Did Adventism lie to me?

[todd_vetter33]

Many years back I was told that the decree to rebuild and restore Jerusalem by King Artexerxes went forth in 457 BC. I have a chart that illustrates this inforamation to be in Error. When I went back to read the "Chronology of Ezra" by Horn and Wood, I knoticed that they used partial charts and left out calendar information when making their claims. What do you think?

[Gerr]

The Beginning of the 490 years:

457 BC

In the year 536 B.C., 50,000 Jewish exiles, empowered by Cyrus' decree, returned to Jerusalem. Their city lay in ruins, but they began rebuilding the temple, laying its foundation and also began working on building their homes. One thing that catches the attention immediately in (Ezra 1-4) is that Ezra chapter four has a powerful message for us today. Restoration of truth is not easy! The opposition the Jews experienced while building, and the determined efforts to foil their hopes and dreams, acutely show the endurance which is needed to triumphant. Obviously satan despised the sanctuary and a people who knew God's law just as much back then as he does now. Look at his strategies.

1. The adversaries hear the sanctuary (truth) is to be restored and gather to oppose it.

2. Step one in the opposition plan, is try to join (infiltrate) so they can manipulate and hinder the process.

3. Key argument "We seek your God as you do, and we have the same sacrifice."

However, Zerubbabel and Joshua the priest, are wise, they refuse. Too bad we were not as wise as they. The main reason we have so much confusion in our church today, is because we have allowed the adversaries of the sanctuary to help rebuild doctrine within our church.

4. If step one doesn't do the job, the opposition moves to step two, which is to try to discourage the builders, frustrate their purpose, hire counselors against them to frustrate them.

5. Step three is to lobby for legislation: they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Jerusalem to Artaxerxes, slandering them, "they are building a rebellious and evil city", "they will excite sedition"

6. Along with lobbying government to intervene, they also dig up and broadcast all former shortcomings.

7. Finally: have legislation passed to stop the work.

This is exactly the strategy being used against the people who are restoring the message of Christ's sanctuary ministry today!!! Only the last step is yet future.

Now back to the subject at hand concerning the year 457 B.C. as the accurate date for the restoration of Jerusalem prophecized in Daniel 9:25.

Here is a brief history:

Cyrus, in 536 B.C., allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem, but Cyrus died in 530 B.C., he was followed by Cambyses, who was followed by False Smerdis. Smerdis reigned only half a year, long enough for his soldiers to destroy a great many temples around the empire. It would seem that the earlier progress made of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem was also ruined at this time, because, according to Haggai 2:18, in 520 BC the Israelites are again beginning work by laying the foundation of the temple. Very probably it was under Smerdis' rule that the Israelites gave up all hope of ever restoring their temple again. Haggai says, they stopped work believing "The time is not right", and he says that the temple was in "ruins".

In 522 B.C., Darius I, a fairminded ruler, goes about setting things straight again in the Persian empire. With his support and Haggai's encouragement, temple construction is resumed. From 520-515 B.C. the work went forward, and the temple was built.

Basically from 536-457 B.C. the Israelites were a struggling group of people with no real government, city or well defined country. They built themselves houses, and managed to build a temple. It wasn't until Artaxerxes came to the throne 464 B.C. that we actually see them rebuilding the city. It was during Artaxerxes reign that the adversaries appealed to legislation to stop Israel, for they were "building a rebellious and evil city".

Daniel 9: 25 reads "From the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem. . .the street shall be built again and the walls, even in troublous times"

So we see Ezra receiving his decree from Artaxerxes in 457 BC. (In the seventh year of Artaxerxes) The decree gives further help in establishing the temple, but it also gives Israel the right to self government. Up till 457 BC the leaders in Judea were no more than county commissioners. They could look after local problems but they did not have judicial or executive authority. Now they did! They could set up their own magistrates and judges to carry out their laws. Now they were recognized as a nation. This is why this decree is so important to the reestablishment of Jerusalem!

