Christian
Churches of God
No. B10vii
The Shepherd of Hermas Part 7
(Edition 2.0 20000414-20060722-20221006)
Completion of Similitude 9, Similitude 10, Conclusion and Summary.
Christian
Churches of God
E-mail: secretary@ccg.org
(Copyright © 2000, 2006, 2022 Wade Cox, anor)
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The Shepherd of Hermas Part 7
Chapter XIV
“What, then,
sir," I said, “if these men, being such as they are, repent and put away
their desires after these women, and return again to the virgins, and walk in
their strength and in their works, shall they not enter into the house of
God?" "They shall enter in," he said, "if they put away the
works of these women, and put on again the strength of the virgins, and walk in
their works. For on this account was
there a cessation in the building, in order that, if these repent, they may
depart into the building of the tower.
But if they do not repent, then others will come in their place, and
these at the end will be cast out. For
all these things I gave thanks to the Lord, because He had pity on all that
call upon His name; and sent the angel of repentance to us who sinned against
Him, and renewed our spirit; and when we were already destroyed, and had no
hope of life, He restored us to newness of life." "Now, sir," I
continued, "show me why the tower was not built upon the ground, but upon
the rock and upon the gate." "Are you still," he said,
"without sense and understanding?”
“I must, sir," I said, "ask you of all things, because I am
wholly unable to understand them; for all these things are great and glorious,
and difficult for man to understand." “Listen," he said: "the
name of the Son of God is great, and cannot be contained, and supports the
whole world. If, then, the whole creation is supported by the Son of God, what
think ye of those who are called by Him, and bear the name of the Son of God,
and walk in His commandments? Do you see what kind of persons He supports?
Those who bear His name with their whole heart. He Himself, accordingly, became
a foundation to them, and supports them with joy, because they are not ashamed
to bear His name."
Chapter XV
“Explain to me,
sir," I said, “the names of these virgins, and of those women who were
clothed in black raiment." "Hear," he said, “the names of the
stronger virgins who stood at the corners. The first is Faith, the second
Continence, the third Power, the fourth Patience. And the other standing in the
midst of these have the following names: Simplicity, Innocence, Purity,
Cheerfulness, Truth, Understanding, Harmony, Love. He who bears these names and
that of the Son of God will be able to enter into the kingdom of God. Hear,
also,” he continued, “the names of the women who had the black garments; and of
these four are stronger than the rest. The first is Unbelief, the second
Incontinence, the third Disobedience, the fourth Deceit. And their followers
are called Sorrow, Wickedness, Wantonness, Anger, Falsehood, Folly, Backbiting,
Hatred. The servant of God who bears these names shall see, indeed, the kingdom
of God, but shall not enter into it.” "And the stones, sir" I said,
"which were taken out of the pit and fitted into the building: what are
they?" "The first," he said, "the ten, viz., that were
placed as a foundation, are the first generation, and the twenty-five the
second generation, of righteous men; and the thirty-five are the prophets of
God and His ministers; and the forty are the apostles and teachers of the
preaching of the Son of God." "Why, then, sir," I asked,
"did the virgins carry these stones also through the gate, and give them
for the building of the tower?" “Because," he answered, "these
were the first who bore these spirits, and they never departed from each other,
neither the spirits from the men nor the men from the spirits, but the spirits
remained with them until their falling asleep.
And unless they had had these spirits with them, they would not have
been of use for the building of this tower.”
Chapter XVI
“Explain to me a
little further, sir," I said. "What is it that you desire?" he
asked. "Why, sir," I said,
“did these stones ascend out of the pit, and be applied to the building of the
tower, after having borne these spirits?" "They were obliged,"
he answered, "to ascend, through water in order that they might be made
alive; for, unless they laid aside the deadness of their life, they could not
in any other way enter into the kingdom of God.
Accordingly, those also who fell asleep received the seal of the Son of
God. For," he continued, "before
a man bears the name of the Son of God he is dead; but when he receives the seal
he lays aside his deadness and obtains life.
The seal, then, is the water: they descend into the water dead, and they
arise alive. And to them, accordingly,
was this seal preached, and they made use of it that they might enter into the
kingdom of God.” “Why, sir,” I asked, “did the forty stones also ascend with
them out of the pit, having already received the seal?” “Because,” he said.
“these apostles and teachers who preached the name of the Son of God, after
falling asleep in the power and faith of the Son of God, preached it not only
to those who were asleep, but themselves also gave them the seal of the
preaching. Accordingly they descended with them into the water, and again
ascended. [But these descended alive and rose up again alive; whereas they who
had previously fallen asleep descended dead, but rose up again alive.] By
these, then, were they quickened and made to know the name of the Son of God.
For this reason also did they ascend with them into the building of the tower,
and, untouched by the chisel, were built in along with them. For they slept in
righteousness and in great purity, but only they had not this seal. You have
accordingly the explanation of these also.”
Chapter XVII
“I understand,
sir," I replied. "Now,
sir," I continued, "explain to me, with respect to the mountains, why
their forms are various and diverse." "Listen," he said:
"these mountains are the twelve tribes, which inhabit the whole world. The
Son of God, accordingly, was preached unto them by the apostles."
