חזון אחרית הימים של כת מדבר יהודה

This Sect indicated deep concern with the subject of the End of Days as evidenced through most of its writings. Within the larger framework of this subject it deals with the following topics: the destruction of the wicked; the victory of the Sons of Light over the Sons of Darkness; the coming of the Prophet, the anointed Priest and the anointed one of Israel; the establishment of the Temple; the character of society in those days and the special position of the Sect within this society; the spiritual grandeur attained by the Sect in the era of the End of Days. The intention of this article is to investigate the differences that exist between the visions of prophets and apocalyptic literature and between the vision of this Sect. There are unquestionable parallels in the visions concerning the annihilation of the wicked and the means by which this will be accomplished. However, one notices the greater stress on this issue laid by the Sect: it was their desire to separate themselves from and to hate wickedness based on the belief that spiritual greatness could only be achieved when wickedness has been destroyed. Therefore, special attention is given to the forthcoming battle, described in most concrete terms not found in prophetic or in apocalyptic writings. The battle line against the wicked is drawn along moral and not along national principles. Yet, the national basis of the battle is not completely eradicated. It is difficult to ascertain what the role of the prophet will be in the End of Days. One has to assume that his basic function will be the announcement of the coming of the Anointed Priest and the Messiah of Israel. Both will stand at the head of the community, with the Priest in a more honored position. The foundation of their faith in the two Messiahs rests on Moses and on David, the arch-types of the Messiahs, who by their deeds and personalities represent spiritual and national characteristics. The political status of priests of the Second Temple was of such high stature, that the Sect could not envision them to assume the spiritual status, so desired by his Sect. But in the End of Days spirituality would be in such ascendancy that the Anointed Priest, fully purified, would assume the highest position in the community. Yet, one notes that it is not the two Messiahs who will put the stamp on the community but the sect in its totality, which by its very spirituality and purity will assume a special status in the community. As mentioned at the beginning, this high degree of spirituality and sanctity will be attained in consequence of the annihilation of wickedness which heretofore has arrested the spiritual development of the Sect. This doctrine, more than any other, became the foundation stone of their faith, running like a red thread throughout all their writings and set the seal on their vision of the End of Days.