The Sacred Scroll
Rev. Dr. Douglas James Cottrell PhD
One of the more profound messages from our Minister explains the famous biblical account of the Four Horsemen:  Revelations for Today....

As we examine the heart of the Holy Scriptures, we arrive at the apocalyptic Book of Revelations and its enigmatic depiction of the Four Horsemen. Let us not shy away from these mystifying passages but instead find in them the wisdom for our contemporary world.

In the Book of Revelations, Apostle John had a vision - the vision of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Four riders, each atop a horse of a different color - white, red, black, and pale. These figures are often interpreted as symbolic representations of Conquest, War, Famine, and Death, respectively.

The first horseman, upon the white horse, is typically seen as a figure of Conquest. Some understand him as Christ Himself, embodying victory and the advancement of the Gospel. In our own lives, the white horse urges us towards victory, not over our fellow human beings, but over our baser selves, our prejudices, and our doubts.

The second horseman, astride the fiery red horse, is the embodiment of War. As we navigate through our daily lives in this turbulent world, it is incumbent upon us to resist the lures of conflict and to foster peace. The red horseman reminds us of the perils of hostility, and the need to instead cultivate love, understanding, and reconciliation.

Next, we encounter the rider of the black horse, the symbol of Famine. Today, we face not only physical famine, but also a famine of the spirit, marked by a dearth of compassion, empathy, and kindness. The black horseman implores us to share generously, not only in material terms but also in love, forgiveness, and understanding.

Lastly, the pale horse carries Death. This final rider is a potent reminder of the temporality of our earthly existence, urging us to make every moment count. He invites us to live fully, to serve sincerely, and to love deeply, aware that each breath is a gift.

However, it's crucial to note that these Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are not prophesy of unavoidable doom, but a wake-up call, a call to consciousness. They are a warning of what could transpire if we do not embrace the Gospel's core values of love, compassion, and peace.

To truly learn from the Four Horsemen, we must shift our focus from fear to understanding, from avoidance to engagement. These symbolic figures can be used to examine our lives, our relationships, and our world, prompting us to strive for better.

The white horseman calls us to conquer our personal shortcomings, the red horseman warns us of the destructive nature of conflict, the black horseman cautions us against selfishness and encourages generosity, and the pale horseman reminds us of the brevity and sacredness of life.

In conclusion, the message of the Four Horsemen is not one of despair, but a call to action. It urges us to embrace the core Christian values of love, forgiveness, and service. Let us strive to heed this call and thus transform our lives, our communities, and indeed our world.

NEWS Around the Temple 

Monday Meditation class with Rev Doug George Bentley 

Tuesday evening with Rev. Dave Chatham: Chinese Yoga: 7:30 pm ET

Wednesday: Search for God Class: 7 pm ET class with Rev. Jack Bailik 

Volunteer Virtue Healing Group: 

Feel the spirit within intuitively nudging you? Here's how you can help by joining our community volunteer distant Virtue Healing and Prayer Group. If you feel drawn to help people in our community and around the world and wish to be part of our Virtue healing group, please email ManyMansions.Helpline@gmail.com. To make an inquiry or to request prayers for yourself or your loved ones, email the same address. Joe or Patti will answer your questions regarding how you may apply to our group or be of assistance.

Seminary Courses Available:

• Spiritual Healing: Learn about spiritual healing methods like Quantum Touch and Reiki. Understanding how energy can be used to heal is a step on the path to spiritual development.
• Energy Work: Explore methods of energy healing that involve manipulating the body's energy fields to promote healing. Techniques might include hands-on healing, distant healing, or the use of intention.
• Virtue Healing: Harness the power of virtues such as love, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness in the healing process. Cultivate these virtues within oneself, or use intention to send this virtuous energy to others for their healing.
• Prayer: Engage in prayer not only as a means to ask for divine assistance but also as a way to focus intention and connect with the divine source. Prayer can be used for self-healing or to request healing for others.
• Self-Healing: Learn self-meditation, positive visualization, affirmation, and other methods to promote physical and spiritual healing.
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Testimonials / Witnessing: 

As a member, it’s important to be humble when you receive a Virtue Healing Blessing. We would like to know your thoughts on the improvements. Please email ManyMansions.HelpLine@gmail.com to share the good news of your blessing. Also, if you know of someone in need, email Joe with your request for Virtue Healing prayers to be read at our next Church Service, every Sunday at 1 pm Eastern Time.

MEMBERSHIP Application: As a member of the International School of the Prophets Seminary and the Many Mansions Spiritual Centers, you are expected to live your spiritual beliefs, actively participate in our communal activities, contribute positively to our community, and treat all members with respect and love as taught in 1 Corinthians 13. This is what we call Practical Christianity. Membership is conditional on adherence to these principles. If you're interested in joining our vibrant community, please email ManyMansions.HelpLine@gmail.com.

For additional information or to request Virtue Prayers at our Sunday Service, email: ManyMansions.HelpLine@gmail.com. This is a free service - contributions are always welcome. In the US, send to: MMSC.USA@gmail.com. In Canada, send to: manymansions144@gmail.com.

Closing Prayer:

Almighty God, we are filled with gratitude for Your loving presence among us. We thank You for guiding us in understanding Your Word and the mission to spread it throughout the world. We have felt Your divine love, and it is this love we are eager to share with all.

Lord, as we each go back into the world, may we carry with us the teachings of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and the message of the many mansions in Your Divine Dwelling. Let us be inspired and driven to build these mansions, not with brick and mortar, but with love, understanding, and acceptance.

Empower us, Lord, to shine brightly, reflecting Your grace and love in all that we do. May we be the city upon the hill, a beacon of hope for the weary, a haven for those seeking refuge. May our words and actions manifest Your Kingdom here on earth.

As we take solace in the promise that You are always with us, guiding us, supporting us, loving us. We thank You, Lord, for this gathering, for Your Word, and for Your enduring love.

In the name of Yeshua the Saviour /the Christ, our Teacher, and our Light, we pray. Hallelujah.

all rights reserved Copyrighted by Douglas J. Cottrell Aug 2023