Cosmology

In modern usage, cosmology is the study of the universe in terms of time and space. This is a secular view that presupposes time and space as first principles, as well as reason as a first principle, logic as a first principle, knowledge as a first principle, and so on. And as postmodernism will demonstrate, secular cosmology is very much a cascade of unquestioned presupositions that yield absurdity under any proper scrutiny.

However, the word cosmology derives from cosmos, as in the natural order of the universe (cosmos is the opposite of chaos), and from logia, as in the divine word or story. As such, the ancient and more accurate meaning of cosmology is non-secular -- it is the divine story of the order of the universe. This presupposes the Christian God as revealed in Biblical canon (with the triune God as the first principle from which all transcendent categories arise).

Ancient Models in Modern Eyes

It is difficult if not impossible to understand ancient cosmological models in our modern view. With a beam in our eye we somehow expect geographic maps with fixed mechanistic scales of distance, and what we'll get instead is esoteric symbolism, trees and turtles and dragons, usually some kind of heavenly realm above the worldly "middle" realm and then some kind of "underworld" of the dead.

The Spheres between Heaven and Hell

The Planisphere

The Egyptian Cosmos

The conceit of our modern view is to imagine these were "scientific" models, that people believed in the exact shape and literal geography of these models, rather than as a theological map of consciousness. Importantly, all civilizations independently made these kind of maps, and even today we conceive of the world around us in exactly these terms: various spheres of influence and behavior, a heavenly world above us (aspirations, beauty, life), and a demonic underworld (fears, suffering, death).

All cosmological models attempt to map a heavenly precosmogonic origin, and then usually an underworld depicting death. Whether intentional or otherwise, these elements will inevitably manifest. Here's a modern cosmological map to drive the point home (note the origin, and the realm beyond space-time),

The Modern Cosmos

Truth is, no one ever believed these were geographic maps of physical terrain. For example, both the Romans and the Pharisees understood the claim that heaven and earth met with Christ on the cross (they disagreed but still understood the claim far better than our modern view) -- no one thought that this was because the cross was really tall. No one thought that heaven began at a certain elevation above sea level and that hell began at a certain depth beneath.

Remember, ancient cosmology is the story of the ordering of the created universe. As such, what we call the scriptures are the ancient Christian cosmology. The various maps are merely aids to understanding a cosmology that is not static, but very much alive (that is, a story).

Let us lay out the chronological order of the Biblical canon to see the ancient cosmology as it was understood in ancient times, as precursor -- a foundation -- to our modern view. In doing so we are presented with a grand story of origin, of sin, of death, of hope, of prophecy, and ultimately of redemption. It is our story. And it is the only cosmology from which morality and truth can be objectively knowable.

These are approximate years based on ordering of scripture -- and not to be taken literally in a modern reductionist view (although can be understood holistically as the origin of our modern reductionism)

Precosmogonic Age

Before Time?

It's impossible to rationally discuss time before time. What we call time did not exist before creation.

God is eternal, including the three persons of God that we refer to as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- this omniscient and omnipotent being is eternal and that despite His transcendent nature, His will is a person (the Father); His word is a person (the Son); and His love (from Father to Son, from will to word) is also a person (the Holy Spirit).

Before creation, before time itself, there was God's will, there was God's word, and there was God's love. God's will, word, and love are eternal and one; the first principle from which all creation emerges. From this trinity there emerges time, space, reason, and all of creation (visible and invisible).

• ~Before Time
  In the Beginning was the Word, John 1
  

Edenic Age

Walking with God

The Edenic age was man walking with God, and it ended at the fall, at our exile from Eden.

The cosmology during this age is best understood as a radical shift marked by the fall of man. The fall introduced death, which necessarily means that prior to the fall there was no death, and thus no evolution (which is best understood as life striving and surviving in the face of death).

• ~4000 BC
  The Creation, Genesis 1
  The Garden of Eden, Genesis 2
  The Fall of Man, Genesis 3
  

Antediluvian Age

Sons of God and Nephilim

The cosmology during this age is best understood as the consequence of the fall (the first rebellion against God). And despite the spirit of God being with man, sin entered the hearts of man, leading to the firstborn, Cain, to kill his brother Abel (second rebellion against God). Humans lived for centuries, and in this age the sons of God (the angels, the heavenly hosts) continued the sin against God and took for themselves the daughters of men.

In this age only Enoch walked with God, and later his grandson Noah walked with God.

• ~3000 BC
  Cain kills Abel, Genesis 4
  From Adam to Noah, Genesis 5
  

Noahchian Age (Flood)

Genesis 6:5

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

The Great Flood

The cosmology of this age underwent a radical shift, where God -- seeing the wickedness of man, the consequence of sin in the world -- caused a great flood. And the only human survivors were Noah and his family. After the flood, God removed His Spirit from man, who would no longer live for centuries.

• ~2500 BC
  Wickedness Provokes God's wrath, Genesis 6
  The Great Flood, Genesis 7
  The Flood Subsides, Genesis 8
  Covenant of the Rainbow, Genesis 9
  Shem, Ham and Japheth, Genesis 10
  

Babel (Rebellion)

Rebellion of Babel

After the flood there was one final cosmological rebellion -- that is, a radical shift in cosmology as a consequence of man's (and angel's) rebellion against God. Prior to this, man spoke a unified language, the divine language. And man was subject to God and nothing else.

The descendents of Noah were told to populate the world, but they instead built a great city and a great tower that they may reach heaven. And with the divine language and sin in their hearts, God tells us of our ancestors, "nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do."

So God scattered the people, confused their language, and placed them beneath the heavenly hosts. Man would now be ruled by principalities and dark powers, false gods -- we would become the playthings of devils.

