The Seventy Weeks Prophecy
February 17, 2022
Commentary
While Daniel was praying the answer came. Gabriel came about the time of the evening sacrifice which was near 3 p.m (vv. 20-22). It is interesting to note that even though the temple had been destroyed for 66 years and sacrifices could not be offered there Daniel still recalled the hour and prayed at that time.
Daniel is concerned about God’s program for Israel in the future. So Gabriel was sent by God to reveal His plan for Israel until the end (v. 23). He explains how God’s program will be completed in 70 “sevens”. Bible scholars interpret this time period as a literal 70 weeks or 490 years and that Christ’s death came at the end of the 69 weeks. He explains that these seventy weeks cover the period when the Jews will be dwelling in their own land. The purpose of the seventy weeks is sixfold (v. 24):
“To finish the transgression” – has reference against rebellion against God.“To make an end of sins” – refers to sin being put away during the Messiah’s reign.“To make reconciliation for iniquity” – speaks of an atonement on the basis of sacrifice.“To bring in everlasting righteousness” – predicting the righteous government of the Messiah.“To seal up the vision and prophecy” – a time to come when all prophecies will be fulfilled.“To anoint the most Holy” – when Messiah’s reign will be inaugurated with righteousness.Sixty-nine weeks mark the time from the death of Christ until the Antichrist decree. The seventieth week is yet future. Jerusalem will be rebuilt as a complete fully functioning city (v. 25) and the Messiah was to be killed by His own people (v. 26). He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘week.’ In the middle of the ‘week’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering (v. 27).
Application
I need to be as faithful in my prayer life as Daniel was?
Daniel 9:20– 27 (NET)
20 While I was still speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and presenting my request before the Lord my God concerning his holy mountain — 21 yes, while I was still praying, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen previously in a vision, was approaching me in my state of extreme weariness, around the time of the evening offering. 22 He spoke with me, instructing me as follows: “Daniel, I have now come to impart understanding to you. 23 At the beginning of your requests a message went out, and I have come to convey it to you, for you are of great value in God’s sight. Therefore consider the message and understand the vision:
24 “Seventy weeks have been determined concerning your people and your holy city to put an end to rebellion, to bring sin to completion, to atone for iniquity, to bring in perpetual righteousness, to seal up the prophetic vision, and to anoint a Most Holy Place.
25 So know and understand: From the issuing of the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until an anointed one, a prince arrives, there will be a period of seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will again be built, with plaza and moat, but in distressful times.
26 Now after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one will be cut off and have nothing. As for the city and the sanctuary, the people of the coming prince will destroy them. But his end will come speedily like a flood. Until the end of the war that has been decreed there will be destruction.
27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one week. But in the middle of that week he will bring sacrifices and offerings to a halt. On the wing of abominations will come one who destroys, until the decreed end is poured out on the one who destroys.”
Illustration: Queen Elizabeth as a Little Girl Threw a Tantrum
When Queen Elizabeth was a little girl, she threw a tantrum. Her nanny said, “Do you know who you are?’ “Of course, “ she replied, “ I am Elizabeth.” “No,” scolded her nanny, “you are the heir apparent to the throne of the British Empire and the future Queen of England.” To that the little girl replied, “In that case I had better dry these tears and act like the Queen, hadn’t I ?” (Tim George – Sermon Central).