Epistle of Barnabas 4 - Many Called, but Few are Chosen

Epistle of Barnabas Thread 1

Epistle of Barnabas Thread 2

Epistle of Barnabas Thread 3

Barnabas 4:1
It behooves us therefore to investigate deeply concerning the
present, and to search out the things which have power to save us.
Let us therefore flee altogether from all the works of lawlessness,
lest the works of lawlessness overpower us; and let us loathe the
error of the present time, that we may be loved for that which is to
come.

---This is just as true today as it was then. Law is overcome with love. Tyranny approaches today because of the desperate state of the heart in man. A change is coming. Which direction are you moving concerning what is coming?

Barnabas 4:2
Let us give no relaxation to our soul that it should have liberty to
consort with sinners and wicked men, lest haply we be made like unto
them.

---Choose your friends wisely.

Barnabas 4:3
The last offence is at hand, concerning which the scripture speaketh,
as Enoch saith. For to this end the Master hath cut the seasons and
the days short, that His beloved might hasten and come to His
inheritance.

---In Enoch, we are informed of the fallen beings that corrupted mankind before the flood. See this thread for more on the hidden symbolism of the flood of Noah and Baptism: Baptism and the Flood of Noah for Dummies...

Barnabas 4:4
And the prophet also speaketh on this wise; Ten reigns shall reign
upon the earth, and after them shall arise another king, who shall
bring low three of the kings under one.

---It is now possible to track these kings down. He is, of course, referring to the prophecy of Daniel. We can not only track these kings today, we know how utterly accurate Daniel was with this prophecy. It has ALL come true and will continue until the seventy weeks are fulfilled.

Barnabas 4:5
In like manner Daniel speaketh concerning the same; And I saw the
forth beast to be wicked and strong and more intractable than all
the beasts of the earth, and how there arose from him ten horns,
and from these a little horn and excrescence, and how that it
abased under one three of the great horns.

---I will not cover Daniel's prophecy here.

Barnabas 4:6
Ye ought therefore to understand. Moreover I ask you this one thing
besides, as being one of yourselves and loving you all in particular
more than my own soul, to give heed to yourselves now, and not to
liken yourselves to certain persons who pile up sin upon sin, saying
that our covenant remains to them also.

---Rebellion against God ends in lost inheritance. The Covenant Israel made with God moves the opportunity to the Gentiles for a time.

Barnabas 4:7
Ours it is; but they lost it in this way for ever, when Moses had
just received it. For the scripture saith; And Moses was in the
mountain fasting forty days and forty nights, and he received the
covenant from the Lord, even tablets of stone written with the
finger of the hand of the Lord.

---This is simply history we already know, but Israel currently denies. By denying Christ, they harden their hearts further. In part, this hardening is caused by God until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in. This is not understood by most people. There are currently 7 billion souls on earth. This is the preparation John / Elijah has done to baptize souls back into the waters of life. Why? To see the wicked judged. As Paul and Enoch state, the righteous and wicked must be together when Christ returns.

Barnabas 4:8
But they lost it by turning unto idols. For thus saith the Lord;
Moses, Moses, come down quickly; for thy people whom thou
broughtest out of the land of Egypt hath done unlawfully. And
Moses understood, and threw the two tables from his hands; and their
covenant was broken in pieces, that the covenant of the beloved Jesus
might be sealed unto our hearts in the hope which springeth from
faith in Him.

---As Barnabas has shown, there IS a path to God. That path is from a changed heart. We must walk away from the main idol we have--ourselves. Selfishness is the mark of the beast. Mark of the Beast for Dummies

Barnabas 4:9
But though I would fain write many things, not as a teacher, but as
becometh one who loveth you not to fall short of that which we
possess, I was anxious to write to you, being your devoted slave.
Wherefore let us take heed in these last days. For the whole time of
our faith shall profit us nothing, unless we now, in the season of
lawlessness and in the offenses that shall be, as becometh sons of
God, offer resistance, that the Black One may not effect an entrance.

---Sin allows Satan a way in. Love for others and faith in God seals us as believers. We are marked by either selfishness (the animal nature) or by a changed heart of selflessness.

Barnabas 4:10
Let us flee from all vanity, let us entirely hate the works of the
evil way. Do not entering in privily stand apart by yourselves, as
if ye were already justified, but assemble yourselves together and
consult concerning the common welfare.

---As with all servant leadership, this is a team effort. We are all in this together. As Barnabas said earlier, choose your friends wisely. Keep good company and you are strong together. Church is the best place to find this type of spirit constantly rising to new life. The same life can be found outside the doors of the church. When like minds get together in faith, God is there.

Barnabas 4:11
For the scripture saith; Woe unto them that are wise for
themselves, and understanding in their own sight. Let us become
spiritual, let us become a temple perfect unto God. As far as in us
lies, let us exercise ourselves in the fear of God, [and] let us
strive to keep His commandments, that we may rejoice in His
ordinances.

---As Chuck Missler says, "The New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed; the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed." Commandments and ordinances are symbols for what they represent. As we travel this road with Barnabas, we will discover many more of these revealed symbols.

Barnabas 4:12
The Lord judgeth the world without respect of persons; each man shall
receive according to his deeds. If he be good, his righteousness
shall go before him in the way; if he be evil, the recompense of his
evil-doing is before him; lest perchance,

---Love covers a multitude of sin (1 Peter 4:8): 7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Barnabas 4:13
if we relax as men that are called, we should slumber over our sins,
and the prince of evil receive power against us and thrust us out
from the kingdom of the Lord.

---Again, love for others is the answer.

Barnabas 4:14
Moreover understand this also, my brothers. When ye see that after
so many signs and wonders wrought in Israel, even then they were
abandoned, let us give heed, lest haply we be found, as the scripture
saith, many are called but few are chosen.

---Matthew 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

reply to post by EnochWasRight


I have no other comment but to thank you for this. It is what I needed right now. Thank you. Sorry for the short post.

wtbengineer
reply to post by EnochWasRight

 

I have no other comment but to thank you for this. It is what I needed right now. Thank you. Sorry for the short post.

edit on 11/7/2013 by wtbengineer because: short post

Glad I could help. I have continued the series and will finish it when I get to the end (Chapter 21).

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