Israel must have seen this decree as a decree to rebuild Jerusalem as well for we read: "In the reign of Artaxerxes," they (adversaries) wrote to Artaxerxes that Israel should not be allowed to rebuild, "the rebellious city, finishing its walls and repairing the foundations" because (the adversaries said) Israel would rise in rebellion." (When the Bible says Artaxerxers, I believe it means Artaxerxes not Cambyses)

Artaxerxes writes back a command that is very unlike the commands of Persian kings, it seems to be uncertain, as if he's not sure he's doing the right thing:

"Now give command to make these men cease, that this city may not be built until the command is given by me." He is making a counter command to one he made earlier and is giving only a temporary order to stop the work. He is allowing himself a way out of this law.

This probably took place between 456-454 B.C. when the Persian Governor over the (western) section of the middle east, Megabyzos, rebelled against Artaxerxes, taking his subjects with him. It's was a perfect setup for Samaria to win points with the Persian monarch and get even with Israel.

Did Artaxerxes believe the Samaritans? He seemed not sure, however the region was in rebellion and he didn't want to take chances. The kings reply was great victory for the Samaritans who went "immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop" (Ezra 4:23) While they were about it, they apparently knocked down the rebuilt sections of the wall, and burned several gates. (Neh.1:3)

Artaxerxes and Megabyzos made peace, and things settled down again. This is where Nehemiah comes into the picture. He hears the sad news that the attempts to rebuild Jerusalem were totally frustrated. He talks it over with Artaxerxes, who gives him permission to go and rebuild Jerusalem. Artaxerxes had left the option of reversing his "Cessation command" open and now that rebellion was over he allowed the work to progress once again. 444 B.C. Work once again began. This time the walls were put up successfully.

Daniel 9:24 said they would be rebuilt in troublous times and they definitely had trouble.

Is 457 B.C. the right date? Is it the starting point of the great time prophecies? As I've said before, it makes sense to me. Coupled with the fulfilment of the Messiah coming 483 years later, being cut off in the midst of the final week of the 490 year prophecy, causing ceremonial sacrifices to cease. To me there is no question. The beginning point for the "seventy weeks", according to the historical-Messianic interpretation, is the "going forth of the word to restore and to build Jerusalem" (Dan. 9:25). The 69 weeks or 483 years, takes us to the anointing of Messiah the Prince, at His baptism in 27 A.D. in the 15th year of the Roman emperor Tiberius (Luke 3:5)

Messiah is "cut off" for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:8) in the midst of the "week" or after three and a half years, 31 A.D. Then, at the end of the 490 years allotted to Israel, we see them launch their attack against Christians (against Christ) with the stoning of Stephen. Thus ends the "time given to Israel" as a nation (though as individuals God sees neither Jew nor Gentile, all who come to Him in sincere faith are His children)

In 457 B.C. they did not have calendars like we have. This fact can give room for doubts and arguments on the exactness of the date. Different nations used different ways to figure the years of the kings' reigns.

Ezra 7:7-8 tells us the decree was issued in the 7th year of Artaxerxes I. The seventh year of Artaxerxes I is relatively sure as being in 458/457.

(Remember years run backward in B.C.)

That means the seventh year of Artaxerxes started in the fall of 458 and ran through to the summer of 457.

Several historians say that the seventh year of Artaxerxes extended from the fall of 458 to the fall of 457 B.C. or 458/457.

Ezra returned to Palestine in 457 B.C.

Ezra's journey to Jerusalem began in Nisan and ended in Ab of 457 B.C. (Ezra 7:8-9). Thus, according to our months, Ezra's trip lasted from April to late July 457 B.C.

The decree of Artaxerxes I went into effect after Ezra's arrival in Palestine in the early fall—or late summer—of 457 B.C. This was "the going forth" of the decree recoded in Daniel 9:25-26.

Yes, there is much debate concerning the new moons and additional months to even out the 365 and 1/4 day year. So how can we be sure "the seventh year of Artaxerxes" fits into 457 B.C. date?

