Job 约伯

你可以想象这幅画; 约伯坐在地上，他的三个朋友控告约伯; 一定在什么地方犯了罪，或是约伯的儿女犯了罪......
所以当知道神追讨你比你罪该得的还少(约伯11:6)
在他们的上面 撒旦在监看，在更高的地方; 耶和华和天使在观看
撒旦的目的就是要约伯 咒骂神，对神抱怨，以口犯罪

攻击约伯的三个朋友不是外人，都是宗教分子，代表那些读过圣经，读过神学院的人，甚至是教师,传道人,牧师

2:11 约伯的三个朋友─提幔人以利法Eliphaz、书亚人比勒达Bildad、拿玛人琐法Zophar 听说有这一切的灾祸临到他身上，各人就从本处约会同来，为他悲伤，安慰他。
2:12 他们远远地举目观看，认不出他来，就放声大哭。各人撕裂外袍，把尘土向天扬起来，落在自己的头上。
2:13 他们就同他七天七夜坐在地上，
[kjv] So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights,
一个人也不向他说句话，因为他极其痛苦。
没有一个人向他说句话，因为他们看到他极其痛苦。
and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.

以利法Eliphaz对约伯的攻击:
22:5 你的罪恶岂不是大吗？
[kjv] Is not thy wickedness great?
你的罪也没有穷尽；
[ESV] There is no end to your iniquities.
22:6 因你无故强取弟兄的物为当头，
[NLT] you lent money to your friend and demanded clothing as security.,
剥去贫寒人的衣服。
[kjv] and stripped the naked of their clothing.
22:7 困乏的人，你没有给他水喝；
[kjv] Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink,
饥饿的人，你没有给他食物。
[NIV]and you withheld food from the hungry,
22:9 你打发寡妇空手回去，
[kjv] Thou hast sent widows away empty,
折断孤儿的膀臂。
and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.
22:10 因此，有网罗环绕你，有恐惧忽然使你惊惶； 
[kjv] Therefore snares are round about thee, and sudden fear troubleth thee; 
.....................
22:21你要认识神，就得平安；福气也必临到你。
22:22你当领受他口中的教训...... 

约伯的回答：
31:16 我若不容贫寒人得其所愿，
[kjv] If I have withheld the poor from their desire,
或叫寡妇眼中失望
or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;
31:17 或独自吃我一点食物，孤儿没有与我同吃；
[NLT] If I stingy with my food and refused to share it with orphans?
31:18 （从幼年时孤儿与我同长，好像父子一样；我从出母腹就扶助[原文是引领]寡妇。）
[nkjv] (But from my youth I reared him as a father, And from my mother’s womb I guided the widow);
31:19 我若见人因无衣死亡，或见穷乏人身无遮盖；
[kjv] If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;
31:20 我若不使他因我羊的毛得暖，为我祝福；
[kjv] If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
31:21 我若...举手攻击孤儿；
[kjv] If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless,
31:22愿我的膀臂...折断。
[kjv] Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone.

29:11 耳朵听我的，就称我有福；眼睛看我的，便称赞我；
[kjv] When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me:
29:12 因我拯救哀求的困苦人和无人帮助的孤儿。
[kjv] Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.
29:13 将要灭亡的为我祝福；
[kjv] The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me:
我也使寡妇心中欢乐。
and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.

