THE 400 YEARS OF SILENCE

FROM MALACHI TO CHRIST

Since there is no Biblical history of this time; we must turn to secular history to get a picture of the events of that period of time.

Earlier prophecy was "fulfilled" during this time; and the Bible student must have some knowledge of these events.

When the OT Cannon of scriptures closed a remnant of Jews, mainly of the Tribe of Judah and surviving priests and Levites that had returned to Palestine under the leadership of Zerubbabel, and another group under Ezra about 80 years later.

The last three historical books of the OT, Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther, give a history of @ 100 years after the decree of Cyrus permitting the Jews to return to their homeland; 536-432 BC,

The Persian Period: In 538 BC; Medo-Persia brought an end to the first world-empire, Babylon and this fulfilled Daniel's prophecy of the first part of his prophecy of the "four world empires"

Under the Persian rule the Jews were allowed "certain religious liberties" that allowed the priest to continue to exercise his religious functions.

After Syria annexed Palestine; the High Priests enjoyed considerable political power in the governing of the country.

At the close of the Peloponnesian war and Athens was over thrown by Spartans, the Greeks attempted to place Cyrus the brother of Artaxerxes on the throne but was defeated and a damaging war followed.

The Period of Alexander the Great: The time of the rising sun of Persia was about to set. the weapons that were destined to "break into pieces" the Great Persian Empire were now in place. The mighty "He-Goat" that Daniel saw 200 years before was marching from the west to over-turn the "two horned ram" that represented the "Medo-Persian" empire that had been so powerful, but was now tottering and about to fall. At the age of twenty [336 BC] Alexander came to the throne. And in the next 13 years would alter the course of "human history". This third empire represented the "body and thighs of brass" of the diverse man of Daniel's vision. In the short time that Alexander reigned, he became the master over Greece, Egypt, Western Asia and much of Europe. He gave the world a universal language [Greek] that would allow commerce to be conducted through much of the world. It would also help to spread the Gospel as it was translated from Hebrew to Greek.

The Period of the Ptolemies; from 320-204 BC. This period would have a tremendous effect on Jewish interests around the world where they were "dispersed". Daniel had predicted tht the empire of Alexander would separate into four parts; And that the "great horn" would be broken and in its place would rise four notable horns. At the death of Alexander his kingdom was divided between his four generals. Egypt and later Palestine would fell to Ptolemy and great numbers of Jews settled in Egypt. Ptolemy was kind to the Jews and during his reign the Sacred Scriptures of the Jews were translated from Hebrew to Greek and this version of the OT was known as the "Septuient" or the LXX version of the Bible. Not only were the Scriptures translated into the Greek language so all who lived in the Greek speaking world could read the Bible, but it also opened up the world to open commercial trade between nations.

The Syrian monarchy arose and Seleucus another of Alexander's generals founded Antioch as the western capital of his kingdom and nearly all of Asia came into his possession. Antioch later became a center of the Christian Church in that part of the world. In the conflicts between Egypt and Syria Antiochus the Great was defeated by Ptolemy Philopater who took possession of Palestine and the Jews were bitterly persecuted under his reign. This period lasted from 204-165 BC. Ptolemy Philopater died and Antiocus seized Palestine and Coele-Syria. At this time Palestine was divided into five provinces that are listed in the NT; Judea, Samaria, Galilee, Trachonitis and Peria.

Antiochus Epiphanes came to the throne and began a new period of trouble for the Jews. He removed Onias as HP and replaced him with one named Jason. In 168 BC he slaughter 40,000 Jews and defiled the Temple by offering a "sow" on the altar as a sacrifice. And erected an altar to Jupiter. This "desolation" is considered as "at type" of the abomination of desolation that Jesus taught about in Matthew 24: The people were forbidden to worship in the Temple and were compelled to eat swine flesh; women and children were sold into slavery. Many fled Jerusalem and the Temple worship was abandoned for three years. The Jews were forbidden to use the Temple and it was devoted to the worship the Grecian god Jove.

The Period of the Maccabees, 165- 63 BC. A priest by the name of Mattathias Maccabaeus and his five sons provoked by the cruelties of Antiocus began a rebellion that spread throughout Palestine. When he died in battle; his son Judas was placed as the head of the band. In an attempt to crush the rebellion Antiocus was defeated in battle three times. While devising new plans for the destruction of the Jews he contacted a loathsome disease and died a lonely death.

Judas Maccbaeus now became governor of Palestine and began to ""purify the Temple" and begin religious services again.

Hostilities were renewed again; Judas was slain and leadership fell to his brother Jonathan who was murdered shortly after and the third brother Simon took control of the Jewish uprising. He appealed to the Romans and was placed in a position of authority.

In the year of 63 BC in the closing period of the Roman Republic. Rome took possession of Palestine. Julius Caesar, Pompey and Crassus formed the First Triumvirate, The Jews were granted full religious rights to operate under the Maccabees, but were required to pay a yearly tribute. Hyracranus was made king and Antipater was appointed Procurator of Judea by Julius Caesar, who appointed Herod son of Antipter governor of Galilee.

When Caesar was asssassinated the empire was again divided. Antony receiving Syria and the East. Herod married Mariamne, the granddaughter of of Hyrcanus and was made king by Antony. Herod appointed his wife's brother Aristolulus 3^rd. HP. This was the "King Herod" that was king when Jesus was born.

Note; now the nation that represented the legs and feet of iron and iron mixed with clay of the "Image of a Man" of the book of Daniel is now in place. The 70^th. week of Daniel's prophecy is approaching and the promised Messiah will soon be born.

We end this study of the OT with great hope of redemption for sin is near at hand.