BARABBAS BY: E. E. BROOKS

Transcription

1 BARABBAS BY: E. E. BROOKS I remember sitting in Sunday school many years ago, listening to the story of how Jesus was crucified. Jesus was innocent of all crimes, yet Pilate condemned him to death. The Pharisees agitated the crowd to cry out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Then Pilate gave the crowd a chance to set Jesus free, because it was a custom to free a prisoner during the feast of Passover. Pilate offered to release Jesus, or to free Barabbas, a robber and a murderer. The crowd then, again prompted by the Pharisees cried, "Give us Barabbas!" Luke 23:17-26 (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the Passover feast.)18 And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: 19 (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.) 20 Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. 21 But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. 22 And he said unto them the third time, why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go. 23 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. 24 And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. 25 And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will. (KJV) I remember as a child being so angry with that nasty old Barabbas, who took the place of Jesus. Barabbas was guilty but Jesus was innocent. I really carried a bad attitude toward Barabbas for years to come. Then I eventually looked up his name found out that "Barabbas" meant, "Son of Abba." Here is the Strong s definition of the word Barabbas; Strong s #912 Barabbas (bar-ab-bas'); Son of Abba; Bar-abbas, an Israelite: The word "Abba" means "Father." I knew then that Barabbas was no different than I was. Symbolically, it was you and me who were freed that day. Like Barabbas, I was the guilty one who should have been crucified, but Jesus took my place. Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (KJV) Rom 8:14-15 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (KJV) Jesus was guilty of no crime, yet he was sentenced to death. It was the High Priests and the Pharisees who were mainly responsible for his crucifixion. What did Jesus say or do that made the Pharisees so mad? It was not because Jesus called them a generation of vipers, serpents, hypocrites, blind guides, blind fools, whited sepulchers, and even the children of the Devil. When Jesus says, "Woe!" we need to pay special attention. Matt 23:13-33 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. 14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. 15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. 16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides which say, whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! 17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? 18 And, whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. 19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? 23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye are like BARABBAS [E. E. Brooks] 1

2 unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? The real reason the Pharisees were so angry with Jesus, was because he claimed to be the Son of God. That made them so mad, they wanted to kill him. They were the religious leaders of their day, yet Jesus said they were the children of Satan. Matt 26:63-66 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. 64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. 66What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. (KJV) The Pharisees were certain that they were not the children of the Devil. They tried to keep the Law that God gave to Moses, but it was only an outward show. There was no way anyone could ever convince them that they were doing the work of the Devil. Today the religious leaders are doing the same exact thing the Pharisees did back then. They re deceiving the people with their false teachings and manmade ideas, which are not from God. Outwardly, they appear to be righteous, and use the scriptures much like the Pharisees did, but that proves nothing. John 8:42-44 Jesus said unto them, if God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 44 Ye are of your father the Devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (KJV) 2 Cor 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if His Ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (KJV) Is it any wonder that those who claim to be the Sons of God today are persecuted by the religious leaders of our day? Those who set up denominational walls and keep people within their confines are the modern day Pharisees. They make up things and masquerade them as truth. They say, "Thus saith the Lord," when he never said any such thing. They may even do miracles of healing, and use them as an endorsement from God. They say, "See how many were healed? I must be anointed!" In reality it is only proof of the good- ness of God, in spite of their Phariseeical ways. Those who say, "I am anointed," are really saying, "I am Christ!" These are strong words, but no stronger than the words Jesus used toward them in his day. Most people think that Satan s ministers are those in the Occult or devil worship, but he also has his ministers in every single major denomination. I agree that those ministers are not aware they are really of their father the Devil, but that does not change the fact that they are. Probably the biggest lie that is being taught as truth is the so-called Rapture. It simply will not happen, and is a subtle way to keep the Christians from finding the real truth. Barabbas was a murderer and a thief, but he did not claim to be a spiritual leader. God forgives those who acknowledge their sin, even if it includes murder. God used people like King David and Paul who were both guilty of murder, but they acknowledged their sin and the Pharisees do not. Those who hate are also guilty of murder. At some time or another that includes everyone reading this page. You do not have to physically kill anyone to be guilty of murder under the New Testament. I Jn 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. (KJV) BARABBAS [E. E. Brooks] 2

