THE FIRST BIBLE – NATURE 3

W

hen I first went to the Songni Mountain, I saw a huge boulder the size of a house with a single pine tree on it. I went up to that huge rock and saw that there was no soil or drop of water there with this pine tree on the rock having stood alone for thousands of years. It had been subject to all kinds of strong winds and snowstorms with no friend or companion, having survived always lonely and alone.  

Without any soil, where could it get its nutrients, and without a single drop of water, how did it survive its thirst? How did it live through the dry spring season, how did it not burn to death during the hot summers when the rock was throbbing with heat? How did it not freeze to death without being able to cover its feet in the dirt atop that rock in the winter? I could not understand how it had survived, not for a hundred or two hundred years, but for thousands of years.

However, despite the most adverse conditions, this pine tree on the rock was not frowning over its environment and fate at all, only smiling brightly as it waved at me saying God is love and that He had taken care of it like this until now. I was so astonished when I went up the rock and saw that pine tree. Even though we have so much to eat and drink, and are surrounded by the nicest environment, we are always dissatisfied, full of complaints and murmuring. But the pine tree had no complaints at all though it had not a pile of dirt or drop of water. I don’t know how it could always be praising God without frowning in the least, always with a bright smile. That’s why I wrote a poem like this:

The Pine Tree on the Rock

You pine tree on the rock,

You one lonely pine tree…

What was there for you to live on

Throughout the four seasons?

Was there soil for you to eat,

Was there water for you to drink,

With neither soil nor water, what did you live on?

What did you drink during those dry spring seasons?

How did you survive the hot burning summers?

Who did you talk with during the lonely autumn nights?

How did you endure those cruel snowstorms in winter?

And yet you never spoke one word of complaint,

You never spoke one word of discontent,

You never expressed one word of displeasure.

Amidst the lonely, impoverished, perilous environment,

Under an atmosphere of solitude and danger,

Rather than expressing your loneliness or poverty,

Rather than showing your loneliness or hunger,

You always smiled and made others happy.

Can angels in heaven possess such a heart?

Can anyone on earth be like you?

I at least will be your eternal friend,

I at least will be your eternal companion,

I yearn to live with you upon this rock

Forever and ever.

Just like this pine tree on the rock, we should also praise and be thankful to God no matter what situation or providence we face. If a person chooses to be thankful, there are endless reasons to be thankful; if a person chooses to complain, there are endless reasons to complain. That is why all our ancestors died complaining and resentful, filled with doubts until they died. However, like the pine tree on the rock, no matter what conditions you face, even if you are alone, may you always be thankful for whatever situation you are in, to live a satisfied life.

Next, I am so thankful to our Father who gave us the mountain. Sometimes I wonder how I could have survived living on this earth without the mountain. I probably would not have. There is no friend as holy and good as the mountain. They say that this world is in ruins because of the sins that abound in it. Also, the cities are in ruins because of corruption that prevails in them. But though you may have heard of humans changing and becoming corrupt, to end up dying, have you ever heard of the mountain becoming corrupt and being tainted by sin?

Though the mountain may live thousands of years, it lives completely apart from sin. Though it lives in a world of sin, it lives a holy life completely having nothing to do with sin. The mountain has such a generous heart that flying birds and running beasts all love the mountain so much and jump into its arms embracing it. Also, all the holy sages always go to the mountain. And no matter how vicious and wicked sinners may be, even if they will always fight, quarrel and use weapons against each other, there is no one who comes to the mountain to fight with each other; they dare not. Rather, when people come to the mountain, all become generous, shouting out, “Hello! Hello!” as people who are so cold with one another all help each other, giving a friendly hand in helping one another climb the mountain. Truly the mountain is such a beautiful friend. No matter how corruption may prevail throughout this sinful world, the mountain at least guards itself from all sin, having nothing to do with it. Rather, it embraces all animals and humans with such a generous heart. That’s why all people, no matter what kind of sinner you may be, like to hide in the bosom of the mountain. This is a poem I wrote about the mountain:

Mountain

Mountain, mountain, mountain,

She is the loveliest friend in the world.

Her heart is generous and meek, and her love is never-changing.

This mountain friend has a benevolent and holy heart as our heavenly Daddy.

That is why she attracts man, animals, and all flying birds,

All admire the mountain and seek to go there.

           

Even though secular people quarrel with one another,

If they just flee to the mountain,

They like each other with gladness and love one another

And sing songs of heart-filled joy in chorus.

All worries and care vanish away,

And their gradual resemblance of the mountain

Makes them become more good-natured and holy.

But upon forsaking the mountain,

They again become enemies who fight, despise, and kill one another.

Oh how beautiful is the mountain friend!

Oh how holy is the mountain friend!

In her whole lifetime, the mountain friend never loses her temper,

Such a holy friend also has such a firm chastity, never compromising with sin.

Though foolish people have degenerated for over the past 6000 years,

Stained by filthy sins over and over again,

This mountain friend alone still stands untainted by sin.

Though living in such a sinful world,

She does not even know such words as sin or corruption,

That is why God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, angels, and all the heavenly hosts

Possess such an intense adoration for the mountain, frequently abiding with her.

Oh indeed she is a beautiful friend!

If mountains did not exist in this world,

What would have happened to the universe and its living creatures?

Let’s offer thanksgiving to our Daddy for giving us the mountain friend.

I long to live along with this friend,

I shall also live a holy eternal life, eternally apart from sin.

The mountain is so holy that even God always seeks it. You will never hear that God descended upon a city, it was always a mountain – Mount Sinai, Mount of Olives, and even Mount Zion in heaven. Jesus also always went to the mountain; it was His companion as He met God there. Just like the mountain, all Doalnara brethren must also become those that are as beautiful as the mountain, never knowing degeneration or corruption.

