The 490 years were God's determined time frame for Israel, in which the prophetic program was to run to completion — with Messiah cut off at the 483-year mark and the final seven years completing what Daniel 9:24 describes.
God set apart 490 years to finish the 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 9:24). Les Feldick teaches that only 483 years were fulfilled at Christ's first coming, leaving the final seven years unfulfilled and still ahead.
Daniel 9:24 — This verse directly lists what the 490-year period was determined to accomplish.
Daniel 9:27 — This verse describes the activity of the coming prince in the final seven-year period.
Daniel 9:24 states, "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." The word "weeks" here refers to a period of seventy sevens, or 490 years, determined upon Daniel's people, Israel, and the holy city. Daniel 9:25 says that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem unto Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks and threescore and two weeks. Daniel 9:26 says that "after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself," and that the people of the coming prince shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Daniel 9:27 then says the coming prince "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."
Les Feldick teaches that Daniel 9 describes a 490-year time frame God determined for the nation of Israel. He shows that 483 of those years were fulfilled from the decree allowing the Jews to return and rebuild Jerusalem to Christ's first coming, and that only seven years remain unfulfilled. He says the Old Testament prophetic program did not indicate that the 490 years would be split open and stretched out over almost 2,000 years; the prophets expected the program to continue on through the final seven years after the Messiah was cut off. According to Les, the final seven years — commonly called Daniel's 70th week — are still ahead and will begin when the Antichrist signs a peace treaty with Israel. He also points to Daniel 9:24's language about bringing in everlasting righteousness and anointing the Most Holy: this did not happen at Christ's first coming and will only happen when He returns and sets up His kingdom.
Les Feldick explains that the 490-year prophecy broke down into 69 weeks (483 years) fulfilled by Christ's first coming, and one remaining week (seven years). Because the 70th week was never completed in Old Testament time, Bible scholars refer to the Tribulation as Daniel's 70th week. Les says God's clock stopped after the 69th week, and the final seven years are still ahead and must be fulfilled.
Les emphasizes that nothing in the Old Testament indicated that the 490-year timeline would be split open and stretched out over almost 2,000 years. According to the Old Testament prophetic program, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ were to be followed by the ushering in of the final seven years to complete the 490. The prophets saw one continuous flow rather than a long interval.
Les teaches that the final seven years will have their time clock triggered by the signing of a peace treaty between the Antichrist and Israel. This corresponds to the covenant that Daniel 9:27 says the coming prince will confirm with many for one week.
Les Feldick points out that the Daniel 9:24 purpose of bringing in everlasting righteousness, sealing up the vision and prophecy, and anointing the Most Holy did not happen at Christ's first coming. It will happen when He returns and sets up His kingdom.
The 490-Year Prophetic Timeline
Les lays out the full 490-year time frame, showing that 483 years from the decree to Christ's crucifixion leave the final seven years of tribulation still future.
The Old Testament Expected No Gap
Les emphasizes that the Old Testament prophetic program did not indicate that the 490 years would be split and stretched for almost 2,000 years; the final seven years were expected to follow quickly after Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
Daniel 9:24 Purposes Yet to Be Fulfilled
Les says bringing in everlasting righteousness, sealing up vision and prophecy, and anointing the Most Holy did not happen at Christ's first coming; these await His return and kingdom.
483 Years Finished, Seven Remain
Les confirms from history and Scripture that 483 years were consummated at the cross, leaving the final seven years of the 490 uncompleted.
The Final Seven Years Triggered by a Peace Treaty
Les teaches that the unfulfilled seven years will begin when the Antichrist signs a peace treaty with Israel.
The 70th Week Called Daniel's 70th Week
Les shows that exactly 483 years were fulfilled from the dated decree to Palm Sunday, and that the remaining seven-year period is referred to as Daniel's 70th week.
The Break and the Age of Grace
Les explains that after 483 years God interrupted the prophetic clock, dispersed Israel, and turned to the Gentiles with the Age of Grace; the final seven years remain future.
God's Clock Stopped After 69 Weeks
Les says 69 of the 70 weeks were fulfilled at the cross, God's clock stopped, and the last seven years are still ahead and must be fulfilled.
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 verse defines what the 490-year period was intended to accomplish.
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 gives the starting point and length of the period leading to the Messiah the Prince.
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 describes the Messiah being cut off after the 483 years.
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 describes what will happen in the final seven-year week.
Daniel 9:24 says the 490 years were determined to finish the 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. Les Feldick notes that some of these things were not fulfilled at Christ's first coming and await His return and kingdom.
Les Feldick teaches that nothing in the Old Testament indicated the 490 years would be split. After 483 years were fulfilled at the cross, God's clock stopped, and the final seven years were pushed forward into the future.
Les Feldick teaches that the final seven years will begin when the Antichrist signs a peace treaty with Israel. This is the "covenant" confirmed for one week in Daniel 9:27.
Watch the Teaching: Daniel's 70 Weeks Explained — The 490-Year Prophecy Unpacked