A Study Of The Prophetic Visions Of Daniel

Lesson One: The 70^th Week Of Daniel

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.

Daniel as no other prophet was shown the future of nations and empires – all the way through to the coming of the Lord. This great prophet pinpointed the rise of the Antichrist, the location of the empire, “the seat of the beast,” as well as so many of the particulars leading up to the Second Coming of Christ. You cannot understand the book of Revelation, the end times, the Great Tribulation, the rise and power of the Antichrist, unless you understand the role of Israel in Bible prophecy. No other book outlines Israel’s role in end time events like that of Daniel. Daniel was so exact in his arguments as the Holy Spirit directed him that some so-called scholars felt that Daniel did not really write the book that bears his name. Daniel’s description of world events, especially in Daniel chapter 11, was so minutely accurate; many felt no one could have written them before the fact. Many scoffers doubt Daniel wrote this description prior to the events happening so far in advance.

One key phrase that describes the Great Tribulation period is “Daniel’s Seventy Weeks.” The prophetic visions of Daniel pertain to this week of Jacob’s trouble, which in essence should give us a clue already into the prophecies’ main thrust of focus – ISRAEL. Daniel’s writings concerning world empires pertain to Israel as other nations relate to Israel. There is little information given to the dispersion of the nation, which took place in 70 AD and continued for the most part till 1948 when Israel became a nation once again. Much is given however in Daniel about Israel’s role in the last days. The prophetic time clock for the last days began in 1948. Even though there is tremendous debate within the Christian community about the timing of the rapture and some other issues surrounding Bible prophecy, I don’t think you’ll find too many scholars disagreeing with that statement. Israel became a nation in May 1948. Since that time Israel’s role in the world has taken center stage and it will only become more and more pronounced as we draw even closer to the end.

While Israel is found EVERYWHERE in prophecy, a question we must ask is “where is the USA in Bible prophecy?” We will devote more time to this answer in a later lesson but the quick answer to that question here is NO. Some have thought the three letters in the midst of Jerusalem pertain to the U.S.A. No one knows for sure. Even though America is obviously not mentioned directly in Bible prophecy, America is up to its eyeballs in the Middle East. As we are writing this study course, we are about 18 months past September 11, 2001. In October 2001 America invaded Afghanistan to take its military might up against the seeds of terrorism planted in Afghanistan for decades.

 We are now nearly five years removed from the 2003 U.S. invasion into Iraq, which sits right in the heart of where Daniel received 100% of these prophetic visions. The Persian Empire of Daniel's day included what we know today as Iraq AND portions of Iran. These two nations, along with Syria are headliners in our daily news and their influence and import will increase even more as we move further into the latter days. The Middle East peace process between Israel and the Palestinians has been on America’s plate for close to 20 years now and friend I can assure you it is an ever growing entree in America's current and future foreign policy.

The area today that includes the nations of Turkey, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon and Greece is in our daily headlines with news of “wars and rumors of wars,” just as Jesus foretold they would be during His Olivet discourse found in Matthew 24 and 25. Take a good look at the list I just mentioned. Four of those countries – Turkey, Greece, Egypt, and Assyria (Iran, IRAQ, Israel, Lebanon, Syria) are four geographical areas and countries that will play a MAJOR role in the end times and are mentioned throughout Daniel's prophetic study. From what Daniel details in explicit detail we believe and teach that it will be from the region of ASSYRIA the Antichrist will spring from and embark upon a seven-year reign of terror across Planet Earth. Again, Assyria in Bible times includes the regions of Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon and Syria, of modern times. The summer 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon was just another rumble of thunder that something extremely explosive is brewing in the Middle East.

