Article Fourteen: Convincing Proofs
Sins of the Presidents!
The leaders of our people have risen up, and have forsaken the law and have boasted of their iniquity.
They acquired good things, but greed overcame them.
يقرضون بالربا ويأخذون الفائدة. ليس من يذكر ما قد كُتب: “لا تأخذ منه ربا ولا مرابحة” (لا 25: 36). وقيل: “من أراد أن يسكن في خيمته الرب لا يعطي فضة بالربا” (راجع مز 15: 1، 5). كما قيل عنه لا يعمل النجاسات التي يعددها حزقيال فيرضي الرب عنه: “ولم يعط بالربا، ولم يأخذ مرابحة” (حز 18: 8).
There are people in this age who act violently and distort judgment, who show partiality and acquit the guilty and condemn the innocent; who love the rich and hate the poor, who feed themselves and show favor to the sheep. Blinded by the world, they love bribes and reject the truth. [65].]
True love
If a brother meets his brother, he turns his face away and refuses to greet him (perhaps for fear that he might be harmed or lose his position). If he meets an evil pagan, he approaches him and greets him first.
If a rich, wicked, sinful man meets us, we kneel before him and greet him. But we do not greet our brothers and dear ones. The evil one (Satan) with his envy prevents us from doing so. While our Lord commands us: Love one another. And the blessed Apostle urges us to love. [66].]
Warning to priests and ministers!
[أعزاؤنا، كان من الضروري لنا أن نكتب هذه الأشياء لنُذَكر أنفسنا ونُذَكركم أيضًا، لأننا أهملنا خدمة القدوس، فحصل لنا هذا كله في الزمن الحاضر. ولأننا لا نكرمه صرنا للهزء أمام أعدائنا، واُحتقرنا، وذلك كما كُتب: “الذين يحتقرونني يصغرون” (1 صم 2: 30) [67].]
The danger of greed in the lives of priests!
All this earth and all this paradise are not enough for the greed that has entered Adam. كان يحترق بالشهوة فأخذ وأكل من الشجرة التي أُمر ألا يأكل منها…
Stoning Achan For the lust of greed, he was stoned and destroyed from among his people.
and the two evil priests Son of Ali Greed made them lose their lives.
greed King Saul The chosen one of the people - because of what the Lord had forbidden him to do before Abimelech, so he fell from his glory, and his kingdom was taken away from him.
I crave Ahab son of Omri, king of Israel, honored Naboth and took him, and he fell in battle at Ramoth-gilead.
And my egoElisha's disciple, greed made him leprous.
Greed has killed many and deprived them of life.
greed is not satisfied Judas IscariotOne of the twelve, he stole, and even went so far as to take the price of the precious man’s blood. In his greed, he separated himself from his fellow disciples.
And conquer greed Hanania, The miracle appeared when he fell at the feet of the apostles (Acts 5:1-11) [68].]
Greed is not satisfied by the whole world.
As for For kings They are not satisfied with all their peoples and tongues, nor is each one of them content with his own region. They gather armies, declare war, destroy cities, and plunder other regions. They take captives and possess, but nothing is enough for them. They toil and labor to learn war. They tear down fortresses, and hunt men. They ascend and reach the peaks, and descend into the valleys, but their greed is never satisfied or satisfied.
When wealth increases, greed increases, and when good things overflow, greed becomes stronger.
The poor man is content with daily bread, but the rich man cares about the years in which he is not alive.
A patched garment is enough for the poor, while a garment of every fancy and every region makes the greedy person seem naked.
The bed of the poor is placed on the floor, and that is enough for him. The bed of the rich is bright beds and furniture of every kind, and that is too little for the sake of greed.
The poor man drinks water to quench his thirst, and the rich man drinks aged wine and remains thirsty.
The rich possess gold and silver; for them they stumble and for them they fight.
Sleep flees from all lovers of greed, but the bed of the poor is quiet and comfortable.
The poor man thinks of breaking his bread for the needy, and the rich man looks forward to hitting those who are weaker than him.
Blessed is he who does not serve the lordship of the belly. Blessed is the man who is not overcome by greed. Blessed is the man who meditates on the knowledge by which the roots of greed are cut off. [69].]
[Our dear ones, you know from what we have written to you that it is because of greed that hatred and envy have appeared among those who adhere to the law and are in power among our people. [70].]
Our Savior is the head of the shepherds!
Jesus our Savior is the chief shepherd. He is a light in the darkness, a lamp on a stand, enlightening the world and purifying sins.
He is the beautiful pearl, and we are the merchants, we sell what we have and buy it.
It is a treasure in a field, when we find it we rejoice and buy it.
He is the fountain of life, we who are thirsty drink from him.
He is the table full of richness and satiety, and we, the hungry, eat and enjoy.
It is the door of the kingdom open to all who enter.
It is the joyful wine that the weeping ones drink and forget their illnesses.
It is the glorious garment and dress that all the victors wear.
He is the tower on which many were built. We count the cost and complete it.
He is the Bridegroom, the Apostles are His friends, and we are His Bride. Let us prepare the wedding gift.
He is the ladder that ascends to the heights, so that we may work and strive with it towards His Father.