• ~2100 BC
  The Tower of Babel, Genesis 11
  

Abrahamic Age

Wisdom of Sirach 17:17

For in the division of the nations of the whole earth he set a ruler over every people; but Israel is the Lord's portion

Covenantal Age

The cosmology of this age is familiar to us -- man is in a lowly state, subject to false gods (principalities and powers) and confused languages, yet in this age is the beginning of hope. A single seed, Abraham, will be the father of a chosen people; blessed by a priest (Melchizedek) of the most high God.

Jubilees 15:30b-32a

He chose Israel to be His people. And He sanctified it, and gathered it from amongst all the children of men; for there are many nations and many peoples, and all are His, and over all hath He placed spirits in authority to lead them astray from Him. But over Israel He did not appoint any angel or spirit, for He alone is their ruler

• ~2100 BC
  Job's Suffering and Faith, Job 1 - 42
  

• ~2091 BC
  God Sends Abram to Egypt, Genesis 12
  

• ~2090 BC
  The Famine in Canaan, Genesis 12:10
  

• ~2085 BC
  Abram and Lot Part Ways, Genesis 13
  Abram Promised Many Descendants, Genesis 13:14
  

• ~2084 BC
  Abram Rescues Lot, Genesis 14
  

• ~2081 BC
  God's Covenant with Abram,, Genesis 15
  Sarai and Hagar, Genesis 16
  

• ~2080 BC
  Ishmael Born, Genesis 16:15
  

• ~2067 BC
  The Covenant of Circumcision, Genesis 17
  God Promises the Birth of Isaac, Genesis 18
  The Destruction of Sodom, Genesis 19
  Abraham, Sarah and Abimelech, Genesis 20
  

• ~2066 BC
  Isaac Born, Genesis 21
  

• ~2064 BC
  Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away, Genesis 21:8
  

• ~2057 BC
  The Treaty at Beersheba, Genesis 21:22
  

• ~2054 BC
  The Offering of Isaac, Genesis 22
  

• ~2030 BC
  Death and Burial of Sarah, Genesis 23
  

• ~2026 BC
  Isaac Marries Rebekah, Genesis 24
  

• ~2006 BC
  Birth of Jacob and Esau, Genesis 25
  

• ~1991 BC
  Death of Abraham, Genesis 25:5
  

• ~1978 BC
  Esau sells his birthright, Genesis 25:29
  

• ~1977 BC
  Isaac and Abimelech, Genesis 26
  

• ~1929 BC
  Jacob Gets Isaac's Blessing, Genesis 27
  

• ~1928 BC
  Jacob Flees to Laban, Genesis 28
  Jacob's vision of a ladder, Genesis 28:10
  Jacob Serves Laban, Genesis 29
  

• ~1921 BC
  Jacob Marries Rachel, Genesis 29:28
  Jacob and His Sons, Genesis 30
  

• ~1916 BC
  Rachel Bears Joseph, Genesis 30:22
  

• ~1908 BC
  Jacob Leaves for Canaan, Genesis 31
  

• ~1906 BC
  Jacob Wrestles with God, Genesis 32
  Jacob Meets Esau, Genesis 33
  Jacob Settles in Shechem, Genesis 33:18
  Shechem Defiles Dinah, Genesis 34
  Jacob Returns to Bethel, Genesis 35
  Jacob Named Israel, Genesis 35:10
  Descendants of Esau, Genesis 36
  

• ~1903 BC
  Rachel Dies, Genesis 35:18
  

• ~1898 BC
  Joseph's Dreams and Betrayal, Genesis 37
  Joseph Sold into Slavery, Genesis 37:25
  Tamar deceives Judah, Genesis 38
  Joseph Prospers Under Potiphar, Genesis 39
  

• ~1889 BC
  Potiphar's Wife Accuses Joseph, Genesis 39:7
  Joseph Imprisoned, Genesis 39:20
  

• ~1887 BC
  The Cupbearer and the Baker's Dreams, Genesis 40
  

• ~1886 BC
  Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams, Genesis 41
  Joseph Put in Charge, Genesis 41:33
  Seven Years of Plenty Begin, Genesis 41:47
  

• ~1875 BC
  Famine Begins, Genesis 41:53
  Joseph's Brothers Sent to Egypt, Genesis 42
  Simeon Detained by Joseph, Genesis 42:24
  The Return with Benjamin, Genesis 43
  Benjamin and the Silver Cup, Genesis 44
  Joseph Reveals His Identity, Genesis 45
  Joseph Sends for Jacob, Genesis 45:9
  Jacob and Family to Egypt, Genesis 46
  Jacob to Goshen, Genesis 47
  

• ~1859 BC
  Jacob's Illness, Genesis 48
  Jacob's Blessing and Death, Genesis 49
  The Burial of Jacob, Genesis 50
  

• ~1806 BC
  The Death of Joseph, Genesis 50:26
  

• ~1800 BC
  Jacob's Family Stays in Egypt, Exodus 1
  

Mosaic Age

Exile and Promised Land

This is the age where God's chosen people are liberated from captivity, liberated from the false gods -- the worldly principalities and powers. God's law is written. And yet repeatedly, the people rebel and fail to uphold God's law.

• ~1700 BC
  Israelites Multiply in Egypt, Exodus 1:6
  

• ~1600 BC
  Israelites Oppressed by New King, Exodus 1:8
  

• ~1539 BC
  Pharaoh's Order to Kill Firstborn, Exodus 1:22
  

• ~1525 BC
  The Birth and Adoption of Moses, Exodus 2
  

• ~1486 BC
  Moses Flees into Midian, Exodus 2:11
  

• ~1446 BC
  Israelites Groan in Slavery, Exodus 2:23
  Moses Sent to Deliver Israel, Exodus 3 - 6
  The Ten Plagues on Egypt, Exodus 7 - 12
  The Exodus Begins, Exodus 13 - 18
  The Isreaelites At Mount Sinai, Exodus 19
  Moses Receives the Commandments, Exodus 20
  Moses Receives the Law, Exodus 21 - 24
  Preparations for the Tabernacle , Exodus 25 - 31
  The Golden Calf and Moses' Anger, Exodus 32
  The Journey Resumes, Exodus 33 - 39
  

