The Proclamation of the Resurrection

It must be said, because of the truth, what is the inherent nature of things. Who then are those closing the marketplace? They are the teachers. This is similar to what is said in Isaiah, though rather according to a different thought than the literal words: 'I am being finished by the clouds so that no rain falls upon it'; because they received the 'rain,' they turned the 'thorns' and 'thistles' into plants, but the intention of the 'clouds' and what was commanded to them was that the 'vineyard might bring forth brief grapes'; but since instead of 'grapes' they had grown 'thorns', not wishing to increase the evil again by stinginess, He 'commanded' them 'not to rain'.

In this way also these teachers, since they no longer had those whom they ought to teach, 'closed the doors in the marketplaces'. And this happens in this way many times, for when the teachers hear: 'Do not give the holy thing to the dogs, nor cast pearls before the swine, lest turning they throw them upon you and trample you' (Matt 7:6). Toward this, again, 'it is not given to those'. For they were about to be more impious, 'trampling' the divine words which are the 'pearls', and decorating the 'inner man' with worldly things; they did not value their beauty or worth, they were about to 'trample' them instead of regarding them highly. So in a certain way they 'close the doors in the marketplace' here; and if so here, much more there, until the judgment seat and the tribunal be 'opened'.

'And the daughters of song shall rise up to the voice of a sparrow, and all the daughters of song shall be humbled' (Ps 47:6). The 'marketplace' will 'rise up to the voice of a sparrow'. Those 'knowing in part and prophesying' 'closed' the 'marketplace' and its 'doors'. These are the 'apostles', the 'prophets', the 'teachers' among men. Let us show that even the spiritual beings 'sent for ministry' are 'withdrawn' 'to the voice of a sparrow'. A 'sparrow' may be said to be the Savior here according to the man, according to: 'And I became as a sparrow upon a roof' (Matt 24:32). And each of the birds, when 'having heard the words' of Jesus, turns them into works and 'builds a house' and fills the building and crowns the building, cries out 'upon the roof' in vigilance.

As if raising the 'voice'. The proclamation of the truth can also be called a 'sparrow' then, becoming lofty, since it once happened below for the hearers. But since now even the perfect hearers have become inspired and pursue the things above, there the 'sparrow upon the roof' cries out to them; the perfect has cried out, happening above the world, to face 'face to face' with the truth.

'Rising to the voice of the sparrow', since it is also possible for them themselves to 'rise' concerning which the word speaks according to the expected resurrection. The proclamation of the resurrection signifies one thing in many ways. For when it is compared to a 'trumpet'—'the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall rise incorruptible' (1 Cor 15:52)—this trumpeter is the herald of the resurrection, calling so that all having heard the summons may 'rise'. For this reason it is compared to a 'trumpet'. And this instrument is loud-voiced and is heard everywhere. Thus also here the proclamation of the resurrection said 'sparrow', which seems not to be undignified.

The 'rising ones' are 'being raised', but instead of 'corruptible' they are 'incorruptible', instead of 'dishonorable' and 'weak' they are 'strong' and 'glorious', instead of 'psychic' they are 'spiritual'. Therefore, there will be a 'rising into the voice of the sparrow'. But how will that 'marketplace' which was 'closed' 'rise'? It will 'rise' in the whole world.

I say this: that proclamation being made public here changes from being 'in part' 'prophecy or knowledge' (1 Cor 13:9) but becomes 'face to face'. This is the 'rising' according to the former dispensation. But what kind of 'time' shall we receive? The time of 'judgment'. But in what 'time' is it 'closed'? When the present age reaches its end. In this... the beginning and the end are one. The end of this day brings the beginning of the next... there is no separating time from time. Therefore, what is called 'now', which they say is noteworthy and the boundary of time, is the end of the past, the future of the present, and again the end of the present and the beginning of the future. If I say this, I say judgment and resurrection together; and it seems that the beginning is the end of the resurrection.