Behold The Days Come

Reasoning The Scriptures

“Behold the Days Come” Of Jeremiah 31:31 By M.S.Mariadas and Y.R.Dinakaran Bible Students, M.B.S.A

We See Jeremiah Has referred several times in his Prophecy of a particular period to come ahead on the nation of Judah and Israel, referring those days he has prophesied “Behold the Days Come” in Jer 31:27, “In Those Days” in verse 29 and “ After Those Days” in verse 33. Let us Heed attentively the Prophet “ Behold the days Come – Saith the Lord, that I will sow the house of Israel, and the house of Judah, with the seed of man, and with seed of the beast “Jeremiah 31:27 In this prophecy, we see the promise of God to multiply Israel and Judah and their beasts. Prophet Isaiah prophesied in the year 701 B.C. When the king of Judah – Hezekiah was sick and recovered after the angel of the Lord smote Sennecherib’s 1, 85000 army of Assyria, and he received present from the king of Babylon (Isa 37:36, 39:1, 6) “Behold the days come that in this

house and that which thy fathers have laid up, in store until this day shall be carried to Babylon” Isa 39:6, 7. ‘The days come” in the prophecy of Isaiah ended with the captivity of Zedekiah king of Judah in 587BC. About 114 years before Isaiah foretold – his Prophecy covered the periods 606, 597, and 587 BC (Daniel to Zedekiah). Jeremiah’s “Those days come” begins from the return of the captivity Jer 30:3 –“ For lo, The days come, saith the Lord, that I will BIRNG AGAIN THE CAPTIVITY of my people, Israel and Judah. . .” thus “the days come” began from 536 BC with the return of Jews to Jerusalem and to their cities Ezra 1:1-4;3:1 since it is a Progressive prophecy Jeremiah prophesied the events next to take place particularly “In those days”.

“Behold I will bring again the captivity of Jacob’s tents and have mercy on his dwelling places and THE CITY SHALL BE BUILDED upon her own heap …. And I will MULTIPLY THEM AND THEY SHALL NOT BE FEW …..And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their Governors shall proceed from the midst of them” Jeremiah 30:18- 12 “Behold the days come saith the lord that to city shall be built to the lord from the tower of Hananeel, unto the gate of the corner” Jeremiah 31:38,40. Here we see that what was destroyed is rebuilt again. The final destruction took place in the year 587BC. Now we have to seek the period, when it was rebuilt, there is an order in the rebuilding of Jerusalem. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Temple shall be built Walls of the City shall be built The city shall be built People shall be multiplied Their Governors shall proceed from the midst of them (Micah 5:2)

“Behold the Days Come” Of Jeremiah 31:31

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Reasoning The Scriptures Persian King Cyrus issued decree after 24th April 536 BC (not before that Dan10:4, 13) And Jews first batch under Jerubbabel and Joshua returned to Jerusalem and were in cities by 25th Sep 536BC, Ezra 3:1. They celebrated the feast of Tabernacles from 9th Oct to 15th Oct 536Bc and Jerusalem is 900 miles during those days people took 4 months time to cover the distance by walk Ezra 7:8,9. we understand from the Biblical record that the decree was issued in the first year and second month of Cyrus from Ezra 3:9 it is clear to us that Cyrus issued decree in the first year (Ezra 6:3) in the month of Iyyar ( May/June 536BC) and in the second year i.e. 535 Iyyar they began the work and the foundation of the temple was laid (Ezra 3:10 -535Bc Iyyar May/ June) the prophecy of Isaiah was thus fulfilled “ . . . .Cyrus. He is my Shepherded and shall perform all my

