Chapters
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Chapter Breakdowns
CHAPTER 1 - The Prophetic Warning and Hezekiah's Despair
Isaiah shares a bleak prophecy with King Hezekiah, revealing that his son, Manasseh, will abandon sacred teachings, ally with evil forces, and ultimately become Isaiah's executioner, all of which are unpreventable destinies.
CHAPTER 2- The Apostasy of Manasseh and Exile of the Prophets
King Manasseh embraces evil, forsaking his father's teachings and spreading wickedness. Isaiah and fellow prophets, disheartened, retreat to a mountain, living ascetically. Meanwhile, Belchira, a false prophet, emerges in Samaria, complicating the spiritual scenario.
CHAPTER 3 - False Accusations and Foreseen Apostasy
Belchira, a false prophet, accuses Isaiah of deceitful prophecies, leading to his capture by Manasseh. Isaiah's visions reveal the coming, crucifixion, and resurrection of the Beloved, and foretell apostasy and moral decline among future believers and leaders, preceding the Lord's return.
CHAPTER 4 -The Rise and Fall of Beliar and the Return of the Beloved
Beliar declares himself God, misleading many with miracles and being worshipped for over three years. The Lord returns, condemning Beliar and providing relief to the faithful, initiating a resurrection and judgment, with further visions noted in various scriptures.
CHAPTER 5 - The Martyrdom of Isaiah
Isaiah is brutally executed, being sawn in half under the influence of Beliar, due to his prophetic visions about the Beloved and the defeat of evil forces. Throughout the ordeal, Isaiah remains steadfast, neither weeping nor protesting, and maintains his prophetic integrity until death.
CHAPTER 6- Isaiah's Vision of the Hidden World from the Flesh
Isaiah, while speaking to Hezekiah and others, experiences a divine vision from the seventh heaven, leaving him physically present but spiritually transported. Only a select few, including some prophets and righteous individuals, become aware of this profound, otherworldly encounter, which Isaiah later shares with Hezekiah and Josab.
CHAPTER 7 - The Ascension Through the Third to Fifth Heaven
Isaiah is escorted by an angel, ascends through the third, fourth, and fifth heavens. Each heaven presents beings and a throne of escalating glory and praise. Isaiah is instructed not to worship any entities and is promised further enlightenment as his celestial journey through the heavens continues, observing the distinct and superior glories in each level.
CHAPTER 8 - The Ascension Through the Sixth Heaven
saiah is taken to the sixth heaven, experiencing unparalleled glory and witnessing angels praising the primal Father, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. The light and glory here are so immense that those of the previous heavens seem like darkness in comparison. Isaiah desires to stay, but is told his time has not yet come and that the seventh heaven holds even greater marvels.
CHAPTER 9 - The Ascension to the Seventh Heaven
Isaiah ascends to the seventh heaven, witnessing unparalleled worship of the Lord and the angel of the Holy Spirit by angels and righteous figures like Adam and Abel. He learns of the Lord's future crucifixion and the ascension of the righteous, participating briefly in the celestial worship and gaining insights into divine mysteries.
CHAPTER 10 - The Descent of the LORD through the Heavens
The Lord descends through the seven heavens, altering His appearance to blend in with the angels at each level. He is unacknowledged and unpraised due to His disguised forms, navigating through environments of conflict and envy, especially in the lower heavens.
CHAPTER 11- Divine Birth and Heavenly Ascension of Jesus
Isaiah witnesses Mary's miraculous conception and the birth of a divine child. The child, later crucified and resurrected, ascends through the heavens, unrecognized until reaching the higher realms. Isaiah is instructed to keep these profound visions secret for future generations.
Introduction
The "Ascension of Isaiah" is a complex and multi-layered apocalyptic work, with its roots deeply embedded in early Christian, Jewish, and Gnostic traditions. Its exact origins, authorship, and the date of composition remain shrouded in mystery, although scholars have pieced together a speculative timeline through meticulous analysis of textual fragments and historical references.
The text is divided into three primary sections: the Martyrdom of Isaiah, the Testament of Hezekiah, and the Vision of Isaiah, each of which may have been composed independently and at different times. The Vision of Isaiah, for instance, is suggested to have originated in the second century A.D., as evidenced by potential references and similarities in other texts from that era, such as the Acts of Peter and the Protevangelium of James. However, some scholars, like Charles, have proposed an even earlier date, close to the end of the first century, based on perceived citations in works like Ignatius's Epistle to the Ephesians.
The process of combining these sections into the complete work known as the "Ascension of Isaiah" is believed to have occurred in stages, possibly over centuries. Manuscripts and translations from the 4th to 6th centuries, such as the Greek fragment and the Ethiopic translation, presuppose the existence of the complete work, hinting that the compilation was likely finalized by the third or fourth century A.D. This is further supported by references from early Christian scholars like Jerome.
Despite the existence of these ancient manuscripts and references, the exact circumstances and individuals responsible for the creation and compilation of the "Ascension of Isaiah" remain elusive. The text, with its rich apocalyptic visions and martyrdom narratives, continues to be a subject of study and debate among scholars, offering a fascinating window into the theological and eschatological thoughts of early Christian and Jewish communities.
Translation by Robert Henry
Translated by Charles, R. H. (Robert Henry), 1855-1931
From Ethiopic version, which, together with the new Greek fragment, the Latin versions and the Latin translation of the Slavonic.
Robert Henry Charles (1855-1931) was a distinguished biblical scholar, theologian, and an expert on apocalyptic literature, who made significant contributions to the understanding of early Jewish and Christian texts. His translation of "The Ascension of Isaiah," published in 1900, is one of the seminal works in the field, providing valuable insights and a critical apparatus for the study of this enigmatic text.
Charles's translation was based on the Ethiopic version of the text, and his work also incorporated a new Greek fragment, Latin versions, and the Latin translation of the Slavonic, all of which were published in full in his edition. His meticulous work aimed to provide a comprehensive and accurate representation of the "Ascension of Isaiah," enabling a deeper understanding of its content, context, and complexities.