When people hear the word Maccabees it probably doesn’t ring a bell.The book of Maccabees has long become a forgotten work, even though it is pivotal in establishing the most dominant faith in the world which is Catholicism.
The Catholic Bible includes the Apocrypha books. Apocrypha means “the hidden” books, of which one of those books is The Maccabees books, which have also been titled The Maccabees Bible by some. That being said, both of these names literally mean the same thing…
Today you will find out who the Maccabees were and the famous Maccabean revolt which is popularly mentioned and why it happened. All of this will give you a deeper understanding of the scriptures and how this historic event fits into the Bible and our lives today.
Who Was Judas Maccabees?
We are told that Judas was the son of Matthias who was a priest. So what tribe were the Maccabees from? If his father was Matthias who was a priest, that means that Judas would have come from the lineage of the Levites. This is the priesthood within the tribes of Israel.
This immediately tells us that he was from the same tribe as Moses, who also was a Levite
Were The Maccabees Black?
It’s also important to know that Simeon, John, Eleazar and Johnathan the brothers of Judas Maccabeues and he himself were all men of colour i.e a Negro black men, you can find out who Israel are here…
Judas Maccabees was not a European man, which is what you will find if you search for pictures of Jewish Maccabees today:
For instance if you type “Judas Maccabees” In to the Google search you will find this:
As you can see on the right, imagery of an European man is prominently being presented as Judas maccabaeus…
Unfortunately the writers of history seemed to think that everybody looked like them.
We are also warned within the book of apocrypha that the gentiles put their images within the books of scripture.
What Does Maccabees Mean?
In Hebrew Judas Maccabees is spelt: יהודה המכבי, and pronounced as Yahudah ha-Makabi. because there are no J’s in the Hebrew alphabet.
Makabi is literally translated as the “Hammer” in English.
What Was The Maccabean Revolt?
When you hear about an historic event such as the Maccabean revolt it should immediately take your mind to Judas Maccabees. Which would be a correct assertion because it actually does have something to do with what he did at that time, which I will explain..
To summarise. The Maccabean revolt was a fight for Israel and the remaining tribes at that time the tribes left in Jerusalem were Judah, Benjamin and Levi predominantly (Commonly labelled as Jews). During that period of time around 200 BC the European Romans were conquering the land of Jerusalem.
One of their acts of war was the desecration of the Israelite Temple in Jerusalem, an act that angered Judas Maccabees. This led to a rebellion against the Romans led by Judas Maccabees.
All kinds of atrocities took place during this time such as the Romans forcing the Israelites to eat unclean foods and murdering those that would not comply (1 Maccabees 1:62).
So the next time you sit down to eat a pork chop you should know that there are believers that came before you who died to show you how serious keeping the Most high’s commandments is…
You can take a look at the dietary laws here.
How Did The Maccabees Revolt Begin?
After Alexander the Greek (Great) died his Kingdom was separated and given to Greek, Roman and Syrian generals, one of which was Antichious.
1 Maccabees 1:20-24
20 And after that Antiochus had smitten Egypt, he returned again in the hundred forty and third year, and went up against Israel and Jerusalem with a great multitude,
21 And entered proudly into the sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof,
22 And the table of the shewbread, and the pouring vessels, and the vials. and the censers of gold, and the veil, and the crown, and the golden ornaments that were before the temple, all which he pulled off.
23 He took also the silver and the gold, and the precious vessels: also he took the hidden treasures which he found.
24 And when he had taken all away, he went into his own land, having made a great massacre, and spoken very proudly.
It was him who entered the temple and ransacked it, taking the gold lamps stands and other utensils; it was also him who instituted the abolition of the 7th day Sabbath.
1 Maccabees 1:54-57
54 Now the fifteenth day of the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and fifth year, they set up the abomination of desolation upon the altar, and builded idol altars throughout the cities of Juda on every side;
55 And burnt incense at the doors of their houses, and in the streets.
56 And when they had rent in pieces the books of the law which they found, they burnt them with fire.
57 And whosoever was found with any the book of the testament, or if any committed to the law, the king’s commandment was, that they should put him to death.
The Romans also erected their own statues in holy places in Jerusalem and burned the books of the law, killing anybody that was found with the book of the law.
