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 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 or the triumphal entry.

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.

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 address sin, the last 3seem 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 “finish”ing of trangression, 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 69^th and 70^th 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 70^th 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, but more specifically, they were Syrians employed by Rome. This individual could be a Syrian or Middle-Easterner 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

The desolator is a person of a distinctive character and activity; there was a foreshadow of him by a Syrian king named “Antiochus.” In Daniel, it could have Antiochus in view as a near fulfillment, and the “AntiChrist” in view as a far fulfillment.

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

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.” Daniel 11:31

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 8:13

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

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

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. ⁵ Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? ⁶ And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. ⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 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. ⁹ The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, ¹⁰ and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10

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

Church Attendance

 Over the years I have invited people to come to church but with poor results.

Those who don't attend church or assemble with believers, usually have a reason.

I think that probably a lot of people don't see the need or think it's a waste of time.

Some don't like how the church functions, but it seems most people go along with the traditional format of the Sunday morning "worship service."

Years ago, a young man asked me how many songs we sing on Sunday, because he wasn't interested in singing a lot of songs but wanted bible study. I said about 4 songs on Sunday mornings. It was a typical format of sing 3 songs, with announcements in there somewhere, the pastor's sermon, and then a final song. It's pretty standard tradition whether a big or small church. What he wanted was probably better accomplished one on one or in an informal small group that allowed more interaction.  But it seems most people want the more traditional and sometimes the more ritualistic experience.

Having been involved in churches for over 45 years, it seems to me that people are inconsistent on what they want and what they actually do.

One excuse that I have heard--we all have--is that the church is full of "hypocrites." I don't know if by hypocrite they mean a deceiver—saying one thing but secretly doing the opposite, or being inconsistent in some way, usually about some social-political issue. Calling someone a hypocrite makes the person you disagree with look worse; it's like calling them a racist or hater because you disagree with them.

I don't know what can be done about that, because most people are inconsistent about something. And as far as deception, people sometimes want others to think that they are something they are not.
Hypocritical behavior can only be addressed if it is found out.  

I remember a parent of some children who came to my church saying she wouldn't go to church because of the hypocrites that are there. I believe she was speaking generally and not specifically about the church I was part of--though I don't know for sure.  I found that reason a little frustrating. It's such a sweeping accusation to justify oneself for not being part of a church assembly.

If they're looking for a perfection in people, then it's hopeless. Everybody sins,  and everyone is inconsistent some of the time, and probably everyone has been a hypocrite at some time or another.

Some are looking for an ideal that probably doesn't exist anywhere.

You can start your own church, but give it time, and you will have problems.  You may even be the problem.

Problem people need to be dealt with, whether it's a moral issue or being divisive.

There is teaching in scripture that says if a believer in your assembly is committing certain sins (like sexual immorality), then you are not to keep company with them. There is scripture that says that a divisive person should be rejected. 

 It seems hard for churches to carry through on these things, especially if it involves close friends or family members, and people come and go pretty frequently, and in a large church, it can go unnoticed.

There was a guy I tried to encourage to come to church, but he wouldn't come unless he could teach his particular view to the church. The problem with that was this person held to a full preterist view that says the resurrection and second coming of Christ happened back in AD70 with the destruction of Jerusalem.

There was a similar type of teaching in the first century, and the Apostle Paul said it overthrew the faith of some. It's both bad and divisive theology.

It's difficult to get people to assemble together, but some shouldn't anyway, because of bad theology. And there has to be a consequence for continuing in sin, so that the one sinning will repent and change their behavior.

But regardless of the problems, believers are to assemble together, and the problems need to be dealt with. When Jesus addressed the 7 churches of Asia, he pointed out their problems, but he never told them to disband and go it alone. They were to address the issues. Shouldn't we do the same?  Shouldn't believers assemble together?

Some Scriptures I had in mind with the above...

“¹⁷ Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. ¹⁸ For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. ¹⁹ For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.”    Romans 16:17-19

“⁹ But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. ¹⁰ Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, ¹¹ knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.”    Titus 3:9-11

“¹¹ But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. ¹² For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? ¹³ But those who are outside God judges. Therefore 'put away from yourselves the evil person.'"    1 Corinthians 5:11-13

“¹⁶ But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. ¹⁷ And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, ¹⁸ who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.”   2 Timothy 2:16-18

“¹² Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. ¹⁴ And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. ¹⁵ Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. ¹⁶ For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. ¹⁷ And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! ¹⁸ Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ¹⁹ If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”   1 Corinthians 15:12-19

“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'”   Revelation 3:14-22

Satan adversary

Satan—the Hebrew word means “adversary”-- wants the Christian to fail, as we read in First Peter, concerning the adversary, also called the “devil”: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

The trials and temptations of life are used by the Satan to bring the Christian to failure in his faith and walk. If Satan can get the Christian to fail, he can use it to have a negative impact on others--just as we read about David after his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah: “...by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme.“ 2 Samuel 12:14

It could be the difficulties of persecution for your faith, or some tragic event in your life--such as the death of a friend or family member, or struggles with philosophical and theological issues that you can't resolve. Satan wants to use these things in your life to get you to fail, to be bitter, to give up, to throw it all away.

