Customer Reviews

The Gentile Times Reconsidered: Chronology & Christ's Return

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book was originally written as a challenge to the teaching of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society that the seven times of the prophecy in Daniel chapter four refers to the 2520 year period from 607 B.C. to 1914 A.D. I have the second edition and am eager to get the third edition advertised here.

It would be a shame for people not interested in this particular debate to pass over the book. I recommend it to any Christian or Jew interested in Bible chronology of the peiod, or even to any Bible researcher or scholar looking for better ways to present technical material.

Some religious people are skeptical of archaeology's ability to date any Bible events with precision. Jonsson presents a convincing case that Neo-Babylonian chronology is correct and shouldn't be judged by the unreliability of Assyrian chronology. For example, there is no doubt about the number of Neo-Babylonian rulers or the years of their reigns. The author explains that thousands of dated business documents have been unearthed in Babylonia, and that documents exist for every king and every year of each king's reign. The case is further proved (maybe redundantly) by references to astronomical diaries, Berossus, Claudius Ptolemy, and inscriptions that harmonize with the business texts.

Jonsson traces the speculation on the chronology of Daniel used by Jehovah's Witnesses to the William Miller movement in the 1800's. What is even more interesting is that he traces William Miller's speculation back to England, showing that neither is an isolated phenomenon, but that both prophetic hopes are part of an continuous chain going back hundreds of years, with one generation of expositors influencing the next.

The author respects the Bible and doesn't believe that studying archaeology is hazardous to faith. He presents an interested case to harmonize Jeremiah's 70-year prophecy of servitude to Babylon with the historical reality.

Christians interested in the histories of end-time prophecies will be interested in Jonsson's histories of interpretation for some passages in Daniel. Jonsson traces the first known claim that a day-for-a-year principle should be applied to Bible prophecy (to a rabbi in the first century), the first such Christian claim (12th century), the first claim that the Gentile times of Luke 21:24 refers to the seven times in Daniel 4, the first claim that 1260 days in Daniel means 1260 years (1195 A.D.), the first computation of the 7 times of Daniel 4 to mean 2520 years (1823 A.D.), and the first claim that the Greek word "parousia" as used by Jesus in Matthew 24 should be understood as "presence" instead of "coming" (about 1874 A.D.).

Jonsson's charts and appendices are very helpful. My favorite is a chart or graph showing the years 614 B.C. through 495 B.C. He shows the overlapping Babylonian, Jewish, and modern calendars. The problem, of course, is that different calendars begin their years at different times of the year, and that leads to confusion. He marks dates that are pinpointed with precision by archaeology and astronomy on the calendar. I'm studying the Book of Daniel as a hobby using numerous sources. Ancient sources that refer to the period refer to the Olympiad, the Seleucid year, or the Babylonian year that certain events happened. It would be nice to run across a similar calendar extending to the first century A.D. to relate all these calendars to our modern calendar.

The book also has charts that simplify some of the histories of exegesis I referred to above. I've tried to do histories of exegesis myself. I suspect it took Jonsson an awful lot of time.

To any non-Witnesses, you may not understand why Jehovah's Witnesses view the whole 586 BCE date with such alarm. Witnesses teach that the beginning of the Gentile Times began in 607 BCE and through some pretty bizarre plucking of their favorite scriptures from the book of Revelation, ended in 1914 C.E. They teach that Jesus "returned invisibly" that year and that the "Faithful & Discreet Slave Class" (the ruling Governing Body members who place themselves above God), were chosen by Jesus (invisibly of coure) in the year 1919.

The entire religion revolves around these dates. Therefore, when it was discovered that Jerusalem fell not in 607 BCE but in 586 BCE, it threw them into a total panic. If their date of 607 BCE was wrong, then that would throw the dates of 1914 and 1919 out the window, along with their self-imposed authority over millions of Witnesses who view these guys as literally, the next best thing to Jesus Christ. In order to keep the average Witness from finding out that their central doctrine was based on a lie, the Governing Body members disfellowshipped (excommunicated) anyone who knew the truth and who they saw as a threat to their power.

The few trolls who give this book a bad review are brainwashed and furious Witnesses who can't handle the truth about The Truth. They'd rather attack anyone who can challenge their faith rather than face the truth.

This book helps blow the lid of all the lies and deceit that the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society has promoted for years. But much to their sorrow, we've got the internet now, and they can't control what we read anymore.

Broadly researched, meticulously documented, passionately written, The Gentile Times Reconsidered, by Carl Olof Jonsson carefully examines the historical support for the starting date of the Watch Tower Society's 1914 time prophecy.

