Soul Evolution—Simeon

Text

Luke 2:25-32. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him, And It had been revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do concerning him after the custom of the law, Then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

Now lettest thou thy servant depart. Lord,
According to thy word, in peace;
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples;
A light for revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of thy people Israel.

Interpretation

Simeon means one who listens and obeys. The listening faculty of mind shows itself in the devout Christian as the mental state that looks for and expects spiritual guidance and instruction direct from God. It may be summed up in the word “obedience.”

One who believes that God communes with man, and opens the way to such communion by being obedient to every hint received in vision, dream, or “still small voice,” is guided by the Holy Spirit.

Immortal life must be demonstrated by each individual. Those who are devout, receptive, obedient, are shown that they are on the way to immortal life. They find in the Temple (body) the Lord’s Christ: that is, the Lord’s anointed.

The new consciousness of indwelling immortal life takes the place of hope, expectancy, obedience (Simeon), and the old consciousness is allowed to depart in peace.