Christian women mourn and protest in Egypt after a January 2010 attack in which Muslim gunmen opened fire on a crowd of churchgoers. Six Coptic Christians were murdered, prompting some of the worst sectarian violence the country has seen. The victims were gunned down in a drive-by shooting as they emerged from church in the early hours following a Coptic Christmas Eve mass. The murders took place in the southern town of Naga Hammadi, 40 miles north of Luxor. "It is all religious now," said the church's Bishop Kirollos. "This is a religious war, about how they can finish off the Christians in Egypt."
Photograph/ Khaled El-Fiqi/EPA
The Pistis Sophia
Part III
The Cardinal Crisis Transits of 2010-2014
Nostradamus' Prophetic Letter To Our Future
Nostradamus' Prophetic Letter To Our Future
& Christs' Detailed Discourses on The Mysteries
By Theodore White; judicial Astrolog.S
Gnosis. It is achieved by coming to an inner understanding with oneself of the Mysteries which have been revealed by those with advanced knowledge of them. There is no greater mystery than that of the human spirit, its soul, and body - and what are the fates and destinies of all who have ever inhabited the Earth.
In serious astrology, the learner should strive to attain gnosis. Where events of world history is brought deeper into context by spiritual knowledge, and where the mysteries that surround the spirit and future of humanity can be understood as truth to guide oneself and others through life on earth.
Anyone is capable of building gnosis, that is knowledge, by coming to terms with the differences between what is called "religion," that is, the practice of any kind of faith, or belief, with that of spiritual gnosis, which is the revealed words of prophecy and Mysteries.
In today's world, opinions range from a belief in God, to no belief at all, which is called atheism.
The current world climate of extreme religious fundamentalism, and radicalism, or that of atheism and humanism; is contrasted by dire warnings, prophecies, and promises of salvation through gnosis, by Jesus Christ in his discourses found in the Pistis Sophia.
Christ warns against what he calls the "doctrines of error" - false spiritualism, and its practices, which he says in the Pistis Sophia, there is a very heavy price to pay by those who teach, participate, and believe in these false doctrines.
Be they forms of fundamentalism, radicalism, zealotry, orthodoxy, humanism, or atheism - which Christ says is a sure ticket that leads straight into the very "mouths of hell itself."
There are false doctrines here as well for those who would misuse astrology to mislead and deceive others, or of psychics who say they can "speak to dead loved ones," or those who "channel spirits," or use "dark magic" to those who say they can conjure up evil spirits to those who say that they worship the devil.
According to the words of Christ in the Pistis Sophia: all of this are roads to perdition for anyone who partakes in these "doctrines of error."
The current world climate of extreme religious fundamentalism, and radicalism, or that of atheism and humanism; is contrasted by dire warnings, prophecies, and promises of salvation through gnosis, by Jesus Christ in his discourses found in the Pistis Sophia.
Christ warns against what he calls the "doctrines of error" - false spiritualism, and its practices, which he says in the Pistis Sophia, there is a very heavy price to pay by those who teach, participate, and believe in these false doctrines.
Be they forms of fundamentalism, radicalism, zealotry, orthodoxy, humanism, or atheism - which Christ says is a sure ticket that leads straight into the very "mouths of hell itself."
There are false doctrines here as well for those who would misuse astrology to mislead and deceive others, or of psychics who say they can "speak to dead loved ones," or those who "channel spirits," or use "dark magic" to those who say they can conjure up evil spirits to those who say that they worship the devil.
According to the words of Christ in the Pistis Sophia: all of this are roads to perdition for anyone who partakes in these "doctrines of error."
The same can be said of those who practice astrology without a core foundation of profound spiritual understanding from gnosis of the Mysteries of Light from which to base any forecast - be they natal, or mundane.
This is why knowledge of the Mysteries of Light is so important for those who practice the celestial science of astrology without falling into false doctrines, but who remain true to gnosis, while using their gifts, talents and skills to be of good, healthy service to others who are also on the path of Light.
In Buddhist teachings, this is called The Way of the Bodhisattva, which is surprisingly similar to the teachings of Christ who urges all to achieve mental and spiritual gnosis -
This is why knowledge of the Mysteries of Light is so important for those who practice the celestial science of astrology without falling into false doctrines, but who remain true to gnosis, while using their gifts, talents and skills to be of good, healthy service to others who are also on the path of Light.
In Buddhist teachings, this is called The Way of the Bodhisattva, which is surprisingly similar to the teachings of Christ who urges all to achieve mental and spiritual gnosis -
- 1. The benefits of Bodhicitta, or, the wish to reach full enlightenment for others too
- 2. Purifying bad deeds
- 3. Adopting the Spirit of Enlightenment
- 4. Using Conscientiousness
- 5. Guarding Awareness
- 6. The practice of Patience
- 7. The practice of Joyous effort
- 8. The practice of Meditative concentration
- 9. The perfection of Wisdom
- 10. Dedication
- Dāna pāramī : generosity, giving of oneself
- Sīla pāramī : virtue, morality, proper conduct
- Nekkhamma pāramī : renunciation
- Paññā pāramī : transcendental wisdom, insight
- Viriya (vīriya) pāramī : energy, diligence, vigor, effort
- Khanti pāramī : patience, tolerance, forbearance, acceptance, endurance
- Sacca pāramī : truthfulness, honesty
- Adhiṭṭhāna (adhitthana) pāramī : determination, resolution
- Mettā pāramī : loving-kindness
- Upekkhā (upekhā) pāramī : equanimity, serenity
According to Christ, the resulting stains of sins are incurred from "counterfeit spirits" that attach themselves like leeches to every human soul - inclining them to sin in order to trap them, and prevent their ascension to their true home.
It was for this reason Christ said he came into the world - to cause a "division," - so that human spirits and souls would be set free to ascend to their original home - the Treasury of Light, or, what is called Heaven.
In Part III of the Pistis Sophia, presented here on Global Astrology, the Christ continues his discourse on what happens to a human being when born, and what occurs to the spirit & soul after it leaves the body.
Christ outlines and names the evil spirits, powers and principalities of the kinds of outer darknesses, and how one can be saved with gnosis, or knowledge, of the Mysteries of Light.
Christ outlines and names the evil spirits, powers and principalities of the kinds of outer darknesses, and how one can be saved with gnosis, or knowledge, of the Mysteries of Light.
The discourses go ever deeper into what Christ says awaits those who do not heed his word and prophecies.
His warnings in the Pistis Sophia are detailed, and serve to awaken the human spirit to travel on what Christ says is the one true path to salvation - gnosis - and away from the doctrines of error, and ravages of the material Earth eras. This is in accordance with the forecasted challenges to come in the "end times," prophesied by mundane astrologers of yore who were also called seers, or the prophets.
His warnings in the Pistis Sophia are detailed, and serve to awaken the human spirit to travel on what Christ says is the one true path to salvation - gnosis - and away from the doctrines of error, and ravages of the material Earth eras. This is in accordance with the forecasted challenges to come in the "end times," prophesied by mundane astrologers of yore who were also called seers, or the prophets.
As a wave of anti-Christian violence continues in the world, I forecast this will spread unless the world awakens to what is truly behind the violence and murder of Christians, and all who believe in, and share the faith of the Mysteries of the Light World.
In the Pistis Sophia, Christ says this Light World is home to all true human beings, but without salvation; sinning souls are doomed to suffer eternally in the "mouths of" various levels of "outer darknesses," known as Hades, or Hell, which again, Christ outlines in amazing detail in the following chapters.
In the Pistis Sophia, Christ says this Light World is home to all true human beings, but without salvation; sinning souls are doomed to suffer eternally in the "mouths of" various levels of "outer darknesses," known as Hades, or Hell, which again, Christ outlines in amazing detail in the following chapters.
The forces of evil, darkness, and hate operating in the world seek to prevent human spirits from their inheritances of Light, and to keep people ignorant so as to feed off and doom ever more souls to evil bondage.
In the Pistis Sophia, Christ outlines how to save oneself with gnosis, while describing what happens to a human when born, and how to renounce the world to avoid falling into what Christ calls the "exceedingly evil" levels of darkness awaiting souls, according to the specific types of one's own sins.
It is an amazing read for sure, for anyone who has never heard of, or read the Pistis Sophia.
Yet, in it, Christ urges all readers to "not cease seeking day or night," until one learns of the Mysteries of Light, renounces the cares, delights and sins of the world, repents, and awakens through gnosis to the "Truth."
The discourses of Christ speak of a human's potential for salvation and their "inheritances" before the number of "perfect souls" is completed, and the "Gates of the Treasury of Light" are shut for good - leaving those locked outside the gates to their own brands of particular fates into the multiple levels of "evil darknesses" which Christ describes repeatedly throughout the Pistis Sophia.
In the Pistis Sophia, Christ outlines how to save oneself with gnosis, while describing what happens to a human when born, and how to renounce the world to avoid falling into what Christ calls the "exceedingly evil" levels of darkness awaiting souls, according to the specific types of one's own sins.
It is an amazing read for sure, for anyone who has never heard of, or read the Pistis Sophia.
Yet, in it, Christ urges all readers to "not cease seeking day or night," until one learns of the Mysteries of Light, renounces the cares, delights and sins of the world, repents, and awakens through gnosis to the "Truth."
The discourses of Christ speak of a human's potential for salvation and their "inheritances" before the number of "perfect souls" is completed, and the "Gates of the Treasury of Light" are shut for good - leaving those locked outside the gates to their own brands of particular fates into the multiple levels of "evil darknesses" which Christ describes repeatedly throughout the Pistis Sophia.
Meanwhile, the attacks on Christians worldwide continues:
See - http://www.persecutionblog.com/
A charter by Karen Armstrong, called the Charter for Compassion, is a spiritual document for the world that has behind it the guiding rule that every religion has its own history of intolerance but that the common traditions of compassion must win the day over hatred and intolerance.
If this is not accomplished, then the prophecies will come true in the most horrifying ways.
If this is not accomplished, then the prophecies will come true in the most horrifying ways.
