Dave, you ask me to respond to Jewish material.
OK, so I assume the whole of Pistis Sophia, is inspired and important to you.
In the assessment of this material, I am being very fair, using Hebrew Scripture and Ellen White as a Hebew-English translator. Shalom
www.sacred-texts.com/gno/index.htmGNOSTICISM
"Fragments of a Faith Forgotten
"The Gnostics and Their Remains .
"Pistis Sophia
"Early Church Fathers
HERMETICA
Thrice-Greatest Hermes, Vol. 1
Thrice-Greatest Hermes, Vol. 2 .
Thrice-Greatest Hermes, Vol. 3
"The Divine Pymander
"The Virgin of the World
RELATED TEXTS
"The Hymn of Jesus, Echoes from the Gnosis
"Gnostic John the Baptizer
"The Book of Giants
"The Gospel of Thomas
Excerpts from the Gospel of Mary
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"This is G.R.S. Mead's translation of the Pistis Sophia, the most extensive Gnostic scripture available until the discovery of Nag Hammadi texts in 1945. "
Rob: How to I varify Mead's translation? I can't because it's not in a electronic format as yet. I can't check he original text with the English text.
"The Pistis Sopha is a startling blend of primitive Christianity and Hellenic Paganism, with other elements such as reincarnation, Astrology, Mystery religion and Hermetic magic. The Goddess makes an appearance in the guise of Sophia, a fallen angel."
Rob: These comments are someone's opinion. I disagree. Pistis Sophia is the Holy Spirit, and Dave you would agree with me on this?
"The text is notable because the female disciples of Jesus are treated as active participants in the discourse, in a way that would be unimaginable in later Christianity. Tensions between the men and women disciples are not glossed over. On p. 47, Peter complains that Mary and the other women disciples are monopolizing the discussion with Jesus: "My Lord, we will not endure this woman, for she taketh the opportunity from us and hath let none of us speak, but she discourseth many times." Later, Mary (p. 135) expresses her misgivings about Peter: "I am afraid of Peter, because he threatened me and hateth our sex."
Rob: Someone's opinion. Jesus was kind to women as well as men. In fact Hebrew is kind to women. They had a place in Hebrew culture, unlike women in Greek culture.
Discussion of Pistis Sophia
The selections of this Gnostic Book as a whole, after reading it, where I find material questionable.
1 "of the great Invisible and of the three triple-powers" chapter 1 Pistis Sophia
Elohiym is not three triple powers? The Hebrew does not write Elohiym in this way, Elohiym is one power, and thus one divine family. There are not three family powers within the family. Hebrew does not allow this idea. The term "echad" sees united harmony as a whole, the family and its members are considered as one member, not three members, this is a Greek idea. Hebrew sees in a family, the members as one.
Le 18:8 The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness.
Hence this sacred writing is wrong already.
The Hebrew-English translator speaks of the "heavenly trio"
"There are three living persons of the heavenly trio; in the name of these three great powers—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit Special Testimonies, Series B, 7:62, 63"
The words suggest each member of the divine family has great powers, but there is no three triple power.
It may allude to the Catholic idea of the triple crown? There are 10 references in EGW to 'triple crown' no references to GOD as a 'triple crown' or 'triple powers'.
The concept of Hebrew love, suggests a provider with a responder. Hence at best we have two providers and one responder. However technically Jesus could also be a responder to His Father as a Provider. There is no Hebrew reference to the Holy Spirit as a Provider, only as a Responder. This comment is based on Love having two forms in Hebrew, ahab is maleness-love, that which provides love, and ahabuh as femaleness-love, the loving response from maleness-love. Ahabuh love is termed 'fellowship love' by the Hebrew-English Translator.
2 "which is the four-and-twentieth .mystery, from within without,--those which are in the orders of the second space of the First Mystery. And that light-power came down over Jesus and surrounded him entirely, while he was seated removed from his disciples, and he had shone most exceedingly, and there was no measure for the light which was on him." chapter 2 Pistis Sophia
Why doesn't Hebrew writings speak of these dimensions?
2Co 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
This is the only Hebrew reference to first, second and third heavens. Other than this, Hebrew is silent.
3. And the three light-modes were of divers light-kinds, and they were of divers type, one being more excellent than the other. chapter 4 Pistis Sophia
Why does GOD have "divers light kinds"?
The word diver "kilayim", is a Hebrew word with special meaning.
Jeff Benner says this word means "mixture", the pictographs read "The flowing active Authority Strong"
Notice the last two letters are reversed. Normally these letters mean "Strong Authority" such as GOD, but this mixture is a power flow against GOD.
De 22:9 Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled.
2Ti 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, (Here is assumed the Hebrew translated word for "kilayim"?)
Heb 1:1 ¶ God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
The adverb is added with more Greek, but it suggests God spoke to the Jews in the OT in mixtures. Why mixtures and parables and hidden truth? Because they as humans had divers lusts.
Heb 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
This is interesting. It suggests GOD uses "mixture miracles", signs and wonders to help save those in this confusion we ponder.
Heb 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
This writing is saying avoid mixture stranger writings, not always a good idea to seek stronger meat, or more detailed material, but keep it simple with grace, more stronger meat does not profit us always.
I think this is saying stay away from complicated stuff in Scripture, stronger meat does not profit us. Don't be carried away by diver and strange doctrines.
Jas 1:2 ¶ My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
To be fair, I must add this corker of James. Welcome diver temptations, because then you can support those who are stuck in this mixture of confusion we ponder.
Now the Gnostic writings suggest GOD has diver light powers , is this a true idea?
What does the Hebrew-English translator say?
"From this text it is claimed that God, who at sundry times, and in divers manners, spake in time past to the fathers by the prophets, and, in the commencement of the Gospel day, by Jesus and His apostles, hath hereby solemnly promised never to communicate any thing more to man in that way. Hence all prophesying after this date must be false. This, say they, closes the canon of inspiration. If so, why did John write his Gospel after his return from Patmos to Ephesus? Spiritual Gifts, vol. 1, Page 9
It is evident from the text, that the caution against adding to or taking from, refers not to the Bible as we have the volume compiled, but to the separate book of Revelation, as it came from the hand of the apostle. Yet no man has a right to add to or subtract from any other book written by inspiration of God. Did John, in writing the book of Revelation, add anything to the book of Daniel's prophecy? Not at all. A prophet has no right to alter the Word of God. But the visions of John corroborate those of Daniel, and give much additional light upon the subjects there introduced. I conclude then that the Lord has not bound Himself to keep silence, but is still at liberty to speak."
