The Gospel of Barnabas · Chapter 58
The Just and the Destruction of Sinners
While Jesus was speaking the disciples wept bitterly. And Jesus wept many tears.
Then after he had wept, John spake: 'O master, two things we desire to know. The one is, how it is possible that the messenger of God, who is full of mercy and pity, should have no pity on reprobates that day, seeing that they are of the same clay as himself? The other is, how is it to be understood that the sword of Michael is heavy as ten hells—then is there more than one hell?'
Jesus replied: 'Have ye not heard what David the prophet saith how that the just shall laugh at the destruction of sinners, and shall deride him with these words, saying: "I saw the man who put his hope in his strength and his riches, and forgot God." Verily, therefore, I say unto you, that Abraham shall deride his father, and Adam all reprobate men: and this shall be because the elect shall rise again so perfect and united to God that they shall not conceive in their minds the smallest thought against his justice; therefore shall each of them demand justice, and above all the messenger of God. As God liveth, in whose presence I stand, though now I weep for pity of mankind, on that day I shall demand justice without mercy against those who despise my words, and most of all against those who defile my gospel.'
While Jesus was speaking the disciples wept bitterly. And Jesus wept many tears.
After he had wept, John said: 'O master, we wish to know two things. First, how is it possible that the Messenger of God, who is full of mercy and compassion, will have no pity on the condemned that day, seeing that they are made from the same clay as he is? Second, how are we to understand that Michael’s sword is as heavy as ten hells? Is there more than one hell?'
Jesus replied: 'Have you not heard David the prophet say that the righteous will laugh at the destruction of sinners and mock them with these words: "I saw the man who placed his hope in his strength and riches and forgot God"? Truly, I tell you that Abraham will mock his father, and Adam will mock all wicked people. This will be because the elect will rise so perfect and so united to God that they will not conceive the smallest thought against his justice. Each of them will therefore demand justice, and above all the Messenger of God. As God lives, in whose presence I stand, although I now weep out of compassion for mankind, on that day I will demand justice without mercy against those who despise my words, and most of all against those who defile my gospel.'
While Jesus was speaking the disciples wept bitterly. And Jesus wept many tears.
Then after he had wept, John spake: 'O master, two things we desire to know. The one is, how it is possible that the messenger of God, who is full of mercy and pity, should have no pity on reprobates that day, seeing that they are of the same clay as himself? The other is, how is it to be understood that the sword of Michael is heavy as ten hells—then is there more than one hell?'
Jesus replied: 'Have ye not heard what David the prophet saith how that the just shall laugh at the destruction of sinners, and shall deride him with these words, saying: "I saw the man who put his hope in his strength and his riches, and forgot God." Verily, therefore, I say unto you, that Abraham shall deride his father, and Adam all reprobate men: and this shall be because the elect shall rise again so perfect and united to God that they shall not conceive in their minds the smallest thought against his justice; therefore shall each of them demand justice, and above all the messenger of God. As God liveth, in whose presence I stand, though now I weep for pity of mankind, on that day I shall demand justice without mercy against those who despise my words, and most of all against those who defile my gospel.'