7,000-YEAR BIBLE CHRONOLOGY

Transcription

1 7,000-YEAR BIBLE CHRONOLOGY Ussher Revisited Version 3.1 2/3/08 Copyright 2008, Timely Ministries This presentation may be shared in its unabridged form but not sold.

2 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. Romans 13:11

3 In the following presentation, a simple Bible chronology will be shown. In a few specific areas, it will be seen that this one is different from typically accepted chronologies as given by Ussher, Beecher, Hastings, and others. And since many, if not most, ancient secular dates are based on Bible chronology, the earnest search for an accurate understanding of the Biblical time record becomes essential.

4 No attempt will be made to harmonize this chronology with any ancient secular or astronomical calendars! The Bible time records alone will be followed until that means of progression ends, at which point a secular date will be used to connect it with today's dating system.

5 MAIN INDEX Session 1 The Chronology Established Session 2 The Chronology Relationships Session 3 The Chronology Adjusted by Jasher Session 4 Closing Comments and Statements

6 APPENDIX ITEMS Trailer A Detailed Review of the 70-Year Captivity Trailer B Additional Chronology Relationships

7 THE CHRONOLOGY ESTABLISHED

8 This chronology will be compared with that t of Ussher. Therefore, it is important to answer the question: Who is Ussher? James Ussher was an archbishop of the Anglican Church. He is attributed with publishing a Bible chronology in AD 1650 that many people around the world are familiar with, for it is from his chronology that dates are often taken and used in Bible margins particularly l the King James Version. Also, his time record of Bible history has been used as a tool for dating ancient history in general.

9 Bible students have had different thoughts ht about what constitutes t the end of 6,000 years of earth s history. Some believe mankind is at or has passed this lengthy time period, while others believe it is still future. If Ussher s chronology is correct, earth s history from creation has exceeded 6,000 years!

10 This chronology challenges Ussher s chronology in three major areas. Major and minor adjustments will be made to Ussher s chronology using a few different assumptions. The results will show that the completion of 6,000 years of history is still in the future. But how far in the future?

11 Overview of the Chronology Development Adam Judah s and Eve Return from Babylon?? Bible Time 6,000 years Secular Time 1,000 Finally, After Seven Bible distinct the time year Bible is marking linked time the with periods end secular of will 6,000 be time, years ancient of determined world Biblical history and dates added will be will together, given be established. including followed that of by the a millennium. transition to secular time.

12 Assumption: Measurement of mankind s age began with sin. Man was sinless and immortal, so why measure one s age? Age is recorded because of mortality one s life will end! Ussher asserted: Measurement of mankind s age began with creation.

13 Biblical support for assumption: Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass. Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply ppy our hearts unto wisdom. Job 14:5 Psalm 39:4 Psalm 90:12

14 And Adam lived an hundred d and thirtyt years, and begat Seth. Gen. 5:3 130 years 105 And Seth lived an hundred and five years, and dbegat Enos. Gen. 5:6

15 And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan. Gen. 5:9 And Cainan lived seventy years, and begat Mahalaleel. Gen. 5: years

16 And Mahalaleel 130 years lived sixty and five 105 years, and begat 90 Jared. 70 Gen. 5:15 65 And Jared lived 162 an hundred sixty and dtwo years, and he begat Enoch. Gen. 5:18

17 And Enoch lived 130 years sixty and five 105 years, and begat 90 Methuselah. 70 Gen. 5:21 65 And Methuselah 162 lived an hundred 65 eighty and seven 187 years, and begat Lamech. Gen. 5:25

18 And Lamech lived 130 years an hundred d eighty 105 and two years, and 90 begat... Noah, 70 Gen. 5:28, And Noah was six 162 hundred years old 65 when the flood of 187 waters was upon the earth. 182 Gen. 7:6 600

19 From Adam s sin to the beginning i 105 of the flood was 90 1,656 years years ,656 years

20 Adam Sins Begin Flood 1,656 years Adam Begin Sins Flood 1,656

21 And Noah lived These are the after the flood generations of three hundred and And Noah was six hundred Shem: Shem was fifty years. And all years old an hundred years when the flood of the days of Noah COMPARE waters was upon the earth. old, and begat were nine hundred Genesis Arphaxad 7:6 two years and fifty years: after the flood. and he died. Gen. 9:28, 29 after the flood = The flood s beginning Noah was 600 years old when the flood occurred Noah then lived an additional 350 years Noah s lifespan = = 950 Gen. 11:10

22 Shem was an hundred d years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood. Gen. 11:10 2 years 35 And Arphaxad lived five and thirtyt years, and begat Salah. Gen. 11:12

23 And Salah lived 2 years thirtyt years, and 35 begat Eber. 30 Gen. 11:14 34 And Eber lived four and thirty years, and begat Peleg. Gen. 11:16

24 And Peleg lived thirtyt years, and begat Reu. Gen. 11:18 And Reu lived two and thirty years, and begat Serug. Gen. 11:20 2 years

25 And Serug lived thirtyt years, and begat Nahor. Gen. 11:22 And Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and begat Terah. Gen. 11:24 2 years

26 And Terah lived seventy years, and dbegat tabram, Nahor, and Haran. Gen. 11:26 Assumption: The 70 years in the above text refers to Abram s birth. Bible genealogy leads to Christ, so the chronology will as well. 2 years Relating Terah s age to Nahor Relating Terah s age to Nahor or Haran serves no purpose!

27 And Terah lived seventy years, and dbegat tabram, Nahor, and Haran. Gen. 11:26 Ussher asserted: The 70 years referred to Haran s birth. Deacon Stephen s presentation supported this conclusion in Acts 7:4. 2 years Gen. 11:32 to Gen. 12:1 was taken as chronological, making Terah 130 at Abram s birth. Then came he [Abram] out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran [Haran]: and from thence, when his father [Terah] was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.

28 And Terah lived seventy years, and dbegat tabram, Nahor, and Haran. Gen. 11:26 Note though: Genesis 12:1 was written in the past tense and NOT chronologically time linear from the previous chapter. 2 years This is calculated as follows: 205 (T h d th ) 75 (Ab d t ) 205 (Terah s death age) 75 (Abram s departure age) = 130? (Terah s age at Abram s birth?)

29 And Terah lived seventy years, and dbegat tabram, Nahor, and Haran. Gen. 11:26 Ellen G. White followed Stephen s rendition of history in Acts 7:4: The call from heaven first came to Abraham while he dwelt in Ur of the Chaldees and in obedience to it he removed to Haran. Here Abraham remained till the death of Terah. But from his father s grave the divine Voice bade him go forward. Patriarchs and Prophets, page years

30 And Terah lived seventy years, and dbegat tabram, Nahor, and Haran. Gen. 11:26 Alternate view consequences: Making Terah 70 at Abram s birth conflicts with the prevailing view that the Bible is word inspired. If Ellen G. White had corrected Terah s age, it would likely have distracted people from her more important messages. 2 years

31 Note: Genesis is the original source for Terah s age at the birth of Abram. After the flood, the various fathers ages relative to their sons births averages ~31½ years. Including these two facts, it is reasonable to assume that Terah was 70 at Abram s birth. Remember: All Bible scholars opinions or conclusions concerning Terah s age at Abram s birth, including Stephen s in Acts 7:4, have Genesis as their original source.

32 The following words were written by Ellen G. White about Biblical inspiration : The Bible is written by inspired men, but it is not God s mode of thought and expression. It is that of humanity. God, as a writer, is not represented. The writers of the Bible were God s penmen, not His pen. It is not the words of the Bible that are inspired, but the men that were inspired. Inspiration acts not on the man s words or his expressions but on the man himself, who, under the influence of the Holy Ghost, is imbued with thoughts. But the words receive the impress of the individual id mind. The divine i mind is diffused. d The divine i mind and will is combined with the human mind and will; thus the utterances of the man are the word of God. Selected Messages, Book 1, page 21

33 Concerning the question of possible MISTAKES in the copying or translation of the Bible, Ellen G. White stated: This is all probable, and the mind that is so narrow that it will hesitate and stumble over this possibility or probability would be just as ready to stumble over the mysteries of the Inspired Word, because their feeble minds cannot see through the purposes of God. Yes, they would just as easily stumble over plain facts that the common mind will accept, and discern the Divine, and to which God s utterance is plain and beautiful, full of marrow and fatness. All the mistakes will not cause trouble to one soul, or cause any feet to stumble, that would not manufacture difficulties from the plainest revealed truth. Selected Messages, Book 1, page 16

34 The book of Jasher supports the assumption made regarding Terah s age at Abram s birth: Jasher is mentioned twice in the Bible as a valid confirmation source. See Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18 Jasher 7:50, 51 state: And Terah took a wife and her name was Amthelo the daughter of Cornebo; and the wife of Terah conceived and bare him a son in those days. Terah was seventy years old when he begat him, and Terah called the name of his son that was born to him Abram, because the king had raised him in those days, and dignified him above all his princes that were with him.

35 There are at least four different books entitled Jasher. One of them is known to be a forgery. The one used for the previous quotation was a Hebrew book translated and printed in AD It is assumed that in using this version of the book of Jasher the patriarchal ages given would be reasonably consistent among the three remaining books (excluding the forged one). Why tamper with the patriarchs ages? However, the theology could be vastly different. This Jasher is being used as an additional historical support; but if it were discarded, it would in no way diminish the initial assertions or conclusions using the Bible only.

36 Flavius Josephus (AD ), a Jewish historian, wrote the following, which is consistent with the development of the chronology so far: His son was Terah, who was the father of Abraham, who accordingly was the tenth from Noah, and was born in the two hundred and ninety-second year after the deluge; for Terah begat Abram in his seventieth year,

37 The next time period, critical to continuing i the chronology, is found in Exodus 12:40, 41: Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty [430] years. And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred d and thirty t years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. So, when did this time period begin?

38 Paul wrote in Galatians 3:15-17: Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty y[ [430]years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

39 Note the key words in these texts: Law Covenant Confirmed Note further: The law codified d at the end of the 430 years did not overthrow the covenant made earlier with Abraham. The law was given on Mount Sinai in the very same year as the exodus (Exodus 19:1).

40 The covenant was based upon promises. The word confirmed means to ratify or establish in fact. To confirm the covenant, or contract, both parties must agree to its terms and sign it. To continue the chronology, Abraham s age is needed as of the time when the covenant was confirmed. So when did this finalization take So, when did this finalization take place between God and Abraham?

41 In Genesis 12 and 13, God repeated His promises to Abram. Genesis 12:1-3 1 state: t Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. These promises did not constitute a covenant!

