Ezekiel, Minor prophets, Restoration of Israel for Christ's return - Bible - Old Testament

1. GOD’S TOUCHPOINTS
Old Testament (OT) Journey
Lesson 33: Ezekiel, the Watchman
Old Testament Summary
The Patriarchal Ages
The Judges
The Reign of Royalty
The Prophetic Era

2. OT Walkthru- The Prophetic Era
• The Early Prophets
• Elijah, the Prophet who never
Died
• Isaiah, the Lord has Saved
• Jeremiah, the Weeping
Prophet
• Daniel, Highly Esteemed of
God
• Daniel, Visions of the Future
• Ezekiel, the Watchman
• The Minor Prophets
• Israel Restored to Receive
Christ

3. Presentation Overview
• Background
• The Watchman
• Through actions
• Through preaching
• The Visionary – Israel’s
Future
• A new heart
• Bones to life
• Temple restored
• The Last Great battle
• The World Beyond
• Angels
• Devils

4. Timeline of the Prophets
Walls
rebuilt 444

5. Times of the Gentiles [1]
• Babylonian captivity – 600 BC ->
• Silent years – 445 BC ->
• Church age – AD 30 ->
• Rapture/Tribulation/Glorious Appearing
• Millennium
Church Age 7 yr. Tribulation Millennium Heaven
Cross
Rapture
Glorious
Appearing
Great White
Throne

6. Ezekiel [2]
• Born 622 B.C., in the bright days of Judah and Josiah
• Name means “God strengthens” (2:5; 3:7-8)
• A priest (age 30), then a prophet (1:3)
• Married (24:15-18)
• Witnessed the captivity of 605 B.C.
• Carried captive in 597 B.C. to Babylon (Judah continued
downward spiral - Ezek. 2:4; 3:7; 5:11; 6:13; 8:1; 9:9; etc.)
• Began preaching in 592 B.C., when he was 30 years old
(Jerusalem fell in 586 B.C.)

7. Ezekiel
The situation on the River Chebar in
Babylon was mixed [2]:
• Some were pious (Psa. 137)
• Others were idolatrous (Ezek. 14:4; 20:30)
• Many rejected Ezekiel (Ezek. 14:1-3; 18:19,25;
20:49; 33:32)
• Most thought their stay would be short (Ezek.
13:16-19; see Jer. 29:5ff)

8. Location: River Chebar/Kebar

9. The Watchman – His Role
God calls Ezekiel to be a watchman (3:17). He
renews the call later(Ch. 33). He was to:
• Demolish delusions –
that Jerusalem could never be
destroyed; that the exile would end soon
• Expose apostasy – thereby showing why God
was punishing Judah (and the nations) with
judgment
• Awaken repentance –to inherit future promises
• Stimulate hope – for a better tomorrow with the
promise of restoration

10. The Watchman – Through Actions
4 “Then lie on your left side, and place the punishment of the house of Israel
upon it. For the number of the days that you lie on it, you shall bear their
punishment. 5 For I assign to you a number of days, 390 days, equal to the
number of the years of their punishment. So long shall you bear the
punishment of the house of Israel. 6 And when you have completed these, you
shall lie down a second time, but on your right side, and bear the punishment of
the house of Judah. Forty days I assign you, a day for each year. Ezekiel 4

11. The Watchman –Through Preaching
Message of Evangelist’sAccountability
When I say to a wicked person, 'You will surely die,' and
you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from
their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person
will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their
blood. Ezekiel 3:18

12. The Watchman – Through Preaching
Message of Individual Responsibility
1 The word of the Lord came to me: Son of man, 2 what is the meaning
of this proverb you recite in the land of Israel:
“Parents eat sour grapes,
but the children’s teeth are set on edge”?[a]
3 As I live—oracle of the Lord God: I swear that none of you will ever
repeat this proverb in Israel. 4 For all life is mine: the life of the parent is
like the life of the child, both are mine. Only the one who sins shall die!
Ezekiel 18

13. The Watchman - Through Preaching
Message of Individual Responsibility
16 Parents shall not be put to death for their children, nor
shall children be put to death for their parents; only for
one’s own crime shall a person be put to death. Deut 24

