Angelic Mediation & Veneration

“Yahweh has established His throne in the heavens, And His kingdom rules over all. Bless Yahweh, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word! Bless Yahweh, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will.” Psalm 103:19-21 Legacy Standard Bible (LSB)

“Praise Yah! Praise Yahweh from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!” Psalm 148:1-2 LSB

Then Anna ran to meet them, and embraced her son, and said to him, “I have seen you, my child; now I am ready to die.” And they both wept. Tobit started toward the door, and stumbled. But his son ran to him and took hold of his father, and he sprinkled the gall upon his father’s eyes, saying, “Be of good cheer, father.” And when his eyes began to smart he rubbed them, and the white films scaled off from the corners of his eyes. Then he saw his son and embraced him, and he wept and said, “Blessed art thou, O God, and blessed is thy name for ever, and blessed are all thy holy angels. For thou hast afflicted me, but thou hast had mercy upon me; here I see my son Tobi′as!” And his son went in rejoicing, and he reported to his father the great things that had happened to him in Media. 11:9-14 Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

“I will not conceal anything from you. I have said, ‘It is good to guard the secret of a king, but gloriously to reveal the works of God.’And so, when you and your daughter-in-law Sarah prayed, I brought a reminder of your prayer before the Holy One; and when you buried the dead, I was likewise present with you. When you did not hesitate to rise and leave your dinner in order to go and lay out the dead, your good deed was not hidden from me, but I was with you. So now God sent me to heal you and your daughter-in-law Sarah. I am Raph′ael, one of the seven holy angels who present the prayers of the saints and enter into the presence of the glory of the Holy One.”

They were both alarmed; and they fell upon their faces, for they were afraid. But he said to them, “Do not be afraid; you will be safe. But praise God for ever. For I did not come as a favor on my part, but by the will of our God. Therefore praise him for ever. All these days I merely appeared to you and did not eat or drink, but you were seeing a vision. And now give thanks to God, for I am ascending to him who sent me. Write in a book everything that has happened.” Then they stood up; but they saw him no more. So they confessed the great and wonderful works of God, and acknowledged that the angel of the Lord had appeared to them. 12:11-21 RSVCE

But Appolonius went away with threats into the temple. And the priests, with the women and children, having supplicated God to throw his shield over the holy, despised place, and Appolonius going up with his armed force to the seizure of the treasure,--there appeared from heaven angels riding on horseback, all radiant in armour, filling them with much fear and trembling. And Apollonius fell half dead upon the court which is open to all nations, and extended his hands to heaven, and implored the Hebrews, with tears, to pray for him, and propitiate the heavenly host. For he said that he had sinned, so as to be consequently worthy of death; and that if he were saved, he would celebrate to all men the blessedness of the holy place. Onias the high priest, induced by these words, although for other reasons anxious that king Seleucus should not suppose that Apollonius was slain by human device and not by Divine punishment, prayed for him; and he being thus unexpectedly saved, departed to manifest to the king what had happened to him.

Chapter 14

And when Aseneth had ceased making confession to the Lord, behold, the Morning Star rose out of heaven in the east. And Aseneth saw it and rejoiced and said, ‘So the Lord God listened to my prayer, because this star rose as a messenger and herald of the light of the Great Day.’ And Aseneth kept looking, and behold, close to the Morning Star, the heaven was torn apart and great and unutterable light appeared.

And Aseneth saw it and fell on her face on the ashes. And a man came to her from heaven and stood by Aseneth's head. And he called her and said, ‘Aseneth, Aseneth’.

And she said, ‘Who is he that calls me, because the door of my chamber is closed, and the tower is high, and how then did he come into my chamber?’

And the man called her a second time and said, ‘Aseneth, Aseneth’. And she said, ‘Behold, here I am, Lord. Who are you, tell me.’

And the man said, ‘I am the chief of the house of the Lord, and commander of the whole host of the Most High. Rise and stand on your feet, and I will tell you what I have to say.’

And Aseneth raised her head and saw, and behold, there was a man in every respect similar to Joseph, by the robe and the crown and the royal staff, except that his face was a burning torch, and hands and feet like iron shining forth from a fire, and sparks shot forth from his hands and feet.

And Aseneth saw it and fell on her face at his feet on the ground. And Aseneth was filled with great fear, and all of her limbs trembled. And the man said to her, ‘Have courage and don’t be afraid, but rise and stand on your feet, and I will tell you what I have to say.’

And Aseneth rose and stood on her feet. And the man said to her, ‘Proceed unhindered into your second chamber and put off your black tunic of mourning, and the sackcloth put off your waist, and shake off those ashes from your head, and wash your face and your hands with living water, and dress in a new linen robe as yet untouched and distinguished and gird your waist with the new twin girdle of your virginity.

‘And come back to me, and I will tell you what I have to say.’

And Aseneth hurried and went into her second chamber where the chests containing her linen robe, as yet untouched, were. And she undressed from the black tunic of mourning and put off the sackcloth from her waist, and dressed in her distinguished and as yet untouched linen robe and girded herself with the twin girdle of her virginity, one girdle around her waist, and another girdle upon her breast. And she shook off the ashes from her head and washed her hands and her face with living water. And she took an as yet untouched and distinguished linen veil and covered her head.

Chapter 15

And she went to the man into her first chamber and stood before him. And the man said to her, ‘Remove the veil from your head, and for what purpose did you do this? For you are a chaste virgin today, and your head is like that of a young man.’ 1 Cor 10:3

And Aseneth removed the veil from her head. And the man said to her, ‘Courage, Aseneth, chaste virgin. Behold, I have heard all the words of your confession and your prayer. Behold, I have also seen the humiliation and the affliction of the seven days of your want of food. Behold, from your tears and these ashes, plenty of mud has formed before your face.

Courage, Aseneth, chaste virgin. For behold, your name was written in the Book of the Living in heaven; in the beginning of the book, as the very first of all, your name was written by my finger, and it will not be erased forever. Behold, from today, you will be renewed and formed anew and made alive again, and you will eat blessed bread of life and drink a blessed cup of immortality, and anoint yourself with blessed ointment of incorruptibility.

Courage, Aseneth, chaste virgin. Behold, I have given you today to Joseph for a bride, and he himself will be your bridegroom for ever and ever. And your name shall no longer be called Aseneth, but your name shall be City of Refuge, because in you many nations will take refuge with the Lord God, the Most High, and under your wings many peoples trusting in the Lord God will be sheltered, and behind your walls will be guarded those who attach themselves to the Most High God in the name of Repentance.

For Repentance is in the heavens, an exceedingly beautiful and good daughter of the Most High. And she herself entreats the Most High God for you at all times and for all who repent in the Name of the Most High God, because He is the father of Repentance. And she herself is guardian of all virgins, and loves you very much, and is beseeching the Most High for at all times and for all who repent she has prepared a place of rest in the heavens. And she will renew all who repent, and wait on them herself for ever and ever.

And Repentance is exceedingly beautiful, a virgin pure and laughing always, and she is gentle and meek. And, therefore, the Most High Father loves her, and all the angels stand in awe of her. And I, too, love her exceedingly, because she is also my sister. And because she loves you virgins, I love you, too.

And behold, I am going away to Joseph and will tell him about you everything I have to say. And Joseph will come to you today, and see you, and rejoice over you, and love you, and he will be your bridegroom, and you will be a bride for him for ever and ever.

And now listen to me, Aseneth, chaste virgin, and dress in your wedding robe, the ancient and first robe which is laid up in your chamber since eternity, and put around you all your wedding ornaments, and adorn yourself as a good bride, and go meet Joseph. For behold, he himself is coming to you today, and he will see you and rejoice.’

