Book of 1Enoch – Christ Centered Universalism Mystery
Last Updated: 7 August 2020
This Post discusses Two Chapters from the free downloadable e-book in link below titled ‘Book of 1Enoch – Christ Centered Universalism Mystery’:
Click the button above to Download as PDFClick the button above to Download as in Google Book App
Before that,
1 Corinthians 2:9 Mystery
Blessed St. Paul the Great Apostle of Christ Quotes 1 Corinthians 2:9 (Verse in image) with the phrase “as it is Written” meaning word to word but strangely “no” Old Testament Verse matches it. What Book was he quoting?
Most likely this according to tradition, to quote:
“… Origen, Ambrosiaster, and Euthalius ascribe First Epistle to the Corinthians 2:9 to this Apocalypse of Elijah to it. …”
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalypse_of_Elijah
So if the current Old Testament Canon is only the current Bible list then Blessed Apostles St. Paul quoted a verse out of it just like Blessed St. Jude quoted the Book of 1Enoch too. Mysterious Indeed.
The closest old testament Verse to 1 Corinthians 2:9 is this (but all scholars know that Blessed St. Apostle Paul is quoting a different source as it’s not word to word):
“For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.” (Isaiah 64:4, KJV based on the Masoretic Text)
Or
“4From of old we have not heard, neither have our eyes seen a God beside thee, and thy works which thou wilt perform to them that wait for mercy.” (Isaiah 64:4 based on the Septuagint, Brenton Translation)
Conclusion
More regarding this mystery is in links below:
1) Apocalypse of Elijah (Coptic and Ethiopic Christian Versions)
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159828224347784&id=651792783
2) Book of 1Enoch
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159643147797784&substory_index=0&id=651792783
3) Jewish Version of the Apocalypse of Elijah also has that hint of Christ Centered Universalism Hope after the Prayer of the Righteous, to quote:
“… Elijah said: I beheld fire and brimstone coming down upon the wicked from heaven, as scripture says: ‘the Lord will rain coals of fire and brimstone upon the wicked’ (Ps 11:6). The Holy One, blessed be He, will move the Temple a great distance from the place of eternal torment so that the righteous will not hear the sound of the cry of the wicked (suffering) and seek to obtain mercy for them. ‘They will be as if they never were.’ …”
https://web.archive.org/web/20070702080646/http://www.religiousstudies.uncc.edu/jcreeves/sefer_elijah.htm
Comment: The Judgment Sentence is “Eternal” if the righteous do not seek (to pray) a Mercy for the Wicked (Conditional). If this Judgment Sentence cannot be altered, it contradicts the Verse in this late only Jewish Version now (15th Century?) where it implies the opposite simply because if the prayer of the righteous has no effect, God need not keep them away from seeing the punishment of the wicked, right?
God Loves His Righteous so much that He Grants whatever they ask for when asked many times including cancelling this Eternal Sentence as the “Christian Jewish” preservation of this Apocalypse of Elijah (in Coptic and Ethiopic) testify more clearly that this will happen as follows, to quote:
” … 26.The sins of each one will stand against him in the place where they were committed, whether those of the day or of the night.
27.Those who belong to the righteous and … will see the sinners and those who persecuted them and those who handed them over to death in their torments.
28.Then the sinners [ in torment ] will see the place of the righteous.
29.And thus grace will occur. In those days, that which the righteous will ask for many times will be given to them. …” – Apocalypse of Elijah (Verses 23 – 29)
Source:
http://www.3-in-1.net/Pseudepigrapha/Apocalypse%20of%20Elijah/The%20Apocalypse%20of%20Elijah.htm
Comment: The Christ Centered Universalism part is Prophesied in Verse 29.
This agrees to the other “First Christianity” Prophecies Likewise as Independently recorded as follows:
i. Apocalypse of Peter
The Rainer Text is the Oldest Discovered Text of the Apocalypse of Peter which Contains this Salvation from the Lake of Fire (Gehenna) Prophecy Silencing the ‘biased-ambiguous claims by scholars not in favour of it, to quote:
“… In the version of the text in the 3rd century Rainer Fragment, the earliest fragment of the text, Chapter 14 describes the salvation of those condemned sinners for whom the righteous pray. The sinners are saved out of Hell through their baptism in the Acherusian Lake..” – Part of the Earliest Known First Christianity Version of the Apocalypse of Peter
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalypse_of_Peter
More Details on the Apocalypse of Peter
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10158849943722784
ii. Epistle of the Apostles – Christ Centered Universalism Hope
“… 39 And we said unto him: Lord, is this thy purpose, that thou leavest us, to come upon them? (Will all this come to pass, Eth.) He answered and said unto us: After what manner shall the judgement be? whether righteous or unrighteous? (In Copt. and Eth. the general sense is the same: but the answer of Jesus in the form of a question is odd, and there is probably a corruption.) We said unto him: Lord, in that day they will say unto thee: Thou hast not distinguished between (probably: will they not say unto thee: Thou hast distinguished between) righteousness and unrighteousness, between the light and the darkness, and evil and good? Then said he: I will answer them and say: Unto Adam was power given to choose one of the two: he chose the light and laid his hand thereon, but the darkness he left behind him and cast away from him. Therefore have all men power to believe in the light which is life, and which is the Father that hath sent me. And every one that believeth and doeth the works of the light shall live in them; but if there be any that confesseth that he belongeth unto the light, and doeth the works of darkness, such an one hath no defence to utter, neither can he lift up his face to look upon the Son of God, which Son am I. For I will say unto him: As thou soughtest, so hast thou found, and as thou askedst, so hast thou received. Therefore condemnest thou me, O man? Wherefore hast thou departed from me and denied me? And wherefore hast thou confessed me and yet denied me? hath not every man power to live and to die? Whoso then hath kept my commandments shall be a son of the light, that is, of the Father that is in me. But because of them that corrupt my words am I come down from heaven. I am the word: I became flesh, and I wearied myself (or, suffered) and taught, saying: The heavy laden shall be saved, and they that are gone astray shall go astray for ever. They shall be chastised and tormented in their flesh and in their soul. 40 And we said unto him: O Lord, verily we are sorrowful for their sake. And he said unto us: Ye do rightly, for the righteous are sorry for the sinners, and pray for them, making prayer unto my Father. Again we said unto him: Lord, is there none that maketh intercession unto thee (so Eth.)? And he said unto us: Yea, and I will hearken unto the prayer of the righteous which they make for them…” (Epistle of the Apostles, Coptic, Verses 39 – 40 in full)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/apostolorum.html
iii. Jewish Christian Sibyline Oracles – a Tradition by Blessed and Great St. Paul the Apostle? Speaks of this same Prophecy as discussed in link below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10158298054362784
iv. Jewish Targums
Judaism itself may have such an understanding as only the Most Blessed Messiah Himself can Save from “Gehenna” (or the “Lake of Fire”) as discussed in the link below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10158865159207784
This Jewish understanding above is important because it shows that there is “no” contradiction with the other Old Testament Books if major Jewish Judaism do “not” believe that Hell is eternal as it’s the case. As usual, I cannot say anything 100% but I think Most likely this will be True.
Peace to you
here’s an interesting Sola Scriptura Topic:
Sola Scriptura – Bible – Anyone Saved from the Lake of Fire?
Does the Bible Point to Anyone being Saved from the Lake of Fire in the 66 Books?
I cannot say 100% as God Alone Knows but I think the exegesis below may help such a ‘possibility’:
1 Corinthians 3:15 mentions some will be “saved by fire” where this fire is only to be revealed in a future Day called “that Day” in 1 Corinthians 3:13 referring to the Lake of Fire. So, if one person can be saved after enduring the Lake of Fire be it he is a fallen Christian, with God it must not be impossible if He Wills that others may be Saved likewise too, right?
Please note that this fallen Christian (Hebrews 6:4 – 8) is not an elect because no elect comes under any Lake of Fire Judgment (John 5:24) and participate without any Judgment in the First Resurrection (Revelation 20:4 – 6) as the ‘Dead in Christ Rise First’ (1 Thessalonians 4:16) which happens before the Rapture of living Christians at that time (1 Thessalonians 4:15) during the Gathering of all the Elect (1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 18) where the ‘Judgment Day’ for ‘fallen believers enduring many stripes’ (Luke 12:46 – 48) who is considered ‘unsaved’ (equal to an unbeliever, Luke 12:46) and this Judgment only happens 1000 years later (Revelation 20:11 – 15) as First Christianity’s Chiliasm Doctrine clearly proves this Timeline.
Chiliasm Timeline was taught by Blessed St. Papias of Hierapolis a direct disciple of Blessed St. John the Apostle who wrote the Book of Revelation itself (ehem, ehem), St. Justin Martyr, St. Ireneous of Lyons, St. Ambrose of Milan, St. Melito of Sardis, Tertullian, Methodius, Lactantius and many others. We know that the Roman Catholic Church did not alter these Writings because the later Roman Catholic Church did not believe it (following after Origen, Eusebius and St. Augustine of Hippo) till today.
If the Roman Catholic Church wished to alter it, it would have showed that these Great ‘Earlier’ Saints believed in it Which is not the case. Non-Chiliasm is the later outskirt doctrine that eventually enveloped Roman Catholicism till today.
Here’s an Example Post below discussing the ‘Chiliasm Timeline’ Impact on Bible Verses and its possible meanings including Great Church Father quotes who believed that some type of Salvation from the Lake of Fire is possible by God’s Mercy:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159252192652784&id=651792783
Peace to you
Apocalypse of Ezra – Christ Centered Universalism Hope?
Again, this is not a 100% doctrinal position as we cannot prove these ancient preserved writings to be completely original or even if the tampered parts are false or not because a Christian Revelation thereafter can be a continuation of the previous Jewish Revelation first, completing it.
In this Ancient Christian “Armenian” Writing of Ezra, we see the possibility of Christ Centered Universalism Prophecy via Christians possibly as “Priests” (Revelation 1:6 in image) Praying on behalf of the “Sinners” condemned on ‘Judgment Day’ to be ‘Saved’, to quote:
“… Peter Kirby also surveys scholars writing on the questions of Ezra:
James Charlesworth writes (The Pseudepigrapha and Modern Research, pp. 117-118):
The one extant Armenian manuscript of the Questions of Ezra has not been edited, but parts of it were translated into English by J. Issaverdens (UWOT. Pp. 457-61).
The work is Christian, rather late, and apparently influenced by traditions recorded in 1 Enoch, 2 Enoch, the Apocalypse of Abraham, and the Apocalypse of Zosimus. Issaverdens translates six of the questions Ezra asks ‘the Angel of God’; these can be paraphrased as follows:
- What has God prepared for the righteous and sinners?
Ans. For the righteous are prepared rejoicing and light, for sinners darkness and fire.
- If all men living are sinners and hence deserve condemnation, are not beasts more blessed?
Ans. Do not repeat these words to “Him who is above you.”
- Where does the soul go after death?
Ans. A good angel comes to a good soul, and a wicked one to a bad soul (cf. ApAb). The soul is taken eastward.
- What is that way like?
Ans. There are seven steps to the Divinity; the righteous soul passes through four steps of terror, one of enlightenment, and two of blessing.
- Why do you not take the soul to the Divinity?
Ans. Ezra is called a vain man (cf. ApZos) who thinks according to human nature. No man or angel can see the face of God, but only the place of God’s throne, which is fiery (cf. 1En 14:18-23, 2En 20).
- What shall become of “us sinners”?
Ans. When you die you will obtain mercy and rest if a Christian prays or performs some act of devotion for you.
- E. Stone writes: “There is insufficient evidence to determine whether the writing was originally composed in Armenian or whether it wsa translated into Armenian from another language. Possible arguments based on literary considerations will be adduced in the next section. There seems no clear basis for establishing the date except to say that the writing is a Christian composition clearly based on Jewish models. There is no indication of provenace.” (The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, p. 592) …” – Apocalypse of Ezra (the “Armenian Manuscript”)
Source:
http://www.textexcavation.com/apocalypseezra.html#questezra
Note: Point 6 above proves the possible Christ Centered Universalism Described on Judgment Day henceforth or earlier even now.
