God's Patterns in Israel’s History
Anything with Israel is significant as it stands at the center point of Biblical prophecy. So it should come as no surprise to find that just as we see patterns all around us in God's creation (golden phi ratio, fractals etc.), and His Word (see here and here), Israel's history also contains incredible patterns demonstrating God's design...
1. From Abraham to the Exodus (490 Years).
From Abraham's birth until the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai and the beginning of a new era (Galatians 3:17) are 505 years (Note: This time frame is obtained by simply adding the numbers of years given in Scripture). However, the 15 years when Abraham had lapsed from faith in God's promise and went in to Hagar (Genesis 16:3) until the promised seed was finally born (Genesis 21:5) must be deducted from this, leaving 490 years during which Abraham and his descendants were abiding under the covenant promise.
2. From Exodus to the Dedication of the Temple (490 Years).
From the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai until the dedication of Solomon's temple are 601 years. However, the 111 years under the Judges during which God withdrew His protection from Israel must be deducted from this, once again leaving 490 years.
3. From the Temple to Nehemiah’s return (490 Years).
From the dedication of the temple in c. 1000 BC to Artaxerxes' commandment to build Jerusalem in 444 BC (Nehemiah 2:18) are 560 years. However, the 70-year captivity in Babylon must be deducted from this, leaving c. 490 years.
4. From Nehemiah’s return to Israel's final establishment in the millennial kingdom (490 Years).
The fourth cycle is actually stated in Scripture in the great "seventy week" prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27. The opening words of the prophecy make this clear: “Seventy weeks have been declared for your people and your holy city…” (Daniel 9:24). The phrase "seventy weeks" literally means in Hebrew “70 sevens” (70 x 7), and the context demands that the sevens be reckoned in years—seventy sevens of years, which would be a total of 490 years.
Furthermore, Daniel’s prophecy states that the 490 years are divided into three periods. After the first two periods (69 weeks or 483 years), the cycle terminates in the crucifixion of the Messiah (Daniel 9:25-26) as God breaks His covenant relation with His people. The cycle starts again when the last seven-year period begins—the so-called "70th week of Daniel" (Daniel 9:27; Revelation 6-19). Thus, Daniel's prophecy is a major confirmation that God determines and measures the redemptive history of Israel in cycles of 490 (70 x 7) years! In fact, it was this prophecy that originally led Sir Edward Denny to the discovery of the 490 year cycles.
But the most amazing part of the prophecy is that it pinpoints the EXACT date of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem—over 600 years before it occurred! In Daniel 9:25 we read:
According to the prophecy, from the command to rebuild Jerusalem there would be seven weeks (49 years) and sixty-two more weeks (434 years)—a total of 483 years, or 173,880 days (using 360-day prophetic years)—until the Messiah would show up, i.e. Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (which is when Jesus publicly declared that he was the Messiah).
We know from history that the command to “restore and rebuild Jerusalem” was given by King Artaxerxes of Persia to Nehemiah on March 5, 444 BC (Nehemiah 2:1–8). Adding 173,880 days to March 5, 444 BC gives March 30, AD 33—the exact date of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem!
May I remind you that Jesus made his “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem 4 days before His crucifixion (Matthew 21:1-9) and 4 days after March 30, AD 33 is Friday April 3, AD 33—which just so happens to be the most likely date for the crucifixion (see: Evidence for Jesus' Crucifixion on April 3, 33 AD). What a remarkable fulfillment of prophecy!
As seen above, the numbers 70 and 7 are very significant numbers related to Israel (Dan. 9:2; 24). Throughout the Old Testament, Israel's inextricable link to the number 70 is unmistakable:
Israel’s 490 Year Cycles
Have you ever wondered why Christ commanded us to forgive our brothers “490 times” (Matt 18:21-22) or why “490 years” was the great prophetic timeline revealed to Daniel? The answer, I believe, is that God determines and measures the redemptive history of Israel in cycles of 490 (70 x 7) years. God seems to have divided Israel’s history into four 490-year cycles:1. From Abraham to the Exodus (490 Years).
From Abraham's birth until the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai and the beginning of a new era (Galatians 3:17) are 505 years (Note: This time frame is obtained by simply adding the numbers of years given in Scripture). However, the 15 years when Abraham had lapsed from faith in God's promise and went in to Hagar (Genesis 16:3) until the promised seed was finally born (Genesis 21:5) must be deducted from this, leaving 490 years during which Abraham and his descendants were abiding under the covenant promise.
2. From Exodus to the Dedication of the Temple (490 Years).
From the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai until the dedication of Solomon's temple are 601 years. However, the 111 years under the Judges during which God withdrew His protection from Israel must be deducted from this, once again leaving 490 years.
