One Amazing Way I know God Is Real
Discover how biblical prophecy proves God’s existence and His faithfulness. Explore Daniel’s visions, the timeline to the Messiah, and why we can trust God’s promises through Jesus Christ.
There are so many reasons I know God is real, but my understanding of just how great, amazing, all-powerful, and holy He truly is deepened when I began studying prophetic scripture. In those moments, I realized He is a God I can trust completely!
Today, I’m thrilled to share some incredible insights with you, including one profound reason why I’m confident God is real. He is exactly who He says He is, and He can do everything He promises!
This post is a bit longer, so grab a comfy seat and put on your thinking caps. If you stick with it, I promise you’ll discover something truly wonderful and awe-inspiring. You might even find yourself reading it more than once—but trust me, it will be worth it!
I’ve had the privilege of teaching Daniel and Revelation many times. Daniel comes from the Old Testament, and Revelation from the New.
When studied together, these books provide incredible insight into the sweep of history—from Daniel’s time in 586 BC into the future and even into eternity! The detail in these prophecies is nothing short of amazing. If you spend time in these prophetic books, it’s hard to deny that only God can reveal what will happen before it ever does!
God delights in telling us because the end is good news for those who trust Jesus!
ONLY I CAN TELL YOU THE FUTURE BEFORE IT HAPPENS. EVERYTHING I PLAN COMES TO PASS, FOR I DO WHATEVER I WISH. Isaiah 46:10 New Living Translation
Important To Know About Dealing With Prophesy
Here’s something important to know about prophecy! In the Bible, prophecy can often refer to different times and events—even within the same book, chapter, or verse. So, it’s important to keep things organized. It takes a little effort, but as we explore these fascinating prophecies, try to keep the dates and events clear. You might even want to jot them down on a timeline—it will help!
History itself confirms many biblical facts. Now, we don’t need anyone or anything to validate God’s truth, but history does show that a higher power is at work! And you just can’t argue with recorded history!
The Book Of Daniel
One of the many prophecies in Daniel that has already come to pass (and one of my favorites) is found in Daniel 9:24-27.
The Back Story
Daniel and the Jewish people were taken captive by the Babylonians, then later by the Medo-Persians, the Greeks, and eventually the Romans. God had warned them this would happen if they didn’t obey Him.
Unfortunately, despite God’s warning and sending prophets to urge them to turn back to Him, the Jews continued to disobey. True to His word, God judged them and allowed them to be captured by these oppressive nations. Israel, their homeland, was overtaken, their capital, Jerusalem, fell, and even the Jewish Temple—the only God-ordained place of worship—was destroyed.
Through all of this, Daniel remained faithful to the Living God. While in captivity, Daniel received several visions from God concerning the future of his people, the Jews, and their land.
In the Book Of Daniel chapter 9, the angel Gabriel appeared to Daniel with a special message from God. This happened “in the first year of Darius…” (Daniel 9:1), which was 539 BC.
Here’s what Gabriel told Daniel:
“Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish transgressions, to put an end to sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy place.” (Daniel 9:24)
So you are to know and understand that from the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress.” (Daniel 9:25)
“Then after sixty-two weeks, the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary.” (Daniel 9:26)
Now, there’s so much more to this prophecy than we can fit into this post. And if it sounds a bit hard to grasp, don’t worry—you’re not alone! We don’t think or speak like the Jews in Daniel’s time, and most of us aren’t as familiar with scripture as Daniel was.
Discovering Marvelous Truths
But let’s take a closer look and break it down to uncover some absolutely incredible prophecy together!
Let’s dive back into the scripture, starting with verse 24.
Seventy Weeks
The word “weeks” in Hebrew is shabuim, which means “seven.” So, what God says here is 70 shabuims, or 70 x 7, which equals 490. But 490 what? Days? Years? Something else? When we put seventy weeks into the context of the rest of Daniel, it becomes clear that God is talking about years! So, God is referring to 490 years. Hold onto that thought—it’s important!
Have Been Decreed
God is making a firm and eternal decree here. What’s He decreeing? Six things that will happen within these 490 years. And this decree is specifically for your people and your holy city—meaning the Jewish people and Jerusalem, as the message is being given to Daniel.
