There are four decrees which went forth during this period of history. They are all recorded in the Bible. The question is, "Which one begins the 483-year period?"

536 B.C.

The first decree was issued by Cyrus in 536 B.C.

This is probably not the decree we are looking for:

• It was a decree to rebuild the Temple, not a general decree for the restoration of Jerusalem.
• Counting forward 483 years brings us to 53 B.C. There were no credible candidates for Messiahship in 53 B.C.

519 B.C.

Another decree was issued by Darius in 519 B.C.

This is probably not the decree we are looking for:

• Essentially, this was nothing more than a reaffirmation of Cyrus' decree in 536 B.C.
• Counting forward 483 years brings us to 36 B.C. There were no credible candidates for Messiahship in 36 B.C.

445 B.C.

This decree was issued by Artaxerxes to Nehemiah in 445 B.C.

This is probably not the decree we are looking for:

• This decree gave Nehemiah permission to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem and to get previously authorized work moving. Important as a wall is, a wall itself does not establish or restore a city in the truest sense. A "city" is not a physical structure. A city is people living together as a society, with or without a wall. A wall was extremely important for the defense of a city in those days. One could even effectively argue that, as a practical matter, you could not have a city without a wall. But, the wall is still for defense of the city. It is not the city itself.
• Counting forward 483 years from 445 B.C. brings us to 39 A.D. which, by most respected accounts, is also a year in which there are no credible candidates for Messiahship. (Virtually all agree that Jesus Christ was crucified before this date.)

458 B.C.

This decree was issued by Artaxerxes in 458 B.C. It is recorded in the Old Testament in the 7th chapter of the book of Ezra.

This decree:

Allows the return of the Priests and Levites to Jerusalem.

Provides financially for the needs of the temple.

Restores a political and judicial society in Jerusalem.

This decree does more than rebuild a temple or a wall around the city. This decree truly provides for social restoration of a society within the city. This is restoration of a city in the true sense.

This is probably the decree we are looking for:

• If we count forward 483 years from 458 B.C. we come to the year 26 A.D.
• 26 A.D was the year that Jesus Christ began His ministry!