This article will try to provide answers to both of these questions, because there is great perplexity out there about these questions. This incredible book is the last book of the Old Testament. It is God’s final word to us before He goes silent for over 400 years. It is a mysterious book, although not as mysterious as some. And Almighty God, the master of words, phrases, and expression, does once again employ His often used method of speaking in figurative language, although He also speaks directly literally in this book sometimes too. Like Haggai and Zechariah, the message of the book is timely, in a dualistic fashion. That is to say, that the things written in it, had an ancient literal occurrence and meaning, and were written to the Jews who formed the remnant that came out of Babylonian exile, who also formed the people who rebuilt the temple and re-inhabited Jerusalem. And this people and their descendants would precede the first coming of the Messiah, who came initially as a man born of a human mother, but who was sired by God Himself, The Ancient of Days. But that is not all that it was. There is a greater message in it, which is intended for the latter days. For one thing it so totally refers to the Day of The Lord, and the end of the whole affair, and the second coming of the Messiah, this time in power and glory, blazing like the sun, as judge and avenger of God Most High, to conquer and rule the world. It is a completely prophetic book as well, and that point seems plain, even if the meaning of it is not as plain. So if it is plainly prophetic, what is its more significant message and meaning? That is; as the title asks, who is it written to, and what is its message? So, let’s try and see what God will allow us to see, by humbly approaching it, knowing that it is written figuratively, and metaphorically, knowing that God has literal meaning and intent, behind His usage of figurative language. With all this said, let’s consider its first recipients, and the era of time they occupied, as well as the history of that time. At the same time, let’s consider the human writer, his background, and anything else we can know about him. So, it was written to the Jews who occupied Judea, Jerusalem, and its surrounding towns and villages. When it was written is very controversial. Scholars and religious enthusiasts have much debate over these things, which are all based on the dates that the Babylonian, and then Persian kings reigned. For the religious scholars and enthusiasts, the biblical records found in the books of 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel, play into the effort of determining when. And the 70 week prophecy found in the book of Daniel also bears on things so that the exact determinations of years become a matter of debate. God knows the absolute truth of these things though, and I expect that one day we will too. I have looked at some of the sources of possibilities. I do not know what the absolute truth is, so I will refrain from taking a position on dates, and will stick with the time frames and periods, allowing for corrections to come should God send them. The basic time period though, falls between 600 BC and 400 BC. The earlier date being closer to the fall of Jerusalem, and latter date being after Malachi’s prophecy had been delivered, and closer to the time that God goes silent for 400 years. In that time, the 70 years that God had determined the captivity and exile from the land of Judah would last for, had expired. And the punishment of the Babylonians by the hand of Cyrus, and their exile, (the Babylonians), had occurred. The prophecies in the book of Ezekiel and Daniel had been given, including the 70 week prophecy of the 1st coming of the Messiah. Cyrus’ decree that the temple in Jerusalem should be rebuilt has passed, and that any Jews living in Babylon who were willing to return and be a part of the undertaking, should mobilize for this great cause. Zerubbabel and Joshua and other leaders were raised up by God to lead the contingent back to the land of Judah to accomplish this work of God. And the Jews did go back, and start things going but ran into opposition from enemies. They did lay the foundation of the temple, but then the work effort came to a halt.

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