约伯记一章
1 乌斯地有一个人名叫约伯；那人完全正直，敬畏神，远离恶事。
2 他生了七个儿子，三个女儿。
3 他的家产有七千羊，三千骆驼，五百对牛，五百母驴，并有许多仆婢。这人在东方人中就为至大。
4 他的儿子按着日子各在自己家里设摆筵宴，就打发人去，请了他们的三个姊妹来，与他们一同吃喝。
5 筵宴的日子过了，约伯打发人去叫他们自洁。他清早起来，按着他们众人的数目献燔祭；因为他说：恐怕我儿子犯了罪，心中弃掉神。约伯常常这样行。
6 有一天，神的众子来侍立在耶和华面前，撒但也来在其中。
7 耶和华问撒但说：你从哪里来？撒但回答说：我从地上走来走去，往返而来。
8 耶和华问撒但说：你曾用心察看我的仆人约伯没有？地上再没有人像他完全正直，敬畏神，远离恶事。
9 撒但回答耶和华说：约伯敬畏神，岂是无故呢？
10 你岂不是四面圈上篱笆围护他和他的家，并他一切所有的吗？他手所做的都蒙你赐福；他的家产也在地上增多。
11 你且伸手毁他一切所有的；他必当面弃掉你。
12 耶和华对撒但说：凡他所有的都在你手中；只是不可伸手加害于他。于是撒但从耶和华面前退去。
13 有一天，约伯的儿女正在他们长兄的家里吃饭喝酒，
14 有报信的来见约伯，说：牛正耕地，驴在旁边吃草，
15 示巴人忽然闯来，把牲畜掳去，并用刀杀了仆人；惟有我一人逃脱，来报信给你。
16 他还说话的时候，又有人来说：神从天上降下火来，将群羊和仆人都烧灭了；惟有我一人逃脱，来报信给你。
17 他还说话的时候，又有人来说：迦勒底人分作三队忽然闯来，把骆驼掳去，并用刀杀了仆人；惟有我一人逃脱，来报信给你。
18 他还说话的时候，又有人来说：你的儿女正在他们长兄的家里吃饭喝酒，
19 不料，有狂风从旷野刮来，击打房屋的四角，房屋倒塌在少年人身上，他们就都死了；惟有我一人逃脱，来报信给你。
20 约伯便起来，撕裂外袍，剃了头，伏在地上下拜，
21 说：我赤身出于母胎，也必赤身归回；赏赐的是耶和华，收取的也是耶和华。耶和华的名是应当称颂的。
22 在这一切的事上约伯并不犯罪，也不以神为愚妄（或译：也不妄评神）。

Satan incited his wicked neighbors against Job, and they calumniated him.
They said that he did not serve God properly, that he had a superfluity of possessions,
and that it was very easy for him to be good.
撒旦,邪灵对人说话或传输思想
示巴人，迦勒底人就是被撒旦利用来攻击约伯

撒旦对神说：
1:11你且伸手毁他一切所有的；他必当面弃掉你。
1:11你且伸手毁他一切所有的；他必当面咒骂你。
[kjv] But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
2:5你且伸手伤他的骨头和他的肉，他必当面弃掉你。
2:5你且伸手伤他的骨头和他的肉，他必当面咒骂你。
[kjv] But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
撒旦使约伯失去一切，却留下他的妻子，因为
他的妻子对他说：你仍然持守你的纯正吗？你弃掉神，死了吧！
他的妻子对他说：你仍然持守你的纯正吗？咒骂神，死了吧！
[kjv] Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
但约伯没有咒骂神,仍然赞美神

约伯记二章
1 又有一天，神的众子来侍立在耶和华面前，撒但也来在其中。
[kjv] Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD,
2 耶和华问撒但说：你从哪里来？撒但回答说：我从地上走来走去，往返而来。
[kjv] And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
3 耶和华问撒但说：你曾用心察看我的仆人约伯没有？地上再没有人像他完全正直，敬畏神，远离恶事。你虽激动我攻击他，无故地毁灭他，他仍然持守他的纯正。
[kjv] And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou move me against him, to destroy him without cause.
4 撒但回答耶和华说：人以皮代皮，情愿舍去一切所有的，保全性命。
[kjv] And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
5 你且伸手伤他的骨头和他的肉，他必当面弃掉你。
5 你且伸手伤他的骨头和他的肉，他必当面咒骂你。
[kjv] But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
6 耶和华对撒但说：他在你手中，只要存留他的性命。
7 于是撒但从耶和华面前退去，击打约伯，使他从脚掌到头顶长毒疮。
8 约伯就坐在炉灰中，拿瓦片刮身体。
9 他的妻子对他说：你仍然持守你的纯正吗？你弃掉神，死了吧！
9 他的妻子对他说：你仍然持守你的纯正吗？咒骂神，死了吧！
[kjv] Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
10 约伯却对她说：你说话像愚顽的妇人一样。
[kjv] But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh.
嗳！难道我们从神手里得福，不也受祸吗？
难道我们只从神手里得到好的，不能得到坏的吗？
[NLT]Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?
在这一切的事上约伯并不以口犯罪。
In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

