ABOUT this time, upon the death of Onias the high priest, they gave the high priesthood to Jesus his brother; for that son which Onias left [or Onias IV.] was yet but an infant; and, in its proper place, we will inform the reader of all the circumstances that befell this child. But this Jesus, who was the brother of Onias, was deprived of the high priesthood by the king, who was angry with him, and gave it to his younger brother, whose name also was Onias; for Simon had these three sons, to each of which the priesthood came, as we have already informed the reader. This Jesus changed his name to Jason, but Onias was called Menelaus.
Now as the former high priest, Jesus, raised a sedition against Menelaus, who was ordained after him, the multitude were divided between them both. And the sons of Tobias took the part of Menelaus, but the greater part of the people assisted Jason; and by that means Menelaus and the sons of Tobias were distressed, and retired to Antiochus, and informed him that they were desirous to leave the laws of their country, and the Jewish way of living according to them, and to follow the king's laws, and the Grecian way of living. Wherefore they desired his permission to build them a Gymnasium at Jerusalem. And when he had given them leave, they also hid the circumcision of their genitals, that even when they were naked they might appear to be Greeks. Accordingly, they left off all the customs that belonged to their own country, and imitated the practices of the other nations.
Now Antiochus, upon the agreeable situation of the affairs of his kingdom, resolved to make an expedition against Egypt, both because he had a desire to gain it, and because he contemned the son of Ptolemy, as now weak, and not yet of abilities to manage affairs of such consequence; so he came with great forces to Pelusium, and circumvented Ptolemy Philometor by treachery, and seized upon Egypt. He then came to the places about Memphis; and when he had taken them, he made haste to Alexandria, in hopes of taking it by siege, and of subduing Ptolemy, who reigned there. But he was driven not only from Alexandria, but out of all Egypt, by the declaration of the Romans, who charged him to let that country alone; according as I have elsewhere formerly declared. I will now give a particular account of what concerns this king, how he subdued Judea and the temple; for in my former work I mentioned those things very briefly, and have therefore now thought it necessary to go over that history again, and that with great accuracy.
King Antiochus returning out of Egypt for fear of the Romans, made an expedition against the city Jerusalem; and when he was there, in the hundred and forty-third year of the kingdom of the Seleucids, he took the city without fighting, those of his own party opening the gates to him. And when he had gotten possession of Jerusalem, he slew many of the opposite party; and when he had plundered it of a great deal of money, he returned to Antioch.
Now it came to pass, after two years, in the hundred forty and fifth year, on the twenty-fifth day of that month which is by us called Chasleu, and by the Macedonians Apelleus, in the hundred and fifty-third Olympiad, that the king came up to Jerusalem, and, pretending peace, he got possession of the city by treachery; at which time he spared not so much as those that admitted him into it, on account of the riches that lay in the temple; but, led by his covetous inclination, (for he saw there was in it a great deal of gold, and many ornaments that had been dedicated to it of very great value,) and in order to plunder its wealth, he ventured to break the league he had made. So he left the temple bare, and took away the golden candlesticks, and the golden altar [of incense], and table [of shew-bread], and the altar [of burnt-offering]; and did not abstain from even the veils, which were made of fine linen and scarlet. He also emptied it of its secret treasures, and left nothing at all remaining; and by this means cast the Jews into great lamentation, for he forbade them to offer those daily sacrifices which they used to offer to God, according to the law.
And when he had pillaged the whole city, some of the inhabitants he slew, and some he carried captive, together with their wives and children, so that the multitude of those captives that were taken alive amounted to about ten thousand. He also burnt down the finest buildings; and when he had overthrown the city walls, he built a citadel in the lower part of the city, for the place was high, and overlooked the temple; on which account he fortified it with high walls and towers, and put into it a garrison of Macedonians. However, in that citadel dwelt the impious and wicked part of the [Jewish] multitude, from whom it proved that the citizens suffered many and sore calamities. And when the king had built an idol altar upon God's altar, he slew swine upon it, and so offered a sacrifice neither according to the law, nor the Jewish religious worship in that country.
He also compelled them to forsake the worship which they paid their own God, and to adore those whom he took to be gods; and made them build temples, and raise idol altars in every city and village, and offer swine upon them every day. He also commanded them not to circumcise their sons, and threatened to punish any that should be found to have transgressed his injunction. He also appointed overseers, who should compel them to do what he commanded. And indeed many Jews there were who complied with the king's commands, either voluntarily, or out of fear of the penalty that was denounced.