So it's OK to have additional material, but it must nor alter what is already written in the Hebrew Torah, the OT and NT Bible. The key here, is not alter that already written. Adding to the material already written is OK, but it cannot alter the older material that was written first. Since Moses was the meekest person, speaking to a pre-existing Jesus as YHWH face to face, his OT Torah, is the first, writings from which other writings are compared to. Moses wrote in paleo-Hebrew, the ancient Hebrew discovered by Jeff Benner, and this is not quite the same as Modern Hebrew we have today, highlighted by the Jews in Israel today. The Author does not agree with Jeff Benner all the time, at least Jeff Benner's research is putting Hebrew Scriptures on the right path of truth, and his ideas are worth consideration.
4. "For this cause have I chosen you verily from the beginning through the First Mystery. Rejoice then and exult, for when I set out for the world,. I brought from the beginning with me twelve powers, as I have told you from the beginning, which I have taken from the twelve saviours of the Treasury of the Light, according to the command of the First Mystery. These then I cast into the womb of your mothers, when I came into the world, that is those which are in your bodies to-day. For these powers have been given unto you before the whole world, because ye are they who will save the whole world, and that ye may be able to endure the threat of the rulers of the world ...chapter 7 Pistis Sophia
twelve saviours , womb of your mothers?
Mt 13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Joh 17:24 ¶ Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
Heb 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
This implies Sabbath was made at Creation. Everthing had to be finished, before Creation ended, including the provision for Ra, should it come, and thus everything was made very Tov, as God says many times.
Heb 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Re 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
If Jesus was "slain" before Creation started, than Tov and Ra were already considered before Creation started, and thus something must have triggered the concept of Ra already? What is Ra, and where does it come from?
The Sun God "ra" gives a clue? From God? or is this a false idea? The Bible says GOD creates Ra and does the Ra, but what does this mean? Ra is the opposite of Tov, like Hate is the opposite of Love.
So where is the texts that the Holy Spirit with Jesus, was call forth before the foundation of the world over this issue of Ra?
Pr 8:22 ¶ The LORD (The Father) possessed me (Jesus) in the beginning of his (Father's) way, before his (Father's) works of old.
Pr 8:25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I (Holy Spirit) brought forth:
Pr 8:27 When he(Jesus) prepared the heavens, I (Holy Spirit) was there:
"These then I (Jesus) cast into the womb of your mothers (a Hebrew pun, the plural,
Holy Spirit functions this way too), when I (Jesus) came into the world, that is those which are in your bodies to-day. For these powers have been given unto you before the whole world, because ye (my followers) are they who will save the whole world, and that ye may be able to endure the threat of the rulers (who are these??) of the world..."
Who are these rulers, is a big debate with Dave. Where does Ra come form? Obviously these rulers...And these rulers of Ra had to be in the universe before the Creation of our World.
5. I (Jesus) found Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptizer, before she had conceived him, and I sowed into her a power which I had received from the little Iaō, the Good, who is in the Midst..., chapter 7 Pistis Sophia
Who or what is Iao? weird. Scripture does not talk about Jesus getting powers from other sources.
Hab 3:4 And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.
Here is the Hebrew, one text, one use of the Hebrew word "chebyown", meaning unknown.
6. And Jesus continued again in the discourse and said: "It came to pass then thereafter, that at the command of the First Mystery I looked down on the world of mankind and found Mary, who is called 'my mother' according to the body of matter. chapter 8Pistis Sophia
Interesting. But is this true? Not sure.
Again notice the Hebrew, translated into Greek:
Lu 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost (Shadday) shall come upon thee,
and the power of the Highest (Father) shall overshadow thee:
therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Here we have two heavenly parents coming over Mary to make born, their Son Jesus, who pre-existed from eternity, with added humanity added to his form. So who is the mother?
Ps 22:9 But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts. 10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.
Translated correctly by the KJV, the term "GOD" or Hebrew "el", cannot refer to Mary. Jesus was cast upon the Father from the Holy Spirit's womb, thou are my Strong Authority from my Mother's Belly.
Who is Jesus' mother? The Holy Spirit is. Mary was perhaps a surrogate nurturing the egg created by a mystery way, so making the Son of GOD have an earthly mother as well. According to Ron Wyatt, Jesus was haploid with one Y chromosome added by our heavenly Father? Just a theory of faith.
7. ...and the First Commandment cast a portion thereof into the great Light, and the great Light cast a portion of that which it had received, into the five Helpers, and the last Helper took a portion of that which it received, and cast it into the Mixture chapter 8Pistis Sophia
Who are 5 helpers? what is mixture?
"I am laboring diligently to write out the instruction that the Lord has given me. I write many hours each day. Often I begin writing at 1:00 o'clock in the morning. I keep my helpers, five in number, all busy. My memory is good, my mind is clear, and my voice has returned to me. Manuscript Releases, vol. 16 [Nos. 1186-1235], Page 23
It seems possible that the Holy Spirit might have had 5 helpers? with this mixure, what ever that word means?
8. And I found a mystery in my Vesture, written in five words of those from the height: zama zama ōzza rachama ōzai,--whose solution is this: chapter 10 Pistis Sophia
What language is this "zama"? Seems Spanish?
9. "is the glory of the name of the mystery of the Revealer, which is the First Commandment, and of the mystery of the five Impressions, and of the mystery of the great Envoy of the Ineffable, who is the great Light, and of the mystery of the five Leaders, who are the five Helpers. There is further in this vesture the glory of the name of the mystery of all orders of the emanations of the Treasury of the Light and of their saviours, and [of the mystery] of the orders of the orders, which are the seven Amēns and the seven Voices and the five Trees and the three Amēns and the Twin-saviour, that is the Child of the Child, and of the mystery of the nine guards of the three gates of the Treasury of the Light. There is further therein the whole glory of the name [of all those] which are in the Right, and of all those which are in the Midst. And further there is therein the whole glory of the name of the great Invisible, which is the great Forefather, and the mystery of the three triple-powers and the mystery of their whole region and the mystery of all their invisibles and of all those who are in the thirteenth æon, and the name of the twelve æons and of all their rulers and all their archangels and all their angels and of all those who are in the twelve æons, chapter 10 Pistis Sophia
Too many details of GOD, which is a mystery. Why write details? Does Hebrew do this? not really
In her last will and testament, Ellen G. White left the care of her writings to five church leaders, whom she named, appointing them as a self-perpetuating board of trustees of her literary estate. Selected Messages Book 1, Page 12
Eze 1:4 ¶ And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind (Holy Spirit) came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. 5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. 6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings. 7 And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. 8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. 9 Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward. 10 As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.
If you read one of few places that speak of GOD at any length of details, it's here. If you read the Gnostic writings you find too many details of the Holy Spirit, these "living creatures" (whatever they are) and the "lion face power" whatever that word means.
This is all the Hebrew scriptures have to say about the matter. Should we do into more details? I don't know.
