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====[[Revelation]]====
===The Hebrew world during the time of the New Testament===
The history of the [[Old Testament]] finishes around 400 BC. The history of the [[New Testament]] begins with [[Jesus]]' birth, sometime between 6 BC and 4 BC. This gap of approximately 400 years is known as the inter-Testamental period. During this time the Hebrew world had seen a number of major changes. The Old Testament leaves us with a picture of Jews who had returned from Exile and rebuilt the Temple and Jerusalem, under the eyes of the Persian Empire. Around [[333 BC]], the armies of [[Alexander the Great]] conquered lands throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia, bringing [[Hellenism|Greek culture]] and the [[Koine Greek|Greek language]] with them. Greek soon became the lingua franca of the region.
By the time of Jesus' birth, the [[Roman Empire]] had grown in power and Roman armies occupied the land of the Jews - Judea and Galilee. Jesus began his ministry, probably in 27 AD, and [[Death of Jesus|he was crucified]] probably in [[30 AD]].
After the [[resurrection of Jesus]] the early church initially grew with only Jewish converts in Jerusalem, but soon, with persecution from Jewish leaders, and through the leading of God, the [[gospel]] spread to [[Gentiles]] (non-Jews). Jews of the time divided the world up into Jews and Gentiles. Jews were further divided into Palestinian Jews (those who were born in Palestine) and Diaspora Jews (those who were born outside Palestine). Jews were also divided into Hebraists and Hellenists (those who had embranced the Greek culture and language). Gentiles were divided into Proselyte (those who had converted to Judaism and been baptized), God fearer (those who respected the Hebrew God Yahweh but had not been circumcised) and pagans (those who followed other gods).
==Quotes==