Armstrong's charter for compassion follows the golden rule and commandment of Christ to:
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'
For more on Karen Armstrong's charter for compassion:
See ~ http://charterforcompassion.org/
Update On Global Transits:
The Cardinal Crisis of 2010-2014
The Cardinal Crisis of 2010-2014
I, and other astrologers have been writing for some time about the Cardinal Crisis transits, a powerful formation of the large outer body planets at key sensitive seasonal points relative to the Earth.
These planets, as of April 2010, are now moving into position for their T-Square configurations of 2010, in the months of July and August.
Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto will be in the tropical signs of Aries, Libra and Capricorn - forming a tight series of global transit squares and oppositions to one another.
Cardinal signs act on impulse, and can spark hasty actions, and violent reactions based on reactionary emotional responses. The cardinal T-squares will revolve worldwide, and can also spark natural disasters, as well as personal and public confrontations very easily.
During the approach of these squares and oppositions which will form the Cardinal T-square configuration, expect to observe a wide range of unfavorable global events: from frequent large magnitude earthquakes, to increasing international tensions, large-scale disasters and accidents, along with the lingering effects of the global economic crisis ongoing since 2007.
The Cardinal Crisis transits of 2010 call on all of us to relax, and be calm, and not to engage in impulsive acts, thoughts, and reactionary emotional responses so common to strong cardinal inclinations.
The best antidote is not to react negatively to these transits, as many people will be inclined by them, but to rather plan ahead, be calm, and to quietly repose; allowing the strong cardinal inclinations to be neutralized through positive thoughts, patience, love, understanding, as well as non-impulsive actions wherever possible.
Domestic & Safety Thoughts help greatly as antidotes to these particular planetary tensions, such as caring for and helping the weak, those in need, children, friends, family, neighbors, animals, and plants. This diffuses the negativity of this year's powerful cardinal inclinations.
Those who open themselves and others up to dangers through impulse and hasty actions that could have easily been avoided with prudence and common sense, are playing around with powerful planetary forces, and surely will get themselves and others seriously hurt, or worse.
So be very careful this year with your choices and your actions. Think before acting.
Patience, tolerance, clear thinking, common sense, and practicality is strongly advised.
I also urge those reading my forecasts to remain particularly aware of this coming summer in the northern hemisphere, and to refrain from extended travel from now through to the end of 2011, if at all possible.
This is not the summer to take chances, or risks, but rather to play it safe. This is not your normal traditional summer season of fun in the sun. By mid-July, many will know this to be true, and by August, many will be certain it is true.
The weather and climate will continue to lean towards the extremes in 2010, with extreme heat this spring throughout in the northern hemisphere, floods, and odd weather events. Expect this summer season of 2010 to be shorter than normal, because it will have arrived earlier than normal with above average temperatures during April, May, and June.
Also expect a long, wet, and warmer-than-normal fall season that extends well into January 2011. Winter will arrive later than normal for most regions in North America - according to my calculations. True winter conditions will not arrive until late January/early February 2011, and continue through the months of March and April 2011.
From now (April 2010) through the summer months, be especially careful in and around bodies of water, and mind yourself around machines, boats, cruise ships, cars, recreation vehicles, and the like, as well as when participating in sporting activities.
Accidents to the head, face, legs and feet are particularly highlighted this summer under the cardinal inclination transits.
Travel transits are already highly unfavorable, as is exposing oneself to danger during the tense months ahead. This is a very good year to stick close to home and allow these powerful cardinal inclinations of 2010 to pass by.
Next summer of 2011 is a better vacationing season than the summer of 2010 in the northern hemisphere. Wait another year to take that extended travel vacation if at all possible. Take good care of yourself and your loved ones out there.
The inclinations of the cardinal transits will extend from 2010 to the year 2014. Therefore, expect the global inclinations to remain strong among the transpersonal planets through these years, as the world transitions between eras and generations - leaving further behind the latter half of the post-modern era of the 20th century, and delving deeper into this new 21st century.
In mundane astrology, we have a saying: 'Foretold is forewarned.'
The Prophecies of Nostradamus
One of those prophets who foretold the future was the mundane astrologer Michel de Nostradamus. Born in France under a Capricorn Sun in the year 1503, and himself a gnostic, Nostradamus prophesied the coming of the last anti-Christ who will attempt to lead humanity away from their inheritances of Light through deception, greed, arrogance and evil.
In his book of world astrological prophecies, Nostradamus writes that should humanity not awaken to their true inheritances; then another rise of the forces of darkness will cause the spreading of ignorance, hate, intolerance and evil that eventually will bring the material world to its own end, according to the celestial signs.
Nostradamus also warns debunkers, skeptics, and pop-culture astrologers through a curse:
Nostradamus also warns debunkers, skeptics, and pop-culture astrologers through a curse:
INCANTATION OF ASTROLOGICAL LAW AGAINST INEPT CRITICS
"May those who read these verses think upon them deeply.
Let the profane and ignorant herd keep away.
Let all popular astrologers, idiots, and barbarians stay far off.
He whom does otherwise, let him be subject to the sacred rite."
Brief quatrains of note ~
Century 1, Quatrain 3
When the litters are overturned by the whirlwind
and faces are covered by cloaks,
the new republic will be troubles by its people
At this time the reds and the whites will rule wrongly.
Century X, Quatrain 65
O vast Rome, thy ruin approaches,
Not of thy walls, of thy blood and substance:
The one harsh in letters will make a very horrible notch,
Pointed steel driven into all up to the hilt.
Century X, Quatrain 78
Sudden joy to sudden sadness,
It will occur at Rome for the graces embraced:
Grief, cries, tears, weeping, blood, excellent mirth,
Contrary bands surprised and trussed up.
Century X, Quatrain 74
The year of the great seventh number accomplished,
It will appear at the time of the games of slaughter:
Not far from the great millennial age,
When the buried will go out from their tombs.
By Michel Nostradamus
"Cesar's Letter"
- Preface: The Centuries -
Greetings and happiness to Cesar Nostradamus my son ~
"Your late arrival, Cesar Nostradame, my son, has caused me a
great deal of time in constant nightly watches so that after
my death you might be left a memorial of your father,
revealing in writing that which the Divine Spirit has made
known to me through the revolutions of the stars,
to the common benefit of mankind.
Since it has pleased the immortal God that you should have
appeared on this earth but recently, and your years cannot yet
said to be coupled, your weak understanding is incapable of
presently absorbing that which I must needs record of the future.
Furthermore, it is impossible to leave you in writing that which would be obliterated by the wear and tear of time. Indeed, the hereditary gift of prophecy will go to the grave with me.
Events of human origin are uncertain, but all is regulated and governed by the incalculable power of God, inspiring us not through drunken fury, nor by frantic movement, but through the influences of the stars. Only those divinely inspired can predict particular things in a prophetic spirit.
For a long time I have been making many predictions, far in advance, of events since come to pass, naming the particular locality. I acknowledge all to have been accomplished through divine power and inspiration.
Predicted events, both happy and sad, have come to pass throughout the world with increasing promptness. However, because of the possibility of harm, both for the present and most of the future, I became willing to keep silent and refrain from putting them into writing.
For kingdoms, governments, sects, and religions will make changes so complete, truly diametrically opposite, that if I came to reveal what will happen in the future, the great ones of the above kingdoms, sects, religions, and faiths would find it so little in accord with what their fancy would like to hear, that they would condemn that which future centuries will know and perceive to be true.
As the true Saviour said, "Give not that which is holy unto dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn and rend you."
This has been the cause of my withholding my tongue from the profane, and my pen from paper.
Later, because of the vulgar advent, I decided to give way and, by dark and cryptic sentences, tell of the causes of the future mutation of mankind; especially the most urgent ones, and the ones I perceived, and in a manner that would not upset their fragile sentiments.
All had to be written under a cloudy figure, above all things prophetic.
'Thou hast hidden these things from the wise and the prudent, that is, from the powerful and from kings, and hast revealed them to the small and the weak.'
And to the Prophets. By means of the Immortal God, and his good Angels, they received the spirit of prophecy, by which they see distant things and foresee future events.
For nothing can be accomplished without Him whose power and goodness to His creatures is so great that as long as these dwell in them, much as they may be exposed to other influences, on account of their good genius this prophetic heat and power approaches us.
It approaches us like the rays of the sun, which cast their influence on bodies both elementary and non-elementary.
As for ourselves, who are but human, we can discover nothing of the obscure secrets of God the Creator by our own unaided knowledge or by the bent of our ingenuity. 'It is not for you to know times or hours,' etc."
However, now or in the future, there may be persons to whom God the Creator, through fanciful impressions, wishes to reveal some secrets of the future, integrated with judicial astrology; in much the same manner that in the past a certain power and voluntary faculty came over them like a flame, causing them to judge human and divine inspirations alike.
For of the divine works - those which are absolute God completes; those which are medial, the angels; and the third kind, the evil spirits.
But my son, I speak to you here a bit too obscurely. Hidden prophecies come to one by the subtle spirit of fire, sometimes through the understanding being disturbed in contemplating the remotest of stars, while remaining alert.
The pronouncements are taken down in writing, without fear, without taint of excess verbiage.
But why?
Because all these things proceeded from the divine power of the great eternal God, from whom all goodness flows.
But why?
Because all these things proceeded from the divine power of the great eternal God, from whom all goodness flows.
Furthermore, my son, though I have mentioned the name prophet, I do not wish to assume for myself a title so sublime for the present. For He who is called a prophet now was once called a Seer.
Strictly speaking, my son, a prophet is one who sees things remote from the natural knowledge of men.
And it can happen that the prophet, by means of the perfect light of the prophecy appearing before him, thinks he sees things divine as well as human; but this cannot be, for the effects of future prediction extend far.
And it can happen that the prophet, by means of the perfect light of the prophecy appearing before him, thinks he sees things divine as well as human; but this cannot be, for the effects of future prediction extend far.
For the incomprehensible secrets of God and their efficient virtue belong to a sphere very remote from human knowledge, deriving their immediate origin from the free will.