It is a narrow little road, let us hurry on it and reach the port.
He is the priest and servant of the sanctuary, and we work to be sons of his house.
He is the great and noble king, who went to take his kingdom (Luke 19:14).
لنكرم ضعفه ليشركنا في عظمته…
It is the love that bears many fruits. When it was planted, it was small, and it became a strong tree.
He is the firstborn son and the son of Mary, so let us accept his weakness and he will make us happy with his greatness.
He is the one who suffered and came back to life and ascended to heaven. Let us truly believe in him and accept his coming. He is the judge of the dead and the living who sits on a throne and judges the tribes. [71].]
Priesthood Dignity: Seniority or Fear of the Lord?
In our time, we do not find anyone asking: Who is he who fears the Lord? Rather, who is the first to lay hands on him?
If they say: So-and-so is more senior, they say to him: It is fitting for you to sit at the head of the table. And no one remembers the words of the Savior when he gave woe to the scribes and Pharisees. [72].]
Titles do not save us from death
[يا إخوتنا، لا تُدخلنا الألقاب إلي الحياة، ولا تنجينا من الموت، كما لم تنجِّ ناداب وأبيهو (الكاهنين)…
With titles you seek good deeds, because deeds without titles save those who do them. And titles without good deeds are of no use or benefit. [73].]
Shepherd, don't be arrogant!
O shepherd who does not know his own dignity, who are you to judge a servant who is not yours? For if he stands, he stands, for his Lord; and if he falls, he falls, for his Lord; but he will surely stand. If you cannot justify yourself, why do you continually sin?
إن كنت تتشامخ عليَّ بضميرك وتقول: “أنا معلم وملك عليك، فإن لم أقبل ذلك تضعني في القيود، كيف تعلمني التواضع، وأنت تتشامخ وتتباهي وتنتفخ؟
كيف تعلمني، قائلاً: “أحبوا بعضكم بعضًا، وأنت مملوء بغضًا وغضبًا؟
كيف تعلمني، قائلاً: “إن أخذ أحد مالك فلا تطالبه به”، وأنت تطلب ما هو لك وتأخذ فائدة؟
How can you teach me chastity, when you are corrupt, talkative and arrogant?
كيف تعلمني أن أترك هذا العالم، وأنت ساقط فيه ومختنق؟…
How do you teach me to forgive what is in my heart, while you keep old leaven inside you?
How do you teach me to be at peace with my brother, while you are confusing the wide world? [74]]
Article Seventeen: On Christ, the Son of God
Purpose of the article
[هذا رد على اليهود الذين يكَّفرون الشعب المجتمع من بين الأمم، قائلين: “تعبدون وتخدمون إنسانًا مولودًا، ابن إنسان قد صلب، وتدعون ابن البشر الله. وإذ ليس لله ابن تقولون عن هذا المصلوب، يسوع، أنه ابن الله”. ويقدمون الحجة بأن الله قال: “أنا هو الله، وليس إله معي” (راجع تث 32: 19). وأيضًا: “لا تسجد لإله آخر” (خر 34: 14). يقولون: إنكم تقاومون الله بدعوتكم لإنسانٍ أنه الله [75].]
Names of God in Hebrew
[يُعطى اسم اللاهوت للكرامة الأسمى في العالم، والذي به يُسر الله، ويطبقه على نفسه. لكن على أي الأحوال أسماء الله كثيرة ومكرمة، وقد سلم أسماءه لموسى، قائلاً له: “أنا إله آبائك، إله إبراهيم وإله اسحق وإله يعقوب” هذا هو اسمي إلى الأبد، وهذه هي تذكار عبر الأجيال”. ودعا اسمه أهيه الذي هو أهيه Ahiyah ashar Ahiya، الشاداي El-Shaddai، وأدوناي صباؤوت Adonai Sabaoth (تك 17: 1؛ خر 3:14؛ إر 32: 18). بهذه الأسماء دُعي الله [76].]
Prophecies about Christ
We must provide proof that Jesus was promised in advance by the prophets from ancient times, and that he was called the Son of God.
He said David: “أنت ابني، وأنا اليوم ولدتك” (مز 2: 7). وأيضًا: “من بهاء المقدس، من الرحم ولدتك صبيًا منذ القدم” (مز 110: 3 الترجمة السريانية بشيتا أو البسيطة).
He said Isaiah: “يُولد لنا ولد، ونُعطي ابنًا، وتكون الرياسة على كتفه، ويُدعي اسمه عجيبًا مشيرًا إلهًا قديرًا أبًا أبديًا رئيس السلام. لنمو رياسته ولسلامة لا نهاية” (إش 9: 6-7).
لذلك أخبرني يا معلم إسرائيل الحكيم من هو هذا الذي وُلد واسمه ولد، وابن عجيب ومشير، وإله كل الأجيال القدير، ورئيس السلام، والذي لرئاسته نمو ولسلامه ليس من نهاية؟ فإن دعونا المسيح ابن الله، فإن داود هو الذي علمنا هذا، وإن دعوناه الله فقد سمعنا هذا من إشعياء. أما الرئاسة التي على كتفه، فلأنه حمل صليبه وخرج من أورشليم. وأما أنه وُلد كطفل، فقد قال إشعياء أيضًا: “ها العذراء تحبل وتلد ابنًا، وتدعو اسمه عمانوئيل، الذي تفسيره الله معنا” (إش 7: 14؛ مت 1: 23) [77].]
[And if you say that Christ has not yet come, I present this to you for your stubbornness. It is written that when He comes, the nations will expect Him (Gen. 49:10 LXX and Syriac Peshitto). Behold, I am one of the nations who heard that Christ was coming. Before He came, I believed in Him beforehand, and through Him I serve the God of Israel. When He comes, will He blame me for believing in Him before His coming?
But you fool, the prophets will not let you say Christ has not yet come to me.
Daniel يوبخك قائلاً: “وبعد اثنين وستين أسبوعًا يأتي المسيا ويُقتل، وفي مجيئه تخرب المدينة المقدسة، وتكون نهايتها الجرف، وإلي أن تتم هذه الأقوال تبقي في دمارها (دا 9: 26-27). وأنت تنتظر وترجو أن المسيح عندما يجيء يجمع إسرائيل معًا من كل مكانٍ، فتُبني أورشليم وتسكن مرة أخرى. لكن دانيال يشهد بأنه إذ يأتي المسيح ويُقتل، تخرب أورشليم وتبقى على خرابها إلي الأبد، حتى تتم هذه الكلمات.
As for the sufferings of Christ, he said: David: “ثقبوا يديّ ورجليّ، فصرخت كل عظامي. وهم ينظرون ويتفرسون فيّ. اقتسموا ثيابي بينهم، وعلى لباسي ألقوا القرعة” (مز 22: 17-19).
He said Isaiah: “يعرف عبدي ويتجلى ويرفع ويندهش منه كثيرون. أما هذا الإنسان فمنظره كان مفسدًا أكثر من الرجل، وصورته أكثر من بني آدم” (إش 52: 13-14). كما قال: “يُطهر أممًا كثيرين، فيذهل منه أجله ملوك” (إش 25: 15). كما قال في هذا المقطع: “صـعد كولدٍ أمامي، وكعرقٍ (جذعٍ) من أرض يابسة” (إش 35: 2). وفي نهاية العبارة قال: “هو مجروح (مقتول) لأجل معاصينا، مسحوق لأجل آثامنا، تأديب سلامنا عليه وبحُبره شفينا” (إش 35: 5).
By what wounds was humanity healed? David was not killed, he died in a good old age, and was buried in Bethlehem.
وإن قالوا أنه يتحدث عن شاول بقوله أن شاول قُتل على جبال جلبوع في معركة مع الفلسطينيين (1 صم 31: 4). وإن قالوا ثقبوا يديه ورجليه حين علقوا جسمه على سور بيت شأن (1 صم 31: 10)، فهذا لم يتم في شاول. عندما ثقبوا أعضاء شاول لم تشعر عظامه بالألم لأنه كان قد مات. بعد موته علقوا جثته وجثث بنيه على سور بيت شأن. حين قال داود: “ثقبوا يديّ ورجليّ، فصرخت عظامي”، قال بعدها العبارة التالية: “أما أنت يا الله أسرع إلي معونتي، أنقذ من السيف نفسي” (مز 22: 19-20).
الآن المسيح خلص من السيف، وصعد من الجحيم، وقام حيًا في اليوم الثالث، وبقي الله (الآب) في عونه، أما شاول فدعا الله ولم يستجب له. سأله خلال الأنبياء ولم يُعطَ له جواب. تخفى وسأل العرافين عندئذ عرف أن سيُغلب من الفلسطينيين، ويقتل نفسه بسيفه، إذ أدرك أن المعركة قد بلغت به إلي الهزيمة. أضف إلي ذلك قال داود العبارة التالية: “أخبر باسمك إخوتي، في وسط الجماعة أسبحك” (مز 22: 2). كيف يمكن أن تتحقق هذه الأمور في شاول؟ مرة أخرى قال داود: “لن تدع قدوسك يرى فسادًا” (مز 16: 10). هذه كلها تنطبق على المسيح.
When he came to them, they did not receive him, but they condemned him in an evil way with false witnesses. He was hung on a tree with his own hands, and his hands and feet were pierced with the nails which they had fastened, so that his bones cried out. On that day a great wonder was done, that the light became darkness in the middle of the day, as he had predicted. Zachariah: “ويكون يوم معروف للرب، لا نهار ولا ليل، بل يحدث أنه في وقت المساء يكون نور” (زك 14: 7). ما هو اليوم الذي يتميز بأعجوبة، والذي ليس بنهارٍ ولا ليلٍ، وفي وسط المساء كان نور؟ حتمًا الذي فيه صلبوه، ففي وسط هذا اليوم حلت ظلمة، وفي المساء نور [78].]
[نسجد لتلك المراحم، وننحني بركبنا أمام عظمة أبيه الذي أعاد عبادتنا له. ندعوه الله كما دُعي موسى (إله)، والبكر، والابن كما إسرائيل، ويسوع مثل يشوع بن نون، والكاهن كهرون، والنبي العظيم ككل الأنبياء، والراعي مثل الرعاة الذين رعوا إسرائيل وقادوه… لقد قال لنا: “أنا هو الراعي الصالح، الباب ، الطريق، الكرمة، الزارع، العريس، اللؤلؤة، الحمل، النور، الملك، الله، المخلص والفادي”، And by many names he surpasses the name [79].]
