The Boundary Between the Physical and Spiritual Heavens

The Firmament or Expanse
The Firmament, the chasm, the limit, the middle or boundary

The outermost extension of the Upper Aeons is called ‘the limit’ and ‘the exalted boundary’: “...so that the limit which the Father had set might be established.” “...as for the one who is set up in this way and who is within the exalted boundary.” (Tripartite Tractate)


Lk 16:26  And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm<5490> is fixed<4741>, so that those who desire to pass hence to you cannot, nor do they who desire to cross from there pass over unto us.

Heb 12:18  For ye are not come unto the mount <3735> that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

Heb 12:20  (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain <3735>, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

Just as there exists a great chasm in Hades between the righteous and the unrighteous. so also there exists a great chasm between the Physical universe and the spiritual universe, this is called the Great Firmament

The Firmament is the boundary everywhere and no where 

Valentinians would sometimes refer to the Cross to explain the Boundary. 
Both Jews and Gnostic Christians believe the firmament is the Boundary between Physical universe and the spiritual universe
In Valentinianism the Boundary has many names the chasm, the limit, the middle or boundary

The Boundary or 
The Limit (horos G3735)

Valentinians would use a Greek word ὅρος (horos G3735) to try and explain the Firmament. Since the Greek word has a etymology term "limitation" or "restriction". Also the Greek word ὅριον (horion G3725) means "borders" and the two words are closely related. The word  ὅρος (horos G3735) has a second meaning a "mountain" . 

The Greek word (horion G3725) seems to come from the another Greek word ὅρος (horos) 3735 meaning a mountain this is where I got the idea to quote from Luke 16:26 as the chasm would be related to the mountain.

Strong's Concordance 3725. ὅριον horion hor’-ee-on; neuter of a derivative of an apparently primary ορος horos (a bound or limit); a boundary-line, i.e. (by implication) a frontier (region): —  border, coast. 

3725. ὅριον, ὁρίου, τό (from ὅρος (boundary)) (fr. Sophocles down), a bound, limit, in the N. T. always in plural (like Latinfines) boundaries (R. V. borders), equivalent to region, district, land, territory. (Thayer's Greek Lexicon) 

According to Thayer's Greek Lexicon the Greek word ὅριον G3725 comes from the word ὅρος G3735

horizo

3724. ὁρίζω horizo hor-id’-zo; from 3725; to mark out or bound ("horizon"), i.e. (figuratively) to appoint, decree, sepcify: —  declare, determine, limit, ordain. 

3724 ὁρίζω horizo hor-id’-zo 

from 3725; v; TDNT-5:452,728;  {See TDNT 563 } 

AV-determine 2, ordain 2, as it was determined + 2596 + 3588 1, declare 1, limit 1, determine 1; 8 


In the New Testament horizo is translated ‘determinate’, ‘ordain’, ‘limit’, ‘declared’. This word gives the English ‘horizon’ which has no element of fate in its meaning, but means simply the ‘boundary’ where sea and sky appear to meet.

Strong's Concordance ὅρος (horos) 3735. ὄρος oros or’-os; probably from an obsolete ορω oro (to rise or "rear"; perhaps akin to 142; compare 3733); a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain): —  hill, mount(-ain). 

5490. χάσμα chasma khas’-mah; from a form of an obsolete primary χαω chao (to "gape" or "yawn"); a "chasm" or vacancy (impassable interval): —  gulf.


The two Greek words ὅρος (horos) 3735 and 5490. χάσμα chasma are not related but they share the same idea that is that a mountain or chasm is the border or limit of a territory or land   

Here we can see how horos (The Boundary or The Limit) is used as a symbol for the Firmament the division between waters and waters.

The next Greek word to look at From Luke 16:26 is 4741 στηρίζω sterizo stay-rid’-zo 

from a presumed derivative of 2476 (like 4731); v; TDNT- 7:653,1085;  {See TDNT 745 } 

AV-stablish 6, establish 3, strengthen 2, fix 1, stedfastly set 1; 13 

1) to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix 
2) to strengthen, make firm 
3) to render constant, confirm, one’s mind

"In all these (regions) there is a great chasm fixed." Movement to or from was impossible.

Therefore the Boundary or the Limit had to be fixed into place like the Firmament

Psalm 36:6  (35:6) Thy righteousness is as the mountains (ὅρος (horos) of God, thy judgments are as a great deep (G12 ἄβυσσος): O Lord, thou wilt preserve men and beasts. LXX

Psalm 36:6  Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.

Here in Psalm 36:6 we now have a link between the Bythos (Depth βάθος) and the horos (mountain ὅρος)

The Firmament

And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which [were] under the firmament from the waters which [were] above (H5921) the firmament: and it was so (Gen. 1:7).

Philo says in Opif. 36-37 that the first thing to be created in the visible cosmos was heaven, which is called the firmament. In Plant. 3-4 it is also called the “boundary” which separates the visible cosmos from the ideal world. 

