Early Christian History of Britain

 

British History

Go just about anywhere in Britain, scratch the dirt and you are likely to find anything from medieval period metal to Roman or even pre-Roman pottery. This little island nation is rich in history, as are the surrounding areas of Ireland, Wales and Scotland. It is also very complex, involving multiple kingdoms and nations. 

Why bother with all this you say? As I heard a pastor once say, history is what you know, heritage is what you keep. The King James Bible is one of the best history books you can read.  Paul had told the church at Corinth earlier, in I Corinthians 10:11 not to forget the past, especially what had happened to their fathers that were with Moses. In Ezekiel 26 we read about the destruction of Tyrus (Tyre) and how it happened, yet not who specifically conquered it.  The Bible does name others who were to come against Tyre, but not the people that eventually conquer it. We can however, from historical records say that it was Alexander the Great and the methods he used, namely building the causeway out to the island for his forces to cross, is exactly as the Bible describes. 

A little background is due here.  At the time of Paul's journey to Rome, the Roman empire had already invaded Britain over 100 years earlier under Julius Caesar and then again (with a larger force) later in 47 AD under Emperor Claudius (see wiki here). So in the time period of II Timothy, Rome had already had connections with Britain.  It is also worth noting that according to some historians, there had been trade routes between the Mediterranean and Britain going back hundreds or even thousands of years, see this: wiki.  It's interesting to consider that at the time of the Roman conquest of Jerusalem in 70 AD, the Romans had been in Britain (then called Britania) and in about 61 AD, although being outnumbered 20 to 1, the Romans still defeated Boudica at the Battle of Watling street link here ==> wiki (although the exact location is still debated).

Wales

I suppose I should note that it was the subject of Wales that started much of my research. While watching various history content, there was a trend I was noticing.  That being the idea that the western and northern sections of Britain were never fully conquered or subdued by either the Romans or the Anglo-Saxons that came later. That is important when it comes to the notion of how Christianity came to this area. The Catholics and the Church of England, claim Britain had been under papal authority since earliest times.  We know there were English language Bibles before the King James Bible of 1611.  We know of the numerous persecutions of the Romans against Christians and later by the Catholic church in the 1400 and 1500's. That leaves a big window of time that little seems to be known about just what was going on in Britain.  Also, how did the Gospel come to Britain in the first place?  The conclusion of my readings is that there seems to have been holdouts from the earliest times in the west of Britain, having been pushed that direction first by the Romans, then by the Anglo-Saxons.  More importantly, while the towns and settlements accepted the demands of the Catholics, there seems to have been a remnant in their mountain holdouts, which resisted the demands of Catholics, namely infant baptism and the authority of the Pope. This seems familiar with the case with the Waldensens of Italy (see this post).  

In his book "History of the Welsh Baptists", published 1835, there is an interesting account of a Catholic monk,being sent by pope Gregory, referred to as Austin the monk - who, in about the year 600, confronted some folks that were already Christians in the area of Wales. Demanding that they submit to the pope and sprinkle their chidren. They seemed to have (more or less) told the monk to go pound sand.  Apparently, Roman Catholicsm had just now reached these people, who promptly rejected it.  They, as did the Waldenses, suffered greatly for their faith.

Joseph of Arimathea in Britain?

First off, the Bible makes no mention of this and none of this really matters in regards to Scripture, but as a "shade-tree" historian, I was interested.  Additionally, the further back you go, most historical sources you will find regarding Christianity are from Catholic sources.  The claim is that Joseph of Arimathea, mentioned in the Gospels (eg. Matthew 27) was Mary's (mother of Jesus) uncle and was a wealthy man who was involved in the tin trade.  Britain was a well-known source of tin on already established trading routes with the Mediterranean. Listen to these documentaries below for background info on this subject. 

