UFO demons

 In my teenage years, I was into the UFO stuff, and one of my favorite books was by Erich Von Daniken. titled “Chariots of the Gods.”

I wanted to believe.

I don't recall the exact timing of things, but I believe I was either 18 or 19 (1976-77) when I watched an episode of the Science program “NOVA” on PBS when they did a critique of Von Daniken's claims that we humans have been visited by Aliens.

NOVA demonstrated that he misrepresented the evidence for things like landing sites for UFOs. They demonstrated that he was a liar. I don't remember exactly how I felt about that, but I think I accepted their conclusions.

About that time, I think I was becoming more positive towards Christianity, and my views about UFOs and such were changing. I remember that it just dawned on me one day that the UFO phenomenon was a deception. I kind of remember the moment a thought entered my mind: “it's

I think if a person goes looking for a UFO encounter, they will eventually have one.

I remember a coworker told me they were reading a book called “Communion” by Whitley Strieber, which was claimed to be a true story involving the author of his encounter with an alien. The coworker told me that the book was so disturbing, that he had to physically remove the book from his bedroom at night before he could go to sleep.

I went to the local Library to find the book. I read through a major portion of it. It's been many years since I read the book, and going off memory, I recall how the author says he was staying at a remote residence of his. He says that while he was sleeping, he was awakened by something, and when he looked towards his door, he saw someone peeking at him through the bedroom door. I remember something about him floating out of his bed and along the floor and outside. Outside, this creature or creatures did some physically invasive things to him. I seem to recall that as days went on, he was experiencing agitation, and I think his wife did the same. I think he said there was some sort of UFO sighting or activity claimed in the area. You'd have to read the book to get the details. Like I said, it was many years ago that I read it.

I thought the title “Communion” made sense. It was a paranormal encounter.  I thought of the Scripture that says we are not to have fellowship with demons: “I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.” 1 Corinthians 10:20

Government intervention

 

I know this oversimplifies things, but the difference between social liberals and social conservatives is what they believe government intervention should be.

What one side believes should require more government intervention, the other side believes less, and vice-versa.

I believe this is true whether the issue is about abortion, immigration, gender issues, law and order, or making life fair. There can be exceptions from individual to individual, but groups usually stick together on an issue, especially those in government when it comes to voting.

Sometimes, it seems, that the opposition of a certain view of government intervention just depends on who is in political office. If someone like Trump is for something, those who oppose him are against it, even if they align with or voted for someone in the past who was for it. You can find YouTube videos of those who took the same stance on an issue as the opposing person that the opposition rejects.

People will disagree on the role of government as they do everything else. The division seems to be getting greater and more violent. It's hard to discuss the issues because people get so upset and angry. God give us wisdom on how to respond to this.

“² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:2-5

^“18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. ¹⁹ For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.” 1 Corinthians 11:18-19

^'17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. ²⁰ Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.' Romans 12:17-21

“Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. ²³ But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.” Romans 14:22-23

^“10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10-11

Apostles' Creed

 

I've been thinking about the “Apostles' Creed.” 

I think a few things could be reworded or shortened, 

and a few things should have been included...

click image to enlarge

NT Reliability

 

The Historical Reliability of the New Testament
by Craig L. Blomberg

I recently made it through this book of 725 pages.
I suppose it at least briefly dealt with
about every criticism of the New Testament.
I doubt few would want to read it,
but it could be a resource for answers
to questions about apparent inconsistencies
of a given text.

There is a subject index and a Scripture index.
Skeptics will never be satisfied,
for every answer has an argument against it.
I will give Scripture the benefit of the doubt.

Some quotes from the book...

“Growing up in a preInternet, pre-desktop-publishing world,
I never dreamed that if I ever got to write
real-live, peer-reviewed published books,
some of the perspectives I would have to rebut
would be those introduced in fictitious novels
or by self-published authors.

No one had conceived of the notion of a blog,
much less imagined that some people would think
that reading it was necessarily a means
of gaining accurate information.

Today, however, thanks to all these developments,
countless people around the world,
including some university professors,
believe that Constantine's calling
for the Council of Nicea in AD 325
led to the establishment of the canon of the New Testament.

That was a piece of fiction Dan Brown made up
in The Da Vinci Code and duped millions into believing.

