Audio
Video
Outline
FUNDAMENTAL BELIEF #1 — THE HOLY SCRIPTURES POINT TO JESUS (Part 2)
by Pastor Mike Fortune
January 11, 2014
- Prophecy points to Jesus (Daniel 9:24-27)
- Jesus gives us a new heart with Him in it (Ezekiel 36:26; 2 Peter 1:19)
Daniel 9:24-27 (NLT)
24 "A period of seventy sets of seven has been decreed for your people and your holy city to finish their rebellion, to put an end to their sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. 25 Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One—comes. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, despite the perilous times. 26 "After this period of sixty-two sets of seven, the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing, and a ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple. The end will come with a flood, and war and its miseries are decreed from that time to the very end. 27 The ruler will make a treaty with the people for a period of one set of seven, but after half this time, he will put an end to the sacrifices and offerings. And as a climax to all his terrible deeds, he will set up a sacrilegious object that causes desecration, until the fate decreed for this defiler is finally poured out on him."
Ezekiel 36:26 (Scripture reading)
And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you.
2 Peter 1:19 (Scripture reading)
19 Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts.
Days can be days in Daniel
1:12-15 NLT - Please test us for ten days (יוֹם yowm) on a diet of vegetables and water, Daniel said. At the end of the ten days (יוֹם yowm), see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king's food. Then make your decision in light of what you see. The attendant agreed to Daniel's suggestion and tested them for ten days (יוֹם yowm). At the end of the ten days (יוֹם yowm), Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king.
1:12-15 KJV - Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days (יוֹם yowm); and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days (יוֹם yowm). And at the end of ten days (יוֹם yowm) their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
8:27 NLT - Then I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for several days (יוֹם yowm). Afterward I got up and performed my duties for the king, but I was greatly troubled by the vision and could not understand it.
8:27 KJV - And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days (יוֹם yowm); afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.
10:3 NLT - All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three (יוֹם yowm) weeks had passed.
10:3 KJV - I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole (יוֹם yowm) weeks were fulfilled.
Days can be years within the pages and context of Daniel
1:5,18 (at the “end of the days”) NLT - The king assigned them a daily (יוֹם yowm) ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years (שָׁנָה shaneh), and then they would enter the royal service. When the training period ordered by the king was completed, the chief of staff brought all the young men to King Nebuchadnezzar.
1:5,18 (at the “end of the days”) KJV - And the king appointed them a daily (יוֹם yowm) provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years (שָׁנָה shaneh), that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Now at the end of the days (יוֹם yowm) that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
2:28 (the dream was to come in the “days” not latter “years”) NLT - But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future. Now I will tell you your dream and the visions you saw as you lay on your bed.
2:28 (the dream was to come in the “days” not latter “years”) KJV - But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days (יוֹם yowm). Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these.
2:44 (the final end of the image was to come in the “days” of the kings who were rule the divided kingdom of iron and clay) NLT - During the reigns of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed or conquered. It will crush all these kingdoms into nothingness, and it will stand forever.
2:44 (the final end of the image was to come in the “days” of the kings who were rule the divided kingdom of iron and clay) KJV - And in the days (יוֹם yowm) of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
4:25,34 (Nebuchadnezzar recovered his sanity “at the end of the days” when the actual period of time covered was seven times or years) NLT - You will be driven from human society, and you will live in the fields with the wild animals. You will eat grass like a cow, and you will be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses. After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever. His rule is everlasting, and his kingdom is eternal.
4:25,34 (Nebuchadnezzar recovered his sanity “at the end of the days” when the actual period of time covered was seven times or years) KJV - That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. And at the end of the days (יוֹם yowm) I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
5:11 (this reference to the “days” of Nebuchadnezzar referred to events that had occurred more than fifty years earlier) NLT - There is a man in your kingdom who has within him the spirit of the holy gods. During Nebuchadnezzar's reign, this man was found to have insight, understanding, and wisdom like that of the gods. Your predecessor, the king—your predecessor King Nebuchadnezzar—made him chief over all the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers of Babylon.
5:11 (this reference to the “days” of Nebuchadnezzar referred to events that had occurred more than fifty years earlier) KJV - There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days (יוֹם yowm) of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers.
7:9,13 (Ancient of Days describes God’s existence through days and years listed in Daniel) NLT - I watched as thrones were put in place and the Ancient One sat down to judge. His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like purest wool. He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire. As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence.
7:9,13 (Ancient of Days describes God’s existence through days and years listed in Daniel) KJV - I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days (יוֹם yowm) did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days (יוֹם yowm), and they brought him near before him.
