Timeline of the World

1.0.Introduction_and_Timeline_of_the_World.md

Revelation

Goal to get understanding of yet unfulfilled prophecy of the future from New and Old Testament, to understand the symbols and timeline of future events.

Timeline of the World

In 1650, James Ussher, talented historian and Archbishop of the Anglican Church, wrote Annals of the World.

Based on Bible genealogies and world history records, Ussher concluded that the creation took place in 4004 BC. However, this timeline uses more accurate 3959 BC based on later historical discoveries in 19th and 20th centuries.

Calculation of Ussher

1. Adam to Flood (3959 BC - 2303 BC)

Based on Genesis 5, genealogy from Adam to Noah and Genesis 7:6, age of Noah at the time of the flood, we get to 1656 years from creation to flood.

2. Flood to Abram (2303 BC – 1951 BC)

Genesis 11 presents genealogy from Arphaxad to Abraham.

The precise date of Abram's birth isn't given. But it can be calculated based on other verses (Gen 12:4 and Acts 7:4) to be 130th year of his father. Ussher calculates 352 years from the flood to birth of Abram.

3. Abraham to Exodus (1951 BC - 1446 BC)

In Galatians 3:17 and Exodus 12:40 we read about 430 years, from the call of Abraham at age 75 (Gen 12:4, 1876 BC) to Exodus of Israel from Egypt (1446 BC).

4. Exodus to Solomon's Temple (1446 BC - 966 BC)

From Exodus (1446 BC) to 4th year of Solomon (966 BC) we have 480 years based on 1 Kings 6:1.

5. From Temple to Babylonian Exile (966 BC - 586 BC)

This is the first period, where Bible doesn't give us a precise number of years. Interestingly, for the periods before that we barely have any historical records, but for this one we do.

Ussher's calculation (1012 BC - 588 BC, 424 years) was later corrected, when new historical evidence was discovered in 19th and 20th century (Babylonian Chronicles, Astronomical Diary VAT 4956).

In 1951, American archaeologist and missionary educator Edwin Thiele dated the temple's completion year to be 966 BC.

The exile being 586 BC is one of the most secure dates of Ancient North Eurasian history. The 966 BC mark for the temple is based on Egyptian records which are for that period of time accurate up to ±5 years. This gives us 380 years from temple to exile.

586 exile - decree

69 weeks of Daniel (X - 33 AD) From decree till Jesus entry to Jerusalem

Church age 33 AD - 2025 AD Crucifixion - Today

Tribulation Millennium

6. Exile to Decree (586 BC - 33 AD)

The Babylonian exile in 586 BC and the crucifixion of Christ in 33 AD are two of the most reliable historical markers in ancient history, separated by 618 years. At this point we have enough "anchors" from today until creation to set it around 3959 BC.

We want to focus on multiple facts:

Jeremiah prophesied that Judah will be conquered by Babylon (Jer 1:15), and after 70 years Israelites will be able to return (Jer 29:10).

Jer 1:15 and Jer 29:10

Daniel reads this prophecy in Daniel 9:1, and receives revelation about the 69 weeks from the decree to rebuild the temple and the wall until Messiah (Dan 9:25).

Dan 9:1 and Dan 9:25

The following doesn't affect our timeline, but it’s remarkable: Isaiah 44:28 predicts that Cyrus (~600 BC) will order Jerusalem to be rebuilt. Cyrus wasn't even born yet, but God already shared 100 years before he was born, what he would do and what his name would be.

Isaiah 44:28 (written ~690-710 BC)

3 Waves of Captivity

Now, let’s have a look at 3 waves of captivity that Israel experienced:

4 Decrees of Restoration

Now, let’s have a look at 4 decrees that led to Israel’s return and rebuilding:

The 70 years of Jeremiah are from the first exile to the first decree by Cyrus (606 → 536 BC).

The Daniel’s decree of 70 “sevenths” requires the wall to be rebuilt (Dan 9:25), and only the last decree (Artaxerxes → Nehemiah, 444 BC) commanded this.

Decree to Messiah

We have the decree to rebuild the walls in 444 BC. And 69 weeks (69 * 7 = 483 years) from decree to Messiah.

“It is customary for the Jews to have twelve months of 360 days each and then to insert a thirteenth month occasionally when necessary to correct the calendar.” — Walvoord

If we take 1260 days (half of the last 70th week; Rev 11:3; 12:6) and divide it by 3.5 years (Rev 12:14; Dan 7:25; 12:7), we get 360 days in a year, instead of 365 which we normally use now.

Sir Robert Anderson in his work The Coming Prince (1894), using a 360-day year (which Israel used in Daniel’s day), calculated 173,880 days from the decree to the triumphal entry, fulfilling the prophecy to the day.

