Editing Testament of Adam (section)

==Content==
The text is [[pseudepigraphy|pseudepigraphically]] attributed to Adam's son [[Seth]], who wrote the Testament then sealed it in the Cave of Treasures.  The first section, called the [[Horarium]] by S. E. Robinson, consists of describing which creatures praise God at each hour, and how they do so.  It is notably a unitary view of God's dominion over creation rather than a [[Dualism in cosmology|dualist]] one: all, from demons to the fire to grass to humans to angels, serve God.<ref name="robinson" />

In the second section, called the Prophecy by Robinson, Adam reveals hidden information to Seth.  He tells of the creation and fall of man, speaks of the coming [[Great Flood]], prophecies of the [[Passion of Jesus Christ]], and the final end of the world.  God also promises to make Adam a god, but "not right now"; the delay is due to Adam's sin in eating the [[forbidden fruit]], identified here as a [[fig]].  God says he will [[deify]] Adam after God's (Jesus's) resurrection, and Adam will sit at the right hand of God.<ref name="robinson" />

The third section, called the Hierarchy by Robinson, includes a detailed [[Christian angelology|angelology]] that describes all nine orders of angels and their functions.  In order from lowest to highest, [[angel]]s act as [[guardian angel]]s, with one for each human.  [[Archangel]]s care for non-humans such as animals and birds. Archons control the weather.  [[Authority (angel)|Authorities]] govern the sources of light in the sky above: the Sun, the Moon, and the stars. [[Principality (angel)|Power]]s stop demons from destroying the world in their jealousy of humanity.  [[Dominion (angel)|Dominion]]s rule over political kingdoms and control victory and defeat in battle.  The text describes one as riding a red horse and killing thousands under the Assyrian king, along with a reference to the [[2 Maccabees]] version of the [[Battle of Beth Zur]] where an angel armed with a golden weapon helped send the Seleucid army to flight.  [[Throne (angel)|Thrones]] guard the gate of the holy of holies and stand before the throne of God. [[Cherubim]] carry the throne of the Lord and are keepers of the divine seals. [[Seraphim]] serve in the inner chamber.<ref name="robinson" />