pleasure, even saying to Jerusalem. Thou shall be built, and to Temple Thy foundation shall be laid” –Isa 44:28. Isaiah’s prophetical ministry was between 739to 685BC, More that 159 years before, Isaiah foretold, the laying of the foundation of the temple, after the decree of Cyrus there was trouble from enemies to continue the work, from the days of Cyrus to Darius Ezra 4:5, Darius is a common name mentioned among the kings of Media and Persia. Those mentioned in the Bible are Darius the Median Dan5:31 the Maternal Uncle of Cyrus – 62 years of old, appointed by Cyrus as Governor over Babylon, from Tishri 539 BC to 537BC Cyrus’s first year is 538Bc as well as 536 BC, In 536 BC Cyrus took charge over Babylon, after his uncle Darius, we see in Daniel 10:1, 4, 13 That it was the 3rd year of Cyrus, How can Jews return in the 1st year of Cyrus??? according to Ezra 1:1, 3:1,6:3- Daniel calculated from 539 BC accession year, 538 -1st year, 537 2nd year, 536- 3rd year, Ezra calculated from 536 when Cyrus took charge over Babylon. There is no in harmony in the scriptures. This Darius is mentioned in Dan 9:1, 11:1. After Cyrus, his son Cambyses reigned from 529 – 522 BC. Seven years 5 months. The Ahasuerus of Ezra 4:6 is Cambyses son of Cyrus. The Artaxerxes of Ezra 4:7 was one of the Magi who usurped the throne being calling himself as Smerdis the brother of Cambyses This magian-(Artaxerxes) was against hews being an Egyptian on 1st July522 he seized entire Persian Empire. Darius Hystospes on 29 Sep 522 BC killed him and reigned from BC 521 – 486. “Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem.” Ezra 4:24, so it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius Kings of Persia i.e. 520/519BC. Prophet Haggai’s ministry started from 19 Aug 520 BC – Hag 1:1 “In the second year of Darius in the sixth month, in the first day of the month Ezra 5:1, 2. Prophet Haggai and Zechariah stirred up the spirit of Jerubbabel and Joshua and the priest and people. They started the work of the temple Hag 1:15 “In the Four and twentieth day of sixth month in the second year of Darius the King” (Elul i.e. Sept 20m 520 BC). The Temple work was finished Ezra 6:15 :And this house was finished on the month of Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the King – March 12 BC 515 ( May/June 535 BC foundation was laid Ezra 3:3-10, 4: 21 work ceased Ezra5:16 Cyrus decree rediscovered Ezra 6:1-3, Temple finished on march 12, 515BC about 15 years the work stopped and the work started during Haggai and Zechariah’s ministry and it took about 20 years, to build the Temple from the laying of the foundation). In the Seventh year of Artaxerxes i.e. 458BC the second batch of Jews returned to Jerusalem under the leadership of Ezra the scribe they started from Babylon on 8th April 458BC and reached Jerusalem in 4th Aug 458BC, Ezra 7:6-9 (900 miles distance) “Behold the Days Come” Of Jeremiah 31:31

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Reasoning The Scriptures Darius Hystaspes reigned from 521 -486BC.His son Xerexes I husband of Esther reigned from 485 -465BC, Xerexes’ son is Artaxerxes. We see a gap of 58 year from 6th chapter to 7th chapter of Ezra. Artaxerxes Longimanus reigned from 464 -424 BC This Artaxerxes Gave decree to build the walls of Jerusalem to Nehemiah. The third batch of Jews returned to Jerusalem under the Leadership of Nehemiah. From the first chapter Neh 1:1 and 2:1 we understand that Tishri to Tishri year is followed, Neh 11 Chislev (Nov/Dec) 2:1 Nisan, year it was the twentieth year of Artaxerxes. The reign of Xerexes I (the husband of Esther ended by 465 and the first year of Artaxerexes started from 463/463. Let us see in which year his 20th year falls

Accession year 1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4ht year 5th year 6th year 7th year 8th year 9th year 10th year

Reign of Artaxerxes 465-464 BC 464-46 3BC 463-462 BC 462-461BC 461-460 BC 460-459 BC 459-458 BC 458-457 BC 457-456 BC 456-455 BC 455-454 BC

11th year 12th year 13th year 14th year 15th year 16th year 17th year 18th year 19th year 20th year Neh 2:1, 13th April 445BC

454-453BC 453-452 BC 452-451 BC 451-450 BC 450-449 BC 449-448 BC 448-447 BC 447-446 BC 446-445BC 445-444BC

In the Common year Tishri -1 was 7th September (445BC) Embolismic year – Tishri 1 was 7th Oct (445BC) in the Common year Nisan 1 445BC was 14th March. In Embolismic year Nisan 1 – was 13th April, as per Neh 2:1 if we take the 20th year of Artaxerxes the Calculation will be as in the Chart depicted in the Following Page

“Behold the Days Come” Of Jeremiah 31:31

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Reasoning The Scriptures Common year Calendar Calendar

Jewish

Calendar

Julian

Calendar

Jewish

Calendar

Julian

Calendar

Month

Date

Date

Month

Month

Date

Date

Month

1 8 15 22 29 6 13 20 27 5 12 19 26 3 10 17 24 2 9 16 23 30 7 14 21 22 23 24 25

14 21 18 4 11 18 25 2 9 16 23 30 6 13 20 27 4 14 18 25 1 8 15 22 29 30 31 1 2

March(445BC)

1 8 15 22 29 6 13 20 27 5 12 19 26 3 10 17 24 2 9 16 23 30 7 14 21 22 23 24 25

13 20 27 4 11 18 25 1 8 15 22 29 6 13 20 27 3 10 17 24 31 7 14 21 28 29 30 1 2

April (445BC)

1 Nisan

2

3

Iyyar

Siv

4 Tham

5

6

Embolismic year* year*

Ab

Elul

1 Nisan

April 2

Iyyar

May 3

Siv

June 4 Tham July 5

Ab

6

Elul

August

September September

Neh 6:15 the Wall was finished on 2nd September in the common year

June

July

August

September

October October

The Scholars say that Nehemiah 1st chapter should be after 2nd chapter. But the biblical record is clear and from Neh 1:1 and 2:1 it appears that Tishri to Tishri is followed there.

* Or Intercalary lunar year, year the period of 13 lunar months, or 384 days. An intercalary year, or leap year, will have an extra month of 30 days. Leap years may have 383, 384, or 385 days

“Behold the Days Come” Of Jeremiah 31:31

May

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Reasoning The Scriptures If it was Nisan to Nisan the above data can be followed, if it was a Tishri to Tishri Reckoning then it would be as represented as below Common Year Jewish

Calendar

Month

Date

1 Tishri

March 2 eswan

3 Kislev

4 Tebet

5 Sebat

6 Adar

7 Nisan

Julian

Calendar

Week

Date

Month

1 7 14 21 28

Sun Sat ‘’ ‘’ ‘’

7 13 20 27 4

Sep,445BC “ ‘’ ‘’ Oct

5

‘’

11

‘’

12 19 26 3 10 17 24 1 8 15 22 27 7 14 21 28 5 12 19 26 27 1

‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ Thu Sat ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ Sun Wed

18 25 1 8 15 22 29 6 13 20 27 1 3 17 24 31 7 14 21 28 1 4

If it was an Embolismic year it would be as represented below

Embolismic Year

1

Calen dar

Month

Date

Week

Date

Month

Tishri

1 5 26

Tue Sat ‘’

7 11 1

Oct445BC ‘’ Nov

3

‘’

8

‘’

2 28 30 7 6 4 29 1 6 5 3 2 9 7 21 25

‘’ Thu Sat ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ Wed Thu Thu ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ Mon

6 1 3 10 7 7 1 2 7 4 2 30 6 3 17 21

Dec Jan

Julian

Calendar

Marche 2

‘’ ‘’ Nov ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ Dec ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ Jan ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ Feb ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ March March

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swan Kislev

4 5 6

Tebet Shebet Adar

7 8 9 10 11

Nisan Iyar Sivan Tam Ab

12

Elul

‘’ Feb Mar Apr Apr May Jun July ‘’ Aug Sept ‘’ Sep

Ab 4th Saturday – August 1st 444BC they started building the wall and finished on Elul 25th Monday 21st Sept 444BC

