The 70 Weeks of Daniel
In the Book of Daniel, there is a crucial prophecy that foretells when the Messiah would come and what would happen when He arrived. This prophecy also tells us the things that Jesus the Messiah would accomplish in His time.
This prophecy is referred to as the 70 weeks of Daniel.
We know that a week is symbolic language for 7 years by looking at the Scripture. Numbers 14:34
This means that the 70 weeks of Daniel equals 70 x 7 = 490 years.
Daniel tells us exactly when the 490 years began in Daniel. Daniel 9:24
The seventy weeks of Daniel are of utmost importance because they set the timing for the Last Days: the End Times.
If we are sincere about seeking a true Biblical understanding of Eschatology, these End Time verses must be honoured: Hebrews 1:2, Acts 2:17, 2 Peter 3:1-4, 1 John 2:18, Hebrews 9:26, Hebrews 10:37, 1 Peter 4:17, Philippians 4:5, and 1Peter 4:7.
Then and only then can these past-fulfilled events and completed realities be properly understood.
Let’s not forget that these time and immanency statements were not spoken or written to us today but were given in a first-century context using normal everyday language given to real people living, then and there.
As I have stated time and time again "The Scriptures were written FOR US but NOT TO US".
These scriptures are clear, consistent, and inseparably connected to a first century audience.
The 70 weeks of Daniel perfectly and harmoniously pinpointed the specific time of Covenantal change. This unique period of redemptive history is the one and only true time perspective for the fulfilment of all End Time Bible Prophecy.
For a person to honestly believe in Biblical inspiration and to submit to the Word of God, there is no valid way to rationalize the demand of these verses away or to concoct some other historical framework for their fulfilment.
Unfortunately, when this divine injunction is employed alongside human tradition, tradition usually wins. It is much easier to maintain the "status quo" than to face the fear of change.
This is the same type of resistance and rejection that the Lord Jesus and the Apostles faced.
Context is the solution.
Context is the most important principle of interpretation. When context is right, content is right.
Context = the parts of a discourse that surround a word or passage of scripture that can throw light on its meaning and the interrelated conditions in which some things exist or occur.
Chronology is the science of measuring time in fixed periods and of dating events and epochs and arranging them in the order of occurrence.
There is no chronology in existence of the period from Cyrus to Jesus except in the Bible.
Notice Cyrus being named in the following Scriptures: 2 Chronicles 36:22-23, Ezra 1:1-4, Isaiah 44:28, Isaiah 45: 13 (Cyrus) Isaiah 45:1, Daniel 9:2 (the books were Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, and Nehemiah.)
Every Bible expositor that sets aside the decree of Cyrus as the starting point of the 70 weeks to substitute some other event must not be aware of chapters 44 and 45 of Isaiah.
Those who prefer the guesses of a non-believing astronomer (Ptolemy), who had no means of knowing the facts which occurred over 500 years before his time, to the evidence of scripture, are wrong.
If we start wrong, we shall be in error throughout, and incorrect in our conclusion. It is a choice between the clear statements of the Word of God and the guesses of unbelieving historians and astronomers.
Remember: the starting point of the 70-week prophecy was not the rebuilding of the city, but the commandment to restore and to rebuild it, that commandment was given by Cyrus.
Read the Curse:
The Curse - Daniel 9:4-6 and 10-15.
The verdict of judgment - Deuteronomy 28:45, 31:29, and 32:29 Daniel 9:24-27
The Latter Days - Daniel 10:14
Broken the Covenant - Isaiah 24:5
Shall Shine- Daniel 12:1-2,3, Matthew 13:43
Seal up to the time of the end & Knowledge shall be increased- Daniel 12:4, Luke 1:77, 1 Corinthians 1:4-7
Scatter the power of the Holy people (3 1/2 years): - Daniel 12:7
Then all things shall be finished (till the time of the end) - Daniel 12:9
1290 days and 1335 days - Daniel 12:11-12
(Resurrection at the end of days [last day] - Daniel 12:13
-The six things that were to happen within the 70 weeks or 490 years-
In Daniel 9:24, six things were to happen within the 70 weeks or 490 years:
1. "To finish the transgression"
“Yes, all Israel has transgressed Your law, and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him". Daniel 9:11, Deuteronomy 28:45-57 and Isaiah 24:5.
