Timeline Summary

OLD TESTAMENT | NEW TESTAMENT

Comparing Old Testament shadow to New Testament substance

Old Testament history as a roadmap to Christian history

It is hoped the reader can see at least a few parallels here between Old Testament history and Christian history. I hope to point these out in greater focus in each of the time categies under the heading "external support" or merely placing a date of the historical event.

Israelite history as a pattern for Christian history, 1 Corinthians 10:11

OLD TESTAMENT	NEW TESTAMENT
The Exodus Preface: Preparing for the Exodus from the bondage of Egypt Exodus 1-12 Moses, the Prophet-Deliverer, his special birth and early life, burning bush encounter with God, returned from the desert as miracle-working deliverer of God's Chosen People (the Israelties) from bondage under the rule of Pharoah. The last supper under the rule of Pharoah, the sacrifice of the Passover lamb.	The Tribulation Preface: Preparing for the exodus from the bondage of the Law Matthew, Mark, Luke and John Jesus, the Prophet-Savior like Moses, His birth and early life, baptismal encounter with God, returned from the desert as miracle-working deliverer of God's Elect People (the Christians) from bondage under the Law of Moses. The last supper under the Law of Moses, the sacrifice of Christ our Passover.
The Journey of Transition Exodus 13-40, Leviticus, Numbers, Dueteronomy -- The 40-year Exodus from Egypt through the desert to the Inheritance/Promised Land; Moses the promised deliverer; Moses returns after 40 days of fasting with the 10 commandments written on stone; Moses, the Law-giver, delivers the Law of Moses.	The Journey of Transition 30-70AD: The 40-year New Testament historical account: Acts-Revelation: The Second Exodus-Tribulation from the Law of Moses to the Kingdom of the Heavens; Christ our promised Deliverer/Savior, Christ our Passover, Christ returns from 40 days of fasting with the Gospel written on hearts with the Spirit; the Law of Christ; Jesus/Spirit, the Life-giver, delivers the Law of Christ; Christ our Rock for refreshing water, etc., "God has ordained that you should enter His Kingdom through much Tribulation."
The Promised Land Entering the Promised Inheritance Joshua 1-6 The miraculous crossing of the Jordan, putting off the unprofitable flesh through circumcision of the survivors of the 40-year Exodus, Manna ceases to be produced upon arrival at the Inheritance, the promised land; arrival of the Captain of the Lord's Armies for conquest of the Land, destruction of Jericho, the first conquest.	The Kingdom of God The Millennium Entering the Promised Inheritance 70AD: Jude 14-15, 1 Thess 3:13, 2 Thess 1:6-10, Rev 19:11-21, 2 Kings 6:15-17 The miraculous Rapture, putting off the unprofitable flesh through resurrection/transformation of the faithful of the 40 year Tribulation (30-70AD), Scripture ceases to be produced upon arrival of the Inheritance, the promised Kingdom of God; arrival of the Lord with 10,000's of His Saints for conquest of the World, destruction of Jerusalem, the first conquest.
Taking Possession of the Land for Israel Joshua 7-24 taking initial possession of the Land for Israel; conquering the primary cities, subjuagating the kingdoms of Canaan, the Perizites, Hivites, etc.	Taking Possession of the World for Christ 70-325AD Ante-Nicene Christianity: taking initial possession of the World for Christ; conquering the primary cities, christenizing the kingdoms of the World, the Romans, the Greeks (Byzantines), etc.
Establishing dominion over the Land Judges, 1&2 Samuel, 1 Kings simple, theocratic rule of the Land by judges, priests and prophets. Worship still simple at the Tabernacle of Moses. Establishing Israelite rule over the Land.	Establishing dominion over the World 325-590AD Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity from Constantine the Great to Gregory the Great the simple, theocratic rule of Christendom by the great churches, the Patriarchates of Alexandria, Jerusalem, Antioch, Constantinople, and Rome, etc. Establishing Christian rule over the World.
