The answer, of course, is that we can’t be sure. But it’s up to us to make sure he is not rejected. His is the task to lead and guide, but we willingly must follow. Otherwise he can do nothing. His hands are tied by Law. The decision rests with humanity. The decision is ours, but as I explained, we have no alternative but to go forward through sharing and cooperation, and this is what the Christ will teach. Humanity is now absolutely up against it. It is in an impasse and there is no way out; it is staring mankind in the face. So much so, that all the uneducated and most of the educated peoples of the world are now terrified of the future. They see ahead of them nothing but destruction of one kind or another: destruction through pollution, ecological destruction; through famine; destruction through over-population; through nuclear war; or a combination of all of them.

There is no way out at all. The Christ comes with a set of proposals which entail a complete redirection of human thinking and feeling. If we follow these, we go forward. We can reject them. It’s up to us. He said recently: “Many will accept me, but not all. Nevertheless, my Army of Light will surely triumph.”

And a long time ago, he said: “The end is known from the beginning,” and you can assume that, though one cannot say (I cannot say, with any authority), “Yes, he will not be rejected, this time. He will be accepted by mankind,” I know that he has come at the earliest possible moment ― but not too soon. There has been preparation going on for many years. The externalization of the Hierarchy actually started as far back as 1860. Certain disciples came in, such as H.P. Blavatsky and others, who have been releasing to the world the New Age teachings. I don’t mean just the occult teaching. I mean new ideas of philosophy, of politics, of economics, etc. Mankind is now adult, and is prepared in an altogether different way than before (when Christ came in Palestine). The Piscean experience, the spread of education throughout the world, modern communications, have made it possible for a Teacher to come and speak to a really adult world for the first time. So the hope is ― and I would say the almost certain fact is ― that mankind will not reject him.

Note from Benjamin Creme: In many of the Messages, since the above answer was given, Maitreya himself makes it clear that he is in no doubt about man’s response. In Message no. 11, he says: “My heart tells me your answer, your choice, and is glad.” In Message no. 65, he is explicit: “Therefore, my friends, have no fear that mankind will reject me, my plans are safe in your hands.” In Message no. 77: “I know that within men sits a divine Being, whose Plan it is that love and justice should triumph. This being so, the end is assured.” In Message no. 78: “But, my friends, I know beforehand your answer and choice. Through your love ― the love in your heart for your brothers ― have no fear, my dear ones, you will choose correctly.”