The Vision of Souls Passing Upward

He was also granted this favor. As he sat alone on the mountain, whenever he was perplexed in his meditations, the answer was revealed to him by Providence in prayer. The blessed man, as it is written, was taught by God. After this, once when he had a discussion with some men who had come to him about the state of the soul, and what kind of place it will have after this life, on the following night someone from above called him, saying, “Antony, get up, go out and look.” So he went out (for he knew whom he ought to obey), and looking up he saw someone standing who reached to the clouds, tall, hideous, and frightening, and others going up as though they had wings. The figure stretched out his hands, and some of those who were going up were stopped by him, while others flew above him, escaped toward heaven, and were carried aloft free from care. At these the giant gnashed his teeth, but he rejoiced over those who fell back. And at once a voice came to Antony, “Do you understand what you are seeing?” His understanding was opened, and he understood that it was the passing of souls, and that the tall being standing there was the enemy who envies the faithful. Those whom he caught and stopped from passing through are answerable to him, while those he could not hold as they passed upward had not been subject to him. [a]

Having seen this, and as though reminded by it, he struggled all the more every day to press on toward the things that lay ahead. He did not want to tell these visions. But because he spent much time in prayer and was amazed, when those who were with him pressed him with questions and forced him, he was compelled to speak, like a father who cannot hold back anything from his children. He thought that since his conscience was clear, the account would be helpful to them, so that they might learn that discipline bears good fruit, and that visions are often the comfort of their labors.