Ps 131:1 ..neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
Heb 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (KJV)
Should we not obey these principles? Are any of us sufficiently qualified to go further and further into stronger meat, and for what purpose? James does say there is joy in mixture temptations, so you ask for more and more wisdom to explain it all. Do we need to explain it all? Some of us like living in the light of experience we already have? How much light do you need to experience Jesus fully and thus be saved fully by Him?
10. "And in their great agitation and their great fear they withdrew as far as. the region of the great invisible Forefather, and of the three great triple-powers chapter 14 Pistis Sophia
Who is forefather? and what is the great triple powers?
Hebrew-English translator comments:
"Jacob had learned from his mother that the birthright should fall to him, and he was filled with desire for the privileges it would confer. It was not his father’s wealth that he craved; it was the spiritual birthright that he longed for. To commune with God as Abraham had, to offer the sacrifice of atonement, to be a forefather of the chosen people of the promised Messiah, to inherit the immortal possessions included in the covenant—these were the privileges and honor that he earnestly desired." Beginning of the End, Page 81
But God answers: “I did all that could be done for your forefather Adam; I gave him the noblest qualities and the highest powers; my requirements were light upon him. It was because he did not believe my word, did not choose to stand the simple test I imposed upon him, but believed the word of my enemy, that he fell from his holy estate. But in his fallen condition did I not send help? I sent my Son, who was equal with myself, that he might live an example upon earth, and die for man's transgressions, that you might make no mistakes or failures in obtaining eternal life.” The Signs of the Times August 29, 1892
There is not a single Bible reference to GOD as a great invisible Forefather.
11. It came to pass then, when those tyrants saw the great light which was about me, that the great Adamas, the Tyrant, and all the tyrants of the twelve æons, all together began to fight against the light of my vesture, chapter 27 Pistis Sophia
Who is Adamas? why a tyrant? 12 aeons ?
Those who think they have no need of a Saviour, that they can do right and preserve a correct deportment without making Christ their strength, show the most deplorable weakness. Christ made provision for man's redemption; he laid out an expensive plan of salvation. Suppose that Adam, after his fall, had refused to comply with the conditions. Suppose he had said, “I am good; I do no harm to any one. I feel no need of a Saviour.” Would he not then have remained in the disgrace of sin, a transgressor, a rebel against God? But every sinner who neglects the Saviour's mediation, by his own choice places himself in just this position. He is in the bondage of sin, subject to the most cruel tyrant that ever existed The Signs of the Times September 11, 1884
No where does Scripture or the Hebrew-English translator term Adam or Adamas as a tyrant?
It is very cruel by the "Pistis Sophia" to term Adam as a tyrant. Sure he sinned, but that does NOT make him a tyrant. He was sorry for his sin, even though it wrought Ra upon our world. I get the impression Adam sinned only once, and was ever after that a true follower of Jesus His Saviour, not a tyrant at all.
12. I entered in into the thirteenth æon and found Pistis Sophia below the thirteenth æon all alone and no one of them with her. And she sat in that region grieving and mourning, because she had not been admitted into the thirteenth æon, her higher region. And she was moreover grieving because of the torments which Self-willed, who is one of the three triple-powers, had inflicted on her. chapter 29 Pistis Sophia
Very confusing. How can a torment self will, who had three triple powers, inflict the Holy Spirit?
How can the Holy Spirit become subordinate and be grieving and mourning, not allowed to enter a higher reigion?
Mr 10:6 But from the beginning of the creation "ktisis" God made them male and female.
Ro 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation "ktisis" of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
This world, is made into similes in our creation, so by looking as creation, we also look at what God is like.
Ro 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Humans worship the creation rather than the Creator. This is a new age religion.
Ro 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
All these underlined words are the same word in Greek.
For creation awaits the coming of the Son of Elohiym. Creation was an empty storm, not willingly, but creation itself became in bondage, shall be delivered from bondage into the "sons of Elohiym". For all creation groans and is in pain, but we the first fruits of the Holy Spirit, also groan, as we await our new redemptive body.
This passage suggests creation became bondage and groans to be released from bondage. What caused creation to experience this bondage?
Ro 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
This is a cross refernence to Hebrew OT.
Ps 44:22 Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.
Ps 44:20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;
What strange god?
Ps 44:19 Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.
Some very interesting clues here in the Hebrew use of words.
Ps 44:15 My confusion is continually before me,
His Spirit “maketh intercession for us with groanings, which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26. As the “whole creation groaneth and travaileth together in pain” (Romans 8:26, 22), the heart of the infinite Father is pained in sympathy. Our world is a vast lazar-house, a scene of misery that no pen can picture, misery that we dare not allow even our thoughts to dwell upon. Did we realize it as it is, the burden would be too terrible. Yet God feels it all. In order to destroy sin and its results He gave His best Beloved, and He has put it in our power, by co-operation with Him, to bring this scene of misery to an end. The General Conference Bulletin July 1, 1902
What is this lazar-house of misery, that we should not dwell upon, the Gnostic writings perhaps detail?
"It is because of man's sin that “the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together” (Romans 8:22). Suffering and death were thus entailed, not only upon the human race, but upon the animals. Surely, then, it becomes man to seek to lighten, instead of increasing, the weight of suffering which his transgression has brought upon God's creatures. He who will abuse animals because he has them in his power is both a coward and a tyrant.
A disposition to cause pain, whether to our fellowmen or to the brute creation, is satanic. Many do not realize that their cruelty will ever be known, because the poor dumb animals cannot reveal it. But could the eyes of these men be opened, as were those of Balaam, they would see an angel of God standing as a witness to testify against them in the courts above. A record goes up to heaven, and a day is coming when judgment will be pronounced against those who abuse God's creatures.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 443 (1890).
Adam and Eve persuaded themselves that in so small a matter as eating of the forbidden fruit, there could not result such terrible consequences as God had declared. But this small matter was sin, the transgression of God's immutable and holy law, and it opened the flood-gates of death and untold woe upon our world. Age after age there has gone up from our earth a continual cry of mourning, and the whole creation groaneth and travaileth together in pain as a consequence of man's disobedience. Heaven itself has felt the effects of his rebellion against God. The Review and Herald March 27, 1888
So the Hebrew-English translator pens here that when Adam sinned, RA flooded in our universe for the first time, since creation, which was than only TOV. This RA was the consequence of sin.
Does Scripture say this also?
Ro 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man "sin-offering" entered into the world, and death by "sin-offering"; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Ro 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to "condemnation"; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
Ro 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were "ruled" sinners,
One needs to study the Greek carefully, hamartia is chataah or "sin-offering" AFTER one sins, you do "sin-offering" because all humans (except Jesus) do sinning as humans.
In the heavenly court "condemnation" is a judgement term.