Mysterious Indeed.
What if God Mysteriously Willed the Final Salvation of the Damned in this Way because the Bible Verses can mean that the Punishment Sentence is eternal but gets cancelled after the Christians ask for it many times as this theme is found in several noteworthy ancient Christian writings, for example in posts below too:
- i) Apocalypse of Elijah
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159622630577784
- ii) Book of 1Enoch
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159548315757784
or this
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159489970167784
iii) Epistle of the Apostles
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159631284097784
- iv) Apocalypse of Zephaniah
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159631226447784
- v) Jewish Christian Sibyline Oracles – a Tradition by Blessed and Great St. Paul the Apostle?
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10158298054362784
- vi) Jewish Targums
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10158865159207784
vii) Apocalypse of Peter
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10158849943722784
viii) Arguments for Hell is not Eternal using Bible Verses using the same words Olam/Aeon
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159410771327784
- ix) Arguments for the Possibility that Olam/Aeon used to denote Exactly 1000 Years by Christ Himself
https://web.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10159511823312784
- x) Three Types of Men: Elect, Righteous and Sinners Categorization Mystery?
https://web.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10159489956072784
“For we know in part and we prophesy in part.” (1 Corinthians 13:9, NKJV)
The Verse in 1 Corinthians 13:9 Speaks of “Prophesy in part” and ‘not prophesy in full’ by even St. Paul the Great Apostle of Christ Himself. That is why it is ‘possible’ that the ‘other Books’ listed here (e.g. ‘Apocalypse of Elijah’ or ‘Book of 1Enoch’) may complete the Judgment Day Prophecy of the ‘Apocalypse of John’ found in the Bible as the ‘Book of Revelation’. Perhaps, God’s Judgment is more Complex than assumed. Only God Alone Knows and my intention here is to present here honestly according to these ancient writings/beliefs as it was popular in early Orthodox Christianity regarding these aspects which leaves us in Wonder of our Greatest Saviour, God in Flesh Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ to Whom All Things are Possible. Amen.
Source Post:
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/olam-and-lake-of-fire-mystery-in-the-book-of-1enoch/amp/
Book of 1Enoch – Christ Centered Universalism Mystery
The Enoch 1:1 seems to speak of the wicked and godless being removed to be judged in the Lake of Fire or that they’re removed from the Millennial Reign (Revelation 20:4 – 6).
Book of 1Enoch has an eternal hell sentence which is conditional to repentance as discussed in post in the link given. This implies the possibility that if one repents, the sentence may be cancelled eventually. However, the Book of 1Enoch does not discuss this possibility or timeline of this happening as some of the other books discuss it (discussed next). Perhaps the Book of 1Enoch kept this part hidden or unrevealed just like the Book of 1Enoch has prophecies which are not found even in other Books of the Bible such as this Judgment Day hope too.
The other Books such as Apocalypse of Elijah, Epistle of the Apostles, the Sibyline Oracles or Apocalypse of Peter, echoes Salvation from the Lake of Fire / Gehenna after a long time via the prayers of the righteous but these saved are not placed in the Abodes of the Righteous but lower parts possibly ‘on earth but outside the New Jerusalem City Habitation onward’.
The Apocalypse of Peter was in the First Bibles of Christianity called the Roman/Muratorian Canon in the West and Codex Claromontanus in the East.
No canon earlier than the Muratorian Canon is known in Christianity. The Fact that later canons did not include it can be Explained by a statement found in the Muratorian Canon itself which states that it ought to be kept a Secret (especially since the Apocalypse of Peter itself has that Command in that it should be kept secret from sinners but not the righteous) as a similar command in the Muratorian Canon exists likewise for the Shepherd of Hermas.
These are rarely known facts which I present the Source quotes in the Apocalypse of Peter write up in link above. Hence it being secret is again similar to the ’70 secret books’ which is stated alongside the 24 books of the Old Testament to the wise only as Prophet Ezra himself was commanded likewise for a different set of books.
To quote:
“… The Muratorian fragment, the earliest existing list of canonical sacred writings of the New Testament, which is assigned on internal evidence to the last quarter of the 2nd century (c. 175–200), gives a list of works read in the Christian churches that is similar to the modern accepted canon; however, it also includes the Apocalypse of Peter. The Muratorian fragment states: “the Apocalypses also of John and Peter only do we receive, which some among us would not have read in church.” (It is interesting that the existence of other Apocalypses is implied, for several early apocryphal ones are known: see Apocalyptic literature.) …”
Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalypse_of_Peter
Is the Christ Centered Universalism Part of the Apocalypse of Peter Authentic or of a later addition?
*The Rainer Text is the Oldest Discovered Text of the Apocalypse of Peter which Contains this Salvation from the Lake of Fire (Gehenna) Prophecy Silencing the ‘biased-ambiguous claims by scholars not in favour of it, to quote:
“… In the version of the text in the 3rd century Rainer Fragment, the earliest fragment of the text, Chapter 14 describes the salvation of those condemned sinners for whom the righteous pray. The sinners are saved out of Hell through their baptism in the Acherusian Lake..” – Part of the Earliest Known First Christianity Version of the Apocalypse of Peter
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalypse_of_Peter
The Verse in 1Enoch if they repent during the Great Throne of Judgment itself:
“… [Chapter 50] 1 And in those days a change shall take place for the holy and elect, And the light of days shall abide upon them, And glory and honour shall turn to the holy, 2 On the day of affliction on which evil shall have been treasured up against the sinners. And the righteous shall be victorious in the name of the Lord of Spirits: And He will cause the others to witness (this) That they may repent And forgo the works of their hands. 3 They shall have no honour through the name of the Lord of Spirits, Yet through His name shall they be saved, And the Lord of Spirits will have compassion on them, For His compassion is great. 4 And He is righteous also in His judgement, And in the presence of His glory unrighteousness also shall not maintain itself: At His judgement the unrepentant shall perish before Him. 5 And from henceforth I will have no mercy on them, saith the Lord of Spirits. …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 50, All Verses 1 – 5)
Source: http://wesley.nnu.edu/index.php?id=2126
The phrases “… the others to witness (this) That they may repent And forgo the works of their hands. …” and “… At His judgement the unrepentant shall perish before Him. 5 And from henceforth I will have no mercy on them, saith the Lord of Spirits. …” implies the Conditional Eternal-Hell Sentence where the sinners may be experiencing the torments of the Lake of Fire itself as when they’re offered this.
Even if it means during Judgment only this final chance is offered, if a person does not accept it, that person has well deserved eternal hell then. Also, I don’t think anyone would reject such an offer. Also, it’s possible that as they repent there, I don’t think the Wicked get off easy as I believe they must be punished first and the Book of 1Enoch is writing this entire process in a conclusive form.
However, that prophecy of Salvation from the Lake of Fire part may not need to be in 1Enoch as even this part of 1Enoch is not found in the Apocalypse of John and thus as the Muratorian Canon implies, this Prophecy may be Unique to the Apocalypse of Peter.
Does Chapter 50 in the Book of 1Enoch Speak of the Great Tribulation or Judgment Day Scenario?
It speaks of Judgment Day and not the Final Great Tribulation. Yes, Chapter 50 does not even have the word tribulation. It’s clearly Judgment Day, to quote:
“… [Chapter 50] 1 And in those days a change shall take place for the holy and elect, And the light of days shall abide upon them, And glory and honour shall turn to the holy, 2 On the day of affliction on which evil shall have been treasured up against the sinners. And the righteous shall be victorious in the name of the Lord of Spirits: And He will cause the others to witness (this) That they may repent And forgo the works of their hands. 3 They shall have no honour through the name of the Lord of Spirits, Yet through His name shall they be saved, And the Lord of Spirits will have compassion on them, For His compassion is great. 4 And He is righteous also in His judgement, And in the presence of His glory unrighteousness also shall not maintain itself: At His judgement the unrepentant shall perish before Him. 5 And from henceforth I will have no mercy on them, saith the Lord of Spirits. …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 50, All Verses 1 – 5)
Source: http://wesley.nnu.edu/index.php?id=2126
Please consider the phrases:
“… And in those days a change shall take place for the holy and elect, And the light of days shall abide upon them, And glory and honour shall turn to the holy, …” = The number of Elect is complete and Saved, Resurrected and Glorified.
” … 2 On the day of affliction on which evil shall have been treasured up against the sinners. …” = Judgment Day for Sinners has come
“… And the righteous shall be victorious in the name of the Lord of Spirits: …” = The righteous will overcome in Judgment
“… And He will cause the others to witness (this) That they may repent And forgo the works of their hands. 3 They shall have no honour through the name of the Lord of Spirits, Yet through His name shall they be saved, And the Lord of Spirits will have compassion on them, For His compassion is great. …” = The other unsaved sinners get this chance to be ‘saved without honour’ on Judgment Day as they see the righteous saved & glorified. The phrase ‘saved without honour’ itself clearly proves that these ones cannot refer to ‘faithful Christians who endured the Final Great Tribulation without bowing to the Antichrist as such ones are not saved only but glorified as priests in His coming Millennial Kingdom’ (Revelation 20:4 – 6).
“… 4 And He is righteous also in His judgement, And in the presence of His glory unrighteousness also shall not maintain itself: At His judgement the unrepentant shall perish before Him. 5 And from henceforth I will have no mercy on them, saith the Lord of Spirits. …” = If anyone still refuse to repent, no more mercy after this Judgment Day henceforth
Claim: Chapter 50 in the Book of 1Enoch Speaks of the ‘Day of Tribulation’ = ‘The Final Great Tribulation’.
I’m sorry sir you’re not quoting the context correctly sir.
The truth is, the Book of 1Enoch did not come with the Chapter separations as that’s man made. It is one continuous writing. Let’s look at Chapter 49 and Chapter 51 in which Chapter 50 we speak of is Sandwiched in between. It’s very clear that Chapter 49, 50, 51 form one long context of Judgment Day Scenarios, to quote:
“… [Chapter 49]
l For wisdom is poured out like water, And glory faileth not before him for evermore.
2 For he is mighty in all the secrets of righteousness, And unrighteousness shall disappear as a shadow, And have no continuance; Because the Elect One standeth before the Lord of Spirits, And his glory is for ever and ever, And his might unto all generations.
3 And in him dwells the spirit of wisdom, And the spirit which gives insight, And the spirit of understanding and of might, And the spirit of those who have fallen asleep in righteousness.
4 And he shall judge the secret things, And none shall be able to utter a lying word before him; For he is the Elect One before the Lord of Spirits according to His good pleasure.
[Chapter 50]
1 And in those days a change shall take place for the holy and elect, And the light of days shall abide upon them, And glory and honour shall turn to the holy, 2 On the day of affliction on which evil shall have been treasured up against the sinners.
And the righteous shall be victorious in the name of the Lord of Spirits: And He will cause the others to witness (this) That they may repent And forgo the works of their hands.
3 They shall have no honour through the name of the Lord of Spirits, Yet through His name shall they be saved, And the Lord of Spirits will have compassion on them, For His compassion is great.
4 And He is righteous also in His judgement, And in the presence of His glory unrighteousness also shall not maintain itself: At His judgement the unrepentant shall perish before Him. 5 And from henceforth I will have no mercy on them, saith the Lord of Spirits.
[Chapter 51]
1 And in those days shall the earth also give back that which has been entrusted to it, And Sheol also shall give back that which it has received, And hell shall give back that which it owes.
5a For in those days the Elect One shall arise, 2 And he shall choose the righteous and holy from among them: For the day has drawn nigh that they should be saved.
