THE PEAK OF PROPHECY

DANIEL 9:21-27

      The timing of when God’s judgment on Jerusalem would end troubled Daniel (Dan. 9:1-2; 538 B.C.). The completion of the seventy-year captivity in Babylon as prophesied by Jeremiah drew near. Daniel the prophet turned to God in repentant prayer for the holy city. In answer to Daniel’s prayer, God sent Gabriel with a prophecy about God’s plan for Israel from the rebuilding of Jerusalem under Nehemiah until the second coming of Christ.

  I. Miraculous prophecy (9:21-23)

      A. While Daniel prayed (Dan. 9:3)

Ps. 141:2. Let my prayer be set forth before thee [as] incense; [and] the lifting up of my hands [as] the evening sacrifice.

          1. Know the hereafter (understand the vision)

          2. Known in heaven (greatly beloved; Dan. 10:11-19)

      Young stated, “The reason why God immediately sent forth the word (i.e., answered the prayer) is that Daniel was a man greatly beloved (lit., most desired).”

      Ronald Dunn wrote, “It is the life that prays. . . . The prayer life rests upon the pray-er’s life, and if that is weak, the prayer life will collapse.”

      B. What Gabriel predicted (Lk. 1:19-26)

          1. Coming of Jesus (Messiah)

          2. Cross of Jesus (cut off)

 II. Mathematical prophecy (9:24-27)

      A. Jews–Jerusalem

      Pre-millennialists believe that God will never violate His promises to Israel. God has a special plan for Israel in the end times. The promises to Israel do not apply to the church.

Rom. 11:25 [GNB]. There is a secret truth, my friends, which I want you to know, for it will keep you from thinking how wise you are. It is that the stubbornness of the people of Israel is not permanent, but will last only until the complete number of Gentiles comes to God.

          1. Reconcile (cover; Is. 6:7)

              a. Transgression (Is. 53:5)

      Hendley stated, “Israel’s unfaithfulness and punishment will come to an end at the close of the 70^th week (the Tribulation).” Vines said, “What was the great sin of all sins of the Israelite people? Well, of course, you know what it is and I know what it is. It is their rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ. That was the transgression.”

              b. Sins (Lev. 16:30)

      Hendley said, “That means He will judge Israel’s sins.”

              c. Iniquity (Is. 53:6)

      Hendley explained, “This is a distinct prophecy of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

          2. Restore (reign of Christ)

              a. King

      Hendley said, “Jesus will bring in everlasting righteousness to Israel. When? In the Millennium He will begin it, ruling with a rod of iron from Jerusalem.”

              b. Prophet

      Hendley noted, “There will be no need for prophets when Jesus rules over the earth.”

              c. Priest (Is 61:1)

      Hendley said, “The only Holy of Holies then will be the millennial temple mentioned in Ezekiel 40 through 48.”

      B. Seventy–sevens (three periods)

Lev. 25:8 [ESV]. "You shall count seven weeks of years, seven times seven years, so that the time of the seven weeks of years shall give you forty-nine years.

      The period of 7 sevens refers to the rebuilding of Jerusalem. The 62 sevens reaches the Triumphal Entry. The 70th seven begins after a parenthesis when the Roman leader appears as a friend of Israel but breaks the covenant and ends the sacrifices in the middle of the week (3 ½ years). (H. A. Ironside, The Great Parenthesis)

          1. Seven-sevens

              a. Word from Artaxerxes (Neh. 2:8)

              b. Walls by Nehemiah (Neh. 4:6)

          2. Sixty-two sevens (True Prince–Is. 9:6-7)

      Sir Robert Anderson in The Coming Prince carefully accounted the 69 weeks from the twentieth year of Artaxerxes (14 March B.C. 445) to Christ’s entry into Jerusalem (Lk. 19:40-42) at the beginning of the Passion week (6 April 32 A.D.).

•          69 weeks (of years) x 7 (days in the week) =

•          483 x 360 (days in the Jewish year) =

•          173,880 days

              a. Crucifixion in Jerusalem

      Hendley commented, “Violent death! He is killed. That is the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

“Nothing for Him. He died for others–He didn’t die for Himself.”

              b. Destruction of Jerusalem (Titus in 70 A.D.)

      Josephus (Ant. X, 11, 7) referred these verses in Daniel to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans.

