First Maccabees 01/15 (First Book of the Maccabees)

[MegaJesusfreak2011]

The king james bible only has a blank page after malichi and the 400 years before Matthew. This book fills in some of the gaps as to what went on during that blank page. (catholic bibles have it)

[lionjah2002]

how could i get the original virsion of the maccrabees bible? and why is it illigal in the usa? i've seen the original, but it's not the same as the revised virsion they are selling in the usa.which is a fraction of knowledge that's in the original. if you can help me obtaine one i'd be most grateful.

[marquisjean]

could you please tell me what verison this recording is from. I am wanting to read along with the audio. Thanks.

[Apocryphile1970]

@marquisjean It is from the Revised English Bible with Apocrypha.

[chaneltanita]

Love that this is available

[Apocryphile1970]

For example, there are numerous geographical and historical errors in Judith and Tobit, but that's just to let you know that it is NOT history. For Tobit to be related to AHIKAR was ridiculous, to say the least. But you don't have to read it as history. It's like anything else, it is to you what you make of it. I try to see what is being conveyed in a larger sense. God can write even history in parables, and that's why people get confused.

[Apocryphile1970]

We see Jude quoting the Book of Enoch, as well as the Assumption of Moses. And nearly ALL of these extrabiblical references are directed against those who either have taken over the Church, or else they are given as examples of how to deal with these "Ungodly" people. Obviously, in nearly all of these references, there is the SIMPLE ASSUMPTION that those to whom the letters were directed, it was a given that these books were both KNOWN and ACCEPTED. That was not true of the later generations.

[Apocryphile1970]

Another argument could go like this:

We know that the author of Hebrews refers in verse 11:35 to the SECOND Book of Maccabees, (not to mention the Ascension of Isaiah in 11:37.) Why the Second Book and not the first, especially since "scholars" think even less of this books credibility? Moreover, we have Paul' numerous allusions to the Book of Wisdom and Sirach. James Quotes Sirach, as well as other noncanonical literature (4:15.)

[Apocryphile1970]

It is full of heroic types, names for God, images of the final judgment, etc. It is not so different from Revelation in terms of its stark and gruesome imagery. That's how I see it, anyway. I think Jesus refers to it rather obliquely when he says, "When you come to see the Abomination of Desolation, as spoken by the Prophet Daniel, it might have been him distinguishing Daniels version of the Abomination of Desolation as opposed to that of Antiochus.

[Apocryphile1970]

Well, first of all, as with any Biblical text, you can't assume that the historical accuracy is always100 percent accurate, because the Bible is first and foremost God's message to mankind, and sometimes they follow history closely and accurately, and sometimes they don't. It is a book of MEANING, a book of CODES, and foremost, a book of PROPHECY. You are supposed to be picking up on Antiochus' function as an Antichrist. It works as a parable, or an allegory.

[chaneltanita]

@Apocryphile1970 There is a concern that the book of Enoch we have is not the same as the one Jude quotes from. Antiocus is thought to foreshadow the antichrist. However many the Church learn from. Shepherd of Hermes has been quoted in the Church, but the reason it is not thought to be inspired is because of one part that contradicts the teachings of Jesus, that is once converted, no mercy or forgiveness of sins. But this could be human error by author, does not mean his visions were false

[Apocryphile1970]

@chaneltanita I wish that you would not think so. I understand your doubts and concerns, but I have overcome those in myself by reading with faith. Men have come to these conclusions, and by so doing have poisoned the minds of people who would otherwise believe. The "Shepherd" is an apocalypse. Hermas represents Church leadership. The "repentance" about which you speak is nt as much about individual repentance as it is about the "Corporate repentance of the Church."

[chaneltanita]

@Apocryphile1970 This is it entirely. I know the Catholic Church priests read and take on board the Shepherd of Hermes and it is this one thing that is called to doubt. But then this would depend on how it is meant, or how perceived, how translated, because when we convert and receive forgiveness, as humans we still battle against self and passions and temptations, and Jesus is clear that whoever sins you forgive will be forgiven.... and no sin is greater than the mercy of God if it is repented

[chaneltanita]

@Apocryphile1970 The Shepherd of Hermes is thought to be highly valuable by the Church, I have heard this said by Bishops and the only reason it is not recognised as divinely inspired is this one flaw, but if the meaning is misunderstood, its not poisoning, Scripture has everything we need to get to know God and to follow the Way, but this work and others you have placed up are not considered to have no value, unlike Gospel of Judas et al that have clear contradition and clear plato influence

[Apocryphile1970]

@chaneltanita There comes a time when the ENTIRE Church repents, and accepts the truth about the apocrypha. Remember how the angel says, "I will FORCE them to believe"? Someday it will be a non-issue, but only after it is more widely understood. I have learned not to question it, but to try and see the deeper meanings. I wish I were not so alone in this endeavor, for these things, if they were more widely understood would bring about the kingdom of God.....

[chaneltanita]

@Apocryphile1970 A purification of the Church will come, this is Scripture tells us. Not all that is considered as Apocrypha is considered against Scripture. There are parts that are not understood and in some cases an uncertainity.The Book of Enoch for instance, there is a mixed feeling overall but not a verfication of certainity that it is divinely inspired but then I know of cases where other works were concluded unworthy and later decision reversed.

[chaneltanita]

@chaneltanita I have just began to read Cracking the Apocilpse Code by Gerard Bodson. I tend to check out information given and am only on chapter 2. But he goes into how the Book of Revelations was not accepted as Divinely inspired until late fourth century. This speaks volumes. He also mentions similarities with Enoch and this book. We know that some works are in direct confliction with Scripture, however this does not cover the works you have placed up. Some things are shown at a proper time

[yesiriamfat]

Maccabees, to me, has always been a book to ignore or consider non biblical. Give me a few reasons to consider it somehting that God would want me to study. Other than that it's a historical record of the Jews. Is there something inspired by God written in it?

[chaneltanita]

@yesiriamfat Antiochus is thought to be a foreshadow of the lawless one, and the events to be a shadow of the chastisment to come. Like Christians, the Jews were divided by four different interpretations and books accepted and books not, teaching accepted and teachings not, this is clear in Scripture. Some Jews rejection is no reason to reject a book simply because they fought against many of their prophets, killing them or imprisoning them, they also reject Jesus Christ