The Jewish War Series (Part 10: The Idumeans Come to the Aid of the Zealots)
In actuality, Eleazar ben-Simon and Zacharias ben-Phalek, two of the zealot leaders who, along with the rest of the zealots, were trapped in the Temple, smuggle...
Category: Church History
The Jewish War Series (Part 9): Ananus the High Priest vs. The Zealots (and further betrayal by John of Gischala)
After the zealots had seized control of the temple complex and thrown out all the established priests, the high priest Ananus made one last effort to regain con...
The Jewish War Series (Part 5: Josephus Secures Galilee, and the Rise of John of Gischala)
Josephus’ Early Challenges in Galilee—and the Emergence of John of Gischala Upon arriving in Galilee, Josephus saw that his work was cut out for him. He was tas...
The Jewish War Series (Part 4: Cestius’ Attack and Inexplicable Retreat)
Cestius Marches Upon Jerusalem Cestius’ march into Judea was swift and brutal: Antipatris, to Lydda, and soon outside the walls of Jerusalem. Once there, Cestiu...
The Jewish War Series (Part 3: Chaos Erupts Throughout the Region; General Cestius Makes a Move in Galilee)
The news of the uprising in Jerusalem quickly spread like wildfire throughout the region, and soon people throughout the entire province of Judea retaliated aga...
The Jewish War Series (Part 2: The Bloody Deeds of Menahem the Zealot)
Agrippa’s Soldiers Arrive in Jerusalem; the Festival of Xylophory As soon as Agrippa’s soldiers arrived in Jerusalem, it became clear that regaining control of ...
The Jewish War Series (Part 1: The Beginning of the Revolt)
Throughout the rest of this year, I have determined to write my own, more simplified version of Josephus’ account of the Jewish Revolt of AD 66-70. As men...
Jesus and the Olivet Discourse: The Son of Man Coming on the Clouds of Heaven (it doesn’t mean what you think it means) (Part 5: The Jewish War Series)
“And then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four ...
Jesus and the Olivet Discourse: The Abomination of Desolation…and other Cosmic Stuff (Part 4: The Jewish War Series)
A week before he was arrested by the Sanhedrin and then crucified under Pontius Pilate, Jesus of Nazareth rode into the Jerusalem on a donkey, being hailed by m...
Jesus and the Olivet Discourse (The Sign of Christ’s ‘Coming,’ False Messiahs, Wars, Famines, and Tribulation (Part 3: The Jewish War Series)
Unfortunately, we in 21st century America are not too well-versed in the history of the entire New Testament era. Consequently, we do not fully realize the impa...