Prophecy 2 - 490 Years and the Reign of Jesus (Messianic Kingdom)

God sent the angel Gabriel to give Daniel an answer to his prayer concerning what God had planned for Israel.
Gabriel shared that God had another program for Israel when the 70 years were concluded. This plan was for 490 years. As you read the verses below you will see how the book of Revelation fits into this passage.
Daniel 9:24 gives us an overview.
Daniel 9:25-27 fills in the details.
Daniel 9:24 is the overview: Seventy "sevens" are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place."
Daniel 9:25-27 gives the details:
“Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.
26 After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.
27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven. In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him." Remarkably, this passage looks 560 years into the future to predict the very day when Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, April 6, 30 A.D.

In Daniel 9:24 we learn three facts regarding God's plan for Israel.
1. First, God’s program for Israel extends for 70 "Sevens" (70 x 7 = 490 Sevens). "Seven" is the Hebrew word "Heptad." This is a generic word which can mean seven of anything. It is similar to our word, "Dozen" which can mean twelve of virtually anything: twelve bananas, twelve pencils, twelve years. The context of this passage helps us to determine that here the word "Heptad" is referring to seven years. One "Seven" equals 7 years. (70 X 7 years = 490 years.)
2. Second, this program applies to Israel. "Your people and your holy city."
3. Third, this program will continue until Christ establishes His Messianic Kingdom. Gabriel shared six characteristics of the Messianic Kingdom of Christ's l000-year reign on earth.
- To finish transgression: refers to Israel's national transgression of rejecting the Messiah. At the Second Coming, transgression will be ended because they will accept Him as Savior.
- To put an end to sin: the national sin of Israel will end.
- To atone for wickedness: refers to the reconciliation for all in the Cross of Christ. At the Second Coming Jew and Gentile alike will recognize and believe in the atoning work of Christ.
- To bring in everlasting righteousness: Christ's Kingdom is set up on earth for a millennium.
- To seal up vision and prophecy: After 70th week all prophetic announcement and visions will be confirmed and fulfilled.
- To anoint the Most Holy: refers to the Millennial Temple which will function during that time. God reassured Daniel that He still has a plan for Israel. After 490 years Israel will be restored to their land and will prosper in a glorious future.
The first sixty-nine "sevens" (483 years) (Daniel 9:25) began at the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. This decree is described in Nehemiah 1:1 and 2:5-8.
Historically, the "20th year of Artaxerxes" was 444 B.C.
Using the Jewish calendar of 360 days per year and the fact that the prophecies began on the first day of the month, we know for certain that this period began on March 4, 444 B.C.