Epistle of Barnabas Ending 20-21 - The Way of the Black One is Crooked - Walk Away

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EB 16

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Barnabas 20:1
But the way of the Black One is crooked and full of a curse. For it
is a way of eternal death with punishment wherein are the things that
destroy men's souls--idolatry, boldness, exhalation of power,
hypocrisy, doubleness of heart, adultery, murder, plundering, pride,
transgression, treachery, malice, stubbornness, witchcraft, magic,
covetousness, absence of the fear of God;

---As I will continue to point out, we are all sinners. You and I are the same in this regard. I am guilty of this list and so are you. The point is not what we are, but what we can become. You are not alone in this work toward salvation. We are all in this together. God is your friend assisting you on the path. Part of that assistance is to ensure you know the consequences of walking the wrong way.

Barnabas 20:2
persecutors of good men, hating the truth, loving lies, not
perceiving the reward of righteousness, not cleaving to the good
nor to the righteous judgment, paying no heed to the widow and the
orphan, wakeful not for the fear of God but for that which is evil;
men from whom gentleness and forbearance stand aloof and far off;
loving vain things, pursuing a recompense, not pitying the poor man,
not toiling for him that is oppressed with toil, ready to slander,
not recognizing Him that made them murderers of children, corrupters
of the creatures of God, turning away from him that is in want,
oppressing him that is afflicted, advocates of the wealthy, unjust
judges of the poor, sinful in all things.

---This list is hard to swallow. How many of these are you and I guilty of together? We fully realize the contrast to the Angel of Light described in chapter 19. Further, compare to this Dead Sea Scroll: Eyes Wide Open

Barnabas 21:1
It is good therefore to learn the ordinances of the Lord, as many as
have been written above, and to walk in them. For he that doeth these
things shall be glorified in the kingdom of God; whereas he that
chooseth their opposites shall perish together with his works. For
this cause is the resurrection, for this the recompense.

---Again, the ordinances, such as baptism, all have a final meaning representing what they are in reality. Baptism is the immersion of the soul for a reason. What is that reason? To be refined and raise to new life. The process has been explained here and it is evident. Barnabas speaks the truth. All of us are in this together. We are all part of the same loaf, made from the same seed. Eyes of grain allow you to see the truth if they are planted in good soil. That soil is prepared by God and plowed to receive water and light. You are the one planting the weeds. Instead, pick the weeds and keep the soil rich.

Barnabas 21:2
I entreat those of you who are in a higher station, if ye will
receive any counsel of good advice from me, keep amongst you those to
whom ye may do good. Fail not.

---This world will eventually persecute those of us bold enough to bring the truth forward. What does Barnabas say about the coming persecution from the Sons of Darkness? For one, you can become a Son of the Light. Walk away from darkness. Confess your sins.

Barnabas 21:3
The day is at hand, in which everything shall be destroyed together
with the Evil One. The Lord is at hand and his reward.

---Which side of truth are you on? Giving or taking?

Barnabas 21:4
Again and again I entreat you; be good lawgivers one to another;
continue faithful councilors to yourselves; take away from you all
hypocrisy.

---What do we see from our leaders today? The weed that will soon be plucked. The trick is, be the fruit.

Barnabas 21:5
And may God, who is Lord of the whole world, give you wisdom,
judgment, learning, knowledge of His ordinances, patience.

---Open your eyes and see. Faith is God's work in you. Simply ask for more.

Barnabas 21:6
And be ye taught of God, seeking diligently what the Lord requireth
of you, and act that ye may be found in the day of judgment.

---How are you written into the Lamb's book of Life? By joining with Him.

Barnabas 21:7
But if you have any remembrance of good, call me to mind when ye
practice these things, that both my desire and my
watchfulness may lead to some good result. I entreat you asking it
as a favor.

---Think of Barnabas as you ponder your own transition from pride to humility. Barnabas is your example.

Barnabas 21:8
So long as the good vessel (of the body) is with you, be lacking in
none of these things, but search them out constantly, and fulfill
every commandment; for they deserve it.

---They (the commandments) are worthy of your attention. Reward comes to those who suffer for others. Surplus is produced by work.

Barnabas 21:9
For this reason I was the more eager to write to you so far as I was
able, that I might give you joy. Fare ye well, children of love and
peace. The Lord of glory and of every grace be with your spirit.

---After reading through this Epistle, you will learn who you are. This too can be changed. You are in the water for this purpose.

Isaiah 43

43 But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

Pass through the water and fire safely. Amen and God Bless His People.

The End

Don't stop there! I'm sure there's plenty more epistles to waste your time on. Besides, there's still a lot of "dummies" around here who might strike you as uneducated and in need of your particular brand of psychological reformation and spiritual induction. Why stop now?

AfterInfinity
Don't stop there! I'm sure there's plenty more epistles to waste your time on. Besides, there's still a lot of "dummies" around here who might strike you as uneducated and in need of your particular brand of psychological reformation and spiritual induction. Why stop now?

edit on 9-11-2013 by AfterInfinity because: (no reason given)

You said it. I plan to outline the meaning behind Ear, (H)ear, (H)ear(T) from the Hebrew perspective next. It's a companion thread to the Epistle of Barnabas commentary. After that, I will outline Heel as it relates to the bread and associated words from the branching of the Hebrew letters and words. It's all connected to what Barnabas outlines in his work of Humility.

I agree with you. It's eyeopening stuff.

AfterInfinity
Don't stop there! I'm sure there's plenty more epistles to waste your time on. Besides, there's still a lot of "dummies" around here who might strike you as uneducated and in need of your particular brand of psychological reformation and spiritual induction. Why stop now?

edit on 9-11-2013 by AfterInfinity because: (no reason given)

"Psychological reformation and spiritual induction."

I like the way you put that.

Reformation - the act of reforming or the state of being reformed. This is what the refinery of Earth is all about. I agree.

Induction - Student orientation or the formal act or process of placing someone into a new job, position, government office, etc. Again, you are keen in your observation. It's similar to a spiritual enema of sorts. Truth cleans you out and removes the waste from unprocessed food. The body keeps what it needs. There are times we need to be flushed out. I agree.