Though the Essenes of the Dead Sea Scrolls are not mentioned in the New Testament, they are described by Philo, Josephus, and Eusebius. With publication of the Essenes' own sectarian writings since the 1950s, however, they have become well known. Their withdrawal into desert seclusion was in opposition to the ruling powers in the city and the Temple of Jerusalem. They lived apart from society in constant study of the Scriptures and with a firm belief that they were the elect of Israel living in the end of days and to whom would come messianic figures—a messiah of David (royal) and a messiah of Aaron (priestly). After a long period of probation and initiation, a man became a member of this elect community that had strict rules of community discipline that would seal or destroy his membershi