What God Decrees
Here are the six things God decrees to happen over these 490 years:
- To finish transgressions, end disobeying God’s word and man’s rebellion against God.
- To make an end of sin—just as it sounds.
- To make atonement for iniquity—to cover over or pay for what’s been done wrong.
- To bring in everlasting righteousness—to bring people into right standing with God and peace with Him.
- To seal up visions and prophecy—to fulfill all the prophecies.
- To anoint the most holy place—to consecrate the Holy of Holies in the Temple.
So, God is saying that all these things will happen concerning the Jewish people and Jerusalem within these 490 years.
You might be thinking, “Wait, not all of these things have happened yet! People are still sinning, and not all biblical prophecies have been fulfilled.” You’re right! Keep that in mind as we move forward.
SO YOU ARE TO KNOW AND DISCERN
God is saying, “Pay attention and understand!” The word “discern” means to gain insight through careful study and reflection. All scripture is worth that kind of focus, don’t you think?
That From The Issuing Of The Decree To Restore And Rebuild Jerusalem
God’s people were eventually freed from captivity by a decree from King Artaxerxes of the Medo-Persian Empire. This decree was issued on Nisan 2 (March 14) in 455 BC, and it allowed the Jewish people to return to Israel and rebuild Jerusalem and its walls. This decree started the countdown of the 490-year timeline mentioned in Daniel 9:24!
Remember that this was almost 90 years after Gabriel gave this message to Daniel, and it happened exactly as God said it would! History and the books of Ezra and Nehemiah confirm it. The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah tell this story.
Until Messiah, The Prince
“Messiah” means Anointed One or One set apart for a purpose, referring to Jesus. The following verses pinpoint the exact time the Jews could have expected to see their Messiah, Jesus, come onto the scene—not at His birth, but when He revealed Himself as the Messiah. This happened on what we now call Palm Sunday during His “Triumphal Entry.”
Now, stay with me—when a king entered a conquered land, he would arrive in one of two ways: on a white horse, symbolizing a conquering king, or on a donkey, symbolizing a peaceful king offering mercy. Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, signifying that He came to bring peace—not between men, but between men and God! As He rode down into the city, the crowds cried, “Hosanna!”, meaning “God save us!” and laid down their cloaks, a sign of honor, while waving palm branches, symbols of victory. Jesus was declaring Himself the long-awaited Messiah.
You might like to read What Is Palm Sunday to understand why it is celebrated.
There Will Be Seven Weeks And Sixty-Two Weeks; It Will Be Built Again, With Plaza And Moat, Even In Times Of Distress
Now, back to the decree by Artaxerxes in 455 BC. Gabriel tells Daniel that from that point, there would be 7 weeks and 62 weeks—or 69 weeks in total (shabuims, meaning years)—until the Messiah, Jesus, would arrive.
In ancient times, a year was 360 days, not 365. So, 69 x 7 equals 483 years. That’s 483 prophetic years or 173,880 days. Counting forward 173,880 days from March 14, 455 BC, we arrive at April 6, 32 AD—the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem as the Messiah. Amazing, right?
Gabriel also mentioned that during this time, Jerusalem would be rebuilt, including its walls (a type of defense, or “moat”), even in times of distress, which Nehemiah 2-4 describes in detail. History again confirms God’s word!
They Could Have Known
It’s almost as if God hid the headline in plain sight!
If the ancient scholars had paid closer attention, they could have pinpointed the exact date of the Messiah’s arrival. All the information was there in Daniel’s prophecy—if only they had discerned what God was saying.
It breaks my heart for them because they could have known! There’s so much more about this in other parts of scripture, but we’d need hours to go through it all. Even Jesus felt the weight of this when He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, and He wept over the people because “they did not recognize the time of your visitation” (Luke 19:44). If you want to dive deeper into Jesus’ triumphal entry and what it means, click HERE.
Now, let’s make sure we’re on the same page. God decreed 490 years for six major events to happen: ending the Jews’ rebellion against God, putting an end to sin, paying for the sins of humanity, bringing the Jews into right standing with God, fulfilling all prophecy, and consecrating the Holy of Holies in the Temple (as outlined in Daniel 9:24). This countdown started on March 14, 455 BC.
