Wisdom and Salt The Gospel of Philip

Wisdom and Salt The Gospel of Philip

Wisdom and Salt

The apostles said to the disciples, “May our entire offering be provided with salt.” For they called [wisdom] salt. Without it an offering is unacceptable. Wisdom is barren, [with no] children, and so she is called [the pillar] of salt.Whenever…the holy spirit…, [60] and she has many children.

Leviticus 2:13 And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.

mark 9:49 col 4:6

first that wisdom was called 'salt,' and without this saving grace no offering is acceptable; and second, with a shift of meaning from 'wisdom' to Sophia and from 'salt' to the barrenness it symbolized, that the barren woman of ls. liv. r (c£ Gal. iv. 27) represents Sophia

The apostles said to the disciples, "May our entire offering obtain salt." They called Sophia [wisdom in Greek] "salt". Without it, no offering is acceptable [they are the “salt of the earth” which is that wisdom that leads to the “tree of life”]. But Sophia is barren [in the world], without child [Without “Christ in you” you cannot apprehend the wisdom of the Father veiled throughout the scriptures]. For this reason, she is called "a trace of salt" [Our individual spirit consciousness must “grow in wisdom and stature” while we are still in the body just as Jesus did.  Until then we are only a “trace”]. Wherever they will [...] in their own way, the Holy Spirit [...], and her children are many. (Philip 25)

The apostles taught their disciples, "Every offering should be seasoned with salt." They used the term salt to refer to Sophia or Wisdom. Without Sophia, no offering is acceptable. This is the reason we salt the bread which is to become the body of our Lord to us. It reminds us that the reception of his body and blood is meaningless unless they are accompanied by Sophia. Sophia alone can produce no progeny, but the Holy Spirit, through whom Sophia flows, produces many children to enlighten those who receive her. 

what is forgiveness

XV. The Saviour showed to the believing apostles prayer to be stronger than faith in the case of a demoniac, whom they could not cleanse, when He said, Such things are accomplished by prayer. He who has believed has obtained forgiveness of sins from the Lord; but he who has attained knowledge, inasmuch as he no longer sins, obtains from himself the forgiveness of the rest

The meaning of forgiveness 

Num 14:18 ‘Yahweh is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving error and transgression;

 Matt 6:12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

John 20:23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

2 Corinthians 2:1010 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,

Inasmuch as you have forgiven one another your trespasses, even so I, forgive you

Pray for forgiveness

: “Yes, nearly all things are cleansed with blood according to the Law, and unless blood is poured out no forgiveness takes place.” (Heb 9:22) However, the blood of animal sacrifices could not take away sins and give the individual a perfectly clean conscience. (Heb 10:1-4; 9:9, 13, 14) 

By contrast, the foretold new covenant made possible true forgiveness, based on Jesus Christ’s ransom sacrifice. (Jer 31:33, 34; Mt 26:28; 1Co 11:25; Eph 1:7) Even while on earth, Jesus, by healing a paralytic, demonstrated that he had authority to forgive sins.—Mt 9:2-7

forgiveness is a process of giving up the false for the true; erasing sin and error from the mind and heart. It is closely related to repentance, which is a turning from belief in sin to belief in God and righteousness. A sin is forgiven when one ceases to sin, and true forgiveness is only established through the renewing of the mind and heart with thoughts and words of Truth.

The Greek word translated Forgiveness literally means “let go of. When you repent, you cease doing the things that you should not do. Jesus said that the son of man has power to forgive sin. Sin is the falling short of divine law, and repentance and forgiveness are the only means that man has of getting out of sin and its effect and coming into harmony with the God.

It is through forgiveness that true spiritual healing is accomplished. Forgiveness removes the errors of the mind, and harmony results in accordance with divine law. therefore, we must forgive all men their transgressions. Through the divine law of forgiveness we cleanse our mind so that the Father can forgive us

Psychology the Science of the Soul

"Psychology, the Science of the Soul, of the Conscious Self or Ego.

Modern Psychology has regrettably lot its raison d'etre and direct contact with its true origin and meaning, to the extent that, nowadays, it is not only impossible to clearly define the word 'Psychology' but, in addition, scholars are really ignorant of the fundamental subjects it studies

The word psychology derives from Greek roots meaning study of the psyche, or soul (ψυχή psychē, "breath, spirit, soul" and -λογία -logia, "study of" or "research").^[8] The Latin word psychologia was first used by the Croatian humanist and Latinist Marko Marulić in his book, Psichiologia de ratione animae humanae in the late 15th century or early 16th century.^[9] The earliest known reference to the word psychology in English was by Steven Blankaart in 1694 in The Physical Dictionary which refers to "Anatomy, which treats the Body, and Psychology, which treats of the Soul.

there was no separation between psychology and faith

an understanding of psychology and does not stop with an analysis of the mind but goes on to the highest phase of mind's possibilities, unity with Spirit.