当你遭受攻击时
撒旦或撒旦之子要使你犯罪
你可能会想到保罗,耶稣本着圣经与人辩论

使徒行传
17:2保罗照他素常的规矩进去，一连三个安息日，本着圣经与他们辩论

提摩太后书 
2:23惟有那愚拙无学问的辩论，总要弃绝，因为知道这等事是起争竞的。
[NLT]don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.
[nkjv]But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes

提多书
3:9 要远避无知的辩论和家谱的空谈，以及纷争，并因律法而起的争竞，因为这都是虚妄无益的。因为这都是 没有益处,没有用
[nkjv]But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 
3:2不要毁谤，不要争竞，总要和平，向众人大显温柔。
[nkjv] to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

圣灵(聖靈)的引导     II 五月二十二
人企图单单从我三年傅道生涯的敎训和亮光中活出基督徒的生命来；这断不是 我的旨意。
我来 要把天父显示出来，表明神的圣灵在人里面作工。
我敎训人，并不只是叫人尝试效法拿撒勒人耶稣，也是要人像我那样被圣灵所占有。我所作的一切事都是由圣灵发动的，人也当像我一样被圣灵所感。
你们要借着所赐给你们，住在你们里面圣灵的能力来跟随我。
这圣灵要引导你们明白一切的真理。
我曾告诉我的众门徒，我不能把一切的事都告诉他们，但圣灵却要引导他们；
这就是我的跟随者绊跌的地方。
你要多多地注意圣灵的引导，这原是应许给所有人，但追求的人竟是那么少

约伯的失败在于 不认识仇敌，不认识神，不认识自己，当你遭受攻击时 要想想约伯的失败，摩西和耶稣的成功

约伯代表活在旧约的人;犹太教，没有新约,没有爱化身,没有真理化身的耶稣。
只有旧约 人要认识神不容易：

约伯说：
7:20 鉴察人的主啊，我若有罪，于你何妨？
为何以我当你的箭靶子，使我厌弃自己的性命？
[NKJV]Have I sinned?
What have I done to You, O watcher of men?
Why have You set me as Your target,
So that I am a burden to myself?
[NIV]If I have sinned, what have I done to you,
you who see everything we do?
Why have you made me your target?
Have I become a burden to you?
7:21 为何不赦免我的过犯，除掉我的罪？
[kjv] And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity?

30:19 神把我扔在淤泥中，我就像尘土和炉灰一般。
[kjv] He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes.
30:20 主啊，我呼求你，你不应允我；我站起来，你就定睛看我。
[kjv] I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not.
30:21 你向我变心，待我残忍，又用大能追逼我，
[kjv] Thou art become cruel to me:  [NIV]with the might of your hand you attack me.

22:1提幔人以利法Eliphaz回答说：
22:2 人岂能使神有益呢？
[kjv] Can a man be profitable unto God,
22:3 你为人公义，岂叫全能者喜悦呢？你行为完全，岂能使他得利呢？
[kjv] Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?

35:1 以利户Elihu又说：
35:2 你以为有理，或以为你的公义胜于神的公义，
[kjv] Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's?
35:3 才说这于我有什么益处？我不犯罪比犯罪有什么好处呢？
[kjv] For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?
[NIV] Yet you ask him, ‘What profit is it to me,[fn] and what do I gain by not sinning?’
35:4 我要回答你和在你这里的朋友。
35:5 你要向天观看，瞻望那高于你的穹苍。
35:6 你若犯罪，能使神受何害呢？你的过犯加增，能使神受何损呢？
[NIV]If you sin, how does that affect him? If your sins are many, what does that do to him?
35:7 你若是公义，还能加增他什么呢？他从你手里还接受什么呢？
[NIV]If you are righteous, what do you give to him, or what does he receive from your hand?
35:8 你的过恶或能害你这类的人；你的公义或能叫世人得益处。
[kjv] Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.