8:26 (Daniel is told to seal up this vision for it pertained to “many days” even to the time of the end years away) NLT - This vision about the 2,300 evenings and mornings is true. But none of these things will happen for a long time, so keep this vision a secret.
8:26 (Daniel is told to seal up this vision for it pertained to “many days” even to the time of the end years away) KJV - And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days (יוֹם yowm).
10:14 (same thing) NLT - Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.
10:14 (same thing) KJV - Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days (יוֹם yowm): for yet the vision is for many days (יוֹם yowm).
11:20,33 (a “few days” of persecution insignificant unless years) NLT - His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor. But after a very brief reign, he will die, though not from anger or in battle. Wise leaders will give instruction to many, but these teachers will die by fire and sword, or they will be jailed and robbed.
11:20,33 (a “few days” of persecution insignificant unless years) KJV - Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days (יוֹם yowm) he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days (יוֹם yowm).
12:13 (Daniel is told to seal up this vision for it pertained to “many days” even to the time of the end years away) NLT - As for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you.
12:13 (Daniel is told to seal up this vision for it pertained to “many days” even to the time of the end years away) KJV - But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days (
יוֹם yowm).
Prophecy points to Jesus
Jesus makes the great atonement (v24c) "...to atone for their guilt" (NLT) "...to make reconciliation for iniquity" (KJV)
Jesus' atonement brings in everlasting righteousness (24d) "..., to bring in everlasting righteousness" (NLT) "...to bring in everlasting righteousness" (KJV)
Jesus anoints Heavenly sanctuary to commence High Priestly work (24f) "...to anoint the Most Holy Place" (NLT) "...to anoint the most Holy" (KJV)
Jesus begins earthly ministry (v25) "...until a ruler—the Anointed One—comes" (NLT) "...unto the Messiah the Prince" (KJV)
Jesus is crucified (v26a) "...after this period of sixty-two sets of seven, the Anointed One will be killed" (NLT) "...And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off"
Jesus is rejected at crucifixion (26b) "...appearing to have accomplished nothing" (NLT) "...but not for himself"
Jesus makes the final great offer of old covenant grace to Israel (9:27a) ..."The ruler will make a treaty with the people for a period of one set of seven" (NLT) "...The ruler will make a treaty with the people for a period of one set of seven" (KJV)
Jesus brings sacrificial system to an end (9:27b) ..."but after half this time, he will put an end to the sacrifices and offerings" (NLT) "...and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease" (KJV)
Jesus holds all people accountable (9:27c) ..."until the fate decreed for this defiler is finally poured out on him" (NLT) "...until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate"
Days can be days in OT
Genesis 1 & 2
Days can be years in OT
First time prophecy where “days” and “years” are linked directly together
Genesis 6:3 NLT - Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not put up with humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. In the future, their normal lifespan (יוֹם yowm) will be no more than 120 years (שָׁנָה shaneh).”
Genesis 6:3 KJV -“And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days (יוֹם yowm) shall be an hundred and twenty years (שָׁנָה shaneh).
Days is often used in equation with the years of an individual’s life
Genesis 47:9 NLT - 9 Jacob replied, "I have traveled this earth for 130 hard years (שָׁנָה shaneh). But my life has been short compared to the lives of my ancestors."
Genesis 47:9 KJV - And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days (יוֹם yowm) of the years (שָׁנָה shaneh) of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days (יוֹם yowm) of the years (שָׁנָה shaneh) of my life been, and have not attained unto the days (יוֹם yowm) of the years (שָׁנָה shaneh) of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.
The Passover was to be kept literally “from days to days” understood to be “year to year”
Exodus 13:10 NLT - So observe the decree of this festival at the appointed time each year (יוֹם yowm).
Exodus 13:10 KJV - Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year (יוֹם yowm) to year (יוֹם yowm).
The “sabbath” referred to in Leviticus 25 was not the weekly seventh-day Sabbath but the “sabbath” of every seventh year. But when repeated in the Hebrew parallelism of verse 5, the word for “year” occurs in the same position as the word for the weekly / yearly “sabbath” of verse 4
Leviticus 25:4-5 NLT - But during the seventh year (שָׁנָה shaneh) the land must have a Sabbath year of complete rest. It is the LORD's Sabbath. Do not plant your fields or prune your vineyards during that year. And don't store away the crops that grow on their own or gather the grapes from your unpruned vines. The land must have a year (שָׁנָה shaneh) of complete rest.
