With the end of the world so near at hand, it seems a good time to refresh this topic! As it happens, I just discovered this thread, and happened to have studied Bible chronologies rather thoroughly myself.

A long time ago, I set out to disprove Bishop Ussher and his chronology. I have, sort of, proven that he was not completely correct, but I have more often validated his chronology than not. I took a different approach, however. My interest was less in the gory details than in the final figure. I wanted to know how many years had passed from Creation until now. The quickest way to get there is to follow the prophetic timelines.

One of the longest prophetic timelines is that of the 2300 days/years. Then there is the 1260-day/year prophecy, the 400-year prophecy, the 40-year prophecy, the 70-year prophecy of captivity in Babylon, and the 390-year prophecy of Ezekiel beginning with Jeroboam's division of Israel from Judah and culminating with the destruction of Solomon's temple. This last prophecy, fortunately for us, spans the much-contested period of the kings, and thus avoids for us any question as to how many years transpired there.

Prophecies are exact. Whereas the scribal records of genealogical years may be rounded, God does not round the years of His prophecies. Of the Exodus, at the end of the 400-year prophecy given to Abraham, it is recorded that the children of Israel came out on the "selfsame day" of the prophecy! So by following the prophecies, we also have a more accurate timeline.

As for those comments relating to the "6000 years of sin," I would like to point out for our memories where sin started...in Heaven. It is quite possible, then, that the 6000 time period, if applicable to sin, will extend back before the creation of Adam.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

For all of those who might wish to present alternative understandings of the actual Bible chronology, beginning at Creation and leading up to the present, I shall divide the entire timeline into the following segments. I think it likely that at least some of these segments will be accepted by the majority, but I invite discussion on any segment for which you might have an alternate viewpoint.

1) Adam to Abraham at age 75.. --> 0 - 2063*
2) Abraham at 75 to Exodus.... --> 2063 - 2493
3) Exodus through Solomon..... --> 2493 - 3009
4) 390 day/year prophecy...... --> 3009 - 3399
5) 70 yrs. captive in Babylon. --> 3380 - 3450
6) End of 70 yrs to 3rd decree --> 3450 - 3527
7) 2300 day/year prophecy..... --> 3527 - 5827
8) Years to 2008 from 1844.... --> 5827 - 5991**

* On this step I have made a mathematical correction to counter the Jewish rounding of years. The scribes would consider the entire year of birth and the entire year of death in their age reckoning, as can be ascertained by a careful comparison of the kings of Judah and of Israel. Since the 20 generations from Adam to Abraham present the maximum possible rounding of 40 years and the minimum possible of zero (neither of which is likely), the average of these is 20 years, and hence the best estimate of the actual years is reduced by 20.

** Note that I am not attempting to set any dates here. The date to be feared is God's coming in judgment--the close of probation. That is the date which no man can know. And God says He will cut the time short in righteousness. We don't know how much short.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

The green version of the SDABCs places the date of creation at 3953 BC which means 2047 AD is 6,000 years.

Then that version has missed some pieces of the puzzle along the way. I have tried very hard to cut the time as short as possible in order to allow for as much time remaining as possible. I can find no more to cut.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

David Clayton studied the chronology and published a short synopsis in his Open Face newsletter, July 2005, entitled 'The Age of the Earth'.

He concedes these calculations should allow room for error, but concludes that 6000 yrs. will bring us to about 2016/17.

The Age of the Earth (see second article):

http://www.restorationministry.com/Open_Face/html/43-july-2005-frameset.html

In light of current events, 2016 seems too far off. The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) has slated the North American Union for 2010, which will probably closely co-incide with religious legislation (a national Sunday Law spanning all three countries).

But economic or other disaster could accelerate the process. Over a year ago (almost two), European economists forecast an American market collapse in August or September 2008. About six months later the government itself would topple.

Kiss those pensions good-bye. Grow some cabbage and study the Bible. Market investments & savings plans demonstrate our self-sufficiency, esteeming our own wisdom above that of God. All that we have belongs to God to finish His work before time expires. Hoarding His means only proves our selfishness and lack of faith.

So while the history of earth is closing up, Adventist life continues as usual. If it's not heard from the pulpit it carries no weight. Once again the destruction of Jerusalem awaits.

Basically, that time of 2016/2017 would validate my timeline. God says He will cut the time short in righteousness...so I do not believe He will necessarily come on the 6000th year. If He comes prior to this, it would be quite acceptable per the Bible.

Now, if any are in doubt regarding the Biblical support for the 6000-year time, I know of at least two prophecies in the Bible supporting this.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

I find it interesting that this 6,000 year thing came up in relation to a discussion from the sermon I presented in two of our churches this past Sabbath that ended here a few hours ago.

If you know of at least two prophecies in the Bible supporting that, then please share them with us.

Daryl,

I've been waiting to have access into the "New Light" forum so that I can share these. As I see you have just granted me that, please watch the New Light forum for this sometime in the near future.

The explanation for one of the prophecies is quite simple, but the other of the two requires more than a few basic fundamental building blocks up to it, all of which are rock solid, but nonetheless there seems no way around a lengthy exposition to reach the summit. And, perhaps because God promised that some of these things would be sealed until the time of the end, the simpler of the two prophecies is more easily understood after the first one has been grasped--something akin to 20/20 hindsight. (In other words, it takes some effort to reach the summit, but once you're there...oh what a view!)

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.