Chronological Timetable of Mankind

Mike Exton  

Using just the Bible I can’t go any further with this timetable. At least not yet. If I can someday determine exactly how many years elapsed from the time the Jews were freed from their captivity in Babylon (3441 A.A.)—until the decree to rebuild Jerusalem (see Dan. 9:25 and Neh. 2:5-20)—then I would be able to proceed much further. How could I accomplish this? Well, according to the 70-weeks prophecy given in Dan. 9:24-27 there would be 69 weeks between the time the decree was given to rebuild Jerusalem until the time of the Messiah. And at the end of the 69 weeks the Messiah—Jesus Christ—would be killed (verses 25 & 26). We know that Jesus Christ was killed around the year 32 A.D. We also know that 69 weeks is equivalent to 483 days (69 weeks x 7 days each = 483 days). Then using the day-for-a-year principle that is common in Bible prophecy—we come to precisely 483 years. Now, if we subtract 483 years from 32 A.D. we come to the year 452 B.C. (we add 1 extra year since between 1 B.C. and 1 A.D. there was only 1 year and NOT 2 years—there was no year 0). This means that in the year 452 B.C. the decree to rebuild Jerusalem went out (Neh. 2:5, 7, 9). But how many years after Adam did this occur?

If I only knew how many years elapsed between the release of the Jews from Babylon (in 3441 A.A.) until the decree to rebuild Jerusalem (in 452 B.C.) I could continue with this timetable up until 32 A.D.! And then of course—since I would know how many years had elapsed between Adam and 32 A.D.—I would know precisely how many years had passed from the creation of Adam and Eve up until this very day! And then once I had this information I would know exactly when the end of man’s 6000-year reign on this earth would come to an end! But like I said previously—I do NOT have that missing link. But perhaps that missing link is hidden somewhere in the Bible. So until I get more information this is as far as I can go.

Though I can’t continue this timetable any further (by using the Bible) the following page does continue the timetable by using the dates given by several different sources—as to when they think the Jews were released from their Babylonian captivity. Also my thoughts are listed just to give the reader a reference point as to when Christ might possibly return.

Source End of Jewish A.A. 6000 Years Time Cut

Captivity (add 3441) Ends (A.D.)* Short**

NIV Study Bible 538 B.C. + 3441 = 3979 years 6000 – 3979 + 1 = 2022 2021

NRSV Life Appl. Bible 537 B.C. + 3441 = 3978 years 6000 – 3978 + 1 = 2023 2022

NKJ (see Jer. 25:12) 535 B.C. + 3441 = 3976 years 6000 – 3976 + 1 = 2025 2024

  (margin notes)

British Israel Society 526 B.C. + 3441 = 3967 years 6000 – 3967 + 1 = 2034 2033

My Thoughts 532 B.C. + 3441 = 3973 years 6000 – 3973 + 1 = 2028 2027

* Remember, since there was NOT a year 0 (between 1 B.C. and 1 A.D.) we must add an extra year.

Based on the above sources the range of Christ’s projected return would be somewhere between 2021 and 2033.

** According to Mat. 24:22 the 6,000 years will be cut short—otherwise man would exterminate himself off the face of this planet. God has given humanity 6,000 years to destroy himself—if that is his inclination. And it is! Mankind will assemble together 200 million soldiers (Rev. 9:16) to accomplish just that. But immediately before we succeed in committing global genocide Jesus Christ will return to this earth to save us from ourselves! Therefore, instead of us coming to exactly 6,000 years—which would be the end of the human race—God will send His Son immediately before this sixth millennium comes to a close. Almost certainly this will occur in the fall of the preceding year—on the Day of Trumpets—since this particular Holy Day pictures the literal return of Jesus Christ to this planet. MAY GOD SPEED THAT DAY!

ONE FINAL WARNING TO THE READER

So when will Christ be returning? I don’t know and neither does anyone else. It could be sooner than the date that I listed (2027) or it could be later than this date. I just listed this particular date as a reference point to help the reader better understand this chronological timetable of mankind. Only God knows for sure when this event will take place, but hopefully it will be even earlier than 2027, because the sooner—the better!

Will you and I be ready? I sincerely hope so! Let’s do our best to see that we are! “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20).

Copyright © November 3, 2007 by Michael H. Exton (original © 1997)  

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