4. When Gabriel commenced his further explanation, he did not explain the symbol of the ram; for that he had already explained. He did not explain the goat; for he had likewise explained that. Neither did he commence about the little horn; for he had made that plain also in chapter 8. What then did he explain? The very point there omitted; namely, the time: Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, &c. These facts are sufficient to show the connection of Dan. 9 with the vision of chapter 8. But how do the words of Gabriel, Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, &c., explain the period of the 2300 days? The answer is, The word rendered determined, signifies literally, cut off. Gesenius, in his Hebrew Lexicon, thus defines it: Properly, to cut off; tropically, to divide, and so to determine, to decree. The Englishman’s Hebrew Concordance says, Determined, literally divided. From what period are the seventy weeks divided, or cut off? From the 2300 days; for there is no other period given from which they can be taken; and this is placed beyond a doubt by the connection of the two chapters, which has already been proved.
Having now ascertained that the 70 weeks of Dan. 9 are the first 490 years of the 2300 days; and that consequently the two periods commence together, we further learn that this period of weeks dates from the going forth of a commandment to restore and build Jerusalem. Daniel 9:25. If then we can definitely locate this commandment, we have the starting point for the great period of the 2300 years. The Bible furnishes us with four tests by which to determine when the true date is found:—
1. From the time the commandment, 49 years were to witness the completion of the street and wall of Jerusalem. Dan. 9:25.
2. Threescore and two weeks from this time, or, in all, 69 weeks, 483 years, were to extend to Messiah the Prince.
3. Sixty-nine and a half weeks were to extend to the crucifixion—the cessation of sacrifice and oblation in the midst of the week. Verse 27.
4. The full period of 70 weeks was to witness the complete confirmation of the covenant with Daniel’s people.
In the seventh of Ezra, we find the decree for which we seek. It went forth in B. C. 457. Much concerning this decree, and the date of its promulgation, might here be said. But a more full explanation of it may more properly be given in another place. I will say, however, that, admitting that B. C. 457, is the correct date for the commencement of the 2300 years, which is susceptible of the clearest proof, none will fail to see how William Miller came to the conclusion that this prophetic period would close in the year 1843.
From................................2300
Take..................................457
And there remains.....................1843