The firmament is the boundary between the visible universe and the Pleroma (fullness) the spiritual heavens 

The word “firmament” — that which is firm or fixed — is taken from the word used by the translators of the Septuagint, στερεωμα, from the idea that the heavens above us are a solid concave.

It properly means an expanse — a thing spread out. The verb from which the word is derived means to beat; then, to beat out — that is, to spread out by beating, as gold is; and then, simply to spread out, to expand. Compare #Ps 136:6 Isa 42:5 44:24. In Syriac the word means to make firm; but this idea is not necessarily in the Hebrew word. The idea of a firmament as something firm is derived from the Septuagint — in Genesis 1:6, στερεωμα — in this place, εν στερεωματι. 

Philo describes here how God began to shape the pre-cosmic matter and bring it from a state of “confusion” into a state of “separation”: ἐκ συγχύσεως εἰς διάκρισιν ἄγων ὁ κοσμοπλάστης μορφοῦν ἤρξατο. Heaven is not separated out of matter, but God set it as a boundary between the visible and the invisible world. Heaven, i.e. the firmament, is arranged as a boundary and “container” that divided the material creation and the regions of earth, water, air and fire from the divine world


Gen 1:6 And God [Elohim] went on to say: Let an expanse (Firmament) [chasm, the limit, the middle or boundary between the light matter universe and the dark matter universe, which is above the Firmament were God lives, this is called the pleroma] come to be in between the waters [aeons that is God’s heavenly hosts or dwelling place so Elohim is these waters. So Elohim is the waters above the Firmament ] and let a dividing occur between the waters [above and the heavens called the pleroma] and the waters [below, the Physical Heavens].

Gen 1:8 And God began to call the expanse (Firmament atmosphere, sky, or physical universe, outer space) Heavens [shamayim always in the pural - heavens] [this Firmament is the name for our atmosphere, the first heaven, and for space, the light universe, the second heaven and for God's home in the dark matter/energy universe, the 3rd heaven.

The true God then divides the light matter universe and the dark matter universe and separates them by 'an expanse' which is some sort of heavenly barrier, which is symbolized by the atmosphere of the earth.

This spiritual barrier is symbolized by the atmosphere of the earth, the earthly expanse, which is a barrier between the clouds (the waters above) and the seas (the waters below).

The Pleroma is the 3rd Heaven. The firmament or expanse is the limit, the middle or boundary between the Physical Heavens and the spiritual heavens called the Pleroma.

Valentinus assumed the existence of two boundaries one is between the ineffable depth and the rest of the fullness or Pleroma and the other bounds the material universe from the pleroma

Psalm 150:1 ¶ Praise ye Yahweh. Praise God in his sanctuary (that is in the upper depth of the Pleroma): Praise him in the firmament of his power (that is the Boundary between the ineffable depth and the rest of the Pleroma). 

Psalm 19:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens (the Pleroma or the waters above the heavens) declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Psalm 19 suggests that the heavens (the pleroma) are a greater work of God than the mere firmament which is referenced as a small example of God’s creative work. 

This would be compatible with the notion of firmament which we have developed above in comparing the relatively small matter of the visible heavens with the grand design of the invisible which are currently totally beyond mankind's comprehension

“It is he (the Father) whom the outside worlds all, like the stars of the firmament at night, see. As men desire to see the sun, in this way also the outside worlds desire to see him, on account of his invisibility that surrounds him.” (Untitled Text in the Bruce Codex)

According to the Scriptures, there is a physical/spiritual structure to the universe. The Apostle Paul makes reference to the importance of this knowledge in the book of Ephesians where he wrote:


"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness (pleroma) of God."(Ephesians 3:17-19 KJV)

"[It is] he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD [is] his name."
(Amos 9:6 KJV)


The first heaven is the Earth's atmosphere:

"And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl [that] may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven." (Gen 1:20 KJV)

The second heaven is the vast expanse of the physical universe - outer space as we call it:

"And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:" (Gen 1:14 KJV)

These two heavens constitute a continuum called the "firmament," and this firmament is collectively called "Heaven":

"And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day." (Gen 1:8 KJV)

The Third Heaven is above this upper "Sea," and this higher sea is below the Throne of God:


"And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind."
(Revelation 4:6 KJV)

This particular "Sea" is above the firmament (the known physical universe). It represents a firm and impassable barrier between the world of man (below) and the world of God or pleroma (above).

As we said, this is a present "sea" of separation is a FIRM and impassable barrier between the world of man (below) and the world of God (above) and they only way through there is in the Lord Jesus Christ. That barrier structure can be seen in the design of the Tabernacle and the Temple. It is represented by the Veil.