I also like the ocean because it is so generous at heart. No matter how much people always fight and quarrel, the ocean just laughs. Even if people throw away all kinds of contaminants and polluted oils, the ocean just laughs. Have you ever seen the ocean frown or get angry? It only laughs always. Though humans fight and shed blood into the ocean, or whether they reconcile later on, the ocean just laughs. How generous and kind the ocean is. During the Gulf War, the ocean was subject to so much damage that it cannot be described in words. But to this day, the ocean merely laughs. So, to this ocean who has such a generous heart, I wrote a poem like this:

The Ocean Laughs

The ocean laughs

In pleasant weather

And even in poor weather

The ocean laughs

Despite rain it laughs

Despite snow it laughs

And even despite wind, the ocean laughs

The ocean laughs

Whether men are fighting

Or dancing with joy

The ocean laughs

Whether nations are at war

Or in peaceful amity

The heart of the ocean is wide

The heart of the ocean is deep

That is why the ocean forgives all things

And loves all things and gives smiles to all

Likewise, all people of beautiful Doalnara

Are beautiful holy citizens who possess

The good-natured hearts of the ocean

If we were to possess a heart like the ocean, there would be no reason for us to fight or quarrel ever. After fighting or quarreling, people think that it was such a big fuss, but a few hours later, or three days later, you will wonder why you were fighting so fiercely over nothing of consequence. After that moment is over, there is nothing and no reason to fight, but you just go through so much unbearable anguish. Life is short enough as it is even if you smile and laugh all the time, but I don’t understand why people always fight and tear each other apart. Nowadays, we hear about so many people going through divorce proceedings. Even in our country, it has become like the Western countries. About fifty thousand couples get divorced every year. It means one hundred thousand people are divorced. When you ask them why they got divorced, it was really over nothing serious. “Oh, why didn’t you fold your blanket?” “I’ll just do it later.” “Oh, you must do it right away,” and later on they say that the woman ignored the man and that the man ignored the woman. When you try to trace back to the main cause, the reason why they divorced, there is no valid reason in actuality.

Do you know why the World War began? An Italian soldier got into a fight with an enemy soldier; a fight between two soldiers developed into a world war. If individuals and countries in this world had a heart like the ocean or the mountain, there would never be any need for arguments or wars. Over nothing such precious lives were ruined and so many killed. Let us live with a smile.

The lyrics to a popular song go like this, “Why wear a grimace? Why be vexed?” No matter how vexed you are and wear a grimace filled with irritation, or even if you get into a big fight, after only three days or a few hours, you will wonder to yourself, “Oh why did I make such a big fuss over nothing?” and be filled with regrets. Let us have a heart like the ocean and always laugh. No matter what happens, let us always laugh.

I was asked to go together with our missionary team to Woo-long Island so I followed them. Woo-long Island was quite far. We were passing a vast expanse of water and I couldn’t see any sign of land or the Woo-long Island, it was so far. After some time, I could see a hazy outline of a mountain and that was finally Woo-long Island.

It is there that I met Elijah. The life of Elijah is that of a lone general. Day and night, this lonely Woo-long Island, solitary and alone without a friend, stood there with the black ocean waves of fallacy beating upon him incessantly, with no time to even breathe, as if he would be swallowed whole. How the sea roared in again and again, attacking without rest, without mercy. This Woo-long Island stood alone as he was attacked from all sides by enemies day and night, defending himself in battle without sleep, without rest.

For thousands of years he had fought like that, but never once was he defeated. However, despite his unbeaten record and perfect victory in every battle, the long years of battle had taken its toll on Woo-long Island. His heart was all torn apart and broken because of the enemies’ constant attacks so fierce and terrible. Though Woo-long Island was a triumphant victor, he missed heaven. “Ah, when will this battle end so that I can go to heaven where there is no more fighting, where there is rest….”

Woo-long Island at one time had so many visitors who really loved him. He had brought much income to the locals with catches of squid and fish, and people vowed, “Oh, we like you, Woo-long Island, we will live together with you, we will never depart from you, Woo-long Island,” and they had flattered and professed their love to him. There had been forty thousand people living on Woo-long Island at one time. But when the lean years came with no fish to be caught, no income to be made, all the people left Woo-long Island, saying, “We don’t need you Woo-long Island. When did we ever say that we liked you?” and without even a backward glance they had all left. And they took everything with them. So everyone left and less than half remained, only about 17,000 people.

This Woo-long Island had trusted them, but upon seeing them all leave, how his heart ached. This lone general was lonely as it is, but when even those he trusted all left, he was so sad and lonely, feeling so betrayed, his heart aching and broken.

However, there was one friend, the seagull. Through the lean years or prosperous years, this friend stood by Woo-long Island’s side, saying, “I’m here,” and encouraged the Woo-long Island, comforting him and urging him to prevail throughout his battles. “All the humans may have left, but I’m here, we are here,” said the seagull friends.

It was there that I met Elijah who fought alone as a lone general. Even now, I cannot forget Woo-long Island. It was there that I saw myself. The Woo-long Island had stood alone fighting off enemies on a constant attack day and night with no time to even breathe, the black waves of fallacy roaring in seemingly about to swallow him, surrounded by the sea and fighting alone for thousands of years without a single defeat. That’s why I wrote this poem about that unforgettable friend:

Warrior Woo-long Island and the Seagulls   

Surrounded by the endlessly wide sea

That vast, boundless expanse of water,

By the angry sea, before the attacking rough sea

That assaults mercilessly to devour him once and for all,

The lonely and small Woo-long Island

Stands alone and fights without even a friend or companion.

Before the heinous enemy that,

If he were to look somewhere else for even a moment,

Would try to swallow him whole,

The small island Woo-long

Does not doze for even a second but stays awake,

Standing bravely in opposition, to fight.

Having fought like that, day and night for thousands of years,

Now, even the body of the small island Woo-long

Has become a mess, ruptured and broken up.

Not for a few years, but for thousands of years,

Without even a moment to spare,

Before the attacking enemy’s assault,

How were you completely undefeated like that

During all those times?

Ah, how splendid you are, Woo-long Island.

Ah, how brave you are, you small island.

But, though Woo-long Island is a victor, he is lonely.

Woo-long Island is strong, but longs for a place to rest.

Though Woo-long Island has won,

His head has been ruptured and filled with holes.

Woo-long Island longs for friends.

Woo-long Island longs for heaven where there is no fighting.

The good-hearted seagulls are the only friends

Of the lonely Woo-long Island.

When Woo-long Island grieves from loneliness,

The seagulls become his close friends

And when Woo-long Island is tired, having used up all his strength,

They strengthen him through songs, 

And when Woo-long sheds tears because his heart aches,

They become his companions and cry with him.

When Woo-long Island helps humans

To make money and catch fish,

They clamor, “Ah, Woo-long Island is wonderful.