But the best men, and those of the noblest souls, did not regard him, but did pay a greater respect to the customs of their country than concern as to the punishment which he threatened to the disobedient; on which account they every day underwent great miseries and bitter torments; for they were whipped with rods, and their bodies were torn to pieces, and were crucified, while they were still alive, and breathed. They also strangled those women and their sons whom they had circumcised, as the king had appointed, hanging their sons about their necks as they were upon the crosses. And if there were any sacred book of the law found, it was destroyed, and those with whom they were found miserably perished also.
When the Samaritans saw the Jews under these sufferings, they no longer confessed that they were of their kindred, nor that the temple on Mount Gerizzim belonged to Almighty God. This was according to their nature, as we have already shown. And they now said that they were a colony of Medes and Persians; and indeed they were a colony of theirs. So they sent ambassadors to Antiochus, and an epistle, whose contents are these: "To king Antiochus the god, Epiphanes, a memorial from the Sidonians, who live at Shechem. Our forefathers, upon certain frequent plagues, and as following a certain ancient superstition, had a custom of observing that day which by the Jews is called the Sabbath.
And when they had erected a temple at the mountain called Gerrizzim, though without a name, they offered upon it the proper sacrifices. Now, upon the just treatment of these wicked Jews, those that manage their affairs, supposing that we were of kin to them, and practiced as they do, make us liable to the same accusations, although we be originally Sidonians, as is evident from the public records.
We therefore beseech thee, our benefactor and Savior, to give order to Apollonius, the governor of this part of the country, and to Nicanor, the procurator of thy affairs, to give us no disturbance, nor to lay to our charge what the Jews are accused for, since we are aliens from their nation, and from their customs; but let our temple, which at present hath no name at all be named the Temple of Jupiter Hellenius. If this were once done, we should be no longer disturbed, but should be more intent on our own occupation with quietness, and so bring in a greater revenue to thee."
When the Samaritans had petitioned for this, the king sent them back the following answer, in an epistle: "King Antiochus to Nicanor. The Sidonians, who live at Shechem, have sent me the memorial enclosed. When therefore we were advising with our friends about it, the messengers sent by them represented to us that they are no way concerned with accusations which belong to the Jews, but choose to live after the customs of the Greeks. Accordingly, we declare them free from such accusations, and order that, agreeable to their petition, their temple be named the Temple of Jupiter Hellenius." He also sent the like epistle to Apollonius, the governor of that part of the country, in the forty-sixth year, and the eighteenth day of the month Hecatorabeom
Quotes from: “Antiquities of the Jews” (Vol X11, Chapter five of Works of Josephus”)
Summary of the Maccabee’s and the Feast of Hanukkah
In 168 BC the Jew’s holy Temple was seized and dedicated to the worship of Zeus. Some of the Jews under Judah Maccabee went to war with Antiochus Epipnanes troops. After three years of fighting, the Jews defeated the Greek army, despite of the fact that they had fewer men and weapons.
When Judah Maccabee went to the temple, he was saddened by the sight of so many things broken or missing including the golden menorah. They cleaned and repaired the Temple and then had a big dedication ceremony. For the celebration, the Maccabees wanted to light the menorah. When they looked for oil they only found enough for one day. After lighting the menorah the oil burned for eight days. In memory of this occasion, the Jews continued to celebrate the feast Hanukkah where they light the menorah for eight days. The feast was called the “Feast of Lights” during the days when Jesus was here and we can read about it in John’s Gospel.
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A. SCRIPTURE:
"Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place".
"So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress".
"Then after the sixty-two week the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the Prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined".
And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate".
B. MAIN FEATURES OF THIS PROPHECY
• It concerns Daniel's people, Israel, and Daniel's city, Jerusalem (v. 24).
