The Parable of the Fallen Watchers 1Enoch

The parable of the fallen Watchers

The words of the blessing of Enoch, wherewith he blessed the elect ⌈and⌉ righteous, who will be living in the day of tribulation, when all the wicked ⌈and godless⌉ are to be removed. 2. And he took up his parable and said--Enoch a righteous man, whose eyes were opened by God, saw the vision of the Holy One in the heavens, ⌈which⌉ the angels showed me, and from them I heard everything, and from them I understood as I saw, but not for this generation, but for a remote one which is for to come. 
3. Concerning the elect I said, and took up my parable concerning them but not for this generation, but for a remote one which is for to come. (in the Last Days)."

The Last Days

1Enoch 1:3. Concerning the elect I said, and took up my parable concerning them but not for this generation, but for a remote one which is for to come.

(The generation "to come" that Enoch alludes to in Verse 3 above is the generation from "323 BC to 77 AD, you will remember that God said to Abraham that after 400 years He would deliver Israel, "...in the fourth generation." Genesis 15:13-16 A generation in the Bible is normally 40 years long. However, here a generation is 100 years according to Genesis 15:13-16 (4 x 100 = 400 years) . Thus the generation spoken of in the book of Enoch is 400 years long. If you start from 323 BC (the year Alexander the Great died), adding 400 years would bring you to 77 AD.

The Book of Enoch is not a record of the pre-flood history of the world it is an apocalyptic record about the last days of the Jewish people

The writers of the apocalyptic books glances at the contemporary history of the world around him, to which many a cryptic reference is made. However, these references are only made with a view to comforting the oppressed and affected with the thought that even the mightiest of earthly powers are shortly to be overthrown by the advent of the new and glorious era. So that every reference to the present is merely a position taken up from which to point to the future

The Book of Enoch should first be understood as history allegorized which is the nature of apocalyptic literature. Secondly it can be understood as a prophecy of the End Times therefore we can read again

but not for this generation, but for a remote one which is for to come. (in the Last Days)."] (The generation "to come" that Enoch alludes to in Verse 3. above is the generation from the time of the death of Alexander the Great to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70AD ending in 77AD not our Generation.


“‘And in the last days,’ God says, ‘I shall pour out some of my spirit upon every sort of flesh . . . And I will give signs in heaven above and signs on earth below, blood and fire and smoke mist; the sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the great day of the Lord arrives.’” (Ac 2:16-20)

In this case “the last days” preceded “the great day of the Lord” which “day” apparently brought “the last days” to their conclusion. (Compare Zep 1:14-18; Mal 4:5; Mt 11:13, 14;)

Since Peter addressed natural Jews and Jewish converts, his words must have had particular reference to them and evidently indicated that they were living in “the last days” of the then-existing Jewish system of things with its center of worship at Jerusalem.

Thus the Book of Enoch deals with the last days of Jewish system of worship it does not deal with the last days meaning the end of the world

Parable

And he took up his parable and said....Concerning the elect I said, and took up my parable concerning them 1st Enoch 1:2,3

The parable is concerning the Elect on the subject of or in connection with; the Elect it is about them and meant for them alone

what does parable mean?

a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson,

English “proverb” or “parable.”

A “proverb” embodies a truth in expressive language, often metaphorically, and a “parable” is a comparison or similitude, a short, usually fictitious, story from which a moral or spiritual truth is drawn.

"And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the demons casteth he out demons. And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?" (Mark 3: 22, 23).’

The Book of Enoch should be understood in the same way we would understand the book of Revelation

Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show to his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel to his servant John: (Revelation 1:1 AVKJ) 

"Signified it." That is, revealed it by many signs and symbols which he deems to be comprehensible and enlightening to the " bondservants " as to " scribes instructed unto the kingdom of heaven " (Matt. 13:52), who bring out of their treasures (the Scriptures) things new and old. "

He indicated them by sign:

A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place. And he sent his angel and presented it in signs through him to his slave John (Revelation 1:1 NWT)

"It was not sent in plain form, but in an enigma or sign form. To 'signify' is to represent by sign or symbol. That this is what is meant by the use of the verb 'signify' in this case is shown conclusively by what John saw and heard. He saw certain things which he describes, and concerning these he is repeatedly informed that the mystery or meaning of what he saw was this and that

The same method of imparting knowledge was delivered to the prophets —Hos. 12:10.

Since the book of Enoch is described as a parable it should not be understood literally it must be understood from a symbolic point of view. The fallen Watchers are not supernatural beings but symbolic of the fallen Jewish Priesthood linked to the events before and after the Maccabean Revolt 

Symbols decoded in the book of Enoch 

[Chapter 6]

1st enoch 1 And it came to pass when the children of men had multiplied that in those days were born unto 2 them beautiful and comely daughters. And the Watchers, the children of the heaven, saw and lusted after them, and said to one another: 'Come, let us choose us wives from among the children of men 3 and beget us children

Ascending to heaven and falling from heaven are Biblical idioms often used for increasing in pride and being humbled respectively - see Job 20: 6; Jeremiah 51:53 ( about Babylon); Lamentations 2 :1; Matthew 11:23 (about

Capernaum): “Thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell” (the grave). Ecclesiasticus 50:6

describes Simon ben Onias being "as the morning star in the midst of a cloud and as the moon at the full". Adam Clarke's

commentary rightly notes: "The truth is, the text speaks nothing at all concerning Satan nor his fall... but of the pride, arrogance

and fall of Nebuchadnezza

Falling from heaven is figurative of losing authority, e.g. it is used about the demise of the king of Babylon in Isaiah 14. See also Lamentations 2:1 and Jeremiah 51:53.

From this we can now understand Enoch chapter 6 the expression the children of heaven from Lamentations 2:1 the children of heaven would be the levitical priesthood. 

