“These also are holy angels of the Lord, but the former six are more excellent than these.
The building of the tower will be finished,94 and all will rejoice together around the tower,
and they will glorify God, because the tower is finished.” I asked her, saying, “Lady, I should
like to know what became of the stones, and what was meant by the various kinds of stones?”
In reply she said to me, “Not because you are95 more deserving than all others that this
revelation should be made to you—for there are others before you, and better than you, to
whom these visions should have been revealed—but that the name of God may be glorified,
has the revelation been made to you, and it will be made on account of the doubtful who
ponder in their hearts whether these things will be or not. Tell them that all these things are
true, and that none of them is beyond the truth. All of them are firm and sure, and established
on a strong foundation.”
Chap. V.
“Hear now with regard to the stones which are in the building. Those square white
stones which fitted exactly into each other, are apostles, bishops, teachers, and deacons, who
have lived in godly purity, and have acted as bishops and teachers and deacons chastely and
reverently to the elect of God. Some of them have fallen asleep, and some still remain alive.96
And they have always agreed with each other, and been at peace among themselves,97 and
listened to each other. On account of this, they join exactly into the building of the tower.”
“But who are the stones that were dragged from the depths, and which were laid into the
building and fitted in with the rest of the stones previously placed in the tower?” “They are
those98 who suffered for the Lord’s sake.” “But I wish to know, O Lady, who are the other
stones which were carried from the land.” “Those,” she said, “which go into the building
without being polished, are those whom God has approved of, for they walked in the straight
ways of the Lord and practiced His commandments.” “But who are those who are in the act
of being brought and placed in the building?” “They are those who are young in faith and
are faithful. But they are admonished by the angels to do good, for no iniquity has been
found in them.” “Who then are those whom they rejected and cast away?”99 “These are they
who have sinned, and wish to repent. On this account they have not been thrown far from
the tower, because they will yet be useful in the building, if they repent. Those then who are
to repent, if they do repent, will be strong in faith, if they now repent while the tower is
building. For if the building be finished, there will not be more room for any one, but he
94 The building. When therefore the building of the tower is finished, all.—Vat.
95 Not because you are better. Are you better?—Vat. [See note 90 on 2 Cor. xii. 1-11, preceding chapter.]
96 [1 Cor. xv. 6, 18.]
97 [Phil. ii. 2, iii. 16; 1 Thess v. 13.]
98 Are those. They are those who have alreay fallen asleep, and who suffered.—Vat.
99 Cast away. Placed near the tower.—Vat.
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Vision Third. Concerning the Building of the Triumphant Church, and the…