The Lord’s Half-Brother, Jude wrote epistle to Believing Jews.
Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, (and younger half-brother of the Lord Jesus). Jude also targets Jewish Christians in danger of false teachers.
His epistle will probably play a spiritual role during the Tribulation for Jewish believers. Jude warns of false teachers and has the unusual discussion of:
angels that sinned (Jude 6, see 2 Pet 2:4)
Sodom and Gomorrha (Jude 7, see 2 Pet 2:6)
Balaam (Jude 11, see 2 Pet 2:15)
Peter probably wrote 2 Peter with the help of a scribe who may have been Jude. This type of connection between Peter and Jude would explain the sharp similarities between the two books. It would also mean that 2 Peter and Jude should be dated to essentially the same time.
When would this time be? 2 Peter 3:16 carries a reference to Paul’s letters, thereby negating the possibility of a very early date for the book. Since James was executed in 62 A.D., and no hint of such an event is in 2 Peter. It was also around 62 A.D. that Peter went to Rome. For Jude to be Peter’s scribe, both would probably need to still be in Jerusalem. The most likely date window for 2 Peter and Jude therefore narrows to around 62 A.D.
The Apostle Peter’s 1st epistle to Believing Jews.
The author of 1 Peter is Peter, the disciple (Apostle) of Jesus, written to a collection of Jewish Assemblies in Asia Minor (1 Pet 1:1). He indicates that he was an eyewitness to Christ’s suffering (1 Pet 5:1). Peter is writing from Rome, however, he feels the need to say “Babylon” for Rome. This was used also in Revelation and in later early Christian writings, and will be an important factor in dating the book. Marcus (Mark) is with Peter in Rome (1 Pet 5:13).
1 Peter is written with a background of imminent persecution ( 1 Pet 1:6, 2:12, 2:19-21, 3:13-17, 4:12-19, 5:8-10). There are two things noteworthy about these warnings of persecution. First, unlike many earlier warnings of persecution against early Jewish Christians, this time there is no indication that the Jews are involved. Second, Peter repeatedly warns his readers to be good citizens (1 Pet 2:13), and the warnings of persecution sound as though the Jewish Christians are in a precarious position with the governing authorities, so they need to be on their best behavior. Even good behavior will not eliminate the “fiery trial” that is coming (1 Pet 4:12), but it may ease the consequences. It is believed this epistle will pay a promenade roll during the Tribulation.
Therefore, the background of 1 Peter has three conditions:
Mark (Marcus) is in Rome with Peter
There is a background of persecution, and it is coming from Roman authorities rather than the Jews
Peter feels a need to conceal the fact that he is in Rome.
Remembering that Peter was martyred around 66 A.D., the only time that fits these conditions would be at the beginning of the persecution of Jewish Christians under Nero. Nero made the Jewish Christians scapegoats for the Roman fire of July 18-19 in 64 A.D. Therefore, the best date for 1 Peter would be around 62 A.D.
The Apostle Peter’s 2nd epistle to Believing Jews.
Having dated 1 Peter at 65 A.D., which is not long before Peter’s death, the question arises whether 2 Peter actually must follow 1 Peter in time. 2 Pet 3:1 says “This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you“, and this verse is the reason 2 Peter is considered “second.” 2 Peter continues to target Jewish Christians in danger of false teachers.
In 2 Peter perhaps more than any other New Testament book, the identity of the named author has been challenged, and many scholars do not believe the apostle Peter is the author of the book. However, the author clearly is claiming to be Peter, as he identifies himself as an eyewitness to the transfiguration (2 Pet 1:16-18). Scholars point to differences in Greek writing style between 1 Peter and 2 Peter, but this may be due to Peter using different scribes to actually do the writing for each book.
2 Peter warns of false teachers and has the unusual discussion of:
angels that sinned (2 Pet 2:4, see Jude 6)
Sodom and Gomorrha (2 Pet 2:6, see Jude 7)
Balaam (2 Pet 2:15, see Jude 11)
Peter probably wrote both his letters with the help of a scribe – for 1 Peter it was apparently Sylvanus (1 Pet 5:12). With 2 Peter the scribe may have been Jude. This type of connection between Peter and Jude would explain the sharp similarities between the two books. It would also mean that 2 Peter and Jude should be dated to essentially the same time.
When would this time be? 2 Peter 3:16 carries a reference to Paul’s letters, thereby negating the possibility of a very early date for the book. Since James was executed in 62 A.D., and no hint of such an event is in 2 Peter. It was also around 62 A.D. that Peter went to Rome. For Jude to be Peter’s scribe, both would probably need to still be in Jerusalem. The most likely date window for 2 Peter and Jude therefore narrows to around 62 A.D.
