The Day of the Cross – April 1The Day of the Cross – April 1stst AD AD 33.33.

• CluesClues::• Christ died 33.5 years after His birth.Christ died 33.5 years after His birth.

• It was on a Passover (Full Moon).It was on a Passover (Full Moon).

• Passover must be in the Spring (after Passover must be in the Spring (after March 21March 21stst), with the sun in Aries ), with the sun in Aries (Josephus).(Josephus).

• It was on a Friday (the day before the It was on a Friday (the day before the Sabbath).Sabbath).

• The sun turned to darkness for 3 hours.The sun turned to darkness for 3 hours.

• There was a lunar eclipse that day.There was a lunar eclipse that day.

There is only one solution!There is only one solution!

• Friday April 1Friday April 1stst AD33 AD33 in our Gregorian in our Gregorian Calendar (April 3Calendar (April 3rdrd in the Julian in the Julian Calendar used by the Romans at that Calendar used by the Romans at that time).time).

• Therefore Jesus was born 33.5 years Therefore Jesus was born 33.5 years earlier in the Fall (October) 2BC.earlier in the Fall (October) 2BC.

Daniel’s 70 Weeks Fulfilled!Daniel’s 70 Weeks Fulfilled!

• Daniel 9:24Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks (70X7 = Seventy weeks (70X7 = 490 years) are determined upon your 490 years) are determined upon your people (Israel) and upon thy holy city people (Israel) and upon thy holy city (Jerusalem) to finish the transgression, (Jerusalem) to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. to anoint the most Holy.

• This tells us that the Messiah would This tells us that the Messiah would make atonement for sins and be ready make atonement for sins and be ready to set up His Kingdom at the end of 490 to set up His Kingdom at the end of 490 years.years.

• But what is the starting point?But what is the starting point?

• v25 Know therefore and understand, that v25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince ….Messiah the Prince ….

• This decree is recorded in Ezra 7, This decree is recorded in Ezra 7, on Nisan 1st, in the 7on Nisan 1st, in the 7thth year of Artaxerxes. year of Artaxerxes.

* History tells us this was 458BC.* History tells us this was 458BC.

* Nisan 1* Nisan 1stst that year was April 3 that year was April 3rdrd..

* Add 490 years and you come to Sunday * Add 490 years and you come to Sunday April 3April 3rd rd AD 33–the day of the AD 33–the day of the Resurrection!Resurrection!

• ‘‘The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord’ The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord’ means literally ‘the Great and Manifest means literally ‘the Great and Manifest Day of the Lord.’ It is the Day of the Day of the Lord.’ It is the Day of the Lord’s Manifestation in power and glory.Lord’s Manifestation in power and glory.

• Daniel’s 70 weeks tells us that after Daniel’s 70 weeks tells us that after atoning for our sins (April 1atoning for our sins (April 1stst), on the ), on the day of His resurrection (April 3day of His resurrection (April 3rdrd) Christ ) Christ was ready to set up His Kingdom.was ready to set up His Kingdom.

• However because Israel would not However because Israel would not receive Him the Kingdom was receive Him the Kingdom was postponed 2000 years.postponed 2000 years.

• Therefore 70Therefore 70thth Week of Daniel (April Week of Daniel (April AD26-33), the time of Messiah (John the AD26-33), the time of Messiah (John the Baptist and Christ) was cancelled and will Baptist and Christ) was cancelled and will be rerun as the 7 years of Tribulation be rerun as the 7 years of Tribulation (antichrist), at the end of which Christ (antichrist), at the end of which Christ will return in power and glory to establish will return in power and glory to establish His Kingdom (see Daniel 9:26,27).His Kingdom (see Daniel 9:26,27).

• The first run of Daniel’s 70 weeks ended The first run of Daniel’s 70 weeks ended with the Death and Resurrection of Christ with the Death and Resurrection of Christ (the Day of His manifestation in glory).(the Day of His manifestation in glory).

• The second run of Daniel’s 70 weeks will The second run of Daniel’s 70 weeks will end with the 2end with the 2ndnd Coming of Christ Coming of Christ - the Great and Manifest Day of the - the Great and Manifest Day of the Lord. Lord.