Article 20: Helping the Poor
[(In the parable of the rich man and the poor Lazarus) The poor man who was lying at his door is like our Savior. He desired to take fruits to deliver to the one who sent him, but no one gave him any. It was said: Dogs came and licked his sores. The dogs who came are the peoples who licked the wounds of our Lord, and took his body and laid it on their eyes. But they are greedy dogs who do not know how to be satisfied, and are unable to escape. Consider these dogs who lick the wounds of this poor man. They were not greedy, otherwise they would have desired the rich man’s table, not to lick the wounds. The prophet said about the Jews: They are dogs طماعة، لا يعرفون أن يشبعوا. وقال داود: “يهرون مثل الكلب ويدورون في المدينة” (مز 59: 7).]
[الغني هو الشعب (اليهودي)، والمسكين هو مخلصنا، وكما كُتب عنه: “أما الرب فُسر بأن يسحقه بالحزن” (إش 35: 10). وقال الرسول: “أنه من أجلكم افتقر وهو غني، لكي تستغنوا أنتم بفقره” (2 كو 8: 9). وقال أيضًا: “أخلى ذاته وأطاع حتى الموت، موت الصليب” (في 2: 8) [80].]
Article Twenty-One: On Persecution
Reason for the article
One day a man called a wise man among the Jews asked me: Jesus, who is called your teacher, wrote that if anyone among you has faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move,’ and it will move from your presence and will rise up and fall into the sea, and it will obey you. (مت 17: 19؛ 21: 22). وواضح أنه ليس في كل شعبكم حكيم واحد تُسمع صلاته، فيسأل الله أن يُبطل المضطهدين لكم. فمن البيَّن أن هذا كتُب لأجلكم: “ليس شيء غير مستطاع لديكم [81]“.]
[وإذ رأيته يجدف وينطق ضد الطريق، اضطرب ذهني، وأدركت أنه لم يعرف تفسير الكلمات التي اقتبسها وقالها لي. عندئذ من جانبي سألته عن أقوال من الناموس والأنبياء، وقلت له: هل تثق أنه حتى عندما تشتتم فإن الله معكم؟… إذ قال لإسرائيل: “حتى في أراضي أعدائكم لا أنساكم، ولا أنكث ميثاقي معكم” (راجع لا 26: 44).
أجبته: “حسنًا ن أسمع هذا منكم أن الله معكم. لكنني أنطق أيضًا بكلمات ضدكم”، إذ يقول النبي لإسرائيل كما من فم الله: “إذا جزت في البحر فأنا معك، وفي الأنهار فلا تغمرك. إذا مشيت في النار فلا تلدغ واللهب لا يُحرقك، لأني أنا الرب إلهك معك” (راجع إش 43: 2-3). هكذا أما يوجد حكيم واحد بينكم بار وصالح من كل الشعب حتى يعبر البحر ويحيا دون أن يغرق، ويجتاز النهر دون أن يغمره، ومن يقدر أن يسير على النار فلا يُلدغ، واللهيب لا يحرقه. وأن قدمت لي شرحًا لا أقبله منك، كما أنت لا تقبل تفسير الكلمات التي سألتني عنها [82].]
[I wrote this article to you, my dear, from the beginning because of a Jewish reproach to our people (that we are persecuted), but now I show you how much I understand that the persecuted receive a great reward, while the persecutors become contemptible and disgraced. [83].]
Jacob the persecuted
Jacob was persecuted, and Esau was persecuted.
Jacob received the blessings and the birthright, while Esau was deprived of both. [84].]
Comparison between the persecuted Jesus and Joseph
Joseph was persecuted, and his brothers were the persecutors. Joseph was glorified, and his persecutors bowed down to him, and his dreams and visions were fulfilled.
Joseph the persecuted was a symbol of Jesus the persecuted.
Joseph was dressed by his father in a shirt of many colors, and Jesus was dressed by his father in a body of the Virgin.
Joseph loved his father more than his brothers, and Jesus is the dear and beloved one of his father.
Joseph saw visions and dreamed dreams, and the visions and prophets were fulfilled in Jesus.
Joseph was a shepherd with his brothers, and Jesus is the chief shepherd.
عندما أرسله أبوه ليفتقد إخوته رأوا يوسف قادمًا وخططوا لقتله، وعندما أرسل الآب يسوع ليفتقد إخوته قالوا: “هذا هو الوارث، هلم نقتله” (مت 21: 38).
Joseph's brothers threw their brother into the pit, but Jesus was brought down by his brothers to live among the dead.
Joseph came up from the pit, and Jesus rose from the dead.
Joseph, after he rose from the pit, had authority over his brothers, and Jesus, after he dwelt among the dead, his father gave him a great and glorious name (Phil. 2:9) so that his brothers would serve him and his enemies would be subdued under his feet.
