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Nevertheless, when this formula is used to calculate the beginning point of the Baha'i era, the difference needs to be adjusted. This is necessary to avoid the mistaken appearance that the prophecy of 2,300 years and the date 1844 do not agree, since the precise date the Baha'i Faith began is known to be 1844 and not 1843. Since 'Abdu'l-Baha does not explain this discrepancy, it can only be assumed that He chose to deduct one year from the 457 years as a concise way of accounting for the difference between the Jewish and Gregorian calendars or the transitional point between BC and AD. (77:1) Thus far, there are four important points that now seem clear. (i> Jesus' reference to 'Daniel the prophet' (Matt. 24:15), who speaks of the 2,300 year period, is in response to the disciples' questions which concern Jesus' second coming and the time of the end of the age (Matt. 24:3). This seems quite obvious since the Apostles' question is concerned with when the time of the end will occur, and the Book of Daniel, which Jesus asks the Apostles to understand, contains prophecies which are also concerned with this. (2) Jesus refers to the 'abomination of desolation', which Daniel's vision indicates will end when the 'sanctuary shall be cleansed' (Daniel 8:14). (3)The sanctuary is cleansed at the end of the 2,300-year period. And (4), we know that the abomination of desolation does not begin before Jesus' first appearance when the 2,300 days begins (that is, in 457 BC), because Jesus speaks of it as something that will occur in the future (Matt. 24:15).
(77:2)
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