Continuing the series on the time between the Testaments, this article, written by Wayne Jackson comes from the October 1975 edition of The Christian Courier. It was published by the East Main Street Church of Christ in Stockton, California and was edited by Jackson.
After the era of Greek dominance, the Jewish people enjoyed independence for the following century (167-63 B.C.), though it was not a time altogether free of strife. In addition to military skirmishes, there was also a spirit of smoldering rivalry between the Hellenists (those sympathetic to Greek ways), the Hasidim (the conservatives for the law) and the Maccabeans (leaders of the Jewish rebellion). While attempting to enlarge his territory, Judas Maccabeas, the valiant Hebrew leader was killed. He was succeeded by his brother Jonathan who ultimately permitted himself to be appointed high priest. This was a most significant event. Now, for the first time in more than thirteen centuries, the high priesthood passed from the family of Aaron! That such a transition did not provoke the Jews 9apparently a majority approved) is a heart breaking commentary on the spiritual anemia of the day.
In 135 B.C., John Hyracanus I, nephew of Judas Maccabeas assumed the politico-religious leadership of Israel. It was within his administration of some thirty years that the lines between the Jewish sects became glaringly distinct. Hyracanus had serious conflicts with the Hasidim and hence, cast his lot with the Hellenists. It is at this time that these two elements are first formally identified by the historian Josephus as Pharisees and Sadducees. (Antiquities 13:10:5-6) And significantly from this point onward, with but minor exception, there is that close alliance between the high priesthood and the Sadducees which is so apparent in the New Testament. (Cf. Acts 5:17) More will be said later of the Hebrew sects. It is sufficient to presently observe that this is a dark period in Israel's rapidly declining history.
THE ROMAN PERIOD - In 63 B.C. Pompey, one of Rome's greatest generals, invaded Palestine and took Jerusalem. Thus did the Jews come under the control of the Romans (though granted some self-government) where they were to remain until crushed by that regal force in 70 A.D. The ascendancy of Roman power had been foretold by Daniel (2:40ff; 7:7, 23) and such was a vital component in the incomparable plan of Jehovah for the accomplishment of that "fullness of time" (Galatians 4:4), which would herald the arrival of Christ. Rome's providential contributions toward the advancement of Christianity are worthy of notice.
(a) The doors of the Temple of Janus (Roman "guard" god) were closed in 29 B.C. (a rare occurrence) and the ancient world was at peace. This famous Pax Romana (the peace of Rome) erased the barriers between the East and the West and blended the Civilized world into an organic whole. Law and order prevailed. Jews were free to travel to remote parts of the empire and there to establish synagogues, which would later be used as media for teaching the gospel. It my be confidently said that there never was a time in the history of the world when circumstances were so favorable for the establishment and growth of the religion of Jesus Christ.
(b) Roman engineering provided a magnificent series of highways interlacing the empire, which were built so well, that a number of them exist yet today. The saying "All roads lead to Rome" was more than a mere figure of speech. The great Mediterranean Sea (which had been cleared of pirates by Pompey) also became for the empire an important medium of inter-communication. How wonderfully the Lord was preparing the way for that noble commission, "Go ye into all the world..."
(c) One of Rome's greatest gifts to ancient society indeed, to the whole world, was a uniform system of laws. It is said that the Romans were, "masters of jurisprudence in the antique world." Men were taught respect for universal law and thereby conditioned for the approaching universal law of the gospel. Equally important was the fact that by this great legal system, the Son of God was legally proclaimed to be innocent of any wrongdoing. After repeated interrogations, Pilate the Roman procurator of Judea, was forced to thrice concede the faultlessness of Christ. (Luke 23:4, 14, 22; John 18:38; 19:4-6) This was of tremendous importance, as it was imperative that apostolic preachers be able to proclaim with great force that Jesus Christ had died at the hands of "lawless" men (Acts 2:23) and thus was His "judgement [of innocence] taken away." (Acts 8:33) This relates to the atonement involved in the Lord's death; the innocent died for the guilty!
(d) It is also remarkable in a rather negative way, how the Roman empire paved the way for the accomplishment of the divine purpose through Christ. The pagan world was morally bankrupt. Read Paul's description of it in Romans 1. The stale and cold national religion was totally impotent to relieve the people's parched thirst for genuine communion with God and righteous living. Men were experimenting with philosophy, astrology, occultism, oriental mysticism and the like. (Sounds rather current doesn't it?) Yet all of these were hopelessly futile. The pens of the Roman writers dripped with despair; suicide was commended. The Roman world was ripe for Christianity and into this fertile field it was sown and did abound.
Such were, briefly considered, some of the significant developments of the "Four Silent Centuries." In a final article some of the specific features of New Testament history, which grew out of the inter-Biblical period will be discussed. It is prayerfully hoped that these articles have stimulated some genuine interest for further study in this much neglected area.
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