THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS:
THE LITTLE BOOKJesus
wrote a little book. He had his disciple scribe it down. The apostles
wrote the New Testament to explain this little book. Hard to believe?
Let us consider the possibilities. And then, "Repent and believe the
Gospel."
Ezekiel writes in detail about "a little scroll" of revelation, written on both sides, on the inside and on the back side, which is given to the son of man. This appears to be a description of the message Jesus brought in his ministry to Israel? After the death and resurrection of Jesus, John, in his revelation, prophesies about this same little scroll which though taken in hand, no man can open, except the lamb. John declares this "little scroll" is the message of Jesus for the earth. Let us consider, "Does this prophesied "little scroll" declared by both Ezekiel and John still exist today?" If so, it would be the prophesied Testimony of Jesus. It could be "The Gospel of Christ", "The Doctrine of Christ", "His Sayings", "The Preaching of Jesus Christ", "The Gospel of God", and even "The Everlasting Gospel".
If Jesus, The Author of our salvation, had his Message, this little scroll scribed down, then the phrase "The Gospel" would be a direct reference to The Revelation of Jesus Christ" which God gave unto him to show unto his servants. If such a little scroll were to "reappear" at a time like this, or perhaps at the time of the end, begin to imagine the implications? This Testimony of Jesus would proclaim afresh "The Word of God." What do you think he would say to us, this time?
If this prophesied "little scroll" is real, still exists, and can be held in the hand, but no one in heaven and earth is worthy to open the book, except the lamb, then we must ask a very difficult question: "Which little scroll are all these prophets talking about?"
Ezekiel writes in detail about "a little scroll" of revelation, written on both sides, on the inside and on the back side, which is given to the son of man. This appears to be a description of the message Jesus brought in his ministry to Israel? After the death and resurrection of Jesus, John, in his revelation, prophesies about this same little scroll which though taken in hand, no man can open, except the lamb. John declares this "little scroll" is the message of Jesus for the earth. Let us consider, "Does this prophesied "little scroll" declared by both Ezekiel and John still exist today?" If so, it would be the prophesied Testimony of Jesus. It could be "The Gospel of Christ", "The Doctrine of Christ", "His Sayings", "The Preaching of Jesus Christ", "The Gospel of God", and even "The Everlasting Gospel".
If Jesus, The Author of our salvation, had his Message, this little scroll scribed down, then the phrase "The Gospel" would be a direct reference to The Revelation of Jesus Christ" which God gave unto him to show unto his servants. If such a little scroll were to "reappear" at a time like this, or perhaps at the time of the end, begin to imagine the implications? This Testimony of Jesus would proclaim afresh "The Word of God." What do you think he would say to us, this time?
If this prophesied "little scroll" is real, still exists, and can be held in the hand, but no one in heaven and earth is worthy to open the book, except the lamb, then we must ask a very difficult question: "Which little scroll are all these prophets talking about?"
"I am of the opinion that The Gospel of Thomas is the Original Gospel given by God to Jesus.
He then gave it to his servants." Dean Johnson
The scroll must be opened again.
And a Sword will pierce your soul.
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| This is a most terrible and yet glorious message of Reconciliation and
of Oneness, of the Bride and of the Bridegroom, and of the kingdom? He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Jesus said, "When you make the two one then you will enter into the kingdom," Thomas 22,106 He who "finds the interpretation of these sayings (in this little scroll) will not experience death," Thomas 1 |
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The
Book of Revelation is
all about this Little
Scroll, and the marriage of Bridegroom and the
Bride. The living message of Jesus, becomes manifest and is
seen when
the sons of God receive the
Testimony and the Gospel of Jesus, and so,
make the two to become one.
The Book of Revelation is a Vision of this Unveiling seen while
Meditating on The Gospel of Thomas.
There is a side by side, sequential, verse by verse, connectedness between the Gospel of Thomas and the Book of Revelation. View the Gospel of Thomas and the Book of Revelation Side by side. The reader is encouraged to view this link before proceeding. It is foundational to the thoughts of this page. Amazing sequential similarities in thought, word, and rhetoric become plainly visible. The Gospel of Jesus can be placed side by side, and joined together with the "The Book of Revelation" for a clearer insight into both writings. Was "The Book of Revelation" a vision that John saw while meditating on "The Gospel of Thomas?" How can this be? The Thomas prologue explains that Christ is the originator of The Gospel and that this gospel is merely written down or scribed by Thomas. The apostles, acknowledging this, appear to have relied heavily upon this Gospel of Thomas, this Original Gospel authored by Christ, considering phrase by phrase the words of Jesus as they wrote their own writings. This becomes most evident by placing side by side the scrolling text of the Gospel of Thomas together with the scrolling texts of the various apostolic writings. Following the pattern presented by Jesus in "The Gospel of Thomas", the apostles adapted the Masters message, making it accessible in their own letters to the churches. They then took the message of Christ and simplified it further in their own gospels making it accessible even to the common people. By aligning and combining the sayings of Jesus within "The Gospel of Thomas" together with the other New Testament apostolic writings we "make the two into one." This can be seen in The Gospel of Thomas - New Testament - Cross Reference Study. The primary point of all this demonstrable harmony and dependence is that it suggests that "The Gospel of Thomas" provides the right spirit with which to approach the New Testament, and in this case "The Book of Revelation." Sometimes, "The Gospel of Thomas" is most simply understood as just a list of 114 sayings of Jesus, but it is so much more. This Word of Jesus, or "the Testimony of Jesus, is the spirit of prophecy." It is these words and this Spirit that moved men to speak and to write the scriptures to be in agreement with the divine intention. Jesus said, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit." And "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." It is this Revelation of Jesus Christ, the original Gospel, this spiritual message which inspired the New Testament writings. This Testimony of Jesus is the very Rock and Chief Cornerstone the apostles used to create their own writings, the gospels and the letters of the New Testament. And so, in like manner, it will be seen that it is His Spirit and His Sayings which provide the proper foundation upon which to rightly divide the word of truth, and so also to rightly understand the New Testament writings. In this case, "The Book of Revelation," will be seen to be a vision of the bridal chamber, and a revelatory commentary on this Testimony of Jesus, and of this "Gospel of Thomas." Thomas refers to this gospel as the secret sayings of the living Jesus. Though presented openly to all who might listen, this gospel appears to be a more spiritually minded message with hidden insights for those who will seek diligently, and is tailored primarily for those who forsake all to follow Christ, those who spiritually were his mother, his sisters, and his brothers. Jesus delivered this "Original Gospel" to those closest to him, and to those who walked with him in His Way. Later James, Paul, Peter, and for the purposes of this page, even John appears to create his own writings following the pattern provided by Jesus within this gospel. The New Testament is the apostles applying this Preaching of Jesus Christ to the circumstances of their own communities. Side by side with the canonical writings, the Gospel of Thomas can be become a meditative study touching the very heart and soul of the scripture. Using the key word connections discover the allegorical and metaphorical clues intentionally embedded within the message of the text. This becomes especially relevant in "The Book of Revelation." Using The Key, we will unlock the inner meanings of The Book of Revelation, Thomas, and even the rest of The New Testament. It will be seen that the many canonical references to "The Gospel of Christ", "The Testimony of Jesus", "The Doctrine of Christ", "His Sayings", "The Preaching of Jesus Christ", "The Gospel of God", "The Word of God", "The Revelation of Jesus Christ", "The Everlasting Gospel", and even just "The Gospel" are direct references, and sometimes even veiled references to "The Gospel of Thomas" This text is so precious! It must be studied diligently with a seeking heart to see beyond the surface of the words. Thomas 1-2 declares, "These are the secret sayings which the living Jesus spoke and which Didymos Judas Thomas wrote down. And he said, 'Whoever finds the interpretation of these sayings will not experience death... Let him who seeks continue seeking until he finds. When he finds, he will become troubled. When he becomes troubled, he will be astonished, and he will rule over the All.' " Foundational to the presentation of this article, the following examples are provided: The Gospel of Thomas is the Gospel of Christ
The Gospel of Thomas is the Testimony of Jesus
The Gospel of Thomas is the Teaching (or Doctrine) of Jesus
The Gospel of Thomas is the record of The Sayings of Jesus
The Gospel of Thomas is the Message From God which was given to Jesus
The Gospel of Thomas is the Gospel
The Gospel of Thomas is the New Covenant
What does all this mean? First, there is a revelation of the mystery of the gospel coming forth, Ephesians 6:19, Thomas 77. "Jesus is the author of eternal salvation," Hebrews 5:9. There is a reconciliation being revealed - Two shall become One, Thomas 22. The vision is being seen within the holy place. And He is sending out messengers to publish his message, Jeremiah 4:5. Given the interdependence between Thomas and Revelation let's begin by seeing if we can find the Gospel of Thomas mentioned within the book of Revelation. This will help us to understand the book. Within The Book of
Revelation
The Original Gospel from Jesus is called: 1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him to shew unto his servants, (Revelation 1:1-2) 2. The Word of God, and the Testimony of Jesus Christ, (Revelation 1:1-2, 1:9, 12:17, 19:10), 3. The Scroll in the right hand of him that sat on the throne Written on The Inside & the Backside With the seven seals, (Revelation 5:1, 2, 5, 9, 6:1), 4. The Little Scroll in the Hand of the Mighty Angel With the Seven Thunders that were sealed up, (Revelation 10:3,4-7, 22:7) 5. The Everlasting Gospel, (Revelation 14:6.) 6. The True Sayings of God or just The Sayings, Revelation 19:9, 22:10 7. The Book ( or Scroll) of Life, Revelation 3,13,17,20 & 22 (In "Whom" is The promise of life, Thomas 1, 2 Timothy 4:8) . ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The assertion has been made that "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" may be a reference to "The Gospel of Thomas." Perhaps, this a new idea for some. And so, let us consider more exactly, what is the meaning of the phrase "the Revelation of Jesus Christ that God gave unto him, to show unto his servants"? Revelation 1:1 The relevant text reads, (1:1) "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: (1:2) Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. (1:3) Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." Revelation 1:1-3 Since "the revelation" can refer to a disclosure of truth in the form of a scroll, or a manifestation or appearing, and since this revelation is given to Jesus, shown to his servants, and then made known to John, the phrase "the Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him to show unto his servants" seems to be deliberately worded in such a way that several meanings are acceptable and even appropriate. However, the focus of this article will be to discuss the primary meaning of the text which is most often overlooked. Flowing out from this primary meaning we can also benefit from a number of other connotations that serve to further illuminate the text. First, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" can refer to a manifestation or an appearance of Christ. The text states that this revelation or manifestation was a gift that God gave to Jesus, which was then shown to his servants. In this sense, "The manifestation (or revelation) of the Spirit is given... to profit" all of us. 1 Corinthians 12:7. Second, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" can refer to The Book of Revelation. The wording of the text may suggest that the "record" of the revelation that was made known to John could be the scroll or the book that John wrote down, Revelation 1:11. Third, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" is even suggestive of "a coming" of Jesus Christ. However, finally, the primary meaning of "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" is openly declared in the following verse. It is "the word of God" and "the testimony of Jesus Christ," Revelation 1:2. It is not primarily the "The Book of Revelation" given to John," but it is the little book or scroll that God gave to Jesus to show unto this servants, and also to John, of which John bare record. "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" is the little scroll given to Jesus, Revelation 5:1. "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein," Revelation 1:2-3. For "The Testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy," that declares the victory of the sons of God, Revelation 19:10, Thomas 106. Given all of this, the question then becomes "What is the scroll that was given to Jesus that declares 'The word of God,' that we are to read and be blessed by?" The prologue of The Gospel of Thomas introduces this list of the sayings of Jesus as "the secret sayings which the living Jesus spoke." In this way, The Gospel of Thomas is declared to be His Testimony. To help the reader make this intuitive leap toward embracing The Gospel of Thomas the following background documentation is provided. If the method of hermeneutic or interpretation seems unfamiliar you may want to visit the following links for more on why Thomas is The Gospel of Jesus. View the evidence. See https://gospel.neocities.org/thegospel and http://www.deanjohnson.blogspot.ca.
When the apostles spoke of the "the Gospel", they were thinking of this encapsulated message from Christ. In the Romans - Thomas Connection the more complete context of the Thomas phrase "When you make the two One... one and the same" lines up with the Romans phrase "When... we were reconciled... the atonement," See Romans 5:10-11. In summary, these key phrase connections make it clear that the primary message of both the Gospel and the New Testament is the reconciliation and oneness necessary to enter into the kingdom. The Gospel of John suggests that making "the two One" is "the work of God," John 6:28. 1 Timothy 2:7 suggests that this is "the truth." 2 Peter 3:15 puts forward that to "make the two one" is the Wisdom that was given to Paul. Paul declares that "two into one" is the mystery of Christ that he was given to proclaim, Ephesians 3:4,6, 2:15-16. For a more complete examination of these and other key word connections visit The Gospel of Thomas - The New Testament - Cross Reference Study See https://gospel.neocities.org/thegospel to view a sequential scrolling of each book of the New Testament side by side with Thomas. __________________________________________
With this new clarity concerning "The Gospel," a new day is coming, and is here. With trembling, and for the sake of the gospel, the thoughts of this page are freely given to the body of Christ. The implications of all this will gradually unfold. If The Gospel of Thomas is "The Gospel," and is "The Revelation of Jesus Christ," then our interpretation and understanding of both The Book of Revelation and the other New Testament writings will change forever. Once again, from within "The Book of Revelation," it will become reasonable to assert that The Gospel of Thomas is the little scroll, written on the inside and the outside, with the seven seals, and that it even reveals the voices of the seven thunders. This could change everything. For "the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly," Romans 16:20. "And then shall the Wicked be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth," 2 Thessalonians 2:8. Let us consider this message, that comes from His mouth, and that shall destroy the Wicked one? Initially, within The Book of Revelation the question is asked, concerning this Little Scroll, 'Who is worthy to open, and to see, and to loose what is written therein?' Revelation 5:1-4. It is a great dilemma. It travels from the throne, to the Lion, to the angel, to John, and now it travels to you. What will you do with it? You now "have the Testimony of Jesus" before you. There is a hand held out to you, and it is holding a Little Scroll. Ask and it shall be given. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened. Take it and eat it. And let us then hold forth the word of life, that our labour not be in vain? Philippians 2:16. Once again, the time is now. What will you do with this Little Scroll? "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand, Revelation 1:3. These are The Secret Sayings of The Living Jesus: Behold, He is standing at the door. There is A hand held out, and Within is This Everlasting Gospel & this Little Scroll Written on the Front and the Backside: The Gospel preached to The Poor, A New Covenant with New and Better Promises. Now, again, Take and Eat. The Living Creatures Run, And Fly, Lifted up from the earth, Like Lightning, Coming out of the east, even unto the west, Holding forth the Message of Light, And In the day of Rain, the Bow appears that is in the Cloud. God answers with Thunder, and with One voice, the many words of the many Disciples, And The Mystery of God is fulfilled. |
Father Abraham had many sons, and He is "the father of us all," Romans 4:16. "The kingdom of the father is like a certain man who wanted to kill a powerful man. In his own house he drew his sword and stuck it into the wall in order to find out whether his hand could carry through. Then he slew the powerful man," Thomas 98. A wall is a division within the household. Walls and divisions are necessary to frustrate the plans of the enemy, but for us, there is but one body. The Sword will pierce through the wall, piercing through the divisions within the household. This is done before he will slay the powerful man... before he will slay "him that had the power of death, that is, the devil," Hebrews 2:14." Judgment must begin at the house of God, 1 Peter 4:17. A certain man must first pull out his sword. He will bind the hands of the strong man, Matthew 12:29, a hand in the place of a hand, Thomas 22. He will spoil the house of the strong man, Mark 3:27. And he slays the powerful man, abolishing death, and bringing life and immortality to light, through the Gospel, 2 Timothy 1:10. How might a certain man first thrust the two edged sword of the word of God into the dividing walls within the house of Abraham. Even the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian worlds have their own expressions of Mystery Babylon. She is recognized by her violence and adultery. Come out of her my people. View The Scripture: an idea whose time has come.
This Sword which is the Word of God is Living and Active, piercing through the division, through the partition, through the separation of Soul and Spirit, of The Joints and Marrow, and is a discerner, skilled in passing judgment, on the thoughts and the intents of the Heart that so often divide the body, Hebrew 4:12.
Jesus is the author and the finisher of our faith, and of our eternal salvation. He delivered this actual gospel which he commissioned to the apostles. The apostles then wrote of this same message according to the wisdom given unto them, 1 Corinthians 14:33, Hebrews 5:9, 12:2, Romans 10:17, 2 Peter 3:15. Inasmuch as the apostles understood the message of these sayings of Jesus, according to the wisdom given unto them, so also we can come to a better understanding of these sayings of Jesus through the writings of the apostles. Even if it is only a starting point, it is a good place to start. And It is a worthwhile search. "He who finds the interpretation of these sayings will not experience death," Thomas 1.
This is a wonderful promise for those who find the interpretation of "The sayings." They will not experience death. We overcome by the blood of the lamb and by the word of His testimony. For This is the New Testament by his blood. This is his body. Take and eat. His words are spirit and life. Unless you eat of his body you cannot have life within you. Rightly Divide it among yourselves. Within this "body" of text, within this cup is the very promise of life! 2 Timothy 1:1. He who he finds the body is superior to the world, Thomas 80.
John writes that "the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ, Revelation 12:17. We read that the nations were angry, Revelations 11:18, but even still "The Book of Revelation" is the story of our victory, Revelation 19:10-11. We will overcome by blood, and by the word of our testimony, Revelation 11:7, 12:11. For when that wicked shall "be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth" and with The Word of God, then shall be our victory, 2 Thessalonians 2:8.
Jesus said, "The kingdom of the father is like a man who had good seed. His enemy came by night and sowed weeds among the good seed. The man did not allow them to pull up the weeds; he said to them, 'I am afraid that you will go intending to pull up the weeds and pull up the wheat along with them.' For on the day of the harvest the weeds will be plainly visible, and they will be pulled up and burned," Thomas 57, 1 Corinthians 3:15.
Dwelling within the realms of time and space, this can be understood on multiple levels, each of them valid and useful depending on where we are on our journey. As we meditate again on these things, may it help bring us to maturity. Faith comes by hearing. For this reason, new and radical and transformational ideas sometimes need to be heard over and over, before their simplicity can break through the veil.
Individually and globally, the day of the harvest must come, Thomas 57. "The Gospel of Thomas" was discovered in the earth in 1945. Three short years later the nation of Israel was reestablished. "The Gospel of Thomas" and "The Living Message of Jesus" together will release into the earth the power to bring about the fulfillment of prophesy.
It took decades for This Gospel to be translated and made available. If this mysterious message, which may have been sealed up until the time of the end, some of which may even have been sealed up by John, is to be revealed, then perhaps, it may have implications for the day in which we now live. "In the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished," Revelation 10:7. The emphasis in Thomas is of a present kingdom, but if this message might have implications for today, then it is because of the purposes of God and the writings of previous generations.
In ancient times, a special two sided scroll was prophesied. Ezekiel wrote of a scroll that "was written within and without," Ezekiel 2:10. This "Two Sided Scroll" that Ezekiel saw is, in this article, identified as the Gospel of Christ, more commonly known as The Gospel of Thomas. View The Gospel of Thomas Side by Side with Ezekiel's First Vision. John in the Revelation also wrote of such a book "in the right hand of him that sat on the throne" "written within and on the backside" and "sealed with seven seals," Revelation 5:1. Such a scroll written on the inside and the outside, or within and without is suggestive of a chiastic writing in which important ideas found on the front and the back of the scroll are matched or connected using keywords. The Gospel of Thomas is an example of such a two sided "chiastic" scroll. Understanding the nature of this two sided scroll, this Double Edged Sword, is vital for its proper use.
Imagine the Gospel of Thomas is a long scroll that is unraveled. The top and the bottom of the scroll are held respectively in your right and your left hand. Imagine the scroll is wrapped around your back. The center of the text is stretched across your back and your spine. Bring your right hand and your left hand together in front of you, connecting the top and the bottom of the scroll together in each hand. “When you make the two one, and when you make …a hand in place of a hand… then will you enter the kingdom,” (Thomas 22). The introduction of Thomas and the conclusion in saying 114 are joined together into One as you join together your left hand into you right hand.
(The Thomas Prologue) These are the secret sayings which the living Jesus spoke.…and Jesus said, "I myself shall lead her…, so that she too may become a living spirit," (Thomas 114) are joined together. These two verses now are connected by a key thought “The Living Jesus / a Living Spirit”
Along your back and across your spine is Thomas 55. Jesus said, "Whoever does not… take up his cross in my way will not be worthy of me," (Thomas 55). Envision placing a fold in the body of the scroll at this location. Now the text is folded along a spine even as your body is folded along its center. The text is folded at saying 55 so that saying 54 touches saying 56, just as the prologue is joined with saying 114. Make the left and the right of the text as one, joining each saying with its corresponding verse down through each of the sayings. The top of the scroll is joined to the bottom of the scroll, and the right is joined to the left. Each saying is interpreted by its corresponding saying at the opposite end of the body.
Now, imagine that the two sides of folded scroll are written onto the front and back of a single scroll. Providing clarification, the corresponding verse to each saying could be read simply by turning the scroll over.
View the two sides of The Gospel of Thomas. Recognizing the two sides of "this body" of text, may be a first step, as it may help us rightly divide the word of truth. This may be necessary, if we must make the two One, Thomas 22, 106.
The two sides of the chiasm within this little scroll are like the two sides of the body of Christ: the left and the right. Through the joining together of the many key words, and the teachings which are found within the text of these chiastic structures, the body is created and joined together. This is an allusion to Christ as the head, and his body, with the many members, all joined together as One. Each saying is like another bone joined together giving form to the skeletal structure of the body. Each part and each member is a like a message within themselves, but being "knit together... by joints and bands... having nourishment" increases with the increase of God. Joined together as One, we are all rocks, set into the house of the Lord, being built up into a holy temple, as each one does its part, this body will have the very witness of Christ within, and will shine as a beacon light, more and more until the final day. This Gospel, and the joining of each saying, as if individual members of a body, becomes an illustration of the knitting together of the church that was itself built upon this foundational message.
The are many phrases from the New Testament that illustrate or allude to this knitting together, to this interconnectedness, and to this Oneness: The Body of Christ, the New Creation, the Joint Body, the One Body, The Mystery of Christ, and the Spiritual Body. When we become connected together like these sayings, we will illustrate the perfectly joined and Perfected Man. See The Perfect Man: The Spirit - Body.