This study will deal with Daniels chapters 2, 7-12 which are referred to by some commentators as "the second book of Daniel," and deals with successive Empires, and mainly occupied with the "fourth beast" which pertain to the End time. Dreams and visions are basically the same in each chapter but with one difference. All of Daniel's prophecies were given to him by dreams and visions, which are basically the same except for one small difference. Dreams are given while one is asleep, while Visions are given, it seems, while one is awake. In Daniel 7:1 the Bible tells us that Daniel "wrote the dreams," meaning that he put into writing ALL that he saw, which was quite a bit. Daniel was not a novice or irrelevant to end time prophecy. Jesus referred to Daniel as a "prophet," in Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14, but yet most of his predictions were given to him, totally unlike those of the other Prophets in that he as stated was given 100% of dreams and visions. Incidentally, the Vision of this chapter took place about three years before the episode of the lions' den. Daniel 7:2 adds, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea." The "four winds of the heaven," refers to wars, strife, and judgments from God.

Jeremiah 25:32-33
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. [33] And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.

Rev. 7:1-3
And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. [2] And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, [3] Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

The phrase, "strove upon the great sea," refers to large numbers of people which in effect refers to the coming World Empires which will greatly persecute Israel. Some empires have already come and gone while others, such as the Revised Roman Empire and Revised Grecian Empire are yet future and will produce the final two kingdoms who will seek to destroy Israel through the instrument and person of the Antichrist. As stated, we believe that the Antichrist is coming from the region of the world known today as Iraq, Iran, Syria and/or Lebanon which was part of the old Roman Empire (the eastern division) and comprised a great deal of the "Assyrian" empire, whose capital was Nineveh.

This region is located where civilization actually started - the Euphrates Valley -  and according to Scripture, will end in the same place during the great Battle of Armageddon. Going back to the fall of 1989 when communism fell and the Soviet Union's influence vanished almost overnight, events have been rapidly taking place upon Planet Earth that have planted the seeds for the end-time scenario prophesied by Daniel some 2,500 years ago to be played out in THIS generation! That is why the time we live in today is so riveting and prophetic in nature. We are the harvest generation. If this generation passes, which this writer highly doubts, we can I believe be sure that our children’s generation most certainly will be and see the coming of the Lord! I’m tending to believe more and more that THIS generation will not pass “until all has been fulfilled.” That’s how close it’s getting neighbor. Too many signs are taking place at this very second to give this writer reason to believe we're decades away from the rapture of the church. The rapture of the church could take place at ANY moment friend. The church may have grown silent in preaching the rapture but let me assure you that does not mean it is not going to take place and take place soon! Jesus is coming!

Israel is the key end time events, not the church. The church DOES have a role in the end times but it is not the focal point of prophecy. The church's role is to be a vehicle of intercession and prayer to provoke the Jewish people to Christ and to win as many souls for the Kingdom of God as possible before the trump sounds and the Great Tribulation begins.  The fall of Soviet Communism and the rising tensions between Israel and her Arab nations, most of which are controlled by the hellish religion of Islam which decrees Israel's destruction along with the West, are setting a crossroads between Israel and the Muslim world. That cross road is about to be crossed and crossed soon! Something is on the horizon. Israel is not whole yet even though she is a nation. She cannot be whole until she occupies the land God gave to her so long ago in the Royal Divine land grant to Abraham, that God confirmed to Abraham’s son and grandson – Isaac and Jacob. The present temple site (DOME OF THE ROCK) is the third most holy place in the Muslim religion with the other two being in Saudi Arabia. The temple where Antichrist will declare himself god during the middle part of the Great Tribulation period will be built here this Dome of the Rock now sits. The city of Jerusalem which has over night become a meteorite news item will play a HUGE role in coming end time events. When Ehud Ohlmert announced on Monday, October 8, 2007, Israel was ready to divide up Jerusalem in lieu of peace, chill bumps ran up this writer's back because if one studies their Bible, they KNOW this is basically the city where the Antichrist will make his power place and peace offer to the Jewish nation while hiding his real intentions of destruction and vengeance till the middle of Daniel's 70th week.