• Two princes mentioned:
1. Messiah (v. 25)
2. Prince to come (v. 26)
• Time period is specified at 70 weeks (v. 24) (Each week is 7 years)
1. As a unit (v. 24)
2. As a division of 3 periods: 7 weeks, 62 weeks, and 1 week (v. 25 and 27)
• Specified beginning of the 70 weeks (v. 25)
• Messiah appears at end of 69 weeks (v. 25)
• Destruction of city and sanctuary by people of prince to come (v. 26)
• Covenant made between Israel and the coming prince at the beginning of last week (v. 27). This covenant is broken mid-week (v 27)
• At end of the 70 weeks, Israel will have everlasting righteousness (v. 24)
C. TIME MEASURE INDICATED BY 70 WEEKS•
Jewish concept of week:
1. The Hebrew word for "week" is shabua and literally means a "seven" (We should disassociate any English concept of week with the concept intended by Gabriel.) Then, in Hebrew, the idea of 70 weeks is "seventy sevens".
2. The Jews were familiar with a "seven" of both days and years. "It was, in certain respects, even more important" (Alva J. McClain, Daniel's Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks, p. 13).
Remembering what has been previously said, there are several reasons for believing the 70 weeks mentioned in Daniel are 70 sevens of years.
1. Daniel had been thinking in terms of years and multiples of seven earlier in the chapter (Dan. 9:1-2).
2. Daniel knew that the Babylonian captivity was based on violation of the Sabbatic year, and since they were in captivity for 70 years, evidently the Sabbatic year was violated 490 years (Lev. 26:32-35, 2 Chr. 36:21, and Dan. 9:24).
3. The Context is consistent and makes sense when we understand the 70 weeks as years.
4. Shabua is found in Daniel 10:2-3. Context demands it to mean "weeks" of days. it is literally "three sevens of days". If Daniel meant days in [url=]9:24-27[/url], why don't we find the same form of expression as that in chapter ten? Obviously, years are meant in chapter nine.
D. LENGTH OF PROPHETIC YEAR• The calendar year used in the Scriptures must be determined from the Scriptures themselves.
1. Historically - Compare [urlhttp://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%207:11;&version=50;=]Genesis 7:11[/url] with Genesis 8:4 and the two of these with Genesis 7:24 and Genesis 8:3.
2. Prophetically - Many scriptures refer to the Great Tribulation under various terms, but all have a common denomination of a 360-day year.
a. Daniel 9:27 - "Midst" of the 70th week (obviously 3 1/2 years).
b. Daniel 7:24-25 - "A time and times and the dividing of time (literally 31/2 times).
c. Revelation 12:13 - "A time and times and half a time".
d. Revelation 12:6 - "A thousand two hundred and three score days" (1260 days or 3 1/2 years).
E. BEGINNING OF 70 WEEKS• The key to this is in Daniel 9:25 (decree).
1. "In the month Nisan (March), in the 20th year of Artaxerxes the king".
2. Artaxerxes' accession was in 465 B.C., therefore Nehemiah 2:1 is definitely fixed at 445 B.C.
3. There is no date specified, so according to the Jewish custom, the date is understood as the first day of the month.
4. March 14, 445 B.C. is our corresponding calendar date.
F. WAY-MARK OF THE FIRST SEVEN WEEKS•
It took 49 years to restore the city (v. 25)
• The close of Hebrew prophecy and of the Old Testament canon in Malachi is noteworthy, marked 49 years after 445 B.C.
G. TERMINAL DAY OF THE 69 WEEKS• Reduction of weeks to days gives:
1. 69 weeks x 7 years x 360 days = 173,880 days
2. 173,880 days from March 14, 445 B.C. give the date of April 6, 32 A.D.
• The exact and final date, according to many calculations by Sir Robert Anderson in The Coming Prince (p. 127), was April 6, 32 A.D. He states, "The Julian date of the 10th Nisan was Sunday the 6th of April, A.D. 32. What then was the length of the period intervening between the issuing of the decree to rebuild Jerusalem and the public advent of "Messiah the Prince," - Between the 14th B.C. 445, and the 6th of April, A.D. 32? The interval contained exactly and to the very day 173,880, days or seven times sixty-nine prophetic years of 360 days, the first sixty nine week of Gabriel's prophecy."
• Proof in terms of our Calendar.
1. 445 B.C to 32 A.D. is 476 years (B.C. 1 to A.D. 1 is one year).
2. 476 x 365 days = 173,740 days
Add for leap years 116 days ( 3 less in 4 centuries)
March 14 to April 6 24 days (inclusive)
173,880 total days
Terminal event of 69 weeks:
1. Offer of King and the Kingdom. Note: The above date was the same day the Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 (Compare Luke 19:28-44)
2. Two events occur after the 69 weeks and before the 70th.
a. Messiah is "cut off" (crucified).
b. The city and sanctuary are destroyed (Titus' destruction of Jerusalem, 70 A.D.).
