The Holy Scriptures teach that God’s plan of redeeming mankind by the cross of Christ was something hidden from the rulers of this evil age:

“Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age (ton archonton tou aionos), who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glorification. None of the rulers of this age (ton archonton tou aionos) understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” 1 Corinthians 2:6-8

These rulers include Satan and his demonic minions, as the following texts affirm:

“And the devil took him up, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, ‘To you I will give all this authority and their glory; for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it shall all be yours.’” Luke 4:5-7

“Now is the judgment of this world, now shall the ruler of this world (ho archon tou kosmou) be cast out;” John 12:31

“I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world (ho tou kosmou archon) is coming. He has no power over me;” John 14:30

“concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world (ho archon tou kosmou) is judged.” John 16:11

“For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12  

“We know that we are of God, and the whole world is in the power of the evil one.” 1 John 5:19

The Bible also states that Satan even takes up residence in a specific earthly location to rule from, which at the time of Revelation happened to be Pergamum:

“And to the angel of the church in Per′gamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; you hold fast my name and you did not deny my faith even in the days of An′tipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.’” Revelation 2:12-13

We are further informed that the mysteries of Christ’s incarnation, death, resurrection and ascension were entrusted to the household of God to explain, which is precisely why the heavenly powers now look to Christ’s Church to understand God’s wisdom in using the Cross to destroy the kingdom of darkness:  

“Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed and through the prophetic writings is made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—to the only wise God be glory for evermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.” Romans 16:25-27

“For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.When you read this you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,and to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confidence of access through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.” Ephesians 3:1-13

The foregoing helps us appreciate the shock and horror of the demonic realm upon seeing Jesus in the flesh on earth before the appointed time of his consigning them to everlasting destruction:

“And they went into Caper′na-um; and immediately on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit;and he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, ‘What is this? A new teaching! With authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’” Mark 1:21-27

“They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Ger′asenes. And when he had come out of the boat, there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who lived among the tombs; and no one could bind him any more, even with a chain; for he had often been bound with fetters and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the fetters he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out, and bruising himself with stones. And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped him; and crying out with a loud voice, he said, ‘What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.’ For he had said to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!’” Mark 5:1-8

“And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. And behold, they cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?’” Matthew 8:28-29

“Jesus then asked him, ‘What is your name?’ And he said, ‘Legion’; for many demons had entered him. And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss.” Luke 8:30-31

The realm of darkness was unaware of God’s plan in sending his beloved Son to destroy the devil’s rule over men because of their sin, which brought them under the dominion of Satan, by Christ paying their debt through dying the death mankind deserved:

“In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ;and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.And you, who were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, having canceled the bond which stood against us with its legal demands; this he set aside, nailing it to the cross.He disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in him.” Colossians 2:11-15

“But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for every one. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering.For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have all one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brethren,saying, ‘I will proclaim thy name to my brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will praise thee.’ And again, ‘I will put my trust in him.’ And again, ‘Here am I, and the children God has given me.’ Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil,and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage. For surely it is not with angels that he is concerned but with the descendants of Abraham.Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people.For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.” Hebrews 2:9-18

In so doing, Jesus released mankind from the grip of Satan, since the enemy no longer has any legal right over individuals that have placed their trust in Christ seeing that they no longer have any debt that remains. As just previously stated, the devil’s power over human beings lies in the fact of their sinning since, whenever they transgress God’s Law – which is what sin is (Cf. 1 John 3:4) – they authorize the enemy to exercise authority over them as punishment for their rebellion.

Therefore, where there is no sin there is no debt, and where there is no debt Satan no longer has dominion nor can he bring any legal charge against God’s people:

“What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us?He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him?Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies;who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?As it is written, ‘For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39   

ADDENDUM

This view of God preventing the rulers of the demonic realm from comprehending the mystery of the Cross is also found and attested throughout early Christian sources and pseudepigraphical works:  

Chapter 19. Three celebrated mysteries

Now the virginity of Mary was hidden from the prince of this world, as was also her offspring, and the death of the Lord; three mysteries of renown, which were wrought in silence by God. How, then, was He manifested to the world? A star shone forth in heaven above all the other stars, the light of which was inexpressible, while its novelty struck men with astonishment. And all the rest of the stars, with the sun and moon, formed a chorus to this star, and its light was exceedingly great above them all. And there was agitation felt as to whence this new spectacle came, so unlike to everything else [in the heavens]. Hence every kind of magic was destroyed, and every bond of wickedness disappeared; ignorance was removed, and the old kingdom abolished, God Himself being manifested in human form for the renewal of eternal life. And now that took a beginning which had been prepared by God. Henceforth all things were in a state of tumult, because He meditated the abolition of death. (Ignatius, Epistle to the Ephesians)

Chapter 4 (20).