Luke 20:35, 36 is conclusive - angels do not marry: "But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection."

"Sons of God" can refer to angels as it may in Job 38:7, but the expression is also used of men. (See Deut. 14:1, R.S.V.; Hosea 1:10; Luke 3:38; John 1:12; 1 John 3:1). In Genesis 6:2 the "sons of God" were the righteous line of Seth (Genesis 4:26)2 intermarrying with evil Cainites.

It is sometimes contended that only angel-human offspring could produce "nephilim" (mighty ones or giants, cf. Gen. 6:4). But the sons of Anak (Num. 13:33) were also giants, ("nephilim") and these were certainly not angel-human offspring, as they existed long after the flood.

Divine angels can not sin. They are "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who will be heirs of salvation". (Heb. 1:14). These angels are not rebels, but do Yahweh's commandments, "hearkening unto the voice of his word . . . ministers of his, that do his pleasure." (Psa. 103:20, 21).

We have shown that the “sons of God” may refer to those with the true understanding of God. The “sons of God’ of every generation have kept themselves separate from the people of the world, and are warned by God not to marry such people because they will influence them away from following the true God (Ex. 34:12,15,16; Josh. 23:12-13; Ezra 9:12; 1 Cor. 7:39; 2 Cor. 6:14-16). Genesis 3:15 describes how the seed (descendants) of the serpent would be in constant conflict with the seed of the woman (cp. Gal. 4:29). 

The early chapters of Genesis highlight the fact that there were these two sorts of people; the descendants of Seth called themselves “by the name of the Lord” (Gen. 4:26 A.V margin) and comprised the righteous “sons of God”, the seed of the woman. By contrast, the descendants of Cain, are described as being associated with murder and instituting polygamy (Gen. 4:23 & 19), the art of weapon production (Gen. 4:22) and entertainment (Gen. 4:21). 

The Story of the fallen Watchers in the Book of Enoch should be understood as a parable a revelation or apocalypse given in signs and symbols it should not be interpreted literally

the relationship in the story between cosmos and society is analogical the myth is a allegory the myth reflects a certain attitude toward society the hidden meaning

Thus the Book of Enoch is an allegory or parable about the events leading up to the from the death of Alexander the greats of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple and 70ad ending in 77AD

2 Maccabees add text about Jason and onias

 1 Maccabees 1:41 Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people 42 and that all should give up their particular customs. All the nations accepted the command of the king. 43 Many even from Israel gladly adopted his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the Sabbath. 44 And the king sent letters by messengers to Jerusalem and the towns of Judah; he directed them to follow customs strange to the land, 45 to forbid burnt offerings and sacrifices and drink offerings in the sanctuary, to profane Sabbaths and festivals, 46 to defile the sanctuary and the holy ones, 47 to build altars and sacred precincts and shrines for idols, to sacrifice pigs and other unclean animals, 48 and to leave their sons uncircumcised. They were to make themselves abominable by everything unclean and profane 49 so that they would forget the law and change all the ordinances. 50 He added,[c] “And whoever does not obey the command of the king shall die.”

The Watchers

woch’-er (Aramaic ‘ir, "wakeful one"): In Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Da 4:13,17,23 (MT 10,14,20)) a messenger who with "a holy one" descended from heaven, they having joint authority to issue decrees. In the apocryphal literature the doctrine of the "watchers" is much elaborated. In Jubilees they are regarded as angels sent to instruct mankind in righteousness. In Enoch they sometimes appear as archangels and at other times as fallen angels. In the latter condition only we find them in the Book of Adam and Eve. The place of descent was according to Enoch 6:6 the summit of Mt. Hermon.

Daniel 4:17  This matter [is] by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

13 “‘I continued beholding in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, look! a watcher, and a holy one, coming down from the heavens themselves. 



Jer 4:16  Make ye mention to the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem, [that] watchers come from a far country, and give out their voice against the cities of Judah.

When it comes to the account of the fallen angels we should not understand this literally but has an allegory of corruption within the Jewish Priesthood The priests who, similar to the sons of God in Genesis 6, violated the boundaries of the cultural purity by marrying non-Israelite women

A watchman is someone who guards against potential harm to people or property, often during the night, and is responsible for sounding an alarm in the face of danger. In military settings, such individuals are typically called guards or sentries (Jeremiah 51:12, footnote; Acts 12:6; 28:16). To protect against thieves and vandals, people were often assigned to watch over ripening vineyards or flocks of animals, sometimes from booths or elevated watchtowers (2 Kings 17:9; 2 Chronicles 20:24; Job 27:18; Isaiah 1:8). Siege forces attacking fortified cities also had watchmen or sentries to provide military intelligence to their commanders (Jeremiah 51:12). King Saul, when out in the field with his army, had personal watchmen tasked with ensuring his safety (1 Samuel 14:16; 26:15, 16).

Watchmen were often posted on city walls and towers to observe anyone approaching the city (2 Samuel 18:24-27; 2 Kings 9:17-20). Sometimes they patrolled the city streets, inspecting the area (Song of Solomon 3:3; 5:7). During the dangerous night hours, fearful individuals might repeatedly ask the watchmen if everything was safe (Isaiah 21:11, 12), and it was natural for watchmen themselves to eagerly await the coming of daylight (Psalm 130:6). A city was truly fortunate if, beyond human watchmen, Jehovah Himself was watching over it (Psalm 127:1).

**Figurative Use:** God appointed prophets as figurative watchmen for the nation of Israel (Jeremiah 6:17), and these prophets sometimes used the term symbolically (Isaiah 21:6, 8; 52:8; 62:6; Hosea 9:8). These prophetic watchmen were tasked with warning the wicked of impending destruction, and if they failed to give the warning, they would be held accountable. However, if the people ignored the warning, their guilt was their own (Ezekiel 3:17-21; 33:1-9). A false prophet, in contrast, was as useless as a blind watchman or a mute dog (Isaiah 56:10).

