Essenes

And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. Luke 10:9

If you were to divide the Jewish people at the time of Jesus into three different sects you would see them parted along three political groups with very different religious perceptions of the Kingdom of God.

The first two we have mentioned were the Pharisees and the Sadducees but the third are the least spoken of or understood with in the Biblical text and yet they may be the most important. They were sometimes called Essenes.

Essene or “assaya, which means doctor or healer.... are not mentioned anywhere in the New Testament, although their numbers were at least as great as the Sadducees and Pharisees.”¹

The Essenes were a humble service oriented group who would not seek to speak about themselves nor against Jesus. According to Philos, the label ‘Essene’ was not their own. This may be why the word “Essene” is not mentioned. “There are about sixty proposed etymologies, involving Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic and/or Syriac, Persian Avestan, Sanskrit, Akkadian, and others.”² The “Essene” label as well as others they were known by was possibly derived originally from a word meaning holy or separate, or words that mean healer. The scope of the teachings and message of what might qualify as an Essene ranged far wider in the world than anyone could imagine. They did favor being separate from the ‘world’ but more in a desire to purify or clean themselves rather than to condemn humanity.

They were labeled as Healers and Doctors. They sought the natural herbs and the use of oils in service as well as the content of minerals used in healing. They were devoted to service of poor and rich, Jew and gentile alike even refusing to own slaves. They were hailed for their honesty, temperance, reason and justice, as well as their talent as healers.

The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, Luke 4:18

Essene often lived in secluded places during training and preparation. Cities and towns did not have a monopoly on immorality but they often had the lion share of it. They believed that service and fasting allowed one to confront the beast or evil in our own heart. With the aid of grace one could seek and find the truth of God’s Way on earth.

And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him. Mark 1:13

The followers of Christ and John the Baptist were familiar with much of what was called Essene. They washed their bodies but also their hearts. They spoke of enlightenment not entitlements. They sought the sincerity in their novitiates with adherence to precepts overlooked by others. They studied and meditated on the issues of man and God. Their “Schools of Prophets” were famous. Josephus tells of Manahem the Essene who prophesied Herod’s kingship when Herod was a young boy with no royal expectations. They guarded their knowledge and books with zeal but believed divine revelation was essential.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 16:17

They were almost a secret society but were also in regular contact with the people. They did own land throughout Judea but only as a group, holding that land in common like the Levites. Individually they owned no estate seeking but sought a godly Kingdom.

“They have no one certain city, but many of them dwell in every city; and if any of their sect come from other places, what they have lies open for them, just as if it were their own; and they go in to such as they never knew before, as if they had been ever so long acquainted with them. For which reason they carry nothing at all with them when they travel into remote parts, though still they take their weapons with them, for fear of thieves. Accordingly, there is, in every city where they live, one appointed particularly to take care of strangers, and to provide garments and other necessaries for them.”³

In almost every city their hospitality and the tender care as a healer was always to be found behind the Door of the Essene was available to all for the price of asking.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Matthew 7:7

They dressed simply in white garments and shunned wealth and comfort. The use of oils was common in those days but they avoided it for themselves as an extravagance.

Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? John 12:5

Philo said, “For they are unique among all the race of men, having become penniless and landless [no personal estate] by choice rather than lack of good luck. But they count themselves very wealthy, judging ready satisfaction and contentment with little (to be) abundance, as it is.”⁴Because of their simple, even austere lifestyle they were not ones to be infiltrated by lustful usurers and comfort seekers. They held all things in common much like that required of the ancient Levites. This choice today would be called a “vow of poverty”. Many Essenes were Levites by birth but were true to those ancient requirements of God.

“ …And all who volunteer for his Truth shall bring all their knowledge and powers and possessions into the Unity of God: to purify their knowledge by the truth of God’s precepts, and --to measure their powers according to the perfection of his ways and all their possessions according to his righteous counsel.” ⁵

The idea of the ministers of God’s kingdom not owning any property in their own name is not popular today but both Moses and Christ concurred on this subject. Jesus not only told this to the rich man who wanted to join his ministry but made it a requirement for those to whom he would eventually appoint the kingdom.⁶

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33

Here the word hath is from ‘huparchonta’ meaning ‘wealth, and property. We find the same word again in Luke 12:33 when Christ instructed his disciples to sell their property:

Sell that ye have (huparchonta), and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

Jesus knew the importance of not centralizing power or wealth in his kingdom. The temptation for corruption always proves too great with tyranny and dissipation the result.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Matthew 6:19-20

The Essenes appealed to the best part of the nature of man. They were not steeped in orthodoxy and legalism. They often fulfilled the tasks of the Levites. They were practical in the practice of their faith and humble and efficient in the performance of its service.

