Humans are developing the ability to see the unseen and Shamballa (the spiritual worlds of the upper astral planes). This process has gained momentum over the most recent decades, particularly since the mid 19th century. Rudolf Steiner says in The Reappearance Of Christ In The Etheric (1983), “We occupy ourselves with spiritual science so that these newly appearing facilities, which are at first barely perceptible, may not be overlooked and lost to humanity, and that those blessed with this new power of vision may not be considered dreamers and fools but may instead have the support and understanding of a small group of people who in their common purpose may prevent these delicate soul seeds and soul qualities from being roughly trampled to death for lack of human understanding. Spiritual science shall indeed prepare the possibility for attaining this development.”

Steiner suggests that Christ is not going to reappear in the flesh, but in the etheric body instead. This is perhaps why humanity is developing these new abilities to see that which was formerly unseeable. Anyone who proclaims to be the returned Christ in the flesh is not to be believed. Christ will appear in the etheric body and only those who have developed the new abilities will be spared the confusion of not knowing the truth about Christ’s return.

Steiner continues, “We are thus approaching an age in which man will feel himself surrounded not only by a physical, sensible world but also, according to the measure of his knowledge, by a spiritual kingdom. The leader in this new kingdom of the spirit will be the etheric Christ.” Even those from other religions can accept this event, for the Christ energy itself transcends all religions and belief systems. “It will, in fact, be man’s task to develop… an understanding for the possibility of entering the spiritual world independently of any religious denomination but simply through the power of good will… It will lead us into that spiritual land, described in ancient Tibetan writings as a remote fairyland, which means the spiritual world, the land of Shamballa. Not in a trance but in full consciousness man should enter this land under the guidance of Christ. Even now the initiate can and must go often to the land of Shamballa in order to draw from there new forces. Later, other human beings, too, will enter the land of Shamballa. They will see its radiant light, as Paul saw above him the light that streamed from Christ. This light will stream toward them, also. The portals of this realm of light will open to them and through them they will enter the holy land of Shamballa.”