Jesus' Birth

Uncertainty

1  THE “WORD OF GOD” IS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHAT YEAR JESUS WAS BORN.

A   4 B.C.E. or before.  

   (born during reign of King Herod who died 4 B.C.E.).  (Wikipedia: Herod the Great)

2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod,      Matthew 2:1

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. ... After those days his wife Elisabeth conceived. ... And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said ... thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.     Luke 1:5-31

B   After 6 C.E.  

   (year of the Roman Census – Antiquities 18:1:1,  Jewish Wars 7:8:1) Josephus  The Census of Quirinus occurred in 6 C.E.  according to Historian Josephus.

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)    Luke 2:1-2

The Herod that is referred to here is Herod the Great, as is made clear in Luke 2:22, which refers to Herod’s son, Archalaus. Since Herod the Great died in 4 BCE, this dates Jesus’s birth to no later than that year. But the gospel of Luke (2:2) says that Cyrenius (Quirinius) was governor of Syria when Mary was pregnant with Jesus.  Quirinius was appointed governor in 6 CE.

We know then that Jesus was born sometime before 4 BCE and sometime after 6 CE – which makes his birth a truly miraculous event.

22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee,     Luke 2:22

Quirinius (Cyrenius) became governer of Syria in 6 CE, nine years after king Herod's death.
(Wikipedia: Quirinius)

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) ... Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, in Judea ... To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. Luke 2:1-4

The Matthew narrator informs us that Jesus was born in the days of Herod the King, and the Luke narrator says he was born when Cyrenius was Governor of Syria, or later. This is an error in the "Word of God" as Cyrenius was not Governor of Syria until some ten years after the time of Herod

2  THE “WORD OF GOD” IS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHO AN ANGEL APPEARED TO WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS.

A   To shepherds in the flesh.

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”     Luke 2:15

B   To Joseph in a dream.

13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”     Matthew 2:13

3 THE “WORD OF GOD” IS UNCERTAIN AS TO JESUS BEING BORN IN A HOUSE OR IN A MANGER

Manger

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.     Luke 2:7

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.    Luke 2:16

House

11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.     Matthew 2:11

Cave

Eusebius, the first ecclesiastical historian, who flourished during the Council of Nice (A. D. 327), it is very strange that, in speaking of the birth of Jesus, he should have omitted even mentioning them, and should have given an altogether different version. He tells us that Jesus was neither born in a house, nor in a stable, but in a cave, and that at the time of Constantine a magnificent temple was erected on the spot, so that the Christians might worship in the place where their Saviour's feet had stood.

In the apocryphal Gospel called "Protevangelion," attributed to James, the brother of Jesus, we are informed that Mary and her husband, being away from their home in Nazareth, and when within three miles of Bethlehem, to which city they were going, Mary said to Joseph: "Take me down from the ass, for that which is in me presses to come forth." Joseph, replying, said: "Whither shall I take thee, for the place is desert?"

."Then said Mary again to Joseph: "Take me down, for that which is within me mightily presses me." Joseph then took her down from off the ass, and he found there a cave and put her into it. Joseph then left Mary in the cave, and started toward Bethlehem for a midwife, whom he found and brought back with him. When they neared the spot a bright cloud overshadowed the cave.

"But on a sudden the cloud became a great light in the cave, so their eyes could not bear it. But the light gradually decreased, until the infant appeared and sucked the breast of his mother." 

Tertullian (A. D. 200), Jerome (A. D. 375) and other Fathers of the Church, also state that Jesus was born in a cave, and that the heathen celebrated, in their day, the birth and Mysteries of their Lord and Saviour Adonis in this very cave near Bethlehem.  

Canon Farrar says: "That the actual place of Christ's birth was a cave, is a very ancient tradition, and this cave used to be shown as the scene of the event even so early as the time of Justin Martyr (A. D. 150)   "The place yet shown as the scene of their (the Magi's) adoration at Bethlehem is a cave."

The Christian ceremonies in the Church of the Nativity at Bethlehem are celebrated to this day in a cave,

Celebrated, in the same cave is the honoring of Adonis, in the time of Tertullian and Jerome; and as are still celebrated in Rome every Christmasday, very early in the morning.

The virgin-born Saviours wheom preceded Jesus almost all been born in a place of the most humble possible —such as a cave, a cow-shed, a sheep-fold, &c.—or had been placed there after birth. This was a part of the universal mythos.

Crishna, the Hindoo virgin-born Saviour, was born in a cave

How-Tseih, the Chinese "Son of Heaven," when an infant, was left unprotected by his mother, but the sheep and oxen protected him.

Abraham, the Jewish Patriarch, is said to have been born in a cave.

Bacchus, who was the son of God by the virgin Semele, is said to have been born in a cave,  The inhabitants of India had a tradition that Bacchus was born at Nisa, and was brought up in a cave.

Æsculapius, who was the son of God by the virgin Coronis, was left exposed, when an infant, on a mountain.

Romulus, who was the son of God by the virgin Rhea-Sylvia, was left exposed, when an infant, on the banks of the river Tiber.

Adonis, the "Lord" and "Saviour," was placed in a cave shortly after his birth.

Apollo (Phoibos), son of the Almighty Zeus, was born in a cave at early dawn. [

Mithras, the Persian Saviour, was born in a cave or grotto.

Hermes, the son of God by the mortal Maia, was born early in the morning, in a cave or grotto.

Attys, the god of the Phrygians, was born in a cave or grotto.

Light

"There was a great light in the cave, so that the eyes of Joseph and the midwife could not bear it."  In all early Christian painters of the Nativity, the light is made to arise from the body of the infant, and the father and mother are often depicted with glories round their heads.

The moment Crishna was born, his mother became beautiful, and her form brilliant. The whole cave was splendidly illuminated, being filled with a heavenly light, and the countenances of his father and his mother emitted rays of glory

At the birth of Buddha, "the Saviour of the World," which, according to one account, took place in an inn, "a divine light diffused around his person,"  He was "heralded into the world by a supernatural light."

When Bacchus was born, a bright light shone round him, "there was a brilliant light in the cave."

When Apollo was born, a halo of serene light encircled his cradle,and girded a broad golden band around his form. 

When Saviour Æsculapius was born, his countenance shone like the sun, and he was surrounded by a fiery ray.

When Moses was born, a bright light appeared and shone around.

4  THE “WORD OF GOD” IS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHAT CITY MARY AND JOSEPH WERE LIVING BEFORE JESUS WAS BORN.

A   Nazareth.

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.      Luke 1:26

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.     Luke 2:4

B  Bethlehem

2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,     Matthew 2:1

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.    Matthew 2:16

5  THE “WORD OF GOD” IS UNCERTAIN AS TO IF A ROMAN CENSUS AFFECTED JOSEPH AND MARY.

A   Yes. 

   Had to leave their home in Nazareth and go to Bethlehem.

2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.     Luke 2:2-4

B   No.  

   Already living in Bethlehem.  The wise men came to Bethlehem (the “star” led them).

2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,      Matthew 2:1

Yet Matthew also says “he shall be a Nazarene.” Matthew 2:23.

56 THE “WORD OF GOD” IS UNCERTAIN AS TO HOW LONG MARY & JOSEPH LIVED IN BETHLEHEM.

A   Two years. 

   Herod gave orders to kill all boys in Bethlehem under the age of two because of what he had learned from the Magi.  They had to flee to Egypt.

16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.     Matthew 2:16

B   Forty days. 

   Mary & Joseph were living in Nazareth and went to Bethlehem for the Roman census.

So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, their own city, Nazareth.   Luke 2:39

7  THE “WORD OF GOD” IS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHETHER MARY WAS REQUIRED TO TRAVEL TO JERUSALEM TO REGISTER FOR THE ROMAN CENSUS.

A   Yes.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.      Luke 2:4-5

B   No.

According to Roman Law. Joachem Heremias, Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus, pg 87

The deaf, insane, minors, neuters, hemaphrodites, women, slaves, the lame, the blind, the sick, the very old, and those who cannot walk up to the Temple Mount with their own feet, were exempt from the Roman census.

8  THE “WORD OF GOD” IS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHETHER JOSEPH WAS REQUIRED TO REGISTER FOR THE ROMAN CENSUS.

A   Yes.

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.     Luke 2:1-3

B   No.

According to Roman Law, the Roman census only applied to Roman provinces.  Nazareth was not in a Roman province.  It was a kingdom ruled by King Herod.  Further Roman censuses only applied to those who owned property.  Mary and Joseph had to stay in a manger.

9  THE “WORD OF GOD” IS UNCERTAIN AS TO JESUS WHETHER JESUS WENT TO EGYPT OR NOT.

A  Yes.

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. . . .

But when Herod was dead, . . . he took the young child and his mother and came . . . and dwelt in a city called Nazareth. (Matt. 2:14, 15, 19, 21, 23.)

B  No.

And when the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord. . . . And when they had performed all things, according to the law of the Lord they returned . . . to their own city, Nazareth. (Luke 2:22, 39.)

Essenes

There was an ancient system known as Essenism – a religion whose origin has never been discovered, though it is known that the Essenes existed in the days of Jonathan Maccabeus, B.C.E. 1, and that they were of Jewish origin, and constituted one of the three Jewish sects (the other two being Pharisees and Sadducees). We have but fragments of their history as furnished by Philo, Josephus, Pliny, and their copyists, Eusebius, Dr. Ginsburg, and others, on whose authority show that Alexandrian and Judean Essenism was identically the same system in spirit and essence as its successor Judean Christianity; in other words, Judean Christianity teaches the same doctrines and moral precepts which had been previously inculcated by the disciples of the Essenian religion .

60 PARALLEL EXHIBITIONS OF THE PRECEPTS AND PRACTICAL LIVES OF CHRIST AND THE ESSENES.

From the writings of Philo, Josephus, and other authors.

1. Philo says, “It is our first duty to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness;” so the Essenes believed and taught.

Scripture parallel.   “Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all else shall be added (Matt. 6:33: Luke 12:31.)

2. Philo says, “They abjured all amusements, all elegancies, and all pleasures of the senses.”

Scripture parallel.   “Forsake the world and the things thereof.”

3. The Essenes say, “Lay up nothing on earth, but fix your mind solely on heaven.”

Scripture parallel.   “Lay not up treasures on earth,” &c.

4. “The Essenes, having laid aside all the anxieties of life,” says Philo, “and leaving society, they make their residence in solitary wilds and in gardens.”

Scripture parallel.   “They wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens, and in Caves of the earth.” (Heb. 11:38.)

5. Josephus says, “They neither buy nor sell among themselves, but give of what they have to him that wanteth.”

Scripture parallel.   “And parted them (their goods) to all men as every man had need.” (Acts 2:45.)

6. Eusebius says, “Even as it is related in the Acts of the Apostles, all (the Essenes) … were wont to sell their possessions and their substance, and divide among all according as any one had need, so that there was not one among them in want.”

Scripture parallel.   “Neither was there any among them that lacked, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the price of the things  that were sold, &c. (Acts 4:34.)

7· Eusebius says, “For whoever, of Christ’s disciples, were owners of estates or houses, sold them, and brought the price thereof, and laid them at the apostles’ feet, and distribution was made as every one had need. So Philo relates things exactly similar of the Essenes.”

Scripture parallel.   (The text above quoted.)

8. “Philo tells us (says Eusebius) that the Essenes forsook father, mother, brothers and sisters, houses and lands, for their religion.”

Scripture parallel.   “Whosoever forsaketh not father and mother, houses and lands, &c. cannot be my disciples.’’

9· “Their being sometimes called monks was owing to their abstraction from the world,” says Eusebius.

Scripture parallel.   “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” (John 17:16.)

10. “And the name Ascetics was applied to them on account of their rigid discipline, their prayers, fasting, self mortification. &c., as they made themselves eunuchs.”

Scripture parallel.   “There be eunuchs which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake.”

11. “They maintained a perfect community of goods, and an equality of external rank.” (Mich. vol. iv. p. 83.)

Scripture parallel.   “Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.” (Matt. 20:27.)

12. “The Essenes had all things in common, and appointed one of their number to manage the common bag.” (Dr. Ginsburg.)

Scripture parallel.   “And had all things in common.” (Acts 2:44; see also Acts 4:32.)

13. “All ornamental dress they (Essenes) detested.” (Mich. vol. iv. p. 83.)

Scripture parallel.   “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, and putting on of apparel.” ( 1 Peter 3:3)

14. “They would call no man master.” (Mich.)

Scripture parallel.   “Be not called Rabbi, for one is your Master.” (Matt. 23:8.)

15. “They said the Creator made all mankind equal.” (Mich.)

Scripture parallel.   “God hath made of one blood all them that dwell upon the earth.”

16. “They renounced oaths, saying, He who cannot be believed without swearing is condemned already.” (Mich.)

Scripture parallel.   “Swear not at all.”

17. “They would not eat anything which had blood in it, or meat which had been offered to idols. Their food was hyssop, and bread., and salt ; and water their only drink.” (Mich.)

Scripture parallel.   “That ye abstain from meat offered to idols, and from blood.” (Acts 15:29.)

18. “Take nothing with them, neither meat or drink, nor anything necessary for the wants of the body.”

Scripture parallel.   “Take nothing for your journey; neither staves nor script; neither bread, neither money, neither have two coats apiece.”

19. “They expounded the literal sense of the Holy Scriptures by allegory.” .

Scripture parallel.   “Which things are an allegory.” (Gal. 4:24.)

20. “They abjured the pleasures of the body, not desiring mortal offspring, and they renounced marriage, believing it to be detrimental to a holy life.” (Mich.)

Scripture parallel.   It will be recollected that neither Jesus nor Paul ever married, and that they discouraged the marriage relation.

Christ says, “They that shall be counted worthy of that world and the resurrection neither marry nor are given in marriage.” And Paul says, “The unmarried careth for the things of the Lord.” (1 Cor. 7:32.)

21. “They strove to disengage their minds entirely from the world.”

Scripture parallel.   “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

22. “Devoting themselves to the Lord, they provide not for future subsistence.”

Scripture parallel.   “Take no thought for the morrow what ye shalt eat and drink,” &c.

23. “Regarding the body as a prison, they were ashamed to give it sustenance.” (c. ii. 71.)

Scripture parallel.   “Who shall change our vile bodies?” (Phil. 3:21.)

24. ‘’They spent nearly all their time in silent meditation and inward prayer.” (c. ii. 71.)

Scripture parallel.   “Men ought always to pray.” (Luke 18:1.) “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thess. 5:17.)

25. “Believing the poor were the Lord’s favorites they vowed perpetual chastity and poverty.” (c. ii. 71.)

Scripture parallel.   “Blessed be ye poor.” (Luke 6:20.) “Hath not God chosen the poor?” (James 2:5)

26. “They devoted themselves entirely to contemplation in divine things.” (c. ii. 71.)

Scripture parallel.   “Mediate upon these (divine) things; give thyself wholly to them.” (I Tim. 4:15)

27. ‘’They fasted often, sometimes tasting food but once in three or even six days.”

Scripture parallel.   Christ’s disciples were “in fastings often.” (2 Cor. 11:27; see also 5:34)

28. “They offered no sacrifices, believing that a serious and devout soul was most acceptable.” (c. ii. 71.)

Scripture parallel.   “There is no more offering for sin.” (Heb. 10:18)

29. “They believed in and practiced baptizing the dead.” (c. ii. 7 1.)

Scripture parallel.   “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead.” (I Cor. 15:29)

30. “They gave a mystical sense to the Scriptures, disregarding the letter:”

Scripture parallel.   “The letter killeth, but the spirit maketh alive.” (1 Cor. 3:6.).

31. “They taught by metaphors, symbols, and parables.”

Scripture parallel.   “Without a parable spake be not unto them.” (Matt. 13:34.)

32. “They had many mysteries in their religion which they were sworn to keep secret.”

Scripture parallel.   “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom; to them it is not given.” (Matt. 13:11.) “Great is the mystery of godliness.”

