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
- Learn the whole Bible, even Daniel 8 and 11; John 10; and Hebrews 11.
- Fulfilled prophecy exalts God (Is 44:6-8).
- Jesus is greatest Deliverer, far superior to Maccabees, Moses, Joshua, David, etc.
- Save from all kinds of errors, both prophetic and practical e.g. SDA’s, JW’s.
- National days can be good, as our nearby Thanksgiving Day. Use it to God’s glory.
- Do you have exploits for God? Be strong.
- We have cloud of witnesses (Heb 12:1-4).
- We face the perilous times (II Tim 3:1-5).
For Further Study
- Sermon Outline: (see links) https://letgodbetrue.com/bible-topics/index/prophecy/making-sense-of-daniel/daniel-chapter-8/ Daniel 8
- Understanding Daniel 11 (see links) https://letgodbetrue.com/bible-topics/index/prophecy/making-sense-of-daniel/daniel-chapter-11/
- Sermon Outline: Daniel’s 2300 Days
- Philip Mauro’s “Seventy Weeks ”
- Read conservative commentaries as Poole, Henry, Gill, Barnes, etc.
- Read conservative Bible dictionaries
- Read I and II Maccabees
- Read “Antiquities” by Josephus
- Google search any names / events