#6──《智者的啟示》11-15──THE “REVELATION OF THE MAGI” 11-15

THE ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE “REVELATION OF THE MAGI”

11. THE APPEARANCE OF THE STAR TO THE MAGI

Then, when the time and fulfillment of what was written in the books happened, concerning the revelation of the light of the hidden star, we were indeed thought worthy for it to come in our days and to receive it with joy, as we were commanded by our fathers and as we ourselves read in the books. And each of us saw wondrous and diverse visions that were never before seen by us, but their mysteries were in these books that we were reading. And each other came from his dwelling place according to our ancient custom to ascend the Mountain of Victories [text missing] to wash in the Spring of Purification, as we were accustomed. And we saw [text missing] in the form of an ineffable pillar of light descending and it came to rest above the water. And we were afraid and shook when we saw it. And we cannot speak about the brilliance of the star of light, since its radiance was many times greater than the sun, and the sun could not stand out before the light of its rays. And just like the moon looks in the daytime in the days of Nisan, when the sun rises and it is absorbed in its light, so also did the sun seem to us when the star rose over us. And the light of the star, which surpassed the sun, appeared to us ourselves and the sons of our mysteries, but it did not appear to anyone else, because they were removed from its mysteries and its coming. And we rejoiced, and glorified, and gave unmeasured thanks to the Father of heavenly majesty that it appeared in our days and we were thought worthy to see it.

12. THE STAR DESCENDS TO THE MOUNTAIN OF VICTORIES

And when we bathed in the Spring of Purification with joy, and we ascended the Mountain of Victories as we were accustomed, and we went up and found that pillar of light in front of the cave, again a great fear came upon us [see detail of polyptych by Rogier van der Weyden on page 51]. And [we knelt] upon our knees, and we stretched out our hands according to our ancient custom, and we praised in silence the vision of its wondrs. Aand again, we saw that heaven had been opened like a great gate and men of glory carrying the star of light upon their hands. And they descended and stood upon the pillar of light, and the entire mountain was filled by its light, which cannot be uttered by the mouth of humanity. And (something) like the hand of a small person drew near in our eyes from the pillar and the star, at which we could not look, and it comforted us. And we saw the star enter the Cave of Treasures of Hidden Mysteries, and the cave shone beyond measure. And a humble and kind voice made itself heard by us, which called out and said to us: “Enter inside without doubt, in love, and see a great and amazing vision.” And we were encouraged and comforted by the message of the voice. And we entered being afraid, and we bowed our knees at the mouth of the cave because of the very abundance of the light. And when we rose at its command, we lifted our eyes and saw that light, which is unspeakable by the mouth of human beings.

13. EPIPHANY IN THE CAVE OF TREASURES

And when it had concentrated itself, it appeared to us in the bodily form of a small and humble human, and he said to us: “Peace to you, sons of my hidden mysteries.” And again, we were astonished by the vision, and he said to us: “Do not doubt the vision that you have seen, that there has appeared to you to concentrate its light in its rays, or that it appeared to you in the form of a small, humble,and unworthy human, because indeed, the inhabitants of the world cannot hear to see the glory of the only Son of the Father of majesty, unless it appeared for them in the form of their world. And again, other signs shall appear in it, which are hidden and (would be) shameful for the heavenly majesty, for the sake of the redemption of the lives of human beings, because my Father has loved them that they should not perish by the error in which they have persisted. And again, I will perfect the love of the Father, even unto the death of a cross. For the sake of their salvation I will descend to raise them up with me in love and indivisible peace if they shall believe in me without doubt, and give thanks, and glorify through me the Father of that glorious majesty who sent me for their salvation. And I have loved them that they may not perish by the error in which they have persisted. And therefore, since I have appeared to them in the fullness of all the times, they have no excuse for their offenses unless they repent and believe in me. And also you, everything that you were commanded by your fathers, and everything that you learned from the mysteries of the books that you have read, do, since behold, the hidden mysteries of the light of the star that you have been waiting to see, behold, he himself has (now) told you about himself as you are able to hear. And you will believe without doubt, seeing in me signs of many forms. And again, take with you the treasure that was deposited in this cave by your fathers and [continue in joy] and worship the [text missing] I will be born like a human being.

And again, worship me there [text missing]: even now, as I am speaking with you I am also there. Because my Gospel has been proclaimed by angels, I am both there and with the majesty of my Father. And I am everywhere, because I am a ray of light who light has shone in this world from the majesty of my Father, who has sent me to fulfill everything that was spoken about me in the entire world and in every land by unspeakable mysteries, and to accomplish the commandment of my glorious Father, who by the prophets preached about me to the contentious house, in the same way as for you, as befits your faith, it was revealed to you about me. And I am going up with you and am a guide for you on the entire journey that you are traveling, seeing signs, glorious wonders, and great victories upon the entire earth. And you will see the completion of all the mysteries in Jerusalem, and everything that was spoken with you will come true for you. And again, you will see signs of humility, even a lowly and weak form, such that people will act boldly against me, and they will desire to do that which they plotted in deceit against me, and they will not be able to have [their goal] take place. But all that they od will be for their killing and their destruction, and the will of the Father shall be fulfilled for the sake of the salvation of the life of the whole world.”

