By Edwin A. Noyes
An excerpt with the title “Take a Breath Break” taken from a text entitled Forgive to Live,” by Dick Tibbits of Advent Health Press, was sent to me with the request for my response to the excerpt. It consisted of seven short paragraphs, seen below. The individual sending it was concerned that it really presented an Eastern pantheistic approach dealing with anxiety. The question to me was “Am I (the sender) seeing ghosts that are not really there?”
I shared this question with the other members of the Network leadership team, each come from a different background experience such as Hindu meditation and yoga, Buddhism, and the martial arts and Chinese traditional medicine and each has given their answer from their particular perspective. We share our understanding and may these remarks help each reader to prayerfully consider from God’s Word the very real potential of the spiritual dangers in the practice presented in this dispatch.
“Take a Breath Break”
“The simplest way to relax and find calm is to take slow, deep breaths. Here is a breath break, you’re already breathing, but now you can think about it. Follow these steps:
- “Get in a comfortable position either sitting in a chair or lying on the floor. Be careful not to slouch, because that can restrict your breathing. Don’t be stiff, but keep your spine as straight as you comfortably can.
- “As you slowly inhale, think of your belly as a balloon that you are blowing up. Place your hands on your belly as it expands and contacts. Watch your hands rise as you inhale and fall each time you exhale.
- “Fill your lungs and then empty them completely. You may want to push gently on your belly each time your exhale to be sure you are emptying your lungs.
- “Breathe slowly. For a good pace, slowly count to five as you inhale; then count to five as you exhale. Pause briefly in the moment between exhaling and inhaling.
- “Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Doing so allows a slight cooling of the nasal passage that can actually cool your brain. A cool thinker really does make better decisions than a hot head, so chill.
- “As you slowly inhale and exhale, your heart rate and blood pressure will go down, your tensed muscles will also relax. They do so because you are soothing every muscle in your body with rich, oxygenated blood, enabling them to relax and rebuild.
- “While you slowly Breathe, pay attention to the moment. If any thoughts come into your mind, don’t engage them, simply notice them and let them go. Concentrate on your breathing in order to stay focused on the here and now.”
As I started reading these steps the first impression was that the advice given in these steps was quite similar to what many of us do when under duress or anxiety. But as I read further and neared the close of these steps I remembered advice and warnings given regarding practices and beliefs that we might encounter. The following paragraphs are the quotations that came to mind.
“If there was ever a time when we should watch and pray in real earnest, it is now. There may be supposable things that appear as good things, and yet they need to be carefully considered with much prayer, for they are specious devices of the enemy to lead souls in a path which lies so close to the path of truth that it will be scarcely distinguishable from the path which leads to holiness and heaven. But the eye of faith may discern that it is diverging from the right path, though almost imperceptibly. At first it may be thought positively right, but after a while it is seen to be widely divergent from the path of safety, from the path which leads to holiness and heaven.”—(Testimonies to Ministers, 229.) {Pr 27.3}
“My soul is much burdened for I know what is before us. Every conceivable deception will be brought to bear upon those who have not a daily, living connection with God. In our work no side issues must be advanced until there has been a thorough examination of the ideas entertained, that it may be ascertained from what source they have originated. Satan’s angels are wise to do evil, and they will create that which some will claim to be advanced light, will proclaim as new and wonderful things, and yet while in some respects the message is truth, it will be mingled with men’s inventions, and will teach for doctrine the commandments of men. If there was ever a time when we should watch and pray in real earnest, it is now. There may be supposable things that appear as good things, and yet they need to be carefully considered with much prayer; for they are specious devices of the enemy to lead souls in a path which lies so close to the path of truth that it will be scarcely distinguishable from the path which leads to holiness and heaven. But the eye of faith may discern that it is diverging from the right path, though almost imperceptibly. At first it may be thought positively right, but after a while it is seen to be widely divergent from the path of safety, from the path which leads to holiness and heaven. My brethren, I warn you to make straight paths for your feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way.” {SpTA03 61.1} {Manuscript Releases / 3MR Volume 3 [Nos. 162-209] 1990 / MR No. 163 – Fanaticism and Side Issues}
What was it in these steps that triggered memory of the quotations above? The first step speaks of maintaining a straight spine either in sitting or lying down. That’s fine, it lets the chest fully expand so as to increase the oxygen blood level, however this comment triggered remembrance of the emphasis made in New Age/Neo-paganism writings about keeping a straight spine while doing meditation and/or yoga, a straight spine for a much different reason. The fifth step directs one to breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth! Then follows the comment: that doing so may cool the brain and it is better to be a “cool brain” vs. a “hot head.”