 

II Timothy chapter 4

In the last chapter of II Timothy, we see mention of 2 people named Claudia and Pudens and nowhere else. All we can really say is that they were with Paul for some amount of time.  What if there were historical evidence that this same Claudia was a Welsh princess, or rather the daughter of a Welsh tribal chieftain?  Wales is in the UK - a long ways from Rome. To me, if true, would be a fascinating connection for the people and history of Britain and the Bible. I can't recall where I first read someone mention this (possible) connection, but I am pretty sure it was while reading a bit on Baptist history. Please note, I am not advocating this to be historical fact, yet it is something that seems to have some merit and something I will be looking into further. So, as someone who is more inclined to watch a history documentary than a football game, the notion of a woman named Claudia being connected with Britain caught my attention and I will be reading more on this subject.

Sources for further reading:

• History of the Welsh Baptists
• Gildas
• Bede

Regarding the Waldenses - Interesting Old Book by Samuel Morland 1658

As one starts to read about the Waldenses, you will sooner or later come across mention of this book.  The History of the Evangelical Churches of the Valleys of Piedmont, by Samuel Morland 1658. The writing is in the older Elizabethean style, the same as the original 1611 King James Bible.

I will be adding to this post later, with notable mentions, but it is full of accounts of who the Waldenses were and what they believed. In short - salvation by faith alone, and no mediator between God and man but Christ Jesus ( I Tim 2:5 ) - long before the reformation ever started.  However, I am NOT claiming all their doctrines line up with what I believe or that they are "ancient Baptists", but merely that they advocated that scripture should be our authority and not the pope, as well as a few other things that invoked the wrath of Rome.  See pages 30-34. 

I found a used hardcover version on ebay and bought it for reference.  It's a 1982 reprint of the original 1658 edition.  If you have read "The Trail of Blood", this is something I would recommend as well. I doubt if I read the entire thing from front to back, but sections at a time.

Fold-out map of the valleys of the Piemont that was in the front of the book I found. This area is in northern Italy.  History is what you know, heritage is what you keep...and we are loosing ours fast.

You can also find a PDF copy of this book, which typically contains two volumes - on archive.org here:
https://archive.org/details/historyofevangel00morl

My Premium KJV Bible Buying Guide

Short answer:
Look at Cambridge Bibles. You can get them at one of several places:

(1) evangelicalbible.com (I have bought several here)
(2) thekjvstore.com
(3) amazon.com (can find used if patient)
(4) ebay

 
Background:
So you want a new KJV Bible with a leather cover that's easy to read and carry?  There are tons of options, but for myself I seem to like Cambridge, especially their Concord.  I Have or had one of the following:  Allan, Cambridge and Church Bible Publishers (CBP). Another option Ive considered is TBS (Trinitarian Bible Society).  However, it's not the cover that matters, but what's written on the pages inside!  Still, when one goes looking for Bible that will last, it's things like the printers, the binding and paper used that one starts to consider.

With Cambridge, I like the fact that they include the Translators to the Reader, which few publishers do nowdays. However, it's the text layout itself that is much easier to read.  The Allan uses the Oxford text which is an older style font and layout. Both Allan and Cambridge use Royal Jongbloed printers in the Netherlands, which are reknown for their quality.

My current KJV Bible collection includes several Cambridge and one Allan which I'm not sure I will keep.  My collection, which includes more than those in the photos below, fill one row of a bookshelf.

From top to bottom:
Allan Ruby 103 reference edition 
Cambridge Concord personal edition
Cambridge Concord w/calfskin full yapp cover

Here is the Allan Ruby and Concord viewed from the top

Concord - Personal sized and full compared

My 1st Concord from a few years ago, which has a goatskin cover but not the yapp.  The cover is very "floppy", which can be kinda like carrying a wet noodle 😀

 

Yes, that makes 4 Cambridge Concords.  I think Im done for now. If I had to only have one, it would probalby be the Personal sized Concord.  A leather cover is nice to hold on to, but a very readable text that I have no reason to question, is easily carried and pages turn easy are the things that matter to me the most.  The Personal sized Concord can be found < $50 on Amazon, which is probably why I have 2...