          3. Single-seven (false prince–Rev. 6:2)

      Hendley wrote, “Where is the 70^th week? It is the 7-year tribulation period. In Old Testament prophecy there is a ‘gap’ between the prophecy of Christ’s first coming and the beginning of the tribulation period. This gap is what we call the ‘church age,’ and it ends with the Rapture of the Church. Immediately after the Rapture, the tribulation period begins. This 7-year period is divided into 2 three-and-a-half-year periods.”

      Wiersbe explained, “When Israel crucified Christ, she was set aside and the ‘prophetic clock’ stopped ticking. But when the church has been caught away to heaven and the Anti-christ signs his pact with Israel, then the last seven years of Daniel’s ‘70 weeks’ will start being fulfilled. This seven-year period is known as the tribulation or the time of Jacob’s trouble. It is described in Rev. 6-19.”

              a. Anti-christ in tribulation (first half of the week)

      Vines said, “The prince that shall come, the Anti-christ, is going to enter into a covenant with the Jewish people. He's going to let them build their temple again, he's going to let them re-institute sacrifices and oblations, and he will be hailed as the great statesman of the world because he has done what nobody has been able to do. He has solved the Arab-Israel problem.”

      Hendley said, “This passage identifies the Anti-christ with Rome, because it was the Roman army that leveled the city of Jerusalem.”

              b. Abomination of desolation (Mt. 24:15; second half of the week–Rev. 12:14, 13:5; Dan. 7:25)

      Hendley wrote, “The Anti-christ protects Israel for the first three and a half years. Then when he reaches the zenith of his power, he breaks the covenant, rips off his mask, and reveals himself as the Anti-christ.”

      Vines said, “He'll put his own image in that Jewish temple and he'll command the whole world to fall down and worship him, and when he does that God will share his glory with no man.”

      De Hann wrote, “During this time of great tribulation–tribulation for Israel predicted in Deuteronomy 4:30, Jeremiah 30:7, Matthew 24:21-22, and many other Bible passages–the archangel Michael will see to it that the Israelites are not annihilated. Multitudes of Jewish people will repent and believe in their Messiah.”

Ezek. 37:21 [ESV]. Then say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from all around, and bring them to their own land.

III. Messianic prophecy

      A. Birth in Bethlehem (Mt. 2:1)

      B. Passion in Jerusalem (Lk. 19:41)

      C. Return in Olivet (Zech. 14:4; Rev. 19:20)

      A study of the seventy weeks of Daniel reveals practical truths.

•          Prayer truth: “Thy Kingdom come”

•          Prophecy truth: “Love His appearing”

•          Providential truth: “Times in His hand”

•          Promise truth: “Throne of David”

•          Pre-millennial truth: “Delivered from wrath”

•          Preparation truth: “Time is short”

KJV

 21. Yea, whiles I [was] speaking in prayer (<08605> Dan. 9:3-17-21; engaged in prayer. . . answer already communicated ), even the man Gabriel (<01403> Dan. 8:16, 9:21; Lk. 1:19-26), whom I had seen in the vision (<02377> Dan. 1:17, 8:1-2-13-15-17-26, 9:21-24, 10:14, 11:14) at the beginning (<08462> Dan. 8:1, 9:21-23), being caused to fly (hoph. ptc.; <03286> Is. 40:31) swiftly (n.m.; <03288>), touched (qal. ptc.; <05060> Dan. 8:5-7-18, 9:21, 10:10-16-18, 12:12; Is. 6:7; Jer. 1:9) me about the time (<06256> Dan. 8:17, 9:21-25, 11:6-13-14-24-35-40, 12:1-4-9-11) of the evening oblation (<04503> Dan. 9:21-27; mid-afternoon).

 22. And he informed (<0995> Dan. 1:4-17, 8:5-16-17-23-27, 9:2-22-23, 10:1-11-12-14, 11:30-33-37, 12:8-10) [me], and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth (<03318> Dan. 9:22-23) to give thee skill (hiph. inf.; <07919> Dan. 1:4-17, 9:13-22-25, 11:33-35, 12:3-10) and understanding (<0998> Dan. 1:17, 8:16, 9:2-22, 10:1-11-12-14, 12:8-10; 1 Kg. 3:9; Job 42:3; Ps. 119:130).