And when the man had finished speaking these words, Aseneth rejoiced exceedingly with great joy about all these words and fell down at his feet and prostrated herself face down to the ground before him, and said to him, ‘Blessed be the Lord your God the Most High who sent you out to rescue me from the darkness and to bring me up from the foundations of the abyss, and blessed be your name forever.

‘What is your name, Lord?; tell me in order that I may praise and glorify you for ever and ever.’ And the man said to her, ‘Why do you seek this, my name, Aseneth? My name is in the heavens in the book of the Most High, written by the finger of God in the beginning of the book before all the others, because I am chief of the house of the Most High. And all names written in the book of the Most High are unspeakable, and man is not allowed to pronounce nor hear them in this world, because those names are exceedingly great and wonderful and laudable.’

And Aseneth said, ‘If I have found favor in your sight, Lord, and will know that you will do all your words that you have spoken to me, let your maidservant speak before you.’ And the man said to her, ‘Speak up.’ And Aseneth stretched out her right hand and put it on his knees and said to him, ‘I beg you, Lord, sit down a little on this bed, because this bed is pure and undefiled, and a man or woman never sat on it. And I will set a table before you, and bring you bread and you will eat, and bring you from my storeroom old and good wine, the exhalation of which will go up till heaven, and you will drink from it. And after this you will go out on your way.’

And the man said to her, ‘Hurry and bring it quickly.’

The Fifth Heaven.

11        1 And the angel took me and led me thence to a fifth heaven. And the gate was closed. And I said, “Lord, is not this gate-way open that we may enter?” And the angel said to me, “We cannot enter until Michael comes, who holds the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven; but wait and thou shalt see 3 the glory of God.” And there was a great sound, as thunder. And I said, “Lord, what is this sound?” 4 And he said to me, “Even now Michael, the commander of the angels, comes down to receive the 5 prayers of men.” And behold a voice came, “Let the gates be opened.” And they opened them, and 6 there was a roar as of thunder. And Michael came, and the angel who was with me came face to 7 face with him and said, “Hail, my commander, and that of all our order.” And the commander Michael said, “Hail thou also, our brother, and the interpreter of the revelations to those who pass through life 8 virtuously.” And having saluted one another thus, they stood still. And I saw the commander Michael said, “Hail thou also, our brother, and the interpreter of the revelations to those who pass through life 8 virtuously”. And having saluted one another thus, they stood still. And I saw the commander Michael, holding an exceedingly great vessel; its depth was as great as the distance from heaven to 9 earth, and its breadth as great as the distance from north to south. And I said, “Lord, what is that which Michael the archangel is holding?” And he said to me, “This is where the merits of the righteous enter, and such good works as they do, which are escorted before the heavenly God.”

12      1, And as I was conversing with them, behold angels came bearing baskets full of flowers. And 2 they gave them to Michael. And I asked the angel, “Lord, who are these, and what are the things 3 brought hither from beside them?” And he said to me, “These are angels (who) are over the 4, 5 righteous.” And the archangel took the baskets, and cast them into the vessel. And the angel 6 said to me, “These flowers are the merits of the righteous.” And I saw other angels bearing baskets which were (neither) empty-nor full. And they began to lament, and did not venture to draw near, 7 because they had not the prizes complete. And Michael cried and said, “Come hither, also, ye 8 angels, bring what ye have brought.” And Michael was exceedingly grieved, and the angel who was with me, because they did not fill the vessel.

13      1 And then came in like manner other angels weeping and bewailing, and saying with fear, “Behold how we are overclouded, O Lord, for we were delivered to evil men, and we wish to depart from 2 them.” And Michael said, “Ye cannot depart from them, in order that the enemy may not prevail to 3 the end; but say to me what ye ask.” And they said, “We pray thee, Michael our commander, transfer us from them, for we cannot abide with wicked and foolish men, for there is nothing good 4 in them, but every kind of unrighteousness and greed. For we do not behold them entering [into Church at all, nor among spiritual fathers, nor] into any good work. But where there is murder, there also are they in the midst, and where are fornications, adulteries, thefts, slanders, perjuries, jealousies, drunkenness, strife, envy, murmurings, whispering, idolatry, divination, and such like, 5 then are they workers of such works, and of others worse. Wherefore we entreat that we may depart from them.” And Michael said to the angels, “Wait till I learn from the Lord what shall come to pass.”

