Prophecy

UNRAVELING THE CONFUSION OVER THE SEVENTY WEEKS OF DANIEL

by Henry Jaegers
11/16/23
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UNRAVELING THE CONFUSION

 OVER

THE SEVENTY WEEKS OF DANIEL

A Historical Reality

By Henry Jaegers

(Daniel 9: 20 - 27)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Kn9qU0d3pht97s6QZfVGZmEl3bRb0ZNM/view?usp=sharing

THE TIMING OF THE VISION: (Daniel 9: 1)

In Daniel 9:1, we are given the time when Daniel received this vision. It was given during the first year of Darius the Mede.

Later on, in the chapter, we will be given another period of time when the first week will begin. It will begin during the first year of Cyrus the Great, and we have a definite date that we can give to that. (559 B.C.) For the purpose of Historical accuracy, this confirms the reality of its having taken place.) This was the decree given by Cyrus for the people of Israel to leave  Babylon to begin building the Temple.  (Second Chronicles 36: 25) (Ezra 1: 1)

There was another decree given after the building of the temple which was stalled due to opposition from the enemies of God. In seeking to place an exact timing of when this decree had a beginning point, there have been different points of view as to when exactly the building of the temple began. But in order to avoid controversy we must view them as approximate times. Due to the many years when the temple laid incomplete, it is difficult to arrive at the exact time when this first week began. The first week was a period of 49 years. That is how long it took to rebuild the temple. That is a fact. The controversy centers on which decree was the starting point.  One scholar, Sir William Anderson by name has traced the decree as given later, as the starting point taking us directly to the last week in the life of Jesus. We cannot ignore that possibility, and if it is true, it gives us an actual fulfillment of the 69th week. But for now, let us treat this section as an overview while we further explain the subject concerning the seventy weeks.

In all the various viewpoints, there is a different opinion concerning the seventieth week. Is it Historical, or is it prophetical?

Over the years I held to the viewpoint that that seventieth week pertained to a future time with its completion taking place during the time before Christ’s return (Known as “The Great Tribulation.) I still hold to that point of view because it is consistent with the arrival of “The Little Horn”: Mentioned in Daniel Chapter 7 through Chapter 11.

But in the past year, while teaching the books of Daniel and Revelation at the same time in two different classes, I discovered something in my studying, that I never saw before, and is this that I want to share with you. If I had not been teaching both books at the same time, I would not have discovered this. But in seeking to harmonize Daniel and Revelation, I saw the necessity to alter my previous understanding by considering a point of view that had not been apparent to me. This idea is both illuminating and challenging. So, let me explain what I mean.

Let us begin first, by examining the scripture concerning the seventy weeks.

 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;  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.  And he informed me and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.  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. 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.  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.  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.  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 9: 20 - 27)

As Daniel was in the process of completing his most urgent and fervent prayer for his people, he was visited by the angel Gabriel with a word of encouragement and a promise of a future time in the life of God's people, who were still in Babylon. The Angel told him first, that before his prayer was completed, God had already had an answer for him.

As a background, the children of Israel were on the brink of fulfilling their seventy years in Babylon, and Daniel's prayer was one of concern over what was to happen next. And this message is God's answer to them. So let us examine what God's plan is for the children of Israel. It is important that we understand that this message pertains to Israel and her future.

First notice: Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city.

What are these seventy weeks? They are not literal seven-day weeks, but seven periods of sevens. In this case, seven weeks refers to seven years times seven which would be forty-nine years. That would be how long it would take to complete the building of the temple. So these first seven years would be symbolic in their interpretation, but literal in its being fulfilled.

In this period of seventy weeks, there is a division in which they are to be understood. Having determined that the seven weeks would be seven periods of seven years, we can proceed further to examine how the rest of these seven years will be divided.

There are now sixty-nine weeks that lie ahead.  In the next sixty-nine weeks, there are two more divisions. After the completion of the temple, there remain sixty-eight more weeks to be fulfilled, and at the completion of these sixty-eight weeks, there remains one more week that remains. (Referred to as "The Seventieth week:)

The second period of time consists of 68 periods of seven weeks. That would amount to 476 literal years. During this period, the messiah is predicted to appear This period takes us up until the time when the Messiah will be cut off (Or Crucified)

Then finally there is remaining that seventieth week to take place after the death of the messiah. As we come to this seventieth week, this is where the difficulty takes place. The question is, will these seventy weeks take place at a far-off future time, or will it take place shortly after the death of Christ (During those first  one-hundred years.) But as we consider this question it is possible that both viewpoints are correct, and not in conflict. How so, you may ask?

As we consider these somewhat opposing viewpoints, they may be both correct as we consider that one may present a historical aspect (as having already taken place) And a prophetical point of view which sees them as both taking place in a different way and a different time. And it is important to understand both views and understand how they relate to one another. But before we do that let us consider the remaining message on this seventieth week.

It is a good evangelistic tool for the Christian as he seeks to reach his Jewish friends. it is true. the seventy weeks announces that the messiah shall arrive 476 years after the rebuilding of the temple.  This gives us a specific time that Jesus will arrive and that would be Good News indeed knowing that their Messiah has already come.

I have shared the gospel with some Jewish friends, but I did not have this knowledge at the time. What an incentive this could be for those who have a ministry to their Jewish friends and neighbors.

THE PURPOSE OF THE VISION (Verses 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.

The first question that comes to mind is, what is it that God is promising to do for His people, and how is it to be accomplished? And why would it be Good News for Israel? So we have three questions at once.

To finish the transgression.

This means to do away with the cause of our problems. We are told that He will take away the heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh. Sensitive toward sin, and remove those desires for the world that are the base of all of our transgressions. It means that instead of being hostile to the commandments, there will be an inward desire and love to do them. God is going to do that for His people.

 And to make an end to sins

In Psalm 103, we are given a promise of what God will do about our sins. This is a subject that we can present a great exposition upon. “What God Does with our sins” is a good topic for this Psalm. He Forgives, forgets, removes, puts them behind His back, remembers them no more, and removes them from us as far as the east is from the west. (And how may we measure that?)

 And to make a reconciliation for iniquity

Once in our sins, we were strangers and far from God. We were without hope, being without God, but God changed that. He has reconciled us. That means that he has made it possible to be one with Himself, and there is harmony and fellowship with God. Instead of being His enemy, I am now His child. Without Christ, none of these things would be possible. As the prophecy is declared, There is no possibility for reconciliation, for the blood of bulls and goats could not bring reconciliation. Only the Lamb provided by God could make that inward change. Iniquity would be replaced by righteousness

 and to bring in everlasting righteousness

Through our own merits, the best that we can do is present a flimsy, vacillating, unreliable type of righteousness. But when Jesus comes, He enables us to present to God a righteousness that brings glory to God. It will be a righteousness that God will remember, even if we ourselves forget., It is somewhat like putting money into your savings account. The righteousness that comes forth from our life is stored up in God's treasure house, and at the end of life, it will be part of the reward that we shall receive. No one can steal it for it is laid up in Heaven for those of us who are kept by the power of God. It shall not fade or pass away It is everlasting and is made possible through the indwelling Spirit of God, given to us at the time of our salvation.

And to seal up the vision and prophecy

There will be no more waiting. All of those Old Testament prophecies will make sense. When the Messiah comes there will be no longer the need for such prophecies. He will fulfill them all. I am reminded of the first verse of Hebrews that says, “ God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (Hebrews 1: 1 and 2.) Jesus is God’s last word to man. No need for angels, prophets, temples, or priests. He himself encompasses all of that through Himself.

And to anoint the most Holy.

Although this is listed last, it is the first thing that needs to be done, Recall in Matthew chapter three when Jesus was baptized by John. There was a voice from Heaven immediately after declaring, “: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. His anointing by God was the first act performed by God in preparation for His earthly ministry.