The 1914 date is critical to the Watch Tower's theology. If you are not familiar with the 1914 prophecy, or dating of Biblical events, keep surfing. If you are, this is the definitive book on the subject. Having studied the topic for about six months on my own, I was delighted to obtain this book, which was out of print for several years. This Third Edition, revised and expanded in 1998, presents new evidence, and tracks recent reinterpretations of 1914 in the Watchtower organization.

The core of the book is 14 corroborating lines of archaeological and astronomical evidence fixing the date for the destruction of Jerusalem. "It is like fastening a painting to a wall with dozens of nails all over it, although but one would suffice." (p. 184) While Jonsson warns the reader that the information is "of a technical nature, accompanied by detailed documentation," I found it fascinating, like the forensic science in a murder mystery.

Having established that date, Jonsson deals with related issues from the Watchtower's time prophecy. He presents several satisfying interpretations of the "70 year" prophecy that harmonize the Bible and history, then critically examines the "Seven Times" of Daniel 4. My attention wandered a little near the end discussing some theological permutations, but overall, this is an excellent book.

"Gentle Times Reconsidered" by Carl Olof Jonsson

It was some point after I had noticed a discrepancy in 6th century BC dates between Jehovah Witness religious tracts and those that I saw in current historical, archeological or other religious documents that I referred to Jonsson's work. For personal reasons I had been receiving instruction from the organization's representatives during 2009 and 2010 and I had been carefully reviewing many of the issues raised in our discussions. Subsequently I began studying ancient history more closely, looking at early translations of the New Testament ( in Greek) and Jewish commentaries on the TaNaK, the equivalent of the Christian Old Testament. After seeing a general consensus on such dates as the storming of Jerusalem and destruction of Solomon's Temple by Babylonian forces under Nebuchadnezzar in 587 BC, I had to wonder why the Jehovah Witnesses stubbornly maintained this occurred 20 years earlier and then attempted to shift all related historical dates to coincide. Jonsson's study gave some explanation and collected many arguments pro and con which I was either looking for or had uncovered already.

For those who feel obliged NOT to read Jonsson's work because of their religious persuasion, I could recommend that they pursue this question by studying the Assyrian and Babylonian collections of the British Museum. Much of Jonsson's work can be substantiated by thousands of artifacts and translation of 7th to 5th century BC sources. One should also note that among this collection of stone records commissioned by Babylonian, Assyrian and Persian rulers are astronomical records of planetary positions, solar and lunar eclipses dated to the reigns of the rulers at the time. At this writing, having at my disposal some commercial astronomical software (ironically named Alcyone, the star where Charles Taze Russell once claimed that God's court presided in heaven among the Pleiades), I have re-calculated several of those recorded lunar eclipse events before and after the 587 BC siege date. There was no discrepancy that I could see: sun and moon were 12 hours apart in right ascension; lunar and solar positions were opposite in sign for declinations; Earth was between the two removing the sun's illumination. But whereas the moon was completely shadowed, Jonsson's work throws light on a subject in a way that allows little remaining room to hide.

Using the data referenced by Jonsson, it is possible to build a very large spreadsheet of events and timelines that are intrinsically linked. I did so. Amid the records of births and deaths, business transactions, accords with other kingdoms, records of monarchs and their relatives, where can one inject another 20 years? All in one one lump or meted out somewhere between the fall of Babylon in the 530s and the fall of Jerusalem in the 580s. The proponents of this argument are rather vague other than to say that it would support a 70-year interlude inferred by Jeremiah - hence a prophecy. To my mind a prophecy is confirmed by an event's occurence, not the other way around.

Now for those who are not restricted in their studies by never having been Jehovah Witnesses, but have been affected by this group's claims and dissensions resulting, I should also remark that Jonsson's work only examines one particular doctrine's tenuous historical and archeological basis. Many more books could be written about other claims - and when they are examined - how they likely reveal serious problems in Bible interpretation and translation as well.

1.) To start, in the Jehovah Witness publication the WatchTower for November 2009 there appeared an article addressing six so-called myths about Christianity. Two of them were "that the soul is immortal" and "that all good people will go to heaven". Rather than myths, I would say that these are issues open for debate in the larger Christian community, but in considering them I referred to Luke 14:39-43, Christ's dialog with the good thief ..."' Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He answered him, 'In truth I tell you , today you will be with me in paradise.'"

In the New World Translation of that last same phrase, Christ's words are "I tell you today, you will be with me in paradise." The reason the punctuation is changed stems from the doctrine under discussion in Gentile Times Reconsidered. The gates of heaven will not be opened until the headquarters say so, no matter what you might have read or Who said it. Myth number seven?