The angel revealed to Daniel the distressing news that the full measure of Israel's transgression was yet to be completed: yet for the children to fill up the iniquity of their fathers, to finish the transgression could mean nothing other than the betrayal and crucifixion of their promised and expected Messiah.
The Wrath of God - Matthew 23:32-36, Luke 23:28-30, 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16, and Acts 2:23.
2. "To make an end of sins"
It is a marvellous work of God's love, and wisdom in causing that the extreme sin of man should serve to accomplish eternal redemption through the crucifixion of Jesus, offering himself without spot as a sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 9:14). Thus, He offered the one sacrifice for sins forever. (Hebrews 10:12)
3. "To make reconciliation for iniquity".
The word Reconciliation means atonement or to forgive, pardon, to be merciful to cleanse. Christ died for us when we were sinners, in his love for us, he showed us mercy (Romans 5:8) to God. (Romans 5:10, Colossians 1:12-22). Remember atonement and reconciliation were to be accomplished within the measure of seventy weeks from the going forth of the decree of King Cyrus.
Jesus said in Mark 1:15 the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. The time he spoke of was the time declared in the 70 week prophecy.
4. "To bring in everlasting righteousness".
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness”. (Matthew 6:33) "the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14:17). The righteousness of God (Romans 3:21-26). "the Lord our righteousness". (Jeremiah 23:56). Through the sacrifice of Christ, the righteousness of God endures forever. (Isaiah 51:8, and 1 Corinthians 1:30).
5. "To seal up the vision and prophecy"
This means not only to deliver or reveal the inspired message of God, but to confirm it by fulfilling it. God through Gabriel was giving a definite time for which and in which “all” divine revelation would not only be given but would all be fulfilled. The time for the fulfillment of all prophecy was the time of the fall of Jerusalem from 66-70 A.D. Luke 21:22
6. " To anoint the most Holy"
At the waters of the River of Jordan, the Spirit descended upon Christ the Messiah and so began the ministry of Jesus.
Messiah in Hebrew means "anointed one" Christ in Greek means "anointed one".
Luke 3:1- In the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, John the Baptist ministry began. 423 years was determined at the baptism of Jesus and the 70th week began.
Notice: none of these 6 things happened in the first 69 weeks. The Lord's ministry was entirely within the 70th week.
Daniel chapter 9 is a definitive text in the study of Eschatology.
Eschatology = The term comes from the Greek eschatos, meaning "last" and "logy" meaning "the study of."
So Eschatology means the study of last things, Last days etc.
It allows us to accept the chronological language of imminence in the New Testament that predicted the coming of the Kingdom and the Parousia of Jesus in His generation. Matthew 16:27-28, Matthew 24:29-34, Revelation 22:6, and 1 Corinthians 1:4-8, and 10:11.
Parousia = The Second coming of Christ.
Conclusion
When Scripture gives us a definite time frame for an event and that time has come and gone, if it did not occur, we must conclude the prophet lied or failed in which case inspiration of scripture is destroyed.
Eschatology is the only view of Scriptures that can allow Scripture to stand intact within the time frames given by the Holy Spirit.
The 70 weeks of Daniel chapter 9 anticipated the consummation of God's promises to Israel at the end of the 70 weeks in A.D. 70.
We should never study the Scripture to simply know historical facts, but to understand the meaning and application of past fulfilment for us as believers, for our lives and relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ.
While the Old Covenant world stood valid, there was no access to the presence of God, no true salvation (Hebrews 9:9-10). With the removal of that Old Covenant, through the perfected work of Jesus, we as believers can now come boldly into His presence, knowing that He hears, He cares, He helps, and He saves.
This is the result of the fulfilment of the 70 weeks. Without that historical fulfilment, we could not have the confidence or assurance or entrance into His marvellous and gracious presence.