And when all were in such joy, came Satan the heir of darkness, and said to Hades: O all-devouring and insatiable, hear my words. There is of the race of the Jews one named Jesus, calling himself the Son of God; and being a man, by our working with them the Jews have crucified him: and now when he is dead, be ready that we may secure him here. For I know that he is a man, and I heard him also saying, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death. Mark 15:34 He has also done me many evils when living with mortals in the upper world. For wherever he found my servants, he persecuted them; and whatever men I made crooked, blind, lame, lepers, or any such thing, by a single word he healed them; and many whom I had got ready to be buried, even these through a single word he brought to life again.

Hades says: And is this man so powerful as to do such things by a single word? Or if he be so, can you withstand him? It seems to me that, if he be so, no one will be able to withstand him. And if you say that you heard him dreading death, he said this mocking you, and laughing, wishing to seize you with the strong hand; and woe, woe to you, to all eternity!

Satan says: O all-devouring and insatiable Hades, are you so afraid at hearing of our common enemy? I was not afraid of him, but worked in the Jews, and they crucified him, and gave him also to drink gall with vinegar. Matthew 27:34 Make ready, then, in order that you may lay fast hold of him when he comes.

Hades answered: Heir of darkness, son of destruction, devil, you have just now told me that many whom you had made ready to be buried, be brought to life again by a single word. And if he has delivered others from the tomb, how and with what power shall he be laid hold of by us? For I not long ago swallowed down one dead, Lazarus by name; and not long after, one of the living by a single word dragged him up by force out of my bowels: and I think that it was he of whom you speak. If, therefore, we receive him here, I am afraid lest perchance we be in danger even about the rest. For, lo, all those that I have swallowed from eternity I perceive to be in commotion, and I am pained in my belly. And the snatching away of Lazarus beforehand seems to me to be no good sign: for not like a dead body, but like an eagle, he flew out of me; for so suddenly did the earth throw him out. Wherefore also I adjure even you, for your benefit and for mine, not to bring him here; for I think that he is coming here to raise all the dead. And this I tell you: by the darkness in which we live, if you bring him here, not one of the dead will be left behind in it to me.

Chapter 5 (21).

While Satan and Hades were thus speaking to each other, there was a great voice like thunder, saying: Lift up your gates, O you rulers; and be lifted up, you everlasting gates; and the King of glory shall come in. When Hades heard, he said to Satan: Go forth, if you are able, and withstand him. Satan therefore went forth to the outside. Then Hades says to his demons: Secure well and strongly the gates of brass and the bars of iron, and attend to my bolts, and stand in order, and see to everything; for if he come in here, woe will seize us.

The forefathers having heard this, began all to revile him, saying: O all-devouring and insatiable! Open, that the King of glory may come in. David the prophet says: Do you not know, O blind, that I when living in the world prophesied this saying: Lift up your gates, O you rulers? Hesaias said: I, foreseeing this by the Holy Spirit, wrote: The dead shall rise up, and those in their tombs shall be raised, and those in the earth shall rejoice. And where, O death, is your sting? Where, O Hades, is your victory? Hosea 13:14

There came, then, again a voice saying: Lift up the gates. Hades, hearing the voice the second time, answered as if forsooth he did not know, and says: Who is this King of glory? The angels of the Lord say: The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. And immediately with these words the brazen gates were shattered, and the iron bars broken, and all the dead who had been bound came out of the prisons, and we with them. And the King of glory came in in the form of a man, and all the dark places of Hades were lighted up.

Chapter 6 (22).

Immediately Hades cried out: We have been conquered: woe to us! But who are you, that hast such power and might? And what are you, who comest here without sin who art seen to be small and yet of great power, lowly and exalted, the slave and the master, the soldier and the king, who hast power over the dead and the living? You were nailed on the cross, and placed in the tomb; and now you are free, and hast destroyed all our power. Are you then the Jesus about whom the chief satrap Satan told us, that through cross and death you are to inherit the whole world?

Then the King of glory seized the chief satrap Satan by the head, and delivered him to His angels, and said: With iron chains bind his hands and his feet, and his neck, and his mouth. Then He delivered him to Hades, and said: Take him, and keep him secure till my second appearing.

Chapter 7 (23).

