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Volume 24, Issue 6 Volume 25, Issue 8
WisconsinChristianNews.com
What Difference Does It Make? (Part 7) O Foolish Mankind
By Ron Webster October 2023 By Pastor Butch Paugh January 2025 This article is actually an open letter to After Cain slew Able, God raised up Seth (Genesis 4:25). Seth was the seed that would start the line descending from Eve to bring forth the One to destroy the power of Satan in Luke 3:23-38. Gene- sis 4:26 states when Seth’s son Enos was born: “then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.” When Noah was called to build the ark, Robert B. But the informa- tion in it, and questions and issues are of “eternal soul” importance, so it needs to be published for all to read and heed. I am certain that there
day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. (How can one not forgive as Christ hath forgiven us? (Eph- esians 4:32). “And he comforted them and spake kindly unto them” (Genesis 50:19-20). Our choices do make a difference to change the course of history! Most of us are too preoccupied with our own thoughts of our daily lives that we fail to see the hand of God in everything, preserving a faithful remnant. Left to ourselves when we turn our hearts away from our Lord God and Creator, we always degenerate to our lowest state, as the Apostle Paul describes in Romans 1:17-32 as “reprobate.” It came down to this when God took the lives of all living creatures save those on the Ark with Noah and his family. Festus had died and Albinus was still on his way, called a meet- ing (literally ‘Sanhedrin’) of judges and brought into it the brother of JESUS-WHO-IS-CALLED-MESSIAH.” You can find the rest of this statement if you have the desire and willingness. In another statement in Josephus’s writings he wrote while in Rome in the year 93 A.D. in his history of the Jews: “about this time there lived JESUS, a wise Man, if indeed one ought to call Him a man, for He was one who performed surprising deeds and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Messiah. And when, upon the accusation of the principal men among us, Pilate had condemned Him to a cross. Those who had first come to love Him did not cease. He appeared to them spending a third day restored to life, for the prophets of God had foretold these things and a thousand other marvels by Him. And the tribe of the Christians, so called after Him, has still to this day not disap- peared.” Now bear in mind, Josephus was not a fan or follower of Jesus. Now we will take a look at another well-recognized and ac- cepted historian named Tacitus, or more formally Gaius Cor- nelius Tacitus or Publius. Tacitus was a Roman senator, orator and stenographer, and arguably the best of Roman historians. In his last major work titled “Annals,” he mentions a “Christus” (i.e. Christ!) who was executed by Pontius Pilate from whom the Christians derived their name. One more historian that has been proven more than reliable is Lucian of Samosata who was a Greek satirist who wrote “The When evil prospers, it is very easy to give up! But King David ex- presses his confidence in his Lord and Savior in Psalm chapter thirty seven with these words; “Fret not” but “trust in the Lord.” “Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” “Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.” “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous (right thinkers) forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is merciful, and lendeth; and His seed is blessed. Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.” He “forsaketh not His saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.” Read this entire chapter! Don’t be envious of the foolish when they prosper. After the sons of Israel were safely provided for in Egypt, they be- came complacent even in their misery, forgetting God’s promises to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3; 13:14-17; 15:13-21; 17:1-9. Did they also forget God’s faithfulness to Abraham in Genesis chapter twenty two where Abraham finally learned obedience by the things he suffered to trust God to fulfill what He promised, even if He had to raise his son from the dead? Abraham is praised for his faith in Hebrews 11:8-19. Even though he wavered at times, his faith persevered to the end! God always provides a way, just as the Apostle Paul states in I Corinthians 10:13, “There hath no temptation (or testing) taken you but such as is common to man: But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be (tested) above that which ye are able; but will with the (test- ing) also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” Even with Job, who lived before Abraham, God had considered Job’s limits in Job 1:12 and again in Job 2:6. Paul additionally states in Ro- mans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His pur- pose.” His purpose has always been as stated in II Peter 3:9, “that none should perish, but all should come to repentance.” It has nothing to do with being chosen, but all to do with our choice to believe, trust, and obey His every Word! The main purpose of a faithful remnant was to be a light of truth unto all the world, first commanded in Deuteronomy 4:1-9, not to “add unto the Word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it.” But they did evil in the sight of God. The Lord spoke to Isaiah in Isaiah 8:11-15 instructing him that he “should not walk in the way of this people, nor agree with those who want a compact with Assyria, so as not to fear their fear, nor be afraid. But, Sanctify the Lord of hosts Himself (for He is your God); and let Him be your fear… And He shall be your sanctuary. But for a stone of stumbling and a rock
Passions of Peregrims.” In this writing Lucian scorned Christ and His followers. He mocked their beliefs of eternal life and that they all “thought” themselves brothers and sisters. He also called
Christ the “crucified sophist.” “Sophist” was a deri- sive term used for cheats or for teachers who only taught for money. Lucian despised Christians and especially despised “the Man who was crucified.” It is amazing that he would hate a man who never ex- isted! And those who believed in Him?! Amazing huh? In closing, we will refer to a few more historians briefly.
