I agree with the one reader and as you highlighted yourself that the three mysteries unknown to Satan were Mary's virginity, the birth of the Christ, and the death of the Lord. Satan seems oblivious at times (or maybe just "headstrong"). Revelation pictured him as waiting to devour the "Child" but unsuccessful. The three mysteries were that God would become man (virgin birth), the birth of Christ was only imprecisely revealed to Satan's operative (Herod) and ultimately Christ's death on the cross would be the victory for God and not for Satan. All this under the cove of silence as to "how" the prophecies of the Messiah would be God-man. Satan had just the OT to attempt to discern. And He obviously did not have the Holy Spirit Who alone opens Scripture. It would seem that Satan would at least know Genesis 3:16 enough to suspect the cross might not be a cause of victory for him but as with most hubris creatures, he chose to deceive himself in his lust for power?
As for the rest of the section - Alex seems to be on to that path though the language smacks of the apocalyptic type to me. It may just be spiritual warfare description that Christ's birth began the process of "turning the world upside down" at least in the spiritual realm - Christ's kingdom had come to the world and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.
I calculated 74.25 hours, or 74 hours and 25 minutes. Someone could read the entire Bible in one year, knowing it would take them less than 2 work weeks to read it.
Ignatius is referring to the three mysteries being hidden from the Devil until the coming of the star. Then Death itself was banished and destroyed in the incarnation.
There’s two renderings of this. Read the introduction to the letter to understand the different aspects of the two. I personally think that the shorter is more closely the reflection of the original. The longer is an interpretation by an unknown, but very old indeed, so is I think a valid “commentary “. The longer does somewhat clear some ambiguous statements up. You should have no problem understanding using both. Let the reader understand.
Pastor, I believe the “end of magic” may be a reference to the magical practices of astrology and star-gazing. The star in the sky is the Lord’s sign to magicians that He is God, and that His Son has come. Hence the magi. “Ignorance was removed” I believe is a reference not only to Ignatius’ previous statement about the devil being ignorant of God’s plans, but also the entire world being predominantly ignorant of the God of Israel. The star itself was a sort of Epiphany. Perfect for this season.
I have another updated translation of these works. It's clearer there that the 3 mysteries are the things he just mentioned: Mary's virginity, the birth of the Christ, and the death if the Lord
I agree with the one reader and as you highlighted yourself that the three mysteries unknown to Satan were Mary's virginity, the birth of the Christ, and the death of the Lord. Satan seems oblivious at times (or maybe just "headstrong"). Revelation pictured him as waiting to devour the "Child" but unsuccessful. The three mysteries were that God would become man (virgin birth), the birth of Christ was only imprecisely revealed to Satan's operative (Herod) and ultimately Christ's death on the cross would be the victory for God and not for Satan. All this under the cove of silence as to "how" the prophecies of the Messiah would be God-man. Satan had just the OT to attempt to discern. And He obviously did not have the Holy Spirit Who alone opens Scripture. It would seem that Satan would at least know Genesis 3:16 enough to suspect the cross might not be a cause of victory for him but as with most hubris creatures, he chose to deceive himself in his lust for power?
As for the rest of the section - Alex seems to be on to that path though the language smacks of the apocalyptic type to me. It may just be spiritual warfare description that Christ's birth began the process of "turning the world upside down" at least in the spiritual realm - Christ's kingdom had come to the world and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.
I calculated 74.25 hours, or 74 hours and 25 minutes. Someone could read the entire Bible in one year, knowing it would take them less than 2 work weeks to read it.
This is so far over my head that I need an oxygen mask to even look at the vapor trail…
Ignatius is referring to the three mysteries being hidden from the Devil until the coming of the star. Then Death itself was banished and destroyed in the incarnation.
Approx. 70hrs 40 mins to read the entire bible, but I'm not too good at math. It could be off.
https://books.google.com/books?id=u7CYetpA_rAC&pg=PA166&dq=Ignatius+“Three+Celebrated+Mysteries”&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjR2uLx9cL1AhV_JEQIHSgfA9wQ6AF6BAgJEAI#v=onepage&q&f=false
There’s two renderings of this. Read the introduction to the letter to understand the different aspects of the two. I personally think that the shorter is more closely the reflection of the original. The longer is an interpretation by an unknown, but very old indeed, so is I think a valid “commentary “. The longer does somewhat clear some ambiguous statements up. You should have no problem understanding using both. Let the reader understand.
Should the last sentence be mediated instead of meditated? A star shower to announce a silent mystery…….🤔
Pastor, I believe the “end of magic” may be a reference to the magical practices of astrology and star-gazing. The star in the sky is the Lord’s sign to magicians that He is God, and that His Son has come. Hence the magi. “Ignorance was removed” I believe is a reference not only to Ignatius’ previous statement about the devil being ignorant of God’s plans, but also the entire world being predominantly ignorant of the God of Israel. The star itself was a sort of Epiphany. Perfect for this season.
On Ingatius
I have another updated translation of these works. It's clearer there that the 3 mysteries are the things he just mentioned: Mary's virginity, the birth of the Christ, and the death if the Lord
The volume I used is in Logos.
"The Fathers of the Church" series. 1947