Patterns of Evidence: Exodus

Recently, I watched the documentary "Patterns of Evidence, the Moses Controversy", directed by Tim Mahoney. I was fascinated by things he mentioned, enough so to go and watch the previous documentary he did on the Exodus, namely "Patterns of Evidence: Exodus". Tim Mahoney's own testimony is interesting as well.

Here is the trailer

 It seems the accepted view among "credible" scholars and archaeologists, is that the Biblical account of the Exodus is a work of fiction.  This view somehow gained acceptance in the academic community when a female archaeologist named Kathleen Kenyon did work at the site of Jericho in the 1950's and determined there was no evidence of destruction matching the Biblical account. She was looking in an area that represents the late bronze age, but it's just not there. However, like many ancient sites, cities, castles, forts etc. are often built on top of previous sites.

In short, this whole controversy in the archeological debate mostly seems to be centered around the timeline or chronology of events.  The timeframe of the Exodus, which scholars doubt happened at all, is said to have occurred during the reign of Ramses, which is much later during Egypt's new kingdom. Since no evidence exists in that time period, well it was settled among academics that the Biblical account must be little more than fairy tale.  

The different stages of the Exodus, once put in the timeframe known as the middle kingdom, rather than the period known as the new kingdom, evidence starts to line up with the Biblical account.  Yet, this evidence has yet to gain acceptance in academic circles for various reasons.  These stages, the documentary categorizes like this:
- Arrival
- Multiplication
- Slavery
- Judgement of Egypt (the plagues)
- Exodus
- Conquest of Canaan

The question then becomes - surely there is evidence of these things in the historical and archeological record?  What is not well published, is there IS evidence, just not during the time period that is accepted by the dominant scholars of our era.

What follows are a brief list of some of the evidence discussed in the film that I had never heard of, except one - the Merneptah Stele.  Some of the most compelling evidence is covered by someone who is a self-avowed agnostic, David Rohl, which you would think would remove any claim of bias that a Bible-believing Christian might be accused of.

- Joseph's arrival in Egypt and rise to a position, 2nd only to the pharaoh.
- The city of Ramses, where there is little evidence for the Hebrews ever existing, lies on top of an older settlement known as Avaris where there is evidence of Semitic peoples.  This evidence also includes signs that they were initially doing very well, but then seemed to have much shorter lifespans, consistent with being put into slavery.
- A canal which diverts water from the Nile river, which to this day is called Bahr Yussef or "waterway of Joseph"
- About the time the Biblical story of the 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine are to occur, there is evidence of a decline of power of the various regions of Egypt, being concentrated in one area and in the hands of pharaoh alone. This was during the time of Sunusret and Amenemhat III (not Ramses).
- An Egyptian papyrus document known as the Brooklyn Papyrus, lists names of slaves and a large number of these names are Semitic. Note that it's sometimes confusing when Canaanite or Semitic people have historically been referred to as Asian. You can see this in the writings of several early British scholars. 
- An Egyptian document that recounts events remarkably similar to those of the plagues mentioned in the Bible. This papyrus known as the Ipuwer Papyrus, or "Admonitions of an Egyptian Sage", is in a Dutch museum. 
- The Merneptah Stele, a large stone that records a number of military conquests and at the very bottom, a section that refers to Israel as a people. King Merneptah was just prior to His immediate successor, Ramses III. Yet his immediate predecessor was known as Ramses the Great, and its this Ramses that scholars still associate as the pharaoh of the Exodus. More evidence that the Exodus wouldn't have happened then as Israel is already referred to as a nation on the Stele.

There is lots more, but I highly encourage you to find and watch this documentary.  If for no other reason, than to see and hear evidence that is largely obscured by modern scholars that, when taken together, seems to vindicate the Biblical account of the Exodus.