The "Sea" under discussion is a barrier between the second and third heavens, represented by the veil between the 'Holy Place' and 'Holiest of All.' The 'Brazen Alter' represents the Earth where the sacrifice was to be made. The 'Laver' in Moses' Tabernacle, and the 'Molten Sea' in Solomon's Temple, were places for the priests to wash themselves before entering the 'Holy Place'. You MUST be washed in the Blood of the Lamb of God to pass into that most Holy Place.

The Firmament is the Middle the space between the Upper and the Lower Aeons

The middle is like a veil between the Upper Aeons (‘the eternal’ ‘those who exist’) and the Lower Aeons (‘matter’ ‘those who do not exist’): “And then the existent separated itself from the non-existent. And the non-existent is the evil which has manifested in matter. And the enveloping power separated those that exist from those that do not exist. And it called the existent ‘eternal’, and it called the non-existent ‘matter’. And in the middle it separated those that exist from those that do not Exist, and it placed veils between them.” (Untitled Text in the Bruce Codex)

- The middle as a veil : “A veil exists between the world above and the realms that are below; and shadow came into being beneath the veil; and that shadow became matter; and that shadow was projected apart.” (Hypostasis of the Archons)

- The middle as a curtain between the Upper and Lower Aeons: “the Father of the Universe, that his unimaginable goodness might be revealed, he created that curtain between the immortals and those that came afterward” (Sophia of Jesus Christ





what we have learned


The first heaven (the atmosphere)
The second heaven (outer space)
The sea above outer space and below the third heaven (a sea of separation)
And above it all, there is the Third Heaven.

The Limit is linked to the cross because it is also the time after death a state of ‘non-existence’ which is greatly feared.

There is a boundary or Limit between God and the Fullness. There is a second boundary or Limit between the Fullness and the deficiency.


“firmament” is separated from the infinite Void (waters), a bounded finite space in which to create. It is the power of imposing limits, that is of boundaries, that creates form. Without a boundary there is no form,

Light and Darkness The Gospel of Philip

Light and Darkness The Gospel of Philip

Light and darkness, life and death, and right and left are siblings of one another, and inseparable. For this reason the good are not good, the bad are not bad, life is not life, death is not death.  For this reason each one will dissolve into its earliest origin, but what is superior to the world cannot be dissolved, for it is eternal.

This passage or saying can be compared with another from the Gospel of Philip

And so he dwells either in this world or in the resurrection or in the middle place. God forbid that I be found in there! In this world, there is good and evil. Its good things are not good, and its evil things not evil. But there is evil after this world which is truly evil - what is called "the middle". It is death. While we are in this world, it is fitting for us to acquire the resurrection, so that when we strip off the flesh, we may be found in rest and not walk in the middle. For many go astray on the way. For it is good to come forth from the world before one has sinned.

In everything God made he also made a counterpart or an opposite

Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I Yahweh do all these things.

compared Gen 1:3-5.

The Spiritual relevance: light and darkness represent good and evil;

By parallel, light = prosperity, and darkness = disaster.

I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, Yahweh, do all these things.


Here however these counterparts or opposites appear to be contrasted not with each other but with those who are exalted above the world

the counterparts or opposites refer to the illusory things of this world which will be dissolved into their origin

this passage would than serve as an explanation of the previous passage

He redeemed the good people in the world as well as the evil.

but what is superior to the world cannot be dissolved, for it is eternal.

those sealed in holy spirit, have eternal life

The one who entered on the spiritual Path has to separate in oneself the true, eternal, valuable for life in the highest realms of consciousness — from the false, which belongs only to this world. Then one should cultivate in oneself the first and get rid of the second.

Those Who have accomplished this become eternal in the Divine realms of consciousness. see my video about mystical eternal life

Light and darkness, Life and death, Right and left, Good and evil cannot be separated. It is impossible to know anything unless you know its opposite. You must be exalted above the limitations of mortal existence if you desire to perceive the reality which these represent. All That Is is One. There is Right  and there is left; there is dark and there is Light, but it is all One. Only when you get beyond the opposites will you perceive the Reality, which is Truth.

Anointing in the Gospel of Philip

Anointing in the Gospel of Philip 

The anointing is superior to baptism, for it is from the word "anointing" that we have been called "Christians," certainly not because of the word "baptism". And it is because of the anointing that "the Christ" has his name. For the Father anointed the Son, and the Son anointed the apostles, and the apostles anointed us. He who has been anointed possesses everything. He possesses the resurrection, the light, the cross, the Holy Spirit. The Father gave him this in the bridal chamber; he merely accepted (the gift). The Father was in the Son and the Son in the Father. This is the Kingdom of Heaven. (Gospel of Philip)

anointing is a main area of interest in The Gospel of Philip. The number of ritual services in The Gospel of Philip is five. In verses 67.28-30 they are “a baptism and an anointing of oil and a eucharist and a redemption and a bridal chamber

GPh 67:27–30:“The Lord did everything like a mystery: baptism, chrism, Eucharist, redemption and bridal chamber.”