3. From the Temple to Nehemiah’s return (490 Years).
From the dedication of the temple in c. 1000 BC to Artaxerxes' commandment to build Jerusalem in 444 BC (Nehemiah 2:18) are 560 years. However, the 70-year captivity in Babylon must be deducted from this, leaving c. 490 years.
4. From Nehemiah’s return to Israel's final establishment in the millennial kingdom (490 Years).
The fourth cycle is actually stated in Scripture in the great "seventy week" prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27. The opening words of the prophecy make this clear: “Seventy weeks have been declared for your people and your holy city…” (Daniel 9:24). The phrase "seventy weeks" literally means in Hebrew “70 sevens” (70 x 7), and the context demands that the sevens be reckoned in years—seventy sevens of years, which would be a total of 490 years.
Furthermore, Daniel’s prophecy states that the 490 years are divided into three periods. After the first two periods (69 weeks or 483 years), the cycle terminates in the crucifixion of the Messiah (Daniel 9:25-26) as God breaks His covenant relation with His people. The cycle starts again when the last seven-year period begins—the so-called "70th week of Daniel" (Daniel 9:27; Revelation 6-19). Thus, Daniel's prophecy is a major confirmation that God determines and measures the redemptive history of Israel in cycles of 490 (70 x 7) years! In fact, it was this prophecy that originally led Sir Edward Denny to the discovery of the 490 year cycles.
"Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks..." (Daniel 9:25)
According to the prophecy, from the command to rebuild Jerusalem there would be seven weeks (49 years) and sixty-two more weeks (434 years)—a total of 483 years, or 173,880 days (using 360-day prophetic years)—until the Messiah would show up, i.e. Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (which is when Jesus publicly declared that he was the Messiah).
We know from history that the command to “restore and rebuild Jerusalem” was given by King Artaxerxes of Persia to Nehemiah on March 5, 444 BC (Nehemiah 2:1–8). Adding 173,880 days to March 5, 444 BC gives March 30, AD 33—the exact date of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem!
May I remind you that Jesus made his “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem 4 days before His crucifixion (Matthew 21:1-9) and 4 days after March 30, AD 33 is Friday April 3, AD 33—which just so happens to be the most likely date for the crucifixion (see: Evidence for Jesus' Crucifixion on April 3, 33 AD). What a remarkable fulfillment of prophecy!
Israel's 70/7 Year Pattern
- Terah, the father of Abraham, was 70 years old when Abraham was born (Gen. 11:26)
- The Nation of Israel began with 70 Hebrews who migrated to Egypt (Ex. 1:1-5)
- The children of Israel camped at an oasis of 70 palm trees, following the liberation from bondage in Egypt (Ex. 15:27)
- Moses appointed 70 elders to be the governing body of Israel (Num. 11:16)
- The Jews were liberated from captivity in Babylon after 70 years (Jer. 29:10)
- God's plan of redemption for Israel and Jerusalem is comprised of 70 weeks (Dan. 9:24-27)
- Israel's greatest ruler, King David, died at the age of 70 (2 Sam. 5:4)
Seeing the recurring pattern of 70's throughout Scripture relating to Israel, it's interesting that there are seven other instances of seventy (7 x 70) in Israel's history:
- Israel went into Babylonian exile in 606 BC and returned to Jerusalem in 537 BC (70 years)
- Jerusalem was destroyed in 587 BC and then rebuilt in 518 BC (70 years)
- The Second Jewish Temple was completed in 515 BC. The wall around Jerusalem was completed in 445 BC (70 years)
- Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD
- The first modern Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel (Petah Tikvah) in 1878 until the modern State of Israel was born in 1,948 (70 years)
- The first [major] step in reestablishing the State of Israel (First Zionist Congress) in 1897 until the final step (restoration of Jerusalem) in 1,967 (70 years)
- The UN vote in favor of the establishment of the modern State of Israel in 1947 until the first recognition by a foreign power (US) that Jerusalem is its capital in 2017 (70 years)
Have you noticed that the events occurring after 70-year intervals are restoration-themed? Given that the number 70 symbolizes restoration in the Bible, the odds against this occurring by chance are astronomical, suggesting divine orchestration.
If the recurring pattern of 70's in Israel's significant historical events isn’t uncanny enough, consider the following prophetically significant events that shaped the modern nation of Israel:
1897—First Zionist Congress (the intent to establish the nation of Israel)
1917—Balfour Declaration (end of Ottoman rule in WWI)
1947—UN Partition Plan approved (declaration of Israel)
1967—Six Day War (reunification of Jerusalem)
1977—Camp David Accords (beginning of "Land for Peace")
1987—Temple Mount Institute founded.
