Maccabees

“But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”

Daniel 11:32

A Simple Timeline (All Dates Before Christ (B.C.))

526 Nebuchadnezzar

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel

 

456 Cyrus sends Jews back

Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

 

323 Alexander dies – 4 rule

 

175 Antiochus IV reigns

 

165 Judas Maccabees wins

 

63 Romans take Judea

 

Antiochus Epiphanes

Antiochus IV began rule (175)

 

Epiphanes = the Illustrious

 

Epimanes = the Madman

 

High priest as political office

 

Sought to Hellenize the Jews

 

Jewish religion a threat

 

Defeat in Egypt enraged him

 

Died suddenly by illness at 51

 

Who are Maccabees?

Mattathias was faithful priest.

 

Hashman of Joarib (I Ch 24:7)

 

Sons: John, Simon, Judas,

Eleazar, and Jonathan

 

Judas Maccabee began name

 

Judas rebelled, purged temple

 

John Hyrcanus from Simon

 

Hasmoneans ruled to Herod

 

Book of Maccabees

I Maccabees / II Maccabees

 

History of the Hasmoneans

 

History of Maccabean Revolt

 

Apocrypha = Uninspired

 

Apocrypha = Historical Help

 

Apocrypha = Josephus

 

In King James for help only

 

Not part of inspired scripture

 

Another Timeline (All Dates Before Christ (B.C.))

175 Antiochus takes throne

 

175- Hellenization pressed

 

170 Priesthood sold, forced

 

168 Temple profaned

 

167 Mattathias revolted

 

166 Judas replaced father

 

165 Temple rededicated

 

164 Antiochus dead at 51

 

Atrocities

Tore down Jerusalem walls

 

Slaughtered many Jews

 

Destroyed the scriptures

 

Used prostitutes in temple

 

Death for circumcision, etc.

 

Flogged Eleazar for refusal

 

Mother and 7 kids for refusal

 

Zeus on altar with pig offering

 

Daniel 8

Latter Greek kings (20-22)

 

Whole chapter before Rome

 

Chapter 7 unrelated (popes)

 

Chapter 9 unrelated (Messiah)

 

See one of 4 kingdoms (8-9)

 

Defied temple worship (9-12)

 

To last for 2300 days (13-14)

 

Antiochus Epiphanes (23-25)

 

Daniel 11

Daniel’s people (10:14; 12:7)

 

Beginning with Persia (11:2)

 

Ending with 70 A.D. (12:1,7)

 

King of North = Seleucid king

 

King of South = Ptolemy king

 

Easy! Syria is north of Egypt!

 

11:21-32 is Antiochus

 

11:32-35 is Maccabees

 

What is Hanukkah?

 

Jewish holiday near Christmas

 

Falls in late Nov – early Dec

 

Eight-day Feast of Lights

 

Why? Celebrate Maccabees!

 

Started? By Judas in 165 B.C.

 

In the Bible? In John 10:22!

 

John 10:22

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

 

Moses commanded 3 feasts.

 

Passover is in the spring (Mar/Apr).

 

Weeks, or Pentecost, is spring (May/June).

 

Tabernacles is in the fall (Sep/Oct).

 

This feast was in the winter.

 

This feast was of dedication.

 

Hanukkah of the Maccabees!

 

Jesus visited during this feast.

 

Hebrews 11:32-38

Paul’s “Hall of Faith” is chronological.

 

Paul wrote 100 yrs after Hasmoneans.

 

“Women” allows many others (32,35).

 

Out of weakness were made strong?

 

Waxed valiant in fight?

 

Turned to flight the armies of aliens?

 

Tortured, not accepting deliverance?

 

Cruel mockings and scourgings?

 

They were sawn asunder?

 

Being destitute, afflicted, tormented?

 

Conclusion

  1. Learn the whole Bible, even Daniel 8 and 11; John 10; and Hebrews 11.
  2. Fulfilled prophecy exalts God (Is 44:6-8).
  3. Jesus is greatest Deliverer, far superior to Maccabees, Moses, Joshua, David, etc.
  4. Save from all kinds of errors, both prophetic and practical e.g. SDA’s, JW’s.
  5. National days can be good, as our nearby Thanksgiving Day. Use it to God’s glory.
  6. Do you have exploits for God? Be strong.
  7. We have cloud of witnesses (Heb 12:1-4).
  8. We face the perilous times (II Tim 3:1-5).

For Further Study

  1. Sermon Outline: (see links) https://letgodbetrue2.com/bible-topics/index/prophecy/making-sense-of-daniel/daniel-chapter-8/ Daniel 8
  2. Understanding Daniel 11 (see links) https://letgodbetrue2.com/bible-topics/index/prophecy/making-sense-of-daniel/daniel-chapter-11/
  3. Sermon Outline: Daniel’s 2300 Days 
  4. Philip Mauro’s “Seventy Weeks ” 
  5. Read conservative commentaries as Poole, Henry, Gill, Barnes, etc.
  6. Read conservative Bible dictionaries
  7. Read I and II Maccabees
  8. Read “Antiquities” by Josephus
  9. Google search any names / events