• No matter how you figure the dates (even if you don't accept Sir Robert Anderson's exact dates) the Messiah had to come before the destruction of Jerusalem.
Source: Copied from "Evidence that demands a Verdict", Josh McDowell, pp 178 -181)
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A Summary of History During the Times of the Gentiles
The "Times of the Gentiles" began when the Babylonians captured Jerusalem and carded the Israelites to Babylon in 587 BC. It will end when the Antichrist kingdom is destroyed by the return of Christ. Jesus said: ”And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring" Luke 21:24-25).
The Babylonian Empire
The first kingdom of the "Times of the Gentiles", Babylon, under the absolute authority of king Nebuchadnezzar II was a showcase of beauty. Nebuchadnezzar rebuilt the city into a magnificence city of great splendor and fame. It has been said that the walls were so wide that chariot races were held on top of the walls. The hanging gardens were known as one of the "seven wonders of the world". They made great progress in the science of astronomy and mathematics and were strongly influenced by the Greeks. It was a heathen empire which worshiped the created things of the creator.
As the years passed, the kingdom was weaken from within and by the time of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson, Belshazzar, the kingdom was a shadow of what it was under Nebuchadnezzar. In 539 BC, the city was taken by Cyrus, king of Persia while Belshazzar was having a wild party.
The Media - Persia Empire
It is amazing that Isaiah the prophet foretold these events about Cyrus many years before he was born. "Who says of Cyrus, 'He is My shepherd, And he shall perform all My pleasure, Saying to Jerusalem, "You shall be built," And to the temple, "Your foundation shall be laid.” Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held; To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut" (Isa 44:28-45:1).
Cyrus came to power by uniting Medes and the Persian. The Media-Persia Empire was not as great as Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom but it probably covered more territory - from the cities of Asia Minor to the border of India. Along with Babylon Cyrus acquired Palestine and he allowed the Jews to return from Babylonian exile to rebuild their temple in Jerusalem.
Darius seized the Persian crown in 522 BC and the empire flourished. He created a system of new government and began to delegate authority. He was never the dictator that Nebuchadnezzar was. Enormous wealth flowed into the royal treasure and the king minted and standardized gold coins. In order to encourage commerce, he also standardized weights, and measures, built imperial highways, and completed a canal from the Nile River to the Red Sea. He demanded strict enforcement of the Medes and Persian Laws. Commerce and trade increased and flourished throughout His Empire.
By 500 BC, the Greek cities of Asia Minor aided by Athens began to rebel, but Darius was able to suppress the rebellion. Darius died in 486 BC and his son Xerxes came to power. He was a weak leader and focused his attention upon the rebellion of the Greek cities. The Greeks drove him back out of their territory and thus began a period of Persian wars that lasted for twenty years. The Persians were able to withhold the Greeks but never really was able to suppress them. Therefore, the Media-Persia Empire was never able to expand into Europe.
During the next 125 years the Empire was plagued with conspiracies, assassinations, and revolts. The kingdom was briefly united but it was short lived because about 333 BC Alexander the Great led his powerful army into Asia and captured the western half of the Persian Empire. It was not long until Alexander the Great had conquered the then known world.
The Greek Empire
Although Alexander the Great died before the age of 33, he conquered almost all the then known world and he is credited for giving a new direction to history. The three centuries after the death of Alexander are called the Hellenistic Age, derived from the Greek word, helienizein, which means, "to act like a Greek." During this period, the great culture advances and Greek language spread throughout the eastern Mediterranean world.
However, shortly after the death of Alexander, the Kingdom was split up into four regions which were governed by his former generals. The Antigonid dynasty maintained control of the Greek mainland and the dynasty of Lysimachus controlled Asia Minor. The Seleucids governed Syria, and the Ptolemies ruled the land of ancient Egypt. Palestine and Jerusalem originally came under the control of the Ptolemies but became a battle ground between the Seleucids and the Ptolemies. Eventually it became under the tyrannical reign of the Seleucids.