The holy city of Jerusalem and its walls were to be rebuilt during a time of distress under Artaxerxes.
From that date—March 14, 455 BC—it would be 69 weeks, or 483 years (which equals 173,880 days), until Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey as the Messiah. And that brings us to April 6, 32 AD, the very day of His triumphal entry!
Then After 62 Weeks Messiah Will Be Cut Off And Have Nothing
This part of the scripture refers to Jesus’s crucifixion. After 69 weeks or 483 years, the Messiah would be “cut off,” meaning He would die without an heir. Historical records confirm that Jesus was crucified on April 10, 32 AD—just four days after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. How precise is God’s prophecy!
The People Of The Prince Who Is To Come Will Destroy The Sanctuary And The City
This part of the prophecy speaks about the future. The “Prince who is to come” refers to a leader who would later rise to power. In 186 BC, a Greek ruler named Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated the Jewish Temple, fulfilling part of this prophecy by destroying the city and sanctuary. But the scripture, in this case, is talking about the Antichrist.
There’s much more to this prophecy, but for now, let’s pause.
What About The Last 490 Years Of God’s Decree in Daniel
God decreed 490 years in total, but only 483 years have passed so far. What happened to the last 7 years? Simple: God has reserved those 7 years for the future. They have not been fulfilled yet.
This final 7-year period is known in scripture as “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7) or “the 70th week of Daniel.” It’s also known as “the tribulation,” a future time when God will reclaim the earth, and Jesus will return to conquer and reign as King of Kings.
When these last seven years are fulfilled, the six things prophesied in verse 24 will also be completed: Transgressions will be finished, sin will end, atonement for iniquity will be made, everlasting righteousness will be realized, all visions and prophecy will be fulfilled, and the Holy Place will be consecrated.
Isn’t that mind-blowing? Only God could give us such detailed and precise prophecy. It’s a faith builder, and it makes me want to bow before Him!
Can you see why I’m so certain that God is real? He is exactly who He says He is and will do everything He has promised! Only the One, True, and Living God could reveal the end from the very beginning. And what a glorious ending it is for those who put their trust and faith in Jesus Christ!
Scripture To Ponder
I made known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. Isaiah 46:10
Happy Sunday!
Thank you for boldly explaining the word of God. His scriptures are full of beautiful revelations, past and future and you have explained this so easily. I look forward to reading more.
Thank you Yvonne! I have just finished leading a precept class on Revelation part 1&2; we start part 3&4 in the fall. What a faith strengthening study it has been. Your post was like a big exclamation point at the end of this study. How I would love to sit in your class! Keep encouraging us because you are so clear in your explanations. I love following your blog. I love that you love the Lord and you are not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ!
Linda G.
God bless you and your study, Linda!
It is so good to see people of faith,people with a love of God speak unashameably about His word and witth such excitement. Coming upon your post this morning as I woke to prepare myself for church was just wonderful. Yes! He is. Real!
Awe-mazing
God bless you, Yvonne! Thank you for this, I really enjoyed reading it this morning with my coffee.
Thanks for sharing your insight into the Word of the Lord and presenting it in a clear and simple way…it’s undeniable that the word of the Lord is being fulfilled as we speak, this brings joy to my heart but also a little bit of trepidation. I know the Lord and Jesus Christ is my Savior and I trust His promises…you and your house will be save!!! Many years ago I became a young window at the age of 26 and with four young babies ranging from 3 years to 6 month old twins I kept asking the Lord …Why? Finally I felt this word written in my heart ((that’s the only way I can explain it)…”there are things that are not for the man to know, when I raise you in your spiritual body you will know how you has been Known, until then you need to trust and have faith like a little girl” Amen!!! Yes…I know God is real and I know that Jesus Christ will come again!!! We need to persevere, recognize the signs and be ready…it will not be easy but it be worthwhile!
Amen!!
Thank you, Yvonne! I really appreciate that you are out there talking lanterns and hydrangeas one day, and love of the Lord and Holy Sctipture another.
