Monday, 2 October 2023

The Amēns Pistis Sophia

The Amēns Pistis Sophia




# Pistis Sophia: Unveiling the Mysteries of Amēns and Emanations

The *Pistis Sophia* is one of the most profound and enigmatic texts of Gnostic tradition, offering insight into early Christian cosmology, metaphysics, and spiritual ascent. Chapter 93, in particular, invites readers into the mysteries surrounding the twin saviors and the Amēns. These concepts, deeply symbolic, reveal the complex interplay between divine emanations and human enlightenment.

### The Significance of Amēn in Religious Traditions

The term "Amēn" resonates with rich connotations across Hebrew, Greek, and early Christian traditions. In Hebrew, *Amēn* signifies faithfulness and truth, often used to affirm divine constancy. Deuteronomy 7:9 refers to Yahweh as "the faithful God," while Isaiah 49:7 emphasizes God's unwavering reliability. For Jews, "Amēn" serves as an acronym for "El Melech Ne’eman" (Mighty, Faithful King). 

In the New Testament, *Amēn* assumes a Christological dimension. Revelation 3:14 calls Jesus "the Amen," underscoring his role as the faithful and true witness of God’s creation. The Greek term ἀμήν (*amēn*) conveys a similar affirmation of truth and trustworthiness, linking divine faithfulness with Jesus as the Logos.

### Amēn in Gnostic Cosmology

In the Gnostic tradition, the concept of Amēns takes on a multifaceted role. Certain texts, such as Justin’s *Book of Baruch*, describe Amēn as a paternal angel, one of twelve emanated by Elohim through Edem. This portrayal situates Amēn within a celestial hierarchy, alongside archangels like Michael and Gabriel. These angels are intricately connected to the spiritual cosmos, including the mysterious "five trees in Paradise," as mentioned in *The Gospel of Thomas* (Saying 19). These trees symbolize eternal truths, promising immortality to those who understand them.

The *Pistis Sophia* elevates the Amēns further, associating them with the structure of the Pleroma—the spiritual realm of divine emanations. The text describes the regions of the three Amēns and the seven Amēns, linking them to celestial and cosmic forces. For instance, the seven Amēns correspond to the seven planetary rulers or archangels, reflecting their governance over material and spiritual realms. This parallels the "seven spirits of God" in Revelation 4:5, described as lamps of fire before God's throne.

### The Twin Saviors and the Child of the Child

Another compelling aspect of Chapter 93 is the mention of the twin saviors and the mysterious "Child of the Child." These figures, though enigmatic, suggest a duality inherent in Gnostic soteriology. The twin saviors may symbolize the union of divine and human aspects, representing the spiritual ascent of the believer through gnosis. 

This theme aligns with *The Gospel of Thomas* (Saying 108), where Jesus declares, "He who drinks from my mouth will become like I am, and I will become he. And the hidden things will be revealed to him." This transformative process reflects the intimate connection between the seeker and the divine, central to Gnostic belief.

### The Five Trees and Spiritual Enlightenment

The five trees in Paradise, as mentioned in *The Gospel of Thomas* (Saying 19), hold profound significance. Their unchanging nature symbolizes eternal truths that transcend the material world. Those who "know" these trees, the text claims, will not taste death, pointing to the Gnostic promise of spiritual immortality through enlightenment.

The connection between the five trees and the Amēns is noteworthy. In the *Pistis Sophia*, these trees are associated with the emanations of the Treasury of Light, a realm of divine purity. The seven Amēns, as voices or spirits of God, serve as channels of this divine revelation, bridging the gap between the material and spiritual worlds.

### Mysteries of Emanations

The *Pistis Sophia* intricately ties the emanations of divine light to the salvation of the soul. The text describes the expansion of these emanations across regions of the Treasury of Light, guarded by saviors and angels. The twin savior, the Child of the Child, and the Amēns all play roles in this divine hierarchy, guiding the believer toward ultimate unity with the divine.