Therefore the language about the fallen Watchers and the angels approaching God indicates that some of the angels are understood to be priests in Enoch 10:11 in which God accuses the watchers of defiling themselves with women in their uncleanness should be understood as marrying non-Israelite women

The fallen angels who commit fornication should be understood as criticism against the Jerusalem priesthood

the text is concerned with purity of the angels themselves and the pollution of their bodies that results from taking human wives the effects of the angels actions on the human race is secondry

the angels have defiled themselves through contact with women 10:9-117:1 9:8

the  incongruity of marriages of angels and women is underlined by 1 en 15:4-12 which claims that spirits are immortal and therefore have no need of women while men are mortal and therefore need wives "so that nothing should be lacking for them on earth 15:5"

The head of prophecy was cut off with John The Apocryphon of James

The head of prophecy was cut off with John The Apocryphon of James

Introduction

The early Christian texts, including the canonical Gospels and certain apocryphal writings, offer profound insights into the nature of prophecy, the human soul, and the spiritual journey. In this document, we will explore the historical background of Luke 9:7-9, Matthew 14:1-12, and Mark 6:14-29, as well as the teachings found in the Apocryphon of James and the Gospel of Mary. These texts provide a unique perspective on the relationship between prophecy, the human soul, and the mind, shedding light on the mysteries of faith and spirituality in the early Christian context.

Historical Background

Luke 9:7-9, Matthew 14:1-12, and Mark 6:14-29 are passages that center around the beheading of John the Baptist. These events took place during the time of Jesus and were recorded in the synoptic Gospels. John the Baptist was a significant figure in the New Testament, known for his role as a precursor to Jesus and his bold proclamation of repentance and baptism.

In these passages, the ruler Herod Antipas, who had previously arrested John, was tormented by the idea that John had risen from the dead and was performing miraculous deeds through Jesus. The passages highlight the fear and superstition surrounding these events, leading to the conclusion that John's death was a significant turning point in the narrative of Jesus' ministry.

The Apocryphon of James

The Apocryphon of James: Then I asked him, "Lord, how shall we be able to prophesy to those who request us to prophesy to them? For there are many who ask us, and look to us to hear an oracle from us."

The Lord answered and said, "Do you not know that the head of prophecy was cut off with John?"

But I said, "Lord, can it be possible to remove the head of prophecy?"

The Lord said to me, "When you come to know what 'head' means, and that prophecy issues from the head, (then) understand the meaning of 'Its head was removed.' At first I spoke to you in parables, and you did not understand; now I speak to you openly, and you (still) do not perceive. Yet, it was you who served me as a parable in parables, and as that which is open in the (words) that are open.

The Apocryphon of James is an ancient Gnostic text that provides insights into the nature of prophecy. In the dialogue between James and the Lord, James seeks guidance on how to prophesy effectively. The Lord's response, "Do you not know that the head of prophecy was cut off with John?" is enigmatic but carries profound meaning.

The "head of prophecy" signifies the source and origin of prophetic knowledge. The Lord's statement implies that with the arrival of John the Baptist, a transitional phase in spiritual revelation occurred. John, as the forerunner of Christ, represented a crucial point in the unfolding of divine wisdom. The removal of John's head symbolizes the cessation of a particular form of prophecy, as John had fulfilled his role by preparing the way for Jesus.

The Lord's subsequent explanation suggests that true prophecy emanates from a deeper source – the mind, which serves as an intermediary between the soul (outward senses or the body) and the spirit (emotions or the heart). The mind, in this context, represents the intellectual and spiritual receptivity of the individual.

This teaching invites the reader to contemplate the nature of spiritual revelation and the evolving role of prophecy within the context of the early Christian community. It suggests that the focus should shift from external prophecies to inner, transformative experiences of the mind and spirit.

The Gospel of Mary

10) I said to Him, Lord, how does he who sees the vision see it, through the soul  or through the spirit?

11) The Savior answered and said, He does not see through the soul nor through the spirit, but the mind that is between the two that is what sees the vision

The Gospel of Mary introduces a dialogue where the disciples inquire about the nature of visions and how they are perceived. The response provided by the Savior is highly symbolic and aligns with the broader Gnostic understanding of human composition.

The Savior's answer that one does not see visions through the soul or spirit but through the mind that resides between them emphasizes the integral role of the mind in spiritual perception. In this context, the soul represents the physical, sensory aspect of human existence, while the spirit denotes the emotional and heartfelt aspects.

This teaching reinforces the idea that true spiritual vision requires a harmonious balance between sensory perception and emotional engagement, facilitated by the discerning and receptive nature of the mind. It underlines the Gnostic belief in the significance of transcending the limitations of the physical world to attain spiritual enlightenment.

II. Understanding the Terminology

Before delving into the interconnected themes across these texts, it is crucial to clarify the terminology used, particularly the concepts of the soul, spirit, and mind.

A. Body, Soul, and SpiritIn early Christian thought, humans were often seen as composed of body, soul, and spirit. The body represented the physical vessel, the soul as the seat of outward senses or the body itself, and the spirit as the seat of emotions or the heart. This trichotomy was a way to understand the complexity of the human experience and the interaction between the physical and spiritual aspects of life.

B. The Head as the Mind

The texts highlight the concept that "prophecy issues from the head," with the head symbolizing the mind. In this context, the mind represents the intellectual and cognitive aspect of human existence. It is through the mind that one perceives and interprets prophecies and visions.

