The Orthodox Standard Journal

  The Christian epic poem known as the "Muspilli" survives in fragmentary form in a 9th century Bavarian manuscript; the Old German text describes what happens to the soul after death, the events of the end times, the battle between the Prophet St. Elias and the Antichrist, Second Coming of Christ with the Resurrection, and the Last Judgment.  It is possible the text was meant to be sung by bards and others, in a similar fashion to the work of Caedmon in England.  What I find important, however, is the witness it gives to the popular and ancient Christian belief that, after death, the souls of men are disputed over by angels and demons; this belief was so deeply ingrained among Christians not only in the Middle East, or in England, but also among the Old Germans, that it found consistent expression in Latin and vernacular poems, homilies, etc.  Here is the relevant text, as well as some of the important sections: "...his day comes, when he has to die.   Imm...

  “We have heard that He Who gave life to creatures laid down His Own Life for the salvation of mortal men. We have heard that God, Who is Impervious to suffering, Undertook Suffering in the Flesh on behalf of sinners. We have heard that He Who is Co-Eternal with the Father endured the punishment of death. What a Price beyond measure, redeeming the human race! What an Holocaust, allowing us to escape eternal flames! First there was the death which brought ruin, and then the End which brought abiding good without end; for when Satan, the dart of death, emerged against the Innocent One, the result was that he rightly lost those whom he held in subjection. Hell swallowed up its own destruction like fish, and when it thought it was obtaining plunder it was deceived and obtained the Plunderer instead. This is why Pope Leo [the Great], who was equal to his See, said so splendidly: ‘Though the death of many Martyrs was precious in the Sight of the Lord, the slaughter of no innocent man br...