Dr. Couch, I am fascinated by the great prophecy of Daniel's Seventy weeks found in Daniel 9:24-27. Would you explain the various points of what will happen during that period, and also, suggest a book that may help me study it out?
ANSWER: You need Scofield Ministries' commentary on Daniel done by Dr. Paul Benware. It is almost 300 pages in length and entitled: Daniel's Prophecy of Things to Come. I believe this is one of the best dispensational commentaries produced in some time. (Below are some of the excellent observations made by Dr. Benware on Daniel 9:24-27.)
There are six points or conclusions in 9:24 that God will carry out during the Seventy weeks, or the seventy sevens (or, 490 years of judgment upon Israel).
TO FINISH THE TRANSGRESSION
"The first divine goal of the 490 years will be to bring to completion the transgression (Heb. pasha) of Israel. This word 'transgression' focuses on the deliberate rebellion and apostasy of Israel and it is declared that this will be brought to an end. The definite article is used so that it is not just Israel's rebellion generally in view, but the rebellion of the nation."
TO MAKE AN END OF SIN
"In this goal of God, the idea appears to be that sin generally will be brought into judgment and forgiveness granted. Israel, whose national life had been so characterized by its waywardness, will live apart from sin because their sins have been judged and they have been forgiven."
THE ATONEMENT FOR INIQUITY
"The third purpose of the Seventy Weeks is to deal with the sin issue by making atonement for it. This is undoubtedly looking at the cross of Jesus Christ, since it is the only thing that takes care of sin. It is the cross alone that makes it possible for anyone to be reconciled to God, whether Gentile or Israelite."
TO BRING IN EVERLASTING RIGHTEOUSNESS
"According to the Old Testament prophets, one of the marvelous characteristics of the Messiah's kingdom is that of righteousness (cf. Isa. 11:2-5; Jer. 23:3-6). Righteousness, not sin, will prevail in the realm of mankind and the nations of the earth."
TO SEAL UP THE VISION AND THE PROPHECY
"The term 'seal up' 'indicates a complete fulfillment of all prophecy' coupled with the idea that there will be no additional prophetic information given."
TO ANOINT THE MOST HIGH HOLY
"The 'anointing' refers to the consecration of the chambers that housed the Ark of the Covenant, whose presence sanctified the Temple by virtue of the Shekinah (the divine presence)."
Sir Robert Anderson was one of the first to calculate successfully Daniel's Seventy Weeks which comes down chronologically to the rejection of Christ during what is called the Passion Week. The calculation leaves one more Week (seven years) that fits perfectly with the apostle John's presentation of the seven year tribulation. While he does not use the number seven, John does refer to the period by 31/2 and 3/12 year increments, thus letting us know that our calculation in Daniel 9 is correct.
Following Anderson's lead, Harold Hoehner shows that the 360-day year is used
in the prophetic literature of the Bible. And when we recall that the Apostle John, in the Book of Revelation, apparently used 360-day years in his calculations (cf. Rev. 11:2-3; 12:6, 14; 13:5), it is likely that he was walking in step with Daniel. With a 360-day year, the end of the sixty-ninth week, after which the Messiah will be cut off, is the year 33 A.D. (Paul Benware)
Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch
Dr. Mal Couch
