DANIEL 9 - THE CLEAREST PROOF THAT THE COVENANT IS SALVATIONAL

As far as I know, I am the first person that has brought up these particular points in this particular way, which shows Daniel 9:27 has to be about Jesus Christ.

4. The Timeline Matches the Covenantal Pattern
Daniel’s 70 weeks are sabbatical cycles, mirroring the 490-year span during which Israel had transgressed the covenant and incurred its curses.
The first 490 years:
• Israel disobeyed the land sabbaths → covenant curses activated → exile (Leviticus 26:34–35)
The next 490 years:
• God initiates a redemptive covenant timeline to resolve transgression — through the Messiah.

And here’s another remarkable contrast:

Israel had kings ruling on David’s throne throughout the first 490-year span — from Saul to the final monarchs before the Babylonian destruction.

But during the second 490-year period, there was no Davidic king over Israel.

Though governors like Zerubbabel and Nehemiah served under Persian rule, they were appointed by foreign kings — not anointed rulers from the line of David.

This long absence of a rightful king intensified the anticipation of the promised “Messiah the Prince” (Daniel 9:25) — the true Son of David who would come, not just to sit on a throne, but to confirm the covenant and inaugurate the everlasting kingdom of God.

Let’s look at the historical decrees that could start the 70 weeks (483 + 7 years):
Decree Year +483 years +490 years
Cyrus 538 BC 55 BC (Too early) 48 BC
Darius I 520 BC 37 BC (Still early) 30 BC
Artaxerxes I (Ezra) 457 BC 27 AD ✅ 34 AD ✅
Artaxerxes I (Nehemiah) 444 BC 40 AD (Too Late) 47 AD

Jesus begins His ministry around 27 AD (Luke 3:1). In the middle of the week (around 31 AD), He is crucified — confirming the covenant and bringing an end to sacrifice (Hebrews 10:12).
1st 490 years led to exile,
2nd set of 490 years = Restoration