III. The Deeper Meaning

A. Prophecy and the End of Prophecy

The Lord's response in the Apocryphon of James, "the head of prophecy was cut off with John," suggests a profound spiritual insight. It implies that the path to prophecy, or spiritual revelation, is no longer reliant on external sources or prophetic figures, as John the Baptist once represented. Instead, the guidance is to look within, to the "mind that is between the two."

B. The Mind as the Visionary Gateway

The Gospel of Mary further elucidates the nature of visionary experiences. The Savior's response, "He does not see through the soul nor through the spirit, but the mind that is between the two," emphasizes that the visionary experiences are accessed through the harmonious interaction of the soul and spirit within the mind.

IV. Implications for Early Christianity

The interconnected teachings in these texts hold significance for early Christianity. They point to a shift from an era where prophecy was sought externally, through figures like John the Baptist, to a more introspective and mystical approach. The emphasis on the "mind that is between the two" suggests that individuals have the capacity to access spiritual insights and visions through their own inner contemplation.

Conclusion

The early Christian texts, when examined in conjunction with Gnostic teachings, offer a nuanced perspective on the nature of prophecy, the human soul, and the mind's role in perceiving spiritual visions. The removal of the "head of prophecy" with John the Baptist's mission signifies a shift in the way spiritual revelation is understood. It suggests a move from external prophecies to an inner, transformative experience facilitated by the receptive and discerning nature of the mind.

The teachings in the Gospel of Mary emphasize the importance of a harmonious union of the body, soul, and spirit in the pursuit of spiritual vision and enlightenment. The mind, located between the soul and spirit, is central to this process, serving as the vehicle for the perception of divine truths.

In summary, these ancient texts provide valuable insights into the mystical dimensions of early Christian thought, encouraging a deeper understanding of the interplay between the components of the human self and the evolving nature of prophecy and spiritual revelation in the Christian tradition.

historical background: Luke 9:7–9; Matthew 14:1–12; Mark 6:14–29 

The Apocryphon of James: Then I asked him, "Lord, how shall we be able to prophesy to those who request us to prophesy to them? For there are many who ask us, and look to us to hear an oracle from us."

The Lord answered and said, "Do you not know that the head of prophecy was cut off with John?"

But I said, "Lord, can it be possible to remove the head of prophecy?"

The Lord said to me, "When you come to know what 'head' means, and that prophecy issues from the head, (then) understand the meaning of 'Its head was removed.' At first I spoke to you in parables, and you did not understand; now I speak to you openly, and you (still) do not perceive. Yet, it was you who served me as a parable in parables, and as that which is open in the (words) that are open.

Gospel of Mary 

10) I said to Him, Lord, how does he who sees the vision see it, through the soul  or through the spirit?

11) The Savior answered and said, He does not see through the soul nor through the spirit, but the mind that is between the two that is what sees the vision

Here the words soul and spirit refer to natural human faculties

Man is made up of a body, soul and spirit

1Th 5:23  And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Heb 4:12  For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Sometimes the word soul and spirit and be translated mind, heart,

brain seat of consciousness

Mind = the intellect

soul = seat of the outward senses or the body 

spirit = seat of emotions or the heart 

therefore the head is the mind and the mind is thinking produced by the brain

 that prophecy issues from the head, and the mind that is between the two (spirit emotions or the heart and soul seat of the outward senses or the body) that is what sees the vision

  Jesus is saying to them that Christ has already come why does there need to be a prophecy I’ve shown you the path to Christhood there needs not to be prophecies anymore

Prophecies about the corruption of the church

Prophecies about the corruption of the church

There are many prophecies in the bible about the the corruption of the church but what do the Gnostic Gospels say

The Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles

For many in the churches have shown partiality to the rich, because they also are sinful, and they give occasion for others to sin. But judge them with uprightness, so that your ministry may be glorified, and that my name also, may be glorified in the churches." The disciples answered and said, "Yes, truly this is what is fitting to do."

James 2:4,  My brothers,show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. ..(4) have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

On the Origin of the World

And out of envy the authorities mixed their seed with them, in hopes of polluting them. They could not. Then when the blessed beings appeared in luminous form, they appeared in various ways. And each one of them, starting out in his land, revealed his (kind of) knowledge to the visible church constituted of the modelled forms of perdition. It (viz., the church) was found to contain all kinds of seed, because of the seed of the authorities that had mixed with it.

forms of perdition reminds me of 

 2Th 2:3Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

The Second Treatise of the Great Seth

we were hated and persecuted, not only by those who are ignorant (gentiles, pagans), but also by those who think that they are advancing the name of Christ (so-called Chistians), since they were unknowingly empty, not knowing who they are, like dumb animals. 

revelatin 2:8 “And to the [a]angel of the church in Smyrna write,

‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 

9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a [b]synagogue of Satan. 

10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

The Odes Of Solomon

Ode 38

All the poisons of error, and pains of death which are considered sweetness.
And the corrupting of the Corruptor, I saw when the bride who was corrupting was adorned, and the bridegroom who corrupts and is corrupted.
And I asked the Truth, Who are these? And He said to me: This is the Deceiver and the Error.
And they imitate the Beloved and His Bride, and they cause the world to err and corrupt it.
And they invite many to the wedding feast, and allow them to drink the wine of their intoxication;
So they cause them to vomit up their wisdom and their knowledge, and prepare for them mindlessness.
Then they abandon them; and so they stumble about like mad and corrupted men.
Since there is no understanding in them, neither do they seek it.
But I have been made wise so as not to fall into the hands of the Deceivers, and I myself rejoiced because the Truth had gone with me.


17 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying [a]to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of [b]her fornication. 5 And on her forehead a name was written:

MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS

OF THE EARTH.
6 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.

