Through the ages certain questions have concerned people of all religions. What is man? What is God? What laws govern the universe? What is the purpose of creation and life? Does a spiritual world exist beyond physical perception? What is its relationship to the world we see around us? What is God's relationship to man? God's relationship to the universe? These are the questions discussed in this chapter. The answers are to hr found in the Principle of Creation.

A Polarity of God and Man

God, the Creator, is infinite, invisible Spirit and does not appear fully in any finite or visible form. Nevertheless, it is given to man to see God.

Man is heart and body or inner self and its outer expression. What he thinks and feels is shown outwardly in his facial expressions and, indeed, in his whole body. Thus, his body is directed by his heart, the inner cause and purpose. Heart is invisible and its function transcends time and space. Nevertheless, we can sense another's heart by seeing his outward expression. Plants and animals also seem to have an inner cause and purpose which directs their motions and actions. However, their activity does not reach the human dimension.

The universe also operates from a definite cause and purpose, which is the Heart of the universe. This Heart is God. He is reflected in the whole creation, which is His body or outward form. Thus God is revealed in His creation, most specifically in man. Through understanding the creation, particularly man, we can perceive God and know His nature. Man, inwardly and outwardly, reflects God most fully. Man is like a mirror in which the image of God can be seen. This, then, is the implication of Genesis 1:26a: "Then God said, `Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.' " Here God was telling His angels that He would make man after His divine nature and in His divine image. To create man in His image God created male and female. (Gen. 1:27) Thus, man, the image of God, exists in these two distinct forms, which together make a pair. This indicates that God must exist in polarity. That is, He must possess within Himself the dual characteristics of masculinity and femininity, which are perfectly harmonized in His nature. Therefore, Adam alone could not be the complete image of God. By creating woman, Eve, to be Adam's mate, God completed man's creation in His total image. Adam and Eve were not created at the same time. First God created Adam, then He created Eve. Adam and Eve were to relate to and complement each other as subject and object, inner and outer, or positive and negative.¹ (Gen. 2:18b) The subject, Adam, was to represent love (aggressive, creative energy), and Eve, beauty (responsive, stimulating energy). The creation of man and woman as a pair was the external and objective manifestation of the polarity of God.

The polarity of God is also reflected within the nature of the individual, who has both inner and outer, heart and body. Furthermore, in man's inner nature there are two distinct functions, feeling and reason. The former seeks love, beauty, and goodness, and the latter, wisdom, truth, and knowledge. Feeling is inner and subject, while reason is outer and object. These two functions work as a pair. This may be called the polarity of heart. Since man's heart as the image of God has inner and outer functions, God also in His infinite, divine nature must have feeling and reason, or the inner attributes of love as well as the outer attributes of wisdom. Thus, man exists in polarity from innermost to outermost: feeling and reason within the heart, heart and body within the individual, and male and female to complete God's image. Because man was created in God's image, God also must exist in a harmonized polarity of inner and outer, positive and negative, and male and female. We call Him the Father because He is inner, the masculine subject, and creation is outer, the feminine object to Him.

Both man and the universe are created after the image of God. However, man is the direct manifestation of God's polarity, while the creation is the indirect and symbolic manifestation. Therefore, everything in creation exists in paired relationships of male and female, positive and negative, or subject and object. Examples of only a few of these relationships are male and female animals, staminate and pistillate plants, protons and electrons, the sun and the planets, east and west, north and south, consonant and vowel, the spirit world and the physical world, heat and light, right and left, front and back, inside and outside. Everything is composed of a subject element and an object element which complement one another. Since the universe is similar to man in polarity, elements, structure, and function, man is a microcosm. Each man, because he resembles God, is a single unit of truth. Every other thing in the universe is a single unit of truth in symbolic form. Hence, it is possible to perceive the nature of God in the created universe. Paul also expressed this fact:

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the iii world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Rom. 1:19-20)

As the direct manifestation of God's polarity, man can respond to God directly as His substantial object. The universe, however, cannot respond to Him directly, since it is the symbolic manifestation of God. It responds to man as his substantial object, thus responding indirectly to God.

God is the Subject and mankind is His responding Object. Mankind, in turn, is the subject to the universe, his responding object. Finally, God is the subject and the entire creation, both man and the universe, is the object to Him. All things from the smallest to the largest in the creation exist in a paired relationship of subject and object and thus reflect the polarity of God's nature. God is causal and vertical, and creation is resultant and horizontal.

A. Source Energy

God is the Absolute; the eternal I AM. In other words, God is perpetual, self-generating energy. Therefore, He is the First Cause and the Source of all energy. This Source Energy is polarized into masculine and feminine within God. The give and take between them forms the foundation for His eternal existence. Source Energy operates throughout the creation and is the cause of its existence and maintenance. God's Energy appears through the medium of give and take, and causes all things to exist in give-and-take relationships.

