origin-worldnag-hammadi
On the Origin of the World 3
The seven-heaven rulers divide the cosmos and impose Fate, yet Pistis Sophia sustains a remnant seed across every generation through hidden angels and raised-up prophets. A preserved priestly remnant — the seed of Seth — keeps the writings and the holy order in a scattered world given over to idolatry. The chapter then prophesies a Saviour who descends in true flesh, exposes the rulers' authority as counterfeit, purchases redemption by blood, rises, and gathers His own — after which the present heavens dissolve, the deficiency is swallowed into the Pleroma, and the Father remains all in all.
1
And the rulers established themselves in the seven heavens. They appointed unto themselves angels and powers. They divided the cosmos into spheres. They set Fate over the lives of men, that men might be bound by their decrees.
2
But Pistis Sophia did not abandon her seed. She sent forth angels secretly into the cosmos. She kept watch over the children of light. She raised up prophets in every generation, that the truth might not be wholly lost.
3
Now the cosmos became corrupt. The rulers taught men idolatry; they taught them to worship the powers of the seven heavens; they taught them to bow before stones, and beasts, and stars. And the children of men forgot the Father.
4
But the seed of Seth abode in the holy mountain. They kept the writings; they kept the prayers; they kept the priesthood. They were a remnant in the earth; they were the salt that preserved the All.
5
And in the latter days, the Saviour shall come. He shall come down from above, even from the Pleroma. He shall be born of a virgin. He shall take upon Himself flesh — true flesh, not phantom. He shall walk among men; He shall teach the way.
6
He shall expose the rulers. He shall reveal their nakedness. He shall break their power. He shall set the captives free. He shall bear in His own body the marks of His sacrifice; and by His blood He shall purchase the redemption of every soul that hath received the seal.
7
And He shall rise from the dead. He shall ascend unto the Father. He shall send forth the Spirit. He shall gather His Church; He shall set His own at His right hand; He shall reign from sea to sea, and from the rivers unto the ends of the earth.
8
And the rulers shall be cast down. Yaldabaoth shall lose his throne. Saklas shall be put to shame. The powers of the seven heavens shall be unmasked; and they shall flee away into the abyss.
9
And the souls of the righteous shall be received into the holy of holies. They shall stand in the presence of the Father; they shall behold the face of the Son; they shall be filled with the Spirit; they shall be one with the Aeons for ever.
10
And the cosmos shall pass away. The heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll. The elements shall melt with fervent heat. There shall be a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.
11
And the deficiency shall be no more. The Pleroma shall be filled. The Father shall be all in all. Glory be unto Him for ever and ever.
12
These are the things which were before the cosmos was. These are the things which shall be after the cosmos is no more. Behold and consider; and be ye wise. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Amen.