3 And the Elect One shall in those days sit on My throne, And his mouth shall pour forth all the secrets of wisdom and counsel: For the Lord of Spirits hath given (them) to him and hath glorified him.
4 And in those days shall the mountains leap like rams, And the hills also shall skip like lambs satisfied with milk, And the faces of [all] the angels in heaven shall be lighted up with joy.
5b And the earth shall rejoice, c And the righteous shall dwell upon it, d And the elect shall walk thereon. …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapters 49 – 51)
Source: http://wesley.nnu.edu/index.php?id=2126
Please also notice carefully that the ‘sinners’ are afflicted in the “Day of Affliction” as Spoken in Chapter 50 while the Righteous are compared to be Glorified which contradicts your assumption that this is the Final Great Tribulation (or ‘Day of Tribulation’) where the reverse ought to occur, that is ‘sinners are spared’ while the ‘righteous are afflicted by the Antichrist’.
Please notice carefully the phrase “and in those days” referring to the Judgment Day Timeline which occurs in both Chapters 50 and 51 where Chapter 51 is clearly similar to the Judgment Day scenario pointed out in the Book of Revelation, to quote:
“11Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11 – 15, NKJV)
This context of “Judgment Day” is even more clear if we read continuously from Chapters 47, 48 too to quote:
“… [Chapter 47]
1 And in those days shall have ascended the prayer of the righteous, And the blood of the righteous from the earth before the Lord of Spirits.
2 In those days the holy ones who dwell above in the heavens Shall unite with one voice And supplicate and pray [and praise, And give thanks and bless the name of the Lord of Spirits On behalf of the blood of the righteous which has been shed, And that the prayer of the righteous may not be in vain before the Lord of Spirits, That judgement may be done unto them, And that they may not have to suffer for ever.
3 In those days I saw the Head of Days when He seated himself upon the throne of His glory, And the books of the living were opened before Him: And all His host which is in heaven above and His counselors stood before Him,
4 And the hearts of the holy were filled with joy; Because the number of the righteous had been offered, And the prayer of the righteous had been heard, And the blood of the righteous been required before the Lord of Spirits.
[Chapter 48]
1 And in that place I saw the fountain of righteousness Which was inexhaustible: And around it were many fountains of wisdom: And all the thirsty drank of them, And were filled with wisdom, And their dwellings were with the righteous and holy and elect. 2 And at that hour that Son of Man was named In the presence of the Lord of Spirits, And his name before the Head of Days.
3 Yea, before the sun and the signs were created, Before the stars of the heaven were made, His name was named before the Lord of Spirits.
4 He shall be a staff to the righteous whereon to stay themselves and not fall, And he shall be the light of the Gentiles, And the hope of those who are troubled of heart.
5 All who dwell on earth shall fall down and worship before him, And will praise and bless and celebrate with song the Lord of Spirits.
6 And for this reason hath he been chosen and hidden before Him, Before the creation of the world and for evermore.
7 And the wisdom of the Lord of Spirits hath revealed him to the holy and righteous; For he hath preserved the lot of the righteous, Because they have hated and despised this world of unrighteousness, And have hated all its works and ways in the name of the Lord of Spirits: For in his name they are saved, And according to his good pleasure hath it been in regard to their life.
8 In these days downcast in countenance shall the kings of the earth have become, And the strong who possess the land because of the works of their hands, For on the day of their anguish and affliction they shall not (be able to) save themselves. And I will give them over into the hands of Mine elect: As straw in the fire so shall they burn before the face of the holy: As lead in the water shall they sink before the face of the righteous, And no trace of them shall any more be found. 10 And on the day of their affliction there shall be rest on the earth, And before them they shall fall and not rise again: And there shall be no one to take them with his hands and raise them: For they have denied the Lord of Spirits and His Anointed. The name of the Lord of Spirits be blessed. …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapters 47 – 48)
Source: http://wesley.nnu.edu/index.php?id=2126
For example, please note the phrase “… 8 In these days downcast in countenance shall the kings of the earth have become, And the strong who possess the land because of the works of their hands, For on the day of their anguish and affliction they shall not (be able to) save themselves. And I will give them over into the hands of Mine elect: As straw in the fire so shall they burn before the face of the holy: As lead in the water shall they sink before the face of the righteous, And no trace of them shall any more be found. 10 And on the day of their affliction there shall be rest on the earth, And before them they shall fall and not rise again: And there shall be no one to take them with his hands and raise them: For they have denied the Lord of Spirits and His Anointed. The name of the Lord of Spirits be blessed. …” (Book of 1Enoch, Chapter 48, Verse 8) which clearly proves that the Lake of Fire / Gehenna Judgment has begun for some of these ‘sinners’ on this ‘Day of Affliction’ being said to refer to this in the phrase ‘… For on the day of their anguish and affliction they shall not (be able to) save themselves. …’ in this Verse.
However, in the midst of this Lake of Fire / Gehenna Judgment during this ‘same Day of Affliction’, Christ Centered Universalism Prophecy is offered to these ‘same sinners’ in Chapter 50 as to whether if they will repent or not making this Eternal Hell Sentence possibly Conditional to Repentance as we see later only in this same Book of 1Enoch writing in order ‘as it is Written’ below, to re-quote:
“… [Chapter 50] 1 And in those days a change shall take place for the holy and elect, And the light of days shall abide upon them, And glory and honour shall turn to the holy, 2 On the day of affliction on which evil shall have been treasured up against the sinners. And the righteous shall be victorious in the name of the Lord of Spirits: And He will cause the others to witness (this) That they may repent And forgo the works of their hands. 3 They shall have no honour through the name of the Lord of Spirits, Yet through His name shall they be saved, And the Lord of Spirits will have compassion on them, For His compassion is great. 4 And He is righteous also in His judgement, And in the presence of His glory unrighteousness also shall not maintain itself: At His judgement the unrepentant shall perish before Him. 5 And from henceforth I will have no mercy on them, saith the Lord of Spirits. …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 50, All Verses 1 – 5)
Source: http://wesley.nnu.edu/index.php?id=2126
How about the another two or three witnesses needed from authoritative Scripture?
Salvation from the Lake of Fire has been attested using 1 Corinthians 3:15 too in the phrase “saved by fire” as this case relates to “fallen believers” whose Judgment Sentence is more severe with ‘many stripes’ than unbelievers who may endure ‘few stripes only’ even (Luke 12:46 – 48). Some early church fathers also see this possibility of Salvation from the Lake of Fire using these same Verses, e. g. St. Ambrose of Milan and St. Gregory Nazianzus or even St. Gregory of Nyssa.
If you mean two or three witnesses in the Context of Writings, we see that in the Apocalypse of Peter (which is Scripture in early Christianity’s Muratorian Canon or Codex Claromontanus) or even the ‘Apocalypse of Elijah’ and the Epistle of the Apostles writings which were Scripture in say an Ethiopian Orthodox Church .
But regardless, it’s clearly Written in the Book of 1Enoch regarding this Judgment Day Hope regardless if you wish a witness from the 66 books only. So, I leave it as a possibility as that itself is fair enough last chance opportunity for the wicked if they’re given this chance on Judgment Day be it while they’re in the Lake of Fire or before the Sentencing. Either one of this possibility is clearly Written in the Book of 1Enoch.
In Enoch Chapter 50 which Clearly is Judgment Day Context as per Chapters around it (47 – 49, 51), this last repentance chance phrase is clearly Written:
“… 2 On the day of affliction on which evil shall have been treasured up against the sinners. And the righteous shall be victorious in the name of the Lord of Spirits: And He will cause the others to witness (this) That they may repent And forgo the works of their hands. .3 They shall have no honour through the name of the Lord of Spirits, Yet through His name shall they be saved, And the Lord of Spirits will have compassion on them, For His compassion is great …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 50, Verses 2 – 3)
Source: http://wesley.nnu.edu/index.php?id=2126
The only problem is it’s not written whether the sinners are witnessing the above in the Lake of Fire (after sentencing) or before the sentencing. That’s why I said that either possibility can happen in that this refers to ‘the cancellation of the Judgment Sentence in the Lake of Fire’ or that ‘they repent before the Judgment Sentence in the Lake of Fire is Pronounced’.
The chances that this refers to a ‘cancellation’ of the Judgment Sentence while they’re in the Lake of Fire seems higher because it could refer to the Lake of Fire Sentencing being already happened if we take this phrase prior as chronologically earlier “… 8 In these days downcast in countenance shall the kings of the earth have become, And the strong who possess the land because of the works of their hands, For on the day of their anguish and affliction they shall not (be able to) save themselves. And I will give them over into the hands of Mine elect: As straw in the fire so shall they burn before the face of the holy: …” (Book of 1Enoch, Chapter 48, Verse 8, from the same translation source above). This means that the Book of 1Enoch Judgment Day Salvation chance conditional to Repentance there may refer (or be inclusive) of the ones mentioned prior above who are already sentenced to the Lake of Fire earlier, e. g. phrase “… As straw in the fire so shall they burn before the face of the holy: …” here.
If we correlate this Prophecy in the Book of 1Enoch with the other such books which have an equivalent prophecy, this seems to be the case of being granted possible repentance from the Lake of Fire after the Prayers of the Righteous on behalf of them as these sinners repent in Gehenna whilst / after seeing the Blessed Abodes of the Righteous from there but are placed in ‘another place’ (and not same inheritance abodes of the righteous), to quote:
- i) Apocalypse of Peter
“… The Father hath committed all judgement unto the Son.’ The destiny of sinners -their eternal [AGE-DURING] doom- is more than Peter can endure: he appeals to Christ to have pity on them. And my Lord answered me and said to me: ‘Hast thou understood that which I said unto thee before? It is permitted unto thee to know that concerning which thou askest: but thou must not tell that which thou hearest unto the sinners lest they transgress the more, and sin.’ Peter weeps many hours, and is at last consoled by an answer which, though exceedingly diffuse and vague does seem to promise ultimate pardon for all: ‘My Father will give unto them all the life, the glory, and the kingdom that passeth not away,’ . . . ‘It is because of them that have believed in Me that I am come. It is also because of them that have believed in Me, that, at their word, I shall have pity on men.’ …” – Apocalypse of Peter
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/apocalypsepeter-mrjames.html
Note: This Prophesy of Salvation for the Wicked from the Lake of Fire is Found even in the Oldest Known “Rainer Fragment” (3rd century) of this Apocalypse of Peter proving that this is not a later addition to it by some Christian scribe as some scholars allude using the Ethiopic Translation.
- ii) Apocalypse of Elijah
” … Then the sinners [ in torment ] will see the place of the righteous. And thus GRACE WILL OCCUR. In THOSE DAYS, that which the RIGHTEOUS will ASK for MANY TIMES WILL BE GIVEN to them.” – Apocalypse of Elijah (Veses 28 – 29)
Source:
http://www.3-in-1.net/Pseudepigrapha/Apocalypse%20of%20Elijah/The%20Apocalypse%20of%20Elijah.htm
iii) Epistle of the Apostles
“… The heavy laden shall be saved, and they that are gone astray shall go astray for ever. They shall be chastised and tormented in their flesh and in their soul. 40 And we said unto him: O Lord, verily we are sorrowful for their sake. And he said unto us: Ye do rightly, for the righteous are sorry for the sinners, and pray for them, making prayer unto my Father. Again we said unto him: Lord, is there none that maketh intercession unto thee (so Eth.)? And he said unto us: Yea, and I will hearken unto the prayer of the righteous which they make for them …” (Epistle of the Apostles, Coptic, Points 39 – 40 in full)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/apostolorum.html
- iv) Christian Jewish Sibyline Oracles
“… … for a long day will God make. And to the pious will the almighty God 405 Imperishable grant another thing, When they shall ask the imperishable God: That he will suffer men from raging fire And endless gnawing anguish to be saved; And this will he do. For hereafter he 410 Will pluck them from the restless flame, elsewhere Remove them, and for his own people’s sake Send them to other and eternal life With the immortals, in Elysian field … ,” (Sibyline Oracles, Book II, 297-322, p. 51)
Translation Source:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/sib/sib04.htm
Conclusion
Perhaps this is what Christ referred to as ‘you will not get out until you have paid the last penny’ (Matthew 5:26) while He discussed the Context of the Final Judgment mentioning “Gehenna” (translated as ‘Hell’ but refers to this ‘Lake of Fire, Revelation 20:11 – 15) whilst discussing it in Matthew 5:22 itself.
