I believe that we are still in the first 69 of the "70 weeks" of Daniel 9:24-27, that the 70th "week" will be the year after Jesus' 2nd coming, and that the 70 "weeks" will be complete when Daniel 9:24, and passages such as Isaiah 4:3-4, Zechariah 14:19-21, and Isaiah 62:6-7, are complete in physical Jerusalem and physical Israel.
Note that the "70 weeks" prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27 is given in answer to Daniel's prayer to be given understanding of when the people of Israel would be restored to Jerusalem in fulfillment of Jeremiah�s "70 years" prophecy (Daniel 9:2, Jeremiah 29:10).
In the Hebrew, "week" is "shabuwa" (Strong's #7620); Strong's Hebrew Dictionary defines it literally as "sevened," and says it is based on the Hebrew word "shaba" (Strong's #7650), which it defines as "a prim. root; prop. to be complete," so that the word "week" may possibly represent "completion," which may refer in a sealed manner to the completion of time we call a year. "The words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end" (Daniel 12:9).
I believe Daniel 9:24 could be saying that God would give physical Israel the 70 years it lost in their Babylonian captivity (Zechariah 1:12, 7:5; 2 Chronicles 36:20-22), but within those 70 years it must fulfill all righteousness.
This of course was not done and could not be done before Christ.
After Christ, the only commandment allowing the Jews to restore and to build Jerusalem (Daniel 9:25) came in 1947 when the U.N. passed a resolution calling for the re-establishment of the state of Israel, something which had not existed since 70 A.D.
In the parable of the fig tree, I believe Jesus was saying that the generation that began at the re-establishment of the nation of physical Israel (the rebudding of the fig tree) would not "pass" until they saw the tribulation and 2nd coming (Matthew 24:32-34). The nation of physical Israel was re-established by U.N. resolution in 1947, and I believe that generation won't "pass" (Matthew 24:24) until 70 years later, for Psalm 90:10 refers to people usually passing away after 70 years.
Because of Daniel 9:25, I believe that from the commandment to restore the nation of physical Israel, there may be 7 years, and 62 years, and that in the 69th year Christ may come and fulfill all the requirements of Daniel 9:24 in "thy holy city" of physical Jerusalem, and in "thy holy people" of physical Israel, by the end of the 70th year, just as he fulfilled them in his spiritual kingdom at his 1st coming, but apart from physical Jerusalem (Hebrews 13:12, Luke 13:35) and apart from most of physical Israel (Matthew 21:43).
I believe Daniel 9:26 means that 62 years after the resolution to restore Israel a peace treaty will be made by the Antichrist with a false Messiah that will have arisen to rule Israel, the "prince of the covenant" that the Antichrist will "break" in Daniel 11:22, for the same Hebrew word translated as "cut off" in Daniel 9:26 is translated "made" a covenant in Genesis 21:27 (which refers to a peace treaty being made by Abimelech with Abraham; see also Genesis 26:28, 31:44 for two other peace treaties "made" with Isaac and Jacob using the same word). I believe what was "made" in Daniel 9:26 is mentioned in the next verse, and in Daniel 11:23, where it's referred to as a "league."
I believe Daniel 9:27's one "week" (literally one "sevened") could refer to the 7 "weeks" (literally 7 "sevened") mentioned in Daniel 9:25, where it said before Christ came there would two different "sevened" periods of time: 7 "sevened" and 62 "sevened." I believe the first "sevened" period of time chronologically is the 62 "sevened" mentioned in Daniel 11:26, and that now Daniel 11:27 subsequently mentions the 7 "sevened" period of time, albeit in a sealed manner (Daniel 12:9), for one of the "sevened" periods of time can be referred to one "sevened."
Imagine you got an email that said "By the time he arrives you will have received a 7-pack and a 62-pack. You'll get the 62-pack. You will have to sign a confirmation for one pack, in the midst of which you'll find an unpleasant surprise." You might understand this to mean that the one pack with the unpleasant surprise in the midst of it would be the 7-pack.
After he defeats Israel, I believe the Antichrist will make a 7-year treaty with it, like the "covenant" the king of Babylon made with the seed of the king of Judah after he had defeated Judah, "that the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand" (Ezekiel 17:12-14).
While Judah rebelled against its covenant with Babylon (Ezekiel 17:15), the Antichrist will be the one to break his covenant with Israel somewhere in the midst of the 7 years:
"Behold, their valiant ones shall cry without: the ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly. The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man" (Isaiah 33:7-8).
"He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords" (Psalm 55:20-21).
I believe "the prince of the covenant" that the Antichrist will "break" (Daniel 11:22) will be the prince of "the holy covenant" (Daniel 11:28, 30, 32), that is, the leader of Israel.