"But why are the mountains of various kinds, some having one form, and
others another? Explain that to me,
sir." "Listen," he answered: “these twelve tribes that inhabit
the whole world are twelve nations. And
they vary in prudence and understanding. As numerous, then, as are the
varieties of the mountains which you saw, are also the diversities of mind and
understanding among these nations. And I
will explain to you the actions of each one." "First, sir," I said,
“explain this: why, when the mountains are so diverse, their stones, when
placed in the building, became one colour, shining like those also that had
ascended out of the pit." “Because," he said, "all the nations
that dwell under heaven were called by hearing and believing upon the name of
the Son of God. Having, therefore, received the seal, they had one
understanding and one mind; and their faith became one, and their love one, and
with the name they bore also the spirits of the virgins. On this account the
building of the tower became of one colour, bright as the sun. But after they had entered into the same
place, and became one body, certain of these defiled themselves, and were
expelled from the race of the righteous, and became again what they were
before, or rather worse."
Chapter XVIII
“How, sir," I
said, “did they become worse, after having known God?" "He that does
not know God," he answered, "and practises evil, receives a certain
chastisement for his wickedness; but he that has known God, ought not any
longer to do evil, but to do good. If, accordingly,
when he ought to do good, he does evil, does not he appear to do greater evil
than he who does not know God? For this
reason, they who have not known God and do evil are condemned to death; but
they who have known God, and have seen His mighty works, and still continue in
evil, shall be chastised doubly, and shall die for ever. In this way, then,
will the Church of God be purified. For
as you saw the stones rejected from the tower, and delivered to the evil
spirits, and cast out thence, so [they also shall be cast out, and] there shall
be one body of the purified, as the tower also became, as it were, of one stone
after its purification. In like manner
also shall it be with the Church of God, after it has been purified, and has
rejected the wicked, and the hypocrites, and the blasphemers, and the waverers,
and those who commit wickedness of different kinds. After these have been cast away, the Church
of God shall be one body, of one mind, of one understanding, of one faith, of
one love. And then the Son of God will
be exceeding glad, and shall rejoice over them, because He has received His
people pure.” “All these things, sir,” I said, “are great and glorious.
“Moreover, sir," I said, "explain to me the power and the actions of
each one of the mountains, that every soul, trusting in the Lord, and hearing
it, may glorify His great, and marvellous, and glorious name." “Hear," he said, “the diversity of the
mountains and of the twelve nations.
Chapter XIX
"From the
first mountain, which was black, they that believed are the following:
apostates and blasphemers against the Lord, and betrayers of the servants of
God. To these repentance is not open;
but death lies before them, and on this account also are they black, for their
race is a lawless one. And from the
second mountain, which was bare, they who believed are the following:
hypocrites, and teachers of wickedness.
And these, accordingly, are like the former, not having any fruits of
righteousness; for as their mountain was destitute of fruit, so also such men
have a name indeed, but are empty of faith, and there is no fruit of truth in
them. They indeed have repentance in
their power, if they repent quickly; but if they are slow in so doing, they shall
die along with the former." "Why, sir," I said, "have these
repentance, but the former not? For their actions are nearly the same."
"On this account," he said, “have these repentance, because they did
not blaspheme their Lord, nor become betrayers of the servants of God; but on
account of their desire of possessions they became hypocritical, and each one
taught according to the desires of men that were sinners. But they will suffer a certain punishment;
and repentance is before them, because they were not blasphemers or traitors.
Chapter XX
“And from the
third mountain, which had thorns and thistles, they who believed are the
following. There are some of them rich,
and others immersed in much business.
The thistles are the rich, and the thorns are they who are immersed in
much business. Those, [accordingly, who
are entangled in many various kinds of business, do not cleave to the servants
of God, but wander away, being choked by their business transactions; and the
rich cleave with difficulty to the servants of God, fearing lest these should
ask something of them. Such persons,
accordingly, shall have difficulty in entering the kingdom of God. For as it is
disagreeable to walk among thistles with naked feet, so also it is hard for
such to enter the kingdom of God. But to all these repentance, and that speedy,
is open, in order that what they did not do in former times they may make up
for in these days, and do some good, and they shall live unto God. But if they
abide in their deeds, they shall be delivered to those women, who will put them
to death.
Chapter XXI
And from the
fourth mountain, which had much grass, the upper parts of the plants green, and
the parts about the roots withered, and some also scorched by the sun, they who
believed are the following: the doubtful, and they have who have the Lord upon
their lips, but have Him not in their heart.
On this account their foundations are withered, and have no strength;
and their words alone live, while their works are dead. For as their blades, on
seeing the sun, were withered, so also the wavering, when they hear of
affliction, on account of their fear, worship idols, and are ashamed of the
name of the Lord. Such, then, are neither alive nor dead. But these also may
yet live, if they repent quickly; and if they do not repent, they are already
delivered to the women, who take away their life.
Chapter XXII
“And from the
fifth mountain, which had green grass, and was rugged, they who believed are
the following: believers, indeed, but slow to learn, and obstinate, and
pleasing themselves, wishing to know everything, and knowing nothing at
all. On account of this obstinacy of
theirs, understanding departed from them, and foolish senselessness entered
into them. And they praise themselves as
having wisdom, and desire to become teachers, although destitute of sense. On account, therefore, of this loftiness of
mind, many became vain, exalting themselves: for self-will and empty confidence
is a great demon. Of these, accordingly, many were rejected, but some repented
and believed, and subjected themselves to those that had understanding, knowing
their own foolishness. And to the rest of this class repentance is open; for
they were not wicked, but rather foolish, and without understanding. If these therefore repent, they will live
unto God; but if they do not repent, they shall have their dwelling with the
women who wrought wickedness among them.
