Elijah Shed Tears for Heaven

Cheon Seong Gyeong 490

Do loving parents keep an account of
the times they love their children, say-
ing: “We bought you shoes and clothes
a few days ago with our hard earned
money, which cost us so many dollars
and cents”? When parents love their
children, they want to treat them even
better than princes and princesses, and
still feel sorry that they cannot give
more. Parents have the heart of want-
ing to give their children something
better. This is why we cherish parental
love. You should all know this. Parents
give and yet feel that it is not enough;
they love and yet feel as if there is some
love they have not yet given and want to
give more; and even after giving, they
still feel unsatisfied with what they were
able to give their children. This essence
of parental love is then what connects us
to eternal love. This is the original moti-
vation for the beginning point of love.
(60-82, 1972.8.6)

Cheon Seong Gyeong 1854

No matter how dirty the water, it
knows how to balance itself. People
should also know how to balance them-
selves. My coming here to Jardim does
not mean I have some special relation-
ship with Brazil. There are people living
here representing the five colors of differ-
ent races. Although I do not speak their
language, I do not think that they are a
different species. They are my kin – my
younger brothers and sisters. I am meet-
ing them again after living separately for
six thousand years. That is why they nat-
urally welcome me with joy, although we
do not share the same language, habits
and customs. (276-90, 1996.2.4)

Richard:  Rev. Sun Myung Moon spoke the language of true love.

Click below to listen to or download a recording of Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s speech “God’s Ideal Family Is the Model for World Peace”, the inaugural message of the Universal Peace Federation on September 23, 2005 at the Marriott Wardman Park hotel in Washington DC. Rev. Moon speaks extensively about the Peace Kingdom Corps.:
http://visionroot.org/assets/SMM%20UPF%2009-23-05-combined.mp3

The Heart of Heaven in Relation to Elijah

Sun Myung Moon
March 15, 1959

1 Kings 19: 1-21

Elijah was called before Heaven in the same manner. He had been a prince of tears, a person who shed tears no one knew of, until Heaven sought him. He shed more tears than any king of Israel, more than anyone else in Israel. There had been Israelites who had shed tears over their miserable circumstances, but those tears were shed for themselves. The tears of Elijah, though a common man, were shed having forgotten his circumstances and pride. They were disinterested tears. His mind was great in its wondering, “Why has Israel, whom Heaven has guided, wound up as it has?”

The remnant of the mass of the six hundred thousand who died in the forty-year wilderness course, after having undergone four hundred years of slavery under Egypt, entered into the land of Canaan and built the nation of Israel. Yet Elijah saw that Israel was being subjugated by a foreign country, cajoled by the enemy. The privilege of being the chosen people of God was being abused. Elijah felt a deeply penetrating sorrow. He assiduously prayed for the people, more than anyone else, and made more effort than anyone else for Heaven. Because only such a one could represent Israel, Heaven sought Elijah.

When he heard Heaven’s voice calling, “Elijah… Elijah.” Elijah might have been taken aback. He might have said, “What is the reason for this? This is beyond my dreams. I never expected this to happen.” When he stepped forth in awe before the great will, Heaven said to him, “Since I am behind you, go and tell King Ahab.” With that word from Heaven, Elijah went to fight King Ahab on behalf of Heaven.

Elijah felt concern about the judgment day that was approaching because of Baal and the Asherah poles. They had been brought into the nation by Queen Jezebel, who came from a foreign country. Elijah grieved over Heaven’s sorrow and the people for a long time. That is why, upon receiving the word from Heaven, he stepped forth saying, “Father, if there is a way for the people to live, I will carry it into effect, offering myself as the sacrifice.” After he received the word of command from Heaven and departed to go to King Ahab, the word “happiness” never applied to Elijah’s life again. Things happened contrary to his expectations; he had to hear unheard of things. His environment was far from a comfortable one.

Elijah warned King Ahab that if he worshipped a foreign god, he would perish and that he would starve after a year of bad harvests. However, King Ahab did not listen and instead tried to kill Elijah. Elijah made his escape and sought shelter in the Kerith Ravine. Elijah’s heart was very, very sad.

If he had not known Heaven, he could have had a house, parents, relatives, brothers and sisters. He would have had a piece of land where he could live in an environment that recognized him. However, starting from the day he stepped forth for Heaven, he was put in circumstances where he had to hide in a ravine. Still, Elijah did not feel bitter against Heaven. Rather, he blamed King Ahab. He did not feel bitter against the people; he had a grudge against Queen Jezebel. If he had not had a heart of loyalty toward Heaven in an environment where he was being pursued and cornered, he would have abandoned his mission. The more his environment contracted, the more strongly Elijah clung onto Heaven’s sorrow and the people. Elijah knew that a life of grieving with Heaven was grander than a life of temporary happiness. Therefore, he moved closer and closer to Heaven, not forsaking his ancestors’ historic achievements and disregarding his pain.

For all that, Elijah did not know that Heaven cared more about him than his brothers and sisters did, that Heaven felt more concern about him than his relatives did, and that Heaven was more apprehensive about his safety than his parents were. Humanity comes to know the heart of Heaven only after going past it; this is the sad reality of going forth in search of Heaven.

 

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