NEUOFFENBARUNGThe reply was sent by the same royal messenger within ten days.
BJ.01_Antw.3,01 My blessing, my love and my grace be with you, my beloved son Abgarus.
BJ.01_Antw.3,02 Here in Judaea I have often said to those I helped with all kinds of bodily afflictions, “See, your faith has done this for you.” But I have not yet asked anyone, “Do you love me?” And no one has yet said to me from the depths of the heart, “Lord, I love you!”
BJ.01_Antw.3,03 But you believed long ago, without having seen me, that I am the One. And now you love me as someone who had long since been born again from the fire of the Spirit.
BJ.01_Antw.3,04 O Abgarus, Abgarus! If you knew and could grasp how dearly I love you for this and what joy you bring to my eternal Father’s heart, the sheer blessedness would overwhelm you so that you could not go on living.
BJ.01_Antw.3,05 Stand firm through all you will hear about me in time from the wicked Jews who will soon hand me over to the executioners. If you hear of it and do not take offence, you will be the first after your son to share spiritually and livingly in my resurrection from the dead.
BJ.01_Antw.3,06 Truly, truly, I tell you, those who believe that my teaching comes from God shall be raised on the last day, when each shall meet the judgement that is right for them. But those who love me as you do shall never taste death. As swiftly as the swiftest thought, they will be transfigured from this bodily life into the brightest eternal life and will dwell with me, their Father from eternity. Keep this carefully to yourself until I have risen.
BJ.01_Antw.3,07 Then a disciple will soon come to you, as I promised in my first letter, and will heal you and your whole household in body and spirit, except for your son, who will go without pain before me into my kingdom.
BJ.01_Antw.3,08 Your messenger, who has now seen me for the third time, will tell you most faithfully whether the portrait you sent with him resembles my outward appearance. Whoever wants a portrait of me with your intention commits no sin, for love bears all things. But woe to those who would make me into an idol. Keep the portrait secret as well.
BJ.01_Antw.3,09 Written in Judaea by one of my disciples who is close to my heart and sent again by the same messenger.
BJ.01_Antw.3,10 My blessing be upon your household. Amen.