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THE  GREAT  SECRET

"FOR THERE IS NOTHING COVERED THAT WILL NOT BE REVEALED" (Matt. 10:26)

PISO ALSO CREATED JOSEPHUS' WORKS

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AN  EXTRACT

OUT OF
JOSEPHUS'  DISCOURSE  TO  THE  GREEKS  CONCERNING  HADES

1. Now as to Hades, wherein the souls of the righteous and unrighteous are detained, it is necessary to speak of it. Hades is a place in the world not regularly finished; a subterraneous region where the light of the world does not shine; from which circumstances, that in this place the light does not shine, it cannot be but there must be in it perpetual darkness. This region is allowed as a place of custody for souls, in which angels are appointed as guardians to them, who distribute to them temporary punishments, agreeable to every one's behavior and manners.

2. In this region there is a certain place set apart, as a lake of unquenchable fire, wherein we suppose no one hath hitherto been cast; but it is prepared for a day afore-determined by God, in which one righteous sentence shall deservedly be passed upon all men; when the unjust and those that have been disobedient to God, and have given honor to such idols as have been the vain operations of the hands of men, as to God himself, shall be adjudged to this everlasting punishment, as having been the causes of defilement; while the just shall obtain an incorruptible and never-fading kingdom. These are now indeed confined to Hades, but not in the same place wherein the unjust are confined.

3. For there is one decent into this region, at whose gate we believe who stands an archangel with a host; which gate when those pass through that are conducted down by the angels appointed over souls, they do not go the same way; but the just are guided to the right hand and are led with hymns sung by the angels appointed over that place, unto a region of light, in which the just have dwelt from the beginning of the world; not constrained by necessity, but ever enjoying the prospect of the good things they see, and rejoice in the expectation of those new enjoyments which will be peculiar to every one of them, and esteeming those things beyond what we have here; with them there is no place of toil, no burning heat, no piercing cold, nor are there any briers there; but the countenance of the fathers and of the just, which they see, always smiles upon them, while they wait for that rest and eternal new life in heaven, which is to succeed this region. This place we call The Bosom of Abraham.

4. But as to the unjust, they are dragged by force to the left hand, by the angels allotted for punishment, no longer going with a good-will, but as prisoners driven by violence; to whom are sent the angels appointed over them to reproach them and to threaten them with their terrible looks, and to thrust them still downwards. Now those angels that are set over these souls, drag them into the neighborhood of hell itself; who, when they are hard by it, continually hear the noise of it, and do not stand clear of the hot vapor itself; but when they have a nearer view of this spectacle, as of a terrible and exceeding great prospect of fire, they are struck with a fearful expectation of a future judgment, and in effect punished thereby; and not only so, but where they see the place [or choir] of the fathers and of the just, even hereby are they punished; for a chaos deep and large is fixed between them; insomuch that a just man that hath compassion upon them, cannot be admitted, nor can one that is unjust, if he were bold enough to attempt it, pass over it.

5. This is the discourse concerning Hades, wherein the souls of all men are confined until a proper season, which God hath determined, when he will make a resurrection of all men from the dead, not procuring a transmigration of souls from one body to another, but raising again those very bodies, which you Greeks, seeing to be dissolved, do not believe [their resurrection;] but learn not to disbelieve it; for while you believe that the soul is created, and yet is made immortal by God, according to the doctrine of Plato, and this in time, be not incredulous, but believe that God is able, when he hath raised to life that body which was made as a compound of the same elements, to make it immortal; for it must never be said of God that he is able to do some things, and unable to do others. We have therefore believed that the body will be raised again; for although it be dissolved, it is not perished; for the earth receives its remains, and preserves them; and while they are like seed, and are mixed among the more fruitful soil, they flourish, and what is sown is indeed sown bare grain; but at the mighty sound of God the Creator, it will sprout up, and be raised in a clothed and glorious condition, though not before it has been dissolved, and mixed [with the earth] so that we have not

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rashly believed the resurrection of the body; for although it be dissolved for a time on account of the original transgression, it exists still, and is cast into the earth as a potters furnace, in order to be formed again, but in a state of purity, and so as never to be destroyed any more: and to every body shall its own soul be restored; and when it hath clothed itself with that body, it will not be subject to misery, but being itself pure, it will continue with its pure body, and rejoice with it, with which it having walked righteously now in this world, and never having had it as a snare, it would receive it again with great gladness; but as for the unjust, they will receive their bodies not changed, not freed from diseases or distempers, nor made glorious, but with the same diseases wherein they died; and such as they were in their unbelief, the same shall they be when they shall be faithfully judged.

