PP

GOD’S TIMETABLE FOR THE WORLD AND ISRAEL DANIEL'S PROPHECIES CONCERNING THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD AND THE FUTURE OF ISRAEL IN RELATION TO THEM LECTURE FIVE THE SEVENTY WEEKS DANIEL 9 Our study in the Book of Daniel this evening, brings us to the 9th chapter. The chapter opens with the Prophet’s awareness of how terribly the Jews had sinned. This awareness drove Daniel to prolonged prayer in which he was broken and contrite. Listen to him in 9:1-3. PP “In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— [2] in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. [3] Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.” Out of this extended period of confessing, repenting and fasting prayer there came a very sharply focused prophecy. It centers on God’s people, the Jews, and the city of Jerusalem. Moreover, this deeply revealing moment issued from Daniel’s reading the writings of Jeremiah. Here is a powerful reminder about how we come to understand God’s designs. We must always be centered in the inerrancy of God’s revelations to the human authors of the Bible. These written records must be preserved at all costs; they must be given the highest place in our churches and the Church’s institutions of learning. Don’t forget it! King Jehoiakim, a Jewish king, had tried to burn up Jeremiah's prophecies (Jeremiah 36). However, the Lord preserved them because they were His very words to failing humanity. God especially protected the scrolls written by Jeremiah. You see, He wanted Daniel to have a copy to take with him to Babylon. We are the beneficiaries of this preservation to this very night.

1

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

In chapter 9 we come to a sharp focus on the Jews, God’s chosen people. An overview of the chapter reveals God’s processes with His people. We are shown how the Jews intertwine with that which has already been revealed about the Gentile nations to come. Again, back of it all is the sovereign guiding hand of the Almighty. Keep in mind that the Book of Daniel finds the people of Israel in dispersion and captivity under a foreign king. Their land, given to them by God, is in heathen hands. Their holy city, Jerusalem, is a heap of rubble and their temple a shameful ruin. They could rightly wonder, away from the light of God’s Word, if there was any future for them. Now, let’s read Daniel 9:24-27. The words of this passage reveals a timeline of prophecy. PP "Seventy sevens are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. [25] Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. [26] And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. [27] And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator." Gabriel, the angel, came to Daniel in response to the prophet’s inquiring about the 70year captivity that Judah was then enduring at the hands of the Babylonians. To refresh you memories about this, look at 9:1-3 and 21-23. PP “In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— [2] in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. [3] Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.”

2

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

“While I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice. [22] He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, "O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. [23] At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.” The point to be kept in mind here is this. The 70 year period of God’s dealing with Judah under the Babylonian captivity is nearing its end. So the question that would most naturally arise at this juncture would center on the future of the Jews, their land and their temple. Verses 24-27 of this 9th chapter answer that question. Here, near the end of the 70year captivity prophesied by Jeremiah, God’s timetable for the Jews from that moment forward to the end of history is disclosed. Let’s look at verse 24 once again. PP "Seventy sevens are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.” Here we are introduced to a unique way of calculating time. I call it the DISCLOSURE OF THE WEEKS. Note the words in verse 24 that Gabriel used – seventy sevens. Gabriel was speaking about seventy periods of 7 years. Sevens or, as sometimes translated, weeks means a 7 year period. So, when you see the word sevens, think in terms of seven years. In other words, one week represents 7 years. PP So, seventy sevens equals 490 years – 70x7 = 490. In disclosing the number of 490 years, Gabriel is telling Daniel this. Judah is nearing the end of its time in captivity under Babylon. However, this is just the beginning of an extended period of time in which the glorious and the gory are going to be intertwined. In other words, we are looking down a long corridor of ups and downs in history to come. Now, having disclosed that which stretches out before the Jews – the 70 7-yearperiods, THE OBJECTIVE OF THE WEEKS is next made known to the prophet. Let’s look at verse 24 once again. PP "Seventy sevens are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in 3