Joseph, after his brothers recognized him, were ashamed, afraid, and amazed at his greatness. When Jesus comes at the end of time and announces his greatness, his brothers will be ashamed, afraid, and terrified before him because they crucified him.
Moreover, Joseph was sold to Egypt on the advice of Judas, and Jesus was delivered to the Jews by the hands of Judas Iscariot.
When they sold Joseph, his brothers did not answer a word, and Jesus also did not speak or answer the judges who tried him.
Joseph was unjustly handed over to prison by his master, and Jesus was unjustly condemned by his own people.
Joseph gave his two garments, one into the hands of his brothers, and the other into the hand of his master's wife, and Jesus gave his garments and they were divided among the soldiers.
Joseph, when he was thirty years old, stood before Pharaoh and became the master of Egypt, and Jesus, when he was thirty years old, came to the Jordan to be baptized and received the Spirit and went out preaching.
Joseph raised Egypt with bread, and Jesus raised the whole world with the bread of life.
Joseph took the daughter of the wicked and unclean priest as his wife, and Jesus betrothed to himself the church from the unclean nations.
Joseph died and was buried in Egypt, and Jesus died and was buried in Jerusalem.
The bones of Joseph were brought up by his brothers from Egypt, and Jesus was raised by his father from the house of death, and his body was put on and taken up to heaven incorruptible. [85].
Comparison between the persecuted Jesus and Moses
Moses was also persecuted just as Jesus was persecuted.
When Moses was born, they hid him from his persecutors so that they would not kill him, and when Jesus was born, they fled with him to Egypt so that his persecutor Herod would not kill him.
In the days when Moses was born, children were drowned in the river, and when Jesus was born, children in Bethlehem and its environs were killed.
لموسى قال الله: “مات الرجال الذين يطلبون نفسك” (خر 4: 19). وليوسف قال الملاك في مصر: “قم وخذ الصبي وأمه وأذهب إلي أرض إسرائيل، لأنه قد مات الذين كانوا يطلبون نفس الصبي” (مت 2: 20).
Moses brought his people out of the service of Pharaoh, and Jesus delivered the peoples from the service of Satan.
Moses was raised in Pharaoh's house, and Jesus was raised in Egypt when Joseph fled with him there.
Mary stood on the edge of the river when Moses floated on the water, and Mary became pregnant with Jesus when the angel Gabriel gave her the good news.
When Moses slaughtered the lamb, he killed the firstborn of the Egyptians, and Jesus became the true lamb when they crucified him, and with his death the murderous people died.
Moses brought down manna for his people, and Jesus gave his body to the nations.
With the wood, Moses sweetened the bitter waters, and with his cross, Jesus sweetened our bitterness with the wood of the tree of his cross.
Moses gave the law to his people, and Jesus gave his covenants to the nations.
Moses conquered Amalek when he stretched out his hands, and Jesus conquered Satan with the sign of the cross.
Moses brought water out of the rock for his people, and Jesus sent Simon Cephas to carry his teaching among the nations.
Moses removed the veil from his face and spoke to God, and Jesus removed the veil from the faces of the people so that they would hear his teaching and accept him.
Moses laid his hands on his apostles and they received the priesthood, and Jesus laid his hands on his apostles and they received the Holy Spirit.
Moses went up the mountain, died there, and Jesus ascended into heaven, and sat at the right hand of the Father. [86].]
Comparison between the persecuted Jesus and Joshua
Joshua, son of Nun, was persecuted just as Jesus, our Savior, was persecuted.
Joshua the son of Nun was persecuted by unclean peoples, and Jesus our Savior was persecuted by ignorant people.
Joshua, son of Nun, took the inheritance from his persecutors and gave it to his people, and Jesus, our Savior, took the inheritance from his persecutors and gave it to foreign peoples.
Joshua, son of Nun, stopped the sun and the moon and took revenge on the people who persecuted him, and Jesus, our Savior, made the sun set in the middle of the day, to shame the persecuting people who crucified him.
Joshua, son of Nun, distributed the inheritance to his people, and Jesus, our Savior, promised to give the peoples the land of life.
Joshua, son of Nun, gave life to Rahab the harlot, and Jesus our Savior gathered the harlot church and gave it life.
Joshua the son of Nun struck down the walls of Jericho and destroyed them on the seventh day, and on the seventh day of Jesus our Savior, in the house of rest of God, the world will be dissolved and fall (Heb. 4:8).
Joshua, son of Nun, stoned Achan, who had stolen what was forbidden, and Jesus, our Savior, separated Judas from his fellow disciples, because he had stolen from the bag of the poor.
Joshua bin Nun died and delivered the testimony to his people (Joshua 24:22), and when Jesus Christ our Savior ascended, he delivered the testimony to his apostles (Mark 16:14; Matthew 28:18). [87].]
Purpose of the article
[هذه الذكريات التي أكتبها إليك يا عزيزي بخصوص يسوع الذي أُضطهِد، والأبرار الذين اُضطهِدوا هي من أجل الذين يُضطهدون اليوم من أجل يسوع المُضطهَد، فيستريحون. فقد كتب لنا وأراحنا بنفسه: “إن كانوا قد اضطهدوني فسيضطهدونكم أيضًا. يضطهدونكم لأنكم لستم من العالم كما أني أنا لست من العالم” (راجع يو 19:15، 20؛ 14:17) [88].]