• ~1445 BC
  The Tabernacle is Erected and Filled, Exodus 40
  Laws for Sacrifices and Offerings, Leviticus 1 - 7
  Aaron and His Sons Consecrated, Leviticus 8, 9
  The Sin of Nadab and Abihu, Leviticus 10
  Laws of Purity, Leviticus 11 - 19
  Punishments and Regulations, Leviticus 20 - 22
  Feasts and Jubilee, Leviticus 23
  Census, Tribes, Duties, Numbers 1 - 6
  Tabernacle Dedication, Numbers 7 - 10
  The People Complain, Numbers 11, 12
  The Twelve Spies, Numbers 13
  People Murmur at the Spies' Report, Numbers 14, 15
  

• ~1426 BC
  Korah's Rebellion, Numbers 16
  Aaron's Staff Buds, Numbers 17
  Priests, Red Heifer, Cleansing , Numbers 18, 19
  

• ~1407 BC
  Water from the Rock at Meribah, Numbers 20
  Aaron's Death, Numbers 20:22
  The Bronze Snake, Numbers 21
  Balaam and the Angel, Numbers 22 - 25
  The Second Census, Numbers 26
  The Daughters of Zelophehad, Numbers 27
  Joshua Chosen to Succeed Moses, Numbers 27:18
  Special sacrifices and holy days, Numbers 28, 29
  Vows of women, Numbers 30
  Conquest of Midian, Numbers 31
  Division of Transjordan, Numbers 32
  Summary of Israel's Journey, Numbers 33
  Apportionment of Canaan, Numbers 34
  Borders and Cities of Refuge, Numbers 35
  Zelophehad's Daughters Marry, Numbers 36
  Psalm of Moses, Psalm 90
  Moses' Summary of Israel's History, Deuteronomy 1 - 4
  

• ~1406 BC
  Recapitulation of the Law, Deuteronomy 4:44 - 31
  The Song of Moses, Deuteronomy 32
  Moses Blesses the Twelve Tribes, Deuteronomy 32:48
  Blessings of Moses, Deuteronomy 33
  The Death of Moses, Deuteronomy 34
  God Commissions Joshua, Joshua 1
  Rahab Welcomes the Spies, Joshua 2
  The Israelites Cross the Jordan, Joshua 3 - 5
  Conquer of Jericho and Ai, Joshua 6 - 8
  

• ~1405 BC
  Kings Join against Israel, Joshua 9
  The Sun Stands Still, Joshua 10
  Northern Palestine Defeated, Joshua 11, 12
  

• ~1399 BC
  Land allotted among the Tribes, Joshua 13 - 22
  

• ~1375 BC
  Joshua's Farewell Address, Joshua 23, 24
  Micah's Idolatry, Judges 17
  Danites Settle in Laish, Take Micah's Idols, Judges 18
  A Levite's Concubine Degraded, Judges 19
  Israelites Defeat the Benjamites, Judges 20
  Wives for the Benjamites, Judges 21
  

• ~1374 BC
  Israelites Capture Jerusalem, Hebron, Judges 1
  Israel Rebuked and Defeated, Judges 2
  Israel's idolatry and Servitude; Othniel, Judges 3
  

• ~1334 BC
  Eglon, Judges 3:12
  

• ~1316 BC
  Ehud, Judges 3:15
  

• ~1235 BC
  Deborah and Barak, Judges 4
  The Song of Deborah and Barak, Judges 5
  

• ~1169 BC
  Gideon and the Midianites, Judges 6 - 8
  

• ~1140 BC
  Naomi, Ruth and Boaz, Ruth 1 - 4
  

• ~1129 BC
  Abimelech Conspires to Become King, Judges 9
  

• ~1126 BC
  Plot against Abimelech, Judges 9:22
  Abimelech is Slain, Judges 9:50
  

• ~1118 BC
  Tola, Jair, Judges 10
  

• ~1100 BC
  Birth of Samuel, 1 Samuel 1
  Hannah's Song, 1 Samuel 2
  

• ~1097 BC
  Jephthah's Covenant with the Gileadites, Judges 11
  

• ~1090 BC
  Jephthah, Ephraim, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon, Judges 12
  Israel Oppressed by the Philistines, Judges 13
  

• ~1075 BC
  Samson's Marriage and Riddle, Judges 14
  Samson Burns the Philistine Crops, Judges 15
  Samson and Delilah, Judges 16
  

• ~1070 BC
  Battle of Shiloh, 1 Samuel 3
  Philistines Take the Ark, 1 Samuel 4, 5
  Philistines Return the Ark to Israel, 1 Samuel 6
  Ark brought to Abinadab's House, 1 Samuel 7
  

• ~1050 BC
  Israelites Repent at Mizpeh, 1 Samuel 7:3
  

• ~1043 BC
  Saul Becomes King, 1 Samuel 8 - 10
  

• ~1042 BC
  Saul Defeats the Ammonites, 1 Samuel 11, 12
  

• ~1041 BC
  Saul's War with the Philistines, 1 Samuel 13
  Jonathan's Miraculous Victory, 1 Samuel 14
  

• ~1028 BC
  Saul's Disobedience and Samuel's Rebuke, 1 Samuel 15
  

Davidic Age

Davidic Monarcy

The cosmology of this age is marked by prophecy, including the prophecied Messiah, -- Emmanuel, God with us -- from the line of David. This prophecied Messiah will rule forever.

