Sunday May 20, 1984 - The Day I Connected My Ancestors to the Central Line of God

The following is an account of a spiritual experience. It was not a dream. Some might even call it a paranormal experience; others might think of it as a weird and hallucinatory experience. However, to religious and spiritually attuned people, this experience can be uplifting and rewarding. This experience occurred a few months after I had the dream “Water of Life,” which you will read in the next chapter. I had this experience in Rochester, Minnesota, a few months after my IOWC witnessing campaign ended its 50-state tour. I was assigned to Rochester to pioneer a new church center. After a few tearful months, Rochester had found a place in my heart! Later, I called it my “Rock of Tears” just like the Rev. Moon called his first pioneering place a “Rock of Tears,” which is now the Unification Church Holy Place of Worship and Spiritual Training Center in South Korea.

I loved Rochester very much and prayed for this city often. I had developed two places where I loved to pray, and I would often pray at dawn. One place was on Main Street on the bridge over U.S. 52 that ran between Minneapolis and Rochester. The other was a small park about two streets behind my apartment complex. I had many deep spiritual experiences at each place. The experience I treasured the most was one that I had about Jesus on May 20, 1984. My spiritual experience with God came during our movement’s weeklong prayer vigil to support Moon in his court case. Churches would take turns praying, ensuring that the vigil continued nonstop. Moon was convicted of filing false federal income tax returns and conspiracy in 1982. A prayer vigil starts at midnight, ends at 5 a.m. and concludes with a “pledge” (a special prayer tradition that our church practices every Sunday at 5 a.m.). Before the praying began, we usually gathered a half-hour earlier to sing holy songs and prepare ourselves for the prayer. At midnight on Sunday, May 20, 1984, which was the last day of our vigil, we gathered, sang a few songs and began to pray. I started the first hour, and, at 1 a.m., after I was relieved by the next person, I went to sleep. Then, suddenly, for no apparent reason, I awoke feeling energetic and alert. It was as if I never had been asleep. The light was brighter than daylight, and I felt as light as a feather.

I looked at the alarm clock and saw that the time was 2:22. Those numbers — 2-2-2 — intrigued me. I thought about it for a while, and then went back to sleep. Approximately an hour later, I awoke again with the same unusual feeling. This time, it was 3:33, and again the sequence of numbers — 3-3-3 — amazed me. I thought about it again and went back to sleep. Then it happened once more. The time on the clock showed 4:44 or 4-4-4. Now, I realized that something very important spiritually was going to happen. The spiritual world was trying to communicate with me, and I felt an urge to go for a prayer walk. At 5 a.m., I led the pledge with my four members. When we finished, I told them that I was going out for a prayer and would return shortly. I put on casual clothes and headed for the highway.

As I got on the road, I began to pray, starting with my usual, habitual prayer: “Heavenly Father this, Heavenly father that.” Then it dawned on me that the reason I was out at such an early hour was not to launch into my usual prayer. I was here because God wanted to tell me something. I was here to listen! I looked at my watch. The time was 5:22 a.m. I said: “Heavenly Father, you asked me to come out here so you could tell me something. I am here for you. I will not say a word. I will give you an hour; I will not speak but walk in silence. Please use this time to speak to me.” I headed towards the highway. I must have walked a block when I found myself deep in thought about Jesus’ painful death and the incredible love He had for God and humanity. I was so moved to tears that I started to weep uncontrollably. I was weeping so loudly that people a mile away could hear me. I wanted to have a moment alone with Jesus. I got on the highway and walked out of the city, so the sounds of traffic wouldn’t disturb me.

I walked in silence for about two blocks, when I suddenly felt Jesus’ presence. I bowed slightly and welcomed him. As Jesus walked beside me, I was crying and thanking Him for his love and sacrifice. Then He said: “Ali, I have someone very important I want to introduce to you.” Then, as He gave a heavenly gesture, He said, “Heung Jin Nim is here to see you!” On my right, I felt Heung Jin’s presence. I burst into tears again, welcomed him and thanked him for his sacrifice. He, like Jesus, sacrificed his own life to save his father, and that his death was a providential offering. The three of us walked together for a while. We made a U-turn, crossed to the other side of the highway, and walked back towards the city.

Suddenly, I was surprised to find myself looking at the park I had mentioned earlier. I found myself drawn into it, and I also noticed that even though Jesus and Heung Jin had disappeared, I still felt their presence. I entered the park to pray and think about what I had just experienced. Suddenly the spiritual world took hold of me and, as I walked deeper into the park, I saw the grass and trees transform into huge masses of people by the millions, who were gathering there to welcome me. The blades of grass turned into mighty soldiers, standing at attention and waiting for instructions from their general — me! In return, I stood as a general would to acknowledge his men. As I reached the center of the park, the seen changed and I found myself talking to a large group of my male ancestors, although a few were female. I was telling them how great the True Parents (the Rev. and Mrs. Moon) were and how lucky and blessed we were to meet them. I reached for my wallet and pulled out a picture of them that I carried in my wallet. I said: “Look! These are the True Parents. Come and meet your True Parents. How about a hug for the True Parents?” I was talking to them like you would talk to young children. At first, they looked shy and felt like they were not worthy. I kept assuring them, however, that it was all right and encouraged them to see the True Parents.