there were only two other godly men alive, Seth’s son Methuselah, Noah’s grandfather who died the year the flood came, and Lemech, Seth’s grandson, Noah’s father who died five years before the flood, to help and encourage Noah in the 120 years of building the ark. All the rest of the wicked world was taken by the flood except Noah and his family, the only ones left of the faithful remnant of which the Christ was to be born. Since the flood, Noah lived about two years short of Abram’s birth. Then about 100 years after the flood, to preserve a faithful remnant, God confounded the languages of men to slow down the spread of evil, in that He promised Noah never again destroy the world with a flood. Shem, the son of Noah, lived 148 years after Abraham was born, and died 48 years after Isaac was born. Isaac dies (Genesis 35:27-29) after the 12 sons of Jacob (Israel) were born. Since Noah died, there were still seven of the nine generations alive when Abram was a young man, as listed with those faithful (Luke 3:1-34), to en- courage Abram. Then about twenty years after Jacob was born, the last of the generations prior to Jacob except Isaac his father had all passed away. many historical writers that wrote about the existence of a man named Jesus or Yashua the Christ. So I will just refer to and quote three very well known historians that are recognized and lauded as extremely reliable sources. Please keep in mind that all sources quoted were not followers of Christ. As a matter of fact, at best they thought He was a fraud, and at least one “hated” Him and His followers. We will briefly reference a few other writ- ers also, just to provide further evidence of existence of Jesus Christ. The three historians we are going to mostly concentrate on are Josephus, Tacitus and Lucian. are skeptics and unbelievers who will read this, who have the same questions Robert asked me. Mr. B asked, “How do you know and is there any proof that Jesus Christ actually existed?” Of course, quoting Scripture to a skeptic will be of no use. So after this one Scriptural reference, we will only use historical writings concerning Christ. Psalm 14:1 says, “The fool hath said in his heart there is no God.” There is no possible way that I can reference the We will start with the well-known Josephus, a Jewish priest who grew up as an Aristocrat in first century Palestine and ended up living in Rome. He was a commander in Galilee as part of the first Jewish revolt against Rome. In order to understand more about Josephus, after the revolt was put down, Josephus desired to remain true to his Jewish beliefs and at the same time align himself with the Roman Emperor. In other words, he tried to play both sides. In one of his writings, “The Jewish War,” he mentioned Jesus as the brother of James. (Matthew 13:55). The following is a quote from this historian’s writing of history. “Being therefore this kind of person (i.e. a heartless Sadducee), Ananus, thinking that he had a favorable opportunity because
sibilities over to the world, and now we don’t like how they are taking care of them. Long ago we turned our children’s education over to the Government. Long ago we also turned our securities only found in our Creator over to corporate executives for insurances of all kinds — home, auto, health, and even retirement, all of which are very much government regulated, and now we do not like it! In our misery, we curse our government, and the evil ones using our tax dollars to man- date how we must think and live for the “good” of all. We have rejected our King of kings as Israel did in Judges 8:22-23, and I Samuel 8:5-8 for a man to rule and fight for them. Eventually crying out for His cru- cifixion in John 19:15, because He did not throw off the Roman rule by establishing His kingdom! As with all generations, if we don’t learn from history we are doomed to repeat it. How much more do we need to suffer before we learn obedience, and walk by every Word that has proceeded out of the mouth of God? But God in His compassion, is merciful “not willing that any should perish, but all come to repentance,” giving Israel hope of a future. Isaiah 9:2, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” That light was from the beginning (John 1:1- 10), for, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him: and without Him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:1-3 makes a clear statement that Jesus, the Son of God, created all things, for nothing was created that He did not create; being equal with the Father both as God; His words being the essence of truth by which we know both the Father and the Son. “In Him was life (for “the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed in his nostrils the breath of life: and man became a living soul.” Genesis 2:7; “and the Life (of the Spirit) was the Light of men. And the Light (since the knowledge of evil was brought into the world now) shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not, (could not even begin to understand it, let alone master it)… That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world (since creation) and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own (mankind), and His own received Him not.” Generally speaking, most of creation has not received Him, the Son of God as their Lord God and Creator, to walk in the light as He is in the Light, the light of life. Every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God is what we must live by (Matthew 4:4)! But man is continually adding to, or diminishing from His every Word. Also this will be my last remark to Mr. Robert B., unless Mr. B. wants to reason online with Biblical and historical facts and truths. For me to continue to cast the truth before foolish men is not only a waste of time on my part, but it can also prove me a fool. (Matthew 7:6, Proverbs 14:7, 17:10, 23:19, 24:7, 29:9). In this open letter or article, I have fulfilled my duty to my Heavenly Fa- ther in warning