What is up? Or, what's shakin'? (Only kidding) So, today I was watching a video about the Essenes called, "Mysteries of the Essenes - Tedd Nottinham". He had some great points, I do suggest it to those of you who have a very open mind, and some time! It totals to around 50 minutes in length, but I found that the beginning half was the best part anyway. Before I start this post, I'll just give those of you not familiar with the "Essenes" a quick over-view of them (for the people who already know a fair amount about them, you can skip this):
The Essenes are a Jewish sect originating from long before Jesus,
spectating it's origin may have been Enoch. They were known for there healing
powers, they could do miraculous things! They practiced Gnosism,
(silent "g", pronounced "Nosism")
a religion rare but still alive (heck, I'm Gnostic!) believing in four Gods,
appose to just One, such as in Judaism.
They lived in Qumran, Mt. Carmel, and the City of Salt.
They wore white, and astoundingly were WAY ahead of their time, they were the
first and only for quite some time to demise against slavery of any kind,
no matter what race. They also held equality to men and woman very importantly,
and yet no other religious groups or sects did this.
They had no rules of marrige, not even to the Rabbis. You married if you
wished, and some thought very highly of marriage and children,
while others thought of it as dirty.
So that is the basics! Alright, let's move on.
Flavius Josephus was a first century historian, politician and solider. He lived with the Essenes for three years (though he was not one himself) and wrote about them constantly. But, before we go and study them, let's first ponder this: Some historians have come to the conclusion that there actually was no real town called "Nazareth", and that the closest thing to Nazareth was a group of Essenes called the "Nazarenes". Suspisously, the Essenes took it upon themselves to prepare for the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ (or, as the Gnostics refer to Him by His Hebrew Yeshua or even Jeshua), they predicted this amazing event 103 years before it actually happened. They helped Mother Mary and prepared a place for her, so obviously she, and He, were familiar with these people. John the Baptist has also been long debated by scholars to be an Essene, most of whom agree and recognize that he was. So, it does beg the question whether Jesus was an Essene or not. Alright, so now, despite the evidence, let's go into a fantasy void where He was! OK? There yet? Great. Let's begin!
The Essenes
Some things Flavius Josephus had written had contradicted each other. Some verses he states that the Essenes only used marriage for reproduction, and the other it was the meaning of life itself! So we have truly no idea what the Essenes real say on marriage may have been! Josephus records "The Essenes consider that everybody who does not marry, hereby affects the propagation and destination of mankind, as men would soon cease to exist otherwise." They believed you should marry, "not from lust, but to fulfill the command of Jehovah, 'Be fruitful, increase and fill the earth'." If this statement is true, and if Jesus really was an Essene, ... would He be instantly married? Moreover, did the Essenes, when they were preparing the way for Christ, did they expect the Messiah to be married Himself? Even if He didn't marry, if He ignored the "law" or social norm as He most certainly has before, ("The purpose of the law is to bind the demiurgos and archons and to
destroy the hold of the devil, not to bind the soul of the human one."), would He of been thought to? I just don't know if we'll ever know.
So go check out Mr. Nottinham! Surely, he will make you think more on this subject (if I have not already killed you with suspense). Well, with that I say goodnight, I wish you all the best! Please feel free to share your thoughts, via email or comments as always!
~~Clarabelle
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