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.” First and foremost here, from Daniel forward, much time is yet needed for God to deal with His people. They have lived a long career of stiff-necked transgression and rebellion to God’s purposes. They were chosen to be a kingdom of holy people to reflect His person and character to the nations. Think of this folks! They had been called to declare the glory of God to the nations. They had resisted that high and majestic mission with the desire to be like the nations around them. And for that they were now paying a dear price. Moreover, there was yet more to pay! To be sure, there had been moments of repenting and restoration. However, the pattern had clearly emerged by now that they were a people bent on backsliding. To purge that out of His people was going to require a number of events across the years to come. This whole process would culminate in what the Bible calls the fullness of time. It was the moment when Jesus Christ Himself, the Messiah, would come. He would usher in everlasting righteousness and purify the nation of Israel. The truth to be seen here is that the ultimate objective of the weeks – the 70 sevenyear periods, the 490 years – is to bring the Messiah to earth as the solution for what ails the Jews and, for that matter, all the rest of us. This is made obvious in the six elements mentioned in verse 24b. PP 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Finish the transgression Put an end to sin Atone for iniquity Bring in everlasting righteousness Seal both vision and prophet Anoint a most holy place

Listen to the powerful support to this declaration provided from Jeremiah 23:4-6 and John 11:50. PP “I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord. [5] "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. [6] In his days Judah will be saved, and 4

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: 'The Lord is our righteousness.'” Jesus speaking – “Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish." What are the conclusions to be drawn from this disclosure and objective of the 70 weeks? To my mind the matter of paramount importance that emerges from this passage is this. We dare never minimize the consequences that our deliberate sinning sets in motion. You can say all you wish about being a forgiven people. And it is, indeed, true that we are a forgiven people. But when a pattern of deliberate sinning emerges in a life, subsequent to being forgiven, there will be consequences that we cannot escape. For years on end the Jews of the Old Testament days assumed too much! They figured that their privileged relationship to Jehovah gave them liberties to disobey the Lord without fear of consequences. They believed that with their mouth they could say the right things and that it did not matter if their conduct measured up to those words. They made this fatal error. They assumed that the consequences of their sin would be short-lived if they prayed hard and made all kinds of promises and fasted in prayer. But they learned that the sin they allowed had etched a hardness of spirit deep within them. It was so deep that it would take years of chastising to weave a new pattern into their lives. Even the great, godly, broken man, Daniel, couldn’t change the course of things by his prayers. Ignoring the warnings of the prophets, abusing those prophets for their forthright honesty, the Jews had locked themselves into something they couldn’t change. And they had only themselves to blame. They deserved everything they got! Reviewing the history of Israel, Paul wrote in I Corinthians 10:6,11 these words. PP “Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did…Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.” Paul was most likely suggesting by that last phrase – the end of the ages has come – the Apostle was suggesting nearing the end of the 70 weeks timeline.

5

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

The passage from which these words come cites the deliberate sins of Israel and the long term consequences of those sins. So the point is this. Wherever we appear on the timeline of history, the acts of disobedience that we engage in have the potential of introducing a series of consequences that we’ll never be able to interrupt. Think about this for a moment. The circumstances and trials through which you now pass may have a hidden root system. If you follow it carefully and honestly it might lead you back to a deliberate, sustained pattern of sinning. That pattern of deliberate sin initiated the growth of something that you cannot now control. There are ample warnings about this in the New Testament so I need not spend more time here. Let us move quickly now to the important third point of chapter 9 – THE CONTENT OF THE WEEKS. It’s important to understand this in verses 24-27 of this ninth chapter of Daniel. The focus is on a period of time for the Jews and Jerusalem that follows the 70-year exile in Babylon. The 70 years of exile in Babylon are not contained the seventy weeks. Notice the wording of verse 24. PP "Seventy sevens are decreed about your people and your holy city.” Daniel’s people were the Jews and Jerusalem was their holy city. There can be no doubt about whom this passage speaks. How long a period are we talking about when seventy weeks are indicated? Are days or years intended? Is it 490 days or 490 years? Well, as we have already seen, it has to be years. When you try to manage the content of this text with 490 days there is just no way that it can make sense. Dr. Alva McClain writing on this point observes that if these are days and not years, then here is what we have. In just a little more than one year, Jerusalem would be rebuilt and then destroyed once more. You see, there’s no way that the facts of history can be forced into that mold. So we are dealing here with 490 years. Notice secondly, from the text, that these years are divided into three periods, verses 25-27. PP 1.Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks.

