33. PROPHETS:
DANIELOU (WHO IS OFTEN QUOTED BY NIBLEY) on page 82 states: "Undoubtedly one of the most sensational discoveries of Qumran is the revelation of the existence of one of the great religious figures (prophets) in the history of humanity. Very little is know of his life, and it is difficult to fix exact dates. We know that he came from circle of faithful priests, that a revelation was made to him, and that he ran into violent opposition, that he was maltreated and that he was eventually sent into exile." He eventually died of old age. On page 83 he continues: "Two things about the Teacher of Righteousness are remarkable. The first is the depth of his religious experience, his deep humility before God, his painful sense of sin, his admirable confidence in God, his experience of grace, and his acts of grace. But all these attributes would make of him only a great religious figure. There is a second thing even more extraordinary, A revelation was made known to him concerning the fact that the last days proclaimed by the prophets had arrived and that the Messiah was near. He inaugurated a new exegesis of Scripture. Now what is amazing is that this prophecy was verified exactly. Thus between the great prophets of the Old Testament and John the Baptist he emerges as a new link in the preparation for the Advent of Christ: He is as Michaud writes, one of the great figures of Israel's prophetic tradition. It is amazing that he remained so unknown for so long. Now that he is known the question arises as to what we are to do about this knowledge. It is a question that is posed to the Jews: this great Jew announced the imminent coming of the Messiah some dozens of years before the birth of Christ. Furthermore, the question is put to Christians: how to contest the authenticity of such a message, which they claim has been fulfilled? Why does not this message the, form part of inspired Scripture?" Probably for the same reason the same occurred with Book of Mormon prophets and only through the Book of Mormon are they now known.