### Conclusion

Chapter 93 of the *Pistis Sophia* encapsulates the heart of Gnostic cosmology, presenting a tapestry of divine emanations, celestial beings, and spiritual truths. The Amēns, twin saviors, and enigmatic symbols like the five trees offer profound insights into the Gnostic path of enlightenment. By exploring these mysteries, the seeker embarks on a transformative journey, uncovering the divine realities that underlie existence.


To begin this study we will have an opening reading from Pistis Sophia: Chapter 93

"And that mystery knoweth why the twin-saviours have arisen and why the three Amēns have arisen.

"And that mystery knoweth why the five Trees have arisen and why the seven Amēns have arisen. 

Pistis Sophia: Unveiling the Mysteries of Amēns and Emanations

In the enigmatic world of Gnostic texts, the "Pistis Sophia" stands as a testament to the profound spiritual exploration of the early Christian era. Chapter 93 of this ancient text opens a door to the mysteries surrounding the twin-saviors and the Amēns, inviting us to delve into the intricate web of Gnostic cosmology.

The chapter begins with a tantalizing statement: "And that mystery knoweth why the twin-saviors have arisen and why the three Amēns have arisen." Immediately, we are confronted with the notion of twin-saviors and Amēns, both shrouded in deep spiritual significance.

The word "Amēn" itself has roots in Hebrew and Greek, carrying connotations of faithfulness and truth. In the Hebrew tradition, it is applied to Yahweh as "the faithful God," (Deut 7:9; Isa 49:7) emphasizing the unwavering nature of divine faithfulness. For Jews, "Amen" also serves as an acronym for "El Melech Ne’eman," meaning "Mighty, Faithful King." In the Book of Revelation, Jesus is referred to as "the Amen." Revelation 3:14, states:

"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God."

This verse presents a unique and symbolic characterization of Jesus Christ as "the Amen." In this context, "the Amen" signifies Jesus as the embodiment of truth, faithfulness, and the ultimate authority.

Hebrew 0539 אמן ‘aman aw-man’
Greek 281. ἀμήν amen [am-ane’];

So we can see from the bible that beings or persons can be called Amen. In some Gnostic texts an angel is named as the Amen:   

 The Book of Baruch by Justin

When the father knowing nothing beforehand
saw that half-virgin Edem, he burned for her,
and he the father is called Elohim,
and Edem burned equally for Elohim. Their desire
drew them to a single union of love.
From this coupling the father seeded twelve angels
for himself through Edem.
The paternal angels are Michael, Amen, Baruch, Gabriel, Esaddaeus

 The Gospel of Thomas Saying 19: Jesus said, “Congratulations to the one who came into being before coming into being. If you become my disciples and pay attention to my sayings, these stones will serve you. For there are five trees in Paradise for you; they do not change, summer or winter, and their leaves do not fall. Whoever knows them will not taste death.” The Gospel of Thomas Saying 19:Saying 19 introduces the concept of becoming a disciple of Jesus and paying attention to His sayings to gain access to hidden knowledge.
It mentions five trees in Paradise that do not change with the seasons and whose leaves do not fall, promising that those who know them will not taste death.
The paternal angels, including Amen, Michael, Baruch, Gabriel, and Esaddaeus, are associated with these five trees in Paradise.

Surprisingly, the Gnostic landscape adds another layer of complexity to the concept of Amēns. In some Gnostic texts, an angel is identified as "Amen" (amen an angel of elohim). Take, for example, Justin's "Book of Baruch," where Amen is named among the paternal angels, a celestial hierarchy of divine beings.

Further delving into Gnostic cosmology, we discover that the Amēns play a role in the structure of the Pleroma, the spiritual realm of divine emanations. The regions of the three Amēns are symbolized by the first three emanations of the Pleroma, reflecting their importance within the Gnostic framework.

Moreover, these Amēns are also associated with the seven planetary rulers or archangels, drawing parallels between the Gnostic cosmos and the celestial hierarchy found in various religious traditions. They are, in essence, the seven voices or spirits of God, as described in Revelation 4:5.

