Ante-Nicene Fathers/Volume IV/Commodianus/The Instructions of Commodianus/Chapter 43

XLII.&#8212;Of the Hidden and Holy People of the Almighty Christ, the Living God.

Let the hidden, the final, the holy people be longed for; and, indeed, let it be unknown by us where it abides, acting by nine of the tribes and a half&#8230;; and he has bidden to live by the former law.&#160; Now let us all live:&#160; the tradition of the law is new, as the law itself teaches, I point out to you more plainly.&#160; Two of the tribes and a half are left:&#160; wherefore is the half of the tribes separated from them?&#160; That they might be martyrs, when He should bring war on His elected ones into the world; or certainly the choir of the holy prophets would rise together upon the people who should impose a check upon them whom the obscene horses have slaughtered with kicking heel; nor would the band hurry rashly at any time to the gift of peace.&#160; Those of the tribes are withdrawn, and all the mysteries of Christ are fulfilled by them throughout the whole age.&#160; Moreover, they have arisen from the crime of two brothers, by whose auspices they have followed crime.&#160; Not undeservedly are these bloody ones thus scattered:&#160; they shall again assemble on behalf of the mysteries of Christ.&#160; But then the things told of in the law are hastening to their completion.&#160; The Almighty Christ descends to His elect, who have been darkened from our view for so long a time&#8212;they have become so many thousands&#8212;that is the true heavenly people.&#160; The son does not die before his father, then; nor do they feel pains in their bodies, nor polypus in their nostrils.&#160; They who cease depart in ripe years in their bed, fulfilling all the things of the law, and therefore they are protected.&#160; They are bidden to pass on the right side of their Lord; and when they have passed over as before, He dries up the river.&#160; Nor less does the Lord Himself also proceed with them.&#160; He has passed over to our side, they come with the King of heaven; and in their journey, what shall I speak of which God will bring to pass?&#160; Mountains subside before them, and fountains break forth.&#160; The creation rejoices to see the heavenly people.&#160; Here, however, they hasten to defend the captive matron.&#160; But the wicked king who possesses her, when he hears, flies into the parts of the north, and collects all his followers.&#160; Moreover, when the tyrant shall dash himself against the army of God, his soldiery are overthrown by the celestial terror; the false prophet himself is seized with the wicked one, by the decree of the Lord; they are handed over alive to Gehenna.&#160; From him chiefs and leaders are bidden to obey; then will the holy ones enter into the breasts of their ancient mother, that, moreover, they also may be refreshed whom he has evil persuaded.&#160; With various punishments he will torment those who trust in him; they come to the end, whereby offences are taken away from the world.&#160; The Lord will begin to give judgment by fire.