6. For all men, the just as well as the unjust, shall be brought before God the word; for to him hath the Father committed all judgment and he, in order to fulfill the will of his Father, shall come as judge, whom we call Christ. For Minos and Rhadamanthus are not judges, as you Greeks do suppose, but he whom God even the Father hath glorified, CONCERNING WHOM WE HAVE ELSEWHERE GIVEN A MORE PARTICULAR ACCOUNT, FOR THE SAKE OF THOSE WHO SEEK AFTER TRUTH. This person, exercising the righteous judgment of the Father towards all men, hath prepared a just sentence for every one, according to his works; at whose judgment-seat when all men, and angels, and demons shall stand, they will send forth one voice, and say, JUST IS THY JUDGMENT; the rejoinder to which will bring a just sentence upon both parties, by giving justly to those that have done well an everlasting fruition; but allotting to the lovers of wicked works eternal punishment. To these belong the unquenchable fire, and that without end, and a certain fiery worm never dying, and not destroying the body, but continuing its eruption out of the body with never-ceasing grief; neither will sleep give ease to these men, nor will the night afford them comfort; death will not free them from their punishment, nor will the interceding prayers of their kindred profit them; for the just are no longer seen by them, nor are they thought worthy of remembrance; but the just shall remember only their righteous actions, whereby they have attained the heavenly kingdom, in which there is no sleep, no sorrow, no corruption, no care, no night, no day measured by time, no sun driven in his course along the circle of heaven by necessity, and measuring out the bounds and conversions of the seasons, for the better illumination of the life of men; no moon decreasing and increasing, or introducing a variety of seasons, nor will she then moisten the earth; no burning sun, no Bear turning around [the pole] no Orion to rise, no wandering of innumerable stars. The earth will not then not be difficult to be passed over, nor will it be hard to find out the court of Paradise, nor will there be any fearful roaring of the sea, forbidding the passengers to walk on it: even that will be made easily passable to the just, though it will not be void of moisture. Heaven will not then be uninhabitable by men; and it will not be impossible to discover the way of ascending thither. The earth will not be uncultivated, nor require too much labor of men, but will bring forth its fruits of its own accord, and will be well adorned with them. There will be no more generations of wild beasts, nor will the substance of the rest of the animals shoot out any more; for it will not produce men, but the number of the righteous will continue, and never fail, together with the righteous angels, and spirits [of God,] and with his word, as a choir of righteous men and women that never grow old, and continue in an incorruptible state, singing hymns to God, who hath advanced them to that happiness, by the means of a regular institution of life; with whom the whole creation also will lift up a perpetual hymn from corruption to incorruption as glorified by a splendid and pure spirit. It will not then be restrained by a bond of necessity, but with a lively freedom shall offer up a voluntary hymn, and shall praise him that made them, together with the angels, and spirits, and men now freed from all bondage.

7. And now, if you Gentiles will be persuaded by these motives, and leave your vain imaginations about your pedigrees, and gaining of riches and philosophy, and will not spend your time about subtleties of words, and thereby lead your minds into error, and if you will apply your ears to the hearing to the inspired prophets, the interpreters, both of God and his word, and will believe in God, you shall be both partakers of these things, and obtain the good things that are to come; you shall see the ascent into the immense heaven plainly, and that kingdom which is there; for what God hath now concealed in silence [will be then manifest,] what neither eye hath seen, nor ear hath heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man, the things that God hath prepared for them that love him.

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8. In whatsoever ways I shall find you, in them shall I judge you entirely; so cries the END of all things. And he that hath at first lived a virtuous life, but towards the later end falls into vice, these labors by him before endured, shall be altogether vain and unprofitable, even as in a play, brought to an ill catastrophe. Whosoever shall have lived wickedly and luxuriously may repent; however, there will be need of much time to conquer an evil habit, and even after repentance his whole life must be guarded with great care and diligence, after the manner of a body, which, after it hath been a long time afflicted with a distemper, requires a stricter diet and method of living; for though it may be possible, perhaps, to break off the chain of our irregular affections at once, yet our amendment cannot be secured without the grace of God, the prayers of good men, the help of the brethren, and our own sincere repentance and constant care. It is a good thing not to sin at all; it is also good, having sinned, to repent, as it is best to have good health always; but it is a good thing to recover from a distemper. To God be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

"Josephus, or more accurately Joseph ben Matthias, was born the year Gaius acceded to the throne of the Roman empire, A.D. 37, and died sometime after A.D. 100. He was born of a priestly family and through his Hasmonean mother could boast of royal blood... In brief we can divide his life into two parts, each about thirty-three years in length: the first half could be described as the life of Joseph ben Matthias, Jewish priest, General, and prisoner; the second half, with some reservations, as the life of Flavius Josephus the Roman citizen and author....

After the destruction of Jerusalem, Josephus was given a tract of land near Jerusalem, a number of books, and a chance to retire to a life off quiet contemplation. He chose, to return to Rome with Titus, where he became a client of the Flavian family, received Roman citizenship, and was commissioned to write a history of the Jewish people....

Josephus' first literary work was the Wars of the Jews, published in the closing years of the reign of Vespasian... he composed the work first in Aramaic. According to his own word, he translated it into Greek... The Wars of the Jews was written under the commission of the emperor, and can be looked upon as a bit of propaganda, designed to deter others who might have been tempted to revolt.

His Antiquities of the Jews was published about fifteen years later (A.D. 93 or 94)...

His life was written... shortly after the year A.D. 100, principally as an apology for his own life, to defend himself against charges made by Justus of Tiberias concerning Josephus' conduct during the war in Galilee.