1 Maccabees 1:29-40
29 And after two years fully expired the king sent his chief collector of tribute unto the cities of Juda, who came unto Jerusalem with a great multitude,
30 And spake peaceable words unto them, but all was deceit: for when they had given him credence, he fell suddenly upon the city, and smote it very sore, and destroyed much people of Israel.
31 And when he had taken the spoils of the city, he set it on fire, and pulled down the houses and walls thereof on every side.
32 But the women and children took they captive, and possessed the cattle.
33 Then builded they the city of David with a great and strong wall, and with mighty towers, and made it a strong hold for them.
34 And they put therein a sinful nation, wicked men, and fortified themselves therein.
35 They stored it also with armour and victuals, and when they had gathered together the spoils of Jerusalem, they laid them up there, and so they became a sore snare:
36 For it was a place to lie in wait against the sanctuary, and an evil adversary to Israel.
37 Thus they shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled it:
38 Insomuch that the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled because of them: whereupon the city was made an habitation of strangers, and became strange to those that were born in her; and her own children left her.
39 Her sanctuary was laid waste like a wilderness, her feasts were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into reproach her honour into contempt.
40 As had been her glory, so was her dishonour increased, and her excellency was turned into mourning.
Another big blow was dealt to Israel when one of the Antiochus’ generals was able to take over the Sanctuary in Jerusalem expelling the Israelites as well as killing and taking their livestock.
As you can see all of this was done with the use of guile pretending to come in peace and then suddenly attacking Israel.
Matthais and his five sons were totally opposed to Roman rule and showed their intention to King Antichous’ representative by telling him that they will never break the Commandments of the Most High (1 Maccabees 2:19-23)…
They made it clear that they would never sell out even if other Israelites did, which was a reference to those who sold themselves out to the Roman rule.
1 Maccabees 1:11-12
11 In those days went there out of Israel wicked men, who persuaded many, saying, Let us go and make a covenant with the heathen that are round about us: for since we departed from them we have had much sorrow.
12 So this device pleased them well.
13 Then certain of the people were so forward herein, that they went to the king, who gave them licence to do after the ordinances of the heathen:
14 Whereupon they built a place of exercise at Jerusalem according to the customs of the heathen:
15 And made themselves uncircumcised, and forsook the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the heathen, and were sold to do mischief.
16 Now when the kingdom was established before Antiochus, he thought to reign over Egypt that he might have the dominion of two realms.
This is followed up by Matthias killing an Israelite that he sees offering sacrifice to the Romans god, additionally he also kills the Roman officer who brought the news that they should bow to the King. (1 Maccabees 2:23-24).
The fame of Judas Maccabeus was heard across Jerusalem when he defeated the Greek general Apollonius (1 Maccabees 3:1-9), this caught the attention of the Syrian commander Seron, who decided that he would attempt to take down the Israelites to make a name for himself (1 Maccabees 3:13-14).
The Maccabees made light work of Seron with the backing of the Most High (1 Maccabees 3:14-26).
After this battle Antiochus here’s of these defeats and sends another Royal leading officer called Lysias to fight the Maccabees. Lysias then appoints three generals, Ptolemy, Nicanor and Gorgias to fight…
The Maccabess also defeated all these generals as a result Lysias retreated and sent even more men (1 Maccabees 4:1-35).
Was The Maccabean Revolt Successful?
During the Maccabean rebellion against the Romans and Greeks the fighting culminated with the taking back of the temple in Jerusalem.
After which the temple is re-dedicating and all the unholy Roman statues removed which profaned the temple.
1 Maccabees 3:42-44
42 Now when Judas and his brethren saw that miseries were multiplied, and that the forces did encamp themselves in their borders: for they knew how the king had given commandment to destroy the people, and utterly abolish them;
43 They said one to another, Let us restore the decayed fortune of our people, and let us fight for our people and the sanctuary.
44 Then was the congregation gathered together, that they might be ready for battle, and that they might pray, and ask mercy and compassion.
After the success of the initial wars we see the rededication of the temple which is the focal Point and symbol of the Maccabean revolt also the start of the Hasmonean dynasty.
