The angel provides a specific timeline: 69 'weeks' of years (483 years) from a command to rebuild Jerusalem until the 'anointed one, the prince.' While commentators debate whether this command was from King Cyrus or King Artaxerxes, they agree the prophetic clock was meant to count down to a specific historical moment. The fulfillment of this timeline in the life of Jesus is seen as powerful evidence that He is the promised Messiah.