33. “They had in their churches, bishops, elders, deacons, and priests.’;

Scripture parallel.   “Ordained elders in every church.” (Acts 14:23.) For ”deacons,” see 1 Tim. 3:1.

34. “When assembled together they would often sing psalms.”

Scripture parallel.   .. Teaching and admonishing one another in psalms.” (Col. 3:16.)

35. “They healed and cured the minds and bodies of those who joined them.”

Scripture parallel.   “Healing· all manner of sickness,” &c. (Matt. 4:23.)

36. “They practiced certain ceremonial purifications by water.”

Scripture parallel.   “The accompishment of the days of purification.” (Acts 21:26.)

37· “They assembled at the Sabbath festivals clothed in white garments.”

Scripture parallel.    “ Shall ‘be clothed in white garments.” (Rev. 3:4.)

38. “They disbelieved in the resurrection of the external body.”

Scripture parallel.   “It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.” (I Cor. 15:44.)

39. Pliny says,·” They were the only sort of men who lived without money and without women.”

Scripture parallel.   “ The love of money is the root of all evil.” ( 1 Tim. 6:10.)  Christ’s disciples .travelled without money and without scrip, and “eschew the lusts of the flesh.”

40. “They practiced the extremest charity to the poor.” (c. ii. 71,)

Scripture parallel.   “Bestow all thy goods to feed the poor.” · (1 Cor. 13:3)

41. “They were skillful’ in interpreting dreams, and in foretelling future events.”

Scripture parallel.   “Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your old men shall dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17.)

42. cc They believed in a paradise, … and in a place of never-ending lamentations.”

Scripture parallel.   “Life everlasting.” (Gal. 8:8.) “Weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt. 8:42.)

43. “They affirmed,” says . Josephus, “that God fore· ordained all the events of human life.”

Scripture parallel.   “Foreordained before the foundation of the world.” (1 Peter.)

44. They believed in Mediators between God and the souls of men.”

Scripture parallel.   “ One Mediator between God and men.” (1 Tim. 2:5.)

45. “They practiced the pantomimic representation of the death, burial, and resurrection of God “- Christ the Spirit.

Scripture parallel.   With respect to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, see 1 Cor. 15:4·

46. “They inculcated the forgiveness of injuries.”

Scripture parallel.   “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34.)

47· “They totally disapproved of all war.”

Scripture parallel.   “ If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight.” (John 18:36.)

48. “ They inculcated obedience to magistrates, and to the civil authorities.”

Scripture parallel.   “Obey them which have the rule over you.” (Heb. 8:17; 26:65.)

49. ”They retired within themselves to receive interior revelations of divine truth.” (c. ii. 71.)

Scripture parallel.    “Every one of you hath a revelation.” (1 Cor. 14:26.)

50. “They were scrupulous in speaking the truth.”

Scripture parallel.   “Speaking all things in truth.” (2 Cor. 7: 14.)

51. “They perform many wonderful miracles.”

Scripture parallel.   Many texts teach us that Christ and his apostles did the same.

52. “Essenism put all its members upon the same level, forbidding the exercise of authority of one over another.” (Dr. Ginsburg.)

Scripture parallel.    Christ did the same. For proof, see Matt. 20:2s; Mark 9:35·

53. “ Essenism laid the greatest stress on being meek and lowly in spirit.” (Dr. Ginsburg.)

Scripture parallel.    See Matt. 5:5; 9:28.

54. “The Essenes commended the poor in spirit,· those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, and the merciful, and the pure in heart.” (Dr Ginsburg.)

Scripture parallel.    For proof that Christ did the same, see Matt.

55· 11 The Essenes commended the peacemakers.” (Dr. Ginsburg.)

Scripture parallel.    “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

56. “The Essenes declared their disciples must cast out evil spirits, and perform miraculous cures, as signs and proof of their faith.” (Dr. Ginsburg.)

Scripture parallel.    Christ’s disciples were to cast out devils, heal the sick, and raise the dead, &c., as signs and proof of their faith. (Mark 16:17.)

57. “They sacrificed the lusts of the flesh to gain spiritual happiness.”

Scripture parallel.    “You abstain from fleshly lusts.” (1 Peter 2:11.)

58. “The breaking of bread was a veritable ordinance among the Essenes.”

Scripture parallel.    “He (Jesus) took bread, .and gave thanks, and brake it.” (Luke 22:19.)

59. 11 The Essenes enjoined the loving of enemies.’’ (Philo.)

Scripture parallel.    So did Christ say, “Love your enemies,” &c.

60. The Essenes enjoined, “Doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Scripture parallel.    So did Christ say,

Holy Ghost

Holy Ghost’s Many Varied Characteristics

The Holy Ghost,  the third member of the tri-union God,  appears to be anything anyone wants it to be.

1. In John 14:26, the Holy Ghost is spoken of as a person or personal God.

2. In Luke 3:22, the Holy Ghost changes, and assumes the form of a dove.

3. In Matt. 8:16, the Holy Ghost becomes a spirit.

4. In John 1:32, the Holy Ghost is presented as an inanimate, senseless object.

5. In John 5:7, the Holy Ghost becomes a God – the third member of the Trinity.

6. In Acts 2:1, the Holy Ghost is averred to be “a mighty, rushing wind.”

7· In Acts 10:38, the Holy Ghost, we infer, from its mode of application, is an ointment.

8. In John 20:22, the Holy Ghost is the breath, as we legitimately infer ‘by its being breathed into the mouth of the recipient after the ancient oriental custom.

9. In Acts 2:3, we learn the Holy Ghost “sat upon each of them,” probably in the form of a bird, as at Jesus’ baptism.

10. In Acts 2:1, the Holy Ghost appears as “cloven tongues of fire.”

11. In Luke 2:26, the Holy Ghost is the author of a revelation or inspiration.

12. In ACts 8:17, the Holy Ghost is a magnetic aura imparted by the “laying on of hands.”

13. In Mark 1:8, the Holy Ghost is a medium or element for baptism.

14. In Acts 28:25, the Holy Ghost appears with vocal organs, and speaks.

15. In Heb. 6:4, the Holy Ghost is dealt out or imparted by measure.

16. In Luke 3:22, the Holy Ghost appears with a tangible body.

17. In Luke 1:5, and many other texts, we are taught people are filled with the Holy Ghost.

18. In Matt. 6:15, the Holy Ghost falls upon the people as a ponderable substance.

19. In Luke 4:1, the Holy Ghost is a God within a God -”Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost.” ‘

20. In Acts 21:1 I, the Holy Ghost is a being of the masculine or feminine gender-·’ Thus saith the Holy Ghost,” etc.

21. In John 1:32, the Holy Ghost is of the neuter gender – ”It (the Holy Ghost) abode upon him.”

22. In Matt. 1:18, the Holy Ghost becomes a vicarious agent in the procreation of another God, that is, this third member of the Trinity aids the first member (the Father) in the creation or generation of the second member of the triad of bachelor Gods-the Lord, or Savior, or Son of God.

The Ghost Teaches & Reminds

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (NIV)    John 14:26

The Ghost Testifies of Christ:

When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. (NIV)   John 15:26

The Ghost Convicts:

When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt [Or will expose the guilt of the world] in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: (NIV)   John 16:8

The Ghost Leads:

Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (NIV)     Romans 8:14

The Ghost  Reveals Truth:

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (NIV)    John 16:13

The Ghost  Strengthens and Encourages:

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord. (NIV)    Acts 9:31

The Ghost Comforts:

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (KJV)    John 14:16

The Ghost Helps Us in our Weakness:

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. (NIV)    Romans 8:26

The Ghost Intercedes:

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. (NIV)   Romans 8:26

The Ghost Searches the Deep Things of God:

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. (NIV)   1 Corinthians 2:11

The Ghost Sanctifies:

To be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (NIV)    Romans 15:16

The Ghost Bears Witness or Testifies:

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (KJV)    Romans 8:16

The Ghost Forbids:

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. (NIV)    Acts 16:6-7

The Ghost Can be Lied to:

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? (NIV)    Acts 5:3

The Ghost Can be Resisted:

“You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!” (NIV)    Acts 7:51

The Ghost Can be Blasphemed:

And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. (NIV)   Matthew 12:31-32

The Ghost Can be Quenched:

1 Thessalonians 5:19

The Holy Spirit has a Mind:

And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. (NIV)   Romans 8:27

The Holy Spirit has a Will:

But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. (NASB)   1 Corinthians 12:11

The Holy Spirit has Emotions:

The Holy Spirit grieves:

Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them. (NIV)   Isaiah 63:10

The Holy Ghost gives Joy:

At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” (NIV)    Luke 10: 21

You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.    1 Thessalonians 1:6

Holy Ghost Smoke

The Dove

1. The Holy Ghost in the shape of a bird, a dove or a pigeon. This is proven to be a very ancient pagan tradition, as it is found incorporated in several of the oriental religious systems. In ancient India, whose prolific spiritual fancies constitute the primary parentage of nearly all the doctrines, dogmas and superstitions found incorporated in the Christian Scriptures, a dove was uniformly the emblem of the Holy Spirit, or Spirit of God. Confirmatory of this statement, we find the declaration in the Anacalypsis, that a “dove stood for or represented a third member of the Trinity, and was the regenerator or regeneratory power.”

This meets the Christian idea of “ regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5).  A person being baptized under the Brahminical theocracy was said to be regenerated and “born again,” or, as the above-quoted writer expresses it, “They were born into the spirit, or the spirit into them” — that is, the “dove into or upon them,” as is the case of the Christian’s “Holy Ghost descending in bodily shape like a dove,” and alighting on Christ’s head at baptism, as related in Luke 3:22.  In ancient Rome a dove or pigeon was the emblem of the female procreative energy, and frequently a legendary spirit, the accompaniment of Venus.  And hence, as a writer remarks, “It is very appropriately represented as descending at baptism in the character of the third member of the Trinity.”  The same writer tells us, “The dove fills the Grecian oracles with their spirit and power.”  We find the dove, also, in the romantic eclogues of ancient Syria.  In the time-chiseled Syrian temple of Hierapolis, Semiramis is represented with a dove on her head, thus constituting the prototype of the dove on the head of the Christian Savior at baptism.

And a dove was in more than one of the ancient religious systems- “ The Spirit of God (Holy Ghost) moving on the face of the waters” at creation, as implied in Gen. 1:2, though a pigeon, was often indiscriminately substituted.  In Howe’s “Ancient Mysteries” it is related that “in St. Paul’s Cathedral, at the feast of Whitesuntide, the descent of the Holy Ghost was performed by a white pigeon being let fly out of a hole in the midst of the roof of the great aisle.”  The dove and the pigeon, being but slight variations of the same species of the feathered tribe, were used indiscriminately.

Dove

Among birds the dove was specially sacred to her [Ishtar (ISTAR): Mesopotamian. "Goddess of fertility and war. " Known period of worship = 2500 B.C.E.  to  200 C.E.

 It is figured with her on seals.

The Third Person

2. The Holy Ghost was the third member of the Trinity in several of the oriental systems.  Father, Son and Holy Ghost, or Father, Word and Holy Ghost (1 John 5:7), are familiar Christian terms to express the divine triad, which shows the Holy Ghost to be the acknowledged third member of the Christian Trinity.

And, as already suggested, the same is· true of the more ancient systems.  “The Holy Spirit and the Evil Spirit were, each in their turn (says Mr. Higgins), third member of the Trinity.”  In these triads (says Mr. Hillell) the third member was not of equal rank with the other two.”  And hence, in the Theban Trinity, Khonso was inferior to Arion and Mant.  In the Hindoo triad, Siva was subordinate to Brahma and Vishnu.  And a score of similar examples might be adduced from the fancy-constructed trinities of other and older oriental religious systems (but for the inflexible rule of brevity which forbids their presentation here), with all of which the more modern Holy Ghost conception of the Christian world is an exact correspondence, as this imaginary, fabulous being is less conspicuous than and has always stood third in rank with the Father and second to the Son, AKA as the Word, and is now seldom addressed in practical Christian devotion ; and thus the analogy is complete. Mr. Maurice says, “This notion of a third person in the Deity (the Holy Ghost) was diffused among all the nations of the earth.” See Ind. Antiq. vol. iv. p. 750.) And Mr. Worseley, in his “Voyage” (vol. i. p. 259), avers this doctrine to be “of very great antiquity, and generally received by all the Gothic and Celtic nations.”

The Holy Breath

3· The Holy Ghost was the Holy Breath which, in· the Hindoo traditions, moved on the face of the waters at creation, and imparted life and vitality into everything created. A similar conception is recognized in .the Christian Scriptures. In Psalms 33:6, we read, “By the Word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.” Here is the Brahminical conception of the act of creation by the Divine Breath, which is the Holy Ghost, the same, also, which was breathed into Adam, by which be became “a living soul.”  M. Dubois observes,  The Prana, or principle of life, of the Hindoos is the breath of life by which “the Creator (Brahma) animates the clay, and man became a living soul.” (Page 293.)

The Holy Wind

4· Holy Ghost, Holy Breath and Holy Wind appear to have been synonymous and convertible terms for the living vocal emanations from the mouth of the Supreme God, as memorialized in’ several of the pagan traditions. The last term (Holy Wind) is suggested by” the mighty rushing wind from heaven” which filled the house, or church, on the day of Pentecost (See Acts 2:2).  Several of the old religious systems recognize “ the Holy Wind “ as a term for the Holy Ghost. The doxology (reported by a missionary) in the religious service of the Syrian worship runs thus:

“ Praise to the Holy Spiritual Wind, which is the Holy Ghost; Praise to the three persons which are one true God.”

Some writers maintain that the Hebrew Ruah Elohim translated “Spirit of God” (Gen. 1:2) in our version, should read, “Wind of the Gods.” And we find that the word pneuma, of our Greek New Testament, is sometimes translated “Ghost “ and sometimes “Wind,” as best suited the fancy of the translators. In John 3:5, we find the word Spirit, and . in verse eight both Wind and Spirit are found; and in Luke 1:35, we observe the term Holy Ghost -all translated from the same word.  Let it be specially noted that in the Greek Testament the word pneuma is used in all these cases, thus proving that Spirit, Holy Ghost and Wind are used in the Christian Scriptures as synonymous terms; and proving, also, that an unwarranted license has been assumed by translators in rendering the same word three different ways.  M. Auvaroff, in his “Essays on the Eleusinian Mysteries,” speaks of “the torch being ignited at the command of Hermes of Egypt, the spiritual agent in the workshop of creation; ”relative to which statement a writer remarks, cc Hermes appears in this instance as a personification of Wind or Spirit, as in the bible (meaning the Christian bible), God, Wind and Spirit are often interchangeable terms, and the Word appears to be from the same windy source.”

The Holy Tongue

5· The Holy Ghost as “a tongue of fire, which sat upon each of them” (the apostles)(See Acts. 2:3).  Even this conception is an orientalism. Mr. Higgins tells us that” Budha, an incarnate God of the Hindoos (three thousand years ago), is often seen with a glory or tongue of fire upon his head.” And the tradition of the visible manifestation of the Holy Ghost by fire was prevalent among the ancient Budhisls, Celts, Druids and Etrurians. In fact, as our author truly remarks, “The Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, when visible, was always in the form of fire (or a bird), and was always accompanied with wisdom and power.”

Hence, is disclosed the origin of the ancient custom amongst the Hindoos, Persians and Chaldeans of making offerings to the solar fire, emblem of the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit.

The Holy Inspiration

6. Inspiration by the Holy Ghost. (Luke 2:26.) “Holy men of God,” including some of the prophets, are claimed to have been inspired by the Holy Ghost. (See 2 Peter 1:21; Acts 28:25). In like manner, as we are informed by Mr. Cleland in his “Specimens” the ancient Celts were not only “moved by the Holy Ghost” in their divine decrees and prophetic utterances, but they claimed that their Salic laws (seventy-two in number) were inspired by the ”Salo Ghost” (Holy Ghost), known also as “the Wisdom of the Spirit, or the Voice of the Spirit.”

This author several times alludes to the fact, and exhibits the proof, that the doctrine of the Holy Ghost was known to this ancient people.

