....... Chapter 9 - Messianic Timeline Revealed - Seventy Sevens
....... Chapter 9 - Messianic Timeline Revealed - Seventy Sevens
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Background Even after witnessing the downfall of their northern cousins in the kingdom of Israel, citizens of the kingdom of Judah themselves drifted into idolatry and disobedience. God sent prophets to warn them of their fate yet they failed to repent. As a result, Israel was exiled to Babylon for 70 years. See Jerimiah 25: 4-12 The events of Chapter 9 take place shortly after Babylon was taken over by the Medo Persian Empire. Note that the language of Dan 2:4 - 7:28 is Aramaic or Chaldee which was the commercial and diplomatic language of the time. In the earlier chapters the emphasis was on Babylon and the Gentile Nations thus the Aramaic or Chaldee was appropriate. The remainder of the book was written in Hebrew, which is appropriate, since the primary emphasis is on Israel.
Daniel Confesses his sins and the sins of Israel (Dan 9:3 - 14) What was God's View of the people of Israel during the Babylonian Captivity? One perspective is that described God to Ezekiel who also resided in Babylon for much of the captivity. Ezek 2:3 "...a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their fathers have been in revolt against me to this very day." Ezek 2:4 "...obstinate and stubborn. ...." Ezek 3:7 "But the house of Israel is not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for the whole house of Israel is hardened and obstinate." (NIV)
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Characteristics of Daniel's prayer Prayer was a way of life for Daniel The prayer was candid, direct and to the point Matt 6: 7 & 8 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (NIV) Sincerity of heart Dan 9:3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. (ASV) Private Prayer It wasn't even that long of a prayer. McGee points out this prayer is approximately 3 minutes in length. Our Lord also prayed in private, His prayer recorded in John 17 also happens to be about 3 minutes in length. Personal Notice how many times he uses personal pronouns like: I, we, us Humble Notice the contrast between the pride of Nebuchadnezzar in chapter 4 and the humility of Daniel in this chapter. Dan 9:18 ....We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. (NIV) Recognizes the Attributes of God Great and awesome God (vs 4) Keeps His covenant (vs 4) Loving Kindness for those who love Him (vs 4) Keeps His commandments (vs 4) mighty hand (vs 15) mercy or Compassion (vs 18) Lam 3:22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. (NIV) |
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Daniel's prayer reflected the will of God How did Daniel discover the will of God? Dan 9:2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. (NIV) Daniel turned to the Word of God and understood from his study of the word of God. The Word of God reveals the will of God. Daniel was not only a prophet but also a student of the Word. He found time in his busy schedule to pray and study the Word. What was the will of God? Jer 25 9 I will summon all the peoples of the north and my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon," declares the LORD, "and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and against all the surrounding nations. I will completely destroy them and make them an object of horror and scorn, and an everlasting ruin. 10 I will banish from them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, the sound of millstones and the light of the lamp. 11 This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years. (NIV) Jer 29 10 This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile." 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile." Since God had already promised to release Israel from Babylonian Captivity after 70 years then why did Daniel need to pray? |
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Confession of sin Does Daniel start off his petition with a series of excuses as to why Israel is justified in their sins? NOThere was no excuse. Israel could only stand before God with guilt on their face. Dan 9 5 we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. (NIV)
Daniel doesn't say "they have sinned" but he identifies himself with his people; "we have sinned". Daniel doesn't limit his prayer to; "Forgive me for I have sinned" but he is instead very specific. He spells it out. Daniel throughout his prayer contrasts God's goodness & righteousness with Israel's sin.
Dan 9:14 The LORD did not hesitate to bring the disaster upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him. (NIV) In other words, Daniel admits that he and Israel are in the wrong and deserve the punishment that comes. Vs 20 "...confessing my sin...."
Although a righteous person, he admits that he is not without sin. It is interesting that there is no place in the bible that mentions any sin of Daniel.