14. The Visionary – Israel’s Future
ANew Heart
24 “‘For I will take you out of
the nations; I will gather you
from all the countries and
bring you back into your own
land. 25 I will sprinkle clean
water on you, and you will
be clean; I will cleanse you
from all your impurities and
from all your idols. 26 I will
give you a new heart and
put a new spirit in you; I will
remove from you your heart
of stone and give you a
heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36

15. The Visionary– Israel’s Future
Dry Bones to Life
4 Then he said to me,
“Prophesy to these bones and
say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear
the word of the Lord! 5 This is
what the Sovereign Lord says
to these bones: I will make
breath enter you, and you will
come to life. 6 I will attach
tendons to you and make flesh
come upon you and cover you
with skin; I will put breath in
you, and you will come to
life. Then you will know
that I am the Lord.’” Ezekiel
37

16. The Visionary – Israel’s Future
The Temple Restored
Why would there be sacrifices in the millenium temple
(Ezekiel 40) when Jesus already died?

17. The Visionary – Israel’s Future
The Millenial Rule of Christ
Satan Bound 1000 Years
20 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having
the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his
hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who
is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand
years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut
him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should
deceive the nations no more till the thousand
years were finished. But after these things he must be
released for a little while. Revelation 20:1-3

18. The Visionary – Israel’s Future
The Millenial Rule of Christ
The Saints Reign with Christ 1000 Years
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment
was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who
had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the
word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his
image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or
on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ
for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not
live again until the thousand years were finished. This
is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has
part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death
has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of
Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
Revelation 20:4–6

19. The Visionary – Israel’s Future
King of the North – 3 major attacks
• Daniel 11 refers to “the king of the north” on two
occasions one around Christ’s first coming and the other
around his second coming.
• Ezekiel 38,39 refer to the strong attack from “Gog
(person-king of the north) and Magog (place)” in Daniel,
on Israel when they are dwelling securely
This corresponds to Chapters 19:11–21:8 of Revelation
describing Satan’s imprisonment for a thousand years, and
on release, he will rally "the nations in the four corners of
the Earth, Gog and Magog," to a final battle with
Christ and his saints[3]

20. The World Beyond
Fall of Lucifer
“‘You were the seal of
perfection,
full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
13 You were in Eden,
the garden of God;
every precious stone adorned you:
carnelian, chrysolite and emerald,
topaz, onyx and jasper,
lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl.
…….
17 Your heart became proud
on account of your beauty,
and you corrupted your wisdom
because of your splendor.
So I threw you to the earth;
I made a spectacle of you before Kings
Ezekiel 28

21. The World Beyond
The Cherubim
5 and in the fire was what
looked like four living
creatures. In appearance their
form was human, 6 but each of
them had four faces and
four wings.7 Their legs were
straight; their feet were like
those of a calf and gleamed
like burnished bronze. 8 Under
their wings on their four sides
they had human hands. All
four of them had faces and
wings..
Ezekiel 1

22. Recap
• The Watchman
• Through Preaching
• Through Actions
• The Visionary – Israel’s
Future
• A New Heart
• Bones to Life
• Temple Restored
• 3 Major Attacks
• The World Beyond
• Angels
• Devils

23. Interpretation of Prophetic Passages
A passage is interpreted literally unless:
• It would result in an absurd conclusion
• It would result in promoting immoral behavior
• It would contradict an interpretation given by another
Bible writer
• It would contradict clear teaching in other books of the
Bible

24. Discussion
• Who should we “watch over”?
• Does “their blood be on our heads” apply to us?
• How can we bear the burden of the sins of others?
• In what way are we like Ezekiel? What lessons do we
learn from the book of Ezekiel?

