DOCTRINE OF DANIEL'S 70 WEEKS

 

I.                   Scripture:  Dan.9:24-27.

 

II.                Background to the revelation.

A.     Verses 24 – 27 are recorded in poetic format, but most translations do not reflect this fact.

B.     Interpreters note that a change from prose to poetry in Daniel is significant and reflects a change in time, place or both.

C.     It is prophetic of Israel post Babylonian captivity as to its future encompassing the 1st Advent and extended history to include the literal appearance of the anti-Christ.

D.    The vision takes place at the end of the 70 years of Babylonian captivity, Dan.9:1 (around 538BC, in the first year of Darius).

E.     This is about 67 years after the first fall of Jerusalem in 605BC when Daniel was captured.

F.      It occurred after Daniel had his 70year breakthrough while studying Jeremiah.  Dan.9:2 cp.Jer.25:11,12; 29:10,14

G.    It occurred while Daniel was praying for his nation, Dan.9:4-19; cf. Lev.26 esp.vss.40-46

H.    It was revealed by the angel Gabriel.  Dan.9:20-23

 

III.             The entire prophecy has to do with Daniel's city and people (Jerusalem and the Jews). Dan.9:24

A.     Six specific things have been decreed in fulfillment of the entire 70 weeks in view:

1.      To finish the transgression.

2.      To make an end of sin.

3.      To make atonement for iniquity.

4.      To bring in everlasting righteousness.

5.      To seal up the prophetic vision.

6.      To anoint the Most Holy Place.

B.     The first 3 issues demand reversion recovery for the Jew’s apostasy that denotes a completed or finished state of reversionism not to reoccur.

C.     This demands that this prophecy extends beyond the 1st Advent, since the Jews killed Messiah in reversionism and remain in that condition even today.

D.    The final 3 issues demands that the state of Israel will reflect a nation that operates under an unending state of righteousness, bringing to close any previous state of reversionism as related under this vision purifying their worship of God.

E.     This demands the return of Christ at the 2nd Advent as the end to the revelation.

 

IV.              The term "weeks" refers to years of 360 days each (Jewish calendar).

A.     Hebrew bv; - shav; is the term for  “seven”.

B.     Israel had both a seven of days (weekly Sabbath) and a Sabbatical Year in a seven of years. Lev.23:3 cp. 25:3,4.

C.     Days renders the prophecy absurd.

D.    Besides, Daniel's breakthrough involves a seven of years following the prophecy of Jeremiah.  Dan.9:2.

E.     The 70 seven's of Dan.9 are equal to 490 years of 360 days each.

F.      Further, the 70 weeks are divided in to 7 and 62 weeks (69 weeks) to be differentiated prophetically from the final 70th week.  Dan.9:25 cp. vs.27

 

V.                 The 490 year period began March 5, 444BC, when Artaxerxes decreed to rebuild Jerusalem.  Neh.2:1; Dan.9:25

A.     This decree is not to be confused with the decree to rebuild the temple, Ezr.1:1,2 cp. 4:11-24; 6:14,15; 7:11,20,27.

B.     Although Cyrus II the Great, Darius and Artaxerxes I Longimanus issued decrees for restoration of the temple and allowed partial restoration of the city, not until the final decree of Artaxerxes in the 20th year of his reign was the city allowed to be completely restored.

 

VI.              The 69th week of years (483 years) ended, to the day, when Messiah rode up to Jerusalem in fulfillment of Zech.9:9 cp.Mat.21:1-11.

A.     It was the 173,880th day (69 x 7 = 483 yrs. x 360 days), or March 30, 33AD, on a Monday.

B.     Jesus recognized that day as His formal rejection by the nation.  Lk.19:42.

C.     That day was the very last day of the 69th week.  After that, the prophecy said Messiah would be cut off.  Dan.9:26

D.    The things producing prosperity are mentioned in Dan.9:24-25.

E.     Ignorance of this led to the nation's destruction in 70AD (Lk.19:43-44) indicating that there must be a parenthesis in time of Israel out of the land before the remaining 70th week is fulfilled.

 

VII.           The parenthesis between the 69th and 70th week.

A.     The continuous interpretation, that the 70th week followed the 69th, renders the prophecy absurd.

B.     Two prophetic events occur before the 70th week and after the 69th week:

1.      The Cross.

2.      The fifth cycle in 70AD.

C.     Many Old Testament prophecies postulate a gap or parenthesis.  Isa.9:6 cp. 53 noting that Isaiah understood that Christ would be killed before His eternal reign would be fulfilled.

D.    To Daniel and other prophets, this gap presented a problem.  1Pet.1:10-11

E.     The existence of our present dispensation of the Church solved the problem.

 

VIII.        The period between the 69th and 70th week is characterized by war.  Dan.9:26; Mt.24:6.

 

IX.              The 70th week is a 7year period between the Rapture and the Second Advent (these are still 360-day years, not 365.25636 sidereal day years).

A.     This will conclude the final 7 years of the Age of Israel.

B.     This week is synonymous to the period called the Tribulation and the time of Jacob’s trouble.  Jer.30:7; Mat.24; Mar.13:19,24

C.     Daniel’s 70th week and events surrounding it are the primary focus of discussion in the Book of Revelation chapters 4-19.

D.    The Church will not go through this period.  Rev.3:10.

E.     For purposes of analysis, the Tribulation (the 70th week) is divided into 2 halves of 1,260 days each.  Rev.11:2-3; 12:14; 13:5

F.      This fits with Dan.9:27 that notes that the Antichrist will make a 7year pact with Israel in the middle of the week.

G.    This pact is in response to America's nuclear annihilation and Russia's threats to Israel.  Rev.18

H.    For protection, Israel will accept the Antichrist as God, 2Thess.2:4; Rev.13 cp.Dan.8:9-14.

I.       Israel will be disciplined for making a "covenant with death", Isa.28:15.

J.      He will be destroyed by the Lord Jesus Christ at the Second Advent.  Dan.9:27; 2Thess.2:8.