It is clear, however, that this text does not speak about “mysteries” in the sense of sacraments, but about the hidden, symbolic meaning of the Saviour’s deeds in the world. (Einar Thomassen)

Truth did not come into the world naked, but it came in types and images. The world cannot receive truth in any other way. There is a rebirth and an image of rebirth. It is necessary to be born again truly through the image. How is it with the resurrection and the image? Through the image it must rise. The bridal chamber and the image? Through the image one must enter the truth: this is the restoration.

anointing--A symbolic expression of the pouring out of the spirit on one who has faith in God

,anointing oil--pure oil of olives blessed by an elder. anointing oil is used in consecrating the body with the living Spirit of Christ. "But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face" (Matt. 6:17).

anointing with the spirit of Christ, The Christ consciousness, which is poured over a believer, making him holy or a perfect whole. " You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Christ. Rom 8:9

2 cor 1:20. Therefore also through him is the “Amen” [said] to God for glory through us. 21 But he who guarantees that YOU and we belong to Christ and he who has anointed us is God. 22 He has also put his seal upon us and has given us the token of what is to come, that is, the spirit, in our hearts.

1 John 2:27 27 And as for YOU, the anointing that YOU received from him remains in YOU, and YOU do not need anyone to be teaching YOU; but, as the anointing from him is teaching YOU about all things, and is true and is no lie, and just as it has taught YOU, remain in union with him

According to the Gospel of Philip, anointing is even more important than baptism:

The anointing is superior to baptism, for from the word “anointing” that we have been called “Christians,” certainly not because of the word “baptism.”  And it is because of the anointing that “the Christ” has his name…He who has been anointed possesses everything.  He possesses the resurrection, the light, the cross, the Holy Spirit.  (74:12-21.)

The anointing, a ritual anointing with sacred olive oil, was what allowed a believer to truly be termed a Christian and allowed those chosen to move past the world to an eventual resurrection.

However, it is from the olive tree that we got the anointing, and from the anointing, the resurrection.

 Olive oil was generally used for anointing it consisted of pure oil of olives, and it must be blessed

although baptism is often seen as the major expression of a convert’s faith, Philip regarded it as far less important than the anointing—it is only with the anointing that a convert can truly be termed a Christian.  Receiving this title is the most immediate effect of anointing.

If somebody says: I am a Jew, nobody is going to move. If somebody says: I am a Roman, nobody will be confused either…But if I say: I am a Christian, everybody will tremble. May I obtain this sign…which the rulers will not be able to endure, that is, the name.

Notice that the name “Christian” (coming only after the anointing) is one that will make everyone tremble and the “rulers” “will not endure hearing.”

The fire is the anointing, the light is the fire.
The anointing oil was considered symbolic of the Light (Gospel of Philip 65:22-24, 67:2-8)

It is through water and fire that the whole place is purified - the visible by the visible, the hidden by the hidden. There are some things hidden through those visible. There is water within water, there is fire within the oil of anointing.

It is from water and fire and light that the son of the bridal chamber (came into being). The fire is the anointing, the light is the fire.

Through the Holy Spirit we are indeed begotten again, but we are begotten through Christ in the two. We are anointed through the Spirit. When we were begotten, we were united. None can see himself either in water or in a mirror without light. Nor again can you see in light without mirror or water. For this reason, it is fitting to baptise in the two, in the light and the water. Now the light is the anointing.

I believe the baptism and anointing happen at the same time or ceremony I think this is confirm from the above readings

In the Acts of Thomas, the anointing is the beginning of the baptismal ritual and essential to becoming a Christian, as it says "that the God whom thou preachest knoweth his own sheep by his seal" (Acts of Thomas Chapter 26)

and that the seal is received through the oil: 

"And he commanded them to bring oil, that they might receive the seal by the oil." (Acts of Thomas Chapter 26)

Acts of Thomas 27 And the apostle arose and sealed them. And the Lord was revealed unto them by a voice, saying: Peace be unto you brethren. And they heard his voice only, but his likeness they saw not, for they had not yet received the added sealing of the seal (Syr. had not been baptized). And the apostle took the oil and poured it upon their heads and anointed and chrismed them, and began to say (Syr. And Judas went up and stood upon the edge of the cistern and poured oil upon their heads and said):

Come, thou holy name of the Christ that is above every name.

Come, thou power of the Most High, and the compassion that is perfect.

Come, gift (charism) of the Most High.

Come, compassionate mother.

Come, communion of the male.

Come, she that revealeth the hidden mysteries.

Come, mother of the seven houses, that thy rest may be in the eighth house.

Come, elder of the five members, mind, thought, refiection, consideration, reason; communicate with these young men.

Come, holy spirit, and cleanse their reins and their heart, and give them the added seal, in the name of the Father and Son and Holy Ghost. (Acts of Thomas Chapter 27)

 In baptism and anointing, the person was sealed with the names Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As a result the person was not only considered a Christian, but a "Christ"

Those who receive the name of the father, son, and holy spirit and have accepted them must do this. If someone does not accept them, the name will also be taken from that person. A person receives them in the chrism with the oil of the power of the cross. The apostles called this power the right and the left. This person is no longer a Christian but is Christ.

"Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit…You must be born again." (John 3:5-7)

The new life that allows us to start out with God comes through a spiritual birth provided by the Holy Spirit. "Unless one is born of…the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." Just as man must be physically born into the human family, so man must be spiritually born into God's family. There is no other option. That is why Jesus said, "You must be born again."

The reason spiritual new birth is a necessity is because "that which is born of the flesh is flesh." Natural human birth can only produce a natural life. Becoming a child of God involves a supernatural life that God alone can provide.

it is only after the anointing that one becomes “Christian” in the fullest sense of the word. The ritual anointing established, for its receiver, direct communication from the Holy Spirit and the convert becomes a christ, an “anointed” member of God’s kingdom.

The Gospel of Philip teaches that a person only becomes a Christian by the Anointing not baptism. It is only with the receiver of the anointing that a follower of Jesus can truly be called a Christian.

The Anointing is the seal or confirmation that a believer is a Christian 

Casting the Fire of Kingdom upon the World The Gospel of Thomas

10 Jesus said, "I have cast fire upon the world, and see, I am watching over it until it blazes."


16 Jesus says: "Men indeed think I have come to bring peace to the world. But they do not know that I have come to bring the world discord, fire, sword, war. Indeed, there will be five in a house. There will be three over two and two over three, parent over child and child over parent. And they will stand at rest by being solitaries."


82 Jesus said, "Whoever is near me is near fire, and whoever is far from me is far from the kingdom


In saying 16 Jesus does not bring peace upon the world but fire war and the sword so in saying 10 Jesus is speaking about the trouble in his day which would end in 70 CE with the destruction of the temple it is also a prophecy of our own time which will

In Saying 82 fire and the kingdom are equivalent terms just as Jesus is equivalent with the Kingdom so here when he throws fire upon the world we should understand that he has come to reveal the knowledge of the Kingdom upon the world.

Therefore in Saying 82 Jesus is both fire and kingdom and if we compare this with Saying 10 Jesus control the fire that will soon blaze and that fire is identified with Jesus and those with him and the fire is identified with the Kingdom one might therefore re-read Saying 10 as I have thrown the Kingdom on the world to refine it

This is a refiner’s fire, to refine the heart of men for the day of judgement. The knowledge that makes us responsible to the truth comes by faith and faith by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Thus it can make us wise unto salvation by faith in Christ Jesus, for the word of God is beneficial for teaching, for reproving for correction, for disciplining in righteousness. This is the fire of the knowledge of the kingdom of God that saves us 1Cor 3:13-15 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

for our faith is tried with fire 1pe 1:7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

so the forgiveness of sins is to purify the sins of the world with fire. So by listening to Jesus’ words and abiding by them we will overcome our passions. Cp. Saying 7, 8, 9

The fire is also the fire of judgement speaking of the end of the Jewish temple and pointing forward to the end of the age


Fire is a symbol of the spirit-manifestation or God-manifestation for "God is a consuming fire”. Therefore, after we are refined by fire we shall be made like fire just like Jesus is now for Yahweh makes his ministers a flame of fire Psalm 104:4 Who makes his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire.

Daniel also saw them in vision. "I beheld," says he, "until the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of Days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool' his throne the fiery flame, and his wheels burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him; thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the Judgment was set, and the books were opened" (Dan. 7:9-10). Whence came all these thousands of the fiery stream? They are all the Sons of Power: Spirits born of the Spirit; Israel's Elohim, or Mighty Ones; who were once Jews and Gentiles in unprofitable flesh: sinners under sentence of death, but justified by an intelligent and obedient faith. These are the Elohim of the Sh'ma Yisraail, the hypostasis of whom is the ONE YAHWEH -- the One Eternal Spirit multitudinously manifested in the Sons of Eternal Power. When these become apparent, "at THE ADOPTION, to wit, the redemption of the Body" (Rom. 8:23) -- the "One Body" -- then will be revealed the Mystical Christ -- the seed of Abraham -- the "Son of Man clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the breasts with a golden girdle; his head and hairs like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes as a flame of fire; and his feet like unto fine brass, as if glowing in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters" (Rev. 1:13-15) -- the voice of the redeemed of all kindreds, and nations, and peoples and tongues.

it is not “pie in the sky when you die, bye & bye.” Gospel of Thomas Saying 3

 Jesus said, "If those who lead you (plur.) say to you, 'See, the kingdom is in heaven,' then the birds of heaven will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. But the kingdom is inside of you. And it is outside of you.

Here in Saying #3 Jesus is explaining that the kingdom of God is neither in the Heavens nor under the sea, or under the earth, that is the grave. which in Greek and Roman culture is paradise in Hades.