Advice to breathe through the nose is seldom mentioned in writings promoting proper posture and deep breathing to increase the oxygen level in blood. However it is a prominent point made in Hinduism and the Eastern styles of meditation. The breath is believed to contain cosmic power, the Creative Principle/ prana/ chi/divinity and by taking it in via the nostrils, one brings the sun energy to the right nostril and the moon energy to the left which then makes contact with the sixth mystical chakra (energy center called “agya”), said to be located between the eyes. This cosmic power then travels down through the body to the bottom chakra in the pelvis area via two mythical/mystical channels, the pingala and ida. Thereafter this force is believed to be distributed to the body via chakras as it ascends to the top (7th) chakra on top of the head. This attention to the breath is an important part of the Hindu path of escaping reincarnation and receiving eternal life in nirvana, spirit heaven via performing Eastern religious practices.
If the only comment of concern was about breathing through the nose I would not have had a memory alert, but upon reading the fifth and seventh step and then placing all steps together, that initiated concern. Phrases of “pay attention to the moment,” “do not engage any thoughts,” “concentrate on breathing in order to stay focused on the here and now” are the common phrases used in teaching mindfulness meditation which is an Eastern meditation hybrid. From step one on through the seven steps we have the classical instructions for mindfulness meditation. It is a process of stilling the mind, the silence, etc., yet not naming it.
It is a process of opening the mind to outside influences by bringing about an altered state of consciousness which mental condition we would not otherwise allow.
We have here a set of steps that are being promoted to lessen anxiety and stress and in practicing the steps a person may well feel relieved, however it allows for an altered state of consciousness to occur. A change from the beta wave rhythm of the brain (frontal lobe thinking ability) to move into the alpha rhythm (freedom of frontal lobe control) and opens up one to potential occultic influence without any realization of such. Read again the quotations above.
Herbert Benson M.D., a Harvard University Medical School professor and president of the Mind/Body/Medical Institute in Chestnut Hill, Mass., tells in his book The Relaxation Response that his research group has studied all the forms of meditation used down through millennia by various religions. His research found certain essential acts paramount to reaching the altered state of consciousness and/or autonomic nervous system influences sought by the act of meditation. These are: comfortable position; muscular relaxation; deep rhythmic breathing; use of a mantra; all to bring the mind to a state of passivity/silence. The mantra can be a word, phrase, sentence or even a Bible verse.
I believe that the author of the book Forgive To Live which contained these steps had good intentions in placing these steps in his book, but was naïve. These principles have been presented to the world under the title of Mindfulness Meditation, which is a derivation of Eastern meditation. These steps are not a Biblical model of stress control; as these are directions which can shut down rational thinking into a non-thinking state. The Bible teaches a method wherein the mind is active and invites the Holy Spirit to direct the thoughts and bring in real peace of mind.
“Abiding peace, true rest of spirit, has but one Source. It was of this that Christ spoke when He said, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” John 14:27. This peace is not something that He gives apart from Himself. It is in Christ, and we can receive it only by receiving Him.
“Christ is the wellspring of life. That which many need is to have a clearer knowledge of Him; they need to be patiently and kindly, yet earnestly, taught how the whole being may be thrown open to the healing agencies of heaven. When the sunlight of God’s love illuminates the darkened chambers of the soul, restless weariness and dissatisfaction will cease, and satisfying joys will give vigor to the mind and health and energy to the body.” (Ministry of Healing p. 247)
I have been reading the book Desire of Ages, a commentary on the life of Jesus by Ellen White. It is interesting that at this very time I came to chapter 34, “An Invitation” which presents the Biblical therapy and solution for stress.