6

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

2.Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. [26] And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. 3.[27] And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator. It seems clear to me that what we have here is this. PP A period of seven sevens, or 49 years; a period of 62 sevens, or 434 years; and a period of 1 seven, or 7 years. 49 years – Jerusalem and Temple rebuilt 434 years – From Jerusalem rebuilt to Christ’s entry to Jerusalem 7 years – The Tribulation period The considered opinion of learned men and women who devote great amounts of time to studying the Bible is this. The first period of sevens – seven sevens, or 49 years – refers to the rebuilding of Jerusalem following the return of the Jews from the Babylonian exile. Observe in verse 25 the wording, “From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem…” There is little question that this is a reference to the second decree of Artaxerxes. This event is recorded in Nehemiah 1 and 2. The time in history was around 445 B.C. From that point the first series of sevens is measured – 49 years to rebuild the streets and trench. The second of the distinct periods of sevens is said to be 62 sevens, or 434 years, verse 25. Note that this period covers the time from the completion of the work on the city to the Anointed One, the Prince, or Ruler. In this terminology we are referring to Jesus Christ as Messiah. So the question is what in the life of our Lord signaled to the world His official claim to be the Messiah and Ruler of Israel? I have come to conclude that there is only one event that adequately supports this: His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Prior to that moment, Jesus would never let His

7

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

disciples or admirers publicly declare Him as Messiah. However, on the day of the triumphal entry, He did. Thus, the 434 years were complete! Robert Culver in his work on Daniel observes this. “The significant thing about this period of 483 years (7 weeks + 62 weeks) is that if our accepted calendars and chronologies are correct, it is almost exactly 483 years from the latest possible date for the beginning of the weeks (decree of Artaxerxes to Nehemiah) to the closing years of Christ’s life, which brings us very close to the time of the…triumphal entry.” Look carefully at verse 26. “And after the sixty-two weeks (sevens), an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing.” The wording here leads me to believe even more strongly that the 434 years terminates with the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem. My reason for so saying is that after that official presentation of Christ as Israel’s Messiah, the word is that He is cut off and will have nothing. The words “cut off and have nothing” introduces us to another period of time. I speak of the in-between period that extends from the end of the 69 weeks (483 years) to the beginning of the 70th week – the last 7 years. Look for a moment at the PowerPoint. PP It is perfectly obvious that this period begins with the crucifixion of Christ. The cutting off is “after” the total of 69 weeks. Thus the death of Christ, followed by the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. are events that conclude the sixty-ninth week and precede the beginning of the 70th week. So what we have here is what we can rightly call A Parenthesis of Time. In other words, there is a gap of time between the 69th week that concluded with the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem and the 70th week that begins with what will turn out to be the Tribulation period. Keep in mind that Gabriel's message assured Daniel that the nation of Israel would be restored to their land; the city of Jerusalem and the temple would be rebuilt and that God would make provision for the cleansing of the nation following the Babylonian exile. But Gabriel didn't tell Daniel what would happen between the 69th and the 70th "weeks." Remember that we are in the part of Daniel that reveals the Jews’ coming development among the Gentile nations. The obvious truth here is that the gap in time 8