Leviticus 25:4-5 KJV - But in the seventh year (שָׁנָה shaneh) shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the LORD: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard. That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not reap, neither gather the grapes of thy vine undressed: for it is a year (שָׁנָה shaneh) of rest unto the land.
The day for a year time period involved in Daniel 9:24-27 was modeled after jubilee legislation of Leviticus 25:8
Leviticus 25:8 NLT - In addition, you must count off seven Sabbath years (שָׁנָה shaneh), seven sets of seven years (שָׁנָה shaneh), adding up to forty-nine years (שָׁנָה shaneh) in all.
Leviticus 25:8 KJV - And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years (שָׁנָה shaneh) unto thee, seven times seven years (שָׁנָה shaneh); and the space of the seven sabbaths of years (שָׁנָה shaneh) shall be unto thee forty and nine years (שָׁנָה shaneh).
Daniel 9:2 NLT - During the first year (שָׁנָה shaneh) of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from reading the word of the LORD, as revealed to Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years (שָׁנָה shaneh).
Daniel 9:2 KJV - In the first year (שָׁנָה shaneh) of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years (שָׁנָה shaneh), whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years (שָׁנָה shaneh) in the desolations of Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 25:11-12 NLT - This entire land will become a desolate wasteland. Israel and her neighboring lands will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years (שָׁנָה shaneh). Then, after the seventy years (שָׁנָה shaneh) of captivity are over, I will punish the king of Babylon and his people for their sins, says the LORD. I will make the country of the Babylonians a wasteland forever.
Jeremiah 25:11-12 KJV - And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years (שָׁנָה shaneh). And it shall come to pass, when seventy years (שָׁנָה shaneh) are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.
Jeremiah 29:10 NLT - This is what the LORD says: You will be in Babylon for seventy years (שָׁנָה shaneh). But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again.
Jeremiah 29:10 KJV - For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years (שָׁנָה shaneh) be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.
2 Chronicles 36:21 NLT - So the message of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled. The land finally enjoyed its Sabbath rest, lying desolate until the seventy years (שָׁנָה shaneh) were fulfilled, just as the prophet had said.
2 Chronicles 36:21 KJV - To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years (שָׁנָה shaneh).
A past day stands for a future year whereas in Daniel 9:24-27 a future day refers to a future year
Numbers 14:34 NLT - Because your men explored the land for forty days (יוֹם yowm), you must wander in the wilderness for forty years (שָׁנָה shaneh)—a year (שָׁנָה shaneh) for each day (יוֹם yowm), suffering the consequences of your sins. Then you will discover what it is like to have me for an enemy.
Number 14:34 KJV - After the number of the days (יוֹם yowm) in which ye searched the land, even forty days (יוֹם yowm), each day (יוֹם yowm) for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years (שָׁנָה shaneh), and ye shall know my breach of promise.
Hebrew parallelism links days and years and easily prepared OT readers for understanding year / day
Deuteronomy 32:7 NLT - Remember the days (יוֹם yowm) of long ago; think about the generations past. Ask your father, and he will inform you. Inquire of your elders, and they will tell you.
Deuteronomy 32:7 KJV - Remember the days (יוֹם yowm) of old, consider the years (שָׁנָה shaneh) of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.
The service of mourning for Jepthah’s daughter occurs “from days to days” that is yearly. It also says the mourning takes place for four days each year.
Judges 11:40 NLT - So it has become a custom in Israel for young Israelite women to go away for four days (יוֹם yowm) each year (שָׁנָה shaneh)to lament the fate of Jephthah's daughter.
Judges 11:40 KJV - And it was a custom in Israel, that the daughters of Israel went yearly (יוֹם yowm) to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days (יוֹם yowm) in a year (שָׁנָה shaneh).
Elkanah went to Shiloh to offer his "sacrifice of the days" that is, his yearly sacrifice
1 Samuel 1:21 NLT - The next year Elkanah and his family went on their annual (יוֹם yowm) trip to offer a sacrifice to the LORD.
1 Samuel 1:21 KJV - And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly (יוֹם yowm) sacrifice, and his vow.
Hannah took garments she had made for Samuel once each year (literally, "from days to days")
1 Samuel 2:19 NLT - Each year (יוֹם yowm) his mother made a small coat for him and brought it to him when she came with her husband for the sacrifice.1 Samuel 2:19 KJV - Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year (יוֹם yowm) to year (יוֹם yowm), when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly (יוֹם yowm) sacrifice.