They bring about the appearance of causes which of themselves could not attract enough attention to be known, neither by human augury, nor by any other hidden knowledge or virtue comprised under the concavity of heaven, even from the present fact of all eternity, which comes in itself to embrace all time.
But through some indivisible eternity and by means of epileptic agitation: the causes are made known by celestial movements.
Understand me well, my son. I do not say that the knowledge of this matter cannot yet impress itself upon your young mind, nor do I say that very distant events are not within the knowledge of reasoning man.
If future events are merely the creation of the intellectual soul out of current events, they are not by any means too greatly hidden from him, nor, on the other hand, can they be said to be revealed at all.
But the perfect knowledge of events cannot be acquired without divine inspiration since all prophetic inspiration receives its prime motivating force from God the Creator, then from good fortune and nature.
For this reason, the presage occurs in part, where it has been predicted, in proportion to the extent to which similar events have manifested themselves similarly, or have failed to manifest themselves.
For the human understanding, being created intellectually, cannot see hidden things unless aided by the voice coming from the limbo via the thin flame; showing in what direction future events incline.
Furthermore, my son, I beg that you will never want to employ your understanding on such dreams and vanities as dry up the body and put the soul in perdition and cause trouble to the weak senses.
I caution you especially against the vanity of the more execrable magic, condemned of yore by the Holy Scriptures and the Canons of the Church.
I caution you especially against the vanity of the more execrable magic, condemned of yore by the Holy Scriptures and the Canons of the Church.
However, Judicial Astrology is excepted from this judgment. For it is by this, together with divine inspiration and revelation, and continual nightly watches and calculations, that we have reduced our prophecies to writing.
Although this occult Philosophy was not condemned, I did not desire that you should ever be faced with their unbridled promptings. I had at my disposal many volumes which had been hidden for a great many centuries.
But dreading what use might be made of them, after reading them I consigned them to the flames. As the fire came to devour them, the flame licking the air shot forth an unusual brightness, clearer than natural fire.
It was like the light of lightning thunder, suddenly illuminating the house, as if in sudden conflagration.
Thus, so that you might not be led astray in the future in a search for the perfect transformation of silver, or of gold, or of incorruptible metals under the earth, or hidden in the sea - I have reduced them to ashes.
Thus, so that you might not be led astray in the future in a search for the perfect transformation of silver, or of gold, or of incorruptible metals under the earth, or hidden in the sea - I have reduced them to ashes.
But what I do want to make clear to you is the judgment obtained through the calculation of the heavens: By this one has knowledge of future events while rejecting completely all fantastic things one may imagine.
With divine and supernatural inspiration integrated with astrological computations, one can name places and periods of time accurately: an occult property obtained through divine virtue, power and ability.
By means of this, past, present and future become but one eternity - for all things are naked and open.
Thus, my son, notwithstanding your your young brain, you can easily understand that things which are to happen can be prophesied by the lights of the sky at night, which are natural, coupled with the spirit of prophecy.
Not that I would assume the name or power of a prophet. It is as a mortal man, whose senses revealed inspiration places no further from Heaven than his feet are from the ground. I cannot fail, err, or be deceived, though I am the greatest sinner in this world, subject to all human affliction.
Many times in the week I am overtaken by an ecstasy; having rendered my nocturnal studies agreeable through long calculation, I have composed books of prophecies, of which each contains one hundred astronomical quatrains of prophecies.
I have sought to polish them a bit obscurely. They are perpetual prophecies, for they extend from now to the year 3797. It is possible, my son, that some will raise their eyebrows at seeing such a vast extent of time and treatment of everything under the moon that will happen throughout the earth.
But if you attain the natural span of human life; you will come to see, under your own native skies, the fulfillment of future events that I have foreseen.
Although the eternal God alone knows the eternity of the Light which proceeds from Himself, I say frankly to all to whom He has wished to reveal His immense magnitude - immeasurable and incomprehensible as it is - amidst long and melancholy inspiration, that it is a hidden thing, manifested divinely.
It is manifested chiefly by two means which are contained in the understanding of the inspired one who prophesies.
One comes by infusion: clearing the supernatural light for the person who predicts by Astrology; making it possible to predict through inspired revelation.
The other is a fixed participation of the Divine eternity. By means of it, the Prophet comes to judge what has been given him by his divine spirit through God the Creator and his natural intuition.
So that what is predicted, and is true, has an ethereal origin. This light and the thin flame are altogether efficacious, and are of heavenly origin no less than natural light.
And it is the latter which renders philosophers so sure of themselves that by means of the principles of the first cause they have penetrated to the innermost cores of the loftiest of doctrines. But an end to this, my son, for I must not stray too far from the future capacity of your senses.
I find that letters will suffer a very great and incomparable loss. I find also that before the universal conflagration the world will be deluged by many floods to such heights that there will remain scarcely any land not covered by water, and this will last for so long that everything will perish except the earth itself and the cultures which inhabit it.
Furthermore, before and after these inundations, in many countries the rains will have been so slight, and there will have fallen from the sky such a great abundance of fire, and of burning stones, that nothing will remain unconsumed. And this will occur a short time before the final conflagration.
For the planet Mars will finish its cycle, at the end of its last period, it will start again. Some will assemble in Aquarius for several years; others in Cancer for an even longer time.
Now, by means of the supreme power of eternal God, we are led by the Moon; before she has completed her entire circuit, the Sun will come, and then Saturn.
For according to the signs in the heavens, the age of Saturn will return; so that, all told, the world is nearing a death-dealing revolution: from this moment, before 177 years, three months and 11 days have passed, by pestilence, long famine, wars, and most of all, by floods, the world will be so diminished, with so few remaining, that no one will be found willing to work the fields; which will remain wild for as long a period as they had been tilled.
This is according to the visible judgment of the stars, for although we are now in the seventh millinery, which finishes all, we are approaching the eighth, wherein is located the firmament of the eighth sphere.
This is in the latitudinal dimension, whence the great eternal God will come to complete the revolution and the heavenly bodies will return to their sources, and the upper motion will render the earth stable and fixed for us, not deviating from age to age, unless He wills it otherwise.
By ambiguous opinions beyond all natural reason, by Mahometan dreams and even sometimes through the flaming missives brought by the angels of fire of God the Creator, there come before exterior senses, even our eyes, predictions of future events or things significant to a future happening.
These ought to manifest themselves to one who presages anything. For the presage which is made by the exterior light comes infallibly to judge partly with it and by means of the exterior light. Truly, the part which seems to come by the eye of the understanding comes only by the lesion of the imaginative sense.
The reason is very evident. All is predicted through divine inspiration and by means of the angelic spirit with which the man prophesying is inspired; rendering him anointed with prophecies and illuminating him, moving him before his fantasy through diverse nocturnal apparitions.
With Astrological calculations certifying the prophecy in the daytime; there is nothing more to the holiest future prediction than free courage.
You must see now, my son, that I find by my astrological calculations; which are according to revealed inspiration, that the sword of death is now approaching us, in the shape of pestilence, war more horrible than has been known in three lifetimes, and famine.
This famine will fall upon the earth, and return there often, according to the words, 'I will visit their iniquities with a rod of iron, and will strike them with blows.'
For the mercy of the Lord, my son, shall not be extended at all for a long time, not until most of my prophecies will have been accomplished, and will by accomplishment have become resolved.
Then, several times during the sinister storms, the Lord will say, 'I will trample them, and break them, and not show pity.'
And thousands of other events will come to pass, because of floods and continual rains, as I have set forth more fully in writing my other Prophecies; which are drawn out in length, in prose, setting forth the places and times so that men coming after may see them; knowing the events to have occurred infallibly.
This we have noted in connection with the others, speaking more clearly. For although they are written under a cloud, the meanings will be understood. When the time comes for the removal of ignorance, the event will be cleared up still more.
I make an end here, my son. Take now this gift of your father, Michel Nostradamus, who hopes to explain to you each prophecy of the quatrains included here.
I beseech the Immortal God that He will be willing to endow you with long life in good and prosperous happiness."
I beseech the Immortal God that He will be willing to endow you with long life in good and prosperous happiness."
~ From Salon, Michel Nostradamus, this first of March, 1555."
- The Pistis Sophia, Part III -
Christ Continues His Discourses
Christ Continues His Discourses
- CHAPTER 101 -
[THE CONCLUSION OF ANOTHER BOOK]
Christ explains the Limbs of the Ineffable
"AND those who are worthy of the mysteries which abide in the Ineffable, which are those which have not gone forth,--these exist before the First Mystery, and to use a likeness and similitude, that ye may understand it, they are as the Limbs of the Ineffable.
And every one existeth according to the dignity of its glory: the head according to the dignity of the head and the eye according to the dignity of the eyes and the ear according to the dignity of the ears and the rest of the Limbs [in like fashion]; so that the matter is manifest.
There is a multitude of limbs but one only body. Of this indeed have I spoken in a pattern and similitude and likeness, but not in a form in truth; nor have I revealed the word in truth, but the mystery [only] of the Ineffable.
The Saviour is their Treasury
"And all the Limbs which are in it, - according to the word with which I have made comparison - that is, those which abide on the Mystery of the Ineffable, and those which abide in it, and also the three spaces which are after them, according to the mysteries.
Of all these in truth and verity, I am their treasury beside whom there is no other treasury, who hath not his like in the world; but there are still words and mysteries and other regions.
Of the dignity of those who have received the Mysteries
"Now, therefore, blessed is he who hath found the [words of the] mysteries [of the first space] which is from without; and he is a god who hath found these words of the mysteries of the second space, which is in the midst; and he is a saviour and an uncontainable who hath found the words of the mysteries of the third space, which is within, and he is more excellent than the universe, and like unto those who are in that third space.
Because he hath found the mystery in which they are and in which they stand, for this cause, therefore, is he like unto them.
He on the other hand who hath found the words of the mysteries which I have described unto you according to a likeness, that they are the Limbs of the Ineffable.
Amēn, I say unto you:
"That man who has found the words of these mysteries in divine truth, is the first in truth and like unto him [sc. the First, i.e. the Ineffable], for through those words and mysteries . . . and the universe itself standeth through that First.
For this cause he who hath found the words of those mysteries, is like unto the First.
