In the previous study we saw some
differences between the Greek and the Jewish thought. These differences caused
a cultural collision between both groups when the Greek came to dominate Israel
At
first, the Greek respected the Jewish people and their customs, hoping to
convince them in time of the supposed “superiority” of the Greek way of
thinking. As a matter of fact, they did convince many, whom adopted the Greek
way of life. This is known as “Hellenization” (derived from the word Hellas:
Greece
But
not everyone was Hellenized…
INTERNAL CONFLICT
The
conflict between the Greek and Hebrew way of thinking did not come from the conquering
people alone. There was also an internal conflict, a tension between the
Hellenized Jews and those who wanted to remain true to their faith and
traditions.
The Hellenized Jews asked the Hellenic King of Syria Israel
For
this purpose, the king Antiochus issued a decree in which several aspects of
the Jewish religion were forbidden:
- Torah study was prohibited
- It was not permitted to rest on the Sabbath
- Keeping The New Moon and the Jewish calendar was
prohibited
- Circumcisions were forbidden
- Brides were forced to spend a night with a Greek
General before their wedding
Those
Jews who refused to Hellenize themselves were persecuted and even tortured. The
intervention of Antiochus IV drove them to a military war against the faithful
of the Jewish people and finally to the profanation of the Holy Temple
in Jerusalem
(Daniel
11:31-33) Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and
fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up
the abomination that makes desolate. He shall seduce with flattery those who
violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and
take action. And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though
for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder.
Jesus explained that Antiochus’s profanation of the Temple
(Matthew 24:15) So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of
by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand)…
Today we see the Church in a similar conflict, between
those who want to conform to the world and those who want to remain faithful to
Bible principles. Those who remain faithful to the truth of the Kingdom of God
(Matthew 24:21-22) For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not
been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if
those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the
sake of the elect those days will be cut short.
ANTIOCHUSUS IV EPIPHANES
The
ruler of the Seleucid Empire, Antiochus IV assumed the name “Epiphanes”, which
means “God Manifest”. He believed himself to be a god and wanted to be
worshipped as such. However, since the Jews only worship God, he was determined
to destroy their religion and culture. He invaded the
(II
Maccabees 6:1-3) Shortly afterwards, the king sent Gerontes the Athenian
to force the Jews to violate their ancestral customs and live no longer by the
laws of God; and to profane the Temple in Jerusalem and dedicate it to Olympian
Zeus, and the one on Mount Gerizim to Zeus, Patron of Strangers, as the
inhabitants of the latter place had requested. The advent of these evils was
painfully hard for all the people to bear.
During the following next few days we will
publish portions of the narrative of the books of the Maccabees, so that you
may become familiar with their account. I invite you to perceive it not only as
an ancient times historical account of a far away place, but to project it into
the future, when Daniel’s prophecy will be completely fulfilled. Just as Jesus
explained, the abomination of desolation will happen once more (Mat 24:9-22).
Antiochus is a foreshadowing of the Antichrist, which will demand adoration and
will persecute those who believe in the True God. It would be wise for us to
learn from history…
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