约一3:6 凡住在他里面的，就不犯罪；
[kjv] 1Jn3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not:
凡犯罪的，是未曾看见他，也未曾认识他。
whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

魔鬼的声音? 神的声音?
诺维强生 教导分辨思想是从神或撒旦
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnpMEl4VKSo&t=28s

约伯记 4章 撒旦利用 提幔人以利法攻击约伯：
12我暗暗地得了默示；我耳朵也听其细微的声音。
13在思念夜中、异象之间，世人沉睡的时候，
14恐惧、战兢临到我身，使我百骨打战。
15有灵从我面前经过，我身上的毫毛直立。
16那灵停住，我却不能辨其形状；有影像在我眼前。
我在静默中听见有声音说：
17必死的人岂能比　神公义吗？人岂能比造他的主洁净吗？
18主不信靠他的臣仆，并且指他的使者为愚昧；
19何况那住在土房、根基在尘土里、被蠹虫所毁坏的人呢？
20早晚之间，就被毁灭，永归无有，无人理会。
21他帐棚的绳索岂不从中抽出来呢？他死，且是无智慧而死。

提幔人以利法回答说：
15:14人是什么，竟算为洁净呢？ 妇人所生的是什么，竟算为义呢？
15:15 　神不信靠他的众圣者；在他眼前，天也不洁净，
15:16何况那污秽可憎、喝罪孽如水的世人呢！

20:1 拿玛人琐法Zophar回答说：
20:2我心中急躁，所以我的思念叫我回答。
[NIV]My troubled thoughts prompt me to answer because I am greatly disturbed.
20:3 我已听见那羞辱我，责备我的话；我的悟性叫我回答。
[NIV]I hear a rebuke that dishonors me, and my understanding inspires me to reply.

比勒达Bildad回答約伯说：
25:4 这样在神面前，人怎能称义？
[kjv] How then can man be justified with God?
妇人所生的怎能洁净？
or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?
25:5 在神眼前，月亮也无光亮，星宿也不清洁。
[kjv] Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight.
25:6 何况如虫的人，如蛆的世人呢！
[nkjv] How much less man, who is a maggot, And a son of man, who is a worm?”

提幔人以利法回答说：
15:14人是什么，竟算为洁净呢？ 妇人所生的是什么，竟算为义呢？
15:15 　神不信靠他的众圣者；在他眼前，天也不洁净，
15:16何况那污秽可憎、喝罪孽如水的世人呢！

約伯：
14:4 谁能使洁净之物出于污秽之中呢？ 无论谁也不能！

年轻的以利户代表神，本不想说话, 神的灵激动他说话
32:1 于是这三个人，因约伯自以为义就不再回答他。
[kjv] So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
32:2 那时有布西人兰族巴拉迦的儿子以利户向约伯发怒；
因约伯自以为义，不以神为义*3。
因约伯自以为义，比神更公义
[kjv] because he justified himself rather than God.
32:3 他又向约伯的三个朋友发怒；因为他们想不出回答的话来，仍以约伯为有罪。
[kjv] Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
32:4 以利户要与约伯说话，就等候他们，因为他们比自己年老。
32:5 以利户见这三个人口中无话回答，就怒气发作。
32:6 布西人巴拉迦的儿子以利户回答说：我年轻，你们老迈；因此我退让，不敢向你们陈说我的意见。

32:18 因为我的言语满怀；我里面的灵激动我。
[NIV] For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me;
32:19 我的胸怀如盛酒之囊没有出气之缝，又如新皮袋快要破裂。
[NIV] like new wineskins ready to burst.
约伯说话没有知识，言语中毫无智能。
[kjv] Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.
[big5] 愿约伯被试验到底，因他回答像恶人一样。
[kjv] My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.
________________________

*3应该翻译作：
我比神更公义;我比神更对,更有道理
35:1 以利户Elihu又说：
35:2 你以为有理，或以为你的公义胜于神的公义，
[kjv] Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's?
约伯认定神如此待他 错了，说了很多攻击神的话：

10:3 你手所造的，你又欺压，又藐视，却光照恶人的计谋。这事你以为美吗？
[NKJV]Does it seem good to You that You should oppress,
That You should despise the work of Your hands,
And smile on the counsel of the wicked?