The Laying on of Hands

7. The Holy Ghost imparted by “the laying on of hands.’’  This, too, is an ancient oriental custom. “And by the imposition of hands’ on the head of the candidate,” says Mr. Cleland, speaking of the Celts, “the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, was conveyed.” And thus was the Holy Spirit, Ghost, Gas, Wind, Electrical Fire or Spirit of Authority imparted to the hierophant or gospel novitiate. “ And their public assemblies,” continues our author, “were always opened by an invocation to the Holy Ghost.”

The Ghost Baptism

8. Baptism by or into the Holy Ghost accompanied with fire (Matt. 3:11).  This rite, too, is traceable to a very ancient period, and was practiced by several of the old symbolical and mythological systems. The Tuscans, or Etrurians, baptized with fire, wind (ghost) and water. Baptism into the first member of the Trinity (the Father) was with fire; baptism into the second member of the Trinity (the Word) was with water; while baptism into the third member of the Trinity (the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit) consisted of the initiatory spiritual or symbolical application of gas, gust, ghost, wind, or spirit. It appears from “ Herbert’s Travels,” that, in “ancient countries, the child was taken to the priest, who named him (christened him) before the sacred fire:” after which ceremony he was sprinkled with “holy water” from a vessel made of the Sacred tree known as ”The Holme.’’

The Breathing

9. The Holy Ghost imparted by breathing (John 20:22).  “Sometimes,” says scholar writer Mr. Higgins, relative to this custom among the ancient heathen, “the priest blew his breath upon the child, which was then considered baptized by air, spiritus sanctus, or holy ghost -i.e., baptism by the Holy Ghost!’

In case of baptism, a portion of the Holy Ghost was supposed to be transferred from the priest to the candidate. “The practice of breathing in or upon,” says Higgins, “was quite common among the ancient heathen.”

The Holy Conception

10. The Holy Ghost as the agent in divine conception, or  the procreation of other Gods.  Jesus is said to have been conceived by the Holy Ghost (see Matt. 1:18); and we find similar claims instituted still more anciently for other incarnate demigods.  In the Mexican Trinity, Y, Zona was the father, Bacal the Word, and Echvah the Holy Ghost, by the last of whom Chimalman conceived and brought forth the in the flesh God Quexalcote. (Mex. Ant., vol. vi. pg 165o.)  In the Hindoo mythos, Sakia was conceived by the Holy Ghost Nara-an.

When was the “Holy Spirit” bestowed???

THE HOLY SPIRIT (GOD):

FIRST APPEARANCE AFTER RESURRECTION

God said in his word – Jesus gave the Holy Spirit (Holy Spirit-God) to the disciples in his first appearance to them after the resurrection

 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.     John 20:22

AFTER JESUS LEFT

God said – It did not come to them until after Jesus left

By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.     John 7:39

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.     John 16:7

After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”     Acts 1:3-5

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.     Acts 2:1-4

BEFORE

God said – But some had it before:

John the Baptist

for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.     Luke 1:15

David

For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.     Mark 12:36

… which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake….      Acts 1:16

Elizabeth

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.    Luke 1:41

Zechariah

His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:    Luke 1:67

Simeon

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.     Luke 2:25

Gideon

Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet,summoning the Abiezrites to follow him.    Judg 6:34

Samson

and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and

Eshtaol

     Judg 13:25

Isaiah

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners       Isa 61:1

HOW DO YOU ACQUIRE THE HOLY SPIRIT?

WHENEVER YOU ASK IT

God said – It is had for the asking at any time

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”    Luke 11:13

Jesus-God praying to the Holy Ghost-God

EVERYONE HAS IT

God said – All flesh has it
Repent at my rebuke!
Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
I will make known to you my teachings.    Prov 1:23

“And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.Joel 2:28

Unpardonable Sin

28  “I promise you that any of the sinful things you say or do can be forgiven, no matter how terrible those things are.

29  But if you speak against the Holy Spirit, you can never be forgiven. That sin will be held against you forever.”    Mark 3:28-29

“And I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”   Matthew 12:31-32.

But then this?

Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything . . .    Acts 13:39

Just speaking “against the Holy Spirit” and your sin will be held against you “forever.”    Seems lacking as to what act constitutes the ultimate sin.  This edict is very vague yet has such a grave and condemned punishment of being unforgiveable.  The Holy Ghost is associated with baptism and a renewal of the person.  To sin against this God is to have no way available to retry.  With the first God the Father and the Second God the Son there is forgiveness available to try again.  But with the third God there is no avenue of forgiveness.  The Holy Ghost is the scaffold that reaches to heaven.  So even if the first and second Gods forgave you and even if you were baptized, because you committed the unpardonable sin the third God would be against you blocking your way to heaven.

I’m sure there are countless Christians who have agonized about this unforgivable sin because it is undefined and unexplained.  This is the ultimate fear tactic to gain control of the followers mind through their vivid imagination of what bad thing will happen to them at their death.

346 STRIKING ANALOGIES BETWEEN CHRIST AND CHRISHNA

Chrishna Crucified

1. The advent of each Savior was miraculously foretold by prophets.

2. The fallen and degenerate condition of the human race is taught in the religion of each.

3. A plan of restoration or salvation is provided for in each case.

4. A divine Savior is considered necessary in both cases.

5. The necessity of atoning for sin is taught in the religion of each.

6. A God, or Son of God, is selected as the victim for the atoning sacrifice in each case.

7. This God is sent down from heaven in each case in the form of a man.

8. The God or Savior in each case is the second person of the Trinity.

9. Chrishna, as well as Christ, was held to be really God incarnate.

10. The mission of each Savior is the same.

11. There is a resemblance in name-Chrishna and Christ.

12. Chrishna, as well as Christ, was incarnated and born of a woman.

13. The mother in each case was a holy virgin.

14. The same peculiarities of a miraculous conception and birth are related of each.

15. Each had an adopted earthly father.

16. The father of Chrishna, as well as that of Christ, was a carpenter.

17. God. is claimed as the real father in both cases.

18. A Spirit or Ghost was the author of the conception of each.

19. There was rejoicing on earth when each Savior was born.

20. There was also joy in heaven at the birth and advent of each.

21. Chrishna, as well as Christ, was of royal descent.

22. Their mothers were both reputedly pious women.

23. The names of two mothers are somewhat similar Mary and Maia.

24. Each had a special female friend-Elizabeth in the one case, and the wife of Nanda in the other.

25. Neither Savior was born in a house, but both in obscure situations.

26. Both were born on the 25th of December.

27. Both, at birth, were visited by wise men and shepherds.

28. The visitors conducted by a star in each case.

29. The rite of purification observed by the mothers of each.

30. An angel warning of impending danger in each case.

31. The incumbent ruler was hostile in each case.

32. A bloody decree in each case for the destruction of be infant Savior.

33. A flight of the parents takes place in both cases.

34. The parents of one sojourned at Muturea, the other at Mathura.

35. Each Savior had a forerunner – John the Baptist in one case, Bali Rama in the other.

36. Both were preternaturally’ smart in childhood.

37. Each disputed with and vanquished learned opponents.

38. Both became objects of search by their parents.

39. And both occasioned anxiety, if not sorrow, to their parents.

40. The mother of each bad other children-that is children begotten by man as well as God.

41. Both Saviors retired to, and spent considerable time in the wilderness.

42. The religious rite of “fasting” was practiced by each Savior.

43. Each delivered a noteworthy sermon, or series of moral lessons.

44. Chrishna, as well as Christ, was called and considered God.

45. Each was both God and the Son of God (so regarded).

46. “Savior” was one of the divine titles of each.

47. Each was designated “the Savior of ‘man,” “the Savior of the world,” &c.

48. Both expressed a desire to “save all.’’

49. Each sustained the character of a Messiah.

50. Chrishna, as well as Christ, was a Redeemer.

51. Each Savior was called “Shepard.”

52. Both were believed to be the Creator of the world.

53. Each is sometimes spoken of, also, as only an agent in the creation.

54. Both were the “Light and Life” of men.

55. Each “brought life and immortality to light.”

56. Both are represented as “the seed of the woman bruising the serpent’s head.”

57. Was Christ a “Dispenser of grace,” so was the Hindu Savior.

58. One was “the lion of the tribe of Judah,” the other “the lion of the tribe of Saki “

59. Christ was “the Beginning of the End,” Chrishna Beginning, the Middle, and the End.”

60. Both proclaimed, “I am the Resurrection.”

61. Each was “the way to the Father.”

62. Both represented emblematically “the Sun of Righteousness.

63. Each is figuratively represented as being “all in all.”

64. Both speak of having existed prior to human birth.

65. A dual existence – an existence in both heaven and earth at once – is claimed by or for both.

66. Chrishna, as well as Christ, was “without sin.’’

67. Both assumed the divine prerogative of forgiving sins.

68. The mission of each was to deliver from sin.

69. Both came to destroy the devil and his works.

70. The doctrine of the “atonement” is practically realized in each case.

71. Each made a voluntary offering for the sins of the world.

72. Both were human as well as divine.

73. Chrishna, as well as Christ, was worshiped as God absolute.

74. Each was regarded as “the Lord from Heaven.”

75. Chrishna, as well as Christ, had applied to him all the attributes of God.

76. Was Christ omniscient, so was Chrishna.

77. Was one omnipotent, so was the other (so believed).

78. And both are represented as being omnipresent.

79. Each was believed to be divinely perfect.

80. Was one “Lord of lords,” so was the other.

81. Each embodied ‘the “power and wisdom of God.”

82. All power was committed unto each (so claimed).

83. Chrishna performed many miracles as well as Christ.

84. One of the first miracles of each was the cure of a leper.

85. Each healed “all manner of diseases.”

86. The work of casting out devils constitutes a part of the mission of each.

87. Each practically proved his power to raise the dead.

88. A miracle appertaining to a tree is related of both.

89. Both could read the thoughts of the people.

90. The power to detect and eject evil spirits was claimed by both.

91. Both had the keys or control of death.

92. Each led an extraordinary life.

93. Each had a character for supernatural greatness.

94. Both possessed or claimed a oneness with the Father.

95. A “oneness with his Lord and Master” is claimed, also, for the disciples of each.

96. A strong reciprocal affection between Master and disciple in each case.

97. Each offers to shoulder the burdens of his disciples.

98. A portion of the life of each was spent in preaching.

99. Both made converts by their miracles and preaching.

100. A numerous retinue of believers springs up in each case.

101. Both bad commissioned apostles to proclaim their religion.

102. Each was an innovator upon the antecedent religion.

103. A beautiful reform in religion was inaugurated by each Savior.

104. Each opposed the existing popular priesthood.

105. Both abolished the law of lineal descent in the ancient priesthood.

106. Each was an object of conspiracy by his enemies.

107. Humility and external poverty distinguished the life of each.

108. Each denounced riches and rich men, and loathed and detested wealth.

109. Both had a character for meekness.

110. Chastity or unmarried life was a distinguishing characteristic of each.

111. Mercy was a noteworthy characteristic of each.

112. Both were censured for associating with sinners.

113. Each was a special friend to the poor.

114. A poor widow woman receives marked attention by each.

115. Each encounters a gentile woman at a well.

116. Both submitted unresistingly to injuries and insults.

117. General practical philanthropy and impartiality marks the life of each Savior.

118. Each took more pleasure in repentant sinners than in virtuous saints.

119. Both practically disclosed God’s attempt to reconcile the world to himself.

120. The closing incidents in the earth-life of each were strikingly similar.

121. A memorable last supper marked the closing career of both.

122. Both were put to death by “wicked hands.”

123. Chrishna, as well as Christ, was crucified.

124. Darkness attended the crucifixion of each.

125. Both were crucified between two thieves.

126. Each is reported to have forgiven his enemies.

127. The age of each at death corresponds (being between thirty and thirty-six years).

128. Each, after giving up the ghost, descends into hell.

129. The resurrection from the dead is a marked period in the history of each.

130. Each ascends to heaven after his resurrection.

131. Many people are reported to have witnessed the ascension in each case.

132. Each is reported as having both descended and ascended.

133. The head of each, while living on earth, was anointed with oil.

II. DOCTRINES.

134. There is a similarity in the doctrines of their respective religions.

135. The same doctrines are propagated by the disciples of each.

136. The doctrine of future rewards and punishments is a part of each system.

137. Analogous views of heaven are found in each system.

138. A third heaven is spoken of in each system.

139. All sin must be punished according to the bible teachings of each.

140. Each has a hell provided for the wicked.

141. Both teach a hell of darkness and a hell of light.

142. An immortal worm finds employment in the hell of each system (‘”the worm that dieth not.”)

143. The arch-demon of the underworld uses brimstone for fuel in one case, and oil in the other.

144. The motive for future punishment is in both cases the same. 145. Each has a purgatory or sort of half-way house.

146. Special divine Judgments on nations are taught by each.

147. A great and final day of judgment is taught by each.

148. A general resurrection also is taught- in each religion.

149. That there is a “Judge of the dead” is a doctrine of each.

150. Two witnesses are to report on human actions ill the final assizes.

151. We are furnished in each case with the dimensions of heaven or the holy city.”

152. Man is enjoined to strive against temptation to sin by each.

153. And repentance for sin is a doctrine taught by the bible of each.

154. Each has a prepared city for a paradise.

155. The bibles of both teach that we have no continuing city here.

156. Souls are carried to heaven by angels, as in the instance of Lazarus, in each case. ,

157. A belief in angels or spirits is a tenant of each religion.

158. The doctrine of fallen or evil angels is found in both system.

159. Obsession by wicked or evil spirits is taught by each.

160. Both teach that sickness or disease is caused by evil spirits.

161. Each has a king-devil or arch-demon with a posse of subalterns or evil spirits.

162. Both bibles record the story of a “hellaballoo” or war in heaven.

163. Both teach that an evil man can neither do nor speak a good thing.

164. Both teach that sin is a disadvantage in the present life as well as in the future.

165. The doctrine of free will or free agency is taught by each.

166. Predestination seems to be inferentially taught by each.

167. In each case man is a prize in a lottery, with God and the devil for ticket-holders.

168. Both make the devil (or devils) a scape-goat for sin.

169. Both teach the devil or evil spirits as the primary cause of all evil.

170. The destiny of both body and soul is pointed out by each.

171. The true believers are known as “saints” under both systems.

172. Saints with “white robes” are spoken of by each.

173. Both specify “the Word of Logos” as God.

174. Wisdom, too, is personified as God by the holy Scriptures of each.

175. Both teach that God may be known by his works.

176. The doctrine of one supreme God is taught in each bible.

177. Light and truth are important words in the religious nomenclature of each.

178. Both profess a high veneration for truth.

179. “Where the treasure is, there is the heart also,” is taught by each.

180. “Seek and ye shall find” is a condition prescribed by each.

181. Religious toleration is a virtue professed by both.

182. All nations are professedly based on an equality by each.

183. Both, however, enjoin partiality to “the household of faith.”

184. The doors of salvation are thrown open to high and low, rich and poor, by each.

185. Each professes to have “the only true and saving faith.”

186. There is a mystery in the mission of each Savior.

187. “Rama” is a well-known word in the bible of each.

188. The understanding of the wise” is a phrase in each.

189. Both speak figuratively of “the blind leading the blind.”

190. “A new heaven and a new earth” is spoken of by each.

191. The doctrine of a Trinity in the Godhead is taught by each.

192. Baptism by water is a tenant and ordinance of each.

193. “Living water” is a metaphor found in each.

194. Baptism by fire seems also to be recognized by each.

195. Fasting is emphatically enjoined by each.

196. Sacrifices are of secondary importance in each system, and are partially or wholly abandoned by each.

197. The higher law is paramount to ceremonies in each religion.

198. The bible of each religion literally condemns idolatry.

199. Both also make concessions to idolatry.

200. Polygamy is not literally encouraged nor openly condemned by either.

201. The power to forgive sins is conferred on the disciples of each.

202. The doctrine of blasphemy is recognized by each.

203. Pantheism, or the reciprocal in-being of God in nature and nature in God, is taught by both.

III. BIBLES AND HOLY SCRIPTURES.

204. Each bas a bible which is ·the idolized fountain of all religious teaching.

205. Both have an Old Testament and a New Testament, virtually.

206. The New Testament inaugurates a new and reform system of religion in each case:

207. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” is the faith of the disciples of each.

