BOOK OF THE MYSTERIES OF THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH

The Book of the Mysteries of the Heavens and the Earth was E. A. Wallis Budge's (b. 1857) last completed translation before he passed away in 1934. It was first published in 1935 in a limited edition that is extremely hard to find today. This edition makes available for a new generation an Ethiopian text that was believed to have been revealed to its scribe by the archangel Gabriel in the 15th century. It lays out mystical cosmography, including the angelic hierarchy, gives an interpretation of St. John's Revelation, and contains discourses on the godhead, the trinity, and the birth of Enoch. This work is of value for students of esotericism, Gnosticism, and African culture, as it sheds light on the distinctive features of Ethiopian Christianity -- an intriguing blend of magical practice and orthodox theology. R. A. Gilbert's foreword explains the evolution of Christianity and religious literature in Ethiopia and the significance of this work among Sir Wallis Budge's many translations of ancient religious texts. Book jacket.