Hi Chaim, If Jesus was cut off in week #69, then the destruction of the Temple (mentioned in the very same verse) happened about 40 years later, or week #74. Where do we find in these verses justification for this 40 year gap, which makes this prophecy longer than 490 years or 70 weeks? And if you believe the destruction of the Temple happens in the 70th week of the future, are we to believe this destruction is associated with the future 3rd Temple?

Within the 490 years prophecy, the counting of time halted when Jesus was crucified at the end of the 69th week - beginning the gap.... which is still in place, as we speak.

Thus, as the counting ended with Jesus's crucifixion. the 40 years leading up to the destruction of the temple is within the gap. There is no isolated 40 year gap. So far it has been a 2006 year gap. The 40 years are contained within the 2006 year gap, as the first 40 years.

Most Christians I know of believe that the gap ends (very soon we think) and the counting resumes when the prince who shall come confirms the covenant with many. We argue (friendly :) , most of the time) amongst ourselves what that covenant is, but generally the two most popular Christian views is that the covenant is (1) a peace treaty for the middle east or (2) the Mt Sinai and Abrahmaic covenants. Both of prime interest to the Jews.