Throughout this volume we have been studying the chronological question and have traced the record of time, embedded in the Sacred Writings, from the creation of Adam through the centuries to the time of the closing of the canon of the Jewish Scriptures. This chronology is so very accurate that it can be neither increased nor diminished by any legitimate manipulation of the facts.

We have seen in chapter XIII that the Messiah was to appear and to be cut off 483 years after the issuing of the proclamation by Cyrus for the rebuilding of the temple and the restoration of Jerusalem. Furthermore, we have seen that this decree was issued in the year 3589 A.H. (536 B.C.E.). According to the prophet's utterance, the Messiah would be cut off 483 years subsequent to the issuing of that decree. By simple addition we understand that that tragic event occurred in the year 4071 A.H.

No one can doubt the accuracy of mathematical calculations in which no mistakes are made. The chronology, embedded in the Scriptures and demonstrated in this volume, proves that He was to be cut off in the year 4071 A.H. and have nothing. Why do we know that He was to be executed in that very year? God by His infallible Spirit made this revelation. Men may lie, but the Lord always speaks the truth. Since mathematics are accurate, and since God foretold that Messiah would be executed in 4071 A.H., we may be absolutely certain that He made His appearance in the world on scheduled time, and that He was executed according to the predictions found throughout the Scriptures. From this conclusion there can be no possible escape.

That He did come in the person of Jesus of Nazareth is evident to everyone who will, with an unbiased mind, study the predictions foretelling His advent and read the records of His life as they are found in the first four books of the New Testament--Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. He alone of all others is the one who can lay claim to Messianic honors.

He appeared at the time designated; He entered the world in the way foretold; He performed the works foreseen by the prophets; and He met a tragic death as was delineated in the most detailed manner by the inspired men of God.

There can be no doubt in the mind of those who have studied the three former volumes of this Series that Messiah was to be cut off exactly 483 years after Cyrus issued his decree. In the next book of this Series--Messiah: His Historical Appearance--the absolute and positive proof will be presented that Jesus of Nazareth was and is the true Hebrew Messiah.

On account of their not knowing the Scriptures, or, rather on account of their not taking them literally at what they say, the leaders of Israel did not recognize Messiah when He made His first appearance according to the schedule set forth in the Scriptures. May I say in this connection that anyone makes a fatal mistake in not reading the Scriptures, taking them at their face value and believing God?

Moses foretold that God would raise up from among Israel a prophet like unto himself, and that He would place His words in His mouth and warned them that those who would not be obedient to the divine message, which this prophet would utter, should be held personally responsible for rejecting Him and His words. On this point see Deut. 18:15-19. There can be no doubt to the one who makes a thorough and honest investigation of all the facts that Jesus of Nazareth was this prophet, the Hebrew Messiah. Hence Israel, failing to recognize Him, through her leaders rejected Him and His message. God has required this failure of His people and will continue to do so. He did not call them to a reckoning immediately, but waited for forty years, giving them an opportunity--full and ample--to consider well the national action.

"The mills of God grind slowly, But they grind exceedingly fine," as the poet tells us. The Lord fulfils every promise that He makes and carries out every threat and warning which He utters. He, however, waited for the regular time of testing to elapse, namely, forty years--as He did with Israel when she came out of Egyptian bondage. Because the Hebrews did not believe God when they came to Kadesh-barnea and refused to go forward at His command, the Lord made them wander around in the wilderness for forty years and denied them the privilege of entering immediately into the land of promise. Thus it was on this occasion.

From the standpoint of judgment, God kept silent for forty years and, when the period of testing had passed, then permitted, and shaped events to bring about the collapse of the nation. Let us in this connection remember that the nations of the world are in the hands of the Lord but as a drop in the bucket (Isa. 40:12-17). This principle is demonstrated in hundreds of cases throughout Israel's history. Since the Lord had promised to give dominion over the earth to the Romans, as we have seen in Daniel 2, He permitted the revolt in Israel against them in order that He might rain punishment upon the nation. With this end in view He used the ruthless Romans to accomplish His purposes.

Finally in 70 C.E., after stubborn resistance for four years, Jerusalem was captured by Titus, the Roman general, and Israel was scattered to the four corners of the earth.

End Of Chapter XVII.