What are the 490 years in Daniel 9 designed to accomplish?
The 490 years determined upon Israel and Jerusalem were to finish transgression, make an end of sins, and make reconciliation for iniquity. These were accomplished in the work of the cross, where Christ died, sin was defeated, and Satan's power was broken for the believer.
Les explains that the 490 years are a prophetic timetable directed to the nation of Israel, determined upon Daniel's people and the holy city, Jerusalem. Their purpose is to finish transgression, make an end of sins, and make reconciliation for iniquity. He notes that this was all accomplished in the work of the cross: when Christ died, reconciliation became possible, as Paul brings out in 2 Corinthians 5, giving believers the ministry of reconciliation. In this 490-year timetable, there would be the end of sins as man's overpowering victor, because sin was defeated at the cross. That is where Satan was utterly defeated, and though he is still alive, for the believer his power has been broken as a result of the cross.