And Hades receiving Satan, said to him: Beelzebul, heir of fire and punishment, enemy of the saints, through what necessity did you bring about that the King of glory should be crucified, so that he should come here and deprive us of our power? Turn and see that not one of the dead has been left in me, but all that you have gained through the tree of knowledge, all have you lost through the tree of the cross: and all your joy has been turned into grief; and wishing to put to death the King of glory, you have put yourself to death. For, since I have received you to keep you safe, by experience shall you learn how many evils I shall do unto you. O arch-devil, the beginning of death, root of sin, end of all evil, what evil did you find in Jesus, that you should compass his destruction? How have you dared to do such evil? How have you busied yourself to bring down such a man into this darkness, through whom you have been deprived of all who have died from eternity? (Gospel of Nicodemus, Part II, Greek Form)

Chapter 9

And he led me into the air of the seventh heaven, and moreover I heard a voice saying, “How far is he who dwells among aliens to go up?” And I was afraid and was trembling. 2 And he said to me when I was trembling, “Behold! From there another voice which was sent out has come, and it says, ‘The holy Isaiah is permitted to come up here, for his robe is here.'” 3 And I asked the angel who (was) with me and said, “Who is the one who prevented me, and who is this one (who turned to me that I might go up)?'” 4 And he said to me, “The one who prevented you, this is the one [who (is) in charge of] the praise of the sixth heaven. 5 And the one (who turned to you}, this is your Lord, the Lord, the Lord Christ, who is to be called in the world Jesus, but you cannot hear his name until you have come up from this body. 6 And he took me up into the seventh heaven, and there I saw a wonderful light, and also angels without number. 7 And there I saw all the righteous from the time of Adam onwards. 8 And there I saw the holy Abel and all the righteous. 7 And there I saw Enoch and all who (were) with him, stripped of (their) robes of the flesh; and I saw them in their robes of above, and they were like the angels who stand there in great glory. 10 But they were not sitting on their thrones, nor were their crowns of glory on them. 11 And I asked the angel who (was) with me, “How is it that they have received these robes, but are not on (their) thrones nor in (their) crowns?” 12 And he said to me, “They do not receive the crowns and thrones of glory—nevertheless, they do see and know whose (will be) the thrones and whose the crowns—until the Beloved descends in the form in which you will see him descend. 13 The Lord will indeed descend into the world in the last days, (he) who is to be called Christ after he has descended and become like you in form, and they will think that he is flesh and a man. 14 And the god of that world will stretch out [his hand against the Son], and they will lay their hands upon him and hang him upon a tree, not knowing who he is. 15 And thus his descent, as you will see, will be concealed even from the heavens so that it will not be known who he is. 16 And when he has plundered the angel of death, he will rise on the third day and will remain in that world for five hundred and forty-five days. 17 And then many of the righteous will ascend with him, whose spirits do not receive (their) robes until the Lord Christ ascends and they ascend with him. 18 Then indeed they will receive their robes and their thrones and their crowns, when he has ascended into the seventh heaven.”

19 And I said to him what I had asked him in the third heaven, 20 [“Show me how everything] which is done in that world is known here.” 21 And while I was still speaking to him, behold one of the angels who were standing by, more glorious than that angel who had brought me up from the world, showed me (some) books, {but not like the books of this world}; and he opened them, and the books had writing in them, but not like the books of this world. And they were given to me, and I read them, and behold the deeds of the children of Israel were written there, their deeds which you know, my son Josab. 23 And I said, “Truly, nothing which is done in this world is hidden in the seventh heaven.” 24 And I saw many robes placed there, and many thrones and many crowns, 25 and I said to the angel who led me, “Whose (are) these robes and thrones and crowns?” 26 And he said to me, “As for these robes, there are many from that world who will receive (them) through believing in the words of that one who will be named as I have told you, and they will keep them, and believe in them, and believe in his cross; [for them (are) these] placed (here).” 27 And I saw one standing (there) whose glory surpassed that of all, and his glory was great and wonderful. 28 And when they saw him, all the righteous whom I had seen and the angels came to him. And Adam and Abel and Seth and all the righteous approached first and worshiped him, and they all praised him with one voice, and I also was singing praises with them, and my praise was like theirs. 29 And then all the angels approached, and worshiped, and sang praises. 30 And he was transformed and became like an angel. 31 And then the angel who led me said to me, “Worship this one,” and I worshiped and sang praises. 32 And the angel said to me, “This is the Lord of all the praise which you have seen.” 33 And while I was still speaking, I saw another glorious (person) who was like him, and the righteous approached him, and worshiped, and sang praises, and I also sang praises with them; but his glory was not transformed to accord with their form. 34 And then the angels approached and worshiped him. 35And I saw the Lord and the second angel, and they were standing, 36 and the second one whom I saw (was) on the left of my Lord. And I asked the angel who led me and I said to him, “Who is this one?” And he said to me, “Worship him, for this is the angel of the Holy Spirit who has spoken in you and also in the other righteous.” 37 And I saw the Great Glory while the eyes of my spirit were open, but I could not thereafter see, nor the angel who (was) with me, nor any of the angels whom I had seen worship my Lord. 38 But I saw the righteous as they beheld with great power the glory of that one. 39 And my Lord approached me, and the angel of the Spirit, and said, “See how it has been given to you to see the Lord, and (how) because of you power has been given to the angel who (is) with you.” 40 And I saw how my Lord and the angel of the Holy Spirit worshiped and both together praised the Lord. 41 And then all the righteous approached and worshiped, 42 and the angels approached and worshiped, and all the angels sang praises.

