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Pesher of Christ: Christmas in March
The true story of the Bethlehem birth

© 2014/15 by Dylan Stephens

Background

In the time of Jesus there were essentially four sects: The Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Essenes, and the Zealots according the historian Josephus who was born after the Crucifixion in 37 AD. Qumran on the Dead Sea had been an Essene monastery, but was abandoned after an earthquake. Its remote location made it a perfect location for a less strict Essene group that could be used as a center for the Zealots especially to hide the money.

Josephus describes this group in Jewish War Book II: "There is yet another order of Essenes, which, while at one with the rest in its mode of life, customs, and regulations, differs from them in its views on practice marriage. They think that those who decline to marry cut off the chief function of the propagation of the race, and, what is more, that, were all to adopt the same view, the whole race would very quickly die out. They give their wives, however, a three years' probation, and only marry them after they have by three periods of purification (3 monthly cycles of no period because 3 months pregnant) given proof of fecundity. They have no intercourse with them during pregnancy, thus showing that their motive in marrying is not self-indulgence but the procreation of children. In the bath the women wear a dress, the men a loin-cloth. Such are the usages of this order."

(Against Apion 2:103-104; War 5:227). Leviticus 15:19-30

In Qumran only men were allowed, but the females had their monastery near Mird. There was, also a place called the Queen's house which can be seen in one of the hiding places shown in the Copper Scroll: "In the Dwelling of the Queen on the western side dig twelve cubits: 27 talents". It was located just one hour by foot south of Qumran. This was the real Bethlehem. The Queen was, of course, Mother Mary the wife of Joseph, the descendant of King David.

When Jesus was 23 in AD 17 he stayed behind in Jerusalem after the Passover Feast and his parents went looking for him. It was then he was talking with the High Priest Eleazar asking to join the monastery instead of following his father's Zealot path. (His age is mistranslated as 12 years old, the correct translation is that it was 12 years from his Bar Mitzvah in 6AD using inclusive counting.) More on his Bar Mitzvah later on. His stay at the monastery are his missing years.

Version 1 from Matthew: Jesus's birth in March 7 BC (the three wisemen visit September 7BC)
(The Queen's House (Bethlehem): The Copper Scroll 3Q15 Column VI 29) "In the Dwelling of the Queen on the western side dig twelve cubits: 27 talents.")

Matt 02:01 And Jesus having been born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king

(Herod died in 4 BC thus showing that Jesus had to be born before that.),

lo, Magi from the east

(The Magi are the members of Hebrew tribe of Manasseh)

came to Jerusalem (Qumran)

(Jerusalem in the plural means Qumran, its mirror image and Bethlehem is south of Qumran, therefore the Queen's house and Ein Feshkha.), Matt 02:02 saying, "Where is he who was born king of the Jews? For we saw his star

(The star of David is the emblem of the descendants of David.)

in the east, and we came to bow to him."

Matt 02:03 And Herod the king having heard, was stirred, and all Jerusalem (Qumran) with him, Matt 02:04 and having gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he was inquiring from them where the Christ is born. Matt 02:05 And they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet, Matt 02:06 And you, Bethlehem, the land of Judah, you are by no means the least among the leaders of Judah, for out of you shall come one leading, who shall feed My people Israel." (Prophecy of Micah 5:02)

Matt 02:07 Then Herod, privately having called the Magi, did inquire exactly from them the time of the appearing star, Matt 02:08 and having sent them to Bethlehem, he said, "Having gone -- inquire you exactly for the child, and whenever you may have found, bring me back word, that I also having come may bow to him." Matt 02:09 And they, having heard the king, departed, and lo, the star, that they did see in the east, did go before them, till, having come, it stood over where the child was. Matt 02:10 And having seen the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy, Matt 02:11 and having come to the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and having fallen down they bowed to him, and having opened their treasures, they presented to him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh,

(Gold is for the priest, frankincense is used to wash the priest linens white, and myrrh is the perfume of marriage in the Song of Solomon.) (King Aretas IV of the Nabataeans who traded in frankincense may have been one of the wise men. His daughter with Chuldu was Phasaelis, the first wife of Herod Antipas and St. Paul's mother. See The son of Paul's sister)

Matt 02:12 and having been divinely warned in a dream not to turn back unto Herod, through another way they withdrew to their own region.

Since Herod the Great died in March 4 BC and since The Massacre of the Innocents was in late 5 BC, the Magi must have visited in September (the month of kings) in 7 BC, when Jesus was six months old.