A yearly sacrifice was spoken of as the "sacrifice of the days"
1 Samuel 20:6 NLT - If your father asks where I am, tell him I asked permission to go home to Bethlehem for an annual (יוֹם yowm) family sacrifice.
1 Samuel 20:6 KJV - If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly (יוֹם yowm) sacrifice there for all the family.
David and his men dwelt in the land of the Philistines "days and four months". That a period of a year and four months is intended is evident since that is the way translators of the Bible have handled this phrase. So the term "days" was used at times to specify a period of time equivalent to a year.
1 Samuel 27:7 NLT - And they lived there among the Philistines for a year (יוֹם yowm) and four months.
1 Samuel 27:7 KJV - And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year (יוֹם yowm) and four months.
David was old and advanced in years is literally "in the days"
1 Kings 1:1 NLT - King David was now very old, and no matter how many blankets covered him, he could not keep warm.
1 Kings 1:1 KJV - Now king David was old and stricken in years (יוֹם yowm); and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.
The oldest book in the OT provides several examples in which days and years are used interchangeably
Job 10:5 NLT - Is your lifetime only as long as ours? Is your life so short
Job 10:5 KJV - Are thy days (יוֹם yowm) as the days (יוֹם yowm) of man? Are thy years (שָׁנָה shaneh) as man's days (יוֹם yowm)?
Job 15:20 NLT - The wicked writhe in pain throughout their lives. Years (שָׁנָה shaneh) of trouble are stored up for the ruthless.
Job 15:20 KJV - The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days (יוֹם yowm), and the number of years (שָׁנָה shaneh) is hidden to the oppressor.
Job 32:7 NLT - I thought, 'Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.'
Job 32:7 KJV - I said, Days (יוֹם yowm) should speak, and multitude of years (שָׁנָה shaneh) should teach wisdom.
Job 36:11 NLT - If they listen and obey God, they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. All their years (שָׁנָה shaneh) will be pleasant.
Job 36:11 KJV - If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days (יוֹם yowm) in prosperity, and their years (שָׁנָה shaneh) in pleasures.
Psalms provide a background for more specific application of day / year principle
Psalm 77:5 NLT - I think of the good old days (יוֹם yowm), long since ended.
Psalm 77:5 KJV - I have considered the days (יוֹם yowm) of old, the years (שָׁנָה shaneh) of ancient times.
Psalm 90:9-10 NLT - We live our lives (יוֹם yowm) beneath your wrath, ending our years (שָׁנָה shaneh) with a groan. Seventy years (שָׁנָה shaneh) are given to us! Some even live to eighty.
Psalm 90:9-10 KJV - For all our days (יוֹם yowm) are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years (שָׁנָה shaneh) as a tale that is told. The days (יוֹם yowm) of our years (שָׁנָה shaneh) are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years (שָׁנָה shaneh), yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Ezekiel 4 describes an acted out parable with three main points: the meaning of the pantomime; the prophetic element involved; and the historical background for the time element. The days during which the prophet was to "bear" these sins is described in Ezekiel 1,9, and 10. Ezekiel's prophetic future days come from past years. In Numbers 14:34, the future years of judgment come from past days of sinfulness.
Ezekiel 4:6 NLT - After that, turn over and lie on your right side for 40 days (יוֹם yowm)—one day (יוֹם yowm) for each year (שָׁנָה shaneh) of Judah's sin.
Ezekiel 4:6 KJV - And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days (יוֹם yowm): I have appointed thee each day (יוֹם yowm) for a year (שָׁנָה shaneh).
Days can be years in the first five books of Moses, all 3 sections of the OT (Torah, Prophets, Psalms), and at least these 14 OT books of the Bible.
Since the Greek translation of the OT (the Septuagint or LXX) was written in the 3rd Century BC, commentators like these have used the Bible's wider lens of year day references to interpret Daniel 9 which is why the LXX translated Daniel 9:24-27's "seventy weeks" as "weeks of years"
Book of Jubilees
Testaments of Levi
1 Enoch 89-93
11 Q Melchizadek
4 Q 384-390 Pseudo-Ezekiel
4 Q 180-181
Josephus Antiquities 10.276
Sedar Olam by Rabbi Jose ben Halafta
4Ezra
Assumption of Moses
Jewish expositors Nahawendi in the 8th or 9th century
Bar Hiyya 11th century
Abravanel 15th century
Villanova 1290s
Nicholas of Cusa 1440
Drue Cressener, 1689 English prophetic interpreter re:Rev 11-13
Isaac Newton 1727
Judge John Bacon of Massachusetts 1799
Robert Reid, Reformed Presbyterian minister of Pennsylvania 1828
None of the sources above read or heard first from William Miller who started preaching in 1831
Harriet Livermore, first woman ever to speak publicly within the walls of the US Congress 1839
John MacArthur, 2005
John MacArthur (2005)
If Daniel's "weeks" (literally, "sevens" in the Hebrew) are understood as seven-year periods, Daniel is describing a period of 483 years total: "seven weeks" (forty-nine years) plus "sixty-two weeks" (434 years). The command to restore and build Jerusalem seems to be a reference to the decree of Artaxerxes (Neh.2:1-8), which was issued 444 or 445 BC. If the years are reckoned by a lunar calendar of 360 days, Daniel's timetable would put the appearance of "Messiah the Prince" around AD 30, which was the year of his triumphal entry. — John MacArthur, Twelve Extraordinary Women, pp.129-130.
