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{{Confusing|date=January 2024|reason='''The lead portrays the subject as a literary writer rather than a founder of a religious movement.'''}}
{{Short description|German writer (1875-1941)}}
{{Infobox person
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| website = [https://grailmessage.com/abd-ru-shin/ Abd-ru-shin]}}
 
'''Oskar Ernst Bernhardt''', also known as '''Abd-ru-shin''' or '''Abdruschin''' (18 April 1875 – 6 December 1941), was a [[doomsdayGerman cult]]religious leader,{{sfn|Vojtisek|2006}} is best known as the author of ''[[In the Light of Truth: The Grail Message|The Grail Message]]''.<ref> and as prophet and leader of the [https://grailmessage[Grail Movement]], a [[Millenarianism|millenarian]] [[new religious movement]].com{{sfn|Vojtisek|2006}} InBeginning in the Light1920s, Abd-ru-shin proclaimed that the [[Millennialism|Millennial kingdom of Truth:God]] Thewould Grailbegin Messageon Earth during the mid 1930s, drawing from Christian legend, as well as [[Theosophy]]- Editionand inother three[[Western volumes</ref>Esotericism]].{{sfn|Vojtisek|2006}}
<!--Abd-ru-shin means "Son of Light" in the [[Persian language]].<ref>{{cite book|author-first=Massimo|author-last=Introvigne|author-link=Massimo Introvigne|editor-link=Wouter Hanegraaff|editor-last=Hanegraaff|editor-first=Wouter J.|editor-last2=Faivre | editor-first2=Antoine | editor-last3=van den Broek | editor-first3=Roelof | editor-last4=Brach | editor-first4=Jean-Pierre |year=2006|title=Dictionary of Gnosis and Western Esotericism|url=https://archive.org/details/dictionarygnosis00hane|url-access=limited|chapter=Grail Traditions in Western Esotericism|place=Leiden / Boston|publisher=Brill|pages=[https://archive.org/details/dictionarygnosis00hane/page/n466 436]–438, 1183}}</ref>-->
 
==Life, publishing, legacy==▼
After a brief commercial training, Oskar Ernst Bernhardt began his literary activity while still a young man. Some of his literary works included "The Bracelet", "Annita", "The Adventurer", and "Diamonds". Some of his works would later preview the ideas he would publish in ''The Grail Message''. For example, "Diamonds" is a comedy featuring a bet in which the main character must tell the truth for twenty-four hours, in order to win one million dollars. The plot highlighted the hypocrisy of everyday social life. While traveling, he was often led to foreign countries. In 1915, he was interned in [[Great Britain]]. Released in 1919, he first went to [[Dresden]], later to [[Bavaria]] and in 1923 began to write the first lectures of ''The Grail Message''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://grailadministrationnigeria.org/content/author|title=The Author {{!}} Grail Administration Nigeria|website=grailadministrationnigeria.org|language=en|access-date=2017-06-08}}</ref>
Bernhardt was born in [[Bischofswerda]], in the [[Kingdom of Saxony]], part of the [[German Empire]], in 1875. He trained in business, and successfully established himself in Dresden. He traveled and wrote travel books, stories, and plays. He resided in New York and London. He was in London when World War I broke out and in 1915 he was interned by the British Government on the [[Isle of Man]] due to the outbreak of the First World War. He was released in the spring of 1919 and returned to Germany. He likely first began to forumulate his religious ideas during his internment. On Good Friday 1923, Bernhardt proclaimed that Jesus "came down to the Earth in order to transfer his task of the Mediator between God and mankind to the [[Son of man|Son of Man]]." He began to write the religious writings of what ultimately become ''[[In the Light of Truth: The Grail Message]]'' beginning in 1923 and completed it in 1931. From 1924 he used the pen name "Abd-ru-shin" (originally "Abdruschin") of allegedly Persian-Arabic origin, which Bernhardt originally interpreted as meaning “The Son of the Holy Spirit”, but which many later authors have translated as "Son of Light".{{sfn|Vojtisek|2006}} Bernhardt claimed to be the [[Messiah]] or [[Son of man (Christianity)|Son of Man]],<ref name="Wilson1975">Sources for 'Messiah', 'true Christ', 'Son of Man', or 'biblical Immanuel':{{Bulleted list|{{cite book
 
In 1928, he settled in Vomperberg, [[state of Tyrol|Tyrol]]. There he wrote ''[[Grail Message|In the Light of Truth: The Grail Message]]''. In 1936, Abd-ru-shin was arrested "because of infractions of currency laws".{{sfn|Vojtisek|2006}} The [[Nazi Party|Nazis]] arrested Abd-ru-shin in 1936 on the grounds of illegal foreign exchange from Germany to Austria. It turns out that this operation{{what?|date=May 2023}} was carried out in absentia, over his head, by two leaders of the Community. Therefore, he was unaware of anything and did not give his consent to this action. Records confirm that Abd-ru-shin had given an express order to his collaborators, that they should always strictly follow all legal requirements. Abd-ru-shin was arrested on that occasion without knowing anything about what was happening. Months later, he was declared innocent and released.{{sfn|Calvache|Junior|2021}} The settlement ended when the Nazis got angry at him.{{what?|date=May 2023}} Many of his former members{{what?|date=May 2023}} were also angry with him.{{sfn|Vojtisek|2006}}{{sfn|Calvache|Junior|2021}} In 1938, Abd-ru-shin was arrested after Austria came under [[Anschluss|German occupation]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://grailmessage.com/abd-ru-shin/ |title = Who was Abd-ru-shin?}}</ref>▼
 
