The Revelation of Peter
Tags: Apocrypha, Bible Snark, Apocalyptic Books, The Apocalypse
It’s time for another apocrypha! I started reading The Revelation of Adam first, but then remembered The Gospel of Thomas was used in Stigmata (1999). However, since it’s Easter, I felt something involving the crucifixion might be a better choice, and so here are my thoughts on The Revelation of Peter. The translation used is from the same book as The Gospel of Judas - The Nag Hammadi Scriptures: The Revised and Updated Translation of Sacred Gnostic Texts, edited by Marvin Meyer.
The Revelation of Peter was written somewhere between the late second century and the early third century, and much like The Gospel of Judas is a Gnostic text that rejects the dead Jesus doctrine. Instead, we get the Living Jesus, who’s all spirit and abandoned his meat suit before the crucifixion, and the greater, purer whole he’s part of, the Saviour, being elitist jerks.
Now listen to the things I am telling you in secret and keep them. Do not tell them to the children of this age. For they will denounce you during these ages, since they are ignorant of you, but they will praise you when there is knowledge.
Of course, a lot of that denouncing and persecution throughout the ages will be made by people following the false dead Jesus-based faith; something that could’ve easily been avoided if the Living Jesus hadn’t been so damned secretive and let everyone believe he died on the cross. But does the Living Jesus care? Probably not, as his reaction to his meat suit’s fate is derisive laughter aimed at his killers’ ignorance. At least this time we’re told who the guy being nailed to a cross for stuff he didn’t do is:
[…] the one they crucified is the firstborn, the abode of demons, the stone vessel in which they live, the man of Elohim, the man of the cross, who is under the law. But the one who is standing near him is the living Savior, who was in him at first and was arrested but was set free.
So, in addition to being filled with demons, which is probably a not very pleasant experience, this man of Elohim also had to host one Jesus? And in the end he got crucified? Oh, and don’t forget that this was all so Jesus could enlighten a very select few while also spawning a myriad of false religious movements that he knows will bring great suffering to the real believers and warp weaker minds for ages. Ugh! Living Jesus is the worst. Peter fails to point out the flaws in the Saviour’s cunning plan to spread his message, which seems very focused on how all the people who worship Dead Jesus are wrong. He even, maybe throws some shade at Paul, who was big on the Resurrection.
They will fall into a name of error and into the hand of an evil deceiver with complicated doctrines, and they will be dominated by heresy.
Complicated doctrines? Pot meet kettle… The precious true believers are referred to as “the little ones” because the Saviour and Laughing Jesus can’t help but ooze condescension from every pore. They are immortal souls who, unlike the lesser mortal souls, aren’t slaves to the flesh that encases them, and are thus able to receive this great, mind-blowing truth. Anyone expecting the lesser souls to be given a chance at enlightenment shouldn’t hold their breath. The Saviour makes it clear that they can’t handle it and is only interested in having his message preached to those capable of understanding it. Basically, this is the Gnostic equivalent of saying someone didn’t like a particular movie because they’re too stupid to get it. Looking at this from a different perspective, if only immortal souls can get the message of the Saviour, this means that anyone who does get it is an immortal soul. I guess that compensates for calling them “little ones”. Unfortunately, their inferiority won’t stop these envious mortal souls from starting their own Churches and impose them as the only truth. However, instead of a wise brotherhood, all they’ll be able to muster is “a mere imitation, the kindred generation of the sisterhood”. Sexist much? Despite theirs being the true faith, the poor Little Ones will have to suffer under these fake belief systems and respective clergy’s rule for an unspecified amount of time. Oh, but don’t worry, because when that moment comes, the Little Ones will rule the new, restored world, while those who tormented them will pay for everything they did. Sadly, the Saviour doesn’t go into detail about these future punishments, so it’s unclear if there are any fiery pits or pointy instruments waiting for them.
The Revelation of Peter ends with the Saviour telling his chosen one to only share the wisdom he just received with the immortal souls that will come later because the people of that time just aren’t worth it. He also assures Peter that he will be with him as he spreads his message. It makes sense that Peter would need protection if he’s expected to go around telling people that Jesus not only didn’t die, but also laughed at the people who thought he did.
VERDICT
I find these Gnostic texts both interesting and boring. The Gnostic pitch seems to rely more on flattery, with the talk of the superior immortal souls vs. the lesser, unworthy mortal souls, than on anything concrete. The message, at least in The Revelation of Peter, is more focused on dissing the competing versions of Christianity. Unlike in the apocalypses, mentions of a restored world, future rewards for the true believers, and the punishment for the ones who fought them are brief and lack details. It’s easy to see why Dead Jesus appeals to people, but the Living Jesus and the Saviour just come across as a couple of condescending assholes.
By Danforth