That chapter has been placed at the end of these short treatises; read it and you will quickly see the contrast of shutting down the mind versus the advice in this chapter of inviting the Holy Spirit to come into one’s mind to direct healthful active frontal lobe function to facilitate health.
Questions on “deep breathing” dispatch 27
Response From Eric Wilson
Good afternoon Edwin,
Yes, this is taken from and opens the door to Eastern mystical experience. After nearly 25 years training and teaching Traditional Kung-fu, Chinese Qigong and Tai-chi chuan, what is described in this introduction is the very same methods taught in eastern mysticism. Breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth, while concentrating attention and focus on the lower abdomen (dan ti’an) and belly, is “reportedly” said to connect the 2 major pathways of the “universal energy” (Chi, Ki, Prana) as it is said to travel along the governing vessel and the conception vessel . . . thereby opening the seven mystical chakras.
In reality, what this does is induce the person into a “self-hypnotic” state, and an altered state of consciousness. And it is through this means that the guard is let down to critical thinking, and the heart and mind are opened to the seductive influences of evil spirits.
Most of those who are teachers in these arts, have embraced the new age and eastern religious belief that “breath is Divine.” This is in verity pantheism, and it is the first step that Dr. Kellogg embraced under the influence of Hindu philosophy.
A Subtle Deception !
(spiritual dangers behind Acupuncture, TCM and Energy healing)May our Lord and Saviour bless and keep you this week, strong in faith and the unfailing power of His Life-giving Word !
your friend and brother in Him,
Eric Wilson – Isaiah Ministries
to Edwin, bcc: me
Good morning Edwin,
Thank you for your patience in receiving my reply. Ellen White also speaks of the health benefits of breathing deeply (using the abdomen, as well as the upper chest) . . . however, what we are now seeing is an intentional move to direct people into eastern mysticism.
Satan often will seek to bog us down with trying to explain every mystery and science, yet even the LORD’s servant Ellen White did not do this in her day. If our
attention and effort is held on this one goal (exposing the deceptions of the Devil and his angels especially as they are seen in light of the great controversy), then we can with confidence move forward in every question . . .
We have been warned that there are 2 great errors which shall be used to lead the people of this world into the last great deception, and the apostasy spoken of by the apostle Paul in II Thessalonians. The first is “Sunday sacredness,” and the 2nd is “Spiritualism / Spiritism.”
This form of “spiritualism” is not merely a deception on the state of the dead, but it has also been revealed as the Omega of apostasy . . . PANTHEISM. All of the
eastern religions, and their “healing” practices are based, without fail, on this deception; that God is “in everything” . . . including BREATH.
Many of the new emergent church leaders are actually teaching this. So the focus on deep breathing, and especially with the added technique of “breathing
in through the nose while out through the mouth,” is an eastern spiritualistic practice, designed to turn the mind inward to the breath, rather than upward
to the One and only True (faithful) and Living (Life-giving) God, Who alone has promised . . . “I Am the LORD Who forgives all your iniquities, and Who heals all your diseases (dis-ease).” Psalm 103:2-4
All of the breathing techniques employed within the eastern religions have but one purpose . . . to cause the practitioner (or the patient) to enter into an “ALTERED STATE of CONSCIOUSNESS.” And through this means, to open the door of the heart and mind to spiritual powers and forces, which stand in direct opposition to the LORD our God and His Word.
believe we must not allow Satan or his fallen angels to divert our focus from the ministry our Saviour has called us to. We have no need to explain “what happens
when…” or if there is a legitimate “scientific benefit” to breathing in this manner. Rather, let our focus be, to reveal the purpose of these eastern techniques. In every article and video, our goal must be to expose the works of darkness, and seek to lead God’s children into the Light of faith in His Word alone !