Chapter XXIII
And those from the
sixth mountain, which had clefts large and small, and decayed grass in the
clefts, who believed, were the following: they who occupy the small clefts are
those who bring charges against one another, and by reason of their slanders
have decayed in the faith. Many of them,
however, repented; and the rest also will repent when they hear my
commandments, for their slanders are small, and they will quickly repent. But they who occupy the large clefts are
persistent in their slanders, and vindictive in their anger against each
other. These, therefore, were thrown
away from the tower, and rejected from having a part in its building. Such persons, accordingly, shall have
difficulty in living. If our God and
Lord who rules over all things, and has power over all His creation, does not
remember evil against those who confess their sins, but is merciful, does man,
who is corruptible and full of sins, remember evil against a fellow-man, as if
he were able to destroy or to save him? I, the angel of repentance, say unto
you, As many of you as are of this way of thinking, lay it aside, and repent,
and the Lord will heal our former sins, if you purify yourselves from his
demon; but if not, you will be delivered over to him for death.
Chapter XXIV
“And those who
believed from the seventh mountain, on which the grass was green and
flourishing, and the whole of the mountain fertile, and every kind of cattle
and the fowls of heaven were feeding on the grass on this mountain, and the
grass on which they pastured became more abundant, were the following: they
were always simple, and harmless, and blessed, bringing no charges against one
another, but always rejoicing greatly because of the servants of God, and being
clothed with the holy spirit of these virgins, and always having pity on every
man, and giving aid from their own labour to man, without reproach and without
hesitation. The Lord, therefore, seeing
their simplicity and all their meekness, multiplied them amid the labours of
their hands, and gave them grace in all their doings. And I, the angel of repentance, say to you
who are such, Continue to be such as these, and your seed will never be blotted
out for the Lord has made trial of you, and inscribed you in the number of us,
and the whole of your seed will dwell with the Son of God; for ye have received
of His Spirit.
Chapter XXV
"And they who
believed from the eighth mountain, where were the many fountains, and where all
the creatures of God drank of the fountains, were the following: apostles, and
teachers, who preached to the whole world, and who taught solemnly and purely
the word of the Lord, and did not at all fall into evil desires, but walked
always in righteousness and truth, according as they had received the Holy
Spirit. Such persons, therefore, shall enter in with the angels.
Chapter XXVI
And they who
believed from the ninth mountain, which was deserted, and had in it creeping
things and wild beasts which destroy men, were the following: they who had the
stains as servants, who discharged their
duty ill, and who plundered widows and orphans of their livelihood, and gained
possessions for themselves from the ministry, which they had received. If,
therefore they remain under the dominion of the same desire, they are dead, and
there is no hope of life for them; but if they repent, and finish their
ministry in a holy manner, they shall be able to live. And they who were covered with scabs are
those who have denied their Lord, and have not returned to Him again; but
becoming withered and desert-like, and not cleaving to the servants of God, but
living in solitude, they destroy their own souls. For as a vine, when left within an enclosure,
and meeting with neglect, is destroyed, and is made desolate by the weeds, and
in time grows wild, and is no longer of any use to its master, so also are such
men as have given themselves up, and become useless to their Lord, from having
contracted savage habits. These men,
therefore, have repentance in their power, unless they are found to have denied
from the heart; but if anyone is found to have denied from the heart, I do not
know if he may live. And I say this not
for these present days, in order that anyone who has denied may obtain
repentance, for it is impossible for him to be saved who now intends to deny
his Lord; but to those who denied Him long ago, repentance seems to be
possible. If, therefore, any one intends
to repent, let him do so quickly, before the tower is completed for if not, he
will be utterly destroyed by the women. And the chipped stones are the
deceitful and the slanderers and the wild beasts, which you saw on the ninth
mountain are the same.
For as wild beasts
destroy and kill a man by their poison, so also do the words of such men
destroy and ruin a man. These, accordingly, are mutilated in their faith, on
account of the deeds which they have done in themselves; yet some repented, and
were saved. And the rest, who are of such a character, can be saved if they
repent; but if they do not repent, they will perish with those women, whose
strength they have assumed.
Chapter XXVII
“And from the
tenth mountain, where were trees which overshadowed certain sheep, they who believed
were the following: bishops given to hospitality, who always gladly received
into their houses the servants of God, without dissimulation. And the bishops never failed to protect, by
their service, the widows, and those who were in want, and always maintained a
holy conversation. All these,
accordingly, shall be protected by the Lord forever. They who do these things are honourable
before God, and their place is already with the angels, if they remain to the
end serving God.
Chapter XXVIII
“And from the
eleventh mountain, where were trees full of fruits, adorned with fruits of
various kinds, they who believed were the following: they who suffered for the
name of the Son of God, and who also suffered cheerfully with their whole
heart, and laid down their lives." "Why, then, sir," I said,
"do all these trees bear fruit, and some of them fairer than the rest?”
Listen," he said “all who once suffered for the name of the Lord are
honourable before God; and of all these the sins were remitted, because they
suffered for the name of the Son of God. And why their fruits are of various
kinds, and some of them superior, listen.