The body of Christ is a letter "known and read of all men," 2 Corinthians 3:2. When we realize that the text of this "little scroll" is also a type and figure of the body of Christ, then it becomes possible to discover "the mind of Christ" and properly interpret the text. The head of the body, the mind of Christ is the climax or the top of the chiastic structure. In Thomas, this head of the chiasm is Thomas 55, where Jesus says, "become a disciple to me... and take up (your) cross in my way." The entire text, every joint and band, must be interpreted with this in mind.
This Gospel is so much more than can be expressed in one article. Though this is hard to say, this "little scroll" is that which the apostolic writings refer to as the "New Testament" and the New Covenant," Hebrews 9:15. Much of what what we call the New Testament is about this little book. Once this thought dawns upon the reader, so many of the types and figures, and allusions and allegories will begin to take on new meanings.
This special prophesied scroll, "this body" of text must be eaten. Apparently, metaphorically referring to such a two sided scroll Ezekiel writes "open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee," Ezekiel 2:8. Jesus also speaks of his servants eating his message. He says, apparently referring to the workers in the field, "Let the oxen eat," Thomas 102. John also writes of eating this special scroll. "And he said unto me, 'Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.' And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter," Revelation 10:9-10. The words of this scroll may be sweet, but with such revelation comes a great responsibility. May we be willing and ready for what is coming.
Ezekiel uses three words to describe the woes to be revealed, "He spread (the scroll) before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe," Ezekiel 2:10. John also writes of three woes, "Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth," Revelation 8:13. Three times "woe" is mentioned in the Gospel of Thomas, Thomas 102, 112. "Woe to the flesh,"... and "Woe to the soul," and "Woe to the Pharisees." In The Gospel of Thomas a false legalistic religion is judged. The soul and the flesh also face woe, lamentation, and mourning if loyalties are wrongly placed. These three writings are intimately connected, and joined together. To understand the One, it will help to consider the other.
Remembering that each text is like a body, and that we need to know the head of the body in order to understand
the text, we must always seek "the mind of Christ." Jesus said, "I shall give you what no eye has seen and what no ear has heard and what no hand has touched and what has never occurred to the human mind."
Now, envision the entire length of the text of Thomas is stretched out and placed side by side with the entire text of the Book of Revelation. In The Gospel of Thomas and The Book of Revelation Side by Side Comparison aligning beside Thomas 55, the head of the Thomas text is the passage Revelation 11:8. "Take up (your) cross in my way," Thomas 55, aligns with "Our Lord was crucified," Revelation 11:8. This is the head or climax of The Book of Revelation. Here we discover the mind of Christ. It is the Chief cornerstone of the house which he is building. The cross and the crucifixion is the central message of both of these passages.
THE
KEY OF KNOWLEDGE
Key to understanding the book of Revelation is the embracing of the message of the cross. "Woe to the flesh,"... and "Woe to the soul," and "Woe to the Pharisees." It is through the cross that the faulty allegiance to the soul, and to the flesh, and to legalistic religion is destroyed, and so the Bride and the Bridegroom embrace each other, RATHER THAN ANYONE ELSE. And so, the whoring is destroyed.
| The Tau-Rho cross located in the word "cross" at the climax of the Gospel of Thomas in saying 55 is an illustration of the marriage of this bride and this bridegroom. The Tau-Rho Cross is created by the joining of the two letters Tau (T) and Rho (P) into the one amalgamated letter often known as the Staurogram. |  |
As mentioned previously, this amalgamation reveals the primary message of "The Word of God": specifically, "Make the two into one." The joining together of these two letters into the one amalgamated letter illustrates the marriage of the Bride and the Bridegroom, and also the reconciliation of all things into the one body, (Colossians 1:20, Ephesians 1:10, 5:32, see Thomas 22).
Turned sideways this Staurogram or Tau-Rho Cross looks a lot like a key. Jesus said, “Woe unto you, lawyers! for you have taken away the key of knowledge: you have not entered in yourselves (into the kingdom), and them that were entering in you hindered,” Luke 11:52. Jesus said "When you make the two into one... then will you enter the kingdom." Thomas 39. This key is a parable, an illustration revealing the great mystery, and the primary message of The Word of God: Reunite that which is divided, make the two one, and enter the kingdom. This only happens by taking up the cross.
Matthew elaborates on this teaching of Jesus, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me," Matthew 16:24. Let him deny himself. The natural human love would try to stop this process, but this is not the mind of Christ. Peter said, "We have forsaken all, and followed thee," Matthew 19:27. This is the key of knowledge, and the key of life.
This key of knowledge, this cross shaped key is found hidden within many early manuscripts, and most prominently and climatically within the controversial Gospel of Thomas. Within this unique and special gospel appears to be where "the Pharisees and the scribes have taken the key(s) of knowledge (gnosis) and hidden them, Thomas 39. For more on this key and how it is used to open the doors to the kingdom see The Original Gospel of Christ.
(For later staurograms within the Greek text see Mark 8:34, Luke 14:27, 23:26, 23:26, John 3:34, 19:16,18,19,20, and Acts 3:36)
It has been said that "knowledge is power." This key if used properly prepares the way for the knowledge and the power needed to rule within the kingdom. Be ready to count the cost. Jesus said, "It is to those who are worthy of My mysteries that I tell My mysteries," Thomas 62. "Whosoever will be great among you, shall be your servant, Mark 10:43"
This is the key hidden in the rejected headstone of the pyramid like temple. This is the message of the little chiastic scroll with two sides with the key at the top. This is the message of the cross, of servanthood and of love. This is the message of renunciation. This is the message of the joint body. This is the message of the marriage of the Bride and the Bridegroom. This is the message of The Perfect Man.
This Scroll prepares the reader for the one combined message of the Seven Thunders. This is more than just a scroll. This is the word of life, the new covenant, and The Everlasting Gospel. This is the Word of God to all humankind, and to all creation. Though this scroll written on the front and the back, known as Thomas, may have been been prophesied about in previous generations, the revelation of this scroll, and its full message remains hidden until the right time is come. John wrote, "No man was found worthy to open and to read the book," Revelation 5:4. No one was found worthy to open this little scroll, to open this last will and testament of the man Christ Jesus, perhaps because though he had died, He was still alive! This is a better covenant, built on better promises: the promise of life. "He who finds the interpretation of these saying will not experience death, Thomas 1 - 2 Timothy 1:1, Thomas 51 - 1 Timothy 4:8.
This is little scroll is reminiscent of Daniel's prophecy. He was told to "shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end" until "knowledge shall be increased." Daniel 12:4. This was necessary for this is a book of knowledge, and of gnosis, Thomas 39, 55. Let there be "a man of understanding" among us, Thomas 21. Only "the Lion of the tribe of Juda" was found worthy "to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof." Then the lamb who has "the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth," "came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne" Revelation 5:1, 4-7. Even later, John apparently referring to this little scroll "written within and on the backside" writes of an angel who "had (open) in his hand a little book," Revelation 10:2. This angel "cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices." "When the seven thunders had uttered their voices, (John) was about to write: and (he) heard a voice from heaven saying... Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not," Revelation 10:4. Perhaps, at least until "the days of the voice of the seventh angel," when "there should be time no longer," that "the mystery of God should be finished, and fulfilled" Revelation 10:6-7.
The mystery of God, and The mystery of His will, is stated most simply, He will "gather together in one all things in Christ," Ephesians 1:10. This is the kingdom of God, Philippians 3:20. This is all in Christ, delivered up to the Father, 1 Corinthians 15:28.
THE
KEYS OF THE KINGDOM
All this glory comes only through the cross. For this reason, and perhaps because of attachment, some may find the message of this page very troubling. That is not the intent. Nevertheless, there is a troubling that can be beneficial. Jesus did say, "Let him who seeks continue seeking until he finds. When he finds, he will become troubled. When he becomes troubled, he will be astonished, and he will rule over the All," and he will find rest," Thomas 2.
Continue seeking "until"... "When" he becomes troubled... Then he will be astonished... Then he will rule. Perhaps it is through the discipline of the passage of time that we discover our true destiny. However ultimately, the passage of time, and time itself, is just one more principality under our dominion to be used, and even superseded to bring about spiritual maturity. He who finds the interpretation of his sayings will rule over the all, and will find rest, Thomas 2.
Troubled, His disciples said to him, perhaps out of their Jewish mindset of a coming kingdom, "When will the repose of the dead come about, and when will the new world come?" He said to them, "What you look forward to has already come, but you do not recognize it." And again His disciples said to him, "When will the kingdom come?" <Jesus said,> "It will not come by waiting for it. It will not be a matter of saying 'here it is' or 'there it is.' Rather, the kingdom of the father is spread out upon the earth, and men do not see it." Thomas 51, 113.
Those who find the interpretation of the sayings will not experience death and will rule in the kingdom. It is sometime said that "Knowledge is Power. However, such knowldge is not entrusted to just anyone. We have already discussed The Key of Knowledge, Thomas 39, Luke 11:52. When turned sideways the Staurogram Cross in Thomas 55 appears to be a visual representation of this "Key." When "The Gospel of Thomas" is placed side by side with "The Gospel of Matthew" another "key" connection is made. The Staurogram "Key of Knowledge" in Thomas 55 aligns itself with "The Keys of the Kingdom" mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 16:19. These keys are held hand in hand.
"When will the kingdom come?... the kingdom of the father is spread out upon the earth, and men do not see it." Thomas 113. "What you look forward to has already come, but you do not recognize it." Thomas 51. When Peter confessed, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God," the Messiah, "The King!", Jesus declared, "flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee," Matthew 16:16-17. Jesus said this because "men do not see it" and do not recognize" that Jesus is Christ, the King, in the present tense. Upon this confession of the present tense reality of the kingdom, Jesus said, "I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
For those with ears to hear and eyes to see, this is a present reality. This revelation of truth, though initially troubling, does eventually bring peace. Whatever the lens, Jew or Gentile, and however this message is heard, it is a message of victory. "Jesus Christ 'is' Lord!" Philippians 2:11. Jesus said, "I shall give you what no eye has seen and what no ear has heard and what no hand has touched and what has never occurred to the human mind," Thomas 17, 1 Corinthians 2:9.
Possessing The Key of Knowledge and coming into a true understanding, like Peter, we can then be given The Keys of the Kingdom, Thomas 39, Luke 11:52.
Some will see this present reality, and some will not. Paradoxically, let the seeds grow together "until" the day of the harvest, Thomas 57. Again, let there be a man of understanding among you, Thomas 21. Even as John was told to eat of this scroll, a remnant have the testimony of Jesus, Revelation 12:17, the everlasting Gospel which shall be for the spiritual edification of all peoples, Revelation 14:6. Though his yoke is easy, still this is an incredible responsibility that will require wisdom for those who walk in his way. Like Bridegroom with Bride, those with such inner power must be joined to those with only an outer knowledge. The Key of Knowledge and the Keys of the Kingdom, The Cross and the Crown, The Left and the Right, The Bride and the Bridegroom... in order to know completion all must be held together.
When will we enter the kingdom? When we make the Two into One, Thomas 22.
How do we explain a Kingdom that can not be seen? Or heard? Or Touched? One that has never even entered into the human mind?
It has been suggested that the kingdom that men do not see, that Jesus spoke of in The Gospel of Thomas, is a bit like "the good creation" seen in Genesis Chapter one. The fallen world that men see and experience is what is depicted in Genesis chapter two, and so on. This is an interesting attempt to explain what Jesus is saying. That first creation was good. However, we are on a journey back, even to a place of completion and perfection. There is the acceptable, the good, and the perfect will of God, Romans 12:2. Each one has his own place. Jesus said, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me," Matthew 19:21. For The Perfect, and for The Poor this kingdom a present tense reality.
The mystery of God must be fulfilled, Revelation 10:7. You are complete, full to the very top, in Christ, Colossians 2:10. Not everyone yet sees this. Let us therefore labour "that we may present Every Man Perfect in Christ Jesus," Colossians 1:28. What we can see is what we can become, Colossians 1:9-10, 1 John 3:2. There is a bright light shining in the Bridal Chamber revealing that which was hidden.
In the revelation there are seven golden candlesticks seven lamps of fire, seven stars, seven eyes which are the seven spirits, seven churches, seven horns, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven thunders, seven angels, seven last plagues, seven golden vials full of the wrath, seven heads, seven mountains, seven crowns, and seven kings. All of these sevens suggest a completion, a fulfillment or a perfection that is seen in the bridal chamber. Of all these interconnected sevens only the voices of the seven thunders are sealed up and kept hidden, Revelation 10:4. This was necessary. These sevens thunders foreshadow the culminating message of the book of revelation, which is where this article is heading. The meaning of all of this will eventually become clear. First however, must be introduced the Bridal Chamber, the prophecy of Ezekiel concerning the little scroll, the seven days of creation, the beginning and how it relates to the end, and the final culmination of all things.
However before all this is introduced, there is another issue that still needs to be addressed. By now, some of you may be asking. "Is it really possible that Jesus wrote a Gospel that is not even in the Bible?" Like the philosophers of the Epicureans and the Stoics before Paul, some of you might saying "thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean," Acts 17:20. God willing, we will get into the meaning of all of this. But first, let`s deal with that big question, "If The Gospel of Thomas is so important, then why is it not in the Bible?"
THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS? HOW IS ALL
THIS POSSIBLE?
First, maybe The Gospel of Thomas was hidden on purpose. For "it is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter," Proverbs 25:2. This is the way God works in the earth. "There is nothing hidden which shall not be made manifest, nor buried which shall not be raised, Thomas 5 (in Greek). Even Christ died, was buried, rose again on the third day.
In a similar way The Gospel of Thomas, this "Body of Christ" was found buried in the earth in 1945. Just three short years later, in 1948 the earth saw the much unanticipated re-establishment of the nation of Israel, Thomas 22, 71, 106. Many saw the fulfillment of prophecy in these events.
Again, in a similar way, this is a gospel that is still hidden metaphorically in the earth. "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost," 2 Corinthians 4:3. But if it is hidden, it shall also be made manifest, "for there is nothing hidden that shall not be made manifest, Thomas 5-6. Just as Christ was raised on the third day, and the house of Israel was raised after 3 years, so also perhaps this Hidden Gospel will be made manifest on this the third millennial day.
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Just as this "body of text" was found in the earth, literally and figuratively, so also "Christ come in the flesh" is the message of this Gospel. Jesus said, "I took my place in the midst of the world, and I appeared to them in flesh. Thomas 28. Based on this testimony of Jesus we have the test of authenticity. And to this the apostle John agrees, "Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God," 1 John 4:2. Every spirit that does not follow this testimony from Jesus is not of God, 1 John 4:3.
It is suggested that the better promises of the New Covenant referred to in the apostolic writings are the better promises made by Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas. Even more amazing is the suggestion that "The Gospel of Thomas" is "The New Covenant" mediated by Jesus. It is His Testimony (or The Testament).
What the apostles were referring to when they wrote of "The New Testament" was not the list of 27 "New Testament" canonical gospels and letters that we have today. These books were gathered together and arranged centuries later after the time of Jesus. What today is commonly called The New Testament is rather the subsequent apostolic witness to The New Covenant. A covenant is a term that can be understood as an agreement or a contract in writing, laying out the terms of peace between two parties. Like Moses who presented the Ten Commandments, or the signed terms of The Old Testament to the people of Israel, so also the author of Hebrews declares that Jesus was the mediator or arbitrator of a New Covenant. Jesus presented the terms of the New Covenant, signed as in were in his own blood.
It is suggested in this article, that the witness of The New Testament writings is that "The Gospel of Thomas" is that New Covenant delivered by Jesus to the people. The better promises of the New Covenant referred to in the apostolic writings are the better promises made by Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas.
This Testament, Covenant, or contract was often called "The Testimony," Exodus 26:33. In The Old Testament this "Testimony" was the law encapsulated in the Ten Commandments, signed by the finger of God which was housed in "The Ark of the Covenant, within "The Holy of Holies." The difference between the Old and New Testaments is that "The Testimony" as it was called is no longer hidden in Ark of the Covenant, but in us. What we read about in the Old Testament were just types and figures of the true, Galatian 4:24-26.
The Testimony of Jesus is the Testament! The Gospel of Thomas is the written Testimony of Jesus.
Under the Old Covenant hidden within the holy place of the tabernacle, hidden behind the veil, was the holy of holies. Hidden within the Holy of Holies was the ark of the covenant containing the two stone tablets of the ten commandments establishing and summarizing the terms of the Old Covenant, Hebrews 9:4. The Ten Commandments were called "The Testimony." These are all pictures of us, of who we are, and of our relationship with God. Today, under the New Covenant, in a similar but better way, within our "tabernacle," hidden behind the veil which is the flesh, Hebrews 10:20, the forerunner, even Jesus has entered. Hidden within this most holy of holies are the better promises establishing the new Covenant, Hebrews 8:6. The old covenant gave the promises, "thou shalt not," but there "were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death," Hebrews 7:23. Because of death, there was need for a new covenant. This New Testament mediated by Jesus gives the promise of life, Thomas 1 - 2 Timothy 1:1. The Old Covenant was written on tablets of stone. This New Covenant mediated by Jesus is now put ... into the mind... and written into the hearts, Hebrews 8:10.
Again, in the Hebrew Bible, the Testimony was a phrase used to describe the Ten Commandments within the Ark of the Covenant which established the Old Covenant. Today, Christ is come in the flesh, even into the holy of holies within us, proclaiming His Testimony and establishing the New Covenant. What is commonly called the New Testament is rather the writings of the apostles as a witness to "The New Covenant" which is summarized in "The Testament of Jesus."
All of these Old Testament illustrations of tabernacles, and veils, and holy places, are all types and types and figures of the body. So also, as has been described previously, this "body" of text is a type and figure of the body of Christ. This is the purpose of seeing the chiastic structure of the text. Just as there is a chief cornerstone, or a primary teaching to the text which is the head of the body, and just as the staurogram declares the joining of the male and female who become One Flesh, so also Jesus would have us look to this body to discover The New Testament.
On his way to "the cross", which is also sometimes used as a reference to "the body" of flesh, Jesus gave us some very interesting allegorical teachings through the use of emblems. In "the garden" Jesus prayed, "Take away 'this cup' from me," Mark 14;36. "This Cup" could be understood as Jesus' prayer to take away "this body" of suffering.
A body can be like a cup filled with blood. At the famous last Passover meal, Jesus took "the cup" and said to his disciples, This Cup is The New Testament in my blood," Luke 22:20, 1 Corinthians 11:25. What does Jesus say about the cup in "The Gospel of Thomas?" Jesus said, "Why do you wash the outside of the cup? Do you not realize that he who made he inside is the same one who made the outside?... When you make the two one, and when you make the inside like the outside and the outside like the inside, and the above like the below... then will you enter the Kingdom, " Thomas 89, 22.
This cup, like the human body, has an inside and an outside and an above and a below. This cup, like the human body is filled with wine symbolizing blood. This cup symbolizes the New Testament in his blood, the human body, and a "body" of text Known as the Testimony. This is the Holy grail. It has been found. Drink from this cup and live forever. "He who finds the interpretation of these sayings will not experience death," Thomas 1 - 2 Timothy 1:1.
As well, according to various texts "a pot," also like "a body," of "The Manna" that came down from heaven was likewise placed with "The Testimony" within the Ark of the Covenant inside the holy of holies. Jesus said, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world," John 6:51. Jesus was the word made flesh, John 1:14.
Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you," John 6:53.
Paul said, "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come," 1 Corinthians 11:26. This how Paul could say to the Galatians, "Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you," Galatians 3:1, Thomas 32. Christ is seen incarnated and crucified in the cup, in the bread, in the stauragram, in The Testimony, and in The Gospel of Thomas, Thomas 29.
This is the new covenant in his blood. Repent and believe the gospel. Those who "find" the interpretation of this testimony make it their own. And they will overcome "by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony" because they too will love "not their lives unto the death," Revelation 12:11. Indeed, this may seem like a terrible message to some.
However, the stories of the Old Testament concerning the Ark, and the Testimony were given for our benefit, 1 Samuel 4:3. "The Testimony" in the Ark of the Covenant, The Pot of "Manna," and "The Holy Grail" are all representations of "The Gospel of Christ" which is itself a proclamation of the eternal realities that these artifacts typify. All of this can be a bit overwhelming, but this is very, very good news.
People perish for lack of knowledge, Hosea 4:6. But when the Book of the Law is found there is a great opportunity to turn back to the Lord. 2 Kings 22:8-11, 23:2.
"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope," Romans 15:4.
One common theme in the ancient stories of "The Testimony" and "The Grail" is that all of these artifacts are lost, and that there is an active effort to recover them. Those who find them are given power to rule, and will never die. These are stories pointing to the true sayings of Jesus now recovered in "The Gospel of Thomas." Seek and you will find. There is nothing hidden that will not be made manifest.
Put another way, these types and figures of the true can provide comfort and guidance for us today as we "handle" the true realities, and the powers of the age to come. Under the Old Covenant when the Ark of the covenant, and "The Testimony" were carried away from Israel because of war, we heard the cry, "The Glory has departed from Israel," 1 Samuel 4:21. Let us consider, "What will it mean for the church if the true realities are now being recovered,... the realities that these relics represented?" Quran 2:248.
These symbols all represent "The Eternal Word" and the manifest "Perfected Body of Christ." Is the church ready to move into a new reality?
Finally, a short aside for the student who would like to study further. "Study to shew yourself approved... rightly dividing the word of truth," 2 Timothy 2:15. The holy of holies is a type and figure of the bridal chamber hidden behind the veil, in the spirit of the mind, where through a vision male and female can become One New Perfect Man. For the student of the Gospel of Thomas, the holy of holies or the bridal chamber is presented in a posting called The Joint Body Chiasm. This inner sanctuary is represented by the green, the pink, and the yellow alignments. To take an even closer look at these sayings see This Bridal Chamber as seen within the text of The Gospel of Thomas. Just as the ten commandments or ten sayings (of the Decalogue) were found in the Ark of the Covenant, so also the key saying (or logion) alignments of Thomas are also found within the bridal chamber. As this message is brought back with rejoicing, let us trust the oxen who carry and shake and jostle the message, 2 Samuel 6:6-7.
Jesus said, "I shall give you what no eye has seen and what no ear has heard and what no hand has touched and what has never occurred to the human mind." This is one of the better promises.
What other promises are in this new covenant written in our hearts that replaces the old ineffective promises. Jesus says, "I took my place in the midst of the world, and I appeared to them in flesh. I found all of them intoxicated; I found none of them thirsty. And my soul became afflicted for the sons of men, because they are blind in their hearts and do not have sight; for empty they came into the world, and empty too they seek to leave the world. But for the moment they are intoxicated. When they shake off their wine, then they will repent," Thomas 28.