The problem of Jesus' illegitimacy based on Jewish-Essene law

John 08:39 They answered and said to him, "Our father is Abraham;" (Abraham is being used for Hillel the Elder who said: "What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow: this is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn".) Jesus said to them, "If children of Abraham you were, the works of Abraham you were doing; John 08:40 and now, you seek to kill me -- a man who has spoken to you the truth I heard from God; this did not Abraham; John 08:41 you do the works of your father." They said, therefore, to him, "We of whoredom have not been born; one Father we have -- God;"

We are born of legitimate births, but you were born of an unmarried woman like the bastards born of whores. (This is a direct reference to the betrothal issue as the concept of a virgin birth was invented later.)

Matt 01:18 And of Jesus Christ, the birth was thus: For his mother Mary having been betrothed to Joseph, before their coming together she was found to have conceived from the Holy Spirit,

The Holy Spirit is Joseph in the third position in the hierarchy. Apparently, rape does not qualify as 'coming together' as it is not by consent of both partners. Paul confirms that Jesus is "of the seed of David according to the flesh" (Romans 1:3)

Matt 01:19 and Joseph her husband being righteous, and not willing to make her an example, did wish privately to send her away.

'Righteous' is a title that is used as 'Just' in his second son James the Just and in his grandson Jesus Justus. Joseph would be 'just' even if he was a misogynist. The audacity of Joseph is to hold Mary responsible as an adulteress, 'justified' because all females are seducers (Essene scrolls DSS 4Q184.)

Matt 01:20 And on his thinking of these things, lo, a angel of the Lord in a dream appeared to him, saying, "Joseph, son of David, you may not fear to receive Mary your wife, for that which in her was conceived is of the Holy Spirit,

For God's sake, it is his child! He is the Holy Spirit as Jesus will be after the Crucifixion. The angel is Simeon, the Gabriel. The dream is more like a reprimand for his selfish thoughts.

Matt 01:21 and she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins." (Here it is Joseph being forgiven for his sin, but later being interpreted as Jesus saving the whole world from sin.)

"The pesher of Isaiah 7:14 is said to be fulfilled:
Matt 01:22 And all this has come to pass, that it may be fulfilled that was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Matt 01:23 "Lo, the virgin shall conceive, and she shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel," which is, being interpreted "With us [he is] God."

Matt 01:24 And Joseph, having risen from the sleep, did as the angel of the Lord directed him, and received his wife,

Joseph's 'sleep' lasted from June to September while Mary was hiding away from him with Elizabeth. She was probably fearing that Joseph would try to rape her again or to have put her away as a whore.

Matt 01:25 and did not know her till she brought forth her son-- the first-born, and he called his name Jesus

Amazingly, Joseph actually did follow the Essene rule of no sex while the wife was pregnant.

Josephus Wars of the Jews 2.8.13 "But they (the Essenes) do not use to accompany with their wives when they are with child, as a demonstration that they do not marry out of regard to pleasure, but for the sake of posterity."

And this time he actually waited the obligatory six years after Jesus' birth (being the required time for a boy; a girl being worth half a man was three years)! The verse implies great restraint on Joseph's part so as not to mix his sperm with the Holy Spirit's. The term 'first born' would seem to imply more children. One would have expected 'only born' or perhaps 'born of God'.

Since Mary is super-fertile, she will have four more sons: Joseph, Joses, Jude, and Simon until she was widowed on the death of Joseph in 23 AD appearing in the parable: Widow's coin and under her own name Dorcas being re-ordained as a widow by Peter. Since each son was conceived six years apart (7 year interval) we can know their birthdays: Jesus: 7BC, James the Just: 1AD, Joses-Barnabas, 8 AD, Jude, in 15 AD, and Simon-Silas 22AD, dying in 120 AD -- See genealogy chart of Jesus' brothers.

Version 2 from Luke Jesus' Bar Mitzvah in March 6 AD (The manger, the angels, and the shepherds)
(Antiquities of the Jews 18.2.1 "When Cyrenius had now disposed of Archelaus's money, and when the taxings were come to a conclusion, which were made in the thirty-seventh year of Caesar's victory over Antony at Actium, he deprived Joazar of the high priesthood, which dignity had been conferred on him by the multitude, and he appointed Ananus, the son of Seth, to be high priest." This would be 6 AD according to commonly used inclusive counting.)

Luke 02:01 And it came to pass in those days, there went forth a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world be enrolled -- Luke 02:02 this enrollment first came to pass when Cyrenius was governor of Syria -- Luke 02:03 and all were going to be enrolled, each to his proper city, Luke 02:04 and Joseph also went up from Galilee (Mazin on the Dead Sea is the location of the mirrored Sea of Galilee),

out of the city of Nazareth (Eusebius Church History 1.7.14, speaks of 'Nazara' as a village in Judea. The modern Nazareth did not exist then.),

to Judea, to the city of David, that is called Bethlehem (Bethlehem being located south of Jerusalem is the Queen's house south of Qumran, the mirrored Jerusalem),

because of his being of the house and family of David, Luke 02:05 to enroll himself with Mary his betrothed wife, being with child.