All," he continued, "who were brought before the authorities
and were examined, and did not deny, but suffered cheerfully - these are held
in greater honour with God, and of these the fruit is superior; but all who
were cowards, and in doubt, and who reasoned in their hearts whether they would
deny or confess, and yet suffered, of these the fruit is less, because that
suggestion came into their hearts for that suggestion - that a servant should
deny his Lord is evil. Have a care,
therefore, ye who are planning such things, lest that suggestion remain in your
hearts, and ye perish unto God. And ye
who suffer for His name ought to glorify God, because He deemed you worthy to
bear His name, that all your sins might be healed. [Therefore, rather deem
yourselves happy], and think that ye have done a great thing, if any of you
suffer on account of God. The Lord bestows upon you, life, and ye do not
understand, for your sins were heavy; but if you had not suffered for the name
of the Lord, ye would have died to God on account of your sins. These things I
say to you who are hesitating about denying or confessing: acknowledge that ye
have the Lord, lest, denying Him, ye be delivered up to prison. If the heathen
chastise their slaves, when one of them denies his master, what, think ye, will
your Lord do, who has authority over all men? Put away these counsels out of
your hearts, that you may live continually unto God.
Chapter XXIX
“And they who
believed from the twelfth mountain, which was white, are the following: they
are as infant children, in whose hearts no evil originates; nor did they know
what wickedness is, but always remained as children. Such accordingly, without doubt, dwell in the
kingdom of God, because they defiled in nothing the commandments of God; but
they remained like children all the days of their life in the same mind. All of
you, then, who shall remain steadfast, and be as children, without doing evil,
will be more honoured than all who have been previously mentioned; for all
infants are honourable before God, and are the first persons with Him. Blessed, then, are ye who put away wickedness
from yourselves, and put on innocence.
As the first of all will you live unto God."
After he had
finished the similitudes of the mountains, I said to him, "Sir, explain to
me now about the stones that were taken out of the plain, and put into the
building instead of the stones that were taken out of the tower; and about the
round stones that were put into the building; and those that still remain
round."
Chapter XXX
“Hear," he
answered, "about all these also.
The stones taken out of the plain and put into the building of the tower
instead of those that were rejected, are the roots of this white mountain. When, therefore, they who believed from the
white mountain were all found guileless, the Lord of the tower commanded those
from the roots of this mountain to be cast into the building of the tower; for
he knew that if these stones were to go to the building of the tower, they
would remain bright, and not one of them become black. But if he had so
resolved with respect to the other mountains, it would have been necessary for
him to visit that tower again, and to cleanse it. Now all these persons were found white who
believed, and who will yet believe, for they are of the same race. This is a happy race, because it is innocent.
Hear now, further, about these round, and shining stones. All these also are
from the white mountain. Hear, moreover,
why they were found round: because their riches had obscured and darkened them
a little from the truth, although they never departed from God nor did any evil
word proceed out of their mouth, but all justice, virtue and truth. When the Lord, therefore, saw the mind of
these persons, that they were born good, and could be good, He ordered their
riches to be cut down, not to be taken away forever, that they might be able to
do some good with what was left them; and they will live unto God, because they
are of a good race. Therefore were they
rounded a little by the chisel, and put in the building of the tower.
Chapter XXXI
But the other
round stones, which had not yet been adapted to the building of the tower, and
had not yet received the seal, were for this reason put back into their place,
because they are exceedingly round. Now this age must be cut down in these
things, and in the vanities of their riches, and then they will meet in the
kingdom of God; for they must of necessity enter into the kingdom of God,
because the Lord has blessed this innocent race. Of this race, therefore, no one will perish;
for although any of them be tempted by the most wicked devil, and commit sin,
he will quickly return to his Lord. I
deem you happy, I, who am the messenger of repentance, whoever of you are
innocent as children, because your part is good, and honourable before
God. Moreover, I say to you all, who
have received the seal of the Son of God, be clothed with simplicity, and be
not mindful of offences, nor remain in wickedness. Lay aside, therefore, the recollection of
your offences and bitterness, and you will be formed in one spirit. And heal and take away from you those wicked
schisms, that if the Lord of the flocks come, He may rejoice concerning
you. And He will rejoice, if He find all
things sound, and none of you shall perish.
But if He find any one of these sheep strayed, woe to the shepherds! And
if the shepherds themselves have strayed, what answer will they give Him for
their flocks? They will not be believed, for the thing is incredible that a
shepherd could suffer from his flock; rather will he be punished on account of
his falsehood. And I myself am a
shepherd, and I am under a most stringent necessity of rendering an account of
you.
Chapter XXXII
“Heal yourselves,
therefore, while the tower is still building.
The Lord dwells in men that love peace, because He loved peace; but from
the contentious and the utterly wicked He is far distant. Restore to Him, therefore, a spirit sound as
ye received it. For when you have given
to a fuller a new garment, and desire to receive it back entire at the end, if,
then, the fuller return you a torn garment, will you take it from him, and not
rather be angry, and abuse him, saying ‘I gave you a garment that was entire:
why have you rent it, and made it useless, so that it can be of no use on
account of the rent which you have made in it?' Would you not say all this to
the fuller about the rent which you found in your garment? If, therefore, you
grieve about your garment, and complain because you have not received it
entire, what do you think the Lord will do to you, who gave you a sound spirit,
which you have rendered altogether useless, so that it can be of no service to
its possessor? For its use began to be unprofitable, seeing it was corrupted by
you. Will not the Lord, therefore, because of this conduct of yours regarding
His Spirit, act in the same way, and deliver you over to death? Assuredly, I say, he will do the same to all
those whom He shall find retaining a recollection of offences. Do not trample
His mercy under foot, He says, but rather honour Him, because He is so patient
with your sins, and is not as ye are.