2. In the Jehovah Witness pamphlet "What Does the Bible Really Teach?" published in 2006, there is an account of the fall of Babylon to the Persians in 538 BC on pages 23-25. In a section titled " A Book of Prophecy", it begins:
-----------------------------------
"The Bible contains numerous prophecies, many of which have already been fulfilled. Consider an example. Through the prophet Isaiah, who lived in the 8th century BCE, Jehovah foretold that the city of Babylon would be destroyed (Isaiah 13:19; 14:22,23). Details were given to show how this would happen. Invading armies would dry up Babylon's river and march into the city without battle. That is not all. Isaiah's prophecy even named the king who would conquer Babylon - Cyrus. - Isaiah 44:27-45:2.

"Some 200 years later - on the night of October 5/6, 539 BCE - an army encamped near Babylon. Who was its commander? A Persian king named Cyrus. The stage was thus set for the fulfillment of an amazing prophecy. But would the army of Cyrus invade Babylon without a battle as foretold?

The Babylonians were holding a festival that night and felt secure behind their massive city walls. Meanwhile, Cyrus cleverly diverted the water of the river that flowed through the city. Soon water was shallow enough for his men to cross the riverbed and approach the walls of the city. But how would Cyrus' army get past Babylon's walls? For some reason on that night the doors to the city were carelessly left open!

"Regarding Babylon, it was foretold: "She will never be inhabited , nor will she reside for generation after generation. And there the Arab will not pitch his tent, and no shepherds will let their flocks lie down there" (Isaiah 13:20). This prophecy did more than predict a city's fall. It showed that Babylon would be desolated permanently. You can see evidence of the fulfillment of these words. The uninhabited site of ancient Babylon - about - 50 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq - is proof that what Jehovah spoke through Isaiah has been fulfilled: "I will sweep her with the broom of annihilation." Isaiah 14:22, 23.

"Considering how the Bible is a book of reliable prophecy is faith strengthening, is it not? ..."

[At the bottom of page 24 are questions for the reader:
16a. What did Isaiah foretell about the final outcome of Babylon?
16b. How was Isaiah's prophecy about Babylon's destruction fulfilled?

--------------------------------------
It would seem that something as momentous as the prophecy of a city's destruction would warrant some reason beyond a show of the abilities of Jehovah and Isaiah working together. And I was led to believe that this punishment was warranted by Babylon's attacks on Judah and Jerusalem, culminating in the Temple's desecration and destruction in 587 BC (607, according to the Jehovah Witness altered chronology), based on the assumption that Isaiah was prophesying events occurring hundreds of years after his death in retribution for violation of Temple vessels.

But what is notably missing in this account is how entry of Persians into the city of Babylon on 539 BC assures that Babylon would no longer be habitable. After all, Babylon continued to be a large center in the Persian empire as indicated by historical sources such as Herodotus and the Jewish community that continued to reside there through the Alexandrian Greek period and then in Roman times. In fact, the same organization that connects destruction to Persian entry attributes the 1st Epistle of Peter to Babylon, as I note in the appendices to the New World Translation [Table of the books of Bible immediately following Revelations. Name of book: 1 Peter. Place written: Babylon].

But back to Isaiah. To start, let's take a look at Is. 14, starting at verse 20. (New Jerusalem Bible)

You will not join them in the grave,
for you have brought your country to ruin
and destroyed your people.
The offspring of the wicked
Leave no name behind them.
Prepare the slaughter for his sons
For the guilt of their father!
Never again must they arise to conquer the world
and cover the face of the earth with their cities.

` I will rise against them, declares Yahweh Sabaoth, and deprive Babylon of name, remnant, offspring and posterity, Yahweh. I shall turn it into the haunt of hedgehogs, a SWAMP*[NOTE!]. I shall sweep it with the broom of destruction declares Yahweh Sabaoth.

Yahweh Sabaoth has sworn it,
Yes, what I have planned will take place,
What I have decided will be so;

I shall break Assyria in my country
I shall trample on him in my mountains.

* In the "gifted" words of the NWT, "I will make her a possession of porcupines and REEDY POOLS of WATER, and I will sweep her with the broom of annihilation..."
--------------------------------------------

While chapter 14 does indeed bring down the wrath of heaven on Babylon, there is indication that the writer is referring to Assyria rather than Persia as God's agent; and during or near the end of the prophet Isaiah's life. Accounts of Babylon's fall to Cyrus in 538/39 BC emphasize the diverting of the Euphrates to allow troops to ford; Sennacherib in the earlier devastating conquest simply floods the besieged city to destroy it; i.e., turn it into a swamp - in 689 BC. Thereafter, Sennacherib slaughters and removes the inhabitants in a manner similar to what Nebuchadnezzar would do to Jerusalem - 100 years later. It is, of course, implied by the Jehovah Witness pamphlet that Jehovah has devastated Babylon as vengeance for sacking Jerusalem and demolishing the Temple. But in fact, this devastation was wrought upon Babylon 100 years prior - and in a very similar manner. Two of Sennacherib's sons murdered him and another - Esarhaddon - as his successor was active in the rebuilding of Babylon. Babylonian rulers would eventually arise to defeat the Assyrians and totally destroy Nineveh. Since the founding of the Jehovah Witness movement, the details of Sennacherib's campaigns have been extracted from many sources. No habitation of Babylon was allowed by Sennacherib's order, but this was rescinded by Esarhaddon (681-669 BC) about ten years later. This is inscribed on a basalt block known as the Esarhaddon Inscription of 670 BC.

