His civil name is Oskar Ernst Bernhardt. He was born in Bischofswerda, Saxony, on the 18th of April 1875. In 1919 he became conscious of his task to open the way for a new Knowledge of Creation. For this purpose he chose the name Abd-ru-shin. In the years 1923 to 1937 there came into being those lectures which were later combined and published by him in the Work, "In the Light of Truth" The Grail Message.

He did not compile his Message from other teachings of ancient and modern times, but drew his Living Knowledge from the purest and highest Sources, thus creating his Message from the Grail, which indeed is his actual identity! Like every Truth-bringer he too was hindered in his beneficial working. Abd-ru-shin died on 6th December 1941. But his Work lives on, and works to help all men who are earnestly seeking the Truth.