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The Essenes: Digest
This issue of the Rosicrucian Digest presents a compendium of materials that provide a solid introduction to the most important aspects of The Essenes.
- GenresHistory
100 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2015
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Rosicrucian Order AMORC
42 books10 followersThe Ancient and Mystical Order Rosæ Crucis (AMORC), also known as the Rosicrucian Order, is the largest Rosicrucian organization in the world. It has various lodges, chapters and other affiliated bodies throughout the globe, operating in 19 different languages. It operates as a fraternal order in the mystical tradition, and supports secular research and learning in the arts and humanities.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 28, 2020
Was Jesus an Essene?
While many today either do not believe that Jesus ever existed, or that he was something quite a bit different than we have been led to believe, the finding of and subsequent research into the fairly recently discovered Dead Sea Scrolls (c.1946/1947) has helped us to see who he may well have been...provided, of course, that he not only actually existed, but that he actually WAS an Essene as many – including past life regressionist, Dolores Cannon’s clients – have stated he in fact was.
Personally – and based on my voluminous research in this and related areas – I feel that he most definitely existed. He was an historical figure, as has been discovered by many archaeologists, historians and Biblical scholars.
But, was he the Son of God as has also been claimed (although, ironically enough, never by him)? That I’m not so sure about, nor are many others. There’s too much that is not known to say for sure, but one of the things that IS known is that much of what we have been convinced is legitimate in the Bible – both the so-called Old Testament, as well as the New Testament – is highly questionable. Primarily too many inaccuracies, anachronisms and from what has been discovered by many archaeologists and even Biblical scholars, outright lies. Why? That, though is another tangential journey.
However, that does not negate the very real probability that Jesus – or Yeshua, as he was known by those with whom he lived – actually existed and pretty much in the same context in which we have become familiar with him, except that he was not the Son of God or God Made Manifest. In fact, he told us numerous times that he came to teach us who God really is, who we really are, and that we could do the same things that he could do and even greater. He talked about the evolution of consciousness before that concept was ever considered some 2,000 or so years later. What he taught was ascension (not the Rapture) and apotheosis – the evolution of our individual consciousness, of humans into gods. “Have you not heard? ‘I told you all that you are gods?”
The two additional points I find intriguing in this book involve the connection between what the Essenes taught and the Pharoah Akhenaton (according to some, Moses was actually Akhenaton) and the ‘fact’ that Jesus did not descend through King David, that he was not of the Davidic line, but was referred to many times as the King of Peace or Salem and equated with Melchizedek, the King of Salem or Peace.
But, was Jesus an Essene? The fact is, there’s very little evidence – not withstanding the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls – that he was definitely an Essene or that he was affiliated in any way. Except for some of his actions, words and certain beliefs. And while that should be enough to prove that he lived with and learned from the Essenes, there still isn’t enough of a trail – yet – to prove this beyond a shadow of a doubt, regardless of what some would have us believe.
All in all, a very intriguing read. But not definitive in my estimation.
While many today either do not believe that Jesus ever existed, or that he was something quite a bit different than we have been led to believe, the finding of and subsequent research into the fairly recently discovered Dead Sea Scrolls (c.1946/1947) has helped us to see who he may well have been...provided, of course, that he not only actually existed, but that he actually WAS an Essene as many – including past life regressionist, Dolores Cannon’s clients – have stated he in fact was.
Personally – and based on my voluminous research in this and related areas – I feel that he most definitely existed. He was an historical figure, as has been discovered by many archaeologists, historians and Biblical scholars.
But, was he the Son of God as has also been claimed (although, ironically enough, never by him)? That I’m not so sure about, nor are many others. There’s too much that is not known to say for sure, but one of the things that IS known is that much of what we have been convinced is legitimate in the Bible – both the so-called Old Testament, as well as the New Testament – is highly questionable. Primarily too many inaccuracies, anachronisms and from what has been discovered by many archaeologists and even Biblical scholars, outright lies. Why? That, though is another tangential journey.
However, that does not negate the very real probability that Jesus – or Yeshua, as he was known by those with whom he lived – actually existed and pretty much in the same context in which we have become familiar with him, except that he was not the Son of God or God Made Manifest. In fact, he told us numerous times that he came to teach us who God really is, who we really are, and that we could do the same things that he could do and even greater. He talked about the evolution of consciousness before that concept was ever considered some 2,000 or so years later. What he taught was ascension (not the Rapture) and apotheosis – the evolution of our individual consciousness, of humans into gods. “Have you not heard? ‘I told you all that you are gods?”
The two additional points I find intriguing in this book involve the connection between what the Essenes taught and the Pharoah Akhenaton (according to some, Moses was actually Akhenaton) and the ‘fact’ that Jesus did not descend through King David, that he was not of the Davidic line, but was referred to many times as the King of Peace or Salem and equated with Melchizedek, the King of Salem or Peace.