This is just one of the better promises of this New Covenant proclaimed by Jesus. Speaking of "the world" he declares, "When they shake off their wine, then they will repent." The world will repent. To this the author of "The Book of Hebrews" agrees, "For this is the covenant that I will make... I will put my precepts into their mind, and write them in their hearts... And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest, Hebrews 8:10-11.
These are better promises
God has hidden these treasures within the church, and within his messengers. Within "Christ come in the flesh" "are hid all the treasures of Wisdom and knowledge," Colossians 2:3.
This Gospel will help us uncover these treasures, if only we will seek. There is nothing hidden that will not be made manifest, Thomas 5. This is a repeated refrain within this gospel. Christ was raised on the third day. Perhaps, too this Gospel will become manifest on the morning of third day. This would be very good news.
As I have studied, I have been amazed and unsettled, Thomas 1-2. As was my experience, this message may also bring trouble for others, but my hope is that you also will rule, and will find rest, Thomas 2. The academic interested in The Q Source Document will find that this presentation does not follow traditional academic assumptions. Though there may be Academic Evidence to support Thomas as the Original Gospel, such a revelation may not always be a matter of presenting evidence, but rather of an unveiling, and a removing of the veil that has blinded the minds of men, 2 Corinthians 3:14-16.
If there had been only one New Testament text that aligned with the Thomas text it might be difficult to determine which text came first, Thomas or the apostolic writings. But this is not the case. It is easy to see that Jesus is the author of Thomas, and that it is a gospel merely scribed by Thomas as he listened to the dictation of Jesus. There are many New Testament writings aligning themselves with Thomas. Presented is an article demonstrating that it was Thomas that existed first, and that it was then used by the apostles in the creation of the New Testament writings. The reason this article, and the connections it presents, suggests such an early date for the creation of Thomas is that it becomes extremely unlikely that a later author could have fashioned Thomas using the sayings of Jesus from the canonical Gospels, while simultaneously and sequentially matching the Rhetoric of so many epistles (see the article mentioned above), while also consistently maintaining both the inner and outer loosely based chiasms that provide the overarching structure for the Gospel of Thomas. This new evidence will challenge old theological boxes. Rather than maintaining Thomas is a later apocryphal writing, as is often still presented, it is now much much easier to believe that Thomas came first, and that the other writings flowed out from Thomas.
Jesus wrote a gospel. "Why is this so hard to see?"
There is a simple question that needs to be asked, and yet is seldom posed. If Jesus did not write a gospel, as is commonly assumed, and if the disciples were following the pattern of Jesus in their actions, then why did so many of the apostles write gospels and epistles? Why would the disciples propagate the Master's message in a manner inconsistent with the example and teaching of their own master? If however, on the other hand, Jesus did write a gospel, it would follow naturally that the apostles would emulate his example, and follow the pattern that he set. This is indeed what happened, and now we have the New Testament, and the writings of the apostles.
In a manner different than the academic or the scholar, those who have come to love the canon with faith and devotion may also experience trouble. For us who believe, the question is often asked, "If this Gospel of Thomas is the Original Gospel of Christ, then why was it not included in the canon of the New Testament?" This is reasonable question.
Those who created the canon may have felt they had good reason for leaving Thomas out of the canon. Jesus said, "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you," Matthew 7:6. If ever there was a message that was holy it would be this original gospel of Christ. Perhaps, the church was trying to protect this testimony, and even themselves from those they considered dogs and swine.
Though this gospel was preached by Christ openly to all, rather than being a message for the common people, the interpretation of this message was primarily given by Christ only to his closest disciples. It was "the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants," Revelation 1:1-2. For he said, "Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand," Luke 8:10. In like manner, and in obedience to Christ's example, even the apostles understood that many were not yet ready for the most holy of mysteries. The writer of Hebrews declares "We have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing," Hebrews 5:11. This was the example of Christ and the apostles. Perhaps, a comparable logic was extended and expanded by those who created the canon. For centuries, the Catholic Church tried to keep even the canonical scriptures out of the hands of the common people. Would it not be possible that if the Catholic Church kept the writings of the apostles for their priesthood alone, that they might then have guarded the very Scroll from Jesus with even extra care.
But then again, perhaps the motives for excluding Thomas from the canon were not completely noble. Much in Thomas does restore the authority of the believer back to the believer, and away from the hierarchy of the "Church". Jesus said in this original gospel, "Let him who seeks continue seeking until he finds. When he finds, he will become troubled. When he becomes troubled, he will be astonished, and he will rule over the All," Thomas 2. Such authority to rule, declared by Jesus and given into the hands of the believer with understanding, might have been seen as a threat to a Church bureaucracy that centralized all authority within itself.
Either way, whether in pretense or in truth, Thomas is a gospel that reaches out with a message to all people. It contained the Gospel to the Jews and to the Gentiles. It appealed to people of many persuasions, even to those who may have been seen as enemies by the Catholic hierarchy. It was a message bigger than any of the factions in the early church. For this reason, it may have become guilty by association. Sometimes, politics and power can influence the choices that influence history.
Why was Thomas left out of the canon. Their may be many reasons. Nevertheless, if these words be the very gospel of Christ, then its exclusion from the canon can never remove its true authority. Perhaps, Thomas needed to disappear simply to fulfill prophecy. The church is being "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" This message is like the "chief corner stone" from God, given to the church through Christ, and through his apostles. However, the builders have rejected this chief corner stone. For Jesus said, "Show me the stone which the builders have rejected. That one is the cornerstone," Thomas 66. Perhaps, the rejection of the message of Christ needed to happen. Nevertheless, the elect will hear it. "And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder," Matthew 21:44. Elect of God, take consolation. The revelation of Jesus Christ and his Bride is returning.
As was said earlier, discomfort is not the intent of this presentation... rather, it is hoped that this revelation of the Original Gospel given to the living Jesus by God will help bring about a full realization of the very promises of the gospel, 2 Thessalonians 1:8. The study of Thomas, of this original gospel from Christ, will not invalidate or undermine the canonical writings. Rather, this gospel which was once delivered unto the saints, can now begin to be restored, Jude 3. Thomas will reinforce the legitimacy and the authority of the canon, and it will demonstrate apostolic adherence to the teachings of Christ, and to the pattern presented by Christ within this gospel. Much of the truth that had been lost to the Church for centuries, may now be re-established.
Jesus said, "I shall give you what no eye has seen and what no ear has heard and what no hand has touched and what has never occurred to the human mind." Thomas 17. Such a recovery will be a gift from above, James 1:17.
Though the Gospel of Thomas was not included in the New Testament canon by the church fathers, the New Testament writings themselves give the Gospel of Thomas a position of supreme authority. I have become convinced that the New Testament gives special authority to the message of Christ as it is revealed in the Gospel of Thomas. Considering all that has been shown to me, this is an obvious conclusion, that I must accept. Let us not let the disturbance we may experience prevent us from moving forward. Prove all things, 1 Thessalonians 5:21. One strategy that might be useful is to reread the New Testament with new eyes. Perhaps, try looking through the apostolic writings
for evidence, allusions, and confirmations of the Testimony of Christ. "Give attendance to reading... Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all, 1 Timothy 4:13,15. Jesus said, "Let him who seeks continue seeking until he finds. When he finds, he will become troubled. When he becomes troubled, he will be astonished, and he will rule over the All." And he will find rest.
My responsibility and my desire is to communicate this effectively, so others can share in this glorious revelation. Perhaps, if you become convinced by this message, may God also open your mouth boldly, to clearly proclaim the mystery of the gospel, Ephesians 6:20.
Jesus said, "the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life," (John 6:63). The implications of this message are yet to be realized. Unspoken ideas are be like seed still in the hand of the sower. What the seed will become is not always visible while still in the hand. A seed still in the hand is only potential. "That which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be... But God giveth it a body... and to every seed his own body." 1 Corinthians 15: 37-38. Cast into the ground, good seed can transform the earth, growing into a great tree. It can beautify the landscape, changing what we see. Every tree is known by its own fruit. However, seed needs to be cast into the earth, and die, long before the fruit can be seen and the benefits reaped. If for no other reason, this is why some unspoken ideas must be shared. If it be good seed, and buried in the good ground, it will bring forth much good fruit.
Jesus said, "I shall give you what no eye has seen and what no ear has heard and what no hand has touched and what has never occurred to the human mind." Thomas 17.
If the perceived need is great enough, the sower will not consume the all seed for himself. Rather, he will sow the seed, hoping for a great harvest, and a great revelation. The harvest is truly great. For this reason, some unspoken ideas, almost like pearls, are now being cast into the earth, Thomas 10, 16. Presented is an idea. And though it be a true revelation, a present day truth, or even the everlasting gospel itself, still it must be tried and proven, and allowed to bear its own fruit. It must be lived. Please, prove all things.
There are those who are called by God to forsake all, that they might know Christ intimately. It is the responsibility of the church to support such ones in natural things, for it is they who will enter in, and bring forth, and feed the church with spiritual things. Jesus said, "The angels and the prophets will come to you and give to you those things you (already) have. And you too, give them those things which you have, and say to yourselves, 'When will they come and take what is theirs?'" Thomas 88.
All this may require a radical rethinking of what it means to receive "The Gospel." To receive the gospel was to accept the message of Christ. To accept the message was to receive the messengers who had themselves forsaken all to fully accept and fulfill the teaching of the gospel. Receiving into our lives these messengers and their living example of the message was vitally important. God has provided the better things for us, but we will not be made perfect without each other, (Hebrews 11:40).
There is a pattern that must be followed. "God gave to the church "some" gifts who would follow the pattern, Ephesians 4:11. The original gospel of Christ appears to have been entrusted to the first apostles with the admonition to adapt the message in a manner appropriate for the communities to which it would be taken. Just as those who received Jesus received the Father, so also those who receive the sent apostles receive Christ. Perhaps some have been able to able to become wise unto salvation just by receiving the written and authoritative message of the apostles. Nevertheless, just as Christ is the secret mystery of God, and the Church is the mystery of Christ, so also hidden within the Church is the invisible Spirit which will manifest within "some," and come forth, in greater measure, as the very message of Christ is once again accepted by those who are able to receive it. Perhaps, now is time to present the original, that the pattern might be followed once again, more perfectly. To the church, and its many members, Jesus might say again, "That which you have will save you if you bring it forth from yourselves," Thomas 70. "There is nothing hidden which will not become manifest." Thomas 5.
This cannot remain hidden. Today, the original gospel of Christ is being restored. Perhaps it was our Lord himself that kept this gospel hidden, and kept it safe... until the appointed time. As mentioned earlier, "The Gospel of Thomas" was discovered in the deserts of Egypt in 1945 by a man named Muhammad 'Ali shortly before the formation of nation of Israel. And though this gospel is seemingly all but forgotten and ignored today, it was not always the case. Centuries after Jesus proclaimed his gospel there were still pockets of those who knew of its existence. Even the Quran was written with a knowledge of This Original Gospel or Injeel as it is called within Islam. The word "Injil" or Gospel "occurs twelve times within the Qur'an and refers not to the New Testament gospels, but specifically to a book of revelation given to the Prophet Jesus," The Gospel in Islam - Wikipedia. Today, Islamic scholars still speak of this original gospel of Christ, but many believe it to have been lost. And indeed, it was lost, or hidden, but now all this has changed. Interestingly enough, both "The Gospel of Thomas" and "The Quran" each share 114 divisions. Each of the 114 surahs or chapters of the Quran correspond to each of the related 114 Sayings of Thomas. There are similarities in thought, word, and rhetoric between each saying and the corresponding surah. Each surah seemingly expands, and is a detailed explanation for its specific audience, of the corresponding sayings from original Gospel of Christ (or the Injeel as it is called in Islam). The Gospel of Christ did exist, and it was for all people, and for centuries there were those who knew about it. The Apostles knew it, and so did Mohammad. However somehow, because of war, or the church, or through the purposes of God this message was lost or even suppressed. Whatever happened, today this message is being restored. And so indeed, this is a very special day in which we are living.
Humbly therefore, I desire to submit this message to those with Wisdom for examination, and to the church for prayerful consideration. Prove all things FOR YOURSELVES. We are told that the everlasting gospel will be "preached to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." Revelation 14:6. This will happen. If Thomas is "The Everlasting Gospel," then it will and must be made manifest, and the reach of this Gospel will truly become universal in scope. This gospel shall be preached in all the world, then shall the end come, Matthew 24:14. May those with ears to hear, now hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church, Thomas 8, 21. God will back His message, and accomplish His purposes, Ephesians 1:10. May we be a part of this For those who might oppose His purposes, may his mercy triumph over judgment, James 2:13.
Often, when it comes to Present Day Truth, some things are hard to be uttered. Some things hard to be heard, and other things better left unsaid. At this point in the dialogue, I want to offer to the reader an out. Maybe, you are just not convinced. However perhaps, on the other hand, you have been following the links, and you are beginning to recognize something very unique about this gospel. If so, you may be motivated to continue reading. If you are not, I will understand. It doesn't get easier from here. Either way, you are welcome to continue, or not. Either way, you may come back in the future.
THE
BRIDAL CHAMBER
The Bridal Chamber
A wedding is a re-uniting, or a reconciliation into ONE, of the male and the female.
For simplicity, let us begin in the natural realm, discussing the importance of The bridal Chamber, the marriage of a Bride and a Bridegroom, and of Two becoming One as it is presented within The Gospel of Thomas and within Holy Scripture, Thomas 75,104.
Perhaps the most extensive biblical presentation of the relationship between the Bride and the Bridegroom, and the inner teachings of Bridal Chamber is found within the Old Testament in a book known as The Song of Solomon. In the natural realm this Song of Songs is an erotic love story between Solomon and the Shulamite. However, it is so much more than just a natural story.
Just as a side by side comparison between "Thomas" and "The Book of Revelation" is revealing, so also The Gospel of Thomas and The Song of Solomon -_A Side by Side comparison is also most illuminating. Again, the reader is encouraged to follow this link.
Side by side with key word connections, verse by verse and phrase by phrase, the longing and love between Solomon and the Shulamite reveals the intimacy between Jesus and His Disciples. The interplay between them becomes obvious.
Through the comparison, the contrast, and the interrelationship between these two corresponding texts we discover the intimacy between Solomon and the Shulamite as an illustration of the love between Jesus and those who follow him in His way. What may seem to some as just a long list of sayings with Jesus talking to his disciples, is rather revealed as an intimate courtship and marriage.
The Two Become One on many levels: There is the Marriage of Solomon and Shulamite, of Christ and the Disciples, of Christ and the Church, of Spirit and Body, of God and Israel, and of God and the New Humanity. Through "The Gospel of the Living Jesus" and this "Song of Peace" we are able to discover and behold intimacy with both Christ and God, and pursue such fellowship for ourselves.
Let us go one step deeper.
Both "The Gospel of Thomas" and The Song of Songs" are each a two sided chiastic text which is folded down the middle, just like a human body. The left and the right of each of these texts are held together by joints and bands, just like a person. These two must be joined together in One. In this case "The Song of Solomon" is the male "body" of text. The Gospel of Thomas, folded at Thomas 55, is the female "body" of text. Each is a "body" of text that could stand on its own. However, the staurogram (which is the joining of the Tau and Rho in marriage) suggests the need for, and the benefit of, such an amalgamation. The joining together of the Female Gospel of Thomas Chiasm with the "Male Song of Solomon Chiastic Skeletal Structure" can be viewed at The Chiasmic Marriage of The Gospel and The Song.
Joined together in marriage, the Two become One flesh... perfect and complete.
Again, when these two male and female texts marry together verse by verse and phrase by phrase the key word connections, then the longing and love between and between the Bridegroom and the Bride, reveals the intimacy between Jesus and His Disciples. A devotional study of these connections can be most edifying. Hopefully, a commentary on The Chiasmic Marriage of The Gospel and The Song might be completed at some point. This revelation of the divine marriage becomes central to understanding the message of Jesus as it is presented within the Gospel of Thomas.
Building on this revelation of marriage between the Song and the Gospel, so also the two "Chiastic Structures" or "Bodies of Text" within Thomas can be joined in a similar manner. As mentioned in the previous pages, the two primary chiastic structures within Thomas are the Key of Knowledge Chiasm at Saying 55 which is the female, and the Keys of the Kingdom Chiasm at Saying 51 which is the male. Again, both of these chiastic structures within Thomas represent a "body" of text on its own. Married together these two "chiastic bodies of text" become one flesh, joined together by joints and bands, perfect and complete. See The Gospel of Thomas Joint- Body Chiasm. Again, this joining together of Bride and Bridegroom can be understood on multiple levels. Primarily, it is a picture of Christ and the Church, but it can also be understood as The joining of the Jewish and the Gentile factions of the church. These two groups were not to be at enmity nor mutually exclusive, but rather mutually supportive, joined together as one new man. This was Paul's own unique mystery revelation that had not been made known in previous generations, Ephesians 3:2-6.
As with the Song-Gospel amalgamation, in this case also, the two Thomas structures are in like manner joined together in marriage and held together as one body by key words. Those sayings which align horizontally are combined together forming a complete teaching interpreting and providing context to the individual sayings.
Marriage is a natural human expression known throughout the world. "But Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; interpreting, comparing, and combining and joining together (perfectly joined) spiritual things with spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:12-14, 1 Corinthians 2:13 ASV.
These things are not easily spoken. Using the natural to teach of the spiritual is often a challenge, but using the spiritual to explain the spiritual is for the mature, those who have become like a child.
Jesus said,
"These infants being suckled are like those who enter the kingdom."
"When you make the two one,
and when you make the inside (of the text) like the outside
and the outside (of the text) like the inside,
and the above like the below,
and when you make the male and the female one and the same,
so that the male not be male nor the female female;
and when you fashion eyes in the place of an eye,
and a hand in place of a hand,
and a foot in place of a foot,
and a likeness in place of a likeness;
then will you enter the kingdom."
(Thomas 22)
"These infants being suckled are like those who enter the kingdom."
"When you make the two one,
and when you make the inside (of the text) like the outside
and the outside (of the text) like the inside,
and the above like the below,
and when you make the male and the female one and the same,
so that the male not be male nor the female female;
and when you fashion eyes in the place of an eye,
and a hand in place of a hand,
and a foot in place of a foot,
and a likeness in place of a likeness;
then will you enter the kingdom."
(Thomas 22)
The bridal chamber is for the family and the friends of the family. The Bride and the light of the bridal chamber is for "her father and her mother, and to the friend of the bridegroom and the sons of the bridegroom. These are permitted to enter every day into the bridal chamber. But let the others yearn just to listen to her voice and to enjoy her ointment, and let them feed from the crumbs that fall from the table, like the dogs. Bridegrooms and brides belong to the bridal chamber. No one shall be able to see the bridegroom with the bride unless he become such a one," The Gospel of Philip
Even so today, almost anyone read about The Perfect Man within The Bridal Chamber. However, as long as there are divisions among you, “ye are yet carnal,” 1 Corinthians 3:3 and you may not be ready to hear. Step by step, however, the carnal are made spiritual (complete, mature, and perfected) through this reconnection process of marriage until the spiritual joining with spiritual achieve to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ that God might be all in all. This is a gradual process.
This process of holy marriage is the mystery of the gospel that Paul preached, and it is the mystery of the bridal chamber revealed in Thomas. We need this message today. However, the benefits of marriage are costly. Choices have to be made. This is a message of renunciation. Woe to the flesh, woe to the soul, and woe to false legalistic religion.
Jesus said, "Whoever does not hate his father and his mother as I do cannot become a disciple to me, Thomas 101, 55. Marriage is a simple earthly illustration. "A man shall leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder," Matthew 19:5-6.
This is the work of God. The message may get hard at this point. The disciple learns how to leave the world behind. As this point, in a real practical way, we are taught to "endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (For) no man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier, 2 Timothy 2:3-4.
This is the training manual of Jesus, for warfare. Nevertheless, the man of God must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 2 Timothy 2:24. These ones are often workers, servants, labourers.
To take up and bear the cross can mean to carry the Body in the way of Jesus. “Whoever finds the interpretation of these sayings will not experience death,” (Thomas 1). The original gospel is all about the life of Jesus lived in the body, in the way of Jesus, in the path he trod. The Gospel of Thomas is God's message of life for those who would follow Jesus in this way.
The bridal chamber teachings are more advanced teachings. It is only the solitary who will enter the bridal chamber, Thomas 75. There is a fire and a bright light of revelation within the bridal chamber. Often those who follow and live the teachings of this holy place find themselves in a place of solemn responsibility. It is God who sends forth labourers into the harvest. Not everyone is ready or worthy of such responsibilty. Not everyone has renounced the flesh, the devil, and any ties to this world. There needs to be a change of heart. Preparation often precedes the true entrance into the holy places.
This
must be a life experience. The
eye, hand, foot, and likeness sayings teach the way of life.
They
guide and prepare the disciple for a new way of life,
the life of the master, and into the life a wandering radical.
These are the teachings of renunciation and transformation.
Study The
Doctrine of Jesus: The Eye, Hand, Foot and Likeness Teachings
of Renunciation.
THE
EYE SAYINGS
The eye sayings and the corresponding verses in the bridal chamber
teach the renunciation of wealth and power. Recognize power,
wealth and the world itself as the corpse that it is and renounce it,
(27/ 80). There is a responsibility to lead. To lead one must see
clearly, removing the mote from the eye, not judging others for so
failing, (26). Love, not money or power, must be the single minded
vision. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways, James 1:8.
"If a blind man leads a blind man, they will both fall into a pit,
(36). The merchant and anyone focused on wealth is a blind man (34/76).
Renunciation must be lived out in preparation for the holy marriage of
two into one.
In your mind’s eye see yourself as one with your brother.
"Love
your brother like your (own) soul, guard him like the pupil of your
eye, (25)." Two souls, and two visions or two eyes must be made as one:
“eyes in the place of an eye, (22). Light will then illuminate the
bridal chamber. “The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine
eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light,” Luke
11:34.
When two make peace in this bridal chamber they will be filled with
light (48 /61). Finally, the initiate is prepared for the
responsibility they will bear when the light appears and they see their
images in the bridal chamber, (84).
THE
HAND SAYINGS
The hand sayings expand the logic of the eye sayings. After renunciation the disciple gives away his wealth with an extended hand. If you want to be worthy to receive the mysteries, and enter the bridal chamber, “do not let your left (hand) know what your right (hand) is doing,” (62). The giving away of wealth must be done discreetly.
