Bible Chronology. Two Churches Timeline. by Mary Neil Wyatt

Transcription

1 Bible Chronology by Mary Neil Wyatt Two Churches Timeline And the angel said to Nephi, Behold, there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil. Wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth. 1N 3:220 1 Bible Chronology

2 Biblical Chronology by Mary Nell Wyatt (First published in Newsletter # 7, April 1994) We felt it was important to provide you with a copy of our Biblical chronology since there are so many different ideas as to Biblical dates. We have simply taken the information given in the Bible and pieced it together. We spent a great deal of time and research on this chronology and do not claim it to be perfect. We have taken into consideration the dates arrived at by scholars, such as Thiele; we have taken into account the 3 year error in our present calendar- see article in this newsletter. The Bible does not give a continuous line of dates to work with. But the information is there. In some cases, dates must be arrived at by going backwards from known dates. In these cases, it is still possible to determine if the date is accurate by checking it with other Biblical information. Below, we have explained how we arrived at the date of the Exodus, which was more difficult to ascertain. Date of the Exodus BC 1446 Between Joseph's death and Moses' birth, we have a void of information- we cannot determine the exact number of years between these two events unless we find another point of reference to work from. There is one Biblical date which we believe to be absolutely confirmed- one which gives us a firm basis on which to work backwards from. This is the destruction date of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC. Edwin R. Thiele, in his book "THE MYSTERIOUS NUMBERS OF THE HEBREW KINGS" gives a most thorough evidence of the accuracy of this date by Babylonian records which can be astronomically verified. We highly recommend this book for a full explanation. In order to arrive at the date of the Exodus, we took this date of 586 BC and added to it the years of the kings of Judah after Solomon. These years of reign totalled 345. ( = 931) This brings us to the last year of Solomon's reign, 931 BC. Since we know Solomon reigned 40 years, this means his 1st year would have been 970 BC. Note, that in counting years of reign, we must be sure and count the first year. To say he ruled from 971 to 931 is incorrect, even though you are adding 40 years to his last year of reign, 970. You must subtract 1 year from your total to take into account the first year. With his first year of reign as 970 BC, this would place his 4th year at 966 BC- the year he began work on the temple. And it is from this date that we arrive at another date, the date of the Exodus: 1KI 6:1 And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD. 2 Bible Chronology

3 Of note: here, unlike above where we had to be sure and count Solomon's 1st year of reign, 970 BC, as year one, in figuring the next date, we do not do this in the same manner. The above scripture states in the 480th year "after" the children of Israel were come out"... Therefore, we count the first year after they came out as year 1. To arrive at the date, we simply add the entire 480 years... The Biblical date of the Exodus is now established- the children of Israel came out of Egypt exactly 480 years before Solomon began work on the temple in 966 BC., or in 1446 BC. Keep in mind that this, as all dates, are approximate but we believe they are within a 3 or 4 year margin. The 3 Year Error in our Calendar It is common knowledge that when the calendar we use today, based on the BC/AD system, was developed, it contained a known 4-year error. In the 6th century AD, a dispute in the early church as to the correct date of Easter resulted in the development of this calendar. Prior to this, the early Roman calendar was in use. This was based on dates as occurring relative to the founding of Rome, AUC,- "ab urbe condita", which means "from the founding of Rome". Dionysius Exiguus, a monk of Sythian birth, resident in Italy, invented our current calendar which relates all events in years prior to or after Christ's birth- BC, (before Christ) and AD (anno Domini, which means, "In the year of our Lord"). By studying the old records, Exiguus reckoned the date of the birth of Christ to have occurred in 754 AUC, but this proved to be in error. In fact, based on the earlier calendar, Christ's birth is proved to have occurred at the latest in 750 AUC because of the fact that Christ was born during the time of Herod the Great, who died in this year. Therefore, in simple terms, here is the result of the new calendar. Exiguus placed all dates in relation to Christ's birth, which he called year "1 AD". Events one year prior to this were called 1 BC (1 year before Christ). There was no year "0", lessening the error by one year. However, because of this miscalculation of the date of Christ's birth, our calendar does not present an accurate picture: Exiguus' Dating True Dating Date True Date 4 BC Christ born > BC 3 BC > BC 2 BC > BC 1 BC > 1996 Christ born 1 AD > Bible Chronology

