Merry Christmas and Happy Holy Days from Josephus

There are two threads on this blog currently; the fictionalized autobiography of Nerva Josephus, and the organic open source review of the past 3,000 years of world history, with an emphasis on the Mediterranean (Middle Earth) royal family. And so we continue with Josephus...

December 25th; Celebration of the Light

It doesn't bother me that my this historically pagan celebration has been re-invented as the birthday of my father. My understanding was that dad was born on January 6th but some say January 7th; in any case Jeshua Aristobulus personified Living Light so December 25th is an excellent choice as a date for this wonderful remembrance event and symbolic festivities. I don't appreciate the fringe that wants the cross to represent everything, so those celebrating birth and life are fellow travelers.

Rashnu and Sraosha will not always be waiting, for a New Kingdom will arise that cleanses as it heals. The Eye of Horus will not always be crying, for the Great Grandson of the King inspires and unifies and Lights up the Path.

Peace 2 All

Josephus the Roman, Justus the Judaen; My Brother and I

Simply put, Romans think of myself as a patriot and my brother Justus as a rebel or a zealot, while the Jews think of Justus as a hero and myself as a traitor. I understand the sentiment, but I don't believe that either case is correct. Let's start with me.

While it is true that I negotiated with many village and regional leaders on behalf of the Romans, and even tried to mediate in Jerusalem, all of this was done with the goal of preserving the lives of the Chosen. Our integration into and acceptance in Roman society and governance was being threatened by a few over-enthusiastic yahoos who ran Jerusalem's most crowded neighborhoods. Though I don't doubt that they represented many of their local followers with all the intensity and passion they could muster, I believe they gave little thought to the damage they were doing to Judaic communities in Alexandria and Rome. I make no apologies for working with Titus; I made sure Galilee's defences were strong and bargained from a position of strength. My mother and I were able to arrange the peaceful surrender of many towns, sparing tens of thousands of lives and more livestock and acreage escaped the torch than otherwise would be the case. Now that I am Emperor and the sons of Jesus and John have control of the Senate (through Jews, Christians and fellow travelers alike) and significant influence in all of Rome's major families, one can argue that I helped the Chosen establish a permanent home in Europe.

It's true that the Way has been divided and moves forward along two paths, one that runs a straight and narrow route from the Garden to the Kingdom and is rooted on the southeastern shores of the Middle Earth Sea, and a New Way that meanders through the fields and over the mountains with arms wide open, welcoming and uniting believers from the four corners of the earth. In summary, it is my belief that history will show that I not only rebuilt Rome, but also brought dignity and respect to the Sons of Moses all over the world.

I remember being in Briton with my brother Justus when we were helping dedicate the shrine to mom and dad, and it makes me realize that people do not comprehend how close we were. Yes I disputed some of the facts in his books, but as a close blood soul I am not among those seeking to suppress his works. Even though I find his Judaic history perfunctory and incomplete, there are gems of heritage there that make me hope his words remain forever. Why should my voice be the only one documenting the drama preceding and unfolding in this century?

Justus deserves his high standing in Tiberias, Jerusalem and Armenia, and if you never experienced it you couldn't comprehend how much our family is loved in Briton and Gaul. As for his reputation in Roman society, the depth of this man is unknown to most of these imbibers. While I concerned myself mostly with physical health and safety of my family, relatives and neighbors in Israel and abroad, Justus focused on preserving the cultural and spiritual integrity and heritage of our faith, and his remains the more difficult struggle. His sons are fine spirits and exhibit exemplary humanity, and will rise up and lead the people to many great things.

Though we have had significant disagreements over his recording of the war, and minor disputes over Hasmonean and Levi lines, it should not be news that love my brother and his family and believe that they are both worthy Jews and exemplary Romans.

Peace 2 All.

Names of I Josephus; Emperor Marcus Nerva shares Light

Perhaps you are intrigued by the recently published list of names and titles Jesus my father is known by, and yet this is a small portion. If you add Armenia, Ethiopia, Macedonia and Briton, the list would double again. In the spirit engendered by the compilation and distribution of that list, here are some of the names I am now known by or have been known as:

Emperor Nerva Caesar Augustus

Marcus Cocceius Nerva

Titus Flavius Josephus

Yosef ben Matiyahu

Agrippa Aristobulus

Agrippa Josephes

Joseph of Arimathea

Barnabbas

Barnabus

Bran the Blessed

Marcus Licinius Crassus Scribonianus

Josephus Junius Silanus

Arrius Calpurnius Piso

Why I reformed the Jewish tax; Josephus explains

When Vespatian brought in the Jewish Tax I knew that it didn't smell right, that there was potential for this thing to be very dangerous. His brother Domitian proved my point, intensifying the persecution of Jews and also becoming paranoid about Christians.