The Council of Nicea was actually a gathering
of Christian bishops to debate Trinitarian doctrine;
its outgrowth, the Nicene Creed, is still recited regularly
in Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic,
and more liturgically minded Protestant churches,
enunciating what the vast majority of all Christians
through the centuries have believed
about the roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Constantine did commission Eusebius
to produce fifty new copies of the New Testament
to be distributed around the empire,
but that had nothing to do with any discussion
about which books should be included.
Eusebius, in fact, had already come to agree
with the twenty-seven that have remained
a part of the canon.

The councils that formally ratified these twenty-seven
were held in North Africa at Hippo (393) and Carthage (397)
at the end of the fourth century.

But Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria,
in 367 in his Easter-time encyclical
already compiled the same list of twenty-seven books,
officially endorsing them as uniquely worthy
of inclusion in the New Testament.”


“Despite frequent claims to the contrary,
the books of the New Testament
were copied with extraordinary care.

Because of the sheer volume of manuscripts,
both in Greek and in various other ancient languages
into which the Scriptures were translated,
there are an enormous number of textual variants.

But the vast majority of these are extremely minor,
and the size of the manuscript tradition
also makes it possible to determine
beyond any reasonable doubt
what the original reading would have been
in upwards of 99 percent of the text of the New Testament.

Where there still is uncertainty,
we can at least know that the original text
is represented by one of the variant readings
of a given passage.

We do not have to worry that some new discovery
could overthrow the testimony
of so many thousands of manuscripts
and their consistent usage
throughout the history of the church.

Certainly no theological doctrine
or ethical practice of the Christian faith
relies solely or even primarily
on any textually disputed passage or passages.”

Israel's distress

Click to enlarge 

AntiDispy

I’m in a Facebook discussion group called “I left dispensationalism behind.”

Dispensationalists—I’ll call them “Dispys”—understand certain prophecies to be unfulfilled while those who are called “Preterists” and “Historicists”--two major anti-Dispys in the group--believe have been fulfilled in the past or through history.

The Group gives criticisms of and answers for their anti-Dispy views.

Some of the big differences between Dispys and anti-Dispys (primarily the 2 major anti-Dispys) are the belief about the “70th Week of Daniel” (Daniel 9:24-27) and the future salvation of Israel as a people and nation of God for the 1000 year reign of Christ—the “Millenium”—after his Second Coming to earth.

Dispys believe the 70th Week of Daniel—a 7 year period—is the last 7 years before Christ returns during which the Antichrist will appear and reign, while anti-Dispys believe it was fulfilled during the ministry and death of Christ and the early advance of the gospel. The one group believe the 70^th Week is about Antichrist, while the other says it is about Christ.

Anti-Dispys don’t believe Israel as a nation will be saved and restored as the people of God at the coming of Christ, for the “Church” is the Israel of God.

Preterists believe most prophecy was fulfilled in the events of AD 70 with the destruction of Jerusalem, while Historicists would believe, in addition to the AD70 destruction of Jerusalem, that some prophecies were fulfilled later, such as the “lawless one” in Second Thessalonians 2:1-12, being the office of the pope—Preterists would say the lawless one was the Roman Emperor Nero. Dispys believe he is the final Antichrist.

Interestingly, Historicists believe that both Dispensationalism and Preterism was created by Jesuit Priests to take attention off the Pope as the “Lawless One” in Second Thessalonians 2:1-12.

The text of Second Thessalonians 2: 1-12 speaks of the revealing of the Lawless One when the Restrainer is removed. The revealing results in the Lawless One sitting in the Temple of God and showing himself as God. Historicists say it was the Roman Empire that restrained such an act of the papacy, but after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Pope could openly make such a claim in the Church (which they believe is the “Temple of God” in the text). Preterists believe the Lawless One was the Roman Emperor Nero, but the “abomination of desolation” spoken by Daniel and Jesus was the destruction of the temple by the Romans. Dispys say the Lawless One is the future Antichrist, and he is the same person as the “little horn” of Daniel 7 and “Beast” of Revelation 13 and 17. The act is in a future 3^rd Jewish Temple and is that abomination of desolation. After the act in the temple, in the middle of the 7 years, great tribulation will follow for 3 ½ years.

Dispys believe that the things Jesus spoke concerning—in the Olivet Discourse, being the time of the end of the age--were descriptive of how bad things will get on earth leading up to the Second Coming of Christ. Jesus said there would be wars and rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, pestilence, persecution, and deception. Preterists and Historicists would identify these things with the period of AD70 and the destruction of Jerusalem.

Anti-Dispys would label Dispys as being doom and gloom, because Dispys see things getting worse as the age comes to a close, particularly those last 7 years.

Dispys believe Jesus will come the second time and end the time of great tribulation. Afterwards, Jesus will set up the 1000 year reign of the Millennial Kingdom (MK). Anti-Dispys believe Jesus comes after the MK, believing it is his authority exercised now on earth through the Church and the advance of the Gospel into the world.

Dispys believe with the return of Christ and the setting up of the MK that Israel will be restored as a people and nation as the people of God under the terms of the new Covenant. Christ will rule over the nations in a manifested way with the Law of God going forth from Jerusalem. Anti-Dispys say that the Church is Israel, and that national Israel has no future purpose as the people of God: there is no future MK after the return of Christ, for the MK is the reign of Christ now, of unspecified length—the 1000 years is not literal—or for a 1000 years yet to come through the advance of the Gospel before Christ Returns.

Time will tell.

Futurist Timeline

 click image to enlarge

Israel Again

 ²⁵ For I do not desire, brethren,
that you [gentiles] should be ignorant of this mystery,
lest you [gentiles] should be wise in your own opinion,
that blindness in part has happened to Israel
until the fullness of the Gentiles
has come in.

… if they [Israelites] do not continue in unbelief,
will be grafted in,
for God is able
to graft them in **again.**

²⁴ For if you [gentiles] were cut out of the olive tree
which is wild by nature,
and were grafted contrary to nature
into a cultivated olive tree,
how much more will these,
who are natural branches [Israelites],
be grafted into their own olive tree?
Romans 11:23-25

What does he mean by “graft them in again?”

Since there were already natural branches
still attached to the tree as believing Jews,
does this only apply to Jews living at the time of Paul,
who were broken off due to unbelief,
but if they would believe later, they could be reattached?

Because how could the word “again” apply?

Unless something more than individual salvation is in view,
a salvation that involves a people or nation...

²⁶ And so all Israel will be saved,
as it is written:
"The Deliverer will come out of Zion,
And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
²⁷ For this is My covenant with them [Israel],
When I take away their sins."
²⁸ Concerning the gospel they [Israel] are enemies
for your [believing gentiles] sake,
but concerning the election
they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.
²⁹ For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Romans 11:26-29

Charles Hodge from his Romans Commentary:

"Israel here must mean the Jewish people,
and 'all Israel' the whole nation. 
The Jews, as a people, are now rejected;
as a people they are to be restored. 
As their rejection, although national,
did not include the rejection of every individual,
so their restoration though national,
need not include the salvation of every Jew. 
All Israel does not mean all the true people of God,
as Augustine, Calvin, and others explain it;
nor all the elect Jews -- i.e., all that part of the nation
which constitute 'the remnant according to the election of grace'
--but the whole nation, as a nation.”

Charles Hodge, was a Presbyterian theologian of reformed theology
and was principal of Princeton Theological Seminary 
between 1851 and 1878.

Time of gentiles

Couldn't the "time of the gentiles"

be the time of their distress,

being the "Day of the Lord”?

The DOL is the Second Coming of Christ. Read 2Peter3.

See the use in Ezekiel:

"Wail, 'Woe to the day!'
For the day is near,
Even the day of the LORD is near;
It will be a day of clouds,

the time of the Gentiles.

Ezekiel 30:2-3

...Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles

until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

²⁵ "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars;

and on the earth distress of nations,

with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;

²⁶ men's hearts failing them from fear

and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth,

for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

²⁷ Then they will see the Son of Man coming

in a cloud with power and great glory.

²⁸ Now when these things begin to happen,

look up and lift up your heads,

because your redemption draws near."

Luke 21:24-28

Evil shaping identity

 A recent question was asked: couldn't God have created us with freewill without there being evil?

My response: I can only think that God could have created angels and man with a very limited free will in which they could not have disobeyed with the resulting evils, but it is not the world he created.

Angels and man were created with the ability to know and do evil.

Whether we like it or not.

But, He has also provided for deliverance from the consequences of evil, but it won't be fully realized until the new creation.

What's interesting is how what happens in this life is what shapes our identity--who we are.

If we have the salvation that comes through Christ, we will spend eternity with people who are likewise saved and have their own unique past life experiences that had a role in shaping their identity—who they were/ are.

Carcass Eagles Idiom

 ²³ "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it.

²⁴ For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

²⁵ See, I have told you beforehand.

²⁶ "Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it.

²⁷ For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

²⁸ For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.”

Matthew 24:23-28

It's an idiom like "where there is smoke there's fire."