4 This information relating to the true reckoning of the calendar to the birth of Christ is very important and the evidence on which it is based- the death of Herod the Great- is solid. The error in time was discovered soon after the Exiguus developed the calendar, however it still went into effect. The following information on Herod the Great is from the 1985 Encyclopaedia Britannica, under "Chronology": "Somehow Dionysius reckoned the birth of Christ to have occurred in 754 AUC; but the Gospels state that Christ was born under Herod the Great-, i.e., at the latest in 750 AUC...Nevertheless, it has continued in use to the present day, and as a result, the Nativity is reckoned to have taken place in or shortly before the year 4 BC, when Herod died." As for the knowledge of the date of Herod the Great, his life is extremely well documented, especially in the detailed information furnished in the Jewish History of Josephus. Herod's association with other well-know and well documented historical figures, such as his life-long friend, Mark Antony, give us precise information as to the dating of his life events and his death. This next quote is from the same encyclopaedia, under "Herod the Great": "In his last years, Herod suffered from arteriosclerosis. He had to repress a revolt, became involved in a quarrel with his Nabataean neighbors, and finally lost the favor of Augustus. He was in great pain and in mental and physical disorder. He altered his will 3 times and finally disinherited and killed his firstborn, Antipater. The slaying, shortly before his death, of the infants of Bethlehem was wholly consistent with the disarray into which he had fallen. After an unsuccessful attempt at suicide, Herod died at Jericho at the end of March or beginning of April in 4 BC. His final testament proved that, subject to Augustus' sanction, his realm would be divided among his sons..." There is another thing which we must consider. In 1650, when James Ussher calculated the chronology of the Old Testament, he reckoned the creation of Adam to have been in 4004 BCexactly 4,000 years before the birth of Christ. If Exiguus' calendar had been calculated correctly, the creation of Adam would have been in 4000 BC; the birth of Christ in 1 AD, and today's date would be In 3 years, we will reach the 6,000 year mark- and for those who believe this is significant, time is shorter than we think. BIBLICAL CHRONOLOGY by Ron and Mary Nell Wyatt Time begins- creation of Adam (Chronology given in Genesis 5) Adam 130 yrs at birth of Seth Seth 105 yrs at birth of Enosh Enosh 90 yrs at birth of Kenan (Cainan) Cainan 70 yrs at birth of Mahalalel Mahalalel 65 yrs at birth of Jared Jared 162 yrs at birth of Enoch Enoch 65 yrs at birth of Methuselah Methuselah 187 yrs at birth of Lamech Adam dies at 930 yrs 4004 BC 3874 BC 3769 BC 3679 BC 3609 BC 3544 BC 3382 BC 3317 BC 3130 BC 3074 BC 4 Bible Chronology

5 Enoch taken to heaven at 365 yrs Seth dies at 912 yrs Lamech 182 yrs at birth of Noah Enos dies at 905 yrs Cainan dies at 910 yrs Mahalalel dies at 895 yrs Jared dies at 962 yrs Lamech dies at 777 yrs Methuselah dies at 969 yrs Noah 600 yrs at time of the Flood (Genesis 7:11) Arpachshad born 2 yrs after Flood (Genesis 11:10) Arpachshad 35 yrs at birth of Shelah (Chronology given in Genesis 11:10-32) Shelah 30 yrs at birth of Eber Eber 34 yrs at birth of Peleg (Division of the earth) Peleg 30 yrs at birth of Reu Reu 32 yrs at birth of Serug Serug 30 yrs at birth of Nahor Nahor 29 yrs at birth of Terah, Abraham's father Peleg dies at 239 yrs Nahor dies at 148 yrs Noah dies at 950 yrs Terah 130 yrs at birth of Abraham Reu dies at 239 yrs Serug dies at 230 yrs Abraham 75 yrs when he leaves Haran (Genesis 12:4) Abraham 86 yrs when Ishmael born (Genesis 16:16) Arphaxad dies at 438 yrs Destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah when Abraham is 99 yrs old (Genesis 17:21-25) Abraham 100 yrs at birth of Isaac (Genesis 21:5) Shelah dies at 433 yrs Abraham called by God to offer Isaac- this event marks the beginning of the prophecy of the 430 years. For explanation BC 2962 BC 2948 BC 2864 BC 2769 BC 2714 BC 2582 BC 2353 BC 2347 BC 2348 BC 2346 BC 2311 BC 2281 BC 2247 BC 2217 BC 2185 BC 2155 BC 2126 BC 2008 BC 2007 BC 1998 BC 1996 BC 1978 BC 1955 BC 1921 BC 1910 BC 1908 BC 1897 BC 1896 BC 1878 BC 1876 BC The next verses tell us that the "law" meaning the law of sacrifices and the Mosaic Law, was given 430 years after the covenant with Abraham: GAL 3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of 5 Bible Chronology

