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A Study Of The Prophetic Visions Of DanielLesson Thirteen –Chapter Nine-The Covenant And Overspreading of Abominations
Daniel 9:24-27 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. [25] Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. [26] And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. [27] And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
We have covered the 70 weeks in an earlier lesson so we will confine our study in this lesson to a verse-by-verse look of the 9th chapter of Daniel.
Daniel 9:1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;
The vision was seen about a year after the one in Daniel 8 (cp. Daniel 5:30-31 with Daniel 8:1). Darius the son of Ahasuerus was no doubt Astyages or Xerxes, the son of Ahasuerus or Cyaxares. Ahasuerus is an appellative and used of four kings of Medo-Persia. The Greek form is Xerxes. Both Cyaxares and Astyages were called Ahasuerus, the appellative meaning the Mighty.
The Medes were Japhethites (Genesis 10:2; 2 Kings 17:6; 2 Kings 18:11; 1 Chron. 1:5; Ezra 6:2; Esther 1:3-19; Esther 10:2; Isaiah 13:17; Isaiah 21:2; Jeremiah 25:25; Jeremiah 51:11,28; Daniel 5:28-31; Daniel 6:1-16; Daniel 8:20; Daniel 9:1; Daniel 11:1; Acts 2:9).
Daniel 9:2 In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
The term “by books,” meant by the scrolls of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:11 as well as Jeremiah 29:1,10; 2 Chron. 36:21). Daniel was a contemporary of Jeremiah and Ezekiel.
The term “seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem,” is basically means three periods of Seventy Years. These three periods are:
1. The servitude began in the 4th year of Jehoiakim, and the 1st year of Nebuchadnezzar, when the Judean kingdom passed under the Chaldeans rule for 70 years (Jeremiah 25:1; 2 Kings 24:1-7). This period closed with the fall of Babylon through Darius the Mede (Astyages, Daniel 5:31). 2. The captivity began with the carrying away to Babylon of Jechoniah in the 8th year of Nebuchadnezzar (7 years after the servitude of point 1, above, 2 Kings 24:8-16) and 11 years before Jerusalem was destroyed (Ezekiel 40:1). 3. "The desolations of Jerusalem" is a term referring to the complete destruction of Jerusalem and captivity of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar in the 11th year of Zedekiah (2 Kings 24:17-25:2; Leviticus 26:32-35). The desolations of Jerusalem began about 19 years after the first siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 24:1-5), about 11 years after the second siege (2 Kings 24:8-16), and at the time of the third and final siege (2 Kings 24:17-25:4).
By the time of Daniel's prayer and vision of Daniel 9 the servitude had ended and the captivity and the desolations of Judah and Jerusalem were soon to end.
Daniel 9:3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
This was the usual procedure of Daniel when he wanted a
definite answer (Daniel 2:18; Daniel 6:10; Daniel 8:15,27; Daniel 10:2-3).
Daniel here confesses for the sinful people with whom he identifies himself by
"we" and
Daniel 9:4 And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;
The statement “the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments,” gives us seven truths about God: 1.He is a great God (Daniel 9:4). 2. A dreadful God (Daniel 9:4). Hebrew: (HSN-3372), to be feared or reverenced. 3.He keeps covenant and mercy to them that love Him (Daniel 9:4), and 4.to them that keep His commandments (Daniel 9:4) 5.A righteous God (Daniel 9:7,14,16) 6.A God of judgment (Daniel 9:7,13-14,16) 7.A God of mercy (Daniel 9:9)
In this prayer of supplication and repentance, Daniel lists 12 sins Israel committed that brought her into Babylonian captivity:
1. We have sinned (Daniel 9:5,11,15,16). 2. We have committed iniquity (Daniel 9:5). 3. We have done wickedly (Daniel 9:5). 4. We have departed from God's precepts (Daniel 9:5). 5. We have departed from God's judgments (Daniel 9:5). 6. We have not listened to God's servants, the prophets (Daniel 9:6). 7. We have trespassed against God (Daniel 9:7). 8. We have rebelled against God (Daniel 9:9). 9. We have not obeyed God's voice (Daniel 9:10). 10. We have not walked in His laws (Daniel 9:10). 11. We have transgressed God's law (Daniel 9:11). 12. We have disobeyed God's voice (Daniel 9:11,14).
The word “rebelled,” is used of revolt against God or royalty.
Daniel 9:5-6 We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: [6] Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
The phrase, “spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land,” is a reference Jesus used in John 5:43 and Hebrews 1:1-2
Daniel 9:7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.
