Page 39 - The Glad Tidings of the Messiah

Harun Yahya (Adnan Oktar) 37

On April 15, 1957, Time
magazine published a
comprehensive article
on the Dead Sea Scrolls.
After this, the world
media began to take an
interest in the excava-
tions.

600 scrolls and other items in Aramaic, Hebrew and Greek. Among
the discoveries were Biblical texts, heretofore unknown religious
texts of Judaism, texts relating the sect's rules and practices of
everyday life, and many other subjects.
After long and arduous research, researchers ascertained that
the scrolls were written by the scribes of a Jewish sect, widely ac-
knowledged to be the Essenes. The Roman writer Pliny the
Younger (62-113 ce) states that the Essenes lived in Qirbet
Qumran, which strengthens their case further. The oldest scroll
dates back to 200 bce, and the most recent belongs to the year 68 ce.
This date coincides with the counterattack launched by the Roman
General Vespasian (9-79 ce) to quell the Jewish revolt.
When the scrolls were analyzed, much about the Essenes'
lives and beliefs came to light. They believed in a Savior-Prophet
about to come to them; believed in the scriptures and abiding
strictly by their law; and, contrary to the Sadducees, believed in
the Hereafter, destiny, angels, Paradise, and Hell. Furthermore,