The Decree in 457 BC

At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. Daniel 9:23-27

Steps: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

God has promised that from the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince (Jesus Christ) would be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks. That is 69 weeks. 69 literal weeks would be less than 1.5 years from 457 BC the date for the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem in Ezra 7. 69 prophetic weeks gives us 483 years, a year for each prophetic day. This brings us to 27 AD and the anointing of Jesus. Luke 3:1-23. Also in Daniel 9 is the remaining week of 7 years. In the middle of this week Jesus would be crucified for all of mankind. Thus Ezra 7 and Daniel 9 are forever linked as the two chapters that reveal the time of the coming of the true Messiah – Jesus of Nazareth.

Prayer for Today: God it is totally amazing that You would share such a prophecy with us. We can’t imagine how You know the future but thank You for the assurance, and the confirming data, that You do know the future. You know the future of nations, and You know the future of individuals, like us. Thank You that You know and that You are taking steps to protect and encourage each one of us today. Help us to trust Your Word that You only have thoughts of blessings toward us (Jeremiah 29:11-13) and You want us to grow in grace and truth (II Peter 3:18). Thank You for Your love.