Wandering Monk
Well-Known Member
I do not have a dog in this fight and find this interesting only for historical reasons.
Judaism and Christianity both express a notion of a special seven-year interval (septenary) preceding the coming of Messiah.
From the Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a:
Judaism and Christianity both express a notion of a special seven-year interval (septenary) preceding the coming of Messiah.
From the Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a:
The Sages taught in a baraita: With regard to the seven-year period, i.e., the Sabbatical cycle, during which the Messiah, son of David, comes: During the first year, this verse will be fulfilled: “And I will cause it to rain upon one city and cause it not to rain upon another city” (Amos 4:7). During the second year of that period, arrows of famine will be shot, indicating that there will be famine only in certain places. During the third year there will be a great famine, and men, women, children, the pious, and men of action will die, and the Torah is forgotten by those who study it. During the fourth year there will be plenty but not great plenty. During the fifth year there will be great plenty and they will eat, and drink, and rejoice, and the Torah will return to those who study it. During the sixth year, heavenly voices will be heard. During the Sabbatical Year, wars, e.g., the war of Gog and Magog, will be waged involving the Jewish people. During the year after the conclusion of the Sabbatical Year, the son of David will come.