Captivity, Return and Silent 400 Years Lesson 22 The Roman Empire The Herods Jewish Sects Appear The Sanhedrin Council Recap of Quarter

Roman Empire Daniel 2: This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king. 37 Thou, O king, art king of kings, unto whom the God of heaven hath given the kingdom, the power, and the strength, and the glory; 38 and wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens hath he given into thy hand, and hath made thee to rule over them all: thou art the head of gold. 39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee; and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.

Roman Empire Daniel 2: And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron, forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things; and as iron that crusheth all these, shall it break in pieces and crush. 41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. 43 And whereas thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men; but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron doth not mingle with clay. 44 And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

Roman Empire …”in the days of these kings shall a kingdom be established that shall never be destroyed”  Enrollment in days of Augustus (31BC – 14AD) Luke 2:1  John the Baptist begins his work during reign of Tiberius Tiberius (14AD – 37AD) Luke 3:1-2

Roman Empire

 Origin of Roman Empire dates back to 753BC  Punic Wars ( BC) expanded empire to include Carthage  Empire expanded to include Spain and thus control of the western Mediterranean area by 146BC  Asia Minor came under control between BC as Roman influence draws closer to Judaea  Pompey, Roman General, makes Syria a Roman province in 64BC  Julius Caesar was expanding empire in the west during this same period  Triumvirate formed in 60BC between Julius Caesar, Pompey and Crassus  Crassus dies, then Pompey is defeated by Julius Caesar in 48BC  Antipater, son of Antipas, appointed Procurator of Judaea (47- 43BC) following the fall of Pompey in 48BC by Julius Caesar

Roman Empire  Julius Caesar assassinated in 44BC, and control soon falls to Octavian and Mark Antony  Mark Antony had control of eastern empire that included Judaea  Herod the Great appointed tetrarch over Judaea in 41BC by Mark Antony  Herod the great given sole authority over Judaea by Octavian and Mark Antony in 37BC  Octavian defeats Mark Antony in 31BC at battle of Actium  Octavian given title of Augustus which is referenced in Luke 2:1; and reigns until 14AD when Tiberius Caesar comes to power

Herods

 Idumaeans (Edomites) not Jews  Origin with Antipas, governor of Idumaea 78BC  Antipater, son of Antipas, became Procurator of Judaea from 47-43BC following the fall of Pompey in 48BC Placed in power by Julius Caesar Hyrcanus served as High Priest during this time  Herod the Great and Phasael follow their father Antipater as joint rulers Herod the Great appointed tetrarch over Judaea in 41BC by Mark Antony Phasael commits suicide following capture by Parthians Herod, in Rome, receives sole rule over Judaea from Antony and Octavian (also known as Augustus)

Herods

 Herod the Great 37BC-4AD  Returns to Jerusalem with support of Mark Antony and Augustus (also known as Octavian) and begins to subdue Judaea  Quickly eliminates remains of Asmonean house (slays Antigonus and 45 followers  Action angers the Jews, but to no avail as Herod is supported by Mark Antony  Gains favor with Augustus after Augustus defeated Mark Antony in 31BC  Puts to death his wife, mother-in-law, and ultimately his two sons  Rebuilds temple to placate Jews  Orders death of all male children in Bethlehem (two years old and younger) after hearing of the birth of Christ Matt 2:16  Herod Antipas follows his father to power

Herods

Jewish Sects Appear  The Hasidim (the pious ones)  Two significant facts Possibly the origins of the Pharisees Originated the basis of the customs that were quoted and strictly followed by the Pharisees and other Jews in the days of Christ  These customs later comprise part of the Talmud 200AD  Pharisees Origin placed around BC by Josephus Pharisees opposed John Hyrcanus’ rule as High priest Pharisees become opposition to Maccabees while the Sadducees become supporters Strict keepers of the letter of the law Political influence great at times

Jewish Sects Appear  Sadducees Origin placed around 125BC Party of the aristocrats Many were priests, including the historian Josephus Sought political influence Accepted Law of Moses, but tended to not accept traditions as did the Pharisees Did not believe in resurrection, angels, or spirits Acts 23:8

Jewish Sects Appear  Zealots Nationalists, primarily with political interests Opposition to Rome strengthened until the ultimate fall of Jerusalem in AD70 Simon, the zealot, an apostle of Christ

Sanhedrin Council  Bears Greek origin and commonly translated as “court of justice”  Origin cannot be determined with accuracy  Modern Jews claim origin during the time of Moses and reinstituted during the days of Ezra, however, no biblical confirmation  Earliest mention by historian Josephus is 56-55BC  Generally 70 members  Powerful influence during Roman rule  Ruled over by the High Priest (reference Caiaphas at trial of Jesus and Ananias at Paul’s trial)  Disbanded at the fall of Jerusalem in AD70

Recap of Quarter Key Lessons  A remnant returns Seed promise required preservation of Israel Gen 12:2, Gal 3:26-27  Gen 49:12; II Sam 7:11-15; Matthew 1:1-16 Israel Rom 9:27 Church …after 400 years of silence Rom 9:27  …in the fullness of time Gal 4:4  God keeps promises Nation promise Land promise Josh 21:45 Seed promise Gal 3:27 Remnant preserved Rom 9:27

Recap of Quarter Key Lessons God’s control over the nations  Jer 18 Premillenial Theory Dispelled Josh 21:45 Remnant returned Jeremiah 22:30 Coniah’s seed

History Review  Captivity of Israel in what year?  721  Captivity of Israel by which world empire?  Assyrian  Fall of Nineveh?  612BC  Battle of Carchemish?  609BC  Nebuchadnezzar’s reign begins?  605BC  First group goes into Babylonian captivity?  605BC  Second group goes into captivity?  597BC

History Review  King of Judah when second group taken?  Jehoiachin  Fall of Jerusalem?  586BC  Prophesied concerning 70 year captivity?  Daniel  Prophets during period of captivity?  Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel  Ruler chosen to initiate return of Israel from captivity?  Cyrus  Cyrus conquers Babylon in what year?  539BC

History Review  First group returns to Judah in what year?  536BC  Leader of first group to return?  Zerrubabel  Work restored on temple in what year?  520BC  Temple completed in what year?  516BC  Prophets who encouraged completion of temple?  Haggai and Zechariah  Persian queen deposed for refusal to appear before audience?  Vashti  Jewess who became Persian queen?  Esther

History Review  Ezra returns to restore Law and worship in what year?  458BC  Leader of group who returns to rebuild walls?  Nehemiah  Nehemiah returns in what year?  444BC  Who was the great Grecian king?  Alexander the Great  Two significant Greek kingdoms following Alexander that ruled Judaea?  Ptolemies and Seleucids  Group who opposed work of Antiochus IV??  Maccabees  Name of Herod who was ruling at time of Jesus’ birth?  Herod the Great