The following is a quoted summary of the period. "The Hellenistic period was an international, cosmopolitan age. Commercial contacts were widespread and peoples of many ethnic and religious backgrounds merged in populous urban centers. Advances were made in various fields of scientific inquiry, including engineering, physics, astronomy and mathematics. Great libraries were founded in Alexandria, Athens and the independent kingdom of Pergamum. The old beliefs in Olympian gods were infused with foreign elements, especially from the east; "Oriental" ecstatic cults, such as those of Cybele, Isis, and Mfthras, become popular in the Hellenized world" (The Ancient Greek World, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology).
As the years went by there were conflicts between the three dynasties. Each dynasty tried to rule the world and many battles were fought over territory. These wars weaken each kingdom and during the third century BC, ancient Rome began to gain power. The former empire of Alexander was taken steadily and methodically into Roman hands and by 31 BC the Hellenistic Age came to an end.
The Roman Empire
"When the ancient Greeks were reaching the height of their glory, Rome’s influence in the west was slowly rising. The genius of the Greeks lay in art, literature, science, and philosophy. The Romans were best in warfare, engineering, and government. Rome rose to power gradually, with no set plan for world conquest. The Romans fought many wars and enslaved many people. By the time of Augustus, shortly before Christ, most of the known world was unified and at peace under Roman rule" (Compton Encyclopedia Online).
The Romans expanded their world empire all the way to the Atlantic Ocean which includes the territory we now know as Europe. By the first century AD, they had built modern roads thus providing easy travel throughout their empire. In the beginning, they were very tolerant toward other religions and other languages. Most of the East retained the Greek language, however to the west they spoke Latin, the Roman language. But, Rome ruled with an iron hand and swiftly suppressed any uprising against the Caesar - many times using crucifixion as a means to control their subjects.
By the latter part of the first century AD, they began to suppress religious freedom because their Caesars declared themselves Gods. Many Christians were persecuted because they would not bow down to an image of Caesar. As morals began to decline, the kingdom was weakened.
The reign of Nero (54-68 AD) brought about great persecution. Slave labor had degraded to the status of serfs or beggars. The middle class, who was once the backbone of the nation, had almost disappeared. The society had become a nation of the very rich and the very poor.
During the period leading up the reign of Diocletian, the government had begun to collapse. During the period between 180 AD and 284 AD, the senate recognized 27 different men as emperor. By the time of Diocletian, nearly all of the republican liberties were abolished and the senate was only a council for the city of Rome. Diocletian was a military man who took the first steps of restoring some order to the Government. One of his first steps was to divide the Empire by turning the rule of the west over to an associate. Under Diocletian, the empire took on the aspects of a theocracy.
After the reign of Diocletian (284-305 AD), the Empire was dominated by the absolute rule of Constantine The Great. Two important events mark the reign of Constantine: (1) he made Christianity the lawful religion of the Roman Empire and (2) He moved the capital from Rome to the city of Constantinople.
After the people were forced to convert to Christianity, the Church leaders became more powerful in the government. With the passing of years, they eventually took control of the government as the state was merged with the church.
With the move of his seat of government from Rome to Constantinople, Constantine ushered in the Byzantine Empire that ruled the eastern block for the next 1000 years. The western block slowly came under the control of the Roman Pope and a number of Germanic tribes who roamed the west. The church in the west was under the control of the Roman Catholics and the east was under the control of the Eastern Orthodox Church. As time passed these two branches of the Church grew further apart on doctrine. All denominations today find their roots in one or the other early churches. It is through these two branches that the churches began to drift away from the doctrine of the first century church.
Rome was not overthrown by a world power as the previous kingdoms were - it decayed internally. Things got so bad that it ceased to become a nation but continued to influence culture, law and languages, even until today.
The Middle Ages
The Middle Ages cover about 1,000 years from about 500 AD until 1500 AD. The eastern block, known as the Byzantine Empire, was strongly influenced by the Church and retained the higher level of civilization known during the Roman Empire. The western half soon crumbled into various feudal kingdoms. The Byzantine Empire lasted until 1453 AD which is when it fell to the Ottoman Turks. The Turks ruled a large part of western Asia until they fell to the British in 1919 AD.
In the west, the rude forms of the Germanic tribe of barbarians overcame the highly developed systems of Roman civilization. "The invaders lacked the knowledge and skill to carry on Roman achievements in art, literature, and engineering and "the whole world", as St. Jerome wrote, "is sinking into ruin." The early medieval period is known as the Dark Ages.
