Antichrist is a hand---
Writings of Barnabas the coverted Levite in 100AD
Disciple of the Apostles.
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CHAP.IV.--ANTICHRIST IS AT HAND: LET US
THEREFORE AVOID JEWISH ERRORS.
It therefore behoves us, who inquire much concerning events at hand,(11) to search diligently into
those things which are able to save us. Let us then utterly flee from all the works of iniquity, lest
these should take hold of us; and let us hate the error of the present time, that we may set our love
on the world to come: let us not give loose reins to our soul, that it should have power to run with
sinners and the wicked, lest we become like them. The final stumbling-block (or source of danger)
approaches, concerning which it is written, as Enoch(12) says, "For for this end the Lord has cut
short the times and the days, that His Beloved may hasten; and He will come to the inheritance."
And the prophet also speaks thus: "Ten kingdoms shall reign upon the earth, and a little king shall
rise up after them, who shall subdue under one three of the kings.(13) In like manner Daniel says
concerning the same, "And I beheld the fourth beast, wicked and powerful, and more savage than all
the beasts of the earth, and how from it sprang up ten horns, and out of them a little budding horn,
and how it subdued under one three of the great horns."(14) Ye ought therefore to understand. And
this also I further beg of you, as being one of you, and loving you both individually and collectively
more than my own soul, to take heed now to yourselves, and not to be like some, adding largely to
your sins, and saying, "The covenant is both theirs and ours."(15) But they thus finally lost it, after
Moses had already received it. For the Scripture saith, "And Moses was fasting in the mount forty
days and forty nights, and received the covenant from the Lord, tables of stone written with the
finger of the hand of the Lord;"(1) but turning away to idols, they lost it. For the Lord speaks thus to
Moses: "Moses go down quickly; for the people whom thou hast brought out of the land of Egypt
have transgressed."(2) And Moses understood [the meaning of God], and cast the two tables out of
his hands; and their covenant was broken, in order that the covenant of the beloved Jesus might be
sealed upon our heart, in the hope which flows from believing in Him.(3) Now, being desirous to
write many things to you, not as your teacher, but as becometh one who loves you, I have taken
care not to fail to write to you from what I myself possess, with a view to your purification.(4) We
take earnest(5) heed in these last days; for the whole [past] time of your faith will profit you nothing,
unless now in this wicked time we also withstand coming sources of danger, as becometh the sons
of God. That the Black One(6) may find no means of entrance, let us flee from every vanity, let us
utterly hate the works of the way of wickedness. Do not, by retiring apart, live a solitary life, as if
you were already [fully] justified; but coming together in one place, make common inquiry
concerning what tends to your general welfare. For the Scripture saith, "Woe to them who are wise
to themselves, and prudent in their own sight!"(7) Let us be spiritually-minded: let us be a perfect
temple to God. As much as in us lies, let us meditate upon the fear of God, and let us keep His
commandments, that we may rejoice in His ordinances. The Lord will judge the world without
respect of persons. Each will receive as he has done: if he is righteous, his righteousness will precede
him; if he is wicked, the reward of wickedness is before him. Take heed, lest resting at our ease, as
those who are the called [of God], we should fall asleep in our sins, and the wicked prince, acquiring
power over us, should thrust us away from the kingdom of the Lord. And all the more attend to this,
my brethren, when ye reflect and behold, that after so great signs and wonders were wrought in
Israel, they were thus [at length] abandoned. Let us beware lest we be found [fulfilling that saying],
as it is written, "Many are called, but few are chosen."(8) |