________________________
魔鬼的武器;黑暗的力量:
激怒人 为圣经争辩

三个朋友攻击约伯的话：
8:1 书亚人比勒达回答说：
[kjv] Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
8:2 这些话你要说到几时？口中的言语如狂风要到几时呢？
[kjv] How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?
8:3 神岂能偏离公平？全能者岂能偏离公义？
[kjv] Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?
8:4 或者你的儿女得罪了他；他使他们受报应。
[kjv] If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;

4:1 提幔人以利法回答说：
[kjv] Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
4:2 人若想与你说话，你就厌烦吗？但谁能忍住不说呢？
4:3 你素来教导许多的人，又坚固软弱的手。
[kjv] Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
4:4 你的言语曾扶助那将要跌倒的人；你又使软弱的膝稳固。
[kjv] Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
4:5 但现在祸患临到你，你就昏迷，挨近你，你便惊惶。
4:7 请你追想：无辜的人有谁灭亡？正直的人在何处剪除？
[kjv] Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?
[NIV]“Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed?
4:8 按我所见，耕罪、种毒害的人都照样收割。
[kjv] Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
以利法回答说：
神所惩治的人是有福的！所以你不可轻看全能者的管教。
[NIV]“Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
right word but not in right time

约伯的回答：
16:2这样的话我听了许多；你们安慰人，反叫人愁烦。
[NIV]“I have heard many things like these; you are miserable comforters, all of you!

13:4你们是编造谎言的，都是无用的医生。
[kjv] But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.

6:1 约伯回答说：
6:2 惟愿我的烦恼称一称，我一切的灾害放在天平里；
6:3现今都比海沙更重，所以我的言语急躁。
6:4 因全能者的箭射入我身；其毒，我的灵喝尽了；神的惊吓摆阵攻击我。

6:8 惟愿我得着所求的，愿神赐我所切望的；
6:9 就是愿神把我压碎，伸手将我剪除。
6:10 我因没有违弃那圣者的言语，就仍以此为安慰，在不止息的痛苦中还可踊跃。

6:24 请你们教导我，我便不作声；使我明白在何事上有错。

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神尊重人的自由意志，是受到限制
神不必尊重魔鬼的自由意志，完全控制仇敌

Satan's Senior Demon Exposed!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U83yKxtQc0&list=LLPa8RAA8tzNya8HaybbqH1Q&index=5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAxGTZNVd80&t=799s
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从安娜所见的异象约伯的话，当时是记录在树皮上
神或天使曾让约伯看见: 他的话会记录在圣经，直存到永远

19:23-24 惟愿我的言语现在写上，都记录在书上.... 直存到永远
[kjv] Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!
........for ever!
19:25 我知道我的救赎主活着，末了必站立在地上。
[kjv] For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
19:26 我这皮肉灭绝之后，我必在肉体之外得见神。
[kjv] And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
19:27 我自己要见他，亲眼要看他，并不像外人。
[kjv] Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another;

神要约伯保持公义，不要犯罪，但约伯不能再忍耐

17:9义人要持守所行的道；手洁的人要力上加力。
[kjv] The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.

          2. 地球的被造

天使的被造是在地球创造之前, 一万年前，
这些堕落天使都知道牠们末日快到了，耶和华要来施行审判，大约在2000年，耶稣要把魔鬼 邪灵丢到硫磺火湖，请参考马可5:13  启示录19:20,  20:10

地球的存在已有46亿年，安娜 凯撒琳看到异象，地球早已存在，但是一个黑暗的星球，
然后有光， 环绕地球成光环，陆地的形成,定出水的界限.............

马可5:1~13
他们来到海那边格拉森人的地方。
耶稣一下船，就有一个被污鬼附着的人从坟茔里出来迎着他。
那人常住在坟茔里，没有人能捆住他，就是用铁链也不能；
因为人屡次用脚镣和铁链捆锁他，铁链竟被他挣断了，脚镣也被他弄碎了；总没有人能制伏他。
他昼夜常在坟茔里和山中喊叫，又用石头砍自己。
他远远的看见耶稣，就跑过去拜他，
大声呼叫说：至高神的儿子耶稣，我与你有什么相干？我指着神恳求你，不要叫我受苦！
[kjv] And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God?
I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
是因耶稣曾吩咐他说：污鬼啊，从这人身上出来吧！
耶稣问他说：你名叫什么？回答说：我名叫群，因为我们多的缘故；
就再三的求耶稣，不要叫他们离开那地方。
在那里山坡上，有一大群猪吃食；
鬼就央求耶稣说：求你打发我们往猪群里，附着猪去。
耶稣准了他们，污鬼就出来，进入猪里去。于是那群猪闯下山崖，投在海里，淹死了。猪的数目约有二千 。

