The Shepherd of Hermas

the colour of fire and blood means that this world must be destroyed by blood and fire.

The golden part is you, who have fled from this world, for even as gold is tried in the fire, and becomes valuable, so also you who live among them,[*](The them means fire and blood ; but the construction of the sentence is awkward.) are being tried. Those then who remain and pass through the flames shall be purified by them. Even as the gold puts away its dross, so also you will put away all sorrow and tribulation, and will be made pure and become useful for the building of the tower.

But the white part is the world to come, in which the elect of God shall dwell, for those who have been chosen by God for eternal life will be without spot and pure.

Therefore do not cease to speak to the ears of the saints. You have also the type of the great persecution to come, but if you will it shall be nothing. Remember what was written before.

When she had said this she went away, and I did not see to what place she departed, for there was a cloud, and I turned backwards in fear, thinking that the beast was coming.

While I was praying at home and sitting on[*](The coming of the shepherd) my bed, there entered a man glorious to look on, in the dress of a shepherd, covered with a white goatskin, with a bag on his shoulders and a staff in his hand. And he greeted me, and I greeted him back.

And at once he sat down by me, and said to me, I have been sent by the most reverend angel to dwell with you the rest of the days of your life.