Daniel 9 sets out God's 490-year prophetic timetable for Israel, with 483 years fulfilled at Christ's crucifixion and the final seven years still awaiting a future peace treaty.
According to the prophecy, 70 weeks (490 years) are determined upon Daniel's people, Israel. Les Feldick points out that 483 of those years were completed by Palm Sunday, leaving one seven-year week unfulfilled. That remaining week, called Daniel's 70th week, will begin when the Antichrist signs a treaty with Israel.
Daniel 9:24 — This verse states that 70 weeks (490 years) are determined upon Daniel's people, Israel, establishing the prophetic timetable.
In Daniel 9:24, God tells Daniel, "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city." The prophecy is addressed to Daniel's people, the nation of Israel, and Jerusalem. The 490 years are set apart to finish transgression, make an end of sins, make reconciliation for iniquity, bring in everlasting righteousness, seal up the vision and prophecy, and anoint the most Holy. Daniel 9:25 explains the starting point: "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." That totals 69 weeks, or 483 years. Daniel 9:26 then says that "after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off," and afterwards "the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary." Daniel 9:27 concludes the prophecy with a covenant confirmed with many for one week, which is the remaining seven-year period.
Les Feldick teaches that Daniel 9 is the Old Testament prophetic timetable for the nation of Israel. He says the 490-year prophecy begins with Nehemiah's return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls. Historians and archaeologists have dated that decree to March 14, 445 B.C., and Les says exactly 483 years were fulfilled by Palm Sunday, just before the crucifixion. Les emphasizes that this leaves seven years unfulfilled. He teaches that those years, often called Daniel's 70th week, have been pushed out into the future and will be triggered by a peace treaty between the Antichrist and Israel. He also stresses that the prophecy is determined on Daniel's people, Israel, and that the Old Testament never connects it to the Church.
The 490 years are a literal 70 weeks of years determined upon Israel. Les explains that the countdown starts when Nehemiah returns to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, and 483 of the 490 years were fulfilled by the crucifixion, which he places on Palm Sunday. This leaves one final seven-year week yet to be fulfilled.
Les teaches that the final seven years of Daniel's prophecy are the Tribulation, often called Daniel's 70th week. These seven years did not begin at Christ's first coming. Instead, they will start when the Antichrist signs a peace treaty with Israel. This is the unfulfilled portion of the 490-year prophecy.
Les stresses that Daniel 9 is about Israel, not the Church. The prophecy says the 490 years are determined upon Daniel's people, the Jewish nation. Les points out that there is nothing in the Old Testament that connects this prophecy to the Church, which is the Body of Christ.
From Adam to Tribulation: God's Biblical Timeline Explained
Then, of course, when we get to Moses, who comes on the scene about 500 years later, or about 1500 B.C., and God gives to the nation of Israel, not to the world, but He gives to the nation of Israel the law. So now we have then the institution of the racial people of Israel, and God gives them their religion, if we may use that word, the Mosaic system.
483 Years Fulfilled at Palm Sunday
Les explains that Daniel's 490-year prophecy began with Nehemiah's return to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, and 483 years were completed just before the crucifixion on Palm Sunday.
Seven Years Remain Until a Treaty
Les says the remaining seven years of the 490 will begin when the Antichrist signs a peace treaty with Israel.
490 Years Not Finished at First Coming
Les explains that the final results of the prophecy, such as bringing in everlasting righteousness, did not happen at Christ's first coming, showing that seven years remained.
Prophecy Determined Upon Israel
Les emphasizes that Daniel 9:24 says the 490 years are determined upon Daniel's people, the Jewish nation.
Prophecy Not Connected to the Church
Les contrasts Daniel's 490-year prophecy with the Church, explaining that nothing in the Old Testament links these years to the Body of Christ.
Messiah Cut Off After 483 Years
Les explains that Daniel 9:26 describes Messiah being cut off, or crucified, and that the prince's people would destroy the city and sanctuary.
Exact Date of the Decree
Les says the decree was dated March 14, 445 B.C., and exactly 483 years elapsed until Palm Sunday, leaving Daniel's 70th week still future.
Daniel 9:24: Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
This is the foundational verse showing that 490 years are set apart for Israel and Jerusalem.
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.
This verse gives the starting point of the prophecy and counts the 69 weeks to the Messiah.
Daniel 9:26: And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
This verse points to the crucifixion of Messiah and the later destruction of Jerusalem and the sanctuary.
Daniel 9:27: And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
This verse describes the final seven-year period and the covenant at the heart of that week.
Daniel's 70th week is the final seven years of the 490-year prophecy in Daniel 9. After 483 years were fulfilled at the crucifixion, seven years remained. Les says this final week has been pushed into the future and is commonly called the Tribulation.
Les teaches that the final seven years will begin when the Antichrist signs a peace treaty with Israel. That treaty triggers the remaining week of Daniel's prophecy.
No. Les points out that the 490 years are determined upon Daniel's people, Israel, and that the Old Testament does not connect this prophecy to the Church.
Watch the Teaching: From Adam to Tribulation: God's Biblical Timeline Explained