== The Messiah ==
He claimed to be the [[Messiah]] or [[Son of man (Christianity)|Son of Man]].<ref name="Wilson1975">{{Bulleted list|{{cite book
|last1=Wilson |first1=Bryan R.|author-link1=Bryan R. Wilson
|year=1975
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as were borne by the Son of God.
 
Awaken, oh man! For your spirit is asleep!|Abdruschin|In the Light of Truth. GRAIL MESSAGE. GREAT EDITION 1931}}|{{cite book | last=Janson | first=Marloes | title=Crossing Religious Boundaries: Islam, Christianity and 'Yoruba Religion' in Lagos, Nigeria | publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] | series=The International African Library | year=2021 | isbn=978-1-108-83891-7 | chapter=6. Beyond Religion. The Grail Movement and Eckankar | chapter-url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/crossing-religious-boundaries/beyond-religion/FF5C16A811F1FF57E7A7B6D8DB2AF909 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eVctEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA154 | access-date=2024-07-06 | page=154 | quote=The Grail Movement was founded by the self-proclaimed Messiah Oskar Ernst Bernhardt... | doi=10.1017/9781108979160.007 | lccn=2020055275}}|{{cite book | last=King | first=Jamie | title=Cults: Coercion and Control: The World's Most Notorious Cults (And the People Who Escaped Them) | publisher=Summersdale | year=2024 | isbn=978-1-83799-281-2 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1QzaEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT122 | access-date=2024-07-06 | page=unpaginated | quote=Newspapers described how Bernhardt now called himself the Messiah of the Tyrol, and the Prophet of Vomperberg.}}}}</ref> Byand hisfortold ownan admission,[[Millenarianism|imminent hecoming]] wasof described[[Millennialism|God's inKingdom leadingon newspapersEarth]] asin the Messiahmid of the Tyrol and the Prophet of Vomperberg1930s.<ref name="Abd-ru-shin1995">{{citesfn|Vojtisek|2006}} book
|author=Abd-ru-shin
|date=1 June 1995
|chapter=Chapter 7: The Distorted Tool
|title=In the Light of Truth: The Grail Message
|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2NfdoX_rYk0C&pg=PA754
|volume=III |page=754
|publisher=Grail Foundation Press
|isbn=978-1-57461-006-2
}}</ref>
 
▲In 1928, he settled in an estate at Vomperberg, [[state of Tyrol|Tyrol]]. ThereBy hethe wroteend ''[[Grail Message|Inof the Light1920s Bernhardt had managed to attract a following of Truth:several Thethousand Grailpeople, Message]]''primarily Germans, Austrians, Swiss and Czechs. At Vomperberg, Berhardt developed a settlement for his followers.{{sfn|Vojtisek|2006}} In 1936, Abd-ru-shin was arrested "because of infractions of currency laws".{{sfn|Vojtisek|2006}} The [[Nazi Party|Nazis]] arrested Abd-ru-shin in 1936 on the grounds of illegal foreign exchange from Germany to Austria. It turns out that this operation{{what?|date=May 2023}} was carried out in absentia, over his head, by two leaders of the Community. Therefore, he was unaware of anything and did not give his consent to this action. Records confirm that Abd-ru-shin had given an express order to his collaborators, that they should always strictly follow all legal requirements. Abd-ru-shin was arrested on that occasion without knowing anything about what was happening. Months later, he was declared innocent and released.{{sfn|Calvache|Junior|2021}} The settlement ended when the Nazis got angry at him.{{what?|date=May 2023}} Many of his former members{{what?|date=May 2023}} were also angry with him.{{sfn|Vojtisek|2006}}{{sfn|Calvache|Junior|2021}} In 1938, Abd-ru-shin was arrested after Austria came under [[Anschluss|German occupation]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who was Abd-ru-shin? |url=https://grailmessage.com/abd-ru-shin/ |title = Who was Abd-ru-shin?}}</ref>
Certain strands of the Grail Movement consider Abd-ru-shin's wife Maria and her daughter divine as well.{{sfn|Vojtisek|2006}}{{sfn|Calvache|Junior|2021}}
 
The cult leader (Bernhardt) announced an imminent coming of [[Kingdom of God (Christianity)|God's Kingdom on Earth]], and his adepts were baffled why that failed to happen.{{sfn|Vojtisek|2006}}
 
▲==Life, publishing, legacy==
{{unreferenced section|date=May 2015}}
Bernhardt was born in [[Bischofswerda]], Germany, trained in business, and successfully established himself in Dresden. He traveled and wrote travel books, stories, and plays. He resided in New York and London. He was in London when World War I broke out and in 1914 he was interned on the [[Isle of Man]].
 