• ~1024 BC
  Samuel Anoints David at Bethlehem, 1 Samuel 16
  David Kills Goliath, 1 Samuel 17
  

• ~1015 BC
  Jonathan's Friendship with David, 1 Samuel 18
  

• ~1014 BC
  David Protected from Saul, 1 Samuel 19
  

• ~1013 BC
  David and Jonathan's Covenant, 1 Samuel 20
  David's Psalm of Deliverance (1Sa 20), Psalm 59
  

• ~1012 BC
  David at Nob and Gath, 1 Samuel 21
  David's Psalm Fleeing Saul (1Sa 21), Psalm 52
  David's Psalm Before Ahimelech (1Sa 21), Psalm 34
  

• ~1011 BC
  David's Psalm at Gath (1Sa 21), Psalm 56
  Saul Slays the Priests of Nob, 1 Samuel 22
  David's Psalms in the Cave (1Sa 22), Psalms 57, 142
  David Flees Saul, 1 Samuel 23
  David's Psalm at Keilah (1Sa 23), Psalm 54
  David Spares Saul's Life, 1 Samuel 24
  Samuel Dies, 1 Samuel 25
  David Spares Saul a Second Time, 1 Samuel 26
  

• ~1010 BC
  David Flees to the Philistines, 1 Samuel 27
  Saul and the Witch of Endor, 1 Samuel 28
  Achish Sends David Away, 1 Samuel 29
  David Destroys the Amalekites, 1 Samuel 30
  Saul and His Sons Killed, 1 Samuel 31
  David Mourns for Saul and Jonathan, 2 Samuel 1
  David Made King over Judah, 2 Samuel 2
  

• ~1008 BC
  Civil War Between Abner and Joab, 2 Samuel 2:12
  

• ~1006 BC
  House of David Strengthened, 2 Samuel 3
  

• ~1005 BC
  Joab murders Abner, 2 Samuel 3:22
  

• ~1004 BC
  The Murder of Ish-bosheth, 2 Samuel 4
  

• ~1003 BC
  Genealogies of the Israelites, 1 Chronicles 1 - 9
  Saul's Overthrow and Defeat, 1 Chronicles 10
  David Reigns over All Israel, 2 Samuel 5, 1 Chronicles 11

• ~1002 BC
  David's Army Grows, 1 Chronicles 12
  

• ~1000 BC
  David fetches the ark, 1 Chronicles 13
  David's Family Grows, 1 Chronicles 14
  The Ark is Brought to Jerusalem, 2 Samuel 6, 1 Chronicles 15
  David Plans a Temple, 2 Samuel 7
  

• ~998 BC
  David Defeats the Philistines, 2 Samuel 8
  David's Psalm of Victory (2Sa 8), Psalm 60
  David's Psalm of Zion, Psalm 15
  David's Psalm of Glory to God, Psalm 24
  David's festival sacrifice, 1 Chronicles 16
  Psalms of Praise (1Ch 16), Psalms 96, 105, 106
  

• ~997 BC
  David Purposes to build a Temple, 1 Chronicles 17
  

• ~996 BC
  David Strengthens His Kingdom, 1 Chronicles 18
  

• ~995 BC
  David and Mephibosheth, 2 Samuel 9
  David Defeats Ammon and Aram, 2 Samuel 10, 1 Chronicles 19
  The Capture of Rabbah, 1 Chronicles 20
  

• ~993 BC
  David and Bathsheba, 2 Samuel 11
  

• ~991 BC
  Nathan Rebukes David, 2 Samuel 12
  David's Psalm of Repentance (2Sa 12), Psalm 51
  

• ~990 BC
  Solomon is Born, 2 Samuel 12:24
  Amnon and Tamar, 2 Samuel 13
  Amnom Killed by Absalom, 2 Samuel 13:23
  

• ~988 BC
  The Widow of Tekoa, 2 Samuel 14
  Absalom Recalled, 2 Samuel 14:21
  

• ~979 BC
  Psalms of David, Psalms 2 - 145 (Assorted)
  Psalms of Korah , Psalms 42 - 44, 84, 85, 87, 88
  Psalms of Asaph , Psalm 50, 73, 75 - 78, 80 - 83, 89
  Psalms of Unknown Authors, Psalms 1 - 150 (Assorted)
  David Forces a Census, 1 Chronicles 21
  Preparation for building the Temple, 1 Chronicles 22
  Preparation of Priesthood, 1 Chronicles 23
  Divisions of Levites, 1 Chronicles 24
  Preparation of sanctuary singers, 1 Chronicles 25
  Preparation of gatekeepers, treasurers, 1 Chronicles 26
  Preparation of government, 1 Chronicles 27
  

• ~976 BC
  Absalom's Conspiracy, 2 Samuel 15
  David Flees Jerusalem, 2 Samuel 15:13
  

• ~972 BC
  David and Ziba, Shimei, 2 Samuel 16
  Shimei Curses David, 2 Samuel 16:5
  David's Psalm of Thirst for God (2Sa 16), Psalm 63
  Hushai's Warning Saves David, 2 Samuel 17
  David Psalms of Deliverance (2Sa 17), Psalms 41, 55
  Absalom Slain by Joab, 2 Samuel 18
  Joab Comforts David, 2 Samuel 19
  Sheba Rebels Against David, 2 Samuel 20
  

• ~970 BC
  The Gibeonites Avenged, 2 Samuel 21
  David's Song of Deliverance, 2 Samuel 22
  David's Last Song, 2 Samuel 23
  David's Psalm of Steadfastness (2Sa 23), Psalm 108
  David Counts the Fighting Men, 2 Samuel 24
  David's last days, 1 Chronicles 28, 29, 1 Kings 1, 2
  David's Psalm of Salvation (1Ki 2), Psalm 37
  

• ~967 BC
  Psalm for Solomon (2Ch 1), Psalm 72
  Solomon Asks for Wisdom, 2 Chronicles 1, 1 Kings 3
  Psalm of Korah (1Ki 3), Psalm 45
  Solomon's Wisdom, 1 Kings 4
  Solomon's Preparations for the Temple, 1 Kings 5
  