All things or beings exist in paired relationships of subject and object. There is a pattern of transmission and receiving between subject and object whenever they find rapport through the operation of Source Energy. This pattern is called the action of give and take. Give and take produces energy: the energy for existence, multiplication, and motion. When the action of give and take occurs, the subject and object become one. This state of oneness is a receptive base for the working of the spirit of God. God operates wherever He finds His reflected image or receptive base. When God works, energy is multiplied. The Source Energy from God is vertical, while the energy produced through give and take between subject and object is horizontal. Thus, the Source Energy is manifested through the medium of give and take. By forming receptive bases through the action of give and take, the whole creation continues its existence and maintains its motion. Consequently, the receptive base is the foundation for everything which exists.

There are no creatures which do not reflect the polarity of God. There is no creation in which God's spirit does not work. It is correct to say that God is omnipresent. When the energy of God goes forth in a straight line and does not come back, no creation is possible; the energy is wasted. But when His energy comes back in a circuit through an object, the energy brings forth creation. The creation of the universe, diverse natural phenomena, motion, and change in the creation are brought about by give and take between countless subject-object pairs.

For instance, through the action of give and take between protons and electrons atoms are formed. Give and take between positive and negative charges produces the flow of electricity. In the plant kingdom give and take between staminate and pistillate plants produces seeds. Plants use the carbon dioxide exhaled by members of the animal kingdom, and in turn give off oxygen, which animals and man need to sustain their life. Thus, give and take occurs between the plant and animal kingdoms as well as between male and female animals. In halation and exhalation, the operation of veins and arteries, and of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are examples of give and take in the human body. More extensively, give and take is manifested in the rotation and revolution of heavenly bodies throughout the universe. This action forms the basis for all units of society. Families have give and take among all members, nations between government and people, and the world among nations.

A man and woman, who are the separate images of God's polarity, have the capacity to form a perfect reciprocal relationship and to have give and take of love between them. The purpose of marriage is to unite a man and woman that they may fully reflect God as a unit and remain forever in a complete relation of give and take with Him. In this relationship they form a trinity with God. In such a marriage a husband and wife can feel the energy of life, stimulating joy, and happiness from one another. It is God's desire to see the entire earth covered with such God-centered families.

Derived from God's harmonized polarity, all things are created in pairs so that they might form relationships of subject and object. Through give and take with their complements, they are again to unite. Through this union they form a receptive base and produce new life. These three stages are called thesis (God), division (subject and object), and synthesis (new life). There are two forms of the thesis-division-synthesis process. In the first, two unrelated units form a receptive base through give and take and become one unit. In the second, subject and object have give and take through which new life is produced. The first synthesis is the united body, and the second is the reproduced body.

In thesis-division-synthesis, when one position takes the subject role, the other three become its objects. Therefore, each member can have three objects. The best example is that of parents and children centered on God. In that case God can have each member of the couple as a separate object and children as His third object. The husband has God, wife, and children. The wife has God, husband, and children; and the children, God, father, and mother. Each being in existence has a purpose for its creation which is fulfilled through give and take. Therefore, in the thesis-division-synthesis process each of the four separate members can fulfill his purpose of creation through give and take with the other three as objects. This is the purpose of triple objects.

The thesis-division-synthesis process establishes four positions: thesis, subject, object, and synthesis. These four positions with God at the center form the basis on which the purpose of each being in creation is fulfilled. This foundation is called the base of four positions. Such a base formed on the family level with God is the foundation of human society and source and pattern of all other bases of four positions. It is God's ideal of creation, because on this family base man can experience the three basic expressions of love. As a child his love is mostly passive as he receives love and care from his parents. In marriage he experiences mutual love. When he becomes a parent, his love is expressed in giving rather than receiving. In the family base every person must take the subject position and love three objects, as well as taking the object position and returning beauty to three subjects. Loyalty, fidelity, and filial piety are the three forms of beauty which those in the object position return to the subject. Each thing in the universe can maintain its existence by forming a base of four positions, thereby generating power for life and all motion. The number 4 (four positions) and the number 3 (three objects) equal 12 when multiplied, which bears great significance as the basic number of the laws and motion of all creation centered on man.

F. Circular (Spherical) Movement

Diagram 3

In diagram (A) , the base of four positions is shown as a four-cornered diamond. However, the actual base of four positions moves continuously as the action of give and take persists and multiplies, and- thus the base becomes circular or spherical. Let us explain this movement in the above diagrams. Diagram (A) shows the thesis-division-synthesis process and the four positions. Diagram (B) shows the subject and object having give and take with God at the center and thus creating new life. That new life revolves in a give-and-take relationship with the united body of subject and object. Then give and take becomes spherical. Since God has taken the central position, the fourth body (new life) finds another object in His former position and will have give and take with it. Thus, spherical movement develops.

