Jesus Enters Jerusalem—Right on Time
If you are wondering if the Bible is true Bible prophecy points to its truth. The Bible is unique in that it not only tells the story of God’s plan for humanity but also validates that plan through prophecy. One of the most extraordinary prophecies that demonstrate the divine authorship of Scripture is found in the Book of Daniel. It foretells the exact time Jesus, the Messiah, would present Himself to Israel—by riding into Jerusalem on a donkey.
The Prophecy of Seventy Weeks
Daniel 9:24-26 24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
25 Know therefore and understand, that 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: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
In this prophecy, Daniel is told there will be “seventy weeks” (literally “seventy sevens”) determined upon Israel. These are not weeks of days, but weeks of years. 1 prophetic week = 7 years 69 weeks = 483 years
When Does the Countdown Start?
The countdown begins with the decree to rebuild Jerusalem. This decree was given by Artaxerxes I of Persia to Nehemiah in 445 B.C. (See Nehemiah 2:1–8). This specific command authorized the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls, which fits the prophecy.
Sir Robert Anderson, a former Scotland Yard investigator, researched this prophecy extensively. Using a 360-day prophetic year (as used in Genesis and Revelation), he did the following calculation:
- 483 years x 360 days = 173,880 days
He counted from March 14, 445 B.C., the day of Artaxerxes’ decree.
The Triumphal Entry—Right on Schedule
Counting 173,880 days from March 14, 445 B.C., brings us to April 6, 32 A.D.—the date Jesus made His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem on what we now call Palm Sunday.
Fulfillment in the Gospels
“They took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: ‘Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! The King of Israel!’”
—John 12:13
Jesus entered Jerusalem publicly as “Messiah the Prince”, fulfilling Daniel’s prophecy to the exact day.
The Method of His Arrival Also Foretold
The prophecy concerning Jesus ride into Jerusalem gives the exact details. Look at what God had the prophet Zechariah foretell how the Messiah would enter Jerusalem: Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9 was written approximately 500 years before Jesus rode into Jerusalem. There was way Zechariah could provide such details unless what he wrote came from God!
Jesus fulfilled this prophecy exactly as the prophet had written it. He rode into Jerusalem, not on a war horse, but on a lowly donkey, symbolizing peace and humility—yet still clearly claiming kingship.
The Consequence of Missing the Day
Jesus held the Jewish leaders accountable for not recognizing the time of their visitation:
Luke 19:42 “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.”
The phrase “this your day” indicates Jesus knew they should have understood the significance of that exact moment. The day was prophesied—but they missed it. The word Jesus spoke in Luke 19:42 still ring load today as most of the Jews in Israel still reject Jesus Christ as their messiah.
A Divine Appointment Kept
Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was not a spontaneous act. It was a divinely timed event—the fulfillment of a prophecy written over 500 years earlier. This moment stands as one of the strongest evidences of Christ's identity as the promised Messiah. Daniel told us when. Zechariah told us how. The Gospels tell us it happened. Why was this prophecy recorded? Because Jesus wanted to show what has been written in the Bible can be trusted. He wants you to trust him now when he said he will come again!
Many have asked, why do they call it good Friday when Jesus was killed on that day? This is a great and one that surprises a lot of people when they first think about it. Why would the day Jesus was brutally crucified be called “Good Friday”?
Here's the reason: Good Friday is called “good” because of what Jesus’ death accomplished, not because the events themselves were pleasant. “Good” in the Sense of Holy or Sacred. Historically, the word “good” in Good Friday was used more in the sense of “holy” or “pious.” In Old English, it was sometimes called “God’s Friday” or even “Holy Friday.” So the “good” refers to the sacred nature of the day rather than how it felt emotionally. Though Jesus suffered horribly, His death was the payment for our sins. Through His sacrifice, humanity was offered: Forgiveness Reconciliation with God Victory over death and sin. As the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” What looked like the worst day in human history turned out to be the most powerful display of God’s love. The “Good” is Found in the Outcome. Without Good Friday, there would be no resurrection Sunday. The cross had to come before the resurrection. The suffering had to come before the glory. So we call it “Good Friday” not because the crucifixion was good, but because what it accomplished was good—eternally good.
Good Friday opened the door for eternal life to anyone who would embrace what Jesus did for us, and believe in his resurrection 3 days after he was killed. Some of you are still rejecting what Jesus did and you will never have a part in the Lord’s kingdom once you pass away. Your kingdom will be with Satan in the Lake of Fire that will burn forever. Believe in Christ and receive his love.
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