• ~966 BC
  The Building of Solomon's Temple, 1 Kings 6
  The Building of Solomon's Palace, 1 Kings 7
  The Ark Brought to the Temple, 1 Kings 8
  God's covenant with Solomon, 1 Kings 9
  Solomon Prepares for a Temple and Palace, 2 Chronicles 2
  Solomon Builds the Temple in Jerusalem, 2 Chronicles 3
  Temple Furnishings, 2 Chronicles 4
  

• ~959 BC
  Ark Brought into the Temple, 2 Chronicles 5
  Solomon's Prayer of Temple Dedication, 2 Chronicles 6
  God's Glory in the Temple, 2 Chronicles 7
  Psalms of Solomon (2Ch 7), Psalms 135, 136
  Solomon's buildings, 2 Chronicles 8
  

• ~950 BC
  Solomon Psalm of Blessing, Psalm 127
  The Proverbs of Solomon, Proverbs 1 - 29
  The Words of Agur, Proverbs 30
  King Lemuel's Proverb, Proverbs 31
  Solomon's Song of Songs, Songs 1 - 8
  

• ~946 BC
  Mutual Presents of Solomon and Hiran, 1 Kings 9:10
  The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon, 1 Kings 10, 2 Chronicles 9
  

• ~939 BC
  Solomon's Wives and Idolatry, 1 Kings 11
  

• ~937 BC
  Ecclesiastes Words of the Preacher , Ecclesiastes 1 - 12
  

• ~931 BC
  Solomon's Death, 1 Kings 11:40
  The Kingdom is Divided, 1 Kings 12, 13
  

• ~930 BC
  Israelites Rebel against Rehoboam, 2 Chronicles 10
  Rehoboam's Reign over Judah, 2 Chronicles 11
  

• ~927 BC
  Rehoboam's sin, 2 Chronicles 12
  

• ~925 BC
  Ahijah's Prophecies against Jeroboam, 1 Kings 14
  

• ~913 BC
  Rehoboam's Wicked Reign, 1 Kings 14:21
  Abijam's wicked reign, 1 Kings 15
  Civil War against Jeroboam, 2 Chronicles 13
  Asa Destroys Idolatry, 2 Chronicles 14
  

• ~909 BC
  Jehu's prophecy against Baasha, 1 Kings 16
  

• ~895 BC
  Asa's Reforms, 2 Chronicles 15
  

• ~894 BC
  Hanani's rebuke, 2 Chronicles 16
  

• ~886 BC
  Elah, Zimri, Omri, 1 Kings 16:5
  

• ~874 BC
  Ahab's wicked reign, 1 Kings 16:27
  

• ~869 BC
  Jehoshaphat Succeeds Asa, 2 Chronicles 17
  

• ~863 BC
  Elijah Prays for Drought, 1 Kings 17
  Elijah Fed by Ravens, 1 Kings 17:3
  The Widow at Zarephath, 1 Kings 17:7
  Elijah on Mount Carmel, 1 Kings 18
  

• ~858 BC
  Elijah Flees Jezebel, 1 Kings 19
  Elisha Called, 1 Kings 19:19
  

• ~857 BC
  Ben-Hadad Attacks Samaria, 1 Kings 20
  Ahab Defeats Ben-Hadad, 1 Kings 20:14
  

• ~855 BC
  Ahab Takes Naboth's Vineyard, 1 Kings 21
  

• ~853 BC
  Israel and Judah against Syria, 1 Kings 22
  The Vision of Obadiah, Obadiah 1
  Jehoshaphat Allies with Ahab, 2 Chronicles 18
  Jehosaphat's deeds, 2 Chronicles 19
  War with Ammon and Moab, 2 Chronicles 20
  

• ~852 BC
  Jehoram's Wicked Reign in Judah, 2 Chronicles 21
  Moab Rebels, 2 Kings 1
  

• ~851 BC
  Elijah Taken up to Heaven, 2 Kings 2
  Elisha Succeeds Elijah, 2 Kings 2:12
  

• ~850 BC
  Jehoram Meets Moab Rebellion, 2 Kings 3
  

• ~849 BC
  The Widow's Oil, 2 Kings 4
  Elisha Raises The Shunammite boy, 2 Kings 4:8
  The Healing of Naaman, 2 Kings 5
  

• ~848 BC
  Elisha Floats an Axhead, 2 Kings 6
  Elisha Promises Plenty in Samaria, 2 Kings 7
  

• ~847 BC
  The Shunammite's Land, 2 Kings 8
  

• ~841 BC
  Jehu Reigns in Israel, 2 Kings 9
  Jehu Kills Joram, 2 Kings 9:11
  Ahab's Family Killed, 2 Kings 10
  Baal Worshipers killed, 2 Kings 10:18
  Joash escapes Athaliah, 2 Kings 11
  Ahaziah Succeeds Jehoram in Judah, 2 Chronicles 22
  Jehoiada Makes Joash King, 2 Chronicles 23
  

• ~835 BC
  Joash Reigns Well, 2 Chronicles 24, 2 Kings 12
  The Word of the LORD to Joel, Joel 1 - 3
  

• ~812 BC
  Joash Orders Temple repairs, 2 Kings 12:6
  Jehoahaz's wicked reign, 2 Kings 13
  

• ~796 BC
  Amaziah's good reign, 2 Kings 14, 2 Chronicles 25
  

• ~790 BC
  Azariah's good reign, 2 Kings 15
  Uzziah Reigns in Judah, 2 Chronicles 26
  

• ~766 BC
  The Words of Amos, Amos 1 - 9
  

• ~760 BC
  Jonah Sent to Nineveh, Jonah 1 - 4
  

• ~753 BC
  Hosea's Prophecies, Hosea 1 - 14
  

• ~750 BC
  Jotham Succeeds Uzziah, 2 Chronicles 27
  

• ~742 BC
  Wicked Reign of Ahaz, 2 Chronicles 28, 2 Kings 16
  

• ~739 BC
  Isaiah Complains of Zion's Corruption, Isaiah 1 - 5
  Isaiah's Vision and Commission, Isaiah 6
  

