John and Doves,

Chuck Missler's explanation about the change in days per year occuring in 701BC due to the near pass-by of Mars is most interesting. Those who have read Dan Matson's book, Signs of the End, will recall his account of this change with it being related to the miracle of the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz going back 10 degrees (2 Kings 20:8-11). This 10 degrees equates to 40 minutes extra per day. Dan put the time of this miracle at 713 BC which is remarkably close to this article's claim of 701 BC. He also points out that "Many cultures, even primitive ones, changed their calendars to incorporate this change  at around 700 BC."
All this information is to be found in Chapter 9 starting on page 106 which was added in 2004.

Additionally, 713 is an interesting number being the product of 23 x 31. 23 is the 9th Prime Number and 31 is the 11th Prime Number. Yes, 9 and 11.

Blessings,

Phil.