The Mystery of the Essenes | Ken Johnson / The Lost Prophecies of Qumran | Josh Peck
THE CHURCH NEEDS A “DOWNLOAD” THAT THE JEWISH PEOPLE, (ISRAEL), NEEDS TO BE THE “CENTER OF MINISTRY”
There is NO CHURCH without the Jewish people! WAKE UP NATIONS!!!
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. Romans 1:16
the "JEWS" ... YHWH's Chosen people from which MESSIAH, Yeshua lineage and Covenant Promise entered the world at large!
What happened to the Hebrew Faith over millennia?
JEWISH RELIGION. There are three main philosophies which characterized Judaism:
1 Essenes
2 Pharisees
3 Sadducees
So what’s the difference between these three groups?
These three groups were similar in the strict monotheistic, focused on their covenant relationship with One YHWH, (Almighty God), and were adamant about following YHWH's law.
The Theological distinguishing characteristics of each of the Jewish religious group is as follows:
The Essenes:
Essenes theology was particularly in opposition to progressive apostate beliefs and practices, which created a corrupt priesthood.
This conviction prevented them from sacrificing at the temple in Jerusalem, which further contrasts them from the two sects of Judaism discussed above, thus Essences center of worship took place in the reclusive Qumran community which produced the Dead Sea Scrolls, ancient, accurate, detailed writings of Scripture and information that validate the Bible's authenticity.
The Essenes were theologically distinct for their scriptural anticipation of Messiah, (The Jewish mikva or ceremonial bath), a heightened reverence for Moses, a strict interpretation of the law, and for following their own biblical sacrificial system. It is likely that "Ioannes", meaning "Jehovah", (John the Baptist) came from the community of the Essense. The "Baptist" was the son of Zacharias, a Hebrew priest of the section of Abia, and of Elisabeth, also of priestly descent.
The Pharisees:
As of the New Testament period, the Pharisees were the largest of these three groups and had the most power. They are mentioned several times in the gospels as being on the receiving end of Jesus’ rebukes (Matt. 3:7; 23:15; Luke 11:39; John 9:39-41). They are also the group associated with instigating His arrest, trial, and crucifixion.
As a group the Pharisees are distinct for being opposed to the political rulers of Israel, focusing on ceremonial washing, and most notably for their strict adherence to the oral law, or traditions of the elders. Their theological beliefs included supernatural elements such as the eternity of the soul, the existence of angels, and belief in the resurrection of the dead. These convictions put them in stark contrast to the Sadducees.
The Sadducees:
As mentioned above and as described in Acts 23:8, the Sadducees did not believe in some supernatural aspects of Judaism. Unlike the Pharisees they were few in number and rejected the notion of having to follow the oral law. Their belief that God is essentially separated from taking part in human affairs and their rejection of the afterlife makes their theology distinctive.
Despite their small numbers, the Sadducees were able to maneuver themselves politically to positions of power within the Sanhedrin (a sort of religious Supreme Court) and allied themselves with the Romans.
Despite their opportunism, this sect would not survive the turbulent times ahead. The Sadducees were tightly integrated with the institutions of Judaism, especially the Temple. When the Temple and Jewish state were destroyed in A.D. 70, the Sadducees went away as well.