• What are the signs of the Great Day of What are the signs of the Great Day of the Lord’s Manifestation. In other the Lord’s Manifestation. In other words what will happen just before?words what will happen just before?

• Joel 2:31Joel 2:31 “The sun shall be turned into “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and before the coming of the great and terrible (manifest) Day of the LORD.”terrible (manifest) Day of the LORD.”

• Both these signs in the heavens Both these signs in the heavens happened on April 1happened on April 1stst AD33! AD33!

The Sun turned to DarknessThe Sun turned to Darkness• "Now from the 6th hour there "Now from the 6th hour there

occurred darkness over all the land occurred darkness over all the land until the 9th hour“until the 9th hour“ (Matthew 27:45). (Matthew 27:45).

• "It was now about the 6th hour, and "It was now about the 6th hour, and darkness came over all the land darkness came over all the land until the 9th hour, until the 9th hour, the sun failingthe sun failing" " (Luke 23:44-45). (Luke 23:44-45).

• Not a dust storm! Not a dust storm! • Solar Eclipse impossible (full moon, 3 Solar Eclipse impossible (full moon, 3

hours)hours)• Signified what was happening to Christ.Signified what was happening to Christ.

• Amos 8:9 saysAmos 8:9 says, , "On that day, says "On that day, says the Lord God, I will make the Sun the Lord God, I will make the Sun to go down at noon, and darken to go down at noon, and darken the Earth in broad daylight."the Earth in broad daylight."

• IT IS IN THE ROMAN RECORDSIT IS IN THE ROMAN RECORDS

• Julius Africanus:Julius Africanus:• "Thallus, in his third book of histories"Thallus, in his third book of histories, explains , explains

away this darkness as an eclipse of the sun - away this darkness as an eclipse of the sun - unreasonably as it seems to me. For the unreasonably as it seems to me. For the Hebrews celebrate the Passover on the 14th Hebrews celebrate the Passover on the 14th day according to the moon, and the passion of day according to the moon, and the passion of our Saviour falls on the day before the our Saviour falls on the day before the passover; but an eclipse of the sun takes place passover; but an eclipse of the sun takes place only when the moon comes under the sun. only when the moon comes under the sun. And it cannot happen at any other time but in And it cannot happen at any other time but in the interval between the first day of the new the interval between the first day of the new moon and the last of the old, that is, at their moon and the last of the old, that is, at their junction: how then should an eclipse occur junction: how then should an eclipse occur when the moon is almost diametrically when the moon is almost diametrically opposite the sun?”opposite the sun?”

• Phlegon’s OlympiadesPhlegon’s Olympiades::

• "In the 4th year of the 202nd "In the 4th year of the 202nd Olympiad Olympiad (from July AD 32- June AD (from July AD 32- June AD 33!),33!), there was a great eclipse of there was a great eclipse of the Sun, greater than had ever the Sun, greater than had ever been known before, for at the 6th been known before, for at the 6th hour the day was changed into hour the day was changed into night and the night and the stars were seen in stars were seen in the heavensthe heavens. An earthquake . An earthquake occurred in Bythinia and occurred in Bythinia and overthrew a great part of the city overthrew a great part of the city of Nicæa."of Nicæa."

• Many ancient writers attest to this Many ancient writers attest to this record of Phlegonrecord of Phlegon

• Philipon Philipon "And about this darkness -"And about this darkness -Phlegon recalls it in the Phlegon recalls it in the Olympiads...Phlegon mentioned the Olympiads...Phlegon mentioned the eclipse which took place during the eclipse which took place during the crucifixion of the Lord Christ, and no crucifixion of the Lord Christ, and no other (eclipse), it is clear that he did not other (eclipse), it is clear that he did not know from his sources about any know from his sources about any (similar) eclipse in previous times...and (similar) eclipse in previous times...and this is shown by the historical account this is shown by the historical account of Tiberius Caesar."of Tiberius Caesar."

