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The Coming of Melchizedek: Dead Sea Scrolls 11Q13 Col.2 |
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(The Dead Sea Scrolls will be claimed unilaterally as witnesses of either
formative Christianity or formative Rabbinic Judaism, and became just one
more chapter in the exercise of denial that Christians and Jews have so
masterfully practiced in the attempts of each to disinherit the
other. On the other hand, the Dead Sea Scrolls may become a unique
opportunity to rediscover, along with our common heritage, and even more precious
treasure -- living brothers and sisters whom we have too long
neglected. I love Alan Segal's imagery of Christians and Jews as
"Rebecca's children." Yes, the struggle began in our
mother's womb, and through childhood and adulthood we have viciously and
remorselessly fought over our birthright. Historical research now
confirms that the feeling many Christians and Jews experienced as a result
of the tragedy of the Holocaust was more than human solidarity: it was the
call of the blood. Our walks of life are different and will remain
such, but our genetic code is largely the same: whether we like it or not,
we are children of the same parents. After so many years of struggle
and engagement, the time has come, as for Jacob and Esau, to meet again,
reconcile, mourn our deceased parents, and tell each other about our new
identities. --Gabriele Boccaccini)
(...) And concerning what Scripture says, "In this year of Jubilee you shall return, everyone of you, to your property" (Lev. 25;13) And what is also written; "And this is the manner of the remission; every creditor shall remit the claim that is held against a neighbor, not exacting it of a neighbor who is a member of the community, because El's remission has been proclaimed" (Deut.15;2). The interpretation is that it applies to the Last Days and concerns the captives, just as Isaiah said: "To proclaim the Jubilee to the captives" (Isa. 61;1). (...) just as (...) and from the inheritance of Melchizedek, for (... Melchizedek), who will return them to what is rightfully theirs. He will proclaim to them the Jubilee, thereby releasing them from the debt of all their sins. He shall proclaim this decree in the first week of the jubilee period that follows nine jubilee periods. Then the "Day of Atonement" shall follow after the tenth jubilee period, when he shall atone for all the Sons of Light, and the people who are predestined to Melchizedek. (...) upon them (...) For this is the time decreed for the "Year of Melchizedek's favor," and by his might he will judge Elohim's holy ones and so establish a righteous kingdom, as it is written about him in the Songs of David ; "A godlike being has taken his place in the council of Elohim; in the midst of elohim he holds judgment" (Ps. 82;1). Scripture also says about him; "Over it take your seat in the highest heaven; A divine being will judge the peoples" (Ps. 7;7-8). Concerning what scripture says ; "How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality with the wicked? Selah" (Ps. 82;2), the interpretation applies to Belial and the spirits predestined to him, because all of them have rebelled, turning from Elohim's precepts and so becoming utterly wicked. Therefore Melchizedek will thoroughly prosecute the vengeance required by Elohim's statutes. Also, he will deliver all the captives from the power of Belial, and from the power of all the spirits destined to him. Allied with him will be all the "righteous divine beings" (Isa. 61;3). (The ...) is that whi(ch ... all) the elohim (divine beings). The visitation is the Day of Salvation that He has decreed through Isaiah the prophet concerning all the captives, inasmuch as Scripture says, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion 'Your Elohim reigns'" (Isa. 52;7). This scriptures interpretation : "the mountains" are the prophets, they who were sent to proclaim Elohim's truth and to prophesy to all Israel. "The messengers" is the Anointed of the spirit, of whom Daniel spoke; "After the sixty-two weeks, an Anointed shall be cut off" (Dan. 9;26). The "messenger who brings good news, who announces Salvation" is the one of whom it is written; "to proclaim the year of the Yahweh's favor, the day of the vengeance of our Elohim; to comfort all who mourn" (Isa. 61;2). This scripture's interpretation: he is to instruct them about all the periods of history for eternity (... and in the statutes) of the truth. (...) (.... dominion) that passes from Belial and returns to the Sons of Light (....) (...) by the judgment of Elohim, just as t is written concerning him; "who says to Zion 'Your Elohim reigns'" (Isa. 52;7). "Zion" is the congregation of all the sons of righteousness, who uphold the covenant and turn from walking in the way of the people. "Your Elohim" is Melchizedek, who will deliver them from the power of Belial. Concerning what scripture says, "Then you shall have the trumpet sounded loud; in the seventh month . . . " (Lev. 25;9). Genesis 14:17. When Abram returned from defeating Chedor-Laomer and the kings who had been on his side, the king of Sodom came to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the Valley of the King). 18. Melchizedek king of Salem brought bread and wine; he was a priest of El Elyon. 19. He pronounced this blessing: Blessed be Abram by El Elyon, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be El Elyon for putting your enemies into your clutches. 2 Samuel 22:4. I call to Yahweh, who is worthy of praise, Psalms 110: 1. Yahweh declared to my Sovereign (Adonai), "Take your seat at my right hand, till I have made your enemies your footstool." 2. Yahweh will stretch out the scepter of your power; from Zion you will rule your foes all around you. 3. Royal dignity has been yours from the day of your birth, sacred honor from the womb, from the dawn of your youth. 4. Yahweh has sworn an oath he will never retract, you are a priest for ever of the order of Melchizedek. 5. At your right hand, Sovereign (Adonai), he shatters kings when his anger breaks out. 6. He judges nations, heaping up corpses, he breaks heads over the whole wide world. 7. He drinks from a stream as he goes, and therefore he holds his head high. Hebrews 5:5. And so it was not Messiah who gave himself the glory of becoming high priest, but the one who said to him: You are my Son, today I have fathered you, 6. and in another text: You are a priest for ever, of the order of Melchizedek. 7. During his life on earth, he offered up prayer and entreaty, with loud cries and with tears, to the one who had the power to save him from death, and, winning a hearing by his reverence, 8. he learnt obedience, Son though he was, through his sufferings; 9. when he had been perfected, he became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation 10. and was acclaimed by El Elyon with the title of high priest of the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:19. This is the anchor our souls have, reaching right through inside the curtain 20. where Yahshua has entered as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever, of the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 7:1. Melchizedek, king of Salem, a priest of El Elyon, came to meet Abraham when he returned from defeating the kings, and blessed him; 2. and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. By the interpretation of his name, he is, first, "king of saving justice" and also king of Salem, that is, "king of peace"; 3. he has no father, mother or ancestry, and his life has no beginning or ending; he is like the Son of El. He remains a priest for ever. (See the rest of the chapter.) (All modified New Jerusalem Version.) |