The Definition of “Prison” in which the Judgment Sentence is to the ‘last penny only’ after which one ‘may get out’ as it is implied in Matthew 5:26 may refer to the “Gehenna” (Lake of Fire in Matthew 5:26) as per the Ancient Bible Verses below too likewise:
“21So it will happen in that day, That the LORD will punish the host of heaven on high, And the kings of the earth on earth. 22They will be gathered together Like prisoners in the dungeon, And will be CONFINED in PRISON; And after many days they will be punished*.” (Isaiah 24:21 – 22, NASB)
*The Word in Hebrew is actually “Visited/Inspected” and not punished but the translator in NASB introduces a bias where he translates thus assuming that the ‘reason for visiting is to punish more’. It has been noted that the ‘reason for inspection after many days (or ages/aeons allegorically referred to here)’ is to check and see whether or not the required change toward Subjection to God by all is achieved or not (as per the Prophecies in Hebrews 2:8, 1 Corinthians 15:24 – 29) making sense of the more accurate translation of the KJV (King James Version for this original word) as follows:
“And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the PRISON, and AFTER MANY DAYS shall they be VISITED.” (Isaiah 24:22, KJV, King James Version, based on the Masoretic Text)
The being “Visited” after “many days” toward them in the Lake of Fire/Gehenna may refer to the Book of 1Enoch Christ Centered Universalism Prophesy in Chapter 50 discussed earlier where they get a chance to repent there and be Saved with ‘no honour’. Please take note that the ‘kings of the earth punished in the Lake of Fire scenario’ as mentioned in Isaiah 24:21 above clearly correlates with the Book of 1Enoch Chapter 48, Verse 8 Prophesy prior which also mentions these kings punished likewise in “fire” first agreeing to all this.
In fact, even the Septuagint Greek translation of this Verses agree that the more accurate rendering is “Visited” and ‘not punished’ (an entirely different word) in these set of Verses, to quote:
“21And God shall bring his hand upon the host of heaven, and upon the kings of the earth. 22And they shall gather the multitude thereof into prisons, and they shall shut them into a strong hold: after many generations they shall be VISITED.” (Isaiah 24:21 – 22, Septuagint or LXX, Brenton Septuagint Translation)
Source: https://biblehub.com/sep/isaiah/24.htm
Verses:
“ 22 … But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell [Gehenna] fire. … 25Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:22, 25 – 26, NKJV)
“49“I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! … 57“Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right? 58When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:49, 57 – 59, NKJV)
Comment: The Didache does Teach of ‘afterlife Salvation’ (or what I call as ‘non-Elect Salvation’) till the “last penny” (Matthew 5:26) as Christ Referred to as “Gehenna/Lake of Fire/Hell” Context in Matthew 5:22, to quote:
“… Give to every one who asks you, and ask it not back; for the Father wills that to all should be given of our own blessings (free gifts). Happy is he who gives according to the commandment, for he is guiltless. WOE to HIM WHO RECEIVES; for if one receives who has need, he is guiltless; but he who RECEIVES NOT having NEED shall PAY the PENALTY, why he received and for what. And coming into CONFINEMENT, he shall be EXAMINED concerning the THINGS which he HAS DONE, and he shall NOT ESCAPE from THERE until he PAYS back the LAST PENNY. And also concerning this, it has been said, Let your alms sweat in your hands, until you know to whom you should give…” – The Didache, The Lord’s Teaching Through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations. (1st Century, Chapter 1. The Two Ways and the First Commandment)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/didache-roberts.html
Example of a Orthodox Church Father Quote agreeing to this Exegesis:
“… saying, “I have come to set fire to the earth,” [Luke 12:49] not certainly the fire that consumes the goods, but the one that produces the good will, which makes the vases of and from the house of the Lord, consuming the hay and the straw (I Cor. iii. 12ff., 1 Corinthians 3:11 – 15), devouring all the gangue of the age, amassed by worldly pleasure, the work of the flesh that is to perish;… For this reason perhaps the Lord will come into the fire (see Is., LXVI, 15; 16): to consume all the vices at the moment of the resurrection, to fill by his presence the desires of each one, and to project the light on merits and mysteries…” – Blessed Archbishop St. Ambrose of Milan (c. 340 AD – c. 397 AD, Commentary on Luke XII, Verses Luke 12:49 – 50, highlighted)
and
“… Likewise here: either the wrong is redeemed at the price of charity, or the punishment diminished according to the appreciation of the wrong. Now it is the custom, as we remember, to give a bath to the baths: by presenting it, everyone obtains the faculty of bathing there; so, here, to be purified, because the sin of each is purified by the kind of transaction described above. On the other hand, the guilty person is tortured and tortured as long as he has not served the sentence of the error committed…” – Blessed Archbishop St. Ambrose of Milan (c. 340 AD – c. 397 AD, Commentary on Luke XII, Verses Luke 12:58 – 59, highlighted)
Source for both quotes above:
https://sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/home/luke-commentary/ambrose-on-luke-12
and
“… Our Saviour has appointed two kinds of resurrection, in accordance with which John says, in the Apocalypse, “Blessed is he that hath part in the first resurrection”; for such come to grace without the judgment. As for those who do not come to the first, but are reserved until the second resurrection, these shall be burnt, until they fulfill their appointed times, between the first and the second resurrection; or, if they should not have fulfilled them then, they shall remain still longer in punishment … ‘ – Blessed Archbishop St. Ambrose of Milan, First Great Latin Doctor of the Church (c. 340 AD – c. 397 AD) …”
Source: https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Ambrose
As I said, we cannot be 100% sure, but the existing evidence also point to this being True. We will know one day and that’s why I can only assert it as a strong possibility according to certain context like this & not teach it as a doctrine.
Peace to you
Mr. John Baty’s Translation of the Book of 1Enoch
Some consider him as a Prophet of God and many regard his translation as the best or most accurate which may be downloaded from link below (shared via Mr. RI Burns):
https://lookaside.fbsbx.com/file/John_Baty_Enoch.pdf?token=AWzn5kFaewsiT3inXulU0t7vabHWz687G9_aS6QR1Fawzb0z_f1xwIqdusKL5bFhRVTQDfJ5I8_x1HZ1ay2MfqEpR404N5BZkliRXLzFbuu_mVGt570DtVW5VONRGvNp9ksTwkwM_Knh8GIPzR9EhsuffOBBfVtNmAMeVTx-uEh0tT3cIbxXtdmdwjdEVAD0t16jvGGerZFaHD6iv-CLA-yy
Image: Some type of the Christ Centered Universalism Prophecy on Judgment Day Salvation toward Sinners (Pages 33 – 34, Chapter XV, Verses 15 – 24; please take note of Verses 18 – 19 ‘carefully’).
Simple Logic: If God Shows His Full Splendour on Judgment Day and offers one last repentance chance for the Sinners to repent & be Saved, isn’t God Perfectly Fair? If some do not want to repent and prefer to go to Hell, and even if it turns out to be forever, I don’t see anything wrong with that as each man chooses his way.
This was discussed with Mr. Charles’ translation of this same Book of 1Enoch in post below where I think that no ‘humans’ will eventually choose not to repent (please notice carefully that the Book of 1Enoch does not specify if any choose to remain unrepentant and I think that though they repent there, they still may be ‘saved by fire’ only as 1 Corinthians 3:15 may be referring to ‘this Day that’s revealed in Fire’ as mentioned first in 1 Corinthians 3:13 which is what perhaps what Christ Himself meant as ‘Gehenna’ first in Matthew 5:22 possibly referring to it till the ‘last penny’ only in Matthew 5:26 making sense of the ‘many stripes punishment toward Christians who know His Will but fail it’ as opposed to ‘unbelievers’ who likewise share the same fate but with ‘few stripes’ lesser because they didn’t know His Will as Luke 12:46 – 48 implies by Christ’s Own Most Blessed Words), link:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159643147797784&substory_index=0&id=651792783
P/S: Free Online Translations of the Book of 1Enoch
Mr RI Burns Wrote:
“… Here are four public-domain translations of Enoch:
RH Charles:
http://read.thebookofenoch.info
John Baty:
http://baty.thebookofenoch.info
GH Schodde:
http://schodde.thebookofenoch.info
RL Laurence:
http://rl.thebookofenoch.info
The Parallel Enoch:
http://parallel.thebookofenoch.info
The links above are arranged in order of my preference, first Charles, then Baty, then Schodde, then Laurence. The last link is Charles, Schodde and Laurence in parallel. Enjoy! …”
Conclusion
Please read it for yourself and see, here is the online Mr. John Baty’s Translation of those related Verses describing the Judgment Day Scenario:
0) Judgment Day Timeline Begins
“… 3At that time, I saw the Creator of Days,
While He sat upon the throne of his glory.
The book of the living was opened in his presence,
And all the powers which were in the heavens stood around and before Him.
4Then the hearts of the saints were full of joy,
Because the accomplishment of righteousness was come,
The supplication of the saints heard,
And the blood of the righteous esteemed by the Lord of Spirits. …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 47, Verses 3 – 4)
Source:
http://baty.thebookofenoch.info
1) The Wicked are Punished with Fire
“… 8In those days the kings of the earth,
And the mighty men who have gained the world by the work of their hands,
Shall be lowly in appearance.
For in the day of their anguish and commotion, their souls shall not be saved,
9And they shall be in the hands of those whom I have chosen.
I will cast them like hay into the fire,
And like lead into the water,
Thus they shall burn in the presence of the righteous,
And sink in the presence of the holy,
And a tenth part of them shall not be found.
10But in the day of their affliction the world shall obtain repose.
They shall fall in His presence,
And not be raised up again,
For there shall be none to take them out of His hands,
And to lift them up for they have denied the Lord of Spirits and His Messiah.
The name of the Lord of Spirits shall be praised …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 48, Verses 8 – 10)
Source:
http://baty.thebookofenoch.info
2) The Sinners are shown the Truth and Salvation probably while they are in agony in fire as described in quote earlier in order prior and are offered a Chance of Repentance somewhere during this Mysterious Judgment Day Time Period where Hell may only be Eternal toward someone who is arrogant enough to refuse His Mercy and remain unrepentant
“… 50 In those days the saints and the chosen shall suffer a change,
The light of day shall rest upon them,
And the splendour and glory of the saints shall be changed.
2In the day of tribulation evil shall be heaped upon sinners,
But the righteous shall rejoice in the name of the Lord of Spirits.
It will be shewn to others,
That they must repent and forsake the works of their hands,
3And that honour attends them not in the presence of the Lord of Spirits,
Yet that they may be saved by His name,
The Lord of Spirits will have compassion on them,
For His mercy is great,
4And righteousness is in His judgment,
And in the presence of His glory,
And in His judgment unrighteousness shall not stand;
He who repents not before Him shall perish.
5 “Henceforth I will not have mercy on the wicked,” saith the Lord of Spirits. …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 50, Verses 1 – 5 in full)
Source:
http://baty.thebookofenoch.info
3) This Chance of Repentance is Granted to possibly all men who are resurrected before His Great Throne of Judgment
“… 51 In those days the earth shall give up from her womb,
And the subterranean world give up from hers what it contains,
And the abyss shall give again that which it is indebted.
2He shall separate the righteous and holy from among them
For the day of their redemption has appeared.