Judging from this information, I conclude that toward the end of Isaiah's life, Babylon was leveled by the Assyrians like it had not been before, but Jerusalem had triumphed in its confrontation with the Assyrians. Either Isaiah or a scribe of that period so-noted the circumstances and concluded that the fate of Babylon was sealed forever. The JW interpretation, though not unique among Christians, is a conflation. It is a also a sad argument to win recruits to the fold. I should also note that the second part of Isaiah or Deutero-Isaiah, Cyrus in 45:1 is identified as the annointed one or - in case you missed it - "messiah".

We do not know as yet how long Isaiah survived after Jerusalem's siege; perhaps into Manasseh's rule as Jewish legend suggests, but he evidently did not live to see Babylon's return to life. Manasseh was a long reigning Jewish king following Hezekiah subordinate to the Assyrians. In II Chronicles 33:11 it states that "the generals of the king of Assyria (Esarhaddon) captured Manasseh with hooks and brought him to Babylon." In other contexts this would be puzzling, but not here.

3. Elsewhere, there are other issues. The Hebrew calendar, the months of which seem derived from the Babylonian rather than Egyptian, are used to chronicle events in the Exodus and in Joshua. I Kings 6:1 and Exodus 1:11 give two explicit choices for dating Exodus: Four hundred and ninety years before Solomon's Temple's foundation and during the building of Pi-Ramses, however, give estimates that are centuries, dynasties and kingdoms apart. Including Pithom submits archeological evidence associated with 7th century Pharaoh Necco II, the slayer of Josiah. Digging clay and making bricks seems to evoke Babylon more than Egypt as well.

4. And should we mention Daniel? Written part in Aramaic, the language of the despised Chaldeans, it appears to know more about 160 BC Israel in revolt against Seluccid Greeks than it does about Babylon or its succession of kings. Considering Daniel's training as a Babylonian priest, he has nothing to say about the astronomy on which all our chronicling of the 6th century is based. He despises soothsayers, but is often called to act as one. In the Hebrew canon Daniel is absent from the Prophets, but set among the Writings. In the Old Testament, Daniel is not mentioned elsewhere - save for the Maccabees mentioning his song in chronicling the rebellion against the Greeks, but Maccabees I and II are not part of the canon themselves.

Yes, this is a far-ranging review of Biblical and historical issues. And I am sure that Jonsson and many of his adherents would not view some of these issues the same way as I do. But I should note that the critics of Jonsson's work have been using standards of validation and accuracy that they do not apply to their own assumptions of Biblical inerrancy and the doctrines which they derive often quite tenuously from those assumptions, the 2520-year era as a case in point. If a book contradicts itself going from chapter one to chapter as does Genesis, then it cannot be considered inerrant. It is a testimony, true. But like those believers who built Temples based on its word, we have to consider again and again carefully the conclusions that we draw. Also, the truths uncovered by Jonsson's book could be smothered as well by an effective firewall.

This book is not for light reading.
The facts contained in it are overwhelming, the depth of research is impressive.
If you still believe the JW story of '607bce -> 1914' after you read this book, then you simply have not read the book.

Don't judge this book without reading it.

A most thorough and excellent review that proves beyond any doubt that the Watchtower Society's date of 607 BCE is completely without any historical, archaeological or biblical support. Of course, the WTS will always chose what's best for them, not what's correct. No one else has anything to lose if the First Temple was destroyed in 587 BCE or 607 BCE. The only ones who have so much riding on 607 BCE is the Governing Body members. Without that date, they also lose the 1919 date where they claim that Jesus chose THEM as the "Faithful and Discreet Slave"----a totally bogus concept.