Kept in Silence through Times Eternal Romans 16:25

The Meaning of Silence 

or

The Meaning of Sigé

What though, in solemn silence, all

Move round this dark terrestrial ball

In this study we will look at the meaning of the word Silence in the Bible and how it came to be used as a name of one of the aeons. First we will have an opening reading from Pseuo-Philo and the Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch  

2. There were darkness and silence before the world was, and the silence spake, and the darkness became visible. And then was thy name created, even at the drawing together of that which was stretched out, whereof the upper was called heaven and the lower was called earth (Biblical Antiquities of Philo or Pseuo philo chapter 60)

2 Baruch 3:7 Or shall the world return to its nature of aforetime, and the age revert to primeval silence (2 Baruch 3:7)

Both these texts mention primordial Silence. In 2 Baruch the texts says "the age revert to its primeval silence" here the words age and silence are used together to refer to a time before the aeons began to speak (See the Odes of Solomon Ode 12:8.)

Ode 12:8 8 And by it the worlds (aeons) talk one to the other; and in the Word there were those that were silent;

Silence is also used with a primordial meaning in Romans 16:25

Rom 16:25 Now to him who can make YOU firm in accord with the good news I declare and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the sacred secret which has been kept in silence for long-lasting times 26 but has now been made manifest and has been made known through the prophetic scriptures among all the nations in accord with the command of the everlasting God to promote obedience by faith; 27 to God, wise alone, be the glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

Romans 16:25  Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret <4601> since the world began <166>,

Romans 16:25 ¶  Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence<4601> through times eternal <166>,

Here in Romans 16:25 the Greek words Aeon (Strong's 166) and Sige (Strong's 4601) are used together

In Romans 16:25 the sacred secret is HIDDEN in silence a secret in times of ages past has been concealed; 

this sacred secret is dwelling in the silence of the Aeons it is the Christ 

Therefore, the Father, being unknown, wished to be known to the Aeons, and through his own thought, as if he had known himself, he put forth the Only-Begotten, the spirit of Knowledge which is in Knowledge. So he too who came forth from Know ledge, that is, from the Father's Thought, became Knowledge, that is, the Son, because “through' the Son the Father was known.” (Extracts from the Works of Theodotus)

When suddenly a Voice Divine

Rang through the silence of the shrine

The Meaning of Silence 

The Greek word translated silence is the word Sigé (4602. σιγή), it is a feminine noun.

Definition: to keep silent, to keep secret, silence

1Cor 14:28  But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 

There are two Hebrew words translated as "silence" דְּמָמָה (Strong's 01827) dᵉmâmâh and דמם dâmam (Strong's 01826),

The word dâmam (01826) is a verb and the word dᵉmâmâh (01827) is a feminine noun

01827. דממה d@mamah dem-aw-maw’; feminine from of 01826; quiet: — whisper, calm, silence, still.

Job 4:16 It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,

1Kings 19:12  And after the earthquake a fire ; but Yahweh was not in the fire : and after the fire a still <01827> small voice.

Heb. a voice of gentle silence. I think this could be an internal voice

The Hebrew word for Silence can also be translated rest

Psalm 37:7  Rest <01826> in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

01826 דמם damam daw-man’  a prim root [compare 01724, 01820]; v; [BDB-198b] {See TWOT on 439 } 

AV-silence 6, still 6, silent 4, cut off 3, cut down 2, rest 2, cease 2, forbear 1, peace 1, quieted 1, tarry 1, wait 1; 30 

figuratively of the unanswered prayers of the believer (#Ps 83:1; 35:22; Jer 8:14);
of awe in the presence of the Divine Majesty (#Isa 41:1; Zec 2:13).

Symbolic Meaning of Silence

Silence as a form of wisdom is frequently encouraged in Proverbs too. It can help wisely avoid transgression (Proverbs 10:19) and manifest respect and understanding (Proverbs 11:12; 17:27). It is part of wise and even-handed interactions (Proverbs 29:11; cf. Amos 5:13). Silence is so powerful that it can even make the fool at least appear wise and intelligent (Proverbs 17:28).

Silence, --A state of consciousness entered into for the purpose of putting believers in touch with the Christ consciousness so that the believer may listen to the "still small voice" (1 Kings 19:12).

Silence, or stillness “praise God in silence”

When one goes into the silence he enters the "secret place of the Most High," the house of prayer within. He closes the door and in the stillness of that meeting place he prays to God, he has fellowship with God, and he meditates on Truth. Then he listens to what God has to say to him.