We live in a frighteningly secular world. Your posts are both inspirational and a public service. God bless you! Linda
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing God’s wonderful truth!
I can’t wait to see Jesus riding His white horse! Thanks for this post!!!!! God has blessed you and it shows!!!
Thank you for taking the time to dissect these verses & share this. I enjoyed reading it.
Good Morning Yvonne….THANK YOU so very much for your willingness to share GOD’s WORD with me (us)…he is a GOD that we can believe in !
I pray that you will continue to share the beauty around you, your teachings and your heart with me (us)…..have a blessed day !
Enjoy the SONshine,
Jayne (Canada)
WOW! would I not love to sit in on your Bible Studies. I’ve been a Christian all of my life, my Dad was an ordained minister, but I’m still lacking in so much knowledge of His Word. Thanks for sharing from your heart today. It has truly started my Sunday off with a bang!!!
Thank you Yvonne for your deep understanding of Holy Scripture! It is a joy to read! Would you be willing to share two things? What denomination or church are you part of and is the Bible study you teach/follow part of the Bible Study Fellowship or the Community Bible Study? I’d enjoy checking to see if there is one near my home. Blessings to you!!
If there is a Precept Bible study near you, I highly recommend it! Yvonne, thank you for this wonderful post. You are indeed an excellent teacher, and I wish that I lived near you and could be one of your Bible students. Louise
I am a Precepts teacher. Its non denominational. Precepts studies are in depth and teach in a way that you can study the bible for yourself. Here is the link to find a Precepts bible study near you:http://store.precept.org/?gclid=CKib3-ijycUCFVgYHwodwYYABg
I teach an amazing group of women for many denominations and those seeking to know God’s truth. It’s open to anyone in our area or who would wish to come.
impressive…perfect thing for a sunday morning. i love the scriptures. thank you for sharing your insights.
I have always loved revelations, but I think now I will encourage my Sunday school class to study and explore Daniel a little further. There is a lot in the new and old testament that I read, but don’t fully understand, but in a class with discussion it becomes clear. You really cleared some things up for me today like the time line. Thank you so much for this wonderful post, it came at the perfect time as I was not able to attend church today, and I feel like I got a lot out of your post.
God is great and I feel blessed every day to have him in my life.
…and this why God uses you! You are a blessing to others; sharing your fantastic ideas on a blog, while also sharing God’s amazing truth and wisdom!! Thank you!
I have never studied the bible but months ago you inspired me to read the bible. Your depth of knowledge is inspiring. Thank you for this post. Daniel is also my favorite!
I have done the Precept Ministries study on Daniel. Will have to commit the time and do the study on Revelation as well!!
I love to teach Daniel and Revelation back to back. It’s amazing what those books teach that work so well together!
My bible study group is currently reading Daniel. While I was reading Daniel I felt like a break as the mower was distracting me and decided to check my email. What a surprise to see your email regarding knowing there is a God. You have a beautiful way of writing so that it makes sense. Thank you and many blessings your way.
Thank you for being such a blessing, and I look forward to your Sunday bible studies.
Be blessed
Pam
Woo hoo! Awesome post! It’s clear you’ve worked and prayed and searched the Word! I am so glad to have been shown your website. Good stuff! I am praying for you. The beginning is near!
Our God is truly an Awesome God! Thanks for sharing and explaining this prophetic scripture – there is nothing like the joy of understanding God’s Holy Word.
Thank you for today’s message, Yvonne! My husband and I got to hear this scripture while sitting on the south stairs of the temple mount! You really helped to make it clearer.
TBTG,
Denise
Denise I sat on those stairs too. What an immense blessing that must have been!
Wow! Trying to follow it! I know God is real! Thanks be to God! Thanks for sharing! Will read it again tonight!
It was exciting and unexpected to have these truths opened up once again this morning. I really believe we’re knocking on the door of the 70th week!
Thank you so much for being brave enough to challenge the world with the truth and faith. GOD is real and the Bible so plainly proves it to us. GOD bless you for your work…..Rebecca
What a wonderful promise and insight that you shared, thank you. I cannot wait until that day when God comes back to claim what is His, and we (His church) will be with Him forever.