(His treatise) Against Apion is an apology for Judaism in which Josephus evaluates the ideals of Hellenism and shows its deficiencies while at the same time showing the excellencies of the Jewish religion." (FORWARD by William Sanford LaSor, William Wiston, Josephus' Complete Works 1878).

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Now, there was about this time, Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works -- a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the gentiles. He was [the] Christ; and when Pilot, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those who Ioved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other things concerning him; and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day. (William Whiston, Josephus' Complete Works, 1978 ed., p. 379)

Albinus... assembled the sanhedrim of the judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others, [or some of his companions] and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned. (ibid. p. 423)

Nero, in order to stifle the rumor, (as if he himself had not set Rome on fire,) ascribed it to those people who were hated for their wicked practices, and called by the vulgar, Christians: these he punished exquisitely. The author of this name was Christ, who, in the reign of Tiberius, was brought to punishment by Pontius Pilate the procurator. (Whiston, p. 639)

There are other references to Jesus in Jewish literature, beyond those found in the works of Josephus, he is mentioned, expressly or allusively, in a number of places in the earlier Rabbinical literature.... It is from the Tannaitic period that we should expect the most reliable traditions about Jesus, if indeed any traditions about him are to be found at all. The most important is a baraitha preserved in the Talmudic tractate Sanhedrim (43a) "Jesus was hanged on Passover eve. Forty days previously the herald had cried, 'He is being led out for stoning, because he had practiced sorcery and led Israel astray and incised them into apostasy. Whoever has anything to say in his defense let him come and declare it.' As nothing was brought forward in his defense he was hanged on Passover eve...."

To this Baraitha are appended some remarks by Ulla, a later Rabbi who flourished about the end of the third century. Ulla said: 'Would you believe that any defense would have been so zealously sought for him. He was a deceiver, and the All Merciful says: you shall not spare him, neither shall you conceal him' (F.F. Bruce, Jesus and Christian Origins Outside the New Testament pp. 54-57)

The oldest extant copies of the gospels go back only to the third century. The original compositions were apparently written between A.D. 60 and 120... Christian writers before 100 quote the Old but never the New Testament. (Durant p. 555)

Passages about Jesus in the Babylonian Talmud show that the Babylonian Amorian had no conception of the historical Jesus and of the time when he lived; All they new about him was composed by hearsay. (also) It is worthy to note that there is no mention of Christianity and its founders in the Palestinian Talmud. (p. 769)

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JOSEPHUS  PARALLELS  IN  THE  NEW  TESTAMENT

"Abraham greatly loved Isaac, as his only begotten" (Antq. I, XIII, I) The writer of Hebrews states: "Abraham when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son." (Hebrews 11:17) "his only begotten," in reference to Isaac, is found only in Josephus and Hebrews. The term is not found in the Old Testament account. This again seems to indicate that the Hebrews account was written by Piso.

"The beauty of the child (Moses) was so remarkable, that it detained the spectators, and made them stay longer to look at him". And that Moses was "educated with great care." (Antq. II, IX, 6, 7) The writer of Acts has Steven say that Moses was "exceedingly fair" and "was learned in all wisdom of the Egyptians." The Old Testament account tells nothing of Moses' body nor his education. This again indicates that the New Testament account was written by Piso.

THEUDAS  AND  JUDAS  OF  GALILEE

Now it came to pass,... that a certain magician whose name was Theudas persuaded a great part of the people to take their effects with them, and to follow him to the River Jordan, for he told them he was a prophet.... and many were deluded by his words. However, Fadus... sent a troop of horsemen out against them; who falling upon them unexpectedly, slew many of them.... They also took Theudas alive, and cut off his head, and carried it to Jerusalem....

Then came Tiberius Alexander as successor to Fadus.... and besides this, the sons of Judas of Galilee were now slain; I mean of that Judas who caused the people to revolt, when Cyrenius came to take an account of the estates of the Jews" (To determine their taxation) (Antq. XX V. 1,2)

For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves, who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him were scattered, and brought to naught.

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FROM  THE  BEGINNING  OF  THE  WORLD

Accordingly it appears to me, that the misfortunes, of all men, from the beginning of the world, if they be compared with the Jews, are not so considerable as they were.... For example I shall relate how Antiochus, who was named Epiphanes, took Jerusalem by force and held it three years and three months.... Accordingly Matthias... together with his own family... fled to the Mountains... and... many of the people followed him. (Wars preface v. 4,7)

ZOROBABLE  SON  OF  SALATHIEL

THE  TWELVE  AND  SEVENTY

He (Varus) therefore called twelve of the Jews of Caesarea, of the best character and ordered them to go to Ecbatana.... He also enjoined them to send seventy of their principal men.... so these seventy went down to Caesarea, together with the Twelve..." (Jos. Life, sec. 11)

Then he called his twelve disciples together... and sent them to preach the Kingdom of God... After these things the lord appointed other seventy a two and two and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place. (Luke 9:1, 10:1)

THE  TEMPLE  OF  DIANA

...when Judas heard that Timotheus prepared himself to flight, he took all his own army and went in haste against Timotheus... About this time it was that King Antiochus, as he was going over the upper countries, heard that there was... a very rich Temple of Diana, and that it was full of all sorts of donations.., left there by Alexander... king of Macedonia..." (Antq. XII, VIII, 4, XII, IX, I)