May our Saviour and Mighty God strengthen each of us, and may He open our eyes to see with clear discernment, and our ears, that we may hear His Voice alone !
your friend and brother,
Eric Wilson
From Yip Kok Tho:
Breathing
Yip Kok Tho
Research shows only limited evidence of psychological outcomes in healthy subjects from breath control or slow breathing techniques….”We have herein reviewed the literature on the psychophysiological effects of both eastern and western slow breathing techniques with the aim of identifying the physiological mediators at the basis of their demonstrated psychological and behavioral beneficial effects. We found interesting albeit limited evidence of a relationship between physiological parameters and psychological/behavioral outcomes in healthy subjects undergoing slow breathing techniques. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353/full
However, in conjunction with the eastern meditation and yoga hype, the media has overblown claims of breathing as the panacea for stress. It is in this hyped-up media environment that health institutions feel that it is trendy and progressive to follow suit. However, being ignorant of the real spiritual dangers of eastern meditative practices, health institutions are ushering people to take their initial steps onto the slippery path into the altered reality of soul-destroying Spiritualism.
(Kok Tho shared with the team that there is a style of yoga promoted worldwide to deal with inability to sleep called Nirgra Yoga. It involves lying on ones back and practicing deep slow rhythmic breathing.)
From Will Baron
Aug 17, 2020
Hi Edwin:
The only thing I would add to what has already been stated by Kok Tho and Eric, is that from my experience of being taught Kundalini Yoga & Meditation derived from the Hinduism side of Eastern mysticism, maintaining an erect posture of the spinal column was considered to be very important indeed. Holding this erect posture while sitting on the floor in the lotus position, or while sitting in a chair or on a stool, was essential. This posture was to be held both during the intentional rhythmic deep breathing phase carried out during the initial stage of the meditation process, and also during the stillness of the main transcendental phase of the meditation, when breathing was reduced to an automated normal rhythm so that the mind was no longer focused on the breathing process, but was now stilled and
could be free to transcend to the cosmic spiritual realm.
From the days when I was involved in self-help psychology and Reichian bioenergetic therapy, I can remember that deep rhythmic breathing was a technique used to counter acute stress and anxiety. So I would not want to make a direct accusation that the “Take A Breath Break” technique is directly related to Eastern mysticism. It could well be that its origin is from the realm of psychology more than it is from Eastern mysticism. However the great danger is that a psychology foundation, and an Eastern mysticism foundation, can be very closely related. This is especially the case where the breathing technique includes a focus on breathing through the nose and out of the mouth, and includes the maintenance of an erect posture. These two aspects indicates to me that this stress-reduction breathing technique has inadvertently migrated into the realm of Eastern mysticism concepts.
The Bible warns us to, “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV).
in Him,
Will
Will Baron asked if anyone in the team was knowledgeable of instructions for doing breathing exercises lying on ones back. This question stimulated some study. Eric Wilson shares with us his experience of contact with such instructions. The following few paragraphs are his response.
By Eric Wilson:
One of the most important insights which our Father in heaven, and our Saviour helped me to see, after setting me free from the spirits of darkness within these pagan art forms, was the fact that . . in almost every art form, whether Hindu, Buddhist, Daoist or new age, the appearance and teaching of these arts, as being confined to “proper techniques” is only an illusion.
The teaching and instruction given that “certain guidelines must be followed” in order to achieve the desired supernatural results, is only an illusion, to give to the practice the “appearance” of a scientific method; and to induce the student to “yield their will” to the teaching of devils, rather than the Word of our God. Satan knows that in this way he may beguile an even greater number of unwary souls . . .
In reality, there is no “energy” which passes up through the feet, and into the body, thereby granting life, health and vitality (as taught in martial arts). So whether the practitioner is standing, sitting, or lying down is in reality of no true importance. It is the yielding of the will, which allows the evil spirits to manifest their power in each person’s life.
The (martial arts) grandmasters know this to be so, yet they withhold this secret until a disciple has been initiated into the “higher levels” of training. At this point, the student has surrendered their life, to achieve the said “gifts,” regardless of the cost.