For it is the gnosis of the gnosis of the Ineffable concerning which I have discoursed with you this day."
- A THIRD BOOK -
- CHAPTER 102 -
Of the proclamation of Christ's disciples
JESUS continued again in the discourse and said unto his disciples:
"When I shall have gone into the Light, then herald it unto the whole world and say unto them: Cease not to seek day and night and remit not yourselves until ye find the mysteries of the Light-kingdom, which will purify you and make you into refined light and lead you into the Light-kingdom.
What Men and Women should Renounce
"Say unto them ~
Renounce the whole world and the whole matter therein and all its cares and all its sins, in a word - all its associations which are in it - that you may be worthy of the Mysteries of the Light and be saved from all the chastisements which are in the judgments.
"Say unto them: Renounce Murmuring, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire of the dog-faced [one].
Say unto them: Renounce Eavesdropping, that ye may [be worthy of the mysteries of the Light] and be saved from the judgments of the dog-faced [one].
Say unto them: Renounce Litigiousness, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the chastisements of Ariēl.
Say unto them: Renounce False Slander, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-rivers of the dog-faced [one].
Say unto them: Renounce False Witness, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and that ye may escape and be saved from the fire-rivers of the dog-faced [one].
Say unto them: Renounce Pride and Haughtiness, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-pits of Ariēl.
Say unto them: Renounce Belly-love, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the judgments of Amente.
Say unto them: Renounce Babbling, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fires of Amente.
Say unto them: Renounce Craftiness, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the chastisements which are in Amente.
Say unto them: Renounce Avarice, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-rivers of the dog-faced [one].
Say unto them: Renounce love of the World, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the pitch- and fire-coats of the dog-faced [one].
Say unto them: Renounce Pillage, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-rivers of Ariēl.
Say unto them: Renounce Evil Conversation, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the chastisements of the fire-rivers . . .
Say unto them: Renounce Wickedness, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-seas of Ariēl.
Say unto them: Renounce Pitilessness, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the judgments of the dragon-faced [ones].
Say unto them: Renounce Wrath, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-rivers of the dragon-faced [ones.]
Say unto them: Renounce Cursing, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-seas of the dragon-faced [ones].
Say unto them: Renounce Thieving, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the bubbling seas of the dragon-faced [ones].
"Say unto them: Renounce Robbery, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from Yaldabaōth.
Say unto them: Renounce Slandering, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-rivers of the lion-faced [one].
Say unto them: Renounce Fighting and Strife, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the seething rivers of Yaldabaōth.
Say unto them: Renounce all Unknowing, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the servitors of Yaldabaōth and the fire-seas.
Say unto them: Renounce Evil Doing, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from all the demons of Yaldabaōth and all his judgments.
Say unto them: Renounce Sloth, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the seething pitch-seas of Yaldabaōth.
Say unto them: Renounce Adultery, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light-kingdom and be saved from the sulfur- and pitch-seas of the lion-faced [one].
Say unto them: Renounce Murder, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the crocodile-faced ruler - this one who is in the cold, and is the first chamber of the outer darkness.
Say unto them: Renounce Pitilessness and Impiety, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the rulers of the outer darkness.
Say unto them: Renounce Atheism, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the howling and grinding of teeth.
Say unto them: Renounce Magic Potions, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the great cold and the hail of the outer darkness.
Say unto them: Renounce Blasphemy, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the great dragon of the outer darkness.
Say unto them: Renounce the Doctrines of Error, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from all the chastisements of the great dragon of the outer darkness.
Say unto those who teach the Doctrines of Error and to every one who is instructed by them:
'Woe unto you, for, if ye do not repent and abandon your error, you will go into the chastisements of the great dragon and of the outer darkness, which is exceedingly evil, and never will ye be cast [up] into the world, but will be non-existent until the end.'
Say unto those who abandon the doctrines of Truth of the First Mystery:
'Woe unto you, for your chastisement is sad compared with [that of] all men.
For you will abide in the great cold and ice and hail in the midst of the Dragon and of the outer Darkness, and you will never from this hour on be cast [up] into the world, but you shall be frozen up in that region, and at the dissolution of the Universe, you will perish and become non-existent eternally."
The boundaries of the Ways of the Worthy
Say rather to the men of the world: Be calm, that ye may receive the mysteries of the Light and go on high into the Light-kingdom.
Say unto them: Be ye loving-unto-men, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and go on high into the Light-kingdom.
Say unto them: Be ye gentle, that ye may receive the mysteries of the Light and go on high into the Light-kingdom.
Say unto them: Be ye peaceful, that ye may receive the mysteries of the Light and go on high into the Light-kingdom.
Say unto them: Be ye merciful, that ye may receive the mysteries of the Light and go on high into the Light-kingdom.
Say unto them: Give ye alms, that ye may receive the mysteries of the Light and go on high into the Light-kingdom.
Say unto them: Minister unto the poor and the sick and distressed, that ye may receive the mysteries of the Light and go on high into the Light-kingdom.
Say unto them: Be ye loving-unto-God, that ye may receive the mysteries of the Light and go on high into the Light-kingdom.
Say unto them: Be ye righteous, that ye may receive the mysteries [of the Light] and go on high into the Light-kingdom.
Say unto them: Be good, that ye may receive the mysteries [of the Light] and go on high into the Light-kingdom.
Say unto them: Renounce all, that ye may receive the mysteries of the Light and go on high into the Light-kingdom.
These are all the boundaries of the ways for those who are worthy of the mysteries of the Light."
Unto whom are the Mysteries of the Light to be given
"Unto such, therefore, who have renounced in this renunciation, give the mysteries of the Light and hide them not from them at all, even though they are sinners and they have been in all the sins and all the iniquities of the world, all of which I have recounted unto you, in order that they may turn and repent and be in the submission which I have just recounted unto you.
The Mysteries are for the forgiveness of sins
"Give unto them the mysteries of the Light-kingdom and hide them not from them at all; for it is because of sinfulness that I have brought the mysteries into the world, that I may forgive all their sins which they have committed from the beginning on.
Now, therefore, I have brought the mysteries that [their] sins may be forgiven for every one and they be received into the Light-kingdom.
For the mysteries are the gift of the First Mystery, that he may wipe out the sins and iniquities of all sinners."
- CHAPTER 103 -
Mary Magdalene questions the Saviour
It came to pass then, when Jesus had finished saying these words unto his disciples, that Mary came forward and said to the Saviour:
"My Lord, will then a righteous man who is perfected in all righteousness, and that man who hath no sin at all, will such one be tormented in the chastisements and judgments or not? Or will rather that man be brought into the kingdom of heaven or not?"
Of the soul of the righteous man who hath not received the mysteries at death
And the Saviour answered and said unto Mary:
"A righteous man who is perfected in all righteousness and who hath never committed any sin of any kind, and such an one who never hath received mysteries of the Light, if the time is at hand when he goeth forth out of the body, then straightway come the receivers of one of the great triple-powers,--those among whom there is a great [one] - snatch away the soul of that man from the hands of the retributive receivers and spend three days circling with it in all the creatures of the world.
After three days they lead it down into the chaos, so as to lead it into all the chastisements of the judgments and to dispatch it to all the judgments. The fires of the chaos do not trouble it greatly; but they will trouble it partly for a short time.
"And with haste they take pity on it quickly, to lead it up out of the chaos and lead it on the way of the midst through all the rulers.
And they [sc. the rulers] do not chastize it in their harsh judgments, but the fire of their regions troubleth it partly. And if it shall be brought into the region of Yachthanabas, the pitiless, then will he indeed not be able to chastize it in his evil judgments, but he holdeth it fast a short time, while the fire of his chastisements troubleth it partly.
And again they take pity on it quickly, and lead it up out of those regions of theirs and they do not bring it into the æons, so that the rulers of the æons do not carry it away ravishingly; they bring it on the way of the sun and bring it before the Virgin of Light.
She proveth it and findeth that it is pure of sins, but letteth them not bring it to the Light, because the sign of the kingdom of the mystery is not with it.
But she sealeth it with a higher seal and letteth it be cast down into the body into the æons of righteousness - that body which will be good to find the signs of the mysteries of the Light and inherit the Light-kingdom for ever.
"If on the contrary he hath sinned once or twice or thrice, then will he be cast back into the world again according to the type of the sins which he hath committed, the type of which I will tell you when I shall have told you the expansion of the universe.
"But Amēn, amēn, I say unto you:
Even if a righteous man hath committed no sins at all, he cannot possibly be brought into the Light-kingdom, because the sign of the kingdom of the mysteries is not with him.
In a word, it is impossible to bring souls into the Light without the mysteries of the Light-kingdom."
- CHAPTER 104 -
John questions Jesus
It came to pass then, when Jesus had finished saying these words unto his disciples, that John came forward and said:
"My Lord, suppose a sinning and a law-breaking man is replete in all iniquities, and he hath ceased from these for the sake of the kingdom of heaven and renounced the whole world and the whole matter therein...
And we give him from the beginning onwards the mysteries of the Light which are in the first space from without, and if he receiveth the mysteries, and after a little while again if he returneth and transgresseth, and thereafter again if he turneth and ceaseth from all sins and turneth and renounceth the whole world and the whole matter therein...
So that he cometh again and is in great repentance, and if we know truly in truth that he longeth after God, so that we give him the second mystery of the first space which is from without;--in like manner if he turneth anew and transgresseth and is again in the sins of the world, and again if he thereafter turneth and ceaseth from the sins of the world and again renounceth the whole world and the whole matter therein and again is in great repentance, and we know it with certainty that he is not a play-actor...
So that we turn and give him the mysteries of the beginning, which [are] in the first space from without;--in like manner, if he turneth again and sinneth and is in every type [of sin]; desirest thou that we forgive him unto seven times and give him the mysteries which are in the first space from without, unto seven times or not?"
The disciples are to forgive many times seven times
The Saviour answered again and said unto John:
"Not only forgive him unto seven times, but amēn, I say unto you: Forgive him unto many times seven times, and every time give him the mysteries from the beginning onwards which are in the first space from without.
