PROPHETS OF THE RETURN – INTRODUCTIONTEXT: Selected texts from EzraI. THE DECRE OF CYRUS (Isa. 44:24-28; Ezra 1:1-8), shows:A. God’s universal sovereignty over the kings of the earth. B. Cyrus had light of the true God, received from the Jews. C. God’s predictive prophecies cannot fail.II. TIMELINE OF THE RETURN.A. The First Wave, approx. 50,000. Leaders:1. Zerubbabel, a civil leader.2. Jeshua, the High Priest. 3. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah.B. Second Wave, approx. 10,000.. Leaders:1. Ezra the priest.2. Nehemiah thee wall-builderIII. THREEFOLD OPPOSITION TO THE RESTORATION.A. Opposition from the heathen.B. Opposition from the “half-godly.” C. Opposition from among the Jews.