached according to schedule that precisely five thousand Christs appeared and assembled in a Holy Temple called the Heart of the World, where each sought, from upon high, save for one, glory—since the days were ripe and ready for the long-awaited Second Coming, and it had been rumored lengthily that Jesus of Nazareth had actually returned.

Numerous of the five thousand Christs remained calm, while thousands of the other contestants were, understandingly, nervous and anxious.

Billions of believers watched in anticipation that day on both regular and pay TV.

Finally, the Master of Baptism, speaking on behalf of God, stated, Since there are so many of you who claim to be the Christ, will the real Jesus please stand up.

Immediately, 4,998 Christs leaped from their chairs, brandishing winsome smiles such that their sparkling holiness might be made manifest. Seventy-seven of them were wearing designer sandals. Sixty-six of them were draped in a sparkling-white sheet, and 144 of them sported a magical wand.

But two of the five thousand remained seated.

As the hours of evaluation progressed, each of the 4,998, and each in their own distinctive way, provided their various arguments, and their numerous proofs of oneness with Deity. Many provided resumes which didn’t make any sense at all. One after the other, they were dismissed by the Master of Baptism, for it was obvious that not one of them possessed the personal skills and brainpower requisite for the duties of a returned Christ.

Now, as destiny would have it, the last two of the 5,000—who had remained seated—were situated right beside one another after 4,998 had exited stage left (with the great majority of them in a huff).

Fatigued and distraught, and with only the two now remaining, the Master of Baptism, getting right down to business, postured the question: How much money do each of you have in your bank accounts such that you can consider yourself the Messiah—the most significant man on Earth? The person to her left stood up and calmly responded, I have ten billion dollars in my bank account, and it’s on that basis that I proclaim myself the Messiah, and feel competent to deliver salvation. The Master of Baptism then turned to the other man before her, to her right, and asked the same question, asking him how much he had in his bank account. In response, Jesus said, I have a roof over my head, food on the table, a computer which connects me with the world, and, as God ordained it, that is sufficient enough for me to fulfill His purpose.

The Master of Baptism then ordained the one whom she could see was the true Christ.

As the impecunious Jesus stood up and began to depart, she said to him, How are you going to ‘save the world’?

Jesus, a rather common-looking person, responded politely, and with love, You’ll see.

Two Thousand Years Ago

I am the True Vine and ye are the Branches.

He that abideth in me and I in him

will bear forth much fruit—

for without me—ye can do nothing.

—St. John 15:5

Two Thousand Years Later

(As sum and substance comes full circle)

Positioning myself upon my cross

at the commencement of this,

The New Millenium,

I extend my arms openly

to all my welcoming branches

and petition your faithful and undivided assistance,

for I can accomplish nothing

without you!

Part One

Introductory Letters

To and Fro

First Letter to Joanne

Mary, the Right-Hand Disciple

Somewhere in Canada

Phone: [phone]

September 4, 1992

Joanne

Literary Agent

106 Effulgent Boulevard

Beverly Hills, California 90210

United States of America

Dear Joanne,

It’s been almost four years since we last spoke, and definitely, much has happened since then. I’ll get to that in a moment.

Backtracking a bit, you’ll recall that you weren’t able to get my manuscript published. Even though you esteemed that I had submitted a challenging and educational magnum opus, fifty different publishers, half of them overseas, rejected it on the grounds that it was too similar to the five hundred other books on the same subject already on the market (how to lose weight once and for all). Even my poetry, which you submitted along with it, got the boot.

Since then, I’ve put my writing career aside. With utmost objectivity, I analyzed my degree of literary skill and arrived at the unhappy conclusion that I simply didn’t have what it takes. Definitely, I’m not a Neil Simon or a Margaret Atwood. As the truth of this became painfully obvious over several months, I was able to come to terms with myself, forget about the glitter of renowned authorship, and got on with my life. So in many respects, I suppose, the rejection I (we) experienced was fruitful.

Now I earn a respectable living as a typesetter in a modest printing establishment. Would you construe my present occupation as a desire to retain association with the writing fraternity, no matter how tenuously? Perhaps.

Without further ado, let’s proceed with things. Prepare yourself for a lengthy communication. And might I say that I think I know you well enough to state that you’re one of the few literary agents who might be able to relate to what’s about to follow (you’ll recall that discussion we had one day on Christian existentialism).

First of all, I would like you to take a brief look at the rather unusual cover page of the manuscript I am enclosing. You will note that it brandishes an eye-catching title. Next, I would like you to flip fairly quickly, but observantly, through several pages of the initial material. You’ll note that the majority of the content is quite surprising, to say the least. The next thing I have to tell you is, as you see above, today is September 4, 1992. From my standpoint, this is a very significant day for two reasons. The first is because today, the enclosed manuscript Revelation: A Living Gospel is now more or less satisfactorily completed and ready for the presses.