We will live with Woo-long Island forever.”

But when the reality of the lean years hit Woo-long Island,

And he cannot help them make money or catch fish properly,

All walk away mocking the Woo-long Island, deriding him,

“We don’t like you, Woo-long Island. We don’t need you, Woo-long Island.”

Then, looking at the people who are leaving him to go away,

In a daze, Woo-long Island becomes a lonely island

That cries in his heart and only sheds tears.

That is why the heart of the small island is always throbbing.

I suppose that is why it is called, “Woo-long Island.”

At such times, the seagull friends always

Appear before Woo-long Island who is undergoing the sorrow of betrayal

And say, “Am I not here? I will not leave.

Brace yourself. Continue to be victorious.”

The seagulls are sincere friends who do not hesitate

To comfort and encourage him.

The seagulls are Woo-long’s only friends, his eternal friends.

That is why Woo-long Island is alone, but not lonely,

Though Woo-long Island is tired, he receives new strength,

And becomes an invincible undefeated warrior

Who is always able to repel the unceasing attacks of the enemies.

Since these two eternal friends have united with one heart and one love,

As long as this love does not change, the enemy will never be able to win.

Oh, the burning love and friendship

Of beautiful Woo-long Island and the seagulls,

May it shine forever and ever,

May even the heavenly angels envy it.

Not too far ahead in the future, the whole world will attack you, trying to swallow you up. But like that lonely Woo-long Island, as you become Elijahs that stand alone fighting endless battles without a moment’s rest, may you be as victorious as the Woo-long Island has been. And I hope that you will be like the seagull friend, to remain loyal and be a friend to the Son of God.

I went to visit the United States. I had thought that Los Angeles would be such a beautiful city, but it was merely a city raised up in the desert. With no rain there, everything was planted by people and watering machines were kept running all the time to water the plants. It was a desert for miles and miles without end. I think we traveled about nine hours through endless desert lands.

But I met such unexpected friends there. Though New York was established in a beautiful environment, it was a wicked place compared to LA with hearts that were much more beautiful. So Los Angeles sounds like “lost angels,” but since God’s Son went there, since many of God’s sons now live there, it is not a lost city anymore but Happy Angeles where happy angels live. This is what I wrote about Los Angeles:

Happy Angeles

Los Angeles

Beloved Los Angeles

Who dared to call you “lost angels”

From now on, you are “happy angels,” you are the angels of happiness

In the past, you had left Real Daddy

Wandering in the wilderness, the desert

A lost angel, a forsaken angel

But our Real Daddy personally sought for you

And embraced you in his arms

So now you will be eternally happy

Piling up all the happiness on your two wings

When you see angels who are lost and crying as you had before

Go out to them wherever they are

And lead them all into the happy bosom of our Real Daddy

For then the day will come

When you also will receive the crown of an Archangel

Then I went to Atlanta afterwards. Our brethren had rented a cottage by a lake there for me, so I rested there for a few days. It was the dawn hour one morning, I can’t remember what time it was, but it was quite early at dawn when I went out to the lake. I went there to pray, and this lake was very big and there was a forest and mountains nearby. Across from the lake, I could see the mountain’s silhouette.

The moon had come out and the lake had an exact reflection of the woods and the moon drawn on the lake. It looked just like a mirror without a single ripple of water upon that still and serene lake. The moon was so big and bright and the reflection of the trees and the moon upon the lake’s horizon with an exact replica upon the lake was so amazing, you couldn’t tell which was the real and which was the reflection. It looked like the lake was a mirror without a single ripple, faithfully reflecting everything. Never in my life had I been so entranced by the moonlit night of a lake. I can never forget the sight. Together with Brother Kang and Brother Park, we just continued sighing, “Ah~, Ah~” at the view spread out before us.

I wondered why that lake appeared so alluring and charming more so than ever, and I realized it was perhaps because this “sage of the East” always praised only the beautiful landscape in the East, and this lake feeling piqued and rather envious, came out that night adorned in magnificent splendor. It was truly unforgettably captivating. It was the first time in my entire life that I had seen such a scenic view of a moonlit night on a lake. I really couldn’t tell whether the moon in the sky or its reflection on the lake was real, it was such an exact reflection. So this is what I wrote:

A Moon-lit Night on Lake Lanier

I am enraptured by the moonlight our Daddy pours onto Lake Lanier.

How is it that you have such a lovely appearance, such a captivating face?

I had complimented the So-geum Gang and the Hae-geum Gang of the East,

But you are more beautiful, more charmingly adorned than they,

And with a fierce jealousy you appear before me.

The moment I saw you,

My heart was so enthralled that I completely lost my soul in your beauty.

As you made your way softly towards me,

And upon hearing your loving confession,

“Royal Prince, I love you,”

I utterly lost my mind.

I still have a long, long road ahead of me,

But enchanted by your charm,

This royal prince is unable to take a single step away from you.

My beloved moonlit night on Lake Lanier,

My heart that has completely fallen for you

Is struggling whether it should give up the heavenly paradise for you…

And with such an enraptured anguish,

I stay awake this night, unable to sleep.

It was so captivating that if you become too intoxicated by its beauty, it’s possible you would even abandon Paradise for it. I was completely enchanted. It reminded me of Li Bai (acclaimed Chinese poet from the Golden Age of China). There is no one who doesn’t know China’s most acclaimed genius poet of the East. This poet, Li Bai, would just open his mouth and utter the most beautiful poems.

So one day, the king called Li Bai and said, “Won’t you recite a poem for me?” And Li Bai replied, “Give me something to drink first.” No matter who it was, king or no, you had to give him some liquor before he would recite any poem, that’s how much he liked drinking. He would never recite without some liquor on hand. But once he had a drink in his hand, he would start reciting the most delightful and enchanting poems. Never in the history of the East has there been a poet as genius as Li Bai.

One day, this genius poet was sitting on a boat in the river on a moonlit night drinking and reciting poems. And slowly he became drunk enjoying his evening. Soon after, he was quite heavily drunk. Suddenly he noticed the moon like a big lump of gold floating on the water. The sky was too high for him to pick the moon there, so he never thought about doing it, but the moon on the water seemed attainable. Li Bai faltering in drunkenness reached out to pick the moon, saying, “I’ll be back in a second, I’m going into the water to get that moon.” And to this day he has not come out yet.