(Luke is speaking in metaphor, rather than being very confused as scholars believe. As part of the metaphor of Jesus' coming of age at his Bar Mitzvah, Luke is referring to the fact that at conception in June 8 BC and birth in March 7 BC, Mary was merely betrothed until the Essene angel Gabriel legitimized the birth. Sexual relations were not to happen until October of 8 BC, but Joseph essentially committed spousal rape. Jesus, having been born in March 7 BC would be twelve years old in 6 AD for his his Bar Mitzvah in March 6 AD, being not yet in a man and still under Mary's care.)

Luke 02:06 And it came to pass, in their being there, the days were fulfilled for her bringing forth, Luke 02:07 and she brought forth her son -- the first-born, and wrapped him up, and laid him down in the manger, because there was not for them a place in the guest-chamber.

(The Queen's house (Bethlehem) was a building adjacent to the stalls of the ceremonial donkey that would be used on Palm Sunday. It had a room suitable for an overnight stay and next to it was stable where the royal donkey which was used in the Palm Sunday procession. Because Jesus was at first treated as illegitimate under Joazar Boethus, Mary was not allowed to use the room, but was relegated to the stable.)

"On Contemplative Life", Volume 4.1 Philo Judaeus of Alexandria "For with strict regard to etymology, they are called therapeutas and therapeutrides, either because they profess an art of medicine more excellent than that in general use in cities (for that only heals bodies, but the other heals souls which are under the mastery of terrible and almost incurable diseases, which pleasures and appetites, fears and griefs, and covetousness, and follies, and injustice, and all the rest of the innumerable multitude of other passions and vices, have inflicted upon them), or else because they have been instructed by nature and the sacred laws to serve the living God ..."

Josephus Antiquities of the Jews 18.1.1: How Cyrenius was sent by Caesar to make a Taxation of Syria And Judea; Concerning Judas of Galilee, and Concerning the Sects that were among the Jews: "Moreover, Cyrenius came himself into Judea, which was now added to the province of Syria, to take an account of their substance, and to dispose of Archelaus's money; but the Jews, although at the beginning they took the report of a taxation heinously, yet did they leave off any further opposition to it, by the persuasion of Joazar, who was the son of Boethus, and high priest Joazar Boethus; so they, being over-persuaded by Joazar's words, gave an account of their estates, without any dispute about it. Yet was there one Judas, a Gaulonite (Judas the Galilean), a Pharisee, became zealous to draw them to a revolt, who both said that this taxation was no better than an introduction to slavery, and exhorted the nation to assert their liberty; ... All sorts of misfortunes also sprang from these men, and the nation was infected with this doctrine to an incredible degree; one violent war came upon us after another, and we lost our friends which used to alleviate our pains; there were also very great robberies and murder of our principal men. Such were the consequences of this, that the customs of our fathers were altered, and such a change was made, as added a mighty weight toward bringing all to destruction, which these men occasioned by their thus conspiring together; for Judas and Zadok (Theudas), who excited a fourth philosophic sect (Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Zealots) among us, and had a great many followers ..."

Acts 5:36 confirmed in Josephus Antiquities of the Jews 20.5.1: "Concerning Theudas and these sons of Judas the Galilean - Now it came to pass, while Fadus was procurator of Judea, that a certain magician, whose name was Theudas, persuaded a great part of the people to take their effects with them, and follow him to the river Jordan; for he told them he was a prophet, and that he would, by his own command, divide the river, and afford them an easy passage over it; and many were deluded by his words. However, Fadus did not permit them to make any advantage of his wild attempt, but sent a troop of horsemen out against them; who, falling upon them unexpectedly, slew many of them, and took many of them alive. They also took Theudas alive, and cut off his head, and carried it to Jerusalem. This was what befell the Jews in the time of Cuspius Fadus's government."

Luke 02:08 And there were shepherds

(These were Therapeuts, having their headquarters in Alexandria, but assisting in the Zealot cause with the Jewish tribes of Ephraim and Manhesseh. Their leader was Theudas-Barabbas (Thaddaeus - disciple of Jesus))

in the same region, lodging in the field (the wilderness of Mird eight hours walk to Qumran and the Queen's house),

and keeping the night-watches over their flock

(military watches as the Zealots, Judas the Galilean and Zadok (Theudas,) were active at this time

Luke 02:09 and lo, a angel of the Lord stood over them , and the glory of the Lord shone around them,

(an Essene superior, called an angel, and Theudas in third position as Glory representing Moses (Exodus 34:29-35))

and they feared a great fear.