Greek "kathstemi" means "to rule as a ruler", so a ruler rules humans to become sinners by sinning.
1Ch 21:1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
Some say Satan does not do RA? What is this verse? Satan doing RA so David does RA too.
2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 5 ¶ For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. 6 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things. 7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? 8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. 9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. 11 Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. 12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
So where does RA come from? From Satan the serpent, and angel of light, who deceives people.
Ge 3:1 ¶ Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Satan begins by asking a good question, can you eat of every tree? Notice one tree was called the tree of life.
The other tree was called TOV and RA. These trees are opposites. Does the tree of life have TOV and RA in it's world? no, only TOV. Scripture does not write about this tree much, because there in no experience to compare it to. But after TOV and RA come as a tree, Scripture does write about the Tree of Life now, because it can be compared to a Tree that was never meant to be experienced:-
Isa 11:6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; (no more carnivores)
Isa 11:7 and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. (all vegetarians)
Isa 11:8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, (no poisonous snakes)
Isa 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: (no more plate tectonics)
Re 21:22 And I saw no temple therein (no outer temple, no more sin-offerings)
Re 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it (no more sun and moon)
Such few texts give us glimpses of what a universe of life, was, without RA in it.
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
This is white lie, because it implies Satan must have sinned already and since his sinning, he hasn't died yet, so dying my be a lie. Otherwise how could Satan make this statement?
Ge 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
This is also truth, and Satan must have experienced this already also, otherwise he would not know how to speak it. Experience only comes from experience. If you have never experienced it, your language cannot explain the experience very well, hence you use language that is muddled with confusion. But there is no confusion in Satan's words, thus He experienced this already because He had already done sinning, and has known both TOV and RA. Whether since knowing both TOV and RA is good, Satan does not reveal, so his words are also deceptive.
Are there other passages that confirm Satan, the serpent is an angel who sinned long ago, other than this passage in Genesis?
Eze 28:13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned:
So Satan the serpent, the fallen angel Paul speaks of, must have done sinning long before Eden, to speak so well and clearly to Eve.
Gnostic writing Pistis Sophia And she (holy Spirit) sat in that region grieving and mourning, ...
We will speak more of this idea of the Holy Spirit groaning later...
13. It came to pass then, when the rulers of the twelve æons were enraged against Pistis Sophia, who is above them, and hated her exceedingly, that the great triple-powered Self-willed, of whom I have just now told you, joined himself to the rulers of the twelve æons, and also was enraged against Pistis Sophia and hated her exceedingly, because she had thought to go to the light which is higher than her.... chapter 30 Pistis Sophia
"great triple powers self willed" ?? not found in Hebrew Scripture??
14. and the great lion-faced light-power devoured all the light-powers in Sophia and cleaned out her light and devoured it, and her matter was thrust into the chaos chapter 30 Pistis Sophia
Where is this lion faced power mentioned? In the same book, some claimed is not inspired by GOD?
Eze 1:10 As for the likeness of their faces, ...the face of a lion,
What is this lion faced power? I don't know.... Something associated with the Holy Spirit.
"In this age of corruption, when our adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour, I see the necessity of lifting my voice in warning. “Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” There are many who possess brilliant talents, who wickedly devote them to the service of Satan. What warning can I give to a people who profess to have come out from the world, and to have left its works of darkness? to a people whom God has made the repositories of his law, but who like the pretentious fig-tree, flaunt their apparently flourishing branches in the very face of the Almighty, yet bear no fruit to the glory of God. Many of them cherish impure thoughts, unholy imaginations, unsanctified desires, and base passions. God hates the fruit borne upon such a tree. Angels, pure and holy, look upon the course of such with abhorrence, while Satan exults. Testimony for the Church. — No. 31, Page 142
Here the Hebrew English translator writes of the Tree of TOV and RA, as a simile of the fig tree, which bears RA fruit, "impure thoughts, unholy imaginations, unsanctified desires, and base passions". Where does this tree come from? From Satan, the roaring lion, the lion faced power.
To me it seems passing strange that some who have been long in the work of God cannot discern the character of the teaching in Living Temple in regard to God. All through the book are passages of Scripture. These Scriptures are brought in in such a way that error is made to appear as truth. Erroneous theories are presented in so pleasing a way that unless care is taken, many will be misled.
One and another come to me, asking me to explain the positions taken in Living Temple. I say, “They are unexplainable.” But the sentiments expressed plainly reveal that you have not a true knowledge of God. What we most need is an experimental knowledge of God, as He is revealed in His Word. Such knowledge would enable us to see our imperfection of character and our ignorance of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and we would be afraid even to touch the subjects that are handled blindly in Living Temple.
Guesswork has proved itself to be guesswork. Imagination may go to its farthest stretch and talk of God’s being in leaf and tree and flower, but those who talk thus need to know that by searching they can not find out God. There have been professed great men, professed interpreters of God. Rival sects have clamored for the supremacy; but in their wisdom they have become fools, and the result of their arguments is but to belittle God.
Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, came to this earth and opened the sealed roll long closed to the Jewish nations because they would not obey the Word of the Lord. But the people turned their eyes from the sight of truth revealed in Christ because His life did not harmonize with their practice. They were spiritually blind. They could not look truth and righteousness squarely in the face without becoming ashamed.
Christ converted all nature into an index to illustrate His greatness, His goodness, His love. Water, air, light, life—these Christ used to illustrate His work and His character. Pointing to the sun, which had just risen above the Mount of Olives, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” [John 8:12.] The sun in the heavens represents the Sun of righteousness. As the sunbeams penetrate to the remotest corners of the earth, so does the light of the Sun of righteousness shine upon very soul.
So the lion of Christ is a simile of his power, the real lion power opposing Jesus, has to be Satan, the angel.
15. O Light of lights, in whom I have had faith from the beginning, hearken now then, O Light, unto my repentance. Save me, O Light, for evil thoughts have entered into me. chapter 32 Pistis Sophia
What? The Holy Spirit has evil thoughts?
Dave, you agree that GOD does not morally do RA, so neither should the Holy Spirit?
16. And when I looked unto the height, I saw all the rulers of the æons, how in their numbers they looked down on me and rejoiced over me, though I had done them no ill; but they hated me without a cause. chapter 32 Pistis Sophia
The rulers hate the Holy Spirit?
17. Let not this darkness submerge me, and let not this lion-faced power entirely devour the whole of my power, and let not this chaos shroud my power. chapter 32 Pistis Sophia
When the Holy Spirit functions as an agency of RA, is the RA itself a threat ? I don't think so.
There is no Scripture about this, except the use of words and science, mere speculation. But Paul in Romans says Nature, reveils GOD as similes, so men are without excuse.
