A Victorian’s Religious Beliefs

SHALL WE HAVE FOODS IN THE SPIRIT-WORLD?

This question cannot be answered with certainty. And it will remain unsolved so long as we remain in this world. Disciples and Preachers have said little about it. But the subject must be interesting to inquiring spirits.

Jesus speaks of “drinking wine, when with his disciples, in his Father’s Kingdom”.

And in “Revelations” John mentions that in the New Jerusalem there is the Tree of Life, bearing fruit every month, for those who “Keep God’s commandments”.

These words of Jesus, and John, do not solve the question. Still – they favour the belief that there is spirit-foods in the spirit-world, and wherever and whatever kind of life exists there goes with it the idea that some suitable kind of food is required to nourish that life. At present we have no knowledge of the continuation of any kind of life, anywhere, without food or sustenance.

It may be said that God can continue the life of Spirit-Beings without food. But that cannot be proved. And, so far as we know, God always provides suitable kinds of sustenance for all forms of life, everywhere! Therefore, it would seem reasonable to believe that God provides suitable foods for the endless continuation of our Spirit-Existence, in the future world!

God provides sustenance for our Bodies here, in this world – by which they can continue with half their existence without real decay. Therefore, it must be possible that God can provide foods, or spirit-sustenance, in the future World, by which spirit-beings can continue, and live forever!

God’s need of providing us foods in the spirit-world is not a greater mystery than His need of providing us food in the World. ALL is mystery! The origin of all reality is a mystery, in the world, and in ALL WORLDS!

And – we cannot conceive a continuation of life, in any world, without sustenance. Therefore, all we know favours the belief that in that blessed Spirit-land, the “Better Country”, all the countless millions of Spirit-beings shall receive spirit-food by which they will continue, and live forever!

George Burgess – May 1899