Extending the reach of the kingdom 2 Kings, 1&2 Chronicles, establishing the temple of God in Jerusalem, reigning with kingly glory over the Land. The height of outward show of Israelite reign. Solomon's world traveling fleets, his worldwide fame and outreach, sharing his wisdom. Some regression into Golden Calf idolatry, division and decline.	Extending the reach of the kingdom (Christendom) 590-1070AD: The regal rule of the Catholic Church in its glory. The missionary period from Gregory I. to Hildebrand or Gregory VII., A.D. 590-1073. The height of outward show of Christian reign. The conversion of the northern barbarians. The dawn of a new civilization. Later corruption & decline. Some regression into Islam (Old Testament style legalism). The schism of East and West.
The kingdom threatened with extinction Isaiah (history accounts) The divided kingdoms under one siege after another by the heathen nations. Northern kingdom of Israel is conquered and scattered by the Assyrians. The southern kingdom of Judah is beseiged, under threat of extinction by the Assyrians. Divine Deliverance The Southern kingdom is divinely delivered from the multitudes of beseiging Assyrian armies surrounding Jerusalem when an angel from heaven slaughters 185,000 Assyrians in a single night.	The kingdom threatened with extinction 1070AD-REFORMATION: Pope Gregory VII to Martin Luther, et al : Divided schism between Roman Catholic west and Greek Orthodox east; saints under seige on every side, heretics and false leaders within and Muslim Turks and without; the Black Death Plague, etc. Greatest challenges to the survivial of faithful, holy, true-believer Christians since the Tribulation of 30-70AD; many true-believers in hiding. Divine Deliverance REFORMATION-FOREVER: True Christians were divinely delivered from the threat of extinction by "fire from Heaven," the Reformation.
Decline, Exile, Return and final Destruction Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Esther, Ezra and Nehemiah (the historical portions) -- the decline in Jerusalem begins when Hezekiah asks for 15 more years to live. He then invites in the Babyloninan spies and begets evil Manasseh, to whom he leaves the kingdom. From there, it is a downhill decline into Exile, return, and struggle for existence as God reveals His will to destroy Israel beneath subjugation to four beastly (idol-worshipping) empires: Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman. Israel is then to be resurrected into a new and living spiritual kingdom that shall have dominion over all and shall have no end. That account is given in the right column of this table.	*The analogy ends here* Christ's Kingdom is an everlasting kingdom to which there shall be no end. A Christian Exile (and return) never happens because our king, King Jesus, never makes the mistakes of King Hezekiah, (inviting in the Babylonian spies; leaving his kingdom to evil heirs like Manasseh and Amon). "His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom to which there shall be no end." REFORMATION-FOREVER: The "fire from heaven" continues as Martin Luther & John Calvin institutionalize the Reformation; Protestant denominationalism is established; World missions & Bible societies; 24-hour preaching worldwide; the Word of God directly rules over the hearts of estimated 2.5 Billion people and growing; return to simplicity of the faith, worship & practice, free men freely serving Jesus from their free consciences, Government of the People, by the People, for the People to the glory of the God of Peace ....

