Chapter 1 

From the Gospel of Matthew 

Three Periods of Time (Mt 1:1 17) 

     The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of 

Abraham.  (Mt 1:1). 

    So the Gospel of Matthew begins. The passage which follows recounts 

three groups of fourteen generations from Abraham to Jesus. 

     So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen 

generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen 

generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen 

generations.  (Mt 1:17). 

    This passage has a meaning for the future. The time from Abraham to 

Jesus is divided into 3 periods of time. The third period begins with the 

deportation to Babylon. So also, the time from Jesus to the establishment of 

Jesus' kingdom on earth can be divided into three periods of time. The third 

period of time begins with the modern Babylonian captivity, when the 

Christian nations will be invaded and occupied by those who do not believe 

that Jesus is the Son of God.  

    This modern Babylonian captivity will begin with war and end with war; 

it will last about one generation (about 30 years). First, there shall be a very 

brief  war  among the Arab nations in the year  A.D. 2009. There will be a 

consolidation of power in the hands of extremists Arab leaders. Then the 

Arab leaders will turn and make war against the United States and against 

the nations of Europe  and against other countries. The Arab nations will 

win this long war and will occupy Europe and other areas for many years. 

This occupation is a modern Babylonian captivity. It will end with another, 

very intense war, which the Arab nations will lose. This shorter war will free 

Europe from the occupation in the late 2030's. 

    The third period of time will last about 14 generations (roughly 14 x 30 

years). It begins with the Forty Years and it will end only after that terrible 

time of suffering described in the book of Revelation, when the Antichrist 

has power over the world (mid 25th century). 

    At the end of the 14 generations, Jesus' kingdom will be firmly established 

on earth. This later time, when Christ and Christianity will reign over the 

whole world, is called the Millennium. It will be a time of great holiness and 

peace lasting more than 1,000 years.