"If your leaders say to you ..." This announcement that the kingdom is not in heaven above or in the underworld that is “in the sea” which means “under the earth. (see Greek Text Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 654.13 provides the variant reading ”under the earth.) -

The kingdom is within you as hope in the heart and it is outside of us spread out over the earth, and people do not see it. (Saying 3, 113 Acts 1:7; Pr 30:4)

 It is not in the heaven or in the sea (3/2; cf. Rom. 10:6-7)
Then the birds of heaven will be there before you. If they say to you ‘It is in the sea!’ then the fish will be there before you.

This part of the saying makes a sort of joke out of the belief in going to heaven after death or hell (the sea)

 In any event, it is present and not in the sky.

But the kingdom is inside of you. And it is outside of you.

It is within us as a spiritual reality and outside of us as the “commonwealth”.

10)  Jesus said, "I have cast fire upon the world, and see, I am guarding it until it blazes."

In Saying 82 fire and the kingdom are equivalent terms just as Jesus is equivalent with the Kingdom so here when he throws fire upon the world we should understand that he has come to reveal the knowledge of the Kingdom upon the world.

Thus the Kingdom is also Christ Jesus (Saying 82) so it is the son of man that is within us, since Christ is the Kingdom (Saying 82), it is Christ within us, the hope of glory

We must come to know our true self. Our true self is not the person of this world, but the one who was born of God. We are spiritually maturing and growing in knowledge of who we are. We may not be clearly seeing our true self (who is Christ) right now, but we will once we come to fully know and be our True self. We are God’s image that must become perfect like our heavenly Father this is our purpose to reflect the identity, character and glory and become the image of Christ, who is the true image of God. We can only do this in Christ where our true self (life) will be kept hidden in Christ Col 3:3, 4.

So in this light real poverty is when we do not know your true self in Christ. The use of the term 'poverty' is meant for life outside of true knowledge This is spiritual poverty where our minds are lost in deception and our hearts feel homeless because we have not returned to our Father’s house 1Cor 3:16 6:19 Eph 2:20-22 1Pet 2:5. Finally, Jesus says, “you are that poverty” Paul says that nothing good could come from him Rom 7:18 He said that “Paul” had died and Christ now lived in and through him Gal 2:20. Paul knew that his true life was found when he had the spirit of Christ, which is the mind of Christ and not the natural or worldly Paul.

The commonwealth of Israel is a spiritual Kingdom made up of the true believers the Israel of God Gal. 6:15, 16; 1  Paul says, “Thanking the Father who rendered you suitable for your participation in the inheritance of the holy ones in the light. He delivered us from the authority of the darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of his love (Col. 1:12-14). In this way, the true believers in the “good news” were brought into a realm of light. However, with what was their enlightened condition connected? It was connected with a kingdom. When God “delivered [them] from the authority of the darkness,” he at the same time “transferred [them] into the kingdom of the Son of his love.” (Col. 1:13)

However saying 3 does not deny the future kingdom of God upon the earth only the belief in heaven going. We can begin to live it now, like we will in the future Kingdom of God, when Jesus comes to establish the Government of God on this earth.

it is not “pie in the sky when you die, bye & bye.”

But it is still future

The Light Within The Gospel of Thomas Saying 24

The Light Within The Gospel of Thomas Saying 24

Saying 24 His disciples said to him, "Show us the place where you are, since it is necessary for us to seek it." He said to them, "Whoever has ears, let him hear. There is light within a man of light, and he lights up the whole world. If he does not shine, he is darkness."

Saying 70 Jesus said, "If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you." Gospel of Thomas.

This saying of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas does not teach that there is light within everyone only within "a man of light". there is no indication from this saying of a doctrine of immortal souls or a divine spark trapped within us which needs re-awakening. Only that there is light is within "a man of light". 

Therefore the light is exclusively within "a man of light". Next we would assume that the "man of light" would be the disciples of the Lord as Jesus himself says that his disciples are "the light of the world". For all true believers are called light having obtained saving wisdom with faith and good works in communion with Christ and God Eph 5:8

70. Jesus said, "If you bring forth what is within you, what you have will save you. If you do not have that within you, what you do not have within you [will] kill you."

This Saying refers to the light of knowledge, which is the salvation of those who possess it but the destruction of those who lack it. Knowledge must always precede Faith; for a man cannot believe that of which he has not previously been informed. Hence, the first inquiry on the part of man or woman anxious to be saved will be, WHAT IS THE GOSPEL? Until they know this, they cannot go on to the second stage of believing unto salvation. The gospel is styled "the one faith,


This saying is about faith and the knowledge of the truth. The knowledge about God and Christ Jesus and the kingdom when this knowledge comes from the outside and is written on the heart (the inside) it is “that certain thing within you that will save you”.

it's all about being given knowledge from without, or the idea that if you don't accept some sort of "approved" knowledge from outside yourself, and take it within, than THAT is what will destroy you.