Rev 8:1 And when he opened the seventh seal, a silence occurred in heaven for about a half hour.

Psa 65 There will be silence before You, and praise in Zion, O God, And to You the vow will be performed.

For silence is the most excellent of offerings,

From 1Kings 19:12 we can see that silence is an attribute of the Deity is a feminine aspect. 
silence can be compared to wisdom thus Sigé is also Sophia

Valentinian Understanding

Silence is an aeon in the Valentinian pleroma. who is paired in a syzygy with Bythos

In many gnostic systems, the great power of the Monad was called Incomprehensible Silence — σιγή (sigé).

the Father, that is, the Root of the All, the Ineffable One who dwells in the Monad. He dwells alone in silence, and silence is tranquility since, after all, he was a Monad and no one was before him. He dwells in the Dyad and in the Pair, and his Pair is Silence. And he possessed the All dwelling within him. And as for Intention and Persistence, Love and Permanence, they are indeed unbegotten.

According to the Valentinian Exposition from the Nag Hammadi Library the Dyad is existing within the single Father--he is consequently without a female partner.

The Father has the principle of procreation in himself, being androgynous both male-female or above sexual distinctions

This is the completion in the Father’s thought, and these are the words of his meditation. Each of his words is the work of his one will in the revelation of his Word. When they were still in the depths of his thought, the Word – which was the first to come out – revealed them along with a mind that speaks the one Word in a silent grace. He was called “the Thought,” since they were in it before being revealed. It happened, then, that he was the first to come out at the time when it pleased the one who wanted it. Now the Father rests in his will, and is pleased with it. (Gospel of Truth)

Here in the Gospel of Truth Bythos or depth is an attribute of the Father with no suggestion of independence as the depth ‘of Him’ (22:25 compare romans 12) or ‘of His thought’ (37:7)

Several of the other attributes and qualities of God from which the thirty aeons of the Pleroma bore their names in the system of Ptolemy's disciples occur either in transparent Coptic translation or left as Greek, but they occur as attributes and qualities of God, not as independent mythological persons.

The Monad or the One is androgynous it has two eternal co-existent principles, a male and a female. The male was called Bythos the unfathomable depth or the Ineffable One. the female had the names Ennoea, Charis and Sige.

Sophia is the daughter of Sige or "silence", (Greek σιγή) Sophia is the youngest Aeon she was elevated to the position of the firstborn

29 They say that Silence, who is the mother of all who were put forth by Depth, with regard to what she had nothing to say kept silence about the inexpressible and with regard to what she did not understand she called it incomprehensible. (Extracts from the Works of Theodotus )

Sige or Silence an attribute of the Deity or The Monad 

The aspect through which the Father provides the universe with substance can be understood as feminine. In this aspect he is called Silence, Grace and Thought. Silence is God's primordial state of tranquillity (Valentinian Exposition 22:24: He dwells alone in silence, and silence is tranquility since, after all, he was a Monad and no one was before him.) 

and self-awareness (Extracts from the Works of Theodotus 7:1 Therefore, the Father, being unknown, wished to be known to the Aeons, and through his own thought, as if he had known himself, he put forth the Only-Begotten, the spirit of Knowledge which is in Knowledge.). 

She is the active creative Thought that makes all subsequent states of being (or "Aeons") substantial.

Sige is the Mother of All. She existed before anything else, the true feminine within all of us. Her partner, Bythos, was the original masculine principle. Together, they emanate Nous (Nus, Mind) and Aletheia (Veritas, Truth).

1 ¶  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

2  And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep (Bythos the Ineffable male ). And the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit or Sigé  female) moved upon the face of the waters.

3 ¶  And God said (a voice, a word, logos), Let there be light: and there was light.

Both the physical and spiritual universe was created by the Deity the waters are the pleroma the spiritual heavens

The One, finally, is known in ineffable silence.

Silence Expression of the transcendence of the divine in mystical traditions. In the Secret Book of John, for instance, the divine invisible spirit is said to be ineffable, "dwelling in silence, at rest, before everything." 

She (Wisdom) is a tree of life Proverbs 3:18

She (Wisdom) is a tree of life Proverbs 3:18

Proverbs

 3:18 She (Wisdom) is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.

Within this pleasant garden Yahweh Elohim placed two trees which were symbolic of his relationship with mankind. The tree of life was symbolic of God’s promise of immortal life to those who chose to follow his ways rather than the way of human nature. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil was in the garden as a test for mankind and to allow free will. They could follow God’s way or the way of human nature looking for instant pleasure.