With humility recognize the contrast between the rich man and the good
example of John the Baptist, (46). Matthew elaborates that John
survived with only a “raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle
about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey,” Matthew 3:4.
This is the lifestyle to which Jesus calls his disciples.
Recognize the world for the corpse that it is, (56). Do not lay up
treasure on earth for a rich man dies in the night, (63). A blind man
is one who wants to hold onto his possessions (34, 72, 76). If you want
to see the kingdom, sell what you have and give the proceeds away (35,
76). Bind your hands together in common purpose, and ransack your
house, (35). Enter the kingdom with an extended hand. Like a
shrewd merchant sell what you have to buy the pearl, (76).
This is the requirement for entrance, and a necessity for those who
would serve. “It is impossible for a man to mount two horses or to
stretch two bows, and it is impossible for a servant to serve two
masters,” (47). You cannot please your parents. Extend the hand to give
away wealth despite opposition from family (47, 55). Matthew adds, “You
cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew
6:24.
“Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax
not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief
approacheth, neither moth corrupteth, Luke
12:33.
Examine your heart. See the duplicity and double mindedness and feel
the persecution within yourself, (68). You have a responsibility. “The
harvest is great but the laborers are few. Beseech the Lord, therefore,
to send out laborers to the harvest, (73)”
THE
FOOT SAYINGS
The foot sayings teach the disciple to walk into the harvest in the same way as Jesus. Occurring in the Bridal Chamber (the green sayings), this alignment depicts the life of a Wandering Radical in ministry. It is a holy calling available after the eye and hand teachings are lived. The disciple, who has forsaken all, walks to new districts taking nothing for the journey, neither bread nor money. Two potential pitfalls are described: taking provisions for the journey, and asking for provisions along the way. Both can be hazardous.
This lifestyle is full of hardship. In order to walk this life, the
powerful man must be put to death, (98). The self and self sufficiency
must die. The disciple becomes dependent on those they minister to for
their next meal. The temptation will be to give alms in expectation of
a return, or to ask for assistance, or to fast in an effort to remain
independent and self sufficient. For the true disciple, such actions
harm the spirit. Rather, you will be fed when you are welcomed. “If
they receive you eat what they will set before you, and heal the sick
among them,” (14).
Food is not taken for the journey. The woman who carried a jar of meal
with her did not realize her mistake, (97). “Take nothing for your
journey, neither staffs, nor bag, neither bread, neither money,” Luke
9:3.
Avoiding such mistakes, these Wandering Radicals travel from village to
village ministering to the needs of the people always aware of the need
to be filled and full, (97).
The mention of the “certain woman” and the one “not born of woman”
prepares the initiate for the deeper teachings of the “likeness
alignments” and the comparing of spiritual with spiritual.
THE LIKENESS SAYINGS
The likeness alignments ask two questions. Who is Jesus like? (13). And who are the disciples like? (21). Jesus is compared to the image of Caesar on a gold coin, (100). He is the image of his spiritual parent, (101). The disciples are also compared to “the one you have not recognized,” (91). They too are like their spiritual Father and Mother. They are like children who have settled in a field, and found that the yoke is easy, and have found rest for themselves, (21, 91). We make the inside like the outside, and the outside like the inside, because the one “who made the inside is the same one who made the outside,” (22, 89). We discover we are like the Christ. In the bridal chamber the laborers who are sent out into the harvest see the reflection of Christ with a bright light of illumination. “What you see you shall become,” The Gospel of Philip. “Split (open) a piece of wood, and I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there,” (The Light Alignment: 33,73-75,77).
Living with a single eye, and an extended hand, walking in the same way as Christ we discover that we are like him, and that we are the Christ. We make the two into one. It is a life of renunciation and ministry, but also of glory and transfiguration.
THIS
IS THE LIFE OF THE WANDERING RADICAL
This is the life of Jesus. This is the life of those who would "walk, even as he walked, 1 John 2:6. Jesus said, "Whoever does not hate his father and his mother cannot become a disciple to me. And whoever does not hate his brothers and sisters and take up his cross in my way will not be worthy of me," Thomas 55.
Clarifying for the seeker in the pursuit of this
reconciliation,
perfection, completion, and maturity, Jesus
says to him,
"If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the
poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow
me," Matthew
19:21.
"Peter said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee;
what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them (the
disciples). Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me, in
the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his
glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes
of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or
brethren,
or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for
my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit
everlasting life," Matthew
19:27-29.
Jesus
said, "Let him who seeks continue seeking until he finds. When he
finds, he will become troubled. When he becomes troubled, he will be
astonished, and he will rule over the All," Thomas
2.
The
Eye, Hand, Foot, and Likeness Alignments prepare us in a step by step
manner for the Bridal Chamber. Let him who has ears hear, (62, 63).
Everyone progresses as far as they are able. The early church in
Jerusalem were at least able to embrace the message of renunciation.
“All that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold
their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man
had need,” Acts 2:44-45. Others like Paul were able to say, “I count
all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge (or gnosis) of
Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,
and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ…That I may know
him, and the power of his resurrection,” Philippians
3:8,10
Now, to those who have prepared is the promise of the Bridal Chamber. Jesus said, "I shall give you what no eye has seen and what no ear has heard and what no hand has touched and what has never occurred to the human mind," (17, 95).
After the disciple has laid down his life for the sake of the brethren, for the sake of Christ and the Gospel, and for the love of God, then The Great Mystery begins to come into focus. That which was hidden can be entrusted to the disciple.For those with "an eye" to behold hidden and deeper spiritual reality, through the perfect joining and alignment within The Bridal Chamber, the bright light of illumination reveals The Perfect Man, who becomes an illustration of all creation in Christ. Through the work of the ministry, and through the Holy Marriage Christ fills and completes all things. On every level, the two are made One. There is the reconciliation of all things. This is a great mystery, Ephesians 5:32. This is for the mature.
A wise man learns that the pig, the dog, and the oxen, do not all eat the same meal. Perhaps, we must be changed before we can appreciate this meal.
"I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ," Romans 15:29. The scriptural request is pray "for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, Ephesians 6:19.
In the Bridal Chamber is concealed the great secret.Jesus said, "There are many at the door, but only the solitary ones shall enter the bridal chamber," (Thomas 75). It is those who are persecuted within themselves, those who have bound the hands of the strong man, that enter in, (Thomas 35,68-70,75). It is for those who have purchased the pearl, (76, Matthew 13:46).
To the laborers sent out into the harvest the bright light of illumination reveals the Christ within, (Thomas 33, 73, 75, 77). Jesus says, "It is I who am the light which is above them all. It is I who am the all. From me did the all come forth, and unto me did the all extend, (77.) All things are from him, through him, and to him. The End is the same as the Beginning, (18). The Alpha and the Omega are one and the same, Revelation 22:13. Christ fills, completes and becomes all things. This is the great mystery.
There is a Blazing Fire and a Bright Light when the Mother and Father are joined together in the Bridal Chamber. This marriage happens on every level of reality. Those who have prepared themselves enter into the bridal chamber to behold this union, and these laborers are then sent out into the harvest field.
There is a marriage supper. God is a man-eater, (Philip), and a consuming fire, Hebrews 12:29. "Blessed is the lion which becomes man when consumed by man," Thomas 7. "Let the oxen eat." (102). All things are gathered in One, making all things new, Ephesians 1:10, Revelations 21:5. There is a reconciliation of all things, Colossians 1:20. There is a "transubstantiation." Two are made One. Christ is come in the flesh completing all things. Jesus said, "I myself shall lead her in order to make her male, " (114). The above is as the below. The female is made male. The All is changed. There is a new man: A Perfect Man.
After the wedding "the bridegroom leaves the bridal chamber." In the Bridal Chamber alignment, "When the bridegroom leaves the bridal chamber" corresponds to "Now the sower went out, took a handful (of seeds), and scattered them," (Bridal Chamber Sayings 23-26). Now, if there is a time to fast and pray, it is in the harvest field, where the temptations are large, and the needs are many. Jesus said, "The harvest is great but the laborers are few. Beseech the Lord, therefore, to send out laborers to the harvest," Thomas 73.
One of the discoveries of the bridal chamber is that the wise fisherman chooses the large mature fish, Thomas 8. In the Bridal chamber alignment this corresponds to "He who knows the father and the mother" Such a one is called the son of a harlot because of the prior infidelity of the mother, Thomas 105. The pre-existent Sophia (or Wisdom) Joining With Christ in the Bridal Chamber is a spiritual marriage symbolic of this union on every level of realty. This is spiritual joining with spiritual, and is only for the mature, 1 Corinthians 2:13.
There is a Complete Reunification and an Ultimate Reconciliation of the All that is seen in the Bridal Chamber. This is the great mystery that is revealed to those who are worthy, Thomas 62. Jesus said, "Whoever does not... take up his cross in my way will not be worthy of me," Thomas 55.
Once again, for those who would behold this secret; let us consider the prologue, the climax, and the conclusion of this unique Gospel of Jesus, together with the introduction, conclusion and climax of the Book of Revelation. The prologue of Thomas points to the Living Jesus. "These are the secret sayings which the living Jesus. The conclusion of Thomas (114) points to a Living Spirit. Jesus said, "I myself shall lead her... so that she... may become a living spirit." Comparing the front and the back of this unique two sided chiastic scroll, bring the prologue and the conclusion together with the Climax of the Gospel found in saying 55 and one discovers a synopsis of the entire text.
Paradoxically, if separation is death, then it is through the death of the cross that death is destroyed. This gospel is encapsulated in the Staurogram (the Tau Rho Cross). This is the picture of a reconciliation and a marriage bringing life, through death. The bride and the bridegroom come back together, and life is lived together as one flesh, and life is restored to the one body. This is the great marriage revealed. The greatest story ever told is our story, and it is our future. That which was, and is, and is to come, is all the same story fulfilled in him.
"Whoever finds the interpretation of these sayings will not experience death. Let him who seeks continue seeking until he finds. When he finds, he will become troubled. When he becomes troubled, he will be astonished, and he will rule over the All," Thomas 1-2.
The keys have been provided, and the door is opened, and the walls are being removed. The interpretation and the riches hidden within are yours to discover.
Continue your own study of the Bridal chamber: You may wish to start with The Bridal Chamber, The Perfect Man, and The Bridal Chamber Alignments, The Primary Bridal Chamber Teachings, and The Bridechamber.
THE VITALITY OF THE LITTLE BOOK
11] "I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it,
from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away;
and THERE WAS FOUND NO PLACE for them.
There was NO PLACE FOUND for heaven and earth
because they persecuted the messengers of heaven and rejected his message.
Jesus said, "Blessed are you when you are hated and persecuted.
Wherever you have been persecuted THEY WILL FIND NO PLACE," Thomas 68.
12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God;
and the books were opened:
[Perhaps, the Books of the Bible were opened.]
and another book was opened, which is THE BOOK of LIFE:
[The Book of Life was opened.
This Book of LIFE is the Testimony of LIVING Jesus and the Book that gives LIFE.
"These are the secret sayings which the LIVING Jesus spoke
and which Didymos Judas Thomas wrote down.
And he said, "Whoever finds the interpretation of these sayings
will NOT EXPERIENCE DEATH...
The heavens and the earth will be rolled up in your presence.
And the one who lives from the living one will NOT SEE DEATH." Saying 1,111]
and the dead were judged out of those things
which were written in the books, according to their works.
13] And the sea gave up the dead which were in it;
and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them:
and they were judged every man according to their works.
14] And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.
This is the second death.
15] And whosoever was not found written in THE BOOK OF LIFE
was cast into the lake of fire," Rev 20:11-15.
Humankind is judged by what is in the books.
But ultimately, all of human history comes down to one thing...
How do we respond to THE BOOK OF LIFE.
"These are THE SECRET SAYINGS which the LIVING Jesus spoke."
"Behold, I come quickly:
blessed is he that keepeth THE SAYINGS of the prophecy OF THIS BOOK," Revelation 22:7.
"If any man shall take away from the words of THE BOOK of this prophecy,
God shall take away his part out of THE BOOK OF LIFE,
and out of the holy city,
and from the things which are written in THIS BOOK," Rev 22:19.
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The testimony of the true and faithful Jesus and the Latter Rain.
"A faithful witness will not lie" Prov 14:5
"A true witness delivereth souls," Prov 14:25.
Jesus is the faithful and true witness.
Jesus is the faithful and true witness
who does not lie and who delivers souls.
The Saying of Jesus change things.
"Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful," Rev 21:5.
"These sayings are faithful and true," Rev 22:6.
His words are spirit and life.
"It is the spirit that quickeneth... the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life," John 6:63.
The outpouring of the spirit is the outpouring of these sayings. His sayings are spirit.
Pro 16:15 In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
Joe 2:23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain
Zec 10:1 Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
Jas 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Jas 5:17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
Jas 5:18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain. If the preaching of Jesus words marked Pentecost, and was the time of the former rain, then the return of Jesus could mark the time of "The Latter Rain." The Sayings of Jesus were recovered with the dicovery of The Gospel of Thomas in 1945. Is it time to start sharing this message?
******** Revelation 4, the 4 beasts and at the end of Revelation 5
Ireneus spoke of the four beasts being the four gospels, each beast a gospel and ...
The lamb in Revelation 5 with the book is the the gospel of Christ opened by the lamb .... and the 4 beasts celebrate it.
Rev 4 beasts connecteded to the beasts in Ezekiel - see below
personal c.f. Larry.
Rough
Work - Notes and unorganized material
EZEKIEL MUTE (Added 2024-09-28) (Several years ago, I had a waking vision similar to Ezekiel: "Son of man, dig now in the wall: &... behold a door... Go in, & behold the wicked abominations that they do here," Ezekiel 8:8-9. I was wide awake and the room transformed before me.) Jesus wrote a little book. He had his disciple scribe it down. The apostles wrote the New Testament to explain this little book. Hard to believe? Let us consider the possibilities. And then, "Repent and believe the Gospel." Ezekiel writes in detail about "a little scroll" of revelation, written on both sides, on the inside and on the back side, which is given to the son of man. This appears to be a description of the message Jesus brought in his ministry to Israel? After the death and resurrection of Jesus, John, in his revelation, prophesies about this same little scroll which though taken in hand, no man can open, except the lamb. John declares this "little scroll" is the message of Jesus for the earth. Let us consider, "Does this prophesied "little scroll" declared by both Ezekiel and John still exist today?" If so, it would be the prophesied Testimony of Jesus. It could be "The Gospel of Christ", "The Doctrine of Christ", "His Sayings", "The Preaching of Jesus Christ", "The Gospel of God", and even "The Everlasting Gospel". If Jesus, The Author of our salvation, had his Message, this little scroll scribed down, then the phrase "The Gospel" would be a direct reference to The Revelation of Jesus Christ" which God gave unto him to show unto his servants. If such a little scroll were to "reappear" at a time like this, or perhaps at the time of the end, begin to imagine the implications? This Testimony of Jesus would proclaim afresh "The Word of God." What do you think he would say to us, this time? If this prophesied "little scroll" is real, still exists, and can be held in the hand, but no one in heaven and earth is worthy to open the book, except the lamb, then we must ask a very difficult question: "Which little scroll are all these prophets talking about?" Eze 2:6 And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. Eze 2:7 And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious. Eze 2:8 But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee. Eze 2:9 And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein; Eze 2:10 And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe. Eze 3:1 Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. Eze 3:2 So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. Eze 3:3 And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness. Eze 3:4 And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them. Eze 3:5 For thou art not sent to a people of a strange speech and of an hard language, but to the house of Israel; Eze 3:6 Not to many people of a strange speech and of an hard language, whose words thou canst not understand. Surely, had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened unto thee. Eze 3:7 But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted. Eze 3:8 Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads. Eze 3:9 As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. ... Eze 3:24 Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and said unto me, Go, shut thyself within thine house. Eze 3:25 But thou, O son of man, behold, they shall put bands upon thee, and shall bind thee with them, and thou shalt not go out among them: Eze 3:26 And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they are a rebellious house. Eze 3:27 But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house. Ezekiel 2:7- 3:7 Muteness ( added 9/28/2024. to be synthesized and rewritten) Many commentators reflect on the muteness was both a sign and punishment. For example, R.H. Stein (1992) comments as follows. 1:20 You will be silent. Zechariah graciously was given a sign as an aid to faith even though the sign also was a rebuke for lack of faith. The sign was a punitive miracle but contained the promise “until the day this happens.” Muteness is a sign in Ezek 3:26; 24:27 and a judgment in 2 Macc 3:29. However, the specific purpose of the muteness appears to have been to vacate Zechariah's ability to serve in the Temple until the child was born. That is, the punishment was to disqualify Zechariah from Temple ministry as a Levite. Lightfoot (2010) comments as follows. Ver. 18: Ἐγὼ γάρ εἰμι πρεσβύτης· For I am an old man.] If so old a man, why then was he not sequestered from the service of the Temple by the law of superannuation? Numb. 4:3; 8:24, 25. Hear what the Rabbins say in this case: “There is something that is lawful in the priests, that is unlawful in the Levites: and there is something lawful in the Levites, that is unlawful in the priests. The Rabbins deliver; the priests upon any blemish are unfit; as for their years they are not unfit; the Levites for their years may be unfit, but by reason of blemish are not. From that which is said, that at the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting, we learn that years may make the Levites unfit. Perhaps the priests also are made unfit through years: and indeed, does it not seem in equity, that if the Levites, whom a blemish doth not make unfit, should yet be made unfit by superannuation, should not much more the priests be made unfit by superannuation, when even a spot or blemish will make them unfit? But the text saith, This is the law of the Levites; not, This is the law of the priests. The Rabbins deliver: What time a priest comes to maturity, till he grow old, he is fit to minister; and yet a spot or blemish makes him unfit. The Levite from his thirtieth to his fiftieth year is fit for service; but being superannuated, he becomes unfit. How must this be understood concerning the Levites? To wit, for that time wherein the ark was in the wilderness: but at Shiloh and in the Temple they were not rendered unfit, unless through the defect of their voice (See Bemidbar Rab. 222.3). (emphasis added) In other words, Zechariah was unable to give the required public benediction and blessing to the people as part of the Temple service (cf. Num 6:22-27), and therefore Zechariah was disqualified from such service with such physiological handicaps (cf. Lev 21:9-14 and Lev 22:3-9). In fact, the text appears to show that Zechariah was also deaf, since others had to "sign" words to him (Luke 1:62). The Babylonian Talmud also has numerous references to the incapacitation of deaf-mutes in serving and participating in the Synagogue. Finally, when Zechariah was able to talk (at the birth of his son John), he had "prophesied" that his son John was be a prophet. The implication here is that one who prophesies (that is, one who is not incapacitated by "muteness"--read: lack of belief in the Words of God) is therefore to be the faithful servant of the Lord. References: Lightfoot, J. (2010). A Commentary on the New Testament from the Talmud and Hebraica, Matthew-1 Corinthians: Luke-John (Vol. 3.) Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 22-23. Not All Speech was Removed The Muting Declared and Defined Ezekiel's muting is recorded in chapter 3, verse 26 (NKJV): I will make your tongue cling to the roof of your mouth, so that you shall be mute and not be one to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious house. But the very next verse (v.27) indicates that this muting is not full (emphasis added): But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’ He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house. So God is limiting Ezekiel's speech toward Israel (specifically those in captivity, as he was; Ezek 1:1) to just the prophetic words that the Lord desires (and allows) him to speak to Israel. I emphasize "toward Israel" because we see in the very next chapter Ezekiel is allowed to converse with God also, Ezek 4:14— So I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Indeed I have never defiled myself from my youth till now; I have never eaten what died of itself or was torn by beasts, nor has abominable flesh ever come into my mouth.” The phrase noted in 3:27 as to an indication of when Ezekiel would be allowed to speak, "Thus says the Lord GOD," is found 122 times in Ezekiel, only two occurrences of which are prior to 3:27, those being 2:4 and 3:11 which are both part of Ezekiel's commissioning to be a messenger. Essentially nearly the entire book is either describing Ezekiel's encounters with God and the visions He is revealing to him, or is the prophetic messages given to Israel, and these latter are regularly qualified with "Thus says the Lord GOD" as Ezek 3:27 stated they would be. Removal of the Muting So in Ezekiel 24:25-27, God states: 25 ‘And you, son of man—will it not be in the day when I take from them their stronghold, their joy and their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that on which they set their minds, their sons and their daughters: 26 on that day one who escapes will come to you to let you hear it with your ears; 27 on that day your mouth will be opened to him who has escaped; you shall speak and no longer be mute. Thus you will be a sign to them, and they shall know that I am the LORD.’ ” When Jerusalem would finally fall, with the temple being destroyed, and word get back to those in captivity, specifically to Ezekiel, then his restrained (i.e. muted) prophetic ministry would be over. He would once again be free to speak for himself as well to Israel. This is fulfilled in Ezekiel 33:21-22 21 And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, on the fifth day of the month, that one who had escaped from Jerusalem came to me and said, “The city has been captured!” 22 Now the hand of the LORD had been upon me the evening before the man came who had escaped. And He had opened my mouth; so when he came to me in the morning, my mouth was opened, and I was no longer mute. Conclusion So yes, the passages you read are Ezekiel talking, even during his "muted" ministry, because when he speaks, he is proclaiming only that which the Lord allows him to as a message to Israel. --ScottS God takes away Ezekiel’s voice, rendering him mute for 7 years(Eze 3:27; 33:22). He can only speak when the Lord has words for him to share with the people. Eze 33:21 And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten. Eze 33:22 Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb. Eze 33:23 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Eze 33:24 Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we are many; the land is given us for inheritance. Rev 8:1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. Rev 10:11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. Rev 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. CONCERNING EZEKIEL'S FIRST VISION AND THE SEVEN THUNDER'S
EZEKIEL'S
FIRST VISION
One recurring theme in Ezekiel one and Genesis one is concerning The Living Creature and the living creatures. The Gospel of Thomas is introduced as the secret sayings which "The Living Jesus" spoke. If we understand The Living Creature to be The Living Jesus then the living creatures can be the disciples who are made alive, lifted up, and enter the kingdom, Genesis 1:20, Ezekiel 1:13-15, 19-22.