The term “confusion of faces,” comes from a Hebrew word meaning “shame,” and “paleness.” (1 Samuel 20:30; Ezra 9:7; Psalm 109:29; Jeremiah 7:19) He prays for Judah and all Israel, far and near. The 10 tribes had been taken into Assyrian captivity 133 years before Judah (2 Kings 17). The term “all the countries whither thou hast driven them,” makes reference to the fact that both Israel and Judah were scattered in all provinces of the empires of Assyria, Babylon, and Medo-Persia, and no doubt in other countries (Daniel 9:7; Esther 8:9-17; Esther 9:1-2).
It is interesting to note that God always used a Babylonian power to inflict punishment upon Israel for her sins. That should give the U.S.A. pause in relation to our current involvement in Syria, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan - four Babylonian powers!
Daniel 9:8-10 O Lord, to us belongs confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. [9] To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against him; [10] Neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.
The despised prophets were recognized by Israel after they had suffered and many of their predictions had been fulfilled (cp. 2 Kings 17:13; Isaiah 44:26; Lament. 2:17; Zech. 1:16; Hebrews 1:1-2).
Daniel 9:11-15 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the Law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him. [12] And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem. [13] As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth. [14] Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the Lord our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice. [15] And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.
The term "all Israel" here and in the majority of places refers to all the tribes of Israel, not excluding Judah, as some teach today. The curse God promised that would come upon them if they rebelled (Leviticus 26:14-17,29-39; Deut. 27:15-26; Deut. 28:15-62; Deut. 29:2 God will always confirm His Word and curse those who sin and bless those who obey (Galatians 6:7-8; see Twenty-one Examples of Beings Fallen from Grace).
The phrase “for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem,” is one of the greatest proofs of God confirming a curse as well as a blessing, according to His Word. God cannot lie, so what He orders as the penalty for sin will be meted out as surely as reward for obedience.
Daniel tells the Lord that Israel has “yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth. There is a threefold guarantee of blessing from God in this prayer:
1. Prayer and confession of sin (Daniel 9:3,4-6,17,20) 2. Turning from iniquity (Daniel 9:13; Isaiah 55:7) 3. Understanding and obeying truth (Daniel 9:4-10,13; John 8:32-36; Romans 1:16)
The term “thy people,” is very important. Whenever you see this phrase in Daniel’s prophetic visions it relates to his people after the flesh – the “Israelites.” Remember this very important fact. The Israelites, even in apostasy and dispersion, are considered the chosen people of God. He is going to bring them to repentance and eternal obedience and fulfill the covenants made with them (Isaiah 11:10-12; Isaiah 59:20-21; Isaiah 66:7-8; Ezekiel 37; Zech. 12:10-13:1; Luke 1:32-33; Romans 11:25-29).
Daniel 9:16-20 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us. [17] Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. [18] O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousness, but for thy great mercies. [19] O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name. [20] And whiles 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 for the holy mountain of my God;
The phrase “let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem,” is one of ten requests of Daniel in this prayer:
1. Let Your anger and fury be turned away from Jerusalem and Mt. Zion (Daniel 9:16). 2. Hear my prayer (Daniel 9:17,18,19). 3. Hear my supplications (Daniel 9:17). 4. Cause Your face to shine upon Your sanctuary (Daniel 9:17). 5. Incline Your ear to hear (Daniel 9:18). 6. Open Your eyes (Daniel 9:18). 7. See our desolations (Daniel 9:18). 8. Forgive our sins (Daniel 9:19). 9. Hearken and do (Daniel 9:19). 10. Defer not my answer (Daniel 9:19).
The phrase “Thy city Jerusalem,” tells us that Jerusalem has been chosen by God to be the capital of His eternal kingdom on earth (Psalm 2:6; Psalm 48:2; Psalm 87:2; Psalm 102:16; Psalm 132:13; Isaiah 2:2-4; Ezekiel 48; Zech. 14). The term “thy holy mountain,” refers to Mt. Zion (Psalm 2:6; Psalm 48:2; Psalm 87:2).
Daniel then asks the Lord to remove the “reproach to all that are about us.” This is what men fear (Jeremiah 24:9; Jeremiah 29:18; Jeremiah 42:18; Jeremiah 44:8,12; Ezekiel 5:14-51; Ezekiel 22:4).