The Fall Of Communism And Daniel’s 70^th Week

The question is asked, "what do we mean by the term 'Daniel's 70th Week?'" Before we define that, let me back up a bit and go back to the events of 1989, 1991 and now 2003 concerning communism, the fall of the Soviet Union, Europe's role in prophecy and the current U.S. occupation of Iraq. I listened recently to several teaching series on Bible prophecy made in the 1980s about the Great Tribulation period. Many teachers including the one whom I’m using as the source of most of this prophetic information believed (and rightly so) that the Roman Empire would be revised in the latter days. This “revised” Roman Empire will be the springboard for a 10-king confederacy from which the Antichrist will emerge and lead in the end times. John's vision of the "white horse" rider of Revelation 6 confirms this as well as Daniel's vision of the "little horn" which we will deal with in a future lesson of this study. Based on teachings from the 1980 and 1990 era, teachers taught that the rise and revision of the old Roman Empire would affect countries then known as Poland, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Hungary, and other Baltic states, formerly under Soviet domination – until September 1989. The Soviet Union ruled these countries with an iron fist. None of the above mentioned nations enjoyed the democracy and freedoms they enjoy today. To free these nations, many of which have been renamed today, most scholars and prophecy teachers were predicting a major third world war prior to the beginning of the rise of Antichrist to loose these countries from the grip of Soviet Russia.  Then miracles of miracles, in the fall of 1989, without a shot fired – it happened. Easter Europe was no longer under Soviet domination. The Iron Curtain fell. What seemed impossible in the natural became reality.

Why did this happen this way one may ask. Well, there are several reasons that I want to elaborate on before we get further into this study. One reason is the foundation for everything that we read in the books of Daniel and Revelation. When one studies these two books, we are looking at events in the SPIRIT REALM that will control the events that will take place in the NATURAL realm on Planet Earth in the last days. Everything that takes place and transpires on earth first transpires in the heavenlies.  Earthly events are controlled by the spiritual conflict between the forces of righteousness and the forces of evil. I believe something powerful took place in the heavenlies that became reality in 1989. The spiritual conflict that caused the fall of communism probably happened more than likely years before but we saw the reality of it in 1989. Daniel gives us a key to this in the 10^th chapter of his book, which we will deal with in detail later. One principality was taken down and another was placed in its place. Think about it a minute. Prior to 1989 our focus as Americans was on communism for nearly 50 years going back to the Korean Conflict of the 1950s. ALL of a sudden our focus immediately changed and became the Middle East. It was not hardly two years later that the United States was involved in a conflict, not in Russia or against the Soviet Union, but against an ARAB dictator named Sadaam Hussein, who ruled IRAQ, which sits in the heart of the Euphrates Valley. Since 1991 the world has had it's eyes on the Middle East AND Israel. It is this writer's humble opinion that the principality that controlled and gripped most of Europe was replaced by a principality that now destabilized the Middle East and begin to set the stage for the events we are discussing in 2007 as of the time of this lesson.

I believe this same principality is the same one seen by John AND Daniel and recorded in Revelation and Daniel many times in their prophetic visions of the end. John saw the principality that is setting the stage for the rise of the Antichrist and the rise of the Revised Roman AND Grecian empires. That principality is in operation as we write this study course and to be frank it has been in operation in earnest since 1989. Remember, events in the spirit realm take place YEARS before they take place in the NATURAL realm.  Another thing to pause and think back concerning the elections of 2000 you will see what was happening over America was more than just about a few hanging chads in Florida. There was some serious spiritual warfare going on for the future of this great nation. I don’t want to go off on a tangent here but I can tell you without blinking that had Al Gore won that election the course of our nation would be going in a whole different direction. Nothing against Mr. Gore but the eight years prior to President Bush under he and former President Clinton  brought great moral declension to this country through their policies and actions. No, America was no shining angel before Mr. Clinton and Gore, but their policies and administration opened the door for the gates of hell to run rough shod over our land through the wave of homosexuality, abortion and immorality. We as the church are accountable for this. Our lack of discernment and intercession opened this door in 1992.