Historians compare many things in history to make up a historical calendar we can relate to. One of the more reliable ways is to compare the Egyptian calendar with the Ptolemy's Canon or history record. The Egyptian's did not adjust their calendar. They had exactly 365 days in each year and didn't seem to worry if the calendar got ahead of the stars. Sir Isaac Newton studying these historical evidence concluded that Ezra took the Artaxerxes' decree to Jerusalem in 457 B.C. This was placed in the margin of the King James Version in 1701.

Now people question the accuracy, but there are numerous details of events and places and people named in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah that add evidence to the date.

If Gabriel himself said that Jesus would be anointed exactly 483 years later, who am I to argue whether the decree came out in 456, 457 or 458, just because I don't have the mathamatical skill to pin it down exactly. I believe there is enough evidence to prove to anyone who wants to believe that this prophecy of the 490 years spans the time from when Artaxerxes gave the command to restore Jerusalem, until Jesus came to fulfill His ministry on earth. And yes, I believe that the Messiah the Prince, is the Messiah Jesus Christ! The Messiah did not set up the abomination, the prince who was to come did that. Israel had a choice and they accepted another prince in the place of the true Messiah, when they said they had no king but Caesar. They crucified Jesus who alone could save them, and turned themselves over to Rome who would destroy them.

Daniel 9 deals with the time period in which the earthly sanctuary would be the center of worship. Daniel chapters 8 and 7 continue the story of Jesus and His sanctuary ministry, but now it is in heaven. It also continues the story of the growth of the other prince--Rome who emerges as Papal Rome, the one who opposes the true sanctuary, Christianized, but nevertheless still Rome. Papal Rome reached up against the Prince of heaven and usurped the "daily" -- replaced Christ's work in the heavenly sanctuary with its own system of indulgences, confessionals, Eucharist and penance. Papal Rome exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host, and tried to take the daily away from Him and cast truth down to the ground. And yes, this false system will be judged as portrayed in chapter 7. There is only One High Priest and that is Jesus. There is only One way to salvation and that is through Jesus. There is only One Mediator and that is Jesus, (earthly priests and apparitions of Mary, and dead saints can not be our mediators, only Jesus). In the judgment the saints (those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus Rev. 14:12) will be vindicated. Judgment was made in favor of the saints. But the beast and those who bear his mark will be destroyed. The judgment message is a message like that of John — repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

It's a message from Ezekiel:18.30-32 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, says the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dies, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

One thing that stands out clear in studying 457 B.C.from the books of Ezra and Nehemiah is the fact that opposition to God's work is the norm in this world. Whenever truth is being promoted we will find many Tobiahs, Sanballats, and Gershems who will oppose and try to frustrate. There will be Eliashids and Shemaiahs within our own congregations who will counsel us against God's will. But the message in Ezra and Nehemiah is to move forward in complete trust in the Lord: To dedicate oneself fully to God and obey His will no matter what the opposition.

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[Gibs]

Also for us who understand the Jubilee calendar the date has to be 457 BC and this rules out the other decrees as none of those was a Jubilee yr for one thing. 457 BC was a Jubilee.

It also bears out right as it hits right on with Jesus dying in the middle yr of the 70'th wk.

The Jubilee calendar is also a very accurate for the age of earth since Adam's first yr., we are now very close to the 6,000'th yr.

That is how many yrs it was to go on in sin if it broke out and it did.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[todd_vetter33]

The Beginning of the 490 years:

457 BC

Now back to the subject at hand concerning the year 457 B.C. as the accurate date for the restoration of Jerusalem prophecized in Daniel 9:25.

Basically from 536-457 B.C. the Israelites were a struggling group of people with no real government, city or well defined country. They built themselves houses, and managed to build a temple. It wasn't until Artaxerxes came to the throne 464 B.C. that we actually see them rebuilding the city.

So we see Ezra receiving his decree from Artaxerxes in 457 BC. (In the seventh year of Artaxerxes)

Is 457 B.C. the right date? Is it the starting point of the great time prophecies? As I've said before, it makes sense to me. Coupled with the fulfilment of the Messiah coming 483 years later, being cut off in the midst of the final week of the 490 year prophecy, causing ceremonial sacrifices to cease.