上面的经文 土是代表人类，猪代表污秽肮脏，只要你犯罪  魔鬼就可以吞吃你.......more

Immediately after the prayer of the faithful choirs and that movement in the Godhead，
I saw below me，not far from and to the right of the world of shadows, another dark globe arise.
I fixed my eyes steadily upon it. I beheld it as if in movement, growing larger and larger,
as it were, bright spots breaking out upon it and encircling it like luminous bands.
Here and there，they stretched out into brighter, broader plains,
and at that moment I saw the form of the land setting boundaries to the water.
In the bright places I saw a movement as of life，
and on the land I beheld vegetation springing forth and myriads of living things arising.
Child that I was, I fancied the plants were moving about.
Up to this moment, there was only a gray light like the sunrise,
like early morn breaking over the earth, like nature awakening from sleep.
And now all other parts of the picture faded. The sky became blue,
the sun burst forth, but I saw only one part of the earth lighted up and shining.
That spot was charming, glorious, and I thought: There’s Paradise!
While these changes were going on upon the dark globe, I saw, as it were,
a streaming forth of light out of that highest of all the spheres, the God-sphere, that sphere in which God dwelt.
It was as if the sun rose higher in the heavens, as if bright morning were awakening.
It was the first morning. No created being had any knowledge of it,
and it seemed as if all those created things had been there forever in their unsullied sun rose higher,
I saw the plants and trees growing larger and larger. The waters became clearer and holier,
colors grew purer and brighter all was unspeakably charming. Creation was not then as it is now.
Plants and flowers and trees had other forms.
They are wild and misshapen now compared with what they were, for all things are now thoroughly degenerate.
When looking at the plants and fruits of our gardens, apricots,
for instance, which in southern climes are, as I have seen, so different from ours, so large, magnificent, and delicious,
I often think: As miserable as are our fruits compared with those of the South,
are the latter when compared with the fruits of Paradise.
I saw there roses, white and red, and I thought them symbols of Christ’s Passion and our Redemption.
I saw also palm trees and others, high and spreading which cast their branches afar, as if forming roofs.

Before the sun appeared, earthly things were puny; but in his beams they gradually increased in size, until they attained full growth.
The trees did not stand close together. Of all plants, at least of the largest, I saw only one of each kind,
and they stood apart like seedlings set out in a garden bed.
Vegetation was luxuriant, perfectly green, of a species pure, sound, and exempt from decay.
Nothing appeared to receive or to need the attention of an earthly gardener.
I thought: How is it that all is so beautiful, since as yet there are no human beings!
Ah! Sin has not yet entered.
There has been no destruction, no rending asunder. All is sound, all is holy.
As yet there has been no healing，no repairing. All is pure, nothing has needed purification.
The plain that I beheld was gently undulating and covered with vegetation.
In its center rose a fountain, from all sides of which flowed streams, crossing one another and mingling their waters.
I saw in them first a slight movement as of life, and then I saw living things.
After that I saw, here and there among the shrubs and bushes, animals peeping forth, as if just roused from sleep.
They were very different from those of a later day, not at all timorous.
Compared with those of our own time, they were almost as far their superior as men are superior to beasts.
They were pure and noble, nimble, and joyous. Words cannot describe them.
I was not familiar with many of them, for I saw very few like those we have now.
I saw the elephant, the stag, the camel, and even the unicorn.
This last I saw also in the ark. It is remarkably gentle and affectionate, not so tall as a horse, its head more rounded in shape.
I saw no asses, no insects, no wretched, loathsome creatures. These last I have always looked upon as a punishment of sin.
But I saw myriads of birds and heard the sweetest notes as in the early morning.
There were no birds of prey that I could see, nor did I hear any animals bellowing.
Paradise is still in existence, but it is utterly impossible for man to reach it.
I have seen that it still exists in all its splendor. It is high above the earth and in an oblique direction from it,
like the dark globe of the angels fallen from Heaven.