For example, light come from a source, and objects make shadows from the light. When you make shadows from light and objects, you get two kinds of shadows, umbra and pre-umbra. The difference is the light cannot directly cover the umbra shadow, only the pre-umbra shadow. But the affect is not caused by the light only, or the object only. It is the RELATIONAL that causes the affect.
But since all relationships are connected to GOD, GOD writes the relationship from His point of view.
Isa 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. (KJV)
So GOD is the light, and light is formed. Notice the darkness in this verse is created, not formed. Something else is in this verse, apart from natural science.
The Hebrew word "choshek" is darkness here, What is "choshek" ?
If you study all 77 references to choshek you find choshek is a place where God is associated with, but we need to find all there is about choshek.
Job 3:5 Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it;
These two Hebrew words are similes of each other.
Ps 107:10 ¶ Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; 11 Because they rebelled against the words of God,
Here both words are associated with relationship with GOD, not something directly of GOD.
Pr 2:13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; 14 Who rejoice to do evil,
Notice this darkness is a relationship with GOD as a walk to Him or away from Him, also causing RA.
Notice the OT Hebrew does not clearly anything about this "darkness". So let's try the NT torah.
Mt 4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
Here are both Hebrew terms in Greek. Let's look at them.
Ac 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Here Paul writes a simile, that the powers of darkness come from the powers of Satan.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
And here the devil, archon, powers, darkness and spiritual wickedness all come from Satan, the first angel who did sinning, bringing RA into the universe.
18. And they have taken light-power from me and fallen again to pressing me sore, in order to take away all the light in me. chapter 32 Pistis Sophia
A MEDIUM does not get affected by RA, personally. This discourse is false and wrong.
When you hold an object such as a magnifying glass to make images bigger or smaller than they really are, the light itself is not doing the affect, nor the media on its own, it's YOU the relationship distance you have between the light and the object image your viewing that causes the affect.
When you make shadows of pure umbra, robbing the region of light, this does not make the Object sore, or the light moan or grieve in sorry. The affect is NOT caused by the light alone, nor YOU alone, neither by the Object blocking the light alone. NO, these things on their own are not personally responsible for making the sin affect we see. To make the sin affect of RA happen, all three things must work together. Does this mean just because light creates RA, it causes RA? no Does this mean the Holy Spirit Object you hold inside you cause the RA affect all alone ? no Does this mean I myself alone cause the sinful RA image? no Can you see why the verse says what it says?
Isa 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
In order to make a sin affect, or region of umbra shadow, relationships are involved. This simile of nature explained by science helps us understand RA as a principle. It's also a Personal Being.
So to create this affect, its not formed (though something's the images are made from real light rays, other times it's not, the images are made from virtual light rays) in a relationship with light source (Father) and the magnifying glass (Holy Spirit) and you (sinner) walking the relationship towards or away from GOD, the image sin RA affect can be made, to make either preumbra shadows or full umbra shadows. Now in heaven you will not be able to make umbra shadows, or on the new earth, for the light of a sun, assuming there is a sun, is sevenfold brighter, so umbra shadows no longer exist. Because the Being to whom these shadows are represented of, also no longer exists.
So to summarize this again, if you make an umbra shadow full regions of RA, this does NOT make the Holy Spirit sore, or grieve in pain or mourn. The Holy Spirit might grieve because making umbra shadows causes you to allow Satan to rule over your soul, and hence invite the shadow of death over you, otherwise the affect is made by your relationship to GOD, not by the Holy Spirit alone.
19:" Mary again came forward and said: "My Lord, my indweller of light hath ears, and I hear with my light-power, and thy spirit which is with me, hath sobered me. Hearken then that I may speak concerning the repentance which Pistis Sophia hath uttered, speaking of . her sin and all that befell her. Thy light-power hath prophesied thereof aforetime through the prophet David in the sixty-eighth Psalm:
Psalm 69:1 "Save me, O God, for the waters are come in even unto my soul. chapter 33 Pistis Sophia
How can the Holy Spirit speak of her sin? The Holy Spirit does not have nephesh?
There are two glaring errors here in the passage.
20: "It came to pass then, when Mary had finished speaking these words unto Jesus in the midst of the disciples, that she said unto him: "My Lord, this is the solution of the mystery of the repentance of Pistis Sophia."
It came to pass then, when Jesus had heard Mary speak these words, that he said unto her: "Well said, Mary, blessed one, the fulness, or all-blessed fulness, thou who shalt be sung of as blessed in all generations
chapter 34 Pistis Sophia
First the Holy Spirt cannot sin, or repent of sin, second Ps 69 is talking more about Jesus and his soul of humanity than the Holy Spirit, who does not have a soul.
21. I am become as a demon apart, who dwelleth in matter and light is not in him, and I am become as a counterfeiting spirit, which is in a material body and light-power is not in it. chapter 39 Pistis Sophia
The Holy Spirit becomes like a demon?
22. The emanations of Self-willed again oppressed Pistis Sophia in the chaos and desired to take from her her whole light; and not yet was her commandment accomplished, to lead her out of the chaos, and not yet had the command reached me through the First Mystery, to save her out of the chaos. chapter 41 Pistis Sophia
"her light" an agency or medium does not make light personally itself. The writings are false. Such writings do not understand how power flows from the Father via the Holy Spirit as an agency or channel of the Father's power. A medium does not use power from itself.
23. "For my power is filled up with darkness, and my light hath gone down into the chaos.
"'4. I am myself become as the rulers of the chaos, who are gone into the darknesses below; I am become as a material body, which hath no one in the height who will save it. chapter 41 Pistis Sophia
A medium or agency cannot become personally a ruler of the chaos, or RA The spirit that enters human flesh does not become that soul. Otherwise we have immortal souls that do not die. This is why Jews says the soul never dies. It is a false claim.
Ps 146:4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
This verse says the Holy Spirit goes forth, the nephesh (he) returns to earth, and that very day the relationship ends.
Ec 3:21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
Here the Holy Spirit goes upwards to GOD when the man dies?
Ec 3:20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
And the nephesh relationship breaks up, the Holy Spirit returns to GOD, the dust returns to earth.
I agree with Jews something is eternal in the soul, but it is not ours to keep. It's the Holy Spirit that empowers the dust to become living. Its a relationship of divine with matter. And than only special matter, not rocks. And this relationship that causes the mind of man to choose and make TOV or RA.
24. And thy spirit hath withdrawn and abandoned me. And moreover by thy commandment the emanations of my eon have not helped me and have hated me and separated themselves from me, and yet am I not utterly destroyed. chapter 41 Pistis Sophia
An agency or medium cannot have powers abandoned, then is no longer functioning as a spirit.
If GOD or members of GOD are withdrawn from each other, this is termed the second death, where nothing exists. The first death is termed a sleep, because relationship records you in heaven as a record. But during the second death, nothing exists, no atoms, no records of you, nothing.
