There will be no chronological order to these quotations. These are historical events which, on the surface, seem to be unconnected. But the same names and techniques tend to be found even as far back as 2000 years ago, as recorded by Josephus the Historian at the time of Jesus Christ, even further back by Zeno in his ‘Anabasis’. What I find is that they are called by the name of the people that they victimize, on whose land they live. So Zeno called them “Lydians” unfairly. But described how they ripped off travelers who purchased from them, and made prostitutes of their own daughters to service the travelers and probably do the thieving. Lydia was a place in the general vicinity of Jerusalem. The technique is, in essence, to hide in secret places, arrive at large gatherings or create gatherings, pretend to be of two factions who oppose each other, instigate fake trouble, goad reactions, then have another group go around picking pockets in the ensuing chaos.

Menechem is a name that turns up often in the history of those who practice this method, which Hunter Thompson had described in detail in his last book titled, “Rube”. A rube is an honest person who is targeted by a con man for ripping off. It’s another word for goy.

Spelled Manahem in the translated text of Josephus, he’s the son of Judas the Gallilean. This could be the same Judas, patron diablo of bribe takers and givers. The family name has become synonymous with betrayal. Before I give the information about Menachem, let’s get some background on Josephus, who provides us with details on this hidden group of trouble makers who have as their leader, a man named Menachem.

In this passage, Josephus first identifies himself, to make sure that people understand the social classes of Jerusalem at that time. The translation of the word “Judaean” into “Jew” is incorrect in both the Bible and in Josephus’ histories. The correct name of the book that Josephus wrote should be “Wars of the Judeans”, and Josephus describes himself and others who live there as “Judeans”, not Jews. These are not the same people known to us today as Jews. The Judeans of that time would be the ancestors of many, many people the world over, but mostly they would be the ancestors of Christians now living in America and Europe. This is our history, not a history of most of today’s Jews, therefore it is time for new, more accurate translations.

Josephus writes:

“The family from which I am derived is not an ignoble one, but hath descended all along from the priests; and as nobility among various people is of a different origin, so with us, to be of the sacerdotal dignity is an indication of the dignity of the family.

“Now I am not only sprung from a sacerdotal family in general, but also the First Degree of the 24 Degrees, and as among us there is not only considerable difference between one family of each degree and another.” His sentence leaves off here without finishing.

Josephus then goes on to explain how his mother is related to King Herod. In another place, Josephus tells us how Herod had removed the office of high priesthood from it’s ancient appointed holders. The result is that the high status of Josephus is the direct result of being of the family of Simon the Levite whose daughter married Herod, but not before Herod had Simon illegally raised to the High priesthood. That way she gets to be Queen and Herod gets control of the Temple.

It was necessary to murder the true High Priest though, in the process. This was Zechariah, from whom both St. John the Baptist, son of Zachariah and then Jesus, were to follow in succession. Josephus states clearly that thus “Jesus was deprived of” his true place in the Temple as High Priest, but it must have happened before Josephus was born. Thus you can see that Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem put the usurpers in alarm. Josephus was of the extended family of the usurpers, or perhaps he has family ties to both, but he gives us all the necessary facts. Just so you know where he stands because he’s our main source of information about the military and subversive tactics of the hidden hand in Roman territory at the time of Jesus.

Josephus explains how his first whiff of trouble was when he saw six holy priests of excellent character bound and heading for trial over a trifling charge. Josephus uses his connections to set them free, but clearly there is a third party at work here already. If the culprits had been the deposed family, they would have pushed for a return to tradition and they would not have had ordinary priests arrested. It was and still is against Israelite tradition to use any courts but their own.

What Josephus describes is not a return to tradition, but a call for “innovations”. Something new, like a revolt against the established authority, the Roman system. This type of revolt is against Israelite teaching. The scriptures repeatedly advise that no one gets the kingship unless God has authorized it, therefore, we are to submit to our rulers to a reasonable extent. “Freedom”, they cried, though freedom from taxes was in no way part of the Israelite tradition when it came to government.

Josephus tried desperately to stop this revolt, it being hopeless militarily, as the instigators certainly knew and so did not want Josephus to discourage their scheme. Josephus writes, “I was then afraid, lest…I should be…seized by them and slain, since they were already possessed of the citadel…so I retired into the inner court of the temple. Yet did I go out of the temple again, after Menachem and the principal robbers where put to death, when I abode among the high priests and the chief of the Pharisees. And no small fear seized us when we saw the people in arms, while we ourselves knew not what to do, and were not able to restrain the seditious.”

Josephus and the other priests of the temple waited for Roman backup forces, but these were defeated enroute, which stoked the ambitions of “the seditious” who now had arms taken from the citadel.

So during this time period we have Jesus and his cousin John and his uncle Zechariah in danger or dead, and the rest of their family soon having to flee, and you have the priests of the temple shivering for their lives, outnumbered and waiting for Roman troops to rescue them. Looks like the take over attempt is by a third group, whose name is The Seditious, or Robbers, and the only name attached to them so far is that of Menachem.

What third group would profit from a war between the Judeans and the Romans? A group, perhaps who profits from war, any war, any time? Middlemen in such things as the slave trade, the pawning of pillaged items, provisioning of food and prostitution to soldiers, perhaps? Moneylenders for weapons and supplies during times of crisis and fear? People who came up with the term “Disaster Capitalism” to describe the taking advantage of neighbors who have suffered calamity.

More examples to come in future posts.