Diagram (C) indicates God's position from the standpoint of the object. God is not between subject and object, but is with the subject at the center. Therefore, the subject which is at the center of spherical movement represents God. God created Adam to play the role of His representative to Eve as her center. This couple, Adam and Eve, was to take the role of God's representative to the creation. Hence, mankind was to be the subject and the center of all things.

Everything in the universe, from atoms to heavenly bodies, revolves in the relationship of subject and object, thus forming a base of four positions. All the wonder of creation is manifested through this circular or spherical movement. The distance between subject and object, together with the differences in direction, speed, manner, and angle of revolution create the diversity of this beauty and wonder. The spherical form of heavenly bodies and atoms results from the movement of the base of four positions within them. In each case the object revolves around the subject. Therefore, the subject is not only the center of revolution, but is also in the position of governing the object. Because it is the law of creation that subject rule object, God reigns over man (in perfection), and man reigns over- all things. In the natural world as well as in human life there is always a center (subject) and all things are governed by the center. Thus, order is maintained.

All creation has a center and revolves around it. Not only does a subject have objects which revolve around it, but that subject itself becomes an object to a higher center and revolves around it. For instance, the moon revolves around the earth, its subject, and in turn the earth becomes an object to the sun and revolves around it, the earth's higher center. Every single creation, from atom to heavenly body, revolves in this way. Throughout the creation the lower centers revolve around the higher centers. The whole universe, therefore, forms a chain. No single creation can exist independently. The entire universe is a hierarchy of centers, the highest of which is man. Man is at the head of the universe, which is really a gigantic organism. ("Man" here refers to the united body of a man and a woman. If Adam and Eve had not fallen, they as a married couple would have been the center of the whole universe.) Human society would also have been a hierarchical organism with one center.

A. Man

There is neither vitality in life nor stimulating joy in man's heart until he has a mate whom he can love with his whole being and by whom he is truly loved. This is why when a man and woman love one another they feel joy and vitality. Also, when parents have a child who reflects their whole love, they feel great joy. Man's desire for joy is derived from God.

The Almighty Creator is a God of Heart, and the essential desire of heart is joy. How is joy produced? Joy is felt when a subject projects his inner and outer nature into a substantial object and perceives his own nature in the object's response. As long as an artist merely conceives an idea without expressing it, his joy is not fulfilled. But when his creative idea is perfectly expressed in a work, then he feels great satisfaction. Likewise, as long as the Word, Logos, the divine idea, remained with God, His ideal could not be fulfilled. But the Word became man, a visible image of God. Projecting His whole nature into His work, God produced man to manifest His invisible Self in the form of a visible and tangible image. Thus God created man in order to feel joy.

Furthermore, joy comes from love, and love is never complete unless it is reciprocated. Love cannot be reciprocated unless there are both subject and object. Therefore, God, the Subject, needs an object for give and take of love. God wanted to express His infinite love to man and to receive man's full response. Even for God, there is neither joy nor vitality in life if there is no object to love and to be loved by. A child is a masterpiece of his parents' creation. Because he is the ample fulfillment of his parents' creative desire and the most perfect reflection of their whole nature, a child brings to them great joy. In other words, parents find in their child perfect resemblance, which provides natural rapport for their abundant give and take of love. Even deeper give and take of love is possible between a husband and wife who develop perfect rapport. They can then feel even greater joy. As the crowning creation God made man in His image. God's inner and outer nature were projected into man, His substantial object. Thus man inwardly and outwardly resembles God most closely in all creation. The relationship of God to man is sometimes like that of father and son and is sometimes even closer, like that of husband and wife. Hence, man can reason with God. Above all, man is capable of living in joy and love with God. Thus, God can have complete rapport with man and full give and take with him. God intended to live with man forever in the highest joy through perpetual give and take of love.

However, until His object, man, responds fully and offers joy, the action of give and take cannot be complete and God's purpose cannot be fulfilled. No subject can feel joy by itself, for the feeling must be stimulated by an object. If man had not fallen, all men would be sons and daughters of God. Man would then be divine in that he would most closely resemble God. Man is given the nature and capacity to respond to God's love and return joy to Him. Therefore, to develop this nature and exercise this capacity fully is the purpose of man's life. Man also receives the power of life and joy of love through the action of give and take with God, who is the ultimate source of life, energy, happiness, and all ideals.

After God created Adam and Eve He blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion. ..." (Gen. 1:28b) In this passage there are three blessings. The fulfillment of the three blessings must be founded on the base of four positions centered on God. Of all the possible bases of four positions, the family is the most important and is the basic unit of human society. However, because of man's fall, the first family was not centered on God, but on Satan. Therefore, all other bases of four positions have Satan at their center. The primary task of God's dispensation is to establish the family base centered on Himself.

To fulfill the first blessing, each individual must come to resemble God. His first blessing, be fruitful, means that the body and heart become one, centered on God. At this time man forms the base of four positions on the individual level, becomes one with God (John 14:20), and thus can share the heart of God. He then, at last, becomes divine. In that way, Man becomes a perfected individual and a substantial object in whom God rejoices.