Had I had a drink that night by Lake Lanier, I might have gone into the water as well. Fortunately, I wasn’t drunk, but it really reminded me of Li Bai. I understood how Li Bai could have jumped into the river. I could see it was possible to jump in for the moon if one wasn’t in his proper senses. The moon in the sky might be unattainable, but that moon in the water seemed quite reachable. That splendid Lake Lanier on that moon-lit night is a sight I will never forget.

Elder Song from LA and a few of our brethren travelled nine hours to Yosemite. Though I was exhausted from travelling all the way to the United States, my penchant for mountains rendered me helpless and I couldn’t decline an opportunity to go to the mountains there as well. How tired you become after travelling for nine hours in a car, but once we arrived in Yosemite, I completely forgot all about my fatigue. The mountains there were so lovely.

Once we reached there, I saw these giant trees and they were all evergreens. How tall and straight they were with not a crooked tree among them. The barks weren’t rough and coarse like pine trees but smooth like a naked leg standing tall and shiny. And when the sun shined down, it lit up the whole forest. It’s written that in the paradise of heaven where we will live, glory will be reflected in the forests; it wouldn’t be gloomy and dark but radiant with glory. I was able to see what the paradise of heaven would be like as I beheld Yosemite. “Ah, that’s why it’s written that the forest paradise in heaven would be radiant with glory.” Those massive trees with their red trunks rose straight and high piercing the sky, and when the sun shined down upon them, the whole forest glistened with bright glory. And there seemed no end to these splendid trees.

It was so beautiful there that I wondered if I had not stepped into the Garden of Eden. But not a single opportunistic, changeable broadleaf tree could be found there; such trees were never permitted there. They were all loyal and chaste evergreens that kept their chastity, and only these evergreens filled this forest. I couldn’t understand how in such a beautiful country there could be living people who were so unprincipled and unchaste. This is what I wrote:

Yosemite’s Forest Paradise

You trees that live in Yosemite’s forest paradise,

Not only for hundreds of years but for thousands of years,

Through snowstorms, rainstorms, windstorms, typhoons,

Cold and hot tempests of all kinds,

You have remained undaunted.

You are firm in your devotion and exemplary in your faith.

Your virile appearance

Resemble that of your brother trees living in the east of Eden.

You are long and slender, as if you will reach the heavens at any moment,

And your trunks are so massive, as if great Herculean warriors stand before me.

Your faces resemble that of your brothers in Paradise,

Glorious and splendid in every feature,

And your smile and laughter are

An illustration of your brothers in that heavenly paradise.

Oh, how wonderful you are, warriors of Yosemite!

How admirable you are, my friends of the forest paradise!

How is it that you choose and make friends so wisely,

In this great and vast neighborhood, there are opportunity-seeking, treacherous villains,

The broad-leaved trees that dare not ever loiter here.

You have blocked their path, and not even one can move into your paradise.

For thousands of years, only those upright and faithful among you

Were worthy to be your friends.

Amiably you loved and trusted one another, happily protecting your paradise.

(We also must be careful what friends we make)

I came out to the front yard,

And there you were, swaying from side to side, dancing as cascading waterfalls,

And in your illusive dance, I was so distracted to the point of completely losing my soul.

(When we came out of the Yosemite National Park, we could see a waterfall that fell hundreds of meters down, the drop seemed endless, but the waters jumped down while dancing and swaying. It was truly magnificent. And on this side was a giant boulder friend. Hikers from all over the world would come to climb this rock and it would take them a week to reach the top. It was a rock mountain, and during the cold season, people would take a week’s worth of food and climb to the top. From far away, they looked like fleas moving about, and they used a rope to climb this rock mountain, eating and dozing while suspended on the rock, and it took them a week to reach the top. How sad it is, if they exerted that kind of effort to come to the Elijah Gospel Missionary Institute, they would all go to heaven. But that rock was shouting to them in a loud voice to believe in God’s covenant, preaching to them.)

The wide forehead and manly face of the bald-headed rock warrior,

With his strong faith,

Scold and give powerful lectures to those who are constantly doubtful of Daddy’s love,

Telling them to believe and have firm faith in His promises.

And the scenery that bursts forth in the vast space before me,

Has convinced this most proud, holy “sage of the East,”

To fully surrender,

Just as you expected, confessing and admitting to your charm.

Oh lovely are you, Yosemite’s forest paradise!

Oh magnificent are you, warriors of Yosemite!

I sincerely love you,

And as I leave you behind for the East,

My heart will always be longing for you, unable to forget you.

God did not allow the Paradise of Eden at the time of Noah’s flood to be drowned but relocated it to heaven, and to this day for six thousand years, the trees there have continued growing. Now the trees in Yosemite had grown after Noah’s flood, but still the trunks were thirteen arm-lengths wide, and there were even bigger trees than that. Even though some trees had fallen three hundred years ago, they hadn’t even decayed at all. But I was told even bigger trees could be found in other forests. Even trees that had grown after Noah’s flood were thirteen arm-lengths wide and endlessly tall so that you could not even see the top, so what about those trees in the Paradise of Eden that have continued growing to this day, how incredibly beautiful they must be! Truly I longed for our Paradise so much upon going to Yosemite. Let’s all go to our Paradise and live there together.

Then I went to Hawaii. People have said Hawaii is a piece of the Garden of Eden that God left behind, so I expected it to be truly beautiful. But I was so very disappointed. Hawaii is an island made on a bed of lava from a volcano that had burst long ago, and because it’s always warm, some plants and flowers grow quite easily there, but that is all there is to it.

The entire island of Hawaii was so desolate, just a place with molten lava that had cooled and hardened. In some places, there was no grass at all, and even now there is smoke coming out in some places. Truly Hawaii was so barren, but people called it a piece of the Eden Paradise. I grew quite upset just at the thought of it and determined, “I will surely show these people what the Eden Paradise really is and set them straight.”