OLD TESTAMENT

NEW TESTAMENT

The Exodus
Preface: Preparing for the Exodus from the bondage of Egypt
Exodus 1-12
Moses, the Prophet-Deliverer,
his special birth and early life,
burning bush encounter with God,
returned from the desert as miracle-working deliverer of God's Chosen People
(the Israelties)
from bondage
under the rule of Pharoah.
The last supper under the rule of Pharoah,
the sacrifice of the Passover lamb.

The Tribulation
Preface: Preparing for the exodus from the bondage of the Law
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Jesus, the Prophet-Savior like Moses,
His birth and early life,
baptismal encounter with God,
returned from the desert as miracle-working
deliverer of God's Elect People
(the Christians)
from bondage
under the Law of Moses.
The last supper under the Law of Moses,
the sacrifice of Christ our Passover.

The Journey of Transition

Exodus 13-40, Leviticus, Numbers, Dueteronomy -- The 40-year Exodus from Egypt through the desert to the Inheritance/Promised Land; Moses the promised deliverer; Moses returns after 40 days of fasting with the 10 commandments written on stone; Moses, the Law-giver, delivers the Law of Moses.

The Journey of Transition

30-70AD: The 40-year New Testament historical account: Acts-Revelation: The Second Exodus-Tribulation from the Law of Moses to the Kingdom of the Heavens; Christ our promised Deliverer/Savior, Christ our Passover, Christ returns from 40 days of fasting with the Gospel written on hearts with the Spirit; the Law of Christ; Jesus/Spirit, the Life-giver, delivers the Law of Christ; Christ our Rock for refreshing water, etc., "God has ordained that you should enter His Kingdom through much Tribulation."

The Promised Land
Entering the Promised Inheritance

Joshua 1-6
The miraculous crossing of the Jordan,
putting off the unprofitable flesh
through circumcision of the survivors
of the 40-year Exodus,
Manna ceases to be produced upon arrival at the Inheritance,
the promised land;
arrival of the Captain of the Lord's Armies
for conquest of the Land,
destruction of Jericho, the first conquest.

The Kingdom of God
The Millennium
Entering the Promised Inheritance

70AD: Jude 14-15, 1 Thess 3:13, 2 Thess 1:6-10, Rev 19:11-21, 2 Kings 6:15-17
The miraculous Rapture,
putting off the unprofitable flesh
through resurrection/transformation of the faithful
of the 40 year Tribulation (30-70AD),
Scripture ceases to be produced upon arrival of the Inheritance,
the promised Kingdom of God;
arrival of the Lord with 10,000's of His Saints
for conquest of the World,
destruction of Jerusalem, the first conquest.

Taking Possession of the Land for Israel

Joshua 7-24
taking initial possession of the Land for Israel;
conquering the primary cities,
subjuagating the kingdoms of Canaan,
the Perizites, Hivites, etc.

Taking Possession of the World for Christ

70-325AD Ante-Nicene Christianity:
taking initial possession of the World for Christ;
conquering the primary cities,
christenizing the kingdoms of the World,
the Romans, the Greeks (Byzantines), etc.

Establishing dominion over the Land

Judges, 1&2 Samuel, 1 Kings
simple, theocratic rule of the Land by judges, priests and prophets.
Worship still simple at the Tabernacle of Moses.
Establishing Israelite rule over the Land.

Establishing dominion over the World

325-590AD Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity
from Constantine the Great to Gregory the Great
the simple, theocratic rule of Christendom by the great churches, the Patriarchates of Alexandria, Jerusalem, Antioch, Constantinople, and Rome, etc.
Establishing Christian rule over the World.

Extending the reach of the kingdom

2 Kings, 1&2 Chronicles, establishing the temple of God in Jerusalem, reigning with kingly glory over the Land. The height of outward show of Israelite reign. Solomon's world traveling fleets, his worldwide fame and outreach, sharing his wisdom. Some regression into Golden Calf idolatry, division and decline.

Extending the reach of the kingdom (Christendom)

590-1070AD: The regal rule of the Catholic Church in its glory. The missionary period from Gregory I. to Hildebrand or Gregory VII., A.D. 590-1073. The height of outward show of Christian reign. The conversion of the northern barbarians. The dawn of a new civilization. Later corruption & decline. Some regression into Islam (Old Testament style legalism). The schism of East and West.

The kingdom threatened with extinction

Isaiah (history accounts)
The divided kingdoms under one siege after another by the heathen nations. Northern kingdom of Israel is conquered and scattered by the Assyrians. The southern kingdom of Judah is beseiged, under threat of extinction by the Assyrians.

Divine Deliverance
The Southern kingdom is divinely delivered from the multitudes of beseiging Assyrian armies surrounding Jerusalem when an angel from heaven slaughters 185,000 Assyrians in a single night.

