Teacher of Righteousness
The Teacher of Righteousness in the Dead Sea Scrolls
In the Dead Sea Scrolls the concept of the Teacher of Righteousness is possibly a mixed founder of the Essene group (possible Christophany to establish the groundwork for others to make the way clear) and a forward looking representation of the coming Messiah. This is one of the most vague aspects and there is a great deal of room for debate we can only just reference the scrolls that mention him.
1QpHab 1:13; 2:2-3: The scroll refers to the “Teacher of Righteousness,” a figure whom God made known “all the mysteries of the words of His servants the prophets.”
1QpHab 5:10-12: Describes the Teacher of Righteousness as one who faced persecution and threats from the “Wicked Priest.”
1QpHab 8:8-13: It speaks about how the Wicked Priest pursued the Teacher of Righteousness “to the house of his exile,” where he tried to harm him, particularly on the Day of Atonement, but God did not permit the Wicked Priest to achieve his goals.
1QpHab 9:9-12: Discusses how the Wicked Priest acted in his “fury” against the Teacher of Righteousness, seeking to destroy him.
CD 1:10-12: Describes how God raised up for them a “Teacher of Righteousness” to guide them and make known His ways to the community.
CD 20:1: Mentions a Teacher of Righteousness who stood at the end of days to teach the righteous path to those who repent from sin and seek to walk according to God’s commandments.
4QpPsa 1-10: The scroll speaks of a figure believed to be the Teacher of Righteousness and his role in interpreting scripture and guiding the community amidst conflicts.
1QpMic 7:18-20: Although very fragmentary, this text may have references to a figure like the Teacher of Righteousness who provides interpretation and guidance based on the prophetic tradition.
The Early & Latter Rain Comings of Christ
The Teacher of Righteousness will come twice, we are called to be patient and wait for them both, symbolized by the early and latter rains [James 5:7]. James in this statement is referencing the prophecy of the two comings of the Messiah in Joel 2:23.“
Be glad then, children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for He has given you the teacher for righteousness (מורה לצדקה), and He will cause the rain to come down for you, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
-Joel 2:23
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Sow yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes to teach Righteousness [morah Zedek] to you.
-Hosea 10:12
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Table Of Content
The Morah Zedek
Morah Zedek is a phrase that can mean Teacher (Morah) of Righteousness (Zedek, our much referenced Zadok “Righteous” root word) or Morah can be to mean early rain which is why many translations reference it as such. This feels like a dual meaning statement but the intention is clear that a holy teacher is the point of reference and not a weaker rain leading to an earlier rain as seen in Joel which is muddled.The Two Season Rain Metaphor
The two season rain metaphor is key to the understanding of the two visits of the Messiah. His first is the spring visit and the second will be a fall visit. The first time Messiah came he fulfilled the Spring Moedim or Spring Festivals (Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Weeks). Messiah the Teacher of Righteousness fulfilled these the following ways:- Passover (Pesach), Messiah was the ultimate Passover lamb sacrificed for sins
- Feast of Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot), Messiah is the sinless (no yeast) bread of life who offers himself as spiritual sustenance.
- Feast of First Fruits (Bikkurim), The Feast of First Fruits involves offering the first sheaf of the barley harvest to God as a sign of thanksgiving and trust in His provision. It occurs on the day after the Sabbath during the week of Passover. Messiah is the first fruits of the resurrection.
- Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) Shavuot, is celebrated 50 days after the Feast of First Fruits. It commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and is also known as the Feast of Harvest or Pentecost in Greek, marking the end of the grain harvest. Messiah sent the Holy Spirit to his church on Pentecost fifty days after the Feast of First Fruits.