The Gentile Times Reconsidered is one of the most important books ever written about the Watchtower religious movement. It is must reading for anyone who wants to understand the problems Jehovah's Witnesses are involved in today, a movement originated in the 1870s and now claims over 14 million persons attended their memorial of Christ's death service (a number which indicates their following size). This book, now published in 6 languages, was involved in many thousands of Witnesses leaving the Watchtower, including former governing body member Raymond Franz. Chronology is central to Watchtower teaching, and Jonsson does an excellent job of explaining why. The date 1914, the date The Watchtower teaches Christ returned (his parousia), is derived from their chronology, and is critical to current Watchtower teaching. They teach that Armageddon will happen within the lifetime of the generation that was alive when the 1914 second advent of Christ occurred, but have been repeatedly disappointed (1874, 1925 and 1975 were their three most infamous date prediction failures). As we travel farther and farther from the 1914 date, it becomes increasingly obvious that both the 1914 date and the basic Watchtower chronology are erroneous. Bethel insiders tell me that the Watchtower will soon assign the 1914 date to the same status as the 1874 date, namely on the scrap heap of history. Along with the dropping of 1914 must also come a major change in many other Watchtower doctrines. And I have no doubt that the conclusions of Jonsson's scholarly well researched book will eventually become orthodox Watchtower doctrine.

This book is provides a complete rebuttal to JW chronology and WT claims that the "times" begain in 607 BCE. By all means compare this book with any JW literature dealing with the subject. You will find this book well rewarding if you have an interest in this subject. The book is a bit tedious at times so you may want to read it in parts.

This scholarly work provides an abundance of evidence to prove that the chronology used by Jehovah's Witnesses to establish 1914 as the end of the 'Gentile Times' is unsustainable. The book shows that, contrary to the claims of some, this is not a battle between historical sources and the Bible's accuracy. Rather, what is challenged and proven wrong is the Organization's interpretation of scripture. Put simply, Jerusalem was not destroyed in 607 b.c. - and THE BIBLE DOES NOT SAY IT WAS! Genuine lovers of truth will find the book stimulating reading.

70 years according to Jerem 29: 10, Dan 9:2, 24, Jerem 25:11-12, Jerem 27:6-8, Jerem 28: 14


The prophetic number 70 years is a sacred number and applies to the length of time to serve a Power that God had sent from the time of death of the last man of God who rules his land or the termination of a kingship line or the start of a desolate land. When it starts and when it ends, the Bible and the history gives clue. It applies to many elements of the history that are sacred to God to serve as symbols. In the case of Jerusalem at the time of the Babylonian Empire, 70 years run from the death of Josiah in 609 BC, the last king beloved of God (the siege of Jerusalem and the destruction of Judah followed his death) to the Fall of Babylon in 539 BC. In the case of the end of the exile of the Jews it ran from the end of the kingship line of Jerusalem and Judah or the start of the desolation of the land in 585 BC after the last king Zedekiah was taken captive to the completion of the reconstruction of the Temple of Jerusalem in 515 BC. Or it can run from the ascendance of Nebuchadnezzar to the throne to the return of the Jews in their land to reconstruct the temple. In the case of the second destruction of the Temple in 70AD, it runs from the birth of Christ to the destruction of the Temple

Here's a detailed chronology from the death of Josiah, King of Judah(checked and verified with the verses in the Bible and the dates in the history):


609 BC The forces of Egypt fought against the army of Judah. Necho II was allied with the Assyrians against the Babylonians. Nabopolassar destroyed the remnants of the Assyrian Empire. Josiah King of Judah died at the Battle of Megiddo while helping Babylon against Egypt. (II Kings 23: 29-30). Egypt prevailed against Judah (II Chronicles 34: 28) (II Chron 35:20-24). Start of the collapse of Judah and Jerusalem (II Kings 23:27)

Early 609 BC Jehoahaz became king of Judah, reigned for 3 months and replaced by Eliakim (Jehoiakim) by Pharaoh Nechoh of Egypt, reigned eleven years in Jerusalem (until 598 BC) (II Chron 36:1-5) (II Kings 23: 30-36) . Warning of the Lord to Israel about the temple and Jerusalem (Jerem 26: 1-6).


609-605 Judah fell under the control of Egypt (II Kings 23: 34-35). Further proof of this time (Jerem 26:21-23)

607/606 BC Nebuchadnezzar ascend to the throne.(Jeremiah 25:1)

606-605 BC Battle of Charchemish ( Nebuchadnezzar against Assyria and Egypt).

605 BC Egypt was beaten by Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon at the Battle of Charchemish, 4th year of Jehoiakim (Jerem 46: 1-2,10-11,13). Babylon having eliminated his enemies, Assyria and Egypt, became powerful (Dan 2: 38)

605 BC. After defeating the Egyptians, the Babylonians had reached as far as the Philistine territory along the coast to the southwest of Judah. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon entered Jerusalem and besieged it. (Dan1:1) Jehoiakim, who had been put in power as a vassal of the Egyptians, declared allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar as Egypt would be probably defeated by Babylon at the Battle of Charchemish. This move placed Judah under the control of the Babylonians (FOR 3 YEARS : until 602 BC). (II Kings 24:1,7)
Jehoiakim was taken captive and Nebuchadnezzar took part of the vessel of the house of God. (Daniel1: 2) (II Chron 36:6-7) . Zedekiah was appointed king of Judah (Jerem 39:1). Although captivity started this time, Nebuchadnezzar had not brought all the people captives yet. They plan to come back for a second siege that would last 3 years to do that (Dan 1:3-5) . There was no destruction of Temple at this time yet.