The kingdom threatened with extinction

1070AD-REFORMATION: Pope Gregory VII to Martin Luther, et al : Divided schism between Roman Catholic west and Greek Orthodox east; saints under seige on every side, heretics and false leaders within and Muslim Turks and without; the Black Death Plague, etc. Greatest challenges to the survivial of faithful, holy, true-believer Christians since the Tribulation of 30-70AD; many true-believers in hiding.

Divine Deliverance
REFORMATION-FOREVER: True Christians were divinely delivered from the threat of extinction by "fire from Heaven," the Reformation.

Decline, Exile, Return and final Destruction

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Esther, Ezra and Nehemiah (the historical portions) -- the decline in Jerusalem begins when Hezekiah asks for 15 more years to live. He then invites in the Babyloninan spies and begets evil Manasseh, to whom he leaves the kingdom. From there, it is a downhill decline into Exile, return, and struggle for existence as God reveals His will to destroy Israel beneath subjugation to four beastly (idol-worshipping) empires: Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman.

Israel is then to be resurrected into a new and living spiritual kingdom that shall have dominion over all and shall have no end. That account is given in the right column of this table.

*The analogy ends here*
Christ's Kingdom is an everlasting kingdom to which there shall be no end.

A Christian Exile (and return) never happens because our king, King Jesus, never makes the mistakes of King Hezekiah, (inviting in the Babylonian spies; leaving his kingdom to evil heirs like Manasseh and Amon). "His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom to which there shall be no end."

REFORMATION-FOREVER: The "fire from heaven" continues as Martin Luther & John Calvin institutionalize the Reformation; Protestant denominationalism is established; World missions & Bible societies; 24-hour preaching worldwide; the Word of God directly rules over the hearts of estimated 2.5 Billion people and growing; return to simplicity of the faith, worship & practice, free men freely serving Jesus from their free consciences, Government of the People, by the People, for the People to the glory of the God of Peace ....

Relevant Scriptures

1 Corinthians 10:1-11 ~penned around 53AD by Christ's persecuted Apostle Paul to the Christians at Corinth
Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
NKJV

1 Corinthians 10:1-11 ~penned around 53AD by Christ's persecuted Apostle Paul to the Christians at Corinth
For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. 6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry." 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did — and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test the Lord, as some of them did — and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did — and were killed by the destroying angel. 11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.
NIV

BEFORE TRIBULATION Bondage under Law

FROM THE EXODUS TO THE CROSS: Bondage under the Law of Moses
BEFORE THE CROSS: Bondage under Law
BC: Egypt & Bondage | Sin & Law
BC: Before Christ: Bondage in Egypt

These prophecy+history relationships are shown for the purpose of learning the language of Bible prophecy, how it actually communicates. That is to say, when the Bible predicts "this" in prophecy we can expect to see "this" in history. By studying how the Bible's prophecies were fulfilled in Bible histories we can get a feel for how the language of Bible prophecy is expected to be understood.

Exodus | Tribulation

30-70AD: Exodus | Tribulation
30-70AD Tribulation: Exodus from Sin & the Law of Moses
30-70AD: Exodus | Tribulation
30-70AD: Comparing the Exodus with the Tribulation

This section is arranged after the pattern shown in the book of Exodus. Just as the early biography of Moses was included in Exodus, the early biography of Jesus is included under the heading of "Tribulation," which is the Christian exodus from the Law of Moses and its taskmasters, the Pharisees, et al.

This period answers to the Old Testament period of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Second Exodus, Last Days of ancient age, last hour, Tribulation: anticipating Christ's soon Return

Anticipating Christ's Return/Rapture with our Inheritance, our 40-year Exodus ended with our entering the Land of the Promise

THE 40-YEAR EXODUS	THE 40-YEAR TRIBULATION OF 30-70AD
What began as a deliverance from famine under the first Pharoah ended up as a heavy yoke under the last Pharoah.	What began as a deliverance from Egypt under Moses ended up as a heavy yoke under the Pharisees, (who sat in Moses' seat, Matthew 23:2-3).
Moses returned from his 40 years in the desert to work miracles in Egypt, the land of bondage under the rule of Pharoah.	Christ returned from His 40 days in the desert to work miracles in Israel, the land of bondage under the Law of Moses.
Their exit from the rule of Pharoah began with the sacrifice of that first Passover lamb, its blood covering the doorposts of their houses, their last supper in Egypt, delivering them from the angel of death. They left behind their bondage under the rule of Pharoah.	Their exit from the Law of Moses began with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His blood covering the posts of the Cross, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the World, at the Last Supper instituting the Everlasting Covenant in Christ's Blood, delivering them from the wrath of God. They left behind their bondage under the Law of Moses.
The Law of Moses was established at Mount Sinai at the beginning of the Exodus. The Lord's People were sustained throughout the Exodus period by fresh manna from heaven.	The Law of Christ was established at Mount Calvary at the beginning of the Tribulation, LINK. The Lord's People were sustained throughout the Tribulation period by fresh Scripture from Heaven.
Within their lifetimes, the immediate followers of Moses expected to enter into a new environment, the promised inheritance: the land promised to Abraham & his Seed.	Within their lifetimes, the immediate followers of Christ expected to enter into a new environment, the promised inheritance delivered by Christ at His Return/Rapture: the land of the promises to Abraham & his Seed, & the City with godly foundations: the New Heavens, New Earth & New Jerusalem.
The Exodus ended 40 years later with the coming of the Captain of the Lord's Army and the destruction of Jericho, (this inaugurated the conquest of the land for Israel). At last they arrived upon the Inheritance: entering the land promised to Abraham & his Seed.	The Tribulation ended 40 years later with the coming of Christ and the destruction of Jerusalem, (this inaugurated the conquest of the earth for Christ). At last they arrived upon the Inheritance: the exceedingly great & precious promises made available with Christ's Rapture/Return: the Resurrection unto Life.
Upon arrival at the promised land of inheritance manna ceased to be produced. The Exodus period serves as a pattern for one's personal passage from this world to the life to come, (this is a very established Christian teaching).	Upon arrival of the promised inheritance at Christ's Return Scripture ceased to be produced. The 30-70AD Tribulation period serves as a pattern for one's personal passage from this world to the life to come, LINK.

Promised Land | Millennium

"The Kingdom of God does not come with observation"

Promised Land | 1000 Years
70-1070: Kingdom | Millennium
70-1070: Conquest & Kingdom | Last Day-Millennium
70-1070AD The Last Day: Possess Promises Land Kingdom
70-1070AD The Last Day: Possess the Promises, Land & Kingdom
70-1070AD The Kingdom Come

Judges, Priests + Kings

70-1070AD: the Last Day-Millennium = The Middle Age

This age is characterized by the dismantling of the old idol-worshipping empires and the establishment of Christendom, that is, the empire of Christ.

70-1070AD: The Millennium = The Middle Age = The Last Day = Sabbath Day with the Lord = Taking Possession of Land & Promises = the first 1000 years of Christians receiving the Inheritance

He takes away the old Jerusalem to establish the New Jerusalem

IF the 30-70AD Tribulation corresponds to the Old Testament Exodus

THEN 70-1070AD corresponds to the period of entering, taking possession & reigning over the Inheritance, the land of promises:

Joshua -- arrival of the Captain of the Lord's army; taking possession of the inheritance, promised land.
Judges, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel -- simple, theocratic rule by prophets, priests, & judges.
1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Isaiah -- reigning with kingly glory over the inheritance.