3 I used to hate Barabbas because he was released instead of Jesus. Now I know that he and I were no different in God s eyes. Jesus was angry with those who were misleading the people and telling them, "Thus saith the Lord." He had mercy on the sinners who were in the deepest pit of sin, but read the riot act to the Pharisees. Ezekiel tells us about those who set up walls (denominations) that are whitewashed with false teachings, from so-called prophets who claim to have the word of the Lord. Ezek 13:1-16 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 "Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: 'Hear the word of the LORD! 3 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! 4 Your prophets, O Israel, are like jackals among ruins. 5 You have not gone up to the breaks in the wall to repair it for the house of Israel so that it will stand firm in the battle on the day of the LORD. 6 Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. They say, "The LORD declares," when the LORD has not sent them; yet they expect their words to be fulfilled. 7 Have you not seen false visions and uttered lying divinations when you say, "The LORD declares," though I have not spoken? 8 "'Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because of your false words and lying visions, I am against you, declares the Sovereign LORD. 9 My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of my people or be listed in the records of the house of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD. 10 "'Because they lead my people astray, saying, "Peace," when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built (denomination?), they cover it with whitewash (false doctrine?), 11 therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall. Rain will come in torrents, and I will send hailstones hurtling down, and violent winds will burst forth. 12 When the wall collapses, will people not ask you, "Where is the whitewash you covered it with?" 13 "'Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: In my wrath I will unleash a violent wind, and in my anger hailstones and torrents of rain will fall with destructive fury. 14 I will tear down the wall you have covered with whitewash and will level it to the ground so that its foundation will be laid bare. When it falls, you will be destroyed in it; and you will know that I am the LORD. 15 So I will spend my wrath against the wall and against those who covered it with whitewash. I will say to you, "The wall is gone and so are those who whitewashed it, 16 those prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for her when there was no peace, declares the Sovereign LORD." ' (NIV) They say there is going to be a rapture, but they have not heard the word of the Lord. They tell the people there is no need to prepare for there is peace and no tribulation for Christians. They whitewash their words to deceive many. It is those religious leaders who are being used by Satan to mislead God s people. They tell you that there is safety within the confines of their walls. They will try to scare you of the wolves outside the fold who will devour you, when in reality they are the wolves. They will tell you that you need to be under their covering to keep you from being deceived and getting into error. Isa 30:1 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin. They claim they will be your covering, but Woe to them and all who take covering there. Those who will be the Sons of God will be led by the Spirit, and not any denomination or manmade organization. The Spirit is the only covering you can trust. Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God. Modern day Pharisees try to keep people in their groups and say, "Look how large our group is!" "See how many thousands we have in our organization, there is surely safety here!" Isa 31:1 Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD! (KJV) Jer 23:1-2 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. 2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people: Ye have scattered my BARABBAS [E. E. Brooks] 3

4 flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD. (KJV) Ezek 13:3 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! (KJV) The organized church today is interested in making money and merchandising the word of God. They pretend to be helping people when in reality they feed upon the people by fleecing the flock. It is a sad state of affairs. They beg for money to keep this or that program going and claim that it is the work of the Lord when it is no such thing. The wolves in sheep s clothing today are the religious leaders in their 3-piece wool suits! Ezek 34:2-3 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The leaders of the churches mentioned in the book of Revelation were called the "Angels of the Churches." The word "angel" simply means "messenger," and can also refer to a pastor or leader. Here is the Strong s definition of the Greek word for "angel." Strong s #32 aggelos (ang'-el-os): (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor: KJV-- angel, messenger. It was always the "angel" of those churches to whom God was speaking when he rebuked them. The people of those churches were simply deceived by their whitewashing leaders. Rev 2:1, 4 Unto the angel (leader) of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks 4Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee (the leader), because thou hast left thy first love. (KJV) Rev 2:12-14 And to the angel (the leader) of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14 But I have a few things against thee (the leader), because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel (KJV) Rev 2:18-20 And unto the angel (the leader) of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee (the leaders), because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. (KJV) Rev 3:1-2 And unto the angel (the leader) of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things, which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy (the leaders) works perfect before God. (KJV) Rev 3:14-17 And unto the angel (the leader) of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou were cold or hot. 16 So then because thou (the leaders) art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou (the leaders) sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou (the leaders) art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (KJV) BARABBAS [E. E. Brooks] 4