25. References: End Time Prophecies [2]
Regathering
of Israel
Is. 11:11-12; Ezek. 37:21
Rom. 9-11
The Great
Tribulation
Dan. 9:27; 7:25; 12:7
Matt. 24:21; Rev. 11:2-3; 12:14; 13:5
Antichrist Dan. 7:8; 9:26-27
2 Th. 2:3-10; Rev. 13:1-10
Abomination
of Desolation
Dan. 9:27; 12:11
Matt. 24:15; 2 Th. 2:3-4; Rev. 13:14-15
The Second
Coming
Dan. 2:44; 7:13-14
Rev. 19:11; 20:1,4

26. References
1. Dr. Heinz Lycklama
2. Chris Reeves
3. Mounce 1998, p. 372.

27. GOD’S TOUCHPOINTS
Old Testament (OT) Journey
Lesson 34: The Minor Prophets
Old Testament Summary
The Patriarchal Ages
The Judges
The Reign of Royalty
The Prophetic Era

28. OT Walkthru- The Prophetic Era
• The Early Prophets
• Elijah, the Prophet who never
died
• Isaiah, the Lord has Saved
• Jeremiah, the weeping
prophet
• Daniel, Highly Esteemed of
God
• Daniel, Visions of the Future
• Ezekiel, the Watchman
• The Minor Prophets
• Israel Restored to Receive
Christ

29. Timeline of the Prophets
Walls
rebuilt 444

30. The Minor Prophets
• Timeline
• Summary
• Some “latter days” prophecies

31. Minor Prophets – Summary [1]
Group Book Approximate Dates
Pre-Exilic
Prophets of Israel
Jonah
Amos
Hosea
780-850
765-750
755-715
Pre-Exilic
Prophets of Judah
Obadiah
Joel
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
840
835-796
740-690
630-612
606-604
625
Post-Exilic Prophets
Prophets of the Returned Remnant
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
520
515
430

32. Hosea – with the Prostitute
• Object lesson to
Israel’s “adulterous
affairs”.
• God’s willingness to
forgive.

33. Jonah – The Reluctant Prophet
• Attempted running
away from God
• Praised in belly of fish
• Complained when his
message was effective
at Ninevah
• Furious when personal
comfort was removed

34. AMOS – the Plumbline
• A simple shepherd
• Message to
complacent, spiritually
lazy, and hypocritical,
unjust Israel
• Slavery, greed, and
mistreatment of the
poor, rampant.

35. Obadiah – Judgment to Edom

36. Joel
• The Judgment as an
invasion of locusts
• The pouring out of the
Holy Spirit

37. Micah – Right Living
Not false prophets
Not hypocritical religion,
but
obedience

38. Nahum – Judgement to Assyria

39. Habakkuk – Live by Faith
Habakkuk: ”Why do you
make me look at
injustice?
Why do you
tolerate wrongdoing?
Destruction and
violence are before
me; there is strife, and
conflict abounds.” Hab 1:3
God: “Look at the nations
and watch—and be utterly
amazed…The righteous
person will live by his
faithfulness” Hab 1:5, 2:4

40. Zephaniah – Judgment and Restoration
• Judgment to both Israel
and other nations
• Restoration of Israel
• “Then I will purify the lips
of the peoples, that all of
them may call on the
name of the Lord and
serve him shoulder
to shoulder.” Zeph
3:9

41. Haggai
“Who of you is left who saw
this house in its former glory?
How does it look to you now?
Does it not seem to you like
nothing? But now be strong,
Zerubbabel,” declares the
LORD. “Be strong, Joshua son
of Jozadak, the high priest. Be
strong, all you people of the
land,” declares the LORD,
“and work. For I am with you,”
declares the LORD Almighty.
“This is what I covenanted with
you when you came out of
Egypt. And my Spirit remains
among you. Do not fear.”

42. Zechariah - End Days
Mourning for the Pierced One
10 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the
inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and
supplication; then they will look on Me whom they
pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one
mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves
for a firstborn.- Zechariah 12:10

43. Zechariah - End Days
Idolatry Cut Off
13 “In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house
of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and
for uncleanness. -Zechariah 13:1

44. Zechariah - End Days
The Millenial Kingdom
9 And the Lord shall be King over all the earth. In that day
it shall be “The Lord is one,” And His name one.10 All the land
shall be turned into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of
Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be raised up and inhabited in her
place from Benjamin’s Gate to the place of the First Gate and
the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king’s
winepresses.11 The people shall dwell in it; And no longer shall
there be utter destruction, But Jerusalem shall be safely
inhabited.12 And this shall be the plague with which
the Lord will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem:
Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, their
eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, and their tongues shall
dissolve in their mouths. Zechariah 14:9–13