When the conflict in 2000 arose over who would be our President, I believe the prayers of many saints tilted this battle in the favor of Mr. Bush. Mr. Bush isn’t perfect by no means but he is the man God wanted if office “for such a time as this.” Our prayers need to be with our commander in chief at this time like never before. The issue I want to make over this is not about the election but the spiritual warfare that went on over America. I jokingly tell my wife often that if President Bush had been told in the winter of 2000 what was ahead of him during his two terms in office I think he may have taken Al Gore up on that recount. The Lord gave us eight years to prepare and to pray for our nation as a church but we have failed to do that. All bets are off for 2008 and there is a growing, sinking feeling among many Christian believers that we are headed for another Clinton administration in the person of Bill's wife, Hillary. I'm not into party politics; could care less whether one is Democratic or Republican; but I DO care about the conscience and heart beat of a nation's soul that has been LOST because of wicked evil men who are tools of Satan seeking to bring America into this coming one world order that will emerge soon as a result of the rise of the Antichrist. This one world order however will arise because of conflict IN THE MIDDLE EAST and seeking to solve the age old PEACE problem of Israel and the Arab world.

Let me explain this a different way. There are principalities and angelic hosts that control nations – either for evil or for righteousness. I personally believe that each nation has been assigned one of these beings both from heaven AND from the kingdom of darkness. The deciding factor over which principality controls the nation is the intercession of the saints in that nation.  Israel’s chief ruler is Michael.

Daniel 12:1

    And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

We will study Michael’s role in the end times a bit later but hear what I say to you. The principality over the Middle East that will aid and abet the Antichrist is the Prince Of Grecia and is very possibly if not probably already operating in many ways orchestrating events that are soon to take place in the future. Daniel was given insight to the demonic force in chapter 10 of his book, while John actually saw the being in Revelation 17.  We are living in momentous times. Jesus said that before the Great Tribulation started there was going to a “beginning of sorrows,” on planet earth. The world is NOT going to get better. No matter the outcome in Iraq, the world is NOT going to become a safer place.

Those who don’t have their names written down in the Lamb’s book of life are headed for Great Tribulation unlike the world has ever seen either in its past or in it’s future. It’s time for us as believers to get ourselves ready for the coming of the Lord. The only hope for fallen humanity and a world torn to pieces by war, racism, bloodshed, immorality and sin is the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. No other remedy will be found for the ills of humanity.

Daniel’s 70^th Week

The expression "seventy weeks" literally means "seventy sevens" of years. If days were meant it would be so expressed as in Dan. 10:3.

Daniel 10:3

    I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

Daniel's prayer, to which this vision was an answer, did not concern days, but years (Dan. 9:2) Then too, we know from Scripture that the last week (Dan. 9:27) is divided into two parts of three and one-half years each (Dan. 7:25; 12:7; Rev. 11:2, 3; 12:5, 14; 13:5). The whole period of "seventy sevens" is 490 years which are determined or marked off from all other years and concern only "thy people [Israel] and thy holy city [Jerusalem]," for which Daniel was praying (Dan. 6:10; 9:1-23). Six prophetic events are to take place during these 490 years relative to Israel and Jerusalem for six purposes:

1.                 "To finish the Transgression." The Hebrew word pasha means to revolt, rebel, or sin against lawful authority. It is often translated "transgression" (Psalms 51:13; Isa. 43:27; etc.). This transgression has reference to Israel in her rebellion against God. This prophecy foretells the culmination of that rebellion. The law was added because of transgression until the Seed should come, and it served as a schoolmaster to lead Israel to Christ (Gal. 3:17-25). Israel failed to receive the Messiah and was broken off in unbelief from God's favor as a nation. She will not be fully received again until the second coming of Christ, who will turn ungodliness from Jacob and cause a nation to be born at once (Rom. 11:25-29; Isa. 66:7-10; Ezek. 36:24-30).

Romans 11:25-29

    For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. [26] And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: [27] For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. [28] As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. [29] For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Isaiah 66:7-10

    Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man-child. [8] Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. [9] Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the Lord: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God. [10] Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:

Ezekiel 36:24-30

    For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.

    [25] Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. [26] A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. [27] And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. [28] And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. [29] I will also save you from all your uncleanness: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. [30] And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen.