Perchance ye win the soul of that brother and he inheriteth the Light-kingdom.
"For this cause, therefore, when ye questioned me aforetime, saying:
'If our brother sin against us, desirest thou that we forgive him unto seven times?'--I answered and spake unto you in a similitude, saying:
'Not only unto seven times, but unto seventy times seven.'
"Now, therefore, forgive him many times and every time give him the mysteries which are in the first space which is from without. Perchance ye win the soul of that brother and he inheriteth the Light-kingdom.
Of the reward of the Savers of Souls
"Amēn, amēn, I say unto you:
He who shall keep in Life and save only one soul, besides the dignity which he possesseth in the Light-kingdom, he will receive yet another dignity for the soul which he hath saved, so that he who shall save many souls, besides the dignity which he possesseth in the Light, he will receive many other dignities for the souls which he hath saved."
- CHAPTER 105 -
John continues his questioning
When then the Saviour had said this, John started forward and said:
"My Lord, bear with me if I question thee, for from now on I will begin to, question thee on all things concerning the manner, how we are to herald it to mankind?
"If, therefore, I give that brother a mystery out of the mysteries of the beginning which are in the first space from without, and if I give him many mysteries and he doeth not what is worthy of the kingdom of heaven - desirest thou that we let him pass through to the mysteries of the second space?
Perchance we win the soul of that brother, and he turneth, repenteth and inheriteth the Light-kingdom. Desirest thou that we let him pass through to the mysteries [which are in the second space] or not?"
That the Mysteries shall be given again unto a repentant brother even up to the three of the second space
And the Saviour answered and said unto John:
"If it is a brother who is not play-acting, but in truth longeth after God, if ye have given him many times the mysteries of the beginning and because of the necessity of the elements of the Fate he hath not done what is worthy of the mysteries of the Light-kingdom, then forgive him, let him pass through and give him the first mystery which is in the second space.
Perchance ye win the soul of that brother.
"And if he hath not done what is worthy of the mysteries of the Light and hath committed transgression and divers sins, and thereafter hath turned; again and been in great repentance and hath renounced the whole world and ceased from all the sins of the world, and ye know with certainty that he doth not play-act but in truth longeth after God, then turn ye anew, forgive him, let him pass on through and give him the second mystery in the second space of the First Mystery.
Perchance ye win the soul of that brother and he inheriteth the Light-kingdom.
"And again if he hath not done what is worthy of the mysteries, but hath been in transgression and divers sins, and thereafter again hath turned and been in great repentance and hath renounced the whole world and the whole matter therein and ceased from the sins of the world, so that ye know truly that he is not play-acting but longeth truly after God, then turn ye anew, forgive him and receive his repentance, because the First Mystery is compassionate and merciful-minded; let also that man pass through and give him the three mysteries together which are in the second space of the First Mystery.
The limit of the power of the disciples to forgive sins
"If that man [then] transgresseth and is in divers sins, from that moment onwards ye are not to forgive him nor to receive his repentance; but let him be among you as a stumbling-block and as a transgressor.
"For, amēn, I say unto you:
Those three mysteries will be witnesses for his last repentance, and he hath not repentance from this moment onwards.
For, amēn, I say unto you: The soul of that man will not be cast back into the world above from this moment onwards, but will be in the abodes of the dragon of the outer darkness.
A former saying explained
"For regarding the souls of such men I have spoken unto you aforetime in a similitude, saying:
'If thy brother sinneth against thee, bring him over between thee alone and him. If he hearkeneth unto thee, thou wilt win thy brother; if he hearkeneth not unto thee, take with thee yet another.
If he hearkeneth not unto thee and the other, bring him to the assembly. If he hearken not unto the others, let him be for you as a transgressor and as a stumbling-block.'
That is: If he is not usable in the first mystery, give him the second; and if he is not usable in the second give him the three, assembled together, which is 'the assembly'; and if he is not usable in the third mystery, let him be for you as a stumbling-block and as a transgressor.
"And the word which I have spoken unto you aforetime: 'So that through two to three witnesses every word may be established,' - it is this: Those three mysteries will witness for his last repentance.
And amēn, I say unto you: If that man repenteth, no mystery can forgive him his sins, nor can his repentance be received, nor can he at all be hearkened to through any mystery, save through the first mystery of the First Mystery and through the mysteries of the Ineffable.
It is these alone which will receive the repentance of that man and forgive his sins; for those mysteries in sooth are compassionate and merciful-minded and forgiving at every time."
- CHAPTER 106 -
John continues his questioning
When then the Saviour had said this, John continued again and said to the Saviour:
"My Lord, suppose an exceedingly sinful brother who hath renounced the whole world and the whole matter therein and all its sins and all its cares, and we shall prove him and know that he is not in deceit and play-acting but that in uprightness and in truth he longeth [after God], and we know that he hath become worthy of the mysteries of the second space or of the third, - desirest thou that we give him of the mysteries of the second space and of the third, before he hath at all received mysteries of the Inheritance of the Light or not?
Desirest thou that we give or not?"
Further of the forgiveness of sins
And the Saviour answered and said unto John in the midst of the disciples:
"If you know with certainty that that man hath renounced the whole world and all its cares and all its associations and all its sins, and if ye know in truth that he is not in deceit, neither that he was play-acting nor that he was curious to know the mysteries, how they are brought to pass, but that he longeth after God in truth, hide them not from such an one, but give him of the mysteries of the second and third space and try even of what mystery he is worthy; and that of which he is worthy, give him and hide it not from him, for if ye hide it from him, ye may be guilty of a great condemnation.
If ye give him once [of the mysteries] of the second space or of the third and he turneth again and sinneth, ye are to continue again the second time up to the third time.
If he still sinneth, ye shall not continue to give him, for those three mysteries will be witnesses unto him for his last repentance.
And amēn, I say unto you: He who shall give that man anew mysteries of the second space or of the third, is guilty of a great condemnation. But let him be for you as a transgressor and as a stumbling-block.
Amēn, I say unto you:
The soul of that man cannot be cast back into the world from this moment onwards; but his habitation is in the midst of the jaws of the dragon of the outer darkness, the region of howling and grinding of teeth.
And at the dissolution of the world his soul will be frozen up and perish in the violent cold and exceedingly violent fire and will be non-existent eternally.
Even if he yet again turns and renounces the whole world and all its cares and all its sins, and he is in great citizenship and great repentance, no mystery can receive from him his repentance; nor can it hearken unto him, to have mercy upon him and receive his repentance and forgive his sins, save the mystery of the First Mystery and the mystery of the Ineffable.
It is these alone which will receive the repentance of that man and forgive his sins; for in sooth, those mysteries are compassionate and merciful-minded and forgiving of sins at every time."
- CHAPTER 107 -
John continues his questioning
And when the Saviour had said this, John continued again and said:
"My Lord, bear with me, if I question thee, and be not wroth with me, for I question concerning all things with surety and certainty for knowledge of the manner, how we are to herald it to the men of the world."
And the Saviour answered and said unto John: "Question concerning all things on which thou questionest, and I will reveal them unto thee, face to face, in openness without similitude, or with surety."
And John answered and said:
"My Lord, if we go forth and herald it and come into a city or a village, and if the men of that city come forth to meet us without our knowing who they are, and if they receive us unto themselves in great deceit and great play-acting and bring us into their house, desiring to make trial of the mysteries of the Light-kingdom, and if they play-act with us in submission and we suppose that they long after God, and we give them the mysteries of the Light-kingdom, and if we thereafter know that they have not done what is worthy of the mystery, and we know that they have play-acted with us, and have been deceitful against us and that they have also made a show of the mysteries region by region, making trial of us and also of our mysteries,--what is then the thing which will befall such?"
Of pretenders who receive the mysteries
And the Saviour answered and said unto John:
"If ye come into a city or a village, where ye enter into the house and they receive you unto themselves, give them a mystery.
If they are worthy, ye will win their souls and they will inherit the Light-kingdom; but if they are not worthy but are deceitful against you, and if they also make a show of the mysteries, making trial of you and also of the mysteries, then invoke the first mystery of the First Mystery which hath mercy on every one, and say:
'Thou Mystery, which we have given unto these impious and iniquitous souls who have not done what is worthy of thy mystery but have made a show of us, turn back [then] the mystery unto us and make them for ever strangers to the mystery of thy kingdom.
And shake ye off the dust of your feet as a witness against them, saying:
May your souls be as the dust of your house. And amēn, I say unto you: In that hour all the mysteries which ye have given unto them, will return unto you, and all the words and all the mysteries of the region up to which they have received figures, will be taken from them.
A former saying explained
"Concerning such men, therefore, have I aforetime spoken unto you in similitude, saying: 'Where ye enter into a house and are received, say unto them:
Peace be with you. And if they are worthy, let your peace come upon them; and if they are not worthy, let your peace return unto you,' - that is:
If those men do what is worthy of the mysteries and in truth long after God, give them the mysteries of the Light-kingdom; but if they play-act with you and are deceitful against you, without your having known it, and if ye give them the mysteries of the Light-kingdom, and again thereafter they make a show of the mysteries and they make also trial of you and also of the mysteries, then perform the first mystery of the First Mystery, and it will turn back unto you all the mysteries which ye have given unto them, and it will make them strangers to the mysteries of the Light for ever.
"And such men will not be led back to the world from this moment onwards -
But Amēn, I say unto you:
"Their dwelling is in the midst of the jaws of the dragon of the outer darkness.
And if they still at a time of repentance renounce the whole world and the whole matter therein and all the sins of the world, and they are in entire submission to the mysteries of the Light, no mystery can hearken unto them nor forgive their sins, save this same mystery of the Ineffable, which hath mercy on every one and forgiveth every one his sins."
And if they still at a time of repentance renounce the whole world and the whole matter therein and all the sins of the world, and they are in entire submission to the mysteries of the Light, no mystery can hearken unto them nor forgive their sins, save this same mystery of the Ineffable, which hath mercy on every one and forgiveth every one his sins."
CHAPTER 108
Mary Magdalene again questions Jesus
It came to pass, when Jesus had finished saying these words unto his disciples, that Mary adored the feet of Jesus and kissed them.