During the latter years of the fifth century, Christianity began to lift Europe out of the Dark Ages. Clovis, the Frankish King, became a Christian in 496 AD and led his people, later to become France, into the Roman Catholic Church. When Clovis became a Roman Catholic, his people began to receive the support of the bishop of Rome (the Pope). This opened the door for the Franks to participate in the Roman culture which had been sustained by the church. The monks, who were living in monasteries, had preserved the knowledge of the Roman arts and crafts.
In 786 AD, the leadership of the Franks passed to the great Charlemagne. He brought the Lombards and heathen Saxons under his dominion. By 800 AD Charlemagne was the undisputed ruler of Western Europe. He ruled over the land which is now France, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands and included half of present-day Italy and Germany, part of Austria, and the Spanish border. In 800 AD the Pope proclaimed him ruler of the Holy Roman Empire and he began to provide education for his people. He founded schools for the poor as well as for the nobility. Under his reign, some of the Roman culture was expanded to the west.
After the death of Charlemagne, barbaric Vikings and Hungarians invaded England and the West Coast of Europe. Hungarians drove from the east into Germany, France, and Italy. At the same time, Moors, who were from Africa and Spain, slashed into Southern Europe. The weaken kings of the broken Holy Roman Empire could not stand against the invaders and they turned to powerful landlords for protection.
This brought about a feudal system in which powerful lords ruled over lesser lords and lesser lords ruled over servants. During this time education was suppressed as ninety percent of the people were in various degrees of slavery. Again they enter the dark ages where the Lords and the church ruled the land. Few could read and write thus many false teachings were imposed upon the people. The peasants did homage for protection and gave up their independence. The lord's castles served as forts of refuge when there was an invasion. During this period heavily armored Knights came upon the scene.
By the middle of the 10th century the Frankish kingdom was divided into the east and west kingdoms. The Western Kingdom was composed of today's France and the Eastern Kingdom was Germanic. The Germanic group controlled what is now England. During this time, the Holy Roman Empire moved to the Germanic group. Between 1000 AD and 1200 AD the church, which was ruled by the Pope, made a political comeback.
Another major group of people, which had an impact during the Middle Ages, was the Moslem nations. Followers of Mohammed began Holy Wars and gained control of the Middle East during the sixth and seventh century. Forging across Western Asia and the southern Europe they reached as far as Spain by 711 AD. The Moslem Arabs invaded Spain from North African and controlled the nation until 1492 AD.
In 1096 AD Pope Urban II sent the first Christian Crusaders eastward to fight against the Moslems. The Pope was motivated by the fact that all of Europe would be lost to the Moslems if they were not stopped. He also received a request for help from the Byzantine Empire leaders who were fighting for their life in Eastern Europe and Western Asia. Also, the Moslems were preventing Christian pilgrimages to the Holy Land and Jerusalem.
A total of five military expeditions, known as Holy Wars, were launched between 1096 AD and 1221 AD. The first expedition reached the Holy Land and controlled it for several years but after a period of time Crusaders lost control again to the Moslems. Therefore, the Popes continued to send military expeditions to reclaim it. Pope Urban II originally launched the military campaign with the idea that if the Kings and Lords of Europe had a common military goal, they would consolidate their efforts and stop fighting among themselves. His strategy worked, however, after many years, the expeditions became more commercial than military.
The crusades opened the door for commercial trade beyond Europe and increased the control of the Church over the people. Late in the thirteenth century AD, Marco Polo began exploring the Far East and opened the door to trade with China, Japan and the East Indies. His writings later led to other efforts of exploration such as those done by Columbus and others that followed him.
By the 13th century the church was the strongest influence in Europe. Most everyone except Jews, Arabs and the people in the Byzantine Empire belonged to the Roman Catholic Church and fell under its authority. The Pope had more authority and wealth than the combined wealth of lords and nobles. The Pope's subordinate officials, the archbishops, bishops and others, were usually great feudal lords with rich possessions and military strength. The church also administered many of the legal affairs of the people and sometimes used its authority to excommunication. Once excommunicated, a person was expelled from the church and all Christians, even members of his family, were forbidden to associate with him.
The church mainly provided education to the barons and clergy leaving the masses largely uneducated. The universal language, Latin, was maintained as the common language of learning. The Monks' service was to produce manuscripts of classical learning thus providing us with much history.
By this time France, Germany, England, Spain and Italy had become sovereign nations and had become major powers in Europe.