The second blessing, multiplication, is fulfilled when man and woman perfect themselves, unite, and produce children, thus forming the base of four positions on the family level. This base resembles God more fully and becomes the object of God's greater joy.

The third blessing pertains to man's dominion over all creation. When man has give and take with the creation, centered on God, the four positions are established and man attains dominion over creation as its lord. To have dominion means that man reigns over all things with God's love and power and that all things offer beauty and service to man. Fallen men, however, cannot have love for all things nor feel stimulating beauty from all things. Consequently, there is no true dominion of goodness, but instead dominion of evil has persisted. The dominion of goodness simply means that all things supply man with beauty and service. Man, using his love and creativity in all things, increases production. This forms the base of four positions. This base also resembles the image of God and offers joy to God. When God rejoices, man becomes happy. This is why labor is meant to be joyous and sacred. In social interaction man has give and take with other people and forms a base of four positions on the social level, which also brings joy and beauty to God.

God created the universe to be a symbolic reflection of His polarity. Therefore, all things resemble Him indirectly. Hence, God cannot feel stimulating joy from them to the same degree as from man. Then why did He create the universe? Its purpose is to bring joy to man. God feels joy in the creation through man. Since joy is produced when the object resembles the subject, God made all things after the pattern of man.

In the animal kingdom, from the simplest to the most complex, all structures, forms, and elements resemble man in various degrees. In plants also, the root, trunk, and leaves correspond to man's stomach, heart, and lungs. The cells of man's body contain mineral elements. One may even compare the structure of the earth itself to that of the human body. The earth's vegetation, crust, substrata, underground and surface waterways, and its core and molten lava correspond in essence to the hair, skin, musculature, blood vessels, fluids, skeleton, and bone marrow of the body.

Thus, all things were created after the model of man and resemble him in structure, elements, and in their subject-object relationships. In all things we see the objective display of man's inner polarity. The give and take between subject and object in all things produce a state of oneness in which man feels joy. Man cares for and loves the creation, and every part of it responds to man with beauty and service. In such a way, man has give and take with everything in the universe and be comes one with creation. Then the creation becomes a substantial object to God and pleases Him. This is the base of four positions which fulfills man's dominion over all things.

This resemblance to man is not confined to nature, but extends to human society. The organs, structure, and function of society resemble the organs, structure, and function of the human body. The entire creation is a creation of resemblance. Nature and society resemble man, and man resembles God. Since all creation resembles God directly or symbolically, a single person or any one part of creation is a concrete unit of truth.

The purpose of each person or thing is dual, with an aspect of the individual and an aspect of the whole. The purpose of the whole is causative, while the purpose of the individual is resultant. Therefore, the individual purpose depends on the purpose of the whole. Furthermore, there is complete harmony between the purpose of each individual and that of the whole, though, in a limited view, conflicts may seem to exist. In all its movements, the universe is a unit of one purpose.

A. Standard of Value

According to the conventional standard, value means whatever is actually liked, desired, approved, or enjoyed by anyone at any time. Hence, value is an existing realization of desire. However, in the light of the Principle, though everything may have potential value, nothing has absolute value in itself alone. If any object is used to please a person who is not one with God, that object has no value. Any object becomes valuable only when it is used to form the fourth position to one who has perfect give and take with God. An individual having perfect give and take with God forms three positions with his heart, body, and God. An object of his use, then, takes the fourth position. In the case of a couple or any two people having harmonious give and take, they form a trinity with God, and an object of their use takes the fourth position. Thus, in both cases, the base of four positions is established. Since this base is the realization of God's purpose of creation and of perfect harmony among God, man, and creation, the base is the center of truth, the fulfilled good, and perfect beauty. This base has absolute value because God is absolute and His purpose of creation is absolute. Any object which contributes to this end comes to have value. Thus, the value of any object is determined by the degree to which it fulfills God's purpose in a subject-object relationship.

Man's heart has three faculties: reason, feeling, and will. These seek, respectively, truth, beauty, and goodness. The fulfilled state of harmony with God is seen from the standpoint of reason as truth, from the standpoint of feeling as beauty, and from the standpoint of will as goodness. There are two desires in man. The first is to pursue value. For this reason, man seeks truth, goodness, and beauty. Secondly, man desires to realize these values in himself so that he can be true, good, and beautiful.

The powerful affection which the subject gives to the object in the fulfilled state of four positions centered on God is called love, and the affectionate energy with which the object responds is called beauty. The power of love is aggressive and creative, while the power of beauty is stimulating and magnetic. In the relationship of husband and wife, man is the subject, love, and the wife is the object, beauty. However, after subject and object form a circuit through give and take there are no longer fixed positions of subject and object, because the two positions are interchangeable. When two person are united through give and take, they bring affectionate stimulation to God, and God appreciates their beauty The beauty which followers show leaders is called loyalty; that of children to parents, filial piety; and that in marriage, fidelity. In the family base of four position three kinds of love are expressed: parental love toward children, mutual love of the couple, and children's love toward parents. Since God's love is the essence and totality of human love, by experiencing the love of the family we can understand the love of God and learn how to respond to Him. Therefore, the family base is the ideal situation for man to experience love and beauty Accordingly, this base is the essential foundation or which the purpose of creation is to be fulfilled.

