The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 1

IV. The Testimony of the Epistle of Barnabas

Almost no scholars now believe that the author of this Epistle of Barnabas ¹⁹ was the apostle Barnabas, illustrious companion of Paul. Possibly it was a Jewish Christian bearing the same name, who had probably studied Philo, and who handled the Old Testament in an allegorical way in support of Christianity. It has been called Alexandrian in style, and was written in Greek, and the possible limits of writing have been placed all the way from A.D. 70 to 150, ²⁰ with the preponderance of opinion favoring the later date, or its proximity. It obviously could not be at the earlier date. PFF1 209.6

A few extracts will set forth the sketchy testimony of this document. First, as to prophecy in general: PFF1 210.1

“For the Lord made known to us by His prophets things past and present, giving us likewise the firstfruits of the taste of things future. And seeing each of these things severally corning to pass, according as He spake, we ought to offer a richer and higher offering to the fear of Him. But I, not as though I were a teacher, but as one of yourselves, will show forth a few things, whereby ye shall be gladdened in the present circumstances.” ²¹ PFF1 210.2

Second, Barnabas’ reference to the ten kingdoms and the Little Horn in connection with the “present time” seems to indicate his understanding of the fourth beast as the then-existing Roman Empire, and his recognition of the ten kingdoms to be carved out of Rome, as the next step in the prophetic outline, to be followed by the uprooting of the three kings by the “little king.” His readers are admonished: PFF1 210.3

“It behoves us therefore to investigate deeply concerning the present, and to search out the things which have power to save us. Let us therefore flee altogether from all the works of lawlessness, lest the works of lawlessness overpower us; and let us loathe the error of the present time, that we may be loved for that which is to come..., The last, offence is at hand, concerning which the scripture speaketh, as Enoch saith. For to this end the Master hath cut the seasons and the days short, that His beloved might hasten and come to His inheritance. And the prophet also speaketh on this wise; Ten reigns shall reign upon the earth, and after them shall arise a little king, who shall bring low three of the kings under one. In like manner Daniel speaketh concerning the same; And 1 saw the fourth beast to be wicked and strong and more intractable than all the beasts of the earth, and how there arose from him ten horns, and from these a little horn, an excrescence, and how that it abased under one three of the great horns. Ye ought therefore to understand.” ²² PFF1 210.4

Third, he alludes to the coming “Black One,” to lawlessness, and to keeping the commandments of God: PFF1 211.1

“Wherefore let us take heed in these last days. For the whole time of our faith shall profit us nothing, unless we now, in the season of lawlessness and in the offences that shall be, as becometh sons of God, offer resistance, that the Black One may not effect an entrance. Let us flee from all vanity, let us entirely hate the works of the evil way .... Let us become spiritual, let us become a temple perfect unto God. As far as in us lies, let us exercise ourselves in the fear of God, (and) let us strive to keep His commandments, that we may rejoice in His ordinances.” ²³ PFF1 211.2

Fourth, he refers to the destruction of that “Lawless One” at the end, or second coming of the Son, and judgment, at the close of the six thousand years—the latter, a carry—over of Jewish expectation: PFF1 211.3

“Of the sabbath He speaketh in the beginning of the creation; And God made the works of His hands in six days, and He ended on the seventh day, and rested on it, and He hallowed it. Give heed, children, what this meaneth; He ended in sax days. He meaneth this, that in six thousand years the Lord shall bring all things to an end; for the day with Him signi a thousand years; and this He himself beareth me witness, saying; Behold, the day of the Lord shall be as a thousand years. Therefore, children, in six days, that is in six thousand years, everything shall come to an end. And He rested on the seventh day. This He meaneth; when His Son shall come, and shall abolish the time of the Lawless One, and shall judge the ungodly, and shall change the sun and the moon and the stars, then shall He truly rest on the seventh day.” ²⁴ PFF1 211.4

And fifth, after declaring (in chapter 20) that “the way of the Black One is crooked and full of a curse, for it is a way of eternal death with punishment,” the writer of the epistle makes mention of the kingdom of God, the resurrection, and the imminent day of the Lord: PFF1 211.5

“For he that doeth these things shall be glorified in the kingdom of God; whereas he that chooseth their opposites shall perish together with his works. For this cause is the resurrection, for this the recompense. I entreat those of you who are in higher station, if ye will receive any counsel of good advice from me, keep amongst you those to whom ye may do good. Fail not. The day is at hand, in which everything shall be destroyed together with the Evil One. The Lord is at hand and His reward:” ²⁵ PFF1 211.6