 

Very interesting - "Patterns of Evidence, the Moses Controversy"

The world we live in today has many of the academics and scholarly types giving their findings that contradict and cast doubt on the Bible. I am no scholar, archaeologist or theologian, but I do love history.  The Bible claims that God told Moses to write down the events of the Exodus. 
Exodus 17:14
17:14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

I have heard or read comments over the years about how some scholars suggest that Moses could not have written the first 5 books of the Bible. They make this claim based on their research which shows them the Hebrew language as we know it today, didn't exist at the time of Moses.  The claims typically go on to suggest the "documentary" style of development to the first five books of the Bible, with having several authors, which are said to have been "developed" over time.  This "development" would then have been embellished with stories like the parting of the Red Sea etc.  So the thinking goes.  Amazon is full of books on this subject.

Yesterday, I watched "Patterns of Evidence, the Moses Controversy", purchasing and watching it on youtube.  No this is not click-bait.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5a7koxKABQ

Wow, I can honestly say I learned a lot from watching that.  I had no idea there were this much activity in this area.  Especially interesting however, are the things brought up in this documentary as counter-weight to the skeptics and scholars who cast doubt on the Bible account.  None of the evidence individually is likely to sway any of these scholars, nor the skeptics that rest on their work.  However, the phrase from the title of the documentary eg. "patterns" which include a number of things, when taken together, form a body of evidence that I have not seen mentioned before. These things, when taken together, dispel the notion that Bible is a fairy tale and has no historical basis.  In the end however, it still comes down to belief.  Nothing that can be dug out of the ground, by itself, is going to show the world that there is a God and that this same God said and did all the things in the Bible.  It didn't take but a few generations after Noah, for man to doubt God. Today, believing in the God of the Bible is largely considered "foolish" or childish, especially if one takes the Bible literally.

1 Cor 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

1 Cor 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

1 Cor 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

1 Cor 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Cor 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

However, for those that believe the Bible, there are things that this documentary discusses that can strengthen our faith.  Archaeology isn't needed to believe, but a few things discovered along the way, sure seem to help stop up the mouths of the skeptics.
- Early writing with an alphabet, likely a form of ancient Hebrew, existed at the time of the Exodus.  
- Scholars that are part of the established academic circles will refuse to accept anything that is evidence supporting the Bible.

Book of Hebrews an overview

 Ch 1 God who in times past spake by the prophets, now speaks to us by His son, Jesus Christ.
Ch 2 Now we must listen to Jesus, who tasted death for every man. He took on Him the seed of Abraham.
Ch 3 Consider Christ Jesus, who was counted more worthy than Moses. Be steadfast unto the end. Recalls those wandering in the wilderness and those who could not enter into His rest because of unbelief and perished in the wilderness. We can have rest through faith in Christ.
Ch 4 As God ceased from His own works on the day of His rest, so should we seek rest in Christ. The Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword
Ch 5 Concerning Christ being our high priest after the order of Melchisedec.  Paul rebukes those listening that though they should be teachers they need teaching themselves because they do not understand these things.
Ch 6 Paul tells his Hebrew brethren not to make salvation include works, but yet to rest on the doctrine of Christ. A reminder to  persevere and be diligent and reminder of the dangers of apostasy (verse 6)
Ch 7 Recalls Melchisedec, king of Salem (old name for Jerusalem), how even Abraham gave a tenth to. Jesus was made a priest after Melchisedec, see Gen 14:18-20 and Psalms 110 and also reminds them that perfection was not in the Levitical priesthood, but that the priesthood of Jesus is perfect because He endureth forever.
Ch 8 Paul summarizes the previous chapters - Jesus is our high priest who has obtained a more excellent ministry and is now the mediator of a better covenant. He quotes from Jeremiah 31 about the new covenant, why it came and that because it is new, the old is passed away.
Ch 9 Christ made the sacrifice once, unlike the priests who made offerings and the high priest who alone was able to enter into the most holy place (the 2nd tabernacle)
Ch 10 The Law was but a shadow of good things to come and were made every year. Paul compels us to be steadfast in our faith.
Ch 11 The substance of faith explained. Recounts things did by faith of Noah, Enoch, Moses, Abraham, Isaac and Rahab. Recounts what endless others like Gideon, Samson did great things through faith. did which cost them to suffer, yet they continued.
Ch 12 Run the race before you and endure the Lord's chastening.
Ch 13 Paul encourages us what to do and what to avoid - continue in brotherly love, avoid diverse and strange doctrines, communicate, obey them that have the rule over you (referring to a pastor). Always entertain the stranger as they might be angels.