There are good and evil in fallen society, but they are only relative, since the sovereignty at each particular time and place sets the standard of good and- evil. Therefore, any action in accordance with the ruler's idea and purpose is considered good. Any action contrary to it is evil. What is the original standard of good? By forming the four positions with God on the individual level, or family level, or universal level, the purpose of creation is fulfilled. Any action or result which contributes to this end is good. Anything contrary to it is evil.

A. Six Days of Creation

Some people may believe that God created the universe instantaneously. However, God works according to principle and law, and He would not have created the universe without order. There is order, in space and in time. Spatial order can be seen, for instance, in the structuring of the human body and in the arrangement of heavenly bodies. There is order in the structure and placement of everything in the universe, from atoms to galaxies. There is also chronological order. God first created man's environment, the physical world. In the beginning there was neither form nor light. God caused light to exist, and thus heavenly bodies came about. Then He created the firmament (sky), sea, and air. In creating man, God created the physical body first, then the spirit-man. As described in Genesis, the creation continued six days, culminating in man. The six days were six epochs of creation. Each "day" may actually have been a period of indeterminate time.

All things created in the six periods had to grow through a series of stages. They were not created in a mature state, but by passing through a given period, they grew to maturity. Plants were not created with leaves and branches, but as seeds. After a certain period of growth, leaves and branches appeared. Minerals and animals also take time to grow. In Genesis, after the first day of creation, "God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day." (Gen. 1:5) This indicates that the things created grew during the night. The night, the growth period, has three stages, Formation, Growth, and Perfection. Mark 4:28 states: "The earth produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear." In fact, all things pass through three stages in their growth. Man has three stages of life: childhood, youth, and adulthood. There are three stages in all crops: the spring season of shoots, the summer growing season, and the autumn harvest. There are three primary colors. Even minerals were created in three stages. First they were gaseous, then liquid, and finally solid. In forming the base of four positions there are also three stages: thesis, division, and synthesis. Not only in growth, but in structure as well, there are three stages. For instance, man and animals have a head, a body, and extremities; plants have roots, trunks, and leaves. There are three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gaseous, as well as three kingdoms: animal, plant, and mineral.

In the Bible the number three symbolizes completion. Many significant works have been accomplished through this number. For example, the salvation of mankind has been carried out by the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Three archangels rule over the angelic kingdom: Lucifer, Gabriel, and Michael. The heaven that St. Paul described had three stages. Both Adam and Noah had three sons who were directly involved in the fulfillment of the divine plan. Noah's ark had three decks. Abraham offered three kinds of sacrifices: pigeon, ram, and heifer. Jacob served Laban in the land of Haran for three seven-year periods and left Haran in three days. Moses fled Egypt in three days. There were three days of darkness in Egypt and three days of purification for Moses and the people at Mt. Sinai. Many events in Jesus' life were also related to the number three: three major disciples -- Peter, John, and James; three questions to Peter; three prayers at Gethsemane; three hours of darkness on the cross; three days in the tomb; thirty years of private life; and three years of public ministry.

God in His perfection does not directly rule man until man himself becomes perfect. During the process of growth from Formation to Perfection man is under the control of the Principle. This is the period of God's Indirect Dominion. The Principle operates of its own accord to direct the spiritual growth of man, just as natural law governs the workings of the physical universe.

The things of creation can grow automatically by the power of the Principle. Man's growth follows a slightly different pattern. Although man's physical growth is somewhat automatic, he must work to bring his character into perfection, oneness with God's heart. Therefore, in addition to the autonomous power of the Principle, man's voluntary, conscious, creative effort is required for his growth, as his own responsible part. In man's growth his work makes up only five percent, while God does ninety-five percent, figuratively speaking.

Why is it necessary for man to go through the period of Indirect Dominion and fulfill his five percent of responsibility? Making man in His image, God wants man to share His creative task and to be perfect, that he might be the lord of all things. Man cannot govern something he didn't create. Therefore, to be lord of creation, man must participate in the creative work of God. In actuality, however, man was last to be created. It is against the Principle for such an upstart to have lordship of creation. Hence, it was necessary for God to set a condition for man by which he could participate in the creation of the universe. For this reason, God gave man the responsibility to fulfill his part for his own growth. How does this make man a participant in God's work of creation?

