The End of Jewish The End of Jewish Independence and The Independence and The

Roman Rule and Promised Roman Rule and Promised MessiahMessiah

First, a “short” Time - Line 13th century 13th century Exodus from Egypt: Moses leads Israelites from Egypt, followed by 40 years of Exodus from Egypt: Moses leads Israelites from Egypt, followed by 40 years of

wandering in the desert. wandering in the desert. Torah, including the Ten Commandments, received at Torah, including the Ten Commandments, received at Mount Sinai.Mount Sinai.

13th-12th centuries13th-12th centuries Israelites settle in the Land of Israel Israelites settle in the Land of Israel

1020 1020 Jewish Monarchy established; Saul, first king.Jewish Monarchy established; Saul, first king.

c.1000 c.1000 Jerusalem made capital of David's kingdom.Jerusalem made capital of David's kingdom.

c.960 c.960 First Temple, the national and spiritual center of the Jewish people, built in First Temple, the national and spiritual center of the Jewish people, built in

Jerusalem by King SolomonJerusalem by King Solomon

c. 930c. 930 Divided kingdom: Judah and Israel Divided kingdom: Judah and Israel

722-720722-720 Israel crushed by Assyrians; 10 tribes exiled (Ten Lost Tribes).Israel crushed by Assyrians; 10 tribes exiled (Ten Lost Tribes).

Time Line

586 586 Judah conquered by Babylonia; Jerusalem and First Temple destroyed; most Jews exiled Judah conquered by Babylonia; Jerusalem and First Temple destroyed; most Jews exiled

to Babyloniato Babylonia

538-515 538-515 Many Jews return from Babylonia; Temple rebuilt.Many Jews return from Babylonia; Temple rebuilt.

332332 Land conquered by Alexander the Great; Hellenistic rule.Land conquered by Alexander the Great; Hellenistic rule.

166-160166-160 Maccabean (Hasmonean) revolt against restrictions on practice of Judaism and desecration Maccabean (Hasmonean) revolt against restrictions on practice of Judaism and desecration

of the Templeof the Temple

142-129 142-129 Jewish independence under Hasmonean monarchy.Jewish independence under Hasmonean monarchy.

63 63 Jerusalem captured by Roman general, Pompey.Jerusalem captured by Roman general, Pompey.

63 BCE - 4 CE63 BCE - 4 CE Herod, Roman vassal king, rules the Land of Israel; Temple in Jerusalem refurbishedHerod, Roman vassal king, rules the Land of Israel; Temple in Jerusalem refurbished

Time Line

c. 20-33c. 20-33 Ministry of Jesus of NazarethMinistry of Jesus of Nazareth

6666 Jewish revolt against the RomansJewish revolt against the Romans

70 70 Destruction of Jerusalem and Second Temple.Destruction of Jerusalem and Second Temple.

13th-12th 13th-12th centuriescenturies Israelites Israelites settle in the settle in the Land of IsraelLand of Israel

Israel in the Israel in the time time of the of the JudgesJudges

Jerusalem during King Jerusalem during King David’s reign.David’s reign.

The land The land conquered by conquered by Alexander the Alexander the greatgreat

The End of The End of Jewish Jewish

IndependenceIndependence

The End of Jewish IndependenceThe End of Jewish Independence

When Salome died in 67 BCE, there When Salome died in 67 BCE, there arose a conflict between Hyrcanus II and his arose a conflict between Hyrcanus II and his brother Aristobolus II over who would succeed brother Aristobolus II over who would succeed their mother as both High Priest and king; these their mother as both High Priest and king; these two brothers were leaders of two brothers were leaders of de factode facto poltical poltical parties within the Jewish state. Aristobolus II parties within the Jewish state. Aristobolus II declared war on Hyrcanus II, and in a decisive declared war on Hyrcanus II, and in a decisive battle many of the soldiers supporting Hyrcanus battle many of the soldiers supporting Hyrcanus II deserted to Aristobolus II. Hyrcanus II agreed II deserted to Aristobolus II. Hyrcanus II agreed that his brother Aristobolus II would be High that his brother Aristobolus II would be High Priest and king. But the matter did not end there. Priest and king. But the matter did not end there. Antipater, an Idumean who was appointed Antipater, an Idumean who was appointed governor of Idumea by Alexander Jannaeus, governor of Idumea by Alexander Jannaeus,

The End of Jewish IndependenceThe End of Jewish Independence

the father of the two brothers, took up the cause the father of the two brothers, took up the cause of Hyrcanus II and with the military support of of Hyrcanus II and with the military support of the Nabatean king Aretas—who had lost much the Nabatean king Aretas—who had lost much territory to the Jews—marched to Jerusalem, territory to the Jews—marched to Jerusalem, laid siege to the city and demanded that laid siege to the city and demanded that Hyrcanus II be reinstated as High Priest and be Hyrcanus II be reinstated as High Priest and be appointed king. appointed king.