The second is that synchronous events took place just a few minutes ago, for the very moment I had finished typing it, I turned on my television set, and there, on the popular Entertainment Tonight, was John Tesh talking about the movie The Second Coming, starring Blair Underwood as the returned Christ in modern times. The Second Coming poses, and answers, the thought-provoking question: What would happen if Christ were to appear in the year 1992? (According to the storyline, he’s warmly treated to a second crucifixion.) Accessing the airwaves at that exact second and hearing what was being previewed sent a chill up my spine. I interpreted this one-in-a-million coincidence as a telltale sign that I should append to the finished manuscript before me this vitally important letter of introduction.

Joanne, this letter that you are now reading constitutes essential adjunctive material to Revelation: A Living Gospel. The numerous pages that follow constitute my own testimony to miraculous events and experiences that I have been fortunate enough to have witnessed, and been part of, since we last spoke.

The foregoing constituting sufficient preparation, Joanne (and I hope I’ve peaked your curiosity!), here is what, up to this point, I’ve been hesitant to come right out and tell you. Get ready for the truly unexpected . . .

Christ has indeed returned, and interestingly and coincidentally enough, according to the primary completion of this, His manuscript—His written Word—on this day, September 4, 1992.

He is alive at this very second. And I, along with twenty-three other living souls, all sworn to secrecy, know exactly who He is and where He resides. If I wanted to, I could phone Him, provided He is where I think He is: at His office in Hollywood.

He is strong and healthy in body, mind, and spirit, and lives in a tasteful, uncluttered two-bedroom apartment just a few miles south of Rodeo Drive.

Well, Joanne, what’s coursing through your mind?

Do you believe me?

Permit me to say that I have just given you the most astonishing piece of Good News that has burst upon the face of this planet in two thousand years!

Stop and reflect for a moment. If what I’m saying is true, Joanne, you become the first person beyond the Inner Circle to be formally apprised of His Advent. It’s something to ponder, isn’t it?

But again, do you believe me?

To speculate here, before actually meeting Christ in person, I myself have always been of the opinion that if ever He were to return, He’d have a trying time convincing His followers that He had actually done so. Certainly, over two billion people are anticipating His return (promulgated by some to be the year 2007), but these people would be hard-pressed to fully believe it, if and when, it actually happened and especially if He shows up a bit early.

Be patient with me a bit and I’ll show you what I mean.

Let’s say, Joanne, that you yourself, as an open-minded individual, do believe what I’m saying: that is, that Christ has returned!

Let’s say you find it difficult to believe me, but that you’re willing to give me the benefit of the doubt since you know me personally. All right then. Get on that phone of yours and phone Jimmy Swaggart. Let him know that his former ranting and ravings to the effect that Jesus is alive! have been true for quite some time, in a literal way that our fulminator hasn’t been thinking about. Advise him that Jesus of Nazareth, now returned, has actually watched many of his sermons about Himself on television. Inform him that Jesus said his tearful confession and petition for forgiveness should have been given, not to God publicly before a large audience and many cameras, but in private to his wife and children, and that he should simply smarten up.

After he hangs up on you, give Billy Graham a call and inform him that you have it on good authority that Christ has returned, just like the estimable non-Catholic reverend has been preaching would happen for a good half century. Apprise him that Jesus is living in Hollywood. See what he says. I’m sure he’ll be polite, but I’m also certain he’ll think you’re elevator doesn’t go all the way to the top.

Now try the Vatican. You’ll discover that half the curia is out, having lunch, and that the rest are in bed sleeping. But that’s good! Since there’s no one taking your call you’ll save on your phone bill. Believe me, they wouldn’t take you seriously either.

Lastly, take a copy of this letter, along with the submitted manuscript, to the New York Times. After their powers that be bid you a frosty good-bye, don’t be too surprised if, in the parking lot, you encounter a few men wearing white coats.

Am I making my point? I would like to think so. Multitudes expect Christ to return, but simply wouldn’t believe it if it actually happened. (As the ultimate proof, just wait and see what happens in the next several years.)

But as I’ve stated, Joanne, the big event has occurred: Christ has returned.

And he’s written a book!

You hear a lot of talk these days about getting to know Christ personally. This is going to happen in the next few decades in quite the unexpected manner.

Unfortunately, hundreds of millions of professed Christians are anticipating an individual far different from the one they’re going to encounter. Speaking for myself, I wouldn’t want to be in his sandals—for they’ve become Reeboks.

But in my honest opinion, I think He can handle it. He’s just as dynamic a presence as He was two thousand years ago, and His goals and message are the same—a better world for all through a daily relationship with God and one’s fellow man.

I

A Closer Profile of the Returned Messiah

Needless to say, after Revelation: A Living Gospel hits the bookstores, there are going to be countless questions that people will want answered about the author, the returned Christ—Jesus of Eternity. And certainly, there is no fault in wanting to know. So as part of my testimony to Him, I’ve taken it upon myself to talk openly about some of the things that I think people will be interested in. I have organized the pertinent material under various headings.

