Bible Study Seattle

“Now it came about in the four hundred and eightieth year after the sons of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the Lord.” 1 Kings 6:1

This passage is one reason the vast majority of people get the biblical chronology wrong. The actual length of time was 597 years. At various times Israel was not in control of the land, for a total of 117 years. 597-117=480. But why is this scripture this way? Is it a mistake? Or is God trying to show us something?

When we read on through chapter six and into chapter seven, we see that Solomon spent seven years building the Temple, but thirteen years building the buildings of his palace, for a total of 20 years. 480+20=500. Isn’t that interesting? Is this what will happen in the Millennium? We start with the Exodus, which seems to be a picture of the resurrection. The Israelites were figuratively dead in Egypt as slaves. They came out by miraculous providence to enter the promised land, which is figuratively paradise. Now if we scale the Jewish year up to a thousand years, we see that the fall feasts start just at and after the half way point, 500 years. Solomon is picturing the Temple starting construction before these fall feasts. Zechariah 14 tells us that all nations will be forced to celebrate the feast of Tabernacles or else they will be cursed. This is just past half way through the year. The story of Noah shows us that an altar is built after they come out of the ark. Noah and family and the animals came out after 370 days in the ark (370 years?). Will Ezekiel’s temple commence construction 480 years after the return of Christ? The first resurrection happens in secret from Earth’s point of view. This is the first 370 years. Remember that Solomon was crowned twice: once privately with only key officials, and a second publicly before the whole nation. Isn’t this incredible?? God has shown us what will happen in our day and beyond. The first second coming of Jesus is in secret with only key angels knowing. Then, much later is a huge public ceremony when “all eyes will see him.” This will most likely be when he descends with a huge earthquake to stand on the Mount of Olives, from whence he had risen to heaven before the disciples eyes.