208. Each system claimed to have its inspired men to write its scriptures.

209. Both hold a spiritual qualification necessary to understand their bibles.

210. It is a sin to become “wise beyond what is written” in their respective bibles.

211. Both recommend knowing the Scriptures in youth.

212. Alteration of their respective bibles is divinely interdicted.

213. The bible is an infallible rule of faith and practice in both cases.

214. “All scripture is profitable for doctrine” is the faith of each;

215. Both explain a way the errors of their bibles.

IV. SPIRITUALITY OF THE TWO RELIGIONS

216. The religion of Chrishna is pre-eminently spiritual no less than Christ’s.

217. Both teach that “to be carnally minded is death.”

218. External rites are practically dispensed with in each religion.

219. The spiritual law written on the heart is recognized by each.

220. ·”God is within you,” Budhists teach as well as Christians.

221. Both recognize an invisible spiritual Savior.

222. “God dwells in the heart,” say Hindu as well as Christians.

223. An inward recognition of the divine law is amply seen in both.

224. Both confess allegiance to an inward monitor.

225. The doctrine of inspiration and internal illumination is found in both.

226. The indwelling Comforter is believed in by both.

227. Both also teach that religion is an inward work.

228. Both speak of being born again i.e., the second birth.

229. A spiritual body is also believed in by both.

230. “Spiritual things are incomprehensible to the natural man” say each.

231. God’s spiritually sustaining power Buddhists also acknowledge.

232. Both give a spiritual interpretation to their bibles.

233. Each has a new and more interior law superseding the old law.

234. The spiritual cross-self-denial or asceticism-is a prominent feature of each religion.

235. The duty of renouncing and abandoning the external world is solemnly enjoined by each.

236. Buddhists renounce the world more practically than Christians.

237. Withdrawal or seclusion from society is recommended by each.

238. Bodily suffering as a benefit to the soul is encouraged by each.

239. Voluntary suffering for righteousness’ sake is a virtue with each.

240. The cross is a religious emblem in each system.

241. Both glory ‘in “the religion of the cross” as better than a religion without suffering.

242. Hence both teach “the greater the cross the greater the crown.”

243. Earthly pleasures are regarded as evil by both.

244. Contempt for the body as an enemy to the soul is visible in both.

245. Retirement for religious contemplation is a duty with each.

246. The forsaking of relations is also enjoined by each.

247. Spiritual relationship is superior to external relationship with both.

248. “To die is great gain” we are taught by each.

249. A subjugation of the passions is a religious duty with each.

250. The road to heaven is a narrow one with each.

251. The same state of religious perfection is aspired to by the disciples of each.

V. THE DOCTRINE OF FAITH OR BELIEF.

252. Faith is an all-important element and doctrine with each.

253. Heresy, or want of faith, is a sin of great magnitude with both.

254. Faith in the Savior is a condition to salvation by both.

255. Confessing the Savior is also required in both cases.

256. ‘’Believe or be damned” is the condition or profess to believe the terrible sine qua non to salvation by each.

257. Skeptics or unbelievers are with both the chief of sinners.

258. “Faith can remove mountains,” either with a Buddhist or a Christian.

259. Both contrast faith with works.

260. Faith without works is dead-so teach both Buddhists and Christians.

VI. THE DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE OF PRAYER.

261. Prayer is an important rite in each religion.

262. Private or secret prayer is recommended by both.

263. Each has also a formula of prayer.

264. “Pray without ceasing” is a Buddhist as well as a Christian injunction.

265. Praying to their respective Saviors ‘in sickness and in health is a custom with both.

266. The custom of praying for the dead is recognized in each system.

VII. TREATMENT OF ENEMIES.

267. It is a Hindu as well as a Christian injunction to treat enemies kindly.

268. Passive submission to injuries and abuse is enjoined by both.

269. The· holy Scriptures of both require us to pray for enemies, and feed them.

270. And even love to enemies is a part of the spirit of each religion.

VIII. THE MILLENNIUM.

271. Hindus, like Christians, prophesy of a great millennial era.

272. There is a remarkable similarity in their notions with respect to it.

273. Both anticipate a Second Advent or new Savior on the occasion.

274. The destruction of the world also is to take place in both cases.

275. And an entire renovation and a new order of things are to be established in each case.

IX. MIRACLES.

276. There is almost a constant display of miraculous power in each system.

277. The disciples of both are professedly endowed with this power.

278. Miraculous cures ·of the lame, the blind, and the sick are reported in both cases.

279. Miracles of handling poisonous reptiles with impunity are reported by both.

280. Swallowing deadly poison is enjoined by Christians and practiced by Hindus.

281. Many cases of the miraculous ejection of devils are reported by both.

282. The miracle of thought-reading is displayed by both.

283. The saints in both cases are reported as raising the dead.

X. PRECEPTS.

284. “The kingdom of heaven” was to be sought first of all things in each case.

285. Love to God is a paramount obligation under each system.

286. And the worship of God is an essential requisition in each religious policy.

287. “Cease to do evil and learn to do well” is virtually enjoined by each.

288. An inward knowledge of God is taught as essential by both systems.

289. A reliance on works is discouraged by both.

290. Purity of heart is inculcated by Hindus as well as Christians.

291. Speak and think evil of no man is a gospel injunction of each.

292. A love of all beings is more prominently the spirit of Buddhism than
that of Christianity.

293. The practice of strict godly virtue is enjoined by both.

294. Moderation and temperance are recommended by both.

295. Patience is a virtue in each religion.

296. The duty of controlling our thoughts is taught by each.

297. Charity has a high appreciation by each.

298. Both make the poor objects of attention.

299. The practice of hospitality is recommended by each.

300. Humility is a duty and a virtue under both systems.

301. Mirthfulness or light conversation is .forbidden by each.

302. Purity of life is a duty with Hindus as well as Christians.

303. Chasteness in conversation is inculcated by both.

304. “Respect to persons” is a sin in the moral polity of I both.

305. Alms-giving is religiously enjoined by the holy Scriptures of both.

306. Both teach that “it is better to give than to receive.”.

307. Loyalty to rulers is a moral requisition of each system.

308. Honor to father and mother is esteemed a great virtue by both.

309. The correct training of children is with each a scriptural duty.

310. “Look not upon a woman” is more than hinted by each.

31 I. The reading of the Holy Scriptures is enjoined by both.

312. Lying or falsehood is with each a sin of great magnitude.

313. Swearing is discountenanced by both religions.

314. Theft or stealing is specially condemned by both.

315. Both deprecate and condemn the practice of war.

316. Both discountenance fighting.

317. Neither of them professes to believe in slavery.

318. Drunkenness and the use of wine are more specifically condemned by the Hindoo religion.

319. Adultery and fornication are ‘heinous sins in the eyes of both.

320. Both condemn covetousness as a great sin.

321. Buddhists more practically condemn anger than Christians do.

XI. MISCELLANEOUS ANA​LOGIES.

322. Both have their apocryphal as well as their canonical Scriptures.

323. Stories are found in the bible of each which would be rejected if found elsewhere.

324. Both make their bible a finality in matters of faith.

325. Both have had their councils and commentaries to reveal their bibles over again.

326. Numerous schisms, divisions, sects, and creeds have sprung up in each.

327. Various religious reforms have sprung up under each.

328. Conversion from one religious sect to another is common to both.

329. Both religions have been troubled with numerous skeptics or infidels.

339. Both have often resorted to new interpretations for their bibles to suit the times.

331. The unconverted are stigmatized by each.

332. “Knock and it shall be opened” is the invitation of each.

333. Public confession of sins in class-meetings is known to each.

334. Death-bed repentance often witnessed under both religious systems.

335. A belief in haunted houses incident to the religious countries of both.

336. A superior respect for woman claimed by each.

337. An idolatrous veneration for religious ancestors by each.

338. Each sustain a numerous horde of expensive priests.

339· A divine call or illumination to preach claimed by each.

340. Religious martyrdom the glory of each.

341. Both have encountered “perils by sea and land” for their religion.

342. He who loseth his life (for his religion) shall find it, say both.

343. Both in ancient times suffered much persecution.

344. The disciples of both have suffered death without flinching from the faith.

345. Each sent numerous missionaries abroad to preach and convert.

346. And, finally, each cherished the hope of converting the world to their religion.

Pagan Jesus

MAN’S DESIRE TO IDOL WORSHIP HAS A PATTERN —

ISIS

• Goddess Isis and (Osiris’ son) Aion had a child.

Just like Jesus – the child’s birthday was celebrated on December Twenty-Fifth.

Isis, a God woman, is seen of Egyptian wall paintings back in 1360 B.C.  This goddess was popular because

Just like Jesus – she could be appealed to for personal salvation.

Just like Jesus – People would confess their sins and forgiveness was given through immersion in water.  Personal salvation is stressed through repentance accomplished through a priest who preaches monogamy and family unity.

Isis united with Aion and had a son named Horus whose birthday is January 6, the day the Greek orthodox Christians celebrate their Christmas on.  Europe celebrates January 6 as the “Three Kings Day” where everyone exchanges presents on that day instead on Christmas day.

Just like Jesus – The Madonna & child paintings of Mary and baby Jesus are almost identical to Isis & baby Horus.

HORUS

Just like Jesus – Horus baptized by Anep, Jesus baptized by John.

Just like Jesus – Horus born in Annu, meaning place of bread. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, meaning house of bread.

Just like Jesus – Horus the good shepherd w/ crook on shoulder

Just like Jesus – 7 aboard the boat with Horus, 7 on boat with Jesus

Just like Jesus – Horus as the lamb

Just like Jesus – Horus the lion, Jesus as the lion

Just like Jesus – Horus identified with tat or cross, Jesus identified with cross

Just like Jesus – Horus at 12 years of age showed his special intellect, Jesus also at 12 years

Just like Jesus – Horus at 30 years was baptized

Just like Jesus – Horus the Krst, Jesus the Christ

Just like Jesus – Horus son of God, Jesus son of God

Just like Jesus – Two mothers of Horus were sisters, two mothers in Jesus story sisters

Just like Jesus – Horus adversary Seth, Jesus adversary Satan

Just like Jesus – Horus the sower, Seth the destroyer in harvest field, Jesus the sower of the good seed, Satan the sower of tares

Just like Jesus – Horus and Seth contending on the mount, same with Jesus & Satan

Just like Jesus – Star announced birth of Horus

Just like Jesus – Horus afflicted one, same with Jesus Horus as type of life eternal

Just like Jesus – Horus comes to fulfil the law, same with Jesus Horus came by water, blood, spirit

Just like Jesus – Horus of two horizons, Jesus of two lands

Just like Jesus – Horus walking on water

Just like Jesus – Children around Horus

Just like Jesus – Horus entering in mount to have conversation with his father

Just like Jesus – Horus transfigured on the mount

Just like Jesus – Seven loafs of Horus feeding multitude reclining in fields of Annu

Just like Jesus – 12 followers of Horus called Har-Khutti (disciples)

Just like Jesus – Secret mysteries make known by Taht-Aan, secrets made known by John

Just like Jesus – Anup and Aan as witnesses for Horus, two Johns witness for Jesus

Just like Jesus – Horus the morning star, Jesus the morning star

Just like Jesus – Horus gives morning start to followers

MITHRAS

The most popular and widely spread religion of the ancient world.  – He was worshiped in Persia 1400 B.C. E.  It dates back to before the Iranian race split into two tribes; Persian and Indian. This cult was widely known to be in Asia Minor around the first century C.E.  Mithra religion spread rapidly among the Romans and was protected by the Emperors.  This cult Mithraism was a major competitor to Christianity until around the year 300 C.E. when Constantine created the Christian religion which squashed any competing religion. The papacy of Mithra became the Vatican papacy with the identical hierarchy structure.  The Catholic Encyclopedia states that the priests were called fathers, and the chief father pope was called “pater patratus.”  The Mithratic pope was known as “Pontimus Maximus”, or simply Papa.

Paul said, “They drank from that spiritual rock and that rock was Christ.” 1 cor 10:4.  These are the identical words found in the Mithra scriptures with the word Mithra instead of Christ.  The home of Paul was the site of Mithratic worship.  Vatican hill was sacred to the Mithra priests.  Mithraic remains have been found there.  The merging of Mithaic worship to Christ worship was without interruption.  The Vatican cave belonged to Mithra until 376 C.E. when it was seized by the Vatican in the name of Christ (on December 25).  All of the Vatican rituals of the headresses, altar, host, liturgical formula is all taken from the Mithra mystery rituals.

Just like Jesus – Born December 25, originally recognized to be the winter solstice.

Just like Jesus – Born of a virgin.

Just like Jesus – Born in a cave with shepherds giving gifts.

Just like Jesus – Mithras was born on the darkest day of the year, and they were considered the “light” to the world.

Just like Jesus – Had 12 companions.

Just like Jesus – Promised immortality.

Just like Jesus – Sacrificed himself for world peace (the great bull of the Sun).

Just like Jesus – Rose again 3 days after being buried in a tomb.

Just like Jesus – He is called “the way”, “the truth”, “the light.”

Just like Jesus – He is called “Redeemer”, “Savior”, “Messiah.”

Just like Jesus – His sacred day of the week was Sunday and it was called “the Lord’s day.”

Just like Jesus – He had a Eucharist which was eaten at the Lord’s Supper. (“He who shall not eat of my body and drink of my blood so that he may be one with me and I with him, shall not be saved.)

Just like Jesus – His resurrection is celebrated every year. His principal day for his festival became what today is called Easter.

Just like Jesus – His annual sacrifice is the “Passover of the Magi.”  It is a symbolic atonement for spiritual regeneration.

Just like Jesus – Mithras was regarded as a mediator between God and humans.  The name of the Persian high god that Mithras mediated between was Ajura-Mazda.

Just like Jesus – Mithras aided the souls of humans to heaven.

Just like Jesus – Mithras performed miracles.

Just like Jesus – Mithras killed a “holy bull” and by eating this bull’s body and blood it provides life.  The meal eaten was exactly like the Christian host wafer that is given in communion.

Just like Jesus – Mithras held a “last supper” with his disciples before he returned to Heaven. Just like Jesus – Mithras initiates had to be purified by a baptism.

Just like Jesus – Mithras will have a victory over evil and will sit in judgment of humans. Just like Jesus – Mithras will lead the “saved ones” over a river of fire to become immortal.

OSIRIS-DIONYSUS –

Dates back to 1250 B.C. and is seen on wall painting in Egypt.  In the 5th century Osiris and Dionysus had merged into the god Dionysus.  When Jesus came along Dionysus had been worshiped for centuries.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus was a savior of mankind, a “god” made into man, the “son of God” equal with the “Father.”

Just like Jesus – Dionysus claimed his father was God.

Just like Jesus – the mother of Dionysus was a mortal virgin, called Semele.  Semele wanted to see Zeus, King of gods, in all his glory and was impregnated by one of his lightning bolts.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus’ mother didn’t die but ascended to heaven and became an honored divine being.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus was born on December 25, and to some January 6.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus was born in a humble environment in nature.

Just like Jesus – the Magi (visited Jesus) were followers of Dionysus.

Just like Jesus – The Pagans way of worshiping God was to give gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (6th cent BCE).

Just like Jesus – a prophesized a star represented the birth of Dionysus.  The alleged grove where Jesus was born was an area sacred to Osiris-Dionysus.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus initiates can be “born again” through baptism with water (into the mysteries) for centuries BCE.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus turned water into wine at a marriage ceremony.  Coincidentally it was the same known date when Jesus did his same miracle.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus’ disciples did not recognize him as a God, but then he transfigured before them.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus had twelve disciples.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus was portrayed as a quiet man with long hair and a beard.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus healed the sick.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus exorcised demons.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus provided spectacular miraculous meals.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus helped fishermen make miraculous catches of fish.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus was .not honored in his home town but was a wanderer.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus accused of licentious behavior.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus accused of heresy, stands up to hypocrites and to tyranny.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus accused of bringing a new religion.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (same as the motif of the Socrates story).