But, was Jesus an Essene? The fact is, there’s very little evidence – not withstanding the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls – that he was definitely an Essene or that he was affiliated in any way. Except for some of his actions, words and certain beliefs. And while that should be enough to prove that he lived with and learned from the Essenes, there still isn’t enough of a trail – yet – to prove this beyond a shadow of a doubt, regardless of what some would have us believe.
All in all, a very intriguing read. But not definitive in my estimation.
March 20, 2017
This is another book from the A.M.O.R.C. And it deals with the subject of the Essene community. The book might be from 2007 but I can't be sure if it was written earlier.
The book ties the Essenes to Akhenaten, the Egyptian pharoah who backed a belief in one single god instead of the many that the Essenes had. (The move didn't go down well at all, to put it mildly.) The main thing was that his approach was monotheism which the Essenes also followed.
The book goes into the main principles of the Essenes (such as the human body is the temple of the soul; be steadfast in all relationships, etc.)
The book also covers the community life of the Essenes which was basically a communistic approach; people gave up their wealth when they entered; all were cared for by the community; each person had work to do, etc.
They also had some wonderful concepts of behavior including be humble and just; do no harm; show fidelity to all and be truthful. They also did a lot of humanitarian work.
The book also claims the Essenes landed in California around 1602 and set up a community there.
The book then covers ancient references to the Essenes and discusses the Dead Sea Scrolls. It discusses the question of whether or not John the Baptist and/or Jesus belonged to the Essene community. It says that Pope Benedict XVI talked about Jesus was connected to the Essenes. (I checked this up on the Internet and it's true.)
It's all a little complex but if Jesus was part of the Essene community it explains where he was during the time that is not covered in Biblical references.
The book ties the Essenes to Akhenaten, the Egyptian pharoah who backed a belief in one single god instead of the many that the Essenes had. (The move didn't go down well at all, to put it mildly.) The main thing was that his approach was monotheism which the Essenes also followed.
The book goes into the main principles of the Essenes (such as the human body is the temple of the soul; be steadfast in all relationships, etc.)
The book also covers the community life of the Essenes which was basically a communistic approach; people gave up their wealth when they entered; all were cared for by the community; each person had work to do, etc.
They also had some wonderful concepts of behavior including be humble and just; do no harm; show fidelity to all and be truthful. They also did a lot of humanitarian work.
The book also claims the Essenes landed in California around 1602 and set up a community there.
The book then covers ancient references to the Essenes and discusses the Dead Sea Scrolls. It discusses the question of whether or not John the Baptist and/or Jesus belonged to the Essene community. It says that Pope Benedict XVI talked about Jesus was connected to the Essenes. (I checked this up on the Internet and it's true.)
It's all a little complex but if Jesus was part of the Essene community it explains where he was during the time that is not covered in Biblical references.
July 27, 2017
Was Jesus a Member of the Essenes?
I have this as a four star since it was academically prepared with extensive footnotes and written by academics. It covers Essenes from ancient times to modern times. It addresses whether Jesus or John the Baptist was connected with the Essenes. Extensive coverage.
I have this as a four star since it was academically prepared with extensive footnotes and written by academics. It covers Essenes from ancient times to modern times. It addresses whether Jesus or John the Baptist was connected with the Essenes. Extensive coverage.
May 18, 2022
Speculative Essene Theories
A fairly well assembled anthology of AMORC articles on the Essenes over the last 100 years. As more information had come to light through archeological excavations, some of the items in the book are stretched beyond credibility. However, it is an interesting read and aligns with R+C thought.
A fairly well assembled anthology of AMORC articles on the Essenes over the last 100 years. As more information had come to light through archeological excavations, some of the items in the book are stretched beyond credibility. However, it is an interesting read and aligns with R+C thought.
July 28, 2017
Stars off for repeatedly referencing The Essene Gospel of Peace and the Gospel of the Holy Twelve which are both fraudulent and products of their "translators" imaginations... not that they aren't interesting reads or worthy of study, but to my mind, whenever someone appears on the academic scene saying: 'Look I've translated ancient documents' and the academic community asks: 'Oh, yeah? Where are they?' And nobody can come up with a good answer...well then it's simply a lie begging to be taken seriously.
Excellent articles on the discovery of the Essene community. Especially fun to read of how Rosicrucians see the connection between that ancient order and their own.
Excellent articles on the discovery of the Essene community. Especially fun to read of how Rosicrucians see the connection between that ancient order and their own.
February 2, 2016
I thought this was a great overview of the Essenes that has spurred my interest in further studies.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews