The Commandment to Restore and to Build Jerusalem

"The Commandment to Restore and to Build Jerusalem" is a study on the book of Ezra by Adventist pioneer John Nevins (J.N.) Andrews. First written in 1865, this short book proves without a doubt that the starting date of the 2,300 year prophecy of Daniel 8:14 was in the year 457 BC. Andrews weighs up the arguments for and against 457 BC as the year of the decree, substantiating the date with authoritative historical evidence. The reader is systematically taken through the scriptures and shown very clearly that the three decrees of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes as a whole make up the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem. One impetus for Andrews' book was to lay to rest the theory proposed by William C. Thurman in his book entitled "The Sealed Book of Daniel Opened." In his introduction, Andrews dismissed most of Thurman's claims as not even worthy of consideration. One point Andrews felt must be addressed, however was Thurman's contention that it was Cyrus, not Artaxerxes, who issued the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. The interpretation of the 2300 days, and their start date, hinged on the correct historical placement of this decree. Thurman's "unsealing" of Daniel was based on his contention that the sixty-nine weeks were to be dated from the decree of Cyrus. In "The Commandment to Restore and Build Jerusalem," Andrews provides ample biblical evidence to disprove Thurman's contention, demonstrating from scripture that the 2300 days commenced at the decree of Artaxerxes, and with that, that the Adventist interpretation of the 2300 days was and still is correct.

About the Author :
John Nevins Andrews (1829-1883) was a Seventh-day Adventist minister, missionary, writer, editor, and scholar. Born in Poland, Maine in 1829, Andrews began to observe the seventh-day Sabbath in 1845. Ordained as a minister in 1853, Andrews played a pivotal role in the establishment of Adventist theology. Andrews wrote a number of scholarly religious books, his most famous being "The History of the Sabbath and the First Day of the Week." During his long and illustrious career, he also served as the Adventist representative in Washington to secure recognition for the church as noncombatants, served as the third president of the General Conference, and also as editor of the Review and Herald magazine. After his wife (Angeline) died from a stroke, Andrews was sent as a missionary to Europe where he helped start a publishing house in Switzerland and also a French periodical. Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan was named after him in 1960, as well as a school in Takoma Park, Maryland. Though many years have passed since John Andrew's death, his scholarly legacy lives on in the numerous books he wrote, and the educational institutions that bear his name.