One thing that also helped me to see this more clearly, was as you (Will) mentioned, the serpent power called “kundalini.” For this same serpent power was also mentioned within certain Chinese arts, as the very same source of power as the energy known as Chi, or Ki, orgone, vibrational energy, subtle energy, or prana.
This serpent power moves just as easily from the coccyx (tailbone) to the crown chakra, in an upright (vertical) posture, as it does in a horizontal posture. The body’s physical posture is actually irrelevant, as the masters and grandmasters have known.
One example which stands out in my mind, is the practice of Japanese Reiki. Almost every practitioner of this eastern healing art, has their patients lying flat on their back. And it is in this position that said “energy” is transferred, released and moved within the body.
Within the Chinese martial arts, the goal was to “tap into” this internal energy called Chi, in order to use it in combat. While within the internal style of medical Qigong, the patient was often encouraged to lie flat on their back, so that the “doctor” would have less resistance to transmitting or channeling this universal, or cosmic energy through the patient, because of their “closed mind,” or contracted muscles.
Always, regardless of the art or its origin, the practitioner is admonished to calm the mind and relax the body. For a relaxed mind and body is easier to gain control over.
May our Mighty God bless and keep you, and may He show Himself strong in all His work in your life this week !
your friend and brother,
Eric Wilson
Desire of Ages Cpt. 34 “The Invitation”
“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” {DA 328.1}
These words of comfort were spoken to the multitude that followed Jesus. The Saviour had said that only through Himself could men receive a knowledge of God. He had spoken of His disciples as the ones to whom a knowledge of heavenly things had been given. But He left none to feel themselves shut out from His care and love. All who labor and are heavy-laden may come unto Him.
Scribes and rabbis, with their punctilious attention to religious forms, had a sense of want that rites of penance could never satisfy. Publicans and sinners might pretend to be content with the sensual and earthly, but in their hearts were distrust and fear. Jesus looked upon the distressed and heart burdened, those whose hopes were blighted, and who with earthly joys were seeking to quiet the longing of the soul, and He invited all to find rest in Him.
Tenderly He bade the toiling people, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” {DA 328.4}
In these words Christ is speaking to every human being. Whether they know it or not, all are weary and heavy-laden. All are weighed down with burdens that only Christ can remove. The heaviest burden that we bear is the burden of sin. If we were left to bear this burden, it would crush us. But the Sinless One has taken our place. “The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6. He has borne the burden of our guilt. He will take the load from our weary shoulders. He will give us rest. The burden of care and sorrow also He will bear. He invites us to cast all our care upon Him; for He carries us upon His heart.
The Elder Brother of our race is by the eternal throne. He looks upon every soul who is turning his face toward Him as the Saviour. He knows by experience what are the weaknesses of humanity, what are our wants, and where lies the strength of our temptations; for He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. He is watching over you, trembling child of God. Are you tempted? He will deliver. Are you weak? He will strengthen. Are you ignorant? He will enlighten. Are you wounded? He will heal. The Lord “telleth the number of the stars;” and yet “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalm 147:4, 3. “Come unto Me,” is His invitation. Whatever your anxieties and trials, spread out your case before the Lord. Your spirit will be braced for endurance. The way will be opened for you to disentangle yourself from embarrassment and difficulty. The weaker and more helpless you know yourself to be, the stronger will you become in His strength. The heavier your burdens, the more blessed the rest in casting them upon the Burden Bearer. The rest that Christ offers depends upon conditions, but these conditions are plainly specified. They are those with which all can comply. He tells us just how His rest is to be found.
“Take My yoke upon you,” Jesus says. The yoke is an instrument of service. Cattle are yoked for labor, and the yoke is essential that they may labor effectually. By this illustration Christ teaches us that we are called to service as long as life shall last. We are to take upon us His yoke, that we may be co-workers with Him.