Perhaps a chart with revelation thomas ezekial and Genesis and song of Song - with key words
The Gospel of Thomas and Ezekiel's First Vision Side by Side with Key Word Connections
Expain ezekiel using thomas - reverse order
The Secret sayings of Jesus = The Word that came unto Ezekiel
Know Yourself = The Fire infolding itself
A fire will come out of the stones = Whither the spirit was to go (13)[1:12]
Your spirits = The living creatures 14
One who was not born of woman = The living creatures 15
cast fire into the earth = the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning
What no eye has seen = The appearance of a flash of lightning... I beheld the living creatures
When the grain ripened, he came quickly= When they went... when the living creatures went
Enter the kingdom... enter the kingdom... enter the kingdom= The living creatures were lifted up from the earth... lifted up... lifted up 22
A foot in place of a foot= Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go 22
These infants... the male and the female one and the same= The living creature 22
choose you Out of... out of = Went...went 23
continue through verses
There is a fire in the bridal chamber. An illumination in the holy of holies within behind the veil of the flesh when the bride and the bridegromm are seen together. Fire in Ezekiel. Fire in Revelation, eyes light up with fire from fire within.
You are a city set on a hill, a lamp on a lampstand. like Genesis 1:14-17 set set the lights in the firmament.
Ezekiel writes of the three woes mentioned within Thomas, "He spread (the scroll) before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe," Ezekiel 2:10. The Gospel of Thomas, which is this little scroll mientioned by Ezekiel, elaborates on these three woes.
1. "Woe to the Pharisees, for they are like a dog sleeping in the manger of oxen, for neither does he eat nor does he let the oxen eat."
2. "Woe to the flesh that depends on the soul."
3. "Woe to the soul that depends on the flesh," Thomas 102, 112
The book of Revelation also speaks of these three woes, Revelation 8:13. They are clarified at the soundings of the fifth, sixth, and seventh trumpets, 9:12.
2 Samuel 6:6-7
"But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee. And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein; And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe," Ezekiel 2:8-10.
"Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness," Ezekiel 3:1-3.
"So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me," Ezekiel 3:14.
The little scroll prophesied by Ezekiel is a reference to the New Covenant.
"And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh," Ezekiel 11:19.
"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you," Ezekiel 36:26-7.
Jesus said, "I shall give you what no eye has seen and what no ear has heard and what no hand has touched and what has never occurred to the human mind," Thomas 17.
"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him," 1 Corinthians 2:9.
"For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him," Isaiah 64:4.
"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest," Hebrews 8:10-11.
Many waters when joined together simply become One Water. Water
Living Creatures
The living creatures after its own kind - ie after the original living creature Jesus and the disciples.
Like the oxen carrying the ark of the covenant with the scroll inside.
My Words in Ezekiel with My Words from Jesus in John Luke etc
Lifted Up
Firmament
Waters
The Voice
The Bow
Cloud
Rain
Living Waters (livings water in John)
ezekiel 1:28 fell on my faxce at the voice of the almight... and reminded of revelation fell on my face.
run and fly
a tabernacle is a movable tent. That is us a moving or living body. a living creature!
One recurring theme in Ezekiel one and Genesis one is concerning The Living Creature and the living creatures. The Gospel of Thomas is introduced as the secret sayings which "The Living Jesus" spoke. If we understand The Living Creature to be The Living Jesus then the living creatures can be the disciples who are made alive, lifted up, and enter the kingdom, Genesis 1:20, Ezekiel 1:13-15, 19-22.
This fire within, that that manifested itself without, this very spirit within is like lightning in the sky, Ezekiel 1:3-5, 13.
eZEKIEL FULL OF EYe
s
LIVING CREASTURE ezekiel 1
(Thomas 108 - The Living Jesus becomes the poor who are the disciples which are the living creatures that God brings forth from the waters. The waters are the peoples. The living creatures are like burning coals or lamps in the firmament. As they ran, out from them came forth the appearance of lightning, and they were lifted up from the earth as they went. The spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. Under the firmament were the wings. The noise of their wings, is like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech. "As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake, " Ezekiel 1:4-28.
"When you see one not born of woman, prostrate yourselves on your faces," Thomas 15 )
(c.f. The living creature - Ezekiel 1:4-2:8, firmament, burning coals, lamps, lightning, bow, cloud, rain, wheel in a wheel, waters, the voice of one, son of man eat. All this is reminiscent of the rainbow, cloud, fire, and seven thunders, and the scroll to be eaten, Revelation 10:1-4)
Take this cup from me - Give i back to the owners of the field
Day of atonement
a
The Book of Revelation is also about this Little Scroll, and the marriage of Bridegroom and the Bride.
The living message of Jesus, becomes manifest and is seen when the sons of God
receive the Testimony and the Gospel of Jesus, and so, make the two to become one.
The Book of Revelation is a Vision of this Unveiling seen while Meditating on The Gospel of Thomas.
There is a side by side, sequential, verse by verse, connectedness between the Gospel of Thomas and the Book of Revelation.
View the Gospel of Thomas and the Book of Revelation Side by side.
the coming of the son of man is like lightnng that lights the whole world
the coming of receiving of disciple id=s the coming of christ
When the living creature runs - lightning Ezekiel 1 -- When God speaks - thunder
study runing - living creature
"Then will I make their waters deep, and cause their rivers to run like oil, saith the Lord GOD." Ezekiel 32:14
"And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it." Hab 2:2
"And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word." Mat 28:8
"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain." 1 Cor 9:24
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Philippians 2:16
-a messenger of the king runs with a message 2 Sam 18:19
- a warrior runs through a troup and leaps over a wall 2 Sam 22:30, Psalm 18:29
- waters run, psalms 58:7, 78:16, ecclesiastes 1:7
- if you run with footmen and more Jer 12:5
It may be worthwhile to examine Revelation 10 beside Ezekiel 1:4 - 2:8 and living creature of Genesis 1
Color coding similar ideas and words
Joining thoughts into 1
then using this to
expound 7 thundrs from gen 1 and thomas
John 1:1-8 and section 1 of Genesis 1 compared with Thomas
The kingdom is like a man - Pearl parable matthew 13 - Thomas
The only gemstome produced by a living creature is the pearl - by the oyster
When the living creature runs there was lightning - Ezekiel 1
Jeus said in Thomas Disciples become like me....
The living Jesus ... The living spirit... the male and female
The Voice of thunder is from God
lightnig from disciples and jesus... thunder from God.
GENESIS
1: THE SEVEN THUNDERS AND THE ONE VOICE
With such light, that which was, and is, and is to come is being seen.
(C.f. The
Seven Seals and then The
Seven Days Perhaps, now is time, once again, to present the original, that the pattern might be followed more perfectly. When I was a child my mother would sew clothes based on a copy of a pattern that she had obtained. For all practical purposes, I am confident that it functioned just like the original. The clothes that were created were just fine. The church that has developed using the canonical writings, which I believe were inspired and created following the pattern of the original gospel of Christ, has functioned according to some "perhaps" adequately. However in reality, what is often called "the church" is in truth weak and sickly, and is nigh to being cut off and destroyed, not by the gates of hell, but by God himself, Luke 6:47-49.
There is so much more for us to receive, and experience, "if" we are hungry and thirsty. As the kingdom becomes more and more global in scope, perhaps, now is time to re-present the original. To illustrate the need we have for the original gospel the standardization of weights and measures might be useful. Though there may once have been international differences in the exact definition of the measurement of a foot, still such local measurements may have worked well within individual localities. However, as communication becomes global it becomes more important to have a standard measure. The New Testament scriptures are filled with the perspectives of the various apostles as they addressed the needs of various communities. Such variety was practical and useful. However, such variety, has over time, sometimes developed into division, carnality, and even animosity. Right now, the church appears divided. Some are following Paul, some Apollos, some a message to the circumcision, and some a message to the uncircumcision. Perhaps, it is now time to embrace that original message of Christ, which is the cornerstone behind all these messages of the various apostles, that we might once again behold the oneness we all possess, and attain to the unity of the faith, and even grow up unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
*********
Why is that so many today have no such knowledge? Perhaps it was decided in times past that the message of this book must be hidden, as it is written "shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: ... for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." Nevertheless, at the appointed time "knowledge shall be increased," Daniel 12:4,9. Once again, the time is now to reveal a new present day truth. John writes of a day when a mighty angel will cry, and the seven thunders will utter their voices, Revelation 10:1.
*****
The Book is Revelation appears to be a vision seen while meditating on the Word of God, the Testimony of Jesus Christ, or the scroll with the seven seals written within and on the backside. The Chiastic or two-sided structure of Thomas reveals the inside and the backside of this scroll. Since the Gospel of Thomas appears to be this little scroll, it is most reasonable to begin our search to uncover the hidden sayings of these seven thunders here within The Gospel of Thomas.
In both the Gospel of Thomas and within the book of Revelation there are Seven Voices which Thunder Their Seven Messages.
John in the revelation writes, "And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices,
I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me,
Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not."
(Revelation 10:4)
Thomas writes of 7 Voices Procaiming the Perfect Man.
They are Jesus, James, Thomas, Peter, Matthew, Solome, and Mary.
These Seven Voices in The Gospel of Thomas are here presented as The Seven Thunders of Revelation 10.
Is it time to unveil that which was sealed up and hidden by the apostle John?
Is it now time to reveal the interpretaion of "those things which the seven thunders uttered?"
If so, then perhaps it is time to Prophesy Once Again: Proclaiming again the New and Perfect Man.
The sayings of these seven disciples, wholistically viewed within The Gospel of Thomas, paint a beautiful picture. In both Thomas and the book of Revelation, Christ the Groom and His Glorious Bride are reunited unveiling the One New and Perfect Man. Are we ready to look into the Bridal Chamber?
Here is a message for the mature. Let there be a wise man among us.
*******
Being built upon the foundation of the original testimony, and written as if it was a visual meditation upon this gospel, the book of Revelation has a similar chiastic structure, and a similar message.
As mentioned previously, by comparing "The Gospel of Thomas" side by side with "The Book of Revelation" it can be seen that the climax of the book of Revelation is the phrase "our Lord was crucified" (Revelation 11:8). This corresponds to and aligns with the disciple leaving father and mother to "Take up his cross" in Thomas 55. In this Revelation passage the two witnesses, which are the two olive trees, and the two lampstands both die, and God brings them both back to life, and they are both taken into glory, as the very ground of this great city shakes with a great earthquake. This is reminiscent of Christ crucified, when there is a great earthquake in the great city, and the dead arose, (Matthew 27:53-54).
The parables in Thomas are stories about a certain woman and a certain man. They are messages that both hide and reveal at the same time. Together, they are a revelation of the story of the bride and the bridegroom: That which was, and is, and is to come. As in "The Gospel of Thomas," this revelation of the Bride and the Bridegroom is also the message of the same Bride and Bridegroom in the introduction and the conclusion of the book of Revelation.
For example, just as Thomas begins with "the living Jesus," the Revelation starts with the phrase, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ". And just as Thomas ends with Jesus leading Mary, and her becoming "a living spirit", so also the Revelation ends with the two speaking with one voice: "The Spirit and the bride" say come.
The message of "The Book of Revelation" revealed in the introduction, the conclusion, and the climax of the book is that through taking up the cross, and through the crucifixion, the bride and the bridegroom are reunited, and walk together, and speak with one voice. When they come together, the old is destroyed, and all things are made new. The one shall die, and the other shall live, Thomas 61.
This book of Revelation begins with a vision of the bride "in the midst of the seven candlesticks... like unto the Son of man"... but "his voice (is) as the sound of many waters," (Revelation1:12,15).
Near the end of these two books, Thomas speaks of "when the bridegroom leaves the bridal chamber." This aligns in Revelation with "a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea,"... and "the holy city, new Jerusalem, (is) coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, (Revelation 21:1-2).
Judgment must begin at the household of God, (1 Peter 4:17). After, the divisions are destroyed, there is no longer many waters, but one "fountain of the water of life" (Revelation 21:6) and not many voices, but the spirit and the bride together with one voice say "Come", (Revelation 22:17). For there is one body, and one fountain, and one river, for heaven and earth are made one through the cross.
It is through the cross that the divisions are destroyed. Even heaven and earth will be reunited. Jesus would say take up your cross in my way and be worthy of me, (Thomas 55). "When you make the two one, and when you make the inside like the outside and the outside like the inside, and the above like the below, and when you make the male and the female one and the same, so that the male not be male nor the female female; and when you fashion eyes in the place of an eye, and a hand in place of a hand, and a foot in place of a foot, and a likeness in place of a likeness; then will you enter the kingdom," (Thomas 22). This all happens through the cross.
The Gospel of Thomas as revealed by the Book of Revelation is the message of life through death, and so I am "holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain," (Philippians 2:16).
Once again, the Gospel of Thomas, or the testimony of Christ is "the word of life." Jesus said, "the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life," (John 6:63).
(speak with one voice,
individual interpretation
"no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Peter 2:1:20-21 - take care not to say scripture is flawed)
For now, within the passage of time, even as we read the scripture, each of the disciples had their own individual voices. Each seems to stand out individually, in his own way. Perhaps each is sensing his own separation and incompletion. Jesus said, "If one who knows the all still feels a personal deficiency, he is completely deficient," Thomas 67. This must change for we are complete in him. We all must speak the same thing, joined together having the same mind, 1 Corinthians 1:10.
When we think of seven thunders speaking, we often may think of voices in the heavens. However, Jesus spoke of "the Son of man which is in heaven" while he was still walking on the earth, John 3:13. We too have been raised up and made to sit together in heavenly places, while still on this earth, Ephesians 2:6. We have been crucified with Christ, buried with him, raised up together with him, and ascended together with him into the heavens, Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:4, Ephesians 2:6. We are in him. We also shall speak with one voice, 1 Corinthians 1:10, Revelation 19:6, Revelation 22:1-2. And we shall come again with him. He shall come with ten thousands of his saints, Jude 14. And He is in us. He shall come in the clouds, 1 Thessalonians 4:17. Where he is, we shall be with him, John 14:3. As he is so are we in this world, for the bridegroom and the bride are made one flesh, becoming one and the same, 1 John 4:17, Ephesians 5:31, Thomas 22. Corporately, it may seem, we are still moving toward completion, even if we already possess all, and are complete, Colossians 2:10. Jesus is the Kingdom. And the Kingdom is within you.
Inside of you and outside of you... We have it all: things present or things to come, 1 Corinthians 3:22. Jesus is that which was, and is, and is to come. Christ in us, the hope of glory, is all this and more even now, in us, for those who have eyes to see it. He is all, and in all. He is the same yesterday today and forever. That which was, and is, and shall be, is now, even in us. As we mature into this, then we will bring everything and everyone with us.
*******
Aside to be reorganized - moved from above about genesis ( These questions and comments point to the 7 Thunders given in response by God in the creation week depicted in Genesis Chapter 1. In the Testimony of Jesus, the Word of God, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, or The Gospel of Thomas the disciples utter several questions and comments concerning the oneness of the Bride and the Bridegroom. These comments and questions point directly to the seven thunders that were shut up by John in Revelation 10. This will be discussed further. )
Is it now time to reveal the secret sayings that thunder and which were hidden and sealed up by John? Are we mature enough?
If so, may we humble enough to receive the truth of God, as He removes the veils.
As was mentioned previously, Ezekiel prophesies of a special two sided scroll held out to the son of man.
This same imagery is echoed in the Book of Revelation and appears to be a direct reference to the two sided scroll more commonly known as the Gospel of Thomas.
Ezekiel sees a vision full of poignant images. Many of these same ideas also occur in The Gospel of Thomas. Others are seen in Genesis one, and The Book of Revelation. Many of these same ideas, and how they relate to the revelation of the seven thunders and The Testimony of Christ will be considered further. Relevant images to watch for include the living creature and creatures, the son of man standing holding the scroll written on the front and the back, the eating of the words which taste so sweet like honey, and the bitterness and the responsibility that follows. Other recurring concepts include the firmament, the joining together of heaven and earth, the voices of great waters, the lightning, the clouds, the rain, the thunders, the three woes, and the reocurring sevens including the seven days.
The many voices of disciples in the Gospel of Thomas has already been mentioned. Each has their own testimony, Revelation 11:7, 12:11. They each carried with them their own understanding and appropriation of The Very Testimony of Jesus Christ, Revelation12:17, 19:10. Ezekiel declares that when they run with this message they are like lightning in the sky. Ezekiel. What follows the lightning? It is the thunders.
One recurring theme in Ezekiel one and Genesis one is concerning The Living Creature and the living creatures. The Gospel of Thomas is introduced as the secret sayings which "The Living Jesus" spoke. If we understand The Living Creature to be The Living Jesus then the living creatures can be the disciples who are made alive, lifted up, and enter the kingdom, Genesis 1:20, Ezekiel 1:13-15, 19-22.
Jesus declares to the disciples, "When you make the two one, then you will enter the kingdom." Ezekiel declares that the living creatures had an appearing like "burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps," Ezekiel 1:13. The author of Hebrews declares that God makes his messengers to be "a flame of fire," Hebrew 1:7. Jesus says, "I have cast fire upon the world, and see, I am guarding it until it blazes," Thomas 10. These disciples are the fire he is guarding. Jesus said, "Love your brother like your soul, guard him like the pupil of your eye."
The Revelation declares of John's vision of the glorified corporate body of Christ: "his eyes were as a flame of fire," Revelation 1:14.
eZEKIEL FULL OF EYS
This fire within, that that manifested itself without, this very spirit within is like lightning in the sky, Ezekiel 1:3-5, 13.
In Genesis one the leaders in the church are like lights in the sky. They are like the greater light, and the lesser light, and like the burning stars of the sky placed in the firmament, (Greek: the place of Authority, principality, or leadership). "God set them in the firmament... to give light" Genesis 1:17. Jesus said, "No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bushel, nor does he put it in a hidden place, but rather he sets it on a lampstand so that everyone who enters and leaves will see its light," Thomas 33.
The book of Revelation is filled with too many references to the fires, the lamps, the sun, and the stars to be discussed. Suffice to say: Jesus, especially when he walked the earth, was the light of the world, John, 9:5. Now he has made those who run with his message the "the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid," Matthew 5:14.
Running with the message implies going.
Ezekielkl run
Jesus said when you go - LOOK UP GOING AND RUNING IN THOMAS AND REVELATION
holding for the word of lfe like a torch that I not run in vain phil 2 not run in vAIN
REFERRING TO LEGHT RUNING AND WORD
THE WORD OF LIFE A REFERENCE TO THOMAS SEE CONNECTION CHART WITH PHILIPPIANS TO SHOW PAULL SI SAY ING HOLD FORTH THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS
In response the thunders come next. These idea are still under construction.
The Gospel of Thomas - Genesis One Connections
Side by Side revealing Key Word Connections
The Original Gospel of Christ commonly known as The Gospel of Thomas
is aligned with the Creation Story in Genesis 1:1 - 2:3.
This Testimony of Jesus, this Little Scroll written on The Front and The Back,
is Opened into Seven Sections corresponding to the Seven Days of the Original Creation.
Compare the connections in thought, word, and rhetoric.
Deeper insights are revealed through the comparison
and contrast of these two aligned scriptures.
Structural clues are presented for further study.
Side by Side these Two texts Proclaim One Message.
In The Gospel of Thomas, Jesus proclaims "A Perfect Kingdom" that is unseen by men.
And Throughout the Seven Connected Days of Creation God Thunders "His Perfect Mind."
Side by Side, Hear God's response as He Declares with "One Voice"
A Stern and Perfect Rebuke to the "Many Voices" of the Disciples of Jesus.
"The disciples asked" (In Thomas) ... "And God Said" (In Genesis 1)
See the Lightning Light up the Heavens and the Earth
As the Disciples Run and then Fly with their message,
as was prophesied by Ezekiel.
Hear and understand the response of The Seven Thunders of God
And See the Re-creative Power of God
As He Comments and Answers the Questionings of these Disciples of Jesus
As they are seen within the Gospel of Thomas.
Though the Disciples may not all speak the same thing
The Seven Thunders
Will Speak with One Voice
Revelation 10:1-7
Now is the time. Unroll the scroll.
The Gospel of Thomas - Genesis One Connections
A Messenger reveals a hidden key within the Gospel of Thomas and proclaims the Everlasting Gospel. The book of Revelation is a vision of the unveiling seen while meditating on the Original Gospel or Testimony of Christ, more commonly known as the Gospel of Thomas. Hidden Within this Little Scroll with the Seven Seals written on the Inside and the Backside is the Tau Rho Cross, or the Key of Knowledge revealing hidden things such as the purpose and meaning behind the Voices of the Seven Thunders. And so, unveiled is the key to unlock the Book of Revelation. Interpreting each other, phrase by phrase The interconnection between these two books is revealed. These thunders are heard in response to the questions and comments of the various disciples throughout the Gospel of Thomas, as they run and are lifted up, bringing the message like a flash of lightning that enlightens the entire earth. In response, the Seven hidden Thunders alluded to in Revelation 10 reveal the oneness of God, and of the Bride and the Bridegroom, and of all things. With such light, that which was, and is, and is to come is being seen.
Some of the older Rough work follows... (BRIDGE Paragraphs - eliminating duplication)
(twice and thrice in one day "God said")
these are the genereations- genesis is divided into severral books
definition of firm aemtn
from morning until evening - reversed
undivided - multiply
bring back - bring forth
the seventh day - the completion - the end
etc
the thundrous one and only voice of god
the seven days creation of this first books of the Bible are reminiscent of the seven seals of destruction of the last book of the bible.
the beginnin shall be as the end - a reversal
God said - Seven thunders
suggesting a chiastic structure
when - when
heaven - sons of men\
experience death - servant
hidden - the dead
Seven thunders -Seven spirits elohim - 7 days - jus coincidence?
Thundsr perfect mind
Have you discovered, then, the beginning, that you look for the end? For where the beginning is, there will the end be.
Blessed is he who will take his place in the beginning; he will know the end and will not experience death."