Just like Jesus – Dionysus is equated to bread and wine (body and blood of Jesus)

Just like Jesus – Dionysus the bread and wine are taken to communicate with him.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus rode into town on a donkey and people waved palm leaves at him.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus was hung on a tree and crucified.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus was hung on a tree at Easter time as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of the world.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus died and was resurrected on exactly the same dates.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus was wrapped in linen and was anointed with myrrh.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus descended to hell after his death, then three days later rose from the dead.  He then ascended to heaven.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus was enthroned in heaven by God.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus was visited by three women at his tomb

Just like Jesus – Dionysus’ followers await his reappearance and his divine judgment in the last days.

Just like Jesus – Dionysus’ death and resurrection is celebrated by a meal of bread and wine signifying his body and blood.

KRISHNA

Just like Jesus – Krishna was born of a virgin (Devaki)

Just like Jesus – Krishna was born December 25

Just like Jesus – Krishna father was a carpenter

Just like Jesus – Krishna birth was foreshadowed by a star in the east.

Just like Jesus – Krishna at birth was attended by angels and shepherds who gave gifts of spices

Just like Jesus – Krishna the angels danced and sang at his birth

Just like Jesus – Krishna Declared divine at birth

Just like Jesus – Krishna Forerunner person preceded

Just like Jesus – Krishna Born in distant city from their home

Just like Jesus – Krishna was persecuted by a tyrant who ordered thousands of male babies killed.

Just like Jesus – Krishna healed a woman who anointed him with oil on the head.

Just like Jesus – Krishna healed the lepers, the deaf, and the blind

Just like Jesus – Krishna rose people from the dead and restored these people to life

Just like Jesus – Krishna had a beloved disciple named Ar-jouan (John)

Just like Jesus – Krishna taught in parables about charity and love

Just like Jesus – Krishna lived poor and loved the poor

Just like Jesus – Krishna was transfigured in front of his disciples

Just like Jesus – Krishna Washed the feet of his disciples

Just like Jesus – Krishna gave his disciples the ability to work miracles

Just like Jesus – Krishna when he walked people would stew his path with branches

Just like Jesus – Krishna died on a tree crucified between two thieves (some traditions)

Just like Jesus – Krishna died around the age of 30

Just like Jesus – Krishna Was pierced and crucified

Just like Jesus – Krishna Deaths resulted in a Sun darkening at noon.

Just like Jesus – Krishna “resurrected” from the dead

Just like Jesus – Krishna Descended to hell

Just like Jesus – Krishna ascended to heaven “in the sight of all men”

Just like Jesus – Krishna depicted on a cross with nail holes in his feet and a heart emblem on his clothes

Just like Jesus – Krishna is the “lion” (tribe of Saki)

Just like Jesus – Krishna relieved others of their sins

Just like Jesus – Krishna was called “the Shepherd God”, “Redeemer”, “the First Born”, “Sin bearer”, “Liberator”, “universal Word.”

Just like Jesus – Krishna was deemed “Son of God”, “Our Lord and Savior”,

Just like Jesus – Krishna came earth to die for the salvation of man.

Just like Jesus – Krishna disciples gave him the title of “Jezeus” or “Jeseus” which means pure essence

Just like Jesus – Krishna Sentenced to death by king fearful of his throne

Just like Jesus – Krishna Part of a trinity, the second person

Just like Jesus – Krishna claim they are the creator “God incarnate” (God in the flesh)

Just like Jesus – Krishna will return at the end of days.

Just like Jesus – Krishna will judge the dead

BUDDAH

Just like Jesus – Buddha Baptized in presence of God’s “spirit.”

Just like Jesus – Buddha astounded the elders at the temple at the age of 12 with their infinite wisdom

Just like Jesus – Buddha Was tempted by the devil.

Just like Jesus – Buddha Followers required a sign

Just like Jesus – Buddha Tried to establish the kingdom of heaven here on earth

Just like Jesus – Buddha Made statements of wisdom similar to those made by Jesus

Just like Jesus – Buddha Healed a blind man

Just like Jesus – Buddha A constant preacher with an inner group and an outer group of followers

Just like Jesus – Buddha Wanted followers to renounce all worldly possessions

Just like Jesus – Buddha Had a disciple that walked on water Just like Jesus – Buddha After death there was a supernatural event

Just like Jesus – Buddha Disciples were miracle workers

Just like Jesus – Buddha Born of a virgin

Just like Jesus – Buddha Declared divine at birth Just like Jesus – Buddha Stars in the sky announced their birth

Just like Jesus – Buddha When born angels sang in heaven

Just like Jesus – Buddha had miracle workers

Just like Jesus – Buddha transfigured before witnesses

Just like Jesus – Buddha Part of a trinity

Just like Jesus – Buddha Relieved others of their sins

Just like Jesus – Others claim Buddha was the creator

Just like Jesus – Buddha Will judge the dead Just like Jesus – Buddha Had similar divine titles.

PROMETHEUS

Events occurred in the Caucasus Mountains.

Just like Jesus – He descended from Heaven as “God incarnate” to save mankind.

Just like Jesus – He had a especially close friend named Petraeus (Peter) who was a fisherman and later deserted him.

Just like Jesus – he suffered and was crucified.

Just like Jesus – he rose from the dead

Just like Jesus – he is called Logos or “the Word.”

ATTIS

He was afflicted when God infected him with madness.  He killed himself by castration, then came back to life and danced around.

Just like Jesus – The birthday of Attis is December Twenty-Fifth.

Just like Jesus – born of a virgin (Cybele)

Just like Jesus – was considered the “Savior”

Just like Jesus – was slain for the salvation of mankind

Just like Jesus – his body represented by bread is eaten by his worshipers

Just like Jesus – the priests become “eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven”

Just like Jesus – he is both the divine Son and the divine Father

Just like Jesus – he was crucified on a tree on “black Friday”

Just like Jesus – his holy blood ran down to the ground and redeemed the earth

Just like Jesus – he descended to the underworld (Hell)

Just like Jesus –3 days after his death he resurrected on March 25.  The first day after his death is a day of mourning.  The second day is a day of fasting and physical suffering and deprivation similar to the Christian Lent and Christian Passion Week.

Just like Jesus – after his resurrection he was considered “God most high”

Just like Jesus – A cult was formed around his virgin mother

ZOROASTER/Zarathustra

Just like Jesus – his mother had an “immaculate conception” by a ray of divine reason

Just like Jesus – he was born of a virgin

Just like Jesus – was baptized in a river

Just like Jesus – he was baptized also with the “holy” wind and fire

Just like Jesus – in his youth astounded wise men with his incredible wisdom

Just like Jesus – he was tempted in the wilderness by the devil

Just like Jesus – he began his ministry at the age of 30

Just like Jesus – he cast out demons

Just like Jesus – he restored sight to the blind

Just like Jesus – he taught about heaven and hell

Just like Jesus – revealed mysteries of the resurrection

Just like Jesus – revealed mysteries of judgment and salvation

Just like Jesus – taught of an apocalypse

Just like Jesus – he had a sacred cup or grail

Just like Jesus – he was slain

Just like Jesus – his religion had a Eucharist

Just like Jesus – he was “the Word made flesh”

Just like Jesus – his followers expect a second coming, to occur in the year 2341.  This will usher in a “golden age”

QUETZALCOATL

This God is from Mexico.  The religion had monasteries and nunneries that called their high priests Papes.  Cortes saw the ceremonies were virtually the same as the Catholic’s that he stated, “The Devil had positively taught to the Mexicans the same things that God has taught to Christendom.”  This Devil view of Quetzalcoatl compelled the Spanish to destroy as much of the artifacts as possible.  Few remain today.

Just like Jesus – was called Savior

Just like Jesus – was born of a pure virgin (Sochiquetzal)

Just like Jesus – messenger announced to his mother her son with be without connection with man

Just like Jesus – his mother was portrayed as “Queen of Heaven” (hieroglyph)

Just like Jesus – was designated “the morning star”

Just like Jesus – was tempted and fasted for 40 days

Just like Jesus – shown bending under the weight of a cross

Just like Jesus – called Redeemer who died for the people’s sins

HERCULES / HERACLES

Just like Jesus – born December 25

Just like Jesus – born of a virgin (Alcmene (means moon woman))

Just like Jesus – his father refrained from sexual relations until God impregnated the virgin mother.

Just like Jesus – He was known as the “only Begotten”, the “Universal Word”

Just like Jesus – He had 12 labors which demonstrated him as the Savior

Just like Jesus – called the “Prince of peace”

Just like Jesus – called the “Sun of righteousness”, ‘light of the world”

Just like Jesus – killed, then resurrected as his own divine father

Just like Jesus – ascended to Heaven

ADONIS

– was gored to death by a boar sent by God.

Just like Jesus – he was raised from the dead on the third day.

Just like Jesus – also born of a virgin mother named Myrrh.

BAAL

Just like Jesus – BAAL was killed by Mot, he rose, came back to life.

The Crucifixion

Cruci-Fiction

------> Crucifiction Timeline ----->

Pilate starts Crucifixion 

14 Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover (Friday). It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!”   John 19:14

16 Then Pilate handed him over to be crucified, and they took Jesus away.    John 19:16

Jesus was crowned with thorns, Jesus walked a long way to skull hill carrying his cross, the Roman soldiers nailed him to the cross, cross was raised, Jesus was on the cross for three?? hours .... and he died before sunset.

34 At three o’clock, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”)    Mark 15:34

46 About three o’clock, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eli, eli, lema sabachthani?”, which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”     Matt 27:46

Jesus was God ... he should have known why he forsakened himself !!!

Jesus died before sunset Friday afternoon (before start of Sabbath)

31 Since it was the Preparation Day, the Jewish leaders did not want to leave the bodies on the crosses during the Sabbath, because that was a particularly important Sabbath.  John 19:31

Wait ... Didn't Jesus Eat the Passover Meal with his Disciples on Passover Day???

12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover meal?”   Mark 14:12

17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover meal?”     Matt 26:17

7 Then the day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread came, on which the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed. 8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover meal.”     Luke 22:7-8

19 The disciples did as Jesus had told them and prepared the Passover meal. 20 When it was evening, Jesus and the twelve disciples sat down to eat. 21 During the meal Jesus said, “I tell you, one of you will betray me.”      Matt 26:19-21

What??? The Clock Rolls Back to get the Crucifixion Events In ???

God's word says Jesus was crucified Friday mid-morning (9 AM);

25 And it was the third hour when they crucified him.      Mark 15:25

Jesus was crowned with thorns, Jesus walked a long way to skull hill carrying his cross, the Roman soldiers nailed him to the cross, cross was raised ... all this before 9 AM

Evidently Jesus hung on the cross from the third hour (9 AM) to 12 noon (three hours) then the darkness started and lasted another 3 hours to the 9th hour or 3 PM when he "gave up his spirit" (to himself-god).

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.    Matt 27:50

Jesus-god-in-the-flesh Can’t Count

In Matthew Chapter 12 the Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign. He answered that like Jonah being in the stomach of a whale, so shall he be in the earth three days and three nights.

As for Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so shall the son of man (Didn't God write that Jesus was the Son of God) be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.     Matthew 12:30-4

Dankness fell from sixth hour to the ninth hour.  Jesus died around the 9th hour or 3PM.

45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.    Matt 27:45

44 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour,    Luke 23:44

33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.     Mark 15:33

Dead Jesus was taken off the cross Friday afternoon before sunset.

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.       Matthew 28:1

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary(???) rested on the Sabbath as seen above in Matthew 28:1

Jesus was allegedly resurrected Sunday morning at dawn.

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. Matthew 28:1

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. John 20:1

   Conclusion = NOT "three" days ...  and NOT "three" nights.

John says; Not even Two full days and not even Two complete nights!!!

Early on the first day of the week [Sunday], while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. John 20:1.

Matthew, Mark, & Luke say not even two full days; dawn after the Sabbath

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.   Matthew 28:1

2 Very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had just come up, they were going to the tomb.     Mark 16:2

24 But at early dawn on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.     Luke 24:1

With Jesus eating the Passover meal with his disciples at the start of the Sabbath ... this whole story gets to the level of a miracle to believe it ....

HOW​?

Christians state the the PROOF of Jesus being the “son of god”, a deity, is the story about his resurrection from the dead.  The Christian credibility and veracity is based on the facts of the story of Jesus having “risen.”  In their New Testament, which they claim is the  “Word of God”, they even refer to the resurrection in a verse saying,

“For as yet they did not know the Scripture that he [Jesus] must again rise from the dead,”  John 20:9.

However there is NO such Scripture in the Torah (the Old Testament), the Books of the Prophets, or anything anywhere else even closely resembling that statement.  But it sure sounds good to people who blindly believe.

Was Jesus taken to Caiaphas or Annas first?

Caiaphas

And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.       Matthew 26:57

And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.      Mark 14:53

Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house.       Luke 22:54

Annas

And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.       John 18:13

When did Jesus receive his beating?

Before Pilate ordered his crucifixion.

And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.
...
Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.     John 19:2-3, 16

After Pilate ordered his crucifixion.

Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.      Matthew 27:26

And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.      Mark 15:15

1  The “Word of God” is uncertain as to which day Jesus was crucified on.

A  Day Before Passover

On the day before Passover, the fourteenth day of Nissan.  John 13:1, 13:29, 18:28, 19:14

B  First Day of Passover

On the first day of Passover, the fifteenth day of Nissan  Mark 14:17-25, Luke 22:14-23, Matthew 26:20-30

2  The “Word of Go​d” is uncertain as to what time Jesus was crucified.

A  The Third hour, 9 AM

 It was nine in the morning when they crucified him.     Mark 15:25  NIV

B  The Sixth hour, 12 PM Noon

And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour; and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your king. . . . Shall I crucify your king?     John 19:14, 15

C.  The Nineth hour, 3 PM

34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).     Mark 15:33

The “Word of God” is uncertain as to who carried the cross to Golgatha prior to the crucifixion.

A  Jesus himself

Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).   John 19:17

B  Simon, a Cyrenian

A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus,was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.    Mark 15:21

 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.    Matthew 27:32

As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.     Luke 23:26

4  The “Word of God” is uncertain as to whether the two crucified with Jesus believed in Jesus.

A  One did.

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him. . . . But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost thou not fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?    Luke 23:39-41

B  Neither believed in him.

In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.  Matthew 27:44

5  The “Word of God” is uncertain as to what were the last words of Jesus.

A  “It is finished”

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.     John 19:30

B  “Eloi, Eloi, lama shabachthani

   (translated is “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?”)

And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”)     Mark 15:34

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[a]lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).     Matthew 27:46

C  “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.”

 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”[a] When he had said this, he breathed his last.     Luke 23:46

Blood and Water from a Dead Body???

But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.     John 19:34

and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."      John 19:37

Not Possible!!!

ICC New Testament Commentary says that a flow of blood from a dead body, when pierced with a spear, is abnormal and for that reason, various physical explanations have been offered. One suggestion (W. Stroud) is that the death of Jesus had been caused by rupture of the heart, and that the “blood and water” were the separated clot and serum of the escaped blood in the pericardial sac, which the lance had pierced. The commentary says this assumes that the wound was on the left side, of which there is no evidence, tradition (whatever it be worth) indicating the right side. Furthermore, Stroud’s arguments have not approved themselves to all physicians. Dr. C. Creighton (and others) object that “the blood escaping into a serum cavity from rupture of a great organ” does not show any tendency to separate into clot and serum, “but remains thick dark-red blood.” On the basis of expert advice, this does not seem a plausible explanation for what John describes.

It was Only Symbolic???

Michael R. Cosby (Portraits of Jesus, page 185) says that the attempts by some modern doctors to provide physiological explanations for how water could be separated from the blood in Jesus' heart are no doubt sincere, but they fail to recognize the symbolic nature of the witness in John 19:34-37.

