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Apocalypse
of Baruch
#CBTB201
Destiny Publishers
Many are familiar with the Book of Baruch in the Apocrypha,
but few are acquainted with the apocalyptical writings of
Baruch which are far more far-reaching in their scope. Several
variations of the Book of Baruch have come down to us, but
this volume, known as the Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch,
is so called because it is only extant in a Syriac
translation.
The name "Apocalypse" is given to it because of the
prophetic revelations incorporated in this compilation by
Baruch, the son of Neriah, who was directly associated with
the Prophet Jeremiah as his scribe (or amanuensis):
"Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and
Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the
Lord, which he had spoken unto him, upon the roll of a
book." (Jer. 36: 4.)
The Apocalypse of Baruch is written in the first person
as Baruch recounts what befell him immediately before and
after the destruction of Jerusalem. The internal evidence
identifying the time and place of the historical setting of
this work, coupled with the remarkable prophetic portions of
it, warrant a thoughtful reading of the latter as a guide to
understanding in these days in which we now live. While some
scholars claim there may be interpolations, in the main this Apocalypse
of Baruch remarkably demonstrates its inspiration in the
light of the present rapidly developing world crisis.
The first publication of this translation from the Syriac was
made in 1896 A.D. by R. H. Charles, M.A., Trinity College,
Dublin, Ireland, and Exeter College, Oxford, England. The
Preface and Introduction to the original publication clearly
reflect the influence of the Higher Critic in making an
analysis of the writings of Baruch. The same overall approach
is apparent in many of the footnotes published along with the
text. However, we are including the footnotes in this printing
with a word of caution that they should be read with this
explanation in mind. The reader must allow the text itself to
influence his rejection or acceptance of the auhenticity of
what is written.
There is an essential fact to be taken into consideration in
studying the prophecies of Baruch. It was not until after
World Wars I and II that the visions he recorded began to be
clarified, for then the events to which Baruch referred began
to develop and come to fruition. Dr. Charles and the Higher
Critics of his time naturally could not forsee this; hence
their scepticism and refusal to accept at face value the
inspired statements in the translation of Baruch's
apocalyptical writings.
. . . This book has long been out of print, but our evaluation
of its worth, based upon well-founded evidence of Divine
inspiration, convinced us that its republication is mandatory
at this time. It is now made available for the information of
the wise and prudent.
DESTINY PUBLISHERS
Merrimac, Massachusetts
Hardback
178 pages |
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$10.00 |
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Apocrypha
#CBTB202
Destiny Publishers
These books are part of the sacred literature forming a
historical length between the Old and New Testaments. The
Apocrypha is a must for the library of anyone, and everyone,
seriously seeking to learn as much as possible about God's
Word.
FROM THE INTRODUCTION
These Books form part of the sacred literature of the
Alexandrians, and with the exception of the Second Book of
Esdras are found interspersed with the Hebrew Scriptures in
the ancient copies of the Septuagint, or Greek Version of the
Old Testament. They are the product of the era subsequent to
the Captivity; having their origin partly in Babylonia, partly
in Palestine and Egypt and perhaps other countries. Most of
them belong to the last centuries B.C., when prophecy,
oracles, and direct revelation had ceased. Some of them form
an historical link between the Old and the New Testament,
others have a linguistic value in [connection] with the
Hellenistic phraseology of the latter.
The narratives of the Apocrypha are partly historical records,
and partly allegorical. The religious poetry is to a large
extent a paraphrase upon the Poetical and Prophetical Books of
the Hebrew Canon. In the paraphrases upon the latter there is
often a new approach to New Testament teaching, especially
upon God's care for the heathen world.
As to their Canonical Authority, Josephus seems to reject it
as a whole, but appears from his use of I Esdras rather than
our Canonical Ezra to have accepted the authenticity of at
least that work. The early Christians differed in opinion in
respecting them, but received them as part of the sacred work
of Israel.
Several of the books of the Apocrypha were more generally
accepted than the disputed books of the New Testament Canon.
Melito (cir. 170), referring to the Hebrew Canon, separated
them from the authoratative and Divine records; while Origen
(cir.230), following the LXX, included in Daniel (and so among
the Canonical Books) the history of Susanna; and speaks
ambiguously about the Books of the Maccabees. Jerome , a
century later, called them 'Apocryphal' (hidden, secret, and
so of uncertain origin and authority), affirming (when
speaking of Wisdom and Ecclesiasticus) that 'the Church doth
read them for example of life and instruction of manners; but
yet doth it not apply them to establish any doctrine'. In the
Western Church they gradually rose in esteem, until the
Council of Trent affirmed the canonicity of the greater part;
but they are treated by more critical Roman divines as 'deuterero-canonical',
thus making some distinction between them and the books of the
Hebrew Canon.
The Apocrypha is a must for the library of anyone, and
everyone, seriously seeking to learn as much as possible about
God's Word.
Hardback
292 pages
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$ 13.00 |
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The
Book of Jasher
#CBTB203
Author: Unknown
Jasher is referred to in Joshua and second Samuel. Its Name in
Hebrew literally means "the upright" or "book
of record", and not the name of a prophet or one of the
judges of Israel, as has been mistakenly understood by some
who are unfamiliar with the Hebrew language.
Regarding the authenticity of the book, in his preface the
translator says the following:
The printed Hebrew copy, in the hands of the translator,
is without points. During his first perusal of it, some
perplexities and doubts rose up in his mind respecting its
authenticity; but the more closely he studied it, the more
its irrissistible evidence satisfied him, that it contained a
treasure of information concerning those earlier times, upon
which the history of other nations are either silent, or
cast not a single ray of real life; and he was more
especially delighted to find that the evidence of the whole
of its contents went to illustrate and confirm the great and
inestimable truths which are recorded in divine history,
down to a few years later than the death of Joshua, at which
period the book closes.
The most important value of this book is the large quantity of
additional detail it gives to various accounts in the Old
Testament than our current translations. For instance, the
translator states in his preface:
This book contains a more detailed account of the awful
circumstances attending the commencement of the flood, and
of the conduct of Noah toward the terrified multitude who
had assembled about the ark, when the fatal moment had
arrived, and their doom was irrevocably fixed.
. . . Connected with this period of the history is given an
account of Nimrod; in which is strikingly depicted the
arbitrary and violent character and conduct of his
government. . . .
. . . From this book we learn that Noah and Abraham were
contemporaries. How beautiful the contemplation of the
meeting between these two Patriarchs, the one being a
monument of God's mercy, the other having the promise of the
favor and grace of God, not only to himself, but to his seed
after him.
. . . The history of Joseph has always been considered one
of the most admirable and interesting on record. . . . This
history, in Jasher, enters more into detail concerning the
affairs of Pontiphar's wife Zelicah; Joseph's magnificent
procession through the cities of Egypt, on coming into
power; the pomp with which he was attended by Pharaoh's
chariots, officers and people, when he went up to meet his
father; the affecting scene which then took place, together
with other remarkable incidents. . . .
.....Gives an in depth account of the story of the
sacrifice of Isaac...the story surrounding Ishmael and Isaac
and their foreknowledge of the sacrifice. A beautiful
account of Israel's matriarch Sarah including how she died
and her regal funeral attended by the royal families of
surrounding nations.
Following the preface of the book are certificates of
endorsement from four noted religious scholars of the day,
their statements all dated in April 1840, the year it was
first published, each one giving his endorsement to the
correctness and reliability of the translation.
Paperback
255 pages |
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$13.00 |
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