42 In Genesis 15, God actually drew up and signed a contract, t or covenant, with Abram, for verse 18 states: In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates. God reiterated the promises and confirmed and signed a covenant with Abram. As of this point, Abram had done nothing to bind himself to this covenant NO SIGNATURE! Abram s signature appears in Genesis 17.

43 Genesis 17:2, 4, 9-11, state: And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee [Gen. 15], and thou shalt be a father of many nations. And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of fthe covenant tbetwixt tme and you.

44 Conclusion: It is in Genesis chapter 17 that Abram agreed to the terms of the contract by signing the covenant created in chapter 15. Ussher asserted: The 430 years began with Abram s departure to Canaan at the age of 75 (Genesis 12:1-4).

45 Note also in Genesis 17: Abram s name was changed to Abraham. Abram s signature was made with blood. To prevent confusion between Abraham s two sons (Isaac and Ishmael), God said further in Genesis 17:21: B t t ill I t bli h ith I hi h But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

46 So how old was Abraham when this covenant was ratified? Genesis 17:1 gives the answer!

47 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said, This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you ; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. Gen. 17:1, 10 So, Abraham was 99 years old when he agreed to and signed the covenant, which began the 430 years. 2 years

48 From the beginning i of 35 the flood to the 30 covenant made 34 with Abraham 30 was 391 years years years

49 Begin Flood Covenant with Abraham 391 years Adam Begin Covnt. w/ Sins Flood Abraham 1,

50 Note: Noah and his family remained in the ark for a little more than one year. Hence, from the END of the flood to the covenant made with Abraham = 390 years. Noah presented a sacrifice to God, thus pledging obedience to Him (Genesis 9:8-17). Through the following covenant made with Noah, g g, God promised never again to destroy the world by a flood.

51 So, from the covenant made with Noah to the covenant made with Abraham was 390 years. This time period of 390 years will be seen again in Israel s history!

52 The previous time period of 430 years (Exodus 12:40), determined to extend from the covenant made with Abraham (Genesis 17) to Israel s exodus from Egypt, can now be added d to the advancing timeline.

53 Covenant with Abraham Israel s Exodus 430 years Adam Begin Covnt. w/ Israel s Sins Flood Abraham Exodus 1,

54 SIN Adam 130 (930/930 AM) Seth 105 (912/1042 AM) Enos 90 (905/1140 AM) Cainan 70 (910/1235 AM) Mahalaleel 65 (895/1290 AM) Jared 162 (962/1422 AM) Legend: Adam - Person Enoch 65 (365/987 AM) Methuselah 187 (969/1656 AM) Lamech 182 (777/1651 AM) 1,000 AM Age at birth of firstborn son (930 - Age at death Anno Mundi time /930 AM) - year of death AM time FLOOD AM / 2333 BC 2,000 AM Noah 500 (950/2006 AM) Shem 102 (602/2158 AM) Arphaxad 35 (438/2096 AM) Salah 30 (433/2126 AM) Eber 34 (464/2187 AM) Peleg 30 (239/1996 AM) Reu 32 (239/2026 AM) Serug 30 (230/2049 AM) Nahor 29 (148/1997 AM) Rainbow to Circumcision Terah 70 (205/2083 AM) Abram 100 (175/2123) Isaac 60 (180/2228) Jacob 130 to Egypt Abram 99 = Circumcision Circumcision to Sinai 390 years 430 years

55 1 Kings 6:1 now reveals the next time period that t can be added. d 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 [the exodus], 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. Note: The temple s construction began between 479 and 480 years after the exodus.

56 Assumption: 480 years (4 x 120) will most correctly represent the elapsed time period. To maintain consistency, any stated portion of a year will be rounded d up. Ussher asserted: The 480 th year given in 1 Kings 6:1 should be rounded down to 479 years.

57 Note: The 480 th year, or 480 years, extended to the 4 th year of Solomon s reign. Rounding this 4 th year to 4 years and subtracting it from 480 years gives 476 years = 476 This marks the beginning of Solomon s reign. Incidentally, rounding down yields the same answer: = 476

58 So, from Israel s exodus from Egypt to the beginning of Solomon s reign amounted to 476 years.

59 Israel s Exodus Begin Solomon 476 years Adam Begin Covnt. w/ Israel s Begin Sins Flood Abraham Exodus Solomon 1,

60 The next time period to be added is that of King Solomon s reign, given in 2 Chronicles 9:30, 31. And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. And Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead. Note: There is full agreement with Ussher on g the interpretation of this verse.

61 Note further: Israel was divided into two separate nations immediately following Solomon s 40 year reign. Judah (2 tribes), ruled by Rehoboam (Solomon s son) Israel (10 tribes), ruled by Jeroboam Division described: 2 Chronicles 10 1 Kings 12:1-20

62 So, from the beginning i of Solomon s reign to the division i i of Israel following his death amounted to 40 years.

63 Begin Solomon Israel Divided 40 years Adam Begin Covnt. w/ Israel s Begin Israel Sins Flood Abraham Exodus Solomon Divided 1,

64 Now all the reigns of the kings of Judah can be simply added d up from Rehoboam through Zedekiah. Either 1 and 2 Kings or 2 Chronicles can be used, since they yield the same result! In this case, 2 Chronicles will be used. Confirmation of the order of the king s reigns is left to personal research. Furthermore, it is not necessary to include the reigns of Israel s kings, since their history does not lead through Babylon to Christ.

65 Rehoboam reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, 2 Chr. 12:13 1 st 10 Reigns 17 3 Abijah reigned three years in Jerusalem. 2 Chr. 13:1, 2

66 Asa died in the one and fortieth th year of his reign. 2 Chr. 16:13 Jehoshaphat reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. 2 Chr. 20:31 1 st 10 Reigns

67 Jehoram reigned eight years in Jerusalem. 2 Chr. 21:5 Ahaziah reigned one year in Jerusalem. 2 Chr. 22:2 1 st 10 Reigns

68 And he [Joash] was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land. 2 Chr. 22:12 Joash reigned forty years in Jerusalem. 2 Chr. 24:1 1 st 10 Reigns

69 Amaziah reigned twenty t and nine years in Jerusalem. 2 Chr. 25:1 Uzziah reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. 2 Chr. 26:3 1 st 10 Reigns

70 From the reign of Rehoboam through h the reign of Uzziah (first 10 kings) was 222 years. 1 st 10 Reigns years

71 Jotham reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. 2 Chr. 27:1 2 nd 10 Reigns Ahaz reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. 2 Chr. 28:1

72 Hezekiah reigned nine and twentyt years in Jerusalem. 2 Chr. 29:1 Manasseh reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. 2 Chr. 33:1 2 nd 10 Reigns

73 Amon reigned two years in Jerusalem. 2 Chr. 33:21 Josiah reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years. 2 Chr. 34:1 2 nd 10 Reigns

74 Jehoahaz reigned three months in Jerusalem. 2 Chr. 36:2 Jehoiakim reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. 2 Chr. 36:5 2 nd 10 Reigns

75 Jehoiachin 2 nd 10 Reigns reigned three 16 months and ten days 16 in Jerusalem Chr. 36:9 55 Zedekiah 2 reigned eleven years 31 in Jerusalem Chr. 36:

76 From the reign of Jotham through h the reign of Zedekiah (second 10 kings) was years. 2 nd 10 Reigns years

77 Adding together both sets of the 10 reigns for the kings of Judah yields: years - 1 st 10 reigns years - 2 nd 10 reigns Years - All 20 kings Comparing the beginning and length of the reigns of Judah and Israel relative to each other reveals discrepancies. Biblical recording errors are likely responsible for this difficulty. For example, 2 Kings 24:8 states that Jehoiachin was 18 years old when he began to reign, while 2 Chronicles 36:9 reports that he was 8. S h b i h ld t h k fid i Such obvious errors should not shake our confidence in the Biblical record but should impel us to further study!

78 Observation: If Ezekiel 4:1-6 is studied, it will be found that prophetically 390 years are allotted for the twenty kings of Judah over this same time period.

79 Ezekiel 4:4-6 states the following: Lie thou also upon thy left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it: according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt bear their iniquity. For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, it according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days [390]: so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on the right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days [40]: Ih have appointed dthee each hday for a year.

80 Note: Israel as a people and Judah as a kingdom both ended with the taking of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The kingdom of Israel had fallen to Assyria during Hezekiah s reign as king of Judah; however, they still inhabited the land of Canaan as a people. IN FACT, the siege of Jerusalem was to be a sign to the house of Israel. (See Ezekiel 4:3)

81 Israel never had a good king! Hence the Bible reckons them as having been in iniquity for 390 days, or years. Judah, though, was stated to have been in iniquity for only 40 days, or years. Incidentally, this time period marked Jeremiah s ministry i as a prophet of judgment to Judah, which ended with the taking of Jerusalem by the Babylonians! (See Jeremiah 1:2, 3; 25:3)

82 Both these periods (40 years and 390 years) ended d with the conquering (finall or 3 rd captivity) it ) of Jerusalem and its last king, Zedekiah, by Babylon s King Nebuchadnezzar. Therefore, the prophetic 390-year period oftime given in Ezekiel 4, while representing specifically the history of Israel, can be superimposed over Judah s history as well. Recall that both Judah and Israel s histories began at the same time and, as just shown, ended at the same time.

83 Conclusion: Bible prophecy alone has dictated that 390 years represented the time period for the twenty kings of Judah! The closeness of 390 to supports the idea that overlapping reigns of Judah s kings are not prevalent. Ussher asserted: The time period for the twenty kings of Judah was equal to 389 years.

84 So, the time period for the kings of Judah, starting with the division of Israel and up to the beginning i of fthe 3 rd captivity, amounted to 390 years NOT the calculated l earlier!

85 Israel Divided 390 years Judah s Captivity Final or 3 rd Adam Begin Covnt. w/ Israel s Begin Israel Judah s Sins Flood Abraham Exodus Solomon Divided Captivity 1, rd

86 The next time period is the length of Judah s stay in Babylon, which h is found in Jeremiah 25:9, 11: Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the Lord, and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.

87 Where does the 70-year time period begin? Before proceeding to add on these 70 years of ftime, the beginning i of fthis period must be determined. Hence, a thorough understanding of the many events related to the last four reigns of the kings of Judah must be presented. These four reigns include Jehoahaz s through that of Zedekiah. Many Bible texts will be used to present this history.

88 Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. Jehoahaz Begins Reign And the king of Egypt put him [Jehoahaz] down at Jerusalem, And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem, and turned his name to Jehoiakim. Judah s last four kings were sons of 2 Chronicles 36:2 king Josiah (1Chronicles 3:15, 16), Jehoiachin being his grandson. 3 months Josiah 2 Chronicles 36:3, 4 Jehoiakim Begins Reign Jehoahaz (1 st ) Jehoiakim (2 nd ) Zedekiah (4 th ) (Eliakim) Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. 2 Kings 23:31 And Pharaohnechoh put him [Jehoahaz] in bands, And Pharaohnechoh made Eliakim king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin (3 rd ) 2 Kings 23:33, 34

89 Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 36:5 Against him [Jehoiakim] came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon, and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead. 2 Chronicles 36:6, 8 Jehoiakim Begins Reign Since NO lengthy siege is recorded, the end of the three years must mark the end of Jehoiakim s reign. Jehoiachin Begins Reign 11 years Jehoiakim Begins Serving Nebuchadnezzar First 3 yrs. Captivity Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. 2 Kings 23:36 In his [Jehoiakim s] days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him. 2 Kings 24:1

90 And when the year was expired (turn of year = begin of new year), king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him [Jehoiachin] hi to Babylon, Jehoiachin And made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah Begins and Jerusalem. Reign 2 Chronicles 36:10 1 st Captivity Jehoiakim Begins Reign Here is the discrepancy mentioned earlier about Jehoiachin s age when he became king of Judah. Zedekiah Begins Reign 11 years Second Captivity 2 Kings 24:7 relates that, from Jehoiachin s reign 3 months (1 st Captivity) and beyond, Egypt was never and 10 days again involved in Judah s affairs. Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 36:9 Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. 2 Kings 24:8

91 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah Jehoiachin king of Judah, that was the FIRST YEAR of Begins Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; Reign Jeremiah 25:1 1 st Captivity Jehoiakim The Bible must now be used to mesh the Begins reigns of the last three kings of Judah with Reign that of Nebuchadnezzar. 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th 11 years Nebuchadnezzar Begins His Reign 1 st Nebuchadnezzar s 1 st year MUST begin within Jehoiakim s 4 th year. Position shown is random! Zedekiah Begins Reign 2 nd Captivity 3 months and 10 days Further reading of Jeremiah 25 reveals that the 70-year service to be given to the king of Babylon was a warning of future calamity (words used: will, shall ) and was NOT occurring at that time.

92 Jehoiakim Begins Reign Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, h which h Nebuchadnezzar Jehoiachin king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Begins Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah. Reign Jeremiah 46:2 1 st Captivity There is NO recorded CAPTIVITY in either Chronicles, Kings, or Jeremiah prior to OR during the fourth year of Jehoiakim s reign. 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th 6 th 7 th 8 th 9 th 10 th 11 th Nebuchadnezzar Begins His Reign Zedekiah Begins Reign 2 nd Captivity 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th 6 th 7 th 8 th 9 th This is the people whom Nebuchadnezzar carried away captive: in the seventh year three thousand Jews and three and twenty. Jeremiah 52:28 Nebuchadnezzar s 7 th to 8 th year MUST reside within And the the king short of Babylon reign took of him Jehoiachin. [Jehoiachin] in the eighth year of his reign. And he carried away even ten thousand captives, 2 Kings 24:12, 14

93 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand Jehoiachin [1 st Captivity], with PART OF the vessels of the house of Begins God: which he carried into the house of his god; Reign Daniel 1:1, 2 1 st Captivity Jehoiakim Begins Reign The third year mentioned above MUST be referenced from the beginning of Jehoiakim s three years of service to Nebuchadnezzar. 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th 6 th 7 th 8 th 9 th 10 th 11 th Nebuchadnezzar Begins His Reign Zedekiah Begins Reign 2 nd Captivity 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th 6 th 7 th 8 th 9 th Jehoiakim Begins Serving Nebuchadnezzar 3 yrs. Recall: 2 Kings 24:1 Against him [Jehoiakim] came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, Nebuchadnezzar also carried [1 st Captivity] OF the vessels of the house of the Lord to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon. 2 Chronicles 36:6, 7

94 Jehoiakim Begins Reign And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him [Jehoiachin] hi to Babylon [2 nd Captivity], it ] Jehoiachin with the GOODLY VESSELS of the Begins house of the Lord, Reign 2 Chronicles 36:10 1 st Captivity Full harmony exists between the different Bible texts relating to the items taken in both the 1st and 2nd captivities. Reign 8 th 10 th 11 th 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th 6 th 7 th 9 th Nebuchadnezzar Begins His Reign Zedekiah Begins R i 2 nd Captivity 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th 6 th 7 th 8 th 9 th Jehoiakim Begins Serving Recall: Nebuchadnezzar 3 yrs. 2 Kings 24:1 And the king of Babylon took him [Jehoiachin] in the eighth year of his reign. And he carried out thence [2 nd Captivity] ALL the TREASURES of the house of the Lord, 2 Kings 24:12, 13

95 11 th Jehoiachin Begins Reign 1 st Captivity Zedekiah Begins Reign 2 nd Captivity 8 th 9 th And he [Zedekiah] did that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. For through h the anger of the Lord it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. Jeremiah 52:2, 3 Ezekiel began to record and date his writings Recall coincident that Zedekiah s with the reign captivity began of Jehoiachin OR at the beginning turn of the of Zedekiah s Jewish year. reign (Ezekiel 1:2). (See 2 Chronicles 36:10) 11 years Nebuchadnezzar s reign continued Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 36:11 Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. 2 Kings 24:18

96 Jehoiachin Begins Reign 1 st Captivity And he [Zedekiah] humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 36:12 Zedekiah Begins Ezekiel also recorded a time relative to Reign King Josiah s Great Passover, held in 2 nd Captivity the 18 th year of his reign (Ezekiel 1:1). 1 st 5 th 7 th 9 th 11 th 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 6 th 8 th 10 th 11 th 8 th 9 th 10 th 11 th 12 th 13 th 14 th 15 th 16 th 17 th 18 th 19 th Nebuchadnezzar s reign continued And it came to pass in the ninth year of fhis [Zedekiah s] reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it, and built forts against it round about. Jeremiah 52:4 The Siege of Jerusalem Began

97 Jehoiachin Begins Reign 1 st Captivity And he [Zedekiah] humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking Third from the mouth of the Lord. Captivity 2 Chronicles 36:12 Zedekiah Begins Both reigns of Jehoiakim and Reign Zedekiah are shorter than the 2 nd Captivity eleven years recorded for each. 1 st Jerusalem Finally Conquered 11 th 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th 6 th 7 th 8 th 9 th 10 th 11 th 8 th 9 th 10 th 11 th 12 th 13 th 14 th 15 th 16 th 17 th 18 th 19 th Nebuchadnezzar s reign continued So the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah. And in the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month, the famine was sore in the city, so that there was no bread for the people p of the land. Then the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled, Jeremiah 52:5-7 The Siege of Jerusalem Began

98 Jehoiachin Begins Reign 1 st Captivity Zedekiah Begins Reign 2 nd Captivity And he [Zedekiah] humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 36:12 The Chaldeans did not remain at Jerusalem after its fall, but left immediately. Jerusalem Finally Conquered 3 rd Captivity 11 th 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th 6 th 7 th 8 th 9 th 10 th 11 th 8 th 9 th 10 th 11 th 12 th 13 th 14 th 15 th 16 th 17 th 18 th 19 th Nebuchadnezzar s reign continued But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho; and all his army scattered from him. Then they took the king, and carried him up unto the king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath; where he gave judgment upon him. Jeremiah 52:8, 9 The Siege of Jerusalem Began

99 Jehoiachin Begins Reign 1 st Captivity Zedekiah Begins Reign 2 nd Captivity And he [Zedekiah] humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 36:12 Nebuchadnezzar s nineteenth year forces the destruction of Jerusalem into Judah s next year. Jerusalem Finally Conquered 3 rd Captivity 11 th 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th 6 th 7 th 8 th 9 th 10 th Jerusalem and Temple Destroyed 11 th 8 th 9 th 10 th 11 th 12 th 13 th 14 th 15 th 16 th 17 th 18 th 19 th Nebuchadnezzar s reign continued Now in the fifth month, in the tenth th day of fthe month, which was the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, And burned the house of the Lord, and the king s house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, burned he with fire. Jeremiah 52:12, 13 The Siege of Jerusalem Began

100 Jehoiachin Begins Reign 1 st Captivity Zedekiah Begins Reign 2 nd Captivity And he [Zedekiah] humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 36:12 Nebuchadnezzar s eighteenth year correlates directly with Zedekiah s 11 th year and the 3 rd captivity. Jerusalem Finally Conquered 3 rd Captivity 11 th 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th 6 th 7 th 8 th 9 th 10 th Jerusalem and Temple Destroyed 11 th 8 th 9 th 10 th 11 th 12 th 13 th 14 th 15 th 16 th 17 th 18 th 19 th Nebuchadnezzar s reign continued In the eighteenth th year of fnebuchadnezzar he carried away captive from Jerusalem eight hundred thirty and two persons. Jeremiah 52:29 The Siege of Jerusalem Began

101 Results: The Biblical record supports the idea that the reigns of Judah s kings were rounded up! The Biblical record limits the shifting of Judah s last two reigns compared to Nebuchadnezzar s to NO MORE than three months (a season). Both Ezekiel and Daniel measured time from their own perspective (The Prophetic Perspective). Probable Solution to Daniel 2:1 Nebuchadnezzar s 2 nd year was given with respect to Nebuchadnezzar s 2 nd year was given with respect to Daniel s captivity. This was Daniel s perspective!

102 Jeremiah 29:10 spoke to the captives in Babylon this comforting message following Jehoiachin s captivity: For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon [Judah was to serve the king of Babylon Jeremiah 25:11] I will visit it you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. So, with which of these three captivities does the 70-year time period begin?

103 Options: 1 st Captivity Jehoiakim = 3,023 people 2 nd Captivity Jehoiachin = 10,000 people p 3 rd Captivity Zedekiah = 832 people Problem: The results of the first and second captivities iti did not fulfill an additional requirement quoted earlier from Jeremiah 25:11: And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment;

104 The desolation was still future during the closing years of Zedekiah s reign. Jeremiah 34:21, 22 state: And Zedekiah king of Judah and his princes will I give into the hand of the king of Babylon s army, which are gone up from you. Behold, I will command, saith the Lord, and cause them to return to this city [Jerusalem]; and they shall fight against it, and take it, and burn it with fire: and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation without an inhabitant.

105 Jeremiah s address to the rebellious remnant tjews who escaped captivity it and had gone to Egypt shows that the prophesied desolation had already occurred. Jeremiah 44:2 states: Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Ye have seen all the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, and upon ALL the cities of Judah; and, behold, this day they are a desolation, and no man dwelleth therein.

106 Conclusion: The 70 years in Babylon began with Judah s 3 rd captivity and ended with their 1 st release. Ussher asserted: The 70 years began with Jehoiakim s 3 rd year of reign (relative to Judah) and ended with Judah s 1 st release.

107 Considering for a moment the hiding of the Ark of God, Ellen G. White wrote: Because of Israel's transgression of the commandments of God, and their wicked acts, God suffered them to go into captivity to humble and punish them. Before the temple was destroyed, God made known to a few of his faithful servants the fate of the temple, which h was the pride of Israel, and which they regarded with idolatry, He also revealed to them the captivity of Israel. These righteous men, just before the destruction of the temple, removed the sacred ark containing the tables of stone, and with mourning and sadness, secreted it in a cave where it was to be hid from the people of Israel, because of their sins, and was to be no more restored to them. That sacred ark is yet hid. It has never been disturbed since it was secreted. Spiritual Gifts, Volume 4a, page 114

108 Jehoiakim Begins Reign Jehoiachin Begins Reign Jerusalem Finally Conquered New Temple Foundation Is Laid 1 st Captivity 3 rd Captivity (Ezra 3:8-10) Jehoiakim Taken Captive??? Zedekiah Jerusalem Jews Return Daniel s Captivity? Begins and Temple to Jerusalem (Daniel 1:1, 2) Reign Destroyed Under Cyrus 2 nd Captivity 1 st Release 3 rd Service to Nebuchadnezzar 2 yrs. ~9 yrs. ~11 yrs. 3 yrs. 3 mos days ~11 yrs. Ak Ark of fgod likely secreted! Approximately 1 yr. ~50 yrs. The 3 rd year MUST represent Ussher s the close 70-Years Captivity of his three-year reign as servant to If Jehoiakim s reign had ended in his King ar 3 rd Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 24:1). year, as shown in Daniel 1:1,2, The 70-Year Captivity how could he reign 11 years? The 70-Year Desolation

109 While Jeremiah prophetically recorded Judah s 70-year captivity, it 2Ch Chronicles 36:21 recorded it as history: To fulfil the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years. A score is the same as twenty. Threescore and ten = [(3 x 20) + 10 = 70]

110 Note: The 70-year captivity must adhere to the principle implied in that term desolate meaning: depopulated and without any real national identity. It means the land was to have a Sabbath rest. This principle is outlined on the basis of God s Fourth Commandment (Exodus 20:8-11). Problem: Biblical scholars, in general, have misinterpreted this simple seventh-day Sabbath concept (desolation and restoration), which has led them to erroneous chronological conclusions.

111 Therefore, Jerusalem was to remain uninhabited from the beginning of 3 rd and dfinal captivity it of fjudah up to their 1 st release which amounted to threescore and ten years, or 70 years.

112 Judah s Captivity Final or 3rd 70 years Judah s Release 1 st Adam Begin Covnt. w/ Israel s Begin Israel Judah s Judah s Sins Flood Abraham Exodus Solomon Divided Captivity Release 3 rd 1 st 1,

113 Note: From here on, any Biblical events are related to secular events the Bible chronology ceases! Presumably God recognized secular time to be sufficiently accurate from this point forward. Providentially, a well-established secular date for the Jews 1 st release (under Cyrus the Great) from Babylonian captivity is 536 BC. Using 536 BC, the seven Biblical time periods covered so far can be dated by simple reverse calculation.

114 Time Summary of This Chronology o ogy Dates (BC) are shown in green Adam Begin Covnt. w/ Israel s s Begin Israel Judah s Judah s Sins Flood Abraham Exodus Solomon Divided Captivity Release BC 3 rd 1 st 1, Captivity Example calculation l for the first date worked in reverse: 536 BC + 70 Year Captivity = 606 BC

115 Now this established chronology will be fully compared with that t of Ussher. Recall the significant differences are in three fundamental areas: Terah s age at Abram s birth The application of the 430-year covenant time period The application of the 70-year Babylonian captivity

116 Summary of Differences with Ussher: Ussher assumed that Biblical time began with man s creation, not with the entrance of sin. Ussher calculated (based on Acts 7:4) Terah as 130 years old when Abram was born, not 70. Terah s age at death Abram s age leaving Haran = Terah s age at Abram s birth = 130 Ussher assumed that the 430-year time period of Exodus 12:40 began when Abram left Haran at age 75 (Gen. 12), not at age 99 (Gen. 17).

117 Ussher chose to round down the two times (480 th and d4 th ) given in 1 Kings 6:1, instead of rounding up. This, however, did not affect the result! Ussher considered the time period from Rehoboam through Zedekiah equal to 389 years, not 390. Ussher deduced the time period between the 3 rd Babylonian captivity and the 1 st release of the Jews to be 50 years, not 70.