Jesus is answering the question of his disciples as to where the Second Coming will be.

He is saying it will be obvious.

And they answered and said to Him, "Where, Lord?" Luke 17:37

So He said to them, "Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together." Luke 17:37

Just faith

 A few years ago, I was searching online for Charles Hodge’s comments on penal substitution from his Systematic Theology, and I came across a blog by a Dr. Ken Pulliam who was commenting on Hodge’s views on penal substitution. Pulliam was a graduate of Bob Jones University and once a Bible teacher but departed from the faith and became an agnostic-atheist, because he could not any longer accept penal substitution.

 (Dr. Hodge was a Presbyterian theologian in the area of reformed theology. He was also principal of Princeton Theological Seminary between 1851 and 1878. Penal Substitution is the view that one can bear the penalty for someone else--the innocent in the place of the guilty.)

In Pulliam’s blog, he said he could no longer accept the view that Jesus bore the penalty for our sins, so that God could release the sinner from that penalty and justify them (declare righteous). This led him to denouncing his faith and becoming either an agnostic or atheist.

There were people who responded to his blog with concern, especially those on whom he had an impact by his ministry.

What's interesting is that I read one comment informing Pulliam that there are other theories about the meaning and value of Christ’s death: he didn’t need to cast off his faith because of penal substitution, because there are other views he could have considered.

But Pulliam responded that he was fully aware of those other views. And here is what is very interesting: He said that the Scriptures clearly teach penal substitution--not those other views—and he could no longer accept it. Since he concluded that penal substitution is unjust, and the Scriptures clearly taught it, the Scriptures can’t be true.

This can explain why Christians can disagree so much over what Scripture teaches.

One has 3 choices in handling what they don't like or find difficult in the Scriptures. They can accept and believe what it says or they can formulate an alternate explanation, or they can just cast away their faith altogether and end up like Dr. Pulliam.

I’ve seen this before with other Bible scholars, especially when it comes to the issue of suffering: the degree of suffering must mean the Bible isn’t true, because God is not a just and loving God, because life would be much different if he were.

If one reads the book of Habakkuk, he/she will find the prophet questioning God as to why an eviler nation, Babylon, was permitted to punish a less evil nation, namely the southern kingdom of Judah. God’s answer was that “the just shall live by his faith.” The just, or righteous one, needs to trust God, that he knows what he is doing: his wisdom and ways can be trusted. Though a lot of things can be explained by what God has revealed in his word, we have to be willing to accept what he has revealed and what he has not revealed. We need to trust that God has our best interests in mind, and he will provide what we truly need, according to his wisdom and will.  

“The just shall live by his faith” Habakkuk 2:4.

Dead Sea Isaiah Scroll

 The Isaiah Scroll was found in 1947 in limestone caves in the desert hills of Qumran, near the Dead Sea in Israel, by a shepherd boy looking for his lost goat. This scroll predates the oldest Hebrew copy (The Masoretic Text) that we have used in translating our Old Testament by at least 1000 years. Isaiah was a writing prophet in Israel in the 8th Century before Christ. The following is an old English translation of the Isaiah Scroll of a portion of the 52nd chapter and all of the 53rd chapter of Isaiah.

"Behold, my servant shall deal prudently,
and He shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
As many were astonished at thee;
His visage was so marred more than any man,
And his form more than the sons of men:
So shall he sprinkle many nations;
The kings shall shut their mouths at him:
For that which had not been told them shall they see;
And that which they had not heard shall they consider.
Who hath believed our report?
And to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of a dry ground:
He hath no form nor comeliness;
And when we shall see him,
there is no beauty that we should desire him.
He is despised and rejected of men;
A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:
And we hid as it were our faces from him;
He was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, And carried our sorrows:
Yet we did esteem him stricken, and smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions,
And he was bruised for our iniquities:
And the chastisement of our peace was upon him;
And with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned every one to his own way;
And the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
Yet he opened not his mouth:
He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter,
As a sheep before her shearers is dumb,
So he openeth not his mouth.

He was taken from prison and from judgment:
And who shall declare his generation?
For he was cut off out of the land of the living:
For the transgression of my people was he stricken.
And they made his grave with the wicked,
And with the rich in his death;
Because he had done no violence,
Neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him;
he hath put him to grief:
When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin,
He shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days,
And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
Of the travail of his soul he shall see light,
and shall be satisfied:
By his knowledge shall his righteous servant justify many;
For he shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great,
And he shall divide the spoil with the strong;
Because he hath poured out his soul unto death:
And he was numbered with the transgressors;
And he bare the sin of many,
And made intercession for the transgressors. "

take heed

 

Life in Hell

 I believe eternal life has to do with a quality of life with God (eternal life), and perishing is a quality of life without God.