 23. At the beginning (<08462> Dan. 8:1, 9:21-23) of thy supplications (<08469> Jer. 38:26; Dan. 9:3-17-18-20-23) the commandment came forth (<03318> Dan. 9:22-23), and I am come (<0935> Dan. 9:23-24-26) to shew (hiph. inf.; <05046> Dan. 2:2, 9:22, 10:21, 11:2) [thee]; for thou [art] greatly beloved (<02532> Dan. 9:23, 10:3-11-19, 11:8-37-38-43; 1 Sam. 9:20; Hag. 2:7): therefore understand (<0995> Dan. 1:4-17, 8:5-16-17-23-27, 9:2-22-23, 10:1-11-12-14, 11:30-33-37, 12:8-10) the matter <01697>, and consider <0995> the vision (<04758> Dan. 1:4-13-15, 8:15-16-26-27, 9:23, 10:1-6-18; Ezek. 1:5).

 24. Seventy (<07657> Dan. 9:2-24; Jer. 25:11-12, 29:10; 2 Chr. 36:21) weeks (<07620> Dan. 9:24-25-26-27, 10:2-3; Gen. 29:27; Ex. 34:22; Dt. 16:9; seventy sevens. . . m.pl. . . . employed in an unusual sense ) are determined (divide, determine [cut off] ; niph. pf.; <02852>; by judicial decision ) upon thy people <05971> and upon thy holy <06944> city (<05892> Dan. 9:24-26), to finish (<03607>; 1 Sam. 25:33; Ps. 119:101; restraining. . . . done by Christ ) the transgression (<06588>; Dan. 8:12-13, 9:24; Lev. 16:16-21; Ps. 32:1-5, 51:1-3; Is. 53:5-8), and to make an end (seal up ; authenticate it with one’s seal and signature; shut up in prison; qal inf.; <02856> Dan. 9:24, 12:4-9; Job 14:17) of sins (<02403> Dan. 9:20-24), and to make reconciliation (cover over, make propitiation ; blot out by a sin offering; piel inf.; <03722>; Gen. 6:14; Ex. 32:30; Lev. 16:16, 17:11; Is. 6:7) for iniquity (<05771> Ps. 51:2-5-9, 103:10, 130:3; Is. 6:7, 53:5-6-11, 64:6-7-9; Dan. 9:13-16-24; iniquity; perversity, depravity, crookedness ), and to bring in (<0935> Dan. 9:23-24-26) everlasting (<05769> Dan. 9:24, 12:2-3-7) righteousness (<06664> Dan. 9:7-16-24, 12:3; eternity of the Messianic kingdom ), and to seal up (<02856>; so that it will no longer appear; prophecy ceases ) the vision (<02377> Dan. 1:17, 8:1-2-13-15-17-26, 9:21-24, 10:14, 11:14) and prophecy (<05030> Dan. 9:2-6-10-24), and to anoint (<04886>; Gen. 31:13; Ex. 28:41, 40:9; 1 Sam. 15:1, 16:13; Is. 61:1; anointing of the Messiah ) the most <06944> Holy (<06944> Dan. 9:16-20-24-26; new holy of holies ).

 25. Know (qal. impf.; <03045> Dan. 2:3, 8:19, 9:25, 10:20, 11:32-38) therefore and understand (hiph. impf.; <07919> Dan. 1:4-17, 9:13-22-25, 11:13-35, 12:3-10; mark well ), [that] from the going forth (<04161> cf. Dan. 9:23; Num. 33:2; God is the author of this word ; Gaebelein--445 B.C., 538-7 B.C. ) of the commandment <01697> to restore (<07725> Dan. 9:13-16-25, 10:20, 11:9-10-13-18-19-28-29-30) and to build <01129> Jerusalem unto the Messiah (<04899> Dan. 9:25-26) the Prince (<05057> Dan. 9:25-26; 1 Sam. 13:14; 2 Sam. 7:8) [shall be] seven weeks <07620>, and threescore and two (<08147> Dan. 9:25-26) weeks (<07620>Dan. 9:24-25-26-27, 10:2-3; Gen. 29:27; Ex. 34:22; Dt. 16:9): the street (broad open place in city ; <07339>; Ezra 10:9; Neh. 8:1; Zech. 8:4-5) shall be built <01129> again <07725>, and the wall (<02742>; Job 41:30; Jl. 3:14; Amos 1:3), even in troublous (constraint, distress ; <06695>) times (<06256> Dan. 8:17, 9:21-25, 11:6-13-14-24-35-40, 12:1-4-9-11).

