The Mount of the House of the Lord
(Comment) Parable of the Hand of Art as man's expression of patterning after the reality, the hand of Nature, the PERFECT PICTURE, which is GOD, is fully explained in detail by FATHER DIVINE.
"That is why we delight in the hand of Nature and observe the copy of the hand of Nature and the copying of the same, the hand of Art, yea, artificial things are expressions as slight sketches and reflections, showing you the working of the hand of Art by the artists when they are observing things from the within.
"They are bringing them out artistically and trying to make things in the likeness of those things that are real.
"They may make the symbols~~they are speaking in a language, even in that expression that GOD can understand to some degree; for they are making the likeness and the image of those things created and brought out by the hand of Nature. The hand of Art is a sketch and a reflection and as a symbol and a preeminence of the hand of Nature; therefore GOD can understand HIS Image and the Image of HIS creation, as GOD created man in HIS Own Image and Likeness, and things man creates and makes and discerns and designs whichever, he brings them out from the invisibleness of himself to the surface, and artistically designs them as an artificial expression of the reality, as a symbol and as the image of it. As man is the image and the likeness of GOD, the CREATOR, he will create artistically things by the hand of Art and bring them out as a symbol and as the likeness and image and the artificial likeness of the reality of the hand of Nature.
"GOD can understand that better than HE can understand mere words of noises sounding. Aren't you glad! We are bringing into practicality the reality of the creation of things and even the image and the artificialness of those things that are not real, being a symbol and a resemblance of the reality. I can understand it better than I can understand mere noises. So we are bringing into actuality the reality of things, getting away from the imaginary of the imagination of things, that you might understand the reality of things brought into practicality and into actuality, by bringing them into observation, that GOD might be the INSPIRER and the INSPIRATION of such things that are merely artificial and symbols, and such things as are merely created artistically by GOD'S Own Image and Likeness.
"The artists, they are the image of GOD~~a PERFECT artist is. He brings out many new beauties, but he does not bring out the reality as a rule. He brings out the symbol and the artificial likeness of the reality of that which the reality created; but that is understandable when it is put forth into expression, because it is in the lower language GOD is speaking. I said, because it is in the lower language GOD is speaking!
"By the hand of Nature and the hand of Art GOD speaks, but HE speaks in such languages that such as are expressing in that degree of expression might understand HIM. That is the mystery. So we shall bring from the invisible the sketches and the reflections and the symbols and the images, and produce the reality of the artificialness of that which comes from the invisible through the image and the likeness of the ALMIGHTY, that that might be an expression of the practicality of GOD'S Image and Likeness~~man~~of whom HE created in HIS Own Exact Likeness.
"Those are beautiful, are they not? (FATHER gestured toward a bouquet of artificial roses on the Banquet Table)...although artificial, being a symbol, a sketch and a reflection of the reality, in the image and in the likeness of that which is made by the hand of Nature~~the hand of Nature, one of GOD'S languages' expressions to humanity and the lower language expressing through HIS own creation that was created in HIS own likeness~~man. The hand of Art is put into expression through GOD'S Image and Likeness, by the hand of Art. In other words, the hand of Art is relative to the hand of Nature, but neither of these are the reality, neither one of these is the reality; but they are languages being expressed where GOD speaks in speaking in the hand of Nature and speaking in and by the hand of Art."
"Each of these lower languages GOD speaks in that man might understand, but not merely in words to be heard by men. Aren't you glad! Then we can glory in seeing the Spirit bringing from the invisible, by the hand of Nature, GOD'S beauties; and bringing from the invisibleness of GOD'S created Likeness and Image~~mankind~~the hand of Art to be discerned by them. We can see and know these are different expressions, but the reality of such an expression is the true state of consciousness through which and by which these different expressions are motivated. Aren't you glad!
"How beautiful it is to observe the hand of Nature and the hand of Art working harmoniously together in the act of expressing the language that GOD can understand, in which GOD speaks. And GOD speaks to the hearts and minds of men through the hand of Nature and the hand of Art. Aren't you glad!
"Nevertheless, these expressions are not the PERFECT expression, saving as they are perfected by the great PERFECTER, and brought to PERFECTION through the consciousness of those who are conscious of GOD'S ACTUAL PRESENCE, as they bring themselves into subjection and are consciously converted~~spirit, soul, mind and body. Then they can observe those things that are even brought out by the hand of Art.
"The most simple artificial expression of an invention can be discerned by those who are born of GOD and can speak and understand in HIS Language the reality of such works that are made real, tangible and practical; for they are brought from the invisible, lifting your mind from the psychics to the reality of things, that you might be more real minded and more scientific and more accurate in expression, and become to be more real, practical and active in the way of establishing the reality of GOD among humanity. Aren't you glad!"
"For this cause we are rejoicing and we are exceedingly glad to say we mean to bring to the surface every expression that is invisible, that is desirable. Those desirable expressions in the fondest imagination of all of the religions, we mean to bring them to the surface and tangibilate them and bring them into outer expression, that they might be real, tangible and practical, and become to be a living factor for the benefit and good of all humanity.
"For this cause we are rejoicing and we are exceedingly glad to say, if you speak in words it is okay; but let your words be in actions and in deeds, with the spirit of sincerity, by being conscientious in all of your assertions and in all of your endeavors, that you might be more like ME. Now, when I say more like ME, do not think I AM speaking merely in the likeness of the visible Figure you observe with your physical sight of which I was stressing a little while ago, as being erroneous; but that you might be more like the PERFECT PICTURE, inexpressible and unobservable, saving as you observe It with a Righteous Judgment and not with sight nor with hearing."
"This JOY, this HAPPINESS, this Spirit of ACCURATENESS, the Spirit of JUSTNESS, the Spirit of TRUTH, the Spirit of LOVE, the Spirit of HAPPINESS, PLEASURE, PEACE and SUCCESS and PROSPERITY~~the desirable expressions of GOD, of Whom you say I AM, such as I have said and request of you to be like~~these are the expressions which I AM stressing, not merely the outward expression of a Personal Appearance, but the characteristics, the nature, the disposition, the understanding, the very innermost self in evidence and in expression~~in short, the Name of Whom you say I AM! And GOD is all GOOD, all the GOOD that there is, and the PERFECT EXPRESSION from every angle.
"May you be like such an expression in every move, every action, yea, even in every gesture and every suggestion, that you might express the PERFECT PICTURE. I thank you."
The entire Message can be found in The New Day, August 30, 1986 A.D.F.D.