The Gospel of Thomas 

(39) Jesus said, The Pharisees and the scholars have taken the keys of knowledge and have hidden them. They have not entered, nor have they allowed those who want to enter to go inside. You should be shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves.

The Pharisees here are a symbol of all false religion and undoubtedly today the Lord would speak this way of the priests and clergy of orthodox Christianity, the churches have lost the keys. The keys of knowledge are the one true faith and hope of Abraham the promises made to him. Therefore we must have the faith as that of Abraham for those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham Gal 3:9 who is the father of us all saying 105 cp. Rom 4:11,12,16. Now his faith and ours is this that the gentiles shall be blessed in him and this promises was made to him before the law and his seed who is the Christ 

39) ## Jesus said, "The Pharisees and the scribes [who are still operating today through the Triple Crown Power controlled by the Vatican] have taken the keys of Knowledge [the higher/inward (spiritual) meaning of the scriptures] and hidden them [behind the fleshly locks of earthly types and images]. They themselves have not entered [in their depraved condition and deceptive practices they have shut themselves out of the Kingdom], nor have they allowed to enter those who wish to [these have become "wolves in sheep's clothing" who subvert the knowledge of truth that they may continue to "lord it over you" for the glory of men]. #You, however, be as wise as serpents [the Pharisees and scribes (Mat 23:33, 12:34 etc.. we must be aware that the devil will use many deceptions and tricks through your own flesh and the people around you to find ways "to accuse you day and night before the Father"] and as innocent as doves [we are to take great care not to harm anyone, even "those who hate you and despitefully use you" for they are all your brothers and some are there for the sole purpose of the Elect (doves/peacemakers) that they may be tested and refined in the Way]." 

saying 40 Jesus said, "A grapevine has been planted outside the father. And because it is not sound, it will be plucked out by the root and will perish."


But what orthodox churches of Christianity called the error was planted outside of the father’s wises in the days of the apostles and Paul also tells us that wolfs will come in and destroy the truth and this evenly gave birth to the man of lawlessness when Constine removed that which was holding it back.. This grapevine cannot bear fruit (everlasting life) and those in it are already dead not knowing the knowledge of the truth that brings everlasting life. 

40)# Jesus said, "A grapevine [religion] has been planted outside of the Father, but being unsound [in health being rooted in the depraved imaginations of men], it will be pulled up by its roots [that it has no chance to come back] and destroyed [by Jesus the true vine (Jn. 15:1)]."

(102) Jesus said, Shame on the Pharisees.[today, the Churches that spread the wrong message to gain power and profit for themselves like most Churches that call themselves 'Catholic', 'Christian' or 'Evangelic', Mormons] They are like a dog sleeping in the cattle manger. It does not eat or let the cattle eat. [They will spiritually starve, because instead of drinking from Jesus Christ's mouth, they spread lies either because they have their own agenda or they simply just don't see the truth and don't let their 'believers' drink from Jesus Christ's words either]."

102) Jesus said, "Woe to the Pharisees [who hid the Key of Knowledge], for they are like a dog [unclean animal] sleeping [spiritually dead in law] in the manger [where the animals (beasts) food is kept] of oxen [the Laity who are to tread out the corn (the Word of God)], for neither does he eat ["if anyone is not willing to work, neither let him eat"] nor does he let the oxen eat [the Laity are always discouraged or kept from doing so by religious leaders who love to "lord it over them"]."




In The Gospel of Judas we can we the corruption of the church


THE GOSPEL OF JUDAS
THE DISCIPLES SEE THE TEMPLE AND DISCUSS IT

They [said, “We have seen] a great [house (Ezekiel 8:6) with a large] altar [in it, and] twelve men (Ezekiel 8:11,16)— they are the priests, we would say—and a name; and a crowd of people is waiting at that altar, [until] the priests [… and receive] the offerings. [But] we kept waiting.” [Jesus said], “What are [the priests] like?” They [said, “Some …] two weeks; [some] sacrifice their own children, others their wives, in praise [and] humility with each other; some sleep with men; some are involved in [slaughter]; some commit a multitude of sins and deeds of lawlessness. And the men who stand [before] the altar invoke your [name], [39] and in all the deeds of their deficiency, the sacrifices are brought to completion […].” After they said this, they were quiet, for they were troubled.

JESUS OFFERS AN ALLEGORICAL INTERPRETATION OF THE VISION OF THE TEMPLE

Jesus said to them, “Why are you troubled? Truly I say to you, all the priests who stand before that altar invoke my name. Again I say to you, my name has been written on this […] of the generations of the stars through the human generations. [And they] have planted trees without fruit, in my name, in a shameful manner.” Jesus said to them, “Those you have seen receiving the offerings at the altar—that is who you are. That is the god you serve, (2 Thess 2:3,4) and you are those twelve men you have seen. The cattle you have seen brought for sacrifice are the many people you lead astray [40] before that altar. […] will stand and make use of my name in this way, and generations of the pious will remain loyal to him. After him another man will stand there from [the fornicators], and another [will] stand there from the slayers of children, and another from those who sleep with men, and those who abstain, and the rest of the people of pollution and lawlessness and error, and those who say, ‘We are like angels’; they are the stars that bring everything to its conclusion. For to the human generations it has been said, ‘Look, God has received your sacrifice from the hands of a priest’—that is, a minister of error. But it is the Lord, the Lord of the universe, who commands, ‘On the last day they will be put to shame.’” [41] Jesus said [to them], “Stop sac[rificing …] which you have […] over the altar, since they are over your stars and your angels and have already come to their conclusion there. So let them be [ensnared] before you, and let them go [—about 15 lines missing—] generations […]. A baker cannot feed all creation [42] under [heaven]. And […] to them […] and […] to us and […]. Jesus said to them, “Stop struggling with me. Each of you has his own star, (Jude 13) and every[body—about 17 lines missing—] [43] in […] who has come [… spring] for the tree […] of this aeon […] for a time […] but he has come to water God’s paradise, and the [generation] that will last, because [he] will not defile the [walk of life of] that generation, but […] for all eternity.”

what the disciples have seen in Jerusalem is interpreted as a foreshadowing of the emerging Catholic church

The vision of the temple and twelve priests should first be understood from an historical point of view.The Gospel of Judas challenges the idea that God wants people to die as martyrs—just as it challenges the idea that God wanted Jesus to die. Whoever wrote this gospel—and the author is anonymous—is challenging church leaders who teach that.