I have read of those who have fallen away from the faith because of the suffering and death of a family member, or because they couldn't understand suffering in general, or they could not any longer accept a teaching of Scripture. There are those who have given into immorality, living a hypocritical life that was eventually found out, resulting in disgrace and loss of an effective ministry, possibly for the rest of their lives.

Life is full of trials and temptations. They will come, and you can be sure Satan will use them, because he wants you to fail.

Jesus said to Peter: "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. ³² But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." Luke 22:31-32

The Apostle Paul was concerned about the young believers in Thessalonica, (referring to Satan as the “tempter”):

“​¹ Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,

² and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,

³ that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.

⁴ For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.

⁵ For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.” 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

Paul said that affliction and tribulation will come; they are the believer's appointment in this life. But how will you endure them? How will you keep Satan from having the victory and not turn you into a spiritual mess, being confused, angry, bitter, unforgiving, and unbelieving?

Jude says that God is able to keep you from falling: ^“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.” Jude 1:24

Paul says that God will provide what's needed to bear the temptation (there's no promise that temptation or trial will go away): “¹² Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. ¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Others have suffered the same thing. This is why believers need one another, because those who have suffered the same can help those who suffer. Paul writes: “³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. ⁶ Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. ⁷ And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Believers need one another to encourage and be accountable to one another: “²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

As the end of this age approaches, its only going to get more difficult as people get farther away from God, and life becomes difficult in several ways. Even more-so, believers will need one another.

The believer needs to “walk in the light as He is in the light”--being open and honest before God, confessing sin as God reveals it to him: “...if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:7-9

We need to make use of what God has given us: “...His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, ⁴ by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:3-4

We need to be transformed through the renewing of our minds in the word of God, so that we can know God's will and recognize that it is best: “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2

Keep in mind that Satan wants to defeat the Christian, but he can be resisted: “⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. ⁹ Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. ¹⁰ But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” 1 Peter 5:8-10

Abraham's seed

 Jesus said to the Jews:

“...if you believed Moses, you would believe Me;

for he wrote about Me.

But if you do not believe his writings,

how will you believe My words?" John 5:46-47

“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day,

and he saw it and was glad." John 8:56

To Abraham:

^“In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed,

because you have obeyed My voice." Genesis 22:18

To Isaac:

“... in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed;

because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge,

My commandments, My statutes, and My laws." Genesis 26:4-5

To Jacob:

“... in you and in your seed all the families

of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 28:14

Apostle Paul to the Church in Galatia:

“Now to Abraham and his Seed

were the promises made.

He does not say, 'And to seeds,'

as of many, but as of one,

'And to your Seed,'

who is Christ.” Galatians 3:16

“... just as Abraham

'believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."

Therefore know

that only those who are of faith

are sons of Abraham.

And the Scripture,

foreseeing that God

would justify the Gentiles

by faith,

preached the gospel to Abraham

beforehand, saying,

'In you all the nations shall be blessed.'

So then those who are of faith

are blessed with believing Abraham.” Galatians 3:6-9

Scripture benefit of doubt

 I recently read a book by Greg Boyd titled “Inspired Imperfection,” in which he sets forth his belief that the Scriptures are Divinely inspired but have a multitude of errors. These errors served the Divine purpose to show the nature of God who delights in showing mercy, and especially His mercy in the cross of Christ. God, as Boyd sees it, accommodated all the human error and tall tales in Scripture for that purpose. Boyd came to this conclusion after a crisis of faith in which he suffered “shipwreck” (spiritually speaking) when he could not refute his evolutionary professor—as a young believer he thought he could take on the evolutionist, but he lost, which led to him departing from the faith for a time. He eventually returned to the faith, but he concluded that Scripture had a multitude of errors, yet he still chose to believe in its Divine inspiration, and so he came up with his Divine accommodation model.

Having Boyd's accommodation view of Divine inspiration, one can chose what is true and what is not true. Anything that you think is historically questionable or objectionable, you can dismiss it as error that God allowed to be included in Scripture. One has to at least believe in the death and resurrection of Christ as being historical, or otherwise, what's the point of even being a Christian? (Read First Corinthians chapter 15.) Unless you are that kind of Christian (like Martin Luther King) who just sees Jesus as a good example to follow (Jesus is not God, and there is no resurrection) and your gospel message is liberation theology: seeking the deliverance of the oppressed, emphasizing social justice and the plight of the poor.