The Twenty-Second Article on Death and the End Times
Our hope after death!
The righteous, the upright, the good, and the wise do not fear death or dread it, because of the great hope set before them. They always think about death, about their departure, and about the last day on which the sons of Adam will be judged. [89].]
Sultan of death before Moses
[يعرف (الصالحون) أنه إذ صدر الحكم بسبب عصيان آدم ملك الموت، وكما يقول الرسول: “ملك الموت من آدم إلى موسى، وذلك على الذين لم يخطئوا. هكذا اجتاز الموت إلى بني آدم” (رو 14:5، 12) [90].]
Moses preached the resurrection
Death passed to all people (Rom. 12:5), passed from Moses to the end of the world. However, Moses preached that his kingdom would be abolished.
When Adam transgressed the commandment, he passed the sentence of death on to his children. Death hoped to bind all the children of man and reign over them forever. But when Moses came to announce the resurrection, death knew that his kingdom was ending. Moses said: “ليحيىَ رأوبين ولا يمت…” (تث 6:33).
وعندما دعا القدوس موسى من العليقة قال له: “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” (خر 6:3). وإذ سمع الموت هذا النطق ارتعد وخاف وارتعب وقلق، وعرف أنه لا يكون ملكًا على أبناء آدم إلى الأبد. منذ الساعة التي سمع الموت الله يقول لموسى: “أنا إله إبراهيم واسحق ويعقوب” صار يضرب بيديه، وتعلم أن الله هو ملك الأموات والأحياء. وأنه قد عُين لبني آدم أن يخرجوا من ظلمته، ويقوموا بأجسادهم. لاحظ أن يسوع مخلصنا قد ردد ذات المنطوق في حوار الصدوقيين معه عن قيامة الأموات، قائلاً هكذا: “ليس هو إله أموات، لأن الجميع عنده أحياء” (لو 38:20) [91].]
Preaching the abolition of the power of death!
And so that God may make death know that his power over the children of the world will not last forever, Enoch was transferred to him. (Gen. 24:5), for he was pleased with him, and made him not to die.
once again Elijah ascended to heaven, Death had no power over him.
وأيضًا حنة قالت: “The Lord kills and gives life” (1 صم 6:2). علاوة على هذا قال موسى كما على فم الله: “أنا أُميت وأحيي” (تث 39:32).
مرة أخرى قال إشعياء: “تحيا أمواتك، تقوم الجثث. استيقظوا، ترنموا يا نائمين في التراب” (إش 19:26).
When death heard all this, he was astonished and sat down sadly. [92].]
By death Jesus trampled death!
When Jesus came, the killer of death, and clothed himself in the body of the offspring of Adam, and was crucified in his body, and tasted death, and when death realized that he had come to him, he was terrified in his place, and was disturbed when he saw Jesus. He had closed his doors and did not want to meet him. Then he broke open his doors and entered him and robbed him of his spoils.
And when the dead saw light in the darkness, they lifted up their heads from the bondage of death and looked up and saw the majesty of the Messiah the King. Then the powers of darkness sat in mourning, for the power of death was taken from them.
ذاق الموت الدواء القاتل له، وسقطت يداه، وتعلم أن الأموات سيقومون ويهربون من سلطانه. وإذ أصاب (يسوع) الموت بسلبه ممتلكاته ولول وصرخ عاليًا في مرارة، قائلاً: “ابعد عن مملكتي، لا تدخلها. من هو هذا الحي الذي يدخل عالمي؟”
And as death cried out in terror (as he saw the darkness beginning to pass away and some of the righteous who had fallen asleep rose to ascend with him), he realized that when he comes in the fullness of time, all those imprisoned will come out from under his power and go to see the light.
So when Jesus completed his ministry among the dead, death cast him out of his kingdom, and did not allow him to remain in it. He considered that it was not pleasing to devour him like the rest of the dead, since he had no power over the Holy One, and could not bring corruption upon him. [93].]
The divine promise of death
[When death eagerly took him out, Jesus left the kingdom of death, and left with him poison, which is the promise of life, so that his power would gradually disappear.
وكما أن الإنسان متى أخذ سمًا في الطعام الذي يُعطى للحياة، ويدرك في نفسه أنه أكل سمًا في الطعام، يتقيأ الطعام المختلط بالسم من بطنه، لكن تبقى فاعلية السم عاملة في أعضائه، حتى ينحل كيان الجسم قليلاً قليلاً ويفسد. هكذا موت يسوع أبطل الموت، إذ به تملك الحياة، ويبطل الموت، هذا الذي يُقال له: “أين غلبتك يا موت؟” (1 كو 55:15) [94].]
Think of death, remember life!
Therefore, O sons of Adam, over whom death reigns, think of death and remember life, and do not transgress the commandment like your first father.
O crowned kings, remember that death, which will take away the crowns placed on your heads, will be king over you until the time comes when you will stand for judgment.
