CHAP. XVI.
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
38. What then will they have to say in the judgement, or how will they answer in the last times? A:
39. For how great a time hath the Most High been longsuffering with them that inhabit the world, and not for their sakes, but because of the times which he hath foreordained! A:
40. And I answered and said, If I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, shew this also unto thy servant, whether after death, even now when every one of us giveth up his soul, we shall be kept in rest until those times come, in which thou shalt renew the creation, of whether we shall be tormented forthwith. A:
41. And he answered me, and said, I will shew thee this also; but join not thyself with them that are scorners, nor number thyself with them that are tormented. A:
42. For thou hast a treasure of good works laid up with the Most High, but it shall not be shewed thee until the last times. A:
43. For concerning death the teaching is: When the determinate sentence hath gone forth from the Most High that a man should die, as the spirit leaveth the body to return again to him who gave it, it adoreth the glory of the Most High first of all. A:
44. And if it be one of those that have been scorners and have not kept the way of the Most High, and that have despised his law, and that hate them that fear God, A:45. these spirits shall not enter into habitations, but shall wander and be in torments forthwith, ever grieving and sad, in seven ways. A:
46. The first way, because they have despised the law of the Most High. A:
47. The second way, because they cannot now make a good returning that they may live. A:
48. The third way, they shall see the reward laid up for them that have believed the covenants of the Most High. A:
49. The fourth way, they shall consider the torment laid up for themselves in the last days. A:
50. The fifth way, they shall see the dwelling places of the others guarded by angels, with great quietness. A:
51. The sixth way, they shall see how forthwith some of them shall pass into torment. A:
52. The seventh way, which is more grievous than all the aforesaid ways, because they shall pine away in confusion and be consumed with shame, and shall be withered up by fears, seeing the glory of the Most High before whom they have sinned whilst living, and before whom they shall be judged in the last times. A:
53. Now this is the order of those who have kept the ways of the Most High, when they shall be separated from the corruptible vessel. A:
54. In the time that they dwelt therin they painfully served the Most High, and were in jeopardy every hour, that they might keep the law of the lawgiver perfectly. A:
55. Wherefore this is the teaching concerning them: A:
56. First of all they shall see with great joy the glory of him who taketh them up, for they shall have rest in seven orders. A:
57. The first order, because they have striven with great labour to overcome the evil thought which was fashioned together with them, that it might not lead them astray from life into death. A:
58. The second order, because they see the perplexity in which the souls of the ungodly wander, and the punishment that awaiteth them. A:
59. The third order, they see the witness which he that fashioned them beareth concerning them, that while they lived they kept the law which was given them in trust. A:
60. The fourth order, they understand the rest which, being gathered in their chambers, they now enjoy with great quietness, guarded by angels, and the glory that awaiteth them in the last days. A:
61. The fifth order, they rejoice, seeing how they have now escaped from that which is corruptible, and how they shall inherit that which is to come, while they see moreover the straitness and the painfulness from which they have been delivered, and the large room which they shall receive with joy and immortality. A:
62. The sixth order, when it is shewed unto them how their face shall shine as the sun, and how they shall be made like unto the light of the stars, being henceforth incorruptible. A:
63. The seventh order, which is greater than all the aforesaid orders, because they shall rejoice with confidence, and because they shall be bold without confusion, and shall be glad without fear, for they hasten to behold the face of him whom in their lifetime they served, and from whom they shall receive their reward in glory. A:
64. This is the order of the souls of the just, as from henceforth is announced unto them, and aforesaid are the ways of torture which they that would not give heed shall suffer from henceforth. A:
65. And I answered and said, Shall time therefore be given unto the souls after they are separated from the bodies, that they may see that whereof thou hast spoken unto me? A:
66. And he said, Their freedom shall be for seven days, that for seven days they may see the things whereof thou hast been told, and afterwards they shall be gathered together in their habitations. A:
67. And I answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, shew further unto me thy servant whether in the day of judgement the just will be able to intercede for the ungodly or to intreat the Most High for them, A:68. whether fathers for children, or children for parents, or brethren for brethren, or kinsfolk for their next of kin, or friends for them that are most dear. A:
69. And he answered me, and said, Since thou hast found favour in my sight, I will shew thee this also: The day of judgement is a day of decision, and displayeth unto all the seal of truth; even as now a father sendeth not his son, or a son his father, or a master his slave, or a friend him that is most dear, that in his stead he may be sick, or sleep, or eat, or be healed: A:70. so never shall any one pray for another in that day, neither shall one lay a burden on another, for then shall all bear every one his own righteousness or unrighteousness.
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