604 BC Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams (Dan 2: 1). The definitive interpretation of the dream happened at a later time. The astrologers and magicians took so much time (maybe years) in trying to guess the meaning : Neb. Says "The thing is gone from me, you would gain the time" (Dan 2: 8)

602 BC Jehoiakim, encouraged by an apparent Babylonian retreat withdrew his allegiance from the Babylonians (2 Kings 24:1).

End of 602 BC Ezekiel is already among the first captives brought to Babylon (Ezek 1:1-4), Ezek: 1: 1 is a conclusive sentence about all his set of visions when he finished having them (around 572 BC) and start writing about his visions. He served of his conclusion as an introduction. In verse 2, he start detailing them. Therefore, 30th year means, 30th year from the time of his captivity in Babylon. One of his visions (Ezek 12: 10-16) may have occurred exactly at this time, before being taken captive, since many people have not been taken captives yet.


Late 598 BC Death of Jehoiakim (after 11 years of reign).


597 BC Reign of Jehoiachin (Jeconiah) his son, reigned for 3 months (2 Kings 24: 6, 8). Jehoiachin was then removed by the Babylonians. (II Chronicles 36: 9-10)

596 BC Visions of God showing Ezekiel the abominations of Israel and its priests(Ezek 8: 1) (Ezek 9: 1-2,11, Ezek 12:27-28)

Late 597 or early 596 BC - Second invasion of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar
Nebuchadnezzar invaded Jerusalem, at the 9th year of Zedekiah, as king of Judah (Jerem 39:1). Zedekiah was placed king of Jerusalem to replace Jehoiachin [he was nominated king of Judah at the time of the captive of Jehoiakim in Jerusalem by the Babylonians (Jeremiah 27:1, 12-13, Jerem 37:1) (II Chronicles 36: 9-11) ], reigned 11 years in Jerusalem (from 597 BC until 586 BC, end of the kingship of Jerusalem and Judah) (Jerem 52:1). The people of Jerusalem were taken captives along with Daniel and the people of Judah (II Kings 24: 10-11,16-18) (II Kings 25: 1-2) (Jeremiah 22: 25-27) (Jeremiah 29:1-2,4) (Esther 2:6) (Dan1:6). A further proof that the temple was not yet destroyed at this time is Jeremiah 38: 14. Further proof, that at the time of the reign of Zedekiah in Jerusalem, the temple still existed at this time is II Chron 36: 14. According to God's prophecy and Jeremiah's account (Jeremiah 27: 19-22), at the time the second captivity (Jehoiachin was taken captive after 3 months of reign in 597 BC), part the vessels, after the second invasion still remain in the house of the Lord but will be carried to Babylon at a later time (a proof that there was a second invasion and after that second invasion and an inference that there will be a 3rd invasion). The temple still existed to house those pillars and left-behind vessels at this time.

596 BC The decree to slain the wise men for not being able to interpret the dreams was published (Dan 2:12-13)

595 BC The Lord spoke to Ezekiel about the abominations of Israel, letting Ezekiel know that he can change the course of events (Ezek 20)

595 BC Psammetichus ascended to the throne of Egypt,

593 BC Probably aware of the new ascendance to the throne of the new King of Egypt who could save the people of Jerusalem, Hananiah told a false prophecy to Jeremiah "in the House of the Lord" (Jeremiah 28: 1-4, 4th year of Zedekiah in Jerusalem) (Ezek 13: 3,6).

593 BC (9th year of captivity) Vision of Ezekiel God telling him that at the very same time, Nebuchadnezzar set himself against Jerusalem. In 593 BC, the army of Nebuchadnezzar are still present in Babylon from 596 BC as it was told in Daniel 1: 5 that their food ration for the second invasion should last for 3 years. God told Ezekiel that "he WILL profane his sanctuary", which means he had not destroyed the temple yet but will.(Ezek 24: 1-2, 21).


592 BC Psammetichus (King of the 26th dynasty of Egypt) marched into the Kingdom of Judah, Philistia (southern coast of Canaan), and Phoenicia in response to moves made by Babylon (Jerem 37:5). The Chaldeans that besieged Jerusalem departed as soon as they heard of their coming.