Repent, for it is useful to you.
Chapter XXXIII
“All these things
which are written above, I the Shepherd, the messenger of repentance, have
showed and spoken to the servants of God. If therefore ye believe, and listen
to my words, and walk in them, and amend your ways, you shall have it in your
power to live: but if you remain in wickedness, and in the recollection of
offences, no sinner of that class will live unto God. All these words which I had to say have been
spoken unto you."
The Shepherd said
to me, "Have you asked me everything?" And I replied, " Yes,
sir." “Why did you not ask me about the shape of the stones that were put
into the building, that I might explain to you why we filled up the
shapes?" And I said, "I forgot, sir." “Hear now, then," he
said, "about this also. These are
they who have now heard my commandments, and repented with their whole hearts.
And when the Lord saw that their repentance was good and pure, and that they
were able to remain in it, He ordered their former sins to be blotted out. For
these shapes were their sins, and they were levelled down, that they might not
appear."
*************
Similitude 9
The
Holy Spirit (No. 117) is
an attribute of God and is God's power. It is the First part of the creation of
God in order to enable the Sons of God to be created and attached to the Father.
Christ said: “If you have seen me you have seen the Father” (Jn. 14:9).
Therefore, Christ also has the same characteristics of the Father flowing through
the Holy Spirit (see How God Became a Family
(No. 187)).
The angel shows
Hermas the 12 mountains of various colours, which represent the 12 tribes of
Israel. From each mountain, pieces are brought to the 12 virgins who are at the
gate. The pieces are given to the virgins who carry them through the gate. Like
the elders of the council of 24, the virgins are placed 2 between each of the
gates. There are 4 virgins at the corner of the gates, like the 4 living
creatures. Again, like the building of
the tower, which was shown in the visions, there are 6 men who instruct a
multitude of men. They are the seraphim under Christ instructing the other
angels. The Shepherd then tells that there are 10 shining rectangular stones,
which were placed. Then 25 stones came
out of the pit, and then 35 more along with the rock and the gate (2 = God and
Christ). This is symbolic of the rock being God, the gate being Christ (we have
to go through Christ to get to the Father). The numbers 2+10+25+35=72. This is
the same as the Council of God and represents the sacrifices of the feasts of
the year and the Council of the Elohim, the Sanhedrin; The Council of the
Seventy of the Churches of God and the compilation of the 144,000 (see No. 120).
The pieces of the
mountain lost their colour and became as one (appearance of white). Just as we
are all of different tribes, in God’s Kingdom there will be no colour; we will
be as one (as we go towards purity and being of one accord, likeminded and all
being towards God's perfection). The stones of the tower had an appearance of a
monolith (which means consisting of a single rock/pillar or column). Everything about the tower must be
smooth. This represents the Church with
Christ at the head. When we are
resurrected we will all be spirit beings, all sons of God, and being
representatives of the Government of God, under Christ (see the paper The Government of God (No. 174)).
The rock and the gate are the Son of God. We
know that God is the rock on which the Church is formed. Christ is the
cornerstone (1Pet.2:4) that it is built upon also. Therefore, the question
comes to mind as to why Hermas is told that Christ is the rock and the gate. It
makes sense that Christ is the gate because as quoted above all must go through
Christ to reach the Father. The use of rock here refers back to Daniel 2:44-45
to the great stone cut from the mountain by no human hand that strikes the idol
and destroys it and sets up an empire that will last forever. Christ and all
the sons of God are older than all of the creatures of creation, because they were
the first created by God of all beings. After the earth became tohu and bohu or waste and void (Gen 1:1), Christ and others of the elohim
were sent to refurbish the earth for Christ was a counsellor with the Father in
God's work of creation. For this reason he is older (see Similitude 5, chapter
6). The gate is new because Christ
returns to mark his Millennium, and we must enter through the Gate (Christ) in
order to serve with him (see F043v, vi, F066v).
Hermas is told
that no one shall enter the Kingdom of God unless he receives His holy name.
This is done through baptism and we are all given new names, and are clothed
with the laying on of hands, and our new names are in the Book of Life (Rev.
20:12).
We must be as
smooth as one stone; having the appearance of one solid stone. We must all have
the same characteristic, equally yoked, pulling together in harmony and being
likeminded. "If you have seen me you have seen the Father, Being of one
accord". God and Christ are of the
same accord, in perfect harmony. Men cannot otherwise be found in the Kingdom
of God unless these have put their clothing upon them. If we receive the name
only and do not receive from them the clothing, they are of no advantage to
us. The virgins are the POWERS of the
Son of God. If we bear His name but
posses not His power, it will be in vain that we bear His name.
By receiving and
living by the fruits of the Spirit, we are made strong and are of one spirit. The
virgins are the spirits, (love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness,
faith, meekness, and temperance). Hermas is told that the virgins are as
follows:
Faith
Continence,
Power and (2Tim.
1:7) Spirit of love, power and of a sound mind.)
Patience (being
the 4 strong virgins at the gates)
The others are:
Simplicity
Innocence
Purity
Cheerfulness
Truth
Understanding
Harmony and
Love
The black clothed
women are those of Satan.