Another "Gnostic" Explanation

Elizabeth Danna (From Gethsemane to Pentecost, page 95) believes that this account was included by John's author to counter an emerging Gnostic tradition that Jesus was not crucified in the flesh, it being only a phantom of Jesus that appeared to be on the cross. An alternative theological explanation is also provided in this answer.

What Did the Sign that was put on the Cross Say?

THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS

And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.       Matthew 27:37

THE KING OF THE JEWS

And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.       Mark 15:26

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS

And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.       Luke 23:38

JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS

And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.            John 19:19

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? ... Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. Matthew 27:46-50

Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Luke 23:46

It is finished.

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. John 19:30

What did the Soldiers give Jesus to Drink?

Vinegar and gall

They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall.    Matthew 27:34

Wine and myrrh

They gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh.    Mark 15:23

Vinegar

And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.     Mark 15:36

And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar.     Luke 23:36

Vinegar and hyssop

Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.     John 19:29

Who Carried  Jesus' Cross?

Jesus carried his own cross.

And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull.    John 19:17

Simon the Cyrenian carried Jesus's cross.

And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.    Matthew 27:32

And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.     Mark 15:21

And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.     Luke 23:26

Did Both Thieves Revile Jesus? 

Both thieves reviled Jesus.

And they that were crucified with him reviled him.     Mark 15:32

The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.      Matthew 27:44

Only one thief reviled Jesus.

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.       Luke 23:39-42

What Color was Jesus' Robe

Scarlet

And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.     Matthew 27:28

Purple

And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head.      Mark 15:17

And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe.     John 19:2

Who Put the Robe on Jesus

Herod's soldiers

And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. Luke 23:11

Pilate's soldiers

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.       Matthew 27:27-28

And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified. And they clothed him with purple.        Mark 15:15-17

Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe.        John 19:1-2

What did the Centurion call Jesus when he died?

The Son of God.

And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.      Mark 15:39

Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.     Matthew 27:54

A righteous man.

Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.      Luke 23:47

 Where did the women watching the crucifixion stand?

They stood far away.

And many women were there beholding afar off.     Matthew 27:55

There were also women looking on afar off.      Mark 15:40

And the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.      Luke 23:49

They stood near the cross.

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.      John 19:25

Who Buried Jesus? 

Joseph of Arimathaea

When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.     Matthew 27:57-60

Joseph of Arimathaea ... took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre.      Mark 15:43-46

Joseph ... of Arimathaea ... took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre.      Luke 23:50-53

Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus

Joseph of Arimathaea ... took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus.... Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus....      John 19:38-42

The Jews and their rulers

For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.       Acts 13:27-29

When did the Temple curtain tear?

Before Jesus died.

And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.     Luke 23:45-46

After Jesus died.

Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent.      Matthew 27:50-51

And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.       Mark 15:37-38

 Did Jesus drink on the cross?

Yes

Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.       John 19:29-30

No

And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.      Mark 15:23

They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.      Matthew 27:34

Miracle Locations

Ancient Egyptian Pyramids

THE MIRACLES RECORDED OF ALCIDES, OSIRIS, AND OTHER GODS OF EGYPT.

1. We have the miraculous birth by a virgin in the case of Alcides.

2. Osiris, while a sucking infant in his cradle, killed two serpents which came to destroy him.

3. Alcides performed many miraculous cures.

4. According to Ovid he cured by a miracle the daughter of Archiades.

5· Also the wife of Theogenes, after the doctors had given her up.

6. And both these Gods converted water into wine.

7. Both of them frequently cast out devils.

8. Julius declares Alcides raised Tyndarus and Hippolitus from the dead.

9. When Zulis was crucified, the sun became dark and the moon refused to shine.

10. Both he and Osiris were resurrected by a miracle.

12. Both ascend to heaven in sight of many witnesses.

13. And finally we are told that from Alexandria the whole empire became filled with the fame of these miracle workers, who restored the blind to sight, cured the paralytic, caused the dumb to speak, the lame to walk, &c.

All these miracles were as credibly related of these Gods as similar miracles of Jesus Christ.

MIRACLES PERFORMED BY PYTHAGORAS AND other Gods of Greece

1. Pythagoras was a spirit in heaven before he was born on earth.

2. His birth was miraculously foretold.

3· His mother conceived him by a specter (the Holy Ghost).

4· His mother (Pytheas) was a holy virgin of great moral purity.

5· Plato’s mother, Paretonia (says Olympiodorus), conceived him by the God Apollo.

6. Pythagoras in his youth astonishes the doctors by his wisdom.

7. Was worshiped as the “Son of God,” “Paraclete,” “Child of Divinity,” etc.

8. Could see events many ages in the future (says Richardson, his biographer).

9. Could bring down the eagle from his lofty height by command.

10. Could approach and subdue the wild, ferocious Daunian bear.

11. Could, like Christ, appear at two places at once.

12. Could walk on the water and travel on the air.

13. Could discern and read the thoughts of his disciples.

14. Could handle poisonous reptiles with impunity.

15. Cured all manner of diseases.

16. Restored sight to the blind.

17. He “cast out devils.”

18. Jamblicus says he could allay storms on the sea.

19. Raised several persons from the dead.

20. And, finally, “a thousand other wonderful things are

told of him,” says Jamblicus.

>With respect to his character, it is said that “for humility, and practical goodness, and the wisdom of his moral precepts, he stood without a rival.” He discarded bloody sacrifices, discouraged wars, forbade the use of wine and other intoxicating drinks, enjoined the forgiveness of enemies and their kind treatment, and also respect to parents. He was a special friend to the poor, and taught that they were the favorites of God. “Blessed are ye poor.” He practiced and recommended the silent worship of God. He retired from the world, and often fasted, and was a great enemy to riches (like Jesus Christ). He considered poverty a virtue, and, despised the pomp of the world. He recommended (like Christ) the abandonment of parents, relations, and friends, houses and lands, &c., for religion’s sake. His disciples, like those of Christ, had a common treasury and a general community of goods, to which all had free access,

so that there was no poverty or suffering amongst them while the supply lasted. All shared alike. In fact, with respect to the spirit of his precepts, his moral lessons, and nearly his whole practical life, he bore a striking resemblance to Jesus Christ, and presented the same kind of evidence, and equally convincing evidence, of being a God. And as he was born into the world five hundred and fifty-four years before Christ, the latter probably obtained the materials of his moral system from that Grecian teacher, or in the same school of the Essenian Buddhists, in which both Pythagoras and Christ appear to have taken lessons.

MIRACLES OF THE ROMAN GODS QUIRINUS AND PROMETHEUS.

1. Prometheus was honored with a miraculous birth.

2. Quirinus was miraculously preserved in infancy, when threatened with destruction by the tyrant ruler Amulius.

3. He performed the miracles, according to Seneca and Hesiod, of curing the sick, restoring the blind, raising the dead, and casting out devils.

4. Both these Gods were crucified amid signs, and wonders, and miracles.

5. All nature was convulsed, and the saints arose when they were crucified.

6. The sun was also darkened, and refused to shine.

7. Both descended to hell, and rose from it by divine power.

8. And Prometheus was seen to ascend to heaven.

These points are cited as miraculous events as if they are real facts, not because it is believed they were such, but as possessing the same degree of credibility as those events described as occurring of Jesus Christ.

Miracles and Religion of Apollonius of Tyana (modern Turkey)

1. Everything was subject to his miraculous power.

2. He performed many miraculous cures.

3. He restored sight to the blind.

4. He cast out devils, which sometimes “cut up” like those of Christ.

5. He enabled the lame to walk.

6. He re-animated the dead.

7. He could read the thoughts of bystanders.

8. Sometimes disappeared in a miraculous manner.

9. Caused a tree to bloom, while Christ made another tree to wither away.

10. The laws of nature obeyed him.

11. Could speak in many languages he had never learned.

12. Was at one time transfigured, like Christ.

13. His birth was miraculously foretold by an angel.

14. Was born of a spotless virgin.

15. There were demonstrations of joy and singing at his birth.

16. Exhibited proofs in infancy of being a God.

17. Manifested extraordinary wisdom in childhood.

18. He was called “the Son of God.”

19. Also “the image of the Eternal Father manifested in the flesh.”

20. He was also styled “a prophet.””

21. Like Christ, he retired into mystic silence.

22. His religion was one of exalted spirituality.

23. He taught the doctrine of “the Inner Life.”

24. He possessed exalted views of purity and holiness.

25. Like Christ, he was a religious ascetic.

26. His religion, as in the case of Christ, forbade him to marry.

27. He ate no animal food, and would wear no woolen garments.

28. Gave his substance to the poor.

29. Eschewed love for wine and women.

30. Refrained from artificial ornaments and sumptuous living.

31. He was a high-toned moral reformer.

32. He condemned external sacrifices.

33. Also condemned gladiatorial shows.

32. He religiously opposed dancing and sexual pleasures.

33. He recommended the pursuit of wisdom.

34. Was of a serene temper, and never got angry.

35. Was a true prophet, foresaw and foretold many future events.

36. Foresaw a plague, and stopped it after it had commenced.

37. Crowds were attracted by his great miracles and his wisdom.

38. He disputed with and vanquished the wise men of Greece and Asia, as Christ did the learned doctors in the temple.

40. When imprisoned by Domitian and loaded with chains, he disenthralled himself by divine power.

41. He was followed by crowds when entering Alexandria, like Christ when entering Jerusalem.

42. Was crucified amidst a display of divine power.

43. He rose from the dead.

44. Appeared to his disciples after his resurrection.

45. Like Christ, he convinced a Tommy Didymus by getting him to feel the print of the nails in his hands and feet.

46. Was seen by many witnesses after his resurrection, and was hailed by them as the “God Incarnate,” “the Lord from Heaven.”

47. He finally ascended back to heaven, and now “sits at the right hand of the Father,” pleading for a sinful world.

48. When he entered the temple of Diana, “a voice from above was head saying, ‘come to heaven.’”

49. Accordingly he was seen no more on earth only as a spirit.

50. Accordingly he was seen no more on earth only as a spirit.

The reader will observe that the foregoing list of analogies, drawn from the history of Apollonius, as furnished us by his disciple Damos and his biographer Philostratus, are found also, in almost every particular, in the history of Jesus Christ. And the list might have been extended. It is declared, “A beauty shone in his countenance, and the words he uttered were divine,” which reminds us of Christ’s transfiguration. And his “staying a plague at Ephesus” revives the case of Christ stilling the tempest on the waters. Now, the question very naturally arises here, How came the histories of Apollonius and Christ to be so strikingly alike? Was one plagiarized from the other? As for the miraculous history of Apollonius being reconstructed from that of Jesus Christ, as some Christians have assumed, there is not the slightest foundation for such a conclusion, as the following facts will show, viz.:—

1. The Cappadocian Savior (Apollonius) was born several years anterior to the advent of the Christian Savior, and appeared at an earlier date upon the stage of active life, and thus got the start of Christ in the promulgations of his doctrines and the exhibition of his miracles. Christ’s active life, Christians concede and the bible proves, did not commence till about his twenty-eighth or thirtieth year, which was long after Apollonius had inaugurated his religion, and long after he had commenced the promulgation of his doctrines, and attested them by wonderful miracles, according to his biographer Philostratus.

2. The New American Cyclopedia tells us, “Apollonius labored for the purity of Paganism, and to sustain its tottering edifice against the assaults of the Christians.” So that, being placed in a hostile attitude toward the

representatives of the Christian faith, it is not likely he would condescend to borrow their doctrines and the miraculous history of their incarnate God, to invest his own life with. He was probably one of the “anti-Christs” spoken of in the New Testament; but this circumstance reflects nothing dishonorable upon his character; for some of those distinguished personages denounced as “anti-Christ,” by Christ’s gospel biographers, were, according to impartial history, noble, honest, and righteous men. Their only offense consisted in robbing Christ of his divine laurels, by claiming similar titles, and claiming to perform the same kind of miracles; and there is as much proof that they did achieve these prodigies as that Christ did.

3. The early Christian writers conceded that Apollonius and the other oriental Gods did perform the miracles which are ascribed to them by their respective disciples, but accounted for it by the childish expedient of obsession. Christ was assumed to perform miracles, by divine power, they by the power of the devil—a childish and senseless distinction truly, and one which can have no logical force in this enlightened age.

Western Calendar Names are Prior Gods

Days of the Week

• While much Western culture has been Christianized, the days and months of the Gregorian calendar remain named after ancient Pagan gods and goddesses. Each month in the Astrotheology Calendar will have a short introduction of the history of its name, while the history of names for the days of the week is as follows: 

   

• The first day of the week, Sunday, was obviously named after the day star, the sun. •

   

• The next day, Monday, was named for the moon, originally being “Moonday.” •

   

• The third day of the week, Tuesday, is styled after the Teutonic/Germanic war god Tiu or Tiw, who in the Roman mythology is the god Mars, as in the French “Mardi.” •

   

• Wednesday was named after the Teutonic/Germanic storm god Odin or Woden, hence “Wodensday.” •

   

• Thursday takes its name from the Norse thunder god Thor. •

   

• Friday likewise is named after a Scandinavian deity, the goddess of love Freya, whose equivalent in Rome was Venus. Hence, in French the day is “Vendredi.”

   

• Saturday is styled after the Roman harvest god, Saturn.

• Months of the Year

• For the description of month names, as well as commentary about notable days in each month, please see the back matter following the actual calendar. This material is placed at the end so that you can refer to it without taking down the calendar.

• January

• January was named from the Roman double-faced god Janus, who was the keeper of doors, also representing sunrise and sunset, and facing backwards and forwards. Notable days in January include the first, which is New Year’s Day in many locales, as well as the “Solemnity of the Mother of God” and a traditional date for Jesus’s circumcision, Catholic commemorations deliberately placed on this day in order to Christianize widespread Pagan celebrations. The birthday of Dionysus can be listed on both the 5th and 6th of January, while the god Aion who is born on January 6th is called by Joseph Campbell a “syncretistic personification of Osiris.”[18] Dionysus was likewise identified with both Aion and Osiris in ancient times. In antiquity too, Jesus Christ’s nativity was also placed on the 6th or 7th of January, when it remains celebrated in some factions of the Orthodox Church, such as in Armenia, as well as the Coptic Church. Concerning these dates, Christian theologian Dr. Hugo Rahner remarks: As to the dates, Norden has shown that the change from January 6 to December 25 can be explained as the result of the reform introduced by the more accurate Julian calendar into the ancient Egyptian calculation which had fixed January 6 as the date of the winter solstice.[19] It thus appears that in ancient times these dates of January 5, 6 and 7 represented the winter solstice, which is fitting for sun gods. Indeed, Macrobius later places Dionysus’s birth on December 25th, again appropriate for a sun god.[20] January 6th is also the Catholic celebration of the “Three Kings,” who purportedly attended Christ’s birthday but who are in actuality mythical and astrotheological figures.[21] As another notable day showing Christianization of Pagan holidays, St. Agnes/Ines was supposedly a Christian martyr beheaded on January 21st. However, in consideration of the fact that the same day was sacred to an ancient Danish goddess by the name of Yngona prior to the advent of Christianity,[22] it is likely that this Catholic tale was fabricated in order to usurp the Pagan holiday. The Christian “St. Vincent,” whose Feast Day is celebrated on January 22nd, is claimed to be a remake of the Greek god Apollo, another solar deity.