5 The angels or leaders of Smyrna and Philadelphia are mentioned but not seemingly rebuked. Smyrna means, "ointment," or "myrrh," and Philadelphia means, "brotherly love." They both have some similarities that need to be examined. Every denomination today wants to identify with these two groups because they have no apparent faults. Rev 2: And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (KJV) Rev 3: And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (KJV) Both these groups will go through the tribulation. Both groups come out with a crown. Both speak of the synagogue of Satan, which is the modern day Pharisees. Remember that they are of their father the Devil. While every denomination likes to identify with these two groups, none of them want to go through the tribulation. They claim to be spiritual Jews, but they are not. Rom 2:28-29 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (KJV) Jesus said the Pharisees washed the outside of the cup, but inwardly they were full of dead men s bones. The modern day Pharisees claim to be part of the spiritual Israel but they are not. They have the outward appearance of righteousness but inwardly they are no different from the Pharisees. Now every denomination has sincere people who are simply deceived by these who are really of the synagogue of Satan. After every rebuke to those churches God puts in the statement that the people can overcome and enter into full Sonship. Notice that God rebuked the leaders or angels of the churches but always gave the people a chance to overcome. Ephesus Rev 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches (people); To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (KJV) Smyrna BARABBAS [E. E. Brooks] 5

6 Rev 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches (people); He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (KJV) Pergamos Rev 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches (people); To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. (KJV) Thyatira Rev 2:26-29 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches (people). (KJV) Sardis Rev 3:5-6 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6 He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches (people). (KJV) Philadelphia Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13 He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches (people). (KJV) Laodecia Rev 3:21-22 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches (people). (KJV) Those who can overcome the confines of the various church denominations and be led by the Spirit can inherit everything God has. But those who remain in the whitewashed deception will settle for far less than the overcomers. That is why God said to "Come Out Of Her My People!" Today Babylon is both spiritual and political. The love of money is still in the church today, as it was when Jesus overturned the money changers in the synagogue. If we desire to enter into the fullness of Sonship we must come out of those Babylonian organizations. Rev 18:1-4 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For ALL NATIONS (DENOMI-NATIONS) have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. 4And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. (KJV) You can trust in God to lead you. As you mature in the Lord, you do not need to be led by any manmade organization. You do not need the worthless covering of any group. They cannot cover themselves let alone someone else. You can be taught by the Holy Spirit. You can overcome every enemy, including death by trusting in God to lead you. There is no safety in numbers. A denomination may be hundreds or even BARABBAS [E. E. Brooks] 6

7 thousands of years old, but that does not make it right. Beware of those who would keep you in fear from venturing outside the whitewashed walls of their group. Don t let any man rob you of your possible destiny of sitting IN God s throne. These subtle children of Satan will operate under the guise of good words and deeds but don t be deceived by them. They are working for the love of money and pretending to love the people. They are but hirelings and are receiving their reward in the form of money. John 10:11-13 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. (KJV) Just as the Pharisees did not realize that they were the children of the Devil, those today are also unaware of it. The denominational leaders are the ones who claim to know the truth. It is rare to find a leader who admits that he was blinded by the traditions of his group, but I have known a few. It is the norm for the leaders to claim to "see" the truth. John 9:39-41 Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind." 40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?" 41 Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains. (NIV) There are hundreds (possibly thousands) of different religious organizations, all with different beliefs, yet each and every one claim to hold the truth. I agree that one group will have more truth or light than another, but each is a mixture of truth and tradition (mostly tradition). It is important to remember the difference between the people and the organization; God will judge everyone individually. I openly criticize every denomination, but would never judge anyone as an individual. Every denomination has many good Christians with good intentions, but they have simply been blinded and misled. Those who come out and Overcome every enemy will realize that they have been blinded. They will not only come out of Babylon, but will also get Babylon out of them. We all have had manmade traditions and ideas placed deep within us over the years. As we mature we must remove these "tares" from our minds. When were babes in Christ we needed someone to feed us the milk of the word and remove the bones from the meat so we did not choke. As we matured we no longer needed anyone to spoon-feed us with the pre-approved material from denominational headquarters. Our spiritual appetites were no longer satisfied with the strained and mashed baby food week-after-week. The church has as it s only goal to die and go to heaven, when Jesus prayed, "Thy kingdom come to earth, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." The church is deceiving many and keeping them from inheriting the kingdom. They say to just get Jesus in your heart, then get a rocking chair and wait for the so-called rapture. Others preach a social gospel mixed with excuses of why we will never be able to put on the mind of Christ here on this earth. They claim we will never be perfect here and now, so don t even try. Matt 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (KJV) Why would Jesus bother telling us something if it was impossible to attain? Was Jesus wasting his breath when he said to be perfect? We can put on the mind of Christ, but most do not even try. We can overcome and become exactly like Jesus, the pattern son. There will be a remnant who will realize they have been blinded. They will then receive spiritual eyes to see and ears to hear what the Spirit is saying. God is preparing a great feast in our day and he has invited all his friends to attend, but one-by-one they made excuses why they could not attend. Luke 14:16-24 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and BARABBAS [E. E. Brooks] 7