The Testimony of Truth

The foolish - thinking in their heart that if they confess, "We are Christians," in word only (but) not with power, while giving themselves over to ignorance, to a human death, not knowing where they are going nor who Christ is, thinking that they will live, when they are (really) in error - hasten towards the principalities and authorities. They fall into their clutches because of the ignorance that is in them. For (if) only words which bear testimony were effecting salvation, the whole world would endure this thing and would be saved. But it is in this way that they drew error to themselves. ...
... (3 lines unrecoverable)
... they do not know that they will destroy themselves. If the Father were to desire a human sacrifice, he would become vainglorious.

For the Son of Man clothed himself with their first-fruits; he went down to Hades and performed many mighty works. He raised the dead therein; and the world-rulers of darkness became envious of him, for they did not find sin in him. But he also destroyed their works from among men, so that the lame, the blind, the paralytic, the dumb, (and) the demon-possessed were granted healing. And he walked upon the waters of the sea. For this reason he destroyed his flesh from [...] which he [...]. And he became [...] salvation [...] his death ...
... (4 lines unrecoverable)
... everyone [...] how many they are! They are blind guides, like the disciples. They boarded the ship; at about thirty stadies, they saw Jesus walking on the sea. These are empty martyrs, since they bear witness only to themselves. And yet they are sick, and they are not able to raise themselves.

But when they are "perfected" with a (martyr's) death, this is the thought that they have within them: "If we deliver ourselves over to death for the sake of the Name we will be saved." These matters are not settled in this way. But through the agency of the wandering stars they say they have "completed" their futile "course", and [...] say, [...]. But these [...] they have delivered themselves ...
... (7 lines unrecoverable)


... but they resemble [...] them. They do not have the word which gives life. (The Testimony of Truth)

The Eighth Day Bible Prophecy 2 Enoch, The Epistle of Barnabas & Elpis Israel

God shows Enoch the age of this world, its existence of seven thousand years, and the eighth thousand is the end, neither years, nor months, nor weeks, nor days

2Enoch 33:1 And I appointed the eighth day also, that the eighth day should be the first-created after my work, that it should revolve in the revolution of the seventh thousand, so that the eighth thousand might be in the beginning of a time not reckoned and unending with neither years nor months nor weeks nor days nor hours like the first day of the week, so also that the eighth day of the week might return continually.

2 And now, Enoch, all that I have told thee, all that thou hast understood, all that thou hast seen of heavenly things, all that thou hast seen on earth, and all that I have written in books by my great wisdom, all these things I have devised and created from the uppermost foundation to the lower and to the end, and there is no counsellor nor inheritor to my creations.

3 I am self-eternal, not made with hands, and without change.

4 My thought is my counsellor, my wisdom and my word are made, and my eyes observe all things how they stand here and tremble with terror.

On the Origin of the World 

After the day of rest, Sophia sent her daughter Zoe, being called Eve, as an instructor, in order that she might make Adam, who had no soul, arise, so that those whom he should engender might become containers of light. When Eve saw her male counterpart prostrate, she had pity upon him, and she said, "Adam! Become alive! Arise upon the earth!" Immediately her word became accomplished fact. For Adam, having arisen, suddenly opened his eyes. When he saw her, he said, "You shall be called 'Mother of the Living'. For it is you who have given me life.

Now the first Adam, (Adam) of Light, is spirit-endowed and appeared on the first day. The second Adam is soul-endowed and appeared on the sixth day, which is called Aphrodite. The third Adam is a creature of the earth, that is, the man of the law, and he appeared on the eighth day [...] the tranquility of poverty, which is called "The Day of the Sun" (Sunday). And the progeny of the earthly Adam became numerous and was completed, and produced within itself every kind of scientific information of the soul-endowed Adam. But all were in ignorance.


The big find in Barnabas is chapter 15, concerning the sabbath, which says...

1 Furthermore it was written concerning the Sabbath in the ten words which he spake on Mount Sinai face to face to Moses. "Sanctify also the Sabbath of the Lord with pure hands and a pure heart."
2 And in another place he says, "If my sons keep the Sabbath, then will I bestow my mercy upon them."
3 He speaks of the Sabbath at the beginning of the Creation, "And God made in 6x days the works of his hands and on the 7th day he made an end, and rested in it and sanctified it."
4 Notice, children, what is the meaning of "He made an end in 6 days"? He means this: that the Lord will make an end of everything in 6,000 years, for a day with him means a thousand years. And he himself is my witness when he says, "Lo, the day of the Lord shall be as a thousand years." So then, children, in 6 days, that is in 6 thousand years, everything will be completed.
5 "And he rested on the 7th day." This means, when his Son comes [at the start of that day] he will destroy the time of the wicked one, and will judge the godless, and will change the sun and the moon and the stars, and then he will truly rest on the 7th day [Amen].
6 Furthermore he says, "Thou shalt sanctify it with clean hands and a pure heart." If, then, anyone has at present the power to keep holy the day which God made holy, by being pure in heart, we are altogether deceived.
7 See that we shall indeed keep it holy at that time, when we enjoy true rest, when we shall be able to do so because we have been made righteous ourselves and have received the promise, when there is no more sin, but all things have been made new by the Lord  then we shall be able to keep it holy because we ourselves have first been made holy.
8 Furthermore he says to them, "Your new moons and the sabbaths I cannot away with." Do you see what he means? The present sabbaths are not acceptable to me, but that which I have made, in which I will give rest to all things and make the beginning of an eighth day, that is the beginning of another world.