Is
the Kingdom of God that Jesus Preached an often unseen Kingdom
Also proclaimed in the Creation account in Genesis 1? Jesus proclaimed a Kingdom, but it troubled the disciples because they could not see it. His disciples said to Him, "When will the repose of the dead come about, and when will the new world come?" He said to them, "What you look forward to has already come, but you do not recognize it," Thomas 51. His disciples said to Him, "When will the Kingdom come?" <Jesus said,> "It will not come by waiting for it. It will not be a matter of saying 'Here it is' or 'There it is.' Rather, the Kingdom of the Father is spread out upon the earth, and men do not see it," Thomas 113. According to Jesus, this unseen kingdom that "men do not see," (Thomas 113) and that even the disciples did "not recognize," (Thomas 51) even now exists, and "has already come," (Thomas 51). Perhaps, this unseen kingdom may be a reference to the Genesis One Creation narrative, (Genesis 1:1- 2:3). In contrast to this unseen kingdom that Jesus preached that "men do not see," the visible world that men do see and "experience" as death (Thomas 1) may be a reference to much of the Biblical narrative mentioned from Genesis 2:4 and forward. Though the Genesis One Creation may be hidden from men, Jesus came saying, "I shall give you what no eye has seen and what no ear has heard and what no hand has touched and what has never occurred to the human mind," Thomas 17. Later, in the New Testament, John declares a re-establishment and the experience of this original kingdom, "That which was from the Beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life," John 1:1 It would seem that his new life, proclaimed and given by Jesus, is seen and experienced in the lives of early believers. "In the Beginning, God created," (Genesis 1:1) is reminiscent of Paul's message, "For by him (and in him) were all things created, Colossians 1:16. The themes of Paul's writings (especially those of Ephesians and Colossians) are found throughout this Thomas-Genesis comparison. Even John's introductory gospel message is filled with reminders of Genesis 1 passage. He writes, "In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God," John 1:1. It has sometimes been suggested that each phrase within this poignant declaration appears to be written in such a way as to appeal to Hellonistic Jews. This is probable. However, each phrase within this verse is loaded with such a potential varity of meanings, leading to such a veritable multitude of valid interpretations, it must be suggested that the scope of the audience of this quote is so much larger. It could be for all creation. Or said simpler way, perhaps, it was written to appeal to both Jews and Gentiles, and to all the multitudes, peoples, tribes and tongues given the understanding they might have, as they are able to hear. Given the realization that The Gospel of Thomas is the basis for John's writings, including The Gospel of John, The Book of Revelation, and his letter known as 1 John, and the realization that the Gospel of Thomas builds upon Genesis 1, together with the understanding that The Gospel of Thomas is known throughout The New Testament scripture As the Word of God, the Testimony of Christ, and the Everlasting Gospel, it may be interesting and illuminating to consider and rethink other potential, and intentional interpretations extrapolating from John 1:1 as they might relate to Genesis 1:1. The traditional KJV translation reads: "In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God," John 1:1. Each phrase is full of a variety of possibilities. THE BEGINNING: - a reference to time - a reference to Christ who is "The Beginning" and the end, the alpha and the omega, Revelation 1:8, 3:14, 21;6, 22:13. - an allusion the "the beginning" mentioned in Genesis 1:1 Hebrew - re'shiyth = first, chief, choice part Greek (Septuagint) - archē = the first, the authority, the leader - one who commences, the principality IN: - Greek - en = in, by, though, with, on, and among WITH: - Greek - pros = to the advantage of, at, near, by, to, toward, with, with regard to THE WORD: - Greek - logos = the sayings of God, a speech, a testimony, a doctrine, a teaching, a prophecy or prophetic word - the manifestation (The Disciples New Testament) - the prophetic word of The Perfect Man, the universal man or the corporate man causing manifestation - In Greek thought: the divine animating principle pervading the universe, Colossions 1:17. - Christ GOD: - Hebrew - 'elohiym (from Genesis 1:1) = God or godlike one, (or rulers, angels, divine ones) And so, with this study of Thomas and Genesis both in mind, while recognizing the validity of other interpretations, a possible and illuminating understanding of this verse and the Gospel of Christ comes to mind. IN THE BEGINNING - (That is in, by and through Christ, and through his authority and his leadership, individually and corporately within him), WAS THE WORD - (Were the sayings of God, the Testimony of Christ, and the sayings of Christ, which are the spirit of prophecy and the divine animating principals, creating, pervading, upholding, and ruling the universe, Colossions 1:17 ) AND THE WORD - (i.e. The Word of God, The Gospel of God, The Gospel of Christ, The Testimony of Jesus, The Doctrine of Christ, His Sayings, The Preaching of Jesus Christ, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, and even just The Gospel commonly known as the Gospel of Thomas, through a proper understanding of which, the Church will rule the universe and bring about the manifestation of the eternal purpose, or The Everlasting Gospel ) WAS WITH GOD (Was of God, and was toward God, working with, and to the advantage of, and with regard to God and his purpose) AND GOD WAS THE WORD (And God was the Logos, the eternal mind, thought and purpose, the spirit of prophecy, even the Christ, The Perfect Man, the corporate man causing the manifestation of God`s universal purpose in creation, "that God may be all in all," 1 Corinthians 15:28, even by the working of the Logos in "the all." Proclaiming this working, does not Jesus say, "I myself shall become he," Thomas 108 and "It is I who am the All," Thomas 77 . Even Paul declares, "For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things.) Kingdom - Subdues all things - Jesus delivers up the kingdom to the Father. as Christ is "the all," Thomas 77, The Word is of God, and all things are in, by, and through Christ, ) In the Beginning (the Christ, the beginning of all creation), was the word, (the gospel, the testimony of Jesus), and the word (the spirit of prophecy, the revelation of Jesus Christ), was with God (of God, working to fulfill his purpose), and God was the word (the logos, the Eternal Spirit or mind) Not to alienate the reader, but I would like to end with two related quotes. These passages suggest and perhaps even demonstrate that this eternal message is intended for and was given to all the peoples of humanity, and the various interpretations of which extend even to all the fringes of all humanity, and even to the various the branches of Christianity. Perhaps, this is the time for the everlasting Gospel to all peoples to manifest, and for Wisdom to speak with one voice. In the Beginning was Prajapati (the Creator), With Him was the Vak (the Word), And the Vak (the Word), was verily the Supreme Brahma. - The Vedas “In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God” - The Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible. 1867 ( See Other Creative Interpretations of John 1:1 -Wikipedia ) Continuing --- " the same was "in the beginning" with God "Jesus" is the beginning "the same" is a reference to "the same" in Thomas- check thomas references i.e. Male and female one and "the same" Marriage and divorce - it was not so from "the beginning" The were one and the same in the beginning. If we continue with this methodology, using the phraseology of Thomas (and Genesis) to interpret John then we see "the word", "the same", "the beginning", "all things", life, light, and darkness take on new non-literal meanings. All things were made 'in' him; and 'outside' him was not any thing made that was made. in him = dia outside him = separate, apart
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In the beginnning was the Word, and God was the word, and the word was of God.
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Col 1:16
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:
Col 1:17
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Col 1:18
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
This is a Declaration of the Kingdom of heaven
on top
Beholding this Little Scroll with Seven Seals Opened,
The Man old in Days will not hesitate to ask a small child 7 DAYS OLD about the place of life.
Is Genesis 1 about the kingdom Jesus proclaimed?
Kingdom = Beginning
Kingdom = Firmament
Kingdom = Diciples like earth
3rd- Kingdom = Gathering together
4th - Kingdom = Lights
5th - kingdom = the living creature? - the poor - and the church ? are the living creature
What is said of Jeus is said of those who follow his teachings
KINGDOM
In the beginning - Heaven and earth - in earth as it is in heaven
1 st day - Jesus is the light - You are the light
2nd day - Firmament - Arch - Jesus son of man who is in heaven (Johns gospel) ... and we are set set in heavenly places...ephesians 2
Jesus is the body all things - thy kingdom come in earth as in heaven
Psalm 150:1 Praise Him in the Firmament of His power
3rd day - plant out of Dry ground - we are rooted and grounded in love,Ephesians - a great plant for birds
4th Lights in the heavens - look again as the same as 1st day
5th day the one living in your presence - the living creature
6th day - Jeus is the son of man- man - to have dominion
7th day all the host of them ( ire the agenls see hebrew) - - one of them the largest sheep
The 5th day
In The Beginning -
God created the inside (the deep) and the outside of us (the face).
There is the promise that God will move upon us, and that the kingdom that is hidden within will become manifest.
On the First Day -
The Disciples ask, "What... shall we observe?"
God contrasts outward religion that men see with the inward light that he sees and choses.
This light will become manifest within the earth and in us.
On the Second Day -
The Disciples ask, "Who is to be our leader?" and what will "Our end be?"
God places a firmament of power, leadership and support in the midst, dividing the waters.
He declares the role of righteous leaderhip producing a separation in the midst of the peoples.
The place of authority and our God given destiny is declared.
On the Third Day -
The disciples ask... "What the kingdom of heaven is like? ...Whom are your disciples like? and "Shall we... as children, enter the kingdom?
And with some, but still limited understanding they ask "Show us the place where you are"
God declares the gathering together of the peoples into one.
The kingdom, the disciples, and children are like the owners of the field protecting the seed and the harvest.
Giving back to the owners what is rightfully theirs is the act of reconciliation. (" Into thy hands I commit my spirit," Luke 23:46)
The five trees, the dry land, and the waters, the trees, the grass, the herbs, the male and the female, the right and the left are all gathered together into one great plant. On this day is proclaimed the great atonement (the at-one-ment).
On the Fourth Day -
His disciples ask, "When will you become revealed to us and when shall we see you?"...
And, "When will the repose of the dead come about,
And when will the new world come?"
Jesus said - God said
Place Genesis - Thomas - Ephesians side by side 7 days
Similar themes in each .
****
Each of the sayings of the seven thundering voices in the Gospel of Thomas is a revelation of the Bridegroom or the Bride uniting together as the New and Perfect man. May the church come to know themselves and their true identity that they might become manifest as the sons that they now are. As Jesus has said, "When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known," Thomas 3.
Let us begin to discover who we are, and who we are destined to become.
***
The Seven Thunders of The Thomas Scroll that was written on the inside and the backside each have a Message about the Bride and the Bridegroom. The seven thunderings of Mary, Salome, Matthew, Peter, Thomas, James, and Jesus together reveal the rejoining of Christ and the Church.
The Seven Thunders of the Little Scroll (known as The Gospel of Thomas) were indeed sealed up.
As it was written, "Seven thunders uttered their voices. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not," (Revelation 10:3,4-7).
However, perhaps now that this gospel has been restored to the earth, perhaps now is also the time to unseal what which was thundered.
First, let us look briefly at the sayings within Thomas that reference the seven disciples and their message. Pay close attention to what is revealed about both the bride and bridegroom. Then we will examine the chiastic structures for deeper insight.
1. Mary
Mary asks, "What is the Bride like?"
1) Mary said to Jesus, "Whom are your disciples like?"
He said, "They are like children who have settled in a field which is not theirs. When the owners of the field come, they will say, 'Let us have back our field.' They (will) undress in their presence in order to let them have back their field and to give it back to them. Therefore I say, if the owner of a house knows that the thief is coming, he will begin his vigil before he comes and will not let him dig through into his house of his domain to carry away his goods. You, then, be on your guard against the world. Arm yourselves with great strength lest the robbers find a way to come to you, for the difficulty which you expect will (surely) materialize. Let there be among you a man of understanding. When the grain ripened, he came quickly with his sickle in his hand and reaped it. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear."
2. Salome
Salome asks, "What happens to the Bride and the Bridegroom when they come together?"
(61) Jesus said, "Two will rest on a bed: the one will die, and the other will live."
Salome said, "Who are you, man, that you ... have come up on my couch and eaten from my table?"
Jesus said to her, "I am he who exists from the undivided. I was given some of the things of my father."
... "I am your disciple."
... "Therefore I say, if he is destroyed, he will be filled with light, but if he is divided, he will be filled with darkness."
3. Peter
Peter asks, "What is the Bridegroom like?"
(13) Jesus said to his disciples, "Compare me to someone and tell me whom I am like."
Simon Peter said to him, "You are like a righteous angel."
Peter discovers, "How then does the Bride become like the Bridegroom?"
(114) Simon Peter said to him, "Let Mary leave us, for women are not worthy of life." Jesus said, "I myself shall lead her in order to make her male, so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For every woman who will make herself male will enter the kingdom of heaven."
4. Matthew
The Bridegroom is like a wise philosoper (I.e. literally: a lover of wisdom) .
(I.e. Like a "lover of Sophia" the pre-existent bride)
(13) Jesus said to his disciples, "Compare me to someone and tell me whom I am like." ...
Matthew said to him, "You are like a wise philosopher."
5. Thomas
Thomas reveals the Bride and the Bridegroom as united and incomparable as the New and Perfect Man.
(13) Jesus said to his disciples, "Compare me to someone and tell me whom I am like."...
Thomas said to him, "Master, my mouth is wholly incapable of saying whom you are like."
Jesus said, "I am not your master. Because you have drunk, you have become intoxicated from the bubbling spring which I have measured out."
And he took him and withdrew and told him three things. When Thomas returned to his companions, they asked him, "What did Jesus say to you?"
Thomas said to them, "If I tell you one of the things which he told me, you will pick up stones and throw them at me; a fire will come out of the stones and burn you up."
6. James
James illustrates the Pre-existent Bride and Bridegroom who are mirrored in heaven and earth.
(12) The disciples said to Jesus, "We know that you will depart from us. Who is to be our leader?"
Jesus said to them, "Wherever you are, you are to go to James the righteous, for whose sake heaven and earth came into being."
7. Jesus
Jesus reveals the united Bride and bridegroom as the kingdom of the Father, as the new and perfect man, and as the new world that has come even though men do not yet see it.
Though men do not see, Jesus reveals that men will see when the Bride finally comes to realize who she is. Jesus says, "When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known" All creation is waiting for this "manifestation of the Sons of God". Jesus reveals the kingdom.
(3) Jesus said, "If those who lead you say to you, 'See, the kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is inside of you, and it is outside of you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known, and you will realize that it is you who are the sons of the living father. But if you will not know yourselves, you dwell in poverty and it is you who are that poverty."
(51) His disciples said to him, "When will the repose of the dead come about, and when will the new world come?"
He said to them, "What you look forward to has already come, but you do not recognize it."
(113) His disciples said to him, "When will the kingdom come?"
< Jesus said,> "It will not come by waiting for it. It will not be a matter of saying 'here it is' or 'there it is.' Rather, the kingdom of the father is spread out upon the earth, and men do not see it."
Written up to here:
(COMPARE the unpublished chiastic structures, Thomas joined with Revelation, to uncover the message, and then simplify)
(Write about the divisions being united)
The Conclusion of the Matter
This Little Scroll proclaims The Perfect Man revealed in The Bridal Chamber
May time be no more, and may the mystery of God declared to the servants his prophets be finished.
Together let us enter in.
Below are Charts introducing The 7 Messengers of The Little Book known as The Gospel of Thomas.
These charts also points out many similarities between the messages thundered by these 7 Apostles
And The 7 Angels, 7 Seals, 7 Trumpets, 7 Vials, & 7 Plagues of the Book of Revelation.
Connections to The 7 Last Sayings of Jesus are considered.
Related ideas found in the Climactic or Final Writings of these 7 messengers in Thomas are also included.
All of this is presented to suggest that the Sayings of Seven Disciples of Christ
mentioned in The Original Gospel of Christ, (today known as the Gospel of Thomas)
may be the Seven Thunders sealed up by John in Revelation 10
THE
SEVEN THUNDERS AND THE ONE VOICE
Being built upon the foundation of the original testimony, and written as if it was a visual meditation upon this gospel, the book of Revelation has a similar chiastic structure, and a similar message.
As mentioned previously, by comparing "The Gospel of Thomas" side by side with "The Book of Revelation" it can be seen that the climax of the book of Revelation is the phrase "our Lord was crucified" (Revelation 11:8). This corresponds to and aligns with the disciple leaving father and mother to "Take up his cross" in Thomas 55. In this Revelation passage the two witnesses, which are the two olive trees, and the two lampstands both die, and God brings them both back to life, and they are both taken into glory, as the very ground of this great city shakes with a great earthquake. This is reminiscent of Christ crucified, when there is a great earthquake in the great city, and the dead arose, (Matthew 27:53-54).
The parables in Thomas are stories about a certain woman and a certain man. They are messages that both hide and reveal at the same time. Together, they are a revelation of the story of the bride and the bridegroom: That which was, and is, and is to come. As in "The Gospel of Thomas," this revelation of the Bride and the Bridegroom is also the message of the same Bride and Bridegroom in the introduction and the conclusion of the book of Revelation.
For example, just as Thomas begins with "the living Jesus," the Revelation starts with the phrase, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ". And just as Thomas ends with Jesus leading Mary, and her becoming "a living spirit", so also the Revelation ends with the two speaking with one voice: "The Spirit and the bride" say come.
The message of "The Book of Revelation" revealed in the introduction, the conclusion, and the climax of the book is that through taking up the cross, and through the crucifixion, the bride and the bridegroom are reunited, and walk together, and speak with one voice. When they come together, the old is destroyed, and all things are made new. The one shall die, and the other shall live, Thomas 61.
This book of Revelation begins with a vision of the bride "in the midst of the seven candlesticks... like unto the Son of man"... but "his voice (is) as the sound of many waters," (Revelation1:12,15).
Near the end of these two books, Thomas speaks of "when the bridegroom leaves the bridal chamber." This aligns in Revelation with "a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea,"... and "the holy city, new Jerusalem, (is) coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, (Revelation 21:1-2).
Judgment must begin at the household of God, (1 Peter 4:17). After, the divisions are destroyed, there is no longer many waters, but one "fountain of the water of life" (Revelation 21:6) and not many voices, but the spirit and the bride together with one voice say "Come", (Revelation 22:17). For there is one body, and one fountain, and one river, for heaven and earth are made one through the cross.
It is through the cross that the divisions are destroyed. Even heaven and earth will be reunited. Jesus would say take up your cross in my way and be worthy of me, (Thomas 55). "When you make the two one, and when you make the inside like the outside and the outside like the inside, and the above like the below, and when you make the male and the female one and the same, so that the male not be male nor the female female; and when you fashion eyes in the place of an eye, and a hand in place of a hand, and a foot in place of a foot, and a likeness in place of a likeness; then will you enter the kingdom," (Thomas 22). This all happens through the cross.
The Gospel of Thomas as revealed by the Book of Revelation is the message of life through death, and so I am "holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain," (Philippians 2:16).
Once again, the Gospel of Thomas, or the testimony of Christ is "the word of life." Jesus said, "the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life," (John 6:63).
***********************************
(speak with one voice,
individual interpretation
"no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Peter 2:1:20-21 - take care not to say scripture is flawed)
For now, within the passage of time, even as we read the scripture, each of the disciples had their own individual voices. Each seems to stand out individually, in his own way. Perhaps each is sensing his own separation and incompletion. Jesus said, "If one who knows the all still feels a personal deficiency, he is completely deficient," Thomas 67. This must change for we are complete in him. We all must speak the same thing, joined together having the same mind, 1 Corinthians 1:10.
When we think of seven thunders speaking, we often may think of voices in the heavens. However, Jesus spoke of "the Son of man which is in heaven" while he was still walking on the earth, John 3:13. We too have been raised up and made to sit together in heavenly places, while still on this earth, Ephesians 2:6. We have been crucified with Christ, buried with him, raised up together with him, and ascended together with him into the heavens, Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:4, Ephesians 2:6. We are in him. We also shall speak with one voice, 1 Corinthians 1:10, Revelation 19:6, Revelation 22:1-2. And we shall come again with him. He shall come with ten thousands of his saints, Jude 14. And He is in us. He shall come in the clouds, 1 Thessalonians 4:17. Where he is, we shall be with him, John 14:3. As he is so are we in this world, for the bridegroom and the bride are made one flesh, becoming one and the same, 1 John 4:17, Ephesians 5:31, Thomas 22. Corporately, it may seem, we are still moving toward completion, even if we already possess all, and are complete, Colossians 2:10. Jesus is the Kingdom. And the Kingdom is within you.
Inside of you and outside of you... We have it all: things present or things to come, 1 Corinthians 3:22. Jesus is that which was, and is, and is to come. Christ in us, the hope of glory, is all this and more even now, in us, for those who have eyes to see it. He is all, and in all. He is the same yesterday today and forever. That which was, and is, and shall be, is now, even in us. As we mature into this, then we will bring everything and everyone with us.
"When you make the outside like the inside...When you Make the Male and the Female One and the same... then will you enter the kingdom," Thomas 22.
The Gospel of Thomas, or this gospel of The Two Becoming One was recovered in 1945, just before the formation of the nation of Israel, (Thomas 22, 106). "For there is nothing hidden which shall not be made manifest, nor buried which shall not be raised, Thomas 5 (in Greek). Prove all things for yourselves. "Christ shall "dwell in you with all Wisdom," Colossians 3:16. Again, there is nothing hidden that will not be made manigfest.
A new day is coming when this message will go forth to every nation, tribe, and tongue, Revelation 14:6.
I have been amazed and troubled, but may it be your time to rule and find rest. Thomas 1-2.
Humbly, I desire to submit this message to those with Wisdom for examination, and to the church for prayerful consideration. Prove all things. We are told that the everlasting gospel will be "preached to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." Revelation 14. This will happen. If Thomas is The Everlasting Gospel, then it must be made manifest, and the reach of this Gospel will truly become universal in scope. May those with ears to hear now hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church, Thomas 8, 21. God will back His message, and accomplish His purposes, Ephesians 1:10. For those who might oppose His purposes, may his mercy triumph over judgment, James 2:13.
As was mentioned, this message may be troublesome for some people, Thomas 2. The academic interested in the Q source document will find that this presentation does not follow traditional academic assumptions. Though there may be academic evidence to support this revelation, revelation is not a matter of presenting evidence, but rather of an unveiling, and a removing of the veil that has blinded the minds of men, 2 Corinthians 3:14-16.
In a different manner than the academic, those who have come to love the canon with faith and devotion may also be troubled. The realization that a genuine gospel from the lips of the Master was excluded from the canon can be disturbing.
Disturbance and trouble is the effect of this gospel. Jesus said that those who seek to understand its message will find, and he will understand. And then "when he finds, he will become troubled. When he becomes troubled, he will be astonished, and he will rule over the All." Thomas 2
As was said discomfort is not the intent of this presentation... still, it is hoped that this revelation of the Original Gospel given to the living Jesus by God will help bring about a full realization of the very promises of the gospel, 2 Thessalonians 1:8.
The study of Thomas, of this original gospel from Christ, will not invalidate or undermine the canonical writings. Rather, this gospel which was once delivered unto the saints, can now begin to be restored, Jude 3. Thomas will reinforce the legitimacy and the authority of the canon, and it will demonstrate apostolic adherence to the teachings of Christ, and to the pattern presented by Christ within this gospel. Much of the truth that had been lost to the Church for centuries, may now be re-established.
Jesus said, "I shall give you what no eye has seen and what no ear has heard and what no hand has touched and what has never occurred to the human mind." Thomas 17. Such a recovery will be a gift from above, James 1:17.