The Modern Ages
Modern Times began with the Renaissance age where people began to pull out of the bondage the Kings, Lords and the Church. It is considered one of the rare periods of genius in world history. It began in the 14th Century in Italy and reached its height in the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries as it spread across Europe. The word Renaissance means "rebirth" and refers to the rediscovery of writings of the ancient Greeks and Romans. It was a period of discovery of the arts and literature, mathematics, new scientific laws and new religious ideas. The Monks had carefully preserved the old documents as they copied old manuscripts down through the ages.
The transition from the middle ages to the modern ages brought about an increase in the number of new towns. The Roman Empire had encouraged the building of towns but the German barbarians refused to live in confinement. The new cities aided the establishment of trade, commerce and manufacturing.
Between 1337 AD and 1453 AD history recorded the longest war ever to be recorded. The war was fought between France and England. The war started as a dispute over the legitimate succession to the French crown. The English claimed rights by way of marriage. Over the years the reason for the fighting changed several times, as the two nations had become bitter enemies. By the end of the war, England had lost all of its territory on the main continent of Europe. The war lasted through the reign of five English kings and brought an end to feudalism.
Christopher Columbus opened the way to world exploration when he sailed westward from Spain in search of a route by sea to the East Indies. On the morning of October 12, 1492, he stepped ashore on an island that is today known as the Americas thus discovering a new continent. His discoveries opened the door for fierce competition among the European countries as they explored and colonized the new territories.
Another major change took place in new religious ideas as the reform movement broke the bond of the medieval Roman Catholic Church. Martin Luther broke the yoke of the Roman Catholic Church in 1517 AD when he disagreed with the church over doctrine. This led to a permanent division of the church and brought on the great Protestant Reformation in Germany and later throughout Europe. Religious freedom played a big role in the colonization of America during the 18th century.
A major force in Europe during the later part of the 18th century and the early part of 19'h century was the administration of Napoleon Bonaparte of France. He was a great reformer and wanted to restore the Western Empire of Charlemagne. For sixteen years, he was master of most of Europe as he defeated one country after another. He can be compared to Adolph Hitler who would later try the same thing over two centuries later. Napoleon met his end in defeat with the battle of Waterloo, which was fought on June 18, 1815.
With the turn of the 20th century, Europe began to enter in world wars. During World War I most of Europe fought against the Germans and the Turks of Asia. After the defeat of the Germans, colonization by the European countries increased around the world. At one time it was said that the "sun never sets on the British Empire". Peace was short lived, about twenty years later the world had to fight the Germans again under the dictatorship of Adolph Hitler. Since World War II, the independence gained by many countries has practically brought an end to European colonization.
The world has experienced very little peace during the 20th century as the United Nations and the United States have tried to police the world. Many are saying that we need a one-world government under one leader to bring peace to the World.
Late in the 20th century, the countries of Europe united under a Europe common market. In 1999, they adopted a common currency for trade among themselves and are calling themselves the United States of Europe. Have they at last revived the old Roman Empire?
The Bible tells us that the "Times of the Gentile" will come to an end when the Antichrist, who will control the entire world, is defeated when Christ returns to the earth to reign as Kings of kings and Lord of lords.
Last edited by wayne on Fri Mar 20, 2009 9:14 pm; edited 1 time in total
Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:36 pm Post subject: History Between the Old and New Testament
History of the Jews Between the Old and New Testaments
I. Persian Period – 537-332 BC
Malachi was the last of the prophets, and is supposed to have prophesied B.C.420.
1. Cyrus and his descendants
a. 1st group – 537 BC – Zerubbabel, Prince of Judah, Josha, high priest
b. 2nd group – 458 BC – Ezra, the scribe
c. 3rd group – 444 BC – Nehemiah – Rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem
d. 420 BC – Malachi, the last prophet, wrote the last book of the prophets.
e. Events : Return of Jews from Babylon, rebuilt the Temple, re-establishment of worship of Jehovah, elevation of the high priesthood to political authority, rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem and completed the Old Testament Canon.