• ““PhlegonPhlegon records that in the time of Tiberius Caesar, at records that in the time of Tiberius Caesar, at full moon, there was a full eclipse of the sun from the full moon, there was a full eclipse of the sun from the 6th hour to the 9th, manifestly that one of which we 6th hour to the 9th, manifestly that one of which we speak.“speak.“

• OrigenOrigen: "Now Phlegon, in his 13th or 14: "Now Phlegon, in his 13th or 14thth book, I think, book, I think, of his Chronicles, not only ascribed to Jesus a knowledge of his Chronicles, not only ascribed to Jesus a knowledge of future events . . but also testified that the result of future events . . but also testified that the result corresponded to His predictions“corresponded to His predictions“

• "And with regard to the eclipse in the time of Tiberius "And with regard to the eclipse in the time of Tiberius Caesar, in whose reign Jesus appears to have been Caesar, in whose reign Jesus appears to have been crucified, and the great earthquakes which then took crucified, and the great earthquakes which then took place, Phlegon too I think has written in the 13th or 14th place, Phlegon too I think has written in the 13th or 14th book of his Chronicles” and “He [that is, Celsus] book of his Chronicles” and “He [that is, Celsus] imagines also that both the earthquake and the imagines also that both the earthquake and the darkness were an invention, but regarding these, we darkness were an invention, but regarding these, we have in the preceding pages made our defence, have in the preceding pages made our defence, according to our ability,adducing the testimony of according to our ability,adducing the testimony of Phlegon, who relates that these events took place at the Phlegon, who relates that these events took place at the time when our Saviour suffered.” time when our Saviour suffered.”

The Moon will be turned to The Moon will be turned to Blood.Blood.

• Blood red Lunar EclipseBlood red Lunar Eclipse

• Matthew 24:29Matthew 24:29 “Immediately after “Immediately after the Tribulation of those days the Tribulation of those days the the sun will be darkened, and the moon sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its lightwill not give its light; the stars will ; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” with power and great glory.”

• Acts 2:16Acts 2:16 But this is what was spoken by the But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 prophet Joel: 17 ‘ And it shall come to pass in the ‘ And it shall come to pass in the last days (afterwards), says God, That I will pour last days (afterwards), says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and daughters shall prophesy,Your young men shall daughters shall prophesy,Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: Blood and above and signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapour of smoke.fire and vapour of smoke.

• 20 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,The sun shall be turned into darkness,And the moon into blood, before the Coming And the moon into blood, before the Coming of the Great and Awesome day of the LORD.of the Great and Awesome day of the LORD.

• 21 21 And it shall come to pass thatAnd it shall come to pass that whoever calls whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.’on the name of the LORD shall be saved.’

• On the Day of Pentecost Peter was showing Joel’s On the Day of Pentecost Peter was showing Joel’s Prophecy had been fulfilled, pointing to the signs Prophecy had been fulfilled, pointing to the signs (before and after) of the Day of the Lord.(before and after) of the Day of the Lord.

• BeforeBefore: In the heavens-the sun and moon.: In the heavens-the sun and moon.• On the earth –earthquakes (witnessed by all On the earth –earthquakes (witnessed by all

there).there).• These came before the Day of the Lord’s These came before the Day of the Lord’s

manifestation (resurrection). manifestation (resurrection).

• AfterAfter: His resurrection was demonstrated by the : His resurrection was demonstrated by the empty tomb and appearances to many.empty tomb and appearances to many.

• The Holy-Spirit poured out was the final proof The Holy-Spirit poured out was the final proof Joel’s prophecy was fulfilled, Jesus is the Christ Joel’s prophecy was fulfilled, Jesus is the Christ and that the Day of the Lord had come.and that the Day of the Lord had come.

• Therefore the Holy-Spirit has been poured out Therefore the Holy-Spirit has been poured out upon all. So we can all receive the Gift of the upon all. So we can all receive the Gift of the Holy-Spirit!Holy-Spirit!

• On one hand Joel 2 was fulfilled in On one hand Joel 2 was fulfilled in Christ’s First Coming, when Christ rose Christ’s First Coming, when Christ rose on the Great Day of the Lord, but the on the Great Day of the Lord, but the final fulfilment awaits Christ’s Second final fulfilment awaits Christ’s Second Coming when He will appear in glory to Coming when He will appear in glory to set up His Kingdom. set up His Kingdom.