Muslims says Jesus is not God because a God cannot die? Who says death is defined this way?
Psalms 22:1 My Strong Authority, my Strong Authority, why are you abandoning Yashua? the words of my roaring?
Death is defined as the separation of God's powers from each other. The dissolution of matter.
25. And my light is diminished in me, chapter 41 Pistis Sophia
No the Father's light is channeled by the Holy SPirit. His light diminishes via the Holy Spirit.
Again this statement violates the science maths and physics when one studies light, shadows and images of shadows in media, what we call the Medium properties of Light. In fairness to the statement, when light enters one media to another media, the light changes in some way, diminishes in another way? Perhaps. I am not an expert to answer this question fully. The Holy Spirit does not make any light of its own, this is NOT how mediums function or how different media function.
For example, while the moon is not mentioned as a simile of the Holy Spirit, the simile is there. Where does the light on full moon come from? From the moon or the Sun? From the Sun, reflected by the Moon.
So the powers of the Holy Spirit come from the Father.
26. "And when Jesus had finished saying these words, Philip started forward, held up and laid down the book in his hand,--for he is the scribe of all the discourses which Jesus spake, and of all of that which he did,--Philip then |came forward and said unto him: "My Lord, surely then it is not on me alone that thou hast enjoined to take care for the world and write down all the discourses which we shall speak and [all we shall] do? And thou hast not suffered me to come forward to speak the solution of the mysteries of the repentance of Pistis Sophia.
chapter 42 Pistis Sophia
This is why Ellen White writes, the nature of the Holy Spirit is a mystery, it will not strengthen the church it is is made known.
"The nature of the Holy Spirit is a mystery. Men may bring together passages of Scripture and put a human construction on them, but the acceptance of fanciful views will not strengthen the church. Regarding mysteries which are too deep for human understanding, silence is golden." From Trials to Triumph, Page 29
27 " This is what thy light-power prophesied aforetime through Moses: 'By two or three witnesses shall every matter be established.' The three witnesses are Philip and Thomas and Matthew." chapter 43 Pistis Sophia
Is this how we come to get more sacred writings, if 2 or 3 books agree? No
Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
The books have to line up, line upon line, with the first five books of Moses, the old term for torah, and the testimony, the prophets who added to Moses later. Other prophets can follow later as well. Such as Paul.
28. It came to pass then, when Jesus had heard this word, that he said: "Well said, Mary, this is the solution of the word. Now, therefore, do thou, Philip, come forward and proclaim the solution of the fifth repentance of Pistis Sophia, and thereafter take thy seat and write all the discourses which I shall speak, until the number of thy portion which thou hast to write of the words of the kingdom of the Light is completed. chapter 43 Pistis Sophia
So even Jesus spoke this is how sacred writings are added to sacred writings?
2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if (Satan's) ministers "diakonos" also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness;
Re 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie;
Not all Jews are followers of GOD, many followed Satan.
Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own.
29. Then did Pistis Sophia cry to the Light. It forgave her sin, in that she had left her region and gone down into the darkness. . chapter 44 Pistis Sophia
God cannot sin. Go cannot forgive Divine Members sinning. God would cease to exist if such broken relationships came to be. And if GOD ceases to exist, so all ceases to exist. No light. No time. No matter.
30. Let all the powers in me trust in the Light when I am in the darkness below, and may they again trust in the Light if they come into the region of the height. chapter 44 Pistis Sophia
Was the Holy Spirit in darkness?
Ge 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.
And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
It says here the Holy Spirit fluttered as a simile of a bird, over the face of waters, void, darkness and the deep, NOT in the darkness, void or the deep.
"That the expression, “bottomless pit,” represents the earth in a state of confusion and darkness, is evident from other scriptures. Concerning the condition of the earth “in the beginning,” the Bible record says that it “was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.” [Genesis 1:2; The word here translated “deep” is the same that in Revelation 20:1-3 is rendered “Bottomless Pit.”] Prophecy teaches that it will be brought back, partially, at least, to this condition. Looking forward to the great day of God, the prophet Jeremiah declares: “I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down.” [Jeremiah 4:23-27.]
Here is to be the home of Satan with his evil angels for a thousand years. Limited to the earth, he will not have access to other worlds, to tempt and annoy those who have never fallen. It is in this sense that he is bound; there are none remaining, upon whom he can exercise his power. He is wholly cut off from the work of deception and ruin which for so many centuries has been his sole delight." The Great Controversy 1888, Page 659
So using our Hebrew English translator,
the "waters" is a representation of angels who sinned long before Creation started. ... in other NT places "waters" is a simile of "peoples".
void would refer to the earth having nothing on it.
So the Holy Spirit chooses to flutter over where the angels that fell into sinning were cast to, to create a universe centered around earth, with the ability to experience TOV and RA, should a speical creation choose to do so. This special creation was Adam, the prince of earth.
31. "Andrew came forward and said: "My Lord, concerning the solution of the sixth repentance of Pistis Sophia, thy light-power prophesied aforetime through David in the one-hundred-and-twenty-ninth Psalm, saying: chapter 45 Pistis Sophia
Ps 130:6 My soul waiteth for the Lord, the Holy SPirit does not have a soul, the psalm is taken out of context, the gnostic writings are false.
32. "Jesus said unto him: "Well said, Andrew, blessed one. This is the solution of her repentance. chapter 45 Pistis Sophia
The Holy Spirit does not need to repent of anything.
32. On thee, O Light, have I hoped. Leave me not in the chaos; deliver me and save me according to thy gnosis
chapter 46 Pistis Sophia
The HOLY SPIRIT creates RA, but does not get personally involved in Ra. So that the Spirit sins.
33 And thou wilt save me from this lion-faced power, which they have laid as a snare for me, for thou art my saviour ...chapter 46 Pistis Sophia
The Holy Spirit does not need a Saviour, nor can the Holy Spirit sin.
34. I am become powerless in the presence of all the rulers of the æons, who hate me, and in the presence of the four-and-twenty emanations, in whose region I was. chapter 48 Pistis Sophia
The Holy Spirit is powerless over these "archons of chaos"? Really?
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Does this passage tell you the Holy Spirit who brings us the full armour of Elohiym, is powerless over these rulers of darkness? not at all.
35 " shall be first and the first shall be last.' The first then, who were created before us, are the invisibles, for indeed they arose before mankind, they and the gods and the rulers; and the men who shall receive mysteries, will be first into the kingdom of heaven."
Jesus said unto her: "Well said, Mary." chapter 52 Pistis Sophia
Who was created before us? the invisibles?
In him “we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” The Watchman
September 24, 1907
All things, including invisible and visible was created by Jesus.