يا أيها المتعالون والمتكبرون والمتعجرفون، تذكروا الموت، الذي سيحطم تعاليكم ويحل أعضاءكم ويفك المفاصل ويحل الفساد بالجسم وكل أشكاله. بالموت ينحط المتعالون، والعنفاء القساة يُدفنون في ظلمته…
O ye greedy, rapacious, and despoiling fellows, remember death, and multiply not your sins. For in that place sinners do not repent, and he who robs his fellow man of his property does not even possess his own money, but goes to the place where wealth is not used, and becomes nothing, his dignity expresses it, and his sins remain to stand against him on the day of judgment. [95].]
The righteous after death!
In that place they forget this world. There they are not in want; they love each other intensely.
There is no heaviness in their bodies, but they fly lightly like doves to their nests (Isa. 60:8).
لا يتذكرون الشر إطلاقًا في أفكارهم، ولا يثور دنس في قلوبهم. في ذلك المكان ليس من شهوة طبيعية، إذ يُفطمون من كل الشهوات. لا يثور غضب ولا فسق في قلوبهم، منزوع عنهم ما يمكن أن يوًّلد خطايا…
هناك لا يُقًّسم الميراث، ولا يقول أحد لرفيقه: “هذا لي، وهذا لك”…
هناك لا يتزوجون نساءً ولا ينجبون أطفالاً، ولا تمييز بين ذكر وأنثى، بل يصير الكل أبناء أبيهم الذي في السماوات، وكما يقول النبي: “أليس أب واحد لكلنا؟ أليس إله واحد خلقنا؟” (مل 10:2) [96].]
There is no sex after death!
[أما بخصوص ما قلته أنه سوف لا تكون زوجات، ولا تمييز بين ذكر وأنثى، فقد علمنا ربنا ورسله هذا. “الذين حُسبوا أهلاً للحصول على ذلك الدهر والقيامة من الأموات لا يكون لهم نساء ولا يصير للنساء رجالاً، إذ لا يستطيعون أن يموتوا أيضًا، لأنهم مثل الملائكة في السماء، وهم أبناء الله” (راجع لو 35:20 – 36). وقال الرسول: “ليس عبد ولا حر؛ ليس ذكر وأنثى، لأنكم جميعًا واحد في المسيح يسوع” (غل 28:3) [97].]
What no eye has seen!
[هناك “ما لم ترَ عين، ولم تسمع أذن، ولم يخطر على قلب إنسان” (راجع 1 كو 9:2)، الأمور غير المنطوق بها التي لا يقدر إنسان أن يتكلم عنها. قال الرسول: “ما أعده الله للذين يحبونه” (1 كو 9:2). إذ يكثر الناس الحديث لكنهم عاجزون عن التعبير عنه. لا يقدرون أن يقصون ما لا تستطيع العين أن تراه. ولا يحق الحديث عما لم تسمعه الأذن حتى تقارنه بما تسمعه الأذن وتراه العين وما لا يخطر على القلب. من يجسر ويتكلم عنه كما لو كان مثل أي شيء يخطر على القلب؟
But it is fitting for the speaker to use a simile, and to call that place the dwelling place of God, the place of life, the place of perfection, the place of light, the place of glory, the Sabbath of God, the day of rest, the rest of the righteous, the joy of the just, the dwelling place of the righteous and the saints, the place of our hope, the safe house of our confidence, the place of our treasure, the place that banishes our anxiety, takes away our sorrows, and quenches our sighs. We may thus liken it, and thus call that place. [98].]
Prisoners of death!
[مرة أخرى، يقتاد الموت ملوكًا ومؤسسي مدنًا، قد تشددوا بالأبهة، ويأخذهم إليه. إنه لا يترك سادة الدول. يقود الموت لنفسه ويأسر الطماعين الذين لا يشبعون ولا يقولوا “كفي”. إنه يطمع فيهم أكثر من طمعهم هم! [99]]
The death crusher will come!
The Giver of Life, the Destroyer of Death, will come and destroy its power over the righteous and the wicked. The dead will rise with a mighty cry, and death will be emptied and all its captives will be taken away.
All the children of Adam will be gathered together for judgment, and each one will go to the place prepared for him. The righteous who are risen will go to life, and the sinners who are risen will be delivered up to death. [100].]
Degrees of glory!
[اسمع الرسول القائل: “كل واحدٍ سيأخذ أجرته بحسب تعبه” (1 كو 8:3). من تعب قليلاً ينال حسب كسله، ومن كان مُسرعًا يُكافأ حسب سرعته. قال أيوب (أليهو): “حاشا لله من الشر، وله من الخطية! لأنه يجازي الإنسان على فعله، ويُنيل الرجل كطريقه” (أي 10:34 – 11). ويقول أيضًا الرسول: “لأن نجمًا يمتاز عن نجمٍ في المجد، هكذا أيضًا قيامة الأموات” (1 كو 41:15 – 42).
Therefore, know that even if a man enters into life, his reward is higher than his reward, his glory is higher than his glory, and his light is better than his light. The sun is superior to the moon, and the moon is greater than the stars that are with it. And note that the moon and the stars are also under the power of the sun, and their light is swallowed up by the splendor of the sun. [101].]