Slowly, they started to come. Then they snatched the picture from my hands and ran away with it, kissing and hugging it. I said to them: “Hold it! Come back. I have another surprise for you! I have Heung Jin Nim here with me!” Then, I started telling them about Heung Jin, how important he was to providence and how he sacrificed his life to save True Father’s life. I showed them his picture, and, again, they grabbed it and ran away, kissing and hugging it. After they had finished with the hugs and kisses, I told them that I had another surprise: Jesus was also there. “Come and meet Him,” I said. As soon as I mentioned Jesus’ name, however, my ancestors became cold. I realized what was happening. My ancestors were feeling guilty and shameful for participating in Jesus’ crucifixion. I told them that even if they were involved in Jesus’ betrayal and death, God and Jesus had forgiven them. They knew they didn’t do it deliberately. After I said that, my ancestors slowly approached me, grabbed Jesus’ picture from my hand and ran, wildly kissing and hugging it. It was an awesome sight to see!

After I finished introducing the “True Family” to my ancestors, I stood and offered a prayer to officially conclude my session. I looked at my watch, and to my amazement, it was 6: 22 a.m. — exactly one hour from the time I started my prayer walk! This day, May 20, 1984, was the day I connected my ancestors to the central line of God, and it was recorded in heaven! This day, a new way of communication between the spiritual world and my ancestors was created. I started a new method of teaching and preaching. This park was my favorite place; it was beautiful and small. I had done many readings and prayer conditions there in the past, but they were normal, quiet types of prayers. The new prayer was a direct line of communication. That day, I promised my ancestors and the spirits that I would return to this park and teach them the contents of the new revelation (the Divine Principle).

Also, on this day, I felt like a general. After concluding my prayer, I told my ancestors that I would see them at 6 a.m. the next day. As I exited the park and headed towards the street, the trees stood like a mighty crowd, cheering and waving with love and great joy in appreciation for their commander. The next day was indescribable! A powerful feeling overcame me as I headed towards the park. It was an extremely intense feeling that was coming from the anticipated crowd. I put on my armor, a mighty general-like personality, and marched into the park with a large group of close aides. All my senses were on alert, and as I looked into the park, I heard the loudest cheer any commander could have received and saw the largest crowd any commander could have commanded. Every piece of grass stood at attention. I was a powerful general getting ready to address his people after a great victory!

After the welcoming ceremony, my ancestors calmed down and listened to my message. I started by speaking about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and ended with the coming of the True Parents in

the modern world. When I finished my speech, I made a promise to return to the park for 21 days, and for 40 minutes I would read the Divine Principle aloud so they could hear the truth. I wanted to thoroughly educate them by reading the new truth that God had sent with the True Parents. I kept my promise. Every day, for 21 days, I went to the park at 6 a.m. They were there waiting for me. After the greetings, I usually started with a prayer and asked them to join me. The spiritual atmosphere was so real, it felt as if they were physically present. In my prayers, I asked God to bless and guide my ancestors, to fill them with love and peace, and to open their souls and hearts to receive His truth.

After the prayer, I started to read to them. At the end of each session, I gave a summary and concluded with a prayer, thanking them for listening to the truth. I blessed them in the name of God. I also told them what I would read about the next time I came. I said goodbye and left. The 21-day reading condition was successfully finished without interruption. I read aloud the entire Divine Principle and preached a lot. One particular occasion sticks in my mind. I was reading about the Fall of Man. The chapter said that fall was caused by a sexual act between the archangel Lucifer and Eve and then one between Adam and Eve. The serpent symbolized Lucifer, while the apple symbolized Eve’s love. After I read this chapter, I entered into a deep meditation, thinking and analyzing this subject. Suddenly, I felt deep rage begin to engulf me. The enraged spirit said: “What does God have to do with sex?” The rage was so strong, it startled me! It was as if this angry protester was saying that God had nothing to do with sexuality because He held a higher and purer position and sex is lower and dirty and belongs to sinful, lower beings. The spirit wanted to keep God in a secluded high position, so that he, Satan, can control love and sexuality himself. This angry spirit was retaliating against the new truth that I read from the chapter!

The truth was so powerful that it threatened his existence and exposed his true nature! Interestingly, when you look at the vast gap between what religions teach about sex and someone leading a nonreligious secular lifestyle of free sex and pornography, things become crystal clear that the modern world is engaged in a spiritual war about sex. Religious teachings against sex made it sound like a filthy and sinful act and the roots of all evil, while nonreligious secularists mock it by choosing free sex and pornography. The big question is, does God like sex? While I was in a Bible study at the Grace Community Church in Indianapolis, the group leader read an intriguing part from the Bible that reflected on what I had experienced with my internal angry spirit. In Eccles. 9: 7-10, the Bible talks about humanity’s happiness and pleasures. It says God takes pleasure in your pleasures, whatever they might be: Family love, friendship, food, music, clothing, or sexual love between husbands and wives. God experiences all of these. When couples make love, their pleasure becomes God’s pleasure. But, because of the Fall of Man, Satan began to dominate human love. This is why the Bible and other religious books warn against sexual lust and regard it as the number one sin!

But the Divine Principle explains everything very clearly. The Fall of Man was recorded figuratively in the Book of Genesis and tells the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. In my personal opinion, this unnatural love between Lucifer and Eve was what switched the blood lineage from God to Satan. Realizing that Lucifer was not meant to be her lover, Eve gave Adam the second bite of the apple. When Eve slept with Adam and conceived a child, Lucifer’s spirit and blood was in that child. Satan had created a physical body for himself to experience everything, including human love! He multiplied himself throughout human history and shared power and dominion over mankind and all creation with God. As a matter of fact, Satan robbed God of his throne, his children’s love, and exiled God from his children. God’s story is really tragic! In many religions, God is portrayed as an almighty being, sitting on His throne in heaven, and humans are troublesome, sinful, and unworthy of God. This is simply untrue. God loves and cares for His children so much that without them, He would be heartbroken! This is a contradiction. God needs someone to whom He can relate and with whom He can share His love. He wasn’t only a God of glory, but also one who suffered in search of His children.