“… he will exercise piety towards God, and then that he will observe justice towards men, and that he will do no harm to any one, either of his own accord, or by the command of others; that he will always hate the wicked, and be assistant to the righteous; that he will ever show fidelity to all men, and especially to those in authority…⁷

They structured their community in cell groups including nominal leader or ‘mebaqqerim’ in what was sometimes called twelve ‘men of holiness’. Each leader served their immediate constituency which consisted of about ten families or family groups. They were accepted to their office by unanimous agreement of those they served forming a national network of charity and thanksgiving or Eucharist.

“In the council of the community there shall be twelve men and three priests.”⁸

Three ‘priest’ were often selected among the group to perform certain duties. In the Bible we see Peter, and James, and John taken aside by Jesus and given separate instructions.

And after six days Jesus taketh [with him] Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. Mark 9:2, Mark 14:33, Luke 8:51.

The mebaqqer or overseers also gathered in groups of twelve to minister to their immediate group of overseers and to tie larger groups into a network of communication and efficient service. This was an identical system repeated in the early days of the Levites with the twelve tribes and also the first century Church. Remnants of this pattern were still being used in Europe⁹ at the turn of the first millennium after Christ.

The Essenes were notorious travelers. The image we have of them living solitary lives in communes gives a distorted view. They had to get out to the people and used communes as places of learning and rest. There were some groups that were more monastic and even celibate for a time. Their community records have survived because of their stationary and isolated locations. This was not the rule for the vast numbers of their community.

Their priests were not really priests as we today often think but stewards or servants of the people. Service was the highest valued character or virtue. They all depended on hard work, self reliance and charity amongst the brethren, not upon taxes or accounted tithes. They were dispersed all over the country and the world living in it but not of it.

Their word was held so reputable that even Herod excused them from taking the oath of allegiance that was demanded by his fear of the people and his loyalty to Hellenism.

“They master an even temper and control their anger. They advocate trust and assist peace. And all that is spoken by them has more force than an oath. But they avoid swearing, regarding it worse than perjury. For they say that he who cannot be believed unless God is against him is already condemned…¹⁰

But I say unto you, Swear not at all; … But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.: Matthew 5:34-37

But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and [your] nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. James 5:12

No trading or commerce was done except by barter or with commodity money which is barter not “business”. They paid all their debts and debt was to be avoided.

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8

They did not enjoy paying Roman taxes seen as a form of worship or homage and generally avoided them even if it meant avoiding Roman tolls by traveling the ancient paths or living in more secluded places in self-reliance and independence. They contributed regularly to the common welfare through their own system of tens and hundreds.

They avoided almost anything done merely for pleasure or self gratification. With a few this included delaying to marry but they considered marriage a sacred relationship and duty for the procreation of children as a divine institution.¹¹ It was customary for Essenes desiring to marry to wait three years before the marriage took place during which time they would take the vow of the Nazarite. In either case they took their vows before God and kept them devoutly. Women were accepted as part of the brotherhood as sisters and they had an almost androgynous approach to the sexes when it came to rights and responsibilities.

Forgiving and asking forgiveness was as essential in their life as breathing in and out. Giving thanks for everything that came their way both the good and the bad, the sun rise and the sunset, comfort or discomfort. All was a blessing from God and could be turned to good.

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. Luke 23:34

They obtained such resolution of mind and body that Roman torture failed to produce fear or anger. It had been said that they met death with a smile.

They were messengers of peace. They were allowed to carry a staff for defense but generally for the protection of others. Even though some trained in military style for the coming of the Messiah they were considered harmless by even the Romans who were generally suspicious of everyone.

The Essenes considered themselves as a people with a mission. They were not just the servants of God but His sons and daughters. They were the depository of His secret knowledge and wisdom and workers for the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. Matthew 13:11

“…From the God of Knowledge is all that is and shall be; before they were, he made all their designs. And when they come to be they testify to his glory as planned, fulfilling their deeds and changing nothing. In his hand are all judgments, and he will support them in all their needs. And he created Man (Enosh) for dominion over the earth; and he appointed two spirits for him to walk in until the time of his visitation. These are the Spirits of Truth and of Error. Those born of Truth are in a spring of Light; and those born of Error are from a well of darkness. In the hand of the Prince of Light is dominion over all the sons of Righteousness who walk in all the ways of Light. But in the hand of the Angel of Darkness is dominion over all the sons of Error, who walk in the ways of darkness.”¹²

The Essenes would regularly donate to the temple giving both free will offerings and sin offerings but they absolutely would not participate in blood sacrifice believing it to be a misinterpretation of the ancient text. This too was in accordance with the teachings of Jesus.