• ~735 BC
  Isaiah's Prophesy of Immanuel, Isaiah 7
  The Word of the LORD to Micah, Micah 1 - 7
  

• ~734 BC
  Uriah and Zechariah, Isaiah 8
  

• ~730 BC
  Isaiah Prophesies a Child Is Born, Isaiah 9
  Isaiah Prophesies Judgments Upon Israel, Isaiah 9:8
  Isaiah Prophesies Judgment on Assyria, Isaiah 10
  Isaiah Prophesies The Root of Jesse, Isaiah 11
  Isaiah's Joyful Thanksgiving, Isaiah 12
  

• ~725 BC
  Isaiah Prophesies against the Nations, Isaiah 13 - 22
  Isaiah's Valley of Vision, Isaiah 22
  Isaiah's Burden of Tyre, Isaiah 23
  Devastation on the Earth, Isaiah 24
  Isaiah's Songs of Praise, Isaiah 25 - 27
  Isaiah's Further Warnings, Isaiah 28 - 32
  Isaiah Prophesies a King Shall Reign, Isaiah 32
  Isaiah Declares God's Judgments, Isaiah 33, 34
  Isaiah Declares the Joyful Will Flourish in Zion, Isaiah 35
  Hoshea the Last King of Israel, 2 Kings 17
  

• ~722 BC
  Israel Led into Captivity, 2 Kings 17:6
  

• ~721 BC
  Strange Nations Transplanted into Samaria, 2 Kings 17:24
  

• ~716 BC
  Hezekiah's Good Reign, 2 Chronicles 29
  

• ~715 BC
  Hezekiah proclaims a solemn Passover, 2 Chronicles 30
  Idolatry is Destroyed, 2 Chronicles 31
  

• ~712 BC
  Hezekiah's Illness and Healing, 2 Kings 20, Isaiah 38
  

• ~711 BC
  Hezekiah Shows Treasures, 2 Kings 20:12, Isaiah 39
  Isaiah Prophesies Captivity and Restoration, Isaiah 40 - 66
  

• ~701 BC
  Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem, 2 Kings 18, Isaiah 36, 2 Chronicles 32
  Korah's Psalms of Refuge (2Ch 32), Psalms 46 - 48
  Hezekiah's Prayer, 2 Kings 19, Isaiah 37
  

• ~697 BC
  The Vision of Nahum, Nahum 1 - 3
  

• ~687 BC
  Manasseh's Wicked Reign, 2 Kings 21, 2 Chronicles 33
  

• ~640 BC
  Josiah's good reign, 2 Kings 22, 2 Chronicles 34
  

• ~638 BC
  The Word of the LORD to Zephaniah, Zephaniah 1 - 3
  

• ~627 BC
  The Call of Jeremiah, Jeremiah 1
  Jeremiah Declares Judah Forsakes God, Jeremiah 2 - 6
  Jeremiah's Message at the Temple Gate, Jeremiah 7 - 10
  

• ~625 BC
  The Oracle to Habakkuk, Habakkuk 1 - 3
  

• ~622 BC
  Jeremiah Proclaims God's Covenant, Jeremiah 11, 12
  

• ~621 BC
  Josiah Prepares for Temple Repair, 2 Kings 22:3
  Hilkiah finds the lost Book of the Law, 2 Kings 22:8
  Josiah Celebrates the Passover, 2 Kings 23, 2 Chronicles 35
  

• ~609 BC
  Jehoiakim's wicked reign., 2 Chronicles 36
  Jeremiah Proclaims Covenant Is Broken, Jeremiah 13 - 20
  Jeremiah Prophesies against Egypt, Jeremiah 46
  Jeremiah Prophesies against Philistia, Jeremiah 47
  

• ~605 BC
  Daniel Refuses the King's Portion, Daniel 1
  

• ~604 BC
  Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar Dream, Daniel 2
  

• ~601 BC
  Rebellion of Jehoiakim, 2 Kings 24
  

• ~597 BC
  Jehoiachim exiled, 2 Kings 24:10
  Zedekiah reigns in Judah, 2 Kings 24:18
  

• ~594 BC
  Jeremiah Prophesies against Moab, Jeremiah 48
  Jeremiah Prophesies against Ammon, Jeremiah 49
  

• ~583 BC
  Ezekiel's Prophecy at Chebar, Ezekiel 1
  Ezekiel's Calling and Instruction, Ezekiel 2
  Ezekiel Eats the Scroll, Ezekiel 3
  Ezekiel Foretells Siege of Jerusalem, Ezekiel 4, 5
  Ezekiel's Vision of the End, Ezekiel 6, 7
  

• ~592 BC
  Ezekiel's First Temple Vision, Ezekiel 8 - 19
  

• ~591 BC
  Ezekiel Sees God Refuse the Elders, Ezekiel 20
  Ezekiel Prophesies against Jerusalem, Ezekiel 21, 22
  Ezekiel Prophesies against two Sisters, Ezekiel 23
  

• ~588 BC
  Siege of Jerusalem Begins, 2 Kings 25
  Jeremiah's Conflicts, Jeremiah 21 - 33
  Jeremiah Prophesies Judgment on Judah, Jeremiah 34 - 45
  Siege of Jerusalem Begins, Ezekiel 24
  

• ~587 BC
  God's Vengeance on Ammon and Edom, Ezekiel 25
  

• ~586 BC
  The Fall of Jerusalem, 2 Kings 25, Jeremiah 52
  Psalms of Desolation (Jer. 52), Psalms 74, 79
  Jeremiah Prophesies against Babylon, Jeremiah 50, 51
  Jeremiah's Lamentations, Lamentations 1 - 5
  Ezekiel Pronounces Judgment on Tyre, Ezekiel 26 - 28
  Ezekiel Prophesies against Egypt, Ezekiel 29 - 32
  Ezekiel the Watchman, Ezekiel 33
  