By repealing this legislation and replacing it with laws more respectful, I have honoured Our foreparents and blazed a trail for much greater progress to come. I have educated the people, so now there is understanding of the Jewish Revolt and how the immigration has brought many wonders to Rome and the Empire.

When I first heard that Domitian was taxing senior citizens, women, children, the poor, I was sick to my stomach. My first nine or ten months as Emperor involved cleaning up the economic, political, military and social mess left by Domitian, may God bless his weary soul. By exempting the aged, the Christians (who had been perceived as "Judaized" by Domitian), and Jewish Christians the tax remained for those openly believing in and practicing Judaism. Even though it was purportedly for the Jupiter Temple in Rome and was designed to replace the historic Temple Tax, I was aware that many if not most Jews did not consider it voluntary or even spiritual in Nature. Still, I had to create legislation that would pass in the Senate.

As my earthly father once spoke, Give unto Jah that which belongs to Jah, and give to Caesar that which is Caesar's. To commemorate the reform of the Fiscus Judaicus, I have issued a coin with the following inscription:

FISCI IVDAICI CALVMNIA SVBLATA

(The calumny of the Jewish Tax is Removed)

Peace 2 All

Barnabus Josephus; A Testament to Our Father

I offer peace to my brother Justus and all who support the House of Aristobulus. People ask why I should be so blessed to be a son of Jeshua, and to those I can only say read my works and ponder life. I have written and published thirty manuscripts in four volumes and have helped with both scripture and legislation for decades. My mother was also a truly great human being, a persona so deep and profound that scared followers have recast her writings as those of a man.

Everyone asks about the Messianic Secret, and why dad always told people not to spread the word of his good works and his healings. Think about it; my father was cast as Messiach before he was born, the royal family of Middle Earth awaiting the mystery and intrigue like the rising sun. So yes, it is a true story, it happened many times, but it didn't really matter, nobody could resist coming out to see dad. Crowds welcomed us wherever we went in Judea, Galilee and Samaria. New territories were added to Our Kingdom by Nero, and my mother and father were loved and respected by royalty and commoner alike. There was an element of genius in the double-headed coin my parents released, Of King Aristobulus / Queen Salome, and my mom claims the whole thing was my dad's idea.

Someday human beings will have access to almost everything that has been written, and they will overstand how much my dad, the one you call Jesus Christ, was a believer in the equality and dignity of women and children. My grandmother had five husbands in her life (my own mother was married three times), and even though these were all royal men, they did not always treat her with the love and respect she so sorely needed. She clung to my father, her Golden Son, and even though she battled him over philosophical and safety issues sometimes, there was not a soul that she loved so dearly nor felt so close to. Aristobulus and Salome were the premier couple of their time, and my parents felt that the involvement of women in religious, social and political matters made for a healthy and educated populace.

My dad said that someday "all things will be revealed" and even though I am telling it here as best as I can, some of these things have to await the end of times and the opening of the books and the contemplation and the Judgment. May you all live in Peace, spread goodwill among your Sistren and Brethren, and carry Goodness and Faith to the edges of the Empire and through all the lands of the world.

We Offer Peace to ALL THE WORLD

With tribute to the wisdom of Solomon and the knowledge of Ashoka, I declare that Rome, its citizens and its army offer peace and goodwill to all nations, and I would like it known that our roads and communities shall be open to all peace-loving people of all cultures, from all the shores of the Middle Earth Sea and beyond.

I am at an advanced stage in this life, and have been fortunate to have lived through one of the most tumultuous eras in recorded history. I lost many relatives in the Judaean war, and give thanks to Our Lord Above when I think of the times when my own life was spared...

On a personal note, though I overstand the need for Our Church to raise funds to help the poor and maintain places of worship, some of the rumours of pagan conversions for mercenary reasons are disconcerting, and it is crucial that the family of Believers be genuine and solid to the core. We can grow the community honestly, and may God give Us the strength to do so with integrity and justice in Our hearts.

Peace 2 All!

A Roman Dream, A Personal Lament

For the Roman Empire I hope for a future of peace, prosperity and joyfulness in the lands. May the man most suitable to lead the people rise through his abilities to do so. May we follow the desires of our parents and not revert to greedy leadership that considers only the benefits for themselves and their relatives.

For my family and those of faith I hope that this rift between the Believers can be repaired and that the followers of Jeshua will stand side by side with the children of Moses and Allah to build a better world for all humanikind.