The Fall Moedim Festival Rain Metaphor
When Messiah the Teacher of Righteousness returns the second time it will be in the fall and will fulfill the fall Moedim Festival.Rosh Hashanah
King’s New Year as opposed to 1st of Nisan which is the Priest’s. The day and hour of this event was vague because it was timed in the 2nd Temple period with the sighting of the thinnest crescent of the new moon which could be delayed with an overcast sky. Once sighted a message was sent to the Sanhedrin which would then declare the beginning of the new month with the blowing of a shofar horn. Rosh Hashanah is known also as Yom Teruah, meaning “the day of the sounding of the shofar.” The shofar is blown multiple times during the Rosh Hashanah synagogue services to herald the beginning of the new year and call the Jewish people to reflection and repentance. The sounding of the shofar serves several purposes: it is a call to repentance, a reminder of the covenant between God and Israel, a commemoration of the binding of Isaac, and a symbol of divine kingship. Rosh Hashanah is a two day festival known as Yom Tov Sheni Shel Galuyot. The two-day observance originally arose because of the uncertainty surrounding the precise timing of the new moon’s appearance. The two days are considered “one long day” to ensure that the festival is observed correctly.Messiah’s Future Fulfillment of Rosh Hashanah
Our theory is that the Messiah will fulfill Rosh Hashanah by returning on this date, the concept of no man knowing the day or the hour that is mentioned in [Matthew 24:36] [Mark 13:32] [Luke 12:40] & slightly in [Luke 21:34-36] is that most likely a reference to the Yom Tov Sheni Shel Galuyot 48 hour period of Rosh Hashanah. With his return he kicks off the remaining festival actionsYom Kippur
The Day of Atonement starting a week and a day after the two day Rosh Hashanah. Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year, dedicated to atonement, repentance and seeking forgiveness for the sins committed in the past year, observed with a 24 hour fast and confession of sins.Messiah’s Future Fulfillment of Yom Kippur
Our theory is much thinner with Yom Kippur, with the date to be the Announcement of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth and how it will operate with the coming Age of Kingdom. It will most likely include a 7 day process by which a true, holy temple for God/Yahweh to inhabit is sanctified. This will most likely be the layout and sanctification of the temporary tabernacle while Jerusalem is rebuilt by humans that exist in that day, along with 7 months of clearing the dead bodies and bones that surround Jerusalem and make the land unclean [Ezekiel 39:11-14] . As it was many times before with seven days of creation of Eden [Delight] his first temple, and the seven days of dedication of the Tabernacle and two other Temples so it will most likely continue with the Temple of the Messiah.Sukkot
Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths is a festival that starts 5 days after Yom Kippur and commemorates 40 years of wandering in the wilderness after the Exodus and rebellion/lack of faith at the sight of the Anakim. Sukkot is where Jews build temporary structures outdoors covered with the harvested materials of the fall season to sleep and eat in for a week. Just as God sheltered the Jewish ancestors in the desert so he will shelter us all after the Days of Awe which are Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur. During this holiday Jews keep the following around them:- Etrog, a citron fruit like a thick rind lemon
- Lulav, a palm frond
- Hadassim, three myrtle twigs
- Aravot, two willow branches
Messiah’s Future Fulfillment of Sukkot
Our theory that this time will see all nations broken and a call to peace globally with a call for some group or representation to return to Jerusalem and camp in booths celebrating the reign of the Messiah and the end of the horrible tribulations and war.Shemini Atzeret
Shemini Atzeret or The Eighth Day of Assembly which starts right after Sukkot. Shemini Atzeret this is a day for more focused prayer, particularly for rain in the coming agricultural season. It marks a transition from the outdoor, agricultural themes of Sukkot to the more intimate indoor celebration of the community’s relationship with God.
Messiah’s Future Fulfillment of Shemini Atzeret
Our theory is that this is the 8th Day of God after the Kingdom Age, an endless time of personal intimate interaction with the indoorness being more a reflection of out of the wilds of a near Edenic world to an actual ideal new heavens and new earth. Until the end of the Kingdom Age this feast could see the Messiah inviting someone (leaders, people, unsure) into his tabernacle to worship God and others leave having brought rains to their land.
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Then everyone who survives of all the nations that have come against Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Booths. And if any of the families of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, there will be no rain on them.
Zechariah 14:16-17
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The Moedim Continues
These traditional holidays may take on a new meaning but they will continue for the entire Millenium until the Earth and Heavens are destroyed. All of the future fulfillments are our best guesses based on themes and trends and could be completely off target but often Father keeps themes intact. Knowing the Moedim and where they point is key in knowing your Messiah and his plans.
Read "Sadducees"
For more information see “Sadducees”.
Read "Nicolaitans"
For more information see “Nicolaitans”.
Read "Desires of the Messiah"
For more information see “Desires of the Messiah”.