Review 1: "The Deliverance of the Universe"

Book Review by "Jerry"
Title: “The Disappearance of the Universe”
Author: Gary R Renard -
Publisher: Hay House Publishing

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"The Disappearance of the Universe" has become a popular book. For those that have not read it, it purports to be a communication with the author, Gary Renard, with 2 celestial beings or materialized spirits. It's not uncommon to hear of angels who visit men to share the mysteries of God. Gary Renard says that he was able to record their visits and conversations and so it definitely doesn't fall under “channelling spirits”.

Red Flags

These two spirit visitors, Arten and Pursah, claim to have been Jesus' disciples, but are now promoting a study called “A Course in Miracles” as the way, the truth, and the life. It would appear that now they are saying that their time spent with Jesus in the flesh on earth and eternity was not enough for them because now we need the teaching of “A Course in Miracles”.

This book raises some red flags. I seriously worried about the reason they gave for Judas's betrayal to Christ. The real reason that Judas hung himself was because of the obvious guilt he experienced after betraying Jesus and then turning him over to the Roman soldiers in exchange for a few pieces of silver. According to Arten and Pursah it is because he was drunk and wanted a woman. Somehow this just doesn't fit and makes light of Judas's act of betrayal on Christ.

The concept of reincarnation in this book also raised a red flag. They claim to have had quite a few lives after their time spent with Jesus. Again, that's a serious worry for me because once they actually got a chance to hear what Jesus really taught, there's no need to have to live a mortal life again in order to get it right, nor is it possible! According to Jesus, the scriptures point out on more than one occasion, in one way or another, that “it is appointed unto men to die once, and then comes the judgement.” (Hebrews 9:27) Besides, if we could re-live our lives, until we get it right, then Christ's sacrifice for our sins is done in vain. If we can simply receive him in our first life, then why do we need a second life, when His grace has already taken care of us. A second chance at life after death just isn't possible in the spirit realm.

Arten and Pursah claim to be spirits who represent Christ. I once read the personal story of a woman who mixed a number of religious practices and always believed the two spirits that were guiding her. She loved Christ as well because it warmed her heart to recall the wonderful stories about him when she was a child attending Sunday School. As she grew in her understanding, she began to realize that the teaching, advice and instructions that the spirit guides taught her, were conflicting with what she was learning about the teachings of Jesus. She then began to challenge the spirit guides. She challenged them as to who they believed was the son of God. She asked them all the important “salvation” points; that he died on the cross for the sins of man and that he rose from the dead to give humans victory over death and lead us to eternal life. The spirit guides flipped on her, causing havoc and trouble until she completely surrendered her life to only to Jesus, and not other source of religious practices.

And so regarding Arten and Pursah, they were never tested, but their words do not add up. I would not regard them as a true source of knowledge.

The Premise of The Book

And what is the premise of this book? That we live in a total illusion, and that this illusion is created by ourselves, and not God. That it pretty much has no value. The value lies in recognizing that none of you exist, only me. (So I won't exist for those of you reading this!) Along the way they suddenly give Gary permission to use physical violence to protect his illusionary body. Something I know personally that Jesus does not ever accept. How come they try to teach this is all an illusion, and that it does not matter what you do? They claim it's because its not real, and then they teach that we must offer unconditional love to all (forgiveness). But why, if its all an illusion and it doesn't matter what we do? Of course it does matter, and forgiveness is right. But the illusion bit is pretty much a delusion, as far as I can see. Perhaps if this is the premise of this book, then the next stop is the nut house. This world was created by God and my not exist for eternity, but it exists today to teach us, so its good enough for that purpose.

There are good parts of the book and good concepts such as forgiveness. This is the best to grasp, but Jesus taught it better. However, I do think that they have way oversold any value that may lie in viewing this world as an illusion. It certainly exists, and if they believe in reincarnation, as these two do, then they are immediately accepting karma and lessons as the purpose. Sounds more like Hinduism and seems odd that an illusion has purpose?

Final Thoughts

To me this world was created, and we have now participated in that creation, and our efforts are not admirable, by and large. Just look around at the mess this world is in. When I find two celestials teaching the grand illusion, reincarnation, I then cry out to the heavens. For our sake, give us teachers who actually understand some Truth. A world based on an illusion is an attempt to escape reality instead of facing up to it and living it out with true joy and sincerity.

The book finally blew it for me when Arten and Pursah asserted that ALL of the disciples had reincarnated 20 times before they progressed. Now I know for SURE that Judas did not, and all of the disciples were channelled by a man named James Padgett, and ALL claim to be Christ Spirits. Like I said, the next stop is the Loony Bin and Nut House after reading this book.  I'm surprised that an intelligent author could not see the conflicts in this kind of lifestyle and teaching.