“The doctrine of the Essenes is this: That all things are best ascribed to God. They teach the immortality of souls, and esteem that the rewards of righteousness are to be earnestly striven for; and when they send what they have dedicated to God into the temple, they do not offer sacrifices because they have more pure lustrations of their own; on which account they are excluded from the common court of the temple, but offer their sacrifices themselves; yet is their course of life better than that of other men; and they entirely addict themselves to husbandry.”¹³

There were Nazarene Essenes, Pharisee Essene, Mandaean Essenes, and Sadducee Essene just to mention a few. The Essenes’ influence although not homogeneous was more in line with Abraham, Moses and Jesus Christ. They had a political philosophy that clearly manifested the precepts of God. The early Church was undoubtedly filled with Essenes.

And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them. Deuteronomy 27:5

Many of the Essenes as followers of Christ were men of God, seeking His ways and performing the tasks of the ‘first born’ of God in faith, hope and charity. They were the living white covered altar stones made of flesh and bone. The law was written on their hearts and minds in service to the people on behalf of of God and His Heavenly Kingdom on earth.

To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, [and] precious, 1 Peter 2:4

Among all the people of that time you will not find any living closer to the nature of the True Church than some of those early Essenes. But there were different views. Judaism had undergone many changes during its years of captivity and under corrupt kings and priests through the Hasmonians. Herod was no exception. With vast funds available a temple was built not only in Jerusalem but many were constructed around the world. The constitutional provisions of Deuteronomy 17:15 had clearly stated that “…you may not put a foreigner over you, who is not your brother.”

“As an Idumean he (Herod) was disliked by Judeans; as the usurper of the Hasmoneans he was resented by the aristocracy. During his reign he succeeded in creating his own ‘aristocracy’ from those loyal to Rome and appointed by himself. But he apparently favored those traditional religious groups who did not oppose him, such as Pharisees and Essenes”¹⁴

Herod’s grand scheme of vast Kingdom of Heaven on earth involved sending out evangelists and missionaries all over the world. Herod enjoyed the support of some Essenes, although they would not hold an office requiring an oath. In part this support was because of the prophecy concerning the Messiah coming during Herod’s reign and for other reasons.

“Diaspora Essenes shared the divergent [solar] calendar and many traditions of Palestinian Essenes, but did not espouse their unworldliness and strict views on morality. For the Palestinians, the Diaspora kind were ‘seekers after smooth things’, taking the easy way.”¹⁵

These were not the only evangelists and missionaries of the time. There were others baptizing people into a different kind of Kingdom of Heaven on earth. There was another king who was not Idumean nor Roman. He establish his Kingdom not by accounted Corban schemes, statutory taxes or by force but by faith, hope and charity.

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. John 18:36

His Kingdom is not of the ‘world’ of Roman law and regulation nor of force and civil control of such man made schemes. His Kingdom is under the perfect law of liberty. His ekklesia, called out, or Christ appointed ministers were to serve the people without exercising authority one over the other. They were to manifest the character of Christ to receive, preserve, and propagate his doctrines and ordinances.

Setting men free from the long servitude of sin in this world is a constant theme of the Bible, called salvation. But if God is to release us from spiritual servitude it is also mandatory to release us from physical servitude. Jesus made it clear that God is the god of the living so his salvation and liberty must include this world as well as the next. The Essenes saw men first as a spiritual creature living in a physical body. They knew that as they became spiritually close to the character of God that the whole man would be set free as Christ was set free upon his resurrection.

“It is a fixed belief of theirs that the body is corruptible and its constituent matter impermanent, but that the soul is immortal and imperishable. Emanating from the finest ether, these souls become entangled, as it were, in the prison-house of the body, to which they are dragged down by a sort of natural spell; but when once they are released from the bonds of the flesh, then, as though liberated from a long servitude, they rejoice and are borne Aloft…”¹⁶

The kingdom of Heaven is first a spiritual place that begins with the incorporeal change of the individual. That change is not wrought with our will but by the grace of God within us. That divine spark of truth should and will lead us to both a spiritual kingdom and a physical corporeal kingdom at hand. His kingdom comes as His will is done. The same is true of all kingdoms only the will of the kings changes.