3And in those days the Elect One shall sit upon His throne,
While every secret of instructing wisdom shall come forth out of His mouth,
For the Lord of Spirits has endowed and glorified him.
4In those days the mountains shall skip like rams,
And the hills shall hop like young sheep satisfied with milk,
And all the righteous shall become angels in heaven.
Their faces shall shine with joy.
5For in those days the Elect One shall be exalted,
The earth shall rejoice,
The righteous shall inhabit it,
And the elect go and walk upon it …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 51, Verses 1 – 5 in full)
Source:
http://baty.thebookofenoch.info
Warning: Those who Speak against the Book of 1Enoch are stated to be False Prophets and so I will be ‘careful’ to not Speak against what’s written and though I cannot prove anything 100%, I truly believe that this will most likely take place as it is Written. The Warning Verses:
“… 10 “And now I will shew this mystery. Many sinners shall pervert and transgress against the word of perfection. They shall speak wicked words and lies, perform great works, and shall write books in their own words. 11 “But when they shall write all my words correctly in their own languages, They shall neither change nor diminish from my words, but shall write them all correctly, all which from the first I have communicated unto them. 12And I will shew you another mystery, to the righteous and the wise, there shall be given books of joy, of integrity, and of great wisdom, 13and to them shall books be given in which they shall all believe. And over them they shall rejoice, and all the righteous shall be rewarded, who from these shall learn to know the way of righteousness.” 105 “In those days saith the Lord, ‘They shall call, and make the children of the earth to hear their wisdom, and shew them that you are their leaders. And that there shall be a reward over the whole earth, 2for I and my Son will be united with them for ever in the way of righteousness in their lives. And for you there shall be peace. Rejoice children of righteousness in the truth.’” …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 104 Verses 10 – 13, continued immediately to Chapter 105, Verses 1 – 2)
Source:
http://baty.thebookofenoch.info
Peace to you
Hell
Question
Is Hell Eternal Biblically?
Reply
We don’t need to teach 100% that Hell is not eternal or is eternal based on this word Aeon/Olam and it’s translations but may stand in the middle as I believe that God Will understand either way as it’s a very difficult word.
However, personally I think that the chances are higher that Hell is not eternal either due to the word Aeon meaning age only or because the eternal sentence may be cancelled by God.
Here are two classes of example posts which discuss it:
1) Hell is not eternal because the word Aeon/Olam is not necessarily eternal
i) Is Hell Eternal?
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159410771327784&id=651792783
Or
ii) Aeon/Age/Olam used to Denote Exactly 1000 Years by Christ Himself and so it is NOT always forever
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159511823387784&substory_index=0&id=651792783
Or
iii) Isaiah 9:6 – Olam Ha Ba Mystery Pointing to the Messianic Age to Come?
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159555996907784&id=651792783
Or
iv) Ambrose Ambrosiaster Athanasius Hilary Epiphanius – Context for the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit to the Impossible to Renew them to Repentance and Universalism Verses
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10158940173547784&substory_index=0&id=651792783
2) Hell is not eternal because God may cancel that Sentence due to the Prayer of the Christians on behalf of the Damned
i) Mr. John Baty’s Translation of the Book of 1Enoch
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159665220272784&id=651792783
Or
ii) Book of 1Enoch – Christ Centered Universalism Mystery
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159643147797784&substory_index=0&id=651792783
Or
iii) Apocalypse of Elijah Mystery and why the Old Testament has 24 or 39 Books?
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159620111812784&id=651792783
Or
iv) Apocalypse of Peter – Why is it not in the Bible?
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10158849943722784&id=651792783
Or
v) Apocrypha Mystery – Are there lost Books of the Bible?
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159568863652784&id=651792783
Please don’t worry too much about determining which is 100% as even Blessed King David, the man after God’s Own Heart did not attain all knowledge of God as this Verse below reveals:
“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.” (Psalm 139:6, NKJV)
Neither did God Trash Job, his favourite righteous man on earth at one point just because righteous Job may have gotten some points or theological understanding wrong, Verse (in image too):
“1Then Job answered the Lord and said:
2“I know that You can do everything,
And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.
3You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
4Listen, please, and let me speak;
You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’
5“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,
But now my eye sees You.
6Therefore I abhor myself,
And repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:1 – 6, NKJV)
Note: Blessed Job only repented when God Himself Appeared and corrected him. This may imply that Christians who err in doctrine but are righteous in their lives especially practicing Mercy and Love will likewise not lose anything even if they’re corrected only after meeting Him one day be it after death, Verses:
“16Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another,
And the Lord listened and heard them;
So a book of remembrance was written before Him
For those who fear the Lord
And who meditate on His name.
17“They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts,
“On the day that I make them My jewels.
And I will spare them
As a man spares his own son who serves him.”
18Then you shall again discern
Between the righteous and the wicked,
Between one who serves God
And one who does not serve Him.” (Malachi 3:16 – 18, NKJV)
Comment: There is nothing to “spare” them on “that Day” (most likely Judgment Day) if they are perfect or are not wrong in any way.
One thing I am very sure: God Loves the Merciful most even in the Context of awarding “Eternal Life” or “What to do to attain Eternal Life?” because that’s the highest Love in Action, as Christ Himself Answers in Verses below and remarks beautifully to “Go and Do likewise”:
“25And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” 27So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 28And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” 29But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ 36So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” 37And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”.” (Luke 10:25 – 37, NKJV)
Christ Mentioned only the ‘Act of Mercy’ as something to “Do” to attain to “Eternal Life”. Let us do something along that line in any way God Enables us to do instead of wasting our time in ‘Vanity Pursuits of this Present Aeon’. One is Saved by His Mercy as God Likes to Show Mercy on the Merciful:
“Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:7, NKJV)
Peace to you
Why was the Book of Enoch rejected from the Scriptures? And was the rejection of this Book appropriate?
Article by Mr. James Heinz (I am copying and pasting only – Beautifully Written!):
For almost 1,200 years the Book of Enoch was lost to most of the known world. In the year 1773 Scottish Explorer James Bruce discovered Enoch Manuscripts in Ethiopian and brought with him 3 Translations written in Geez the ancient language of Ethiopia.
The Book of Enoch wouldn’t be translated until the 1800’s which at the time it was presumed to be a Christian forgery (because of all the passages about the Son of Man and New Testament quoted passages).
Things however would change in 1946-1947 when several ancient Aramaic Manuscripts of the Book of Enoch were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls proving that the Book of Enoch predated Christianity.
So what then happened to the Book of Enoch and is the Book of Enoch inspired Scripture?
Tertullian in the 2nd century wrote about the books rejection and he said that the Jew’s rejected the Book of Enoch because it prophesied of Christ.
Tertullian (160-220 AD)
On the Apparel of Women I 3:3
“But since Enoch in the same Scripture has preached likewise concerning the Lord, nothing at all must be rejected by us which pertains to us; and we read that ‘every Scripture suitable for edification is divinely inspired.’ (2 Timothy 3:16) By the Jews it may now seem to have been rejected for that very reason, just like all the other portions nearly which tell of Christ. Nor, of course, is this fact wonderful, that they did not receive some Scriptures which spake of Him whom even in person, speaking in their presence, they were not to receive. To these considerations is added the fact that Enoch possesses a testimony in the Apostle Jude.” (Jude 1:14-15)
Before Tertullian wrote his response some interesting things were happening in Jamnia (Isreal). I would love to go into the details of Akiba and his corruptions… Especially since he is the true enemy when it comes to scriptures being rejected. But today we will focus only on Simeon who was Akiba’s greatest disciple.
Simeon was the first known individual to reject the Book of Enoch. Prior to Simeon we have no recorded evidence of any Jew disagreeing with the Books authenticity.
Rabbi Simeon (about 160 AD) had said:
“Had I been alive when the Holy One, blessed be He, gave mankind the book of Enoch and the book of Adam, I would have endeavoured to prevent their dissemination, because not all wise men read them with proper attention, and thus extract from them perverted ideas, such as lead men astray from the Most High to the worship of strange powers. Now, however, the wise who understand these things keep them secret, and thereby fortify themselves in the service of their Master.”
(Zohar 1:72b)
Simeon used a radical new interpretation of Genesis 6 to claim that the Sons of God were no longer Angel’s. By making this claim he could then push an anti agenda against the Book of Enoch. Because of this new interpretation this eventually influenced the understanding of the later church who also would inevitably reject the Book of Enoch.
“The theme of the Book of Enoch dealing with the nature and deeds of the fallen angels so infuriated the later Church fathers that one, Filastrius, actually condemned it openly as heresy (Filastrius, Liber de Haeresibus, no. 108). Nor did the rabbis deign to give credence to the book’s teaching about angels. Rabbi Simeon ben Jochai in the second century A.D. pronounced a curse upon those who believed it” (Delitzsch, p. 223).
Filastrius (shown in quotation above) in the 4th century made his statement during the council of Laodicea. So as you can tell the idea of Angel’s in Gen 6 became a doctrinal heresy propelling the church to condemn Enoch as such.
Augustine in the 4th century was the greatest Christian champion to speak out against the Book of Enoch. His influence more than likely encouraged the rejection of Enoch leading to the book ultimately becoming forgotten.
Augustine (354-430 AD) City of God:
“Let us omit, then, the fables of those scriptures which are called apocryphal, because their obscure origin was unknown to the fathers from whom the authority of the true Scriptures has been transmitted to us by a most certain and well-ascertained succession. For though there is some truth in these apocryphal writings, yet they contain so many false statements, that they have no canonical authority. We cannot deny that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, left some divine writings, for this is asserted by the Apostle Jude in his canonical epistle. But it is not without reason that these writings have no place in that canon of Scripture which was preserved in the temple of the Hebrew people by the diligence of successive priests; for their antiquity brought them under suspicion, and it was impossible to ascertain whether these were his genuine writings, and they were not brought forward as genuine by the persons who were found to have carefully preserved the canonical books by a successive transmission. So that the writings which are produced under his name, and which contain these fables about the giants, saying that their fathers were not men; are properly judged by prudent men to be not genuine.”
Notice that Augustines reason was the same as Simeons in the 2nd century. Augustine knew that the Book of Enoch was very old, but because it taught about Angel’s as the Son’s of God this lead him to the conclusion that the Book was a fable.
But was Simeon correct in this alternative view? Was Filastrius and Augustine correct in agreeing with Simeon on this matter?
Well Simeon wrote his interpretation sometime between 130-160 AD.
Josephus and Philo (both Jew’s) who lived less than 100 years before him had no problem with the interpretation that the Son’s of God were Angel’s.
Josephus (37-100 AD) Antiquities of the Jew’s chapter 3:
“For many angels of God accompanied with women, and begat sons that proved unjust, and despisers of all that was good, on account of the confidence they had in their own strength; for the tradition is, that these men did what resembled the acts of those whom the Grecians call giants.”
Philo of Alexandria, a Hellenistic Jew (20 BC-50 AD) also shared this same view pertaining to Genesis 6.
Philo on the Giants chapter 2:
“And when the angels of God saw the daughters of men that they were beautiful, they took unto themselves wives of all of them whom they Chose.”
You will not find a single Isrealite/Jew prior to Rabbi Simeon who ever took a different interpretation of Gen 6 Sons of God being Angel’s.
Early Christian’s for almost 400 years all unanimously accepted this interpretation. And many of these same Christian’s also had no problem calling the Book of Enoch Scripture. Here is a list to name a few:
Justin Martyr
Athenagoras of Athens
Irenaeus
Clement of Alexandria
Origen
Tertullian
Archelaus
Commodianus
Cyprian
Anatolius of Laodicea
Alexander of Lycopolis
But the best evidence comes from the Epistle of Jude.
Jude 1:6-7 King James Version
6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Notice that Jude specifically stated that Angel’s left their first estate and were judged. This occured in Enoch chapter 6 where the Sons of God made an unholy pact on Mt Hermon declaring to have relationships with the daughters of men. And also Enoch chapter 10 where God sentenced these fallen Angel’s to be placed in chains of darkness.
