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 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 69th Week (7 + 62 = 69) and 70th Week.
The 70th Week, the last 7 years is not immediately
successive to the 69th 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 address sin, 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.
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. It's the basis of the “New
Covenant” which I believe the first two accomplishments involving
sin deals with. 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 cause for the new covenant.
2
--”to make and 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 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,” 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 we are and state is how we behave.
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 70 Weeks prophecy has
to have an indeterminate gap of time between the 69th and
70th Week for the crucifixion and Jerusalem's destruction.
The destruction of
Jerusalem in AD70 is not the same as the Abomination of Desolation in
the Temple which Daniel 9:27 speaks concerning in the middle of the
70th Week. One was a near prophecy, and the other 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 20
"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) that Daniel spoke about. Seeing
that in Daniel 9:27 as being in the middle of the final 7 years is
very significant, because it will support the view that the “great
Tribulation” that follows is 3 ½ years.
The end of sacrifice and
offering and the AOD go together and involve the temple. 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: 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 desolate."
Daniel 9:27
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: 15
"Therefore 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: Antiochus and AntiChrist
The
desolator is a person of a distinctive character and activity; there
was a foreshadowing of him by a Syrian 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
Syrian rule, from which arises a man named Antiochus.
Daniel
11 is mostly about the conflict between 2 of the 4 kingdoms, being
Syria in the North and Egypt in the South, both which arose from the
Grecian empire. The Syrian kingdom will have a future ruler named
Antiochus IV.
Antiochus
IV can not fulfill all the prophecies of Daniel, because he lived in
the 3rd 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 12 years, supporting the length of the
second half of the 70th 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