1977—Camp David Accords (beginning of "Land for Peace")
1987—Temple Mount Institute founded.
The Significance of 1,948
We've seen that the numbers 70 and 7 are significant in Israel's history. But what about the date/number 1,948? Surely, the year in which one of the most significant prophetic events in history took place—the rebirth of Israel—wasn't just some random date in human history. As it turns out, the significance of this date/number may be more than what you realize:
1. The 19th book and 48th chapter in the Bible (Psalm 48) describes the rebirth of Israel. It's also interesting that this chapter has 14 verses. Is it a coincidence that the rebirth of Israel took place on May 14th?
2. Not only is Psalm the 19th book of the Bible, but it is also the 48th book from the end of the Bible. This is interesting, considering the book of Psalms is right in the CENTER of the Bible and Israel is CENTRAL to God's redemptive plan.
3. If you add 19 to 48 (19 + 48) you have 67. Is it a coincidence that the next most significant prophetic event since New Testament times, the liberation of Jerusalem, happened in 1,967?
1. The 19th book and 48th chapter in the Bible (Psalm 48) describes the rebirth of Israel. It's also interesting that this chapter has 14 verses. Is it a coincidence that the rebirth of Israel took place on May 14th?
2. Not only is Psalm the 19th book of the Bible, but it is also the 48th book from the end of the Bible. This is interesting, considering the book of Psalms is right in the CENTER of the Bible and Israel is CENTRAL to God's redemptive plan.
3. If you add 19 to 48 (19 + 48) you have 67. Is it a coincidence that the next most significant prophetic event since New Testament times, the liberation of Jerusalem, happened in 1,967?
4. Gold is heated to exactly 1,948 degrees Fahrenheit during the refining process. Interestingly, Scripture compares Israel's deliverance during Jacob's trouble to the refining and purification process of precious metal (Zech. 13:9).
5. Even the sun and moon appear to point towards the significance of the numbers 19 and 48. Of the eight rare blood-moon tetrads since the time of Christ, three have been in the last 100 years, falling on feast days in 1949-1950, 1967–1968, and 2014–2015. Note the following pattern within this triad of tetrads:
1968 - 1949 = 19
2015 - 1967 = 48
But that's not all—there was another span of three tetrads within 100 years falling on feast days, in 795-796, 842-843, and 860-861. Note the same pattern within this triad of tetrads:
861 - 842 = 19
843 - 795 = 48
6. The number of years from the first man, Adam, to the first Hebrew, Abraham, is easily determined to be 1,948 years by simply adding up the years found in Genesis chapters 5 and 11. Coincidently, from the second man Adam, Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:45), to the rebirth of "Abraham's seed" (Israel) as a nation, there were also 1,948 years!
7. The year 1,948 has been shown by scholars like Dr. Ken Johnson and Ellis H. Skolfield to have been mathematically predicted in Scripture. See: Israel Significant Dates: Prophesied in the Bible
Conclusion
The list of patterns, "coincidences", and signs in Israel's history defy probability and point to design. We should take notice and make our decision whether to believe the Bible, and therefore our Creator's story of love and salvation for a human race in need of saving!
Christ is knocking at the door of your life even now! "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." (Rev. 3:20.) "What will ye do with Jesus?" (Matt. 27:22.) Will you RECEIVE Him (John 1:12), or will you REJECT Him? (John 12:48.) Your decision will determine your eternal destiny!
Christ is knocking at the door of your life even now! "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." (Rev. 3:20.) "What will ye do with Jesus?" (Matt. 27:22.) Will you RECEIVE Him (John 1:12), or will you REJECT Him? (John 12:48.) Your decision will determine your eternal destiny!
2 comments
6,000 + 1,000 years is God's master "great week" plan for man.
Creation from Tishri-1 of 1-AM and Adams redeeming (clothed) on Tishri-10
+ 2,000 years then Abram is born in 2,001-AM
+ 2,000 years then Yeshua killed in 4,001-AM
+ 2,000 years then Yeshua returns at the end of 6,000 years
+ 1,000 years then comes the everlasting new heaven and new earth
= 7,000 years total
For the 2,000 years from Abrams birth in 2,001-AM
to Yeshua's death year 2,001-AM and ascension back to heaven (c.f., Hos 5:15--6:2)
is sub-divided by 4 x 500-year "half-Days" of a 1,000 year "Day" =
1/500 from Abram's birth 2,001 to the Exodus in 2,501-AM
2/500 from Exodus to God' glory inhabiting Solomon's 13 year old temple in 3,001-AM
3/500 from God's inhabitation of Solomon's temple to Cyrus' decree in 3,501-AM
4/500 from Cyrus' decree to the crucifixion year of 4,001-AM
Also this same 2,000 years above can be subdivide as
1/70…