God created man as the subject to the whole universe. Thus, man's value carries equal weight with that of the universe. Man is the encapsulation of the entire universe: a microcosm. This is why Jesus said that man's life was more precious than the whole world. The fall of one man, Adam, brought about the fall of the entire universe. One man, Jesus, could therefore redeem the whole universe. By the completion of man's creation on the sixth day, the creation of the universe was completed. In these senses man's value is equal to the value of the universe. Therefore, the creation of one man is equivalent to the creation of the universe. Man's creation of himself, then, has the same value as the creation of the whole universe. When a man perfects himself, God takes it as a condition that he participated in the great work of creation.

Furthermore, God reserved some responsibility for man so that man might have rightful dominion over creation. "Dominion" means dominion of heart, and accordingly, the dominion of love. God reigns over man with love, and man is to reign over all things with love. This is the original nature of dominion. Love is the flow of heart. Therefore, until man's heart is elevated, man cannot have dominion in the true sense. Dominion without this elevation of heart violates the Principle and cannot fulfill the purpose of creation. Fallen men have ruled all things with degraded hearts. Therefore, man's dominion has not been one of goodness, but one of evil. Man has treated all things as his enemy, and has abused them relentlessly. Therefore, it is written in Romans 8:22 that all creation has been groaning in travail. This is because man fell, and his heart was degraded. When man's heart is elevated and his character is perfected, man will have the qualification to reign over all things. One of the reasons for giving man a responsible part to fulfill is so that he may be placed in the position of qualified ruler.

God's dominion of man before Perfection is the Indirect Dominion, and after Perfection, the Direct Dominion. This is similar to man's dominion of all things. Plants and animals must grow for a certain period by the laws of nature before man can have full use or direct dominion of them. Man's perfection is the stage of oneness with God's heart, which is reached when man forms four positions with Him. In that stage man responds to God fully with beauty, and God governs man by giving love and power. The Direct Dominion, therefore, is not one-sided domination, but a mutual interaction which is a form of give and take.

The visible world is this physical universe and the invisible world is the universe beyond the physical senses. In this world spirits live forever after separation from their physical bodies. God created both worlds, which together we call the cosmos. Atheists deny the invisible world. They say that this mysterious world which cannot be sensed physically is an illusion and does not exist. Spirit world, however, is not a world of illusion which man can never perceive. This world can be clearly perceived by other than physical senses, for it is an objective reality. Through spiritual senses we can perceive the spirit world.

It is a mistake to think that reality lies only within the world which we can physically perceive. Our physical senses are limited, and we cannot perceive anything beyond this limit, even though it exists. Man hears only the range of sound from 16 to 16,000 cycles per second. Sounds below 16 cycles or above 16,000 cycles are inaudible. Man can see the world reflected by certain light rays, but those with shorter wave lengths, such as x-rays, are invisible to man. With the aid of the refined instruments of today we can verify the existence of things that were invisible and inaudible in the past. The day will come when, with the aid of science, man will be able to sense the world formerly regarded as the world of illusion. This does not mean that we can perceive this world only when science makes it possible. On the contrary, when man's spiritual senses are opened, he is able to perceive this world at will. In fact, there are numerous sensitives who perceive the spirit world, and some have explored it extensively.

By the principle of polarity, the counterpart of the physical world must exist. As previously stated, God created all things in subject-object relationships. Man, the subject, has both spirit and body. Therefore, his object -- the world -- must have a twofold nature. Just as the physical world was created as the environment for man's physical body, so the spirit world was created as the environment for his spirit.

Of the two worlds, which is subject and which object? The relationship between the two worlds is similar to that between man's spirit and body. As man's spirit is the subject to his body, so the invisible world is the subject to the visible world. The body moves as the heart moves. The events of the spirit world are reflected in the physical world, since the spirit world is cause and the physical world, effect. Man's body is the encapsulation of the physical world, and his spirit is the encapsulation of the spirit world. Therefore, man as a microcosm encapsulates the entire cosmos.

The reason man and the universe are similar in structure and elements is so that man might perceive the invisible and visible worlds and have full give and take with them both. Why did God make man the ruler of all things in the physical world? Because God cannot have dominion over the physical world directly. Since the things of the physical world lack the inner sense by which to perceive God, He cannot rule them directly by giving love and power. Therefore, God created man with both physical and spiritual senses so that man could be the medium of conjunction between the two worlds. By having direct dominion over man God has indirect dominion over the entire universe.

Man is not only the ruler of the two worlds, but is also the dynamic center of joy and harmony between them. The two worlds are entirely different. Therefore, there is no way in which they can have direct give and take. However, man's spirit communicates with the spirit world and his body with the physical world. Therefore, through man the two worlds can have give and take. The infinite beauty, love, and joy of the spirit world, when sensed by man, are reflected in the physical world to make earthly life heavenly. On the other hand, the beauty, love, and joy of this physical universe, when sensed by man, are reflected to the spirit world and fill the heavens with joy. Man is the medium of interaction between the two worlds, as their center. To fulfill this role, man must maintain perfect give and take between his spirit and his body. Then man's spirit and body are completely united and his spiritual and physical senses echo each other.

