The Gospel of Barnabas · Chapter 177
The Light of Paradise
Then said he who writeth: 'O master, hath paradise light from the sun as this world hath?'
Jesus answered: 'Thus hath God said to me, O Barnabas: "The world wherein ye men that are sinners dwell hath the sun and the moon and the stars that adorn it, for your benefit and your gladness; for this have I created.
'"Think ye, then, that the house where my faithful dwell shall not be better? Assuredly, ye err, so thinking: for I, your God, am the sun of paradise, and my messenger is the moon who from me receiveth all; and the stars are my prophets which have preached to you my will. Wherefore my faithful, even as they received my word from my prophets here, shall in like manner obtain delight and gladness through them in the paradise of my delights."'
Then the writer said: 'O Master, does paradise receive its light from the sun as this world does?'
Jesus answered: 'God has said this to me, O Barnabas: "The world in which you sinful human beings dwell has the sun, moon, and stars to adorn it for your benefit and gladness, for this purpose I created them."'
'"Do you think, then, that the home where my faithful dwell will not be better? You are certainly mistaken if you think so. I, your God, am the sun of paradise; my messenger is the moon, receiving everything from me; and the stars are my prophets, who preached my will to you. Therefore, just as my faithful received my word through my prophets here, so in the paradise of my delights they will receive joy and gladness through them."'
Then said he who writeth: 'O master, hath paradise light from the sun as this world hath?'
Jesus answered: 'Thus hath God said to me, O Barnabas: "The world wherein ye men that are sinners dwell hath the sun and the moon and the stars that adorn it, for your benefit and your gladness; for this have I created.
'"Think ye, then, that the house where my faithful dwell shall not be better? Assuredly, ye err, so thinking: for I, your God, am the sun of paradise, and my messenger is the moon who from me receiveth all; and the stars are my prophets which have preached to you my will. Wherefore my faithful, even as they received my word from my prophets here, shall in like manner obtain delight and gladness through them in the paradise of my delights."'