8 the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, that none of those men, which were bidden shall taste of my supper. (KJV) First excuse; "I bought a piece of ground and I must go and see it." That excuse is lame because we all know that you always look at a piece of land before you buy it. Today the denominations are more interested in purchasing land to build their new churches than attending God s feast. Second excuse; "I bought 5 oxen and I must try them out." Here is another lame excuse because you always try out a car before you buy it. Here again they could not attend because they were busy purchasing something. The church is more interested in buying and selling than they are in attending God s feast. They must go and purchase more church buses, more carpeting, more stained glass etc., and they try to justify the reasons in their minds why they need to take up more offerings. Last excuse; "I just got married and I can not attend." That is also a lame excuse, because he should have simply brought his new wife. But the truth is that the leaders are married to their denominations. They cannot attend something that is not approved by their head- quarters. So the Lord who prepared this great feast extended his invitation to those out on the highways because those in the so-called church would not come. God invited those who were in the streets and lanes of the city. The street people are who the churches rejected. God said to bring in the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. (Notice that the blind were invited, but the Pharisees said that they were not blind.) The great feast being prepared today is the Feast of Tabernacles. God told every man to appear 3 times before him. There were 3 main feasts in the Old Testament, Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. Deut 16:16 "Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover), at the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed. (NKJ) Most churches know about the Feast of Passover and how Jesus is our Passover lamb who was slain for the sins of the world. Then there are the Pentecostal churches who understand about the Feast of Pentecost and how the Holy Spirit was given when the feast of Pentecost had fully come. Today, the Feast of Tabernacles is about to fully come and those invited are full of excuses why they will not attend. God is inviting the maimed and blind because someone must attend his feast. This is the feast where the Father will reveal himself to those with spiritual eyes and ears. The self-righteous leaders will be too busy with their denominations and the financial needs thereof. Remember that there are 2 groups who were not rebuked, Smyrna (Oil) and Philadelphia (Brotherly Love). They were those who had brotherly love and the oil of the Spirit. Babylonian churches have the love of money and are void of the Spirit. Avoid those who preach condemnation and fear. Seek out those who teach mercy, love and forgiveness. Avoid those who get their truth from headquarters or teach from pre-approved quarterlies. Cling to those who help the poor, feed the hungry and give drink to those who thirst. Shun those who take offerings for this or that program. Walk with those who are led by the Spirit. Avoid those who tell you that you can never be perfect. Associate with those who are putting on the mind of Christ. Glean truth from everyone you can. Learn to eat the meat and spit out the bones when you search for all truth. You can eventually come into all truth when you are led by the Spirit. John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth (KJV) Those who decide to leave the security of a church group to experience the freedom of being led by the Spirit can expect to be ridiculed by their leaders. There are degrees of maturity and degrees of reward. The church will tell you that Christianity is a pass or fail situation, either you make it or you don t. The Bible says that there are 30, 60 and 100 fold Christians. Some receive Jesus in their heart and receive a reward 30 fold. That BARABBAS [E. E. Brooks] 8

