Themes

The Apocalypse of the Virgin addresses several important themes concerning justice and righteousness:

• Sin and judgment. Mary sees not only unbelievers in torment, but also Christians (ch. 24) and those associated with the church (chs. 12–21). The river of fire where sinners are immersed at various depths suggests certain sins result in harsher punishments than others (chs. 5–8). In some cases, the punishment appears to fit the crime. Those hung by their tongues are punished for perjury, blasphemy, and slander (ch. 14). Although Mary often cries from seeing these punishments, on two occasions she indicates the punishments are just (chs. 15, 23). God also says his punishments are just (chs. 27–28).

• Mercy. Although the work conveys a sense of just punishment for the condemned, the text also shows God as compassionate toward sinners, even offering sinners temporary relief from their torment (chs. 29–30). The mercy theme also appears in the prayers of Mary and the saints as they ask God to extend mercy to sinful Christians (chs. 26–28).

• Intercessory prayer. According to the narrative, the saints’ prayers for mercy move God to have compassion on sinners, even though his judgments are just (ch. 29). The text demonstrates intercessory prayer through Mary, who requests to appear before God in order to plead for mercy on behalf of sinners (ch. 26). She is soon accompanied by all the saints and angels in heaven, who join her in interceding for sinners (chs. 27–28).