Jeremiah Overview

Overview
Jeremiah was a prophet at the time of kings Hilkiah, Josiah and Jehoiakim.  He prophesied of both the judgement coming upon both houses of Israel - Israel and Judah, and the nations around them, a new covenant and foreshadowed the future destruction of Babylon.

Ch 1 A son of Hilkiah the priest. In the days of Josiah, Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, kings of Judah. Judgement is coming on the cities of Judah and Jerusalem from the nations of the north.
Ch 2 God tells Jeremiah to rebuke the children of Israel for turning away from Him and sought after other gods. They shall not be able to trust in Egypt
Ch 3 God yet offers a chance to Israel to turn back to God, and Judah who yet serves Him in a feigned (fake) way. Mentions there is a time coming when they will no more seek the ark of the covenant or the Lord, and Jerusalem will the throne of the Lord.
Ch 4 God gives the people one last change to yet remove the abominations from among them and they will not be removed. The destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way. Verses 23-26 seem at first to say the whole earth is destroyed, but the key is verse 27. Always read in context.
Ch 5 The house of Israel and Judah have dealt treacherously with the Lord, have refused correction and even the great men have turned away. God is sending an army from the north of ancient people (the Assyrians) but will not make a full end of them. Because they have served strange gods, so shall they serve strangers in a strange land that is not their own. The prophets speak falsely and the priests rule by their own means.
Ch 6 Stand ye in the ways and ask for the old paths. The Lord brings evil upon this people. The Lord has set Jeremiah as a tower and fortress to know and try the way of the people (verse 28). A tower is used to watch and warn of approaching danger.
Ch 7 God tells them to look at Shiloh for an example of what will happen. The children of Judah have set abominations in the Lord's house and were practicing child sacrifice at Tophet. God tells Jeremiah don't bother praying or making intercession for them, their time of judgement has come. What kind of slaughter will God bring upon America and other countries who have shed so much innocent blood of the unborn children?
Ch 8 The bones of their great princes and great men will be dug up and used as dung. Their wives will be given to other men.
Ch 9 The people proceed from evil to evil. Let not the rich man or mighty man glory in what he has, but in the knowledge of the Lord.
Ch 10 A rebuke of the false gods of the heathens as well as the pastors of the people and telling of a coming commotion out of the north country that will lay waste to the cities of Judah.
Ch 11 The Lord says to proclaim in the cities of Judah that cursed be the man that does not keep the covenant. The people have turned back unto iniquities of their fathers and the Lord will bring evil upon them and will not hear them when they cry unto Him. God tells Jeremiah not to pray for this people. Men of Anathoth had threatened to kill Jeremiah for prophesying in the name of the Lord and the Lord will kill these men and their children will die of hunger.
Ch 12 Jeremiah is turning away from his own people because they are against him and have forsaken the Lord.  The Lord is to make the land desolate yet will restore them.
Ch 13 God uses the a linen girdle, has him hide it in a rock near the Euphrates river then dig it up to see that it had been marred. This to show Jeremiah and the whole house of Judah that they will have to cleave unto the Lord. Even still the Lord gives the call to turn back unto Him, but if not , destruction comes and they will be carried away captive.
Ch 14 A drought has come upon Judah. Again the Lord tells Jeremiah not to pray for this people because of their straying, but Jeremiah tells the Lord that the prophets tell the people they will not be consumed by the sword, famine and pestilence. God tells him those same prophets will also die by the sword, famine and pestilence.
Ch 15 Because of the things that king Manasseh did, the Lord says to tell the people some are to be fall by the sword, some by famine, some to be torn by dogs and beasts and some to go into captivity.  See II Kings ch 21, Manasseh rebuilt the altars to false gods that his father Hezekiah had torn down. God promises to preserve Jeremiah through all the destruction and danger.