But I met a marvelous, unforgettable friend there, and that was the ocean in Hawaii. I had seen the Atlantic Ocean, and the oceans on the east and west coasts of Korea, as well as the western Pacific Ocean, but truly Hawaii’s ocean was the king of oceans. It was different. Pastor Shin Bo-kyoon went this time and he said, “Whew, Teacher, the ocean in Hawaii is truly different.” It was truly magnificent. It seemed as if millions of ocean waves were rolling in one after the other, dancing and swaying, and they came racing towards me in greeting, waving their white sudsy handkerchief at me. Forgetting its dignity as king, this ocean just came racing towards me, falling over itself to greet me. And so this is what I wrote:

Hawaii Ocean King

Ocean,

Hawaii’s ocean is so magnificent and pure,

Its beauty is immeasurable.

As if numerous heaven’s silk beddings are spread upon its surface,

Your flattering and waving display is a sight to behold,

As lovely as an artist’s painting.

You king of the ocean, Hawaii’s ocean,

Though you are the ocean king above all the many, many oceans in the world,

How is it today, you have not the time to even think of your position as king,

Or your prestige as king,

Running to me with incomprehensible fondness, welcoming me as a child.

Still at a far distance, how is it that you recognized me,

Taking out your white handkerchief,

And without discretion, waving to me, stumbling and crying out in awe,

“Your Majesty, the royal prince of heaven,

How did your Majesty

Find me in this isolated corner of Hawaii?”

The sight of you panting as you race over to me,

Unable to overcome your joy as you run to me like a child, saying

“Your Majesty, Imperial Prince,

Though I am the king of oceans,

Before your Majesty, how can I not help but become most childish among children?

As King David seemed like a child before the ark of the Lord’s Covenant

Jumping with joy and dancing with vibrant life…

And yet, how can my incredible joy today possibly be compared with that of King David’s?

Majesty, by all means, please stay here a long while before you leave.

This is my greatest desire.”

Yes,

You Hawaii ocean, your heart is so gentle and kind.

You loved me with your whole heart and faithfully you came to welcome me,

So I too will change my plans,

And dwell here with you a little while longer.

The Hawaii ocean claps its hands,

And jumps, crying with joy like a child,

Day and night, the gratitude and praise of Hawaii’s ocean does not cease.

My love, faithful Hawaii ocean king,

Not only your outward appearance,

But may your inner being also

Be as beautiful and lovely as velvety silk.

-November 16, 1990. In Hawaii-

The Hawaii ocean was so beautiful and it was also a natural doctor. When I went to the States – there were many brethren who came from the US – I had so many misgivings that I could not set my heart at ease there. One time, I had gone to a public restroom there, and I did not know how to use the public bathroom so I used it as if it were my own bathroom – I sat down on the toilet seat. I only sat once on the toilet seat and came out, but my tender skin became so itchy, and I got a skin infection that began to spread.

Later, I could not even sleep at night because it was so itchy. I told our brethren and the US being one of the most scientifically advanced countries, they got the most sophisticated skin medications for me to use. They bought three or four of the best remedies, but no matter how much I used them, they weren’t effective at all. Later, I got rashes the size of my palm and they began to spread all over. I had come rather dubious about the US, but now I had this rash that wouldn’t heal, and I asked Pastor Park there, “What if I have contracted AIDS on this visit to America?” So he came and took a look and said, “Oh Teacher, it’s not AIDS. The flesh of people who contract AIDS decay, but this is not AIDS. Why would you contract AIDS, Teacher?” I didn’t know what was the matter, but it wouldn’t heal. How could anyone live in such a fearful place?

Later, I saw that they have paper to cover the toilet seats in the bathrooms, because Americans are also afraid. You place this paper on the cover of the toilet seat and after using the bathroom, you flush it away together with the waste. We don’t have things like that in Korea. And some people can’t even trust the paper cover and squat on the toilet seat instead; I could see footprints on the toilet seat. So what a terrifying country it is! You really have to be careful with public bathrooms; later if I have the opportunity, I will talk about AIDS, but it was truly such a dreadful country.

I was so happy with this Hawaii ocean friend that I went into the water, but suddenly it grabbed my waist as if to drag me in. I ended up getting wet with all my clothes on, but after playing with my Hawaii ocean friend for a while, later I found that my skin infection had completely healed. Truly our Daddy had provided a remedy for us that covers the whole world, but people only rely on medications and needles. If you also become friends with nature, you will become such a happy being.

From there, I went to Japan. The fog was so thick at the time that we stopped over in Korea before reaching Japan. I had started my mountain prayer at the time so had planned to just keep the Sabbath there before leaving, but our Japanese brethren would not let me, saying, “Teacher, you wrote several poems during your visit to the States, why won’t you even write one poem for us here? You came here easily enough, but you won’t find it so easy to leave.” So I acquiesced. I asked them where we were going and they replied, “We’re taking you to Fuji Mountain.”

This “Fuji” in Chinese characters means “wealthy” and “scholarly.” Baek-do Mountain in Korea is 2700 meters, but this Fuji Mountain is more than 4,000 meters high – it is a very big mountain. It is the pride of Japan, and when you say “mountain,” Fuji Mountain is the place to go.

Fuji Mountain thinks that it is the richest and most knowledgeable scholar, and it has been so proud and arrogant until now; there is nothing that the Fuji Mountain will look up to because it is so arrogant. We went to the Fuji Mountain and when we arrived, it was wintertime and they had blocked the entrance because the road there was slippery and dangerous. So we could only look at the Fuji Mountain from afar. Pastor Tanimura said, “Teacher, this Fuji Mountain is a virgin and seems so happy to see you.” But I replied, “Fuji Mountain is not a virgin but a bald old man.” There was not a single hair on his head, and yet he was so arrogant. He had thought himself the highest above all things, acting so proud and arrogant, but before the heavenly crowned prince, he was at a loss of what to do. He was so embarrassed that he covered his eyes and head with a cloud handkerchief. He was so shy and embarrassed that I looked away for his sake. Then he would lower the cloud handkerchief and peek a glance at me. Several times he would peek at me, then cover himself with the cloud handkerchief again, at times the head, the eyes, the middle, then cover himself entirely, then reveal himself completely. Truly the Fuji Mountain was magnificent. There were many photographers taking pictures there. I don’t know how that mountain could change its appearance so often, but it did every few minutes. And so this is what I wrote:

Fuji Mountain

The Fuji Mountain is so proud.

This Fuji Mountain always proclaims, 

“Within this whole Japanese Empire,

I am simply incomparable, I am the most high and lofty one,

I am first and foremost in wealth on this earth,

And as a highly educated scholar, I know all things.”