Neh 2: he put forth Cup on this day 4th March 444BC

“Behold the Days Come” Of Jeremiah 31:31

Jewish

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Reasoning The Scriptures According to the prophecy of Jeremiah 31:38 the wall was built Neh 6:15:– 536BC minus 44 = 92 years after the return of the Jews from Babylon Neh 7:4 “Now the city was large and great but People were few therein, and the houses were not builded” – Jeremiah’s prophecy tells about the period, further to 444BC Jer 30:18, 19 “I will Multiply them and they shall not be Few” Isaiah indicates the period of Jesus as the branch who washes away the filth (Isaiah 4:2-4, 11”14)and about those who escape from the law to Heavenly Jerusalem, Ps 80:15, Isa 40 :9-11, 53:2, Zech 3:8, 6:12 “For, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH” It is all about the time of Jesus’ birth and growth, Jeremiah prophesied. God multiplied Israel during Jesus’ time, His parents were not having place in the Inn, he was born in the manger (Luke 2:7) the walls of Jerusalem were extended upto Bethphage, covering even the Mount of Olives. The prophesied Terms “The days come” and ‘Those days” of Jeremiah began from 536 BC with the return of Jews and extended up to the time of Jesus. After those days’ means when the BRANCH comes and grows, he was the one to make the NEW COVENANT Jer 31:31 -43, by his sacrifice and build the spiritual temple, by pouring the gifts of the Holy Sprit. Here the question of Seven Times punishment of Israel does not arise at all!!! Brother Russell introduced his own View of 7 times of National punishments for Israel which is not at all supported by the scriptures∗. Now let us see clearly the meaning of the verses in – Jer 31:29” In those days, they shall say no more, the fathers have eaten a sour grape and the children’s teeth are set on edge” •

Exodus 20:5 “. . . . I the Lord thy God and a Jealous God visiting the iniquities of fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me

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Deuteronomy 24:16 “ The Fathers shall not be put to death, for the children, neither shall be put to death for the fathers, every man shall be put to death for his own sin”

Here Law says that, God only is empowered to punish the children for the fathers’ sins, but not man. Prior to Babylon captivity:1. For Achan’ sin his sons and daughters, his animals and what all he had was burnt with fire Josh 7:24-26, 2. 2 Samuel 21:1-9 :- David delivered the sons of Saul for Saul’s sin to the Gibeonites 3. For Jeroboam’ evil his sons were punished 1Kings 14:10 4. For Baasha’ sin his sons were punished 1 kings 16:1-3 5. For Ahab’s sin his posterity was punished 1 Kings 21:21-24 – Lam 5:7 “Our

Fathers have sinned and are not and we have borne their iniquities” It is God who punishes children for the father’s sins, but according to Law man has no power the soul that sinneth it shall die. Ezek 18:4,20 –“ The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, ∗

For More details read our article Viz: - “Whether “Whether Lev 26 is a Time prophecy???”

“Behold the Days Come” Of Jeremiah 31:31

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Reasoning The Scriptures neither the father bear the iniquity of the son . . . “ Exe 33:18, 19;34: 24-27, Gal 6:5-8; Heb 8:8-13, form this we understand that after returning from Babylon, there wont be such thing as punishing fathers or sons for others sins, REPENTANCE CAN FORGIVE ONE’S SINS Jer 31:31 “Behold the Days come saith the Lord That I will make a new covenant, with the house of Israel and with the House of Judah” From Jer 31:31-34 we Learn that there are Five prominent feature of the New Covenant:1. The New Covenant will be made with the House of Judah and Israel – Jer 31:31 2. The New Covenant contrasts and differ from the Old Covenant -Jer 31:32 3. The Ordinances of the New Covenant will not be written on the tablets of Stone but written on the fleshy tables of the heart - Jer 31:33 4. No Human teacher is Required to teach the Law of the New Covenant – Jer 31:34 5. The New Covenant forgives the Sins and it remembers the sins no more – Jer 31:34 Our Lord Jesus Christ clearly said “THIS IS THE BLOOD OF THE NEW TESTAMENT (COVENANT) WHICH IS SHED FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS” Luke 22:20, Math 26:28. Bro Russell’ teaching regarding the New Covenant that it will be made with Israel in the Millennium is a false doctrine and we cannot accept it∗, only two covenants had blood associated with them, the Old and the NEW. NEW This has to refer to the NEW COVENANT. COVENANT If we believe that we have our sins forgiven by the death of Jesus, then it is by the blood of this New Covenant Luke 22:20 “In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for youyou- NIV. Our Lord Jesus tells us that when we drink of the CUP that it is the BLOOD of the NEW COVENANT. COVENANT This has to mean that we are participating as well as associated in this New Covenant (compare with 1 Cor. 11:25- 26)) 2 Cor. 3:6 "He has made US competent MINISTERS of a NEW COVENANTCOVENANT not of the letter but of the Spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." – NIV. The Apostle Paul is telling US that we are already ministers of a New Covenant. Covenant. Heb. 8:8 “The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a NEW COVENANT with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah." NIV. This is a quotation from Jer.31:31 and the writer of this book is contrasting the ineffectiveness of the old Law Covenant which was not kept, causing God to turn away from them. It was replaced by the NEW COVENANT COVENANT founded "not on the blood of goats and calves" but on the blood of Jesus. Jesus Because of this, God forgives the iniquity of those who believed on Jesus and remembers their sins no more for they were covered by the merit of his sacrifice Heb. 9:15 "For this reason Christ IS the Mediator of a NEW COVENANT, COVENANT that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance- now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first Covenant." NIV Christ IS already the Mediator of a NEW COVENANT and for that reasons those hose (the church) who are called may receive joint-heir ship with Jesus. ∗