Revelation speaks of the tree of life as symbolic and therefore there was no actual tree of that character in Eden

"The tree of life also in the midst of the garden" — Adam's spiritual requirements were also provided for in the tree of life. From Rev. 2:7 it appears that the tree of life was a symbol of immortality, and this is supported by a description of its life giving qualities as described by the Elohim (Gen. 3:22). The tree of life is likened to the Divine Wisdom (Prov. 3:18), the fruit of the righteous (Prov. 11:30), a wholesome tongue (Prov. 15:4), and so forth. They all, being related to the Truth, lead to life eternal (1 Pet. 1:23-25).

The Tree of Life occupied a place in the "midst of the garden" with the "tree of knowledge of good and evil" (cp. Gen. 3:3). Here were symbolically provided the two choices or two ways for mankind: obedience or sin; life or death.

If we consider the Garden of Eden symbolically, and view the river that ran through it as a foreshadowing of the River of God (Psa. 46:4) expressive of the Truth in Christ Jesus, the four chief streams typically illustrate lessons that one must learn in order to partake of the Tree of Life (Rev. 2:7). What is the first lesson? It emphasises the principles of separation (compasseth), eternal life (Havilah, circle), and faith represented by gold (see 1 Pet. 1:7).

"The tree of life … the paradise of God." Compare Gen. 2:9; 3:22; also the Lord Jesus says, "I am the vine: ye are the branches" (John 15). He is the tree of life, and the Paradise is the Kingdom of God in the Holy Land (Ezek. 36:35).

Jesus is "the tree of life" symbolized from the beginning by the tree of life in the Garden of Eden. His body of "many members" is represented by the "very many trees" of the Ezekiel Paradise (Ezek. 47:7), which literally "beautify the place of God's sanctuary" (Is. 60:13). He and they are the substance of the symbol in this place. Leaves and fruit. Contrast the vision of the tree of Babylon (Dan. 4) and compare the language of Psa. 1:3.

To eat of the tree of life is to be granted Life eternal (Gen. 3:22). This was denied Adam and his posterity, but will be permitted the "seed" of the second Adam (cp. Isa. 53:10; 1 Cor. 15:45). Thus the first and the last books of the Bible are joined as a bridge: the former showing how things began, the latter showing how they will end. Eden will be restored; the second Adam will be joined in marriage to the second Eve (2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 19:7) and will be united "as one" in the paradise of Deity (Gen. 2:23; John 17:21). "To eat of the Tree of Life is to be an unfading leaf, an immortal possessor of the glory, honour and incorruptibility of the Kingdom which the God of heaven will set up in the Age to come" (Eureka). The saints are likened to trees in Paradise—cp. Ps. 1; Rev. 22:2.


The word of God is likened to a tree of life because of its effect upon those who partake thereof (see Prov. 3:18; 11:30; 13:12; 15:4).

Revelation 22:2 down the middle of its broad way. And on this side of the river and on that side [there were] trees of life producing twelve crops of fruit, yielding their fruits each month. And the leaves of the trees [were] for the curing of the nations

Revelation 22:2 "And on either side of the river, was there the trees of life"—It would not be possible to have a single tree both inside the city, and on either side of a river that flows therefrom. The greek word can relate to a wood, or a forest of trees; and that, obviously, is its meaning here. The symbol is based upon the literal forest that Ezekiel saw in vision spring up along the banks of the river of living water that flowed out from the Temple (Ezek. 47:12).

Thus, the Spirit in Jesus said, "I am the life;" "I am the Vine, and ye (my apostles) are the branches." Here was a tree consisting of fourteen living persons, all animated by one and the same life-principle; namely, the Spirit, Jesus, and the Twelve Apostles. Now let this idea be extended so as to embrace "the multitude which no man can number" -- all IN Jesus Anointed" -- and we have a tree, which in the beginning was "as a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden, and it grew and waxed a great tree, and the fowls of the air came and lodged in the branches of it" (Luke 13:18) -- a tree, which with its feathered songsters of the aerial, is apocalyptically symbolized by a Wood of trees in the Garden, or Paradise of the Deity.


Trees and leaves are sometimes used as symbols to describe the redeemed in glory (see Psa. 1:3; 92:12; Isa. 60:21; 65:22). The water emanating from the Christ-altar, will be drawn up by the roots of these symbolic trees causing growth and producing fruit. As in the natural, so in the spiritual: as natural leaves help to purify the air so these symbolic leaves "breathe" and help purify the millenial air. They represent the Redeemed who will convey the purifying teaching of Jesus Christ to the world at large (Isa. 30:20-21; Jer. 3:15; Mic. 4:1-4),

"Which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruits every month"—This, again, shows that John saw a forest of trees, and not a single tree. Some of the "fruits" to be produced through the influence of the water of life are outlined in Prov. 3:16-18; Gal. 5:22. The number twelve identifies the fruit with the hope of Israel, and suggests the monthly pilgrimages and services that will form part of the ministry of saints in the age to come (see Isa. 66:23).