Ps 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
Jesus spoke and the Holy Spirit did what He wanted to be created, as this verse says here. And where did the power of the Holy Spirit come from?
Mal 2:10 ¶ Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us?
From the Father in heaven.
Does Scripture speak of other creations by the Father perhaps, with other unfallen beings? no, but there this does not mean it didn't happen.
36 Jesus continued again and said unto his disciples: "It came to pass then, when Pistis Sophia had proclaimed the ninth repentance, that the lion-faced power oppressed her again, desiring to take away all powers from her
." chapter 52 Pistis Sophia
Can a power take away power from a member of GOD? no, God is always in full control
37 " "It came to pass then, when I came into the chaos to help her, that she saw me, that I was understanding and shone exceedingly and was full of compassion for her. For I was not self-willed as the lion-faced power, which had taken away the light-power from Sophia, and had also oppressed her in order to take away from her the whole light in her. Sophia then saw me, that I shone ten-thousand times more than the lion-faced power, |100. and that I was full of compassion for her. And she knew that I came out of the Height of heights, in whose light she had had faith from the beginning. chapter 52 Pistis Sophia
Who is this "I" here who helps the Holy Spirit? Lion faced power has self will? who is this?
38. It came to pass then, when they oppressed Sophia, that she cried to the height, crying unto me that I should help her. It came to pass then, when she looked to the height, that she saw Self-willed exceedingly wrathful, and she was in fear, and uttered the twelfth repentance because of Self-willed and his emanations. She cried on high unto me, chapter 55 Pistis Sophia
Jesus does not help or rescue the Holy Spirit in chaos. An agency or medium is not directly involved in Ra. But Jesus is, as the Father is. But the Holy Spirit is not. This function is a medium.
"There needs to be an elevating, uplifting power, a constant growth in the knowledge of God and the truth, on the part of one who is seeking the salvation of souls. If the minister utters words drawn from the living oracles of God; if he believes in and expects the co-operation of Christ, whose servant he is; if he hides self and exalts Jesus, the world's Redeemer; his words will reach the hearts of his hearers, and his work will bear the divine credentials. The Holy Spirit must be the living agency to convince of sin. The divine agent presents to the speaker the benefits of the sacrifice made upon the cross; and as the truth is brought in contact with the souls present, Christ wins them to himself, and works to transform their nature. He is ready to help our infirmities, to teach, to lead, to inspire us with ideas that are of heavenly birth." Special Testimony for Ministers, Page 3
39. This is then the solution of the twelfth repentance which Pistis Sophia uttered, when she was in the chaos."
chapter 56 Pistis Sophia
YHWH creates RA, and does these things, not the Holy Spirit directly. (Isaiah 45:7)
Never is the Holy Spirit directly in the chaos, its a function of a medium, indirectly involved, but not directly involved. The Holy SPirit functions as a channel of GOD's light, not using her own light.
40 :And Jesus continued again in the discourse and said unto his disciples: "It came to pass then, when Pistis Sophia had said these words, that the time was fulfilled that she should be led out of the chaos. And of myself, without the First Mystery, I despatched out of myself a light-power, and I sent it down to the chaos, so that it might lead Pistis Sophia forth from the deep regions of the chaos, and lead [her] to the higher regions of the chaos, until the command should come from the First Mystery that she should be led entirely forth out of the chaos. chapter 58 Pistis Sophia
Notice Jesus uses the Holy Spirit as a medium, moving the medium down and up, in and out of chaos.
Jesus creates the RA affect and moves the medium in and out of chaos. This passage is well written.
41: "And Jesus continued again in the discourse and said unto his disciples: "It came to pass then, when Pistis Sophia had finished saying these words in the chaos, that I made the light-power, which I had sent to save her, become a light-wreath on her head, so that from now on the emanations of Self-willed could not have dominion over her. And when it had become a light-wreath round her head, all the evil matters in her were shaken and all were purified in her. They perished and remained in the chaos, while the emanations of Self-willed gazed upon them and rejoiced. And the purification of the pure light which was in Pistis Sophia, gave power to the light of my light-power, which had become a wreath round her head chapter 59 Pistis Sophia
I remember listening to a Rabbi speak when the Holy Spirit takes on Ra, the smell of it causes a sense of sinning over the Holy Spirit. Perhaps. But notice in the dialogue Jesus does, ( the Ra affect), and moves the Holy Spirit as a medium in and our of chaos, with His light power. Notice the self will powers cause the RA doings of bad things. The medium (Jesus + HS) allows this to be observable to us.
42" And when he had said this unto me, I was at a loss and thought it was a phantom to try me. So I seized him and bound him to the foot of the bed in my house, until I went forth to you, to thee and Joseph in the field, and I found you on the vineyard, Joseph propping up the vineyard. It came to pass, therefore, when thou didst hear me speak the word unto Joseph, that thou didst understand the word, wert joyful and saidest: 'Where is he, that I may see him; else I await him in this place.' And it came to pass, when Joseph had heard thee say these words, that he was startled. And we went down |121. together, entered the house and found the spirit bound to the bed.
chapter 61 Pistis Sophia
Who is this phantom? Are there phantoms in Scripture?
1Sa 28:7 ¶ Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.
For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Ecclesiastes 9:5.
"When Saul inquired for Samuel, the Lord did not cause Samuel to appear to Saul. He saw nothing. Satan was not allowed to disturb the rest of Samuel in the grave, and bring him up in reality to the witch of Endor. God does not give Satan power to resurrect the dead. But Satan's angels assume the form of dead friends, and speak and act like them, that through professed dead friends he can the better carry on his work of deception. Satan knew Samuel well, and he knew how to represent him before the witch of Endor, and to utter correctly the fate of Saul and his sons.
Satan will come in a very plausible manner to such as he can deceive, and will insinuate himself into their favor, and lead them almost imperceptibly from God. He wins them under his control, cautiously at first, until their perceptibilities become blunted. Then he will make bolder suggestions, until he can lead them to commit almost any degree of crime." Conflict and Courage, Page 172
43. The First Mystery again continued and said: "It came to pass, therefore, that the power which had come out of the Height, that is I, in that my Father sent me to save Pistis Sophia out of the chaos chapter 64 Pistis Sophia book 2
It is the Father's power via the Holy Spirit that is sent into the Sinful place of Ra Chaos, to save us.
44. And Gabriēl and Michaēl led the light-stream over the body of the matter of Pistis Sophia and poured into her all the light-powers which they had taken from her. chapter 64 Pistis Sophia book 2
Gabriel is an angel and pours light powers into the Holy Spirit.
A creature greater than the Divine Immortal Member of GOD ? no This is a false writing.