I'm about halfway through a 730-page book on the “Historical Reliability of the New Testament” by Craig Blomberg. This is just on the New Testament, and I'm sure he had to limit his material, but it amazes me the issues that he has to address—the many claims of critics against the reliability of Scripture. The critics never end. I understand that the Bible can't be true, if you don't want to believe it. I have the Atheist Richard Dawkins' book “The Blind Watchmaker,” and he says that to believe in a “Designer” of life “who has always been there” is to take the “lazy way out.” I understand why he says that—because he is an atheist, and he wants to believe in his theory of how life came about through his “cumulative selection” theory, regardless of the astronomical odds against it—which he admits: he believes in a whole lot of “luck.” But if God is the creator, then it doesn't matter, even if it is the lazy way out.

I recently read Greg Boyd's book “The Benefit of the Doubt,” in which he believes faith includes doubt, and doubt is a good thing. He believes that certainty, or the pursuit of certainty, is or can be a form of idolatry. It's not doubt that is bad but wavering. I'm still a little uncertain on the difference between doubt and wavering. He believes that faith is trusting God in spite of your doubts; trust God and do not waver. OK, but maybe it depends on how we define all those terms: faith, trust, certainty, doubt, and waver, and it also depends on what the object of your faith is.  It's possible that two objects are in view, one of which you are certain and another in which you have uncertainty:  such as I am certain God can heal me, but I don't know for certain he will.

But when it comes to the “benefit of the doubt,” I would apply that to Scripture. I am going to give it--Scripture-- the benefit of the doubt: I'm going to believe it is accurate even though the extra-biblical evidence is not available or lacking. If we still lack extra-biblical verification of some biblical account, I'm going to give Scripture the benefit of the doubt. I once heard that the “Bible Answer Man,” Hank Hanegraaff, doubted that the veil in the Temple tore in two when Jesus died, because there wasn't any extra-biblical reference to it. I would give Scripture the benefit of the doubt on that.  

I would look to how Jesus and Paul understood and used Scripture. Did they believe in its authority and accuracy? Didn't Jesus say that “the Scripture cannot be broken?” Didn't Jesus say to the Sadducees that they were "mistaken not knowing the Scripture?"   Wasn't Jesus accepting the accuracy of Scripture when he spoke of God in the beginning making mankind as "male and female" or when he spoke of Moses writing about him or when he spoke of the people of Nineveh repenting with the preaching of Jonah or that he came to fulfill all that was written of him in the Law of Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms (there was no debate among the Jews what writings were Scripture when Jesus referenced them as Scripture)? Didn't Paul use the Scriptures to demonstrate to the Jewish people in their synagogues that Jesus was the Christ? Didn't Paul say that all Scripture is “God-breathed” and “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” 2 Timothy 3:16-17?

Jesus, quoting Moses, said “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4  And where do we find that “every word?” I'm going to give Scripture the benefit of the doubt.

70 weeks summary

The “70 Weeks” prophecy in Daniel 9:24-27 is one of the most significant prophecies of Scripture, being a timetable for the first coming Of Christ, the destruction of Jerusalem, end time events, and the restoration of Daniel's “people” [the Jews] and “holy city” [Jerusalem], and yet, it seems, most Christians are either ignorant or apathetic about it.

This may be due to a “Preterist” view of prophecy, being a view that all prophecy has been fulfilled in the past, including the 70 Weeks prophecy--which may or may not include the Second Coming of Christ, though most Preterists believe in the Second Coming of Christ as a future event. It may be that little is said or taught on it in the Church today because of the Preterist view, or it is just avoided because of a general ignorance and apathy.

The Futurist view is that the 70 Weeks prophecy has not all been fulfilled, and some significant end times events fit within the timetable of that prophecy, particularly the 70^th or final Week of the prophecy, being a period of 7 years (the “weeks” are understood as a unit of 7, and that of years, and so the 70 Weeks are 490 years: 69 Weeks have been fulfilled, being 483 years, terminating at the first coming of Christ; and the 70^th or final Week of 7 years is yet future—according to the futurist view, but it is already fulfilled, according to the Preterist view).

The second half of the final Week or 7 years is that period of “Great Tribulation” spoken of by Daniel (Daniel 12:1) and Jesus in the Olivet Discourse in Matthew and Mark (and also referenced in Revelation 7:14), being referenced in Daniel and Revelation as 1260 days or 42 months or time, times, half a time, each time reference being the 3 ½ years of the second half of the 70^th or final week of the prophecy.