"And the leaves of the trees were for the healing of the nations"—They shall act as health-giving herbs (cp. Ezek. 47:12). Figuratively, these leaves relate to the administration of the saints in the Kingdom of the age to come. The influence of their teaching will be to heal the nations of the ills that afflict them today. In natural life mankind is utterly dependent on plants or leaves for their nourishment because even the fish and flesh eaten is from creatures that feed on plants. 

Moreover, leaves breathe in the poisonous carbon dioxide which man breathes out, and breathes out pure oxygen so essential to life. So leaves purity the air, as the Redeemed will purify the political, social, and moral atmosphere of the age to come. Thus, once again, Yahweh's purpose is illustrated by the facts of nature.

The Story of Mary Magdalene and the First Easter Egg

The Story of Mary Magdalene and the First Easter Egg

Jehovah's Witnesses claim that the Easter egg is a pagan symbol

The Easter egg in Christian tradition has a much humbler origin, and nothing to do with ancient pagan practices

One tradition concerning Mary Magdalene says that following the death and resurrection of Jesus, she used her position to gain an invitation to a banquet given by the Roman Emperor Tiberius.

Her purpose was to protest to him that his governor in Judea, Pontius Pilate, and the two high priests, had conspired and executed an innocent man, namely our Lord Jesus Christ.

According to this tradition, after the Ascension of Jesus, Mary went to the Emperor of Rome and greeted him with "Christ has risen," whereupon he pointed to an egg on his table and stated, "Christ has no more risen than that egg is red." After making this statement it is said the egg immediately turned blood red

This tradition of Mary Magdalene visiting Caesar Tiberius can be found in the Gospel of Nicodemus but it does not mention eggs:

Mary Magdalene said, weeping: Hear, O peoples, tribes, and tongues, and learn to what death the lawless Jews have delivered Him Who did them ten thousand good deeds. Hear, and be astonished. Who will let these things be heard by all the world? I shall go alone to Rome, to the Caesar. I shall show him what evil Pilate hath done in obeying the lawless Jews. (the Gospel of Nicodemus)

This she did. Going to Tiberius, she handed him an egg, saying: “Christ is risen.” It was the custom to give gifts to Caesar, but usually not something like an egg! Tiberius would not take the egg, but asked to know why she had offered it to him. Saint Mary explained that just as life is in an egg, so Christ the Life lay in the tomb. And as the chick breaks out of the “stone” of the shell, so Jesus came forth from the stone tomb in triumph over death. Taken aback, Tiberius demanded a sign that her words were true. Instantly the egg turned scarlet in Saint Mary’s hand, and she then spoke of Christ granting life through the shedding of His blood. It is from this incident that we have the custom of Easter eggs, which in the Eastern Churches are always bright red.

Learning of this offering by Mary Magdalene, the early Christians imitated her, presenting each other with eggs. Hence, eggs began to be used by Christians in the earliest centuries as a symbol of the Resurrection of Christ and of the regeneration of Christians for a new and a better life along with it.

For Orthodox Christians, the egg symbolizes the empty rock tomb from which Jesus Christ arose after Ηis Crucifixion.

Consider the following words from the Catholic Encyclopedia: “Because the use of eggs was forbidden during Lent, they were brought to the table on Easter Day, colored red to symbolize the Easter joy. This custom is found not only in the Latin but also in the Oriental Churches.”

Traditionally, Easter eggs are dyed throughout the Orthodox Christian world on Holy Thursday, and they are dyed red to represent the redeeming blood of Christ that was shed on the Cross, the white egg (before being dyed) represents the white marble tomb were Christ's body was laid after He was taken down from the Cross, and the hard shell of the egg symbolises the sealed tomb of Christ

Easter--The awakening and raising to spiritual consciousness of the divine mind in man, which has been dead in trespasses and sins and buried in the tomb of materiality.

The Big Picture

The Big Picture


God is love. God is perfect.
Like begets like.

From 1 + 2 follows that God wanted to create love and loving beings. (=A)

The basis for love is free will. There is no love without free will!

From 1 + 2 + 3 follows that God had to create free willed moral agents to create loving individuals. There is no other way to achieve this goal! (=B)

God created a vast number of angels over a long period of time. God set rules for the interaction of those beings.
Free will means, that the agent is free to exercise his will freely, either obeying the rules set forth by the authority or breaking them.