Notice in Jude 1:7 that Sodom and Gomorrah acted in a like manner or similar manner which was going after “strange flesh”. Sodom and Gomorrah was guilty of an abnormal fornication, by Judes writing he is also claiming that the Sons of God had the same transgressions.
But then Jude compliments this entire notion by quoting from Enoch 1:9 giving credence to Enoch as being the source of this prophecy.
Jude 1:14-15 King James Version
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
As stated Jude was quoting Enoch 1:9
Enoch 1:9 R.H. Charles
And behold! He cometh with ten thousands of His holy ones
To execute judgement upon all,
And to destroy all the ungodly:
And to convict all flesh
Of all the works of their ungodliness which they have ungodly committed,
And of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.
If this wasn’t proof enough to the testimony of the Book of Enoch, then you must consider the passage in Mathew 22:29-30 where Christ called the Book of Enoch Scripture. This passage ironically is the one verse most often used against the Book.
Matthew 22:29-30
King James Version
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
Notice that Christ rebuked the Sadduccees for not knowing the Scriptures. Then in Mathew 22:30 He taught that Angel’s of Heaven do not marry (it was Angel’s of the Earth that left their first estate) The teaching that Angel’s do not marry is not found anywhere in the Old Testament and can only be found in the Book of Enoch… Thus Christ was saying that the Sadduccees are in error for not knowing the Scriptures being the Book of Enoch
Enoch 15:4-7 R.H. Charles
And though ye were holy, spiritual, living the eternal life, you have defiled yourselves with the blood of women, and have begotten children with the blood of flesh, and, as the children of men, have lusted after flesh and blood as those also do who die and perish. 5Therefore have I given them wives also that they might impregnate them, and beget children by them, that thus nothing might be wanting to them on earth. 6But you were formerly spiritual, living the eternal life, and immortal for all generations of the world. 7And therefore I have not appointed wives for you; for as for the spiritual ones (Angel’s) of the heaven, in heaven is their dwelling.
It should be clear now that Tertullian’s statement was correct. Rabbi Simeon clearly had alternative motives behind his denial of the Book of Enoch. Simeon rejected Enoch based on a radically new interpretation of Gen 6 and it should be clear now that his true intention was actually focused on his desire to reject its testimonies of Christ.
We can see from the passages above that both Jude and our Lord and Savior agree with the teachings of Enoch, and that sadly Simeon had initially succeeded in the rejection of this amazing Scripture.
However Enoch also prophesied that the Book would be preserved for a later generation that is to come.
Enoch 1:1 R.H. Charles
The words of the blessing of Enoch, wherewith he blessed the elect and righteous, who will be living in the day of tribulation
(This history was also prophesied in Enoch 104:10-13 and Enoch 105:1)
End of Original Article.
My comment: This is the same Book of 1Enoch I am quoting say in post below:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159665220272784&id=651792783
Personally, I agree with some scholars that the Book of 1Enoch may have been rewritten under Divine Inspiration by Blessed Prophet Ezra himself who closed the Old Testament Canon as one of the Mysterious ’70 Secret Books which God told him to only reveal to the Wise’ as discussed in post below:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159568863652784&id=651792783
It is well known that Blessed Prophet Ezra himself re-wrote some parts of the Old Testament Canon which by that time was sometimes lost or corrupted.
Peace to you
Book of 1Enoch Defense FAQ
Question 1
THe issue is that the book of Enoch is dated past the point that the torah, prophets, and writtings had been compiled also the book of Enoch is a satire, midrashic books is not included because there not God inspired.
Reply 1
That’s an assumption challenged mostly by Apostle Jude quoting it in the Context of Prophecy (in Jude 14 or Jude 1:14) and no Prophecy can be true except by God’s Inspiration, Verse:
“for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” (2 Peter 1:21, NKJV)
Apostle Paul never quoted the ‘Greek Poets’ Writings such as ‘For we are also His offspring’ (Acts 17:28) in the Context of ‘Prophecy’ as Apostle Jude quotes 1Enoch word to word in Jude 1:14 – 15 which makes the Context of 2 Peter 1:21 to “possibly” apply here.
So the other prophecies in this same book may come to pass too. I would guard my tongue because suppose it turns out to be Scripture on Judgment Day, what if certain harsh words Spoken against it becomes equivalent to the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit by those loudly discrediting it? Is it equally dangerous to call it as Scripture if turns out not as I assumed? Please read the “Conclusion” section later below.
Truth is we cannot prove either way but there’s a high chance it can be true. The Old Testament Scripture Writings are compiled part is by Prophet Ezra and the same Esdras Verses that proves there are 22 Books (24 or 39 according to how we count) also proves there were 70 other Inspired secret books to the Wise where 1Enoch is the most highly probable candidate in history.
A lot of Christians do not realize that the Ezra and Nehemiah book in their Bibles is just the Original 1Esdras and 2Esdras renamed by Protestant reformers later. All of it is Written by Divine Inspiration by Blessed Prophet Ezra himself. The 3 Esdras and 4 Esdras were part of this Esdras writing but were separated out due to this Verse in Esdras itself in which God commanded Blessed Prophet Ezra to ‘hide’ the Seventy Books from the unworthy but not from the Wise and so this part of Esdras (renamed in modern times as 1 Esdras and 2 Esdras) had to be ‘removed’ to keep it Hidden as commanded of which I do not see any evidence of it being less Inspired, Verses:
“38 So it happened to me on the next day that a voice called me: “Ezra, open your mouth and drink what I give you to drink.” 39 So I opened my mouth, and a full cup was set before me. It was full of something like water, but its color was like fire. 40 I took it and drank, and when I had drunk it my heart poured forth understanding, and wisdom increased in my heart, for my spirit retained memory. 41 My mouth was opened and wasn’t shut anymore. 42 The Most High, moreover, gave understanding to the five men, and they wrote in turns what was dictated, in characters that they didn’t know, and they sat for forty days. They wrote by day, 43 but by night they ate bread; however, I spoke by day and wasn’t silent by night. 44 Ninety-four scrolls were written in the forty days. 45 Then when the forty days were completed, the Most High said to me, “Make public the ones you wrote first so that the worthy and unworthy may read them. 46 But keep the last seventy so that you may transmit them to the wise among your people. 47 In these are the fountains of understanding, the source of wisdom, and the river of knowledge.” 48 And so I did.” (2 Esdras 14:38 – 48, CEB)
Source:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Esdras+14&version=CEB
In other words, every time a Christian is quoting that there are only 39 Books in the Old Testament, they are quoting or believing in the Verse above in 2 Esdras 14:44, 46 without realizing it.
Here’s the Math:
For those who don’t know, the 39 Books in the Protestant Old Testament Bible are exactly the 94 (Verse 44 above) – 70 (Verse 46 above) = 24 Books but broken down and re-labelled further by the Protestant Reformation movement.
Source Post:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159568863652784&id=651792783
Question 2
Not really, during the first century there was several midrashic books, some is only traceable to the 1600’s.
Reply 2
An interesting prophecy in the Book of 1Enoch itself is that it will appear again in the last tribulation generation which was mysteriously fulfilled as described in article prior (link below) where it was lost for about 1200 years.
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10159668194192784/
Question 3
Which midrashic stories not everything agrees with what torah explains. some books where complete forgeries as using a ‘named book” to make it appear legit.
Reply 3
Apostle Jude quotes 1Enoch word to word in Jude 14 and its other contents in essence about the fallen angels which is not found in any other midrash or Jewish writing. The Book of 1Enoch existed before Christ as Apostle Jude quotes it and that’s the Book some of the earliest Church Fathers called as Scripture. The Dead Sea Scrolls discovery in Aramaic and the Ethipoic Version found may show that we may have found this Original. Even the Epistle of Barnabas (part of Scripture in some Ancient Churches) and a primer for new converts in early Christianity (40 AD? – 70 AD) calls the Book of 1Enoch as Scripture in the formula “as it is Written” as discussed in a later part in post below:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159548315757784&id=651792783
Question 4
When the dead sea scrolls created first century is the oldest set, then that tells you about the date, and time. The majority of the books midrashic stories, dates to the times of the “Coptic” christain movement.
Reply 4
Dead Sea Scrolls contain all of those discoveries including the Book of 1Enoch but Apostle Jude only quotes the Book of 1Enoch and not those books especially to its unique fallen angels contents as do every Christian who believes in the Fallen Angels theory. Indeed, there is no Christian Demonology based on the Fallen Angels theory without this Book of 1Enoch where it originated from. Under this Demonology assumption, Christians have performed the casting out of demons in Christ’s Name whilst believing demons to be these fallen spirits and their offspring by which exorcism has worked as claimed across Christianity be it Catholicism or Protestantism.
Conclusion
As I said, I don’t need to prove it 100% as nobody can either way except God but personally there’s a higher chance that the Book of 1Enoch is Scripture. Calling it as Scripture will not merit any Christian any Judgment either as all these ones and plenty more in First Christianity called it so, example list:
Justin Martyr
Athenagoras of Athens
Irenaeus
Clement of Alexandria
Origen
Tertullian
Archelaus
Commodianus
Cyprian
Anatolius of Laodicea
Alexander of Lycopolis
Source Post:
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10159668194192784/
Thank you Mr. RI Burns for this image
Peace to you
Epistle of Barnabas – Who Enters Heaven?
“… Forasmuch then as He renewed us in the remission of sins, He made us to be a new type, so that we should have the soul of children, as if He were recreating us. …” – Epistle of Barnabas 6:11
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/barnabas-lightfoot.html
What is the ‘Epistle of Barnabas’?
“… The Epistle of Barnabas (Greek: Βαρνάβα Ἐπιστολή) is a Greek epistle written between AD 70 and 132. The complete text is preserved in the 4th-century Codex Sinaiticus, where it appears immediately after the New Testament and before the Shepherd of Hermas. For several centuries it was one of the “antilegomena” writings that some Christians looked on as sacred scripture, while others excluded them. Eusebius of Caesarea classified it as such. It is mentioned in a perhaps third-century list in the sixth-century Codex Claromontanus and in the later Stichometry of Nicephorus appended to the ninth-century Chronography of Nikephoros I of Constantinople. Some early Fathers of the Church ascribed it to the Barnabas who is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, but it is now generally attributed to an otherwise unknown early Christian teacher, perhaps of the same name. It is distinct from the Gospel of Barnabas. … The Epistle was attributed to Barnabas, the companion of Paul the Apostle, by Clement of Alexandria (c. 150 – c. 215) and Origen (c. 184 – c. 253).[6] Clement quotes it with phrases such as “the Apostle Barnabas says”.[7] Origen speaks of it as the General Epistle of Barnabas.[8] Its inclusion in close proximity to the New Testament in the Codex Sinaiticus and the Codex Hierosolymitanus witnesses to the near-canonical authority it held for some Christians,[6] but is evidence of its popularity and usefulness, not necessarily of canonicity.[9][10] Eusebius (260/265 – 339/340), excluded it from “the accepted books”, classifying it as among the “rejected” or “spurious” (νόθοι) writings, while also applying to it, as to many others, the term “the disputed books”, but not the description “the disputed writings, which are nevertheless recognized by many”, a class composed of the Epistle of James, the Second Epistle of Peter, and the Second and the Third Epistle of John. As for the Book of Revelation, Eusebius says it was rejected by some but by others placed among the accepted books.[11] In the sixth-century Codex Claromontanus a list, dating from the third or fourth century, of Old Testament and New Testament books mentions, with an indication of doubtful or disputed canonicity, the Epistle of Barnabas along with the Pastor of Hermas, the Acts of Paul and the Apocalypse of Peter.[12][13] The Stichometry of Nicephorus, a later list of uncertain date appended to the Chronography of the early 9th century Nikephoros I of Constantinople, puts the Epistle of Barnabas among its four “disputed” New Testament works — along with the Book of Revelation, the Revelation of Peter and the Gospel of the Hebrews — but not among its seven “New Testament apocrypha” …”
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistle_of_Barnabas
Note: The ‘Revelation of Peter’ Writing is also called the ‘Apocalypse of Peter’ Writing which is listed on the ‘Stichometry of Nicephorus’ list even found as late as the 9th Century which is discussed in link below:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10158849943722784&id=651792783
Before condemning the ‘Apocalypse of Peter’ or even this ‘Epistle of Barnabas’ did you notice that these books are Classified together in the same level of authenticity as the ‘Book of Revelation’ according to both the ‘Stichometry of Nicephorus’ (later list) and even the ‘Codex Claromontanus’ (earlier list) which are better than the ‘single person opinion of Eusebius’?