Both the saved and unsaved will be raised up with a new body, but the saved will have life with God in the new creation, while the unsaved will exist apart from God in the place prepared for the devil and his angels.

How the unsaved exist forever in that place in their resurrected bodies I don't know, but it will be without hope or purpose, destructive to both the body and soul.

Repent get right

 Repentance = get right with God

“You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.” Acts 8.21-22

Repentance is getting right with God in this particular text.

70 Weeks study

 Daniel's Prophecy of the 70 Weeks – session one

1) A summary of the “70 Weeks” prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27:

Daniel's prophecy of the 70 Weeks is a 490 year timetable, following the 70 years of Babylonian captivity, that begins with a command to rebuild Jerusalem with a significant end point at 483 years of the Christ's first coming, followed by His crucifixion and the destruction of the Jewish temple and Jerusalem by the Romans, and then concluding with the final 7 years involving significant time-of-the-end events, accomplishing six things for salvation for Israel as a people and nation and out of which all people are made savable.

2) A New International Version (NIV) reading of the text with my added explanation in brackets [ ]:

²⁴ Seventy ‘sevens’ [of years, being 490] are decreed for your [Daniel's] people [the Jews] and your holy city [Jerusalem] to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone [make satisfaction] for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up [finish] vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place [in the Jewish temple].

²⁵ Know and understand this: From the time the word [command] goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One [Messiah / Christ], the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens’ [49 years], and sixty-two ‘sevens’ [434 years]. It [Jerusalem] will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble [opposition by Jerusalem's neighbors].

²⁶ After the sixty-two ‘sevens’ [total 483 years], the Anointed One [Messiah / Christ] will be put to death [executed] and will have nothing. The people [an army] of the ruler who will come will destroy [a second time] the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood [overwhelmingly destructive]: War will continue until the end, and desolations [to lay waste, to ruin] have been decreed.

²⁷ He [the ruler to come] will confirm [or strengthen] a covenant with many for one ‘seven’ [7 years]. In the middle of the ‘seven’ [years] he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination [a detestable thing] that causes desolation [sanctity ruined], until the end that is decreed is poured out on him [the ruler to come]. Daniel 9:24-27 NIV

3) The background for the prophecy.

– Daniel 9:1-5,13, 16-17: With Babylon's overthrow by the Medes and the Persians, Daniel considers the prophet Jeremiah's prophecy about the 70 years of captivity, and considering it coming to an end, he confesses their sins and seeks God's mercy, petitioning God to act on behalf of the Jews and Jerusalem.

– Judah was in captivity for 70 years in Babylon for disobedience, including idolatry, social injustices, and the violation of the land sabbath. Ez 36:16-21; Zech 7:8-14; Lev 25:2-5; 26:27, 31-35; 2 Chron 36:15-21; Jer 25:11-13; Zech 1:12 Also consider Jer 27:1-15

– Daniel 9:20-23: The angel Gabriel gives a timetable with respect to the salvation of Daniel's people and city that goes beyond what is accomplished in the near future return of a remnant as recorded in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Daniel's Prophecy of the 70 Weeks – session two

1) The word translated “Week” means a unit of 7. Context determines what the unit of 7 is. Daniel 10:2-3 uses the word “week” for 7 days, but the Hebrew has the word for “days” left untranslated into English, and so it is clearly a week of days.

The 70 years captivity was due to 490 years of violation of the sabbath-land-rest: every 7 years the land was to rest from farming, and that was violated 70 times (70 x 7 = 490 years). There appears to be a pattern with the 490 years. A 490-year prophecy would make more sense than a 490-day prophecy, which has no clear fulfillment in such a time-frame of the things the prophecy says will happen.

2) There was a command (or decree) that starts the 70 7s of years: Daniel 9:25.

1. Cyrus to rebuild temple 539BC: 2 Chron 36:22-Ezra 1:1-4; Isaiah 44:28.

2. Darius 519/18BC confirms Cyrus' command because of opposition: Ezra 6:1-5.

3. Artaxerxes in 457BC sends more of the remnant: Ezra 7:12-13.

4. Artaxerxes in 444BC sends Nehemiah to rebuild the wall and city: Neh 2:4-6.

There are two time periods that are successive, being 7 units of 7 years and 62 units of 7 years (49 and 434 together are 483 years). The first period is 49 years (7 x 7), being with reference to restoring Jerusalem, particularly its wall. This supports the Artaxerxes 444BC command to Nehemiah, the other views would assume restoring the city as part of their commands.