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So he sent to Macedonia, two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus.... moreover... this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no Gods.... also that the Temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised.... and they drew Alexander out of the multitude. (Acts 19:22, 27)

TRIAL  OF  THE  SANHEDRIM

...for those women continued every day in the temple, persuading the king and the people that Herod might undergo a trial before the Sanhedrim for what he had done. Hycranus was so moved by these complaints, that he summoned Herod to come to his trial for what was charged upon him... when Herod stood before the Sanhedrim,... he affrighted them all, and no one of his Accusers durst, after that, to bring any charge against him, but there was a deep silence, and nobody knew what was to be done.

When affairs stood thus, one whose name was Simeon, a righteous man he was... rose up and said, 'O you that are accusers with me... I neither have ever myself known such a case... that one who is called to take his trial by us ever stood in such a manner before us... but this admirable man Herod, (who is called King of the Jews) is called to answer so heavy an accusation, stands here in purple... yet do I not make this complaint against Herod...

But when Hycranus saw that members of the Sanhedrim were ready to pronounce the sentence of death upon Herod, he put off the trial to another day... for that his accusation, which was derived from evil councilors, and not from... (Antq. XIV, IX, 4).

And the chief priests and the council (the Sanhedrim) sought witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none... and there arose certain, and bare false witness... And the high priest stood up in their midst and asked Jesus, saying: Answerest thou nothing? What is it which these witness against thee? But he held his peace and answered him nothing.... And the chief priests.., delivered him to Pilate, and Pilate asked him, Art thou King of the Jews? And he answering said to him, Thou sayest it. And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered him nothing (And Herod said: I am innocent of the blood of this just person (Matt. 27:24)

And the soldiers led him away... and they clothed him in purple.... and began to salute him. 'hail king of the Jews'.... and they compel one Simon.... to bear his cross. (Mark 15:17-21).

FALSE  PROPHET  ON  THE  MOUNT  OF  OLIVES

...now these impostors and deceivers persuaded the multitude to follow them into the wilderness, and pretended that they would exhibit manifest wonders and signs, that should be performed by the providence of God.... Moreover, there came out of Egypt about this time to Jerusalem, one that said he was a prophet, and advised the multitude... to go along with him to the Mount of Olives, as it was called, which lay over against the city.... He said further that he would shew them, how, at his command the walls of Jerusalem would fall down. (Antq. XX, VIII, 6)

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And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! And Jesus answering said to him, see thou these great buildings? There shall not be left one stone that shall not be throne down. And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew ask him privately, tell us when shall there things be.... And Jesus answering them began to say: Take heed lest any man deceive you: for many will come in my name saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.... For false Christ's and false prophets shall rise and show signs and wonders, to seduce if it were possible, even the elect. (Mark 13:1-6, 22)

SUNDRY  LAWS

These Essenes reject pleasures as as evil, but esteem continence (self restraint), and the conquest over our passions, to be virtue. They neglect wedlock, but... do not absolutely deny the fitness of marriage, and the succession of mankind thereby continued; but they guard against the lascivious behavior of women, and are persuaded that none of them preserve their fidelity to one man. (Wars II, VIII, 2)

Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.... For I would that all men were even as myself. (celibate)... I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. (1st Cor. 7:1-9)

These men are despisers of riches.... Nor is there any one to be found among them who hath more than another, for it is a law among them, that those who come to them must let what they have to be common to the whole order, insomuch that among them all there is no appearance of poverty or excess of riches, but every one's Possessions are intermingled with every other's Possessions; and so there is, as it were, one patrimony among all the brethren.... To provide succor... when they stand in need of it. (Wars II, VIII, 3,6)

And all that believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their Possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

They are eminent for fidelity, and are ministers of peace; whatsoever they say also is firmer that an oath; but swearing is avoided by them, and they esteem it worse than perjury; for they say, that he that cannot be believed without swearing by God, is already condemned. (Wars II, VIII, 6)

But above all things, my brethren, Swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea, and tour nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. (James 5:12).

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LUKE-ACTS

"It seems good to me... to write to thee in order, most excellent Theophilus that thou might know the certainty of these things" (Luke 1:3)

"The former treatise have I made O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach..." (Acts I: I)

JOSEPHUS

"I suppose, that by my books of the Antiquities of the Jews, most excellent Epaphroditus. I have made it evident to those that pursue them that our nation is of great antiquity." (Against Apion Book 1, v. 1)

"In The former book, most honorable Epaphroditus, I have demonstrated our Antiquity, and confirming the truth of what I have said." (Ibid book 2, v, 1)

 
PISO  AGAIN  ASSUMES  THE  ROLE  OF  JOSEPHUS

But glory, honor, peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jews first, and also to the Gentile; for there is no respect of persons with God (Romans 2:11).

Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also. (Romans, 3:29).