Mary said: "My Lord, bear with me, if I question thee, and be not wroth with me."
The Saviour answered and said unto Mary: "Question concerning what thou desirest to question, and I will reveal it unto thee in openness."
And Mary answered and said: "My Lord, suppose a good and excellent brother whom we have filled with all the mysteries of the Light, and that brother hath a brother or kinsman, in a word he hath in general [any] man, and this [man] is a sinner and impious or better he is no sinner, and such an one hath gone out of the body, and the heart of the good brother is grieved and mourneth over him, that he is in judgments and chastisements.
Now, therefore, my Lord, what are we to do to remove him out of the chastisements and harsh judgments?"
And the Saviour answered and said unto Mary: "Concerning this word, therefore, I have already spoken unto you at another time, but hearken that I may say it again, so that ye may be perfected in all mysteries and be called 'the perfected in every fullness.'
How the Souls of those who have come out of the body may be helped by those alive on Earth
"Now, therefore, all men, sinners or better who are no sinners, not only if ye desire that they be taken out of the judgments and violent chastisements, but that they be removed into a righteous body which will find the mysteries of the godhead, so that it goeth on high and inheriteth the Light-kingdom, - then perform the third mystery of the Ineffable and say:
'Carry ye the soul of this and this man of whom we think in our hearts, carry him out of all the chastisements of the rulers and haste ye quickly to lead him before the Virgin of Light; and in every month let the Virgin of Light seal him with a higher seal, and in every month let the Virgin of Light cast him into a body which will be righteous and good, so that it goeth on high and inheriteth the Light-kingdom.
"And if ye say this, Amēn, I say unto you:
All who serve in all the orders of the judgments of the rulers, hasten to hand over that soul from one to the other, until they lead it before the Virgin of Light.
And the Virgin of Light sealeth it with the sign of the kingdom of the Ineffable and handeth it over unto her receivers, and the receivers will cast it into a body which will be righteous and find the mysteries of the Light, so that it will be good and goeth on high and inheriteth the Light-kingdom. Lo, this is it on which ye question me."
- CHAPTER 109 -
Mary continues her questioning
And Mary answered and said: "Now, therefore, my Lord, hast thou then not brought mysteries into the world that man may not die through the death which is appointed him by the rulers of the Fate.
Be it that it is appointed one to die by the sword or die by the waters or through tortures and torturing and acts of violence which are in the law, or through any other evil death; hast thou then not brought mysteries into the world that man may not die with them through the rulers of the Fate, but that he may die by a sudden death, so that he endure no sufferings through such kinds of death?
For they are exceedingly numerous who persecute us because of thee, and numerous those who persecute us because of thy name, in order that, if they torture us, we may speak the mystery and straightway go out of the body without having endured any sufferings at all."
Christ describes how a person who possesses the Mysteries can come forth out of the body without suffering
The Saviour answered and said unto all his disciples:
"Concerning this word on which ye question me, I have spoken unto you at another time; but hearken again that I may say it unto you anew:
Not only ye, but every man who will accomplish that first mystery of the First Mystery of the Ineffable, - he who, therefore, shall perform that mystery and accomplish it in all its figures and all its types and all its stations, in performing it, he will not come out of the body; but after he hath accomplished that mystery in all its figures, and all its types, thereafter then at every time when he shall speak the name of that mystery, he will save himself from all that which is appointed him by the rulers of the Fate.
And in that hour he will come forth out of the body of the matter of the rulers, and his soul will become a great light-stream, so that it soareth on high and penetrateth all the regions of the rulers and all the regions of the Light, until it reacheth the region of its kingdom. Neither giveth it answers nor apologies in any region at all, for it is without tokens."
- CHAPTER 110 -
When then Jesus had said this, Mary continued, threw herself at Jesus' feet, kissed them and said:
"My Lord, still will I question thee. Reveal [it] unto us and hide [it] not from us."
Jesus answered and said unto Mary: "Question on what ye question, and I will reveal [it] unto you in openness without similitude."
Mary Magdalene continues her questioning
Mary answered and said:
"My Lord, hast thou then not brought mysteries into the world because of poverty and riches, and because of weakness and strength, and because of . . . and healthy bodies, in a word because of all such, so that, if we go into the regions of the land, and they do not have faith in us and they hearken not unto our words, and we perform any such mysteries in those regions, they may know truly in truth that we herald the words [of the God] of the universe?"
The Saviour answered and said unto Mary in the midst of the disciples: "Concerning this mystery on which ye question me, I have given it unto you at another time; but I will repeat it and speak the word unto you:
The mystery of the raising of the dead
"Now, therefore, Mary, not only ye, but every man who shall accomplish the mystery of the raising of the dead, that which healeth the demons, and all pains and all sicknesses and the blind and the lame and the maimed and the dumb and the deaf, which I have given unto you aforetime...
He who shall receive [that] mystery and accomplish it, thereafter then, if he ask for all things, for poverty and riches, for weakness and strength, for . . . and healthy body, and for all healings of the body and for the raising of the dead and for healing the lame and the blind and the deaf and the dumb and all sicknesses and all pains, in a word, he who shall accomplish that mystery and ask for all the things which I have just said, then will they quickly come to pass for him."
The disciples became frenzied at the sublimity of the prospect
When then the Saviour had said this, the disciples came forward, cried out all together and said:
"O Saviour, thou hath made us very exceedingly frenzied because of the great deeds of which thou tellest us; and because thou hast borne up our souls, they have pressed to go forth out of us unto thee, for we issue from thee.
Now, therefore, because of these great deeds of which thou tellest us, our souls have become frenzied and they have pressed very exceedingly, yearning to go forth out of us on high to the region of thy kingdom."
- CHAPTER 111 -
How the disciples shall make proclamation
When then the disciples had said this, the Saviour continued again and said unto his disciples:
"If ye go into cities or kingdoms or countries, proclaim first unto them, saying:
Search ever and cease not, until ye find the mysteries of the Light which will lead you into the Light-kingdom.
Say unto them: 'Beware of the doctrines of error. For many will come in my name and say: 'It is I.' And it is not I, and they will lead many astray.'"
What Mysteries they shall give
"Now, therefore, unto all men who come unto you and have faith in you and hearken unto your words and do what is worthy of the mysteries of the Light, give the mysteries of the Light and hide them not from them.
And unto him who is worthy of the higher mysteries, give them, and to him who is worthy of the lower mysteries, give them, and hide not anything from any one.
The mystery of the raising of the dead not to be given to any
"The mystery of the raising of the dead and of the healing of the sick, on the other hand, give unto no one nor give instruction in it, for that mystery belongeth to the rulers, it and all its namings.
For this cause, therefore, give it unto no one, nor give instruction in it until ye establish the faith in the whole world, in order that, if ye come into cities or into countries, and they do not receive you unto themselves, and do not have faith, and do not hearken unto your words, ye may raise the dead in those regions and heal the lame and the blind and manifold of sicknesses in those regions.
And through all such they will have faith in you, that ye herald the God of the universe, and will have faith in all the words of you. For this cause, therefore, have I given unto you that mystery, until ye establish the faith in the whole world."
When then the Saviour had said this, he continued again in the discourse and said unto Mary:
"Now, therefore, hearken, Mary, concerning the word on which thou hast questioned me: Who constraineth the man until he sinneth?
Now, therefore, hearken:
Christ outlines the constitution of Humans
"If the babe is born, the power is feeble in it, and the soul is feeble in it, and also the counterfeiting spirit is feeble in it; in a word, the three together are feeble, without any one of them sensing anything, whether good or evil, because of the load of forgetfulness which is very heavy.
Moreover the body also is feeble. And the babe eateth of the delights of the world of the rulers; and the power draweth into itself from the portion of the power which is in the delights.
And the soul draweth into itself from the portion of the soul which is in the delights.
And the counterfeiting spirit draweth into itself from the portion of the evil which is in the delights and in its lusts.
And the soul draweth into itself from the portion of the soul which is in the delights.
And the counterfeiting spirit draweth into itself from the portion of the evil which is in the delights and in its lusts.
And on the other hand the body draweth into itself the matter which senseth not, which is in the delights.
The destiny on the contrary taketh nothing from the delights, because it is not mingled with them, but it departeth again in the condition in which it cometh into the world.
And little by little the power and the soul and the counterfeiting spirit grow, and every one of them senseth according to its nature: the power senseth to seek after the light of the height.
The soul on the other hand senseth to seek after the region of righteousness which is mixed, which is the region of the co-mixture.
The counterfeiting spirit on the other hand seeketh after all evils and lusts and all sins; the body on the contrary senseth nothing unless it taketh up force out of the matter.
The soul on the other hand senseth to seek after the region of righteousness which is mixed, which is the region of the co-mixture.
The counterfeiting spirit on the other hand seeketh after all evils and lusts and all sins; the body on the contrary senseth nothing unless it taketh up force out of the matter.
And straightway the three develop sense, every one according to its nature.
And the retributive receivers assign the servitors to follow them and be witnesses of all the sins which they commit, with a view to the manner and method how they will chastize them in the judgments.
Of the counterfeiting spirits
"And after this the counterfeiting spirit contriveth and senses all sins and the evil which the rulers of the great Fate have commanded for the soul, and it makes them for the soul.
And the inner power stirs the soul to seek after the region of the Light and the whole god-head.
And the counterfeiting spirit leadeth away the soul and compels it continually to do all its lawless deeds, all its mischief and all its sin, and is persistently allotted to the soul and is hostile to it, and making it do all this evil and all these sins.
And the counterfeiting spirit leadeth away the soul and compels it continually to do all its lawless deeds, all its mischief and all its sin, and is persistently allotted to the soul and is hostile to it, and making it do all this evil and all these sins.
And it goadeth on the retributive servitors, so that they are witnesses in all the sins which it will make it do.
Moreover also if it will rest in the night [or] by day, it stirreth it in dreams or in lusts of the world, and maketh it to lust after all the things of the world.
In a word, it driveth [?] it into all the things which the rulers have commanded for it and it is hostile to the soul, making it do what pleaseth it not.
