THE MYSTERY OF DANIEL'S SEVENTY WEEKS OF YEARS
From this prophecy, the last seven years of this age are determined; this "last week of years" is often called "the seven year tribulation."
Whether one holds the pre, mid or post tribulation rapture viewpoint, almost all agree on one thing: there are "seven years set aside by God" for prophetic events. These "last seven years of this age" are commonly called "the tribulation" or "seven years of tribulation." This concept is derived from a prophecy in the book of Daniel. The angel Gabriel came to Daniel and gave him the prophecy.
First, the verses from which the prophecy comes.
Understanding of the prophecy.
PART 1. Gabriel referenced 7 weeks and 62 weeks which means "weeks of years."
There are 70 weeks of total years, which equals 490 years that are involved in the prophecy. These weeks of years are divided into sections.
The first is: 7 weeks of years = 49 years (until the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem).
The second is: 62 weeks of years = 434 years (from then until Messiah cut off and Jerusalem and the temple destroyed/trampled).
7 weeks of years This is 49 years
+62 weeks of years This is 434 years
69 weeks of years = This "483 years" of the "490 years total years" of the prophecy.
So we can see that 69 weeks of years, of the 70 weeks of years prophesied, have been fulfilled. This leaves one week of years left which is 7 years (sometimes also referenced as "the 7 prophetic years left").
From the time of Daniel's writing it would be: The seven weeks of years, forty-nine years from “the command" to restore and build Jerusalem. Then, afterward sixty-two weeks (of years), 434 years from then to the completion of the ministry of the Messiah (cut-off) and eventually to the trampling of Jerusalem (70 AD). From this, we can clearly see the 69 weeks of the 70 have come into fruition!
PART 1 RECAP. It can be seen that there were 7 weeks + 62 weeks = 69 weeks (of years) 483 years total. These 483 years covered the time period from "the command to the restore and build Jerusalem to Messiah (His Life and Ministry) being cut off and to the re-trampling of Jerusalem again...(destruction of the temple and city) fulfilled in 70 AD."
Daniel lived through the fall of Jerusalem and the punishment of the Jewish people was 70 years in captivity. Jerusalem had been utterly destroyed. Finally, their 70 years were completed and restoration was to come. And the "command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem" came. In Daniel chapter 9, it was foretold that a Messiah was to come; from these very records "the wise men from the East" knew to expect the birth of Jesus Christ. In order to be cut off, the Messiah had to come. Eventually, in 70 AD, Jerusalem was trampled and destroyed again. At which point, "the prophetic clock went on pause" and it became "the time of the Gentiles - which has also been called "the church age." ***
More Confirmation: Jesus said while speaking of the last days tribulations in
But! 70 weeks (of years) are determined!
What about the one week of years left? (the last 7 years)
(7 + 62 = 69, now add the last one, +1 = 70 weeks (490 years)
PART 2. There is one last prophetic week left: When "the prophetic clock starts ticking again" and the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled (the church age) and the last week will happen. A covenant/treaty will be made for one week of years (7 years) which the evil one will confirm and break mid-week (3 1/2 years into it) (He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering - followed with setting up the abomination of desolation) according to Daniel 9:27,11:31 and also referenced by the Lord in Matthew 24:15/Mark 13:14. Much more will be shared on this later.
At the conclusion of these 70 weeks, it will virtually be: "the end of this current age." After the Battle of Armageddon, Satan will be bound for a thousand years and it will be a whole new era. Jesus will revive this earth and set up a millennial kingdom. After the completion of the thousand years, the devil will be loosed for a short season of testing; ending with the last battle between the devil and God. After which will come the Great White Throne of Judgment and the end of this earth and universe (which in itself is an end of an age also). There will be a new heavens and a new earth and sin will be no more! The glory of the Lord will be the light of it, as there will be no more need for a sun.
*** some of the verses that coordinate with this part of the prophecy are: Jeremiah 25:8-11,29:10; Zechariah 1:12; Ezra 1:1-4
First, the verses from which the prophecy comes.