The Last Day = the last day of the week = The Sabbath Day of the Lord = 1000 years (2 Peter 3:8)
Some secular historians regard the MIddles Age(s) as a time of malaise and lack of progress as the classical wisdom of the ancient Greeks, laid neglected while Bible study captivated the focus of society. Because of such, they suppose, the Muslims & the Orient seem to be the ones where secular progress is slightly more active.
But every world-dominating superpower since has come forth from the ranks of those nations Christianized during this inaugural period of World Discipleship by the Saints.
Foundational doctrines were forged from the conquering of unsettling questions and heresies.
Romans 1:8 mentions how the Faith (of the Christians of Rome) was "spoken of throughout the whole world" as of 56AD when it was written. Certainly this Faith made even bigger news when the proclamation went forth that Christians were to be official targets of empire-wide, state-sponsored persecution in the centuries that followed. Surely this made even bigger worldwide headlines as the centuries rolled on and the Christians were still not beat. And how many jaws dropped around the empire, indeed the whole world, at the final news that this same Roman Empire was now declaring a truce in 313AD then going on to officially adopt the Religion of Christ following 325AD. Beyond all doubt, the requirements of Matthew 24:14 had been fullfilled.
By the end of the 1st quarter of this 70-1070AD period, the last idol-worshipping, Saint-oppressing, World-dominating superpower was driven to its knees before Christ & His armies to declare itself a Christian nation, (Constantine 313AD & 325AD). Though it might also serve elsewhere, the visual poetry of the following passage fittingly describes this first quarter of the 70-1070AD Millennium:

Revelation 19:11-21
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. 17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven,"Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great." 19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
NKJV

Jude 14-15
14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him."
NKJV

2 Kings 6:14-19
He sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" 16 So he answered,"Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, "Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, "Strike this people, I pray, with blindness." And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.19 Now Elisha said to them, "This is not the way, nor is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek."
NKJV

John 6:45 Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.
Matthew 8:22 Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

Assyrians | Gog & Magog

Divine deliverance of old Jerusalem by an "Angel from Heaven"
compared to
Divine deliverand of new Jerusalem by "Fire from Heaven"

OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS
Old Jerusalem receives sudden, divine deliverance from existence-threatening siege by an angel from Heaven.

NEW TESTAMENT SAINTS
"The Camp of the Saints, the Beloved City" receives sudden, divine deliverance from existence-threatening siege by "fire from Heaven."

2 Kings 18:9-19:37

All but Jerusalem taken away by Assyrians

9 And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it.
10 And at the end of three years they took it: even in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that is the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken.
11 And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes:
12 Because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord their God, but transgressed his covenant, and all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded, and would not hear them, nor do them.
13 Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them.

Hezekiah appeases the approaching Assyrians in vain

14 And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.
15 And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the Lord, and in the treasures of the king's house.
16 At that time did Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the Lord, and from the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria.

17 And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rab-shakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem.

Assyrians surround & threaten Jerusalem

And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller's field.
18 And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.
19 And Rab-shakeh said unto them, Speak ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?
20 Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?
21 Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.
22 But if ye say unto me, We trust in the Lord our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?
23 Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.
24 How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?
25 Am I now come up without the Lord against this place to destroy it? The Lord said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.
26 Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna, and Joah, unto Rab-shakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and talk not with us in the Jews' language in the ears of the people that are on the wall.
27 But Rab-shakeh said unto them, Hath my master sent me to thy master, and to thee, to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men which sit on the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you.
28 Then Rab-shakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria:
29 Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand:
30 Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord, saying, The Lord will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
31 Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me, and then eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern:
32 Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil olive and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you, saying, The Lord will deliver us.
33 Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?
34 Where are the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? have they delivered Samaria out of mine hand?
35 Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand?
36 But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.
37 Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rab-shakeh.

Jerusalem seeks the LORD for deliverance

19:1 And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the Lord.
2 And he sent Eliakim, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.
3 And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.
4 It may be the Lord thy God will hear all the words of Rab-shakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the Lord thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that are left.
5 So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah.
6 And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus saith the Lord, Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.
7 Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.
8 So Rab-shakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.
9 And when he heard say of Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, Behold, he is come out to fight against thee: he sent messengers again unto Hezekiah, saying,
10 Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
11 Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly: and shalt thou be delivered?
12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed; as Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden which were in Thelasar?
13 Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivah?
14 And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord.
15 And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said, O Lord God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.
16 Lord, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, Lord, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God.
17 Of a truth, Lord, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands,
18 And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.
19 Now therefore, O Lord our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord God, even thou only.