"Now, therefore, Mary, this is in fact the foe of the soul, and this compelleth it until it doeth all sins.
Christ describes the state of the sinful soul after death
"Now, therefore, if the time of that man is completed, first cometh forth the destiny and leadeth the man unto death through the rulers and their bonds with which they are bound through the Fate.
And thereafter the retributive receivers spend three days circling round with that soul in all the regions and dispatch it to all the æons of the world.
And the counterfeiting spirit and the destiny follow that soul; and the power returneth to the Virgin of Light.
And after three days the retributive receivers lead down that soul to the Amente of the Chaos; and when they bring it down to the chaos, they hand it over to those who chastize.
And the retributive receivers return unto their own regions according to the economy of the works of the rulers concerning the coming-forth of the souls.
And the counterfeiting spirit becometh the receiver of the soul, being assigned unto it and transferring it according to the chastisement because of the sins which it hath made it commit, and is in great enmity to the soul.
And when the soul hath finished the chastisements in the chaos according to the sins which it hath committed, the counterfeiting spirit leadeth it forth out of the chaos, being assigned unto it and transferring it to every region because of the sins which it hath committed; and it leadeth it forth on the way of the rulers of the midst.
And when it reacheth them, [the rulers] question it on the mysteries of the destiny; and if it hath not found them, they question their destiny.
And those rulers chastize that soul according to the sins of which it is guilty. I will tell you the type of their chastisements at the expansion of the universe.
"When, therefore, the time of the chastisements of that soul in the judgments of the rulers of the midst shall be completed, the counterfeiting spirit leadeth the soul up out of all the regions of the rulers of the midst and bringeth it before the light of the sun according to the commandment of the First Man, Yew, and bringeth it before the judge, the Virgin of Light.
And she proveth that soul and findeth that it is a sinning soul, and ceaseth her light-power into it for its standing-upright and because of the body and the community of sense, the type of which I will tell you at the expansion of the universe.
And the Virgin of Light sealeth that soul and handeth it over to one of her receivers and will have it cast into a body which is suitable to the sins which it hath committed.
"And amēn, I say unto you:
They will not discharge that soul from the changes of the body until it hath yielded its last circuit according to its merit.
Of all these then will I tell you their type and the type of the bodies into which it will be cast according to the sins of each soul. All this will I tell you when I shall have told you the expansion of the universe."
- CHAPTER 112 -
Of the Ascension after death of the good soul that has received the Mysteries
Jesus continued again in the discourse and said:
"If on the contrary it is a soul which hath not hearkened unto the counterfeiting spirit in all its works, but hath become good and hath received the mysteries of the Light which are in the second space or even those which are in the third space which is within, when the time [of the coming-forth] of that soul out of the body is completed, then the counterfeiting spirit followeth that soul, it and the destiny; and it followeth it on the way on which it will go above.
And before it removeth itself above, it uttereth the mystery of the undoing of the seals and all the bonds of the counterfeiting spirit with which the rulers have bound it to the soul; and when it is uttered, the bonds of the counterfeiting spirit undo themselves, and it ceaseth to come into that soul and releaseth the soul according to the commandments which the rulers of the great Fate have commanded it, saying:
'Release not this soul until it tell thee the mystery of the undoing of all the seals with which we have bound thee to the soul.'
"If then the soul shall have uttered the mystery of the undoing of the seals and of all the bonds of the counterfeiting spirit, and if it ceaseth to come into the soul and ceaseth to be bound to it, then it uttereth in that moment a mystery, and releaseth the destiny to its region to the rulers who are on the way of the midst.
And it uttereth the mystery and releaseth the counterfeiting spirit to the rulers of the Fate to the region in which it was bound to it.
And in that moment it becometh a great light-stream, shining exceedingly, and the retributive receivers who have led it forth out of the body, are afraid of the light of that soul and fall on their faces.
And in that moment that soul becometh a great light-stream, it becometh entirely wings of light, and penetrateth all the regions of the rulers and all the orders of the Light, until it reacheth the region of its kingdom up to which it hath received mysteries.
Of the state after death of one who has received the Mysteries, and yet, has transgressed
"If on the other hand it is a soul which hath received mysteries in the first space which is without, and if after it hath received the mysteries it hath accomplished them, it [then] turneth and committeth sin after the accomplishing of the mysteries, and if the time of the coming-forth of that soul is completed, then the retributive receivers come to lead that soul out of the body.
"And the destiny and the counterfeiting spirit follow that soul. Because the counterfeiting spirit is bound to it with the seals and the bonds of the rulers, it followeth thus that soul which travelleth on the ways with the counterfeiting spirit.
"It uttereth the mystery of the undoing of all the bonds and all the seals with which the rulers have bound the counterfeiting spirit to the soul.
"And the destiny and the counterfeiting spirit follow that soul. Because the counterfeiting spirit is bound to it with the seals and the bonds of the rulers, it followeth thus that soul which travelleth on the ways with the counterfeiting spirit.
"It uttereth the mystery of the undoing of all the bonds and all the seals with which the rulers have bound the counterfeiting spirit to the soul.
And when the soul uttereth the mystery of the undoing of the seals, straightway the bonds of the seals which are bound in the counterfeiting spirit to the soul undo themselves.
And when the soul uttereth the mystery of the undoing of the seals, straightway the counterfeiting spirit undoeth itself and ceaseth to be assigned to the soul.
And in that moment the soul uttereth a mystery and restraineth the counterfeiting spirit and the destiny and dischargeth them which follow it.
But no one of them is in its power; but it is in their power.
And in that moment the receivers of that soul come with the mysteries which it hath received, come and snatch that soul out of the hands of the retributive receivers, and the [latter] receivers go back to the works of the rulers for the purpose of the economy of the leading-forth of the souls.
And the receivers of that soul on the other hand who belong to the Light, become wings of light for that soul and become vestures of light for it and they do not lead it into the Chaos, because it is not lawful to lead into the Chaos souls which have received mysteries, but they lead it on the way of the rulers of the midst.
And when it reacheth the rulers of the midst, those rulers meet the soul, they being in great fear and violent fire and with different faces, in a word in great immeasurable fear.
And in that moment the soul uttereth the mystery of their apology. And they are exceedingly afraid and fall on their faces, being in fear of the mystery which it hath uttered, and of their apology.
And that soul surrenders their destiny, saying unto them: 'Take your destiny!
The apology of the rulers of the ways of the Midst
'I come not to your regions from this moment onwards. I have become a stranger unto you for ever, being about to go unto the region of my inheritance.'
And when the soul shall have said this, the receivers of the Light fly with it on high and lead it into the æons of the Fate, it giving every region its apology and its seals; which I will tell you at the expansion of the universe.
And it giveth the counterfeiting spirit to the rulers and telleth them the mystery of the bonds with which it is bound to it, and sayeth unto them:
The apology of the rulers of the Fate
'There have ye your counterfeiting spirit! I come not to your region from this moment onwards. I have become a stranger unto you for ever.'
And it giveth every one his seal and his apology.
"And when the soul shall have said this, the receivers of the Light fly with it on high and lead
it out of the æons of the Fate and lead it up into all the æons [above], it giving to every region its apology and the apology of all the regions and the seals to the tyrants of the king, the Adamas.And it giveth the apology of all the rulers of all the regions of the Left, whose collective apologies and seals I will one day tell you when I shall tell you the expansion of the universe.
"And moreover those receivers lead that soul to the Virgin of Light and that soul giveth the Virgin of Light the seals and the glory of the songs of praise.
And the Virgin of Light and also the seven other virgins of the Light together prove that soul and find together their signs in it and their seals and their baptisms and their chrism.
And the Virgin of Light sealeth that soul and the receivers of the Light baptize that soul and give it the spiritual chrism; and every one of the virgins of the Light sealeth it with her seals.
And moreover the receivers of the Light hand it over to the great Sabaōth, the Good, who is at the gate of the Life in the region of those of the Right, who is called 'Father.'
And that soul giveth him the glory of his songs of praise and his seals and his apologies.
And Sabaōth, the Great and Good, sealeth it with his seals.
And the soul giveth its science and the glory of the songs of praise and the seals to the whole region of those of the Right.
They all seal it with their seals; and Melchisedec, the great Receiver of the Light who is in the region of those of the Right, sealeth that soul and all the receivers of Melchisedec seal that soul and lead it into the Treasury of the Light.
"And it giveth the glory and the honor and the laud of the songs of praise and all the seals of all the regions of the Light.
And the Virgin of Light and also the seven other virgins of the Light together prove that soul and find together their signs in it and their seals and their baptisms and their chrism.
And the Virgin of Light sealeth that soul and the receivers of the Light baptize that soul and give it the spiritual chrism; and every one of the virgins of the Light sealeth it with her seals.
And moreover the receivers of the Light hand it over to the great Sabaōth, the Good, who is at the gate of the Life in the region of those of the Right, who is called 'Father.'
And that soul giveth him the glory of his songs of praise and his seals and his apologies.
And Sabaōth, the Great and Good, sealeth it with his seals.
And the soul giveth its science and the glory of the songs of praise and the seals to the whole region of those of the Right.
They all seal it with their seals; and Melchisedec, the great Receiver of the Light who is in the region of those of the Right, sealeth that soul and all the receivers of Melchisedec seal that soul and lead it into the Treasury of the Light.
"And it giveth the glory and the honor and the laud of the songs of praise and all the seals of all the regions of the Light.
And all those of the region of the Treasury of the Light seal it with their seals and it goeth unto the region of the Inheritance."
- CHAPTER 113 -
When then the Saviour had said this unto his disciples he said unto them:
"Understand ye in what manner I discourse with you?"
Mary Magdalene interprets from Christ's former sayings
And Mary again started forward and said: "Yea, my Lord, I understand in what manner thou dost discourse with me, and I will comprehend them all [sc. thy words].
Now, therefore, concerning these words which thou sayest, my mind hath brought forward four thoughts in me and my light-man hath led me and exulted and seethed, desiring to come forth out of me and enter into thee.
