"MESSIAH THE LEADER" APPEARS

How many years elapsed before Jerusalem was actually rebuilt?   Well, the restoration of the city was to be accomplished "in the straits of the times" because of difficulties among the Jews themselves  and opposition from the Samaritans and others.  The work was evidently completed to the extent necessary by about 406 B.C.E.-within the "seven weeks," or 49 years, would follow. After that time period, the long-promised Messiah would appear.  Counting 483 years (49 plus 434) from 455 B.C.E. brings us to 29 C.E. What happened a that time? The Gospel writer Luke tells us:  "In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was district ruler of Galilee, . . .God's declaration came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.  So he came into all the country around the Jordan, preaching baptism in symbol of repentance for forgiveness of sins."  At that time "the people were in expectation" of the Messiah. -Luke 3:1-3, 15. 

John was not the promised Messiah.  But concerning what he witnesses at the baptism  of Jesus of Nazareth, in the fall of 29 C.E., John said: "I viewed the spirit coming down as a dove out of heaven, and it remained upon him. Even I did not know him, but the very One who sent me to baptize in water and said to me, 'Whoever it is upon whom you see the spirit coming down and remaining, This is the one that baptizes in holy spirit.' And I have seen it, and I have borne witness that this one is the Son of God." (John 1:32-34) At his baptism, Jesus became the anointed One-the Messiah, or Christ.  Shortly thereafter, John's disciple Andrew met the anointed Jesus and then told Simon Peter: "We have found the Messiah."  (John 1:41) Thus, "Messiah the Leader" appeared exactly on time-at the end of 69 weeks!

Next time: THE EVENTS OF THE FINAL WEEK

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999