10. In Ezekiel 4:6 we discover another way to interpret prophetic time. Ezekiel 4:6.
When 2,300 days is understood as a symbolic time period representing 2,300 years, with each day representing a year, the prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27 suddenly comes to life. (See Chart below).
a. The seventy weeks determined for the Jews becomes 490 years (7 x 70).
b. Seven weeks, or 49 years (7 x 7), from the starting date of 457 B.C. was exactly how long it took for the Jews to rebuild the temple completed in 408 B.C. (Daniel 9:25).
c. Sixty-two weeks, or 434 years later (7 x 62), Christ, the Messiah was baptized in 27 A.D. As He came up out of the water, the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove to signify heaven's anointment and approval. Christ immediately began his official ministry. (Matthew 3:16).
d. One week, or seven years, is left in the seventy weeks that were determined (cut off) for the Jewish people. In the middle of that week, three and one half years from Jesus’ baptism, the Messiah was cut off, or crucified. This was in the spring of 31 A.D. (Daniel 9:26-27).
e. Another three and one half years brings us to 34 A.D., the end of the seventy weeks. In that year the Jewish Sanhedrin voted to begin persecution of Christians. The first to die was Stephen, a young deacon in the new Christian Church (Acts 7). With his execution, not only have the Jews rejected their Messiah, but the preaching of His messengers is now opposed, thus confirming the covenant against the Jewish nation (Daniel 9:27). God is now forced to do what Jesus said He must do. Israel will be rejected as the instrument of blessing to the world. God gives the commission of preaching the gospel to the gentiles who have gladly received Christ. (Matthew 21:33-44).
This Christ-centered prophecy finds its fulfillment in the ministry and death of Jesus. When He died, the veil in the temple, separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, was ripped apart from top to bottom, thus signifying the end of this ceremonial system (Matthew 27:51); Type had met Antitype. The uncanny accuracy of this prophecy thus far builds confidence that its last predicted event, the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary, will also be fulfilled.