9 Wherefore we also celebrate with gladness the eighth day in which Jesus also rose from the dead, and was made manifest, and ascended into Heaven (Chapter 15)

These Sabbaths will be no longer celebrated on the seventh day. They will be changed from the seventh to the eighth or first day of the week, which are the same. The "dispensation of the fullness of times" (Eph 1:10), popularly styled the Millennium, will be the antitype, or substance, of the Mosaic feast of tabernacles which was "a shadow of things to come." In this type, or pattern, Israel were to rejoice before Yahweh for seven days, beginning "on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when they had gathered the fruit of the land." In relation to the first day of the seven, the law says, "it shall be a sacred assembly: ye shall do no servile work therein." This was what we call Sunday. The regulation then continues, "on the eighth day," also Sunday, "shall be a sacred assembly unto you, and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto Yahweh: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein." Again, "on the first day shall be a Sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a Sabbath" (Lev 23:34-43).

Thus the Lord's day, the day of His resurrection from His seventh day imprisonment in the tomb, becomes the sabbath day of the future age which shall be hallowed by the priests of Israel, and be observed by all nations as a day of sacred assembly in which they shall rejoice, and do no manner of servile work at all.

This change of the sabbath from the seventh to the eighth, or first day of the week, is the full development and establishment of the observance of the Lord's day by the disciples of Jesus since the times of the apostles.

The Lord's day is the first day of the week, or day after the seventh, and therefore styled the eighth day. It is termed His day, because it is the week-day of His resurrection. Upon this day the disciples of Christ assembled to show forth His death, and to celebrate His resurrection;

Prophecy of the Ogdoad Sibylline Oracles 7

Prophecy of the Ogdoad Sibylline Oracles 7

or

the Lord's Day the Ogdoad Sibylline Oracles book 7

Sibylline Oracles 7

But they will endure extreme toil who, for gain,

will prophesy base things, augmenting an evil time;

who putting on the shaggy hides of sheep

135 will falsely claim to be Hebrews, which is not their race.

But speaking with words, making profit by woes,

they will not change their life and will not persuade the righteous

and those who propitiate God through the heart, most faithfully.

Restoration of the world

In the third lot of circling years,

140 of the first ogdoad, another world is seen again.

All will be night, long and unyielding,

and then a terrible smell of brimstone will extend

announcing murders, when those men perish

by night and famine. Then he will beget a pure mind

145 of men and will set up your race as it was before for you.

No longer will anyone cut a deep furrow with a crooked plow;

no oxen will plunge down the guiding iron.

There will be no vine branches or ear of corn, but all, at once,

will eat the dewy manna with white teeth

After the third “circling of years” when the first Ogdoad is seen, he will begat a “pure mind of men” and no one will plow a crooked row anymore (139-149).

Ogdoad is also a Gnostic concept relating to the aeons (Edwin Yamauchi, “The Gnostics and History” JETS 14 (1971): 29-40, 31). 

The word is used to describe a place in the Hermetic Discourse on the Eighth and Ninth:  “The Eighth or Ogdoad is described as the place or sphere where souls and angels continuously praise the Ninth with hymns; the Ninth is the dwelling place of Nous or Divine Mind” (Ruth Majerick, “Discourse on the Eighth and Ninth” in ABD 2:210-211). 

It is possible this reference refers to Jesus in some kind of numeric wordplay, since the name Jesus Christ is often rendered 888. Finally, all people in this restored world will “eat dewy manna with white teeth” (148-149, cf. Revelation 2:17).

63 Now the repose of the spiritual elements on the Lord's Day, that is, in the Ogdoad, which is called the Lord's Day, is with the Mother, who keeps their souls, the (wedding) garments, until the end; but the other faithful souls are with the Creator, but at the end they also go up in the Ogdoad. Then comes the marriage feast, common to all who are saved, until all are equal and know each other. (Extracts from the Works of Theodotu)

The Lord's day is the first day of the week, or day after the seventh, and therefore styled the eighth day. It is termed His day, because it is the week-day of His resurrection. Upon this day the disciples of Christ assembled to show forth His death, and to celebrate His resurrection;The fact that the Lord’s resurrection took place on a Sunday, the eighth day, is interpreted as a symbolic reference to this redemptive ascent of the spirituals at the end of the age.

God shows Enoch the age of this world, its existence of seven thousand years, and the eighth thousand is the end, neither years, nor months, nor weeks, nor days

2Enoch 33:1 And I appointed the eighth day also, that the eighth day should be the first-created after my work, that it should revolve in the revolution of the seventh thousand, so that the eighth thousand might be in the beginning of a time not reckoned and unending with neither years nor months nor weeks nor days nor hours like the first day of the week, so also that the eighth day of the week might return continually.

2 And now, Enoch, all that I have told thee, all that thou hast understood, all that thou hast seen of heavenly things, all that thou hast seen on earth, and all that I have written in books by my great wisdom, all these things I have devised and created from the uppermost foundation to the lower and to the end, and there is no counsellor nor inheritor to my creations.

3 I am self-eternal, not made with hands, and without change.

4 My thought is my counsellor, my wisdom and my word are made, and my eyes observe all things how they stand here and tremble with terror.

The big find in Barnabas is chapter 15, concerning the sabbath, which says...

1 Furthermore it was written concerning the Sabbath in the ten words which he spake on Mount Sinai face to face to Moses. "Sanctify also the Sabbath of the Lord with pure hands and a pure heart."
2 And in another place he says, "If my sons keep the Sabbath, then will I bestow my mercy upon them."
3 He speaks of the Sabbath at the beginning of the Creation, "And God made in 6x days the works of his hands and on the 7th day he made an end, and rested in it and sanctified it."
4 Notice, children, what is the meaning of "He made an end in 6 days"? He means this: that the Lord will make an end of everything in 6,000 years, for a day with him means a thousand years. And he himself is my witness when he says, "Lo, the day of the Lord shall be as a thousand years." So then, children, in 6 days, that is in 6 thousand years, everything will be completed.
5 "And he rested on the 7th day." This means, when his Son comes [at the start of that day] he will destroy the time of the wicked one, and will judge the godless, and will change the sun and the moon and the stars, and then he will truly rest on the 7th day [Amen].
6 Furthermore he says, "Thou shalt sanctify it with clean hands and a pure heart." If, then, anyone has at present the power to keep holy the day which God made holy, by being pure in heart, we are altogether deceived.
7 See that we shall indeed keep it holy at that time, when we enjoy true rest, when we shall be able to do so because we have been made righteous ourselves and have received the promise, when there is no more sin, but all things have been made new by the Lord  then we shall be able to keep it holy because we ourselves have first been made holy.
8 Furthermore he says to them, "Your new moons and the sabbaths I cannot away with." Do you see what he means? The present sabbaths are not acceptable to me, but that which I have made, in which I will give rest to all things and make the beginning of an eighth day, that is the beginning of another world.

9 Wherefore we also celebrate with gladness the eighth day in which Jesus also rose from the dead, and was made manifest, and ascended into Heaven (Chapter 15)

These Sabbaths will be no longer celebrated on the seventh day. They will be changed from the seventh to the eighth or first day of the week, which are the same. The "dispensation of the fullness of times" (Eph 1:10), popularly styled the Millennium, will be the antitype, or substance, of the Mosaic feast of tabernacles which was "a shadow of things to come." In this type, or pattern, Israel were to rejoice before Yahweh for seven days, beginning "on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when they had gathered the fruit of the land." In relation to the first day of the seven, the law says, "it shall be a sacred assembly: ye shall do no servile work therein." This was what we call Sunday. The regulation then continues, "on the eighth day," also Sunday, "shall be a sacred assembly unto you, and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto Yahweh: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein." Again, "on the first day shall be a Sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a Sabbath" (Lev 23:34-43).

This change of the sabbath from the seventh to the eighth, or first day of the week, is the full development and establishment of the observance of the Lord's day by the disciples of Jesus since the times of the apostles.

The second coming of Christ is in Motion Gospel of Thomas Saying 77

Gospel of Thomas Saying 77) It is I who am the light which is above them all. It is I who am the All. From Me did the All come forth, and unto Me did the All extend. Split a piece of wood, and I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find Me there. Split the wood, see the light; lift the rock see the light.

The second coming of Christ is in Motion. We turn to Lord Jesus and go the way. The way is how our minds are renewed a Christ with his. Along the way we learn how to walk in the spirit while we remain in the flesh.

After he rose from the dead, his twelve disciples and seven women continued to be his followers, and went to Galilee onto the mountain called "Divination and Joy". When they gathered together and were perplexed about the underlying reality of the universe and the plan, and the holy providence, and the power of the authorities, and about everything the Savior is doing with them in the secret of the holy plan, the Savior appeared - not in his previous form, but in the invisible spirit. And his likeness resembles a great angel of light. But his resemblance I must not describe. No mortal flesh could endure it, but only pure, perfect flesh, like that which he taught us about on the mountain called "Of the Olives" in Galilee.

And he said: "Peace be to you, My peace I give you!" And they all marveled and were afraid. The Savior laughed and said to them: "What are you thinking about? Are you perplexed? What are you searching for?"

Philip said: "For the underlying reality of the universe and the plan."

the archons daniel 7

The four winds of heaven could be four angelic rulers of the heavens, and the wind means four types of leadership to be given to four different types of leaders who all shall not be in power at the same time.

These leaders shall be born out of the race of mankind which is the sea.

The First Leader........... The Lion, he shall rule for a short period of time, then will be force to advocate his seat of authority and live as a citizen.

The Bear........... A strong leader by whose very spoken word shall cause fear and death to befall a great and large number of people to die and as long as he is in power he shall fear none.

The Leopard......... The third angel ( wind) shall endow four governments ( country leaders) to rule together as one nation.

The leadership and governing system of the previous beast shall still stand until the fourth beast arises to power.

The Fourth Beast........ This beast and his angel shall not make themselves known openly as the the three beast before it but shall appoint and set up ten nations who shall be under it's authority.

By this Angel's command the fourth beast shall put to an end the previous governing system, beliefs and leadership, that was set up by the former angels who gave power to their leaders, establishing a new system of leadership that angel who has given it's power to the Beast over them.

This beast by the word from it's angel shall offer peace to this world, once this peace has Been established then all power shall be given to that angel while the people will be forced to worship it through it's Image, it is after this shall sudden destruction come upon all nations and men then shall the end of things come.

The fourth wind and beast is the religious beliefs and churches that shall come into power and many shall die and kill in the name of their beliefs the churches are ignorant of Christ and preach that ignorance, but Christ will save those who truly believe in him although the preaching of the churches are foolishness, this is what we must unlearn.

the archons can be called the great winds that give power to the beasts, and the archons are beasts themselves,

But I say to you brothers and sisters has not the first wind come and the first Beast soon to Rise.