Daniel 9:21-23 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. [22] And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. [23] At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
Compare similar important events at this time (2 Samuel 24:15; 1 Kings 18:29; Ezra 9:5; John 19:30). The angel was sent once again to Daniel “to give wisdom and understanding” concerning the future of Israel and last day events. This time Gabriel did not interpret a vision that had been seen, but gave a simple direct prophecy of events concerning Israel and Jerusalem from Daniel's day to the end of all Gentile oppression of Jews. No interpretation is needed. All that is required is to read and believe what is written for our learning. If Daniel was commanded to understand the vision and consider it, then we are to do likewise.
Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
This 24th
verse of Daniel is the 15th prophecy in Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27; Daniel 9:25-26
are fulfilled; Daniel 9:24 and Daniel 9:27 are unfulfilled. There are 14 main
parts to this prophecy. Without a clear understanding of them many
The phrase "seventy weeks" literally means "seventy sevens" The Hebrew for "week" is literally “sevens.” There are seventy sevens of years because:
(1) Daniel's prayer, to which this vision was an answer, did not concern days, but years (Daniel 9:2) (2) The last "week" is one and is divided into 2 parts, the last half explained to be 3 1/2 years, as proved in the following notes. (3) If the last half of the 70th week is 3 1/2 years, then the first half is also 3 1/2 years, making the one seven of Daniel 9:27 to be 7 years. (4) If the last or one "week" is a period of 7 years, the other "weeks" are also 7 years each. The whole period, therefore, is 70 x 7 = 490 years.
Division Of The Seventy Weeks
They are divided into three main periods:
(1) The 1st division—7 weeks, 49 years for the rebuilding of Jerusalem (Daniel 9:25) (2) The 2nd division—62 weeks, 434 years from the completion of the city at the end of the 49 years to the time the Messiah is cut off or crucified for men (Daniel 9:25-26) (3) The 3rd division—one week, 7 years, the last 7 years of this age, ending with the 2nd advent of Christ to fulfill the 6 events of Daniel 9:24
Whom Do The Seventy Weeks Involve?
The whole 490 years are determined, cut off; marked off; decreed) to be fulfilled concerning thy people (Daniel's people) and thy holy city (Daniel's native city, Jerusalem) to fulfill the 6 events of Daniel 9:24. They do not concern the church in any sense. In fact, the church was not begun until after the 69th week, and it will be raptured before the 70th week begins.
When Do They Concern Israel and Jerusalem?
Not during any time that she has been scattered among the nations. The 70 weeks concern Israel as a nation at Jerusalem. Since Israel was scattered and her city and temple destroyed in 70 A.D., since the 6 events of Daniel 9:24 have not yet been fulfilled, and since the 69th week ended at the crucifixion of Christ, the 70th week is the only part left to be fulfilled. During this time, the 6 events of Daniel 9:24 will be fulfilled. Still in the future, it will be fulfilled when Israel as a nation gets control of Jerusalem again.
Six Things To Be Done During 70 weeks of Daniel (Daniel 9:24):
(1)"To finish (put an end to) the transgression." The Hebrew word (HSN-6588) means revolt; rebel; sin against lawful authority. It is often translated "transgression" (Psalm 51:1; Isaiah 43:25; etc.). This transgression has reference to the sins of Israel at Jerusalem, the culmination of their sins when they will be saved from all sin at the return of their Messiah who will turn ungodliness from Jacob and convert the nation in a day (Romans 11:25-29; Isaiah 66:7-10; Ezekiel 36:24-30). (2)"To make an end of sins" concerning Israel and Jerusalem. This has never been done, but will be accomplished at the second coming of Christ (Ezekiel 36:24-30; Ezekiel 37:24-27; Ezekiel 43:7; Zech. 14). The Spirit of repentance will be poured out upon Israel just before the second coming, and a fountain for sin and uncleanness will be opened to the whole nation at that time (Zech. 12:10-13:1; Romans 11:25-29). (3)"To make reconciliation (atonement; Hebrew: (HSN-3722), to cover; make atonement) for iniquity." This was done for Israel and all others on the cross (Isaiah 53; Col. 1:20; Col. 2:14-17; 1 Peter 2:24), but Israel as a nation has not yet experienced this covering for sin. They will be fully reconciled to God at the second coming of Christ (Isaiah 1:18-20; Isaiah 66:7-8; Zech. 12:10-13:1; Matthew 23:37-39; Romans 11:25-29). (4)"To bring in everlasting righteousness." When transgression comes to an end, when an end of sins is made, and when full atonement for all sin is experienced by Israel, then everlasting righteousness concerning Israel and Jerusalem will be ushered in (Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 12:1-6; Daniel 2:44-45; Daniel 7:13-14,18,27; Ezekiel 43:7; Zech. 14; Luke 1:32-33; Romans 11:25-29; Rev. 11:15; Rev. 19:11-20:10; Rev. 21:1-22:5).