Ch 16 Jeremiah told not to take a wife or have sons or daughters, because the sons and daughters and the mothers that bear them will die in the place they have been sent. When the people ask why so much evil is come upon them, the Lord says to tell them it is because their fathers have sought after other gods and they have done even worse abominations. However, it will come that the Lord will bring them back.
Ch 17 Cursed be the man that trusteth in man (ref. Psalms 146). The heart is deceitful above all things. Woe to those that get riches the wrong way. Jeremiah asks the Lord to bring double destruction upon those persecute him. God tells him to stand in the gates of Jerusalem and compel the kings and people to obey the sabbath or else.
Ch 18 Jeremiah and the potters wheel. The creation before the flood is the first work that was marred, then the 2nd has become Israel who have turned away from the Lord. The people speak against Jeremiah and he prays that they be destroyed, yet even now God gives them one last chance that they refuse.
Ch 19 God sends Jeremiah to valley of the son of Hinnom, near the east gate of Jerusalem. He's told to preach to all the people of the coming evil the Lord is sending upon them because they have forsaken the Lord and served other gods including Baal. They will be broken like the potters vessel that cannot be made whole again. Question - if they are not to be made whole again, then what about later under Ezra and Nehemiah?  At first this passage about "cannot be made whole again" seems to imply they will never be a people again, let alone be restored to the land and I'm sure some will say this is yet again another contradiction in the Bible. In ch 12(vs 15) the Lord says He will pluck them up but will also restore them. I think what this example of the potters vessel is that the people will have to cleave unto the Lord like the girdle in order to be restored and not of their own will.
Ch 20 The priest named Pashur smites Jeremiah and has him put in prison. The next day Pashur brings Jeremiah out and Jeremiah tells him and everyone else what is coming upon them, and how he sought not to say anymore after the people would not hear him, yet the Word of the Lord burned inside him. Prays before them, asking the Lord to let him see the Lord's vengeance brought upon these people.
Ch 21 King Zedekiah had sent Jeremiah unto Pashur the priest to enquire of the Lord, but Jeremiah tells the king and the people what the Lord has said - that they will fall and go into captivity because of their evil doings.
Ch 22 Jeremiah delivers yet another chance for the king to turn from his ways and do justice or else suffer destruction. Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, would not be lamented and his dead carcass would be cast out and buried like a dead donkey. The wind will eat up their pastors. They will fall to Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and the Chaldeans. Coniah the son of Jehoakim will go into captivity and remain childless.
Ch 23 Woe unto the pastors that have scattered the flocks. The Lord will give them new shepherds. The Lord tells Jeremiah of a time when a king will come from the line of David and be called THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. This is speaking of the 1000 year kingdom, Revelation ch 20 and all through Isaiah.
Ch 24 Parable of the two basket of figs, one bad and good for nothing, the other very good. The bad figs were those that remained and the good were those that were carried away captive and whom the Lord will bring back.
Ch 25 In the fourth year of Jehoiakim (when he was 4yrs old), Jeremiah is told that after 70 years the Babylonians will be punished along with the nations that surround them and benefit from them. Namely Egypt, Tyre, Uz, Phillistines, Zimri, Elam, Media, and finally Babylon itself. Starting in verse 29, the subject seems to be referring to a far distant time and the day of the Lord.
Ch 26 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, Jeremiah told to speak unto everyone at the Lords house and give them one last chance to turn back unto the Lord, or else be made like Shiloh. A great debate ensues between the people including the princes and priests, whether to put Jeremiah to death, but they do not. A scribe named Shaphan stood up for Jeremiah.
Ch 27 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, the Lord tells Jeremiah to make yokes and send them to the various kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Zidon, and Tyrus.  They are to serve the king of Babylon or else be put to the sword. Now, Jeremiah at a time of King Zedekiah, seems to be speaking of a 2nd wave of captivity to start.