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Daniel's Petitions (Dan 9:15 - 19) Daniel in his petition to God points out how God brought Israel out of Egypt. This was because of God's righteousness not that of the people. Similarly he pleads for mercy for the Jews in Babylon. Exod 2 24 God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. 25 So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them. (NIV) 2 Tim 2:13 if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. (NIV) Dan 9:16 O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us. (NIV)
Daniel is appealing to God to deliver them now, not because of his righteousness but because of God's righteousness. Dan 9:19 O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name." (NIV) |
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God Answers Daniel's Prayer (Dan 9:20 - 27) Jewish Perspective Today "Many orthodox and conservative Jews believe the time is ripe for the coming of Messiah. they see Israel's return to her homeland after m ore than 1,900 years of national dispersion as having great prophetic significance. They believe the 1948 rebirth of Israel and waves of immigration from all over the world are converging with many other factors to set the stage for the predicted coming of a national Deliverer. They see the coming of this Messiah as being good not only for Israel but for the whole earth." Herb Vander Lugt (senior research editor - Discovery Series)
Isa 2:4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. (NIV)
Christian Perspective Today "Many Christians also live with a heightened expectation of the coming of Messiah. They view events occurring in Israel as a likely fulfillment of prophetic Scriptures and have produced a rash of books contending that we are seeing the unprecedented convergence of prophetic indicators. They point out that the increase frequency of natural disasters - floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes - are part of the "last days" scenario described in the New Testament. ........ Interestingly, both Jews and Christians share the belief that a period of turmoil and distress will precede the coming of Messiah. The Jewish document called "Talmudic Sages" draws a dark picture of this time. Accordingly, one of these Jewish sages wrote, "Let him (Messiah) come, but let me not see him" (Sanh. 98b). And Christians, though differing quite widely in their view of prophesied end time events, almost unanimously agree that the rise of an evil world ruler and a time of great tribulation will precede Messiah's return." Herb Vander Lugt
Gabriel outlines the future timeline for the Nation Israel Gabriel appeared at the time of the evening offering, approximately 3:00pm and outlines the future timeline for the nation Israel. Gabriel points out that there will be 70 weeks (periods of 7) after which several things will come to pass.
Finish the Transgression (vs 24) Transgression (Strong's Definition) a revolt (national, moral or religious): KJV-- rebellion, sin, transgression, trespass. The Hebrew word for Transgression carries the idea of rebellion against God. Herb Vander Lugt
Put and End to Sin (vs 24) To Make and End of Literally to close up; especially to seal: KJV-- make an end, mark, seal (up), stop.
Sin The word Sins refers to sins other than revolt or rebellion - general immorality, dishonesty, and the like. The verb in the Hebrew text translated "put an end to ". Herb Vander Lugt |
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Make Atonement for iniquity (wickedness) (vs 24) to make reconciliation to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel: KJV-- appease, make (an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile (-liation). The Old Testament uses this term to denote the covering of sin by sacrifice. Hebrew scholar Keil says; the form of the verb indicates that the word means "to cover so thoroughly that the sin is obliterated."
Iniquity Ps 51:5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. (NIV)
Bring in Everlasting Righteousness
Seal up vision and prophecy From the beginning of time there has been prophecies and visions. Anoint the most holy NIV footnote: Or Most Holy Place; or most holy One. Possibilities Some Jews see this as a fulfilled in the consecration of a rebuilt temple in days of a yet undisclosed Messiah. Herb Vander Lugt Some Christians also believe "the Most Holy" refers to a rebuilt temple (Ezekiel 40-44) and believe that animal sacrifices will once again be offered at the holy place. They believe that this time, however, the sacrifices will be seen as memorials to "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." John 1:29 |
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The Messianic Timeline (Dan 9: 25 - 27) The following points are necessary to establish the timeline described in this prophecy.
A week is a unit of 7 much in the same way that a dozen is a unit of 12. Lev 25:8 "'Count off seven sabbaths of years-- seven times seven years-- so that the seven sabbaths of years amount to a period of forty-nine years. (NIV)
Here one week is interpreted as 7 years.
Daniel prayed in regard to the 70 years. Gabriel answer extended the period time from 70 years to 70 weeks of years (490 years) to cover the entire time of the Nation Israel on earth.
How many days are there in a year?