Luke 02:10 And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for lo, I bring you good news of great joy, that shall be to all the people -- Luke 02:11 because there was born to you to-day a Saviour -- who is Christ the Lord -- in the city of David, Luke 02:12 and this [is] to you the sign: You shall find a babe wrapped up, lying in the manger."

Luke 02:13 And suddenly there came with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, Luke 02:14 "Glory in the highest to God, and upon earth peace, among men -- good will."

(With the the Sadducee Ananus having replaced Joazar Boethus as High Priest it is hoped the the Therapeuts under Theudas will agree to peaceful coexistence with Rome.)

Luke 02:15 And it came to pass, when the angels were gone away from them to the heavens, that the men, the shepherds, said unto one another, "We may go over indeed unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that has come to pass, that the Lord did make known to us."

Luke 02:16 And they came, with haste, and found both Mary, and Joseph, and the babe (wearing a linen the surplice of a youth in the Essene order) lying in the manger (reenacting his birth),

Luke 02:17 and having seen, they made known abroad concerning the saying spoken to them concerning the child. Luke 02:18 And all who heard, did wonder concerning the things spoken by the shepherds unto them;

Luke 02:19 and Mary was preserving all these things, pondering in her heart

(Mary, still ashamed by Joseph's rape, is consoled by the declaration of Jesus' legitimacy.);

Luke 02:20 and the shepherds turned back, glorifying and praising God, for all those things they heard and saw, as it was spoken unto them.

Version 3 from Revelation (Mary, the Queen of David threatened by the red dragon, defended by Archangel Michael)
(Antiquities of the Jews 18.2.1 "When Cyrenius had now disposed of Archelaus's money, and when the taxings were come to a conclusion, which were made in the thirty-seventh year of Caesar's victory over Antony at Actium, he deprived Joazar of the high priesthood, which dignity had been conferred on him by the multitude, and he appointed Ananus, the son of Seth, to be high priest." (This would be 6 AD by inclusive counting.)

(This section, assigned to John Aquila, beginning here at Rev 12:01 Jesus' Bar Mitzvah in 6 AD and ending at Rev 14:05 with the time Just prior to the Ascension in 33 AD. should have been the first section of Revelation, but instead Revelation starts with the year 48 AD with the Letters to the Seven Churches and the Canonizing the Gospels.)


(John Aquila writes:)
Rev 12:01 And a great sign was seen in the heaven (the church platform constructed at the Queen's house south of Qumran),

a woman arrayed with the sun (having the blessing of the presiding council),

and the moon under her feet (like Luna (Helena) Mary is female member of the council of thirty for the cycle of the moon being the one half as a female (29 and one half days See Triacontad),

and upon her head a crown of twelve stars (the twelve tribes of Israel under her husband as the descendant of King David),

James and John revered Mary as she was their Mother Superior because as Gentiles they were linked in status to females.
(Gospel of Philip GPhil 6) "When we were Hebrews, we were orphans and had only our mother, but when we became Christians, we had both father and mother."

Rev 12:02 and being with child she does cry out, travailing and pained to bring forth. (a metaphoric image for Jesus' Bar Mitzvah) Rev 12:03 And there was seen another sign in the heaven, and, lo, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his head seven diadems,

The High Priest Joazar Boethus still opposes Jesus as illegitimate. He is the head of the seven leaders based on the seven days in the week. He is also in charge of the ten provinces of the Diaspora.

Rev 12:04 and his tail does draw the third of the stars of the heaven, and he did cast them to the earth (His subordinate has been instructed by him not recognize the status of the celibate Gentiles.);

and the dragon did stand before the woman who is about to bring forth, that when she may bring forth, her child he may devour (excommunicate); Rev 12:05 and she brought forth a male child, who is about to rule all the nations with a rod of iron (an assured heredity: Isaiah 11:1-5),

and caught away was her child unto God and His throne,

Boethus is deposed and Ananus, the Sadducee is made High Priest - Sadducee title is 'God'. He recognizes Jesus as legitimate.

Rev 12:06 and the woman did flee to the wilderness, where she has a place made ready from God (Mary rushes to return to her convent at Mird before dark),

that there they may nourish her -- days a thousand, two hundred, sixty.

(The three and half years of Daniel: 3.5 years*360 (12 months of 30 day months) or 42 months. This is an expression to say that, as in the time of the Maccabean revolt, God will bring the for the restoration of the Jewish Kingdom.)

Next: Finding the birth of Jesus
from the priestly course of John the Baptist's father Zacharias
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