More than a century before the birth of Cyrus, Inspiration had mentioned the work he would do in taking Babylon by surprise and in preparing the way for the release of the children of the captivity: “Thus says the Lord to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held—to subdue nations before him ..., to open before him the double doors, so that the gates will not be shut: ‘I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron.’” Isaiah 45:1, 2.2TC 270.2

The Persian conqueror’s army unexpectedly entered the Babylonian capital by way of the river whose waters they had turned aside and through the inner gates that had carelessly been left open and unprotected. In these events the Jews had abundant evidence that Isaiah’s prophecy had been fulfilled literally. This should have been an unmistakable sign to them that God was shaping the affairs of nations in their behalf, for inseparably linked with the prophecy outlining Babylon’s capture and fall were these words:2TC 270.3

“Thus says the Lord, ... ‘who says of Cyrus, “He is My shepherd, and he shall perform all My pleasure, saying to Jerusalem, ‘You shall be built,’ and to the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’”” “‘He shall build My city and let My exiles go free, not for price nor reward,’ says the Lord of hosts.” Isaiah 44:24, 28; 45:13.2TC 271.1

The writings of Jeremiah set forth plainly the time for Israel’s restoration: “When seventy years are completed, ... I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity.” Jeremiah 25:12. “I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.” Jeremiah 29:14.2TC 271.2

Daniel had studied these prophecies and others like them. Now, as events indicated the hand of God at work, Daniel gave special thought to the promises made to Israel. The Lord had declared, “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Verses 12, 13.2TC 271.3

Shortly before Babylon’s fall, when Daniel was meditating on these prophecies and seeking God for understanding, he received a series of visions concerning the rise and fall of kingdoms. With the first vision, recorded in Daniel 7, God gave an interpretation, yet it did not make every point clear to the prophet. “My thoughts greatly troubled me,” he wrote, “and my countenance changed; but I kept the matter in my heart.” Daniel 7:28.2TC 271.4

The Time Prophecy Unfolds

Another vision threw further light on future events. At the close of this vision Daniel heard “a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the one that spoke, ‘For how long is this vision?’” Daniel 8:13, NRSV. The answer was given: “For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.” Verse 14.2TC 271.5

Filled with perplexity, Daniel tried to understand the relationship between the seventy years’ captivity and the 2,300 years that would elapse before the cleansing of God’s sanctuary. When the prophet heard the words, “The vision ... refers to many days in the future,” he “fainted and was sick for days.” He wrote of his experience: “Afterward I arose and went about the king’s business. I was astonished by the vision, but no one understood it.” Verses 26, 27.2TC 272.1

Jeremiah’s prophecies were so plain that Daniel understood “the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.” Daniel 9:2.2TC 272.2

Faithful Daniel Identifies Himself With Unfaithful Israel

Daniel pleaded with the Lord to fulfill these promises speedily and to preserve the honor of God. He identified himself fully with those who had fallen short of the divine plan, confessing their sins as his own. Though Heaven had called Daniel “greatly beloved,” he now appeared before God as a sinner, urgently presenting the need of the people he loved. His prayer was eloquent in its simplicity:2TC 272.3

“O Lord, ... we have sinned. ... Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers.”2TC 272.4

“O Lord, according to all Your righteousness, I pray, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people are a reproach to all those around us.”2TC 272.5

“O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God.” Verses 4-6, 16, 19.2TC 272.6

Even before the prophet had finished his prayer, Gabriel appeared to him again, called his attention to the vision he had seen, and outlined in detail the seventy weeks that were to begin at “the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem.” Verse 25.2TC 272.7

The beginning of Cyrus’s reign marked the completion of the seventy years since Nebuchadnezzar had taken the first company of Hebrews to Babylon. God had used Daniel’s deliverance from the den of lions to create a favorable impression on the mind of Cyrus. The noble qualities of the man of God as a statesman of farseeing ability led the Persian ruler to show him great respect and to honor his judgment. And now God moved on Cyrus to understand the prophecies written about him and to grant the Jewish people their liberty.2TC 273.1

The king saw the words that more than one hundred years before his birth had foretold the manner in which Babylon would be taken. He read the message that the Ruler of the universe had addressed to him: “I will gird you, though you have not known Me, that they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting that there is none besides Me.” “I have named you, though you have not known Me.” As he viewed the inspired record, “He shall build My city and let My captives go free, not for price nor reward,” his heart was profoundly moved, and he determined to fulfill his divinely appointed mission. Isaiah 45:5, 6, 4, 13. He would let the Judean captives go free!2TC 273.2

