Time of The End

# Using a Calendar Exposed by Ezekiel to Unveil Daniel's Prophecy

This new calendar derives its strength from two sources: it agrees with the Bible's account, and it uncovers additional meaning within biblical prophecies. By understanding this hidden calendar, Ezekiel's words, like ignited embers, bring light to the way forward. This system not only fills the gap in Ezekiel's 14-month description, but also offers surprising insights woven into the broader fabric of biblical prophecy.

Think of this calendar as a special lens, a unique tool for seeing the turning points of history in a new way. Key events and dates mentioned in the Bible suddenly reveal hidden aspects, their connections to prophecy revealed in a stunning new light.

Before we begin this adventure of discovery, let's examine some core beliefs and assumptions that underlie these explanations. This path promises a deeper connection to the prophetic voices that resonate through time.

# The Seventy Weeks: A Look at Key Beliefs

Daniel 9 mentions a prophecy of "seventy weeks," but they are symbolic, each representing seven years. That's a total of 490 years. This mysterious prophecy holds deep significance for the Jewish people and their beloved Jerusalem. It foretells the revival of a city, the arrival and departure of a Messiah, and a period of hardship.

But there's hope! Many see echoes of this prophecy in the life of Jesus Christ, the Messiah whose arrival marks a pivotal moment. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus complete the prophetic picture. The alignment of this prophecy with biblical timelines reinforces the idea that each "week" represents seven years.

Think of the prophecy as a key that unlocks mysteries. It reveals a timeline for Jesus' ministry. It counts 69 "weeks" (483 years) beginning in 455 B.C.E., when King Artaxerxes authorized the rebuilding of Jerusalem. The years advance like clockwork. This 483-year period ends in 29 C.E., when Jesus, baptized in the Jordan River, assumes his Messianic role.

As we explore this hidden calendar, remember that these beliefs guide our understanding and shed light on the shadows of history.

Embarking on a time travel adventure: We're about to explore a historical timeline using half of a symbolic "week" as our starting point. Not a week of seven days, but a seven-year period based on a prophecy in Daniel 9:27. We'll focus on the first half of the seven-year period, which equals 1,288 days using our calendar.[1]

Two key events mark the midpoint of the week. The first is the execution of Jesus on a specific date: Nisan 14, 33 C.E. The second is a momentous occasion 52 days later: the outpouring of God's holy spirit at Pentecost on Sivan 6, 33 C.E.

# Backtracking to Jesus' Appearance

Our exploration begins on a pivotal day: Nisan 14, 33 C.E., when Jesus' earthly mission ended. We carefully count backwards, marking 1,288 days. This journey takes us to Elul 26, 29 C.E., a proposed date of great significance: Jesus' baptism and anointing. According to Daniel's prophecy of 70 weeks, this is when "Messiah the Leader" appeared.

Let's revisit another pivotal moment in history: the completion of the walls of Jerusalem on the 25th of Elul, 455 B.C.E. (Nehemiah 6:15). This event marked the rebirth of Jerusalem as a true "city" as defined in Leviticus 25:29, 31. It also set the stage for the unfolding of Daniel's "70 weeks" prophecy.

Daniel 9:24 prescribed that the "city" of Jerusalem would experience a specific period of special consideration. But Leviticus makes it clear that a city without walls is not really a "city." Only when protected by a wall can it claim that title. For this reason, the "city" of Jerusalem could not begin its appointed "70 weeks" of special consideration until the walls were operational.

Countdown to the Messiah: The countdown to the Messiah begins with the declaration to rebuild this "holy city". Nehemiah 6:15 records the completion date of the wall. Interestingly, Nehemiah 7:1-5 suggests that the divinely inspired declaration to rebuild the city was made the next day, on Elul 26, 455 B.C.E. This marks the earliest date that both the period of special consideration for Jerusalem and the countdown to the Messiah's arrival could begin.

Journey through time: From this point, we travel forward 69 "weeks," or 483 years, and arrive at Elul 26, 29 C.E. Remarkably, this coincides with the date we arrived at earlier by counting backward 1,288 literal days ("half" a week) based on the proposed calendar and the death of Jesus on Nisan 14, 33 C.E.

# 52 Days: A Number With Meaning

The Bible tells us that the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15). Interestingly, the same number appears again centuries later in connection with the events surrounding the death of Jesus.