Judas Maccabees and his brothers are able to be successful because of the support of the Most High even though they were outnumbered by the Romans generals during the battles…
Another monumental battle is the take back of the the sanctuary in Jerusalem from the nations who captured it, as explained previously (1 Maccabees 4:41-) After this victory Maccabees and the others rebuilt the Sanctuary temple and made new holy vessels.
All of this was done on a day before the 25th of the 9th month which is around the same time that the pagan Christmas is kept i.e. 25th of December…
This date is significant because it’s the same day that the Romans profaned the temple sanctuary.
Why Was Maccabees Hanukkah Instituted?
Hanukkah was instituted to remember the time that the Romans came into the temple and profaned it, but were defeated. It is a rededication of the temple in Israel to remember what happened.
As mentioned earlier the 25th of the 9th month was significant because this is the exact same day that it was profaned by the Romans. And as you know today, the 25th of December which is about the same time as the 9th month in the Hebrew is when Christmas is celebrated ( A pagan unbiblical celebration).
After the temple was back to a holy condition and the holy accessories remade, the temple was rededicated and Judas Maccabees and those in his company made celebrations to honour the Most High and the taking back of the temple.
Incidentally the word Hanukkah means “dedication” in Hebrew.
Now you know what Hanukkah is here’s an explanation of how long it lasts…
The celebration last 8 days. On the first day no work is to be done, then on the last day the 8th day this is also a rest day (1 Maccabees 4:59, 2 Maccabees 10:4-8). You can find out more about the appointed days here.
Hasmonean Dynasty Explained
It’s important that we discuss the Hasmonean dynasty because it brings everything together into our modern times. We know that the Maccabees were Negro and not European as we are lead to believe…
And No, all Negroes didn’t come from West Africa (even though many do). The historical research and the scriptures prove this.
This alone lets us know that the struggle between “black (Negro), white and other nations” has been here from the beginning. It is at the forefront of the spiritual struggle i.e. the world and the Most Highs laws.
You may have come across the term “Hasmonean” or “Hasmonean dynasty”, and written it off as just another European Kingdom but nothing could be further from the truth…
When we read the Josephus Antiquities of the Jews we are told that the name Hasmonean Is derived from an ancestor of the Maccabees i.e. Hasmoneus (Hasmon), or Asamonaios.
Judas Maccabees father Mattathias was the son of Hasmoneus (Hasmon). When Maccabees succeeded in taking back the temple, this marked the regaining of power back from Roman rule, which was the start of the Hasmonean dynasty, a priestly rulership, because they were Levite priests.
Conclusion
So what can you take from the Maccabean Revolt? This revolt took place because the Israelites were fighting for the laws and commandments of the Most High, which is our faith today.
The date that signifies the height of this wickedness was the 25th of the 9th month which is very close to the date of Christmas today i.e. the 25th of December.
When we read the scriptures we see that the Messiah celebrated the Feast of Hanukkah:
John 10:22-23
22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.
We are even told that Hannaukah is in the winter just like Christmas is…
This is a perfect introduction for us and allows us to know that this event was honoured by the Messiah when he was here.
Hanukkah represents the victory over the gentile Nations specifically the Romans who desecrated the temple in Israel around 160BC.
It is also good to see that the Bible is centred in our reality. We are told about Alexander the Great, who is the pioneer of the Greek and Roman civilisation that we see today…
The common myth is that the Greeks civilised the world but reading the scriptures we are told evils multiplied when Alexander the great died at age 25 and his kingdom was split between his Roman generals…
Who are we to believe?
Of course we believe the scriptures here…
This information should allow you to understand how the scriptures are connected to our present time because the world we are currently in is inspired by the Romans…
I’m sure you’ve heard references such as “Rome wasn’t built in a day” all of these phrases pay homage to the Roman Empire. Which we now know to be against the bible and the laws of the Most High.
It is because of the institution of Rome that people now eat unclean foods such as swine, which was a food forced upon Israel during the Roman rule.
It’s important to remember that Rome was against Israel and the faith as you know it today and that the Roman Catholic Church is a reflection of this with its pagan celebrations such as:
Christmas
Easter
Lent
Worship of Virgin Mary
And the countless other worships that have no biblical credence.
For more information on this topic grab yourself an Apocrypha here and read the book of Maccabees.