Chapter 10 

And then I heard the voices and the hymns of praise which! had heard in each of the six heavens—which I had heard as I ascended there; 2 and all (the voices and hymns of praise) were directed to that Glorious One whose glory I could not see. 3 And I also heard and saw the praise (which was directed to) him, 4 and the Lord and the angel of the Spirit heard everything and saw everything. 5 And all the praise which was sent (up) from the six heavens was not only heard, but seen. 6 And I heard the angel who led me, and he said to me, “This is the Most High of the high ones, who dwells in the holy world, who rests among the holy ones, who will be called by the Holy Spirit in the mouth of the righteous the Father of the Lord.” 7 And I heard the voice of the Most High, the Father of my Lord, as he said to my Lord Christ, who will be called Jesus, 8 “Go out and descend through all the heavens. You shall descend through the firmament and through that world as far as the angel who (is) in Sheol, but you shall not go as far as Perdition. 9 And you shall make your likeness like that of all who (are) in the five heavens, 10 and you shall take care to make your form like that of the angels of the firmament and also (like that) of the angels who (are) in Sheol. 11 And none of the angels of that world shall know that you (are) Lord with me of the seven heavens and of their angels. And they shall not know that you (are) with me 12 when with the voice of the heavens I summon you, and their angels and their lights, and when I lift up (my voice) to the sixth heaven, that you may judge and destroy the princes and the angels and the gods of that world, and the world which is ruled by them, 13 for they have denied me and said, ‘We alone are, and there is no one besides us.’

14 And afterwards you shall ascend from the gods of death to your place, and you shall not be transformed in each of the heavens, but in glory you shall ascend and sit at my right hand, 15 and then the princes and the powers of that world will worship you.” 16 This command I heard the Great Glory giving to my Lord. 17 And thus I saw when my Lord went out from the seventh heaven into the sixth heaven. 18 And the angel who had led me from this world was with me, and he said to me, “Understand, Isaiah, and look, that you may see the transformation and descent of the Lord.” 19 And I looked, and when the angels who (were) in the sixth heaven saw him, they praised him and glorified him, for he had not been transformed into the form of the angels there; and they praised him, and I also sang praises with them. 20 And I saw when he descended into the fifth heaven, that in the fifth heaven he made his form like that of the angels there, and they did not praise him, for his form was like theirs. 21 And then he descended into the fourth heaven and made his form like that of the angels there, 22 and when they saw him, they did not praise him or glorify him, for his form (was) like their form. 23 And again I saw when he descended into the third heaven, that he made his form like that of the angels who (were) in the third heaven. 24 And those who kept the gate of the (third) heaven demanded the password, and the Low gave (it) to them in order that he should not be recognized; and when they saw him, they did not praise him or glorify him, for his form (was) like their form. 25 And again I saw when he descended into the second heaven, that there again he gave the password, for those who kept the gates demanded (it), and the Lord gave (it). 26 And I saw when he made his form like that of the angels who (were) in the second heaven, that they saw him, but did not praise him, for his form (was) like their form. 27 And again I saw when he descended into the first heaven, that there he gave the password to those who kept the gates. And he made his form like that of the angels who (were) on the left of that throne, and they did not praise him or glorify him, for his form (was) like their form. 28 And as for me, no one questioned me because of the angel who led me. 29 And again he descended into the firmament where the prince of this world dwells, and he gave the password to those who (were) on the left, and his form (was) like theirs, and they did not praise him there; but in envy they were fighting one another, for there is there a power of evil and envying about trifles. 30 And I saw when he descended and made himself like the angels of the air, that he was like one of them. 31 And he did not give the password, for they were plundering and doing violence to one another. (“THE ASCENSION OF ISAIAH”, 9:1-10:31)