In 457 B.C. they did not have calendars like we have. This fact can give room for doubts and arguments on the exactness of the date. Different nations used different ways to figure the years of the kings' reigns.

Ezra 7:7-8 tells us the decree was issued in the 7th year of Artaxerxes I. The seventh year of Artaxerxes I is relatively sure as being in 458/457.

(Remember years run backward in B.C.)

That means the seventh year of Artaxerxes started in the fall of 458 and ran through to the summer of 457.

Several historians say that the seventh year of Artaxerxes extended from the fall of 458 to the fall of 457 B.C. or 458/457.

Ezra returned to Palestine in 457 B.C.

Ezra's journey to Jerusalem began in Nisan and ended in Ab of 457 B.C. (Ezra 7:8-9). Thus, according to our months, Ezra's trip lasted from April to late July 457 B.C.

The decree of Artaxerxes I went into effect after Ezra's arrival in Palestine in the early fall—or late summer—of 457 B.C. This was "the going forth" of the decree recoded in Daniel 9:25-26.

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I read all of what you shared, but I noticed some discrepancies In comparison to the chart. Can you elaborate where this chart is not illustrating correctly. It appears to show 458 BC to be the seventh year of the kings reign. It also illustrates the king rising to power in 465, not 464 BC.

Then there is the issue of the 31 AD passover being on a Tuesday in 31 AD.

[todd_vetter33]

I found these two chart comparisons to be of interest as well. Does time specific prophecy have alignments in history with time specific Prophecy? This theory appears to support the 30 AD concept and still allows for a passover which supports prophecy fulfilment concerning 3 days and 3 nights; where 31 AD places Jesus in the tomb for 4 days and 4 nights if he was Crucified on the Passover in 31 AD What is most interesting about the 30AD concept is that the middle of the 70th week turns out to be a double prophecy fulfilment for messiah being cut off in the midst/middle of the week.

[todd_vetter33]

One of the earliest lessons I learned in Sabbath school is that a lie will beget a lie, but the truth will expose the lie, because truth is fact and fact can be substantiated.

Will anyone who believes 457 BC is the correct year please illustrate clearly where this chart is not telling factual truth? Though I do enjoy reading about one persons explination thus far concerning 457 BC, this chart appears to illustrate that his testimony was not entirely true.

It's pretty well proven by astronomical events that the date for the kings rise to power is accurate to the day due to the over 20 astronomical events that bare witness to the correct placement for this king. If astronomical events can accurately date a kings rise to power in 458 BC, then the weekly cycle and lunar cycle (scripture) should also help determine when Passovers occured for the two years in question for 30 Or 31 AD.

After checking the Data from the Naval observatory, which some 31 AD theorists claim proves a Wednesday Crucifixion in 31 AD; the Naval observatory scientific Data places a full moon on the night time period between Tuesday 24 April 31 AD and Wednesday 25 April 31 AD. In accordence with Jewish time reconning, the first day of the feast of Feast of Unleavened Bread (night time period) is always a full moon. So Wednesday 25 April 31 AD could not have been 14 nissan where the lamb was to die according to prophecy. Tuesday 24 April would have been 14 nissan. There is nothing from the ancient record to support Jesus being crucified on a Tuesday Preparation day (Passover).

This of course poses a problem of credibilty for anyone claiming Wednesday or Friday for 31 AD. I am curious how this is explained.

When Checking scientific Data concerning the passover for 30 AD, you get a Passover 14 Nissan falling on Wednesday 5 April 30 AD. This seems to be the year supported by OT prophecy as well as words Jesus spoke when he ALLEGEDLY said AFTER three days he would rise according to some NT bible verses.

