This is the famous
Seventieth Week of Daniel, the seventieth seven, the "Tribulation".
This important passage should be
interpreted in its plain, natural, literal sense, taking care to avoid
speculation, allegorization, application of symbolism or
spiritualization. Any other interpretative schema other than
literal leaves this critical passage and this entire section (Da
9:24-27) open to a variety of interpretations limited only by the
expositor's imagination. As discussed below, the natural and most
logical interpretation is to take Daniel 9:27 literally. The literal
interpretation indicates the events described are yet future, for one
cannot identify a historical 7 year period which completely explains all
the events. This verse describes what expositors have referred to as The
Tribulation. It should however be emphasized that there is not
specific Scripture that designates this entire seven year period as the
tribulation.
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Rapture |
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After 69th Week |
GAP
2007 + x Years |
70th Week
7 Years |
1000 Years |
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Cross |
The Church Age |
Tribulation* |
Millennium |
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*Note: The word
"Tribulation" is never specifically used in Scripture to designate the
last 7 years, Daniel's 70th week, but will be used in these notes
because the term is so firmly entrenched in Christian jargon.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary
addresses the faulty logic of amillennialists who refuse to accept a
gap between Daniel 9:26 and Daniel 9:27 writing that...
Amillenarians teach that Christ’s
First Advent ministry was in the 70th “seven,” that there was no
interval between the 69th and 70th “sevens,” and that the six actions
predicted in Daniel 9:24 are being fulfilled today in the church. This
view, however, (a) ignores the fact that verse 26 says “after the 62
sevens, ‘ ”not “in the 70th seven, ‘” (b) overlooks the fact that
Christ’s ministry on earth was three and one-half years in length, not
seven, and (c) ignores the fact that God’s six actions pertain to
Daniel’s “people” (Israel) and His “Holy City” (Jerusalem), not the
church. (Walvoord,
J. F., Zuck, R. B., et al: The Bible Knowledge Commentary. 1985. Victor
or
Logos)
John MacArthur discusses
the gap between the 69th and 70th weeks writing...
There is a gap between the
sixty-ninth and seventieth weeks prophesied in Daniel 9:24-27. During
that gap Christ was crucified and the Temple destroyed--a period of
approximately forty years. Scripture does not indicate the length of the
gap, though we do know it will last until the Antichrist comes to
confirm a covenant with Israel (Da 9:27). Its undetermined length ought
not to trouble us: many prophecies in Scripture contain such gaps.
1. Isaiah 9:6--"Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the
government shall be upon His shoulder. " While that prophecy speaks both
of Christ's birth and right to govern, a gap exists between the two.
2.
1 Peter 1:10, 11
(note)--A great period of time exists between the first and
second comings of Christ--a period unperceived by the Old Testament
prophets.
3. Luke 4:18, 19--In those verses Jesus quoted the portion of Isaiah
61:1-2 that applies to His first advent, but not that which applies to
His return as Judge. He recognized the gap between those two
appearances.
4. Eph 3:9
(note)--That gap is identified as the Church Age, which Paul
called "the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages hath been
hidden in God. " It's a historical parenthesis within the seventy weeks
determined for Israel.
If the seventy weeks of Daniel were 490 consecutive years, there would
be no question when our Lord would come again. But because it was
intended to be of indeterminate length our Lord said, "Of that day and
hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only"
(Mt. 24:36; cf. Acts 1:7). (Ref)
Click for a more detailed
discussion of the rationale for the interpretation of the gap
between the 69th and 70th weeks and the conclusion that the 70th has to
be a yet
future time period. As discussed in the
explanatory notes
it is not uncommon for prophetic passages to demonstrate a significant
"pause" or "gap" in regarding partial and complete fulfillment.
Walvoord explains the
interpretation of Daniel 9:27 this
way...
If the expositor desires to follow
the text meticulously, however, there is really no alternative but to
declare the entire seventieth seven future, for there has been no
seven-year period fulfilling the events of prophecy, however labored the
interpretation. This is usually conceded by those who make the last
seven years an indefinite period which allows for still future
interpretation. (John Walvoord:
Daniel: The key to Prophetic Revelation
online)
And he will make a firm covenant (Isaiah
42:6; 53:11; 55:3; Jeremiah 31:31, 32, 33, 34; 32:40, 41, 42; Ezekiel
16:60, 61, 62, 63; Mt 26:28; Ro 5:15,19; 15:8,9; Gal 3:13, 14, 15, 16,
17; He 6:13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18; 8:8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13; He 9:15, 16,
17, 18, 19, 20,28; 10:16, 17, 18; 13:20,21) (Mt 27:51; He 10:4-22)
He - Who is he?
