empires to do his bidding and orchestrate events to the fulfilment of his own will (Eph. 1:11–12). Cyrus grants permission for the return to Jerusalem, and Sheshbazzar heads up the first group of returnees. Zerubbabel leads in building the altar and beginning the work of rebuilding the Temple. In 522 BC King Darius comes to the throne and reigns until 486 BC. It is during his reign that the temple is finally completed, and it is into that setting that we read of Haggai and Zechariah prophesying.