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THE  VOYAGE  TO  ROME

When I was in the twenty-sixth year of my age it happened that I took a voyage to Rome; and this on the occasion which I shall now describe. At the time that Felix was procurator of Judea, there were certain Priests of my acquaintance, and very excellent persons they were whom on a small and trifling occasion he had put into bonds and sent to Rome to plead their cause before Caesar. Accordingly I came to Rome, though it were through a great number of hazards, by sea; for, as our ship was drowned in the Adriatic Sea, we that were in it, being about six hundred in number, swam for our lives all that night; when, on the first appearance of day, and upon our sight of a ship of Cyrene, I and some others, eighty in all, by Gods providence were taken up into the other ship... (Life p. 2 v.3)

...not long after there arose... a tempestuous wind... and when the ship was caught, and could not bear up to the wind, we let her drive.... But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria (Adriatic) about midnight the shipman deemed that they drew near some country....

And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. And when it was day... those who could swim... escaped all safe to land. And after three months we departed in (another) ship.... and thence to Rome.

SAUL

Saul together with Philip... ran away from the city... (Jerusalem)... in the meantime the people of Damascus, when they were informed of the destruction of the Romans set about the slaughter of those Jews that were among them... but as to those (including Saul).... got together in great numbers... and appointed a great many generals for the war.... Jesus the son of Sapphias, one of the high priests; and Eleazar, son of Ananias, the high priest... Joseph the son of Simon was sent as a general to Jericho... and John the Essene, to the toparchy of Thamma." (Wars II, XX, 1-4)

And Saul was consenting to (Steven's) death and at that time there was a great persecution... at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea.... As for Saul, he made havoc of the church... Then Philip went down to the city... And there was a certain man called Simon... and Saul... went unto the High Priest and desired of him letters to Damascus... And there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias... (Acts 8:1-14, 9:1-10)

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PARABLES

Now the sagacity and wisdom which God had bestowed upon Solomon was so great... for he spake a parable upon every sort of tree, from the hyssop to the cedar, and in like manner about beasts, about all sorts of living creatures, whether upon the earth, or in the seas, or in the air: for he was not unacquainted with any of their natures, nor omitted inquiries about them, and described them all like a philosopher. (Antq. VIII, 11, 5)

CASTING  OUT  DEMONS

God also enabled (Solomon) to learn that skill which expels demons, which is a science useful and sanitive to men. He composed such incantations also by which distempers are alleviated. And he left behind him the manner of using exorcisms. by which they drive away demons, so that they never return, and this method of cure is of great force unto this day; for I have seen a man of my own country whose name was Eleasar, releasing people that were demonical.... The manner of the cure was this: He put a ring that had a root of one of those sorts mentioned by Solomon to the nostrils of the demonic, after which he drew out the demon through his nostrils; and when the man fell down immediately, he adjured the demon to return into him no more. (Antq. VIII, II, 5)

JOHN  THE  BAPTIST

Herod the tetrarch had married the daughter of Aretas (the King of Arabia)... however, he fell in love with Herodius... (his brother Philip's wife) This man ventured to talk to her about a marriage between them... one article of this marriage was this, that he should divorce Aretas's daughter.... who soon came to her father, and told him of Herod's intentions. So Aretas made this the first occasion of his enmity between him and Herod, who had also some quarrel with him about the limits of the country of Gamalitis. So they raised armies on both sides and prepared for war.... And when they had joined in battle, all of Herod's army was destroyed... now some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod's army came from God... as a punishment for what he did to John, that was called the Baptist; for he slew him. who was a good man, and commanded the Jews to exercise virtue... and... to come to baptism... not in order to the putting away some sins only, but for the purification of the body... Now when many others came to crowd about him, for they were greatly moved by hearing his words. Herod who feared lest the great influence John had over the people might put it into his power and inclination to raise a rebellion, thought it best, by putting him to death, to prevent any mischief he might cause... Accordingly he was sent a prisoner, out of Herod's suspicious temper, to Macherus... and was there put to death. (Antiq. XVIII, V, 2)

And King Herod heard of [Jesus] (for his name was spread abroad) and he said, that John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do show forth

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themselves in him.... For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her. For John had said unto Herod, it is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. Therefore Herod had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not: For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy... and heard him gladly....

And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said to the damsel: Ask of me what thou wilt, and I will give it thee.... and she came in straightway with haste unto the king and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist... And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in prison... (Mark 6:14-28)

BIRTH OF A GOD

This day has given the earth an entirely new aspect. The world would have gone to destruction had there not streamed forth from him, who is now born, a common blessing. Rightly does he judge who recognizes in this birth-day the beginning of life and all the powers of life; now is that time ended when men pitied themselves for being born. From no other day does the individual or the community receive such benefit as from this natal day, full of blessings to all.

The providence which rules over all has filled this man with such gifts for the salvation of the world, as designate him as savior, for us and coming generations; of wars he will make an end, and establish all things worthily.

By his appearing are the hopes of our forefathers fulfilled; not only has he surpassed the good deeds of earlier time, but it is impossible that one greater than he can never appear.

The birthday of God has brought to the world glad tidings that are bound up in him From this birth day a new era begins.