Degrees of punishment
[أيضًا بالنسبة للعقوبة أقول أنه لا يكون كل الناس متساوين. من صنع شرورًا أعظم يُعذب أكثر. ومن لم يعصِ كثيرًا عذاباته أقل. البعض يذهبون إلى الظلمة الخارجية حيث البكاء وصرير الأسنان (مت 12:7). وآخرون يُلقون في النار حسب استحقاقهم، إذ لم يُكتب عنهم أنهم يصرون بأسنانهم، ولا أنه توجد ظلمة هناك. والبعض يُلقون في موضع آخر حيث دودهم لا يموت، ونارهم لا تنطفئ، ويصيرون دهشةً لكل ذي جسد (إش 24:66). وفي وجه آخرين يُغلق الباب، ويقول لهم الديان: “لست أعرفكم” (مت 12:25).
Consider then that just as the reward for good works is not equal for all men, so also for evil works. Not all are judged in the same way, but each one will receive his reward according to his works, for the Judge is clothed in righteousness, and shows no partiality. [102].]
Conclusion
These twelve articles are written according to the (Syriac) alphabet. [103].]
[These things are written as they have come to me. But if anyone reads these articles and finds words that do not agree with his thoughts, he must not despise them. For what is written in these chapters is not written according to the mind of one man, nor to persuade the reader, but according to the mind of the whole Church, and to exhort all to the faith. [104].]
Article Twenty-Two on grape tuft
The door has opened
[بالحقيقة إذ أعطى الإنسان الأول أذنه وأنصت للحية، صدر عليه حكم اللعنة، به صار طعامًا للحية، واجتازت اللعنة إلى كل نسله… لكن بابًا قد انفتح لطلب السلام، به رُفعت الغشاوة عن عقل الجموع، وبزغ النور في العقل، وأثمرت الزيتونة المتلألئة، التي حملت علامة سرّ الحياة. هذه التي بها صار المسيحيون كاملين، كما الكهنة والملوك والأنبياء. إنها تنير الظلمة، وتمسح المرضى، وتقود التائبين إلى سرها الخفي [105].]
Great is the gift that the Good One has given us!
[عظيمة هي العطية التي قدمها لنا الصالح. بينما لم يُلزمنا قهرًا، بالرغم من خطايانا يريد أن يبررنا. وبينما لا يستعين بأي حال بأعمالنا الصالحة يشفينا لكي نكون في نظره موضع سرور. وعندما لا نريد أن نسأله يغضب منا. إنه يدعونا على الدوام: “اسألوا تعطوا، اطلبوا تجدوا” ( مت 7: 7؛ لو 11: 9) [106].]
Let's acknowledge his greatness!
[God is one, and we must acknowledge His greatness, worship Him, praise Him, exalt Him, honor Him, sanctify Him, and glorify Him. For we truly know this through Jesus, our Son, our Savior, who chose us and brought us near to Him. Through Him we know Him and become His worshipers, a people, a church, and a holy assembly. Glory and honor to the Father, and to His Son, and to His living and holy Spirit, from the mouths of all who praise Him, whether above or below. Let this be forever in eternity and be [107].]
Practical atheism
If a person acknowledges that God is one, but transgresses His commandments and does not act in accordance with them, then his acknowledgment is not true. [108].]
[65] Demonstrations, 14: 3.
[66] Demonstrations, 14:14.
[67] Demonstrations, 14: 21.
[68] Demonstrations, 14: 23.
[69] Demonstrations, 14: 24.
[70] Demonstrations, 14: 25.
[71] Demonstrations, 14: 25.
[72] Demonstrations, 14:25.
[73] Demonstrations, 14: 25.
[74] Demonstrations, 14:26.
[75] Demonstrations, 17:1.
[76] Demonstrations, 17:5.
[77] Demonstrations, 17: 9.
[78] Demonstrations, 17: 10.
[79] Demonstrations, 17: 11.
[80] Demonstrations, 20: 9.
[81] Demonstrations, 21: 1.
[82] Demonstrations, 21: 2.
[83] Demonstrations, 21: 8.
[84] Demonstrations, 21: 9.
[85] Demonstrations, 21: 9.
[86] Demonstrations, 21: 10.
[87] Demonstrations, 21: 11.
[88] Demonstrations, 21:21.
[89] Demonstrations, 22:1.
[90] Demonstrations, 22:1.
[91] Demonstrations, 22:2.
[92] Demonstrations, 22:3.
[93] Demonstrations, 22:4.
[94] Demonstrations, 22:4.
[95] Demonstrations, 22:6.
[96] Demonstrations, 22:12.
[97] Demonstrations, 22:13.
[98] Demonstrations, 22:13 (Of Death and the Latter Times).
[99] Demonstrations, 22:14 (Of Death and the Latter Times).
[100] Demonstrations, 22:15 (Of Death and the Latter Times).
[101] Demonstrations, 22:19 (Of Death and the Latter Times).
[102] Demonstrations, 22:22 (Of Death and the Latter Times).
[103] Demonstrations, 22:25 (Of Death and the Latter Times).
[104] Demonstrations, 22:26 (Of Death and the Latter Times).
[105] Demonstrations, 23:3.
[106] Demonstrations, 23:48.
[107] Demonstrations, 23:61.
[108] Demonstrations, 23:62.