45. Zechariah - End Days
The Nations Worship the King
14 Judah also will fight at Jerusalem. And the wealth of all
the surrounding nations Shall be gathered together: Gold,
silver, and apparel in great abundance. 15 Such also shall
be the plague. On the horse and the mule, On the camel
and the donkey, And on all the cattle that will be in those
camps. So shall this plague be.
16 And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left
of all the nations which came against
Jerusalem shall go up from year to year
to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to
keep the Feast of Tabernacles. Zechariah 14:14–16

46. Zechariah - End Days
Holiness
20 In that day “HOLINESS TO THE LORD” shall
be engraved on the bells of the horses. The pots in
the Lord’s house shall be like the bowls before the
altar. 21 Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah
shall be holiness to the Lord of hosts. Everyone who
sacrifices shall come and take them and cook in them. In
that day there shall no longer be a Canaanite in the house
of the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 14:20–21

47. Zechariah - End Days
The Remnant
8 And it shall come to pass in all the land,” Says the Lord,
“That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die,
But one-third shall be left in it: 9 I will bring the one-
third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined,
And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name,
And I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’;
And each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ ” - Zechariah
13:8–9

48. Malachi

49. The Prophetic Books - Flashback
• “The overall picture the prophetic books paint is of a
people desperately in need of a divine mediator to save
them from their sin”.[2]
• The stage is set for the Messiah, though few were
prepared for the way he made his appearance in our
world.

50. Discussion
• What are key
takeaways from the
minor prophets?
• How can we set the
stage for Christ’s
second coming?

51. References
• Bible.org
• Biblegateway.com
• Dr. Heinz Lycklama

52. GOD’S TOUCHPOINTS
Old Testament (OT) Journey
Lesson 35: Israel Restored to Receive Christ
Old Testament Summary
The Patriarchal Ages
The Judges
The Reign of Royalty
The Prophetic Era

53. OT Walkthru- The Prophetic Era
• The Early Prophets
• Elijah, the Prophet who never
Died
• Isaiah, the Lord has Saved
• Jeremiah, the weeping
prophet
• Daniel, the leader who never
compromised
• Daniel, Visions of the Future
• Ezekiel, the Watchman
• The Minor Prophets
• Israel Restored to Receive
Christ

54. Presentation Overview
Israel Restored to Receive Christ
• Timelines
• The Jews Return
• Leaders
• Opposition
• God’s Faithfulness
• Discussion

55. Timeline of The Prophets
Walls
rebuilt 444

56. Times of the Gentiles
• Babylonian captivity – 600 BC ->
• Silent years – 445 BC ->
• Church age – AD 30 ->
• Rapture/Tribulation/Glorious Appearing
• Millennium
@ Dr. Heinz Lycklama 56
Church Age 7 yr. Tribulation Millennium Heaven
Cross
Rapture
Glorious
Appearing
Great White
Throne

57. Timeline of the Regathering

58. End of Babylonian Empire
19 Babylon, the most admired of kingdoms, the Chaldeans’
source of honor and pride, will be destroyed by God just as
Sodom and Gomorrah were. Isaiah 13:19

59. The Kingdoms of the Earth
Chapter Parallel sequence of prophetic elements as understood by Historicists
Past Present Future
Daniel 2
Head
Gold
(Babylon)
Chest & 2
arms
Silver
(Persia)
Belly and
thighs
Bronze
(Greece)
2 Legs
Iron
(Rome)
2 Feet with
toes
Clay & Iron
Rock
God's unending
kingdom
left to no other people
Daniel 7
Winged
Lion
Lopsided
Bear
4
Headed/4
Winged
Leopard
Iron toothed
Beast
w/Little Horn
Judgment
scene
Beast
w/Horn
slain
A son of man comes
in clouds
Given everlasting
dominion
He gives it to
the saints.