So runs the most perfect of a number of inscriptions lately found in Asia Minor and set up to commemorate the introduction of the Julian calendar by the Emperor Agustus. It bears a date corresponding to our B.C. 9. G.S.R. Mead, Fragments of a Faith Forgotten 1960, p. 4)

And it came to pass in those days, there went up a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed... and Joseph also went up from Galilee... to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.... and she brought forth her first born son... And., lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them... and the angel of the Lord said unto them, fear not: for, behold, I bring good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, which is Christ the Lord... And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:1-14)

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But glory, honor, peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jews first, and also to the Gentile; for there is no respect of persons with God (Romans 2:11).

Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also (Romans, 3:29).

THE  MANY  FACES  OF  JESUS

Jesus Son of Ananus:

...woe, woe to Jerusalem... he every day uttered these lamentable words as if it were premeditated, woe, woe, woe to Jerusalem! a melancholy presage of what was to come.... Woe, woe unto the city again and to the people and to the holy house! (Wars VI, V, 3)

But woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against man... Woe unto you... hypocrites! for ye devour widow's houses... Woe unto you... for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte... Woe unto you blind guides, which say, whosoever shall swear by the temple it is nothing... Woe unto you... hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law... Woe unto you... for ye are like whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones... O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that

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killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto thee... behold your house is left unto you desolate. (Matt. 23:13-27)

The Twelve Year Old Jesus

Josiah... was of a most excellent disposition, and naturally virtuous.., and when he was twelve years old, he gave demonstrations of his religious and righteous behavior, for he brought the people to a sober way of living... he prudently corrected what they did wrong, like a very elderly man, and like one abundantly able to understand what was fit to be done... thus he acted in following the wisdom and sagacity of his own nature, and in compliance with the advice and instruction of his elders... he also offered his accustomed sacrifices and burnt offerings upon the altar. He... called for Eliakim, the high priest, and for the scribes... and sent them to Huldah the Prophetess, the wife of Shallum and bade them go to her and say that he desired that she would appease God.

The prophet Jadon... foretold what would come to pass -- viz, that a certain man of the house of David, Josiah (Jesus) by name, should do what is here mentioned.... And... he called the people to Jerusalem, and there celebrated the feast of the Passover. (Antq. X, IV, 1-5)

Joseph went up... to the city of David... because he was of the house and lineage of David.... Mary being great with child... brought forth her first born son... (and) his name was called Jesus... and they brought him to Jerusalem...to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law (of Moses).... and there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel.... and she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord... and when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord they returned to Galilee... now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem.... and after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors. (of the law) both hearing them. and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers... And (Jesus) increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:4-52)

Jesus of Nazereth?

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Jason/Jesus

But when he (the King of Syria) was dead, his brother Antiochus, who was called Epiphanes (God manifest) took the kingdom.... About this time, upon the death of Onias the high priest, (of the temple at Jerusalem) they gave the high priesthood to Jesus (son of salvation) his brother... but this Jesus... was deprived of the priesthood (after three years) by the king, who was angry with him, and gave it to his younger brother who was Onias... This Jesus changed his name to Jason: but Onias was called Menalaus Now the former high priest Jesus raised a sedition against Menalaus, who was ordained after him, the multitude were divided between them both. And the sons of Tobias took the part of Menalaus, but the greater part of the people assisted Jason. (Antq. XII, V, I)

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Think not that I have come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword. For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a mans foes shall be of his own household. (Matt. 10:34-36)

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not. Behold your house is left unto you desolate (The Abomination of Desolation.,of 159 B.C.E.) and verily I say unto you, ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say: blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. (Luke 13:34, 35)

DATING THE MESSIAH

O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.... Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem (by King Cyrus ca, 593 B.C.E.), unto Messiah the prince, shall be seven weeks and three score and two weeks (of years. see Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6).... and after three score and two weeks (434 years) shall Messiah be cut off... and the people of the prince that shall come, shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.... and he shall cause the sacrifices and the oblations to cease, and the spreading of abominations he shall make it desolate... (Daniel 9:22-27)

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shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom (with the Messiah as king) which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to another people... and it shall stand forever. (Daniel 2:44)

...there should arise a certain king that should overcome our nation and their laws and should take away our political government and should spoil the temple, and forbid the sacrifices to be offered for three years time. And indeed it so came to pass, that our whole nation suffered these things under Antiochus Epiphanes, according to Daniel's vision... (Antq. X, XI, VII)

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For as the lightning cometh out of the East, and shineth unto the west, so shall the coming of the son of man be.... And they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven... this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. (Matt. 24:27,30,34)

THE  GENEALOGY  OF  JESUS

The word of the Lord came to Nathan saying, go and tell my servant David... I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels and I will establish his kingdom... forever. (2nd Samuel 7:4, 5, 12)

From David to the Captivity

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THE  KING  HEROD  STORY

Herod offered him (Markas Antonius) money to make him king, as he had formerly given it to him to make him to make him Tetrarch.... But Antigonus, by way of reply to what Herod had proclaimed... said that they would not do justly if they gave the kingdom to Herod, who was no more than a private man, and an Idumean, ie. a half Jew, whereas they ought to bestow it on one of the holy family, as their custom was; for, that in case they at present bear an ill-will to him, and had resolved to deprive him of the kingdom, as having received it from the Parthians, yet were there many others of his family that might by their law take it, and these such as had no way offended the Romans; and being of the sacerdotal family, it would be an unworthy thing to put them by, now... they said thus one to another, and fell to reproaching one another on both sides... (Antq. XIV, XIV, 4, XIV, XV, 2)