Me Too!!!!!!!!!!
Amen….Yvonne…………
All of those who love Jesus and put their faith and trust in HIM for salvation will live happily ever after…in Heaven with HIM.
and what a great day that will be………….with the way things are going and from the signs of his coming….. it hopefully
will not be too long……….Maranatha!!
Thanks for this wonderful post,
Blessings, Nellie
Thank you so much.
I Have no doubt that God is the one that put your blog in my path. I love studying the book of revelation and seeing the things that are coming to pass. Its amazing and he is amazing.
Thanks for all the time you put into this an your willingness to share it. You said it well!!!
Patty
AMEN……Thank you, Yvonne for these Sunday blogs. I would love to study with you. Too bad I live too far away. GOD really loves you for letting us know about him. Keep the blogs coming……I LOVE GOD AND You!!!!!!!!!!!! I am crying tears of JOY right now…….WOW…..AMEN
Thank you for sharing the Word of God. It is such a blessing to find believers that share the Word and are light of this world. Studying Bible Prophecy is enlightening regarding end times. One of many study guides I have is, “A Study In Bible Prophecy” and “God’s Plan for the Ages” by J. Swaggart. Both excellent! Being a new subscriber, I”m thoroughly enjoying your blog and all posts. God bless you. L.W.
You would love a book called THE MOST HIGH GOD by Reginald Showers. An amazing Study of Daniel in light of end times!
Beautiful, amazing Sunday post. I love to see what teaching you will post each Sunday.
Thank you so much for this post Yvonne! I am a BSF Group Leader and we will be studying Revelation starting in the Fall. This will be a new study for BSF and I am SO excited! God bless you and thanks again for sharing the insight God has given you on these Scriptures.
Thanks so much for your Sunday devotionals and teachings. Our pastor is currently doing a sermon series on Revelation and this posting just adds another dimension to what we are already studying. God bless you.
Although I try to drop in faithfully from time to tome to see what my dear friend is up to…for some reason you popped into my mind today and then I read your amazing post. <3 <3 <3 I have been reading on the Tribulation and its been weighing heavily on my mind. I loved how you explained everything so easily. You have a gift for explaining scripture, my friend. I think God promoted me over here today. 🙂
xxoo, Barb
Ahhh. How do I save this? To reread? Are the Sunday posts on Pinterest? I shall look. You wrote in perfect clarity. The Holy Spirit helped me to grasp but I have studied much but not exactly like this. Thank you. I’m looking up Precepts. I’ve never heard of them! Once again, thank you. And again, the post showed up a second time today and I had no troubles reading the post. No Safari errors this time. God is good.
My husband and I are studying the book of Daniel in our bible study, June 24th we start the book of Revelations. Thank You very much
for the clarity, you have done a great job. Looking forward in studying the book Revelations.
Thank You sister in Christ>>>>>>
Greetings from South Africa. Thank you so much for your boldness in spreading The Word of God. I would love to have printed your teaching, but have no idea how. Have a blessed day.
Yvonne,
I thank God that I have been blessed with the gift of His Word and the joy that abounds from your bible study. You make the Bible so clear and have jump started my faith. You have an amazing gift and you open it and share it with all of us!
Thank you!!!!
Thank you for allowing yourself to be a vessel. I eagerly await the return of our King. To think that we will look him in the eye someday is breathtaking. I am constantly aware ofhow wonderful life is, but to think about the perfection of the next one is just so overwhelming. Thanks again Yvonne. You bring joy to those around you. God bless!!
Thank you so much for this, it is so informative! I love everything you post and can’t wait to see each day what is in my mail from you! God bless you for sharing this I and i will be sharing it with others too!
What a JOY to read your Blog and to share in your faith in Jesus. My husband and I have studied almost daily the Prophecies in the Bible. He teaches Sunday School and has taught Daniel, Revelation, and now Ezekiel. To know Prophecy and watch current events happening just as God foretold is an amazing time to be alive. History is His-story playing out in front of our eyes. I listen to Precepts teacher, Kay Arthur as well as others through Oneplace.com. “Understanding the Times” by Jan Merkell is another place of study on radio and on Oneplace. Like you and your other readers, we agree JESUS is coming soon. Thank you for your boldness to share your faith–not all Christians “appreciate” the study of Prophecy. Like, Sherrie, I feel God directed me to your Blogg. Your Blogg encompasses my interests–JESUS and my home.