• ~585 BC
  Ezekiel Explains Jerusalem's Fall, Ezekiel 33:21
  Ezekiel Foresees Reproof and Restoration, Ezekiel 34 - 36
  Ezekiel Sees Resurrection of Dry Bones, Ezekiel 37
  Ezekiel Sees Future battle, Ezekiel 38
  Ezekiel Sees God's judgment upon Gog, Ezekiel 39
  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Daniel 3
  

• ~582 BC
  Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream, Daniel 4
  Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream, Daniel 4:19
  

• ~573 BC
  Ezekiel's Second Temple Vision, Ezekiel 40 - 48
  

• ~539 BC
  Daniel Interprets Handwriting on the Wall, Daniel 5
  Daniel Survives the Lions' Den, Daniel 6
  Daniel's Vision of Four Beasts, Daniel 7
  Daniel's Vision of the Ram and Goat, Daniel 8
  Daniel's Prayer and Gabriel's Answer, Daniel 9
  Daniel Comforted by the Angel, Daniel 10
  Daniel Prophesies Overthrow of Persia, Daniel 11
  Daniel Prophesies Deliverance for Israel, Daniel 12
  

Ezraitic Age

Second Temple Period

This age commences when the Judeans lost their independence upon the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (and Solomon's Temple was destroyed). The cosmology of this age is marked by the cessation of prophecy, a growing Jewish diaspora, and a synthesis with Jewish thought into the pagan world (Roman legalism and Greek philosophy).

This is the age that prepares the world for the coming Messiah.

• ~537 BC
  The Proclamation of Cyrus, Ezra 1
  The Exiles Return, Ezra 2
  

• ~535 BC
  Temple Work Begins, Ezra 3
  

• ~534 BC
  Adversaries Hinder Temple Work, Ezra 4
  Artaxerxes Orders Work Stopped, Ezra 4:17
  

• ~520 BC
  Tattenai's Letter to Darius, Ezra 5
  The Word of the LORD by Haggai, Haggai 1, 2
  The Word of the LORD to Zechariah, Zechariah 1 - 14
  Temple Work Resumed by Darius' Decree , Ezra 6
  

• ~515 BC
  Completion and Dedication of the Temple, Ezra 6:16
  

• ~483 BC
  Queen Vashti Deposed, Esther 1
  

• ~478 BC
  Esther Becomes Queen, Esther 2
  Mordecai Thwarts a Conspiracy, Esther 2:21
  

• ~474 BC
  Haman Seeks Revenge on the Jews, Esther 3
  

• ~473 BC
  Mordecai Informs Esther of Haman's Plot, Esther 4
  Esther Prepares a Banquet, Esther 5
  The King Honors Mordecai, Esther 6
  Haman Is Hanged, Esther 7
  Xerxes' Edict on Behalf of Esther and Jews, Esther 8
  

• ~472 BC
  Purim Instituted, Esther 9
  Xerxes' Tribute to Mordecai, Esther 10
  

• ~458 BC
  Ezra Journeys to Jerusalem, Ezra 7
  Ezra Commissioned by Artaxerxes, Ezra 7:11
  

• ~457 BC
  Families Return to Jerusalem with Ezra, Ezra 8
  Ezra's reforms, Ezra 9
  

• ~456 BC
  Ezra's Prayer About Intermarriage, Ezra 10
  

• ~445 BC
  Nehemiah's Prayer for the Exiles, Nehemiah 1
  

• ~444 BC
  Artaxerxes Sends Nehemiah to Jerusalem, Nehemiah 2
  Builders of the Walls Named, Nehemiah 3
  Builders Overcome Ridicule, Nehemiah 4
  Nehemiah Abolishes Debt and Bondage, Nehemiah 5
  Sanballat's Plot, Nehemiah 6
  Completion of the Wall, Nehemiah 6:15
  Census of Returned Exiles, Nehemiah 7
  Ezra Reads the Law, Nehemiah 8
  Israelites Fast and Repent, Nehemiah 9
  Israelites Seal the Covenant, Nehemiah 10
  People Settle in Jerusalem, Nehemiah 11, 12
  

• ~432 BC
  Nehemiah Restores Laws, Nehemiah 13
  

• ~430 BC
  The Word of the LORD by Malachi, Malachi 1 - 4
  

Messianic Age

Prophecy Fulfilled

This is the age where the prophecied Messiah comes, the God-man that is Christ Jesus. It is our current age. The cosmology of this age is radically different from all that came before. Not only is God's law written into the hearts of men, Christ now rules in the midst of His enemies.

This age will end at the second coming of Christ, the final judgment at the end of time where death itself is defeated.

• ~6 BC
  Birth of John the Baptist, Luke 1
  Augustus Taxes the Roman Empire, Luke 2
  

• ~5 BC
  Birth of Jesus, Matthew 1, Mark 1, Luke 2:6, John 1:14
  Visit of the Magi, Matthew 2
  Escape to Egypt, Matthew 2:13
  

• ~4 BC
  Slaughter of Infants, Matthew 2:16
  Return to Nazareth, Matthew 2:23
  

• ~8 AD
  The Boy Jesus at the Temple, Luke 2:41
  

• ~26 AD
  John the Baptist Prepares the Way, Matthew 3, Mark 1:4, Luke 3, John 1:15
  The Baptism of Jesus, Matthew 3:13, Mark 1:9, Luke 3:21
  

• ~27 AD
  Temptation of Jesus, Matthew 4, Mark 1:12, Luke 4
  Jesus Calls his First Disciples, Matthew 4:18, Mark 1:16, Luke 5
  Wedding at Cana, John 2
  Jesus Teaches Nicodemus, John 3
  Jesus Testifies to the Samaritan Woman, John 4
  Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5 - 7
  

