Welcome! I am glad you stopped by. We are looking at various prophecies about the Messiah. Today, we focus on the timing of his birth. I wonder how many Jews back then considered the Messiah’s coming as a baby. For many, he would be a political or military figure that would rescue them from Roman oppression. Instead, Jesus would come into the world as a baby and be a servant and teacher, not a political or military figure.
Prophetic scripture
Daniel 9:25, “Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for 62 weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time.”
Fulfilled
Luke 2:1,2, “ In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.“
Notes
The book of Daniel covers both Daniel’s life, his biography, and prophecy about future events.
In looking at the passage from Daniel, we can calculate the number of years from the time the word goes out till the coming of the anointed one. The passage says 7 weeks and then 62 weeks which totals 69 weeks. There are 7 days in a week, so 69 times 7 equals 483 days. However, weeks in this context are actually years. I know, it’s confusing. The Hebrew meaning of weeks is years. So, we’re talking about 483 years, not 483 days or weeks.
When it comes to the book of Daniel, I need help interpreting what the passages mean because there’s so much there. My notes on Daniel 9:25 say, ” The calculation of the prophecy is as follows:
“There will be a period of seven weeks of years (49 years) followed by sixty-two weeks of years (434 years), making a total of 69 weeks of years or 483 years from the decree until the coming of Messiah the Prince. Therefore, the total of 483 years (69 weeks) should be calculated as specific biblical/prophetic years of 360 days each.
The starting point of the prophecy would have begun on Nisan 1 (March 5), 444 BC, followed by 69 weeks of 360 day years or 173,880 days, and culminated on Nisan 10 (March 30), AD 33, the date of Jesus the Messiah’s triumphal entry.”
We must remember that the Hebrew calendar does not revolve around 365 days like the Gregorian calendar we use here in the states.
Let’s look at the fulfilled passage.
God chose this time in history to send his Son, Jesus, into the world as a baby.
The writer Luke takes special interest in the events of world history. It is thought that Caesar Augustus was the greatest Emporer. He made big changes in Rome and established what was known as the Pax Romana (Roman Peace). He was also responsible for ushering in Roman literature and architecture.
No matter what happens in the world and who is in charge, God can change history forever. God is sovereign. One day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like a day to the Lord. The birth of the Messiah changed history forever.
Next time we’re together, we will look at prophetic scripture surrounding the details of his coming.
Blessings to you and your family.
The Teaching Lady
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