Applying the accepted rule of interpretation and observing the text for
the nearest antecedent of the pronoun he (without bias or influence by other "experts")
one most logically links
he with the prince who is to come (Daniel 9:26). This is also the
conclusion reached by most conservative evangelical commentaries who go
on to identify him as the Antichrist who comes out of the fourth beast
(fourth kingdom) with 10 horns in Daniel 7 (The Revived Roman Empire).
We know that the prince's people destroyed Jerusalem in 70 A.D.,
and thus we can deduce that this coming prince has his ancestral
roots in the ancient Roman Empire and is thus part of what commentators
refer to as "the revived Roman Empire", the final human world government
described in more detail in Romans 7 (see Da 7:7, 19). In the Revelation
of Jesus Christ, John records his vision...
And he stood on the sand of the
seashore. And I saw a beast ("the prince who is to come", the
Antichrist) coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads,
and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous
names. (See notes
Revelation 13:1; see also the
study of
The Beast;
and
Beasts, Heads, and Horns)
Other identifications have been
proposed including Antiochus Epiphanes (Montgomery) who feels that this
prophecy was fulfilled in the second century before Christ noting how
apostate Jews co–operated with Antiochus (see 1 Mac 1:11-15).
E. Young and P. Mauro interpret
the he as a reference to the Messiah primarily because the entire
prophecy is about the Messiah and the premise that there is no "future
'prince' making a covenant with" Israel. This interpretation makes
little sense for the new covenant in His blood is an everlasting
covenant, not a seven year covenant and not a covenant which He will
never break for God is a covenant keeping God! How can the reference be
to Christ when we have just been introduced to the prince who is to come
which describes one out of the Roman empire? Christ did not come from
the Roman empire. Furthermore, when did Christ make a firm covenant with
many Jews for one week (seven year period)? And how can it be said of
Christ that “in the midst of the week” He caused the sacrifices
to cease? Sacrifices continued in the Temple some 40 years after Messiah
was cut off, well past the 7 years of the 70th Week.
Harry Ironside agrees that
he is not the Messiah writing...
Ere closing I briefly notice a rather
peculiar interpretation which is frequently given to the 27th verse. It
is said that the Lord Jesus is Himself to be the prince that shall
come who confirms the covenant for one week. His own crucifixion is
supposed to be the event which caused the sacrifice and oblation to
cease. But neither chronologically nor doctrinally will this stand for a
moment, if examined in the light of other scriptures. With whom did the
Lord Jesus ever confirm a covenant for seven years? His precious blood
is called ”the blood of the everlasting covenant;” not a covenant for
one week of years. We may rest assured it is not Messiah at all, but the
blasphemous prince who is yet to come, who will fulfil what is
predicted in this verse.
How near this world may be to the
actual entering upon all these things no man can say, but it is the part
of wisdom to learn from the prophetic Scriptures, and to turn now to Him
who alone can save; to own Him as Redeemer and Lord, and thus be certain
of being caught up to meet Him when He comes in the clouds, ere the time
comes for His righteous judgment to be poured out upon this poor world.
(Ironside, H. A. Lectures on Daniel the Prophet. 1911)
The pronoun He has even been interpreted
as a week by some who take he as neuter (not
masculine). But interpretation of he as week makes absolutely no sense in the context.
In Revelation John gives us
a fascinating description of a man revealed upon opening the second seal
on the scroll...
