In this part of the series, I will briefly explain some important underlying beliefs and assumptions that the rest of the series depends on. While I personally agree with these dates and interpretations, the information provided here is the result of the work of others. I want to make this clear for three reasons. First, I don’t want to give the false impression that I am the original source of this information. Second, the fact that these assumptions didn’t originate with me provides some corroboration for the information that follows in this series, as well as for the underlying beliefs and assumptions explained in this part. Third, the logical basis for these dates and interpretations can be a lengthy topic for extensive discussion in its own right. The purpose of this part of the series is to briefly provide context for what follows this part of the series.
In Daniel 9 there is a prophecy of "seventy weeks". But these "weeks" are symbolic, each one representing seven years. So 70 weeks is actually 490 years. This prophecy, shrouded in mystery, resonates deeply for the Jews and their beloved Jerusalem. It whispers of a reborn city, of a Messiah who arrives and then sadly departs. It paints a picture of desolation.
But in this shadow there is a glimmer of hope. The prophecy finds its echo in the life of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, whose arrival marks a critical hour on the celestial clock. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are for many the final brushstrokes that complete the prophetic masterpiece. The alignments between this prophecy and the historical timeline of the biblical narrative strongly support the explanation that each of the "seventy weeks" represents seven years.
Like a key that unlocks hidden chambers, the "seventy weeks" prophecy reveals a timeline of Jesus' journey. The prophecy counts 69 "weeks," or 483 years, from the 20th year of King Artaxerxes, when the rebuilding of Jerusalem began in 455 B.C.E. From that moment, the years turn forward like the hands of a clock. This 483-year period ends in 29 C.E., when Jesus, baptized in the Jordan River, takes on his Messianic role.
So, as we journey deeper into the hidden calendar, remember: these assumptions pave the way ahead and illuminate the shadows of history.
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