Jeremiah had prophesied the fall of Jerusalem but also, in
25:12, that the King of the Babylonians and his land would in turn be conquered by other
nations 70 years later.
Ezra 1:2 - 4 says that Cyrus made a proclamation throughout all his
kingdom and put it also in writing:
"Thus sayeth Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of
heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build Him an
house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
Who is there among you of all His people? His God be with him, and let him go up
to Jerusalem,which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the
God,) which is in Jerusalem.
And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place
help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill
offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem."
