Essenes: Defenders Theological Dictionary

ESSENES
The Essenes were an apocalyptic sect of Judaism. They had a “revelation” that prompted them to eradicate evil and live righteous, holy lives for the God of Israel. Their zeal drove them to live as a community in the desert, separate from the “apostate” priestly religion of the Temple in Jerusalem. Some of their holy scriptures and other writings were found in caves at Qumran and are known today as the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Book: Vow of the Nazarite by Roger Perkins

From the Back Cover:

Does Scripture actually address issues such as one's hair, apparel and jewelry? Can obedience to God's Word really be considered bondage? What is the true meaning of a legalist? Is it consistent theology to practice and loudly proclaim certain portions of the Bible and then willfully disregard others? Did God's people ever wear wedding rings or make-up in the Bible? If not, from where do these practices originate?

I can tell you before you even read the first page that unless you have the devoted heart of a Nazarite you'll discard this book about a quarter-ways through. However, if artificially and worldly materialism isn't for you, then take heart, because this books is!

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If you're going to read only one book on holiness this year. Make it this one. Great gift for those who do not understand the Apostolic, biblical, doctrines of separation from the world.

Vow of the Nazarite.
ISBN: 0-9764881-0-8
92 pages
$US 10.00

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To heaven without holiness?

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)

There is no (idea) so pernicious as this—that persons not purified, not sanctified, not made holy in their life, should afterwards be taken into that state of blessedness which consists in the enjoyment of God. Neither can such persons enjoy God, nor would God be a reward to them. Holiness indeed is perfected in heaven: but the beginning of it is invariably confined to this world.*

How shall we ever be at home and happy in heaven, if we die unholy? Death works no change. The grave makes no alteration. Each will rise again with the same character in which he breathed his last. Where will our place be if we are strangers to holiness now?

Suppose for a moment that you were allowed to enter heaven without holiness. What would you do? What possible enjoyment could you feel there? To which of all the saints would you join yourself? Their pleasures are not your pleasures, their tastes not your tastes, their character not your character. How could you possibly be happy, if you ahd not been holy on earth?

Now perhaps you love the company of the light and the careless, the worldly-minded and the covetous, the reveler and the pleasure-seeker. There will be none such in heaven.

Think you that such an one would delight to meet David, and Paul, and John, after a life spent in doing the very things they spoke against?

People may say, in a vague way, "they hope to to to heaven;" but they do not consider what they say... Heaven is essentially a holy place; its inhabitants are all holy; its occupations are all holy. It is clear and plain that we must be somewhat trained and made ready for heaven while we are on earth.**

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* John Owen, Owen on the Holy Spirit, p. 575 (as quoted in Intoxicated with Babylon by Steve Gallagher).
** J.C. Ryle, Holiness, p. 56, 35. (as quoted in Intoxicated with Babylon by Steve Gallagher).