And I looked, and behold, a white
horse, and he who sat on it had a bow (a symbol of strength - Job 29:20,
30:11); and a crown was given to him; and he went out conquering, and to
conquer. (see note
Revelation 6:2)
Note the similarities of this
man to the Christ -
(1) Riding a white horse (Re
19:11-note)
(2) Wearing a crown (a
stephanos
{note}
not a diadema, although Christ also wore a
stephanos
in Mt 27:29, John 19:2, 5) (Re 19:12-note)
(3) Overcome - both this man
and Christ are "overcomers" (Jesus said "take courage, I have overcome
the world" in Jn 16:33, cf 1Jn 4:4, Re 3:21, 17:14- see note
Re 3:21;
17:14)
The identity of this man in Re 6:2
(note)
is definitely not the true Christ, for in fact it is the
Lamb, the Messiah Who was worthy to open and did open the scroll
from His Father (Re 5:2, 4, 7, 9, 12, 6:1 - see notes
Re 5:2;
5:4;
5:7;
5:9;
12;
6:1). This cannot be Christ
riding forth, for He must open the remaining seals! This man carries a
bow, whereas Christ carries a sword (Re 2:12, 19:15-see notes
Re 2:12;
19:15). This rider is alone,
whereas "the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white
and clean, were following Him (Christ) on white horses." (Re 19:14-note) Finally,
notice that Christ rides forth on a white horse at the end of the Great
Tribulation, but this rider comes forth at the beginning of the
Seventieth Week of Daniel (although admittedly when during this first
3.5 years this specific event occurs cannot be accurately determined
from Scripture). In light of this description, who might the world think
is riding forth here in Re 6:2
(note)? This is almost
certainly the "Beast" of Revelation the
the Antichrist
(anti = instead of or against
+ Christos = anointed one) who comes on the world scene at the
beginning of the Tribulation (see John 5:43 below)
Notice that although the man in Re
6:2 (note) is to conquer he
has a bow but no arrows. and in this way he
resembles
Antiochus Epiphanes (see
Daniel lecture
and
additional discussion) who seized "the kingdom by intrigue" and
practiced "deception, and... (gained) power with a small force
of people" and in so doing pre-figured the Antichrist (see Da 11:21,
22, 23
-
See Dr Walvoord's comments)
A bow without arrows may indicate that the
Antichrist
will conquer more by shrewd statesmanship or deceptive diplomacy than by
brute force. Daniel in fact describes him as a man possessing "a mouth
speaking great things" (Daniel 7:8 -
See Dr Walvoord's comments) , yet with an intimidating force at
his back. He will be able to negotiate concessions for Israel -
security, permission to rebuild their beloved temple, and the right to
worship with Temple sacrifices.
This man, the Antichrist will
orchestrate a peace treaty with Israel for seven years and thus will
initially be a hero to the Jews. Without speculating too much, it is
very easy to see how this can happen for in our day, for Israel is
internationally isolated and is desperately seeking support against the
jihadist pressure of the Muslim neighbors, as well as continuing to
distrust the Russians out of fear a potential threat coming from the
north (direction of Russia).
Make a firm covenant - What
is the idea of make...firm? Daniel could have recorded the usual
OT phrase "cut a covenant" but as discussed below
the use of this phrase gives some insight into the Antichrist's modus
operandi.
Make a firm (01396)
(gabar) is a primary verb commonly associated with warfare and
with strength and vitality of a successful warrior. Some OT uses (contexts)
of gabar convey the sense of showing oneself as arrogant or
overbearing as is one whose attitudes and actions reflect hubris and
pride (cf the Antichrist's "boastful words" {although not the word
gabar} in Daniel 7:11, 20 -
See Dr Walvoord's comments, see also notes on
Revelation 13:5). The idea
inherent in gabar is to be strong, to triumph over or to prevail,
thus picturing superior strength over someone or something. For example,
gabar in Exodus 17 vividly portrays this idea...
So it came about when Moses held his
hand up, that Israel prevailed (gabar), and when he let his hand
down, Amalek prevailed (gabar). (Exodus 17:11)
Covenant
(01285)
(berith/beriyth) (see in depth study beginning with
Covenant in the Bible)
(Septuagint
- LXX translates
covenant with Greek noun
diatheke {see study})
as discussed elsewhere is the most solemn and binding agreement known in
the ancient world. Someone has written that "There is no firmer
guarantee of legal security peace or personal loyalty than the
covenant". The greatest tool for covenant making came to be the written
document on which the words of the covenant, its terms in the form of
promises and stipulations, were spelled out, witnessed to, signed and
sealed. Such covenant documents abound in ancient records.
With the many -
In
context
refers to the Jews or Israel and is not a general reference to any
group. Comparing with other passages one notes that the many refers to Jews in
Da 11:33, 39 (Dr
Walvoord's comments) and
Da 12:3
(Dr
Walvoord's comments).
What will the many do?