II. Greek Period – 332-320 BC (Impact on the Jews)
1. Alexander the Great 332-320 BC
2. Egyptians: 332-198 BC 122 years - Ptolemies of Egypt (5 Kings)
3. Syrian: 312 - 64 BC 248 years - Seleucids of Syria
4. Syrian: 175-168 BC (27 years) - (Antiochus Epiphanes)
5. Events:
a. Under Alexander: Peace, protection, privilege and favor. Built Alexandria, transported a colony of Jews to the city.
b. Under Ptolemies – Ruled from Alexandria, Egypt – Continuation of Alexander’s policies. Under the Ptolemies, The Old Testament Canon was completed and during the third and second centuries BC, the Jews translated the Old Testament from Hebrew to Greek (called the Septuagint).
c. Under Seleucids or (Antiochus) – Ruled from Antioch of Syria – Persecution, forced Hellenization, heavy taxation, and political priesthood.
III. Period of Independence – 168-63 BC
1. Maccabbees: A priestly family leading a Jewish revolt begun in 168 BC against Hellenism and Syrian rule and reigning over Palestine from 142 to 63 BC.
2. Mattathia and five sons: Johanan (killed in battle); Simon, statesman and administrator; Judas, Noblest leader; Eleazor (killed in battle) and Judas won military victories. Was in charge from 166-160 BC.
a. Jonathan won favorable compromises. Was in charge from 160-143 BC.
b. Simon won full independence and became the absolute sovereign. Was in charge from 143-135 BC.
c. Hasmonean dynasty (family name of Maccabbees)
• John Hyrcanus – 135-106 BC - 30 years - Against the Pharisaic doctrine, combined in one person both the royal and priestly dignities. Converted from Pharisee to Sadducee. When Hyrcanus passed away, what remained was only the sad tale of outward and inward decay.
• In 105 BC John Hyrcanus’ wife assumed royal title.
• Judas called Aristobulus – Reigned 1 year (Son of John Hyrcanus became high priest). Had his mother killed and assumed the royal throne. Judas was the first to put a diadem on his head.
• Janneus Alexander (Son of Aristobulus), Reigned 27 years (105-78 BC). – Alexandra, wife of Aristobulus, elevated Janneus Alexander, oldest of the surviving sons, to the throne and married him. Alexander also assumed the office of high priest. Affiliated himself with the party of the Sadducees and the Pharisees aroused a widespread sedition against him. Ruling only by brute force, he made the last years of his reign dark and gloomy.
• Alexandra (Wife of Aristobulus and Alexander) – Reigned 9 years (78-69 BC). Elevated to the throne and made her son, John Hyrcanus II high priest. (Only woman ruler).
Loved and respected by Jews
Formed alliance with Pharisees
Pharisees given supervision of the Sanhedrin
Pharisees never lost this advantage
• John Hyrcanus II - continued as high priest.
• Aristobulus (67 BC) – Made war against his brother Hyrcanus and assumed the throne and office of high priest. Supported the cause of the Sadducees. Rome removed him from office.
IV. Roman Period 63 BC – 70 AD (Actual end of Roman Empire in West, 476 AD and in East, 1453 AD)
1. Conquest by Pompey –
a. John Hyrcanus II (62-22 BC) - son of Alexandra - Rome restored the high priesthood to Hyrcanus, and made him governor of the nation, but forbade him to wear a diadem.
b. Hyrcanus was the last of the Hasmonean high priest. He was a mild man. When Herod the Great came to power, certain men that were of no eminent families became high priest (See Josephus).
c. Herod Antipater (47 BC) (friend of John Hyrcanus II) of Idumea, political governor. Antipater was appointed Procurator of Judea by Caesar. Herod’s son, Phasaelus, was made Governor of Jerusalem, and Herod (the Great) was made Governor of Galilee. In 43 BC, Procurator Herod Antipater was poisoned by the Sadducees.
• Two sons:
Phasaelus (committed suicide after Herod the Great gained power.)
Herod the Great (38 BC), reigned 34 years, died about 4 BC. Note: Herod married the daughter of Alexander, the son of Aristobulus.
Hasmonean rules ends 126 year after it begins – End of the Hasmonean priesthood.
2. Herod’s (the great) three sons shared a divided kingdom (Tetrarchy)
• Herod Antipas – Galilee and Perea
• Philip – Trachonities
• Archelaus – Judea
Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 9:19 pm Post subject: Scripture
"And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever" (Dan 2:44).
"Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate” (Dan. 9:27).
“At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book" (Dan 12:1).
"And he said, 'go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days'" (Dan. 12:9-11).
"I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; a fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened" (Dan. 7:9-10).
I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed" (Dan. 7:13-14).
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