Yesterday, we began to look at how Babylon, an ancient world power, took
Judah and destroyed both the city and the temple, sending the people
into exile. Today, we will look the Medio-persian empire succeeded the
Babylonian empire, and under different emperors, impacted Judah,
Jerusalem and the temple favourably. During this time, the temple was
rebuilt and Jerusalem's walls were also rebuilt according to the
prophecy of Daniel.
Greece, under the rule of Alexander the great, overthrew the Medio-persian empire. Under Alexander the great, we are told that Greece was favourably disposed towards the Jews and Jerusalem, but he was short-lived. Upon his death, his kingdom was divided into four parts, and one of these four parts, Syria, had a debilitating impact on Judah, Jerusalem and the temple. Under the rule of Antiochus IV Epiphanies (175-164) the Jewish temple was desecrated. It is generally believed by bible prophecy scholars that Antiochus IV Epiphanies was a precursor to the Antichrist who the ancient prophets prophesied will rule the world in the last days of this age.
Greece, under the rule of Alexander the great, overthrew the Medio-persian empire. Under Alexander the great, we are told that Greece was favourably disposed towards the Jews and Jerusalem, but he was short-lived. Upon his death, his kingdom was divided into four parts, and one of these four parts, Syria, had a debilitating impact on Judah, Jerusalem and the temple. Under the rule of Antiochus IV Epiphanies (175-164) the Jewish temple was desecrated. It is generally believed by bible prophecy scholars that Antiochus IV Epiphanies was a precursor to the Antichrist who the ancient prophets prophesied will rule the world in the last days of this age.
The Romans were the next world power whose actions impacted Judah, Jerusalem, and the temple in no small measure. Three major events took place under the Romans: that are of great significance to bible prophecy: the Messiah was crucified under Pontius Pilate, a Roman governor: in AD 70, under the leadership of General Titus, the temple was destroyed, ending the temple worship, which is central to Judaism; and the second exile of Judah took place in which Jews were scattered around the world. For two thousand years, there ceased to be a nation called Israel. Tomorrow, we will look at bible prophecy in contemporary time.
Toni