Two Key Moments, Shared Timeframe

  • First moment: There is a 52-day construction of the walls of Jerusalem leading up to the proclamation to restore and rebuild the city on Elul 26, 455 B.C.E.
  • Second moment: There are 52 days counting down from the execution of Jesus on Nisan 14, 33 C.E. to the outpouring of God's holy spirit at Pentecost on Sivan 6, 33 C.E.

Harmonizing the Details

While the number of days is the same, the directions ("leading up to" vs. "counting down from") are different. This apparent contradiction can be resolved by examining Daniel's prophecy more closely.

Daniel's Prophecy: Decoding the Details

Daniel's prophecy mentions that the Messiah will be "cut off," but not exactly when. It simply says it will happen after the Messiah appears. There is no specific time frame for this cutting off.

However, the prophecy clearly states that sacrifices will stop at the midpoint of the week in which the Messiah keeps the covenant. The timing of this event is exact.

A New Perspective: Two Events, One Number

Could Daniel 9 be describing two separate events?

  • First event: Jesus is "cut off" on the 14th of Nisan, 33 C.E.
  • Second event: 52 days later, Jesus' act leading to the end of sacrifices at Pentecost, Sivan 6, 33 C.E.

In this view, the two 52-day periods lead to crucial moments that mirror each other in time. What's more, this prophecy does not require that the appearance of the Messiah and the beginning of his covenant-keeping occur at the same time.

Weaving the Threads: A Unified Tapestry

Seeing these events as distinct, connected by the 52-day pattern, provides a beautiful harmony. We understand the sequence of events in each case while recognizing the flexibility of the prophecy regarding the Messiah's timeline.

# Jesus Begins His Ministry

From this new point of view, we now have a key moment in history that occurred on Pentecost, Sivan 6, 33 C.E. We can use this new date as a starting point to trace back a period of 1,288 days ("half" a week). This brings us to Heshvan/Bul 18, 29 C.E., another proposed date of great significance: the beginning of Jesus' public ministry.

52 days after his baptism on Elul 26, 29 CE, Jesus enters the world stage and begins to keep the covenant.[2]

# John as the "Doorkeeper" and Jesus as the "Door"

In Nehemiah's account, after the wall of Jerusalem was rebuilt in 52 days, "gatekeepers" were assigned their duties (Nehemiah 7:1). This seemingly ordinary event seems to reflect the roles of John the Baptist and Jesus.

John, as the doorkeeper, plays a key role. He baptizes Jesus, and 52 days later a turning point occurs, a "door" opens to a new era when John introduces Jesus and Jesus begins his public ministry. This is like what Jesus says about the "doorkeeper" (John 10:3) when he calls himself the "door" (John 10:7-9).

It's hard to miss the connection. The 52 days between the beginning of the construction of the wall around Jerusalem and the appointment of the gatekeepers is the same as the 52 days between John baptizing Jesus and Jesus beginning his public ministry. This connection, more than a coincidence, suggests a divine pattern woven into time.

Could John the Baptist be the doorkeeper who opens the way through Jesus, the "door"? Could these events in Nehemiah foreshadow the roles of John and Jesus? The clear connection and intriguing idea invite us to explore further.

# Connecting Jesus' Ministry to the Rhythms of Agriculture

Let's take a closer look at the timing of Jesus' resurrection and the outpouring of God's holy spirit upon the Christian congregation. These pivotal events are believed to have occurred on key dates related to the beginning of the harvest season in the land of Israel. These alignments convey meaning.

Jesus' resurrection is said to have coincided with the offering of the first fruits of the harvest. On the 16th of Nisan, a priest would wave a sheaf of barley, marking the beginning of the barley harvest. The arrival of God's holy spirit upon the Christian congregation occurred fifty days later, on the 6th of Sivan. This is the date of Pentecost, marking the beginning of the wheat harvest, which ripened later.

These events, linked to the cycle of the grain harvest, have deep meaning. But while the story ends with the harvest, it also begins with the sowing. Heshvan/Bul, the month previously identified as the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, is also the time when both barley and wheat were sown in Israel.

# The Beginning of John's Public Ministry

John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus, was born about six months before Jesus, according to Luke 1:36. This suggests that John's preaching began about six months before Jesus' ministry, which we previously identified as the month of Heshvan/Bul. Therefore, John's ministry probably began in the middle of the month of Iyyar. This marks a crucial point in the timeline, as John's ministry paved the way for Jesus' arrival on the scene.

