The Testament of Abraham

And Abraham, leaving Sarah, went into the dining room and said to Isaac, “Come, my beloved son, tell me the truth, what did you see and what have you suffered that you came to us so quickly?”

And Isaac, answering, began to say, “I saw, my lord, this night the sun and the moon above my head, and their rays circling and illuminating me.

And as I was watching these things and rejoicing, I saw heaven opened, and I saw a luminous man descend from heaven, shining more brightly than seven suns.

And that sun-like man came and took the sun from my head, and ascended to the heavens from where he had come.

And I was greatly grieved that he had taken the sun from me. And shortly after, while I was still grieving and anxious, I saw that man come out of heaven a second time. And he took the moon from my head as well.

And I wept greatly and implored that luminous man and said, “No, my lord, do not take my glory from me; have mercy on me and hear me. Even if you have taken the sun from me, at least leave the moon upon me.”

But he said, “Let them be taken up to the King on high, for he wants them there.” And he took them from me, but left their rays upon me.

Then the archistrategos said, “Listen, righteous Abraham. The sun that your child saw, you are he, his father. And the moon likewise is his mother, Sarah. And the light-bearing man who descended from the heaven of God—this is he who has been sent from God, who is about to take your righteous soul from you.”

“And now know, most honored Abraham, that you are about to leave this worldly life at this time and to go away to God.”

Then Abraham said to the archistrategos, “O wonder, newer than wonders! Are you then he who is about to take my soul from me?”

The archistrategos said to him, “I am Michael, the archistrategos who stands before God, and I was sent to you to announce to you the remembrance of death. And after this I will go away to him, as we were commanded.”

And Abraham said, “Now I know that you are an angel of the Lord, and you were sent to take my soul. But I will not follow you. Rather, do what you command.”