We are given an end point for the second period (the 62 7s, being 434 years) being “Messiah the prince.” This reference point could be the beginning of Christ's ministry at his baptism or the “triumphal entry” (also called “Palm Sunday” traditionally) when Jesus enters Jerusalem, which involves some significant prophetic fulfillment: ⁴ All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: ⁵ "Tell the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.' Matthew 21:4-5 (read Mat 21:1-11)

I don't want to get bogged done in these calculations; I only want to show that calculations have been done, from a command to rebuild that ends with the time of Christ, either his baptism or triumphal entry.

Our dating system uses an approximate 365.25-day year, but there is reason to believe the Bible uses a 360-day-year. The first 3 commands are based on the 365+ day-years, and the last one uses the 360-day-years, converting them to days to work with our 365+ days chronologies. Probably the most popular view is the second Artaxerxes' command-view, though the Cyrus' command-view is attractive, but requires an error of 82 years in the chronology—which some believe is the case.

3)  Daniel 9:26 gives 2 things following the period of 62 7s of years, being Messiah cut off and the city and sanctuary destroyed

The one is the crucifixion of Christ and the other is the AD70 destruction of Jerusalem: Jesus prophesied of his coming crucifixion, calling it “lifted up” (John 12:32-34), and after his triumphal entry, he prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44).  The destruction is by the "people" of the "prince to come."  The prince or ruler is often understood as the "antichrist," while the people were the Roman army used by Rome under General Titus, that included people who were Syrian and Arab. This can be significant in identifying the future antichrist and his kingdom in the time of the end.

Both events are placed in an indeterminate gap of time between the end of the 69^th Week (7 + 62 = 69) and 70^th Week. The 70^th Week, the last 7 years is not immediately successive to the 69^th Week.

Daniel's Prophecy of the 70 Weeks -- session three

Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city,

To finish the transgression,

To make an end of sins,

To make reconciliation for iniquity,

To bring in everlasting righteousness,

To seal up vision and prophecy,

And to anoint the Most Holy.

Daniel 9:24

There are 6 things that will be accomplished with respect to the Jewish people and Jerusalem.

The first 3 are addressing the sin problem, the last 3 seem to be with reference to the kingdom of God, beginning with the Millennial kingdom.

Transgression, sins, and iniquity are 3 words that compare in meaning, but there is probably something different going on with each reference, and yet they are related. I want to look at these in reverse order, because that seems to be the logical order.

3 --”to make reconciliation for iniquity” I want to start with this one, because I believe it is the basis or cause for the first two. “Reconciliation” is the translation of a word that elsewhere means “to cover” or “to propitiate.” I believe this looks to the work of the cross that made satisfaction for sin.

This took place after the 69th Week. Satisfaction for sin is the basis of the “New Covenant” which speaks of remission/ forgiveness of sin. There are several times in Leviticus that says the priest shall make atonement for sin and it will be forgiven (Lev 6.6-7). The atonement is the cause and forgiveness is the effect. Propitiation or satisfaction is probably a better word. The death of Christ is the basis/ cause for the new covenant.

2 --”to make an end of sins” I want to look at the second thing next, because I believe this is speaking of once and for all forgiveness, being release from the consequences of sin. The new covenant says that God will forgive Israel's sins: Jeremiah 31.31-34: their sins he will remember no more. To make an end is to finish. God will finish sin in that he will remember them no more. What is true for Israel is true for everyone through the cross of Christ. The release from sin is to be restored in relationship to God.

1 – “to finish the transgression” With respect to the Jews, the finishing of the transgression, I believe, looks to a practical result. Through the forgiveness of sins and restoration in relationship to God, the Jews will be living in obedience to God. The results of salvation and living in the new community of God will have this practical effect. The book of Acts anticipates this practical effect: “6 To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities." Acts 3:26 Romans speaks of both the eternal and practical effects: “26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 27 For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins." Romans 11:26-27

For the Christian, the practical effect is always potential, if we “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16), but Israel will have an advantage in that day due to the community benefit, that benefit is further seen in the next accomplishments...