(5)"To seal up the
vision and prophecy." The
prophecies concerning Israel and Jerusalem and their eternal restoration under
their Messiah will be fulfilled. The word for "prophecy" here should have been
translated "prophet." It could also mean that there will be no more need for
inspired men to rebuke Israel at (6)"To anoint the most holy."
This refers to the cleansing of the holy of holies, the temple, and the city of
Jerusalem from the abomination of desolation, the sacrilege of Gentiles; and to
the anointing of the Millennial temple of Ezekiel 40-43; Zech. 6:12-13. "The
most holy" is never used of a person, nor would the Jews ever associate this
term with their Messiah who is always distinguished by
When Do The 70 Weeks Begin
With the commandment "to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince" (Daniel 9:25) there were three decrees for the restoration of Jerusalem:
(1) The first decree was given during the first year of the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia (Ezra 1:1-4; Ezra 3:8; Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 45:1-4; Isaiah 46:11). Cyrus reigned 9 years; then Cambyses, his son, reigned 7 years. In the son's reign the work on the temple ceased (Ezra 4:1-24). (2) Darius I of profane history reigned 35 years. In the second year of his reign he confirmed the decree made by Cyrus 18 years before. The temple was finished in the sixth year of his reign, but the city was not restored. Xerxes reigned 21 years (Daniel 11:1-3) during which time the city was not yet completed. (3) Artaxerxes reigned for 40 years. In the 20th year of his reign (444 B.C. he gave Nehemiah the 3rd decree "to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince" (Daniel 9:25-26; Neh. 2:1-6:19). From this point the 70 weeks or 490 years are counted. At this point the first division of the 490 years (the 7 weeks or 49 years for the restoration of Jerusalem with streets and the wall) began (Daniel 9:25). Nehemiah restored the walls in 52 days after he reached Jerusalem, but this was by no means the full restoration.
That took place during the next 49 years. Thus the 3rd decree to restore Jerusalem was 92 years after the first decree by Cyrus.
The Crucifixion Of Messiah
Daniel sees the crucifixion of Messiah in this vision. This was to be after the 62 weeks or 434 years, and was to follow the 7 weeks or 49 years of the restoration of Jerusalem (Daniel 9:25- 26). Christ was crucified at the end of the 69th week, not in the middle of the 70th week. The 70th week did not end when Stephen was stoned, for the 6 events of point 5, above, were not fulfilled then, nor have they been fulfilled since then. They cannot be fulfilled with Israel and Jerusalem until the rapture of the church and the revelation of the future Antichrist. The term “the people of the prince that shall come,” (Daniel 9:26) refers to the Romans who fulfilled this prophecy of the destruction of the city and temple and brought the desolations of Daniel 9:26. This was fulfilled in 70 A.D.
The Prince That Shall Come
The phrase, “the prince that shall come” (Daniel 9:26) refers to Antichrist who will come from the Roman Empire territory, that is, the Grecian portion, and from the people who destroyed the city and temple of Israel in A.D. 70 (Daniel 9:26; Luke 21:20- 24). He will come from among the 10 kingdoms yet to be formed inside the old Roman Empire territory (Daniel 7:23-24).
The Church Age
The church age is the great interval between the 69th and 70th weeks (Daniel 9:26- 27). The prophets did not see clearly see this period, but it is clear here that certain things were to happen between the crucifixion of the Messiah and the Antichrist who makes the 7-year covenant with Israel in the latter days (Daniel 9:26-27).
Twelve great events between the 69th and 70th weeks:
(1) Christ was to be crucified at the end of the 69th week (Daniel 9:26). (2) The Romans were to destroy Jerusalem and the temple between the crucifixion at the end of the 69th week and the 70th week (Daniel 9:26-27). (3) There was to be a war between the Romans and Israel between the 69th and 70th weeks (Daniel 9:26-27). (4) Israel was to be defeated by the Romans between the 69th and 70th weeks, or their city and temple could not be destroyed (Daniel 9:26-27). (5) Israel was to be scattered among the nations by the Romans between the 69th and 70th weeks, or the end of this war would not be as a flood to carry them away (Daniel 9:26-27; Luke 21:20-24). (6) Desolations of Israel and their city and temple were to follow the end of the war between Israel and the Romans (Daniel 9:26; Luke 21:20-24). When Christ comes to defend Israel from Antichrist, Jerusalem and the temple will be rebuilt, not destroyed (Zech. 6:12-13; Zech. 14:1-21; Matthew 25:31-46; Rev. 11:15; Rev. 19:11-21).