Since Messiah means anointed one, Jesus became Messiah when he was anointed at his baptism (Mark1:11; Matthew 3:13-17). Adding 483 years to 457BC brings us to 27 AD (adding 1 because there is no year zero in the BC/AD calendar), at this time the “anointed one comes” But is that his birth? His death? Something else? Luke tells us that John the Baptist began his ministry in the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar (Luke 3:1). Historians tell us Augustus, Tiberius’s adoptive father, died in 14AD. Adding 15 years to this date, we arrive at 29AD not 27AD. But two years before Augustus died, historians also reveal the Roman Senate voted Tiberius co-ruler similar to how King David and Solomon co-ruled in 1 Kings 1. So adding 15 years to the to co-ruling date of 12AD brings you to 27AD for the Messiah’s public anointing and baptism. For more on the fifteenth year of Tiberius as AD 27, see especially J.Finegan’s discussion of this date in Handbook of Biblical Chronology (Princeton: 1964), 259-74.
Seventy prophetic weeks equal 490 prophetic days or years. If you add 490 years to 457BC we reach 34AD (adding 1 because there is no year zero in the BC/AD calendar). But what happened in 34AD? Three and a half years after Jesus died and rose? Acts 7:58 says Saul / Paul stoned the prophet Stephen to death. Galatians 1:18 says Paul says the first visit to Jerusalem came three years after his conversion. Galatians 2:1 says the second visit occurred fourteen years after the first visit. Acts 18:12 says right after Paul left Jerusalem after the second visit he went on a missionary journey to Corinth where he appeared before the proconsul Gallio. From an archaeological inscription found in Corinth, historians know Gallio’s one-year proconsulship occurred in AD51. If you subtract 17 years from 51, you reach 34AD - the estimated death of Stephen's stoning.
The interesting thing about the duration of the 70th week is verse 26 says it begins after the sixty-two weeks thus taking us slightly beyond the end of the 69th week. Specifically, the middle of the week or half this time is when verse 27 says Jesus will put an end to sacrifices and offerings. Why? Because Jesus is the real Lamb that took away our sins (John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Matthew 27:51). Because Jesus' ministry was 3 1/2 years long (John mentions three Passover festivals during the ministry of Jesus in Jn.2:13, 6:4 and 11:55) – and possibly a fourth (Jn. 5:1). Note that these cannot be the same festival, because other festivals occur in between (Jn. 5:1, 7:2, 10:22). Thus, we can assume that Jesus's ministry lasted for at least three years, and that He was put to death in AD 31 half way through Daniel 9's 70th week. Today, all who accept Jesus are "spiritual Israel" (Galatians 3:28-29; Romans 9:6-8). He has promised to give us a new heart. And to shine out from it in our lives.
Jesus calls us to recognize that gladness and sadness are never separate, that joy and sorrow really belong together, and that mourning and dancing are part of the same movement. That is why Jesus calls us to be grateful for every moment that we have lived and to claim our unique journey as God’s way to mold our hearts to greater conformity with God’s own. The cross is the main symbol of our faith, and it invites us to find hope where we see pain and to reaffirm the resurrection where we see death. The call to be grateful is a call to trust that every moment of our life can be claimed as the way of the cross that leads us to new life. Source: The Essential Henri Nouwen
In life there are moments of darkness. There are periods of discouragement. There are times when we lose sight of the beauty of the sky for all the clouds. You may have to bear severe sickness, or deal with tremendous pain, or you may be disappointed in this or that. But remember, whatever difficulty you have to face, it will not last. It is only a cloud. For God has made each of us with a purpose. Source: Alice von Hildebrand in “Made for Joy”