Meanwhile, the Roman general Pompey Meanwhile, the Roman general Pompey (Gaius Pompeius Magnus) by the authority of (Gaius Pompeius Magnus) by the authority of the Roman senate went to Asia Minor in order to the Roman senate went to Asia Minor in order to put down a rebellion by Mithridates VI Eupator, put down a rebellion by Mithridates VI Eupator, king of Pontus. king of Pontus.

The End of Jewish IndependenceThe End of Jewish Independence

Pompey defeated Mithridates in 66 BCE in what Pompey defeated Mithridates in 66 BCE in what is called the Third Mithridatic War (74-63 BCE). is called the Third Mithridatic War (74-63 BCE). While in Asia Minor, Pompey heard of the While in Asia Minor, Pompey heard of the dispute going on in Jerusalem between dispute going on in Jerusalem between Hyrcanus II and Aristobolus II from one of his Hyrcanus II and Aristobolus II from one of his generals, Scaurus, who had been sent to Syria. generals, Scaurus, who had been sent to Syria. Scaurus began to travel to Judea to capitalize Scaurus began to travel to Judea to capitalize politically on this internal crisis of the Jews. politically on this internal crisis of the Jews. Hearing that the Roman general was on his way Hearing that the Roman general was on his way to Judea, both Aristobolus II and Hyrcanus II to Judea, both Aristobolus II and Hyrcanus II sent emissaries to him in order to gain his sent emissaries to him in order to gain his support for their respective causes; this was the support for their respective causes; this was the beginning of the end of the Hasmonean dynasty. beginning of the end of the Hasmonean dynasty.

The End of Jewish IndependenceThe End of Jewish IndependenceScaurus temporarily decided in favor of Scaurus temporarily decided in favor of Aristobolus II and ordered Aretas to withdraw, Aristobolus II and ordered Aretas to withdraw, which he did. In the meantime, Pompey which he did. In the meantime, Pompey conquered Syria, and Syria was made into a conquered Syria, and Syria was made into a Roman province with a proconsul; this was the Roman province with a proconsul; this was the end of the Seleucid kingdom. end of the Seleucid kingdom.

In 63 BCE, Pompey met with Aristobolus II In 63 BCE, Pompey met with Aristobolus II and Hyrcanus II in Damascus to hear their and Hyrcanus II in Damascus to hear their respective cases for being appointed High Priest respective cases for being appointed High Priest and king of the Jewish state. (A third delegation and king of the Jewish state. (A third delegation of Jews requested that the monarchy be of Jews requested that the monarchy be abolished, but Pompey did not take it too abolished, but Pompey did not take it too seriously.) Pompey asked both to stay inseriously.) Pompey asked both to stay in

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Damascus and to wait on his decision. Damascus and to wait on his decision. Aristobolus II, however, left Damascus without Aristobolus II, however, left Damascus without Pompey's permission, so that Pompey justifiably Pompey's permission, so that Pompey justifiably suspected Aristobolus II to be disloyal to him suspected Aristobolus II to be disloyal to him and the Romans in general. So with some of his and the Romans in general. So with some of his troops Pompey pursued Aristobolus II, who troops Pompey pursued Aristobolus II, who eventually surrendered near Jericho. In the eventually surrendered near Jericho. In the meantime, the people of Jerusalem shut the meantime, the people of Jerusalem shut the gates of the city against Gabinius, the proconsul gates of the city against Gabinius, the proconsul of Syria, who was sent to Jerusalem by Pompey of Syria, who was sent to Jerusalem by Pompey to get money that Aristobolus II had promised to get money that Aristobolus II had promised (i.e. a bribe) and to take possession of the city. (i.e. a bribe) and to take possession of the city. Having taken Aristobolus II as a prisoner, Having taken Aristobolus II as a prisoner,

The End of Jewish IndependenceThe End of Jewish Independence

Pompey then marched on the city, and the gates Pompey then marched on the city, and the gates were opened to him by the followers of Hyrcanus were opened to him by the followers of Hyrcanus II. The supporters of Aristobolus II were forced to II. The supporters of Aristobolus II were forced to take refuge in the Temple. Pompey besieged the take refuge in the Temple. Pompey besieged the Temple, and within three months broke through Temple, and within three months broke through the walls and allegedly killed about 12,000 Jews. the walls and allegedly killed about 12,000 Jews. (This is according to Josephus, who tends to (This is according to Josephus, who tends to exaggerate when it comes to numbers.) The exaggerate when it comes to numbers.) The borders of the former Jewish state were greatly borders of the former Jewish state were greatly reduced; what remained was Judea, Idumea, reduced; what remained was Judea, Idumea, Perea and Galilee. Pompey installed Hyrcanus II Perea and Galilee. Pompey installed Hyrcanus II as High Priest, but did not give him the title of as High Priest, but did not give him the title of king; Pompey took Aristobolus II and many king; Pompey took Aristobolus II and many