14. THE MAGI REALIZE CHRIST’S POLYMORPHISM

And when he spoke all these things with us, along with a great many that we cannot say because of the great riches of their majesty, all of us went out of the cave, exulting and rejoicing that we were thought worthy for all these mysteries of that unspeakable majesty to be revealed around us and spoke with us.

And we took that entire treasure that was deposited in the cave, letters have been sealed in which it was placed. And we descended from the mountain, glorifying the mysteries of the revelations of the light of the star that appeared to us. And each of us was speaking about the revelations and visions that had appeared to him in the Cave of Treasures of Hidden Mysteries, but our visions that not resemble each other, and all the wonders of many forms that appeared to us. There is one of us saying, “I saw a light in which they were many images that were amazing.”

And there is one saying, “I saw an infant who had unspeakable forms. And there is one saying, “I saw a youth who did not have a form in this world.” And there is one saying, “I saw a human being who was humble, unsightly in appearance, and poor.” And there is one say, “I saw a cross and a person of light who hung upon it, taking away the sins of the entire world.” And there is one saying, “I saw that he went down to Sheol with force and all the dead rose and worshiped him. And there is one saying, “I saw that he ascended in glory, and he opened the graves, and he raised up the dead, while they are crying out and saying: ‘Holy is our king and holy is his descent to us! Because of our sins he humbled himself to save us.’” And there is one saying, “I saw him ascending to the heavenly height, and angels opening the gates of heaven before him. And clouds of seraphs and angels are taking him upon the palms of their hands, and the Paraclete Spirit taking a diadem and a crown and making victory shine before him, and all the hosts praising and singing the honor of his humility, which prevailed in the whole struggle of error and death.” And when all these things and others like them, of which there were many, (happened,) while descending the Mountain of Victories, we gave praise and repeated to each other everything that we saw and heard there. And we were in great rejoicing and great exultation that we were thought worthy to see this complete gift of salvation for which all the kings, and righteous ones, and prophets, and powerful ones prayed, and hoped, and waited, that they might see this sight. But they did not see it because it was not then the time of the coming of the star of light, giving perfect salvation to its believers.

15. THE FATHER SPEAKS TO THE MAGI

And while we were praising these things, suddenly a voice with much light and with unspeakable kindness came to our ears from the heavenly height of majesty, saying to us: “Everything that you have seen ,and heard, and discussed, and had spoken to you, and (at which) behold, you are amazed, is (only) one drop of salvation from the house of [majesty.] For these is no one who can know all the mysteries of singleness except the one who is issued from the thought of the hiddenness of the Father. And no one knows the Father except the voice bringing forth the word of salvation, revealing the depth of hiddenness of the thought of the Father, in whom is he forever. And by the (same) voice and word the heavenly worlds and the lower ones of the Father of majesty came into being and were orders: the angels, the powers, and princes, and authorities, even this world in which you exist, and the height, and depth, and length, and width.

And there is otherwise nothing that exists outside the will of the Father of majesty or that has come to be without the voice of life. For this is my beloved Son, being sent of perfect love. This is the revealer of the secrets of the Father for his beloved ones, as it is fitting for them and as they can receive by his gift of the Son. This is he who has told of new and perfect words for those who are persuaded and believe in him. This is the interpreter of wisdom and hidden mysteries. This is he who is the image and form of the Father of majesty, by whom he is always heard. This is the only begotten Son, perfecting all the will of his Father. This is the one who is not loved and honored as he deserves, because that world loves the darkness and its desires more than him.

This is the one who was humbled and became a human being for the salvation of human beings so that they would not perish. He put on, by his will, a body, a humble form, that with it he might slay death and take away the dominion of death, to give eternal life to those who love him and believe in him. This is the one in whose name signs and portents take place through his believers. This is the perfect Son, doing the will of he who sent him. This one is the way and the gate of light for those who enter by it. This is the one who is in everything is named and spoken of above all. This is the bread of life that comes down from me for believers; he is the sower of the word of life, and he is the shepherd of truth who gives himself as ransom for his flock. He is the great priest who by his blood absolves the worlds; he is a drink of the vine of life. This is the one that you saw who is in many forms that appeared to you, but is not deprived of either my love or the person of his glory. And no one exists over him or over his majesty to speak of how he is, except me, and I and he, we are one in unspeakable glory.

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