Unbelief
Incontinence
Disobedience
Deceit (these are
the 4 stronger women)
The others are:
Sorrow
Wickedness
Wantonness
Anger
Falsehood
Folly
Back-biting
Hatred
Those who bear
these names will not see the Kingdom of God. The ministers of the Churches of
God that foster a party dispute and divisions in the Churches of God, with
slander and gossip, engender this sin and will be removed. Thus was Sardis, in
the Twentieth Century, which had to be destroyed and dispersed.
The tower is the
Church; the virgins are the Holy Spirits that have characteristics and nature
of God which is the power of God. Christ through his inheritance and obedience
to the Heavenly Father has received these powers.
For us to be joint
heirs we must obey God the Father, keep His commandments and develop His
characteristics (the fruits of His Spirit) (see the Fruit of the
Holy Spirit (No. 146)), and be of like mind as Christ and the Father
are so we can one day help humans during the Millennium. In the end God will be
All in All (1Cor. 12:6) and no one will perish because God is perfect and His
plan is perfect and the Elect are to become Elohim
(No. 001) (see Plan of Salvation No.
001A)).
We know that the
Elect will bear the name of God (Revelation 22:4); and that they walk in God's Commandments
and the Faith and Testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:17; 14:12). They are
those who wash their robes, and have the right to the tree of life and they may
enter the city by the gates of the City of God (Rev. 22:14). Christ became the cornerstone, not the
foundation of the City, as God was the rock upon which the City was built.
Chapter 14,
Similitude 9, the reference of the paragraph, "the name of the Son of God
is great, and cannot be contained, and supports the whole world. If, then the whole creation is supported by
the Son of God, what think you of those who are by Him, and bear the name of
the Son of God, and walk in His commandments?
Do you see what kind of person He supports? Those who bear His name with
their whole heart. He Himself, accordingly, became a foundation to them, and
supports them with joy, because they are not ashamed to bear His
name".
The Sons of God
were a multitude and were all summoned with the Morning Stars to be present
before God when He created the whole earth (Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:4-7; Gen. 1:1;
Prov. 30:4-5). That creation became tohu
and bohu or waste and desolate (Gen,
1:2). God then sent the elohim under the being who became Christ to refurbish
it (Gen. 1:3ff). God planned for all the Adamic Creation to become Elohim. And
he allocated the Nation of Israel to be created from the loins of Abraham. He had
allocated the Son of God that was to become Messiah as the Star that was to
come out of Jacob (Num. 24:17). He then allocated the Nation of Israel to be
his inheritance when he allocated the nations to the others sons of God (Deut.
32:8).
Israel was to
become the Vineyard of God where the Holy Spirit as the Son in this text sees
the Slave allotted to the vineyard and the other sons as the Angels of God
allotted with him to be the stays and support for the vineyard as we see here
(see also Israel as the Vineyard of
God (No. 001C)).
A simple error
arising from the Shepherd above is to assume that the description of the twelve
mountains that are part of the tower and which are the twelve tribes of Israel
are one of each tribe. These characteristics are from Genesis 49 and
Deuteronomy 33 and would then be allotted as follows.
Black as
soot: The apostates, blasphemers, betrayers
and are lawless people. This might be allotted as the Tribe of Simeon.
Bare, without
grass, no fruit of righteousness, but can repent quickly. This might be
allotted to the Tribe of Reuben.
Thorn and
thistles, cares for riches and wanders about; (the Tribe of Asher).
Grass half wilted,
half green. Having God upon their lips but not in their heart. Words live,
their works are dead; (the Tribe of Napthali).
Green grass, yet
ragged. Are believers, but are slow to learn and can be foolish; (the Tribe of
Gad).
Full of clefts of
different sizes, grassy, plants, not growing vigorous, but are decayed. They
make charges against each other and yet will repent; (the Tribe of Issachaar).
Cheerful pastures
with blooming vegetation, the creatures are plentiful. There is a simple life
and meekness; (the Tribe of Joseph).
Full of fountains,
the apostles and teachers; (the Tribe of Judah).
No water with
deadly serpents. Possessions are gained from their ministry, yet they can still
repent; (the Tribe of Dan).
Large tree,
completely shaded with sheep resting and ruminating. They serve God and receive
servants of God. They are protected; (the Tribe of Levi).
Thick woods, trees
that produce fruit. These have suffered
in the name of Christ; (the Tribe of Zebulun).
Wholly white, beautiful
and cheerful. Pure, and infantile; (the Tribe of Benjamin).
This would be
wholly unfair to the tribes and the explanation is far more complex. One
notices that the descriptions refer to the nations that comprise them. These
are the characteristics of the nations that come into the twelve tribes equally
and severally.
The answer is that
the twelve tribes are given to the Apostles as the nucleus of the nations of
the world. The nations are then called into each tribe and carry all these
characteristics. These groups are listed in Revelation ch. 7. The numbers of the 144,000 which are
comprised of the 72 of the major sacrifices each year over the 2000 years (as
above (and Part VI)) (see # 120) are listed as
12,000, per tribe with the Great Multitude also allocated to each tribe. These
of the elect, that cannot be numbered overall, are allocated to a tribe with
the tribe of Joseph split and the tribe of Manasseh separated and the tribe of Dan
included with Ephraim to retain the composite tribe of Joseph and allow Levi to
take part with 12,000.