The Apostle John wrote his epistle to all Believers:
The writings of John (the Gospel, 1,2 and 3 John, Revelation) are often assigned the latest dates of all New Testament literature, with some secular scholars placing them well into the second century A.D., and even most conservative scholars dating at least Revelation around 95 A.D., when John would have been over 80 years old. John and James were the sons of Zebedee, and disciples (Apostles) of Jesus.
It would perhaps be best to first establish the case that the same author is responsible for all the books associated with John. The attributions within these books are not at all clear on this point, since the Gospel of John and 1 John are anonymous, 2 John and 3 John are letters from “The Elder”, and the Revelation is given to simply “His servant John” (Rev 1:1).
Unlike the other gospels, John the apostle is never named in the Gospel of John, though his name seems to be deliberately self-obscured by calling himself “another disciple” or the “disciple that Jesus loved” (John 13:23, 18:15-16, 19:26-27, 20:2-4, 20:8, 21:7, 21:20, 21:23-24). The “we” in John 1:14 indicates that the author, along with the other apostles, were eyewitnesses of Jesus.
Finally, Rev 1:1-2 “…John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw“. The author of Revelation was also the author of this Gospel.
Some scholars have argued for different authors for John and Revelation because of differences in how the Greek language is used in the two books. However, this can probably be explained by the circumstances of writing. John, the Galilean fisherman, would have learned Greek not as his mother tongue but as a second or third language. The Greek of Revelation is different and non-standard, probably because John wrote it as a letter without help. The Gospel of John, though clearly coming from John, looks like it was a collaborative effort. John 21:24 says: “This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true.” The “his” in this verse at the end of the book is probably John, and the “we” is almost surely the Jewish Christian community working with him to put the book into its final form. A similar reference occurs in John 19:35 “And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe”.
There are different views to the time when the Gospel of John was written. Some believe it was written during the reign of Nero (A.D. 54–68), or during the reign of Vespasian (A.D. 69–79), or during the reign of Domitian (A.D. 81–96). Since Jerusalem and the Temple appear to still be in existence, 65-68 AD appear to be when The Apostle John wrote his epistle
The Apostle John wrote his epistle to Believing Jews.
The epistles of John 1,2 and 3. John did not number these epistles, not were they written in this order. That was done many years later by a Church Council.
If the end or the last days were shortly after the writing of revelation (approx. AD 70), then how can John say in 1 John 2:18 “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.” Things were getting bad in Jerusalem and John probably thought the Tribulation was coming.
Here there is little to go on, but some conclusions can be made. John writes as an “elder” to his spiritual “children”. (1 John 2:1, 2:12, 2:18, 2 John 1; 3 John 1, 4). Since John was apparently a youthful disciple, the younger brother of James, this implies that a good deal of time has passed since Jesus’ earthly ministry. Many of the themes in 1-3 John are also present in the Gospel of John. The subject of truth and the idea of a commandment of love is prominent in both books, along with the idea that God is light.
Also, John’s warns against a gnostic influence (1 John 1:1 says he “handled the Word of life (Jesus), in the flesh”). One of the gnostic teachings was that Jesus was a spirit-man rather than a real human. 1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.A date around of 65 A.D. would seem appropriateas the date for this epistle..
The Apostle John wrote his epistle to Believing Jews.
In the letter, 1, 2 and 3 John, remember, John did not number these epistles. That was done many years later by a church council.
Again, there is little to go on, but some conclusions can be made. John writes as an “elder” to his spiritual “children” (1 John 2:1, 2:12, 2:18, 2 John 1; 3 John 1, 4). Since John was apparently a youthful disciple, the younger brother of James, this implies that a good deal of time has passed since Jesus’ earthly ministry.
John does not identify himself as the author and there is a level of intentional anonymity – “the elder“, “the elect lady“, “her children“, “the children of your elect sister” (2 John 1, 13), and as he writes in 1 John 2:18 “Little children, it is the last times…” this might indicate a time of persecution. There is little dispute as to a common author for the short letters of 2 John and 3 John. Both are written by a man calling himself “The Elder.” In both books the author rejoices over “children walking in truth.” Many of the themes in 1-3 John are also present in the Gospel of John. The subject of truth and the idea of a commandment of love is prominent in both books, along with the idea that God is light.
A date around of 65 A.D. for all three letters would seem appropriate, and there does not seem to be a clear way to designate a particular order for the three letters.
John writes as an “elder” to “the well beloved Gaius” (3 John 1, 4). Since John was apparently a youthful disciple, the younger brother of James, this implies that a good deal of time has passed since Jesus’ earthly ministry.
Also, John’s warns about Diotrephes (3 John 9), praises Demetrius (3 John 12). He concludes “I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face”. (3 John 13-14).
There is little dispute as to a common author for the short letters of 2 John and 3 John. Both are written by a man calling himself “The Elder.” In both books the author rejoices over “children walking in truth.” Many of the themes in 1-3 John are also present in the Gospel of John. The subject of truth and the idea of a commandment of love is prominent in both books, along with the idea that God is light.