• 1260 days (ref!) / 3,5 years (half of the week) = 360 days in 1 year
• 483 years × 360 days = 173,880 days
• From Nisan 1, 445 BC to March 30, 33 AD = Christ's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

6. Exile to Messiah (586 BC - 33 AD)

TODO check for accuracy decrees:

Daniel 9:24-26 prophesies 69 "weeks" (7 weeks + 62 weeks = 483 prophetic years) until Messiah. The key decree is Artaxerxes' decree to Nehemiah in 445 BC (Nehemiah 2:1-8, specifically Nisan of the 20th year of Artaxerxes I), which authorized rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and streets, matching Daniel 9:25's description of "street and moat."

Using prophetic years of 360 days (Genesis 7-8; Revelation 11:2-3; 12:6; 13:5):

• 483 years × 360 days = 173,880 days
• From Nisan 1, 445 BC to March 30, 33 AD = Christ's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

"After the 62 weeks Messiah shall be cut off" (Daniel 9:26):

• April 3, 33 AD: Crucifixion (alternative date: April 7, 30 AD, with less evidence)
• April 5, 33 AD: Resurrection (Sunday)
• May 24, 33 AD: Pentecost (50 days after resurrection, Sunday) - Holy Spirit descends, the Church Age begins

The year 33 AD aligns with Pontius Pilate's governance (26-36 AD) and astronomical calculations for Passover falling on Friday.

7. Messiah to Millennium (33 AD - 2040 AD)

Pentecost to Today (33 AD - 2025 AD): The Church Age began at Pentecost on May 24, 33 AD when the Holy Spirit descended (Acts 2). This marks the "times of the Gentiles" (Luke 21:24) and the temporary hardening of Israel (Romans 11:25-27). We are now in year 2025 AD, which is 1,992 years since Pentecost. If the Church period is 2,000 years (Hosea 6:1-2; 2 Peter 3:8), then 2033 AD (8 years from now) would mark its completion.

Notable Markers:

• 70 AD: Temple destruction (Luke 19:43-44; Matthew 24:2)
• 135 AD: Jerusalem renamed Aelia Capitolina, Judea renamed "Palestina"
• 1948 AD: Israel's statehood restored
• 1967 AD: Jerusalem's Old City captured

Tribulation (2033 AD - 2040 AD): Daniel's 70th week (Daniel 9:27) spans 7 years, split into two 42-month/1,260-day halves (Revelation 11-13). It begins with a covenant confirmed by a coming ruler; at mid-week he stops sacrifice and sets the abomination of desolation (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15). Revelation portrays seals, trumpets, bowls; persecution; two witnesses (Rev 11); and the beast/mark system (Rev 13). The period concludes with Christ's visible return (Matthew 24:29-31; Rev 19) and the defeat of the beast and false prophet.

The exact day is unknown (Matthew 24:36; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6). The church is gathered to Christ (John 14:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) and kept from divine wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9; Revelation 3:10; Luke 21:36).

8. Millennium to End of Time (2040 AD - 3040 AD)

Christ reigns for 1,000 years (Rev 20:1–6; cf. Isa 2, 11; Ezek 40–48; Zech 14). Satan is bound; resurrected saints reign with Him. After a brief post‑millennial release and final rebellion, the great white throne judgment occurs (Rev 20:7–15), followed by the new heaven and new earth (Rev 21–22). In the 7‑day/7‑millennia picture below, the millennium is the Sabbath‑rest of history; what follows is the “eighth day” of eternity.

7000-year model

The number 7 signifies fullness or completion (Genesis 1-2, Exodus 20:11). The millennium can be seen as the time of rest or the 7th day (Revelation 20:4).

The number 8 signifies a new beginning, resurrection, eternity.

• Jesus rose on the 8th day (Matthew 28:1, Luke 24:1)
• Circumcision on 8th Day (Genesis 17:12, Leviticus 12:3) - Sign of covenant – new identity, set apart
• 8 People on the Ark (1 Peter 3:20) - Noah + family = 8 saved → new humanity begins
• Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:36, Nehemiah 8:18) - Ends on 8th day → beyond completeness = joy and eternity
• Transfiguration = 8 days later (Luke 9:28) - Glimpse of future glory / kingdom

The eighth day, or time after millennium will be eternity.

The Church Period: 2000 Years

The following verses would suggest that the time of the church (today's era) is 2000 years:

Hosea 6:1–2

Come, let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, that He may heal us;

He has struck us down, and He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live before Him.

2 Peter 3:8

With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

Exodus 19:10–11

And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments, and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai…”

Matthew 24:32–33

From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.

