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Gospel of Philip

About this book

The Jerusalem Temple and the Bridal Chamber as Restoration of Primordial Androgyny

Chapter 9

There existed three houses of sacrifice in Jerusalem. One, facing west, is called the Holy. The other one, facing south, is called the Holy of the Holy. The third, facing east, is called the Holy of the Holies, the place where the high priest alone enters.⁠ Baptism is the Holy house. [Redemption] is the Holy of the Holy. The Holy of the Holies is the bridal chamber.⁠ [Baptism] includes the resurrection [together with] the redemption, the redemption being with the bridal chamber. However, [the] bridal chamber is with what surpasses even [...] [...] you will not find its [...] the place [...] who pray [...] Jerusalem [... Jeru]salem [... Jerusa]lem, awaiting [...] [...] these ones called [the Holies] of the Holies [... whose] veil was torn [...] bridal chamber, excepting the image [... which] [is above]. This is why its veil was torn from top to bottom, because some from below had to ascend above.⁠ The powers are unable to see those who have donned the perfect light, and they are unable to hold them back, and a person dons that light in the symbolic image, in the union. If the female had not separated from the male, she would not have died together with the male. His separation was the beginning of death. Consequently, Christ came, in order that the separation that took place in the beginning could be cured.⁠ He will join them both together again, and those who died in the separation, he will grant them life, and he will unite them, and the woman will unite with her husband in the bridal chamber, and those who have united in the bridal chamber will be separated no longer.⁠ Eve separated from Adam because it was not in the bridal chamber that she united with him. It was from a breath that Adam’s life began.⁠ Its companion was the Spirit. What was granted to him was his Mother. His soul was [removed], and he was granted [life] to replace it. When he united [...] words that surpassed the powers, and they were jealous of him, [...] spirit[ual] companion [...] concealed [...] [...] that is, the [...] they themselves [...] bridal chamber, in order that [...]. Jesus manifested [... the Jo]rdan, the [fullness of the kingdom] of Heaven. He who [had been begotten] before everything, he was again begotten. He [who had been anointed] at the first, he was again anointed. He who had been redeemed, he was again redeemed. It is truly appropriate to speak concerning a symbolic image. The All-Father united with the virgin who descended, and a fire illumined him.⁠ It was on that day that he revealed the great bridal chamber. This was the reason that his body came into existence. It was on that day that he emerged from the bridal chamber like one who had come into existence from the bridegroom and the bride. This is how Jesus founded all things inside himself, by means of these, and each disciple must enter, entering into his rest. Adam came into existence from two virgins, from the Spirit, and from the virgin Earth. This is why Christ was born from a virgin, in order that he could cure the fall that had occurred in the beginning. Two trees are growing in paradise. One produces [animals], while the other produces men. Adam [ate] from the tree that produced animals, [and he turned into] an animal, and he begot [animals].⁠ This is why the offspring of Adam worship [animals]. The tree [whose] fruit [he ate], this has multiplied [transgressions]. [If he had] eaten the [...] fruit of the [tree of life that] begets men, [...] from the man from [...]. God produces men [..., men] produce [God]. In this way, in the world men produce gods, and they worship what they have created. It would be more fitting if gods were to worship men. Like the case of the truth, so it is concerning the works of man, which are the outcome of his power. Consequently, they are called the works of power, being his deeds. From rest his children come into existence. This is why his power dwells in his works. It is, however, in the children that rest is made manifest. Also you will recognize that this pertains to the image as well, and this is the man who pertains to the image. From his power he performs his deeds. From rest, however, he begets his offspring. In this world it is the slaves who serve those who are free. In the kingdom of Heaven, those who were free will serve the slaves. The sons of the bridal chamber will serve the sons of the [marriage]. [The] sons of the bridal chamber are in [one and the same] condition: Rest. [Existing] together with each other, they have no need to take on (another) form, [given that they possess] contemplation [...] perception. They surpass [...] among those who dwell in the [...] the glories of the [...] not [...] them.

Texts in conversation

Compare Matthew 27:51 and Gospel of Philip 9:12

New Testament · Nag Hammadi

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Summary

The Gospel of Philip uses Matthew's image of the torn curtain to explain why people below can enter what lies above. A sign accompanying Jesus' death becomes an opening into the bridal chamber, making the curtain a passage into God's presence.

Passages

Matthew 27:51

New Testament
50 Then Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit. 51 Just then the temple curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks were split apart. 52 And tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had died were raised. 53 (They came out of the tombs after his resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.) 54 Now when the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and what took place, they were extremely terrified and said, “Truly this one was God’s Son!”
70–90 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in Matthew

Gospel of Philip 9:12

Nag Hammadi
[...] these ones called [the Holies] of the Holies [... whose] veil was torn [...] bridal chamber, excepting the image [... which] [is above]. This is why its veil was torn from top to bottom, because some from below had to ascend above. The powers are unable to see those who have donned the perfect light, and they are unable to hold them back, and a person dons that light in the symbolic image, in the union. If the female had not separated from the male, she would not have died together with the male. His separation was the beginning of death. Consequently, Christ came, in order that the separation that took place in the beginning could be cured.
180–250 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in the Gospel of Philip

References

“... Here, the bridal chamber is actually identified as the holy of holies of the temple, “the place where only the High Priest enters” (69.21–22). According to Gos. Phil., access to the bridal chamber qua holy of holies has been granted to the Valentinian by virtue of Christ’s self-sacrifice on the Cross. For in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34, it was when Jesus screamed the words, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” and let out a final death-cry that the temple veil “was torn in two, from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38). Similarly, Gos. Phil. 68.2–627 quotes Jesus’s death-cry and states that the veil of the holy of holies was “rent from top to bottom,” thereby facilitating a heavenly ascent for those who are below. For when “the holies of the holies were revealed”, the formerly enslaved spiritual seed “will be free and the captives ransomed”. ...”
Matthew Twigg, “The Temple-Mystical Background to a Valentinian Saying of the Saviour: The Interpretation of Knowledge (NHC XI, 1) 10.18–38,” Correspondences 1.1 (2013): 51.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

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