The yoke that binds to service is the law of God. The great law of love revealed in Eden, proclaimed upon Sinai, and in the new covenant written in the heart, is that which binds the human worker to the will of God. If we were left to follow our own inclinations, to go just where our will would lead us, we should fall into Satan’s ranks and become possessors of his attributes. Therefore God confines us to His will, which is high, and noble, and elevating. He desires that we shall patiently and wisely take up the duties of service. The yoke of service Christ Himself has borne in humanity. He said, “I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart.” Psalm 40:8. “I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me.” John 6:38. Love for God, zeal for His glory, and love for fallen humanity, brought Jesus to earth to suffer and to die. This was the controlling power of His life. This principle He bids us adopt.
There are many whose hearts are aching under a load of care because they seek to reach the world’s standard. They have chosen its service, accepted its perplexities, adopted its customs. Thus their character is marred, and their life made a weariness. In order to gratify ambition and worldly desires, they wound the conscience, and bring upon themselves an additional burden of remorse. The continual worry is wearing out the life forces. Our Lord desires them to lay aside this yoke of bondage. He invites them to accept His yoke; He says, “My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” He bids them seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and His promise is that all things needful to them for this life shall be added. Worry is blind, and cannot discern the future; but Jesus sees the end from the beginning. In every difficulty He has His way prepared to bring relief. Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us, of which we know nothing. Those who accept the one principle of making the service and honor of God supreme will find perplexities vanish, and a plain path before their feet.
“Learn of Me,” says Jesus; “for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest.” We are to enter the school of Christ, to learn from Him meekness and lowliness. Redemption is that process by which the soul is trained for heaven. This training means a knowledge of Christ. It means emancipation from ideas, habits, and practices that have been gained in the school of the prince of darkness. The soul must be delivered from all that is opposed to loyalty to God.
In the heart of Christ, where reigned perfect harmony with God, there was perfect peace. He was never elated by applause, nor dejected by censure or disappointment. Amid the greatest opposition and the most cruel treatment, He was still of good courage. But many who profess to be His followers have an anxious, troubled heart, because they are afraid to trust themselves with God. They do not make a complete surrender to Him; for they shrink from the
consequences that such a surrender may involve. Unless they do make this surrender, they cannot find peace.
It is the love of self that brings unrest. When we are born from above, the same mind will be in us that was in Jesus, the mind that led Him to humble Himself that we might be saved. Then we shall not be seeking the highest place. We shall desire to sit at the feet of Jesus, and learn of Him. We shall understand that the value of our work does not consist in making a show and noise in the world, and in being active and zealous in our own strength. The value of our work is in proportion to the impartation of the Holy Spirit. Trust in God brings holier qualities of mind, so that in patience we may possess our souls.
The yoke is placed upon the oxen to aid them in drawing the load, to lighten the burden. So with the yoke of Christ. When our will is swallowed up in the will of God, and we use His gifts to bless others, we shall find life’s burden light. He who walks in the way of God’s commandments is walking in company with Christ, and in His love the heart is at rest. When Moses prayed, “Show me now Thy way, that I may know Thee,” the Lord answered him, “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.” And through the prophets the message was given, “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” Exodus 33:13, 14; Jeremiah 6:16. And He says, “O that thou hadst hearkened to My commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.” Isaiah 48:18.
Those who take Christ at His word, and surrender their souls to His keeping, their lives to His ordering, will find peace and quietude. Nothing of the world can make them sad when Jesus makes them glad by His presence. In perfect acquiescence there is perfect rest. The Lord says, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.” Isaiah 26:3. Our lives may seem a tangle; but as we commit ourselves to the wise Master Worker, He will bring out the pattern of life and character that will be to His own glory. And that character which expresses the glory–character–of Christ will be received into the Paradise of God. A renovated race shall walk with Him in white, for they are worthy.
As through Jesus we enter into rest, heaven begins here. We respond to His invitation, Come, learn of Me, and in thus coming we begin the life eternal. Heaven is a ceaseless approaching to God through Christ. The longer we are in the heaven of bliss, the more and still more of glory will be opened to us; and the more we know of God, the more intense will be our happiness. As we walk with Jesus in this life, we may be filled with His love, satisfied with His presence. All that human nature can bear, we may receive here. But what is this compared with the hereafter? There “are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Revelation 7:15-17.