Peace to you
The Righteous and The Elect seems to be Two Distinct Groups Mystery
“… 1 And I began to speak the third Parable concerning the righteous and elect. 2 Blessed are ye, ye righteous and elect, For glorious shall be your lot. 3 And the righteous shall be in the light of the sun. And the elect in the light of eternal life: The days of their life shall be unending, And the days of the holy without number. …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 58, Verses 1 – 3)
Source:
http://wesley.nnu.edu/sermons-essays-books/noncanonical-literature/noncanonical-literature-ot-pseudepigrapha/book-of-enoch/
Or
“… 58 And I began to speak the third Parable concerning the righteous and elect. 2Blessed are ye, ye righteous and elect, For glorious shall be your lot. 3And the righteous shall be in the light of the sun,
And the elect in the light of eternal life: The days of their life shall be unending, And the days of the holy without number. …”
RH Charles:
http://read.thebookofenoch.info
Comparison with other translations, please consider:
“… 58 I now begin to declare the third parable, concerning the righteous and the elect. 2Happy are ye, Oh ye righteous and elect, For your lot is glorious. 3The righteous shall exist in the light of the sun, And the elect in the light of everlasting life,
The days of whose life shall never end, And the days of the saints shall not be numbered, …”
John Baty:
http://baty.thebookofenoch.info
Or
“… 58:1 And I began to speak the third Parable concerning the just and concerning the chosen. 58:2 Blessed are ye, the just and chosen, for your portion is glorious! 58:3 And the just will be in the light of the sun, and the chosen in the light of everlasting life; and there will be no end to the days of their life, and the days of the holy will be without number. …”
GH Schodde:
http://schodde.thebookofenoch.info
Or
“… 58:1 I now began to utter the third parable, concerning the saints and the elect. 58:2 Blessed are you, O saints and elect, for glorious is your lot. 58:3 The saints shall exist in the light of the sun, and the elect in the light of everlasting life, the days of whose life shall never terminate; nor shall the days of the saints be numbered, …”
RL Laurence:
http://rl.thebookofenoch.info
Again, I am not saying that this is 100% true but certainly these phrases can mean such a distinction between the definition of the “righteous” (having good works only) vs “elect” (having both ‘faith and good works’) regarding such a merit/reward as explored further in all probability in link below:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159489970167784&id=651792783
Peace to you
Possible Righteous Vs Elect Mystery
0) Biblical Phrases
i) Inherit the Earth
“5Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:5, NKJV)
ii) Inherit the Kingdom of Heaven(s)
“3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. … 10Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:3, 10, NKJV)
Definition Assumption: All the Elect are also the Righteous but not all the Righteous are the Elect (e. g. any Righteous saved during the 1000 Millennial Reign of Christ are ‘not the Elect’ but the ‘Righteous’ only as they do not participate in the First Resurrection for those with Faith of Jesus Christ and Works, Revelation 20:5 and hence ‘these non-Elect righteous’ are Saved on Judgment Day ‘by works only’ (Revelation 20:12 – 13) since the Second Coming of Christ has already been Manifested before this occurs, Revelation 19:11 – 21 making no more Election by Faith toward those who are Raised during the Second Resurrection which occurs at the end of this 1000 years, Revelation 20:11 – 15); this same Hope may thus be extended to the Righteous in works likewise in other remaining men, as such a ‘possibility’ is discussed in post below:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159489970167784&id=651792783
iii. Mortal Unresurrected Righteous Vs Sinners Exist during this 1000 Millennial Reign of Christ
Bible Verses
“17“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. … 20“No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, Nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days; For the CHILD shall DIE one hundred years old, But the SINNER being one hundred years old shall be accursed.” (Isaiah 65:17, 20, NKJV)
“7Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:7 – 10, NKJV)
Note: The ‘Beast (Antichrist) and the False Prophet’ are cast into the Lake of Fire before this 1000 Millennial Reign of Christ Begins where during this 1000 years Satan is locked up in the Bottomless Pit and Satan only joins the Antichrist and the False Prophet into the Lake of Fire at the end of this 1000 Year Reign of Christ, Verses:
“… 11Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. … 20Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. … 1Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while. … 7Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. …” (Revelation 19:11 – 12, 20, Revelation 20:1 – 3, 7 – 10, NKJV)
Next Bible Verses:
i. First Resurrection
“4And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4 – 6, NKJV)
ii. Second Resurrection
“5But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.” (Revelation 20:5, NKJV)
“11Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11 – 15, NKJV)
Please consider a possible explanation next via the Book of 1Enoch. The translation used is based on the one below unless stated otherwise:
RH Charles:
http://read.thebookofenoch.info
1) I am comparing these three Verses (phrases in them) as follows:
“… 1 And I began to speak the third Parable concerning the righteous and elect. 2 Blessed are ye, ye righteous and elect, For glorious shall be your lot. 3 And the righteous shall be in the light of the sun. And the elect in the light of eternal life: The days of their life shall be unending, And the days of the holy without number. …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 58, Verses 1 – 3)
And
“… 5b And the earth shall rejoice, c And the righteous shall dwell upon it, d And the elect shall walk thereon. …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 51, Verse 5)
And
“… [Chapter 50] 1 And in those days a change shall take place for the holy and elect, And the light of days shall abide upon them, And glory and honour shall turn to the holy, 2 On the day of affliction on which evil shall have been treasured up against the sinners. And the righteous shall be victorious in the name of the Lord of Spirits: And He will cause the others to witness (this) That they may repent And forgo the works of their hands. 3 They shall have no honour through the name of the Lord of Spirits, Yet through His name shall they be saved, And the Lord of Spirits will have compassion on them, For His compassion is great. 4 And He is righteous also in His judgement, And in the presence of His glory unrighteousness also shall not maintain itself: At His judgement the unrepentant shall perish before Him. 5 And from henceforth I will have no mercy on them, saith the Lord of Spirits. …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 50, All Verses 1 – 5)
2) Comparison Phrases from the three quotes above
“… 3 And the righteous shall be in the light of the sun. And the elect in the light of eternal life: …”
And
“… 5b And the earth shall rejoice, c And the righteous shall dwell upon it, d And the elect shall walk thereon. …”
And
“… And in those days a change shall take place for the holy and elect, And the light of days shall abide upon them, And glory and honour shall turn to the holy, 2 … And the righteous shall be victorious in the name of the Lord of Spirits: …”
3) Possible Exegesis
So, I am seeing this possible distinction between the righteous Vs the elect via these phrases as follows:
Where possibly,
“… 3The righteous shall exist in the light of the sun, …” = their reward is to inherit the earth as explained in another quote in the Book of 1Enoch as follows = “… 5b And the earth shall rejoice, And the righteous shall dwell upon it, …” = “… 2 … And the righteous shall be victorious in the name of the Lord of Spirits: …”
Note: The phrase ‘… exist in the light of the sun …’ seems equivalent to the infamous Ecclesiastes phrases such as ‘… under the Sun …’ where it refers to ‘being on Earth literally’ where in this case it means ‘inheriting the earth Post Resurrection’ (e.g. ‘the meek will inherit the earth’ Matthew 5:5).
While
“… And the elect in the light of everlasting life, …” = The Elect inherit the Kingdom of Heavens (New Jerusalem City, Paradise, Heavens) and they only walk the Earth = “… 5b And the earth shall rejoice … And the elect shall walk thereon. …” = “… And in those days a change shall take place for the holy and elect, And the light of days shall abide upon them, And glory and honour shall turn to the holy, 2 …”.
It could just be a double mention or it could mean the above too.
Note: The phrase ‘… the light of everlasting life, …’ seems to indicate a contrast where this points to a ‘higher light’ possibly the inheritance of the layers of the Heavens including the earth too, no limits as the phrase ‘everlasting life’ means that (e. g. Matthew 5:19’s least and greatest in the Kingdom of the Heavens Speaks of Gradation of Salvation too).
More related discussion is in Post below:
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10159682530077784/
Peace to you
Ancient Christ Centered Universalism Champion of Faith – Testimony of Blessed St. Gregory of Nyssa
1) Is he approved to be ‘Saved’ by Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodoxy, and even the Founding Protestants (e.g. Lutheran and Anglican)?
To quote:
“… Gregory of Nyssa, also known as Gregory Nyssen (Greek: Γρηγόριος Νύσσης; c. 335 – c. 395), was bishop of Nyssa from 372 to 376 and from 378 until his death. He is venerated as a saint in Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglicanism, and Lutheranism. Gregory, his elder brother Basil of Caesarea, and their friend Gregory of Nazianzus are collectively known as the Cappadocian Fathers. …” – Wikipedia
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_of_Nyssa
2) His Theological Contributions
“… Gregory lacked the administrative ability of his brother Basil or the contemporary influence of Gregory of Nazianzus, but he was an erudite theologian who made significant contributions to the doctrine of the Trinity and the Nicene Creed. Gregory’s philosophical writings were influenced by Origen. Since the mid-twentieth century, there has been a significant increase in interest in Gregory’s works from the academic community, particularly involving universal salvation, which has resulted in challenges to many traditional interpretations of his theology. …” – Wikipedia
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_of_Nyssa
3) His Christian Universalism Belief
To quote:
“… Gregory seems to have believed in the universal salvation of all human beings. Gregory argues that when Paul says that God will be “all in all” (1 Cor. 15:28), this means that though some may need long time of purification, eventually “no being will remain outside the number of the saved”[44] and that “no being created by God will fall outside the Kingdom of God”.[45] Due to the unity of human nature in Christ “all, thanks to the union with one another, will be joined in communion with the Good, in Jesus Christ Our Lord”.[46] By his incarnation, death and resurrection Christ achieves “the common salvation of human nature”.[47]
Gregory also described God’s work this way: “His [God’s] end is one, and one only; it is this: when the complete whole of our race shall have been perfected from the first man to the last—some having at once in this life been cleansed from evil, others having afterwards in the necessary periods been healed by the Fire, others having in their life here been unconscious equally of good and of evil—to offer to every one of us participation in the blessings which are in Him, which, the Scripture tells us, ‘eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,’ nor thought ever reached.”[48] That this is what Gregory believed and taught is affirmed by most scholars.[49][50][51][52][53] A minority of scholars have argued that Gregory only affirmed the universal resurrection.[54]
In the Life of Moses, Gregory writes that just as the darkness left the Egyptians after three days, perhaps redemption [ἀποκατάστασις] will be extended to those suffering in hell [γέεννα].[55] This salvation may not only extend to humans; following Origen, there are passages where he seems to suggest (albeit through the voice of Macrina) that even the demons will have a place in Christ’s “world of goodness”.[56] Gregory’s interpretations of 1 Corinthians 15:28 (“And when all things shall be subdued unto him …”) and Philippians 2:10 (“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth”) support this understanding of his theology.[56]
Nevertheless, in the Great Catechism, Gregory suggests that while every human will be resurrected, salvation will only be accorded to the baptised, although he also states that others driven by their passions can be saved after being purified by fire.[57] While he believes that there will be no more evil in the hereafter, it is arguable that this does not preclude a belief that God might justly damn sinners for eternity.[58] Thus, the main difference between Gregory’s conception of ἀποκατάστασις and that of Origen would be that Gregory believes that mankind will be collectively returned to sinlessness, whereas Origen believes that personal salvation will be universal.[58] This interpretation of Gregory has been criticized recently, however.[59] Indeed, this interpretation is explicitly contradicted in the “Great Catechism” itself, for at the end of chapter XXXV Gregory declares that those who have not been purified by water through baptism will be purified by fire in the end, so that “their nature may be restored pure again to God”.[60] Furthermore, in the next chapter (ch. XXXVI), Gregory says that those who are purified from evil will be admitted into the “heavenly company”.[61]
Attempting to reconcile these disparate positions, Eastern Orthodox theologian Dr. Mario Baghos notes that “when taken at face value the saint seems to be contradicting himself in these passages; on the one hand he asserted the salvation of all and the complete eradication of evil, and, on the other, that the fire needed to purge evil is ‘sleepless’, i.e. everlasting. The only solution to this inconsistency is to view any allusion to universal salvation in St Gregory as an expression of God’s intention for humanity, which is in fact attested to when his holy sister states that God has “one goal […] some straightway even in this life purified from evil, others healed hereafter through fire for the appropriate length of time.” That we can choose either to accept or ignore this purification is confirmed by the saint’s many exhortations that we freely undertake the virtuous path.”[62] Dr. Ilaria Ramelli has made the observation that for Gregory free will was compatible with universal salvation, since every person would eventually accept the good having gone through purification.[59] Nevertheless, some interpret Gregory as conceding that Judas and similar sinners will never be completely purified when he wrote, “that which never existed is to be preferred to that which has existed in such sin. For, as to the latter, on account of the depth of the ingrained evil, the chastisement in the way of purgation will be extended into infinity”.[63][64] However, Ramelli renders the original Greek “εἰς ἄπειρον παρατείνεται ἡ διὰ τῆς καθάρσεως κόλασις” as “the punishment provided for the purpose of purification will tend to an indefinite duration.”[65] …” – Wikipedia
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_of_Nyssa
4) Why is he considered a ‘Champion of the Faith’ or is he just ‘another saint’?