Revelation 4:5 presents a vivid image of "seven lamps of fire burning before the throne," signifying the seven Spirits of God. This connection underscores the Gnostic belief in the interconnectedness of their cosmology with elements of Judeo-Christian traditions.


The Seven Amēns as Planetary Rulers or Archangels: The text suggests that the seven Amēns can be identified with the seven planetary rulers or archangels. This concept aligns with the idea that these entities have influence over specific aspects of the material world, including celestial bodies. The seven archangels are often seen as intermediaries between the divine and the material realm in various religious and esoteric traditions.


The Seven Amēns as the Seven Spirits of God: The passage also connects the seven Amēns to the seven Spirits of God, as mentioned in Revelation 4:5 and 5:6. These seven spirits are associated with divine attributes or qualities and are seen as channels of divine revelation. In the Gnostic context, the seven Amēns may represent these aspects of divine wisdom and revelation.

Pistis Sophia: And Jesus hail not told his disciples to total expansion of the emanations of the Treasury, nor their orders, how they are extended; nor had he told them their saviors, according to the order of every one, how they are; nor had he told them what guard is at every (gate) of the Treasury of the Light; nor had he told them the region of the Twin-savior, who is the Child of the Child; nor had he told them the regions of the three Amens, in what regions they are expanded; nor had he told them into what regions the five Trees are expanded; nor as to the seven Amens, that is the seven Voices, what is their region, how they are expanded. (Pistis Sophia)

The Gospel of Thomas Saying 108. Jesus said: He who drinks from my mouth will become like I am, and I will become he. And the hidden things will be revealed to him.

The Gospel of Thomas Saying 108:Saying 108 speaks of a transformative process where those who drink from Jesus' mouth will become like Him, and hidden things will be revealed to them. This aligns with the Gnostic concept of spiritual enlightenment and ascent.

Intriguingly, the "Pistis Sophia" mentions the Twin Savior, the Child of the Child, whose regions remain a mystery. This enigmatic figure invites comparisons to sayings attributed to Jesus himself, such as Gospel of Thomas Saying 108: "He who drinks from my mouth will become like I am, and I will become he. And the hidden things will be revealed to him." This suggests a profound connection between the seeker and the divine, akin to the transformative journey described in Gnostic texts.


The Twin Saviour, Child of the Child: The text alludes to a Twin Saviour, known as the Child of the Child. This mysterious figure likely holds a central role in Gnostic salvation or enlightenment. The Gnostic belief in personal spiritual transformation and ascent may be connected to the idea that individuals can become like the Twin Saviour through a deep spiritual connection, as mentioned in Gospel of Thomas Saying 108.


Connecting the Dots:

The mention of the five trees in Paradise in Saying 19 appears to have a connection to the five Trees in Pistis Sophia Chapter 93, symbolizing spiritual knowledge and perhaps the means to attain immortality.
The presence of Amen as one of the paternal angels associated with the five trees reinforces the idea of Amen as a significant divine figure in Gnostic thought.
The Twin Saviour mentioned in Pistis Sophia Chapter 93 could be seen as an extension of the transformative process hinted at in Saying 108 of The Gospel of Thomas, where individuals can become like Jesus through deep spiritual understanding.
Overall, these passages from Pistis Sophia and The Gospel of Thomas underscore the Gnostic emphasis on acquiring hidden knowledge, spiritual transformation, and the role of divine entities, such as the Amēns and the Twin Saviour, in the quest for enlightenment and salvation.

In summary, Pistis Sophia Chapter 93 offers a glimpse into the intricate and symbolic nature of Gnostic cosmology and spirituality. It introduces us to various divine entities, including twin-saviors, Amēns, and emanations of the Pleroma, all of which play roles in the Gnostic understanding of the cosmos and the quest for spiritual knowledge and enlightenment. These concepts are deeply rooted in Gnostic mysticism and reveal the complex interplay between the material and spiritual realms in Gnostic thought.

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