Dan also is given
the judgment of the nation of Israel as its birthright promise. Ephraim was
also promised the birthright of the status of a company of Nations as the focus
of the Gentile conversion (Gen. 48:15-16).
SIMILITUDE TENTH: CONCERNING
REPENTANCE AND ALMS-GIVING
Chapter I
After I had fully
written down this book, that messenger who had delivered me to the Shepherd
came into the house in which I was, and sat down upon a couch, and the Shepherd
stood on his right hand. He then called
me, and spoke to me as follows: "I have delivered you and your house to
the Shepherd, that you may be protected by him." "Yes, sir," I
said. "If you wish, therefore, to
be protected," he said, from all annoyance, and from all harsh treatment,
and to have success in every good work and word, and to possess all the virtues
of righteousness, walk in these commandments which he has given you, and you
will be able to subdue all wickedness.
For if you keep those commandments, every desire and pleasure of the
world will be subject to you, and success will attend you in every good
work. Take unto yourself his experience
and moderation, and say to all that he is in great honour and dignity with God,
and that he is a president with great power, and mighty in his office. To him alone throughout the whole world is
the power of repentance assigned. Does
he seem to you to be powerful? But you
despise his experience, and the moderation which he exercises towards you.”
Chapter II
I said to him,
"Ask himself, sir, whether from the time that he has entered my house I
have done anything improper, or have offended him in any respect." He
answered, "I also know that you neither have done nor will do anything
improper, and therefore I speak these words to you, that you may
persevere. For he had a good report of
you to me, and you will say these words to others, that they also who have either
repented or will still repent may entertain the same feelings with you, and he
may report well of these to me, and I to the Lord." And I said, “Sir, I
make known to every man the great works
of God: and I hope that all those Who
love them, and have sinned before, on hearing these words, may repent, and
receive life again." "Continue, therefore, in this ministry and
finish it. And all who follow out his commands shall have life, and great
honour with the Lord. But those who do
not keep his commandments, flee from his life, and despise him. But he has his own honour with the, Lord. All,
therefore, who shall despise him, and not follow his commands, deliver
themselves to death, and every one of them will be guilty of his own blood. But I enjoin you, that you obey his commands,
and you will have a cure for your former sins.
Chapter III
“Moreover, I sent
you these virgins, that they may dwell with you. For I saw that they were
courteous to you. You will therefore
have them as assistants, that you may be the better able to keep his commands: for
it is impossible that these commandments can be observed without these
virgins. I see, moreover, that they
abide with you willingly; but I will also instruct them not to depart at all
from your house: do you only keep your house pure, as they will delight to
dwell in a pure abode. For they are
pure, and chaste, and industrious, and have all influence with the Lord. Therefore, if they find your house to be
pure, they will remain with you; but if any defilement, even a little, befall
it, they will immediately withdraw from your home. For these virgins do not at all like any
defilement." I said to him, "I hope, sir, that I will please them, so
that they may always be willing to inhabit my house. And as he to whom you entrusted me has no
complaint against me, so neither will they have." He said to the Shepherd
“I see that the servant of God wishes to live, and to keep these commandments,
and will place these virgins in a pure habitation." When he had spoken
these words he again delivered me to the Shepherd, and called those virgins,
and said to them, "Since I see that you are willing to dwell in his house,
I commend him and his house to you, asking that you withdraw not at all from
it." And the virgins heard these words with pleasure.
Chapter IV
The angel then
said to me, "Conduct yourself manfully in this service, and make known to
everyone the great things of God, and you will have favour in this
ministry. Whoever, therefore, shall walk
in these commandments, shall have life, and will be happy in his life; but
whosoever shall neglect them shall not have life, and will be unhappy in this
life. Enjoin all, who are able to act
rightly, not to cease well-doing; for, to practise good works is useful to
them. And I say that every man ought to be saved from inconveniences. For both he who is in want, and he who
suffers inconveniences in his daily life, is in great torture and
necessity. Whoever, therefore, rescues a
soul of this kind from necessity, will gain for himself great joy. For he who
is harassed by inconveniences of this kind, suffers equal torture with him who
is in chains. Moreover many, on account
of calamities of this sort, when they could not endure them, hasten their own
deaths. Whoever, then, knows a calamity
of this kind afflicting a man, and does not save him, commits a great sin, and
becomes guilty of his blood. Do good works, therefore, ye who have received
good from the Lord; lest, while ye delay to do them, the building of the tower
be finished, and you be rejected from the edifice: there is now no other tower
a-building. For on your account was the
work of building suspended. Unless,
then, you make haste to do rightly, the tower will be completed, and you will
be excluded." After he had spoken with me he rose up from the couch, and
taking the Shepherd and the virgins, he departed. But he said to me that he would send back the
Shepherd and the virgins to my dwelling. Amen
************
Similitude 10
If we keep the Commandments
of God and these developments regarding them, every desire and pleasure of the
world will be subject to us, and success will attend us in every good
work. Tell all that God is great, that
Christ is the appointed president with great power and mighty in his
office. To him and this shepherd as
angelic authority throughout the whole world is the power of repentance
assigned. Share these words with others
that they may repent and have the same feelings as those who have repented. One
cannot follow the commandments without the virgins in the Holy Spirit. These
are elements of the Seven Spirits. If our house is pure they will remain, but
if it has any defilement, even a little, the virgins will leave.
