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But before the appearance of the Messiah, other historic events were still to happen according to Daniel's prophecies. The Persian Empire would be conquered by Alexander the Great, and then a short time later Alexaner's empire would be divided into 4 smaller ones. Israel would be ruled by Antiochus Epiphenes who tried his best to make the Jews give up their religion to engage in pagan practices. He went so far in his efforts to erect an alter honoring Zeus inside the Jerusalem Temple and sacrificed a pig on it. This outrage caused a rebellion by the Jews led by Judah Maccabee. The Jews were successful and as prophesized by Daniel [chapter 8] 2300 days later, in the winter of 165 BC, the sanctuary was cleansed and rededicated to God.* This dedication has been commemorated
annually
ever since, and it was the dedication feast that brought Jesus to Jerusalem mentioned in
John 10: 22 And it was at Jerusalem
the feast of the dedication, and
it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in
Solomon's porch.
After the rebellion, while the cleansing of the Temple was taking place, the workers could only find enough oil to provide light for 1 day. Yet miraculously that one day supply of oil lasted for a full eight days - long enough for a new supply to be made ready. Hanukkah today is traditionally celebrated by lighting lights, giving gifts, eating potato pancakes (latkes) and playing a game with a four-sided top called a dreidl.
In the Year 63 BC the Holy Temple is again violated when Israel is
taken over by the Roman Empire. The conquering general, Pompey, had heard
that there were no idols or pictures of God in the Temple and could not believe
it. He committed the blasphemous act of entering the Holy of Holies to see,
but was thoroughly confused when he only found some religious scrolls there.
It is rumored that while in the temple his officers made a mocking sacrifice to the Roman
flags they
had carried with them into victory. By
37 BC Rome was in full control and Herod the Great was made the sole ruler of all
Judea. Some
Jews, called zealots, continued fighting against their new Roman masters, but
with little success.
In an attempt to bring glory upon himself and to make his rule more acceptable to the Jews, Herod
engaged in massive building projects. In addition to improving Jerusalem's
streets and water supply, building the fort cities of Masada and
Herodium, and erecting a large seaport named Caesarea Maritima on the
Mediterranean Sea, King Herod hired 1000 priests as masons and carpenters
to greatly expanded the size and magnificence of the Holy Temple.
Galations 4:4. But when the fulness of the
time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
The fullness of
time had come.
*There is another New Testament
reference to Daniel's prophecy of a Temple desecration. Jesus
answers his disciples' questions about future events in Matthew 24;
15
When ye therefore shall see the
abomination of desolation, spoken
of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the
holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:
16.
Many Bible scholars believe Jesus is referring here to the destruction of the HolyTemple byTitus in 70 AD.