A date around of 65 A.D. for all three letters would seem appropriate, and there does not seem to be a clear way to designate a particular order for the three letters.
The Apostle John wrote his epistle to Christian Jews:
Revelation is assumed by most scholars, including very conservative scholars, to have been written during a period of persecution under Caesar Domitian in 95 A.D. Supporting this date under Domitian are the early church fathers Tertullian, Victorious, Hippolytus, Clement of Alexandria, and Jerome. This should be considered as serious evidence.
John is the author, Rev 1:1-2, “…John, who bore record of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw“, could be read as saying that the author of this book previously wrote the Gospel of John as well.
Revelation looks to have been written before there was a clear break between Jewish Christians and Jews. Rev2:9 and Rev 3:9 refer to those “who say they are Jews but are not“.
So, if Revelation is prior to A.D. 70, what date is most likely? The epistle fits best in the late A.D. 60’s. James, Peter and Paul had been martyred and the church in Rome was undergoing substantial persecution. Rome had been burned, and Nero has died, setting in motion a bitter and deadly power struggle that saw three different Caesars come and go within a year. And finally, Rome was locked in a death struggle with the Jews in the land of Israel. Since Nero died in June of A.D. 68, the year A.D. 69-70 seems most likely as a date of writing for Revelation, with the caveat that if it was written in A.D. 69-70 it was before July when Jerusalem was destroyed.
Abram, who later became Abraham, fathered Ishmael, (from whom Islam came) and Isaac, was called by God and taken to a land that one day would be his and his decedents thru Isaac. Isaac fathered Esau and Jacob. Esau’s decedents became the Edomites. Jacob later called Israel (by God) fathered the Tribes of Israel. Scholars believe the first human settlements in Jerusalem took place during the Early Bronze Age—somewhere around 3500 B.C. In 1000 B.C., King David conquered Jerusalem and made it the capital of the Jewish kingdom. His son, Solomon, built the first holy Temple about 40 years later. In 722 BCE, the Assyrians, under Sargon II, successor to Shalmaneser V, conquered the Kingdom of Israel, and many Israelites were deported to Mesopotamia. The Jewish proper diaspora began with the Babylonian exile in the 6th century BCE. The United Nations approved a plan to partition Palestine into a Jewish and Arab state in 1947, but the Arabs rejected it. In May 1948, Israel was officially declared an independent state with David Ben-Gurion, the head of the Jewish Agency, as the prime minister.
Israel has two official languages: Hebrew and Arabic
Israel is only 1/6 of 1% of the landmass of the Middle East (Israel is roughly half the size of Lake Michigan).
Golda Meir was the 3rd woman in history to serve as a country’s prime minister.
Israel’s population has reached 8 million as of Independence Day 2013!
Israel has won five bronze Olympic medals, one silver and one gold.
Developed by Major Uzi Gaf, more than 10 million Uzi machine guns have been build since 1948.
34 political parties participated in Israel’s 2013 elections.
Israel has more museums per capita than any other country in the world.
The Dead Sea in Israel is the lowest point on earth, at 1,315 feet below sea level at its lowest point.
Israel is the only liberal democracy in the middle east.
Israel continues to have worldly problems; But, they are still God’s chosen people, just set aside, as a Nation, until the Body of Christ (Jew and Gentile) is complete. One day soon, Israel will enter the 7 years of Jacob’s Troubles (Jeremiah 30:7). Their Temple will be rebuilt. They will believe their Messiah has returned, (Daniel 9:27) But, 3 ½ years later they will realize HE is not who they are looking for. But, when Jacob’s week is complete and their Messiah has settled the Battle of Armageddon, He will set up their promised kingdom and they will rule with Him, in the new world for 1000 years.
Even after the crucifixion and resurrection the People wanted their kingdom (Nation) restored. The book of Acts has many references: Acts 1:6When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? see also: Acts 2:22,36, 3:12, 4:8,10,27, 5:21,31,35, 7:23,37,42 9:15, 10:36, 13:16-17, Acts 13:23-24, 21:28For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. But again the People rejected the Christ Jesus as their messiah. So God through the Apostle Paul, opened the door of salvation to the Gentiles. But still tried to reach Israel (Jews) with the Gospel of GRACE. read what Paul wrote:Romans 9:6,27,31 Romans 10:1Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israelis, that they might be saved. Romans 10:19,21, 11:2,7 Romans 11:25-26For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, … 1 Corinthians 10:18, 2 Corinthians 3:7,13, Galatians 6:16, Ephesians 2:12 Paul was a Jew, and had a heart for his brethren in the flesh. Philippians 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Paul, writing his 1st epistle to the Hebrews (Jews) foretold of a new covenant, which was to come. Hebrews 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and … Hebrews 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel … And John told them of things to come. Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. Revelation 7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Revelation 21:12And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
