Commodian — Instructiones 41

There sits a last hidden holy people, and indeed unknown to us where they dwell. Through nine tribes and a half they act; two tribes and a half were left to us. And Christ commanded the ancients to live through the law. Let us all live now — the handing-over of the new law, as the law itself teaches! I show you more openly. Why were two tribes and a half left behind — half a tribe from those? So there might be martyrs when he would bring war on his elect in the world, or certainly so a choir of holy prophets might rise to that people, who would put a bridle on them whom filthy horses trampled with loosened heel, nor was it their habit ever to hold peace in hand. Those of the tribes were set apart so that all the mysteries of Christ might be completed through them for the whole age. But they were born from the crime of two brothers, at whose omen the deeds that followed were. Were such bloodstained ones not justly scattered? They gather again because of the mysteries in the camps. Then they hurry for the law’s told things to be filled.

Almighty Christ descends to his elect, who were darkened from us for so long a time, made thousands; that is the true heavenly nation. No one born dies there before the father, nor do they feel pains in their bodies like sores born. Resting on their bed they withdraw in due time, fulfilling all things of the law, and therefore they are guarded. They are ordered to pass to the Lord from these parts; the river dries for them as for those who crossed before, and no less the Lord himself leads them out with them. He has passed to our things; they come with the heavenly king. On their way — what shall I say — where God leads them out, mountains sink before them and springs burst: creation rejoices to see the heavenly people. Here nevertheless they hurry to defend a captive mother.

But the unjust king who holds, when he hears him, flees into the north part and gathers all. But when the tyrant dashes himself on God’s army, his soldiers are laid flat by heavenly terror; he himself with the unspeakable false prophet is seized; by the Lord’s decree they are handed living to Gehenna. From then the chiefs and leaders are ordered to serve. Then the holy will enter to the mother’s ancient breasts, so that those too may cool whom that evil one persuaded — he was torturing in various penalties those to be believed to him. It has come to the end, that scandals be taken from the world; the Lord will begin to give judgment through fire.