SEVENTY WEEKS

THE REVELATION OF THE SEVENTY WEEKS

Mark 11: 20-24

King James Version (KJV)

Verses 20-27. 

Seventy weeks.

 (Daniel 9; 24-27).

W

e have here the answer that was immediately sent to Daniel’s prayer, and it is a very outstanding one, as it contains the most illustrious prediction of Christ and gospel-grace that is extant in all the Old Testament. If John Baptist was the morning-star, this was the day-break to the Sun of righteousness, the day-spring from on high. Here is,

I. The time when this answer was given.

II. The messenger by whom this answer was sent. It was not given him in a dream, nor by a voice from heaven, but, for the greater certainty and solemnity of it, an angel was sent on purpose, appearing in a human shape, to give this answer to Daniel. Observe,

a). Who this angel, or messenger, was; it was the man Gabriel. If Michael the archangel be, as many suppose, no other than Jesus Christ, this Gabriel is the only created angel that is named in scripture. Gabriel signifies the mighty one of God; for the angels are great in power and might, 2 Pet. 2:11. It was he whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning. Daniel heard him called by his name, and thence learned it (Dan. 8:16); and, though then he trembled at his approach, yet he observed him so carefully that now he knew him again, knew him to be the same that he had seen at the beginning, and, being somewhat better acquainted with him, was not now so terrified at the sight of him as he had been at first. When this angel said to Zacharias, I am Gabriel (Luke 1:19), he intended thereby to put him in mind of this notice which he had given to Daniel of the Messiah’s coming when it was at a distance, for the confirming of his faith in the notice he was then about to give of it as at the door.

KINGDOM DYNAMICS

  

9: 24-27 The revelation to Daniel of seventy weeks came as an answer to his prayer.  God showed him that the refining judgments of Israel would come to an end, and their acceptance of the Messiah would bring in everlasting righteousness.  This prophecy provides a time frame for messianic prediction from the time of Daniel to the establishing of the millennial kingdom. It also establishes the fact that God is not finished with Israel as a nation.  To a great extent, Israel becomes God’s prophetic clock.

9: 24-26 The time frame of the seventy weeks or ″Seventy Sevens of Years″ is associated with Daniels people, the Jews, and the holy city, Jerusalem.  The fact that the weeks of years (490) are 360-day years is established by a comparison of 7:25 with Rev. 12:2, 3; 12:6, 14, and 13:5. The weeks of years began with the commandment by Artaxerxes in 445 B.C. to restore Jerusalem. Chronologically, they are divided as:

Seven sevens    49 years – 445 to 396 B.C.

(From Artaxerxes; decree to the arrival of Nehemiah and the covenant (renewal celebration at Jerusalem)

Sixty-two sevens 434 years – 396 B.C. to A.D. 32

(From the dedication of the second temple to the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ)  

One seven        7 years-Unfilled.

9: 26-27 He shall make it desolate. National Israel will enter into a covenant with the future little horn, the Roman prince (7:8, 11:36) or Antichrist for seven years (Daniel’s final or Seventieth Week).  In the middle of the week, the Antichrist will break the covenant and demand that the blood sacrifices, restored by Israel in the last days, must cease.  He will then set up his image in the Jewish temple and require worship. (Matt. 24:15; 2 Thess.2: 3, 4).

In Closing

D

ear Friends, Those of us who would understand the things of God must consider them, must apply their minds to them, ponder upon them, and compare spiritual things with spiritual. The reason why we are so much in the dark concerning the revealed will of God, and mistake concerning it, is want of consideration. This vision both requires and deserves consideration.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Screen Writer/Director

Published Author/Gospel Lyricist &Producer

FOUNDER/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts