HANS BERND ALTINGER JOHN THE BAPTIST HIS TRUE LIFE AND WORK HIS RETURN POSS-VERLAG WASSERBURG The map “Palestine at the Time of John the Baptist and Jesus” was drawn by Hans Bernd Altinger. For the protective cover the aquare lle “John the Baptist, the Voice in the Wilderness” by Gertraud Berger was used. Translator’s comment The translation of the spiritual messages adheres to the syntax of John the Baptist, wherever he is using an order of words varying from common Germa n sentence-structure. The term man stands for human being. The expression “man” refers to human nature and character, in all their material aspects of existence. Source of Biblical quotations: Holy Bible, New Reversed Standard Edition Anglicized Edition Oxford University Press, 1995 Copyright Poss-Verlag, or author. All rights reserved. Also partial reprint is subject written permission by Poss -Verlag 1 I walked the paths of light, my senses listened to words of salvation and, still I am student. Yet, let me assure you, there is no greater grace, than being a disciple of the Lord. (Spiritual word of an Essene Master) 2 CONTENTS PREFACE 6 PART I JOHN THE BAPTIST – HIS LIFE AND WORK WRITTEN ANEW Introduction 9 General Portrait 10 The Mystery of his Birth and Childhood 16 His Youth 30 Task and Mission 36 The Baptism of Jesus 65 The Sermons 71 The Disciples of John 82 Imprisonment and Death 87 The Relics 110 PART II THE ESSENES – BROTHERHOOD OF JOHN? The History of the Qumran-Findings 116 The Origin of the Essenes – The Consequence of a Severe Period of Crisis 120 The Founding of the Essene Union 126 Doctrine and Message of the Essenes 131 Rules and Rites of the Essenes 137 Becoming a Member, Disciplinary Measures, and Exclusion 138 Marriage and Family 139 Ablutions, Meditations, and Common Meal 142 The Fate of the Brotherhood 144 John the Baptist and the Essenes 157 3 PART III PROPHESIES OF THE RETURN OF JOHN THE BAPTIST On the Veneration of John the Baptist the Jesus-Prophesies, and the Return of t he Figures of the Light 168 Prophesies Hildegard of Bingen on the Return of Elijah and his Fight against the Antichrist 175 Bertha Dudde on the Return of John the Baptist before the World-Incendiary Fire 180 PART IV UNUSUAL PHENOMENA AND SIGNS TODAY – JOHN THE BAPTIST PREPARES HIS RETURN Here and Yonder - the New Contact 189 Guidance towards the Spiritual Path 190 The Helpers from the Spiritual World 202 Spiritual Messages form John the Baptist and the Essenes 215 The Voice of John the Baptist in the Here and Now 255 PROSPECT 279 CONCLUSION 290 SPIRITUAL MESSAGE IN MIRROR – WRITING (May 2,1992) 292 ABBREVIATIONS 293 COMMENTS 294 BIBLIOGRAPHY 310 PHOTOS: Ain Karem the place of birth of John the Baptist. The area of Bethany. Dead Sea Scroll:Part of the Habakkuk -Commentary. One of the baptismal basins at Qumran. Ruin at Qumran. Qumran Caves (of the scrolls). Palestine at the time of John the Baptist and Jesus. 4 PREFACE “ I say tell you, among those born of women no one is greater prophet than John.” (Luke 7,28) Almost exactly 2000 years ago a man was born in Jerusalem whose name holds an extraordinary significance in Christianity as well as in the Islamic world: Jochanan Ben Zechariah, John the Baptist. His birth, his life, and his death are surrounded by mystery. The New Testament and the Koran report about John the Baptist, but, nevertheless, leave him in a mysterious semi-darkness. The Gospels do mention the message of John the Baptist and his connection to Jesu s, but they leave many questions unanswered. Who was this ascetic, preacher, and popular hero really? How did he live? What was the mission he fulfilled? What were the reasons leading to his decapitation by Herod? Was he a member of the secret broth erhood of the Essenes or was he maybe the teacher of Jesus? These were the questions I was confronted with when, some years ago, I came into contact with the figure John the Baptist in an astounding way. They were remarkable phenomena, signs, and exper iences that led me to these questions. Shortly afterwards I encountered spiritual messages of John the Baptist and the Essenes. The poetry and the contents of these messages fascinated me. Nevertheless, it took considerable time of scrutiny and doubt, be fore I understood that the spiritual world is just as real as the world of matter. I learnt that the spirit of a Jesus or John is always present and working. Insights into the world of anthroposophy 1 as well as into the esoteric roots of the great rel igions helped me to further my understanding. At