Also refer our Article viz:- “The New Covenant”

“Behold the Days Come” Of Jeremiah 31:31

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Reasoning The Scriptures

Heb. 12:24 “To Jesus the Mediator Mediato of a NEW COVENANT, COVENANT and to the sprinkled BLOOD that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel." NIV. As the under priests in the Tabernacle of old were sprinkled with blood Which sanctified them for that office, so the he "little flock" are sanctified by the “Sprinkled BLOOD of the New Covenant” Covenant” that Jesus shed at Calvary making him the Mediator of this Covenant Covenant In regard to Jeremiah 31:3131:31-34, 34 consider the total context as having already happened at the beginning of the Gospel Age. The time did come and the Lord did make a new covenant with the houses of Israel and Judah which began at Pentecost when the promise of the Holy Spirit came upon the early church – Acts 2:5-11 “And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven” This covenant was at first restricted to the Jews until Cornelius, the first Gentile was accepted in the fold, some three years after Pentecost. The gospel was preached and the call went out throughout all Israel. “For I will forgive their iniquity and will remember their sin no more”:- Only the New Covenant Established by Christ can forgive (take away) sins and forget Heb 9:26 “he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself” It is He (Christ) appeared not the Church, so the question of making New covenant in the Millennium does not arise at all. He appears in Glory, but NOT in a BODY MADE OF FLESH, to die Jer 31:34 “And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” The phrase from the least unto the greatest refer All sorts of people without the barrier of cast, colour, creed (Jer 6:13, Acts 8:10) All those who come under the New Covenant Blood will be thought by GOD NOT BY HUMAN. After those days in Jeremiah tells about the time of Jesus’ coming and his making the New Covenant, and giving the gifts of the Holy sprit, which guides into all Truth, unless Jesus was glorified, the Holy sprit connate be given John 7:38-39.It is the glorified Christ who builds up Zion Ps 102:15,16. Those who receive the Holy Sprit Need not be thought for it teaches 1 John 2:27 “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man

teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him”. John 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” Jeremiah told of the days of the Sprit Guidance and in those days he further refers (Jer31:33) “Saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people” -

At that time God did replace that old covenant with a new covenant to all those who believed and they entered into a brand new relationship with God as his sons. God wrote a new law of love in their hearts. They no longer needed that another to teach them, for God had given them the Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth. This is confirmed to us in 2 Cor 3:3 “Forasmuch as ye “Behold the Days Come” Of Jeremiah 31:31

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Reasoning The Scriptures are]manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart see also 1 Jn.2:27 Those, who believed, had their sins forgiven and their iniquities are no longer remembered because they have been justified by the blood of Jesus’ ransom sacrifice – so Jeremiah’s “Behold the days come” and After those days” clearly indicate the period of the sprit operation, and NOT OF THE MILLENNIUM and after Seven times punishment of Israel.

“He that hath my word let him speak my word faithfully. . .” -Jeremiah 23:28

“Behold the Days Come” Of Jeremiah 31:31

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