In order to free myself from WT Chronology I did some independent research. An article that helped me a lot was “The Chronology of the Last Days of Judah: Two Apparent Discrepancies.” Journal of Biblical Literature, 101 (1982), pp. 57–73, by A. R Green. Two important sources for the last days of Judah are the Bible and the Babylonian Chronicles. I looked for common ground between the two and would work towards a mediating solution. The results were surprising. Here's a summary of what I found:
The majority of
scholars prefer secular chronology to Bible chronology. But is there really
such a huge divide between the two? Are the differences not perhaps based on a
misunderstanding, having to do with the “desolating of the land” and “serving
the king of Babylon for seventy years” (Jer. 25:8, 9,
11)? Even
the editor/redactor of the book of Daniel and Josephus would confuse Jeremiah’s
words, assuming that the desolation of Jerusalem
and surroundings would be 70 years in length. Theoretically, one should be able
to add 70 years to Cyrus’ edict of 538 BCE, allowing one to arrive at 607 BCE
(= 537 + 70). Daniel and his companions were deported during the third/fourth
year of Jehoiakim, i.e., 605 BCE (Dan.
1:1; cf. 2 Kings
24:1, 2;
Jer. 25:11; 46:2; 2 Chron. 36:23). This
deportation would be followed by four major deportations (2 Kings 24:10-16; Jer. 52:28-30). Most
scholars prefer 587/586 BCE as the date for the destruction of Jerusalem, in
Nebuchadrezzar’s 18th year. Only after the last deportation, in
Nebuchadrezzar’s 23rd year, would the land be truly desolate.
However, should one connect the desolation of the land with seventy years of
Babylonian rule? When one counts down 70 years from 605 BCE, one arrives at 535
BCE. According to Ezra (3:1) the Jews were already back in their homeland by
537 BCE, leaving us with a two year deficit. This can be made up by adding two
years from Jehoiakim’s three year servitude, completing the full 70 year cycle (cf. 2
Kings 24:1, 2).
The Society has followed a 1st Century Jewish interpretation of the events, harping on the destruction of Jerusalem and the desolation of the land. But if one reads Jeremiah concerning the 70 years, one quickly realizes that he prophesied about their 70 year servitude to the Babylonians, not about 70 years of desolation. Only after the final deportation, in Nebuchadrezzar's 23rd year, would the land be truly desolate. Certainly this was not even close to 70 years.
I must admit, I haven't read "The Gentile Times Revisited," it's very expensive (over a hundred dollars on Amazon) but I'm sure he arrived at a similar conclusion. I don't want to bore you with the details, but if anyone is interested in some of the finer points, feel free to ask.