Messiah means "anointed." The anointing of Jesus, and His manifestation as the Anointed One, was at His baptism: "Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matt. 3:16, 17. Thus Jesus was anointed as the Messiah (see Acts 10:38), and John proclaimed: "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:29. When did this baptism and anointing take place? The Gospel of Luke supplies the historical facts for fixing the year: "In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea," etc. Luke 3:1-3. Tiberius followed Augustus, who died in A.D. 14. But before the latter's death, Tiberius was associated with him on the throne. Some modern historians date this appointment of Tiberius as Caesar from A.D. 13; but the "History of Rome," by Dion Cassius, a Roman senator, born in the second century, shows, under events of A.D. 12, that Augustus recognized Tiberius as holding the imperial dignity at that time. (Book 56, chap. 26.) Again, Dr. Philip Schaff says: "There are coins from Antioch in Syria of the date A.U. 765 [A.D. 12], with the head of Tiberius and the inscription, _Kaisar, Sebastos (Augustus)."_--_"History of the Christian Church," Vol. I, p. 120, footnote._ These coins from Syria bear certain witness that the first year of Tiberius should be counted from A.D. 12. Therefore "the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar" would be A.D. 27, just 483 years from the going forth of the commandment to restore Jerusalem. The prophecy of the sixty-nine weeks was fulfilled--the Messiah had come. Confirming the Covenant But "one week" of the seventy remained--seven years. Of the Messiah's work during this time the angel said: "He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease." Dan. 9:27. Christ's death upon the cross made "the sacrifice and the oblation to cease," so far as their appointed force was concerned. After three years and a half of ministry, "in the midst" of this seven-year period, the prophetic week, the Messiah was lifted up on Calvary. For centuries the sure word of prophecy had pointed to this supreme hour in the working out of the plan of salvation. When the time was fulfilled, the promise of God was fulfilled also, and the divine Sacrifice was offered. "Paschal Lamb, by God appointed, All our sins on Thee were laid; By Almighty Love anointed, Thou redemption's price hast paid. All Thy people are forgiven Through the virtue of Thy blood; Opened is the gate of heaven, Peace is made 'twixt man and God."