Thanks and God Bless,
Vicki
Yvonne, please don’t ever change. I love being able to count on you not only for decorating advice and inspiration but for truth and light. God has blessed you with many talents, and you share them generously and wisely. You are a force for GOOD!
Hello to all my sisters in Christ out there and many thanks to you Yvonne for your great insights. It truly is an amazing
time we are living in and it is comforting to know that the Church is alive and well with many of us waiting for Christ’s triumphant return.
Thank you, Yvonne, for being faithful and allowing God to use you in so many ways. You are a blessing to me.
I agree with Rose! Thankful for all your great home decorating, DIY, and recipes, but the really important message is about God and His amazing plan for each of us. Thank you, Yvonne, for keeping Jesus as the center.
Thank you, Yvonne. I am new to your blog, and was delighted with this posting. Not only do you share your talent for turning our houses into beautiful homes, you also enlighten us on the life everlasting. In all things let us be faithful to our Heavenly Father and our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Enjoy the blessings of each and every day!
Chellie, Welcome to the StoneGable family!!!
I too, am new to your blog. I have been captivated with all your talent as a designer, chef and DIY expert. But your scripture teaching is what I adore the most. I will be back for more….
Welcome to the StoneGable family, Cindi!
thank you for this! I was driving through the beautiful Tennessee countryside yesterday and felt full of gratitude to His unfailing touch on my life. He never lets go! This study shows that He always orchestrating life and His timing and plan is perfect!
You are so wonderful to spend the time and conversation on the true meaning of Jesus. I so love Jesus and know the truth will set us free…God will always prevail. Thru the Centuries…
This isn’t part of the highlighted subject but what made me do a Google search on the number 490 was I had calculated something else and had gotten 490 months. You know that in Peter it talks about a day with the Lord is as a 1000 years etc. Well, in order to get what an hour is with the Lord I divided 1000 years by 24-hours and got 41.76 hours which I rounded off to 42. So 42 years to us would be as an hour to the Lord. Then in order to get what a minute would be I calculated the number of months 42 years would be (made adjustments for the months with 31 days vs the months with 30 days vs 28 days in Feb vs leap years and it came up to 490 months). Divided by 60 and I got 8 months and 5 days. So a minute to the Lord is 8 months to us. Using the same pattern, I did the same with a second with the Lord and got a little over 4 days to us… and respectively a day is 250 milliseconds. I don’t know if that would mean something to y’all but it just made me curious about 490 and I did a search on that and your blog was one of the query responses that came up.
This is a lot of work James.Especially considering this is a very Hebrewic saying and not meant to be taken literally. It means God is eternal and is outside of time. Great math, though.
I so appreciate your gift of teaching Yvonne! I have never studied the Book of Daniel but I certainly will now. Thank you.
Oh, it changed the way I look at so much! Everyone should do an deep study of Daniel, John, Romans and Revelation.
Enjoyed this Spiritual Lesson on Daniel and I Most Definitely Believe and have known and Experienced Gods Realness”.
Thanks Love Dana M.
Praise God for His goodness, mercy, and faithfulness.
The Lord God is real and He is trustworthy! We need to interpret our times in light of His word, especially as we consider the nation of Israel and the people He calls “the apple of my eye.”
You are so right, Kim! Pray for Jerusalem as God commands.
Yvonne, what a powerful article. God is good and reveals His story in the Scriptures. We can trust Jesus for our salvation if we believe in Jesus finished work on the cross! Maranatha!
So agree…this was so good. You are blessed..and a blessing to us, Yvonne
Thank you Lisa! God bless you.
Maranatha and amen!
This was fascinating to “try” and follow – as you warned. Thank you for sharing it and helping us realize we need to believe and trust God’s word. I have never seen this timeline explained like you did and it does make perfect sense. I will be reading again to see what I missed!
Learning about God’s will and how He shares it with us is such a faith builder.