1. READING TO UNDERSTAND Sun, May 3

a. Around the time of the conquest of Babylon by the Medes and Persians, what was Daniel studying? Daniel 9:1, 2. “While those who had remained loyal to God in the midst of Babylon were seeking the Lord and studying the prophecies foretelling their deliverance, God was preparing the hearts of kings to show favor to His repentant people.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 4, p. 1172. b. Explain the significance of the prophecy Daniel was reading. Jeremiah 25:8–14. c. What did the prophecy of Jeremiah urge God’s people to do? Jeremiah 29:10–14. “The writings of Jeremiah were within [the exiles’] reach, and in these was plainly set forth the length of time that should elapse before the restoration of Israel from Babylon. . . . Favor would be shown the remnant of Judah, in answer to fervent prayer.”—Prophets and Kings, p. 552.

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2. DANIEL’S PRAYER Mon, May 4

a. What did Daniel do in response to what he read? Daniel 9:3. “With faith founded on the sure word of prophecy, Daniel pleaded with the Lord for the speedy fulfillment of these promises. He pleaded for the honor of God to be preserved. In his petition he identified himself fully with those who had fallen short of the divine purpose, confessing their sins as his own.”—Prophets and Kings, pp. 554, 555. b. After reading Daniel’s prayer, what observations would you make about how he humbled himself and interceded with God? Daniel 9:4–19. “Though Daniel had long been in the service of God, and had been spoken of by heaven as ‘greatly beloved,’ yet he now appeared before God as a sinner, urging the great need of the people he loved.”—Ibid., p. 555. c. Of what was Daniel particularly concerned? Daniel 9:16, 17. “For nearly seventy years, Israel had been in captivity. The land which God had chosen for His own possession was given into the hands of the heathen. The beloved city, the recipient of heaven’s light, once the joy of the whole earth, was now despised and degraded. The temple that had contained the ark of God’s covenant and the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat, was in ruins. Its very site was desecrated by unholy feet. Faithful men who knew of the former glory were filled with anguish at the desolation of the holy house that had distinguished Israel as God’s chosen people. These men had been witnesses to the denunciations of God because of the sins of His people. They had been witnesses to the fulfillment of this word. They had been witnesses also to the promises of His favor if Israel would return to God, and walk circumspectly before Him. Aged, gray-headed pilgrims went up to Jerusalem to pray amid its ruins. They kissed its stones, and wet them with their tears, as they entreated the Lord to have mercy on Zion, and cover her with the glory of His righteousness. Daniel knew that the appointed time for Israel’s captivity was nearly ended; but he did not feel that because God had promised to deliver them, they themselves had no part to act. With fasting and contrition he sought the Lord, confessing his own sins and the sins of the people.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 4, p. 1172.

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3. A HEAVENLY VISITOR Tue, May 5

a. How was Daniel’s prayer interrupted? Daniel 9:20, 21. “Heaven was bending low to hear the earnest supplication of the prophet. Even before he had finished his plea for pardon and restoration, the mighty Gabriel again appeared to him.”—Prophets and Kings, p. 556.“It was Gabriel, the angel next in rank to the Son of God, who came with the divine message to Daniel. . . . God has given these things to us, and His blessing will attend the reverent, prayerful study of the prophetic scriptures.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 234. b. What was the purpose of Gabriel’s visit, and how is it connected to the vision in Chapter 8? Daniel 9:22, 23. “[Gabriel] called his attention to the vision he had seen prior to the fall of Babylon and the death of Belshazzar.”—Prophets and Kings, p. 556.“God had bidden His messenger: ‘Make this man to understand the vision.’ That commission must be fulfilled. In obedience to it, the angel, some time afterward, returned to Daniel, saying: ‘I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding;’ ‘therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.’ Daniel 8:27, 16; 9:22, 23, 25–27. There was one important point in the vision of chapter 8 which had been left unexplained, namely, that relating to time—the period of the 2300 days; therefore the angel, in resuming his explanation, dwells chiefly upon the subject of time.”—The Great Controversy, p. 325. c. What time period was to be set aside for the Jewish nation, and what would be accomplished during that time? Daniel 9:24. “The burden of Christ’s preaching was, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent ye, and believe the gospel.’ Thus the gospel message, as given by the Saviour Himself, was based on the prophecies. The ‘time’ which He declared to be fulfilled was the period made known by the angel Gabriel to Daniel. . . . A day in prophecy stands for a year. See Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6. The seventy weeks, or four hundred and ninety days, represent four hundred and ninety years.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 233.

