October 1974
The Obstacle Course Vision
(Further details about the training programme for the Elect)
In this vision a large number of people were seen jog-trotting along a path that led off the main road. They had to negotiate a number of obstacles along the way before completing their course. As the race progressed, it was observed that there were to be no special honours for the first to arrive, but rather for the fact of completing the course. It was then observed that more and more of the company fell out due to fatigue and injury, but near the end there were still some in the race.
The obstacles were as follows –
1. A high wall that had to be scaled using the ropes provided.
2. A densely packed forest of trees, where the light was dim and the way difficult.
3. A deep murky bog, where feet dragged through mud that at times reached up to the thighs.
4. A stretch of land covered with sharp stones, broken glass and other similar impediments to progress.
5. A fast-flowing river that had to be crossed by skilful swimming.
6. A patch of dense scrub that grew taller and thicker as progress was made. Many contestants failed in this due to their inability to find a way through the inhospitable growth.
7. A glass wall that was not at first seen to be there at all.
One man managed to reach this wall and nearly knocked himself out as he hit it. He tried to find a way round but it seemed to be unending. He tried to scale it, but couldn’t find the top anywhere. Dismayed he sank to the ground, not knowing what to do next. He knew that the wall was an obstacle, and that he had to get to the other side, but all possibilities evaded him.
But as he lay on the ground thinking it over, he espied a small door with a handle, very low down, and only visible to those who had given up and not known what to do next. Turning the handle, the door opened, and it was just big enough for him to squeeze through.
On the other side of the glass wall there was darkness, and no possibility of going further. Indeed, there seemed to be no track, no pathway visible, and perhaps, for all he knew, there was a deep chasm. He had no power or ability to go further, and so he rested his back against the wall and waited for a sign of what would happen next.
Shortly afterwards he saw a small point of light in the distance, and it seemed to beckon to him, though there was no possible way of reaching it. But as he watched, the light grew stronger, and he then realised that whatever it as, it was approaching him, and therefore he had no option but that of inaction and waiting.
Eventually the light became very bright and he could now see that it took the shape of a square. And after some time the “square” reached him and set down right in front of him. There were two doors, one on each side of the square. The door on the left opened, and someone from within beckoned to him. He passed through the door, which was then shut behind him.
After a while the right hand door opened and the man emerged. But now he was seen to be in a quite different condition. Bright new garments replaced the tattered clothes, and there were no more scratches or bloodstains on his flesh. Indeed, he looked to be in full vigour of strength, no longer exhausted, but full of life, and on his face there was a slight glow.
Walking straight through the glass wall he made his way back along the obstacle course to meet the rest of those who had fallen by the wayside, and greeting them with encouragement, and imparting strength, he enabled them all to go on and reach the glass wall, where each one entered the left hand door and emerged from the right, changed.
The thrill that will attend all those who are “changed” into their new bodies, and be together with all those who have died, and now received their new bodies, is something that none of us can as yet estimate, but merely yearn for by the grace of God, in that He has placed His own word of encouragement before us. Suppose someone “comes back” at the start of the Kingdom, and tells us about “the other side.” It could be very much like the words of Tom Springfield’s song, which he wrote in 1967, and which was sung by the Seekers in that year.
ON THE OTHER SIDE
River, River, soon I’m gonna be over on the Other Side,
Water, Water, I just gotta be over on the Other Side,
Don’t be long now, ’cause I’m movin‘ on,
In the Morning you’re gonna find me gone,
Movin‘ over on the Other Side,
Movin‘ over on the Other Side,
Come on and follow me, you’ll be satisfied.
On the Other Side the Sun will shine,
On the Other Side everything is fine,
On the Other Side we’ll learn to be content, I know,
Where the grass is green we’ll step ashore,
And the air is clean we’ll weep no more
Leave your troubles far behind on the Other Side.
No more lonesome city misery over on the Other Side,
That’s why everybody oughta be over on the Other Side,
Don’t you tell me ‘Get to work at nine!’
Gonna do things in my own sweet time,
I’m movin‘ over on the Other Side,
Movin‘ over on the Other Side,
Come on and follow me, you’ll be satisfied