592 BC (10th year of captivity) Vision of Ezekiel about the imminent destruction of Jerusalem as a warning (5th year captivity of Jehoiachin) (Ezek 1:2-4, Ezek 4:1-3, Ezek 5:4-5). That year in his vision God told Ezekiel about the number of years of iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah (430 years from the time of the vision 592BC: 390 years + 40 years) . (Cf. year 162 BC what will happen). Hananiah died when Ezekiel prophesied. (Ezek 11: 13, Ezek 13: 8-9)

592 BC Vision of Ezekiel against Pharaoh of Egypt (10th year of captivity) (Ezek 29:1-3). Jeremiah proceeded to tell the king of Judah that Pharaoh's army who would come to save them shall return to Egypt. And the Chaldeans shall come again and burn Jerusalem with fire (God announced the third invasion). (Jeremiah 37: 7-8)


591 BC (11th year of captivity) Vision of Ezekiel concerning the destruction of Tyrus (Phoenician city in Lebanon on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea) (Ezek 26:7) and the defeat of Egypt by Babylon

589 BC Pharaoh Hophrah ascended to the throne of Egypt

588 BC Pharaoh Hophra sent an army to relieve the siege of Jerusalem, forcing the Babylonians to disengage to meet them but no avail (Jerem 37: 7)

588 BC-586 BC Third invasion of Jerusalem
Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon by forming an alliance with Pharaoh Hophrah (II Kings 24: 20, Jerem 52: 3). He was taken captive. Vision of Ezekiel against Zedekiah. God told Ezekiel about the princes and the king Zedekiah (Jerusalem "had taken of the king's seed (king Nebuchadnezzar's seed) and made a covenant with him", "in the place where the king dwells that made him king" "he despised the oath by breaking the covenant" "he shall not escape") who rebelled against Babylon and are taken captives that neither Pharaoh can save him in the war (Ezek 17: 12-18)
A last warning from God was sent again to the people of Jerusalem but they rebuked the messengers of God. (II Chron 36: 15-16). II Kings 25: 1,3 indicates that the third invasion was carried out in different times (not part of the same year) from the destruction of the temple. The day of the famine and the destruction of the temple are part of the same year (11th year of of Zedekiah, 19th year of Nebuchadnezzar 586 BC) (II Kings 25: 3, 8) The Babylonians came back to besiege Jerusalem on the 9th year of reign of Zedekiah as king of Jerusalem and stayed until his 11th year (II Kings 25: 1-3) (Jerem 52: 4-5, Zedekiah`s 9th year in Jerusalem) (II Chron 36: 17-20, the final invasion)

586 BC 3 years later, on the 11th year of Zedekiah as King of Jerusalem. Destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem by a captain guard of Nebuchadnezzar on the 19th year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar (II Kings 25:8-10) (Jeremiah 39:8-9) (II Chronicles 34: 24-25) (Ezek 5:2, 4-5, Ezek 14: 14-15)

585 BC End of the kingship of Judah and Jerusalem and of Jerusalem. Jerusalem a desolate land

586 BC The army of Nebuchadnezzar besieged Tyrus without success for 13 years (Ezek 29: 18)

575 BC The vision of Ezekiel against Egypt including those Jews who escaped the captivity to go to Egypt and other parts (27th year of captivity)(Ezek 29: 17-20, Ezek 30:10-11) (Jeremiah 44:1, 12-14, 27-30)

572 BC Ezekiel was writing his visions of Ezekiel (30th year of captivity) (Ezek 29: 1, )

570 BC Amasis II became king of Egypt

Late 570 or 569 BC Babylonia had invaded Egypt. Nebuchadnezzar Inscription This clay tablet reads, "In the thirty-seventh year of Nebuchadnezzar, king of the country of Babylon, he went to Egypt [Misr] to make war. Amasis, king of Egypt, collected [his army], and marched and spread abroad." The inscription is now on display in the British Museum in London.

568 BC Amasis II appears to have sustained an attack by Nebuchadnezzar

559 BC Cyrus the Great ascended to the throne of Anshan (part of Persia). Start of the Achaemenid Empire or Persian Empire with his unification of the kingdom of Anshan and the rest of Persia.

550 BC-549 BC, with the help of Harpagus, Cyrus led the Persians and his armies to capture and effectively conquer Media (Median Empire was still ruled by the grand father of Cyrus who hates him). Cyrus defeated the forces of Media. Cyrus became the Shah of unified Persian kingdom (Media and Persia). He took Lydia in Asia Minor, and carried his arms eastward into central Asia.

547 BC Babylon and Egypt had formed a mutual alliance against the rising threat of a third power, the Persian empire-but to no avail

546 BC The conquest of Asia Minor (546 BC) left the Ionian Greeks under Persian rule, while the other Greeks were free. Persian satraps (governors) of Asia Minor installed tyrants in most of Ionian cities and forced Greeks to pay taxes for the "King of Kings".