The Night time period between 5 april and 6 April 30 AD presented a full moon. meaning Thursday was the first day of the feast of unleavened bread for this year. 7 April would have been another preparation day to a seventh day Sabbath on 8 April in 30 AD. This time frame allows for the Prophecy (word of God) concerning 3 days and 3 nights to be fulfilled perfectly. No theory needs to justify it as there are many theories currently in the Christian world which attempt to do so for a time period ranging from Thursday and Friday theories - first day of the week resurrection.

The testimony concerning the women and the spices is key to being able to see three days and three nights. If the women prepared spices before the Sabbath, how was this done if they did not purchase the spices untill after the Sabbath had passed? The bible gospel testimony concerning the women with the spices is only possible if the event occured between two Sabbaths on a preparation day.

Just a though I wanted to share.

V/R

[John317]

X100

[olger]

105

[Gibs]

There is no "0" yr. It has to be 1 BC and the following yr. is 1 AD forward in time. "0" is Zilch! nothing.

[Kevin H]

While I am not saying that we are perfect, and you can not call something a lie when it is based on the best evidence avalible to the people studying (and sometimes we build tradion over the evidence and become unwilling to look at new evidence) the decree in 457 BC has been confermed in two independent ancient pappari, the Elephantine pappari and if I remember correctly the other is called the Samaritan pappari. So this date has evidence coming from different approaches and types of evidence, thus it becomes a very solid date. And not only do we have the year but these sources tell us that it was anounced on the day of Atonement.

Scholars who have recognized this sees how much of the scripture is based on this cycle, including John the Baptist's "behold the lamb of God who scapegoats the sins of the world" is an indicatation that John made that anouncement on the day of atonmenemt and starting the 3 1/2 years of the messiah's ministry.

[phkrause]

While I am not saying that we are perfect, and you can not call something a lie when it is based on the best evidence avalible to the people studying (and sometimes we build tradion over the evidence and become unwilling to look at new evidence) the decree in 457 BC has been confermed in two independent ancient pappari, the Elephantine pappari and if I remember correctly the other is called the Samaritan pappari. So this date has evidence coming from different approaches and types of evidence, thus it becomes a very solid date. And not only do we have the year but these sources tell us that it was anounced on the day of Atonement.

Scholars who have recognized this sees how much of the scripture is based on this cycle, including John the Baptist's "behold the lamb of God who scapegoats the sins of the world" is an indicatation that John made that anouncement on the day of atonmenemt and starting the 3 1/2 years of the messiah's ministry.

[Gibs]

I heartily agree 457 BC is correct and the prophecy of Jesus dying on the cross precisely on time of the prophecy proves and proves God also. It proves He alone is Omniscient and seeing the end from the beginning perfectly. His prophecies do not fail.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[phkrause]

I heartily agree 457 BC is correct and the prophecy of Jesus dying on the cross precisely on time of the prophecy proves and proves God also. It proves He alone is Omniscient and seeing the end from the beginning perfectly. His prophecies do not fail.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[hch]

Also for us who understand the Jubilee calendar the date has to be 457 BC and this rules out the other decrees as none of those was a Jubilee yr for one thing. 457 BC was a Jubilee.

It also bears out right as it hits right on with Jesus dying in the middle yr of the 70'th wk.

The Jubilee calendar is also a very accurate for the age of earth since Adam's first yr., we are now very close to the 6,000'th yr.

That is how many yrs it was to go on in sin if it broke out and it did.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Gibs]

hch,

A lot of us older ones see it clear and have known it for years. Yes Jesus is soon to close up the work in the Heavenly and then very shortly He comes for His own. It really is one of the important lights given to the SDA people.

It certainly is wake up time and real consecration time.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[BobRyan]

I agree with the 457 date - but it is possible that "midst of the week" in Dan 9 does not mean "exact mathematical center" so 30 AD could be the date for the crucifixion on a "Wednesday year" as some have noted.

in Christ,

Bob

[Gibs]

Bob from my math it is absolute and no doubt about it, most make a mistake in finding different than 457 yrs in counting 457 BC through 1 BC.. It is then 490 yrs minus 457 equals 33, so then after we come through the yr 1 BC we start the count again as 1 AD through 33 AD. He died in 30 AD.

