The Gentile Times Reconsidered Chronology Christ

192 THE GENTILE TIMES RECONSIDERED
the interpretation is wrong. It is true that a certain application
sometimes looks very convincing, so much so that no other
appears feasible. It seems to the reader to be given by the Bible
itself. In such a case it may also seem to be a sound Christian
position to discard the historical evidence and “just stick to what
the Bible says.”
When this position is taken, however, those taking it often
overlook the fact that the fulfillment of a prophecy cannot be
demonstrated aside from history, because only history can show
whether, when, and how it was fulfilled. Actually, prophecy is not
generally understood until after it has been fulfilled historically
through events in time. Serious mistakes have sometimes been
made by sincere Bible students because historical evidence contrary
to a certain application or interpretation has been rejected. One
example will be given below to illustrate this fact.
History and time prophecies—a lesson
Most commentators agree that Daniel’s prophecy of the “seventy
weeks” (Daniel 9:24–27) refers to a period of 490 years. But
various opinions have been held regarding the starting point of this
period. Although it is stated at Daniel 9:25 that “from the going
forth of [the] word to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem until
Messiah [the] Leader, there will be seven weeks, also sixty-two
weeks” (NW), different views are held regarding when and by
whom this “word” was sent forth. 2
If we “just stick to the Bible,” it seems to point to the Persian
king Cyrus. At Isaiah 44:28 Jehovah “saith of Cyrus, He is my
shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure, even saying of
Jerusalem, She shall be built; and of the temple, Thy foundation
shall be laid” (ASV). And further, in chapter 45, verse 13: “I myself
have roused up someone in righteousness [Cyrus], and all his ways
I shall straighten out. He is the one that will build my city, and those of
mine in exile he will let go, not for a price nor for bribery” (NW).
Thus it would seem clear that according to the Bible itself the
“word to restore and rebuild Jerusalem” was issued by Cyrus. This
application, however, limits the period from Cyrus’ edict (Ezra 1:1–
4) until Messiah to 483 years (”seven weeks, also sixty-two weeks”).
If this period ended at the baptism of Christ, usually dated
somewhere in the period 26–29 C.E., Cyrus’ first year as king of
2 The principal interpretations are stated by Edward J. Young in The Prophecy of
Daniel (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdman’s Publishing Co., 1949), pp. 192–195.