More than a century before the birth of Cyrus, Inspiration had mentioned the work he should do in taking Babylon unawares and in preparing the way for the release of the children of the captivity: “Thus saith the Lord to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; ... to open before him the two-leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron.” Isaiah 45:1, 2.
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In the unexpected entry of the army of the Persian conqueror into the Babylonian capital by way of the river whose waters had been turned aside, and through the inner gates that in careless security had been left open and unprotected, the Jews had abundant evidence of the literal fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. This should have been to them an unmistakable sign that God was shaping the affairs of nations in their behalf, for inseparably linked with the prophecy outlining Babylon’s capture and fall were the words:
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“Thus saith the Lord ... of Cyrus, He is My shepherd, and shall perform all My pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.”“He shall build My city, and he shall let go My captives, not for price nor reward, saith the Lord of hosts.” Isaiah 44:24, 28; 45:13.
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In the writings of Jeremiah was set forth plainly the time for the restoration of Israel: “When seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, ... for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans.” Jeremiah 25:12. “I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.” Jeremiah 29:14.
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Daniel had gone over these and similar prophecies. Now, as events betokened the hand of God at work, Daniel gave special thought to the promises made to Israel. The Lord had declared, “Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.” Verses 12, 13.
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Shortly before the fall of Babylon, when Daniel was meditating on these prophecies and seeking God for understanding, a series of visions was given him concerning the rise and fall of kingdoms. With the first vision, recorded in the seventh chapter of Daniel, an interpretation was given, yet not all was made clear to the prophet. “My cogitations much troubled me,” he wrote, “and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.” Daniel 7:28.
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Another vision threw further light on the events of the future. At the close of this vision Daniel heard “a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to the one that spoke, ‘For how long is the vision?’” Daniel 8:13, RSV. The answer was given: “Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” Verse 14.
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Filled with perplexity, he sought for the relation sustained by the seventy years’ captivity to the 2300 years that should elapse before the cleansing of God’s sanctuary. When the prophet heard the words, “The vision ... shall be for many days,” he fainted “and was sick certain days.” He records of his experience: “Afterward I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.” Verses 26, 27.
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The prophecies of Jeremiah were so plain that he understood “the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.” Daniel 9:2.
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Daniel pleaded with the Lord for the speedy fulfillment of these promises and for the honor of God to be preserved. He identified himself fully with those who had fallen short of the divine purpose, confessing their sins as his own. Though Daniel had been spoken of by heaven as “greatly beloved,” he now appeared before God as a sinner, urging the need of the people he loved. His prayer was eloquent in its simplicity:
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“O Lord, ... we have sinned, ... neither have we hearkened unto Thy servants the prophets, which spake in Thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers.”
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“O Lord, according to all Thy righteousness, I beseech Thee, let Thine anger and Thy fury be turned away from Thy city Jerusalem, Thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.”
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“O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for Thine own sake, O my God.” Verses 4-6, 16, 19.
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Even before the prophet had finished his plea, Gabriel again appeared to him, called his attention to the vision he had seen, and outlined in detail the seventy weeks which were to begin at “the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem.” Verse 25.
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The beginning of Cyrus’s reign marked the completion of the seventy years since the first company of Hebrews had been taken by Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon. The deliverance of Daniel from the den of lions had been used of God to create a favorable impression on the mind of Cyrus. The sterling qualities of the man of God as a statesman of farseeing ability led the Persian ruler to show him marked respect and to honor his judgment. And now God moved upon Cyrus to discern the prophecies concerning himself and to grant the Jewish people their liberty.
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The king saw the words foretelling more than a hundred years before his birth the manner in which Babylon should be taken. He read the message addressed to him by the Ruler of the universe: “I girded thee, though thou hast not known Me: that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside Me.”“I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known Me.” As he traced the inspired record, “He shall build My city, and he shall let go My captives, not for price nor reward,” his heart was profoundly moved, and he determined to fulfill his divinely appointed mission. Isaiah 45:5, 6, 4, 13. He would let the Judean captives go free!
