Vision
Third.
Concerning
the Building of the Triumphant Church, and
the
Various Classes of Reprobate Men.
While Hermas was fasting and praying the
old woman came to him again. “Since you are so anxious and eager to know all
things, go into the part of the country where you tarry; and about the fifth hour
I shall appear unto you, and show you all that you ought to see.”[1] At the place, he found an
ivory seat and the old woman did not appear until he began confessing his sins
to God. There were young men present
which the old lady dispatched to go an build.
Then she asked Hermas to set on her left. "While I was thinking
about this, and feeling vexed that she did not let me sit on the right, she
said, 'Are you vexed, Hermas? The place to the right is for others who have
already pleased God, and have suffered for His name’s sake; and you have yet
much to accomplish before you can sit with them. But abide as you now do in
your simplicity, and you will sit with them, and with all who do their deeds
and bear what they have borne.'”[2] What they had to bear and what Hermas may
have to bear is persecution and trial.
Then, she showed him
the vision that she had promised, a host of young men led by her six attendants
who were building a mighty tower from square stones. It was built upon waters.
It was built square. "myriads of men were carrying stones to it, some
dragging them from the depths, others removing them from the land, and they
handed them to these six young men."[3] These were perfect and were placed just as
they were. Others were from the earth and had defects, some being altered or
even cast away unused. The old lady is
wanting to leave but Hermas presses her for more understanding.
She reveals that the
tower is her, the Church. It is built on the water that saves mankind and is
supported by the invisible power of the Lord. When asked why the tower (the
Church) was built on water, the lady answers, "It is because your life has
been, and will be, saved through water. For the tower was founder on the word
of the almighty and glorious Name and it is kept together by the invisible
power of the Lord.”[4] Hermas learns that the six men building are
angels.
The young men are the
holy angels and the six attendants are the greatest amongst them. The different
kinds of stones are the saints and the sinners, ranging from the polished and
tight-fitting ones being the clergy who act in unity and the stones cast away
being those not saved due to their sins. Some stones are found acceptable and
others are set aside for a time for various reasons until they become useful
for building. The various types of
stones are:
1. There are square
stones which are the apostles, bishops, etc. who have been faithful, peaceful
and cooperative.
2. The stones dragged
from the depths and are in the building are those who have suffered for
Christ's sake.
3. Other stones
dragged from the land and fitted into the building without polishing are those
who the Lord has found to be righteous.
4. There are some
being brought and placed in the building. They are young in the faith but
righteous.
5. Who are the ones
that are rejected? These are the ones that have sinned and need to repent if
they are to be used.
6. There are some
thrown far away. "They are the sons of iniquity, and they believed in
hypocrisy, and wickedness did not depart from them."[5]
7. There were other
stones lying around not going into the building. "Those which are rough
are those who have known the truth and not remained in it, nor have they been
joined to the saints."[6]
8. There are some who have rents and are
shortened. These stones include those
who are not at peace with one another and some who have lots of sin in their
lives but not entirely.
9. There are some that
are white and round and do not fit into the building. "These are those who
have faith indeed, but they have also the riches of this world. When,
therefore, tribulation comes, on account of their riches and business they deny
the Lord.”[7] When they have been "circumscribed"
they will be useful.
Hermas asks the lady
if repentance is possible for those who have been discarded and cast away. “Repentance,”
said she, “is yet possible, but in this tower they cannot find a suitable
place. But in another and much inferior place they will be laid, and that, too,
only when they have been tortured and completed the days of their sins."[8]
The woman points out that
there are seven women around the tower, supporting it: Faith, Self-restraint,
Simplicity, Guilelessness, Chastity, Intelligence, and Love. Each is the
daughter of the prior. Hermas is
commanded to speak the words of this revelation to the saints. Hermas wanted to
know why the woman appeared very old to him in the first vision and
progressively younger in the others that followed. After praying for this to be
revealed and fasting, a young man appeared to him and explained that the age of
the woman, that is the Church, was a reflection of his spirituality and
strength.
[1] Schaff, Philip (2009-06-08). Ante-Nicene
Fathers Volume 2 - Enhanced Version (Early Church Fathers) (Kindle Locations
510-511). Christian Classics Ethereal Library. Kindle Edition.
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