60. The Jews Return [2]
• 1) Zerubbabel led the first wave of Jewish exiles to return in
536 B.C. (Ezra 1-6)
• (Big gap of 57 years – Mordecai and Esther's time. During this
time Haggai and Zecharaih motivate the Jews to continue)
• In 535 B.C. the construction of the temple began.
• In Feb 18, 516 B.C. the temple was completed and dedicated.
• 2) Ezra led the second in 455 B.C. (Ezra 7-10)
• Ezra left with about 1500 men and their families in mid-March
455 B.C.
• In August of 455 B.C., the little group arrives safely in
Jerusalem.
• 3) Nehemiah led the third in 445 B.C. (Neh 1-3)

61. Zerubbabel Prince of Judah
• Born at Babylon of David’s
line
• Head of tribe of Judah
• Possibly in service of King
and appointed to govern
Judah
• Led first set of exiles back to
Jerusalem
• Built foundation of temple
two years
• Tradition claims that he was
taken in chains to Darius and
wins his support

62. Opposition - Discouragement
• The Samaritan settlers who tried to forge a treaty –
Zerubbabel opposed it.
• They then discouraged them and bribed officials.
• Other influential leaders in surrounding kingdoms
persuaded King Artaxerxes to stop the building

63. Opposition - Discouragement
“4 Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the
people of Judah and make them afraid to go on
building. 5 They bribed officials to work against them and
frustrate their plans during the entire reign” of Cyrus and till
the second year of King Darius - Ezra 4
• Work stopped for 10 years, after the foundation was laid.

65. Mordecai and Queen Esther
Between Zerubbabel’s
and Ezra’s contingents
of exiles, while the
nation of Israel
regroups, Esther and
Mordecai’s leadership in
Persia protects and
strengthens the position
of Jews in captivity -
Esther

66. Opposition - Death
• The Jews, under a
foreign hand faced the
greatest threat under
Haman and his allies
of death and
elimination.
• Again God
demonstrated his
strength and
faithfulness. -Esther

67. God’s Faithfulness
• While God
demonstrated His
faithfulness in Persia
protecting the Jews
under Queen Esther
and Mordecai, back in
Jerusalem He sends
Haggai and Zachariah
to motivate the Jews to
continue the building.
Haggai 1:2,3. Ezra 5:1

68. Haggai and Zachariah
• Prophecy the temple
building is to continue
(Haggai 1:7-9,
Zechariah 6:11-15)
..Zerubbabel continues
it…and completes it

69. Ezra, the prophet and Priest
• Descendent of Aaron
• Led second wave of
exiles back to
Jerusalem
• Deeply rooted in word
of God
• Built the temple
• Lived 40 years (480-
440 BC)

70. Opposition – Dangers
• 31 We set out from the Ahava River on the twelfth day of
the first month to go to Jerusalem. We were strengthened
by our God, and He protected us from the power of the
enemy and from ambush along the way. Ezra 8

71. Opposition – Defilement
2 Indeed, the Israelite men have taken some of their
daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that
the holy seed has become mixed with the surrounding
peoples. The leaders and officials have taken the lead in
this unfaithfulness!” 3 When I heard this report, I tore my
tunic and robe, pulled out some of the hair from my head
and beard, and sat down devastated. Ezra 9

72. Nehemiah, Governor of Judah
• Led the third
contingent of exiles to
Jerusalem
• Persuaded the King to
support construction of
temple walls
• Demonstrated the
power of prayer and
persevering leadership
- Nehemiah

73. Opposition – Discontentment
• Taunts from enemies
• Attacks from enemies
• Discontentment from
within - Nehemiah

74. Most impactful – The kings of Persia
• Initiated by Cyrus, it
was the Persian Kings
who were God’s
powerful instruments
to:
• Rebuild the temple
• Restore the lost riches
• Reinforce obedience to
God and His word.
• 2 Chronicles 36:22–23
and Ezra 1:1–11