4 + 5: Given a large enough number of free willed beings and given a large enough timescale, it is mathematically certain that sooner or later one of those beings would use his free will in opposition to the rules/the authorities. This becomes even more likely if those moral agents do not have an experience of the consequences of breaking the rules. (=C)

God knows the end from the beginning.

C + 6: God knew from the start of creation that at a certain point one creature will start to go wrong and disobey him. And he knew that this example will have an impulse and impact on other agents as well. (=D)

God wants his creatures to obey his rules out of love and an understanding that those rules are essential for a morally sustainable coexistence.
God knew that this experience of the consequences of disobedience was a necessary step to develop this understanding and such mature love.

7 + 8: Mature obedience means obeying God’s rules out of love and out of knowledge of the superiority of those rules. (=E)

Adding this all up shows, that the whole setup of creation was created to perfect free moral angels to a point where they would have learnt, grasped and internalised that the set of divine commandments was plainly given to their best, that this set of rules is the minimum number of rules that a society has to obey and that by doings so the highest stage of satisfaction, love, peace and bliss can be achieved. By understanding this, those moral agents would freely and autonomously decide to use their free will in accordance with the will of God and would reach the point of perfect love at which point they become true sons of God, divine beings themselves. à Like begets like.

The Ascent of the Soul The Gospel of Mary

The Ascent of the Soul The Gospel of Mary

The Ascent of the Soul in The Gospel of Mary


"And Desire said, 'I did not see you go down, yet now I see you go up. So why do you lie since you belong to me?'
"The soul answered, 'I saw you. You did not see me nor did you know me. You took the garment (I wore) for my (true) self. And you did not recognise me.'
"After it had said these things, it left rejoicing greatly.
"Again, it came to the third Power, which is called 'Ignorance.' [It] examined the soul closely, saying, 'Where are you going? You are bound by wickedness. Indeed you are bound! Do not judge!'
"And the soul said, 'Why do you judge me, since I have not passed judgement? I have been bound, but I have not bound (anything). They did not recognise me, but I have recognised that the universe is to be dissolved, both the things of earth and those of heaven.'
"When the soul had brought the third Power to naught, it went upward and saw the fourth Power. It had seven forms. The first form is darkness; the second is desire; the third is ignorance; the fourth is zeal for death; the fifth is the realm of the flesh; the sixth is the foolish wisdom of the flesh; the seventh is the wisdom of the wrathful person. These are the seven Powers of Wrath.
"They interrogated the soul, 'Where are you coming from, human-killer, and where are you going, space-conqueror?'
"The soul replied, saying, 'What binds me has been slain, and what surrounds me has been destroyed, and my desire has been brought to an end, and ignorance has died. In a world, I was set loose from a world [an]d in a type, from a type which is above, and (from) the chain of forgetfulness which exists in time. From this hour on, for the time of the due season of the aeon, I will receive rest in silence.' "

The beginning of the vision is missing the revelation starts with the second power Desire. I would suppose that the vision is a revelation to Mary Magdalene about herself about her own enlightenment

"And Desire said, 'I did not see you go down, yet now I see you go up. So why do you lie since you belong to me?'

"The soul answered, 'I saw you. You did not see me nor did you know me. You mistook the garment (I wore) for my (true) self. And you did not recognise me.'

"After it had said these things, it left rejoicing greatly.

The Garment here is the ego or personality which the soul clothes itself with it is not the true real self which is the Christ consciousness

Again, it came to the third Power, which is called 'Ignorance.' [It] examined the soul closely, saying, 'Where are you going? You are bound by wickedness. Indeed you are bound! Do not judge!'




Ignorance judges the soul to be bound by the wickedness of the passions and lacking in discernment do not judge it commands. The soul is bound to the lower world by its physical nature which produces sin when you do the things that are like the nature of adultery


Mary Magdalene represents the psyche of the carnal consciousness. This psyche is demoniacal, and from it Jesus cast out seven demons (Luke 8:2). It is there that the emotions have their centres of action. It is the seat of desire.

Now the female offspring of the soul are wickedness and passion, but a healthy state of the passions and virtue is male,

The feelings and affections, which are the seat of the emotions in our unenlightened heart, belong to the soul.

The soul is ascending through different levels of the carnal consciousness or the senses until it raises to the higher self the Christ consciousness which releases the soul from the emotional errors (the demons) that have their existence in the unenlightened heart and establishes peace and repose in the consciousness

The purification of the soul is a change of mind and purpose (Acts 5:31; 11:18). Belief in the gospel of the kingdom is to have this state of mind and character according to “the law of faith.” The Gospel is intended to enlighten and purify the mind while enriching the emotions, attitudes and decisions with love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (Gal 5:22-23) . Where the truth prevails there is 'righteousness, and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit' (Romans 14:17) which will result in edification of one another (v 19).