# The Second Month (Iyyar/Ziv) and its Significance in Moses' Time

Our analysis suggests that John began his ministry in Iyyar/Ziv. This month has special significance because it appears in key passages in the book of Numbers: 1:1, 6:1-2, and 10:11-13.

While camped near Mount Sinai on the first day of Ziv, God began to speak to Moses from the tabernacle. Twenty days later, the Israelites left Sinai to continue their journey. During this brief period, however, an important event occurred: the establishment of Nazirite service by divine decree.

The timing of this event in the month of Iyyar/Ziv is particularly noteworthy because it falls in the same month that we have proposed as the beginning of the ministry of John, who was a Nazirite from birth.

# Connecting Solomon's Temple with the "True Tent" in Time

Let's look at a surprising connection between the symbolic meaning of the tabernacle and temples and the creation of the "true tent" mentioned in Hebrews 8:2. First, let's understand the basic meaning of the "true tent" as explained in Hebrews.

The earthly tabernacle and temples were symbols pointing to the spiritual reality established when Jesus was baptized. He functioned as both the perfect sacrifice and the high priest (Hebrews 9:11-12, 24).

Our calculations show that the timing of important events related to both the building of the temple and the establishment of the "true tent" line up. The calculated start dates for the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus coincide with the building of Solomon's temple.

John's ministry, like the laying of the foundation of the temple, began in Ziv (1 Kings 6:37). Six months later, Jesus' ministry began in Bul. The laying of the temple stones began in the same month (1 Kings 6:38). Also, the building of the temple, which began in Bul and took seven years, reflects the seven years that Messiah keeps the covenant in force according to Daniel's 70 weeks prophecy.

# Zerubbabel's Temple and the "True Tent"

Building on the connection between the "true tent" and the building of Solomon's temple, we explore a possible hidden pattern in the rebuilding of the temple during Zerubbabel's time.

Echoes through time: Earlier we saw how the calculated beginnings of the ministries of Jesus and John the Baptist coincided with the construction phases of Solomon's temple. This intriguing parallel suggested a divine pattern woven through history. Now we discover even more intriguing connections.

Mirroring the past: The rebuilding of the temple under Zerubbabel (Ezra 3:8; 5:1-2) echoes the chronology observed in Solomon's day. The foundation work in Zerubbabel's time also began in Ziv, mirroring the laying of the foundation in Solomon's time (1 Kings 6:37). However, unlike Solomon's temple, which began construction later in the same year, Zerubbabel's project faced challenges that led to a delay.

Prophets and revival: In the sixth month, Elul, the prophet Haggai delivers a message of renewed purpose (Haggai 1:1). Two months later, in the eighth month, Bul, another prophet, Zechariah, joins the effort with additional encouragement (Zechariah 1:1). This coincides with the resumption of construction, reflecting both the beginning of Jesus' ministry and the construction of the first temple in the same month of Bul.

Celestial harmony: The repeated appearance of Ziv and Bul in the days of Solomon and Zerubbabel, coinciding with the beginning of John's and Jesus' ministries, is striking. It suggests a celestial harmony, a deliberate use of specific months to echo the meaning of the "true tent" established at Jesus' baptism and the start of his public ministry. These echoes strengthen the argument for using this proposed calendar to interpret biblical prophecies and timelines.

# Jesus' Ministry and the Festival of Booths

Bridging the gap: We have previously determined that Jesus' public ministry began on Heshvan/Bul 18, 29 C.E., following his baptism on Elul 26, 29 C.E. This 52-day period between his baptism and the beginning of his ministry acts as a bridge, encompassing his 40-day wilderness fast and six days of travel to and from the wilderness.

The center point: If we focus on the middle of this 52-day period, we arrive at Tishri 22nd and 23rd. These two days are significant for the potential symbolic connections they reveal, marking a turning point in Jesus' preparation for his ministry.

Echoes of the Festival of Booths: Interestingly, the 22nd of Tishri coincides with the Solemn Assembly, the day after the Festival of Booths. This festival commemorates the period of 40 years during which the Israelites lived in temporary shelters and wandered in the wilderness. In addition, Jesus' references to drawing water from the Pool of Siloam (John 7:37) and the lighting of Jerusalem (John 8:12) echo rituals associated with the festival.

Aligning with history: Adding another layer of significance, the 22nd of Tishri also marks the completion of Solomon's dedication of the Temple. This remarkable alignment suggests another potential symbolic connection between the physical temple and the concept of the "true tent".