In a proclamation published “throughout all his kingdom,” Cyrus made known his desire: “The Lord God of heaven ... has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem ... and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.” Ezra 1:1-4.2TC 273.3

“Let the house be rebuilt,” he further directed regarding the temple, “the place where they offered sacrifices. ... Let the expenses be paid from the king’s treasury. Also let the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple which is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and taken back to the temple which is in Jerusalem.” Ezra 6:3-5.2TC 273.4

News of this decree reached the farthest provinces, and there was great rejoicing. Many, like Daniel, had been studying the prophecies and had been seeking God for His promised intervention in Zion’s behalf. And now their prayers were being answered!2TC 274.1

When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing. Psalm 126:1, 22TC 274.2

About fifty thousand of the Jews in exile determined to take advantage of the wonderful opportunity to “build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem.” Their friends “encouraged them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with precious things.” “King Cyrus also brought out the articles of the house of the Lord.” Ezra 1:5-7.2TC 274.3

They accomplished the long journey across the desert in safety, and the happy company immediately began the work of reestablishing what had been destroyed. “The heads of the fathers’ houses” (Ezra 2:68) led in offering of their own funds and possessions to help defray the expense of rebuilding the temple, and the people, following their example, gave freely of the little they had. See verses 64-70.2TC 274.4

The leaders built an altar on the site of the ancient altar in the temple court. The people “gathered together as one man” and united in reestablishing the sacred services that had been interrupted when Jerusalem was destroyed, and “they also kept the Feast of Tabernacles.” Ezra 3:1,4. Setting up the altar greatly cheered the faithful remnant. They gathered courage as preparations for rebuilding the temple advanced from month to month. Surrounded by many sad reminders of their ancestors’ apostasy, they longed for some permanent token of divine forgiveness and favor. More than regaining personal property, they valued the approval of God. They felt the assurance that He was with them, yet they desired greater blessings. They looked forward to the time when they might see His glory shining out from within the rebuilt temple.2TC 274.5

Among the ruins the workmen found some of the immense stones brought to the temple site in the days of Solomon. These they made ready for use, and much new material was provided. Soon the foundation stone was laid in the presence of many thousands assembled to witness the progress of the work. While the cornerstone was being set in position, the people “sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord.” Verse 11.2TC 275.1

A Carryover From Israel’s Ancient Unbelief

Everyone present should have entered heartily into the spirit of the occasion. Yet a discordant note mingled with the music and shouts of praise heard on that glad day: “Many of the ... old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice.” Verse 12. These aged men thought of the results of many years of rebellion. If they and their generation had carried out God’s purpose for Israel, the temple built by Solomon would not have been destroyed and the captivity would not have been necessary.2TC 275.2

But conditions were different now. The Lord had allowed His people to return to their own land. Sadness should have given way to joy. God had moved Cyrus to aid them in rebuilding the temple! But instead of rejoicing, some cherished thoughts of discontent and discouragement. They had seen the glory of Solomon’s temple, and they mourned because the building now to be constructed was not as grand.2TC 275.3

The murmuring and complaining had a depressing influence on many. The workmen began to question whether they should proceed with constructing a building that was so freely criticized and was the cause of so much grief. Many, however, did not view this lesser glory with such dissatisfaction. They “shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people, for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the sound was heard afar off.” Verses 12, 13.2TC 275.4

Those who failed to rejoice at the laying of the foundation stone did not realize the weight of their words of disapproval and disappointment. Little did they know how much their dissatisfaction would delay the completion of the Lord’s house.2TC 275.5

The first temple’s magnificence had been a source of pride to Israel before their captivity; but the glory of the first temple could not recommend them to God, for they did not bring Him the sacrifice of a humble and contrite spirit. When people lose sight of the vital principles of God’s kingdom, ceremonies multiply and become extravagant. When they despise the simplicity of godliness, their pride and love of display demand magnificent church buildings, splendid adornings, and impressive ceremonies.2TC 276.1

But God values His church for the sincere piety that distinguishes it from the world. He judges its worth by how much its members have grown in the knowledge of Christ and in spiritual experience. He looks for love and goodness. Beauty of art cannot compare with beauty of character revealed in Christ’s representatives. A congregation may be the poorest in the land, but if the members possess the principles of Christ’s character, angels will unite in their worship.2TC 276.2

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy. Psalm 107:1, 22TC 276.3

Daniel in the Lions’ Den

Bitter Opposition Fails