General Introduction, Page 5

As indicated, inherent in this whole out-and-back journey of the Prodigal Son is a changing human consciousness. In its earliest condition of consciousness, the human being dwelled in the spiritual world with, was interpenetrated by, and felt itself at one with the Hierarchies (the “Heavenly Host”). What is described by Moses as the “fall” from the “garden” was infection of the human astral body, before the entry of the Ego and moral responsibility, with the Luciferic urge for sensual experience and knowledge. From this point, ever so slowly over vast eras the human being descended into materiality, and the spiritual world “hid its face” more and more. At the outset, memory was near perfect but individual intellect did not exist. As the human Ego approached the three bodies, conscious communion with the Hierarchies faded and human beings began to associate, first in families, then in tribes or groups. Individual identification did not exist separate from these. Memories and loving relationships were carried by the blood lines. Only gradually did tribal consciousness give way to individual consciousness. Its announcement was most dramatic to Moses on Mt. Sinai: “I Am the I Am.” But Moses scarcely comprehended what was happening. He still represented the fading light of ancient clairvoyance, or, as Paul said, his was a “Fading Splendor.” The seraphim painfully revealed to Isaiah that the ancient ability to “see, hear and understand” was disappearing, to return only after long ages of torment. Still, he, along with Jeremiah, the Gospel writers and Paul, realized that the day would come when a new insight would be given directly to each human being. This could not happen unless the descent of humanity were arrested and reversed, a deed that could only be accomplished by the incarnation of the Christ on Earth and the shedding of his blood before humanity had hardened beyond redemption.

The loss of consciousness is additionally expressed by the end of ancient prophecy—vision was darkened, and awareness of the eternal nature of the individual Ego was lost. It was essential that for two millennia humanity forget the reality of its nature in order to concentrate on the importance of each individual life on Earth. But those who gave us the scriptures were themselves aware of the recurring lives of the individual Ego, and buried this knowledge within the scriptures themselves in such a way that it would be uncovered and recognized when the time was right. For humanity was not, at the time of Christ, ready for all that would be later revealed.

Commensurate with the fading of ancient clairvoyance and memory capacity, human intelligence increased. But it was an intelligence associated with the material world, shut off from the direct revelation of spiritual consciousness. This change of consciousness was accompanied by the development of individual identity in place of fading group identity. Egoism was born and flowered, and will be the cause of much tragedy still. Recognition of the true nature of the Christ and of human salvation is imperative for those who would escape its clutches. The purpose of anthroposophy is to enable that recognition and to encourage the pursuit of its demands. As yet, that goal is still in the distance, but there is evidence of spiritual readiness among much of humanity.

Far from being a book from minds crazed by persecution, and likely having no direct relation thereto, St. John’s Apocalypse is shown by anthroposophy to be not only a recapitulation of the creation, but a picture of what lies ahead in the evolution of humanity on the return leg of its journey. Those who understand and follow the Christ in his crucifixion of the flesh will again gain clairvoyance, but this time with individuality infused by the Christ so that once again it will become possible to unite not only with all of humanity, but indeed with all of creation and eventually in full consciousness with the Hierarchies. The redeemed of humanity will then become the “gods” spoken of by the prophets and by the Christ.