75. Opposition - None
• No one could oppose the King’s
decrees

76. Role of Persian Kings in Bible
Date
B.C.
Bible
Background
Bible Name Role
539-530
Isaiah 45,
Daniel, Ezra
1-3
Cyrus
Authorized return from exile, building of temple
and catalogued and returned gold and silver.
530-521 Ezra 4:5-7 Ahasurerus
Enemies sent accusation against those living
in Judah and Jerusalem to King
521 Ezra 4:7-23 Artaxerxes
Influenced by enemies to stop the work which
was stopped till 2nd year of Darius. Morale
beating exercises were propagated for 15
years
521-486 Ezra 5,6 Darius
Tattenai, governor of land beyond Euphrates
sent negative letter. Darius checked records,
circulated and reinforced Cyrus’s decree.
486-465 Esther 1-10 Ahasurerus
Saved lives of Jews through Esther and
Mordecai
464-423
Nehemiah 1 -
13, Ezra 7-10
Artaxerxes
Authorises Nehemiah to rebuild wall, Ezra to
teach word. provides resources.

77. Above all Powers
The king's heart is like a stream of water directed by the
LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases. Prov 21:1 NLT

78. The Degenerating Cycles of Spiritual
Leadership
Millenium and
Eternity – Rule
of Christ – The
Final Frontier
Global
Church (till
Jesus’2nd
Coming)
Israelites
(till Jesus
1st
coming)-
30 AD
Patriarchs
(till Moses)
– 1525 BC
Individuals
(till Noah)
– 2500 BC
Each cycle reached complete
spiritual degeneration.
Can we assume the same
about the church?
Past
Present
Future

79. Discussion
Out of the opposing forces of:
• Danger
• Death
• Discouragement
• Defilement
• Discontentment
Which were the most
dangerous then? For us
today?
How do we compare the
Persian Kings vs. the Kings of
Israel.
Who are their equivalents
today, and how do they
compare? What do we learn?

80. Usurping God’s Authority over His Church
“Then God will appoint a king over Israel who
will wipe out Jeroboam’s family, wipe them right off
the map—doomsday for Jeroboam! He will hit Israel hard,
as a storm slaps reeds about; he’ll pull them up by the
roots from this good land of their inheritance, weeding them
out, and then scatter them to the four winds. And why?
Because they made God so angry with Asherah
sex-and-religion shrines. He’ll wash his hands of
Israel because of Jeroboam’s sins, which have led Israel
into a life of sin.” 1 kings 14:14-16

81. Reference: Kings of Persia in the Bible [3]
NAME
Date
B.C.
Persian Name Bible Name Bible Background
Cyrus 539-530 Koorush Cyrus
Isaiah 45, Daniel,
Ezra 1-3
Cambysses 530-521 Cambujieh Ahasurerus Ezra 4:5-7
Pseudo
Smerdis
521 Berooyeh Doroughi Artaxerxes Ezra 4:7-23
Darius the
Great
521-486 Darryoosh Darius Ezra 5,6
Xerxes 486-465 Khashayarshah Ahasurerus Esther 1-10
Artaxerxes I 464-423 Ardeshier Deraz Dast Artaxerxes
Nehemiah 1 - 13,
Ezra 7-10

82. References: Authorization of Cyrus [3]
Cyrus Charter of Human Rights
"I am Cyrus. King of the world. When I entered Babylon... I did not allow
anyone to terrorize the land... I kept in view the needs of people and all its
sanctuaries to promote their well-being... I put an end to their misfortune.
The Great God has delivered all the lands into my hand; the lands that I
have made to dwell in a peaceful habitation.... . .When my soldiers in great
numbers peacefully entered Babylon... I did not allow anyone to terrorize
the people... I kept in view the needs of people and all its sanctuaries to
promote their well-being... Freed all the slaves... I put an end to their
misfortune and slavery (referring to the Jews and other religious
minorities). The Great God has delivered all the lands into my hand; the
lands that I have made to dwell in a peaceful habitation... "

83. References
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_7
2. http://www.foundationsforfreedom.net/References/OT/Hi
storical/Nehemiah/Nehemiah00HistorIntro.html
3. http://www.farsinet.com/iranbibl/kings.html
4. Gotquestions.org
5. http://www.bible-
history.com/jewishtemple/JEWISH_TEMPLEZerubbabel
s_Temple.htm