Covenant
in our modern world has lost
much of its Biblical meaning (cf how tragically frequent marital
partners break their covenant - see
Covenant: As It Relates to Marriage)
but in the context of the Bible, covenant has always signified a solemn,
binding agreement and as such represented the entering of two parties
into an intimate, ostensibly indissoluble agreement. And so by entering
into this covenant with the Antichrist, Israel will embrace the
this prince who is to come as a veritable "savior" who has been
able to accomplish what heretofore all others have failed to produce -
"Peace" in the Middle East. This prince becomes their "political
messiah". Israel's desperate desire for peace, security and safety
will play into the hands of Antichrist, who will convince them and the
world that he can provide this peace.
And yet one still has to wonder,
how can the world and Israel be so totally deceived, especially in light
of the fact that we hear many non-believers talking about the
Antichrist. But if we recall from history, this scenario is precisely
what happened before the outbreak of World War II. Adolf Hitler
had even spelled out in detail his plans for conquest in his book
Mein Kampf, which had been published more than a decade before World
War II began. Yet, incredibly, Britain and France persisted in believing
Hitler’s false claim to be a man of peace, passively standing by as he
reoccupied the Rhineland (demilitarized after World War I) and thus
abrogated the Versailles Treaty. Desperate to appease Hitler and avoid
war, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain met with the Nazi
dictator at Munich in 1938. Upon his return to England, Chamberlain
triumphantly waved a piece of paper containing a worthless pledge of
peace from Hitler which he claimed guaranteed “peace with honor …
peace for our time.” When Winston Churchill (one of the few never
taken in by Hitler) rose in the House of Commons to declare that England
had suffered a total, unmitigated defeat he was shouted down by angry
members of Parliament. The deception was nearly universal as almost
everyone misread Hitler’s intentions. Only after he had invaded Poland
in September, 1939 did the allies finally acknowledge the truth of his
evil plan to conquer the world, but by then it was too late to avoid the
catastrophe of the Second World War.
The Bible repeatedly warns of the
deadly lure of false peace offered by false prophets, God declaring...
they have healed the brokenness of My
people superficially, Saying, 'Peace, peace,' But there is no peace.
(Jer 6:14, cp Jer 8:11, 14:13)
False prophets spoke of peace in Jerusalem
even while faced with the threat of Babylon. In this setting...
The Lord replied, “The prophets are
prophesying falsehood in My name. I have neither sent them nor commanded
them nor spoken to them; they are prophesying to you a false vision,
divination, futility and the deception of their own minds” (Jer 14:14)
Paul describes the deceitfulness
of this future false peace that is a harbinger of the Day of the Lord
writing...
While they (unbelievers) are saying,
"Peace and safety!" then (when? while they are saying "peace and
safety") destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon
a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (see note
1Thessalonians 5:3).
In John 5, Jesus predicted this Jewish "apostasy"
(which I think correlates well with "the apostasy" that Paul
describes in 2Thes 2:1-4 (Dr
Walvoord's comments) that precedes the Antichrist's claim of deity
in the midst of the Temple in Jerusalem)...
I have come in My Father's name, and
you do not receive Me; if another shall come in his own name, you will
receive him. (John 5:43)
Comment: This was partially
and literally fulfilled in the first century, as the Jewish historian
Josephus, recorded a string of messianic pretenders in the years before
70AD, the fall of Jerusalem and sacking of the Temple. Jesus was
predicting that though the Jews would not follow Him, they sadly and
somewhat ironically would follow false messiahs, the final prince who is
to come being the ultimate false messiah, which of accounts in part for
his name of Antichrist = instead of Christ, in place of Christ, against
Christ
Now one should understand that while
most of Israel at this time is still unbelieving, God always has a
faithful Jewish
remnant,
who confess their sin, and place their faith in the Messiah.
Harry Ironside explains
that...