The 7 forms of the fourth power represent the 7 demons cast out of Mary Magdalene. The powers are the Archons or the rulers of power of the senses

The 2nd Power is Desire the carnal mind craving, the 3rd Power is Ignorance it believes it has power to judge others, but the soul knows that all power belongs to God alone, the fourth Power is Wrath which has 7 forms the seven Powers of Wrath

the 7 forms of the fourth power are (spiritual) darkness, the second desire (craving), the third ignorance (of the Truth), the fourth is the zeal for death (a lack of consciousness), the fifth is the kingdom of the flesh (which enslaves the emotions), the sixth is the foolish wisdom of flesh (materialistic worship, born of the carnal mind), the seventh is the wrathful wisdom (false doctrines and theories born of the carnal mind, which is a counterfeit of true Wisdom). These are the seven powers of wrath (the limited and inferior thoughts and attitudes ).

Their collective character and name is wrath

The idea of seven steps of ascent to divinity (which correspond to the seven heavens) is widely known.

The Ascent of the Soul in The Gospel of Mary is not about the soul ascending to the literal heavens but the heavens which is a state of consciousness in harmony with the thoughts of God.

The Ascent of the Soul is to it free from the powers of human nature not matter

The 4 Powers are within ourselves

The 4 Powers are the 7 forms which are established as parts of our Being

They represent the senses

the powers are a personification of human nature or human qualities this is seen from the Testament of Reuben chapter 2 the concerning the seven spirits of error

Testament of Reuben

2:1 And now hear me, my children, what things I saw concerning the seven spirits of error, when I repented.
2:2 For seven spirits are established against man, and they are the sources of the deeds of youth.
2:3 And seven other spirits are given to man at creation, so that by them every human deed is done.
2:4 The first is the spirit of life, with which man's whole being is created. The second is the spirit of sight, with which comes desire.
2:5 The third is the spirit of hearing, with which comes instruction. The fourth is the spirit of smell, with which is given tastes for drawing air and breath.
2:6 The fifth is the spirit of speech, with which comes knowledge.
2:7 The sixth is the spirit of taste, for consuming food and drink; by it comes strength, because in food is the substance of strength.
2:8 The seventh is the spirit of procreation and intercourse, with which comes sin through fondness for pleasure.
2:9 For this reason, it is the last in order of creation, and the first in that of youth, because it is filled with ignorance, and leads the youth as a blind man into a ditch, and like an animal over a cliff.

3:1 In addition to all these there is an eighth spirit of sleep, with which is brought about the trance of nature and the image of death.
3:2 With these spirits are mingled the spirits of error.
3:3 First, the spirit of fornication resides in the nature and in the senses; the second, the spirit of insatiableness, in the stomach; the third, the spirit of fighting, in the liver and gall.
3:4 The fourth is the spirit of flattery and trickery, in order that through excessive effort one might appear to be at the height of his power.
3:5 The fifth is the spirit of pride, that one may be boastful and arrogant. The sixth is the spirit of lying, which through destructiveness and rivalry, handles his affairs smoothly and secretively even with his relatives and his household.
3:6 The seventh is the spirit of injustice, with which are thefts and acts of rapacity, that a man may fulfil the desire of his heart; for injustice works together with the other spirits by the taking of gifts.
3:7 And with all these the spirit of sleep is joined which is that of error and fantasy.
3:8 And so every young man is destroyed, darkening his mind from the truth, and not understanding the Law of God, nor obeying the admonitions of his fathers as befell me also in my youth.
3:9 And now, my children, love the truth, and it will preserve you: hear you the words of Reuben your father.

Logos the reasoning mind of God

Logos the reasoning mind of God

"In the Beginning was the Logos, and the Logos was with God, and the Logos was God. This was in the Beginning with God. Through it everything was done; and without it not even one thing was done, which has been done. In it was Life; and the LIFE was the LIGHT of MEN....
And the Logos became Flesh, and dwelt among us,--and we beheld his GLORY, a Glory as of an Only-begotten Son from the Father,--full of Grace and Truth" (John 1:1-4, 14).

Logos is the Greek word for the reasoning mind of the Deity. Corresponding Greek words which have a similar meaning to logos are spirit, will, mind, and wisdom. Wisdom is the practical equivalent of logos or word. The Greek speaking Jews saw wisdom has been virtually identical with God's will and word or reason that is (logos).

The Greek word Logos can be translated into many different English words

Account
Cause
Communication
Doctrine
Intent
Preaching
Reason
Saying
Tidings

Logos' can strictly refer to the inner thought which is expressed outwardly in words and other communication. The extent of the concept was that behind spoken words were thoughts.