9 means the benefits of receiving Jesus as your savior are like planting one seed and receiving 30 in return. They are very happy with that return and decide to stay there forever. Other Christians take the next step and receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. They then receive a double portion or increase to 60 fold. They look back at those who only took the first step and wonder how they can be satisfied where they remain. They are so happy with the 60-fold realm that they camp there forever. But there is a remnant who will not be satisfied until they have received all that God has in store for them. They must press on leaving the 30 and 60 fold realms behind to find the 100-fold blessing that God has given Jesus. There is a realm of faith and a realm of works. We must have faith that Jesus is our savior, our Passover lamb, and the salvation he brings to our spirit is only obtained by faith. Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. (KJV) We must separate the spirit and soul, to understand the spirit is the heart (or inner man), and the soul is our mind. Without understand that important difference, some scriptures may appear to be contradictory. That last scripture said that salvation comes by faith and not works, while this next one tells us to work out our own salvation. Phil 2:12 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (KJV) The salvation of our spirit comes only by faith, and the salvation of the soul or mind comes by work. Take two Christians both have accepted Jesus in their heart/spirit. One has a very carnal mind, but the other has worked at putting on the mind of Christ. One is more carnally minded, and the other is more spiritually minded, but both are still Christians. Do you think they will both receive the same reward? Of course not. The soul/mind realm is where the reward comes in. The more you work at putting on the mind of Christ, the greater your reward. Matt 16:26-27 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul (mind)? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. (KJV) Jesus is the foundation that we must build upon to receive the 100-fold reward. Both Christians will be saved, but the carnally minded Christian will not receive the same reward as the spiritually minded one. 1 Cor 3:11-15 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's Work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's Work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's Work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a Reward. 15 If any man's Work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (KJV) Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my Reward is with me, to give every man according as his Work shall be. (KJV) There will be some who actually put on the mind of Christ and do the works Jesus did and greater. They will have overcome their carnal minds and receive the salvation of the soul or mind. John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the Works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (KJV) It takes a lot of work and determination to put on the mind of Christ. We must put the word of God into our minds. We can change our minds to believe God s word. We can also give up and stop trying because it seems so hard. There will be a group who never give up until they have the salvation of their soul/mind. James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your Souls (Minds). (KJV) BARABBAS [E. E. Brooks] 9

10 Heb 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the Soul (Mind). (KJV) Those who succeed in putting on the mind of Christ will receive the 100 fold reward, like Jesus did. They will be saved in Spirit, Soul and Body. That means that they will not physically die. They will go through a transformation or a metamorphosis in their bodies. They will receive a glorified physical body even like Jesus currently has. Jesus has the same body today that he was born with. The difference is now that it has been glorified, but it is the same body. They checked his grave and his body was gone. Jesus took it with him and God glorified it. Those who go all the way with God will also receive this transformation. The modern day Pharisees will tell you this is impossible. They will ridicule you and even kick you out of their groups to keep you from upsetting their apple-carts. The modern day Pharisees will get so mad, they will want to kill you. Tell them that you are called to a higher calling that is leading you to become a manifested Son of God, and they will try to crucify you. If everyone left their denomination, then there would be no offerings. If they allowed you to spread these teachings, then they would loose their positions. Jesus called the Pharisees, the children of the devil. Those are seemingly harsh words, but true nonetheless. If you want to be a Son of God, then you will need to put on the mind of Christ. The churches are making all kinds of excuses why they will not attend this great feast. You and I have also been invited to a feast that will reveal the true Sons of God. All of creation is waiting for the manifestation of the Sons of God. Rom 8:6-7, 11-12, 14,-19, For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the Sons of God.22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our Body. (KJV) Jesus set Barabbas free by taking his place. He set all the Sons of Abba free that day. Some will go all the way to be saved in Spirit, Soul and Body, why not you? Matt 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (KJV) A GIFT FROM: LIGHTHOUSE LIBRARY, INTERNATIONAL; P. O. BOX , DALLAS, TX ; ROGER and SUNNY COFFMAN; [972] ; inquiries@lighthouselibrary.com; WEB PAGE: `NEWEST WEB PAGE: BARABBAS [E. E. Brooks] 10