Strabo (the Roman historian) attests to what I have said, when he thus speaks: 'Antony ordered Antigonus the Jew to be brought to Antioch, and there to be beheaded... as supposing he could in no way bend the minds of the Jews so as to receive Herod, whom he had made king in his stead; for by no torments could they be forced to call him king, so great a fondness they had for their former king; so he thought that this dishonorable death would diminish the value they had for Antigonus' memory, and at the same time would diminish the hatred they bear for Herod. Thus for Strabo' (Antq. XV, I, 2)

THE  FLIGHT  INTO  EGYPT

Alexandra was much disturbed because Herod had secured the priesthood office for himself when it was Alexandra's son Aristobulus who was the rightful heir. Herod feared that one day the child god would deprive him of the kingdom. 'Alexandra privately conspired against Herod's (supposed) royal authority and endeavored to bring it about that he might be deprived of the government. She therefore sent to Cleopatra, and made a long complaint of the circumstances she was in, and entreated her to do her utmost for her assistance. Cleopatra hereupon advised her to take her son with her, and come away immediately to Egypt. This advice pleased her; and she had this contrivance for getting away: she got two coffins made, as if they were to carry away two bodies, and put herself into one, and her son into the other and gave orders to such of her servants as knew of her intentions, to carry them away in the night-time. (Antq. XV, II, 5, XV, 111, 2)

When Herod the king heard these things, (the birth of Jesus) he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.... And... the angel of

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the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying: Arise, and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt... for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. And when he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: and was there until the death of Herod. (Matthew 2:3, 4, 13-15)

KING  HEROD  SLAYS  THE  INFANTS

When Herod was near his death he spake thus to them: 'I shall die in a little time, so great are my pains... but what troubles me is this, that I shall die without being lamented, and without such mourning as men usually expect at a king's death.' So Herod took care, when he was departing out of this life, that the whole nation should be put into mourning, and indeed made desolate of their dearest kindred, when he gave orders that one in every family should be slain.... Now Herod altered his testament and granted the kingdom to Archelaus. (Antq. XVII, VI, 5,6)

Then Herod was exceedingly wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and all the coasts thereof, from two years old and younger... But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, arise, and take the young child and his mother and come into the land of Israel. But when he beheld that Archelaus did reign in Judea in the room of his father Herod he was afraid to go thither." (Matthew 2:16, 19, 22)

DEATH  OF  A  GOD

proposed to himself to put this young man out of the way.... And now upon the feast of the tabernacles.... Herod drew Aristobulus into a lonely place and had him killed. When this sad accident was told the women their joy was soon changed into lamentation at the sight of the dead body that lay before them, and their sorrow was immoderate.... Herod endeavored that none abroad should believe that the child's death was caused by any cause of his.... although his death was supposed to tend to his own security... as for Aristobulus' funeral, he took care that it should be very magnificent, by making great preparation for the sepulcher to lay his body in. and providing a great quantity of spices... till the very women, who were in such great sorrow, were astonished at it... (Antq. XV, III, 2-4)

After two days was the feast of the Passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the Scribes sought him that they might take Jesus by craft, and put him to death.... And the chief priests accused him of many things; but he answered them nothing... and they cried out... crucify him... and it was the third hour.... And the centurion said; truly was this man the son of God. There were also women looking afar off... and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem....

And Joseph brought up fine linen and laid him in a sepulcher.... And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, and Salome had brought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. (Mark, 14:1, 15:3, 37-47, 16:1)

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CRUCIFIED  JEWS

...they were first whipped and then tormented with all sorts of tortures before they died, and then were crucified before the walls of the city... so the Soldiers, out of the wrath and hatred they bore the Jews, nailed those they caught, one after one way, and another after another, to the crosses, by way of jest; when their multitude was so great, that room was wanting for the crosses, and crosses -wanting for the bodies. (Josephus' Wars V, XI, I)

And so Pilot... delivered Jesus, when he had scourged (whipped) him, to be crucified. And the soldiers led him away.... And they clothed him with purple, and planted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, and began to salute him. Hail, King of the Jews!.... Thomas said unto them, except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails... I shall not believe. (Mark 15:15-18, John 20:24, 25)

THREE  DAYS  IN  THE  EARTH

... the Romans went away rejoicing, as taking it for granted that Niger was destroyed; but he leaped out of the tower into a subterraneous cave, and in the inter most part of it, was preserved, and on the third day afterward he spake out of the ground to those who with great lamentations were searching for him, in order to give him a decent funeral; and when he was come out he filled all the Jews with unexpected Joy, as though he was preserved by God's providence to be their commander for the time to come. (Wars III, II, 3)

For he taught his disciples, and said to them, The Son of Man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him, and after he is killed, he shall rise the third day.... and as they

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spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, peace be unto you. .... And they worshipped him, and returned with great joy. (Mark, 9:31, Luke 24:36-39, 53)

WAS  MARY  UNFAITHFUL  TO  HER  HUSBAND?

