Sunday, February 16, 2025

What is the "Great General Assembly of the Hierarchy" and its Significance in 2025?


Sixbert SANGWA October 28, 2024

In the realm of esoteric teachings and New Age philosophy, the "Great General Assembly of the Hierarchy" described by Alice Bailey has been a subject of intrigue and controversy. As Christians, it is crucial to approach such topics with discernment, as the Apostle Paul advises: "Test all things. Hold on to what is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21). This article explores this concept, its background, and its alleged significance, particularly concerning the year 2025, while maintaining a biblical perspective.

Alice Bailey, a prominent figure in the Theosophical and New Age movements, wrote extensively about what she termed the "Spiritual Hierarchy" or the "Great White Brotherhood" (Bailey, 1925). According to her teachings, this hierarchy consists of "ascended masters" and "spiritual entities" guiding humanity's evolution. Bailey claimed these beings hold a significant meeting every 100 years with their human agents, with the next major and final general assembly scheduled for 2025 (Bailey, 1957).

The concept of spiritual hierarchies influencing world events isn't unique to Bailey's writings or alien to Scripture. In fact, the Bible provides insights into spiritual entities influencing earthly affairs. The book of Daniel, for instance, speaks of spiritual princes associated with certain empires. In Daniel 10:13, we read about the "prince of the kingdom of Persia" opposing an angelic messenger, suggesting spiritual forces behind earthly powers. Furthermore, the symbolism in Revelation of the beast with seven heads (often interpreted as Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and UN) implies a long history of spiritual influence over human leadership. This aligns with Daniel's prophecy in Daniel 2:43, which states, "And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay." This has often been interpreted as referring to the mingling of demonic (iron) and human (clay) elements.

 
However, while acknowledging these spiritual realities, orthodox Christian doctrine emphasizes direct communion with God through Jesus Christ, as stated in "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5). This biblical perspective provides a crucial balance, recognizing spiritual influences while maintaining focus on our direct relationship with God through Christ.

Bailey's hierarchy concept has roots in Theosophy, which perceives a hidden spiritual government influencing human affairs. She expanded on these ideas, describing a wide range of beings operating across multiple "rays" or aspects of divine expression, each contributing to humanity's spiritual evolution. She mentioned that these beings communicate with select human agents or initiates to guide and influence world leaders, social movements, and other transformational channels. Bailey also claimed that this hierarchy has historically included figures like Buddha, Christ, and other high spiritual masters who periodically influence humanity, aiming to create a global spiritual awakening and shift from material to spiritual values (Lucis Trust, 2024). This likely corresponds to what the Bible refers to as the end-times apostasy (See 2 Thessalonians 2:3 and1 Timothy 4:1).

According to Bailey's writings, these centennial meetings have been occurring since 1425, with each assembly focusing on different aspects of humanity's spiritual evolution (Bailey, 1957). The potential outcomes of these gatherings are less explicitly detailed, but Bailey implies they have influenced pivotal historical shifts and trends, including the two World Wars and the post-war development of international cooperation. While there are no publicly available "minutes" or "resolutions" from these meetings, proponents of this belief system claim that these gatherings have influenced major world events, scientific discoveries, and spiritual movements throughout history.

The assembly's participants are described as high-ranking initiates and leaders from various sectors, operating within influential organizations. Though Bailey does not provide specific names, later interpretations and some contemporary theorists link these ideas to influential groups and secret societies. However, Bailey's interpretation was more symbolic, focusing on spiritual entities and higher influences rather than tangible earthly organizations.


The 2025 assembly, as described by Bailey, is purportedly of particular significance. She suggested that this meeting would be instrumental in preparing for what she called the "externalization of the hierarchy" and the "Reappearance of the Christ." Bailey viewed this as a key event for accelerating human consciousness and preparing for the emergence of a world spiritual leader. Her concept of "the reappearance of Christ" aligns with her understanding of spiritual leadership and transformation rather than traditional Christian eschatology (Bailey, 1957).

It's important to note that Alice Bailey's concept of "Christ" differs significantly from the biblical understanding. Bailey speaks of multiple "Christs" or Christ-like figures, presenting the idea of a "Christ Consciousness" attainable by various individuals throughout history. This contrasts with the Christian belief in a single, unique Christ. Bailey suggests that figures like Buddha and Jesus were manifestations of this "Christ Consciousness," and that future spiritual leaders could also embody this state. Her view aligns with her broader theosophical framework, which sees spiritual evolution as a progression through various levels of initiation and consciousness. However, this perspective starkly contradicts the biblical teaching of Jesus Christ's uniqueness and exclusivity as the Son of God and humanity's sole savior. The Bible unequivocally states, "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (John 14:6). This fundamental difference highlights the need for discernment when engaging with Bailey's teachings from a Christian perspective. One could interpret her work by drawing parallels between Bailey's concept of Christ and the biblical concept of the Antichrist, aligning her predictions with end-times prophecies found in Scripture.

Interestingly, the Bible also prophesies about a future release of demonic entities in Revelation 9:1-12. These entities, described as locusts, are led by an angel from the abyss named Abaddon (Hebrew) or Apollyon (Greek). In Greek mythology, Apollo is the son of Zeus, just as Christ is the Son of God, potentially serving as a reference to the Antichrist. This parallel suggests that these hierarchical beings described by Bailey may be part of the final deceptions that will lead humanity to accept the Antichrist. Could 2025 be Lucifer's intended year for incarnating as the Antichrist?

In preparation for this event, Bailey outlined an agenda focused on unifying global spiritual movements and ideologies, fostering what she referred to as a "New World Religion" based on the interconnectedness of all religions. This new framework is expected to resonate with universal principles and avoid the divisions of sectarianism, focusing instead on an inclusive spirituality (Lucis Trust, 2024). Bailey also highlighted a broader goal of this hierarchy: to replace traditional power structures with a new, spiritually guided governance system. She regarded this transition as essential to overcoming global conflicts, economic disparity, and environmental degradation, which she saw as consequences of humanity’s spiritual immaturity. Is this reminiscent of the current efforts in ecumenism, interfaith dialogue, and religious fraternity?

As Christians, it's crucial to approach these claims with caution and biblical discernment. The Bible warns us about false teachings and the deception that will characterize the end times. Jesus Himself cautioned, "For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect." (Matthew 24:24). While it's important to be aware of various beliefs and claims circulating in our world, as followers of Christ, our primary focus should remain on the truth revealed in Scripture. The Apostle John reminds us, "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1)

In conclusion, while the concept of the "Great General Assembly of the Hierarchy" and its purported 2025 meeting may captivate the imagination, it's crucial to understand its potential implications. This assembly likely serves as a forum where these spiritual entities evaluate progress and pass clandestine orders to their human agents for implementation. The 2025 gathering may be discussing the so-called [human-engineered] global challenges that the Antichrist will emerge to solve, portraying himself as a messiah or critical problem solver.

However, as Christians, it's vital to anchor our understanding of spiritual matters in the bedrock of biblical truth. As we navigate the labyrinth of claims and prophecies, let's cling steadfastly to the hope we have in Christ. Remember, our ultimate destiny isn't shaped by clandestine assemblies or esoteric knowledge, but by our living relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We must remain vigilant and discerning, recognizing that true salvation and global transformation come not through hidden hierarchies, but through the redemptive work of Christ alone.




P.S. Highlights added for emphasis by blogger.
 

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