• February

• February was named after the Roman goddess of purity, Juno Februa or Februata, from the verb februare, meaning “to purify.” The word “Februa” seems to have some relationship with the Gaelic “Feabhra,” which in turn was said to be derived from “Fhéile Bríde,” the first day of Spring. The month starts off with a feast day important to Celts which was preempted by the Catholic Church: That of the goddess Brighid, Brigid, Brigit or Bride, who was turned into “St. Brigid.” The month is also notable for February 2nd representing “Peak Winter,” one of the cross-quarter days called “Imbolc,” “Lughnasad” and “Candlemas,” among other titles. In its attempt to supplant this widespread Pagan festival, the Church placed the Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Christ in the Temple on this day, the Purification of Mary in the month named after the purification of the goddess Juno constituting an obvious appropriation. Candlemas is followed on February 3rd by the feast day of St. Blaise, whose name led him to become associated with lighting fires. Blaise’s story is full of fantastic tales, and it is possible that there was no historical figure under all the myths but that he was himself a Catholic rehash of an earlier Pagan deity. February 10th is supposedly the day of Anahita/Anaitis, the Persian love/moon goddess. It has also been the time of the Gamelia, when the Greek goddess and god Hera and Zeus’s marriage was celebrated, a popular fest that may have been deliberately overshadowed by the Catholic Church’s placement on that date of the commemoration of St. Paul’s purported shipwreck. The inclusion of the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on February 11th is because Lourdes was traditionally a place of the Greek goddess Persephone, one of the many faces of the Divine Feminine that the Virgin Mary supplanted. The date of February 14th as a day of love was copied from the Roman celebration of Lupercalia by the Catholic Church, who put in its stead the feast day of “St. Valentine,” a name for several early Christians, including one who is purported to have led armed mobs in Rumania and Hungary to slaughter and rape Pagans. St. Lucia’s Day on February 22nd is said to be a Christianization of the Roman holiday for the ancient Italian goddess of light, Lucia.

• March

• March was named after the Roman god of war, Mars, also known as Ares in Greek mythology and Tiu/Tiw in Teutonic or Germanic mythology. Along with the notorious Bacchanalia of the Greek god Dionysus on March 16th, March is known for its abundant observations of the vernal equinox, which is celebrated in various cultures on March 20th, 21st or 22nd. This latter day was known in ancient times for its important festival of the goddess Cybele—the Great Mother—which began on March 22nd and ended on the 27th. As stated by Rev. Alexander Roberts in The Ante-Nicene Fathers (VI, 496): The festival of Cybele, the “Mother of the Gods,” began on the 22d of March, when a pine tree was introduced into the mysteries, and continued, until the 27th, which was marked by a general purification (lavatio), as Salmasius observed from a calendar of Constantine the Great. [An equinoctial feast, which the Church deposed by the Paschal observances. March 22 is the prima sedes Paschae.][23] Regarding the Cybele equinox festival, Dr. Marvin W. Meyer remarks: The most well-known Roman festival in honor of the Anatolian deities [Cybele and Attis] was celebrated in the spring, during March. Presumably this festival began to take shape during the first century C.E. Much of the evidence for specific components of the festival, however, dates from later centuries, so that the following schedule of events most accurately describes the festival as it was celebrated in the third or fourth century C.E. On March 15 the ceremonies opened, with the reed-bearers (cannonphori) carrying their reeds into the sanctuary. The cut reeds may have been a symbolic representation of a feature of the story of Kybele and Attis: either the abandonment of baby Attis by the side of a river or his self-castration later in his life. The next several days of the spring festival were spent in fasting from bread, wine, and other food, as well as abstaining from sexual intercourse. Then, on March 22 the tree-bearers (dendrophori) carried into the sanctuary a pine tree that was freshly cut and decorated with ornaments such as purple flowers or ribbons and an image of Attis. On that day and the day following, the worshipers mourned over the tree, for it commemorated the death of Attis. According to the sacred myth, Attis castrated himself and died under a pine tree and even could be identified with the tree. As the pine tree was cut down in death, so also was youthful Attis cut down. March 24 was aptly named the Day of Blood (Dies sanguinis). On this day some of the fanatical celebrants flogged themselves until they bled and sprinkled their blood upon the image and the altars in the sanctuary, while others are said to have imitated Attis by castrating themselves. Such painful and dramatic acts allowed the worshipers to identify with the passion and death of Attis. The Hilaria on March 25 brought renewed joy and hope. There was feasting in honor of the Great Mother and good cheer. At least in some fourth-century celebrations of the Hilaria, there also may have been affirmations of the resurrection of Attis. (CP. the hints in Arnobius, The Case Against the Pagans, 5.7, and the denial of Attis’s actual return to life. In Firmicus Maternus, The Error of the Pagan Religions, 3.1ff., explicit mention is made of the resurrection of Attis.) The spring festival came to a close with a muchneeded day of rest (March 26) and a final day (March 27) on which the holy image of the Great Mother was bathed in the Almo River.[24] As we can see, there are several important correlations here with the Christ myth. In City of God (28.54), Augustine stated that Christ died on March 25th. [25] The Christian Creation Day on March 25th was recorded in De Pascha Computus,[26] evidently also reflecting Christ’s conception, which was likewise placed on the 25th, exactly nine months before “Christmas.” As noted, Jesus’s resurrection was likewise placed on the 25th of March, while the Romans had previously celebrated the “Hilaria” on that date, representing the resurrection of life from the death of winter. It is obvious that the Christian celebrations on this date constituted an imitation of Pagan vernal equinox festivals. March 27th was an auspicious day, as it was traditionally the end of the March Roman Cybele festival, the day of the “lavatio” or washing of Cybele in the Almo River. When the calendar was Christianized in the 5th century, Christ’s Resurrection was placed on March 27th for the specific reason of usurping the lavatio.[27]

• April

• April is named from the Roman month Aprilis, “perhaps derived from aperire or Latin for ‘to open.’” One tradition holds that the month was named for Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Another important Roman festival of the Great Mother/Magna Mater, called the Megalesia, commenced on April 4th, which this year happens to coincide with Easter, the Christian celebration of the resurrection of life that supplants the Pagan vernal equinox celebrations. On April 5th, the day of the Roman festival of the goddess Fortuna as well as Easter Monday this year, occurs the very ancient Egyptian spring festival of Shamo, which dates back some 4,500 years. Based on Eastern European traditions combining the two, St. George’s Day on April 23rd was likely contrived to co-opt the Roman festival of Parilia, which occurs two days earlier.[28] The Catholic feast may have been placed on the 23rd to supplant the Roman feast of Venus as well, essentially killing two birds with one stone. As is common with saints and prophets, St. George appears to be an amalgam of both mythical and historical figures. St. James the Great’s Feast Day has been placed on April 30th in the Eastern Orthodox Church and July 25th in the Western. In consideration of the repeated takeover of Pagan holidays by the Church, it is likely that the placement of this feast day on April 30th was in order to “overwrite” the “Peak Spring” celebration of Beltane/Walpurgis. Beltane was named for the Celtic god of light, Bel or Beli, also known as Belinus in the Roman, who appears to be related to the Phoenician sun god Baal. The Catholic commemoration of St. James may also have been designed to replace the Artemisian festival of Brauronia, explaining the date’s significance in the Eastern church in particular. However, the latter holiday would be based on the lunar month, so it would be difficult to determine whether or not it was on the mind of the Christian usurpers. In any event, in the year 1 AD/CE and subsequently, the Feast of Ra-neb-dedet, the Egyptian God of Fertility, fell on the same day as that which was later established as the Feast Day of St. James the Great.

• May

• May is named after the Roman goddess of the Spring, Maia, mother of the god Mercury, also known as Hermes in the Greek mythology. May 1st is “Peak Spring,” also signifying the “Coming of the Great Ones from the House of Ra,” in the year 1 AD/CE, presuming that the Cairo Calendar was still in currency. Peak Spring is represented by Beltane or Walpurgis in the Celtic/Pagan calendar, a date preempted by the Catholic Church as that of St. Joseph, stepfather of Jesus. The Church apparently also appropriated Walpurgis by claiming it was the feast day of “St. Walpurga,” who supposedly lived in England in the 8th century but who is evidently the remake of the fertility goddess Waldborg.[29] The feast day on April 18th of St. John the Apostle likewise may have been placed in order to arrogate Pagan holidays on or around that date. There exists no scientific evidence that the Apostle John as depicted in the New Testament and Christian tradition was a single, historical personage. Like other “Ascension Days,” that of Jesus occurs on the day before the new moon, representing the disappearance of the sun’s light as the moon wanes. In 2010, the Christian Ascension Day occurs on May 13th. On May 21st of this year occurs the Buddhist celebration of Wesak/Vesak, which commemorates not only the birth of Buddha but also his enlightenment and death. This “coincidence” of all three milestones happening on the same date is an indication of the mythical nature of “the Buddha,” who is in reality a soli-lunar godman, as demonstrated in my book Suns of God: Krishna, Buddha and Christ Unveiled.

• June

• June is named for the chief Roman goddess, Juno, queen of heaven and wife of Jupiter. June is the month of the summer solstice, which begins on June 21st but which is celebrated for a few days before and after, including as “Midsummer Day” on the 20th, as well as Inti Raymi or the day of the Inca sun god Inti on the 24th. The Catholic Church superseded the summer solstice by placing the nativity of John the Baptist on the 24th, precisely six months before Christmas Eve, when his “cousin” Jesus—the winter sun—was born. In the New Testament, the Baptist’s mother is six months pregnant when the Virgin Mary conceives (Lk 1:36), and John is later depicted as making an enigmatic remark concerning Jesus: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (Jn 3:30) This statement makes sense when it is understood that Jesus and John represent the sun at the winter and summer solstices, respectively. The placement in June (28th) of Vidovdan or the Feast of St. Vitus, who is known as the patron saint of dancers, appears to have been designed to Christianize the “midsummer dancing madness” of the Pagans. Likewise, the placing of the feasts of Sts. Peter and Paul on June 29th also served to override Pagan holidays, including possibly the Roman fest of Hercules Musarum or “Hercules of the Muses.”

• July

• July was the month of Quintilis (“Fifth”) before being named after the Roman emperor Julius Caesar. Like that of Jesus, the Ascension of Mohammed also occurs on the day before the full moon (July 9th in 2010), indicating various astrotheological aspects of Islam as well. July 11th in the year 1 AD/CE and for centuries following would have been the “Day of the Escape of the Fugitive Eye” in the Egyptian Calendar, referring to the sun god Ra. Oddly enough, the Catholic feast day of St. Benedict was also placed at that time centuries later, peculiar because of the story wherein Benedict had turned a temple of the Greek sun god Apollo into a Christian “oratory of St. John,” after which it was said that the “enraged god returned to torment him in the form of a black monster with flaming eyes.”[30] The heliacal rising of Sirius varies from place to place and era to era, in this modern era usually occurring on July 20th, although alternative dates include the 26th of July[31] and the first of August.[32] The 27th of July is the feast day of the Catholic St. Pantaleon, who is said to be a Christianized Italian god. The five epagomenal days upon which the gods Osiris, Isis and Horus, etc., were said to be born are generally placed in the middle of July. However, in the year 1 AD/CE, for example, these would not have occurred until the following month.

• August

• August was previously called Sextilis (“Sixth”) before being renamed after the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus. The first of August represents “Peak Summer,” with attendant Pagan holidays obviously commandeered by the Catholic Church placing the Fast in Honor of the Virgin Mary on this day. This day of Lammas was also co-opted by the Church as the supposed date of St. Peter’s miraculous escape from prison in the book of Acts of the Apostles. As is the case with John the Apostle and many others, there is no concrete evidence of Peter’s existence, and he appears to be a remake of Pagan deities, including the Roman god Jupiter. As with other Catholic feast days, the Transfiguration of the Lord on August 6th was designed to appropriate a Pagan celebration, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia (“Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ,” August 6th): The Armenian bishop Gregory Arsharuni (about 690) ascribes the origin of this feast to St. Gregory the Illuminator (d. 337?), who, he says, substituted it for a pagan feast of Aphrodite called Vartavarh (roseflame), retaining the old appellation of the feast, because Christ opened His glory like a rose on Mount Thabor.[33] The original Pagan celebration was “an early harvest festival celebrated in the western highlands of Asia (Persia, Iran, maybe Afghanistan) dedicated to a goddess called Vartavarh, or Roseflame (early chroniclers identified her with Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love).”[34] August 15th is also noteworthy because it was the day of an ancient festival of the Roman goddess Vesta, while both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches placed festivities of the Mother of God on that day as well, including the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. August 15th is said to have been chosen by the Catholic Church because on that day the sun rises and sets near the constellation of Virgo, the Virgin, whom the Christian Virgin was designed to supplant. Although they are often placed in July, the important five epagomenal days from the Egyptian calendar constituting the birthdays of the children of Geb and Nut would have occurred from August 24th to the 28th during the year 1 AD/CE. August 29th is another notable day, as it would have served as the birthday of the Egyptian sun god Ra-Horakhty and the beginning of the Egyptian New Year in 1 AD/CE and for centuries afterward. The calendar inscription of Ramesses II at Abydos also names this date as that of the Rising of Sirius, which, again, would signify the beginning of the Egyptian New Year. Meanwhile, centuries later the Catholic Church usurped the day by making it the commemoration of the beheading of John the Baptist. However, the Baptist is demonstrably a mythical figure, and his beheading represents an astrotheological motif. As Rev. Dr. Robert Taylor remarks: John the Baptist is beheaded on the 29th of August, because, on the fourteenth and a half of that day, the bright Star of Aquarius rises in the calendar of Ptolemy, while the rest of his body is below; and as the direct adversary of Aquarius is Leo, whom I have shown to be none other than King Herod: so King Herod, every 30th of August, at half after two in the morning, annually repeats the operation, of cutting off John Baptist's head.[35]

• September

• September is named after the Latin term for “Seven,” septem, because it used to represent the seventh of the 10 months in the original Roman calendar. In 2010, September 5th is the Muslim festival of Laylat al Kadr, which is held to be the date when the first verses of the Koran/Quran were received by Mohammed. However, this celebration is an evident takeover of an earlier Arab New Year Festival. Another indication of the astrotheological nature of elements within Islam exists in the celebration of Chaand Ra or “Moon Night,” which occurs on the new moon (Sept. 8th). Interestingly, “Chandra” is the name of the Indian moon god, whose main festival, Karwa Chauth, falls in October (27th in 2010), about nine days before the Hindu holiday of Diwali. The Jewish celebrations Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot are likewise based on the phases of the moon, both Islam and Judaism constituting lunar cults, while Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism are largely solar cults. September 21st, 22nd and 23rd contain various vernal equinox celebrations, including the Coya Raymi of the Inca, as well as the Pagan/Wiccan Mabon and the Catholic Conception of St. John, nine months before his birth at the summer solstice. St. Matthew’s Day was also placed on the 21st of September in order to preempt the Pagan equinox celebrations.

• October

• October comes from the Latin/Greek word for “Eight,” octo, originally representing the eighth month of the year. October is full of harvest and wine days. The Zoroastrian/ Persian festival of Mihragan or Mehregan on October 2nd is an important date, as it represents the vernal equinox and harvest time, dedicated to the ancient Persian sun god Mithra, whose feast day represents a sort of resurrection and whose birthday was traditionally celebrated at the winter solstice, specifically on December 25th, before the Catholic Church usurped that date. It appears that the placement of the feast day of St. Denis, Dennis or Denys on October 9th was designed to supersede the Oschophoria/Oskophoria celebrations of Dionysus, as well as the other Dionysian festival on the 3rd, as this Christian saint is evidently a remake of the Greek god. The Feast Day on October 18th of St. Luke, who was associated with horns, may be an appropriation of a Pagan celebration having to do with the Horned God or Herne, also known in the Celtic as Cernunnos. It seems that the placement of St. Luke’s Day on this date was an attempt to co-opt Pagan harvest and fall festivals. Another such supplantation occurs on the 21st of October, with the feast of the Teutonic moon goddess Urschel, as well as the Slavic moon goddess Ursala, being turned into the Catholic St. Ursula’s Day. Ursala or Ursula means “Little bear,” derived from the Latin for “bear,” ursus, and these moon goddesses may also have been bear goddesses equivalent to the Greek deity Artemis. The placement of the Feast Day of St. Simon & Jude on October 28th may have constituted a Christianization of the first day of the Celtic month of Ngetal or “Reed.” The story of the martyrdom of Simon in Britain, as well as his purported death also in Persia, having allegedly been sawn in half, making him the patron saint of woodcutters, causes one to believe he may be a remake of the Celtic woodcutter god Hesus or Esus. Halloween, while celebrated in largely Christian countries, is an ancient “Peak Fall” festival, one of the many “day of the dead” commemorations at this time, which represents a transition to the death of winter.

