The arrival of Jesus Christ over two thousand years ago was no coincidence; it was a meticulously orchestrated fulfillment of divine prophecy. To understand why Jesus came when He did, we must delve into the prophetic framework of Daniel’s 70 weeks and its connection to the mission of Christ. His coming was not random but was perfectly timed to fulfill all righteousness and bring an end to sin as prophesied in Scripture.

The Prophecy of Daniel’s 70 Weeks

Daniel 9:24-27 is one of the most profound prophecies in the Bible, providing a precise timeline for key redemptive events. The prophecy speaks of 70 weeks (or “sevens”), which are understood to be 70 sets of seven years, equating to 490 years. This timeline is divided into three segments:

1. Seven weeks (49 years): The rebuilding of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile.
2. Sixty-two weeks (434 years): The period leading up to the arrival of “Messiah the Prince.”
3. One week (7 years): The final week, during which the covenant is confirmed, sacrifices cease, and desolations occur.

Jesus’ ministry directly intersects this prophetic timeline. According to Daniel 9:25, the Messiah would come “unto Messiah the Prince” after the 7 weeks and 62 weeks (69 weeks total, or 483 years). This timeline began with the decree to rebuild Jerusalem, likely issued by Artaxerxes in 457 BC. Fast-forward 483 years, and we arrive at approximately AD 27—the very year Jesus was baptized and began His public ministry.

Confirming the Covenant

One of the central purposes of Jesus’ coming was to confirm the covenant (Daniel 9:27). This covenant refers to God’s promise of redemption and salvation for humanity. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection were the ultimate confirmation of this covenant, fulfilling God’s promise to send a Savior.

In His ministry, Jesus repeatedly emphasized that He came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17). By His death on the cross, He established a new covenant in His blood (Luke 22:20), replacing the old sacrificial system with His once-and-for-all sacrifice. This act was the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy that the Messiah would “put an end to sin” and “bring in everlasting righteousness” (Daniel 9:24).

To Fulfill All Righteousness

Another reason for the timing of Jesus’ coming was to fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3:15). This phrase, spoken by Jesus at His baptism, reveals His commitment to perfectly obeying God’s will. His baptism marked the beginning of His public ministry, aligning with the start of Daniel’s 70th week. During this time, He preached the Kingdom of God, performed miracles, and lived a sinless life as the perfect Lamb of God.

Jesus’ timing also coincided with a period of great anticipation among the Jewish people. The Roman Empire provided the infrastructure for rapid dissemination of His message, and the Jewish synagogues scattered across the empire served as a foundation for the early spread of the Gospel. Spiritually, politically, and prophetically, it was the perfect moment for the Messiah to appear.

Making an End of Sin

Daniel’s prophecy declared that the Messiah would “make an end of sin” and “make reconciliation for iniquity” (Daniel 9:24). Jesus accomplished this through His sacrificial death on the cross. By taking upon Himself the sins of the world, He provided a way for humanity to be reconciled to God. His resurrection three days later was the ultimate victory over sin and death, sealing His role as the promised Savior.

Leading the Way for Ascension and the Holy Spirit

Jesus’ perfect sacrifice also paved the way for His ascension, where He now sits at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for us (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). This act not only fulfilled His priestly role but also prepared the way for the Holy Spirit to come down and guide believers. As Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit would empower His followers to live godly lives and spread the Gospel (John 16:7; Acts 1:8).

The timing of Jesus’ ascension and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost enabled the Good News to spread to the uttermost parts of the earth. This divine plan ensured that all nations would have the opportunity to hear the message of salvation and respond to it (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:1-41).

The Final Week

The final week of Daniel’s prophecy is often debated, but it is clear that Jesus’ ministry fulfilled the first half of the 70th week. In the midst of this week, He caused the sacrificial system to cease by offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice (Daniel 9:27). The remaining half of the week may point to events yet to come, but what is undeniable is that Jesus’ coming perfectly aligned with the prophetic timeline.

Conclusion

Jesus came when He did because it was the appointed time set by God. His arrival fulfilled Daniel’s 70 weeks, confirming the covenant, making an end of sin, and ushering in everlasting righteousness. His perfect sacrifice also led to His ascension, where He intercedes for us, and the sending of the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to spread the Gospel. By coming at this precise moment in history, Jesus ensured that all aspects of God’s redemptive plan were fulfilled. His timing was not only perfect but also a testament to God’s sovereign control over history. As Paul wrote, “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son” (Galatians 4:4).