Abel and the Twelve Tribes

Testament of Abraham 13:1–14

1st or 2nd Century

1And Abraham said, “My lord Commander-in-chief, who is this all-wondrous judge? And who are the angels who are recording? And who is the sunlike angel who holds the balance? And who is the fiery angel who holds the fire?” 2The Commander-in-chief said, “Do you see, all-pious Abraham, the frightful man who is seated on the throne? This is the son of…

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Abel, the slain son of Abraham, sits in judgment over all of creation—a vision of a human judge rather than a divine one. The Greek word parousia in this text means “presence” or “arrival.” In Christian apocalyptic contexts, the term usually refers to the second coming of an anticipated messianic figure (for example, in Matthew 24:27 and 1 Thessalonians 4:15).

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