Message to Kings - A Biblical History of Man

On March 27, 2020, the astronomical telescope Neowise discovered a comet approaching our solar system. The comet was named after the telescope and continued toward the sun. On July 3rd, it was expected to burn up as it rounded the sun. Instead, it continued its orbit and continues on its path. Today, it is visible in many parts of the earth. In this podcast, we consider the potential of this comet being a sign and its meaning to us today. Could it be God is calling out for us pray for new wisdom? Psalm 19:1-4 Genesis 1:14 James 3:17 James 1:5 Mark 2:22 Matthew 13:52 Proverbs 1:20 Ephesians 1:17 www.messagetokings.com

Civil War breaks out over the Roman Republic between Julius Caesar and the Republicans. Julius Caesar defeats Pompey and chases him to Egypt where he is saved by Herod, who receives great favor and honor. In this episode, we cover the Roman Civil War, the Rise of Herod and Caesar's eventual assassination. Matthew 1:16 www.messagetokings.com

Julius Caesar forms the first triumvirate and partners with Crassus and Pompey and wins the consulship of Rome in 59BC. His actions during his consulship earn him many enemies. To avoid legal action, he takes on a proconsulship of Northern Italy and invades Gaul. In a campaign that will last eight years, he takes Gaul, modern France, for Rome. Meanwhile, the Parthians defeat Crassus and the Parthians advance towards Jerusalem and Herod rises in power. We conclude this episode with a comparison of the Roman quest for power to the humble state of our savior. Luke 2:25-37 Psalm 37:35-36 Galatians 5:19-26 www.messagetokings.com

In this episode, we layer in the characters of the first triumpharant and the decline of the Hasmonean kingdom. Caesar rises in influence and bows his knee to ambition. Crassus destroys the armies of Spartacus and Pompey takes Hispania, Pontus, and Judah for Rome. www.messagetokings.com

In light of current events, we are pausing our standard broadcasts to give a Christian Historical response to the Coronavirus or COVID-19. Join us as we cover Biblical and historical examples of viruses and plagues and how David and others in the word have stood firm in the midst of these trials. Psalm 91:1-7 Philippians 4:8 2 Timothy 1:7 Romans 12:2 John 10:10 Numbers 16:48 Ezekiel 22:30 www.messagetokings.com

In this episode, we cover the Hasmonean Kingdom and its first kings and we shift our accounts to cover the greater geopolitical scene. The Kingdom of Pontus is on the rise, the Seleucids are losing power and Rome faces its greatest internal threats with the fractious events between Marius and Sulla which provide the blueprint for the destruction of the Roman Republic. www.messagetokings.com

Judas Maccabee counter-attacks and expands the Jewish borders, but the Seleucids keep coming. Year after year, war exhausts the nation and the people. Judas approves a treaty with Rome in order to prevent the invasions. Unfortunately, the treaty backfires and the Seleucids invade and Judas dies in battle and the Roman alliance remains. In this episode, we cover the start of the Hasmonean Kingdom and the Alliance with Rome. www.messagetokings.com

Happy Hanukkah After a failed campaign against the Romans, Antiochus Epiphanes burns with anger and takes his anger out on the Jews. He defiles the temple and abuses the Jewish people which leads to an uprising. In this episode, we cover the revolt led by Judas Maccabee and his recapture of Jerusalem and the cleansing of the temple. Daniel 11:29-32 1 Book of Maccabees

Upon the conclusion fo the First Punic War, Hamilcar Barca forces his son Hannibal to swear his vengeance on Rome. He gets his vengeance when he attacks Saguntum in Iberia, modern Spain. In turn, Rome declares war on Carthage and Hannibal marches on Rome. In this episode, we cover Hannibal's crossing of the Alps, the Battle of Cannae and the 2nd Punic War. www.messagetokings.com

With the evacuation of Pyrrhus from the Italian Peninsula and Sicily, the inevitable conflict breaks out between Carthage and Rome. The conflict rages for over 20 years and the loss of life and naval forces only shows the great power, wealth and persistence of Rome and the inevitable destruction of the descendants of Jezebel.

To the west, a powerful nation state was coming into being. In this episode, we cover the rise of the Roman Republic, the Samnite Wars, the innovation of the legions and the Wars with Pyrrhus. Daniel 2:31-43 www.messagetokings.com

After the death of Alexander, four of his generals and their descendants split his empire. One of them, Ptolemy, founded a great library in Alexandria. The library had the goal of collecting all of the known literary works of Antiquity. One of their projects was the Septuagint, the translation of the Hebrew Old Testament scrolls into Greek. By the time of the New Testament, the Septuagint will become the scripture of choice for the New Testament writers. Daniel 8 www.messagetokings.com

After the collapse of the Athenian Democracy, innovation moves north. In the state of Macedon, King Philip grows in power and innovates his military. He has a son whose name is Alexander and he is a genius. In a remarkably short amount of time, Alexander becomes King of Greece and invades Persia and becomes the Goat and first king of Daniel Chapter 8. Daniel 8:2-21

How Thucydides Saved America The Golden Age of Greece is marked by great innovation. We cover a list of Greek accomplishments and the rise of Athens as the leading power in Greece leading into the Peloponnesian War and its devastating fall. Thucydides is our chief historian of the war and his histories educate future students of history on the lessons of the rise and fall of the first democracy. www.messagetokings.com

Upon completion of the Old Testament, we will be taking a break through June. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to us at messagetokings@gmail.com. www.messagetokings.com