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When did the 70 weeks begin? Dan 9:25 "Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem ...." (NIV)
539 BC Cyrus -- 2 Chronicles 36:23, Ezra 1: 2-4 2 Chr 36:23 "This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: "'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Anyone of his people among you-- may the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.'" (NIV) This is clearly not the starting point since it refers to the temple, not Jeruslem.
458 BC Artaxerxes -- Ezra 7:11-26, 9:9 Ezra 7:11-26 is clearly a decree to rebuild the temple (not Jerusalem). However some may argue that the follow-on prayer of Ezra 9:9 may allude to Jerusalem. Ezra 9:9 Though we are slaves, our God has not deserted us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem. (NIV)
444 BC Artaxerxes -- Nehemiah 2:1, 5-8, 17-18 Neh 2 17 Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace." 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work. (NIV) This is clearly the declaration to rebuild Jerusalem and thus the starting point for the 70 weeks of years as described by Daniel 9:24.
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Messiah will be cut off and have nothing Cut OFF by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e. make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces):
Lev 7:20 But if anyone who is unclean eats any meat of the fellowship offering belonging to the LORD, that person must be cut off from his people. (NIV) Ps 37:9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. (NIV) Prov 2:22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it. (NIV) 2 Cor 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (NIV)
Although Christ never sinned He took on our sins and died as a wrongdoer to pay the price for our sin. His death was that of a criminal.
But Not (and have nothing) as if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle: KJV-- else, except, fail, [father-] less, be gone, in [-curable], neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un (-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare 370.
This is believed to be related to the fact that Jesus died without apparent followers or possessions.
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Salvation exists for those who believe Acts 16:31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-- you and your household." (NIV)
Death's Power has been broken - there is a resurrection 1 Cor 15 Heb 2:14-15 14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death-- that is, the devil-- 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. (NIV)
BUT.....THIS PROPHECY HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETELY FULLFILLED TODAY. Satan is still alive and well. Since the advents of verse 27 can not be tied to the time of Christ's crucifixion, the destruction of the temple or anything that has happened in the first century, the next week must be pointing to the future. |
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THE 70TH WEEK
24 The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. 25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time. 26 "'But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. (NIV)
It is believed that this other king (referred to in Dan 7) will be the head that will restore the Roman Empire in the End Times.
This same individual is referred to as: II Th 2:1-4 1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. (NIV)
I Jn 2:18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. (NIV)
Revelations 13: 1-10 "Beast"
It is believed that this "Prince" will make a covenant with the Jews for freedom of worship and then will break that covenant after 3.5 years. At that time he will set up his own image at the temple to be worshiped. |
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Who are these saints that he establishes a covenant with? Rev 7:2-4 2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 3 "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." 4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. (NIV)
Dan 9:26 After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. (NIV)
27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing [of the temple] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him." (NIV)
How does the Church fit into all of this? The answer is it really doesn't.
1Thes 4:16-17 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (NIV)
II Th 2:7 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. (NIV)
The Church and the Holy Spirit are here on earth today restraining the power of lawlessness. Once they are removed the restraint on Satan will be minimal enabling him to have an open door to proceed with the prophesied destruction. Matt 24:22 If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. (NIV)
The return of Christ for His church can occur at any moment. |
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The Mystery of the Church Matt 16:18-19 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (NIV)
Eph 3:1-11 1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- 2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. 7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)
Rom 11:25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. (NIV)
Hardening or Blindness from 4456; stupidity or callousness: KJV-- blindness, hardness.
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VS 27 He will set up an abomination that causes desolation Matt 24:15-22 15 "So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel-- let the reader understand-- 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now-- and never to be equaled again. 22 If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. (NIV)
II Th 2:3-4 3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. (NIV)
Rev 13:6 6 He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. (NIV)
THE PERIOD OF EVERLASTING RIGHTEOUSNESS Dan 12:1-3 1 "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people-- everyone whose name is found written in the book-- will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. (NIV)
Rev 20:6-10 6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. 7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth-- Gog and Magog-- to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (NIV)
Rev 21:1-3 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. (NIV)
Christ's return for His church can occur at any moment.
2 Cor 6:2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. (NIV) |
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