14      1 And in that very hour Michael departed, and the doors were closed. And there was a sound as 2 thunder. And I asked the angel, “What is the sound?” And he said to me, “Michael is even now presenting the merits of men to God.”

15      1 And in that very hour Michael descended, and the gate was opened; and he brought oil. 2 And as for the angels which brought the baskets which were full, he filled them with oil, saying, “Take it away, reward our friends an hundredfold, and those who have laboriously wrought good works. 3 For those who sowed virtuously, also reap virtuously.” And he said also to those bringing the half-empty baskets, “Come hither ye also; take away the reward according as ye brought, and 4 deliver it to the sons of men.” [Then he said also to those who brought the full and to those who brought the half-empty baskets: “Go and bless our friends, and say to them that thus saith the Lord, ‘Ye are faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things; enter into the joy of your Lord.’”]

16      1 And turning he said also to those who brought nothing: “Thus saith the Lord, ‘Be not sad of 2 countenance, and weep not, nor let the sons of men alone. But since they angered me in their works, go and make them envious and angry and provoked against a people that is no people, a 3 people that has no understanding. Further, besides these, send forth the caterpillar and the unwinged locust, and the mildew, and the common locust (and) hail with lightnings and anger, and 4 punish them severely with the sword and with death, and their children with demons. For they did not hearken to my voice, nor did they observe my commandments, nor do them, but were despisers of my commandments, and insolent towards the priests who proclaimed my words to them.’”

17      1 And while he yet spake, the door was closed, and we withdrew. 2 And the angel took me and 3 restored me to the place where I was at the beginning. And having come to myself, I gave glory 4 to God, who counted me worthy of such honor. Wherefore do ye also, brethren, who obtained such a revelation, yourselves also glorify God, so that He also may glorify you, now and ever, and to all eternity. Amen.

CHAPTER 2 1 I, Levi, was born in Haran, and I came with my father to Shechem.

2 And I was young, about twenty years of age, when, with Simeon, I wrought vengeance on Hamor for our sister Dinah.

3 And when I was feeding the flocks in Abel-Maul, the spirit of understanding of the Lord came upon me, and I saw all men corrupting their way, and that unrighteousness had built for itself walls, and lawlessness sat upon towers.

4 And I was grieving for the race of the sons of men, and I prayed to the Lord that I might be saved.

5 Then there fell upon me a sleep, and I beheld a high mountain, and I was upon it.

6 And behold the heavens were opened, and an angel of God said to me, Levi, enter.

7 And I entered from the first heaven, and I saw there a great sea hanging.

8 And further, I saw a second heaven far brighter and more brilliant, for there was a boundless height also therein.

9 And I said to the angel, ‘Why is this so?’ And the angel said to me, ‘Marvel not at this, for thou shalt see another heaven more brilliant and incomparable.

10 ‘And when thou hast ascended thither, Thou shalt stand near the Lord, And shalt be His minister, And shalt declare His mysteries to men, And shaft proclaim concerning Him that shall redeem Israel.

11 ‘And by thee and Judah shall the Lord appear among men, Saving every race of men.

12 ‘And from the Lord's portion shall be thy life, And He shall be thy field and vineyard, And fruits, gold, and silver.

CHAPTER 3

1 ‘Hear, therefore, regarding the heavens widen have been shown to thee. The lowest is for this cause gloomy unto thee, in that it beholds all the unrighteous deeds of men.

2 ‘And it has fire, snow, and ice made ready for the day of judgement, in the righteous judgement of God; for in it are all the spirits of the retributions for vengeance on men.

3 ‘And in the second are the hosts of the armies which are ordained for the day of judgement, to work vengeance on the spirits of deceit and of Beliar. And above them are the holy ones.

