The Gap Theory
First, let’s look at the definition of the word “theory”. According to Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. The word “theory” means: “a belief, an unproven assumption.”
The “Gap Theory” is the belief that 69 of the 70 weeks of Daniel 9:24 were fulfilled in the first century, but the 70th week is yet to be fulfilled.
It is believed and taught in most churches today that because the Jewish Nation rejected their Messiah, Jesus Christ, that God has now postponed the 70th week of Daniel and has instituted the church in place of the Nation of Israel.
This is called replacement Theology. This is not only an incorrect doctrine Scripture nowhere states that the Church ever replaced Israel.
According to this Futuristic viewpoint, the 70th week of Daniel has become a dump zone for all “End Time” events such as:
• the rebuilding of a third temple,
• the return of animal sacrifices,
• the appearance of the Antichrist,
• the Mark of the Beast,
• the Battle of Armageddon,
• the Millennial Reign,
• the End of our planet Earth, and on and on…...
This so called “Gap Theory” has now gone on for some 2,000 years and counting; but what do the Scriptures say?
Do the Scriptures say that there is a gap of 2,000 years or more in the 70th week of Daniel’s prophecy?
Let’s let the Scriptures always be the final authority.
The Bible says absolutely nothing about a 2,000-year gap.
Knowledge is knowing the facts, and all Biblical knowledge is determined by Biblical facts.
A thing cannot be said to be Biblical unless there are Biblical statements in the same terms to declare it to be so.
This means that a 2,000-year gap can only be Biblical if a chronological term equal to 2,000 years is observable in the Scriptures.
Let’s take a closer look at the chronological statements that are in Daniel’s prophecy.
Daniel 9:25 gives us the chronology of events. The commandment to restore Jerusalem was given by King Cyrus in the year 457 BC. (Ezra 1:2) The time from the giving of this commandment by King Cyrus to the Messiah was to be 7 weeks and threescore and two weeks. Each day counts for a year. (Numbers 14:34)
• This means: 7 weeks = 49 years
• 62 weeks = 434 years (a score = 20)
• 1 week = 7 years
Let’s start at the year 457 BC and add the 49 years (7 weeks) and the 434 years (62 weeks), This brings us to the year AD 26 (434+49-457=26). It is no coincidence that this is the year that John the Baptist baptized Jesus which marked the beginning of His earthly ministry.
God can tell time!
According to Daniel’s prophecy, we see that AFTER the 69th week that Jesus would be cut off. This was His crucifixion. On the third day, He resurrected!
Now His Power and Glory will never cease. (Daniel 9:26) This same verse goes on to reveal the destruction of Jerusalem which occurred in AD 70.
Jesus came to bring in the New Covenant. He was crucified 3 ½ years later which caused the sacrifice and oblation to cease. (Daniel 9:27)
After He drew His last breath on the cross, the veil at the entrance of the Holy of Holies was rent from top to bottom. (Matthew 27:51)
Now the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant began.
Now that Jesus’ earthly ministry was over, the Apostles sprang into action, just as Jesus had prepared them and anointed them to do.
After they were filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, they were endued with power from on High.
They did exactly what Jesus commanded them to do in Acts 1:8.
Beginning at Jerusalem, they began to preach and teach this glorious Gospel message.
After Jerusalem, they began to teach and preach in all Judea, then in Samaria, and then unto the uttermost part of the earth.
We can confirm this by the Scriptures in the Book of Acts. (The Samaritans in Acts 8, the Gentiles in Acts 10)
So, we see that the Apostles actually finished out the 70th week as they continued to reach out to the Jewish Nation first with the Gospel message.
It was after the conversion of Saul of Tarsus that the Lord dealt with the Apostle Peter to go to Cornelius, a Gentile with the Gospel Message of Salvation.
Now the door to Eternal Life through the obedience to the Gospel message was flung open to the Gentiles as well. (Acts 10:44-48, 11:17-18)
Later, the newly converted Paul would become the Apostle to the Gentiles. (Galatians 2:7-8) These are the events and the chronology that we find consistently in the Bible.
One might ask the question, “Why was the Temple not destroyed until AD 70?” The Bible tells us the answer to this question. 2 Peter 3:9-10, tells us “That the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”.
Conclusion
To answer the question asked at the beginning of this lesson, “Does the 70 weeks of Daniel include a 2,000-year gap?” The Biblical answer to this question is a resounding NO.
There are no delays or gaps of 2,000 years in this great prophecy of Daniel.
It is rightfully named “The Gap Theory”.
Remember the definition of the word “Theory”: “…...an unproven assumption” That is exactly what the “Gap Theory” is, an unproven, unbiblical assumption.
There are simply NO Biblical facts to support a 2,000-year gap theory.