foolish men and offering them salvation through Jesus Christ our Savior. www.CallToDecision.com “But as many as receive Him (the Word, every word, that none per- ish, but all come to repentance,” II Peter 3:9), to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (John 1:12). For His name represents everything He is, as described by His every word, for “the Word was God.” God has given every man plenty of good reasons to believe, trust, and obey Him since creation, “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them (the true Light which lighteth every man which cometh into the world, John 1:9); for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they (or we) are without excuse.” (Romans 1:19- 20). The children of Israel, “when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful: but became vain in their imaginations… changing the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man… and their foolish hearts was darkened.” (Romans 1:21-23). Likewise we today seem to be following the same path of destruction. If this isn’t enough to convince us, who name the Name of Christ, possibly even in vain, to repent and put our faith and hope in the promises of a faithful and loving Creator, instead of the world, then I don’t know what will! After the demise of the two houses of Israel, what now is God’s pur- pose for the Jewish people? First let me ask: Does God’s plan and purpose planned before creation center around the children of Israel, the Jewish people as a special chosen people, or all of mankind? God’s plan and purpose does not center on any group of people, ex- cept the saints, the faithful remnant, to be a light to the rest of the world! As I have stated many times previously, (II Peter 3:8-9) “The Lord is not slack concerning (all of His) promises, as some men count slackness!” This is not referring to creation or anything else that, “one day with the Lord as a thousand years as one day…” but is (specifi- cally referring to His) “longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” This is one blatant attempt at dismissing God’s very straight forward explanation of His creation, at the expense of His long suffering. Next time, more hope through the promises of the New Covenant, and the mysteries of the promises given to Eve in Genesis 3:15. Yes, God does know our choices do make all the difference and so should we! • Celus, the Platonist Philosopher, considered Jesus to be a magician who made exorbitant claims. • Plineg the Younger, a Roman governor and friend of Tacitus, wrote about early Christian worship of Christ “as to god.” • Suetonius, a Roman writer, lawyer and historian, wrote of riots in 49 c.e. among Jews in Rome which might have been about Christus/Christ. • Lastly, Mara bar Serapion, a prisoner of war held by the Ro- mans, wrote a letter to his son that described "the wise Jewish king" in a way that seems to indicate Jesus. So, Robert B., and all others who wanted, “secular” proof of Jesus Christ actually and literally lived and walked the earth, there is more than enough evidence presented in this article. If you still are unwilling to accept the facts and truth about Jesus Christ, the Son of, Almighty God and Savior of all who believe on Him, then the following Scriptures are for you. (Psalm 14:1, John 3:17, 19).
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God is always faithful to make a way to pre- serve the faithful rem- nant. When only Isaac and Jacob were left to encourage the sons of Jacob, God had al- ready prepared a wide- spread famine where Jacob and his twelve sons ended up in Egypt, where there was food stored up for seven years by Joseph, the youngest son that was sold as a slave by his brothers. When Jacob died in Egypt, Joseph’s broth- ers began to fear him. But “Joseph said unto them, Fear not: For am I in the place of God (to seek revenge)? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring to pass as it is this
of offence to both houses of Israel, for a gin (a net) and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be bro- ken, and be snared, and be taken.” They continued in their blindness, becoming reprobates, until both houses of Israel were carried into captivity. Even there, God provided hope and comfort to the faithful in their captivity. I will have more on this subject later. Are we also going down this same road to destruc- tion? God continues in Isaiah 8:16-22, “Bind up the testimony, seal the law among My disciples,” the faith- ful remnant that follows God’s every Word from a heart that is set apart, sanctified to be a light of truth unto the world. And the Son of God, who said “I will wait upon the Lord, (the Father) that hideth His face from the house of Jacob. And I will look for Him. Be- hold I (the Son) and the children (the true children, spoken of in John chapter 8, of which these Pharisees were not!) whom the Lord (the Father) hath given me (John 17:12 and John 18:9) are for signs and wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in Mount Zion. And when they shall say unto you, ‘Seek unto them that have familiar spirits (mediums), and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter,’ Should not a people seek unto their God, (than) for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word (by adding or dimin- ishing from it), it is because there is no light in them.” Are we any different today? “And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead (hard pressed) and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hun- gry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their King and their God, and look upward. And they shall look into the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dim- ness of anguish; and they shall be driven to dark- ness.” Are we going down this same road by not taking re- sponsibility for our bad choices, turning our hearts after the world? Having turned our God given respon-
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