Man consists of the spirit-man and the physical body. The former is subject, while the latter is its object. The spirit-man is an entity which can be detected by spiritual senses, and whose form is identical to that of the physical body. In contrast to the physical body, whose life is limited, the spirit-man lives-forever as an individual in the spirit world.

The physical body requires various elements from the physical world for its growth. Likewise, the spirit-man requires for its growth certain elements from the physical body, which serves as its host or soil. As all things grow through three stages of Formation, Growth, and Perfection, so the spirit-man also grows through three stages. A spirit-man in the Formation Stage is known as a Form-Spirit; in the Growth Stage, as a Life-Spirit; and in the Perfection Stage, as a Divine-Spirit. The spirits of different stages can be distinguished. Form Spirits are imperfect. Life-Spirits are more developed than Form-Spirits and shine with reflective light, like that of the moon. Divine-Spirits are the most advanced and radiate a bright luminescence from within them selves. In other words, a Divine-Spirit is a person of perfected heart. A man at the Divine-Spirit level feels God's heart fully, is one with Him, and walks with Him.

The place where Divine-Spirits dwell is called heaven, whether it is on earth or in the spirit world. Since man becomes a Divine-Spirit in cooperation with his physical body, there is no question but that heaven must begin on earth. The spiritual heaven is the realm of spirit world where Divine-Spirits live after their full life on earth. Man was to become a Divine-Spirit in his earthly life, and the ultimate destiny of every man is still to be come a Divine-Spirit. Where do those who have not yet attained this level dwell after their separation from the physical body? Hell is the realm inhabited by spirits which have not yet grown to even the Form-Spirit level. Form-Spirits dwell in the Formation Stage of the spirit world, and Life-Spirits inhabit paradise. Hell, paradise, and all regions between them exist because of man's fall. Jesus and those who lived good lives on earth went to paradise. Until today the spiritual heaven has been vacant, because no one had become a Divine-Spirit before proceeding into the spirit world. Once the spirit-man leaves the physical body, it cannot grow by itself, because it grows only in conjunction with the physical body.

What is the relationship between the spirit-man and the physical body? Examining their composition and growth, we see that the physical body is made up of the flesh mind and the flesh body. These are comparable to the body and mind of animals. The flesh body grows by taking in the intangible elements of heat, light, and air and the tangible element, food. Thus, there are two classes of elements: positive and negative. The function of the flesh mind is to provide for the existence, protection, motion, perception, and sensation of the physical body. Thus, it has the function of biological instinct. The spirit-man consists of the spirit mind and the spirit body. The spirit body is the body of the spirit-man and the spirit mind is its heart. This is the center of the spirit-man where God is present.

The spirit-man needs for its growth two classes of elements, similar to those required by the physical body. The positive element is the Life Element from God, which includes divine love, truth, and energizing atmosphere. Its counterpart is the Element of Vitality from the physical body. Just as the physical body needs nourishment from food in order to be vital and alive, so the spirit-man needs nourishment to develop and sustain its, vitality. The spirit-man becomes vital as the physical body completely obeys it and as the action of give and take is fully performed between them. In this way the spirit-man grows beautifully and freely, as it receives the Element of Vitality from the physical body. This is why we feel joy and energy when the body is healthy, active, and in harmony with the spirit. This energetic feeling which flows from body to spirit is the Element of Vitality. A spirit filled with a divine ideal, hope, and love imparts health and power to the body. The energetic feeling coming from spirit to body is the Life Element.

The previous statement- that the spirit-man grows only in conjunction with the physical body refers to the fact that it grows through give and take between the Life Element and the Element of Vitality. The role of the spirit mind is to respond to God's command and govern the spirit-man and flesh mind. The flesh mind is to obey the spirit mind. They act as one, not as two. Thus, a person maintains full give and take between his spirit-man and physical body, forms the base of four positions on the individual level, and gives joy to God.

Since the spirit-man grows in conjunction with the physical body, only to the extent that man experiences love, beauty, and joy on earth can he sense them in the spirit world. He continues life in the spirit world with whatever degree of feeling he developed on earth. This is why it is so important for everyone to develop his full capacity for love, both giving and receiving, which is best fostered in family life.

Finally, what is conscience? It is the inclination of man's heart toward goodness. The conscience acts as the medium between the spirit mind and the flesh mind. Impulses from the spirit mind pass through one's conscience to the flesh mind. Since impressions perceived by the flesh mind affect the conscience, for the utmost in spiritual development one must live with a pure conscience. When the action of give and take between one's spirit mind and flesh mind is harmoniously maintained, one's conscience becomes clear. The more one lives in accordance with a pure conscience, the more intense is the give and take between the spirit mind and the flesh mind. If, on the other hand, one lives in opposition to one's conscience, give and take is greatly diminished and one's spirit-man becomes defective and stunted in development. In the fallen world, since people do not know the absolute God, their standard of goodness is relative, and the inclination of conscience varies in different times and places. However, the intrinsic heart of man-which is somewhat comparable to intuition-is a more genuine reflection of God's will. What is the relationship of intrinsic heart and conscience? Both incline toward goodness, but conscience reflects an external standard of goodness. Therefore, as the standard of goodness changes, the direction of conscience also changes. But whatever the outward standard, intrinsic heart is not affected. Therefore, intrinsic heart is inner and conscience is outer.