It's important to understand the difference between standing and state: Standing is who you are, and state is how you behave:  "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light."  Ephesians 5:8

4 -- “To bring in everlasting righteousness” I believe looks to the character of the kingdom of God. Righteousness will rule the day. The millennium will be a temporal stage of what's to come in the final state: “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” 2 Peter 3:13 The Jewish people will be a righteous people: “13 The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness And speak no lies, Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth;” Zephaniah 3:13

“3 Many people shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” Isaiah 2:3

5 --” To seal up vision and prophecy” with the conclusion of the 70 Weeks and the second Coming of Christ and the regathering of Israel into the land of Promise, prophecy will be complete, concerning those things involving Daniel's people and the holy city. Daniel 12:9 speaks of the prophecy being closed and sealed up—maybe 2 aspects of sealing is being secure and realized at the appointed time. “...it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.” Daniel 12:7

6 --” And to anoint the Most Holy” some believe this refers to Christ, but it is more likely referring to the Temple. Ezekiel 40-48 speaks of a new temple after the Jewish return to the Land.

Daniel's Prophecy of the 70 Weeks--session four: The 2 Desolations:  In Jerusalem and the Temple

The 70 Weeks prophecy has to have an indeterminate gap of time between the 69^th and 70^th Week for the crucifixion and Jerusalem's destruction.

The desolation (destruction) of Jerusalem (DOJ) in AD70 is not the same as the “abomination of desolation” (AOD) in the Temple which Daniel 9:27 speaks concerning in the middle of the 70^th Week. The DOJ was a near prophecy, and the AOD was a far prophecy—just like prophecies of the first and second coming of Christ.

Jesus foretold the destruction of the Temple and the city, which would come from the prophecy of the 70 Weeks: ⁴³ For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, ⁴⁴ and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation. Luke 19:43-44 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Luke 21:20

Jesus made reference to the abomination of desolation (AOD) about which Daniel spoke. Seeing the AOD in Daniel 9:27 taking place in the middle of the final 7 years is very significant, because it will support the view that the “great Tribulation” that follows the AOD is 3 ½ years.

The end of sacrifice and offering and the AOD go together and involve the temple service. The two things are spoken together elsewhere in Daniel, involving a person of a certain character that ties many prophecies together. That person is the desolator who has a distinctive appointed end.

Daniel 9:27: Then he [the “prince to come”] shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate [in the temple], Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the [one who makes] desolate.

The final 7 years begins, ending the indeterminate gap of time, by a ”covenant confirmed with many.” Though the New Testament says nothing about the 7 years, Daniel begins it with this covenant, and it appears the covenant is confirmed by the “prince” who is connected with the “people” who last destroyed the Temple and city. The people were the Roman armies which included Syrians and Arabs. This individual could be a Syrian or Arab and Islamic. 

 The covenant (maybe like the "Abraham Accords") could be an agreement involving Middle East countries including Israel, and it could be a new one or a previous one that is strengthened for another 7 years. However this all plays out, it's what happens in the middle of the 7 years that gets all the attention.

Jesus said: ¹⁵Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), … ²¹ For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. ²² And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.” Matthew 24:15-22

Daniel's Prophecy of the 70 Weeks--session five: The 2 Desolators:  Antiochus IV and AntiChrist

The desolator is a person of a distinctive character and activity; there was a foreshadowing of him by a Seleucid king named “Antiochus IV Epiphanes.” In Daniel, it could have Antiochus in view as a near fulfillment and the “AntiChrist” in view as a far fulfillment in certain prophecies. Both will do similar things and have similar character, being pompous, blasphemous, and a persecutor. The prophecies of Antiochus seem to transition into the Antichrist in some places of Daniel.

Daniel chapter 8 appears to speak of the defeat of the Medo-Persian Empire by Greece under Alexander the Great, but after Alexander dies, his kingdom is divided among 4 generals or families, and one of them is a Seleucid rule, from which arises a man named Antiochus IV—read the excerpt from **First Maccabees Chapter One below.

Daniel 11 is mostly about the conflict between 2 of the 4 kingdoms, being Seleucid in the North and Egypt in the South, both which arose from the Grecian empire. The Seleucid kingdom will have a future ruler named Antiochus IV.

Antiochus IV can not fulfill all the prophecies of Daniel, because he lived in the 2nd century BC, and Jesus spoke of a future fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy in the temple.

Antichrist is the “little horn” of Daniel chapter 7; he is the “lawless one” of 2 Thessalonians 2 and the “beast” of Revelation 13.

