A mind boggling discovery that was made in the Dead Sea Scrolls (which were recorded in the contemporary time of Jesus Christ, peace be upon him and some even well before his time). It was about promised two Messiah, not only one as was taught by early christian church who was mostly busy monopolized christianity and destroying earlier recording of Jeus Christ and his true disciples.The perdiction of two messiah is something that many scholars in Judaism knew it very well. Here i quote from one analysis on the two promised messiah:
"Those who have studied the scrolls have noticed a common theme prevalent throughout these manuscripts, that is, most of the pesher texts prophesies the coming of a "Teacher of Righteousness" who will be sent by God to the Jews. This "Teacher of Righteousness" will be opposed by the "Teacher of Lies" and the "Wicked Priest".
These scrolls also predict the coming of two messiahs. These two messiahs are referred to as a 1) priestly and a 2) lay messiah
What we had here was a society of very devout Jews who were convinced that the time of the coming of the two messiahs was at hand, therefore, they set about preparing for their advent by detaching themselves from the mainstream society, and dedicating their lives to their worship and the preparation for their imminent arrival.
In The Dead Sea Scrolls Uncovered, by Robert Eisenman and Michael Wise, we read that the early scrolls spoke of two messiahs, but that later on, the communities of the Jews began to combine them into one messiah: "As we have suggested, contrary to the well-known 'two-Messiah' theory of early Qumran scholarship, these references to the 'Messiah of Aaron and Israel' in the Damascus Document are singular not plural... and one possible explanation for it is that it is evoking a Messiah with both priestly and kingly implications, like the somewhat similar recitations of Hebrews" (The Dead Sea Scrolls Uncovered, Robert Eisenman and Michael Wise, p. 162). "According to the dominant view in the sectarian texts from Qumran, two messiahs were to lead the congregation in the End of Days, one priestly, and the other lay" (Reclaiming the Dead Sea Scrolls, Lawrence H. Schiffman, pp. 321-322).
The Jews had prophesies of two messiahs. The first was best known to them for his "religious" or "priestly" works which he would perform. The second was best known to them for his "kingly" works; his bringing of an epoch of peace.
These two prophesies refer to Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them).
Jesus was best know for his "priestly" works. However, he never lead an army, and he never established a kingdom or a government. Quite the opposite, he called to peace and submissiveness and to leave the rule of the land to others (Matthew 22:21). He told his followers that he yet had many things to teach them but they could not bear them yet and that another would be coming after him who would teach them the complete truth (John 16:7-14).
Muhammad too began his ministry preaching submissivness and passiveness. However, his ministry was nurtured by God almighty to a point where it was able to defend itself and establish justice in the earth and abolish evil. His followers fought several wars in self defense and against injustice. The Islamic empire finally stretched from China to Spain and even those who did not follow Muhammad knew him well. However, what did they know him for? They knew him for his "kingly" actions and not for the "priestly" side of him that his followers knew.
"And fight against them until persecution is no more and religion is for God alone. But if they desist then let there be no hostility except against wrongdoers" --The Qur'an, al-Baqarah(2):193
"Those unto whom We gave the Scripture recognize him Muhammad as they recognize their sons. But verilly, a party of them conceal the truth while they know it" --The Qur'an, al-Baqarah(2):146 "
Read the full analysis here.
The meaning of Lay Messiah will better be understood with this verse of the Quran, the Holy Text revealed to Muhammad by God,
"Those who follow the messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (scriptures),- in the Law (Torah) and the Gospel;- for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil; he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure); He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him, honour him, help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him,- it is they who will prosper." Quran, 007.157
Prophet Muhammad was a Prophet who could neighter read nor write and was a Lay Messiah in that respect. And interestingly after such prophesies in early Jewish scriptures, historical evidence shows, many sects migrated to Arabia and started living their for the promised messiah. Many of such devoted Jews converted to Islam when Muhammad came as they at once recognized him.
REFERENCES :: the Modern Religion :: http://www.7cs.com/scrolls.html :: Timeline of Dead Sea Scrolls :: Gnostic Society Library
Also read:
* Our Prophet in the Dead Sea Scrolls
* The Dead Sea Scrolls: On The Prophet and His Detractors
Tag: Dead Sea Scrolls, Jesus, Christianity , Judaism , Islam , Bible , Messiah, Prophecy
COMMENTS