Celebrating fulfillment: Tishri 23rd, the day following the Solemn Assembly and the completion of the temple dedication, is marked by joy and celebration in the biblical account (2 Chronicles 5:3; 7:8-10).

# The Second Half of the Week: Gentiles, a Temple, and God's Holy Spirit

Building on the previously studied connections between the "true tent" idea in Hebrews and the timeline of the 70 weeks prophecy, we now explore the second half of the week.

Counting forward: As discussed earlier, we counted backward 1,288 days from Pentecost (Sivan 6, 33 C.E.) to a date associated with the "true tent" events. Now we count forward 1,288 days from the same date to bring us to Chislev 24, 36 C.E.

Gentiles included: On this date, we propose another major event: the outpouring of God's holy spirit on Gentiles, including Cornelius and others (Acts 10). This event marks the acceptance of Gentiles as part of God's people, a significant development.

Renewal and ending: The timing is interesting. The 25th of Chislev, the next day, is the annual Festival of Dedication, which celebrates the renewal of the dedication of the temple. This raises questions. Could the day of Gentile inclusion coincide with the expiration of the previous year's renewal of the temple's dedication, symbolically suggesting the end of an old system and the beginning of a new one?

Reflecting the beginning: Much as the beginning of the first half of the week aligns with the establishment of the "true tent" in Hebrews 8:2, the end of the second half aligns with the description of "a holy temple for Jehovah" in Ephesians 2:20-22. This temple comparison emphasizes the dwelling place of God's holy spirit. The passage describes this temple as "a place for God to inhabit by spirit."

Reflections in Haggai's Prophecy: Interestingly, centuries earlier, the prophet Haggai spoke of God's holy spirit remaining among the Jews while encouraging their zeal to rebuild the temple. In Haggai 2:5, God says, "my spirit remains among you." Notably, later in the prophecy, the 24th of Chislev (Haggai 2:10, 18, 20) is repeatedly emphasized and speaks of nations trembling and offering treasures to God (Haggai 2:7).

Contrasting ideas: Just before Peter's encounter with Cornelius, a vision instructs him not to consider anything unclean that God has cleansed (Acts 10:15). This contrasts with Haggai's proclamation on the 24th of Chislev, where offerings that should have been pure were deemed unclean by God (Haggai 2:14). The contrast between these messages on the 24th of Chislev suggests a deeper connection. It is consistent with the idea that the outpouring of God's holy spirit on the Gentiles demonstrates the replacement of the physical temple in Jerusalem as the place where God's holy spirit formerly resided.

# Evidence of Design?

In our study of the hidden calendar, we have observed its alignment with important events and timelines in the Bible. These alignments include Jerusalem, Solomon's Temple, Governor Zerubbabel's Temple, and other significant moments. These alignments strongly support the validity of the proposed calendar.

But could these alignments be mere coincidence? Calculating the odds of such alignments is difficult because they are based on faith and history, not statistics. However, considering this question is like looking at a puzzle and wondering about the unlikely chance that it all fits together by accident.

Imagine ten independent events, each with a 10% chance of matching any other. The resulting pattern, extremely unlikely, would have a 1 in 10 billion chance. With each additional event, the odds decrease exponentially, underscoring the improbability of random harmony.

Do these events really reveal a hidden message passed down through the ages? The answer, like the pattern itself, is still being formed, based on faith, logic, and echoes from the past. These harmonious echoes encourage us to explore their deeper meaning and to appreciate the beauty of their potential design.

# Addressing Potential Concerns

In our investigation of the hidden calendar, we recognize that interpretation of the Bible can be subjective. However, the interpretations presented here are not based on guesswork. They come from careful study and thoughtful analysis of the sacred texts.

While absolute certainty may not be attainable, the dates and events that guide our exploration are clear. They are based on established historical and biblical scholarship. The interpretations prioritize the biblical account over other sources. Probability calculations are provided to give a rough estimate of how likely these alignments are to occur by chance. Each alignment of event and prophecy adds to the overall evidence. The calculations suggest that these alignments are not purely random.

Therefore, while interpretations may vary, the core of this exploration is based on careful study, respected scholarship, and a deep respect for the sacred word. As we delve deeper, let these principles guide our journey and bring us closer to potential truths hidden within history.

  1. See "One Week Timeline: Keeping the Covenant in Force" in the section diagrams. ↩︎

  2. See "From Baptism to Ministry: Exploring a Potential 52-Day Interlude" in the section addenda. ↩︎

Section 2 - Addenda →