Ancient Glimpses of Heaven in Dead Sea Scrolls & Mandaean Scriptures

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Ancient Glimpses of Heaven in Dead Sea Scrolls & Mandaean Scriptures

 

 

Below I compare ancient visions of heaven found in the Dead Sea Scrolls

with glimpses of the heavens described in the Gnostic scriptures of the

Mandaeans.

 

DEAD SEA SCROLLS

The following quotes comes from " The Songs of the Sabbath Sacrifice, "

a very mystical book of visions found amongst the Dead Sea Scrolls. Fragments

of this otherworldly document were also found at Masada:

 

" In the midst of what looks like glorious scarlet and colors of utterly

holy spiritual Light, the spirits take up their holy stand in the presence

of the King -- splendidly colored spirits surrounded by the appearance

of whiteness. This latter glorious spiritual substance is like golden

handiwork, shimmering in the Light. "

 

Secret words are used during these heavenly journeys:

 

" Yet again will He bless all who wait for Him with seven wondrous Words,

that his compassionate loving-kindness might return to them. "

 

" Then in the Name of His holiness all the chief princes will bless in

unison the God of divine beings with all their sevenfold appointed Words

of blessing. "

 

These seven majestic words also cause initiate-souls to experience peace

and protection during their mystic ascents through numerous heavenly

regions above. Upon reaching the exalted abode, souls " rejoice among

the holy ones through wondrous melodies, in everlasting joy. " Nada Brahma!

God is Music!

 

Some excerpts from " The Dead Sea Scrolls -- A New Translation, " Michael

Wise, Harper Collins. This is, by far, the most comprehensive translation

of the Scrolls ever published in English, containing 131 books of the

Essene Bible.

 

THE MANDAEAN SCRIPTURES OF IRAQ

The following hymn is found in the Mandaean scriptures. It sounds somewhat

like an ancient NDE or near-death experience. When crossing over, the

soul meets " a discharge of Radiance. " This inner guide brought the ascending

soul a garment made of Light, often a theme in Mandaean and in Mesopotamian

traditions (Books of Adam and Eve, Hymn of the Pearl in the Acts of Thomas).

The soul was escorted by this heavenly guide to " the Place of Light "

where God, called " the Great Life, " resides. The soul is then embraced

by the Light.

 

IN THE NAME OF THE GREAT LIGHT,

SUBLIME LIGHT BE PRAISED

 

The Song of Ascent

 

I fly and proceed thither,

until I reach the watch-house of the sun.

I cry:

" Who will guide me past the watch-house of Sãmïs? "

" Your reward, your works, your alms, and your goodness

will guide you past the watch-house of Sãmïs. "

How greatly I rejoice,

how greatly my heart rejoices.

How much I look forward

to the day when my struggle is over,

to the day when my struggle is over

and my course is set towards the Place of Life.

I hasten and proceed thither,

until I reach the watch-house of the moon.

 

When I arrived at the water-brooks,

a discharge of Radiance met me.

It took me by the palm of my right hand

and brought me over the streams.

Radiance was brought and I was clothed in it,

light was brought and I was wrapped in it.

The Life supported the Life....

Son of the good ones,

show me the way to the uthras *

and the ascent upon which your father

rose up to the Place of Light.

 

* spirits, angels,

 

VISIONS OF THE HEAVENLY WORLDS BEYOND

 

The jordan's of the worlds of Light* are full of white waters, whiter

than milk, cool and tasty, and their aroma is stronger than the great

aromatic vines.....

 

Those beings of Light are made up of many kinds and fall into earths,

skinas [abodes], jordans, trees, uthras [good beings of Light], and angels,

as well as radiance, Light, and brightness which rest upon them.

 

Their form is luminous and bright and the look of their faces is clear

and bright like pure beryl. Every day strength and voice, utterance

and victory are planted by the King of all the worlds of Light and sent

to them.....

 

They are clothed in garments of Radiance and are arrayed in a covering

of Light. They sit and dwell together, without offending one another

and without sinning against one another. They are honored in their firmament

and match as the eyelash the eye. Their thoughts are open to one another,

and they know the First and the Last. They are a thousand thousand miles

distant from one another and yet one is illumined by the other's radiance,

one is fragrant through another's fragrance......

 

* Heavenly Jordan Rivers of Light?

 

-- " Gnosis II, " Werner Forester, Oxford University Press, out of print,

 

James

santmat

spiritualawakening

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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