Truth Be Told: A Blog by Pastor Bill Alderson

This essay is the result of a review of Ken Johnson’s book, “The Ancient Mysteries of the  Essenes,”  section 3, “Ancient Order of Melchizedek.” And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. For it is attested of Him, "YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK."         Hebrews 7:15-17   This passage quotes from Psalm 110:4 that the Messiah would not be a priest from the lineage of Levi and Aaron, but from the order of Melchizedek. Is this a reference to a particular person or to a particular group of priests? The Hebrew word combines two words, melek meaning “king” and zedek translated “righteousness” (see Hebrews 7:2). The priests who lived in Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found were direct descendants of the Jewish high pries...

  I acquired a book recently written by Ken Johnson entitled “The Ancient Mysteries of the Essenes.” In it, Johnson discusses the various calendars used by humanity throughout the ages and which one might be Biblically accurate. This essay is based on Part 1 of the book entitled, “The Ancient Dead Sea Scroll Calendar and the Prophecies it Reveals.” It forms the basis of his conclusion for a Biblical calendar, based on a consistent application of the Scriptures. It is his perspective that the Essenes, custodians of the Dead Sea Scrolls held to a Biblically accurate calendar that is supported by the fulfillment of a number of Old Testament prophecies. The calendar we use today is the Gregorian (Julian) Calendar, a solar calendar based on a 365-day year with one extra day added every four years. Some holidays are set on the solar calendar. The American Independence Day is always celebrated on the fourth of July while others, like Easter are based on a lunar calendar, so they are cel...