The End of Jewish IndependenceThe End of Jewish Independence

other Jewish prisoners of war to Rome where other Jewish prisoners of war to Rome where they were resettled. A few years later Hyrcanus they were resettled. A few years later Hyrcanus II was stripped of all political power, and II was stripped of all political power, and Gabinius, the proconsul of Syria, divided what Gabinius, the proconsul of Syria, divided what territory remained of the Hasmonean state into territory remained of the Hasmonean state into five regions, under his immediate control. This five regions, under his immediate control. This was the end of an independent Jewish state. was the end of an independent Jewish state.

The Roman Rule and The The Roman Rule and The Promised MessiahPromised Messiah

The Roman Rule and The The Roman Rule and The Promised MessiahPromised Messiah

Having been freed from the empire of the Greek Having been freed from the empire of the Greek kings, the Jews did not have long to make use of their kings, the Jews did not have long to make use of their freedom. The Romans, having conquered the whole freedom. The Romans, having conquered the whole known world, also subjugated the Jews (64 B.C.). They known world, also subjugated the Jews (64 B.C.). They placed over Palestine the procurator Antipater from the placed over Palestine the procurator Antipater from the tribe of Esau, an Idumean (or Edomite). He very cleverly tribe of Esau, an Idumean (or Edomite). He very cleverly secured the confidence of the Romans, but was soon secured the confidence of the Romans, but was soon poisoned. poisoned.

After him, his son Herod, called Herod the Great, After him, his son Herod, called Herod the Great, was appointed governor of Galilee. He was a suspicious, was appointed governor of Galilee. He was a suspicious, brutal and cunning man. He also, like his father, skillfully brutal and cunning man. He also, like his father, skillfully gained the confidence of the Roman authorities and was gained the confidence of the Roman authorities and was declared King of the Jews. declared King of the Jews.

The Roman Rule and The The Roman Rule and The Promised MessiahPromised Messiah

In order to find favor among the Jews, King In order to find favor among the Jews, King Herod restored the Jerusalem Temple. Having Herod restored the Jerusalem Temple. Having received the title of King, he was still subordinate received the title of King, he was still subordinate to to CaesarCaesar, the Roman Emperor. From the time , the Roman Emperor. From the time that the Jews came under Roman power, they that the Jews came under Roman power, they were always subject to a were always subject to a Roman rulerRoman ruler, a deputy , a deputy of the Roman Emperor. The Jews were allowed of the Roman Emperor. The Jews were allowed to keep their to keep their SanhedrinSanhedrin, their council of high , their council of high priests and elders of the people; but the power priests and elders of the people; but the power of the Sanhedrin was strictly limited. The of the Sanhedrin was strictly limited. The Sanhedrin, for example, could not impose the Sanhedrin, for example, could not impose the death penalty without the permission of the death penalty without the permission of the Roman ruler, to whom belonged the highest Roman ruler, to whom belonged the highest authority in Israel. authority in Israel.

The Roman Rule and The The Roman Rule and The Promised MessiahPromised Messiah

The worldwide control of the Roman The worldwide control of the Roman empire shook paganism to its foundations. empire shook paganism to its foundations. Rome was the capital of the world and there Rome was the capital of the world and there gathered the scholars, writers, merchants and gathered the scholars, writers, merchants and other representatives of all the nations. Each other representatives of all the nations. Each one brought with him his own pagan faith. These one brought with him his own pagan faith. These people, seeing the endless variety of pagan idol-people, seeing the endless variety of pagan idol-deities, became convinced that all these pagan deities, became convinced that all these pagan gods were devised by the people themselves. gods were devised by the people themselves.

The Roman Rule and The The Roman Rule and The Promised MessiahPromised Messiah

Many of the pagans began to lose faith Many of the pagans began to lose faith and hope in the future. In order to seek blissful and hope in the future. In order to seek blissful oblivion, they began to indulge in every sort of oblivion, they began to indulge in every sort of amusement. Some, falling into despondency, amusement. Some, falling into despondency, ended their lives by suicide.ended their lives by suicide.

But the best of them, observing that the But the best of them, observing that the world was headed toward destruction, world was headed toward destruction, nevertheless maintained the hope that from nevertheless maintained the hope that from somewhere would come a somewhere would come a SaviourSaviour, if not from , if not from among the people, then from above. The Jews, among the people, then from above. The Jews, dispersed throughout all the world after their dispersed throughout all the world after their captivity in Babylon and other later captivities, captivity in Babylon and other later captivities, spread the news about the imminent coming of spread the news about the imminent coming of the Saviour of the world. the Saviour of the world.

