Great Construction

Forecast for this Year

     As is the custom at the new year, I would like to write about my forecast for the coming year. Last year I said that 1950 would be a tremendous year, not usual in any way, that there was no doubt there would be big changes not seen before. It should still be in readers’ memories that I was making this statement during a time that corresponds to a great world transition. However, the following May 8, World Messianity and its properties were searched by the authorities. I was put in jail on the twenty-nine of that month and was not to see the light of day for twenty-two days, the first time in my life to experience such an ordeal. On June 19, I was released and seven days later, on the twenty-fifth, hostilities were triggered that precipitated a crisis on the Korean peninsula. That today the situation looks as if a third world war may not be unavoidable is, for better or worse, as I predicted.
     So, when we look at this new year, it should be needless to say that the world’s fate will probably continue to develop to a grave stage. As all can see, the United Nations and especially the United States are now seriously preparing for war, and it is inevitable that soon will appear the gruesome scene of two beasts fighting.
     What concerns us is the fate of Japan. If Japan becomes involved in these global disturbances, it will not be easy for us and we need to be sufficiently resolved. Apart from Europe in the West, the aim of the Soviet Union’s strategy in Asia is, of course, Japan. The Korean disturbance is the first stage. If so, the future is clear. Among other signs, recent dispatches from abroad are not at odds with indications apparent everywhere. For these reasons, deserving the most attention at present is the state of affairs of the Red Chinese forces. No room for compromise can be seen in the conditions set down by Red China at the General Assembly of the United Nations. From observing their stance of pushing at all costs, their level of confidence should probably be seen to be very high. As soon as the preparations of the Red Army are complete, whether they begin an attack all at once or simply try to draw the United Nations’ forces to a standstill, therefore, there is the anxiety that operations may be commenced on the European front, as recently under Genera Eisenhower’s directions, preparations for possible hostilities have been begun. If Asia is the center of activity, Japan faces a major problem. The inferiority of the UN forces means that they will not be sufficient to meet an enemy’s attack and in the worst case, will have no choice but to relinquish control of the southern half of the Korean peninsula which will make matters more dangerous for Japan, as Japan is completely defenseless right now. To be honest, it is a situation filled with a great danger that in no way compares to that of the Pacific War. Japan is a completely defenseless state, so we have no choice but to let the enemy do what it wants. In that case, of course, there is no doubt that even the United States will try valiantly to help us, but in the event that the defense cannot be maintained as planned, it will be a matter of great concern. Just thinking about this issue we cannot keep still. This is how stands Japan today.
     Japan is truly at the fork in the road between life and death. What comes to mind as we view the present situation is that of the German Kaiser, who in World War I decided there was no chance of victory and cried that nothing but a miracle was to be had, and that of Japan in the last war, which put all its expectations on the “divine wind.” In both sets of circumstances all omens were ignored and finally the fate of defeat was met, the latter of which is still fresh in our memory. So, now even if we should urge people to depend on God, there will be very few who would believe us. We ourselves, however, have absolute conviction. This is because, the great war that could breakout, if it is a nuclear conflict, will truly be the destruction of civilization and will starkly present the phase of “the end of the world” mentioned in the Bible. In the Bible, it also says that at the end of the world, a Messiah will appear to save humanity. For those of us who so believe, as it looks like the absolute end of everything that is known, we cannot hold back our expectations of the descent of the Messiah shining on a cloud of glory.
     As for prognostications about World Messianity, the construction of the Atami Paradise on Earth continues and progresses gradually. The Clear-Refresh Hill has almost been formed and completed, the mountains of plum and cherry trees are scheduled to be completed this spring, and we can next start to undertake construction of the main hall. All this work is scheduled to take the entire year and at this point, one third of the entire work on the Atami Paradise on Earth will have been completed. Work on Stone-Cloud Hill which will become the construction site of the museum and on the central viewing hill, which will be the construction site of the observation platform, on various flower gardens to be placed around these areas, and work on other new major points on the grounds will probably start after next year.
     Next, regarding the change in the method of channeling Johrei, healing power will be increased many times over that of the present and also will be accelerated improvement of the soul, so I am quite sure there will be seen much expansion in the task of salvation. Discussion panels and lecture meetings will be held nationwide, as will manifest in ever more brilliance our own periodicals, so I am sure this year will be one in which society gradually begins to understand what an excellent religion World Messianity is and that it has a positive effect on society.
     Nature Farming shows increase in production with each year, and growth in the number of farmers who join the church can probably be expected. Finally, I would like to announce an unprecedented project. I have continued to teach what I have learned through divine revelation and about the construction of a new civilization, but until today the administration of God permitted revealing only a certain extent of what I have learned and regrettably I could not clarify certain points thoroughly. The time has come, however, and as we can see from the present course of events, the world is in great danger. Needless to say, if affairs continue as they have, the future is dark and gloomy, with nothing other than despair. God has delegated to me a great power of salvation. I have been empowered to reveal to all humanity the fundamental causes for all the misfortunes that visit us and to make the world into the motto of World Messianity, a place without the three great miseries of humanity, disease, poverty, and conflict.
     These essays will form a volume as has probably not been seen in the world until now. If a culture is not constructed according to the fundamental of this volume, there is no hope for the salvation of humanity. This very volume will be the Bible of the twentieth century, the good tidings of heaven. For a long time now I have wanted to write such a book, but as you all know my work in many directions is extraordinarily busy, and there was simply no time. All of you are well aware of the completion of the new temporary headquarters building, which is much more spacious than our former facilities, so more worshippers can be accommodated, and the number of times it is necessary that I attend meetings has lessened in frequency. Until now I have held meetings on twenty-one days of each month, but now these meetings can be completed in nine days. This has given me the time to begin writing the book, a divine sign that it is time to begin.
     As this volume is completed, it will be translated into English and distributed to universities and influential persons throughout the world. The volume will inform all of what the new civilization will be and attempt to awaken all intellectuals and opinion-makers. This is none other than spreading the good tidings of heaven to all peoples, that, as proclaimed by Jesus Christ, the end of the world has come.

Eikô, Issue 85, January 1, 1951
translated by cynndd