6 promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. This promise, or covenant, had been given to Abraham earlier, but it was only when he was faithful in his willingness to offer Isaac to God that it was confirmed. Here, the Lord tells that it was at this time that the promise or covenant was ratified: GEN 22:16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. And at this time, when the covenant was ratified, the prophecy of 400 years, given in Gen 15:13, begins: GEN 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;. This 400 years is included in the 430 years of the next passage: EXO 12:40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. 41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. However, be sure and note that the Scriptures do not say that they will be held in bondage in Egypt for 430 years- it says that their "sojourning" was for 430 years. From the time the covenant was ratified by Abraham's obedience in being willing to offer his only son, until the Exodus was exactly 430 years. The earlier passage said that for 400 years they would: 1- be strangers in a land not theirs, 2- that they would be subject to, or serve, the nations in which they dwelled, and finally, 3- they would be afflicted. They were in fact only in Egypt from 1706 BC until 1446 BC, or 260 yrs. Isaac 40 yrs when he marries Rebekah (Genesis 25:20) Isaac 60 yrs when Jacob and Esau born (Genesis 25:26) Abraham dies at 175 yrs Eber dies at 464 yrs Jacob 91 yrs when Joseph born (Genesis 41:46,47; 45:6,9,10; 47:9) 1856 BC 1836 BC 1821 BC 1817 BC 1745 BC 6 Bible Chronology

7 Joseph sold by his brothers at age 17 yrs (Gen. 37:2) Isaac dies at 180 yrs Joseph promoted to 2nd in authority to pharaoh at age 30 yrs (Genesis 41:46) Jacob 130 yrs when comes to Egypt to live (Genesis 47:9) Joseph dies at 110 yrs Moses born Moses flees from Egypt at age 40 yrs THE EXODUS Moses dies at 120 yrs (Deu. 34:7) Joshua succeeds Moses at age 81 (Joshua 14:10) Entry into Promised Land Joshua dies at 110 yrs (Joshua 24:29) Period of the Judges Saul becomes Israel's first king (Acts 13:21) and reigns for 40 yrs David becomes Israel's 2nd king and reigns 40 yrs (samuel 5:4,5) Solomon becomes Israel's 3rd king & reigns 40 years (1Kings 11:42) Construction begins on the temple in Solomon's 4th year (1Kings 6:37) Solomon's reign ends & Israel is divided into Israel & Judah 1728 BC 1716 BC 1715 BC 1706 BC 1635 BC 1526 BC 1486 BC 1446 BC 1406 BC 1377 BC 1050 BC 1010 BC 970 BC 966 BC 931 BC KINGS OF ISRAEL KINGS OF JUDAH Jeroboam rules 22 yrs BC Rehoboam rules 17 yrs BC Abijah rules 3 yrs BC Asa rules 41 yrs BC Nadab rules 1 yr BC Baasha rules 24 yrs BC Elah rules 2 yrs BC Zimri rules 7 days 884 BC Omri rules 12 yrs BC Ahab rules 22 yrs BC Jehoshaphat rules 25 yrs ( BC with ASA) Ahaziah rules 2 yrs BC Joram rules 12 yrs (co-rules with BC Jehoram rules 8 yrs 5 with BC above) Jehoshaphat) Ahaziah rules 1 yr 845 BC Jehu rules 28 yrs BC Athalia rules 7 yrs BC Jehoahaz rules 17 yrs BC Joash rules 40 yrs BC Jehoash rules 16 yrs BC Amaziah rules 29 yrs (2 with Joash) BC 7 Bible Chronology