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4. THE BEGINNING REVEALED Wed, May 6

a. What significant royal mandate was to mark the beginning of the seventy weeks? Daniel 9:25. “The commandment to restore and build Jerusalem, as completed by the decree of Artaxerxes Longimanus (see Ezra 6:14; 7:1, 9, margin), went into effect in the autumn of ʙ.ᴄ. 457. From this time four hundred and eighty-three years extend to the autumn of ᴀ.ᴅ. 27.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 233. b. Describe the provisions made in the decree which fulfilled this prophecy. Ezra 7:11–13, 21–27. “The Lord. . . moved upon the heart of the king, so that Ezra found favor with him. The king placed in his hands abundant means for the rebuilding of the temple, and made it possible for the Jews to return.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 3, p. 1134. c. What did the prophecy also foretell about the Messiah’s ministry? Daniel 9:26 (first part), 27 (first part). “According to the prophecy, this period was to reach to the Messiah, the Anointed One. In ᴀ.ᴅ. 27, Jesus at His baptism received the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and soon afterward began His ministry. Then the message was proclaimed. ‘The time is fulfilled.’“Then, said the angel, ‘He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week [seven years].’ For seven years after the Saviour entered on His ministry, the gospel was to be preached especially to the Jews; for three and a half years by Christ Himself; and afterward by the apostles. ‘In the midst of the week He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease.’ Daniel 9:27. In the spring of ᴀ.ᴅ. 31, Christ the true sacrifice was offered on Calvary. Then the veil of the temple was rent in twain, showing that the sacredness and significance of the sacrificial service had departed. The time had come for the earthly sacrifice and oblation to cease.The one week—seven years—ended in ᴀ.ᴅ. 34. Then by the stoning of Stephen the Jews finally sealed their rejection of the gospel; the disciples who were scattered abroad by persecution ‘went everywhere preaching the word’ (Acts 8:4).”—The Desire of Ages, p. 233.

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5. THE SEVENTY WEEKS COMPLETED Thu, May 7

a. What tragedy was to occur after the 490 years were finished? Daniel 9:26 (last part), 27 (last part); Luke 21:20. “The long-suffering of God toward Jerusalem only confirmed the Jews in their stubborn impenitence. . . . [I]n their blind and blasphemous presumption [their leaders] publicly declared that they had no fear that Jerusalem would be destroyed, for it was God’s own city. To establish their power more firmly, they bribed false prophets to proclaim, even while Roman legions were besieging the temple, that the people were to wait for deliverance from God. To the last, multitudes held fast to the belief that the Most High would interpose for the defeat of their adversaries. But Israel had spurned the divine protection, and now she had no defense. Unhappy Jerusalem! rent by internal dissensions, the blood of her children slain by one another’s hands crimsoning her streets, while alien armies beat down her fortifications and slew her men of war!”—The Great Controversy, pp. 28, 29. b. With this first portion of the days understood, what can we now identify? Daniel 8:14; 9:24. “Thus far every specification of the prophecies is strikingly fulfilled, and the beginning of the seventy weeks is fixed beyond question at 457 ʙ.ᴄ., and their expiration in ᴀ.ᴅ. 34. From this data there is no difficulty in finding the termination of the 2300 days. The seventy weeks—490 days—having been cut off from the 2300, there were 1810 days remaining. After the end of 490 days, the 1810 days were still to be fulfilled. From ᴀ.ᴅ. 34, 1810 years extend to 1844. Consequently the 2300 days of Daniel 8:14 terminate in 1844. At the expiration of this great prophetic period, upon the testimony of the angel of God, ‘the sanctuary shall be cleansed.’ Thus the time of the cleansing of the sanctuary . . . was definitely pointed out.”—Ibid., p. 328.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS Fri, May 8

1. Though a prophet himself, what was Daniel eager to understand? 2. Why did Daniel include himself in prayers of repentance for Israel’s past sins? 3. How do we know conclusively that Daniel 9 solves the mystery of Daniel 8? 4. Explain the event which marked the beginning of the 490-year prophecy. 5. Describe the destruction of Jerusalem, as foretold by Daniel and Jesus.