Great Construction

Mi-ro-ku Grand Service

     It is certainly occasion for congratulations that since becoming World Messianity we are able to hold our first Mi-ro-ku Grand Service as per custom on March third, fifth, and sixth.
     It is in this sense that I am full of deep emotion when I consider the profound significance of this service today. My first step of seriously engaging in God’s work began in February 1929, on the day before the beginning of spring, so this is exactly the twenty-third year since then. In these twenty-three years, the basic construction has been completed, so now has come the time for the proper start of an organization, to wave the banner of the salvation of all humanity, and to commence full-scale activity. We have been, so to speak, putting on our makeup in the dressing room until now, but we have finished preparations, so at this point we move out and on to the stage.
     Generally speaking, “Messiah” has a profound connection to Christianity, and even now throughout Europe and the Americas there is a wide variety of views on the subject, so nothing definite has been settled. And such is because through the vehicle of human wisdom it is difficult to investigate and perceive the depths of profound mystery.
     Even now, I myself do not use the title Messiah, nor do I speak of the Second Coming, partly because I have been prohibited by God for doing so until a certain time. Even if throughout the world it was thought probable an event such as the descent of the Messiah, there would be such commotion that for me to get done any work at all would be impossible.
     What I can speak of today with certainty concerns the great economy of saving the world. Just to look at what I am actually accomplishing at present should be sufficient for understanding. That is why the name “World Messianity” has been adopted.
     What is of particular mention here is that these days, in which all has become global, existing religions, with almost no exception, are tasks of salvation that are limited to one specific area or region, and that they did not have the mission of saving all humanity. Only Christianity had the mission of saving all humanity, and the result can be seen in its great achievement today. Still, there is much room for doubt that the world can be saved from its great sufferings at present. The facts are clear and demonstrate so. Without reserve what can be said is that the power of religion itself can do nothing, something which the intelligentsia and thinkers say in so many words. What can honestly be said here is that power greater than religion is necessary, and that this is what is meant by the term “super religion,” a faith that transcends all religions.
     The Chinese ideograms for the Japanese word that stands for “religion” literally mean a “founder’s teachings.” Both the Bible and the Buddhist sutras, even the Quran, teach through the medium of letters to awaken the human soul, therefore, these texts are only the result of the self-power of a mere human being. Today, however, it has come to the point where human power is not enough. Of course, teachings are necessary, but above that, God’s great power must be manifest. Even so, the individual power of a living God will not be quite sufficient. What must appear is the absolute power of the Creator, in other words, Jehovah, to preside over all humanity. Of course, since the inception of humanity until the present, God’s great power has not come forth. That is because such great power will only be necessary for preparing Paradise on Earth. In that sense, like our church, the world has been in the dressing rooms until now. But now, the time has come for not only a great transformation of the world but also for the realization of God’s ideal which is the construction of paradise.
     This point is fundamental and through profound recognition of it does one become qualified to participate in God’s great task.  

Kyûsei, Issue 53, March 11, 1950
    translated by cynndd