The mystery of the Great pyramid : traditions concerning it and its connection with the Egyptian Book of the dead : with numerous illustrations

MYSTERY OF THE GREAT PYRAMID

Way ” of Heb. x, 20, symbolizing the spaciousness of the Gospel Age, typified by the great height of the Gallery (28 feet) compared to the dark and cramped passage which gives access to it, and which is a fit symbol of the restrictions under the “ Yoke of the Law ” of the Mosaic age, which preceded it.

The passage system and chambers of the Great Pyramid are thus divided into three stages: (1) the Hall of Truth in Darkness ; (2) the Hall of Truth in Light ; and (3) the Plane of Revelation, represented by the level portion from the top of the Great Step, at the upper end of the Grand Gallery, into the Ante-chamber and King’s Chamber. The initiate had thus first to justify himself by courage and integrity in the Hall of Truth in Darkness—also called the Hall of Justification—before he could gain admission into the Hall of Truth in Light, or Hall of Illumination. Further tests were then required of him (First Low Passage) to qualify for access to the Plane of Revelation with its triple veil in the ante-chamber, followed by still severer tests (Second Low Passage), after which access is gained to the final Mystery in the King’s Chamber and “ death is swallowed up in victory ”’ (1 Corin. xv, 54).

The five spaces above the King’s Chamber, generally known as “ Chambers of Construction”’, or “ Relieving Chambers”, since their purpose is to relieve the ceiling of the King’s Chamber of the great weight of superincumbent masonry rising to the apex, and to act as a cushioning device to take the shock of subsidence due to earthquake, correspond to the “ Hidden Heights ’’, or ‘‘ Secret Places of Heaven ”’, of the Ritual, since they were originally completely closed in and impossible of access. A passage, however, has been forced at some time—probably when the well-shaft down to lower end of the Descending Passage was made—into the lowest

92