• ~28 AD
  Instructions on Prayer, Luke 11
  Jesus Ministers in Galilee, Matthew 8, Mark 2, Luke 4:14
  The Pool of Bethesda, John 5
  Jesus Lord of the Sabbath, Matthew 12, Mark 3, Luke 6
  Jesus Answers John's Disciples, Matthew 11, Luke 7
  Jesus Speaks Many Parables, Matthew 13, Mark 4, Luke 8
  Jesus Heals a Demoniac, Matthew 8:28, Mark 5, Luke 8:26
  Jesus Heals a Paralytic, Matthew 9
  

• ~29 AD
  Jesus Sends out His Twelve Apostles, Matthew 10, Mark 6
  John the Baptist Beheaded, Matthew 14, Mark 6:14
  Jesus Feeds the 5,000, Matthew 14:15, Mark 6:30, Luke 9, John 6
  Teachings on Clean and Unclean, Matthew 15, Mark 7
  Peter's Confession of Christ, Matthew 16, Mark 8, Luke 9:18
  The Transfiguration, Matthew 17, Mark 9, Luke 9:28
  Greatest and Least in the Kingdom, Matthew 18
  Jesus Sends out the Seventy-two, Luke 10
  Jesus Teaches at the Feast of Tabernacles, John 7
  The Woman Caught in Adultery, John 8
  Jesus Affirms He is the Son of God, John 9
  The Shepherd and His Flock, John 10
  

• ~30 AD
  Jesus Speaks More Parables, Luke 12-16
  Jesus Cleanses the Ten Lepers, Luke 17
  Jesus Raises Lazarus, John 11
  Final Journey to Jerusalem, Matthew 19, 20, Mark 10, Luke 18
  The Triumphal Entry, Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19, John 12
  Closing Ministry in Jerusalem, Matthew 22-25, Mark 12-13, Luke 20-21
  Thursday Before Passover, Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, John 13
  Jesus Comforts His Disciples, John 14
  Jesus the True Vine, John 15
  Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit, John 16
  Jesus' Intercessory prayers, John 17
  Jesus' Betrayal, Trial, Crucifixion, Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 18-19
  Jesus' Resurrection, Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20-21
  The Ascension, Acts 1
  Matthias Chosen by Lot, Acts 1:12
  The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost, Acts 2
  Peter Heals and Preaches, Acts 3
  Peter and John Arrested and Released, Acts 4
  Believers Share All, Acts 4:32
  Deaths of Ananias and Sapphira, Acts 5
  Apostles Preach and Heal, Acts 5:11
  

• ~31 AD
  Stephen's Speech, Stoning and Death, Acts 6-7
  Saul Persecutes the Church, Acts 8
  Philip in Samaria, Acts 8:3
  Simon the Sorcerer, Acts 8:9
  Philip and the Ethiopian, Acts 8:26
  

• ~34 AD
  Saul's Conversion, Acts 9
  

• ~37 AD
  Peter Preaches to the Gentiles, Acts 10-11
  

• ~42 AD
  Barnabas Sent to Antioch, Acts 11:22
  Peter Led from Prison by the Angel, Acts 12
  

• ~44 AD
  Herod Agrippa Dies, Acts 12:20
  

• ~45 AD
  James Writes his Letter, James 1-5
  

• ~48 AD
  Paul's First Missionary Journey, Acts 13
  Paul preaches in Pisidian Antioch, Acts 13:14
  Paul and Barnabas in Iconium, Acts 14
  Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Derbe, Acts 14:8
  Paul and Barnabas Return to Syrian Antioch, Acts 14:21
  Return to Syrian Antioch, Acts 14:24
  The Council at Jerusalem, Acts 15
  

• ~49 AD
  Paul's Second Missionary Journey, Acts 15:36
  Paul in Philippi, Acts 16
  Paul in Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Acts 17
  

• ~51 AD
  Paul in Corinth, Acts 18
  Paul Writes to the Thessalonians, 1 Thess. 1-5
  

• ~52 AD
  Paul Writes again to the Thessalonians, 2 Thess. 1-3
  

• ~54 AD
  Paul in Ephesus, Acts 19
  Paul Writes to the Corinthians, 1 Corinthians 1-16
  Paul Writes to the Galatians, Galatians 1-6
  

• ~57 AD
  Paul in Macedonia and Greece, Acts 20
  Paul Writes to the Romans, Romans 1-16
  Paul Writes again to the Corinthians, 2 Corinthians 1-13
  

• ~59 AD
  Paul Returns to Jerusalem, Acts 21-23
  

• ~60 AD
  Paul imprisoned in Caesarea, Acts 24
  

• ~62 AD
  Paul Before Festus, Acts 25
  Before Agrippa, Acts 26
  Sails for Rome, Acts 27
  The Shipwreck, Acts 27:13
  Paul Ashore at Malta, Acts 28
  Paul Preaches at Rome, Acts 28:11
  Paul Writes to the Ephesians, Ephesians 1-6
  Paul Writes to the Philippians, Philippians 1-4
  Paul Writes to the Colossians, Colossians 1-4
  Paul Writes to Philemon, Philemon 1
  

• ~63 AD
  Paul Writes to Timothy, 1 Timothy 1-6
  

• ~64 AD
  Peter Writes his First Letter, 1 Peter 1-5
  

• ~66 AD
  Paul Writes to Titus, Titus 1-3
  

• ~67 AD
  Paul Writes Again to Timothy, 2 Timothy 1-4
  Peter Writes his Second Letter, 2 Peter 1-3
  

• ~68 AD
  Letter to the Hebrews, Hebrews 1-13
  Jude Writes his Letter, Jude 1
  

• ~90 AD
  John Writes his First Letter, 1 John 1-5
  

• ~92 AD
  John Writes his Second Letter, 2 John 1
  

• ~94 AD
  John Writes his Third Letter, 3 John 1
  

• ~95 AD
  John's Revelation on Patmos, Revelation 1-22