45 And when that light-power had come down, the emanations of Self-willed which were in the chaos and oppressed Pistis Sophia, took great courage and again pursued Pistis Sophia with great terror and great alarm. And some of the emanations of Self-willed oppressed her. One of them changed itself into the form of a great serpent; another again changed itself also into the form of a seven-headed basilisk; another again changed itself into the form of a dragon. And moreover the first power of Self-willed, the lion-faced, and all his other very numerous emanations, they came together and oppressed Pistis Sophia and led her again into the lower regions of the chaos and alarmed her again exceedingly. chapter 66 Pistis Sophia book 2
Notice these lion faced powers are Self willed powers which oppress the Holy Spirit, and turn into dragons, serpents. Problem is these lion face powers originate from Ra. How does these self willed powers change into different forms? Only GOD can create and make creatures, forms and forces. If GOD creates BEINGS, than those Beings can also create, make and do things, as GOD empowers them to do. But RA or chaos by itself is not self willed, nor can it create by itself, sounds almost evolutionary?
But if these Gnostic writings say a self will , lion faced emanation became a dragon, is this NOT saying the dragon has self will? self will , lion faced emanation became a serpent, is this NOT saying the serpent has self will?
Some say angels do not have self will? Doesn't scripture say the serpent is an angel?
2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
46: "It came to pass then that there looked down out of the twelve æons, Adamas, the Tyrant, who also was wroth with Pistis Sophia, because she desired to go to the Light of lights, which was above them all; therefore was he wroth with her. It came to pass then, when Adamas, the Tyrant, had looked down out of the twelve æons, that he saw the emanations of Self-willed oppressing Pistis Sophia, until they should take from her all her lights. It came to pass then, when the power of Adamas had come down into the chaos unto all the emanations of Self-willed,--it came to pass then, when that demon came down into the chaos, that it dashed down Pistis Sophia. And the lion-faced power and the serpent-form and the basilisk-form and the dragon-form and all the other very numerous emanations of Self-willed surrounded Pistis Sophia all together, desiring to take from her anew her powers in her, and they oppressed Pistis Sophia exceedingly and threatened her. It came to pass then, when they oppressed her and alarmed her exceedingly, that she cried again to the Light and sang praises, saying: chapter 66 Pistis Sophia book 2
Who is Adamas? Was Adam angry over the Holy Spirit?
Didn't Adam sin and this sin caused he to become naked. The covering of the Holy Spirit was lost. Mischief happened.
47 : "And when Pistis Sophia had said this, then at the commandment of my Father, the First Mystery which looketh within, I sent again Gabriēl and Michaēl and the great light-stream, that they should help Pistis Sophia.
chapter 66 Pistis Sophia book 2
Gabriel, an angel creature is NOT greater than the Divine Immortal Member of GOD ?
48: "It came to pass then, when the angels had come down into the chaos, they and the light-stream, and moreover [when] all the emanations of Self-willed and the emanations of Adamas had seen the light-stream, how it shone very exceedingly and there was no measure for the light about it, that they became terror-stricken and quitted Pistis Sophia. chapter 66 Pistis Sophia book 2
is this the war in heaven? angels coming down to deal with RA overcoming the Holy Spirit?
49: "And at the commandment of my Father, the First Mystery which looketh within, I myself went down into the chaos, shining most exceedingly, and approached the lion-faced power, which shone exceedingly, and took its whole light in it and held fast all the emanations of Self-willed, so that from now on they went not into their region, that is the thirteenth æon. And I took away the power of all the emanations of Self-willed, and they all fell down in the chaos powerless. chapter 66 Pistis Sophia book 2
The self willed ones are stripped of their power and they fall into chaos. The Father does this. The Holy Spirit is only the medium, in which chaos is observed.
50. "James came forward and said: "My Lord, concerning then the solution of the words which thou hast said, thus hath thy light-power prophesied thereon aforetime through David in the ninetieth Psalm:
."'1. Whoso then dwelleth under the help of the Most High, will abide under the shadow of the God of heaven chapter 67 Pistis Sophia book 2
Correct, the Father's powers flow as a channel directed by the Holy Spirit. Also correct to identify the Shadday as the Pistis Sophia, the Holy Spirit.
51: "it is what Pistis Sophia hath said: 'O Light, I have faith in thee, for thou wilt save me from the emanations of Self-willed and from those of Adamas, the Tyrant, and thou wilt save me also from all their mighty threats.'
chapter 67 Pistis Sophia book 2
Seems Adam becomes a tyrant, as do these Self will lion powers, do sin, hence do mighty threats that affect the Holy Spirit.
52 Sophia hath not been afraid of the lion-faced emanation, which caused fear for Pistis Sophia in the chaos, which is the 'darkness.' chapter 67 Pistis Sophia book 2
?? fear or no fear??
53 :" When Pistis Sophia was on the point of coming forth out of the chaos, she trod on the emanations of Self-willed, and she trod on the serpent-faced ones and on the basilisk-faced ones, which have seven heads; and she trod on the lion-faced power and on the dragon-faced one. Because she had had faith in the Light, is she saved from all of them. chapter 67 Pistis Sophia book 2
Does the Holy SPirit need to be saved from Ra, and those who do Ra?
54 : "And the First Mystery continued again in the discourse and said unto his disciples: "It came to pass, when I had led Pistis Sophia out of the chaos, that she cried out again and said:
1. I am saved out of the chaos and loosed from the bonds of the darkness. I am come unto thee, O Light
chapter 68 Pistis Sophia book 2
Why does the Holy Spirit need to be saved from Ra? If you sin, its your Ra, not the Holy SPirit who sustains your choice for Ra. There is a shift here?
55: "It came to pass then, when the First Mystery had finished speaking these words unto the disciples, that Mary came forward and said: "My Lord, my |161. mind is ever understanding, at every time to come forward and set forth the solution of the words which she hath uttered; but I am afraid of Peter, because he threatened me and hateth our sex." chapter 72Pistis Sophia book 2
56 Thereon Adamas again remembered Pistis Sophia and became most exceedingly wroth against her, thinking that it was she who had imprisoned his power in the chaos, chapter 77Pistis Sophia book 2
Does the Holy Spirit really imprison you in Ra because you decided to sin? Who is at fault here? You or the Holy Spirit?
www.sacred-texts.com/chr/ps/ps086.htmThere is more one could study, but readers get the gist of the discussions.
Conclusion:
On the balance of probabilities, studying one book of the Gnostic writings in very detailed reading, that other books follow a similar pattern, one can say :-
1) There is a mixture of truth and error. Sometimes it follows Hebrew torah, other times it does not.
2) Of the few passages that seem to add to torah, they are interesting.
This is a big post, but you asked me Dave to read some material. I have. It's full of material that does not support the Hebrew torah. Now I know Jews may see things differently, but are they supporting the Hebrew torah as well? I would suggest they are not. Shalom