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In a proclamation published “throughout all his kingdom,” Cyrus made known his desire: “The Lord God of heaven ... hath charged me to build Him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all His people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, ... and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (He is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.” Ezra 1:1-4.
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“Let the house be builded,” he further directed regarding the temple, “the place where they offered sacrifices, ... and let the expenses be given out of the king’s house: and also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is in Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem.” Ezra 6:3-5.
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Tidings of this decree reached the farthermost provinces, and there was great rejoicing. Many, like Daniel, had been studying the prophecies and had been seeking God for His promised intervention in behalf of Zion. And now their prayers were being answered!
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When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, We were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Psalm 126:1, 2
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About fifty thousand from the Jews in exile determined to take advantage of the wonderful opportunity “to build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem.” Their friends “aided them with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, with beasts, and with costly wares.”“Cyrus the king also brought out the vessels of the house of the Lord.” Ezra 1:5-7, RSV.
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The long journey across the desert was accomplished in safety, and the happy company at once undertook the work of reestablishing that which had been destroyed. “The chief of the fathers” (Ezra 2:68) led in offering of their substance to help defray the expense of rebuilding the temple, and the people, following their example, gave freely of their meager store. See Verses 64-70.
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An altar was erected on the site of the ancient altar in the temple court. The people “gathered themselves together as one man” and united in reestablishing the sacred services interrupted at the destruction of Jerusalem, and “they kept also the feast of tabernacles.” Ezra 3:1, 4. Setting up the altar greatly cheered the faithful remnant. They gathered courage as preparations for rebuilding the temple advanced from month to month. Surrounded by many sad reminders of the apostasy of their fathers, they longed for some abiding token of divine forgiveness and favor. Above regaining personal property, they valued the approval of God. They felt the assurance of His presence with them; yet they desired greater blessings. They looked forward to the time when they might behold the shining forth of His glory from within the rebuilt temple.
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The workmen found among the ruins some of the immense stones brought to the temple site in the days of Solomon. These were made ready for use, and much new material was provided. Soon the foundation stone was laid in the presence of many thousands assembled to witness the progress of the work. While the cornerstone was being set in position, the people “sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord.” Verse 11.
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All present should have entered heartily into the spirit of the occasion. Yet mingled with the music and shouts of praise heard on that glad day was a discordant note: “Many of the ... ancient men, that had seen the first house, ... wept with a loud voice.” Verse 12. These aged men thought of the results of long-continued impenitence. Had they and their generation carried out God’s purpose for Israel, the temple built by Solomon would not have been destroyed and the captivity would not have been necessary.
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But conditions were now changed. The Lord had allowed His people to return to their own land. Sadness should have given way to joy. God had moved upon Cyrus to aid them in rebuilding the temple! But instead of rejoicing, some cherished thoughts of discontent and discouragement. They had seen the glory of Solomon’s temple and lamented because of the inferiority of the building now to be erected.
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The murmuring and complaining had a depressing influence on many. The workmen were led to question whether they should proceed with the erection of a building that was so freely criticized and was the cause of so much lamentation. Many, however, did not view this lesser glory with such dissatisfaction. They “shouted aloud for joy: so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.” Verses 12, 13.
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Little did those who failed to rejoice at the laying of the foundation stone realize the weight of their words of disapproval and disappointment. Little did they know how much their dissatisfaction would delay the completion of the Lord’s house.
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The magnificence of the first temple had been a source of pride to Israel before their captivity; but the glory of the first temple could not recommend them to God, for they did not bring Him the sacrifice of a humble and contrite spirit. When the vital principles of the kingdom of God are lost sight of, ceremonies become multitudinous and extravagant. When the simplicity of godliness is despised, pride and love of display demand magnificent church edifices, splendid adornings, and imposing ceremonials.
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But God values His church for the sincere piety which distinguishes it from the world. He estimates it according to the growth of its members in the knowledge of Christ, their progress in spiritual experience. He looks for love and goodness. Beauty of art cannot compare with beauty of character revealed in Christ’s representatives. A congregation may be the poorest in the land, but if the members possess the principles of the character of Christ, angels will unite in their worship.
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Give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: For His mercy endureth forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy. Psalm 107:1, 2
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