Then 34 AD a Jubilee yr, another new beginning, the gospel begins for the Gentiles and now the time of the Gentiles is about at it's finale.

Folks 1 through 457 amounts to the same as 457 through 1, eactly 457 is the count. And of course 70 wks of yrs is 490 yrs all understand I'm sure there.

Believe it or not. Ha ha.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Nic Samojluk]

hch, you wrote:

“Then as the temple was literally cleansed 2300-days into Artaxerxes reign in the Autumn of 457 BC, from the literal cleansing of the Temple the doubling of the prophecy goes 2300-years to 1843.”

You did propose an interesting interpretation of biblical prophecy. There is a third original explanation for the 2300 days prediction found in Daniel 8:14. It was advanced by a closed relative of Isaac Newton. He predicted that in 1967 the fulfillment of the 2300 days prophecy would take place.

He started the counting with the 334 B.C Battle of Granicus in which Alexander the Great defeated the Persians. If we allow for the lack of a zero year between B.C. and A.D., then this takes us to 1967 when the modern state of Israel defeated the combined forces of the Arab nations in the Six Days War. This gave the Jews access to the Wailing Wall where the old Temple stood.

Newton believed that the key to understanding Daniel 8:14 is found in the same chapter instead of elsewhere in Daniel.

[Gibs]

We must realize though that Daniel goes on wondering about the vision in our Bibles chapter nine, of which in the manuscripts it is not broken up that way.

It is on down in Chap 9 that the angel comes to Dan and explains the enterpretation enough that by His Spirit it is rightly discerned. Then is when the angel tells Dan the 70 wks is taken off the whole of the time. Then on in Chap 10 Dan is told the vision is for many days even after Dan was told of the take off of the 70 wks.

So there is no problem getting to the right interpretation.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Nic Samojluk]

The vision described in Daniel 8 starts with the encounter between the goat and the ram.

The question posed by the angel was "How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled ...?" [Dan. 8:13]

Common sense tells me that if the vision starts with the conflict between the goat and the ram, then we need to set the starting point for the vision on the battle between Alexander the Great and the Persians.

This took place at the Battle of Granicus in 334 B.C. If we do this, it will take us to 1967 A.D., the date for the Six Days War between Israel and the Arabs.

[Gibs]

But Nic, the time of the prophecy degermines when the battle between the goat and the ram. You should see in Dans time and up unto these late yrs the following could not happen,

Da 8:5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, "AND TOUCHED NOT THE GROUND: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.

Who is it that has been going halfway around the world and waging war big time, the ole USA, we are the "he" goat. And the notable horn twixt his eyes is the one we make president I believe, the first king of us if you will and now B O has he not set himself up as a dictator?

The language is symbolic and the players are for right now as this 2300 yr prophecy was to take us to the date the time of the end would begin, 1843,1844 to the end. We are now in the culmination of the end now of all things, the signs of it are all around us and beating on the doors.

I haven't made a deep study of this yet but it isn't too hard to unravel as to what I am seeing.

We will soon see who the USA is egged into going to war with, we are led like a little puppy dog that is a fierce German Shepherd. This waring that we been doing and will get deeper into will deplete this country until we are the lowest of countries and we are hurting bad now.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Lysimachus]

457 BC without question. The charts have error. Even if we can't identify where the error is, the Spirit of Prophecy already confirms that it is 457 B.C. So the error is not in Ellen White, it's in the chart---but you have to find it. Even if it takes 300 more years to find the error, there is an error.

[Lysimachus]

http://www.WednesdayCrucifixion.com (3 pages)

Also, here is Pickle's 70 weeks calculations:

http://www.pickle-publishing.com/papers/sir-robert-anderson.htm

http://www.pickle-publishing.com/papers/harold-hoehner-70-weeks.htm (here it is proven that Friday could have easily been a crucifixion date in 31 A.D. on Nisan 14 when taking into account "postponement")

Supplementary Evidence in Support of 457 B.C. as the Starting Date for the 2300 Day-Years of Daniel 8:14:

http://investigacionadventista.org/articulos/academicos/teologiabiblica/SHEA_EVIDENCE_457.pdf

(as opposed to 458)

458 was considered for a while, but now it's finally been refuted once again. It has pretty much "died out" as a possible date amongst most scholars now.