The LORD answers prayer for deliverance

20 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard.
21 This is the word that the Lord hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.
22 Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.
23 By the messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, and into the forest of his Carmel.
24 I have digged and drunk strange waters, and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of besieged places.
25 Hast thou not heard long ago how I have done it, and of ancient times that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste fenced cities into ruinous heaps.
26 Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up.
27 But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me.
28 Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.
29 And this shall be a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat this year such things as grow of themselves, and in the second year that which springeth of the same; and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruits thereof.
30 And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall yet again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.
31 For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the Lord of hosts shall do this.

32 Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it.
33 By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the Lord.
34 For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
35 And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.
37 And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esar-haddon his son reigned in his stead.

Revelation 20:7-10
And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Commentary
This passage begins by stating that the Assyrians already took away the cities of Israel & Judah before approaching Jerusalem. Those taken away were hardly heard from ever again, even considered "the lost tribes of Israel." Even when some were allowed to return to the land of Israel much later, they were ever after referred to as "Samaritans," never quite "God's People " ever again. This was, then, a circumstance in which the very existence of God's Covenant People, Jerusalem was threatened with extinction more than any time since the Exodus which preceded the conquest of the promised land and the establishment of the kingdom.

Commentary
LIkewise, this siege by Gog & Magog was envisioned as a circumstance in which the very existence of "the Camp of the Saints, the beloved City" was threatened with extinction more than any time since the Tribulation which preceded the 1000-years Millennium. Such were the circumstances of true Christian believers everywhere when the fire of the Reformation suddenly came as a deliverance from Heaven.

FIRE-ONGOING No more Satan

REFORMATION-ONGOING No more Satan
REFORMATION-ONGOING: No Satan
REFORMATION-ONGOING: Kingdom Lost | Kingdom No End
REFORMATION-FOREVER: Kingdom End | Kingdom No End
REFORMATION-FOREVER: Kingdom Taken Away | Kingdom No End
REFORMATION-FOREVER: Captivity | Kingdom without End
REFORMATION-FOREVER: Exile | Kingdom without End
REFORMATION-FOREVER: Kingdom no end, no Satan

This is where the analogy between the histories of Old Testament Israel and New Testament Christianity part ways. Following its miraculous deliverance from Heaven by and angel during Hezekiah's reign, Old Testament Israel (Judah harboring the remnant of Israel) degraded under evil kings once again into sin, sieges and ultimately, Exile: this was when God announced that, though He would restore natural Israel for a season, He determined to keep it on life support just long enough to usher in a new covenant. In contrast, following its miraculous deliverance from Heaven by the Fires of the Reformation, New Testament Christianity has risen under King Jesus the Christ into fuller and fuller manifestation of the glorious liberty of the sons of God in His Everlasting Kingdom that has no end. Glory to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Saint Augustine comments on Rev 20:7-10

The words, “And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and encompassed the camp of the saints and the beloved city,” do not mean that they have come, or shall come, to one place, as if the camp of the saints and the beloved city should be in some one place; for this camp is nothing else than the Church of Christ extending over the whole world. And consequently wherever the Church shall be,—and it shall be in all nations, as is signified by “the breadth of the earth,”—there also shall be the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and there it shall be encompassed by the savage persecution of all its enemies; for they too shall exist along with it in all nations,—that is, it shall be straitened, and hard pressed, and shut up in the straits of tribulation, but shall not desert its military duty, which is signified by the word “camp.”

The words, “And fire came down out of heaven and devoured them,” are not to be understood of the final punishment which shall be inflicted when it is said, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire;” (Matt 25:41), for then they shall be cast into the fire, not fire come down out of heaven upon them. In this place “fire out of heaven” is well understood of the firmness of the saints, wherewith they refuse to yield obedience to those who rage against them. For the firmament is “heaven,” by whose firmness these assailants shall be pained with blazing zeal, for they shall be impotent to draw away the saints to the party of Antichrist. This is the fire which shall devour them, and this is “from God;” for it is by God’s grace the saints become unconquerable, and so torment their enemies. For as in a good sense it is said, “The zeal of Thine house hath consumed me,” Ps. 119:9, so in a bad sense it is said, “Zeal hath possessed the uninstructed people, and now fire shall consume the enemies,” Isaiah 26:11. Saint Augustine's City of God and Christian Doctrine, pages 692-3