 26. And after threescore and two (<08147> Dan. 9:25-26) weeks (<07620> Dan. 9:24-25-26-27, 10:2-3; Gen. 29:27; Ex. 34:22; Dt. 16:9) shall Messiah (<04899> Dan. 9:25-26) be cut off (niph. impf.; <03772>; Gen. 9:11, 15:18; Job 14:7; Jer. 31:33), but not for himself: and the people <05971> of the prince (<05057>; Dan. 11:22; Ps. 76:12; Tertullian: This prince is not Christ. the Anti-christ ; people of the Messiah; the Anti-christ ) that shall come (<0935> Dan. 9:23-24-26) shall destroy (spoil, ruin, damage ; hiph. impf.; <07843>; Dan. 8:24-25, 11:17; Gen. 6:17, 19:29; Is. 11:9) the city (<05892> Dan. 9:24-26) and the sanctuary (<06944> Dan. 9:16-20-24-26); and the end (<07093>; Dan. 8:17-19, 11:6-13-27-35-40-45, 12:4-6-9-13; Gen. 6:13; Is. 9:7; Amos 8:2; Hab. 2:3) thereof [shall be] with a flood <07858>, and unto the end <07093> of the war (<04421>; 11:20-25) desolations (desolated, appalled ; qal. ptc.; <08074>; Dan. 8:13-27, 9:17-18-26-27, 11:31, 12:11; Lev. 26:31-33-35; 1 Kg. 9:8; 2 Chr. 36:21; Ps. 69:25; Is. 54:3, 61:4; Ezek. 36:35; Amos 9:14) are determined (cut, sharpen, decide ; niph. ptc.; <02782> Dan. 11:36; 1 Kg. 20:40; Job 14:5; Is. 28:22; cf. Dan. 9:25).

 27. And he shall confirm (be strong, mighty ; hiph. pf.; <01396>; Dan. 9:4, 11:22-28-30-32; Ex. 17:11; Is. 42:13) the covenant (<01285>; covenant which has already been made [Messiah] ; Gaebelein–little horn; “ungodly prince shall impose on the mass of the people a strong covenant that they should follow him and give themselves to him as their God” ) with many <07227> for one <0259> week <07620>: and in the midst (half, middle ; <02677>; Dan. 12:7; Ps. 102:24; Zech. 14:4) of the week (<07620> Dan. 9:24-25-26-27, 10:2-3; Gen. 29:27; Ex. 34:22; Dt. 16:9) he shall cause the sacrifice (<02077>; Ex. 12:27; 2 Chr. 7:1) and the oblation (<04503> Dan. 9:21-27) to cease (cease, desist, rest ; hiph. impf.; <07673>; Dan. 11:18; Lev. 26:35; 2 Chr. 36:21; Hos. 2:11), and for the overspreading (wing, extremity, end ; n.f.; <03671>; Job 38:13; Mal. 4:2; pinnacle of the Temple ) of abominations (detested thing ; n.f.; <08251>; Dan. 11:31, 12:11; 2 Kg. 23:13-24; Jer. 32:34; Ezek. 5:11, 37:23) he shall make [it] desolate (<08074>Dan. 8:13-27, 9:17-18-26-27, 11:31, 12:11; Lev. 26:31-33-35; 1 Kg. 9:8; 2 Chr. 36:21; Ps. 69:25; Is. 54:3, 61:4; Ezek. 36:35; Amos 9:14), even until the consummation (completion, destruction, annihilation ; n.f.; <03617>; Dan. 11:16; Gen. 18:21; Is. 10:23, 28:22; Jer. 4:27, 46:28; Ezek. 20:17; Nah. 1:8; Zeph. 1:18), and that determined <02782> shall be poured (pour forth, out ; qal. impf.; <05413>; Dan. 9:11; 2 Chr. 34:25; Jer. 7:20, 42:18, 44:6; Nah. 1:6) upon the desolate (<08074> Dan. 8:13-27, 9:17-18-26-27, 11:31, 12:11; Lev. 26:31-33-35; 1 Kg. 9:8; 2 Chr. 36:21; Ps. 69:25; Is. 54:3, 61:4; Ezek. 36:35; Amos 9:14).