A Hope You Can Trust

 Shortly after Medo-Persia conquered Babylon, Daniel recorded a prophecy that sheds light on a most important event in the accomplishment of God's purpose for mankind.  The angel Gabriel informed Daniel precisely when the Messiah-the "seed" promised at Genesis 3:15-would appear! God's angel said: "From the going forth of the word to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah the Leader, there will be seven weeks, also sixty-two weeks," a total of 69 weeks. (Daniel 9:25) When did this prophetic period begin? 

Although Cyrus permitted the Jews to return to their land soon after the fall of Babylon, many years later Jerusalem and its walls were in disrepair. In 455 B.C.E., King Artaxerxes granted permission to his Jewish cupbearer Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem and take the lead in the rebuilding work. (Nehemiah 2:1-6) This marked the start of the 69 weeks. 

Next time: A Hope You Can Trust -Conclusion

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