that time I knew almost nothing of the Essenes. About the life and work of John the Baptist I knew as much as any average -Christian. Full of inquisitiveness, I began my search. I wanted to discover if there is a connection regarding the contents between the spiritual messages of John the Baptist of today, and his biblical and historic mission of before. I asked myself if the spiritual messages of the Essenes harmonized with the ideas of the former brot herhood from the Dead Sea. 5 In the course of my studies of the Essenes this concurrence was quickly found, since there are the finds of scrolls of Qumran that reveal much to us about the world of this religious grouping at the time of Christ. During my research about the life and work of John the Baptist I soon had to recognize, however, that an overall view could only be attained by the collecting and sorting of many and small mosaic stones. I discovered more than I had hoped for. Only thus was it possible for me to throw light on the mysteries surrounding John the Baptist and to write his life anew. Yet, I found even more: Prophesies heralding the return of John the Baptist in an impressive way. My surprise was great, when I found out that thes e prophesies were in line with the spiritual messages received by John the Baptist and the Essenes. I became conscious that the existence of John the Baptist, his work of then, but also his future mission have to be seen in a far greater context than Ch ristian mankind is anticipating. Therefore this book is structured into two large circles of topics. While in parts I and II the historical and biblical life of John the Baptist and the Essenes are described, in parts III and IV the focus is on the pro phetic assertion of the return of John the Baptist, and on the spiritual messages that also herald a renewed return of the Baptist in the near future. 6 PART I JOHN THE BAPTIST HIS LIFE AND WORK WRITTEN ANEW 7 INTRODUCTION John the Baptist is one of the most outstanding personalities in the history of mankind. His work had great influence on the Christian churches and on the Islamic world. Christians venerate him as the precursor of Jesus Christ, Mu slims revere him as a great prophet. Despite of all adoration of John the Baptist, there is a veil of mystery surrounding his mission. So, even up to now, only fragments and clichés of his work are known. It is my intention to lift the veil in order to show the true course of his life, and to emphasize the complete impact of his mission, then and today. It is astounding that so little knowledge is gathered on such a central figure of the Bible. When I started to seek and research I encountered volumin ous material. Through the findings of the Dead Sea Scrolls in February 1947 knowledge on John the Baptist did not increase substantially. However, the background of his mission can be illuminated more clearly. Aside from the biblical texts and the Dead See Scrolls, therefore, other sources had to be opened to write the life and work of John the Baptist anew. Yet, I was always aware of the following: a man, a prophet did make history. His name and work remain unforgotten. His knowledge, his wisdom a nd teachings were significantly more encompassing than the Bible conveys to us. His charisma, his ability to move the men of his time, and the high esteem and veneration of his fellow - men were not only based on the few sentences cited in the New Testament . Alone, it must have been more that caused men in Palestine to cover long stretches afoot to hear his word. What abilities characterized the preacher? Who were his teachers? What were his conditions of life? And not lastly: what was his mission? 8 GENERAL PORTRAIT With John the Baptist the Old Testament ends; and; at the same time; the New Testament begins. He does not separate them, he connects them. For this it was necessary, however, to tear down the walls of the laws, rules, and r ituals of the Old Covenant; and to erect them anew through words and works in the essence of the coming Christian message of salvation. John the Baptist is referred to as the last Prophet of the Old Covenant. Due to his effective renewals of existing s tructures and exegeses Thomas Aquinus says in his major work Summa Theologica (1266/73): “John the Baptist was not only a prophet, but more than a prophet.” According to biblical sources John the Baptist was born six months before Jesus of Nazareth. According to the Evangelist Luke, Elizabeth was in her sixth month of pregnancy when Mary learnt of her own.