Audaciously having lived thinking himself as first in all things,

This Fuji Mountain was the proudest on this earth.

However, today,

When his Majesty, the royal prince of heaven suddenly appeared before him,

This Fuji Mountain became so ashamed, exclaiming,

“Ara hazukashi! Ara hazukashi! Oh, how disgraceful! Oh, how humiliating!”

And flustered, this Fuji Mountain hid beneath a blanket of clouds,

Busy hiding his bald head that had not a single hair.

Yet I paid no attention and pretended not to notice as I continued with my meal.

Then this Fuji Mountain who wanted to see the royal prince’s face just once,

Cautiously lowered his blanket of clouds, peering through with only his eyes showing.

When our eyes met by chance,

Unexpectedly shocked, the Fuji Mountain quickly covered his face

With the cloud blanket once more.

Repeatedly we played this game of hide-and-seek until without noticing,

Our eyes met in affection, and the Fuji Mountain’s fondness for me grew,

And I too learned to find him loveable, even his adorable bald head.

As my time was up, I made my way down toward the ocean.

The Fuji Mountain that had bashfully covered his head with a cloud blanket,

Ceased to notice that it had fallen off,

As he cried out,

“Douka watashio hitoride oite kaeranaide kudasai!

Douka watashio hitoride oite kaeranaide kudasai! 

Please do not go, leaving me here alone!

Please do not go, leaving me here alone!”

And stomping his feet, he wailed aloud.

Who said this good-natured, sweet Fuji Mountain friend was proud?

Who slandered this shy, easily timid, gentle-hearted friend as pompous and arrogant?

My love, Fuji Mountain, my friend Fuji Mountain,

Be good, stay well, always be humble and live happily forever.

-January 27, 1991. Fuji Mountain-

In Japan, most of our brethren there are native Japanese; only a few of our Korean brethren live there, so it is our Japanese brethren who make up most of our Doalnara members in Japan. Among them is a princess in her forties who used to work at the Japanese SDA hospital as an anesthetist. There aren’t many anesthetists so her job had been an important one. Anyways, she has a white horse, a white car, and while washing it on Friday Sabbath preparation day, she had thought to herself, “I wonder if Teacher would ride in my car?” and I actually did end up riding in her car. As she was driving me, she drove so well, and anxious not to worry me, she said, “Teacher, I have many years of driving experience. I’ve driven for many years so please don’t worry.”

She was telling me that she had grown up near the Fuji Mountain. When she was young, she had prayed, “Oh God! When I grow up and get married, let me meet a man who can make this Fuji Mountain explode.” She had prayed this prayer at a young age when marriage wasn’t even something to think about, and she herself didn’t know why she offered that kind of prayer. But she was saying that it is today at last that her prayers have been answered, and she was so happy while driving me. Am I someone who makes the Fuji Mountain explode? Not only Fuji Mountain but the universe as well! This princess wrote this for the Morning Dew magazine and I will read it to you:

To My Teacher

The scale has fallen from my eyes

Because I have heard your voice

My thirst has been quenched

Because I have personally drunk from the water of life

My hunger has been satisfied

Because I have personally eaten the bread of life

The fire has begun to burn in my heart

Because your love has personally touched me

My soul trembled

Because Great Prince Michael personally gave the command

My body has become strong

Because I have received a personal request to keep my chastity

However, everything I am has been broken down to powder

Because I have met my Bridegroom who can make the universe explode

Isn’t it written that those who will ascend to heaven were chosen ever since they were young? Even she doesn’t know why she prayed like that, but on her wedding day, as she looked at her husband next to her, she wondered if he would be the one who could make Fuji Mountain explode, and realized he wasn’t the one. Anyways, she brought her younger brother to the Seminar this time.

Like me, our Japanese brethren really love the mountains and were so happy. We were so happy together and full of love for one another, but we could not communicate. They told me, “Teacher, how nice it would be if we could speak the same language and we could hear your sermons directly, to profess our love to one another without a translator.” And so I replied, “I don’t think that way. True love doesn’t need conversation. Just by seeing your faces, I know what’s in your heart, and you can see what’s in my heart by looking at my face, can’t you? It doesn’t matter, but just be patient a little longer. When we go to heaven, we won’t use Japanese or Korean, but we will use our language; the time will come when we will use the perfect language of the universal heavenly kingdom.” And when I told them that, they were so happy.

With true love, you don’t need words. Rather, too much conversation can lead to a collision of opinions and misunderstanding. Look at those adorable puppies and birds, do they speak with one another? Even without words, they know and feel love. That’s why even though I was in Japan, I did not feel like I was in a foreign country. Their faces are Asian, like us, and all the Japanese signs were in Chinese characters, so I felt like I was in some city in Korea. It felt so familiar and warm, and Japan is a very quaint and pretty country.

In Shinsundong where I live, there is an ancient sage’s house twenty minutes from where I live. They say that a sage from the Geum-gang Mountain retreated here when Kim Il-sung invaded Korea. When the Geum-gang Mountain where he used to live was invaded, he came to the south and upon pondering which mountain he should run away to, he chose to come to Songni Mountain over the Sorak Mountains. Songni Mountain means “a mountain that has departed the secular world.”

So I went to see this sage’s house and it was falling apart. Inside, secular people from the world who had come hiking had left only beer bottles. The pillars were broken and only litter could be found scattered here and there. But though the atmosphere was like that, this sage had planted all kinds of fruit trees, apricots, apples, walnuts, and dates. When I went there during the season of thick foliage, it seemed as if a sage would come out at any minute to rinse barley on a woven basket. How nice it would have been if I had met that sage … but he had left. I don’t know where he departed to. So I went to that sage’s house and wrote this:

Visiting the Ancient Sage’s House

Escaping from the world and reaching the ancient sage’s house,

Though the landscape remains unchanged,

The ancient sage cannot be found.

The house that the sage had lived in and the fruit trees still remain standing,

But the sage has quietly hidden his whereabouts.

Is he hiding in Geum-gang Mountain?

Did he ascend to heaven riding on a cloud?

I came to see this elder, anxiously longing to meet him,

But no matter how much I call out loudly, there is no answer.

Eagerly I ask the blue stream that flows by singing where this elder might be,

But it moves on busily while replying briskly

That it is also on its way now to meet the elder.