Ch 28 Jeremiah during the reign of Zedekiah in the 4th year and 5th month. The prophet Hananiah spoke to Jeremiah and all the people and priests in the Lords house (the temple not yet destroyed?). Hananiah takes off Jeremiahs yoke of wood and propheceys that the Lord will so break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar, but the Lord later revealed that Hananiah is lying and the Lord will give them yokes of iron. Hananiah dies that same year.
Ch 29 Jeremiah writes letters from Jerusalem unto the captives in Babylon and Jeconiah the king had already been taken from Jerusalem. Tells them the Lord has said to build houses there, have children and after 70 years the Lord will bring them back. Also tells them not to listen to the false prophets and that the people who still remain in Jerusalem will suffer the sword and pestilence until they be removed to the kingdoms where others have been sent. Jeremiah deals with another false prophet Shemaiah, whom the Lord tells him he will be punished and he will not have seed (children) nor shall he see the good the Lord will bring upon the people because he has taught rebellion against the Lord.
Ch 30 The Lord tells Jeremiah to write all the things He is telling him in a book. The Lord will bring the people back from captivity and they shall serve the Lord their God and David their king. How could they serve David if he is long dead? Jesus was to be a direct decedent of David. Speaks of a time of great fear and every man with hands on his loins and pale faces, all concerning a great day. Later, Cyrus the great would conquer the Babylonian kingdom and allow the return of the Hebrews under Ezra and Nehemiah.
Ch 31 The Lord will return the people unto the land. The parable of the father eating the sour grape and the children's teeth are set on edge will be said no more. The Lord says the day is coming that He will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and Judah, which they failed to keep.
Ch 32 In the 10th year of Zedekiah and 18th year of Nebuchadnezzar, Jeremiah is in prison. God tells him to buy a field and seal the deal in front of witnesses. This is to show that even though they will be taken into captivity, they will be brought back and will buy fields again.
Ch 33 God tells Jeremiah again,still in prison,that the captivity will bee brought back and the cities restored and the branch of David will sit upon the throne. Also interesting, mentions the covenant of the day and night (see Gen 1:16-1:18).  Verse 16 was hard to understand at first, as it uses the term 'she' and then the 'The LORD our righteousness', but she is referring to the city of Judah, Jerusalem and it is called by His name, see also Daniel 9:19
Ch 34 When Nebuchadnezzar has come, God tells Jeremiah to tell king Zedekiah the city will fall and be burnt and Zedekiah will not die by the sword but in peace. The Lord rebukes them for not giving their servants liberty at the end of six years.
Ch 35 In the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, God tells Jeremiah to bring into the Lords house the Rechabites and charge them to drink wine. They refuse because they are keeping the will of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father charged them to drink no wine or build houses, but to dwell in tents. Then God tells Jeremiah to have the Rechabites to go and tell this same thing to the children of Israel.
Ch 36 In the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, Jeremiah has Baruch the scribe write down all the words the Lord spoke to him concerning the judgement upon Israel. Then to take it to the people to be read to the people in the Lords house. Those that heard it took it to the king to be read, but he tossed it in the fire. So the Lord has Jeremiah tell the king that he will have no descendants to sit upon the throne of David and then write the same words in another scroll and more words were added from the first.
Ch 37 Zedekiah the son of Josiah is king, but none hearkened upon the words of the Lord. The Egyptians come in to the area and the Chaldeans that were besieging the city heard of them, they left. The Lord tells Jeremiah to tell people not to trust in help from the Egyptians and that the Chaldeans will take the city (Jerusalem). Jeremiah thrown into prison again.
Ch 38 Some of the princes heard the words Jeremiah spoke concerning the city and told the king that he causes the men that are fighting to be weakened.  They ask for Jeremiah to be killed.  Hmmm, sounds like some today that denounce anyone that casts America in a negative light because of its doing things that God calls an abomination. Jeremiah is put in a dungeon with no food or water, but later spared by an Ethiopian eunuch who spoke to and obtained permission of the king, lowered a rope made from rags. Then the king pulls Jeremiah aside and asks him to tell him the truth and he repeats the things he has already said. 
