The Church is built on a Rock that is older than creation and a Gate that appeared in time. In Hermas, the Son of God is both—the eternal counselor with the Father in creation and the newly manifested entrance through whom alone anyone enters the kingdom. The tower is the Church. The stones that pass through the gate and remain are those who not only bear His name but are clothed with His power—Faith, Continence, Power, Patience, Simplicity, Innocence, Purity, Cheerfulness, Truth, Understanding, Harmony, and Love. The tragedy is not ignorance of the gate, but casting off the garments. Some receive the name yet exchange the strength of the virgins for the allure of Unbelief, Incontinence, Disobedience, and Deceit. Yet the building pauses for repentance. The seal is the water: dead we descend, alive we rise. Even those who slept were given the seal ...