Blue stream, blue stream,

By all means when you find out where the elder is,

Send me a willow-leaf postcard.

I too desire to leave this world and follow this elder

To live eternally in that holy place.

Now in these last days, we must all become sages. I hope that you will all become sages.

Last fall, the pine tree on the rock was standing on top of the rock overcoming all kinds of storms, enduring it all alone for thousands of years. I always regarded that pine tree on the rock as my friend. But right beside the pine tree on the rock that I always went to visit was a royal prince tree standing gallantly wearing a slick and bright red garment. And standing beside that royal prince, holding his hand and standing together in the same place side by side was an autumn maple tree lady wearing a bright and colorful red cloak, smiling at me so brightly. And there was also another royal prince wearing a bright yellow cloak.

How wonderful it was that though they had all been wearing the same green clothes, once autumn came around, on their final journey they transformed so beautifully, one friend changing his clothes to a golden yellow, standing so magnificent and dignified. And the autumn maple tree lady who had changed into a bright red garment, smiling brightly … they were standing together side by side. Though it was a path that I always walked on, I was so astonished at these two friends that day.

They welcomed me with such happy smiles even though in only a few days, a fearful tribulation would come where they would be tortured by snowstorms, their inevitable fate of dying buried in the snow awaiting them. With humans, facing death they would be filled with anxiety and agony, wearing a frown and gloomy countenance, trembling in fear and dread. But these tree friends showed not even the slightest bit of anxiety, smiling even more brightly than when they wore their green garments, welcoming me a thousand times more cheerfully. I was so astonished. It was as if I had met them for the first time.

Why were they like that? They were unafraid of the impending tribulation because throughout their lives, they had lived a faithful life fulfilling their mission without shame before God. And now they had completed their mission and were ready to face the end. They had blossomed the pretty flowers, shared the honey and pollen to bees and butterflies, emitted oxygen for humans, and sacrificed their branches for people to use as firewood … that’s why before death, they could leave giving a satisfied smile, ready to welcome their happy fate.

As I have always told you, we must also live today as if it is our last day, ready to die at any moment, without shame, a holy and satisfied life.

Happy Friends

Miss autumn maple tree who stands smiling brightly

After having dressed herself in sparkling crimson clothes that dazzle my eyes

Imperial prince golden autumn tree comes out fully dressed in flashing clothes of dark yellow with golden light

And how honorably he stands

Standing side by side, truly you are a pair that, match so well!

A stunningly beautiful pair,

Though I look at you again, and again, you are simply beautiful.

Though you will die and be buried under the snow a few days later,

How is it that not even a trace of apprehension or anxiety can be found on your faces,

With only bursting joy filling your radiant happy faces,

As you greet me with a bright smile?

When death is near, humans cry and bawl,

Grimacing and sighing, they are filled with sorrow.

But how is it that you have transcended death and demise like this!

Just like a bride and groom who will enter a happy wedding hall,

Like happy saints who will fly and ascend to heaven,

Who placed this kind of happiness and joy in your hearts?

Oh well, if I cannot fulfill the wish in my heart,

If I will not be able to relieve the grudge harbored in my heart at all,

To end up just departing,

Then I also would like to die together with you in the late fall,

For what happiness it would be

To die in the company of such beautiful friends.

We must live the kind of lives that even before death or martyrdom, we could welcome it as if our wedding day where the bride and bridegroom happily make their procession. Like saints who ascend to heaven, we must be able to face it with peace and tranquility. Those trees, though their clothes had been torn and they were made bare by cross-tempered beings, still how beautiful they looked as they stood there. As I thought of their beautiful lives while they had been alive, truly how holy they looked even now as they were covered in their white snowflake cloaks. Truly holy beings always look holy no matter what.

Next, I went to the mountains and met some truly wonderful friends. They were the leaves rolling around on the ground. These leaves were such beautiful friends. I don’t know why I never noticed these friends before. Truly I was amazed with myself for not noticing sooner these friends who are the most beautiful in the world.

People praise those magnificent trees that are so huge and stretch up to the sky, and they praise the delicious fruits hanging on the branches. But it’s the leaves that should really be praised. No matter how gigantic the trees may be stretching up many meters into the sky, without these leaves, they would not be able to grow even an inch, rather to end up dying. It was the leaves that raised the trees while they sacrificed themselves. No matter how delicious the fruits may be, if not for the leaves that supplied nourishment to them, they would not have even blossomed as flowers, to only end up dying. Truly these leaves were so selfless. They only sacrificed completely for the tree, working for the tree until their deaths, to do everything for them while they ended up disappearing.

Could you find a friend more selfless and generous than this in the world? I was utterly amazed. “Oh, why haven’t I noticed these friends before?” People desire to be evergreens, and others desire to be the fruits. But I have determined to become a leaf. These leaves only live and serve the tree and its fruits throughout their entire short lives, only sacrificing themselves as they offer all their life-sap and energy until they have poured everything they have, to become bruised red unto death. All for the sake of the tree. And after the tree has grown nice and tall, and after having raised all the delicious fruits, they bid farewell and fall one after another until they disappear. And even as they disappear, they never admonish saying, “Don’t forget what we’ve sacrificed for you having raised you until now.” Without a single word they simply disappear, wishing for the tree’s happiness. Truly these leaves have no self, they are so selfless bestowing such a holy and noble love. I picked up a leaf and declared it to be a most beautiful friend.

People love trees and their fruits, they praise the trees while forgetting all about the leaves that had raised the trees. No one remembers or praises them. They all love trees while cursing the leaves that fall, saying, “Oh, what a mess on the streets!” And with such animosity they rake the leaves and discard them. But still the leaves do not utter a word of resentment, saying, “I raised your tree, didn’t I?” Without a word the leaves allow themselves to be raked up and discarded, to disappear. I hope that you will become like these holy leaves.

Among the five billion population of this earth, what could be gained by the death of this one man, Park Myung Ho? But when I become a fallen leaf, I truly believe that the beautiful tree of saints will grow as a mighty tree that lives forever in heaven. I don’t know when my bruised heart will fall as a leaf, I feel that the time will come soon. I hope that you will all become like the leaves, to live only sacrificing for others with a holy love and holy heart. When each of us become a leaf, we will become those who are transplanted to heaven, to become eternally living trees. So this is what I wrote:

Be a Leaf

Though the world may praise the towering, magnificent trees,

As well as the beautiful, desirable fruits

No one seems to praise the fallen leaves,

That sacrificed themselves, sustaining bloody bruises even unto death,

So that the trees may grow and bear fruits.