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

has to do with the emergence and development of the Church. This was the mystery God had hidden in Old Testament times. It was the mystery that was to be revealed in the time of Christ and the Apostles. This is explained in Ephesians 3:1-13. Keep in mind that Daniel wasn't told that the rejection and death of the Messiah would bring about a new thing, a spiritual body that would include Jews and Gentiles. It would be a gathering in which all natural differences would be unimportant as set forth in Ephesians 2:11-22 and Galatians 3:22-29. One reason the Jewish legalists opposed Paul was because he put Jews and Gentiles on the same level in the Church. The traditionalists wanted to maintain the "superiority" of the Jews as revealed in the law and the kingdom prophecies. Thus, some of the prophecy in Daniel 9:24-27 has already been fulfilled, and the rest will be fulfilled in the end times. We are today living in the age of the church – the time between the 69th and 70th week. It is a time when Israel has been partially blinded and temporarily set aside as explained in Romans 9-11. Like Paul, we must have a heart concern for the Jewish people; pray for them, seek to share the Gospel with them. Gentile believers have a debt to the people of Israel (Rom 15:24-27); They gave us the knowledge of the true and living God, the inspired written Scriptures, and the Savior, Jesus Christ. I highly recommend that you read Joel Richardson’s recent book When a Jew Rules the World. It will help you appreciate how God has used the Jews and will again use the Jews for incredible blessings in our world. So then, we are still living in that in-between period – it has lasted for over 2,000 years. Here is yet another evidence from Scripture that we are in fact living in the late years of history. Yes, indeed, the end of days is upon us. You see, the final, the 70th week of history, could begin at any moment. From the 27th verse it is clear that the 70th week belongs to a seven-year relationship between the Antichrist and Daniel’s people, Israel, in the end time. This is a period which concludes with the second coming of Christ as recorded in Revelation 19. Look at verse 27 one more time. PP “And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” 9

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

It is evident from verse 27 that when this last seven years under Antichrist unfolds, the Jews will be back in their land with their temple and services in operation. Agreement with this world leader will be reached by the Jews. This gives them momentary liberties to accelerate their designs for the Holy Land. But then the Antichrist will break that agreement after 3½ years. I intend to deal with the subject of the Antichrist and his interaction with the Jews in our next session. I will say just this this evening. The Antichrist is in for some shattering surprises. His rule will appear as invincible sovereignty; he will suppose that his rule will have no end. Spending time in Biblical passages like the one we have considered this evening is a profitable exercise. You see, this passage proves a powerful point. The point made this evening is that of incredible accuracy. The only way to explain this passage is, as Daniel stated to Nebuchadnezzar in chapter 2:28, “There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries…” This is one of the reasons why liberals struggle to assign the authorship of Daniel to a much later period than in fact it was written. If this prophecy was written by Daniel in the middle 500s B.C., which indeed it was, then it is another proof that the Bible is literally God-given to mankind. Every word in the Bible is from God! It’s important for you to know that this Morgantown CMA Church holds to a view of Scripture that has been abandoned by many denominations and churches. We proclaim that the Divine inspiration of the Bible has rendered it infallible, that is, incapable of teaching deception and/or error. It is inerrant, that is, not liable to prove false or mistaken. Its inspiration is plenary. By that term we mean all parts alike are given from God. The inspiration we speak of is verbal. This means that the actual language came from God through the personality of the human instrument. II Peter 1:20,21 makes this very clear. PP “Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. [21] For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” Be very convinced in your thinking about this as we conclude for this evening. God is concerned and very much involved with the timetable of events that have been and will continue to unfold in our world from the beginning of time. Whatever He pinpoints in history is not only accurate but it will surely take place according to His timing.

10

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

This being the case, then how absolutely right is the word that He has given that directs us in conduct and worship. To give that Word anything less than complete obedience is to court a disaster that has eternal consequences. Psalm 19:7-14 sets the course. PP “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; [8] the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; [9] the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. [10] More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. [11] Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. [12] Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. [13] Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. [14] Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Let us sing hymn #26 – A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Prayer

11

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

12

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

13

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

14

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

15

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

16

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

17

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

18

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

19

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

20

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

21

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

22

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

23

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

24

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

25

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

26

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

27

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

28

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

29

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

30

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

31

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

32

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

33

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

34

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

35

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

36

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

37

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

38

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

39

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

40

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

41

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

42

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

43

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

44

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

45

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS

46

05 – DANIEL CHAPTER 9: THE SEVENTY WEEKS