Gibraltar Messenger

Letter of Aristeas: The WORD Is For The Faithful

“Sit Down You Unbelievers or Move Out of the Way.” This was a spiritual message sang by Jewel in “Life Uncommon.” To live an uncommon life requires discipline, because in today’s world, it’s commonplace “to live as one wants”, ignoring the ancient wisdom of praising, honoring and obeying the Creator and Ruler of the Universe. “There’s a new army coming; and we are armed with faith,” Jewel sang. Being armed with Faith means the Force is with the faithful ones. This means God and His Holy Warriors are on the side of the faithful. And the faithful believe in God’s Holy Word.

God’s Holy Word was translated from Hebrew to Greek by Israelite Elders. And these Elders lived a life uncommon back then, knowing how to honor God and the Law of Moses. With their humility, Scriptural understanding, and God-fearing reverence, these Elders put our so-called modern-day elders and leaders to shame, as detailed in the LETTER OF ARISTEAS.

Not surprising, this letter failed to make the list of approved reading by the clerical experts; and they placed it in the “lost books” category; and said it was just Jewish propaganda, projecting their spin on it. That excuse might fit nicely into their pack of lies, but the Letter of Aristeas deals with the Old Covenant translation of the Hebrew Texts that encompasses the ENTIRE 12 Tribes of Israel, not just the 2-Tribes of the House of Judah. Six elders from 12 tribes were chosen for this Divine Task, perfectly described by Aristeas, who was known to be able to leave his body at will.

Aristeas is mentioned in John’s 3rd book of Revelation (another book which T.H.E.Y. also removed):

Rev. 23:9 Each will know the prophecy of the other, and each forehead bear the sign. For the Words of Prophecy must not cause false witness, for Aristeas knew his Lord, for the Word is solemn and cause it not to be tampered with, for the Spirit said, “Come, whoever is thirsty, take the gift of the Water of Life.”

Because John mentions Aristeas concerning prophecy, we might want to pay attention to his letter, and take it seriously. It was written during the time-period between The Old and New Covenants, and explains some of the principles of The Law and the source of the Greek Septuagint. The Greek Septuagint is the Greek translation by the 72 Elders, as Septuaginta means “seventy” – and it shouldn’t be confused with other translations.

Some have found it convenient to think of the Law of Moses, found in the Law Book, as ancient history – they grab onto a new concept referred to as “The Rule of Law”. God’s Law is ancient, but it was meant to be followed all the days of our lives in all of our lifetimes. After all, the “Ancient of Days” gave it to Moses. And He protected the Law Book, despite the lies of the little devils who go around nay-saying it.

Rev. 23:10 Anyone who receives the Word from the Temple of Light will be born again and those who make false witness will walk naked as a thief. They will carry no name and their mouths will be as the mouths of the beast, for they will sit with the spirit of demons and lie with the frog.

If the Creator of the Universe can create the Universe, He is also adept at guarding His Message. This original Law Book given to Moses is contained in the Ark of the Covenant, as is the original Breastplate of Aaron worn by the High Priest. Eleazar the High Priest who chose the 72 Elders to do the Greek translation wore a replica of the Breastplate called the Oracle. According to the Letter of Aristeas, Eleazar said, “Our Lawgiver first of all laid down the principles of piety and righteousness and inculcated them point by point, not merely by prohibitions, but by the use of examples as well, demonstrating the injurious effects [of sin] and the punishments inflicted by God upon the guilty. For he proved first of all that there is only one God and that His power is manifested throughout the Universe, since every place is filled with His Sovereignty and none of the things which are wrought in secret, by men upon the Earth, escapes His knowledge. For all that a man does and all that is to come to pass in the future are manifest to Him (Aristeas 6:11-12).”

While all other Heavenly Beings follow the Lawgiver, it’s mankind who can’t seem to wrap his head around the Almighty’s Perfection and Majesty. Yet, in his arrogance, man thinks he’s smart enough to rule this world; and look at the mess he’s made of God’s beautiful creation.

Aristeas prayed to God that king Ptolemy would grant his request of having the translation done so that the Word could be spread to a greater number of people. The king granted the request and had a wonderful place prepared for the Elders to work. As a kind gesture and acknowledgement of God, he also freed the Hebrews who were in captivity. During the undertaking, the king’s men treated the Elders with the upmost respect. The king held a banquet and questioned the Elders on various topics ranging from how to select counsellors, to how reputation is lost; from what is the most necessary possession, to what keeps a kingdom safe. Every answer given was full of wisdom and the king marveled at them.

Chapter 10 is a good example of the questions posed by the king and the answers given by the Elders:

