The Abridged Secret Book of James

1:1. From: James, the Brother of Jesus
Hey! I wish you peace, love, kindness, and a good life!

1:2-3. I know you've asked for the secret teachings given to Peter and me. I can't come to you to tell you in person, but I wrote them down and am sending them to you alone.
Handle this knowledge responsibly—it wasn't meant for everyone. Those who are able to get this teaching are lucky.
It's similar to the one I sent you 10 months ago, but this one has the final words of Jesus before he left us to go back to Heaven.

1:4. Almost 2 years after Jesus had died and come back to life, the twelve disciples and I were discussing everything that we learned from him, to get everything down in writing in one place.
While writing down my part, Jesus suddenly reappeared to us.
We were all like, "Why'd you leave us?"

1:5. He said, "I'm going back to where I came from. If you're willing to join me, then let's go!"

1:6. Everyone agreed, "We'll follow if you lead the way."

1:7-8. He then clarified, "You can't get into heaven just because I invite you, but only if you find it within yourselves.
Everyone leave, I'm going to teach James and Peter so they can learn, find it, and pass it on to you."

1:9. Jesus said, "You know you're lucky, right? Do you want to keep being lost and confused, or do you want to be truly free?
Then feel bad! Do better! You're screwing up your advantage. Remember- you've seen and spoken to me in person.

1:10. There are some out there who haven't needed to physically see me in order to know or believe. They're the ones who truly understand.
Recognize the help you have received.

1:11. Fuck those fall into the same cycle of needing help, but bless those who prevent problems before they happen. They can claim their place in heaven!
Listen- be totally full of light and leave no part of yourself empty, so that no one will be able to criticize you."

1:12. Peter said, "You've already told us three times to 'be full', but I'm pretty sure we already are."

1:13. Jesus said, "Well I'm repeating it as a constant reminder.
Only people filled with light can succeed; it's not good to be empty.
Ironically, being fully filled with light includes recognizing what you still lack.
It's important to go beyond thought and reason and your individual soul to seek The Spirit of God."

1:14. I was listening to Jesus very closely. I told Jesus I'd listen to whatever he said- we already left everything behind and had nothing more to lose.
I asked Jesus to protect us from the devil.

1:15. Jesus said, "No. You need to learn yourself. True value lies in overcoming challenges and doing what's right, even when tested.
You shouldn't fear pain or suffering- God blesses those who go through that, and will make them my equal.
Remember- my own experience was far worse than anything any of you are going through.
The body is just a container for the soul. Think about how short all this pain here is.
Choose to live with courage, and focus on what lies beyond the suffering."

1:16. I said, "Come on, Jesus, you're about love and life, not death and suffering."

1:17. Jesus said, "Nobody will be get to live forever unless they believe in my death and sacrifice. Don't be afraid- seek death. It will teach you about who is worthy. No one who's afraid of death will get to live forever. Be better than me- become a child of the Holy Spirit."

1:19. I asked Jesus how we should prophesy and answer those who ask us questions we don't know the answer to.

1:20. Jesus said, "The head of prophecy was cut off with John the Baptist. Didn't you know that?"

1:21. I said, "Is it even possible to cut off the head of prophecy?"

1:22. Jesus said, "When you understand what 'head' means, and how that's where prophecy comes from, you'll understand what I meant.
I used to speak in riddles, but now I'm being pretty straightforward, yet you still can't seem to understand. Still- I've been able to understand you the whole time.

1:23. Jesus said, "Desire to be saved on your own without needing outside encouragement. In fact, try to get there before me, and God will love you for it.

1:24. Turn away from dishonesty, bad intentions, and hypocrisy.

1:25. Keep the idea of Heaven strong; think of it like a palm tree with its fruit around. The tree grows fruit, but then it stops producing more. Lots of people get some of the fruit. It was great! If only you could grow new plants at any time.

1:26. I'm ready to move on, so why are you holding me back?
You've already made me stay another 18 days explaining things to you. I'm only still here because I'm explaining all these damn stories.
Some are happy with the lessons they've learned; others still want more.

1:27. Embrace this message! Start with trusting God, then add love for everyone, then manifest it all through your daily actions- this is how you get eternal life!

1:28. Heaven is like a seed; you plant it with trust, nurture it with love, and once it's grown, it rewards you with a plentiful harvest and many more seeds. Only through understanding can you find your way to this truth.

1:29. Be clear-minded and don't be misled. I've told you tons of times how to get eternal life. Follow my lead and remember how to stand strong against any authority.

1:30. Recognize that I came down to your level on earth, endured suffering, and ascended so that you could rise with me.
When I arrived, your homes were open; I stayed with those ready to accept me.

1:31. Trust me when I say that God doesn't need us.
A parent doesn't need a child, it's the child who needs the parent.
I am returning to God.

1:32. Listen to this message, understand knowledge, cherish life, and know that no one can stop you- except for yourself."