The many, that is the apostate
mass of the (Jewish) people, will enter into covenant relations with the
prince whose people formerly were the instruments of the
destruction of their city. That is, this great blasphemous Roman leader
will guarantee protection and freedom of religious worship to them for
seven years, in return for which they will promise allegiance to him as
their sovereign. In the midst of the week (that is, after three years
and a half) he will violate his part of the covenant, and cause the
sacrifices and oblations to Jehovah to cease. Idolatry of the most
dreadful kind will be forced upon them. The direct result of which will
be to distinguish the
remnant
from the mass, and thus
to bring in the
Great Tribulation
which will continue for forty-two months,—“a time, times, and half a
time,” or 1260 days. (Ironside, H. A. Lectures on Daniel the
Prophet. 1911)
To reiterate, the Covenant the
Antichrist makes with Israel marks the onset of the Seven
Year period referred to as "The Tribulation" and is evidently a covenant of protection and of religious
freedom under
which Israel is free to re-establish their system of sacrifices.
Where will the Jews perform the
sacrifices? The answer is that sometime either before or
during this first 3.5 years of the Tribulation (Scripture is not dogmatic)
the Jewish Temple is rebuilt on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and
sacrifices are resumed. The only acceptable site for the Jewish Temple
is "Temple Mount", which in 2007 is the site of the Dome of the Rock and
under Muslim control. Clearly there must be a radical shift in policy to
allow the Temple to be rebuilt, and this may be one of the Antichrist's
first major breakthrough, as he is able to bring about "peace" in the
Middle East, something the world is now crying for almost daily in
newspapers and newscasts. John clearly indicates the presence of a
Jewish Temple in the end times recording that...
There was given me (John) a measuring
rod like a staff; and someone said, "Rise and measure the temple of
God, and the altar, and those who worship in it. And leave out the
court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has
been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the holy city
for forty-two months. (See notes
Rev 11:1;
11:2).
Note that Revelation 11 and 12 are
vitally important chapters regarding the timing of events in
Daniel's Seventieth Week and should be carefully studied by all believers so
that we might be able to give unbelievers an account of the hope that we
possess (1Pe 3:15-note).
As you read these chapters you will observe repeated references to a
3.5 year period, one reference referring to events that occur in the
first 3.5 years of the Tribulation but most referring to events in the
second half of the Tribulation. Below is a table summarizing the various
time phrases representing either the first half or second half of this
last Seven Year Period. The discerning reader should examine
these passages in
context,
and interpret
literally
where possible (John's language in Revelation 12 is very figurative, but
do not forget the basic principle that even figurative passages have a
"literal" meaning and cannot be wildly spiritualized or allegorized!)
allowing the Spirit to lead you into all the truth (see 1John 2:27 where
"anointing" is a reference to the Spirit indwelling every believer, see
Ro 8:9 -note)
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TIME DIVISIONS
DANIEL'S SEVENTIETH WEEK
Seven Years = "The Tribulation"
(Click
Chart on Daniel's 70th Week) |
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SCRIPTURE |
TIME PHRASE |
WHAT TIME IS
IT? |
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Rev 11:3
(note) |
1260 days |
And I will grant authority
to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and
sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.
FIRST 3.5 YEARS |
|
Da 9:27 |
Middle
of the week |
The time when the prince
who is to come breaks the covenant with Israel and carries out
the abomination of desolation
MIDDLE OF 7 YEARS |
Da 7:25
(note) |
Time, times
and half a time |
The time during which the saints
(Jews) will be given into Little Horn's (Antichrist's) hand (power).
SECOND 3.5 YEARS |
Rev 13:5
(note) |
42 months |
Authority to
act given to Antichrist - "And there was given to him a mouth
speaking arrogant words and blasphemies; and authority to act for
forty-two months was given to him."
SECOND 3.5 YEARS |
Da 12:7
(note) |
Time, times
and half a time |
The time required to shatter the
power of the holy people (the Jews) and the completion of the events
described in Daniel 10-12.
SECOND 3.5 YEARS |
Rev 11:2
(note) |
42 months |
The time period during which the
Gentile nations will be given the outside court of the Temple and
will trample down Jerusalem.
SECOND 3.5 YEARS |
Rev 12:6
(note) |
1260 days |
The time period when Israel flees
into the wilderness to a place prepared by God so that she might be
nourished.
SECOND 3.5 YEARS |
Rev 12:14
(note) |
Time and times
and half a time |
The time during which Israel is
nourished in the wilderness from the presence of the serpent
SECOND 3.5 YEARS |
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SYNONYMS FOR THE
SECOND 3.5 YEARS
THE GREAT
TRIBULATION
(Click Chart
Summarizing Daniel's 70th Week) |
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SCRIPTURE |
TIME PHRASE |
DESCRIPTION | |