Now, therefore, my Lord, hearken that I may tell thee the four thoughts which have arisen in me.
The first thought hath arisen in me concerning the word which thou hast spoken:
'Now, therefore, the soul giveth the apology and seal unto all the rulers who are in the region of the king, the Adamas, and giveth the apology and the honour and the glory of all their seals and the songs of praise to the region of the Light.'
The piece of money which was brought unto Jesus
Concerning this word then thou hast spoken unto us aforetime, when they brought thee the piece of money and thou didst see that it was of silver and copper and didst ask:
'Whose is this image?'
They said: 'The king's.'
And when thou sawest that it was of silver and copper mixed, thou saidst:
'Give therefore the king's unto the king and God's unto God,'--that is: If the soul receiveth mysteries, it giveth the apology to all the rulers and to the region of the king, the Adamas; and the soul giveth the honour and the glory to all those of the region of the Light.
And the word: 'It hath glistened, when thou didst see that it is made up of silver and copper,'--it is the type thereof, that in it [sc. the soul] is the power of the Light, which is the refined silver, and that in it is the counterfeiting spirit, which is the material copper.
This, my Lord, is the first thought.
The second thought is on the other hand that which thou hast just said unto us concerning the soul which receiveth the mysteries:
'If it cometh into the region of the rulers of the way of the midst, they come forth to meet it in exceedingly great fear and they are afraid of it. And the soul giveth the mystery of the fear unto them and they are afraid before it.
And it giveth the destiny to its region, and it giveth the counterfeiting spirit to its own region, and it giveth the apology and the seals to every one of the rulers who are on the ways, and it giveth the honour and the glory and the laud of the seals and the songs of praise to all those of the region of the Light.'
And it giveth the destiny to its region, and it giveth the counterfeiting spirit to its own region, and it giveth the apology and the seals to every one of the rulers who are on the ways, and it giveth the honour and the glory and the laud of the seals and the songs of praise to all those of the region of the Light.'
Concerning this word, my Lord, thou hast spoken aforetime through the mouth of our brother Paul:
- CHAPTER 114 -
A saying of Paul
'Give tax to whom tax is due, give fear to whom fear is due, give tribute to whom tribute is due, give honour to whom honour is due, and give laud to whom laud is due, and owe not any other anything,' that is, my Lord:
The soul which receiveth mysteries, giveth apology to all regions. This, my Lord, is the second thought.
The foes of one's own house
'The counterfeiting spirit is hostile to the soul, making it do all sins and all mischiefs, and it transferreth it in the chastisements because of all the sins which it hath made it commit; in a word, it is hostile to the soul in every way.'
Concerning this word, therefore, thou hast said unto us aforetime:
'The foes of the man are the dwellers in his house,' - that is:
The dwellers in the house of the soul are the counterfeiting spirit and the destiny, which are hostile to the soul the whole time, making it commit all sin and all iniquities. Lo this, my Lord, is the third thought.
"The fourth thought on the other hand concerning the word which thou hast said:
'If the soul goeth forth out of the body and travelleth on the way with the counterfeiting spirit, and if it hath not found the mystery of the undoing of all the bonds and the seals which are bound to the counterfeiting spirit, so that it may cease to haunt or be assigned to it.
'If it then hath not found it, the counterfeiting spirit leadeth the soul to the Virgin of Light, the judge; and the judge, the Virgin of Light, proveth the soul and findeth that it hath sinned and, as she also hath not found the mysteries of the Light with it, she handeth it over to one of her receivers, and her receiver leadeth it and casteth it into the body, and it cometh not out of the changes of the body before it hath yielded its last circuit.'
Concerning this word, then, my Lord, thou hast said unto us aforetime:
A former saying concerning rebirth
'Be reconciled with thy foe as long as thou art on the way with him, lest perchance thy foe hand thee over to the judge and the judge hand thee over to the servant and the servant cast thee into prison, and thou shalt not come forth out of that region till thou hast yielded the last farthing.'
"Because of this manifestly is thy word:
Every soul which cometh forth out of the body and travelleth on the way with the counterfeiting spirit and findeth not the mystery of the undoing of all the seals and all the bonds, so that it may undo itself from the counterfeiting spirit which is bound to it; that soul which hath not found mysteries of the Light and hath not found the mysteries of detachment from the counterfeiting spirit which is bound to it.
Every soul which cometh forth out of the body and travelleth on the way with the counterfeiting spirit and findeth not the mystery of the undoing of all the seals and all the bonds, so that it may undo itself from the counterfeiting spirit which is bound to it; that soul which hath not found mysteries of the Light and hath not found the mysteries of detachment from the counterfeiting spirit which is bound to it.
If then it hath not found it, the counterfeiting spirit leadeth that soul to the Virgin of Light, and the Virgin of Light, yea that judge, handeth over that soul to one of her receivers, and her receiver casteth it into the sphere of the æons, and it cometh not out of the changes of the body before it hath yielded the last circuit which is appointed for it.
This then, my Lord, is the fourth thought."
- CHAPTER 115 -
And Mary answered and said: "My Lord, in what type then do the baptisms forgive sins?I heard thee say: 'The retributive servitors follow the soul, being witnesses to it for all the sins which it committeth, that they may convict it in the judgments.'
Now, therefore, my Lord, do the mysteries of the baptisms wipe out the sins which are in the hands of the retributive servitors, so that they forget them?
Now, therefore, my Lord, tell unto us the type, how they forgive sins; nay, we desire to know it with sureness."
Of the retributive servitors
And the Saviour answered and said unto Mary: "Finely hast thou spoken.
The servitors indeed are they who bear witness to all sins; but they abide in the judgments, seizing the souls and convicting all the souls of sinners who have received no mysteries; and they keep them fast in the Chaos, chastizing them.
And those retributive receivers cannot overstep the Chaos to reach to the orders which are above the chaos, and convict the souls which come forth out of those regions.
Now then it is not lawful to use force on the souls which receive mysteries, and lead them into the chaos, so that the retributive servitors may convict them.
But the retributive servitors convict the souls of the sinners and they keep fast those who have received no mysteries which may lead them out of the chaos.
The souls on the other hand which receive mysteries - they have no power of convicting them, because they do not come forth out of their regions, and also, if they come forth into their regions, they are not able to obstruct them; nay, they cannot lead them into that chaos.
How the soul of the sinner is stamped with his sins
"Hearken moreover that I may tell you the word in truth, in what type the mystery of baptism forgiveth sins.
Now, therefore, if the souls sin when they are still in the world, the retributive servitors indeed come and are witnesses of all the sins which the soul committeth, lest in sooth they should come forth out of the regions of the chaos, in order that they may convict them in the judgments which are outside the chaos.
And the counterfeiting spirit becometh witness of all the sins which the soul shall commit, in order that it may convict it in the judgments which are outside the chaos, not only that it may bear witness of them, but - all the sins of the souls - it sealeth the sins and maketh them fast on to the soul, in order that all the rulers of the chastisements of the sinners may recognize it.
That it is a sinning soul, and that they may know of the number of sins which it hath committed, by the seals which the counterfeiting spirit hath made fast on to it, so that it shall be chastized according to the number of sins which it hath committed.
This do they with all sinning souls.
How the Baptisms purify sins
"Now, therefore, he who shall receive the mysteries of the baptisms, then the mystery of them becometh a great, exceedingly violent, wise fire and it burneth up the sins and entereth into the soul secretly and consumeth all the sins which the counterfeiting spirit hath made fast on to it.
The separation of the portions by the Mystery of Baptism
And when it hath finished purifying all the sins which the counterfeiting spirit hath made fast on to the soul, it entereth into the body secretly and pursueth all the pursuers secretly and separateth them off on the side of the portion of the body.
For it pursueth the counterfeiting spirit and the destiny and separateth them off from the power and from the soul and putteth them on the side of the body, so that it separateth off the counterfeiting spirit and the destiny and the body into one portion; the soul and power on the other hand it separateth into another.
The mystery of baptism on the contrary remaineth in the midst of the two, continually separating them from one another, so that it maketh them clean and purifieth them, in order that they may not be stained by matter.
"Now, therefore, Mary, this is the way in which the mysteries of the baptisms forgive sins and all iniquities."
- CHAPTER 116 -
When then the Saviour had said this, he said unto his disciples:
"Understand ye in what manner I discourse with you?"
Mary interprets the same from a former saying of Christ
Then Mary started forward and said: "Yes, my Lord, in truth I inquire closely into all the words which thou sayest.
Concerning the word then of the forgiveness of sins thou hast spoken unto us in similitude aforetime, saying:
'I am come to cast fire on the earth,' and again: 'What will I that it burn?'
And again thou hast distinguished it clearly, saying:
'I have a baptism, to baptize in it; and how shall I endure until it is accomplished?
'Think ye I am come to cast peace on the earth?
'Nay, but I am come to cast division. For from now on five will be in one house; three will be divided against two, and two against three.'
This, my Lord, is the word which thou hast spoken clearly.
"The word indeed which thou hast spoken: 'I am come to cast fire on the earth, and what will I that it burn?' - that is, my Lord:
Thou hast brought the mysteries of the baptisms into the world, and thy pleasure is that they should consume all the sins of the soul and purify them.
And thereafter again thou hast distinguished it clearly, saying: 'I have a baptism, to baptize in it; and how shall I endure until it is accomplished?' - that is:
Thou wilt not remain in the world until the baptisms are accomplished and purify the perfect souls.
"And moreover the word which thou hast spoken unto us aforetime:
'Think ye I am come to cast peace on the earth?
'Nay, but I am come to cast division.' For from now on five will be in one house; three will be divided against two, and two against three,' - that is:
"Thou hast brought the mystery of the baptisms into the world, and it has effected a division in the bodies of the world, because it has separated the counterfeiting spirit, and the body, and the destiny [transits] into one portion.
The Soul and the Power on the other hand it has separated into another portion - that is: Three will be against two, and two against three."
And when Mary had said this, the Saviour said: "Well said, thou spiritual and light-pure Mary.
This is the solution of the word."
This is the solution of the word."
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[The Pistis Sophia, Part Four]