• November

• November was named for the Latin word for “Nine,” novem, was originally the ninth month of the Roman year. The Christian festivals of All Saints and All Souls Days were obviously placed in order to usurp the various Pagan peak fall festival days. The day after Halloween, All Saints Day is also called Hallowmas or All Hallow, followed by All Souls Day, likewise termed the Day of the Dead, as it is in the Maya calendar as well. The Rites of Hella were a Scandinavian festival in which the goddess of the underworld was beseeched to raise the dead. All Souls in the Roman Empire originally occurred on May 13th, likewise appropriated by Christianity: The chosen day, May 13, was a pagan observation of great antiquity, the culmination of three days of the Feast of the Lemures, in which the malevolent and restless spirits of the dead were propitiated.[36] The commemoration of St. Hubert’s Mass on November 3rd is said to be the Christianization of a feast day of the popular Pagan Horned God, this Catholic “hunter’s day” celebrated with dogs, horns and antlers. Although it is claimed that Hubert or Hubertus himself is a remake of the Horned God, his biography indicates he may have been a historical figure who has been reworked to co-opt the Pagan deity and religious motifs and celebrations. The apocryphal story of Hubertus becoming a more devout Catholic after being threatened, while out hunting on a Good Friday, with eternal damnation by a stag with a crucifix between its antlers sounds like a legend designed to convert the Horned God into a Christian saint, the stag or deer with antlers associated with the Celtic Cernunnos or Herne. The stag in the Hubert myth was at times identified as being white, such white stags figuring prominently in pre-Christian myths as well as in Christianity, with Jesus himself identified as a white stag. The deliberate takeover of a Pagan festival is evident in the placement of St. Martin’s Day or Martinmas on November 11th, which was previously the Roman festival of Vinalia, celebrating the Greek wine god Dionysus/Bacchus and the vine. This appropriation is expressed in an old ecclestiacal calendar: As the feast of Martinmas occurs at the genial period of the year when the harvest is in, and cattle are slain for the winter season, and new wine is first opened and tasted, it followed that Martin became the embodiment of good cheer and inherited some of the characteristics of the ancient Bacchus. There is certainly a strong resemblance between the Vinalia of the ancients and the Martinalia of the mediaeval period.… an ancient ecclesiastical calendar…under the head of November 11 expressly says, “The Vinalia, a feast of the ancients removed to this day, Bacchus in the figure of Martin.”[37] The celebration of the Passion of Osiris on November 13th is from the date set forth in the Cairo Calendar and Plutarch, 17 Athyr/Hathor, as it would have occurred in the Roman historian’s era. By this chronology, Osiris is resurrected on the 16th of November, whereas the same or similar important festival is also recorded at Dendera centuries earlier as having taken place from the 18th to the 30th of the month of Khoiak, which in Plutarch’s time would have corresponded to December. One of several dates for the alleged birth of Christ, as put forth by early Church father Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-215 AD/CE), is November 17th or 18th, which actually represents the New Year and feast day of the sun in “the province of Syria.”[38] Christ’s purported November birth is one or two days after the resurrection or rebirth of Osiris, according to the Athyr/Hathor dating of that festival. The placement of the celebrations of Christ the King and Archangel Michael on November 21st was likely designed by the Catholic Church to preempt a Pagan festival. It is interesting to note the contention that the Mexican god Kulkulcan/Quetzalcoatl likewise has his feast on that day. It is possible that the Feast of Christ the King was established in order to supersede the ancient Mexican festival. The Brumalia beginning on November 24th apparently constituted a Roman festival celebrating Bacchus, lasting a month, while the Brumalia fest that honored Bacchus/ Dionysus on December 25th was evidently a Greek commemoration. The confusion comes from two different roots for the word brumalia, one of which, bruma, means “shortest day.” The celebration of St. Andrew on November 30th also likely represents a replacement of a Pagan holiday, as the evidence points to Andrew himself being a rehash of an ancient Greek god representing manhood or “Andros.”[39]

• December

• December comes from the Latin word for “Ten,” decem, originally representing the 10th and final month of the Roman calendar. The feast of “Saint Barbara” on December 4th appears to be a remake of the Roman festival dedicated to the important goddess Minerva, also known in the Greek pantheon as Athena. The word barbara in Latin simply means “barbarian woman,” which may have signified the Pagan goddess. December is full of winter solstice celebrations beginning in remotest antiquity. For example, the date of December 21st as the festival of Amaterasu represents her “coming out of the cave,” a typical solar myth. The placement by the Catholic Church of St. Thomas’s Feast Day on December 21st is indicative of his role in questioning Christ’s resurrection, as Jesus is the sun, and “Doubting Thomas”—the “Twin”— symbolizes the time when the day star takes a “stutter step,” unsure whether or not it will return on its long journey back to fullness at the summer solstice. Likewise noteworthy is the festival of the Egyptian baby sun god Sokar occurring on 26 Khoiak, as related in the Calendar of Hathor at Dendera,[40] corresponding at the turn of the common era to December 22nd. The longstanding ritual of Sokar being carried out of the temple on this day in an “ark” closely resembles the censored commentary by Church father Epiphanius (c. 310/320-403) concerning the Egyptians bringing forth the baby sun born of a virgin at the winter solstice. This Egyptian “Christmas” celebration, styled by Epiphanius the “Kikellia,”[41] has also been called the “Rites of Isis” and has been asserted elsewhere to begin a few days earlier than December 25th, such as the “true” solstice of the 21st or 22nd, corresponding to the Sokar festival. The winter-solstice celebrations were so important that at times they exceeded the one or two days of the actual solstice in the Gregorian calendar, i.e., December 21st or 22nd. Solstice celebrations therefore do not necessarily fall on the traditional time of the solstice but may occur up to several days before or after, such as is exemplified by the Roman celebration of Saturnalia, which began on the December 17th and ended on the 23rd. Hence, a “winter solstice” birth as asserted for a number of gods would not necessarily be celebrated on those exact days or even on the more commonly accepted date of December 25th, which signifies the end of the three-day period of the solstice, as perceived in ancient times. The nativity of Inanna and advent of Isis—who possesses solar attributes —as well as the winter-solstice celebrations in India, all of which fall in January, nevertheless representing the return or rebirth of the sun, provide examples of this development. The winter-solstice birthday of the Greek sun and wine god Dionysus was originally recognized in early January but was eventually placed on December 25th, as related by Macrobius. Regardless, the effect is the same: The winter sun god is born around this time, when the day begins to become longer than the night. In 275 AD/CE, December 25th was formalized by Emperor Aurelian as the birthday of Sol Invictus, the Invincible Sun, and it is claimed that Aurelian likewise combined the Greek festival of the sun god Helios, called the Helia, with Saturnalia as well to establish this solstice celebration.[42] The highly important Mysteries of Osiris, which begin on the 14th of December and end with his resurrection on December 26th, follow a wintersolstice pattern similar to the Brumalia, Saturnalia and Christmas celebrations. The facts that this period comprises several festivities having to do with the passion, death and resurrection or rebirth of this prominent Egyptian sun god, and that the dates for these mysteries happened to correspond to the winter solstice when the wandering Egyptian Calendar was finally fixed, are extraordinary. The commemoration of the death of the Persian prophet Zarathustra or Zoroaster during this solstice time (21st or 26th) is also extraordinary, especially in consideration of the memorial of Osiris’s death around the same time. Although many people believe Zoroaster to have been a real person, apocryphal tales surrounding him similar to those of mythical figures, as well as his very name, which in Greek means “living star,” indicate he too may be a mythical figure, possibly a (sun) god made into a prophet, a common act in the ancient world. December 26th is likewise the feast day of St. Stephen, who also is likely a mythical figure, possibly based on the Crown/Corona constellation, stephanos in Greek meaning “crown.” Stephen’s Feast Day may have been placed at this time in order to preempt the resurrection of Osiris, which would have been fixed to this day, based on its Khoiak date, after the Alexandrian Calendar was created. Also, as Dr. Arthur Drews remarks, the Corona constellation “becomes visible at this time on the eastern horizon.”[43] As I further relate in my book Suns of God, the “Northern Crown” or Stephanos Arcticos is the “First Martyr” at the vernal equinox.[44] The date of December 27th for the feast day of St. John, according to tradition the “disciple whom Jesus loved” (Jn 13:23, et al.), may be a contrivance by the Church to co-opt the festival of the Egyptian god Nehebkau, who was the right-hand man of the sun god Ra. Interestingly, Nehebkau is considered a snake god, i.e., a master of the snake, while John’s legend has the saint being immune to snake venom and miraculously producing a snake from the venom in a chalice. Moreover, as I demonstrate in my book Christ in Egypt, the Gospel of John is highly Egyptian in nature and obviously created for an Egyptian audience.

Trial of Jesus

NOT Believable ...

JOHN SAYS NO TRIAL

According to John there was no trial of Jesus.  One man “advised” the Jewish leaders to kill him.

and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.

Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.       John 18:13- 14

MARK AND MATTHEW DESCRIBE A TRIAL.

64 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

62   “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

63  The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked.

64  “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death.      Matthew 26:63-66

63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.

66 What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered.      Mark 14:61-64

Jesus claiming to be Christ, or the anointed one, or the Messiah is NOT, NOT Blasphemy under Jewish law.  Jesus said several times that he was the “son of man.”  Even if he said he was the son of God, isn’t every male on the planet the son of God?   But more to the point, every anointed King of Israel was bestowed the honorary title of “The son of God.”  Psalm 2:7.  This title is NOT a claim of deity.

This alleged crime of blasphemy was no real crime (deserving the death penalty?).  The eastern provinces swarmed with self proclaiming Christs (anointed ones) and claimed Messiahs.  They would call themselves son of God and would announce the end of the world has come and was imminent.  Not one person was ever executed for blasphemy.

Trial against Jewish Law

The two “Christian” gospels of Jesus having the described trial would be blatantly against Jewish law.  It is stated that the trial occurred in a private residence.  The Sanhedrin was prohibited from trying a criminal case outside the Temple grounds.  The Sanhedrin conducted trials in the Hall of Hewn Stones in the Temple.  The trials had to commence and finish during the day time (No night trials as alleged with Jesus).  Jewish law prohibits capital convictions on self-incriminating statements.  The Jewish law requires two fully qualified witnesses.  No exceptions.  The Gospels claim Jesus was convicted solely on his testimony alone which clearly violates Jewish law.  The creative forgers of the Gospels were not familiar with Sanhedrin law.

Romans Crucified Jesus but Jews were Responsible???

Notice how the Constantine New Testament made sure to blame the Jews for the death of “the Savior of mankind”, instead of the real crucifier in the story – the Romans.  Just another Christian contradiction.

<strong>Pontius Pilate</strong>

Pontius Pilate, a Roman judge, heard the accusations and said he finds no fault deserving the death penalty.  But then the New Testament wants people to believe that this Roman judge was so intimidated by this mob that he went against his judgement and handed over this “Roman judge deemed innocent man” to an angry mob so they can kill him.  But then the Romans decided to kill him.  This is not even good fiction.

To make as real the trial the Christian forgers produced a book “The Acts of Pilate” (AKA  the Gospel of Nicodemus) This detailed out the trial and what was said.  At first it was deemed canonical, but after it was realized that the story was based from dramatic passages and scenes from the 24 book of Iliad, it was then deemed “spurious” (opinion rather than inspired by God). The fictitious nature of the writing is obvious.

 NEW TESTAMENT SAYS JEWS WERE NOT PERMITTED TO EXECUTE A PERSON?

Not so New Testament writers.  The Jews did not have to turn over a person to the Romans to be executed as stated in  Mark 14:64, 15:1, 11-13; Matthew 27:1, 2, 20 .

The New Testament writers themselves later cite executions by Jews during that period as permissible.

1  The high priest tried, convicted, and executed Stephen.  Acts 6:12 15, 7:59.

2  A woman about to be executed in the Temple, John 8:2-11.

3  Paul didn’t want a Jewish trial so he insisted on a Roman trial.  Acts 25:11,15

4  Paul stated that the High Priest gave him authority to put to death the saints by “I cast my vote against them.  Acts 26:10

5  King Herod, a King of the Jews, executed John the Baptist.  Mark 6:27

6  King Herod executed James, the son of Zebedee.  Acts 12:2

7  Historian Josephus reported Jews condemned to death by the Sanhedrin during the Roman occupation.

8  Josephus also revealed that the Sanhedrin could actually execute Roman citizens for entering the sanctuary of the Temple.    Antiquites of the Jews, 14:9:3;    and Wars of the Jews, 6:2:4, both by Josephus.

Was It Lawful for the Jews to put to Death Jesus?

Yes.

The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die. (John 19:7.)

No.

The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death. (John 18:31.)

Age of Jesus when He Died

There was bitter debates by the church fathers as to the age of Jesus when he died.  Irenaeus, who was highly educated and established much church doctrine (helped canonize the gospels), insisted that Jesus was at least 50 years of age when he was crucified.  His peers position was that Jesus was 30 to 33 years of age at his death.  Irenaeus flatly denied this position and labeled it heresy to say the age of Jesus’s death was around 30 years of age.

By the third century there were at least 25 writings circulating that had many different accounts of the death of Jesus.  Some had Jesus not put to death at all, some had him revived back to life, and some had him living to an old age and dying in Egypt.

Blood Cleansing

The New Testament —

In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.   Hebrews 9:22

Totally false.  The only law I can think of is Leviticus 17:11 which deals with the prohibition of the consumption of blood.

There are many examples in the Old Testament where sins were forgiven without any “shedding of blood”; the story of Jonah, the story of the golden calf, the story of David and Bathsheba.  Aaron used incense to atone for sin and a plague.  The poor could bring fine flour to atone for sin.  But blood sacrifices at the Temple was only used for the atonement of unintentional sin.  Blood did not atone for intentional sin.

Did Jesus bear witness of himself?

No

If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. John 5:31

Yes

Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true. John 8:14

I am one that bear witness of myself. John 8:18

Was Jesus silent during his trial before Pilate?

He was silent.

He answered nothing, not a single word.

And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marveled greatly. Matthew 27:12-14

The chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing. And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled. Mark 15:3-5

He spoke many words on his own behalf.

Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then?

Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. John 18:33-37

How did Jesus respond when questioned by the high priest?

He did not answer directly.

I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said. Matthew 26:63-64

Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. Luke 22:70

He answered directly by saying, "I am."

Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am. Mark 14:62

Was Jesus taken to Caiaphas or Annas first?

Caiaphas

And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. Matthew 26:57

And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. Mark 14:53

Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. Luke 22:54

Annas

And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. John 18:13

Annunciation

Mary was going to have "God's" Child

God an Adulterer???

1  THE “WORD OF GOD” IS UNCERTAIN AS TO IF MARY WAS LEGALLY MARRIED TO JOSEPH (SHE HAD AN AFFAIR WITH THE “THE HOLY SPIRIT” AND BECAME IMPREGNATED).

A   No, Not married.   

   It was the betrothal time (engagement period).

27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.     Luke 1:27

This was the period after the Erusin ceremony (something of value was given in the presence of witnesses as a binding commitment to be married within a year at the Nisuin ceremony (Ketuba signed and chupa).  They did not cohabitate and the laws of adultery applied.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

      Matt. 1:20

B   Yes, She was married.

Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.     Matthew 1:19

According to Matthew, the “Holy Spirit” committed adultery!!!  

According to Luke, Mary was an unwed mother, and Jesus was a Bas*^*^rd.

2  When was the Annunciation?

Before Conception

Annunciation was before Mary conceived,

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.

       Luke 1:26-31.

After Conception

She was already pregnant,

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

       Matt 1:18-21.

3  Who was the Annunciation made to?

Mary

Annunciation was made to Mary, 

The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

     Luke 1:28.

Joseph

It was made to Joseph,

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

      Matt. 1:20

Why is the virgin birth ignored by Mark and John? Why does Jesus never refer to it? Nor does Paul. Only Mary could have known the real truth, but nobody claims to have the facts from her.