Though the Gospel of Thomas was not included in the New Testament canon by the church fathers, the New Testament writings themselves give the Gospel of Thomas a position of supreme authority. I have become convinced that the New Testament gives special authority to the message of Christ as it is revealed in the Gospel of Thomas. Considering all that has been shown to me, this is an obvious conclusion, which I must accept. I hope to be able to communicate this effectively so others can share in this glorious revelation. May God open my mouth to boldly and clearly proclaim the truth, Ephesians 6:20.
Let us not let the disturbance we may experience prevent us from moving forward.
Jesus said, "Let him who seeks continue seeking until he finds. When he finds, he will become troubled. When he becomes troubled, he will be astonished, and he will rule over the All." And he will find rest.
Aside to be reorganized - moved from above about genesis ( These questions and comments point to the 7 Thunders given in response by God in the creation week depicted in Genesis Chapter 1. In the Testimony of Jesus, the Word of God, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, or The Gospel of Thomas the disciples utter several questions and comments concerning the oneness of the Bride and the Bridegroom. These comments and questions point directly to the seven thunders that were shut up by John in Revelation 10. This will be discussed further. )
Is it now time to reveal the secret sayings that thunder and which were hidden and sealed up by John? Are we mature enough?
If so, may we humble enough to receive the truth of God, as He removes the veils.
As was mentioned previously, Ezekiel prophesies of a special two sided scroll held out to the son of man.
This same imagery is echoed in the Book of Revelation and appears to be a direct reference to the two sided scroll more commonly known as the Gospel of Thomas.
Ezekiel sees a vision full of poignant images. Many of these same ideas also occur in The Gospel of Thomas. Others are seen in Genesis one, and The Book of Revelation. Many of these same ideas, and how they relate to the revelation of the seven thunders and The Testimony of Christ will be considered further. Relevant images to watch for include the living creature and creatures, the son of man standing holding the scroll written on the front and the back, the eating of the words which taste so sweet like honey, and the bitterness and the responsibility that follows. Other recurring concepts include the firmament, the joining together of heaven and earth, the voices of great waters, the lightning, the clouds, the rain, the thunders, the three woes, and the reocurring sevens including the seven days.
The many voices of disciples in the Gospel of Thomas has already been mentioned. Each has their own testimony, Revelation 11:7, 12:11. They each carried with them their own understanding and appropriation of The Very Testimony of Jesus Christ, Revelation12:17, 19:10. Ezekiel declares that when they run with this message they are like lightning in the sky. Ezekiel. What follows the lightning? It is the thunders.
One recurring theme in Ezekiel one and Genesis one is concerning The Living Creature and the living creatures. The Gospel of Thomas is introduced as the secret sayings which "The Living Jesus" spoke. If we understand The Living Creature to be The Living Jesus then the living creatures can be the disciples who are made alive, lifted up, and enter the kingdom, Genesis 1:20, Ezekiel 1:13-15, 19-22.
Jesus declares to the disciples, "When you make the two one, then you will enter the kingdom." Ezekiel declares that the living creatures had an appearing like "burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps," Ezekiel 1:13. The author of Hebrews declares that God makes his messengers to be "a flame of fire," Hebrew 1:7. Jesus says, "I have cast fire upon the world, and see, I am guarding it until it blazes," Thomas 10. These disciples are the fire he is guarding. Jesus said, "Love your brother like your soul, guard him like the pupil of your eye."
The Revelation declares of John's vision of the glorified corporate body of Christ: "his eyes were as a flame of fire," Revelation 1:14.
eZEKIEL FULL OF EYS
This fire within, that that manifested itself without, this very spirit within is like lightning in the sky, Ezekiel 1:3-5, 13.
In Genesis one the leaders in the church are like lights in the sky. They are like the greater light, and the lesser light, and like the burning stars of the sky placed in the firmament, (Greek: the place of Authority, principality, or leadership). "God set them in the firmament... to give light" Genesis 1:17. Jesus said, "No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bushel, nor does he put it in a hidden place, but rather he sets it on a lampstand so that everyone who enters and leaves will see its light," Thomas 33.
The book of Revelation is filled with too many references to the fires, the lamps, the sun, and the stars to be discussed. Suffice to say: Jesus, especially when he walked the earth, was the light of the world, John, 9:5. Now he has made those who run with his message the "the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid," Matthew 5:14.
Running with the message implies going.
Ezekielkl run
Jesus said when you go - LOOK UP GOING AND RUNING IN THOMAS AND REVELATION
holding for the word of lfe like a torch that I not run in vain phil 2 not run in vAIN
REFERRING TO LEGHT RUNING AND WORD
THE WORD OF LIFE A REFERENCE TO THOMAS SEE CONNECTION CHART WITH PHILIPPIANS TO SHOW PAULL SI SAY ING HOLD FORTH THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS
In response the thunders come next. These idea are still under construction.
The Gospel of Thomas - Genesis One Connections
Side by Side revealing Key Word Connections
The Original Gospel of Christ commonly known as The Gospel of Thomas
is aligned with the Creation Story in Genesis 1:1 - 2:3.
This Testimony of Jesus, this Little Scroll written on The Front and The Back,
is Opened into Seven Sections corresponding to the Seven Days of the Original Creation.
Compare the connections in thought, word, and rhetoric.
Deeper insights are revealed through the comparison
and contrast of these two aligned scriptures.
Structural clues are presented for further study.
Side by Side these Two texts Proclaim One Message.
In The Gospel of Thomas, Jesus proclaims "A Perfect Kingdom" that is unseen by men.
And Throughout the Seven Connected Days of Creation God Thunders "His Perfect Mind."
Side by Side, Hear God's response as He Declares with "One Voice"
A Stern and Perfect Rebuke to the "Many Voices" of the Disciples of Jesus.
"The disciples asked" (In Thomas) ... "And God Said" (In Genesis 1)
See the Lightning Light up the Heavens and the Earth
As the Disciples Run and then Fly with their message,
as was prophesied by Ezekiel.
Hear and understand the response of The Seven Thunders of God
And See the Re-creative Power of God
As He Comments and Answers the Questionings of these Disciples of Jesus
As they are seen within the Gospel of Thomas.
Though the Disciples may not all speak the same thing
The Seven Thunders
Will Speak with One Voice
Revelation 10:1-7
Now is the time. Unroll the scroll.
The Gospel of Thomas - Genesis One Connections
A Messenger reveals a hidden key within the Gospel of Thomas and proclaims the Everlasting Gospel. The book of Revelation is a vision of the unveiling seen while meditating on the Original Gospel or Testimony of Christ, more commonly known as the Gospel of Thomas. Hidden Within this Little Scroll with the Seven Seals written on the Inside and the Backside is the Tau Rho Cross, or the Key of Knowledge revealing hidden things such as the purpose and meaning behind the Voices of the Seven Thunders. And so, unveiled is the key to unlock the Book of Revelation. Interpreting each other, phrase by phrase The interconnection between these two books is revealed. These thunders are heard in response to the questions and comments of the various disciples throughout the Gospel of Thomas, as they run and are lifted up, bringing the message like a flash of lightning that enlightens the entire earth. In response, the Seven hidden Thunders alluded to in Revelation 10 reveal the oneness of God, and of the Bride and the Bridegroom, and of all things. With such light, that which was, and is, and is to come is being seen.
Some of the older Rough work follows... (BRIDGE Paragraphs - eliminating duplication)
(twice and thrice in one day "God said")
these are the genereations- genesis is divided into severral books
definition of firm aemtn
from morning until evening - reversed
undivided - multiply
bring back - bring forth
the seventh day - the completion - the end
etc
the thundrous one and only voice of god
the seven days creation of this first books of the Bible are reminiscent of the seven seals of destruction of the last book of the bible.
the beginnin shall be as the end - a reversal
God said - Seven thunders
suggesting a chiastic structure
when - when
heaven - sons of men\
experience death - servant
hidden - the dead
Seven thunders -Seven spirits elohim - 7 days - jus coincidence?
Thundsr perfect mind
Have you discovered, then, the beginning, that you look for the end? For where the beginning is, there will the end be.
Blessed is he who will take his place in the beginning; he will know the end and will not experience death."
Is
the Kingdom of God that Jesus Preached an often unseen Kingdom
Also proclaimed in the Creation account in Genesis 1? Jesus proclaimed a Kingdom, but it troubled the disciples because they could not see it. His disciples said to Him, "When will the repose of the dead come about, and when will the new world come?" He said to them, "What you look forward to has already come, but you do not recognize it," Thomas 51. His disciples said to Him, "When will the Kingdom come?" <Jesus said,> "It will not come by waiting for it. It will not be a matter of saying 'Here it is' or 'There it is.' Rather, the Kingdom of the Father is spread out upon the earth, and men do not see it," Thomas 113. According to Jesus, this unseen kingdom that "men do not see," (Thomas 113) and that even the disciples did "not recognize," (Thomas 51) even now exists, and "has already come," (Thomas 51). Perhaps, this unseen kingdom may be a reference to the Genesis One Creation narrative, (Genesis 1:1- 2:3). In contrast to this unseen kingdom that Jesus preached that "men do not see," the visible world that men do see and "experience" as death (Thomas 1) may be a reference to much of the Biblical narrative mentioned from Genesis 2:4 and forward. Though the Genesis One Creation may be hidden from men, Jesus came saying, "I shall give you what no eye has seen and what no ear has heard and what no hand has touched and what has never occurred to the human mind," Thomas 17. Later, in the New Testament, John declares a re-establishment and the experience of this original kingdom, "That which was from the Beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life," John 1:1 It would seem that his new life, proclaimed and given by Jesus, is seen and experienced in the lives of early believers. "In the Beginning, God created," (Genesis 1:1) is reminiscent of Paul's message, "For by him (and in him) were all things created, Colossians 1:16. The themes of Paul's writings (especially those of Ephesians and Colossians) are found throughout this Thomas-Genesis comparison. Even John's introductory gospel message is filled with reminders of Genesis 1 passage. He writes, "In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God," John 1:1. It has sometimes been suggested that each phrase within this poignant declaration appears to be written in such a way as to appeal to Hellonistic Jews. This is probable. However, each phrase within this verse is loaded with such a potential varity of meanings, leading to such a veritable multitude of valid interpretations, it must be suggested that the scope of the audience of this quote is so much larger. It could be for all creation. Or said simpler way, perhaps, it was written to appeal to both Jews and Gentiles, and to all the multitudes, peoples, tribes and tongues given the understanding they might have, as they are able to hear. Given the realization that The Gospel of Thomas is the basis for John's writings, including The Gospel of John, The Book of Revelation, and his letter known as 1 John, and the realization that the Gospel of Thomas builds upon Genesis 1, together with the understanding that The Gospel of Thomas is known throughout The New Testament scripture As the Word of God, the Testimony of Christ, and the Everlasting Gospel, it may be interesting and illuminating to consider and rethink other potential, and intentional interpretations extrapolating from John 1:1 as they might relate to Genesis 1:1. The traditional KJV translation reads: "In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God," John 1:1. Each phrase is full of a variety of possibilities. THE BEGINNING: - a reference to time - a reference to Christ who is "The Beginning" and the end, the alpha and the omega, Revelation 1:8, 3:14, 21;6, 22:13. - an allusion the "the beginning" mentioned in Genesis 1:1 Hebrew - re'shiyth = first, chief, choice part Greek (Septuagint) - archē = the first, the authority, the leader - one who commences, the principality IN: - Greek - en = in, by, though, with, on, and among WITH: - Greek - pros = to the advantage of, at, near, by, to, toward, with, with regard to THE WORD: - Greek - logos = the sayings of God, a speech, a testimony, a doctrine, a teaching, a prophecy or prophetic word - the manifestation (The Disciples New Testament) - the prophetic word of The Perfect Man, the universal man or the corporate man causing manifestation - In Greek thought: the divine animating principle pervading the universe, Colossions 1:17. - Christ GOD: - Hebrew - 'elohiym (from Genesis 1:1) = God or godlike one, (or rulers, angels, divine ones) And so, with this study of Thomas and Genesis both in mind, while recognizing the validity of other interpretations, a possible and illuminating understanding of this verse and the Gospel of Christ comes to mind. IN THE BEGINNING - (That is in, by and through Christ, and through his authority and his leadership, individually and corporately within him), WAS THE WORD - (Were the sayings of God, the Testimony of Christ, and the sayings of Christ, which are the spirit of prophecy and the divine animating principals, creating, pervading, upholding, and ruling the universe, Colossions 1:17 ) AND THE WORD - (i.e. The Word of God, The Gospel of God, The Gospel of Christ, The Testimony of Jesus, The Doctrine of Christ, His Sayings, The Preaching of Jesus Christ, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, and even just The Gospel commonly known as the Gospel of Thomas, through a proper understanding of which, the Church will rule the universe and bring about the manifestation of the eternal purpose, or The Everlasting Gospel ) WAS WITH GOD (Was of God, and was toward God, working with, and to the advantage of, and with regard to God and his purpose) AND GOD WAS THE WORD (And God was the Logos, the eternal mind, thought and purpose, the spirit of prophecy, even the Christ, The Perfect Man, the corporate man causing the manifestation of God`s universal purpose in creation, "that God may be all in all," 1 Corinthians 15:28, even by the working of the Logos in "the all." Proclaiming this working, does not Jesus say, "I myself shall become he," Thomas 108 and "It is I who am the All," Thomas 77 . Even Paul declares, "For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things.) Kingdom - Subdues all things - Jesus delivers up the kingdom to the Father. as Christ is "the all," Thomas 77, The Word is of God, and all things are in, by, and through Christ, ) In the Beginning (the Christ, the beginning of all creation), was the word, (the gospel, the testimony of Jesus), and the word (the spirit of prophecy, the revelation of Jesus Christ), was with God (of God, working to fulfill his purpose), and God was the word (the logos, the Eternal Spirit or mind) Not to alienate the reader, but I would like to end with two related quotes. These passages suggest and perhaps even demonstrate that this eternal message is intended for and was given to all the peoples of humanity, and the various interpretations of which extend even to all the fringes of all humanity, and even to the various the branches of Christianity. Perhaps, this is the time for the everlasting Gospel to all peoples to manifest, and for Wisdom to speak with one voice. In the Beginning was Prajapati (the Creator), With Him was the Vak (the Word), And the Vak (the Word), was verily the Supreme Brahma. - The Vedas “In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God” - The Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible. 1867 ( See Other Creative Interpretations of John 1:1 -Wikipedia ) Continuing --- " the same was "in the beginning" with God "Jesus" is the beginning "the same" is a reference to "the same" in Thomas- check thomas references i.e. Male and female one and "the same" Marriage and divorce - it was not so from "the beginning" The were one and the same in the beginning. If we continue with this methodology, using the phraseology of Thomas (and Genesis) to interpret John then we see "the word", "the same", "the beginning", "all things", life, light, and darkness take on new non-literal meanings. All things were made 'in' him; and 'outside' him was not any thing made that was made. in him = dia outside him = separate, apart
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In the beginning was the word and the word was with God
In the beginnning was the Word, and God was the word, and the word was of God.
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Col 1:16
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:
Col 1:17
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Col 1:18
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
This is a Declaration of the Kingdom of heaven
on top
Beholding this Little Scroll with Seven Seals Opened,
The Man old in Days will not hesitate to ask a small child 7 DAYS OLD about the place of life.
Is Genesis 1 about the kingdom Jesus proclaimed?
Kingdom = Beginning
Kingdom = Firmament
Kingdom = Diciples like earth
3rd- Kingdom = Gathering together
4th - Kingdom = Lights
5th - kingdom = the living creature? - the poor - and the church ? are the living creature
What is said of Jeus is said of those who follow his teachings
KINGDOM
In the beginning - Heaven and earth - in earth as it is in heaven
1 st day - Jesus is the light - You are the light
2nd day - Firmament - Arch - Jesus son of man who is in heaven (Johns gospel) ... and we are set set in heavenly places...ephesians 2
Jesus is the body all things - thy kingdom come in earth as in heaven
Psalm 150:1 Praise Him in the Firmament of His power
3rd day - plant out of Dry ground - we are rooted and grounded in love,Ephesians - a great plant for birds
4th Lights in the heavens - look again as the same as 1st day
5th day the one living in your presence - the living creature
6th day - Jeus is the son of man- man - to have dominion
7th day all the host of them ( ire the agenls see hebrew) - - one of them the largest sheep
The 5th day
LIVING CREASTURE ezekiel 1
(Thomas 108 - The Living Jesus becomes the poor who are the disciples which are the living creatures that God brings forth from the waters. The waters are the peoples. The living creatures are like burning coals or lamps in the firmament. As they ran, out from them came forth the appearance of lightning, and they were lifted up from the earth as they went. The spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. Under the firmament were the wings. The noise of their wings, is like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech. "As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake, " Ezekiel 1:4-28.
"When you see one not born of woman, prostrate yourselves on your faces," Thomas 15 )
(c.f. The living creature - Ezekiel 1:4-2:8, firmament, burning coals, lamps, lightning, bow, cloud, rain, wheel in a wheel, waters, the voice of one, son of man eat. All this is reminiscent of the rainbow, cloud, fire, and seven thunders, and the scroll to be eaten, Revelation 10:1-4)
Take this cup from me - Give i back to the owners of the field
Day of atonement
a
The Book of Revelation is also about this Little Scroll, and the marriage of Bridegroom and the Bride.
The living message of Jesus, becomes manifest and is seen when the sons of God
receive the Testimony and the Gospel of Jesus, and so, make the two to become one.
The Book of Revelation is a Vision of this Unveiling seen while Meditating on The Gospel of Thomas.
There is a side by side, sequential, verse by verse, connectedness between the Gospel of Thomas and the Book of Revelation.
View the Gospel of Thomas and the Book of Revelation Side by side.
the coming of the son of man is like lightnng that lights the whole world
the coming of receiving of disciple id=s the coming of christ
When the living creature runs - lightning Ezekiel 1 -- When God speaks - thunder
study runing - living creature
"Then will I make their waters deep, and cause their rivers to run like oil, saith the Lord GOD." Ezekiel 32:14
"And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it." Hab 2:2
"And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word." Mat 28:8
"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain." 1 Cor 9:24
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Philippians 2:16
-a messenger of the king runs with a message 2 Sam 18:19
- a warrior runs through a troup and leaps over a wall 2 Sam 22:30, Psalm 18:29
- waters run, psalms 58:7, 78:16, ecclesiastes 1:7
- if you run with footmen and more Jer 12:5
It may be worthwhile to examine Revelation 10 beside Ezekiel 1:4 - 2:8 and living creature of Genesis 1
Color coding similar ideas and words
Joining thoughts into 1
then using this to
expound 7 thundrs from gen 1 and thomas
John 1:1-8 and section 1 of Genesis 1 compared with Thomas
The kingdom is like a man - Pearl parable matthew 13 - Thomas
The only gemstome produced by a living creature is the pearl - by the oyster
When the living creature runs there was lightning - Ezekiel 1
Jeus said in Thomas Disciples become like me....
The living Jesus ... The living spirit... the male and female
The Voice of thunder is from God
lightnig from disciples and jesus... thunder from God.
In The Beginning -
God created the inside (the deep) and the outside of us (the face).
There is the promise that God will move upon us, and that the kingdom that is hidden within will become manifest.
On the First Day -
The Disciples ask, "What... shall we observe?"
God contrasts outward religion that men see with the inward light that he sees and choses.
This light will become manifest within the earth and in us.
On the Second Day -
The Disciples ask, "Who is to be our leader?" and what will "Our end be?"
God places a firmament of power, leadership and support in the midst, dividing the waters.
He declares the role of righteous leaderhip producing a separation in the midst of the peoples.
The place of authority and our God given destiny is declared.
On the Third Day -
The disciples ask... "What the kingdom of heaven is like? ...Whom are your disciples like? and "Shall we... as children, enter the kingdom?
And with some, but still limited understanding they ask "Show us the place where you are"
God declares the gathering together of the peoples into one.
The kingdom, the disciples, and children are like the owners of the field protecting the seed and the harvest.
Giving back to the owners what is rightfully theirs is the act of reconciliation. (" Into thy hands I commit my spirit," Luke 23:46)
The five trees, the dry land, and the waters, the trees, the grass, the herbs, the male and the female, the right and the left are all gathered together into one great plant. On this day is proclaimed the great atonement (the at-one-ment).
On the Fourth Day -
His disciples ask, "When will you become revealed to us and when shall we see you?"...
And, "When will the repose of the dead come about,
And when will the new world come?"
Jesus said - God said
Place Genesis - Thomas - Ephesians side by side 7 days
Similar themes in each .
Let us consider the prologue, the climax, and the conclusion of this unique Gospel of Jesus, together with the introduction, conclusion and climax of the Book of Revelation.
The prologue of Thomas points to the Living Jesus. "These are the secret sayings which the living Jesus
The conclusion of Thomas (114) points to a Living Spirit. Jesus said, "I myself shall lead her... so that she... may become a living spirit." Comparing the front and the back of this unique two sided chiastic scroll, bring the prologue and the conclusion together with the Climax of the Gospel found in saying 55 and one discovers a synopsis of the entire text.
Jesus said, "Whoever does not... take up his cross in my way will not be worthy of me," (55).
To take up the cross, in this context, points to Body carried in living the way of Jesus. “Whoever finds the interpretation of these sayings will not experience death,” (Thomas 1). The original gospel is all about the life lived in the body, in the way of Jesus. The Gospel of Thomas is God's message of life for those who will follow Jesus in his way. For more on this thought visit The Key of Knowledge.
If separation is death, then this gospel is the picture of a reconciliation and a marriage bringing life. The bride and the bridegroom come back together, and life is lived together as one flesh, and spoke" life is restored to the one body. This is the great marriage revealed. That which was, and is, and is to come, is all the same story.
Being built upon the foundation of the original gospel, and written as if it was a visual meditation upon this gospel, the book of Revelation has a similar chiastic structure, and a similar message.
Aligning the two chiastic texts, comparing Thomas side by side with the Revelation it can be seen that the climax of the book of Revelation is the phrase "our Lord was crucified" (Revelation 11:8). This corresponds to and aligns with the disciple leaving father and mother to "Take up his cross" in Thomas 55. In this Revelation passage the two witnesses, which are the two olive trees, and the two lamp stands both die, and God brings them both back to life, and they are both taken into glory, as the very ground of this great city shakes with a great earthquake. This is reminiscent of Christ crucified, when there is a great earthquake in the great city, and the dead arose, (Matthew 27:53-54).
The parables in Thomas are stories about a certain woman and a certain man. They are messages that both hide and reveal at the same time. Together, they are a revelation of the story of the bride and the bridegroom: That which was, and is, and is to come. As in Thomas, this revelation of the bride and the bridegroom is also the message of the introduction and the conclusion of the book of Revelation.