Thoughts were mind. Mind has a close link with reason. Reason was the structure of orderly action…that ultimate reality was reasonable, was in fact reason itself."

And because human beings have the capacity to reason, it was taught by Jesus and the early Christians that our destiny is to "make contact with divine reason and, like God, discern ultimate truths

Logos also means man's ability to recognise reality. It is man's ability to reason.

Logos is the anointing power of the Father the divine light, the living Word, or Word of the Eternal Spirit, and it causes all things; all things were made by it. Jesus expressed the Logos in its fullness, and He became the Logos, or Word, made flesh. In other words, Jesus united Himself in thought, word, and deed with this Heavenly Christ, Logos, Word, creative principle of God, in which are all the ideas in the Divine Mind--life, light, love wisdom.  thus throughout His entire life Jesus showed forth the glory and perfection of the Father.

The Word, Logos, Thought of God, the anointing spirit or Christ, in which is the creative power of the Father-God, is the foundation principle, of the true inner self of every believer.

What is Grace

Grace

Grace the undeserved kindness of God

5485 xáris (a feminine noun meaning-, "“a favour freely done, without claim or expectation of return, leaning towards to share benefit,  – properly, Undeserved Kindness.

5485 (xáris) is used of God's favour – freely extended to give Himself away to people (because He is "always leaning toward them").

The word is often used to refer to a kind gift or a kind manner of giving. When referring to the undeserved kindness of God, the word describes a free gift given generously by God, with no expectation of repayment.

grace--Good will; favor; disposition to show mercy; aid from God in the process of regeneration. "By grace have ye been saved" (Eph. 2:5).

Conditional Grace

God’s grace has been offered to the entire human family. “For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men . . .” (Titus 2:11). This cannot mean that every soul will be saved. Such a conclusion would contradict numerous other passages.

What this does suggest is that God’s grace is potentially available to all who care to access it by means of the divine plan of redemption (cf. Romans 5:1; 6:3-4,17).

The receiving of God’s grace is conditional. Some Christians get this wrong asserts that grace is bestowed unconditionally by the sovereign will of God. The Bible negates this concept.

The principle is illustrated by the example of Noah, who “found grace in the eyes of Yahweh” (Genesis 6:8); and yet, as the writer of Hebrews shows, Noah and his family were saved by preparing an ark in obedience to God’s instruction (11:7; cf. Genesis 6:22). Yahweh proffered the grace. Noah, by faith, obeyed Yahweh, and so was blessed. While God extends grace, human beings must be willing to “receive” the favour (2 Corinthians 6:1).

Grace is conditional and requires something on our part: faith.

Justification– “A man is justified by faith” (Romans 3:28)
Sanctification– “sanctification by…faith in the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13)
Glorification– “[Jesus will] present you before Him (God) holy and blameless and beyond reproach— if you indeed continue in the faith.” (Colossians 1:22)

The Grace/Knowledge Connection

1 Corinthians 1:4-7

4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus,
5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge,
6 just as the witness about the Christ has been made firm among you,
7 so that YOU do not fall short in any gift at all, while YOU are eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ

Grace is expanded into "discourse and all knowledge,” v5 endowments with which the Corinthians were especially favoured

The access to God’s grace is by means of an objective body of revelation. Paul noted: “For the grace of God hath appeared . . . instructing us . . .” (Titus 2:11-12). Christianity is a taught religion. Isaiah, speaking of the kingdom age, proclaimed: “. . . he will teach us of his ways . . .” (2:3). Jesus himself declared: “It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and has learned, comes unto me” (John 6:45).

God’s grace is not dispensed apart from an instruction that requires both understanding and obedience. In these days when there is a tendency to “stampede” folks into the church, with little  comprehension of what they are doing, this is a crucial matter to emphasise.

Grace Is Not Earned

Grace excludes merit. We must constantly remind ourselves that humanity is not deserving of salvation. No one can “earn” pardon by works of human merit. If such were the case, we could boast regarding our redemption; however, that is impossible (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Even if one were able to perform everything God commands, he still must regard himself as an “unprofitable servant” (Luke 17:10). Jesus taught that our sins have put us head-over-heels in debt, and no person has the ability to liquidate that obligation (cf. Matthew 18:24-27).

When this concept is truly comprehend, service to Almighty God will flow with a freshness and zeal that invigorates the soul. Doubtless a failure to comprehend fully the true significance of grace is the reason many church members are spiritually inactive.

"Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17); that is, the real saving, redeeming, transforming power came to man through the work that Jesus did in establishing for the race a new and higher consciousness in the earth. We can enter into this consciousness by faith in Him and by means of the inner spirit of the law that He taught and practiced.