What was to be accomplished during Daniel's 490-year prophecy, and was it fulfilled at the cross?
The 490 years were determined upon Daniel's people and Jerusalem to finish transgression, make an end of sins, and make reconciliation for iniquity. That was all accomplished in the work of the cross: Christ's death made reconciliation possible, defeated sin, and broke Satan's power for believers.
Les explains that the prophecy is directed to the nation of Israel in a 490-year timeframe. It says 490 years are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, Jerusalem, to finish transgression, make an end of sins, and make reconciliation for iniquity. He says all of that was accomplished in the work of the cross. When Christ died, reconciliation became possible, as Paul brings out in 2 Corinthians chapter 5—be ye reconciled to God—and now there is the ministry of reconciliation. The lost world can be told it has already been reconciled; all has been accomplished, and God will reckon a person as reconciled when they believe. Les also notes that in this prophetic timetable the end of sins occurs because sin was defeated at the cross, where Satan was utterly defeated. Though Satan is still alive and well, his power has been broken for the believer as a result of the work of the cross.