Historically, the Romans fulfilled all the above events. They crucified Christ about 31 A.D. and destroyed Jerusalem about 70 A.D. These events did not happen in either the 69th or the 70th week. Jerusalem was destroyed about 39 years after the crucifixion of Christ that ended the 69th week.
(7)"The prince that shall come" was to come after the destruction and desolations of Jerusalem (Daniel 9:26-27). Since the Jews were led away captive among all nations in 70 A.D. "the prince that shall come" could not confirm a covenant with Jews to fulfill Daniel 9:27. This remains to be done in the future. (8)Jerusalem must be restored as the capital of Israel and a temple rebuilt before Antichrist can come and confirm the 7-year covenant with many Jews to fulfill Daniel 9:27. (9) The city and sanctuary were to be destroyed by the Romans, as in Daniel 9:26. They must be restored before the 7-year covenant of Daniel 9:27 can be made, for the temple is to be made desolate again in the midst of the 7 years. If it was destroyed in 70 A.D. then it could not possibly be made desolate again until its restoration first. Since it has never been restored from 70 A.D. until now, the fulfillment of Daniel 9:27 must be future.
(10) Israel, being
broken off because of unbelief at the crucifixion of Christ, must be restored
again to their own land and get control of Jerusalem before the 6 events of
point 5, above, can be fulfilled. Just before the crucifixion Jesus wept over
Jerusalem saying, "How often would I have gathered thy children together, even
as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your
house is left unto you desolate . . .. ye shall not see Me henceforth, till ye
shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord" (Matthew 21:43;
Matthew 23:37-39; Matthew 24:2; Luke 21:20-24). This is the official rejection
(11) The prince that
shall come from the Roman Empire territory is the one referred to in Daniel 9:27
that shall confirm the covenant with many Jews for 7 years. He does not come
until after the future 10 kingdoms are formed inside the old Roman Empire
territory (Daniel 7:23-24), and until after the rapture of the church Therefore,
the 70th week is after these 2 events. The 70th week will be the last 7 years of
this age, between the rapture and the second coming (Daniel 9:27). It will be
the future tribulation period ending with the second coming. All of Matthew
24-25; Rev. 4-19; Rev. 21; Daniel 7:19-27; Daniel 8:9-14,22-25; Daniel 9:27;
Daniel 11:36-45; Daniel 12:1-17, and many other passages will be (12)The present church age rightfully comes in between the 69th and 70th weeks, during which time Israel is rejected by God and scattered among the nations. There is a postponement of the fulfillment of the 70th week immediately following the end of the 69th week due to Israel's rejection and her house being left desolate until God restores it again in the days of the coming of Christ. "When the Lord shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory" (Psalm 102:16).
Daniel 9:25-27 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. [26] And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. [27] And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
The Covenant Between Antichrist And Israel
The terms of this covenant are not listed, but it is clear it will be a non-aggression pact, perhaps even a military alliance that will enable the Antichrist to gain power over the 10 kingdoms during the first 3 1/2 years of the 70th week (Daniel 7:23-24; Daniel 8:23-25; Rev. 17:8-17). It will include the protection of Israel in their national establishment and restoration and assure them at least temporary peace (Daniel 8:25; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:36-45). The length of the covenant is to be 7 years (Daniel 9:27).
The Middle Of The Week
The Antichrist in 3 1/2 years gets power over the 10
kingdoms (Daniel 7:23-24; Rev. 17:8-17). He then breaks his covenant with
Israel, enters and takes over Palestine, and makes the Jewish temple his capital
building (Daniel 7:21-25; Daniel 8:9-14,22-25; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:36-45;
Matthew 24:15-24; 2 Thes. 2:3-4; Rev. 13:1-18; Rev. 17:8-17). He will then do
away with all Jewish sacrifices in the temple and set himself and his image in
the temple to be worshiped as God. This will continue 2,300 evenings and
mornings, or 3 years, 2 months, and 10 days of the 1,260 days of the last 3 1/2
years of the 70th week (Daniel 8:9-14; Daniel 9:27; 11:45; Matthew 24:15-22; 2
Thes. 2:3-4; Rev.