Preterists believe that great tribulation was fulfilled long ago, while futurists believe it is yet future, the completion being with the second coming of Christ.  Jesus said in the Olivet Discourse: ²⁹ "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ³⁰ Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. ³¹ And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:29-31

Daniel 9:20-27: ²⁰ Now while I was speaking and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God in behalf of the holy mountain of my God, ²¹ while I was still speaking in prayer, then the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision previously, came to me in my extreme weariness about the time of the evening offering. ²² He gave me instruction and talked with me and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you insight with understanding. ²³ At the beginning of your supplications the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, for you are  highly esteemed; so give heed to the message and gain understanding of the vision.”

²⁴ “Seventy  weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place. ²⁵ So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a  decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until  Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress. ²⁶ Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. ²⁷ And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of  abominations [the abomination of desolation] will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.” NAS

Daniel 12:1: ¹ “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress [tribulation] such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. “

Matthew 24:15-23: Jesus said: ¹⁵ “Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), ¹⁶ then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. … ²¹ For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. ²² Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”²³

Revelation 7:9-14: ⁹ After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; ¹⁰ and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” ... ¹³ Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?” ¹⁴ I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

The Great Tribulation time references of 3 ½ years:

Daniel 12:6-7: "How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?" ⁷ Then I heard the man..."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.'”

Revelation 12:13-14: ¹³ Now when the dragon [Satan/ The devil] saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman [Israel/ a remnant] who gave birth to the male Child [Christ]. ¹⁴ But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for *a time and times and half a time,* from the presence of the serpent.

Revelation 12:4-6:  And the dragon [Satan/ Devil through King Herod] stood before the woman [Israel] who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child [Christ] as soon as it was born. ⁵ She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up [the Ascension] to God and His throne. ⁶ Then the woman [Israel/ a remnant] fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there *one thousand two hundred and sixty days*.

​Revelation 11:1-3: ¹ Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. ² But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for *forty-two months*. ³ And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy *one thousand two hundred and sixty days,* clothed in sackcloth."

Revelation 13:5-7: ⁵ And he [the beast] 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.

watched not heard

We can't control what people may think of us, but we can be sure that people are in some way affected by how we act and what we say—or don't say.

I've had some curious encounters with people over the years, and it's not because I said anything to them, but because they have observed something about me and come to whatever conclusions.

When I first started working for my present employer in '86, I was in our breakroom by myself, and a woman walks in and comes up to me and says, “It's OK to use profanity, as long as you don't use God's name in vain.” I don't recall having said anything to her, or what motivated her to even say that to me.

I was operating a stamping press with another man, and for some reason, I showed him a picture of me when I graduated from High school. He thought it was funny that I had kind of long hair—the back touched my collar, and the sides were below my ears. He goes and shows it to one of the supervisors at work. That supervisor comes up to me and points his finger in my face and exclaims: “And that is why I don't go to church!” I don't know what that was all about. I don't recall talking to him about anything before.

One day at work, while running a press, the fork truck driver pulls up near me and says, “stop trying to be perfect, there's only one who is perfect!”   

One day at work (many years ago), I was in a meeting, and everyone who worked in the transfer press department were in that meeting. The group leader put up on an overhead projector something sexually obscene as a joke. The group was all men except for one woman in our group. After the meeting, she comes up to me and says how inappropriate and embarrassing it was for her and asked me if I didn't think it was wrong. I did. And I should have said something about it.

One day a co-worker comes up to me and asks me, “how can a man of God have the tongue of the devil?” I knew who he was talking about. I didn't have an answer for him. It seems that some Christians must think it's ok to use coarse language. I suppose that's why the guy asked me the question, since I didn't believe it is ok.

No too long ago a co-worker comes up to me and says, “I'm not pro-abortion, but pro-choice.” I suppose he approaches me and makes this declaration, because he assumed I am prolife. But I said to him that those who are prolife don't see it that way. If abortion is taking a life, then it is wrong to do it.

Someone once said to me that I say more by what I don't say than by what I do say. I suppose that has been my experience. I could have a lot to say if people wanted to actually have a conversation, but I think most want to avoid talking about things they know little about. So, I usually keep a lot of what I believe to myself, and maybe my conduct speaks in some way.

A co-worker once said to me that he had to put up with “Bible Thumpers” where he used to live. I've never given him a reason to think I'm a Bible Thumper. I don't think I have ever discussed anything spiritual with him. About a year ago, he came up to me and asked, “you are a church goer, aren't you?” I said that I was. He asked me to pray for him, because he was getting a certain surgery. I said I would. He has always treated me respectfully.

I think people are afraid to engage me in spiritual conversation, but they are watching me and my conduct.