Chapter 11

And after this I looked, and the angel who spoke to me and led me said to me, “Understand, Isaiah son of Amoz, because for this purpose I was sent from the Lord.” 2 And I saw a woman of the family of David the prophet whose name (was) Mary, and she (was) a virgin and was betrothed to a man whose name (was) Joseph, a carpenter, and he also (was) of the seed and family of the righteous David of Bethlehem in Judah. 3 And he came into his lot. And when she was betrothed, she was found to be pregnant, and Joseph the carpenter wished to divorce her. 4 But the angel of the Spirit appeared in this world, and after this Joseph did not divorce Mary; but he did not reveal this matter to anyone. 5 And he did not approach Mary, but kept her as a holy virgin, although she was pregnant. 6 And he did not live with her for two months. 7 And after two months of days, while Joseph was in his house, and Mary his wife, but both alone, 8 it came about, when they were alone, that Mary then looked with her eyes and saw a small infant, and she was astounded. 9 And after her astonishment had worn off, her womb was found as (it was) at first, before she had conceived. 10 And when her husband, Joseph, said to her, “What has made you astounded?” his eyes were opened, and he saw the infant and praised the Lord, because the Lord had come in his lot. 11And a voice came to them, “Do not tell this vision to anyone.” 12 But the story about the infant was spread abroad in Bethlehem. 13 Some said, “The virgin Mary has given birth before she has been married two months.” 14 But many said, “She did not give birth; the midwife did not go up (to her), and we did not hear (any) cries of pain.” And they were all blinded concerning him; they all knew about him, but they did not know from where he was. 15 And they took him and went to Nazareth in Galilee. 16 And I saw, O Hezekiah and Josab my son, and say to the other prophets also who are standing by, that it was hidden from all the heavens and all the princes and every god of this world. 17 And I saw (that) in Nazareth he sucked the breast like an infant, as was customary, that he might not be recognized. 18 And when he had grown up, he performed great signs and miracles in the land of Israel and (in) Jerusalem. 19 And after this the adversary envied him and roused the children of Israel, who did not know who he was, against him. And they handed him to the ruler, and crucified him, and he descended to the angel who (is) in Sheol. 20 In Jerusalem, indeed, I saw how they crucified him on a tree, 21 and likewise (how) after the third day he remained (many) days.

22 And the angel who led me said to me, “Understand, Isaiah.” And I saw when he sent out the twelve disciples and ascended. 23And I saw him, and he was in the firmament, but was not transformed into their form. And all the angels of the firmament, and Satan, saw him and worshiped. 24 And there was much sorrow there as they said, “How did our Lord descend upon us, and we did not notice the glory which was upon him, which we (now) see was upon him from the sixth heaven?” 25 And he ascended into the second heaven, and he was not transformed, but all the angels who (were) on the right and on the left, and the throne in the middle, 26 worshiped him, and praised him, and said, “How did our Lord, remain hidden from us as he descended, and we did not notice?” 27 And in the same way he ascended into the third (heaven), and in the same way they praised him and spoke. 28 And in the fourth heaven and also in the fifth they spoke in exactly the same way. 29 But there was one glory, and from it he was not transformed. 30 And I saw when he ascended into the sixth heaven, that they worshiped him and praised him; 31 but in all the heavens the praise grew louder. 32 And I saw how he ascended into the seventh heaven, and all the righteous and all the angels praised him. And then I saw that he sat down at the right hand of that Great Glory, whose glory I told you I could not behold. 33 And also I saw that the angel of the Holy Spirit sat on the left. 34 This angel said to me, “Isaiah, son of Amoz, [it is enough for you], for these (are) great things, for you have observed what no one born of flesh has observed. 35 And you shall return into your robe until your days are complete; then you shall come here.” These things I saw. 36 And Isaiah told (them) to all those who were standing before him, and they sang praises. And he spoke to Hezekiah the king and said, “These things I have spoken. 37 And the end of this world 38 and all this vision will be brought about in the last generation.” 39 And Isaiah made him swear that he would not tell this to the people of Israel, and that he would not allow any man to copy these words. 40 And then they shall read them. But as for you, be in the Holy Spirit that you may receive your robes, and the thrones and crowns of glory, which are placed in the seventh heaven. 41 Because of these visions and prophecies Sammael Satan sawed Isaiah the son of Amoz, the prophet, in half by the hand of Manasseh. 42 And Hezekiah gave all these things to Manasseh in the twenty-sixth year of his reign. 43 But Manasseh did not remember these things, nor place them in his heart, but he became the servant of Satan and was destroyed.

Here ends (the book) of Isaiah the prophet with his ascension. (Ibid., 11:1-43)

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