God is limitless love and energy. However, God cannot manifest Himself freely. His manifestation is limited depending on the degree of man's response and capacity. Jesus illustrated this fact in his work of healing. He usually asked those seeking to be healed if they had faith in him. Without their response, Jesus could not manifest the divine power.

With the fall, man established a relationship of give and take with Satan, thus forming a base of four positions with him instead of with God. In this way Satan obtained a foothold on earth and has since been establishing his kingdom, this Satanic world. Thus, God's purpose of creation has never been realized. The whole cosmos is a complete reversal of God's plan.

If man had not fallen but had become one with God by establishing the four positions with Him, man would have been like a mirror to reflect God's perfect image and likeness. But in turning away from God, man shattered this mirror and could no longer reflect God's perfect image nor perceive His love. Looking at fallen man, God sees His wounded and broken creation, still bearing the divine spark, the seed of perfection, but unable to respond to Him fully. Unreturned love brings neither joy nor power to the giver of the love, nor can it last long. God's love has never been fully returned, for He has had no perfect object to whom He could express His love wholly and manifest His power freely. One feels only frustration and sorrow when unable to express love fully or freely. Throughout the thousands of years of history, God has never received true glory and joy from man.

Since man's fall, God has been seeking His lost family with all the love of His wounded and grieving heart. Since the time of Adam, He has been calling, "Where are you?" (Gen. 3:9b) Year after year the heavenly Father has traveled thorny paths searching for His children. His eyes are full of tears and His feet are bruised and bleeding.

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: "Sons have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the ass its master's crib; but Israel does not know, my people does not understand." (Isaiah 1:2,3)

The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and burning incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of compassion, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them. (Hosea 11:2-4)

Separated from God, the source of love, power, and joy, mankind has been suffering from hunger and thirst in spirit. In our hearts we have felt deep loneliness and a great longing for love -- God's love. We have been like orphans, cut off from our true Father and Mother, God.

As a hart longs for flowing streams, so longs my soul for thee, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? My tears have been my food day and night. (Psalms 42:1-3a)

I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God. (Psalms 69:3)

Man's separation from God brought spiritual death to man and has caused all the sorrow, misery, tragedy, and evil within man and in the world.

Since the time of the fall, many religions have developed in human society. To seek God through Jesus and his teachings, or the teachings of any other religion, is man's attempt to restore the original image of God within himself. Such seeking demonstrates man's desire to establish a give and take of love with God. If man had not fallen, he would have been living in the bosom of God's love, conversing with Him, walking with Him, creating with Him. Seeking after God through religions would have been unnecessary.

The separation between God and man is reflected throughout the creation. The wholehearted give and take of love between people has been seriously impaired. For this reason, mankind has failed in all history to establish a real brotherhood among men and nations. Families continue to disintegrate in this Satanic world. Never has God blessed men and women in perfect marriage. Never has a continual give and take of love centered upon God flowed between marriage partners. Although people may say nice things and pretend kindness, in truth their hearts are often selfish and unkind.

Alienated from God, man has been unable to have full give and take with nature. Mankind has relentlessly abused and squandered his natural resources, and the forces of nature have encroached upon the dwellings and lives of men. Fallen man has not cared for and loved the creation as its true lord, for he has lost the intrinsic feeling for beauty with which God endowed him. Consequently even the creation has been suffering and waiting for the sons of God to reveal themselves as lords of all creation. The apostle Paul was aware of this and said:

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Rom. 8:19-23)

God, man, and all creation have been suffering as a result of man's alienation from God. To end this universal suffering, man and all things must reunite with God and establish His kingdom of joy and love. Through His great struggle of centuries, the gate of heaven is open at last, and God is calling all men to enter.

Diagram 1

Diagram 2

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Diagram 5

1 A general definition of "inner and outer" and "positive and negative" may help to clarify them in this context. Generally, "inner" refers to the realm of heart, cause, content, or that which is invisible, spiritual, internal, and vertical. "Outer" refers to the realm of body, effect, form, or that which is visible, material, external, and horizontal. Of these two, the inner is subject and the outer, object. "Positive" refers, for example, to the sun, man, male animals, staminate plants, positive electrical charge, and protons, in which we see a central, active, creative, aggressive nature. "Negative" refers, for example, to the moon, woman, female animals, pistillate plants, negative electrical charge, and electrons, in which we find a dependent, passive, stable, static, inclusive nature. The former are subjects and the latter, their objects.

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