541 BC Belshazzar was made king ( Talmud Meg 11b)

540 BC The Persians were planning to advance on Babylon.

539 BC According to the Hebrew Bible, while Belshazzar and the nobles of the empire were feasting and drinking from the chalices taken from the Hebrew Temple of Jerusalem, a hand wrote an unknown Aramaic text on the wall: mene, mene, tekel, uparsin. None of Belshazzar's soothsayers could translate the words written and then the Jew Daniel, known for his accurate prophecies was called to translate the text and he said: "God has numbered your kingdom and brought it to an end. You are weighed in the balances and are found wanting. Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians." These words indicated the arrival of the Persian king Cyrus the Great who rode out to conquer Babylon. (Daniel 5: 1-7, 24-28)

539 BC Belshazzar was positioned in the city of Babylon to hold the capital, while Nabonidus his father, marched his troops north to meet Cyrus. On October 10, 539 B.C. Nabonidus surrendered and fled from Cyrus. Two days later, October 12, 539 B.C., the Persian armies overthrew the city of Babylon. Belshazzar was slain (Dan 5:30-31)

539 BC Cyrus entered Babylon : Cyrus declared on a stone tablet: "I (am) Cyrus, the king of the world, the king of Babylon, the king of Shumer and Akkad, the king of the four regions . . . When I entered Tintar (ancient name of Babylon) peacefully . . . I established my sovereignty in the palace of the princes, Marduk (the Babylonian national god), inclined the noble hearts of the people of Babylon towards me". This is the first year reign of Cyrus in Babylon, Daniel stayed in Babylon until this time (Dan1 :21) (The prophecy of Dan 2: 35)

539 BC Fall of Babylon.

537 BC Cyrus (King of Babel) authorized the return to Palestine of the Jews deported by Nebuchadnezzar and arranged for the rebuilding of the Hebrew temple in Jerusalem. (Jeremiah 29: 14)

530 BC Cambyses II (Cyrus, son of Cyrus the Great) ascended the throne of Persia

527 BC Hippias succeeded his father (Pisistratus) as a tyrant of Athens

526 BC Cyrus (Cambyses II) , ruler of Persia conquers Egypt and annexed it to the Persian empire. His attempt to conquer Kush (the kingdoms of Napata and Sudan), Siwa Oasis, and Carthage failed

525 BC The Persians conquered Egypt. For the first time in its 2,500-year history as a nation, Egypt was no longer independent. (Ezek 30: 12-13)

After 525 BC Persians, Greco-Macedonians and Romans ruled Egypt

522 BC A usurper of the crown of Persia (Smerdis) arose.

521 BC Death of Cyrus killed in the battle with Smerdis. Darius killed the usurper of the crown (Gaumata or Smerdis)

521 - 481 BC The reign of Darius the Great, of the seed of the Medes
Every region was responsible for paying a gold or silver tribute to the emperor; many areas, such as Babylonia, underwent severe economic decline resulting from these quotas. He was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans (Dan 9:1). He ruled over an immense realm, from western China to eastern Europe

515 BC Completion of the construction of the temple of Jerusalem


I do not understand at all why the JWs want so much to remake history because everything has to arrive at 1914?? By reading and analyzing the prophecy of the Bible, 1914 the Holocaust was part of history -- sad and horrible of course- but is in a way a punishment of God (many parts of what the Lord said in the old Testament still apply in today's events), after that the Lord had scattered them again to the four corners of the Earth (the survivors of the Holocaust)and later great Britain settled them in land that is called Israel. The prophecy in the Old Testament that The Lord has gathered them from the corners of the Earth will settle them in a land called the land of Israel has been fulfilled again. For the Jews, such event could only be interpreted as the rejection of Satan on earth. And since many aspects of the principles of the Congregation quite resemble the Judaism religion (publication of many materials other than the Bible, the much lesser importance given to Jesus Christ, the ignorance of the "spirit" as part of what constitutes a person even though the New testament emphasize this aspect because in Hebrew, the concept is absent -- only those parts of the Old Testament written in other original language other than Hebrew refers to spirit, epecially, those written by the captives, the resort to Hebrew language to change the word "grave" and "hell" in the New Testament even though the original language is in Greek, etc.),I assume that Jews constitute an influential membership into the organization at the time of its formation. As a result, they find it hard to contemplate, that the Holocaust might be a punishment of the Lord again, so there has to be another explanation. They assume the reign of Nebuchadnezzar at 624 BC. Even so, 624 and 607 does not give 19 years of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, exact time at which the temple was burned. They assume that there were only 2 invasions and the Temple of Jerusalem was burned during the second invasion. Many parts in the Bible indicated in the above chronology indicate that at the second invasion there was no destruction of the Temple and after the second invasion the Lord prophesied about a third invasion that will burn the Temple. False prophecy and it's not the first.