The horn that started small

Remember, Gabriel told Daniel two times that this vision concern the “appointed time of the end.”  In future lessons, we shall study the event that marks the time of the end and the horn that starts small.  For now, we need to continue with the portion of the vision that relates to Daniel’s day so that we may carefully establish some historical dates indicating when the appointed time of the end begins!

During the first year

Some time during the first year of the reign of the Medes and Persians, Daniel was imploring God for the release of the Jews from captivity and the restoration of Jerusalem when Gabriel suddenly appeared before Daniel to continue their discussion on the vision given to Daniel concerning the ram and goat.  Daniel says, “…while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice.” Daniel 9:21 On the second visit, Gabriel said, “I have come to give you insight and understanding… Therefore, consider the message and understand the vision” (of the 2,300 evenings and mornings).  Daniel 9:21-23

(Note: Daniel’s concern was focused on the end of the 70 years of Babylonian captivity predicted by Jeremiah.  He anticipated the imminent fulfillment of the prophecy. He thought his vision of the 2,300 evenings and mornings related to the restoration of Israel and consequently sought greater understanding.   Gabriel returns to talk with Daniel but the subject under discussion is much larger than the restoration of the Jews.  In fact, history tells us that Daniel’s concern for the freedom of his people was satisfied the year of Gabriel’s visit! Captivity ended as prophesied by Jeremiah when Cyrus king of Persia, released Israel from captivity. Ezra recorded the decree. “In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation…”(freeing Israel).  See Ezra 1:1-11

So Gabriel returns in this second visit to continue his explanation of the meaning of the vision having 2,300 evenings and mornings.  The angel came to Daniel about sundown, the time of the evening sacrifice and said:

1. 70 “sevens (or weeks) are granted to Israel to:

1. 1. Pay the penalty for their wicked deeds as a nation
   2. Put an end to national apostasy
   3. Bring in everlasting righteousness
   4. Seal up the vision and prophecy
   5. Anoint the Most Holy

2. From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until the Anointed One appears would be 69 weeks.
3. In the middle of the 70^th week, the Anointed One would be cut off, also confirm a covenant and He would put an end to sacrifice and offering.
4. Jerusalem and its sanctuary would later be destroyed.
5. Wars and desolations would continue until the end of time.
6. And one who causes desolations will continue until the end of time.

(See Daniel 9:24-27

Gabriel led Daniel to understand that God’s purpose in the future was much larger than Israel returning to Jerusalem.  In fact, if you’ll compare items 2 and 4 of the prophecy, Gabriel explains that Jerusalem will be rebuilt and afterwards, it will be destroyed again!

Daniel was also told that wars would continue until the end of time and the one who causes desolation (destructions) would continue until the end of time.

The angel also told Daniel that the Anointed One (Messiah) would appear 69 weeks after the decree to rebuild Jerusalem.This indicated that yes, Jerusalem would be restored and that the Holy One of Israel would now come.  Daniel knew of the promised Messiah for Isaiah had prophesied:”The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel…God in the future will honor Galilee of the Gentiles…The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned…And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 7:14; 9:1,2,6

The most important matter that came out of this visit is that Daniel was led to understand that 70 “seven” were to be placed upon the Jews for several reasons.  The ultimate purpose (see item 1 above) was to prepare a people to receive Messiah!

An appointment with Messiah

Review the six elements of Gabriel’s talk with Daniel.  You will notice that the message given to Daniel clearly states that from the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah appears would be 69 weeks.

God’s timing is always perfect.  Three keys unlock this important message from Gabriel allowing us to see the beauty of His timing.  We will look at the first two keys in this study:

KEY I  - A day for a year

The words “70 sevens” refer to an understanding the Jews had regarding time.  A “seven” was a time period of 7 years. Seven “ sevens” (or 49 years) was a revolving time period called a “Jubilee.”  According to Leviticus 25 & 26, the Jews were to count years by sevens for the land was to have a rest every 7^th year.  Israel was not to sow or plant their fields in the 7^th year.  God promised to make their fields so fruitful during the sixth year that work in the fields during the 7^th year would be unnecessary!

Even more, after the year of rest at the 49^th year, (the 7^th sabbatical,) the year of Jubilee was the 50^th year, which was also the first year of the next “seven.”  During the Jubilee year, land that had been sold was returned to the family.  Debts were cancelled and real estate was returned to the original owner!  The “seven” and the Jubilees were a lesson designed by Jesus to teach Israel that one-day, He would both redeem (buy back) those faithful and obedient to the Lord and would return them to their original homeland – the Garden of Eden.  The great debt of sin would be paid in full for those willing to live by faith!

Daniel understood that 70 “sevens” of years meant 490 years or 10 Jubilees.  This time period of grace would be granted to Israel as a final effort to fulfill God’s plan for them as a nation.  Daniel must have sorrowed to hear that Jerusalem would be rebuilt and then destroyed again.  Would his people be prepared to accept the Messiah?

Daniel was told the Anointed One (the Messiah) would appear 483 years (69x7 =483) after the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem.  Although three decrees were given on behalf of Israel, the decree granting the necessary money, Artaxeres gave governmental power and freedom of worship in the seventh year of his reign.  The decree is recorded in Ezra 7 and was issued in the fall of 457 B.C.

Note:  Some challenge the use of the decree dated 457 B.C. since there were actually three decrees.  Fortunately, enough historical evidence is available to show the particular decree, issued in 457 B.C., is the one that fulfills the prophecy.

In our understanding and application of the 69 “sevens” is correct, Jesus the Messiah, the Anointed One, should appear 483 years after the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem.Did He appear before the Jewish people that year?

“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar – when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee… The people were waiting expectantly and were wondering in their hearts if John (the Baptist) might possibly be the Christ… When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too… Jesus…was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.” Selections from Luke 3.

From historical sources we can calculate the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar that Luke speaks of.  It is 27 A.D., which is exactly 483 years from the decree in 457 B.C. by Artaxerxes!  Jesus, who set the time of His appearing – appeared right on time.

KEY II – Jesus dies on time

Gabriel said that in the middle of the 70^th “seven” the Anointed One would be cut off (literally cut down), that He would also confirm a covenant and He would put an end to sacrifice and offering.

Since a “seven” represents 7 years, the 70^th week of this prophecy is seven years long.  The 70^th week began with 27 A.D. and reaches to 34 A.D.  The middle mark (or middle of the week) between these years is 30 A.D.  Several points converge during this year:

1. Jesus was crucified in the spring of the year during the Passover feast, which was celebrated in the spring.  John 19:14
2. It appears that Passover fell on Saturday that year, John 19:31 (Note: some scholars believe the accompanying eclipse of the sun at Jesus’ death is recorded as being Friday April 7^th, 30 A.D.)
3. Gabriel indicated that Messiah was to be “cut off” (literally translated: cut down).

Did his own people cut him down?  Stephen, the first Christian martyr cried out to                       

The Sanhedrin regarding the crucifixion of Jesus “you have betrayed and murder-ed him!”  Acts 7:52

4. Did Messiah put an end to sacrifices and offerings?  Paul says, “God …cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:13,14
5. Did Jesus confirm the covenant?  Again, Paul says, “This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.”  Hebrews 2:3

History agrees

According to the prophecy, Jesus died exactly on time.  As the High Priest was about to slay the Passover lamb in Jerusalem’s temple, out on Golgotha’s hill – Jesus, the Passover Lamb of God died for the sins of the whole world.

An angel immediately flew to the temple and tore open the heavy veil from top to bottom that separated the Holy place from the Most Holy place.  This act signified the end of the sacrificial system.  Jesus had confirmed His covenant with His own blood.  The religious services, which had been required of Israel, were now unnecessary.  The penalty of sin, which they had pointed to, was paid in full.  The shadow of earthy things disappeared in the fulfillment of Christ’s death.  The ceremonies were nailed to the cross.

(Note:  When the veil was torn open, the great multitude that gathered for the Passover beheld the contents of the Most Holy place of the temple for the first time.  The room’s sole property was darkness.  The Ark of the Covenant that had been hidden by Jeremiah at the time of the Babylonian captivity was never found and remains hidden to this very day!  How symbolic that darkness not only filled the inner place of Israel’s religious shrine, great darkness filled the hearts of the worshipers too.)

Summary

1.      In 27A.D., the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar, the Jews anticipated the appearing of Messiah.  The women at the well said: “I know that Messiah is coming…when he comes, he will explain everything to us.”  John 4:25 Mathematically, 27 A.D. is the 483^rd year from the decree given by Artaxerxes in 457 B.C.

2.      Jesus was baptized in 27 A.D. being 30 years of age before he could serve as a priest.  See Numbers 4:3

3.      “Elijah” as promised in Malachi 4:5 preceded the year 27 A.D.  He came in the person of John the Baptist to prepare the “way of the Lord.”  Matthew 11:14

4.      Jesus, who gave this vision to Daniel 550 years before He was born, understood the timing and fulfillment of the prophecy, for He said at the beginning of His ministry on earth, “The time has come…” Mark 1:14,15 Again, Jesus speaking after His baptism in Nazareth said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me…to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”  Luke 4:18,19

5.      Christ died precisely on time.  Jesus, the Passover Lamb of God, died on the very day the ceremonial service had pointed to for centuries.  The Council of Caesarea in 196 A.D., the Alexandrian Chronicle, and early historians Maximus Monachus, and Cedrenus also historically confirm 30 A.D.

6.      Each time the story is told of the birth of Jesus, the story of the wise men is told.  What many people don’t know is the wise men were students of prophecy.  They came from the East (area around Babylon) where they found and studied Daniel’s writings.  By understanding that a priest in Israel had to be 30 years of age before beginning his ministry, they calculated the end of the 483 years and then subtracted 30 years from their conclusion to determine the year of Jesus birth.  When you consider the fact that their roundtrip journey took about 2 years, you can begin to appreciate the intensity of their desire to attend the birth of Messiah.  Wise men do not go to such lengths on a whim.  Like the prophets Simeon and Anna, they longed to “personally” behold the Savior of the world.  Their presence at the birth of Jesus also confirms the accuracy of this prophecy for there are no other prophecies in the Bible pinpointing the time of Messiah’s appearing other than this one found in Daniel 9.

The fullness of time

Paul succinctly sums up Daniel’s prophecy by saying, “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son…”  (Galatians 4:4).  Can any question remain that God’s timing is less than perfect?

In our next study, the third key will be explained.  It holds a special message for Christians!

Quiz

1.      What were the two kingdoms to follow Babylon?

2.      The vision of Daniel has two parts.  Why is the first part important?

3.      Prophecy is ________in advance.  History is ________ fulfilled.

4.      What two prophetic keys help us understand the appearing of Messiah?

5.      Bonus:  How did the wise men know the timing of Messiah’s birth?

Memory Verse:  Luke 4:18,19  “The Spirit of the Lord is on me…to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 

Notes:

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"What Time Is It Part 2"