Ch 39 In the 9th year of king Zedekiah, the Babylonians besiege Jerusalem and take it 2 years later. Zedekiah tries to escape but is caught on the plains of Jerico, his sons killed in his sight and put out his eyes, and the nobles of Judah killed, then he is to be carried away to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar tells his captain of the guard, Nebuzaradan, to secure Jeremiah and make sure that he has whatever he needs or wants. The Lord tells Jeremiah to speak unto Ebedmelech, the Ethiopian eunuch that earlier had defended Jeremiah unto the king, that the Lord will bring evil upon the city but that he (the Ebedmelech) will be preserved because he had put his trust in the Lord.
Ch 40 Jeremiah given food and told by the captain of the guard, Nebuzaradan that the Lord thy God has brought evil upon this place. Also if Jeremiah wants to go to Babylon, he would take him or he is free to go anywhere he wants. The king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the governor over Judah, who told the people to fear not to serve the king of Babylon. Johanan the son of Kareah comes to tell Ahikam that Baalis the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to slay him.
Ch 41 Ishmael comes with ten men and slew Gedeliah and others.  I find it interesting that earlier, Gedeliah had called for Jeremiah to be put to death. The pit that Ishmael has the dead thrown into was the same pit that king Asa had dug for Baasha, king of Israel.
Ch 42 The remnant of people ask Jeremiah to ask the Lord what they should do and promise to do whatever His answer is. After ten days, the Lord tells Jeremiah that if the people are to remain, they will be built back up and they are not to go into Egypt, but they have also asked this thing with a feigned hear (dissembled), not really meaning it.
Ch 43 The remnant of people that stayed behind with Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people obeyed not and went ahead into Egypt at Tahpanhes. The Lord tells Jeremiah to hide great stones in the brickkiln (furnace where bricks are dried) and that Nebuchadrezzar will set his throne upon them. Also, the Egyptian houses of their gods will be burned with fire.
Ch 44 The Lord has Jeremiah to deliver a message to those from Judah that had went into Egypt against His will. They will be consumed by the word and famine, as Pharaohhophra the king of Egypt is given into the hands of his enemies
Ch 45 Baruch the scribe who had begun to loose hope that all is lost, gets a message from the Lord by way of Jeremiah.  Things that were planted will be plucked up but his life will be sparred.
Ch 46 The Lord speaks against the Gentiles and tells Jeremiah that He will send Nebuchadnezzar to conquer Egypt. The Lord will make a full end of all the nations but that Jacob will He not make a full end of but will punish.
Ch 47 The Lord tells Jeremiah what He will do to the Philistines, Tyre, Zidon and Ashkelon. Also in verse 2 & 3 is an example of a flood being used to describe a large body of men coming to conquer, and how we can know Daniel 9:26 is describing the same thing, an invading army. 
Ch 48 The destruction of Moab is coming. They have trusted in their own works and treasures. Moab had offered in the high places and celebrated when Israel was troubled. The very last verse the Lord promises to restore the captivity of Moab in the latter days. Lots of names and places are mentioned here eg. Dibon,Nebo,Bethdiblathaim,Kiriathaim,Bethgamul,Bethmeon, Kerioth Bozrah, sea of Jazer, and Kirheres
Ch 49 Prophesy against others around Israel.  See Romans 4, does Israel have sons today? These kingdoms mentioned were mainly the east - Ammon (north of Moab), Edom, Elam and Damascus. Esau and his grandson Teman are mentioned as references to Edom.  Also mentions Hazor and its kingdoms, yet is a city in the northern part of Israel. There is some interesting background on that as is with all these locations and their names. Also mentioned that in the latter days, the captivity of Elam will be brought back.
Ch 50 Prophesy against Babylon, foreshadows what is spoken of in Revelation 16 & 18.
Ch 51 Continuation of ch 50, prophesy against Babylon. 
Ch 52 Jeremiah recounts the events of the last few years of Zedekiah's reign, capture and the things done to him and his sons at the hands of the Babylonians. Mentions the stages of people being taken into captivity.