118 Time Periods and Dates (BC) of Ussher s Chronology Earth Made 4004 Begin Flood 2348 Abram to Canaan 1921 Israel s Exodus 1491 Begin Solomon 1015 Israel Divided 975 3rd Captivity 586 1st Release 536 BC 1, Time Periods and Dates (BC) of This Chronology Adam Sins 3989 Begin Flood 2333 Covnt. w/ Abraham 1942 Israel s Exodus 1512 Begin Solomon 1036 Israel Divided 996 3rd Captivity 606 1st Release 536 BC 1,

119 Now a determination can be made as to when 6,000 years of earth s history ends for this chronology. Both Ussher s chronology and this chronology use 536 BC as a basis for completing this computation. Before calculating this end date, however, it is worth considering briefly why Bible students have even considered the end of the 6,000-year period as being important.

120 God s perspective of time: But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 2 Peter 3:8 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and dbound dhim a thousand years. Revelation 20:1, 2

121 Ellen G. White wrote this concerning thetimeperiodof 6 time of 6,000 years : The great controversy between Christ and Satan, that has been carried forward for nearly six thousand years, is soon to close; For six thousand years, Satan s work of rebellion has made the earth to tremble. For six thousand years his prison-house has received God s people, and he would have held them captive forever, but Christ has broken his bonds, and set the prisoners free. Satan s work of ruin is forever ended. For six thousand years he has wrought his will, filling the earth with woe, and causing grief throughout the universe. The Great Controversy, pages 518, 659, 673

122 It is worth noting that John Andrews ( ), a Seventh-day Adventist t pioneer, did extensive research into the theory of a week of millennial days (7 days of 1,000 years each). In fact, he did this research just prior to his death. Having lost his wife and one daughter to the grave and he himself dying of tuberculosis contracted from his second dying daughter, he began an extensive study of all the Bible prophecies and Adventist teachings to reconfirm his faith. Under these circumstances, he found the harmonious truth hidden in a potential 7,000-year history of earth from creation to sin s final eradication after the millennium.

123 The end date for earth s 6,000-year time period will now be calculated. Also the period of the millennium will be added to show a completed week of a thousand years per day, or 7,000 years.

124 Adam Sins 3989 BC calculated earlier AD 2012 AD ,000 yrs. (6 x 1,000) THE MILLENNIUM 1,000 yrs. (1 x 1,000) 6,000 yrs BC + 1 (AD/BC correction factor) 7,000 yrs. = AD days of 1,000 years each 2 BC 1 BC AD 1 AD 2 Since there is NO YEAR dated ZERO, one additional year must be added to account for this lack.

125 Ussher s chronology shows that AD 1997 marked the end of 6,000 years of history since creation. To accept or reject a specific assumption from either Ussher s s chronology OR this chronology alters earth s 6,000-year end date. A quick review of the effects particular combinations of assumptions have upon this end date will now be shown.

126 Recall that this chronology differs from Ussher s chronology in three major areas: Terah s age at tab Abram s birth Ussher s chronology = 130 This chronology = 70 The 430-year covenant period s beginning Ussher s chronology = Abraham was 75 years old This chronology = Abraham was 99 years old The 70-year Babylonian captivity s beginning Ussher s chronology = 3 rd year of Jehoiakim s reign This chronology = 3 rd and final captivity of Judah

127 In addition, this chronology differs from Ussher s chronology in one minor area. Time period for Judah s twenty t kings Ussher s chronology = 389 years This chronology = 390 years Prophecy in Ezekiel presents this period as precisely 390 years. Correcting Ussher ss minor mistake here and then combining his assumptions with assumptions made in this chronology produces the following:

128 Assumption Combinations and the Resulting 6,000-Year End Date Terah s age Begin 430-year Begin 70-year End of 6,000 at Abram s covenant Babylonian years of birth period captivity history 130 Abraham = 75 Jehoiakim s 3 rd year AD Abraham = 75 Judah s 3 rd captivity AD Abraham = 99 Jehoiakim s 3 rd year AD Abraham = Abraham = 75 Judah s 3rd captivity Jehoiakim s 3 rd year AD 1953 AD Abraham = 75 Judah s 3rd captivity AD Abraham = 99 Jehoiakim s 3 rd year AD Abraham = 99 Judah s 3 rd captivity AD 2012

129 A Final Consideration If Adam was 130 years old when Seth was born, does this mean that he was exactly 130? Probably not! Biblical ages for the patriarchs listed in Genesis were taken and rounded down for this chronology. So, wouldn t a few extra months need to be added to Adam s 131 st year to adjust for this likely l problem?

130 Remember: The sum of the twenty reigns of the kings following Solomon was years. However, prophecy from Ezekiel 4 showed this time period to be exactly 390 years. This means that the reigns had been rounded up! It also means that there was a 3.5-year error y ( = 3.5) per twenty changes in kingly power.

131 Note: There are also twenty generations from Adam s sin to the covenant made with Abraham, but all rounded down! Hence, a statistical correction could easily be made for this entire time period reversely by the addition of 3.5 years of time. This would help correct the apparent problem of determining the exact age (year + additional months) of the patriarchs when each of their children was born.

132 However, this will not be done! God has shown that t He corrects His own time (i.e., Time period for the twenty kings of Judah), so why should one interject his own theorized ideas in order to try to fix an apparent problem with God s word? In addition, the Bible correlations, yet to be shown rightly justify this decision!

133 THE CHRONOLOGY RELATIONSHIPS

134 Accepting this Bible chronology as presented reveals recurring time relationships between many major historical i events. Confirmation of the many dates establishing these relationships will be left for personal research. Few comments will be made as to the possible meanings of these observations and correlations.