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 1 Corinthians 15:50

The Levites stood apart and began to occupy a distinct position as the ecclesiastical primogeniture of the nation. Since that terrible scene in connection with the sin of the golden calf they were conferred with the office of service to the tents of the congregation. They were selected for this purpose because as a tribe they were willing to come out first and serve Moses and the Lord.

As being wholly consecrated or separated to the service of the Lord, they had no territorial possessions. Jehovah was their inheritance¹⁷ and for their support it was ordained that they should receive from the other tribes the tithes of the produce of the land and the people but only according to their service. It was not automatic nor collected by force.

Forty-eight civil jurisdictions were assigned to them, thirteen of which were called priest cities. Along with their dwellings they had “suburbs”, and “commons”, for their herds and flocks, and also fields and vineyards (Num. 35:2-5). Nine of these cities were in Judah, three in Naphtali, and four in each of the other tribes (Josh. 21). Six of the Levitical cities were set apart as “cities of refuge” (q.v.). Thus the Levites were scattered among the tribes to keep alive among them the knowledge and service to God. ¹⁸

The Levites had become steeped in apostasy. They were becoming rich and powerful and no longer served the tents of the congregation as much as the people were serving them with their sweat and drudgery. The men appointed to keep them free in the wisdom of God now kept them ignorant and in bondage.

The Essenes assumed the role of the Levites in Spirit and in Truth. Their teachings and actions paralleled those of Jesus and the Levites centuries before. Many of the Essenes and repentant Levites became the ministers of the early Church. The Levites, repenting, sold their land, set the money at the foot of the appointed Apostles and went into the service as the Kingdom’s first ministers, His Holy Church.

And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, [and] of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 4:36-37

In order for Tobias to become a minister of Christ’s Church serving His kingdom he was required to sell all his property as Jesus had commanded.¹⁹ Ananias failed to do so and was struck dead as we see in the very next verses.

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price… fell down, and gave up the ghost… Acts 5:1-5

The role, job and duties of the Levites were the same for the Essenes as they were for His Holy Church and as they have been from the beginning. If it is not this way soon the bureaucracy and chosen representatives of God’s government shall soon become regnant and the oppression of Cain, Lemec, Nimrod, Pharaoh, Caesar and the president of Rome shall rule your lives. You will return to the bruising bondage of Egypt and be no more a free people. But if you return to those ways of God and seek his kingdom and do the will of the Father then you shall again be a whole nation, under God with liberty and justice for all.

That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Psalms 67:2

If we are to understand our place in God’s kingdom of heaven we must also learn from and understand that which was held in common by the Levites, the Essenes and the first century Church established by Christ Jesus the King.

In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, [was there] the tree of life, which bare twelve [manner of] fruits, [and] yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree [were] for the healing of the nations. Revelation 22:2

The origin of what was called Essene reaches back to Enoch who walked with God. They are the men who separate themselves from the ‘world’ living in it but not of it and according and under the authority of God’s government.

They were the first servants of God and they were the first spiritually born Children of God in repentance and in the acceptance of God’s true character, doing all things in His ‘Name’. They fed His sheep in service to His kingdom of God at hand guiding men in freedom to liberty under God.

The Keys of the Kingdom

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1Holger Kersten ∓ Elmar R. Gruber, The Jesus Conspiracy - The Turin Shroud ∓ The Truth About the Resurrection (1992)

2Stephen Goranson

3Flavius Josephus, War of the Jews, Bk II, Ch VIII, Sn 4

4Philo, Every Good Man is Free 12.77

5Dead Sea Scrolls, Community Rule (1QS) 1.11-13

6Luke 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;

7Flavius Josephus, War of the Jews, Bk II, Ch XIII, Sn 7

8Dead Sea Scrolls, Essene Community Rule (1QS) 8.1-4

9Tithingmen, Hundredsmen and Eoldermen.

10Josephus, Jewish War 2.135

11Josephus, Jewish War 2.160

12Dead Sea Scrolls, Community Rule (1QS) 3.15-21

13Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Bk XVIII, Ch I, Sn 5

14John Roberson and Philip Davies, The Old Testament World

15Barbara Thiering, Jesus and the Riddle of the Dead Sea Scrolls

16Flavius Josephus, War of the Jews, II, VIII, Sn 11

17Num. 18:20; 26:62; Deut. 10:9; 18:1, 2

18Easton’s Bible Dictionary.

19 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33

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Chapter 7. Factions at the Altar

The New Kingdom News Newsletter