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Bible Question: What was God doing during the 400 years of silence?
Bible Answer: By the phrase "400 years of silence" I am assuming you are referring
to the 400 years between the Old and New Testaments since Malachi
was written about 432-424 B.C. and Matthew was written about A.D.
40.
The Old Testament traces the history of the Jewish people
from Adam and Eve to the downfall of Israel's theocracy and then
to the reestablishment of the nation Israel in their land. The
Old Testament stops with the book of Malachi - the last set of
events surrounding the coming of Christ.
The older scriptures contain 1) prophecy which validates its
message and 2) history which reveals God and the sinful nature
and character of men and women. Throughout the scriptures God
was revealing Himself. But the most important reason for the Old
Testament is to teach us who the Messiah would be and why He would
come.
During the "400 years of silence" also called the intertestimental
period, God was active in world history causing major political
and military events to occur as He had predicted in the book of
Daniel. During this time the nation of Greece came to power and
was conquered by Rome. God had predicted this.
It was now count down time to the coming of Messiah. The nation
of Israel was under going change. The Pharisees, Sadducees, and
scribes came to positions of influence. Israel was looking for
Messiah. The stage was set for Jesus Christ to come . . .
Conclusion: During the "400 years of silence" God was fulfilling prophecy
and counting down to the time for Jesus to arrive on this earth
and then eventually die. God told us that Messiah would die in one year and in only one
year - A.D. 33. No one who has lived before or after that year
can or will qualify to be Messiah - only Jesus Christ. |
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