4 ‘And in the highest of all dwelleth the Great Glory, far above all holiness.

5 ‘In the heaven next to it are the archangels, who minister and make propitiation to the Lord for all the sins of ignorance of the righteous;

6 ‘Offering to the Lord a sweet- smelling savour, a reasonable and a bloodless offering.

7 ‘And in the heaven below this are the angels who bear answers to the angels of the presence of the Lord.

8 ‘And in the heaven next to this are thrones and dominions, in which always they offer praise to God.

9 ‘When, therefore, the Lord looketh upon us, all of us are shaken; yea, the heavens, and the earth, and the abysses are shaken at the presence of His majesty.

10 ‘But the sons of men, having no perception of these things, sin and provoke the Most High.

CHAPTER 4

1 ‘Now, therefore, know that the Lord shall execute judgement upon the sons of men. Because when the rocks are being rent, and the sun quenched, and the waters dried up, and the fire cowering, and all creation troubled, and the invisible spirits melting away, and Hades taketh spoils through the visitations of the Most High, men will be unbelieving and persist in their iniquity. On this account with punishment shall they be judged.

2 ‘Therefore, the Most High hath heard thy prayer, to separate thee from iniquity, and that thou shouldest become to Him a son, and a servant, and a minister of His presence.

3 ‘The light of knowledge shalt thou light up in Jacob, and as the sun shalt thou be to all the seed of Israel.

4 ‘And there shall be given to thee a blessing, and to all thy seed, until the Lord shall visit all the Gentiles in His tender mercies for ever.

5 ‘And therefore there have been given to thee counsel and understanding, that thou mightest instruct thy sons concerning this;

6 ‘Because they that bless Him shall be blessed, And they that curse Him shall perish.’

CHAPTER 5

1 And thereupon the angel opened to me the gates of heaven, and I saw the holy temple, and upon a throne of glory the Most High.

2 And He said to me: ‘Levi, I have given thee the blessings of the priesthood until I come and sojourn in the midst of Israel.’

3 Then the angel brought me down to the earth, and gave me a shield and a sword, and said to me: ‘Execute vengeance on Shechem because of Dinah, thy sister, and I will be with thee because the Lord hath sent me.’

4 And I destroyed at that time the sons of Hamor, as it is written in the heavenly tablets.

5 And I said to him: ‘I pray Thee, O lord, tell me Thy name, that I may call upon Thee in a day of tribulation.’

6 And he said: ‘I am the angel who intercedeth for the nation of Israel that they may not be smitten utterly, for every evil spirit attacketh it.’

7 And after these things I awaked, and blessed the Most High, AND the angel who intercedeth for the nation of Israel and for all the righteous.

I know that in the last days ye shall depart from the Lord, And ye shall provoke Levi unto anger, And fight against Judah; But ye shall not prevail against them, For an angel of the Lord shall guide them both; For by them shall Israel stand. 5:4

And now, fear the Lord, my children, and beware of Satan and his spirits.

Draw near unto God and unto the angel that intercedeth for you, for he is a mediator between God and man, and for the peace of Israel he shall stand up against the kingdom of the enemy.

Therefore is the enemy eager to destroy all that call upon the Lord.

For he knoweth that upon the day on which Israel shall repent, the kingdom of the enemy shall be brought to an end.

For the very angel of peace shall strengthen Israel, that it fall not into the extremity of evil. And it shall be in the time of the lawlessness of Israel, that the Lord will not depart from them, but will transform them into a nation that doeth His will, for none of the angels will be equal unto him. And His name shall be in every place in Israel, and among the Gentiles.

Keep, therefore, yourselves, my children, from every evil work, And cast away wrath and all lying, And love truth and long-suffering.

And the things which ye have heard from your father, do ye also impart to your children.

Depart, therefore, from all unrighteousness, and cleave unto the righteousness of God, and your race will be saved for ever.

And bury me near my fathers. 6:1-9