1:33. You bastards! You distort the truth and turn away from the Spirit!
Are you just going to wait around forever?

1:34. It's surprisingly easy for the good to be fall and be evil.

1:35. I remember how sad you were when I died, I know that was a long time ago.
But now- everyone outside the kingdom of God, cry if you're sad, and teach what's good- I'm ascending to Heaven as I was meant to.

1:36. If I were only sent to those who would listen the first time, I wouldn't have needed to come down to earth. Come on!

1:37. I'm leaving. None of us want me to be here. Do what I've been doing though, you'll bring life to many people. Follow me to where I'm going later. Remember to seek guidance and pray, and you will be rewarded.

1:38. Jesus said, "Those who've seen God will experience life.
Celebrate as children of God, and follow God's will- God wants you to have eternal life, but you have to earn it for yourselves. I'll stick up for you, asking God for forgiveness on your behalf. God will forgive a lot."

1:39. Hearing that gave us some relief.

1:40. However, seeing us happy, he warned, "It's not great needing someone to plead your case. Fuck those who rely solely on my kindness! Blessed are those who speak up and secure God's kindness for themselves."

1:42. Don't think that just asking for favors or relying on others to stick up for you will work."

1:41. Jesus said, "Don't be strangers in your own life. If you act like you don't belong and isolate yourselves, others will come in and take your place. Watch out, or you’ll be in trouble!

1:43. Jesus said, "God knows your desires and physical needs.
The body is dead without the soul, just like the soul is dead without the Spirit of God.
But if the soul stays good, you'll be given the Spirit, and your body won't be able to do evil.
The Spirit can lift your soul, but the body is what kills you and dies.

1:44. Don't forget, no wrongdoings will be overlooked. No one who has a body can get to heaven. Almost no one goes to heaven- only if they've already seen themselves in the fourth level of heaven.

1:45. When we heard this, we fell down in despair. But he encouraged us by saying this was information that would help us get to know ourselves.
Jesus said, "Heaven is like a field of wheat that keeps repopulating itself year after year."

1:46. Jesus said, "Pay attention to me as long as I'm with you, and keep me in mind after I'm gone.
You didn't really understand me while I was around.
Good things come to those who really get to know me.
I feel sorry for you if you've heard what I said but still don't believe.
Bless those who believe without having proof.

1:47. I'm here for you now, building something that will help you and others.
Fuck those who were dumb enough to make me have to come down here.
Bless those who go up to heaven to see for themselves.
Remember, be good, so that you can join the rest in heaven.

1:48. Don't let the promise of heaven lose meaning.
Don't be proud because of your enlightenment, but treat each other as I have treated you.
I've went through a lot so that you can find eternal life."

1:49. Peter said, "What the heck? Sometimes you're contradicting- sometimes encouraging us and at other times telling us there's no hope."

1:50. Jesus said, "I've shown the way many times. And although I've tried to make myself known to you both, you still don't fully understand.
I see your mixed emotions – happy about the promise of life, but sad about the challenge.

1:51. But through trust and knowledge, you've found life.
Ignore negativity, and be motivated by the potential promise.
Remember, anyone who embraces life and believes in a higher purpose will never lose it, even if they face rejection from God.

1:52. This is all I am going to share for now, as I'm returning to where I came from.
When I was ready to go, you pushed me away instead of coming with me.
Focus on the joy that awaits me, open your hearts, and listen to the celebration in Heaven, that I'm heading towards, because today is the day I sit next to God.

1:53. This is my final message to you, and now I must go.
A chariot of God is taking me to heaven. It is time to strip my physical body so I can clothe myself in a spiritual body.
Listen- bless those who knew about the Chosen before I came, that way it made my job here easier.
There are some that were chosen for greatness before they were created, and you should seek to join them."

1:54. After he said these things, he left. Peter and I gave thanks and meditated on heaven with our hearts. At first, we heard and saw signs of chaos and war.

1:55. We looked higher beyond, and heard peaceful and joyous angel singing.

1:56. We then tried to go even higher, but couldn't because other followers called us back to earth with questions about what Jesus had said and where he went.

1:57. We told them, "He went back to heaven after promising us eternal life. He told us about the future generation that were going to take over after us, and that our own eternal life depended on how well we treated and loved them."

1:58. The rest believed them and were happy, but were also jealous about the next generation.
To avoid causing problems, I gave them to different cities to go travel to and teach at. Meanwhile, I went to Jerusalem, hoping to meet the next generation as soon as possible.

1:59. I hope to be a part of the start of this enlightenment, inspiring others to see the light through my faith. And, if I'm lucky, their faith will even outgrow mine.

1:60. Try to be like the loved and chosen ones, and pray to join them.
Beyond this, Jesus didn’t give us any more revelations.
We are meant to share in the gifts God has given to God's children.