Now the birth of Jesus was on this wise: when as his mother was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost, then her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. Matt. 1:18, 19)

THE  TALMUD  MARY  STORIES

...the Talmud Mary stories... revolve entirely around the accusation of her unfaithfulness to her husband.... Simon ben Azzai has said: 'I found in Jerusalem a book of genealogies; wherein was written: that so and so is the bastard son of a married woman' This Simon ben Azzai flourished.., at the end of the first and beginning of the second century. (Note that Piso published in 94 CE) .... this book of genealogies can be taken to mean nothing else than an official record; nevertheless we are told that it contained proof of Jeschu's bastardy, for "so and so" is one of the well known substitutes for Jesus and Jesus alone in the Talmud, as has been proved and admitted on either side.... "the virgin birth" doctrine was invented in answer to this record.... we therefore conclude that the earliest Jewish Mary legends came to birth somewhere towards the close of the first century. It is exceedingly difficult to classify these Mamzer legends or to treat them in any satisfactory chronological fashion, but it is remarkable that in them there seems to be two deposits of tradition characterized by different names for Jeschu -- ben Strada and ben Pandera, names... of which the current meaning was evidently simply "son of a harlot"....

Finally in these Talmud-Mary legends we come to the thrice-repeated Miriam, daughter of Bilga story which runs as follows: 'Bilga always receives his part on the south side, on account of Miriam, daughter of Bilga, who turned apostate and went to marry a soldier.... Laible, refers to Origin, quoting Celsus as making his Jew declare that 'Mary gave birth to Jesus by a certain soldier, Panthera.' (G.R.S. Mead, Did Jesus live 100 B.C. pp. 162-166)

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WAS  MARY  THE  MARIAM  OF  THE  TALMUD?

THE  GOSPEL  OF  THOMAS

FALSE  WRITINGS

A  NEW  RELIGION

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HILLEL  THE  BABYLONIAN

"Hillel the younger c. 30 B.C.E., stands as a classic figure of a Palestine scholar... as little is known with certainty about his life as about his near contemporary, Jesus, whose saintly silhouette suggests similar qualities of sensitivity and wisdom.... According the accepted tradition, he was born abysmally poor, of non-priestly family in Babylon. He became the leading scholar of his century in Jerusalem.... In the tradition of many exciting teachers Hillel founded a school founded for him, Bet-Hillel, and uniquely a dynasty which gained for itself a teacher as well as a scribe, a mystic, a man of retreats and silence, and a sensitive man who knew well the anguish of the poor....

Analysis of Hillel's few surviving decisions reveal a concern for the common folk, women and thee outcast. To be sure, the search for the historical Hillel is almost as difficult as the much more famous search for the contemporary, Jesus...

Hillel set character above ceremonial punctilio... 'Be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace.' He lived by a code of infinite patience, and was deeply concerned for another's feelings: 'Do not appear standing among those who sit, or seated among those who stand.' He set human relations over possessions and learning above all attainments: 'The more flesh, the more worms: the more possessions, the more worry: and 'The more Torah, the more life; the more study and contemplation, the more wisdom; the more counsel, the more discernment; The more charity, the more peace.'

Hillel's theology is submissive. 'Blessed be the Lord, day by day. he bears our burden.' 'My humiliation is my exaltation, my exaltation is my humiliation... the uneducated man knows not the fear of sin' 'He who has knowledge of the Torah has life in the world to come,' Torah was the way of 'gaining life in this world and life in the world to come.' In learning the Torah one... becomes truly free.... By properly obeying the Torah... he becomes united with Him.... He who 6bserves the Torah merited salvation.' (J.D. Silver, A history of Judaism Vol. 1, pp. 234-237).

To a pagan who said he would become a Jew if he could be taught the Torah while standing on one foot, Hillel is said to have replied, "what is hateful to you do not unto your neighbor; this is the entire Torah. All the rest is commentary -- go and study it....." (Paul Jonston, A History of the Jews pp. 127.)

CONCLUSION

In the twenty seven books of the New Testament there is not one Jesus but many, and from the beginning, Christians were divided about his fundamental nature. (Wells The Historical Evidence For Jesus, p. 197)

"Christianity did not destroy paganism, it adopted it .... The Greek mysteries passed down into the impressive mystery of the mass. Other pagan cultures contributed to the syncretist result. From Egypt came the idea of a divine trinity, the last judgment, and a personal immortality of reward and punishment; from Egypt the adoration of the mother and child.... From Syria the resurrection drama of Adonis; from thence, perhaps the cult of Dionysus, the dying and saving God. From Persia came millenarianism, the age of the world, the final conflagration, the dualism of Satan and God.... Christianity was the last great creation of the pagan world" (Will Durant Caesar and Christ p. 595)

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APPENDIX I

NAMES  IN  JOSEPHUS  AND  NEW  TESTAMENT  COMPARED

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BIBLIOGRAPHY