- Daniel 9:22b-23 "O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. 23 At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision:
- Daniel 9:24-27 "Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy. 25 "Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command “to restore and build Jerusalem” until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times. 26 "And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; and the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, and till the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate."
Understanding of the prophecy.
PART 1. Gabriel referenced 7 weeks and 62 weeks which means "weeks of years."
There are 70 weeks of total years, which equals 490 years that are involved in the prophecy. These weeks of years are divided into sections.
The first is: 7 weeks of years = 49 years (until the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem).
The second is: 62 weeks of years = 434 years (from then until Messiah cut off and Jerusalem and the temple destroyed/trampled).
7 weeks of years This is 49 years
+62 weeks of years This is 434 years
69 weeks of years = This "483 years" of the "490 years total years" of the prophecy.
So we can see that 69 weeks of years, of the 70 weeks of years prophesied, have been fulfilled. This leaves one week of years left which is 7 years (sometimes also referenced as "the 7 prophetic years left").
From the time of Daniel's writing it would be: The seven weeks of years, forty-nine years from “the command" to restore and build Jerusalem. Then, afterward sixty-two weeks (of years), 434 years from then to the completion of the ministry of the Messiah (cut-off) and eventually to the trampling of Jerusalem (70 AD). From this, we can clearly see the 69 weeks of the 70 have come into fruition!
PART 1 RECAP. It can be seen that there were 7 weeks + 62 weeks = 69 weeks (of years) 483 years total. These 483 years covered the time period from "the command to the restore and build Jerusalem to Messiah (His Life and Ministry) being cut off and to the re-trampling of Jerusalem again...(destruction of the temple and city) fulfilled in 70 AD."
Daniel lived through the fall of Jerusalem and the punishment of the Jewish people was 70 years in captivity. Jerusalem had been utterly destroyed. Finally, their 70 years were completed and restoration was to come. And the "command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem" came. In Daniel chapter 9, it was foretold that a Messiah was to come; from these very records "the wise men from the East" knew to expect the birth of Jesus Christ. In order to be cut off, the Messiah had to come. Eventually, in 70 AD, Jerusalem was trampled and destroyed again. At which point, "the prophetic clock went on pause" and it became "the time of the Gentiles - which has also been called "the church age." ***
More Confirmation: Jesus said while speaking of the last days tribulations in
- Luke 21:24 "And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until "the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."
But! 70 weeks (of years) are determined!
What about the one week of years left? (the last 7 years)
(7 + 62 = 69, now add the last one, +1 = 70 weeks (490 years)
PART 2. There is one last prophetic week left: When "the prophetic clock starts ticking again" and the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled (the church age) and the last week will happen. A covenant/treaty will be made for one week of years (7 years) which the evil one will confirm and break mid-week (3 1/2 years into it) (He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering - followed with setting up the abomination of desolation) according to Daniel 9:27,11:31 and also referenced by the Lord in Matthew 24:15/Mark 13:14. Much more will be shared on this later.
At the conclusion of these 70 weeks, it will virtually be: "the end of this current age." After the Battle of Armageddon, Satan will be bound for a thousand years and it will be a whole new era. Jesus will revive this earth and set up a millennial kingdom. After the completion of the thousand years, the devil will be loosed for a short season of testing; ending with the last battle between the devil and God. After which will come the Great White Throne of Judgment and the end of this earth and universe (which in itself is an end of an age also). There will be a new heavens and a new earth and sin will be no more! The glory of the Lord will be the light of it, as there will be no more need for a sun.
*** some of the verses that coordinate with this part of the prophecy are: Jeremiah 25:8-11,29:10; Zechariah 1:12; Ezra 1:1-4
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UNDERSTANDING THE RAPTURE AND VARIOUS VIEWS ABOUT IT
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"MID TRIBULATION RAPTURE" ARTICLES
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An easy to understand timeline with important events from the beginning of the 7 years through the Millennium.
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The Bible actually says how long the terms of the Antichrist and Two Witnesses are, which reveal the timing of the rapture.
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