FIFTH DISPENSATION | STUDY (3)

1. Bible History 

a) In this panoramic Bible Story, we present the important events, and gradual development of Bible History, keeping in view, throughout,  the spiritual purpose of divine revelation.

b) It exhibits a part at a time, by being unrolled before the viewer. An unobstructed or complete view in every direction; hence a comprehensive presentation to aid viewer with a better understanding of Bible History.

c) It follows the stream of the Bible narrative, so as to aid viewer in visualizing and grasping the great truths of Bible History.

2. The Fifth Dispensation of Law

- From the Restoration to the End of the Old Testament

(Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Zechariah, Malachi)

a) During the time of the captivity, the great Babylonian Empire came to an end, with the capture of Babylon by Cyrus, the founder of the Medo-Persian Empire, Belshazzar, King of Babylon was slain, and Darius, the Mede, with whom Cyrus shared the vast empire, took the throne. Upon the death of Darius, two years later, Cyrus became ruler of Babylon. Undoubtedly, Daniel, who had risen to such favor with the Babylonian kings, showed the new ruler the mention of himself in the prophecies of Isaiah, as God's instrument for the release of his people. Greatly impressed Cyrus issued a decree permitting the Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild their national sanctuary. Though the mass of the of nation chose to remain, the captivity was at an end. (In the conquest of  Israel - the 10 tribes - the majority of the people were not deported, but were settled in different parts of the Assyrian Empire, into which the captive kingdom was merged. Undoubtedly some of these exiles found their way back to Palestine at the restoration.)

b) The return of the Jews from Babylon was accomplished in three separate expeditions. The first company returned under Zerubbabel, a prince of Judah, and consisted of less than fifty thousand. The first thing the returning remnant did was to repair the Altar, and restore a regular form of worship. In the second year he foundation of the Temple was laid. The "people of the land", the Samaritans, upon being refused a share in the work, hindered and opposed the effort, and finally obtained an order from King Artaxerxes for the work to cease. At last, after an interval of sixteen years. Haggai and Zechariah, the prophets, stirred the people to resume the work, and the Temple was completed and dedicated with great joy.

c) The second expedition was led by Ezra, the Scribe, about seventy-eight years after Zerubbabel's return. With a zeal to re-establish firmly the law of Moses, and the religious life of the people, Ezra gained permission from the king to return to Jerusalem with a small but earnest company of pilgrims. Upon his arrival he found gross immoralities, and unsound religious practices and abuses everywhere. Three months of stirring appeal to the consciences of the people brought about a great reformation. Another valuable service attributed to Ezra was the assembling and arranging of the Old Testament canon.

d) The third leader was Nehemiah, a Jew of the captivity, who found a place of high favor in the court of the Kings of Persia. A small company of the earlier pilgrims made the long journey back to Persia, to appeal to Nehemiah for help. They told him of the desolation of the city, and of the broken down walls, which were a reproach to the people. Nehemiah's heart was touched, and he obtained permission of the King to go to Jerusalem on their behalf. Upon arrival he secretly viewed the ruins and gathering his forces rebuilt the walls in fifty-two days, in the face of the most bitter opposition. Nehemiah made a second visit to Jerusalem, and as a result of his faithful and fruitful labors, there remained a prosperous city with walls, and a people revived and encouraged in the service and worship of God.

f) The Prophets of the restoration were Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Haggai was born in Babylon and accompanied the returning remnant under Zerubbabel. Zechariah also appears to have been one of the returning pilgrims with Zerubbable. He was a co-laborer with Haggai, exhorting, prophecying, and encouraging the people in their work of restoration. Malachi was connected with the labors of Ezra and Nehemiah. He probably lived about one hundred years after Haggai and Zechariah. He was the last of the Old Testament Prophets.

g) The four centuries between the Old and the New Testaments, or from Nehemiah to the birth of Christ, constituted an important period in the history of Palestine. At the close of Old Testament the Persians were its nominal masters, and with the beginning of the New Testament the Romans had become the rulers of the then known world.