I also will become a fallen leaf to the world,

I also will go away as a fallen leaf and disappear.

-Suk Sun-

The next time I went to the mountains, I picked some leaves and placed them between my books. I wrote an inscription, “I also will become a leaf,” and put a plastic coating on the leaf and its inscription to use it as a bookmark. When we live such selfless lives, to live sacrificing for others, then just as I took the leaf and preserved it as a bookmark, loving it and treasuring it, so will our Daddy take us to His kingdom and preserving us, He will treasure us.

Our country is so beautiful with four distinct seasons; there is no country with such distinct seasons as Korea. I was so thankful to my Father for having me live in this beautiful country. Jesus two thousand years ago was born in that desolate wilderness of Judea, only wearing sandals all the time, so how dusty His feet must have been. He had to wash them all the time in a country that didn’t even have plenty of water. Compared to Him, I was given such a beautiful paradise to live in, to the point that I felt so apologetic to Jesus. So this is a conversation I had with Daddy:

Devoted Father and Son

Son:

Daddy to whom I’m so grateful,

You had Jesus of 2,000 years ago born in that wilderness of Judea,

But why have You made me so happy,

Allowing me to be born in this beautiful Eden paradise of the East?

Father:

My loving dear son, what is so beautiful about this place?

I have prepared and intend to give you

A lovelier new heaven and earth Eden paradise.

So though your cross of love is heavy and agonizing,

Please bear it to the end.

Son:

Daddy, what is so heavy about this cross of love?

To me, it is a very precious and blessed cross of blessings,

A light and easy cross of the greatest happiness.

I am already grateful to You for giving this Eden paradise of the East,

But since You say that You will give even the Eden paradise of the new heaven and earth,

Daddy, how and in what way can I thank You?

Daddy, thank You. Daddy, thank You.

Father:

Why do you make such a fuss over that paradise of the new heaven and earth?

That which is even greater: all the heavenly nations,

And the throne on top of that,

Even all the life in My body I give to you.

Now let’s not talk of such things anymore

But holding hands, let’s happily walk together singing.

Let’s go singing this song aloud with all our hearts,

“We are the most intimate and devoted Father and Son in the universe.

All the universal hosts envy us.”

Son:

Daddy, that is really true,

We are the most devoted and close Father and Son in the universe,

With the greatest affection, we are Father and Son on the best of terms.

We are Father and Son that the entire universe envies and looks upon with joy.

Ah, I’m so happy, so happy, so very happy.

Daddy, You’re the best, hurrah!

(We both walk while heartily singing the song, “The most devoted Father and Son in the universe.”)

When we possess holy hearts without selfishness or greed, all of nature becomes our friends. All of nature, from the falling leaves to everything in the universe, all become our friends that preach to us, converse with us, and become our companions. That is why Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount was in essence saying when we become holy beings without greed and selfishness, we can converse with all of nature and creation. More than anything else, to those who possess such holy hearts, our Real Daddy personally comes to converse with them as they live in happiness walking with Him. I hope that you will all become such beings.

During the beginning of this work, I was invited to hold the Seminar in Sojae Valley of Kangwon Province. At the time, there were probably less than twenty people who came to attend the Seminar. But whether twenty people came or two million people came or two thousand people came, I spoke for ten days straight all the same. As I mentioned earlier, at the time, there were no videos or microphones, I just spoke as loudly as I could.

After speaking like that for ten days, the twenty people who attended the Seminar wouldn’t let me go in to rest, telling me to sit and listen as they wanted to give their testimonies. I had spoken aloud without a microphone for ten days straight, but since I acquiesced, they sat me there until twelve midnight giving their testimonies. After they were finished, they told me I could go to sleep now so I left for my room.

The place I was staying was in another complex about 30 meters away. I had my book in hand and it was pitch dark outside. It was deep in the mountains and I wondered to myself as I was making my way to the room, “I have done my best for this Seminar even if it’s only for twenty people just so I could reveal my Daddy completely to them. I wonder if Daddy has accepted my devotion and sincerity to do my best….” I didn’t even pray, I just murmured this to myself in my heart, “Though the congregation is only a few in number, I have done my best. I wonder if my Daddy has received my efforts joyfully….” I was thinking to myself like this and walking towards my room 30 meters away, and it was pitch black night without a single light or even flashlight. But suddenly the sun was shining. The entire mountain was alit so that you could even see an ant crawling by. I was so astonished.

I thought since this place was near the 38^th Parallel, perhaps either the North or South Korean army had turned on some light – you know how in the army they use flare bombs in order to kill the enemy army in hiding. Otherwise, how could the sun be shining in the middle of the night like that, it’s unheard of in any science book, even children’s. So I was shocked and wondered, “Did they shoot a flare bomb?” And I was a bit afraid. But something in my heart told me to look up, so I looked up and from just above my head there was a tiny star, and into that star the sun’s rays disappeared. Do you understand? I’m not making this up. That announcer, Sister Kim is a witness. Though Apostle John was alone, I had a witness with me.

What do you think this was? This son had spoken without a speaker or microphone for only twenty people, doing his best to humor and cater to them, and as I wondered to myself, “Is Daddy pleased with me?” He gave a definitive answer, “Son! You are My son in whom I’m well pleased. I have joyfully received your efforts to do your best in order to reveal my glory even though it was only in front of twenty people.” That was His answer to my query.

We say that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, but why should He only say to Jesus of two thousand years ago, “You are My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased,” wherever Jesus goes, but not say it to us. Do you truly believe God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow?

Jesus said, “Because I do what My Father rejoices in, He never leaves Me alone but always follows Me.” When you also have holy hearts without greed and selfishness, doing only that which our Father rejoices in, then wherever you go, our Daddy will always appear before you, to speak to you through nature or reveal to you one way or another, saying, “You are My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” No matter what enemy you go out to fight, or whether you are alone, whether you are happy or rejoicing, sad or lonely, I hope that you will always abide with our Father who will always speak to you through nature, so that you can all end up going to heaven.

DOALNARA (GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE DECALOGUE STONE COUNTRY)

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