The answer is faith. If you give birth to Faith within yourself. So, "If you bring forth what is within you (faith), then what you bring forth (your faith) will save you. And if you do not bring forth what is within you, what you don't bring forth will destroy you (your lack of faith).

The true believer 'begets' within himself the kingdom or Jesus who is the light of the world. The believer will be saved by what he begets;

First there could be no light within unless it came from the outside for as Paul says “within me that is within my flesh dwells no good thing” it is SIN that dwells within us all Rom 7:17,18 so the light within is the word of God both the spirit word and Christ Jesus, the son of God.

The scriptures must be written upon our hearts and Christ must dwell in us this is the light within a man of light and “that certain thing within you that will save you”.

For light is used in the scriptures as doctrine, teaching Isa 49:6 for the commandment of God is like a luminary, and the law is as a light Pr 6:23. the light by which the true life is gained jn 8:12 Jesus the Messiah is called the light of the world Lk 2:32 Jn 1:7 12:35 8:12 9:5 true believers are called light having obtained saving wisdom with faith and good works in communion with Christ and God Eph 5:8

Now, the scriptures says, "The commandment of God is a lamp; and his law is light" (Prov. 6:23); so that the prophet says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psa. 119:105).

Now, the enlightening of every believer is thus explained by Paul: "God", says he, "who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, is he who hath shined into our hearts (the believes'), with the illumination of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2Cor 4:6). But "every man" is not enlightened by this glorious knowledge; for to some it is hidden.

Light will not shine in blind minds. Hence, says the apostle, "If our gospel be hidden, it is hidden to them that are lost: in whom the God of the world hath blinded the minds of them who believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ should shine into them" (2Cor 4:3,4). He darkens the tablets of their hearts by "the care of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches" (Matt 13:22); and thus prevents them from opening their ears to hear the words of eternal life.

24 His disciples said to Him, "Show us the place where You are, since it is necessary for us to seek it [again showing their dullness]." He said to them, "Whoever has [spiritual] ears, let him hear. #There is light [where Jesus (the light of the world) is] within a man of light [he who has Christ within him], and he (or "it") lights up the whole world [with the Keys of Knowledge he is given (true enlightenment)]. If he (or "it") [the light in you] does not shine, he (or "it") is darkness

70 Jesus said, "If you bring forth [give birth to] what is within you [the spirit of Christ "who enlightens the true believers who come into the world" - the Keys that unlock the mystery which causes you to become a bubbling fountain of Life], what you bring forth [from the scriptures and the Word within that He gives you] will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you [if you quench the spirit (like an abortion)], what you do not bring forth will destroy you [being stuck in the letter you will die in your sins]."



What is within you is the kingdom of heaven
What will save you is the way
What is within you is the light
What will destroy you is darkness

The “twin” of Christ Gospel of Thomas Saying 108

Saying Jesus says: "He who drinks from my mouth will become like me. As for me, I will become what he is, and what is hidden will be revealed to him."

These are the hidden sayings that the living Jesus spoke and Judas Thomas the twin recorded.


1 And he said, whoever discovers what these sayings mean will not taste death.


The Gospel of Thomas introduces itself as the hidden sayings of the living Jesus as recorded by Judas Thomas the twin. Even here in the introduction we are being introduced to the mysteries of the Order of God. The writer calls himself the “twin” of Christ. He gives us this clue that the objective of the sayings to be revealed is not to simply tell us about the Living Christ, but so that we can become Christs ourselves – we are to also become “twins” with our Teacher and Master.


He then shares with us the first saying of the Living Jesus – the one who finds the understanding of these sayings will not taste of death. Life is found in understanding the meaning of His sayings, the wisdom that is conceal into them. The deliverance of our beings come when we become mature, fully grasping the meaning of the teaching of the Living Lord Jesus. One could go through repetitive, empty observance and the remembering creeds and dogmas. But the true student is not interested in just learning about the Christ, but being formed into the image of our Teacher – who is the image of God. We do this through the assimilation of Divine Wisdom, being admitted into the school of the great Teacher Himself. We sit at the feet of the Master – the Living Christ and are changed from glory to glory into the very image and nature of God.



Jesus said to his disciples, "Compare me to something and tell me what I resemble." Simon Peter said to him, "A just angel is what you resemble." Matthew said to him, "An intelligent philosopher is what you resemble." Thomas said to him, "Teacher, my mouth utterly will not let me say what you resemble." Jesus said, "I am not your (sing.) teacher, for you have drunk and become intoxicated from the bubbling wellspring that I have personally measured out.


Jesus says: "He who drinks from my mouth will become like me. As for me, I will become what he is, and what is hidden will be revealed to him."


Thomas is called the "twin" of Jesus to denote a spiritual unity between the disciple and his master, as referenced here in Thomas v. 13, where Jesus says, "I am not your teacher. Because you have drunk and become intoxicated from the very same spring from which I draw."