[Gibs]

lys,

Yes I agree on the error but as you say it is not the date 457 BC.

I think the error could be found but to do it and try to bring it out wouldn't gain anything or she would have dwelved into it.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Lysimachus]

http://biblicalresearch.gc.adventist.org/documents/70weeks&457BC.pdf

The Specific Year: 458 or 457?

Most scholars date the seventh year of Artaxerxes mentioned in Ezra 7:7 to 458 B.C. instead of 457 B.C. Historians have been able to establish absolute dates for the reign of Artaxerxes I using classical Greek sources and Egyptian and Babylonian astronomical and historical sources. (41)

We now know that Artaxerxes ascended to the throne late in 465 B.C. after his father, Xerxes, died and that his first full year was 464 B.C. “There need be no doubt for anyone familiar with the available chronological sources that we have the regnal years of Artaxerxes I accurately fixed. Indeed, the dates are so well set in the cement of these sources that it is hard to imagine any kind of future discovery that could possibly move them.” (42)

The difference between 458 and 457 is based on the type of calendar used to calculate the years. If we use the Persian-Babylonian calendar the date would be 458 B.C.; but if we employ the Jewish calendar the date would be 457 B.C. The Persian calendar was based on a spring-to-spring civil year while the Jews used a fall-to-fall one. The basic question is, what calendar was Ezra using when he referred to the seventh year of Artaxerxes?

We are fortunate to have two biblical passages in the book of Nehemiah that provide an answer to that question. In Nehemiah 1:1 the arrival of Hanani to Susa is dated “in the month of Kislev of the twentieth year” of Artaxerxes. Later we are told that Nehemiah spoke to the king about the situation in Jerusalem “in the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes” (2:1). The year is the same but the months are different. If Nehemiah was using a spring-to-spring calendar Nisan would have been the first month of the year and Kislev the ninth month. It would have been impossible to have Kislev before Nisan in the same year. Scholars who believe that Ezra and Nehemiah used a spring-to-spring calendar have tried to solve this problem by emending Nehemiah 1:1 to the nineteenth year of Artaxerxes. The fact is that no emendation is necessary because the biblical writer was using a fall-to- fall calendar. It is obvious that “the monarch’s regnal years were calculated from some time other than a Nisan inception of the year . . . The dates are consistent with a fall inception of the year.” (43)

Therefore, we can conclude that the author of Ezra and Nehemiah used a fall-to-fall calendar and that according to that calendar the seventh year of Artaxerxes was 457 B.C. This is based on the fact that the first full year of Artaxerxes was 464 B.C. We are fortunate to have biblical information concerning the exact year when Artaxerxes issued a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem and also concerning the specific type of calendar used to compute the years.

41 See Shea, “Seventy Weeks,” 384-88; still very useful

is Siegfried H. Horn and Lynn H. Wood, The Chronology

of Ezra 7 (Washington, DC: Review and Herald, 1972).

42 Shea, “Seventy Weeks,” 388.

43 James C. Vanderkam, “Calendars: Ancient Israelite

and Early Jewish,” ABD, 1:817. E. J. Bickerman defended

the spring calendar in Nehemiah, arguing that in Nehemiah

1:1 and 2:1 the writer is using the regnal year and not a

calendar year. For instance, if Artaxerxes ascended to the

throne in the month of Ab then Kislev would be the fifth

month, and Kislev would follow Ab. But the problem he

faces is that there is no evidence from Babylonia or Palestine

indicating that this system was in use during the Persian

period (“En morge de l’Ecriture: 1. Le comput des anées

de régne des achéménides,” Revue biblique 88 [1981]: 19-

23; Williamson, Ezra, 171, sympathizes with him).