Initiation enables a person to see, understand and communicate what may be observed with spiritual eyes. St. John's text arises from such an initiation. It addresses the fundamental questions of existence that every human being asks: Where are we? Where have we come from? Where are we going? And because it arises from esoteric Christian vision, it emphasizes the task of the individual: What am I and what is my purpose now in this era of cosmic and human evolution.

These talks by Rudolf Steiner unveil the mysteries of St. John's vision and show it to be a profound description of Christian initiation. As he says "The deepest truths of Christianity may be considered quite naturally in connection with this document, for it contains a great part of the mysteries of Christianity that is, the profoundest part of what may be described as esoteric Christianity".

Steiner shows that the messages to the seven Churches and the unsealing of the seven seals must be understood as an initiation text. On the basis of his own initiation and spiritual science, Steiner interprets St. John's writing, the twenty-four elders, the sea of glass, the woman clothed with the sun, the vials of wrath, the lamb and the dragon, the new heaven, the new earth and the number of the beast - all take on new meaning.

Since the previous painful century has closed, these important words have even greater meaning and significance. Readers interested in contributing their moral will to future generations cannot afford to pass them by.

RUDOLF STEINER (1861-1925) called his spiritual philosophy anthroposophy, which can be understood as wisdom of the human being. Steiner's many published works (writings and lectures) feature his research into the spiritual nature of the human being, the evolution of the world and humanity, and methods of personal development. Steiner wrote some 30 books and delivered over 6,000 lectures across Europe.

March 2004; 12 lectures, Nuremberg, June 1908 GA 104; 225pp; pb;