Dialogue of the Savior

The Saviour gathers Judas, Matthew, and Mary, and instructs them concerning the labour of the saints, the place of life, and the prayer of the soul.

1The Saviour said unto His disciples: The hour is come, my brethren, that we should leave behind us our labour, and stand within the rest. For he that standeth within the rest shall rest forever.

2And I say unto you: Stand ye always above all need. For ye know that all needful labour I myself have laboured before you, and have set you the example, that ye may know it.

3Hearken unto me; for I shall tell you the things which the Father hath given me to give unto you. Wherefore have we come unto these mortal places? That we may bear witness unto the truth — that we may proclaim the Father unto them which sit in darkness.

4And Judas said: Lord, when shall be that day of which Thou speakest — the day of rest? When the labour shall cease, and the saints shall be gathered into the bridal chamber?

5And the Saviour answered: When the works of womanhood are destroyed, and when nature is set aside — then shall be the day of rest. For so long as the body is held by passion, the rest is far off.

6And Mary said: Lord, what is this passion? And how is it set aside? Tell us, that we may know.

7And the Saviour said: The passion is the love of the body, and the love of the world. It is set aside by the knowledge of the Father, and by the love of the Spirit, and by the prayer that ascendeth out of the heart.

8And Matthew said: Lord, teach us to pray.

9And the Saviour answered: When ye pray, say: Father, Thou hast brought us forth out of the world. We have known Thee. Lead us into the place of light. Set us in the place of rest. Free us from the bondage of the powers. Cleanse us by the living water. Seal us by the Holy Spirit. Bring us up unto Thy Son. Amen.

10And Mary said: Lord, all things — whence have they come? Whither do they go? In what manner do they abide?

11And the Saviour answered: All things have come from the Father; all things shall return unto the Father; all things abide in the Father — for in Him is the All. He that hath known Him hath known himself. He that hath known himself hath known the All.

12And Judas said: Lord, how shall we cross over from this place unto that place? For the way is not known unto us.

13And the Saviour said: He that knoweth himself hath already crossed over. He that hath received the seal hath already entered. He that abideth in love hath already arrived.

14And Mary said: Lord, when shall I be with my Brother? For my soul desireth to behold Him face to face.

15And the Saviour said: When thou hast cast off thy garment of forgetfulness, and clothed thyself with the garment of light, then shalt thou come into the bridal chamber, and shalt behold thy Bridegroom forever.

16And Matthew said: Lord, what is this bridal chamber?

17And the Saviour said: It is the place where the soul is joined unto her angel. It is the place where the inner is joined unto the outer. It is the place where the male is joined unto the female, that they may be one.

18It is the holy of holies. It is the place which the prophets foresaw. It is the place which the patriarchs sought. It is the place where the Father dwelleth in the silence of His glory.

19And Judas said: Lord, when we have entered, shall we know one another?

20And the Saviour said: Even as ye know one another now, so shall ye know one another there — but not after the flesh; rather, after the Spirit. There ye shall know as ye are known.

21And Mary said: Lord, when the soul cometh up out of the body, what is the manner of her ascent? Through what places must she pass?

22And the Saviour said: She passeth through the seven heavens of the powers. At each gate the powers shall question her: Whence comest thou? Whither goest thou? What is the password? But the soul that hath received the seal shall answer: I come from the Father; I go unto the Father; my password is the name which He hath given me.

23And the powers shall let her pass; and she shall ascend; and she shall come unto the place of light. And the angels shall meet her; and they shall lead her unto the bridal chamber. And the Bridegroom shall receive her, and shall set her at His side.

24And Mary said: Blessed art Thou, Lord, who hast revealed unto us these things. For we knew them not, until Thou didst speak.

25And the Saviour said: Blessed are ye that have received my words. For ye shall not be harmed by the powers; ye shall not be detained at the gates; ye shall not be put back into the cycle of birth and death. Ye shall come unto the rest, and ye shall stand with me.