Shepherd of Hermas – Free Translation – Secrets
Example, to quote (regarding afterlife Judgment and Repentance – Mystery of the Gospel being Preached to the Dead, 1 Peter 3:18 – 19, 1 Peter 4:5 – 6):
15[92]:2 “It was necessary for them,” saith he, “to rise up through water, that they might be made alive; for otherwise they could not enter into the kingdom of God, except they had put aside the deadness of their [former] life.
15[92]:3 So these likewise that had fallen asleep received the seal of the Son of God and entered into the kingdom of God. For before a man,” saith he, “has borne the name of [the Son of] God, he is dead; but when he has received the seal, he layeth aside his deadness, and resumeth life.
15[92]:4 The seal then is the water: so they go down into the water dead, and they come up alive. “thus to them also this seal was preached, and they availed themselves of it that they might enter into the kingdom of God.”
15[92]:5 “Wherefore, Sir,” say I, “did the forty stones also come up with them from the deep, though they had already received the seal?” “Because,” saith he, “these, the apostles and the teachers who preached the name of the Son of God, after they had fallen asleep in the power and faith of the Son of God, preached also to them that had fallen asleep before them, and themselves gave unto them the seal of the preaching.
15[92]:6 Therefore they went down with them into the water, and came up again. But these went down alive [and again came up alive]; whereas the others that had fallen asleep before them went down dead and came up alive.
15[92]:7 So by their means they were quickened into life, and came to the full knowledge of the name of the Son of God. For this cause also they came up with them, and were fitted with them into the building of the tower and were builded with them, without being shaped; for they fell asleep in righteousness and in great purity. Only they had not this seal. Thou hast then the interpretation of these things also.” “I have, Sir,” say I.
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd-lightfoot.html
Comment
The phrase “for they fell asleep in righteousness and in great purity. Only they had not this seal” together with the phrase “came to the full knowledge of the name of the Son of God” with the phrase “others that had fallen asleep before them went down dead and came up alive” ——> with the phrase “to rise up through water, that they might be made alive; for otherwise they could not enter into the kingdom of God, except they had put aside the deadness of their [former] life” —> seem to point 🤔 to “the Sheepfold2” (John 10:16) which refers to the “righteous in good works (e. g. John 5:28 – 29, Daniel 12:2) who died without believing in Christ” but believed in Him ‘after seeing Him, John 6:40 (in the afterlife too, implied in John 3:14 – 15)’ as it is Discussed in Great Detail in Posts below regarding this Mystery for Edification:
1) Sheep and Goats – FAQ
2) Shepherd of Hermas – FAQ and Early Church History regarding it in understanding Afterlife Judgment and Repentance
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/shepherd-of-hermas-afterlife-judgment-and-repentance-faq/
“For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him Greater Works than these, so that you will MARVEL. “For just as the Father RAISES the DEAD and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom HE WISHES.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 5:20 – 21, NASB)
P/S: Thank God for “free” translations.
It proves that ‘not’ everyone is ‘trying to make money 💰 or peddle the Word of God in His Name’:
“For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.” – apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 2:17, NASB)
It’s a Great Irony to try ‘make money’ with ‘His Things’ simply because it was ‘He Himself’ Who taught us to Give His Truth and Gifts for “Free”:
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. FREELY you RECEIVED, FREELY GIVE.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:8, NASB)
Blessed be the Savior of the World!
‘Please, let the best things be Given Free because these cannot be Priced’ – Unknown
Aren’t these popular quotes from Church History too which shows that the early Church leaders knew “more” regarding the Mystery of the Gospel in regards to God “Reconciling” even “all created things” back to Himself eventually (Colossians 1:16 with Colossians 1:20, Romans 8:20 – 22 as well)? Example:
“Our Lord is the One who delivers man [all men], and who heals the inventor of evil himself” — Gregory of Nyssa (332-398 A.D.), leading theologian of the Eastern Church
“I know that most persons understand by the story of Nineveh and its king, the ultimate forgiveness of the devil and all rational creatures.” – Jerome of the Vulgate, Commentary on Jonah
“So He saves all; but some He converts by penalties, others who follow Him of their own will, and in accordance with the worthiness of His honor, that every knee may be bent to Him of celestial, terrestrial and infernal things (Phil. 2:10), that is angels, men, and souls who before His advent migrated from this mortal life.” – Clement of Alexandria (150 – 215)
The Grand Beautiful Conclusion in two words:
“Christ Triumphant” – Thomas Allin
“the TWENTY-FOUR ELDERS will fall down before HIM Who SITS on the THRONE, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive Glory and honor and power; for You CREATED ALL THINGS, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” – apostle John’s Vision (Revelation 4:10 – 11, NASB)