Revelation 20:7-10 ~foreseen around 63AD by the exiled Apostle John
And when the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, 8 and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. 9 And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
NASB

[ I would add the clarification that this "fire from heaven," this "zeal of the Saints," continues to abide with Christians, continually vigilant to subjugate evil in the World around us, whereby the Saints reign over evil. Recall, also, the "tongues of fire," that lit upon the Saints at Pentecost, accompanying their baptism in the Holy Spirit along with the speaking in tongues. Recall, also, John the Baptist's teaching that Christ would baptize "with the Holy Spirit and fire." ]

Satan, the organizational head of evil beings, will never again organize the world into idol-worshipping empires as he did in the ancient world, (the various "beasts" of Daniel & Revelation). This does not mean there remain no more evil, or sin, or temptors, etc. It only means that evil beings & temptors lack the organizational head, (Satan), they once had when the world was subjugated beneath idol-worshipping superpowers. Evil beings such as the ancient principalities and powers, (Eph 6:12), are present, (and people still follow their sorceries, Rev 22:15), but they are positioned now only as disorganized insurgents outside the protected "Green Zone," the reigning City of God, the holy Heavenly & New Jerusalem, the eternal ruling empire of Christ, Christendom. The organizational head of evil, the Devil, Satan, has been cast into the Lake of Fire which is the Second Death, Rev 20:10. How much more confidence we should have today to resist evil and temptation, washing our robes in the river flowing from the City, that we might enter the Gates of the City and serve our holy Father & Christ our Lord, reigning with them forever! Amen.

Revelation 20:4-10

~foreseen around 63AD by the exiled Apostle John
And I foresaw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them. And I foresaw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

7 And when the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, 8 and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. 9 And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
NASB

The following events in history are given to show how history lives up to the hope anticpated by this view.

AGAINST ERROR

A process of elimination is employed here towards discovering the Bible's placement of the "thousand years" Millennium within the Last Day timeline. This seemed appropriate when it was found that there were more than a few theories among believers throughout the 20 centuries of Christianity concerning the "thousand years" Millennium. Upon inspection it became clear that these theories were made of differing combinations of certain fundamental errors. Click each Millennial theory to reveal the errors below:

1-1000AD MILLENNIUM Early Christian Amillennialism

30AD-FUTURE MILLENNIUM modern Amillennialism

30-70AD MILLENNIUM Hyper-Preterism, Full-Preterism, Covenant Eschatology

70AD-FUTURE MILLENNIUM Post-Millennialism, Partial-Preterism

FUTURE-FUTURE MILLENNIUM Premillennial Dispensationalism, Chiliasm

ERROR 4: "Christ failed to return before His generation passed away"

MYSTIC MILLENNIUM Idealism, Preterist-Idealism

Revelation 20:1-8
1 And I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a THOUSAND YEARS, 3 and threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he should not deceive the nations any longer, until the THOUSAND YEARS were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a THOUSAND YEARS. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the THOUSAND YEARS were completed). This is the first resurrection. 6 Blesssed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a THOUSAND YEARS.7 And when the THOUSAND YEARS are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, 8 and will come out ...

2 Peter 3:8-10
But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one DAY is as a THOUSAND YEARS, and a THOUSAND YEARS as one DAY. 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 10 But the DAY of the Lord will come ...

Psalms 90:4
For a THOUSAND YEARS in Thy sight are like yesterDAY when it passes by, or as a watch in the NIGHT.

Romans 13:11-12
And this do, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. 12 The NIGHT is almost gone, and the DAY is at hand.
NASB
Related Scriptures: 30-70AD: the Night was almost gone, and the Day was at hand

Taxonomy upgrade extras:

` AGAINST ERROR