Just as Thomas begins with "the living Jesus," the Revelation starts with the phrase, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ". And just as Thomas ends with Jesus leading Mary, and her becoming "a living spirit", so also the Revelation ends with the phrase, "The Spirit and the bride" say come.
The message of the Book of Revelation revealed in the introduction, the conclusion, and the climax of the book is that through taking up the cross, and through the crucifixion the bride and the bridegroom are reunited, and walk together, and speak with one voice. When they come together, the old is destroyed, and all things are made new. The one shall die, and the other shall live.
This book of Revelation begins with a vision of the bride "in the midst of the seven candlesticks... like unto the Son of man"... but "his voice (is) as the sound of many waters," (Revelation1:12,15).
Near the end of these two books, Thomas speaks of "when the bridegroom leaves the bridal chamber." This aligns in Revelation with "a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea,"... and "the holy city, new Jerusalem, (is) coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, (Revelation 21:1-2).
Judgment must begin at the household of God, (1 Peter 4:17). After, the divisions are destroyed, there is no longer many waters, but one "fountain of the water of life" (Revelation 21:6) and not many voices, but the spirit and the bride together with one voice say "Come", (Revelation 22:17). For there is one body, and one fountain, and one river, for heaven and earth are made one through the cross.
It is through the cross that the divisions are destroyed. Even heaven and earth will be reunited. Jesus would say take up your cross in my way and be worthy of me, (Thomas 55). "When you make the two one, and when you make the inside like the outside and the outside like the inside, and the above like the below, and when you make the male and the female one and the same, so that the male not be male nor the female female; and when you fashion eyes in the place of an eye, and a hand in place of a hand, and a foot in place of a foot, and a likeness in place of a likeness; then will you enter the kingdom," (Thomas 22). This all happens through the cross.
The Gospel of Thomas as revealed by the Book of Revelation is the message of life through death, and so I am "holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain," (Philippians 2:16).
Once again, the Gospel of Thomas, or the testimony of Christ is "the word of life." Jesus said, "the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life," (John 6:63).
The implications of this message are yet to be realized. Unspoken ideas are be like seed still in the hand of the sower. What the seed will become is not always visible while still in the hand. A seed still in the hand is only potential.
"That which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be... But God giveth it a body... and to every seed his own body." 1 Corinthians 15: 37-38.
Cast into the ground, good seed can transform the earth, growing into a great tree. It can beautify the landscape, changing what we see. Every tree is known by its own fruit. However, seed needs to be cast into the earth, and die, long before the fruit can be seen and the benefits reaped. If for no other reason, this is why some unspoken ideas must be shared. If it be good seed, and buried in the good ground, may it bring forth much good fruit.
Jesus said, "I shall give you what no eye has seen and what no ear has heard and what no hand has touched and what has never occurred to the human mind." Thomas 17.
If the perceived need is great enough, the sower will not consume the seed for himself. Rather, he will sow the seed, hoping for a great harvest, and a great revelation.
The harvest is truly great. For this reason, some unspoken ideas, almost like pearls, are now being cast into the earth. Thomas 10, 16. Presented is an idea. And even it it be revelation, a present day truth, or even the everlasting gospel itself, still it must be tried and proven, and allowed to bear its own fruit. It must be lived. Prove all things.
There are those who are called by God to forsake all that they might know Christ intimately. It is the responsibility of the church to support such ones in natural things, for it is they who will enter in, and bring forth, and feed the church with spiritual things.
Jesus said, "The angels and the prophets will come to you and give to you those things you (already) have. And you too, give them those things which you have, and say to yourselves, 'When will they come and take what is theirs?'" (Thomas 88)
All this may require a radical rethinking of what it means to receive "The Gospel." To receive the gospel was to accept the message of Christ. To accept the message was to receive the messengers who had themselves forsaken all to be able to fully accept and fulfill the teaching of the gospel.
Receiving into our lives these messengers and their living example of the message was vitally important.
Jesus said, "That which you have will save you if you bring it forth from yourselves. That which you do not have within you will kill you if you do not have it within you," (Thomas 70).
God has provided the better things for us, but we will not be made perfect without each other, (Hebrews 11:40).
Make the Two One and enter the Kingdom.
BRIDGE Paragraphs
There is a pattern and an unfolding of truth. The original gospel of Christ appears to have been entrusted to the first apostles with the admonition to adapt the message in a manner appropriate for the communities to which it would be taken. Just as those who received Jesus received the Father, so also those who receive the sent apostles receive Christ. The church has been able to mature just by receiving the authoritative message of the apostles. And just as Christ is the mystery of God, and the Church is the mystery of Christ, so also hidden within the Church is the Spirit which will manifest and come forth, in greater measure, as the very message of Christ is once again accepted by those who are able to receive it.
Jesus said, "That which you have will save you if you bring it forth from yourselves." Thomas 70. "There is nothing hidden which will not become manifest." Thomas 5.
Perhaps, now is time, once again, to present the original. When I was a child my mother would sew clothes based on a copy of a pattern that she had obtained. For all practical purposes, I am confident that it functioned just like the original. The clothes that were created were just fine. The church that has developed using the canonical writings, which I believe were inspired and created following the pattern of the original gospel of Christ, has functioned according to some "perhaps" adequately. But, there is so much more for us to receive, and experience, if we are hungry and thirsty. As the kingdom becomes more and more global in scope, perhaps, now is time to re-present the original. To illustrate the need we have for the original gospel the standardization of weights and measures might be useful. Though there may once have been international differences in the exact definition of the measurement of a foot, still such local measurements may have worked well within individual localities. However, as communication becomes global it becomes more important to have a standard measure. The New Testament scriptures are filled with the perspectives of the various apostles as they addressed the needs of various communities. Such variety was practical and useful. However, such variety, has over time, sometimes developed into division, carnality, and even animosity. Right now, the church appears divided. Some are following Paul, some Apollos, some a message to the circumcision, and some a message to the uncircumcision. Perhaps, it is now time to embrace that original message of Christ, which is the cornerstone behind all these messages of the various apostles, that we might once again behold the oneness we all possess, and attain to the unity of the faith, and even grow up unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
I recognize that at this time, the evidence and logic validating the legitimacy of the Gospel of Thomas is unfamiliar and foreign to the thinking of many believers and scholars alike. For this reason, extensive links are provided throughout this article revealing new insights and supporting discoveries encouraging the reader to "prove all things." Readers are encouraged to follow the links.
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Search the scriptures and prove for yourselves whether these things true.
Let us start with The Gospel of Thomas &The Book of Revelation Compared side by side.
This page suggests that Book of revelation was written while meditating upon the Gospel of Thomas. There is strong evidence to suggest this, as can be seen in the above link. Finally, we have a tool to understand The Book of Revelation. After considering the similarities between these two books, some might choose to believe, rather that Thomas was written while meditating on the Book of Revelation, and not the other way around. However, this is highly unlikely. If there had been only one New Testament text that aligned with the Thomas text it might be difficult to determine which text came first, but this is not the case. As can be seen in the next links, there are many New Testament writings aligning themselves with Thomas.
The Key of Knowledge is an article demonstrating that Thomas was used by the apostles in the creation of many of the New Testament writings. Some of these writings include.
The Gospel of Thomas - Romans Connection
The Gospel of Thomas - 1 Corinthian Connection
The Gospel of Thomas - Galatians Connection
The Gospel of Thomas - Ephesians Connection
The Gospel of Thomas - 1 Thessalonians Connection
The Gospel of Thomas - 1 Timothy Connection
The Gospel of Thomas - Hebrews Connection
The Gospel of Thomas - James Connection
The Gospel of Thomas - 1 Peter Connection
The Gospel of Thomas - 1 John Connection
The Gospel of Thomas - Revelations Connection
And
The Gospel of Thomas - The Gospel of Mark Connection
The Gospel of Thomas - The Gospel of John Connection
It is suggested that Jesus is the author of Thomas, and that it is a gospel merely scribed by Thomas as he listened to the dictation of Jesus. The reason the above connections suggest such an early date for the creation of Thomas is that it becomes extremely unlikely that a later author could have fashioned Thomas using the sayings of Jesus from the canonical Gospels, while simultaneously and sequentially matching the Rhetoric of so many epistles (See the Key Word Connection links above), while also consistently maintaining both the inner and outer loosely based chiasms that provide the overarching structure for the Gospel of Thomas. This new evidence will challenge old theological boxes. Rather than maintaining Thomas is a later apocryphal writing, as is often still presented, it is now much much easier to believe that Thomas came first, and that the other writings flowed out from Thomas.
Why is this so hard to see?
There is a simple question that needs to be asked, and yet is seldom asked. If Jesus did not write a gospel, as is commonly assumed, and if the disciples were following the pattern of Jesus in their actions, then why did so many of the apostles write gospels and epistles? Why would the disciples propogate the Master's message in a manner inconsistent with the example and teaching of their own master? If however, on the other hand, Jesus did write a gospel, it would follow naturally that the apostles would emulate his example, and follow the pattern that he set. This is indeed what happened, and now we have the New Testament.
And so, the question is sometimes asked, "If this Gospel of Thomas is the Original Gospel of Christ, then why was it not included in the canon of the New Testament?" This is reasonable question.
Those who created the canon may have had good reasons for leaving Thomas out of the canon. Jesus said, "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you," Matthew 7:6. If ever there was a message that was holy it would be the original message of Christ. Rather, than a message for the common people, perhaps, this is a was message given by Christ to his closest disciples. Perhaps, it was "the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants," Revelation 1:1-2. For he said, "Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand," Luke 8:10. In like manner, and in obedience to Christ's example, even the apostles understood that many were not yet ready for the most holy of mysteries. The writer of Hebrews declares "We have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing," Hebrews 5:11. This is the example of Christ and the apostles. Perhaps, it was the example of those who created the canon.
For centuries the Catholic Church tried to keep even the canonical scripures out of the hands of the common people. Would it not make sense that if the Catholic Church kept the writings othe apostles for their priesthood alone, that they might then guard the very words of Jesus with even extra care.
But then again, perhaps the motives for excluding Thomas from the canon were not completely noble. Much in Thomas does restore the authority of the believer back to the believer, and away from the hierarchy of the "Church". Jesus said in his original gospel, "Let him who seeks continue seeking until he finds. When he finds, he will become troubled. When he becomes troubled, he will be astonished, and he will rule over the All," Thomas 2. Such authority to rule, declared by Jesus and given into the hands of the believer with understanding, might have been seen as a threat to a Church bureaucracy that centralized all authority within itself.
As well, Thomas was a gospel that reached out with a message to all people. It contained the Gospel to the Jews and the Gospel to the Gentiles. It appealed to people of many pursuasions, even to those who may have been seen as enemies by the Catholic hierarchy. It was a message bigger than any of the factions in the early church. For this reason, it may have become guilty by association. Sometimes, politics and power can influence the choices that influence history.
Why was Thomas left out of the canon Their may be many reasons. Nevertheless, if these words be the very gospel of Christ, then its exclusion from the canon can never remove its true authority.
Once again, the church is being "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" This is the message from God given through Christ, and through his apostles. However, the builders have rejected this chief corner stone. For Jesus said, "Show me the stone which the builders have rejected. That one is the cornerstone," Thomas 66. Perhaps, the rejection of the message of Christ needed to happen. Nevertheless, the elect will hear it. "And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder," Matthew 21:44. Elect of God, take consolation. The revelation of Jesus Christ and his bride is coming.
Today, the original gospel of Christ is being restored. Perhaps it was our Lord himself that kept this gospel hidden, and kept it safe... Until the appointed time. Discovered in the deserts of Egypt in 1945, shortly before the formation of nation of Israel, this gospel was given back to the earth.
We can now see that this gospel was the basis of some of the most amazing literature on earth. The early church and the apostles knew of the Gospel of Christ in that first century, and based their own writings upon it. Within the New Testament there are at least twelve direct references to the "Gospel of Christ or "Christ's Gospel." Centuries later, even the Quran was given with a knowledge of This Original Gospel or Injeel as it is called within Islam. Both Thomas and The Quran share 114 divisions. Each of the 114 Surahs of the Quran correspond to each of the related 114 Sayings of Thomas . There are similarities in thought, word, and rhetoric between each saying and the corresponding surah. Each surah seemingly expands, for its specific audience, on the thoughts from the corresponding sayings from original Gospel of Christ (or the Injeel as it is called in Islam). Islamic scholars know of this original gospel of Christ, but believe it to have been lost. "The word Injil occurs twelve times in the Qur'an and refers not to the New Testament gospels, but to the Book of revelation given to the Prophet Jesus," The Gospel in Islam - Wikipedia. The Gospel of Christ existed, and it was for all people. The Apostles knew it, and so did Mohammad. Today, this message is being restored.
Why is that so many today have no such knowledge? Perhaps it was decided in times past that the message of this book must be hidden, as it is written "shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: ... for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." Nevertheless, at the appointed time "knowledge shall be increased," Daniel 12:4,9. Once again, the time is now to reveal a new present day truth. John writes of a day when a mighty angel will cry, and the seven thunders will utter their voices, Revelation 10:1. Once again, now is the day of salvation.
The Book is Revelation appears to be a vision seen while meditating on the Word of God, the Testimony of Jesus Christ, or the scroll with the seven seals written within and on the backside. The Chiastic or two-sided structure of Thomas reveals the inside and the backside of this scroll. Since the Gospel of Thomas appears to be this little scroll, it is most reasonable to begin our search to uncover the hidden sayings of these seven thunders here within The Gospel of Thomas.
In both the Gospel of Thomas and within the book of Revelation there are Seven Voices which Thunder Their Seven Messages.
John in the revelation writes, "And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices,
I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me,
Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not."
(Revelation 10:4)
Thomas writes of 7 Voices Procaiming the Perfect Man.
They are Jesus, James, Thomas, Peter, Matthew, Solome, and Mary.
These Seven Voices in The Gospel of Thomas are here presented as The Seven Thunders of Revelation 10.
Is it time to unveil that which was sealed up and hidden by the apostle John?
Is it now time to reveal the interpretaion of "those things which the seven thunders uttered?"
If so, then perhaps it is time to Prophesy Once Again: Proclaiming again the New and Perfect Man.
The sayings of these seven disciples, wholistically viewed within The Gospel of Thomas, paint a beautiful picture. In both Thomas and the book of Revelation, Christ the Groom and His Glorious Bride are reunited unveiling the One New and Perfect Man. Are we ready to look into the Bridal Chamber?
Here is a message for the mature. Let there be a wise man among us.
The Little Scroll proclaims The Perfect Man revealed in The Bridal Chamber
Each of the sayings of the seven thundering voices in the Gospel of Thomas is a revelation of the Bridegroom or the Bride uniting together as the New and Perfect man. May the church come to know themselves and their true identity that they might become manifest as the sons that they now are. As Jesus has said, "When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known," Thomas 3.
Let us begin to discover who we are, and who we are destined to become.
(Just as an aside for the more academically inclined, the Thomas and Revelation scolls are both chiastic in structure. In a chiastic structure the ideas of the beginning of the scroll match the end of the scroll. The end is as the beginning. Considering the two sides of the chiasm within each of the books will reveal much to those who are so inclined to look. And then considering the corresponding verses with their key word connections from the two books, Thomas and Revelation, will reveal even more. And then further combining the chiasms of these two books into one joint body may reveal even more yet. If the reader is unfamilair with the patterns of combining chiastic structures then the above links may be helpful.
The Thomas Scroll, The Original Gospel of Christ was written on the inside and the backside. (Revelation 5:1, 2, 5, 9, 6:1) The two sides of a chiastic writing are easily viewed if written on the front and the back of a scroll. At whatever point the scroll is unrolled up to, then the corresponding keywords can viewed simply by turning the scroll over to view the back side. Perhaps, more interesting is that such a scroll, like the original gospel of Christ, could be placed along side an apostolic writing also written on a scroll. This would make the key word connections within The Chiastic Structure of the Original Gospel of Christ comparable with the keywords of the apostolic writing or scroll. Perhaps, even the chiastic structures of both the gospel of Christ and the chiastic structures of the apostic writings could be compared by matching and the connecting keywords of both writings.
Deeper insights are revealed as the joint-body pattern discovered in the original gospel of Jesus is combined with these apostolic writings. Perhaps, this Joint body joining of texts between Thomas and the Revelation will eventually be made available online.)
The Book of Revelation begins with the picture of the glorified church and ends with joining of bride and bridegroom. The "one like unto the Son of man" (Revelation 1:3) matches "he shall be my son" (Revelation 21:7), and can connect to the Thomas sayings of Jesus "You will become the sons of man" and "the lion which becomes man" (Thomas 7,106). Again, comparing the two sides of the scroll that was written on the inside and the outside, (i.e. The Gospel of Thomas) with the apostolic writing, (in this case "The Revelation of Jesus Christ") is made easier because the chiastic structure of the original gospel of Christ with the seven seals, is written on the front and the back. The comparison of these keywords will provide deeper insight into the original meanings of both the Gospel of Thomas and the apostolic canonical writings.)
The Seven Thunders of The Thomas Scroll that was written on the inside and the backside each have a Message about the Bride and the Bridegroom. The seven thunderings of Mary, Salome, Matthew, Peter, Thomas, James, and Jesus together reveal the rejoining of Christ and the Church.
The Seven Thunders of the Little Scroll (known as The Gospel of Thomas) were indeed sealed up.
As it was written, "Seven thunders uttered their voices. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not," (Revelation 10:3,4-7).
However, perhaps now that this gospel has been restored to the earth, perhaps now is also the time to unseal what which was thundered.
First, let us look briefly at the sayings within Thomas that reference the seven disciples and their message. Pay close attention to what is revealed about both the bride and bridegroom. Then we will examine the chiastic structures for deeper insight.
1. Mary
Mary asks, "What is the Bride like?"
1) Mary said to Jesus, "Whom are your disciples like?"
He said, "They are like children who have settled in a field which is not theirs. When the owners of the field come, they will say, 'Let us have back our field.' They (will) undress in their presence in order to let them have back their field and to give it back to them. Therefore I say, if the owner of a house knows that the thief is coming, he will begin his vigil before he comes and will not let him dig through into his house of his domain to carry away his goods. You, then, be on your guard against the world. Arm yourselves with great strength lest the robbers find a way to come to you, for the difficulty which you expect will (surely) materialize. Let there be among you a man of understanding. When the grain ripened, he came quickly with his sickle in his hand and reaped it. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear."
2. Salome
Salome asks, "What happens to the Bride and the Bridegroom when they come together?"
(61) Jesus said, "Two will rest on a bed: the one will die, and the other will live."
Salome said, "Who are you, man, that you ... have come up on my couch and eaten from my table?"
Jesus said to her, "I am he who exists from the undivided. I was given some of the things of my father."
... "I am your disciple."
... "Therefore I say, if he is destroyed, he will be filled with light, but if he is divided, he will be filled with darkness."
3. Peter
Peter asks, "What is the Bridegroom like?"
(13) Jesus said to his disciples, "Compare me to someone and tell me whom I am like."
Simon Peter said to him, "You are like a righteous angel."
Peter discovers, "How then does the Bride become like the Bridegroom?"
(114) Simon Peter said to him, "Let Mary leave us, for women are not worthy of life." Jesus said, "I myself shall lead her in order to make her male, so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For every woman who will make herself male will enter the kingdom of heaven."
4. Matthew
The Bridegroom is like a wise philosoper (I.e. literally: a lover of wisdom) .
(I.e. Like a "lover of Sophia" the pre-existent bride)
(13) Jesus said to his disciples, "Compare me to someone and tell me whom I am like." ...
Matthew said to him, "You are like a wise philosopher."
5. Thomas
Thomas reveals the Bride and the Bridegroom as united and incomparable as the New and Perfect Man.
(13) Jesus said to his disciples, "Compare me to someone and tell me whom I am like."...
Thomas said to him, "Master, my mouth is wholly incapable of saying whom you are like."
Jesus said, "I am not your master. Because you have drunk, you have become intoxicated from the bubbling spring which I have measured out."
And he took him and withdrew and told him three things. When Thomas returned to his companions, they asked him, "What did Jesus say to you?"
Thomas said to them, "If I tell you one of the things which he told me, you will pick up stones and throw them at me; a fire will come out of the stones and burn you up."
6. James
James illustrates the Pre-existent Bride and Bridegroom who are mirrored in heaven and earth.
(12) The disciples said to Jesus, "We know that you will depart from us. Who is to be our leader?"
Jesus said to them, "Wherever you are, you are to go to James the righteous, for whose sake heaven and earth came into being."
7. Jesus
Jesus reveals the united Bride and bridegroom as the kingdom of the Father, as the new and perfect man, and as the new world that has come even though men do not yet see it.
Though men do not see, Jesus reveals that men will see when the Bride finally comes to realize who she is. Jesus says, "When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known" All creation is waiting for this "manifestation of the Sons of God". Jesus reveals the kingdom.
(3) Jesus said, "If those who lead you say to you, 'See, the kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is inside of you, and it is outside of you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known, and you will realize that it is you who are the sons of the living father. But if you will not know yourselves, you dwell in poverty and it is you who are that poverty."
(51) His disciples said to him, "When will the repose of the dead come about, and when will the new world come?"
He said to them, "What you look forward to has already come, but you do not recognize it."
(113) His disciples said to him, "When will the kingdom come?"
< Jesus said,> "It will not come by waiting for it. It will not be a matter of saying 'here it is' or 'there it is.' Rather, the kingdom of the father is spread out upon the earth, and men do not see it."
Written up to here:
(COMPARE the unpublished chiastic structures, Thomas joined with Revelation, to uncover the message, and then simplify)
(Write about the divisions being united)
The Conclusion of the Matter
This Little Scroll proclaims The Perfect Man revealed in The Bridal Chamber
May time be no more, and may the mystery of God declared to the servants his prophets be finished.
Together let us enter in.
Below are Charts introducing The 7 Messengers of The Little Book known as The Gospel of Thomas.
These charts also points out many similarities between the messages thundered by these 7 Apostles
And The 7 Angels, 7 Seals, 7 Trumpets, 7 Vials, & 7 Plagues of the Book of Revelation.
Connections to The 7 Last Sayings of Jesus are considered.
Related ideas found in the Climactic or Final Writings of these 7 messengers in Thomas are also included.
All of this is presented to suggest that the Sayings of Seven Disciples of Christ
mentioned in The Original Gospel of Christ, (today known as the Gospel of Thomas)
may be the Seven Thunders sealed up by John in Revelation 10