The Roman Rule and The The Roman Rule and The Promised MessiahPromised Messiah

Therefore, the gaze of the best people in the Therefore, the gaze of the best people in the pagan world began to turn to the east, to pagan world began to turn to the east, to Palestine.Palestine.

Among the Romans and other pagan Among the Romans and other pagan people there arose the general belief that in the people there arose the general belief that in the East there would soon appear a powerful king East there would soon appear a powerful king who would subjugate the entire world.who would subjugate the entire world.

In Palestine itself, among the Jews, the In Palestine itself, among the Jews, the expectation of the Messiah was especially expectation of the Messiah was especially intense. Everyone felt that the time was coming intense. Everyone felt that the time was coming for the fulfillment of the prophecies and the for the fulfillment of the prophecies and the salvation of Israel.salvation of Israel.

The Roman Rule and The The Roman Rule and The Promised MessiahPromised Messiah

The prophecies of the Prophet Daniel The prophecies of the Prophet Daniel about the date of the appearance of Christ were about the date of the appearance of Christ were especially precise. He foretold that after a period especially precise. He foretold that after a period of seventy weeks of years came to an end, a of seventy weeks of years came to an end, a fourth great kingdom would arise during which fourth great kingdom would arise during which the Saviour would arrive. This was the exact the Saviour would arrive. This was the exact specification of the time of the advent of Christ.specification of the time of the advent of Christ.

Upon the appearance of every prominent Upon the appearance of every prominent preacher, everyone involuntarily asked if he preacher, everyone involuntarily asked if he were the Christ. Even the semi-pagan were the Christ. Even the semi-pagan Samaritans hoped that soon would come Christ Samaritans hoped that soon would come Christ the Saviour, Who would resolve all the the Saviour, Who would resolve all the quarrelsome questions between them and the quarrelsome questions between them and the Jews concerning the faith. Unfortunately, not Jews concerning the faith. Unfortunately, not only the pagans, but also the Jews themselves only the pagans, but also the Jews themselves

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mistakenly imagined what Christ would be like. mistakenly imagined what Christ would be like. They did not picture Him as the Prophet Isaiah They did not picture Him as the Prophet Isaiah and other prophets represented Him, as one that and other prophets represented Him, as one that would bear our sins, suffer for us and, though would bear our sins, suffer for us and, though innocent, be condemned to death. The Jews had innocent, be condemned to death. The Jews had no idea that Christ the Saviour would come to no idea that Christ the Saviour would come to earth for the purpose of teaching people, earth for the purpose of teaching people, through His example, word, deeds, and through His example, word, deeds, and suffering, to love God and each other. They suffering, to love God and each other. They desired to see Christ not like this, but rather with desired to see Christ not like this, but rather with worldly power and glory. Therefore, they thought worldly power and glory. Therefore, they thought that Christ would come in worldly glory and that Christ would come in worldly glory and would be the earthly king over the Jewish would be the earthly king over the Jewish people. He would free the Jews from the power people. He would free the Jews from the power of Rome and would subjugate the whole of Rome and would subjugate the whole

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world, and the Jews would reign over all the world, and the Jews would reign over all the peoples of the earth. peoples of the earth.

Only a few devout and righteous people Only a few devout and righteous people awaited Christ with humility, faith and love. They awaited Christ with humility, faith and love. They expected the true Saviour of the world, Who expected the true Saviour of the world, Who would come to deliver people from enslavement would come to deliver people from enslavement to sin and the power of the Devil. He would to sin and the power of the Devil. He would "trample on the head of the serpent,""trample on the head of the serpent," as God as God said to the first people in Paradise, to save said to the first people in Paradise, to save people from eternal death and to open the gates people from eternal death and to open the gates to the Kingdom of Heaven for eternal blessed life to the Kingdom of Heaven for eternal blessed life with God. with God.

The Roman Rule and The The Roman Rule and The Promised MessiahPromised Messiah

When the time came, God gave the When the time came, God gave the promised Saviour of the world, His Only-promised Saviour of the world, His Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. The Son of God begotten Son, Jesus Christ. The Son of God dwelt in the Holy Virgin Mary, and by the action dwelt in the Holy Virgin Mary, and by the action of the Holy Spirit, received from her a human of the Holy Spirit, received from her a human body and soul; that is, He was born from the body and soul; that is, He was born from the Most-holy Virgin Mary and became Most-holy Virgin Mary and became God God Incarnate.Incarnate.

The birth of Jesus Christ occurred in the The birth of Jesus Christ occurred in the days when Herod the Great, the Edomite, days when Herod the Great, the Edomite, reigned over the Jews, in the time of the Roman reigned over the Jews, in the time of the Roman Emperor Augustus.Emperor Augustus.