Therefore in the GTh, the Living Jesus comes to reveal that you and he are, twins. And what you discover as you read the sayings of the Lord, is that you and Jesus at a deep level are identical twins. When you discover that you are the child of God just as he is. Therefore in saying 108 Jesus speaks to Thomas and says, "Whoever drinks from my mouth will become as I am, and I will become that person, and the mysteries will be revealed to him."


Our goal is to become like Jesus that is to become his twin brother. And this is what Thomas means twin, for Thomas symbolizes the one who has become like Jesus Cp. Saying 108

we must become the twin brothers of Christ who are the solitary or the single one the few chosen out of the many called, the twin brethren in Christ Col 1:2


Thus those who meditate on the words of Jesus are drinking from wisdom’s fountain and become like or equal with Jesus and this saying explicitly states that the true believer who drinks from Jesus‘ mouth becomes Christ himself. Drinking is done by means of investigating and finding the symbolic meanings of the parables and proverbs Jesus’ words. As is discussed at the start of the gospel


Prayer: Living Lord Jesus – we humbly enroll ourselves in the school of your Divine Wisdom and truth. Wash our minds free of the traditions of men and the baggage or our past. Let us forget what we have learned in the schools of the religions of men and devote ourselves to your teachings which bring us into the most Holy and Divine fellowship. Let us see only your pure and Divine Light, let it both surround us and fill us. Amen.

Miracles in the Gospel of Thomas

These are the secret sayings that the living Jesus spoke and Didymos Judas Thomas recorded.

1. And he said, "Whoever discovers the interpretation of these sayings will not taste death."

Some claim that in the Gospel of Thomas Jesus performs no miracles but Jesus’ sayings are the miracles he performs for they are living words that bring everlasting life and that in itself is a miracle that the words he speaks bring eternal life by seeking and finding the correct interpretation of them.

However, Jesus speaks about two miracles in Sayings 29, 85 in Saying 29

Jesus said: If the flesh came into existence because of the spirit, it is a marvel. But if the spirit (came into existence) because of the body, it is a marvel of marvels. But as for me, I wonder at this, how this great wealth made its home in this poverty.

So the first part of this saying can be translated “when” “When the flesh come into being because of spirit, it was a miracle

(85) Adam came into being out of a great power and a great wealth, and he was not worthy of you; for if he had been worthy, [he would] not [have tasted] of death.

In Hebrew the word miracle(s) is derivative of the root “be different”, distinctive, Meaningful, significant. Therefore it means to be different”, distinctive, meaningful, and significant, from the world and this is done by the word of God when believed and obeyed it will change our character and cleanse us form all of the desires of the flesh as Jesus says Jn: 17:17: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” and Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, Cp. Rom 10:17; 1Cor 12:8; 2Cor 6:7; Ephesians: 1:13; Eph 5:26; Eph 6:17; Phil 2:16 And so on.

The living Jesus=the resurrected Jesus, Jesus also lives though his sayings, and all true believers are the living Jesus. To become the living Jesus, you must empty yourself of yourself and let the spirit that is the mind of Christ (his character) fill you. Dying to yourself so that you can be reborn of the spirit as the living Jesus. We must experience the same conception, gestation, and birth as the living Jesus so that we might be his twin (Mt 3:17 Mk 1:11 Lk 3:22 Ps 2:7 89:27)

The hidden or secret sayings are in signs or signified the sayings, they are symbolical that is why we are told to find the correct interpretation of these sayings. (Cp. Saying 62 Jesus said: I speak my mysteries to those [who are worthy of my] mysteries. What your right hand does, let not your left hand know what it does.)

The Sayings are not intended to be interpreted literally, as the other four Gospels often are, but to be interpreted symbolically, this is confirmed by the opening Saying #0. While a literal interpretation may make sense, only by understanding the deeper meanings of the Sayings can one truly understand them.

In the Gospel of Thomas we are to become the spiritual and the corporeal (tangible) twin brethren of Jesus in logion 13 and the intro Thomas represents what we are to be come the spiritual and corporeal twin brethren of Christ (cp. Saying 108) this is done by knowledge, by knowing the Father and his son Christ Jesus. This can only be done by knowing what the Bible says about the Father and Christ Jesus. And when we truly know what it promises about the Kingdom of God. And when it is written on the heart, it forms the mind or mode of thinking or feeling created in a true believer. This is styled the inward man, the hidden man of the heart, the Real Self, the new man that is renewed by knowledge after the image of him that created him and is manifested in the life of a true believer.

To become the twin brethren of Christ (the Thomas class) we must know everything the Bible teaches about the Kingdom of God and the name of Christ Jesus. And than be baptised into Christ and put on Christ, so that we will be in the image or likeness of Christ. First in a moral likeness of renewed man to God (Col 3:10). And second the image of the son of God into which true Christians are to be transformed into the likeness of the heavenly body the house from heaven, (Phil 3:20,21 1Cor 15:49 Cp. Sayings 29 83 84)