          3.  Adam and Eve

I saw Adam created, not in Paradise, but in the region in which Jerusalem was subsequently situated.
I saw him come forth glittering and white from a mound of yellow earth, as if out of a mold.
The sun was shining and I thought (I was only a child when I saw it) that the sunbeams drew Adam out of the hillock. He was,
as it were, born of the virgin earth. God blessed the earth, and it became his mother.
He did not instantly step forth from the earth. Some time elapsed before his appearance. He lay in the hillock on his left side,
his arm thrown over his head, a light vapor covering him as with a veil.
I saw a figure in his right side, and I became conscious that it was Eve, and that she would be drawn from him in Paradise by God.
God called him. The hillock opened, and Adam stepped gently forth. There were no trees around, only little flowers.
I had seen the animals also, coming forth from the earth in pure singleness, the females separate from the males.
And now I saw Adam borne up on high to a garden, to Paradise.
God led all the animals before him in Paradise, and he named them. They followed him and gamboled around him, for all things served him before he sinned.
All that he named, afterward followed him to earth.
Eve had not yet been formed from him. I saw Adam in Paradise among the plants and flowers, and not far from the fountain that played in its center.
He was awaking, as if from sleep. Although his person was more like to flesh than to spirit, yet he was dazzlingly white.
He wondered at nothing, nor was he astonished at his own existence. He went around among the trees and the animals,
as if he were used to them all, like a man inspecting his fields.
Near the tree by the water arose a hill. On it I saw Adam reclining on his left side, his left hand under his cheek.
God sent a deep sleep on him and he was rapt in vision. Then from his right side,
from the same place in which the side of Jesus was opened by the lance, God drew Eve.
I saw her small and delicate. But she quickly increased in size until full-grown. She was exquisitely beautiful.
Were it not for the Fall, all would be born in the same way, in tranquil slumber.
The hill opened, and at Adam’s side arose a crystalline rock, formed apparently of precious stones.
At Eve’s, lay a white valley covered with something like fine white pollen.
When Eve had been formed, I saw that God gave something, or allowed something to flow upon Adam.
It was as if there streamed from the Godhead, apparently in human form, currents of light from forehead, mouth, breast, and hands.
They united into a globe of light, which entered Adam's right side whence Eve had been taken.
Adam alone received it. It was the germ of God's Blessing, which was threefold.
The Blessing that Abraham received from the angel was one. It was of similar form, but not so luminous.
Eve arose before Adam, and he gave her his hand. They were like two unspeakably noble and beautiful children,
perfectly luminous, and clothed with beams of light as with a veil.
From Adam’s mouth I saw issuing a broad stream of glittering light, and upon his forehead was an expression of great majesty.
Around his mouth played a sunbeam, but there was none around Eve's.
I saw Adam's heart very much the same as in men of the present day, but his breast was surrounded by rays of light.
In the middle of his heart, I saw a sparkling halo of glory. In it was a tiny figure as if holding something in its hand.
I think it symbolized the Third Person of the Godhead. From the hands and feet of Adam and Eve, shot rays of light.
Their hair fell in five glittering tresses, two from the temples, two behind the ears, and one from the back of the head.
I have always thought that by the Wounds of Jesus there were opened anew in the human body portals closed by Adam’s sin.
I have been given to understand that Longinus opened in Jesus’ side the gate of regeneration to eternal life,
therefore no one entered Heaven while that gate was closed.
The glittering beams on Adam’s head denoted his abundant fruitfulness, his glory, his connection with other radiations.
And all this shining beauty is restored to glorified souls and bodies. Our hair is the ruined, the extinct glory;
and as is this hair of ours to rays of light, so is our present flesh to that of Adam before the Fall.
The sunbeams around Adam's mouth bore reference to a holy posterity from God, which, had it not been for the Fall, would have been effectuated by the spoken word.
Adam stretched forth his hand to Eve. They left the charming spot of Eve’s creation and went through Paradise, looking at everything, rejoicing in everything. That place was the highest in Paradise. All was more radiant, more resplendent there than elsewhere.