2.                 "To make an end of sins." Israel's sins, if collected in the form of concrete matter, would fill the whole earth, for, she has been in rebellion against God from her beginning and she will be until the fulfillment of this prophecy at the return of Christ. This "end of sins" will not be made until after the tribulation, but from that time on Israel will obey God forever (Ezek. 36:24-30; 37:24-27; 43:7; Zech. 4: 1 -21).

Ezekiel 36:24-30

    For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. [26] A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. [27] And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. [28] And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. [29] I will also save you from all your uncleanness: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. [30] And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen.

Ezekiel 37:24-27

    And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. [25] And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever. [26] Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. [27] My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Ezekiel 43:7

    And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places.

3. "To make reconciliation [atonement] for iniquity." The Hebrew word avon means perverseness, to be crooked, or wrung out of course (1 Sam. 20:30; 2 Sam. 19:19; Job 33:37). Atonement was made on the cross for the whole world, but Israel as a nation has not yet appropriated its benefits and will not until the return of Christ (Zech. 13:17; Rom. 11:25-27).

4. "To bring in everlasting righteousness." When the transgression has been finished, the end of sins made, and the full benefits of the atonement will have been realized by Israel, then everlasting righteousness will be ushered in (Isa. 9:6, 7; 12:1-6; Dan. 7:13, 14, 18, 27; Matt. 25:31-46; Ezek. 43:7; Rom. 11:25-29).

5. "To seal up the vision and prophecy," that is, this means to make an end of prophecies by the fulfillment of those concerning Israel and Jerusalem. The word prophecy should be translated prophet as elsewhere. It means that there will be no need of inspired men to rebuke Israel in an attempt to lead them into the way of righteousness "for all shall know the Lord from the least unto the greatest" (Jer. 31:31-40; Isa. 11:9).

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 and the sacrilege of Gentiles, and to the establishment and anointing of the Millennial temple of Ezek. 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 distinguished from this term in this passage by the title "Messiah." This vision needs no explanation other than that of the angel who interpreted the vision to Daniel. All that is needed is an understanding of the explanation, the association of it with other Scriptures on the same subject, and the determination of the time of its fulfillment.

The 490 Years Are Divided Into Three Periods

The first period consisted of seven sevens or forty-nine years during which time the Holy City, its street, and wall was to be built "even in troublous times" (Dan. 9:25). Therefore we see that these 490 years began with "the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem unto the Messiah."

There were three decrees for the restoration of the city. The first decree was given during the first year of the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia (Ezra 1:1-4; 3:8; Isa. 44:28; 45:1-4; 46:11). Cyrus reigned nine years, then Cambyses, his son, reigned seven years. In the reign of Cambyses the work on the temple and city ceased (Ezra 4:1-24). Darius I of profane history reigned thirty-five years. In the second year of his reign he reconfirmed the decree made by Cyrus and the work was started again.

The temple was finished in the sixth year of his reign, but the city was not then restored although fifty-seven years had passed since the first decree was made by Cyrus (Ezra 6:1-15). Xerxes reigned twenty-one years (Dan. 11:1-3) during which time the city was not yet completed. Artaxerxes reigned after Xerxes twenty years and he then gave the third decree to Nehemiah to restore "Jerusalem unto the Messiah" (Neh. 2:1-6: 19; Dan. 9:25, 26). Nehemiah restored the walls in fifty-two days after he reached Jerusalem, but this was by no means the full restoration. That took place seven sevens or forty-nine years after the third decree, which was given about 452 B.C.

The second period consists of sixty-two sevens or 434 years. It began immediately after the first period of seven sevens or forty-nine years, and continued without a break to the time when the Messiah was "cut off" or crucified (Dan. 9:26). This phrase "cut off" is from the Hebrew karate meaning, "to cut off in death" (Gen. 9:11; Deut. 20:20; Jer. 11:19; Psalms 37:9). These forty-nine and 434 years make 483 years from the third decree to the crucifixion of the Messiah, or sixty-nine of the seventy sevens of years, leaving the last period of seven years concerning Israel and Jerusalem to be fulfilled after the crucifixion.