If we were to examine all the explanations presented by the various commentaries, we would discover a great many elaborate reasons for all of this. Some of their reasons would probably be more detailed and complex, and it is for this reason I have attempted to give a simple presentation confirmed by the scripture itself. The more elaborate we make this study of prophecy, the more confusion there will be in arriving at the truth. I do not pretend to have a great scholarship behind my explanations. I understand (Though at the present it is incomplete) that it is my purpose to present these messages in order to create understanding, and doing this creates a blessing to the readers. That is what God has called me to do.

 The message for the seventy weeks is something prepared for those Old Testament Israelites. But for we who are the New Testament Israelites, the promise is ours today It is what salvation is all about, and Jesus has provided that for us. All of this will take place during those 68 weeks. But now careful consideration must be given to the events recorded in the following verses.

WHAT ABOUT THAT SEVENTIETH WEEK?

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.  And after three and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself:

Thus far, we have attempted to present a historical presentation of how Jesus fulfilled that first sixty-nine weeks. But to the Israelites to whom Daniel was addressing, they were yet for a future time. We who are Christians understand the work that Christ came to fulfill. But the Jewish people did not have that understanding. And may I add, Daniel did not have that complete understanding, although he was its messenger.

 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.  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.

Consider first the statement" " 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. The historical presentation takes the position that this prophecy was fulfilled in 70 A.D. the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus. This is a historical fact that took place. But is this what our passage in Daniel is telling us? Prophetically, it is not. It is not the plain sense of the scripture at hand.

Then consider the next verses. " 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.  This is the prophecy concerning the "Little Horn" mentioned in Daniel (Which refers to a future time.

But consider the interpretation of the following verses that the historical approach gives. First, they take the view of the future destruction as proceeding after Christ has finished His work. They view the advent of A.D. 70 as referring to "The Prince that should come. In other words, it has already happened

Now there are some dangers in adopting this viewpoint because it gives credence to the preterist view that claims that the fulfillment of the events mentioned in Matthew 24 has already taken place and was fulfilled in A.D. 70.  Taking this viewpoint destroys the futurist meaning of Matthew 24.

But let us look at the rest of the verse as explained by this historical approach.  First, when the verse says that he will confirm the covenant, the viewpoint is that at the cross, Jesus confirmed the covenant made in the Old Testament. And although Jesus did do this, Is this what the prophetical statement means? It refers to a covenant that the "Little Horn" will make, and in the midst of the week, He shall break that covenant. Again I think this interpretation is closer to the message of Daniel

The next thing that this historical viewpoint claims when the verse says, " he will cause the daily sacrifice to cease. Again, the historical view states that Christ through his death has done away with the need for those sacrifices. The words, "it is finished confirm that. But once again, this viewpoint is not in line with the plain sense of The immediate context. It is more of an application rather than a correct exposition.

It is important to view and understand the various viewpoints and applications of scripture. Someone has said that the study of Prophecy generates more heat than light. This is true, but it need not be so. The study of Prophecy ought to be a great delight, and it becomes so if you study it independently and prayerfully, recognizing that the conflict comes mostly because proper reading and understanding are lacking. I find many people who have an intense interest in the study of prophecy. I have also found pastors who are afraid to preach on this subject because they face so many in the church who have preconceived ideas and are unwilling to find out if what they have been taught is scriptural. When studying Biblical prophecy, there need not be any confusion. But we have so many diverse opinions that are not open to any challenges that will cause them to change

The hardest thing about teaching prophecy is teaching it objectively. Happy is the man who has a congregation that allows him to do so.

In our final chapter, I will share the testimony of a well-known, established pastor who for many years taught one viewpoint that He was forced later in life to change. Thank you to such brave men who are not ashamed to face the consequences of teaching something different from the majority of opinions and is not afraid to stand up for truth.