He was described in newspapers as the Messiah of the Tyrol and the Prophet of Vomperberg.{{sfn|King|2024}} He admitted in the Grail Message that the "leading newspapers" did describe him so.<ref name="Abd-ru-shin1995">{{cite book |author=Abd-ru-shin |title=In the Light of Truth: The Grail Message |date=1 June 1995 |publisher=Grail Foundation Press |isbn=978-1-57461-006-2 |volume=III |page=754 |chapter=Chapter 7: The Distorted Tool |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2NfdoX_rYk0C&pg=PA754}}</ref> Certain strands of the Grail Movement consider Abd-ru-shin's wife Maria and her daughter divine as well.{{sfn|Vojtisek|2006}}{{sfn|Calvache|Junior|2021}}
This seclusion gave him time to reflect, question, and deepen his understanding. He was released in the Spring of 1919 and returned to Germany. He began to write ''In the Light of Truth: The Grail Message'' in 1923 and completed it in 1931 under the pen name '''Abd-ru-shin'''.
 
Bernhardt died in 1941, without his prophecy being fulfilled. Bernhardt's followers would rationalise the failure of the prophecy following his death by suggesting that the date of the coming of God's kingdom is unknowable.{{sfn|Vojtisek|2006}} After the war, his family returned to Vomperberg and carried on his work leading the Grail Movement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gralswerk - Grail Administration - Origin |url=https://www.gralswerk.org/origin.html |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=www.gralswerk.org}}</ref>
In 1928, he settled in Austria, Tyrol on a mountain plateau called Vomperberg. Here he continued writing ''The Grail Message''. The Nazis came to power in 1938, ending his work there. He was arrested and exiled to [[Altenberg, Saxony|Kipsdorf]] in the [[Ore Mountains]]. He was forbidden any further writing. He died while in Gestapo custody.
 
After the war, his family returned to Vomperberg and carried on his work.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gralswerk - Grail Administration - Origin |url=https://www.gralswerk.org/origin.html |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=www.gralswerk.org}}</ref> Other writings by Abd-ru-shin published by Grail Foundation Press include ''The Ten Commandments of God and The Lord's Prayer'', ''Questions and Answers'', and ''Prayers''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Homepage Grail Foundation Press |url=https://us.grailmessage.com/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=us.grailmessage.com}}</ref>▼
==Legacy==
▲After the war, his family returned to Vomperberg and carried on his work.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gralswerk - Grail Administration - Origin |url=https://www.gralswerk.org/origin.html |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=www.gralswerk.org}}</ref> Other writings by Abd-ru-shin published by Grail Foundation Press include ''The Ten Commandments of God and The Lord's Prayer'', ''Questions and Answers'', and ''Prayers''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Homepage Grail Foundation Press |url=https://us.grailmessage.com/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=us.grailmessage.com}}</ref>
 
== See also ==
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* [[Kurt Hutten]]: ''Seher - Grübler - Enthusiasten''. 1997, {{ISBN|3-7918-2130-X}}, S. 531–549
* Helmut Obst: ''Apostel und Propheten der Neuzeit – Gründer christlicher Religionsgemeinschaften des 19. und 20. Jahrhunderts''. 4., stark erweiterte und aktualisierte Auflage. Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen 2000, {{ISBN|3-525-55438-9}}
* Andreas Plagge: "Bernhardt, Oskar Ernst". In: ''Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon'' (BBKL). Band 22, Bautz, Nordhausen 2003, {{ISBN|3-88309-133-2}}, Sp. 120–122, [https://web.archive.org/web/20070311132436/http://www.bautz.de/bbkl/b/bernhardt_o_e.shtml ].
* [[Georg Schmid (Religionswissenschaftler)|Georg Schmid]]: ''Kirchen, Sekten, Religionen''. 2003, {{ISBN|3-290-17215-5}}, S. 219–221
* [[Lothar Gassmann]]: ''Zukunft, Zeit, Zeichen. Aufruf zur Wachsamkaeit'', Verlag für Reformatorische Erneurung, Kaiserstr.78, D-42329 Wuppertal, 103 Seiten, [https://web.archive.org/web/20161019225131/http://www.aktion-leben-fulda.de/html/img/pool/222_verfuehrung.pdf ].
* [[Patrick Diemling]]: ''Neuoffenbarungen Religionswissenschaftliche Perspektiven auf Texte und Medien des 19. und 20. Jahrhunderts'', Universitätsverlag Potsdam, 2012, [https://publishup.uni-potsdam.de/files/6161/diemling_diss.pdf ].
 
==External links==
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