The Evolution of Christ’s Contemporary Personality

About His character, Joanne, and to clarify from the evolutionary and metaphysical standpoint, in the fullness of God’s wisdom over two thousand years, God has strengthened Jesus’s spirit so He can fully execute the tremendous task now ahead of Him. First, He endowed Him with the incisive intellect of a St. Augustine (but took away Augustine’s sense of guilt). Second, as centuries passed, He installed carefully-selected phylogenetic and ontogenetic traits from key archetypal personages of developing humanity to give Him a magnetic personality that, as a modern-day teacher of the Higher Light, He requires in order to usher in the millennium and bring about global peace and worldwide prosperity. In other words, God dressed Him up.

I must tell you, He has a unique, distinctively-commanding personality and intellect. Not only this, He plays the guitar just about as well as anyone, and if you give Him an electric guitar and hook it up to an amplifier connected to a couple of fifteen-inch speakers, He’ll astound you: He knows every cord from A to Z and can pick and jam with the best of them.

Age, Name, Family, Sign

He is an ageless thirty-year-old and, at the time of this writing, has never been married.

Aaron, the Hollywood cop (you’ll learn about him later) who once pulled Him over on Sunset Boulevard because He was driving more rationally than everyone else, confirmed a birth date on His driver’s license of December 25.

Mysteriously, the date of birth shown on His driver’s license is different from the one shown on His birth certificate. Apparently, so Jesus told us, somewhere along the line, a computer error was made. This means, Joanne, that He is either a Capricorn or a Taurus (with all the attributes pertaining thereto). His mother is a Leo, His earthly father, now deceased, a Sagittarian; and His brothers, He informed us in private, must have been born under The Sign of the Jerk, since they nicknamed Him Sloppy Joe when He was growing up.

Needless to say, the name on His birth certificate and driver’s licence is not Jesus Christ. Understandably, it couldn’t be, for what parents would name their son Jesus Christ (besides, perhaps, people who thought they were Mary and Joseph)? The name He was christened with is an ordinary one, but, for many years to come, it will be kept a secret.

His father, John, passed away a few years ago—two weeks after being in a car accident. He was a wonderful man so we’re told. His mother, fifty-four at the time of this letter, is still vibrantly alive, despite the fact that she complains needlessly about trivia. None of the members of Jesus’s family know at this point of His true identity. (This will benefit His mother, since she suffers from a touch of angina.)

Notably, like William Shatner, Wayne Gretzky, Lorne Greene, Celine Dion, and Michael J. Fox, Jesus of Eternity was born in Canada. Do you find this surprising, Joanne? Many people will. It’s a long way from Bethlehem.

A Comely Attractiveness

He’s just under six feet tall and has a slender build. His hair is dark brown with just a hint of red at the front and sides. His eyes are Paul Newman blue. If I had to compare his likeness to someone, I would say that He’s a stunning hybrid of Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, and Kenny Loggins. Blend in a smidgen of Fabio and you’ve got him. But don’t forget to add a pair of camouflaging Clark Kent bifocals.

Interestingly enough, there is not a person in the world, who, simply by looking at Him, would suspect He’s the returned Messiah. This is how well He fits in—especially in Hollywood!

Unfortunately for aspiring women of the world, and this will no doubt raise a few eyebrows, Jesus of Eternity has no intention of tying the knot. He says He would feel deeply sorry for any woman who would have to put up with Him on a day-to-day basis.

Stanford, Cambridge

Jesus has a masters in structural engineering, a masters in marketing, a bachelor’s in science, and a summa cum laude doctorate in theology bestowed by the Chancellor of the Cosmos. He has memorized Webster’s Third New International Dictionary from beginning to end and is profoundly knowledgeable in all the academic disciplines, since He’s spent an enormous amount of His life reading and studying in His spare time with His photographic memory. He speaks no less than nine languages including Aramaic. He knows all the major mountain peaks, principal lakes, and noteworthy volcanoes of the planet earth. In addition, He knows the seven wonders of the world (and considers Himself the eighth!).

In spite of His extensive education, He presently earns His living by the sweat of His brow as an underpaid Hollywood writer. There’s no doubt that He has a knack for developing a good storyline, and He’s capitalized upon this.

How He Dressed: Never to the Nines

No, He was not stylishly wrapped in a sheet, and neither did He wear open-toed sandals. He was a very down-to-earth person who dressed for comfort. Although He varied His attire from day to day, generally, during our get-togethers, He liked to wear a dark-blue long-sleeve cotton T-shirt; a pair of heavy loose sweat pants, usually gray with a red stripe down each leg; white athletic socks, and a pair of red-and-green Reebok’s (sometimes he wore a pair of Nikes, which were blue and white).

He never wore anything on His head, except for that halo of His, which had a way of materializing now and again.

Voice, Self-expression

He has a very pleasant voice. I don’t know what else to say or how else to put it. As you can understand, Joanne, it’s difficult to describe how someone