The third period will consist of one seven-year period better known as Daniel's Seventieth Week. The crucifixion of the Messiah ended the sixty-ninth week and God ceased dealing with Israel as a nation. They were broken off in unbelief and their city destroyed as foretold in this same vision of seventy weeks (Dan. 9:26) and by Jesus in Matt. 21:43 23:37-39; 24:2, Luke 21:20-24. Also see Acts 13:45-49; Rom. 11. This Seventieth Week will be fulfilled when Israel, partially gathered, will exist as a nation in possession of Jerusalem. That Jerusalem will be in their possession again is proved by the fact that it will again be given to the Gentiles in the middle of the Week (Rev. 11:1,2). Not one of the six above events has been fulfilled.

They must be fulfilled in the future. The Seventieth Week will be the last seven years of this dispensation and will parallel the seven years covenant between Antichrist and Israel (Dan. 9:27).

Daniel 9:27

    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.

It is to be the time when all the events of Rev. 6:1-19:21 will be fulfilled, and when the whole tribulation will run its course. What is to happen during this Week was not revealed to Daniel in detail, but it was revealed to John. This Week of years will begin after the rapture of the church, and at the Second Advent, and fulfill all the above six prophetical events concerning Israel.

The present Church Age comes in between the sixty-ninth and seventieth weeks, or during the time of Israel's rejection. It is fulfilled before the Seventieth Week which is primarily concerned with Israel as were the first sixty-nine weeks.

Daniel’s 70^th Week Is The Tribulation

The tribulation will begin to affect Israel before the Seventieth Week begins; how long before is not certain, but when Antichrist rises at the beginning of the Week, Israel will be undergoing persecution by the whore and the ten kings of Revised Rome who are dominated by the whore until the middle of the Week. Antichrist will come out of one of the ten kingdoms mentioned in Lesson Thirty-nine and he will make a seven years covenant with Israel assuring them of protection in their continued establishment as a nation (Dan. 9:27). The Jews will not accept Catholicism when it again dominates the nations of the old world and begins to murder all heretics as it has done in the past. Because the Jews will not submit, there will be a widespread persecution of the Jews and "they shall be hated of all nations" during the time of "the-beginning of sorrows" when Antichrist will be endeavoring to conquer all these nations (Matt. 24:4-12).

Antichrist will need Jewish moral and financial support to help him rise over these nations, so he will make an alliance with them for seven years. Therefore, the time of the tribulation is during the whole of Daniel's Seventieth Week (Dan. 9:27). It will end at the Second Advent (Matt. 24:29-31).

Matthew 24:29-31

    Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: [30] And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. [31] And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

The Divisions of the Tribulation

The first division takes in the first three and one-half years of the Seventieth Week and is termed "the lesser tribulation," for it is not as great in severity as the last three and one half years, because of the protection of Israel by the Antichrist during that time. Israel's persecution then will be from a source entirely different from that of the last division. In these latter years the whore and the ten kings will persecute Israel as stated above. This division of the tribulation takes in the fulfillment of Rev. 6:1-9:21. The judgments of the sixth seal and first six trumpets come in this period, thus proving tribulation during this time.

The last division takes in the last three and one half years of the Week and is termed "the great tribulation" because it will be more severe in persecution upon Israel than the first three and one half years. Antichrist, who will protect Israel the first three and one half years, will break his covenant with her in the middle of the Week and become her most bitter enemy. He will then try to destroy her, which calls for the judgments of the seven vials of the last three and one half years. This part of the tribulation includes the fulfillment of Rev. 10: 1 - 19:21. Jesus, Daniel, Jeremiah, and many others speak of this time of Israel's trouble as being worse than any time that has ever been on Earth or ever will be (Dan. 12:1; Jer. 30:4-11; Matt. 24:21, 22; Rev. 11:1, 2; 12:14-17; 13:5-7).

