Charles Pfeiffer

Between The Testaments

"The time between the close of Old Testament history and the beginning of the New Testament period has often been called "the four hundred silent years." To the historian, however, these centuries were anything but silent, and they seem to become more vocal with each passing decade. 

To the student of ancient history, names like Cyrus, Darius, and Alexander the Great make this period one of paramount importance. 

The Jew notes during these centuries the development of synagogue worship, the successful Maccabean revolt, and the emergence of those parties within Judaism which have set the pattern for Jewish life and thought during the past two millennia. 

The Christian looks upon the Old Testament as preparatory, looking toward the fulfillment of its hopes and promises in the Person of Jesus Christ. He is interested in the history of the centuries preceding the coming of Christ, for he sees in them a preparation for the advent, and a progress toward that period of history termed "the fulness of time" (Gal. 4:4)."