To quote (St. Gregory of Nyssa is the only theologian ever given the title ‘father of fathers’ as so influential and accurate was his doctrine in Earliest Christianity up to the 8th century even as this quote proves irrefutably):
“… In 787 AD, the Seventh Ecumenical Council of the Church, (also known as the Second Council of Nicea) honored Gregory of Nyssa:
Let us then, consider who were the venerable doctors and indomitable champions of the Church [including] Gregory Primate of Nyssa, who all have called the father of fathers.[85]
.
.
.
Catholic theologian and author Hans Urs von Balthasar, describes Gregory in his book Presence and Thought: An Essay on the Religious Philosophy of Gregory of Nyssa (1988):[89]
Less prolific than Origen, less cultivated than Gregory Nazianzen, less practical than Basil, Gregory of Nyssa nonetheless outstrips them all in the profundity of his thought. …” – Wikipedia
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_of_Nyssa
Conclusion
If Blessed St. Gregory of Nyssa can believe in Christ Centered Universalism and be considered not just “Saved” but highly honoured not just by Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodoxy but even the Founding Protestants of Lutherans & Anglicans, why are other Universalist Christians considered immediately a heretic by some of the mainstream instead?
I am not God to say which will be the case but based on my personal little research, I believe that Christ Centered Universalism (or one of its variant forms in First Christianity) has a higher chance of coming to pass. But even if not, there’s no condemnation for hope simply because it is a Belief that God Can Cancel His Judgment Sentence as even it has happened in the Old Testament Times. What God Decides in the End, we will honour it either way.
Peace to you
The Ancient First Jews on the Book of 1Enoch
Possible New Testament Quotes on the Book of 1Enoch
The Ancient First Christians on the Book of 1Enoch – Are all of them Wrong?
If the Book of 1Enoch is Scripture, then a type of Christ Centered Universalism Hope is certainly Possible as discussed in free downloadable e-book below:
Click the button above to Download as PDFClick the button above to Download as in Google Book App
Source for each Image (There are more images in link below):
Note: The images show many of the heroes of the Christian Faith whom I admire the most.
Peace to you
Dear All,
Here’s what I know about the Apocalypse of Elijah:
1) Is it quoted in the Bible?
Origen, Ambrosiaster, and Euthalius ascribe First Epistle to the Corinthians 2:9 to this Apocalypse of Elijah to it.
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalypse_of_Elijah
2) Pre-Tribulation Rapture Theory
Some Christians often claim that the Apocalypse of Elijah writing teaches the ‘Pre-Tribulation Rapture’. I disagree strongly as discussed in detail in post below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159460167692784
3) Christ Centered Universalism Hope
The Apocalypse of Elijah has the “same” Prophecy of Salvation from the Lake of Fire eventually after the Prayer of the Righteous as did say the Apocalypse of Peter, the Sibyline Oracles, The Epistle of the Apostles writings too. To quote:
“… 23.And the fire will prevail over the earth seventy-two cubits. It will consume the sinners and the devils like stubble.
24.A true judgment will occur.
25.On that day, the mountains and the earth will utter speech. The byways will speak with one another, saying, “Have you heard today the voice of a man who walks who has not come to the judgment of the Son of YHWH.”
26.The sins of each one will stand against him in the place where they were committed, whether those of the day or of the night.
27.Those who belong to the righteous and … will see the sinners and those who persecuted them and those who handed them over to death in their torments.
28.Then the sinners [ in torment ] will see the place of the righteous.
29.And thus grace will occur. In those days, that which the righteous will ask for many times will be given to them. …” – Apocalypse of Elijah (Verses 23 – 29)
Source:
http://www.3-in-1.net/Pseudepigrapha/Apocalypse%20of%20Elijah/The%20Apocalypse%20of%20Elijah.htm
Comment: The Christ Centered Universalism part is Prophesied in Verse 29. Related posts:
i. Epistle of the Apostles
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159631284097784
ii. Jewish Christian Sibyline Oracles – a Tradition by Blessed and Great St. Paul the Apostle?
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10158298054362784
iii. Apocalypse of Peter
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10158849943722784
iv. Jewish Targums
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10158865159207784
I cannot ascertain anything 100% but I believe it as a very highly likely Possibility.
Source Post:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159620111812784
4) Apocalypse of Elijah AudioBook may be found in link below:
https://youtu.be/g1rNp5wGd9E
Source Post:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159622630577784
5) Church Fathers and the Earliest Bible Canons regarding the Apocalypse of Elijah
“… This apocalypse is mentioned in the Apostolic Constitutions, the List of the Sixty Books, the Synopsis of Pseudo-Athanasius, the Stichometry of Nicephorus, and the Armenian list of Mechithar. … If they are right, the apocalypse is pre-Pauline. The peculiar form in which this quotation appears in Clement of Alexandria, Protrepticus x. 94, and the Apostolic Constitutions vii. 32, shows that both have the same source, probably this apocalypse. …”
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalypse_of_Elijah
So the Apocalypse of Elijah could be one of the ‘Secret Books’ which Blessed Prophet Ezra wrote ‘under Inspiration’ (as the Book of Esdras records) among which could have been even the Book of 1Enoch which we all love.
If there’s anything more, I will put it up here. Hope it edifies.
Conclusion – Is this the Hebrew Apocalypse of Elijah or the Christian one?
It’s the Coptic Apocalypse of Elijah I think because I never found an online text for the Jewish one at all.
To quote a possible understanding between the Jewish Version and the Christian Version preserved by the Coptic Version:
“… James Charlesworth writes (The Pseudepigrapha and Modern Research, pp. 95-97) :
Two works bear this name and should be distinguished as 1 Elijah and 2 Elijah. The first is extant in Coptic fragments which were edited by G. Steindorff (Die Apokalypse des Elias [TU 17] Leipzig: Hinrichs, 1899) and translated into English by H. P. Houghton (“The Coptic Apocalypse. Part III, Akhmimice: ‘The Apocalypse of Elias,'” Aegyptus 39 [1959] 179-210). There are also a few minor excerpts and fragments in Greek which are reprinted by A.-M. Denis (no. 23, pp. 103f.).
In its present form the pseudepigraphon is Christian and dates from the third century. Most scholars concur that it derives from an earlier Jewish work, and J.-M. Rosenstiehl (no. 706, pp. 9, 75f.) concludes that the Grundschrift was composed in Egypt during the first century B.C.
The work consists of three large chapters: a parenetic section (1:1-26); an apocalyptic timetable (2:1-44); and legends about the Antichrist (3:1-99).
The second, 2 Elijah, is extant in rabbinic Hebrew; this was edited and translated into German by M. Buttenwieser (Die hebräische Elias-Apokalypse. Leipzig: Pfeiffer, 1897). As far as I know an English translation has not yet been published. …”
And
“… Regarding the common origin of these two apocalypses, little advance has been achieved beyond the position of M. R. James: “But neither of the extant Apocalypses can be supposed to represent the old book faithfully. The Coptic has been Christianized, the Hebrew abridged, and additions made to both.” (LAOT, p. 61). Such an early Jewish apocryphon existed, since it is mentioned as the source of 1 Corinthians 2:9 by Origen (Comm. Mt. 27.9); and is listed in the Apostolic Constitutions, the List of Sixty Books, the Synopsis of Pseudo-Athanasius, the Stichometry of Nicephorus, and the Armenian list by Mechithar. Clement of Rome and Clement of Alexandria may have quoted from the early Jewish composition (see the Greek texts reprinted in Denis, no. 23, p. 103). …”
and
“… Emil Schürer writes: “The prophet Elijah has this in common with Enoch, that like him he was taken up to heaven without dying. Consequently in the legends of the saints he is often associated with Enoch, and like this latter could not fail to be regarded as a peculiarly suitable medium through which to communicate heavenly revelations. A writing bearing his name is mentioned in the Constitut. apostol. vi. 16, and in the patristic quotations simply as an Apocryphum. According to the more exact titles given in the lists of the Apocrypha (Ηλια προφητου in Nicephorus, Ηλιου αποκαλυψις in the anonymous list) and in Jerome, this book was a somewhat short apocalyptic work consisting, according to the Stichometry of Nicephorus, of 316 verses. It is often mentioned by Origen and subsequent ecclesiastical writers as being the source of a quotation made by Paul, and which cannot be traced to any part of the Old Testament (1 Cor. ii. 9: καθως γεγραπται: α οφθαλμος ουκ ειδεν και ους ουκ ηκουσεν και επι καρδιαν ανθρωπου ουκ ανεβη κ.τ.λ.). No doubt Jerome strongly protests against the notion that Paul is here quoting an apocryphal work. But the thing is not at all incredible, for do we not find that the Book of Enoch has also been undoubtedly quoted by the author of the Epistle of Jude? If that be so, then this circumstance serves at the same time to prove the early existence and Jewish origin of the Apocalypse of Elijah. This same passage that is quoted in First Corinthians is likewise quoted by Clemens Romanus, chap. xxxiv. fin. Now as non-canonical quotations occur elsewhere in Clement, it is just possible that he, in like manner, has made use of the Apocalypse of Elijah. At the same time it is more likely that he has borrowed the quotation from the First Epistle to the Corinthians. According to Epiphanius, the passage Eph. v. 14 (εγειρε ο καθευδων και αναστα εκ των νεκρων και επιφαυσει σοι ο Χριστοσ) was also taken from our Apocryphum. But seeing that Origen makes no mention of this in his collations of passages of this sort, that statement is of a very questionable character, and probably rests upon some confusion or other. According to Euthalius, Eph. v. 14 was taken from an apocryphal work that bore the name of Jeremiah.” (The Literature of the Jewish People in the Time of Jesus, pp. 129-130) …”
Source:
http://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/apocelijah.html
Peace to you
Jon 🙂