In the seventh chapter of Ezra the decree is found . Verses 12-26 . In its completest form it was issued by Artaxerxes , king of Persia , 457 B . C . But in Ezra 6:14 the house of the Lord at Jerusalem is said to have been built " according to the commandment [" decree ," margin ] of Cyrus , and Darius , and Artaxerxes king of Persia ." These three kings , in originating , reaffirming , and completing the decree , brought it to the perfection required by the prophecy to mark the beginning of the 2300 years . Taking 457 B . C ., the time when the decree was completed , as the date of the commandment , every specification of the prophecy concerning the seventy weeks was seen to have been fulfilled .
" From the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks , and threescore and two weeks " --namely , sixty-nine weeks , or 483 years . The decree of Artaxerxes went into effect in the autumn of 457 B . C . From this date , 483 years extend to the autumn of A . D . 27 . At that time this prophecy was fulfilled . The word " Messiah " signifies " the Anointed One ." In the autumn of A . D . 27 Christ was baptized by John and received the anointing of the Spirit . The apostle Peter testifies that " God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power ." Acts 10:38 . And the Saviour Himself declared : " The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me , because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor ." Luke 4:18 . After His baptism He went into Galilee , " preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God , and saying , The time is fulfilled ." Mark 1:14 , 15 .
THE PROPHECY OF 2,300 DAYS / YEARS
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