The Purpose of the Tribulation

(1) To purify Israel and bring them back to a place where God can fulfill the everlasting covenants made with their fathers (Isa. 2:6; 3:26; 16:1-5; 24:1-25; 26: 20, 21- Ezek. 20:33, 34; 22:17-22; Rom. 11:25-29).

(2) To purify Israel of all rebels (Ezek. 20:33,34; 22:17-22; Zech. 13:8,9; Mal. 3:3,4).

(3) To plead with and bring Israel into the bond of the new covenant (Ezek. 20:33, 34; 36:24-28; Jer. 30:3-11; Zech. 12:10-13:9; Mal. 4:3,4).

(4) To judge Israel and punish them for their rejection of the Messiah and make them willing to accept Him when He comes the second time (Ezek. 20:33, 34; Zech. 12:10-13:9; 14:1-15; Matt. 24:15-31).

(5) To judge the nations for their persecution of Israel (Isa. 63:1-5; Joel 3; Rev. 6:1-19:21).

(6) To bring Israel to complete repentance (:Zech. 12:10-13:9; Rom. 11:26-29; Matt. 23:39).

(7) To fulfill the prophecies of Dan. 9:24-27; Rev. 6:1-19:21; Matt. 24:15, 29- etc.

(8) To cause Israel to flee into the wilderness of Edom and Moab and to be so persecuted by the nations that Israel will have to turn to God for help (Isa. 16:1-5; Ezek. 20:33-35; Dan. 11:40-12:7; Hos. 2:14-17; Matt. 24:15-31; Rev. 12).

The Character of the Tribulation

The character of the tribulation can easily be understood in view of God's wrath being poured out upon mankind for their wickedness and corruption which will exceed the days of Noah and Lot (Gen. 6; Matt. 24:37-39; Luke 17:22-37; 2 Tim. 3:1-12). Men will reject the truth until God turns them over to the "strong delusion" of the Antichrist who will cause them to believe a lie and be damned (2 Thess. 2:8-12; 2 Pet. 3: 1-9).

2 Thes. 2:8-12

    And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: [9] Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, [10] And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. [11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: [12] That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

2 Peter 3:1-9

    This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: [2] That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: [3] Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, [4] And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. [5] For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: [6] Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: [7] But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. [8] But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Even after God pours out His judgments upon men, they will still defy Him (Rev. 9:20, 21; 6:2-11; 17:1-18; 18:1-24). Words cannot describe the utter rebellion and wickedness of men during this period of final struggle between God and the devil over possession of the Earth (Rev. 1:15: 12:7-12; 19:11-21; 20:1-3).

Will the Tribulation Be Worldwide?

There is some debate whether the tribulation will be worldwide. I have wrestled with this for many years and have come to somewhat of a conclusion based upon the fact that it is not stated in even one Scripture. What we DO know based upon what the Bible clearly states is that the Antichrist will reign over the ten kingdoms that are to be formed inside the old Roman Empire that will arise into a Revised Roman and Grecian Empires. Most of the judgments of the trumpets and vials are stated as being only upon a third or fourth part of the Earth (Rev. 8:7-12), and upon "the men which had the mark of the beast" and "upon the seat [throne] of the beast: and his kingdom" (Rev. 16:2, 10, 12). However, nothing is said as to the limitation of the extent of the demon-locusts or of the extent of the devil's wrath when he is cast out (Rev. 9:1-11; 12:7-12). The sixth trumpet kills only a third part of men (Rev. 9:12-21).

When we speak of the tribulation we mean the troubles that God's people will have to undergo, especially the Jewish people, as Daniel's Seventieth Week concerns only Israel and their city Jerusalem. The last half of the Week will be "the time of Jacob's trouble" and these troubles primarily concern Israel, as may be seen under Point 3 above. The tribulation will be FELT worldwide in the sense that ALL nations of the earth will feel the results of a convulsing Earth seeking to be redeemed from the curse of sin upon it at the present time. As we go further into this study we pray we will help you understand what is ahead and assist in increasing knowledge concerning Daniel's prophetic symbols and dreams as they relate to end time prophecy.