Some there are, my son Rheginos, who want to learn many things. They
have this goal when they are occupied with questions whose answer is
lacking. If they succeed with these, they usually think very highly
of themselves. But I do not think that they have stood within the
Word of Truth. They seek rather their own rest, which we have
received through our Savior, our Lord Christ. We received it when we
came to know the truth and rested ourselves upon it. But since you
ask us pleasantly what is proper concerning the resurrection, I am
writing you that it is necessary. To be sure, many are lacking faith
in it, but there are a few who find it. So then, let us discuss the
matter.
How did the Lord proclaim things while he existed in flesh and
after he had revealed himself as Son of God? He lived in this place
where you remain, speaking about the Law of Nature - but I call it
'Death'. Now the Son of God, Rheginos, was Son of Man. He embraced
them both, possessing the humanity and the divinity, so that on the
one hand he might vanquish death through his being Son of God, and
that on the other through the Son of Man the restoration to the
Pleroma might occur; because he was originally from above, a seed of
Truth, before this structure had come into being. In this many
dominions and divinities came into existence.
I know that I am presenting the solution in difficult terms, but
there is nothing difficult in the Word of Truth. But since the
Solution appeared so as not to leave anything hidden, but to reveal
all things openly concerning existence - the destruction of evil on
the one hand, the revelation of the elect on the other. This is the
emanation of Truth and Spirit, Grace is of the Truth.
The Savior swallowed up death - (of this) you are not reckoned as
being ignorant - for he put aside the world which is perishing. He
transformed himself into an imperishable Aeon and raised himself up,
having swallowed the visible by the invisible, and he gave us the
way of our immortality. Then, indeed, as the Apostle said, "We
suffered with him, and we arose with him, and we went to heaven with
him". Now if we are manifest in this world wearing him, we are that
one`s beams, and we are embraced by him until our setting, that is
to say, our death in this life. We are drawn to heaven by him, like
beams by the sun, not being restrained by anything. This is the
spiritual resurrection which swallows up the psychic in the same way
as the fleshly.
But if there is one who does not believe, he does not have the
(capacity to be) persuaded. For it is the domain of faith, my son,
and not that which belongs to persuasion: the dead shall arise!
There is one who believes among the philosophers who are in this
world. At least he will arise. And let not the philosopher who is in
this world have cause to believe that he is one who returns himself
by himself - and (that) because of our faith! For we have known the
Son of Man, and we have believed that he rose from among the dead.
This is he of whom we say, "He became the destruction of death, as
he is a great one in whom they believe." Great are those who
believe.
The thought of those who are saved shall not perish. The mind of
those who have known him shall not perish. Therefore, we are elected
to salvation and redemption since we are predestined from the
beginning not to fall into the foolishness of those who are without
knowledge, but we shall enter into the wisdom of those who have
known the Truth. Indeed, the Truth which is kept cannot be
abandoned, nor has it been. "Strong is the system of the Pleroma;
small is that which broke loose (and) became (the) world. But the
All is what is encompassed. It has not come into being; it was
existing." So, never doubt concerning the resurrection, my son
Rheginos! For if you were not existing in flesh, you received flesh
when you entered this world. Why will you not receive flesh when you
ascend into the Aeon? That which is better than the flesh is that
which is for (the) cause of life. That which came into being on your
account, is it not yours? Does not that which is yours exist with
you? Yet, while you are in this world, what is it that you lack?
This is what you have been making every effort to learn.
The afterbirth of the body is old age, and you exist in
corruption. You have absence as a gain. For you will not give up
what is better if you depart. That which is worse has diminution,
but there is grace for it.
Nothing, then, redeems us from this world. But the All which we
are, we are saved. We have received salvation from end to end. Let
us think in this way! Let us comprehend in this way!
But there are some (who) wish to understand, in the enquiry about
those things they are looking into, whether he who is saved, if he
leaves his body behind, will be saved immediately. Let no one doubt
concerning this. [...]. indeed, the visible members which are dead
shall not be saved, for (only) the living members which exist within
them would arise.
What, then, is the resurrection? It is always the disclosure of
those who have risen. For if you remember reading in the Gospel that
Elijah appeared and Moses with him, do not think the resurrection is
an illusion. It is no illusion, but it is truth! Indeed, it is more
fitting to say the world is an illusion, rather than the
resurrection which has come into being through our Lord the Savior,
Jesus Christ.
But what am I telling you now? Those who are living shall die.
How do they live in an illusion? The rich have become poor, and the
kings have been overthrown. Everything is prone to change. The world
is an illusion! - lest, indeed, I rail at things to excess!
But the resurrection does not have this aforesaid character, for
it is the truth which stands firm. It is the revelation of what is,
and the transformation of things, and a transition into newness. For
imperishability descends upon the perishable; the light flows down
upon the darkness, swallowing it up; and the Pleroma fills up the
deficiency. These are the symbols and the images of the
resurrection. He it is who makes the good.
Therefore, do not think in part, O Rheginos, nor live in
conformity with this flesh for the sake of unanimity, but flee from
the divisions and the fetters, and already you have the
resurrection. For if he who will die knows about himself that he
will die - even if he spends many years in this life, he is brought
to this - why not consider yourself as risen and (already) brought
to this? If you have the resurrection but continue as if you are to
die - and yet that one knows that he has died - why, then, do I
ignore your lack of exercise? It is fitting for each one to practice
in a number of ways, and he shall be released from this Element that
he may not fall into error but shall himself receive again what at
first was.
These things I have received from the generosity of my Lord,
Jesus Christ. I have taught you and your brethren, my sons,
considering them, while I have not omitted any of the things
suitable for strengthening you. But if there is one thing written
which is obscure in my exposition of the Word, I shall interpret it
for you (pl.) when you (pl.) ask. But now, do not be jealous of
anyone who is in your number when he is able to help.
Many are looking into this which I have written to you. To these
I say: Peace (be) among them and grace. I greet you and those who
love you (pl.) in brotherly Love.