Les Feldick Bible Study

What archaeological evidence supports the 483-year count in Daniel's prophecy?

Chronologists and archaeologists have teamed up and found the decree Daniel mentions, which permitted the Jews to return after Nebuchadnezzar destroyed their temple. Dated March 14, 445 B.C., it ran to Palm Sunday, exactly 483 years. This fulfilled the earlier portion of the 490-year prophecy, leaving seven years future.

Les explains that chronologists and archaeologists have teamed up and actually found the decree that Daniel mentions, the one giving the Jews permission to return after Nebuchadnezzar destroyed their temple. That decree was dated, and Les says it was March 14, 445 B.C.; from that date to Palm Sunday was exactly 483 years, so that part was fulfilled. He notes that although God's timetable for Israel was 490 years leading to the rejection of the Messiah, only 483 years were fulfilled at Christ's first coming. The remaining seven years were not fulfilled then, and the prophecy's 490 years still had a final seven-year period. Bible scholars therefore sometimes call the Tribulation Daniel's 70th week. Sixty-nine of them were fulfilled at the cross, but the 70th week, the final seven years, is still unfulfilled and has been pushed into the future. Les also points out that the part about bringing in everlasting righteousness, sealing up the vision and prophecy, and anointing the most holy has not yet happened; it will happen when Christ returns and sets up His kingdom, not at His first coming.

Daniel 9:25

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.

More Questions

How many years of Daniel's 490-year prophecy were left unfulfilled at Christ's first coming?

Daniel's 490-year timetable for the nation of Israel, leading up to the rejection of the Messiah, would only total 483 years, which means that seven years were left unfulfilled at Christ's first coming.