Letter of Aristeas – Chapter 10

10:1 On the following day, the same arrangement was observed, and when the king found an opportunity of putting questions to the men, he questioned the first of those who had been left over for the next interrogation, ‘What is the highest form of government?‘ And he replied, ‘To rule oneself and not to be carried away by impulses. For all men possess a certain natural bent of mind.
10:2 It is probable that most men have an inclination towards food and drink and pleasure, and kings a bent towards the acquisition of territory and great renown. But it is good that there should be moderation in all things. What God gives, that you must take and keep, but never yearn for things that are beyond your reach.’
10:3 Pleased with these words, the king asked the next, How he could be free from envy? And he after a brief pause replied, ‘If you consider, first of all, that it is God Who bestows on all kings glory and great wealth and no one is king by his own power. All men wish to share this glory but cannot, since it is the gift of God.
10:4 The king praised the man in a long speech and then asked another, How he could despise his enemies? And he replied, ‘If you show kindness to all men and win their friendship, you need fear no one. To be popular with all men is the best of good gifts to receive from God.’
10:5 Having praised this answer the king ordered the next man to reply to the question, How he could maintain his great renown? and he replied that, ‘If you are generous and large-hearted in bestowing kindness and acts of grace upon others, you will never lose your renown, but if you wish the aforesaid graces to continue yours, you must call upon God continually (unceasingly).’ (Sura 42:38).
10:6 The king expressed his approval and asked the next, To whom ought a man to show liberality? And he replied, ‘All men acknowledge that we ought to show liberality to those who are well disposed towards us, but I think that we ought to show the same keen spirit of generosity to those who are opposed to us (Matt. 5:43-48), that, by this means, we may win them over to the right and to what is advantageous to ourselves (and everyone). But we must pray to God that this may be accomplished, for He rules the minds of all men.’
10:7 Having expressed his agreement with the answer, the king asked the sixth to reply to the question, To whom ought we to exhibit gratitude? And he replied, ‘To our parents continually, for God has given us a most important commandment with regard to the honour due to parents. In the next place He reckons the attitude of friend towards friend for He speaks of “a friend which is as thine own soul”. You do well in trying to bring all men into friendship with yourself.’
10:8 The king spoke kindly to him and then asked the next, ‘What is it that resembles beauty in value?‘ And he said, ‘Piety, for it is the pre-eminent form of beauty, and its power lies in love, which is the gift of God. This you have already acquired and with it all the blessings of life.’
10:9 The king in the most gracious way applauded the answer and asked another, How, if he were to fail, he could regain his reputation again in the same degree? And he said, ‘It is not possible for you to fail, for you have sown in all men the seeds of gratitude, which produce a harvest of goodwill, and this is mightier than the strongest weapons and guarantees the greatest security.
10:10 But if any man does fail, he must never again do those things which caused his failure, but he must form friendships and act justly. For it is the gift of God to be able to do good actions and not the contrary.’
10:11 Delighted with these words, the king asked another, How he could be free from grief? And he replied, ‘If he never injured anyone, but did good to everybody and followed The Way of Righteousness (Deut. 31:29: Matt. 22:16), for its fruits bring freedom from grief.
10:12 But we must pray to God that unexpected evils such as death or disease or pain or anything of this kind may not come upon us and injure us. But since you are devoted to piety, no such misfortune will ever come upon you.’
10:13 The king bestowed great praise upon him and asked the tenth, ‘What is the highest form of glory?‘ And he said, ‘To honour God, and this is done not with gifts and sacrifices but with purity of soul and holy conviction (Isa. 1:11-17), since all things are fashioned and governed by God in accordance with His Will. Of this purpose you are in constant possession, as all men can see from your achievements in the past and in the present.’
10:14 With loud voice the king greeted them all and spoke kindly to them, and all those who were present expressed their approval, especially the philosophers. For they were far superior to them [i.e. the philosophers] both in conduct and in argument, since they always made God their starting point.
10:15 After this the king to show his good feeling proceeded to drink the health of his guests. [end of Chapter 10]

The above chapter was taken from the King of kings’ Bible, which includes cross-references to other Scriptures. The LETTER OF ARISTEAS is reasonably short and easy to understand. God has watched over His Word. In fact, many of His messages are repeated over and over again, for those who don’t “get it” the first time. The “I AM” laid down the Law to be a witness FOR or AGAINST us. He never changed the Law of His Government. On the other hand, Satan keeps changing the rules in his.

To be faithful isn’t about labeling oneself with this-or-that man-made religion, even the pretentious New Age one, and following customs and rituals of men. These religions divide; claiming God said this-and-that and He is this-and-that. God said what is written in the Word; and HE IS THE “I AM”.

FAITH is about a soul’s trust in, belief of, and connection with his Creator. And the faithful are in all corners of the Earth; learning day-by-day to telepathically communicate with Him and doing what He says, recognizing His signs. They discern with patience which of their thoughts are from Satan and which thoughts are from God, choosing the good ones. Then after that, they act accordingly – moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day. If we get grandiose ideas about ourselves (which happens to each of us – a lot), then we’re listening to the wrong voice; and we should keep a spiritual-foot on our body’s throat, holding the human-side down. Humans need to learn humility. Look at the prophets; they weren’t “grand”. Look at the disciples; they recognized Christ’s Being, although many others called Him just a man. If He were “just a man”, they probably wouldn’t have crucified Him. Christ warned of false prophets of all kinds – even the ruling class and their grand organisations promising world salvation and peace; but they lie because they cause pain and say they are the painkillers. Know them by their fruit. When Christ gave this warning, He didn’t mean for us to call Him one of them. Remember the rest of what He said, “For as the lightening cometh out of the East, and shineth even unto the West; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be (Matt. 24:27).” Sounds like He will shed the Light of Truth on this dark world. Study what He said and recognize its Truth.

“God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship [Him] with their spirit (Being) and in Truth (John 4:24)… “The Truth (comes) from God alone; so be not of those who doubt (Sura 3:60).”

SOURCE AND INSPIRATION:
Letter of Aristeas, King of kings’ Bible
The Way home or face The Fire
Jewel – “Life Uncommon.” video (Live 2006) and/or lyrics

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