Whoever shall walk
in these commandments shall have life. Do good deeds, for God will reward those
who do these things.
Conclusion
Although there are
some mistranslations in the paper, such as reference to the Holy Spirit being
“him” and several renderings that are derived from Trinitarian translators in
things that are mentioned. The Shepherd
of Hermas is a book of the Bible that should be translated correctly and placed
in the Bible where it once helped those to learn how to conduct themselves in
the faith and live a life to God. There are many powerful lessons to be learned
in this book, and it should now be shared with the Christians who walk in God’s
wonderful words and are living the Commandments and following the example
Christ set for us when he was on the earth.
(see
Gender of the Holy Spirit
(No. 155))
Summary
The
Shepherd of Hermas is a Monotheist Unitarian Document that follows the monotheist
unitarianism of the Bible exactly. It develops the Commandments and the Law of
God (L1) to a higher level in the Church of God under Christ. It should be obvious from reading Hermas why,
in the Twentieth Century, God declared the Sardis and Laodicean systems dead
and lukewarm (Rev. 3:1, 15,16) and spewed them from his Mouth, due to their
heresy, gossip, slander and defamation and refusal to keep God’s Calendar
(No. 156).
Hermas
was removed in the Fifth Century from general distribution because it could not
be forged or altered to permit the Antinomian Gnostic theology and its
developed Binitarian-Trinitarian (No
076) theology to advance universally. It follows the theological
pattern of the Gospels as seen in the Summary and Harmony of the Gospels in F043vi. There is
only One True God whom no man can see or ever has seen. “There is no being
equal to or coeternal with this being named Eloah (or Elahh in
the Chaldean (see Ezra chs. 4-7)). The name is singular and admits of no
plurality whatsoever (see the Names of God (No. 116) and
the Name of God
in Islam (No. 054)). He has nothing coeval with himself, as Irenaeus
said ([Ps. 33:6]. (Adv. Haer., III, viii, 3)),
based on the early Christian Theology of the Bible texts (see Early Theology of the
Godhead (No. 127)). This is the God of the Temple at Jerusalem
and The God We
Worship (No. 002). All other views are idolatrous, being Polytheist.
This is explained in The Shema (No. 002b),
which forms the basis of the Theology of Scripture. All other theology
elevating any of the Host, including Christ, is idolatrous. No man has ever
seen God, or heard His voice. He dwells in unapproachable light. The Bible is
clear that anyone holding other than this monotheist view of God is excluded
from the kingdom of God (Deut. 6:4-5; Jn. 1:18; Jn. 17:3; 1Tim. 6:16; 1Jn.
5:20). Knowing the One True God and Jesus Christ whom He sent is critical
to Eternal Life
(No. 133) in the elect. Hence He is called the Most High, or Elyon.
See The First
Commandment: The Sin of Satan (No. 153).
Creation
The
Creation (B5) was made
according to the Omniscience of the One True God. The term One True God means
that there is only One Being who is a True God. He is the only God. He was self
existent and therefore Immortal (Jn. 5:26; 1Tim. 6:16). He created all the sons
of God which are a class of beings termed Elohim (Elahhin chald) or
Gods, translated Theos (sing.) and Theoi (pl.) in the Greek. None of these
Elohim are True Gods as they were creations of the One True God Eloah who, when
He created the class of beings called Elohim became Ha Elohim or The God as the
Centre of the spiritual creation tied together by the Holy Spirit. He has
granted Christ to have life in himself which he did not possess from his
creation (Jn. 5:26 and On Immortality
(No.165)). The Koine Greek invented by the LXX elders of Judah at
Alexandria to translate the OT as the Septuagint (LXX), and the NT Greek, using
the LXX, referred to Ha Elohim as Ton Theon in the accusative
case and the subordinate elohim in the nominative case as theos or theoi
without the definite article. This fact is ignored by most translators
(cf. How God
Became a Family (No. 187)). It is important to understand
what is being said in the Bible texts and the Ditheists, Binitarians and
Trinitarians and Radical Unitarians misuse the Scriptures to deceive mankind (Binitarian and
Trinitarian Misuse of Scripture On the Early Theology of the Godhead (No. 127B)). The
net effect is that if one falls for the false doctrines then one is removed
from the ex anastasin or First Resurrection (No.
143A).
God
Created the Universe and when He created the planet Earth (B5) and the Solar
system He summoned all the Sons of God and their Morning Stars to be present
(Job 38:4-7; Prov. 30:4-5). Satan was among them with the entire Host (Job.
1:6; 2:1). Satan had been allocated the Earth as his domain over which he was
the elohim (2Cor. 4:4) and Lucifer, Light
Bearer and Morning Star (No. 223)); (F043vi).
The Law
The
instructions of Christ in Hermas developing the Two Great Commandments and the
Ten Commandments develop as follows.
The Ten
Commandments with Two Great Commandments:
First Great: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, your mind and
your being (No. 252).
The first four represents love
towards God:
Second Great: Love your neighbour as
yourself (No. 257).
The last six represent love
towards your neighbour:
The Twelve Commandments in Hermas from Christ’s
teachings:
(First and Second Great Commandments to be
tried in activity under the Ten Commandments).
There
is no way that the Laws of God can be ignored or done away and the Antinomians
could not accommodate Hermas for all of the above laws and reasons.
q