8 Jeroboam II rules 41 yrs (13 with Jehoash) Zechariah rules 6 months Menahem rules 10 yrs Pekahiah rules 2 yrs Peka rules 20 yrs (2 with Pekahiah) Hosea rules 9 yrs/ ISRAEL (Northern Kingdom) CONQUERED by Assyria & CEASES TO EXIST BEGINNING OF CAPTIVITY OF JUDAH (Southern Kingdom)- DANIEL TAKEN TO BABYLON ISRAEL INTO BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY BC Uzziah rules 52 yrs (25 with Amaziah) BC 758 BC BC BC BC Jotham rules 16 yrs (2 with BC Uzziah) Ahaz rules 16 yrs (8 with BC Jotham) BC Hezekiah rules 29 yrs ( BC with Ahaz) Mannasseh rules 55 yrs Amon rules 2 yrs Josiah rules 31 yrs Jehoahaz rules 3 mos Jehoiakim rules 11 yrs Jehoiachin rules 3 mos Zedekiah rules 11 yrs BC BC BC 608 BC BC 605 BC 597 BC BC 586 BC Nebuchadnezzar destroys the temple 586 BC Persian general, Cyrus, takes Babylon. Darius now Persian ruler of Babylon 537 BC Darius dies. Cyrus king- frees Judah at end of 70 year captivity (began 605 BC) with 535 BC his decree Usurper king Artaxerxes (Smerdis) stops newly begun work on temple in Jerusalem 521 BC Darius King 521 BC Darius yr 2- he issues decree for work to resume on temple 520 BC Darius yr 6- the temple is finished 516 BC Artaxerxes king 463 BC Artaxerxes yr 7- he issues decree which gives Jerusalem & the Jews the ability to 457 BC have almost completely autonomous rule. Provided for reestablishment of the Jewish economy as dictated by God. Artaxerxes yr 20- Nehemiah appointed governor of Judea/ goes to rebuild wall which 444 BC was in poor condition. Artaxerxes yr 32- Nehemiah begins 2nd term as governor of Judea 432 BC Darius Nothus king. Biblical record of the priesthood ends with this king's reign. Last 408 BC 8 Bible Chronology

9 Biblical prophets end at this time. Biblical "silence" until Gospels. BIRTH OF CHRIST Christ begins His ministry on earth which is devoted to the Jewish people alone. The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Messiah The Gospel is taken from the Jews to the Gentiles Destruction of Jerusalem by Titus End of 6,000 years since the creation of Adam 4 BC Fall, 27 AD Spring, 31 AD Fall, 34 AD 70 AD 1997/8 AD TIME NOTE: All these dates must be considered as circa: about this time. My only difference in these exact dates is that we know King Herod the Great died in the year BC 4. Herod asked the wise men when the sign appeared of Jesus birth. They told him about two years prior. So Herod had all the babies of two years and under murdered. (Matt. 3:16) If this murdering was in the year 4 BC just prior to his death, then the Christ must have been born about two years before, making it in BC 6. The most accurate recording of time is in the Book f Mormon. The Nephites counted their time from the year they left Jerusalem in whatever year that was around 600 BC just prior to the invasion of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and the deportation of the Jews. From the time of the sign of Jesus birth and prophecy of Samuel, the Lamanite (5 BC) and after, time was recorded based on Jesus life. Samuel prophesied that in 5 years, the sign of Jesus birth in Jerusalem would be given. Helaman Ch. 5: years from the time Lehi left Jerusalem that Jesus was born (3N:1-13) Nephites began to reckon their time from when the sign of Jesus birth was given (3N 1:45) 1 st month of Jesus 34 th year, he was crucified (3N 4:6) 9 Bible Chronology