• God kept His appointment in AD 33 God kept His appointment in AD 33 even if Israel missed it.even if Israel missed it.

• Then again the sun will be turned to Then again the sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood and the darkness and the moon to blood and the Spirit will be poured upon all flesh.Spirit will be poured upon all flesh.

•       Revelation 6:12Revelation 6:12 I looked when He opened the I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and earthquake; and the sun became black as the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like bloodlike blood. 13 And the stars of heaven . 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. 15 And the kings of the earth, the of its place. 15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of the great day of His wrath has comeHis wrath has come, and who is able to , and who is able to stand?” stand?”

SUMMARYSUMMARY• April 3April 3rdrd 458BC. The 70 Weeks begin. 458BC. The 70 Weeks begin.

• Sunday April 3Sunday April 3rdrd 33AD – the 70 Weeks end. 33AD – the 70 Weeks end.- The Day of the Lord’s glorious Resurrection.The Day of the Lord’s glorious Resurrection.

- Friday April 1Friday April 1stst AD33 - 2 days before the sun AD33 - 2 days before the sun turned to darkness and the moon to blood, turned to darkness and the moon to blood, signifying Christ’s Atoning Death for us.signifying Christ’s Atoning Death for us.

- Soon the 70Soon the 70thth Week of Daniel will replay, and on Week of Daniel will replay, and on the last great Day Christ will return in glory. the last great Day Christ will return in glory.

Just before the moon will be turned to blood, Just before the moon will be turned to blood, then sun and stars will be turned off, so that then sun and stars will be turned off, so that when He appears His glory alone will light the when He appears His glory alone will light the earth!earth!

The CupThe Cup• Matthew 26:36Matthew 26:36 Then Jesus came with them to a place Then Jesus came with them to a place

called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” 39 He went a little farther Stay here and watch with Me.” 39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.will.”” 40 40 Then Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? hour? 4141 Watch and pray lest you enter into temptation Watch and pray lest you enter into temptation The spirit indeed The spirit indeed isis willing, but the flesh willing, but the flesh isis weak.” 42 weak.” 42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 And He came 43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the 44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same wordsthird time, saying the same words

• He won the Victory and chose to drink it He won the Victory and chose to drink it for us for us (otherwise we would have had to (otherwise we would have had to drink it).drink it).

• John 18:10John 18:10 Then Simon Peter, having a Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11 So Jesus servant’s name was Malchus. 11 So Jesus said to Peter, said to Peter, “Put your sword into the “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the CUP sheath. Shall I not drink the CUP which My Father has given Me?” which My Father has given Me?”

• Matthew 26:52Matthew 26:52 Jesus said to him, “Put your Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more Father, and He will provide Me with more than 12 legions of angels? than 12 legions of angels?

• Matthew 20:21Matthew 20:21 He said to her, “What do you He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”

•

22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not 22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. know what you ask. Are you able to drink the Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”with the baptism that I am baptized with?”They said to Him, “We are able.” They said to Him, “We are able.”

• 23 23 So He said to them, “You will indeed So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup,drink My cup, and be baptized with the and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for thoseit is for those for whom it is prepared by My for whom it is prepared by My Father.” Father.”

• From all these verses we can deduceFrom all these verses we can deduce::

• We all have a CUP God gives us to drink.We all have a CUP God gives us to drink.

• Our CUP is God’s Will for our lives.Our CUP is God’s Will for our lives.

• Our CUP involves both suffering (self-denial) Our CUP involves both suffering (self-denial) and glory.and glory.

• God will reveal it to us step by step and we God will reveal it to us step by step and we have the choice to drink it or reject it. have the choice to drink it or reject it.

• Any suffering in our Cup is nothing compared Any suffering in our Cup is nothing compared to the glory, but to have the glory we must to the glory, but to have the glory we must drink it all-including the suffering.drink it all-including the suffering.

• Jesus drank His bitter Cup for you (infinitely Jesus drank His bitter Cup for you (infinitely worse than anything you will have to drink).worse than anything you will have to drink).

• Will you drink your Cup for Him and the world?Will you drink your Cup for Him and the world?