This text is about a “horn” that comes up after the fall of the “Goat” with a large horn (Greece/ Alexander the Great) which defeated the Ram with 2 horns (Medo-Persian). The text is difficult, but it is usually believed to be about Antiochus, one of the four rulers who arises after Greece falls, but some believe it is about the future antichrist, especially since the angel Gabriel says: Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end. Daniel 8:17.

Maybe it is both, with Antiochus being seen against the backdrop of Antichrist, a near prophecy against a far prophecy: 11 He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. 12 Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered.

“13 Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who was speaking, "How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot? Daniel 8:11-13

This context appears to be about Antiochus IV: So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant. ³¹ And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation. ³² Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. Daniel 11:30-32

Yet this following text could apply to both Antiochus and Antichrist, though it seems to transition to Antichrist:

³⁶ Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done. ³⁷ He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all. Daniel 11:36-37

This text in Daniel 7 about a “little” horn/ ruler is not Antiochus. This horn is connected to a fourth beast with 10 horns, of which he subdues 3 of them.:

²⁴ The ten horns are ten kings Who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; He shall be different from the first ones, And shall subdue three kings. ²⁵ He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time. Daniel 7:24-25

Revelation 13 and 17 also speak of 10 horns that are 10 kings who give their authority to the “beast.” ¹² The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. ¹³ These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. ¹⁴ These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful. Revelation 17:12-14

The context of Daniel 12 is the “time of the end,” and so this prophecy about the taking away of the daily sacrifice and the abomination of desolation must be in connection with the AntiChrist.

¹¹ And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. Daniel 12:11

The following text is clearly about the Antichrist, who is called the “beast,” here, because this happens long after Antiochus. His persecution is for 42 months, which would be 3 1/2 years, supporting the length of the second half of the 70^th Week, being the time of “Great Tribulation.”

And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. ⁴ So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" ⁵ And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. ⁶ Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. ⁷ It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. Revelation 13:3-7

The next text is clearly about the Antichrist, being long after Antiochus. Paul calls him the “son of perdition/ destruction” and “lawless one.” In the following references, notice the similar fate of the Lawless one and the beast. The one who cause desolation will come to his end. The end is the second coming of Christ after the great tribulation.

³ Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, ⁴ who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.... ⁸ And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8

¹⁹ And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. ²⁰ Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. Revelation 19:19-20

¹¹ I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. Daniel 7:11

First Maccabees Chapter One records some of the history of Antiochus IV. Maccabees is not in the Hebrew Bible or the Protestant Bible, not believed to be inspired, but it is in the Catholic Bible.

1After Alexander [the Great] ... had defeated[a] King Darius of the Persians and the Medes, …  3He advanced to the ends of the earth, and plundered many nations. ...

5After this he fell sick and perceived that he was dying. 6So he summoned his most honored officers, who had been brought up with him from youth, and divided his kingdom among them while he was still alive. ...9They all put on crowns after his death, ...

10From them came forth a sinful root, Antiochus [IV] Epiphanes, son of King Antiochus; ... He began to reign in the one hundred thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.[b]

11In those days certain renegades came out from Israel and misled many, saying, “Let us go and make a covenant with the Gentiles around us, for since we separated from them many disasters have come upon us.”

20After subduing Egypt, Antiochus returned in the one hundred forty-third year.[c] He went up against Israel and came to Jerusalem with a strong force. 21He arrogantly entered the sanctuary and took the golden altar, the lampstand for the light, and all its utensils....

29Two years later the king sent to the cities of Judah a chief collector of tribute, and he came to Jerusalem with a large force. 30Deceitfully he spoke peaceable words to them, and they believed him; but he suddenly fell upon the city, dealt it a severe blow, and destroyed many people of Israel.

41Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people, 42and that all should give up their particular customs. 43All the Gentiles accepted the command of the king. Many even from Israel gladly adopted his religion; ... he directed them to follow customs strange to the land, 45to forbid burnt offerings and sacrifices and drink offerings in the sanctuary, to profane sabbaths and festivals, 46to defile the sanctuary and the priests, 47to build altars and sacred precincts and shrines for idols, to sacrifice swine and other unclean animals, 48and to leave their sons uncircumcised.

54Now on the fifteenth day of Chislev, in the one hundred forty-fifth year,[f] they erected a desolating sacrilege on the altar of burnt offering. ... 56The books of the law that they found they tore to pieces and burned with fire. 57Anyone found possessing the book of the covenant, or anyone who adhered to the law, was condemned to death by decree of the king.