1. Searching Out the Seventy Weeks Prophecy
    1a. Concepts must be rooted in scripture
    Whatever understanding at which you ultimately arrive about the prophecy known as "the 70 weeks of Daniel" must be rooted in scripture as opposed to simply or blindly accepting another's echoed viewpoint. For instance, though not often mentioned that Daniel is the basis of the theory, one often hears the casual mentioning of a "seven year" tribulation period that is to occur prior to the second coming of Messiah Yeshua. It is also suggested that a third temple at Jerusalem must be constructed prior to that second coming. Now, these things may or may not be true, but you won't know either way until you find out for yourself whether or not these ideas are based in an accurate reading of the scriptures.
    1b. This is why it is so important for us to study this matter of the Daniel chapter nine prophecy, upon which many of such teachings are based. This, so that we might gain a sure understanding of end-time prophecies that are based in sound doctrine. And this will equip us to make careful assessments of the various end-time scenarios we hear espoused.

2. The Time Frame of the Seventy Weeks Prophecy
    2a. The 1st Year of the Reign of Darius I
    To even have our shot at understanding the seventy weeks of Daniel prophecy, we need to understand the time frame of the vision that he received. This is because the time period of the "seventy weeks" that Gabriel announced to Daniel, points both to the coming of Messiah (thereby identifying Him), to His atonement for our sins, and many of the events associated with the last days. Let's start at the beginning.

Daniel 9:1,2 1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; 2 In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. 3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

    2b. The Year Is 539BC
    Verse one gives us the key to the time frame of this vision, and we find a point that we may all agree on. Daniel identifies the time of his vision to be during the first year of the rule of King Darius over a conquered Babylon. When did this happen? The historic record shows that Darius, the nephew of overall Medes/Persian Empire leader Cyrus, came to power over Babylon upon its overthrow in 539BC.
    2c. The Breasts & Arms of Silver Defeats the Head of Gold
    Many of us who have studied the first three chapters of Daniel, know that King Nebuchadnezzar ruled Babylon and conquered Israel beginning in 606 BC. That kingdom has now been subdued as the "head of gold" of Daniel's former vision has now passed into history. The second section of the image Daniel interpreted is coming into reign. That is the "breasts and arms of silver" which is the Medes/Persian empire. We know that the Medes/Persian Empire conquered Babylon under the command of Cyrus their general.
    2d. The Military Victory Over Babylon
    That conquest took place in 539 BC as the partying Babylonians did not notice that the Medes/Persians who had them under siege for years made the effort to shut off the river that flowed through Babylon, by damming it up. Here's a picture.
    2e. The city was protected by huge iron gates at the rivers' entrance and exit points. But the Medes/Persians dammed up the river during a big holiday celebration where drunkenness ran rapid. This is recorded in Daniel chapter five. The Medes/Persians simply sent in a team through the now empty channel, to unlock the gates, so that the entire invading army could enter the city, making their way straight to the palace to promptly kill King Nebuchadnezzar's now ruling descendent, Belshazzar. The handwriting on the wall had been fulfilled. The year was 539BC, and Cyrus King of the Medes/Persian Empire now ruled over Babylon as well.
    2f. The Follow-up Succession from Cyrus -- Cambyses -- Darius I (the Persian)
    In 530 BC, Cyrus was killed in battle at which time his son Cambyses took over rule. But Cambyses died under mysterious circumstances in Egypt in 522 BC at which time Darius I (the Persian... not to be confused with Darius the Mede) became King of the Medes/Persian Empire.

---

1. Part 1.    Searching Out The Seventy Week's Prophecy
2. Part 2.    A Short History of the Captivity and Freeing of Israel
3. Part 3.    Daniel's Understanding of Prophecy & Prayer of Redemption
4. Part 4.    A Special Announcment From the Angel Gabriel
5. Part 5.    Determining the Starting Point
6. Part 6.    The Accomplishments of Messiah
7. Part 7.    "...to finish the transgression"
8. Part 8.    "...to make an end of sins"
9. Part 9.    "...to make reconciliation for iniquity"
10. Part 10.   "...to bring in everlasting righteousness"
11. Part 11.   "...to seal up the vision and prophecy"
12. Part 12.   "...to anoint the most Holy"
13. Part 13.   The Accomplishment Question
14. Part 14.   The Contiguous Seventy Weeks of Daniel