The End Of The 70th Week
The beast worship and the abomination will continue from the middle of the 70th week through the judgments that will be poured out upon the one making the temple desolate (Daniel 9:27). These judgments will consist of the plagues caused by the 2 witnesses (Rev. 11:3-11) and the vial judgments (Rev. 15-16), ending with Antichrist's defeat and destruction at Armageddon (Rev. 16:13-16; Rev. 19:11-21; Zech. 14).
Ten Things That End This Age
1.The 7th vial (Rev. 16:17-21) 2.Destruction of Babylon (Rev. 16:19; Rev. 18:1-24) 3.The second coming of Christ (Rev. 19:11-21) 4.The battle of Armageddon (Rev. 19:11-21) 5.Judgment of the nations (Matthew 25:31-46) 6.Separation of the tares from the wheat (Matthew 13) 7.Regathering of Israel (Matthew 24:29-31; Isaiah 11:10-12; Ezekiel 37) 8.Conversion of Israel (Romans 11:25-29) 9.Liberation of Jerusalem (Zech. 14) 10.Fulfillment of the 6 things of point 5, above Twenty-five Things End Here: 1.Daniel's 70th week (Daniel 9:27) 2.Dispensation of Grace (Matthew 3, refs.) 3.The tribulation (Daniel 9:27; Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:15-22; Rev. 6:1-19:21) 4.Satan's activities on earth for a 1,000-year period (Rev. 20:1-10) 5.The Times of the Gentiles 6.The wrath of God (Rev. 6:17; Rev. 15:1-16:21) 7.Rebellion of Israel (Zech. 12:10-13:1; Matthew 23:37-39; Romans 11:25-29) 8.Desolations of Jerusalem (Zech. 14:1-21; Luke 21:20-24) 9.Gentile world kingdoms (Daniel 2:44-45; Daniel 7:13-14,23-27; Rev. 17:8-17; Rev. 19:11-21) 10.Persecution of Christians (Zech. 14:9; Matthew 13:40-43; Matthew 25:31-46; Rev. 20) 11.Reign of Antichrist (Rev. 19:19-21) 12.Beast worship (Rev. 13:1-18; Rev. 14:9-11; Rev. 15:2-4; Rev. 20:4-6) 13.Revived Grecian Empire (Daniel 8:22-25; Daniel 11:36-45; Rev. 13:5; Rev. 19:19-21) 14.Freedom of demons and fallen angels (Isaiah 24:21-22; Rev. 12:7-12; Rev. 20:1-3) 15.Satanic miracles (2 Thes. 2:8-12; Rev. 13:1-5,12-17; Rev. 16:13-14; Rev. 19:20) 16.The first resurrection (see Five Raptures in the First Resurrection) 17.Dispersion of Israel (Matthew 24:29-31; Isaiah 11:10-12; Ezekiel 37) 18.Ministry of the 2 witnesses (Rev. 11:7-12) 19.Man's independent rule on earth (Zech. 14:9; Rev. 5:10; Rev. 11:15; Rev. 20:1-10; Rev. 22:4-5) 20.Blindness of Israel (Romans 11:25-29) 21.Satan's dominion of the earth (Rev. 12:7-12; Rev. 20:1-10) 22.The 70 weeks or 490 years (Daniel 9:24) 23.The time, times, and half a time (Daniel 7:25; Daniel 12:7; Rev. 12:14) 24.The 42 months (Rev. 11:2; Rev. 13:5) 25.The 1,260 days (Rev. 11:3; Rev. 12:6) Daniel 9:25-26
The term “make it desolate,” refers to the temple (Daniel 8:9-14; Daniel 11:45; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thes. 2:4; Rev. 13) that will be rebuilt at some point in the very near future. Israel will reinstitute the Mosaic sacrificial system. The term “until the consummation,” means until the end of the 70th week.
The word “determined,” means to point sharply; to decide; to decree (Daniel 9:26-27; Job 14:5; Isaiah 10:23; Isaiah 28:22). Destruction is decreed for Antichrist (Daniel 7:11,25,26; Daniel 8:25; Daniel 11:45; Isaiah 11:4; Ezekiel 38:17- 21; 2 Thes. 2:8; Rev. 19:20; Rev. 20:10). Upon the desolate does not mean upon the desolate place, but upon the one making the temple desolate.
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