Israel signifies the fig tree (Luke 13:6–9, Mark 11:12–14, 20–21).

Luke 21:24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Jerusalem and Second Temple were destroyed by Romans in 70 AD as foretold by the Lord Jesus (Luke 19:43–44, Matthew 24:2). In 135 AD Jerusalem was flattened and rebuilt as a pagan city called Aelia Capitolina. Judea was renamed "Palestina" by Emperor Hadrian to erase Jewish identity.

On May 14, 1948, the modern State of Israel was declared. This marked the first time since 135 AD that the Jewish people had national sovereignty in their ancestral land.

That would suggest we are literally on the edge of the period.

Jesus died and rose from the dead on April 3, 33 AD (alternative date: April 7, 30 AD, with less evidence).

Reasoning:

• Biblical timeline: Jesus was crucified on a Friday during Passover week.
• Historical context: Pontius Pilate was prefect of Judea from 26 to 36 AD; the Passover fell on a Friday in both 30 AD and 33 AD.
• Daniel 9:24-26 alignment with 173,880 days calculation supports 33 AD.

In my opinion, the beginning of the new era was Pentecost. Pentecost occurred 50 days after Jesus' resurrection, so either Sunday, May 24, 33 AD or Sunday, April 9, 30 AD.

When we add 2000 years, we get 2030 or 2033 as the probable end of the era (we still use AD as our calendar). Interestingly, the Lord Jesus doesn't mention years in the following verse:

Matthew 24:36

But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Next Chapter: Revelation - What Is - Chapter 1-4

1.1.Ushers_World_Timeline.md

Timeline of the World Reference

Ussher’s Chronology: From Creation to Christ

Based on Ussher’s interpretation of the Bible with calculated date ranges in BC and scriptural references.

Adam to Noah

Period: 4004 BC – 2348 BC

Comment: Straightforward literal genealogy. Genesis 5 provides direct age-to-son data. No gaps assumed.

Shem to Abraham

Period: 2348 BC – 1996 BC (Abraham’s Birth)

Comment: Ussher places Abraham’s birth at Terah’s age 130, not 70, to resolve genealogical harmonization.

Abraham to Moses

Period: 1921 BC (Call of Abraham at 75) – 1491 BC

Comment: Abraham was born in 1996 BC but the 430-year sojourn begins with his call at age 75, which occurred in 1921 BC. This aligns with Paul’s statement in Galatians 3:17. Range Note: Some interpret Exodus 12:40 as time in Egypt only, extending this period by ~215 years.

Moses to David

Period: 1491 BC – 1011 BC

Comment: This aligns with 1 Kings 6:1 stating 480 years from Exodus to Solomon’s 4th year. Ussher harmonizes overlapping judgeships. Range Note: Conservative scholars differ by ~50 years depending on treatment of co-regencies.

David to Babylonian Exile

Period: 1011 BC – 586 BC

Comment: Raw sum of reigns ~430 years, but Ussher accounts for co-regencies and overlapping rule to reach ~400 years. Range Note: Discrepancies among chronologies range from ~390 to 440 years.

Exile to Christ

Period: 586 BC – 4 BC

Comment: Requires alignment with secular history (Cyrus, Artaxerxes) and prophecy (Daniel 9). The least textually direct section. Range Note: Depending on which Persian decree is used, this span varies by up to ~80 years.

Final Summary

Extended Range Notes

Masoretic-Based Extended Range

Even within the Masoretic Text, the total timeline from Creation to Christ can be stretched by:

• +215 years if Exodus 12:40 is read as 430 years only in Egypt
• +50–70 years if judges’ reigns are treated sequentially, not overlapped
• +30–50 years from raw king reigns
• +50–80 years from alternate readings of Daniel 9 and Persian decrees

Extended Masoretic Total: ~4,300 to 4,400 years Creation Date: ~4400–4500 BC

Septuagint-Based Extended Range

If the Septuagint’s genealogies are used (especially Genesis 5 & 11), total pre-Abraham years are extended by ~1,250 years:

• Genesis 5:6 (Masoretic): “Seth lived 105 years and begot Enosh.”
• Genesis 5:6 (Septuagint): “Seth lived 205 years and begot Enos.”

• Genesis 11:12 (Masoretic): “Arphaxad lived 35 years and begot Shelah.”
• Genesis 11:12 (Septuagint): “Arphaxad lived 135 years and begot Cainan; and Cainan lived 130 years and begot Shelah.”

Extended Septuagint Total: ~5,200+ years Creation Date: ~5200–5500 BC

This was the view of many early Christian chronologies (e.g., Alexandrian, Byzantine, early church fathers).