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Prophecy Fulfilled
"The people of Israel and the Jewish people throughout the world are deeply inspired by the restoration of Israel's independent life in Jerusalem in fulfillment of ancient prophecy" (February 20, 1950, Abba Eban's Statement to the United Nations, http://www.jerusalem-archives.org/docs/d-10.html ).
THE COMMANDMENT
"The commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem" (Daniel 9:25).
May 14, 1948
THE DECLARATION OF THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL
"On the 29th November, 1947, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling for the establishment of a Jewish State in Eretz-Israel; the General Assembly required the inhabitants of Eretz-Israel to take such steps as were necessary on their part for the implementation of that resolution. This recognition by the United Nations of the right of the Jewish people to establish their State is irrevocable. This right is the natural right of the Jewish people to be masters of their own fate, like all other nations, in their own sovereign State. ACCORDINGLY WE, MEMBERS OF THE PEOPLE'S COUNCIL, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OF ERETZ-ISRAEL AND OF THE ZIONIST MOVEMENT, ARE HERE ASSEMBLED ON THE DAY OF THE TERMINATION OF THE BRITISH MANDATE OVER ERETZ-ISRAEL AND, BY VIRTUE OF OUR NATURAL AND HISTORIC RIGHT AND ON THE STRENGTH OF THE RESOLUTION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, HEREBY DECLARE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A JEWISH STATE IN ERETZ-ISRAEL, TO BE KNOWN AS THE STATE OF ISRAEL" ( http://www.jerusalem-archives.org/docs/d-7.html ).
TO RESTORE AND TO BUILD JERUSALEM
"We have seen the ancient link between Israel and Jerusalem fully restored. Assaulted by the violence which threatened their total destruction two years ago, the State of Israel and the New City of Jerusalem have emerged together from mortal danger to deliverance. They now speak with one voice . . . The people of Israel and the Jewish people throughout the world are deeply inspired by the restoration of Israel's independent life in Jerusalem in fulfillment of ancient prophecy" (February 20, 1950, Abba Eban's Statement to the United Nations).
In Daniel 9:25, "restore" is the Hebrew word shuwb, which means "return." The word is used again in Daniel 10:20 ("I will return") and Daniel 11:9 ("shall return into his own land").
"THE STATE OF ISRAEL will be open for Jewish immigration and for the Ingathering of the Exiles . . . WE APPEAL to the United Nations to assist the Jewish people in the building-up of its State . . . WE APPEAL to the Jewish people throughout the Diaspora to rally round the Jews of Eretz-Israel in the tasks of immigration and upbuilding" (May 14, 1948, The Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel).
THE STREET SHALL BE BUILT AGAIN
"The street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times" (Daniel 9:25).
"[1948] The city was cut off from its main route of supply; the Government of Israel built an alternative road under heavy enemy fire. The city was threatened with pestilence and thirst; the Government of Israel renewed its water source. Jerusalem was falling apart in anarchy and dissidence through lack of recognised organs of government; the Government of Israel established a separate military governorship to be succeeded by a civil administration, which later merged in a complete union with the rest of Israel. The economy of the city had been struck a nearly fatal blow; the Government of Israel began to pump its life-blood back. Institutions were restored, buildings repaired, damaged areas cleared, industries established . . . the Government of Israel made it the scene of the most solemn and historic moments celebrating the deliverance of Israel and Jerusalem alike" (February 20, 1950, Abba Eban's Statement to the United Nations).
BUT THE WALL?
"In presentations before UN bodies, Abba Eban pointed out that although the Christian and Moslem Holy Places were freely accessible to Moslem and Christian worshippers, 'the Wailing Wall, the most hallowed sanctuary of Judaism and the most ancient shrine in the entire city is barred to all access by worshippers despite solemn agreements and undertakings' " ( http://www.jcpa.org/jl/jerusalem-gms.htm ).
AND THE WALL, EVEN IN TROUBLOUS TIMES
"From December 1947, after bloody incidents with the Arabs, Jews were no longer able to approach the Wall. After the capitulation of the Jewish Quarter of the Old City in May 1948, Jews were prevented for 19 years from even looking at the Wall from afar, in spite of a paragraph in the cease-fire agreement granting freedom of access to the holy places. The Wall was liberated on the third day of the Six-Day war (June 7, 1967) by Israel's parachutists breaking through the 'bloody gate' which the mufti had opened. The Moghrabi quarter was immediately demolished, and on the first day of Shavuot, quarter a million Jews swarmed to the place. Subsequently the buildings placed against the Wall in its continuation southward were removed. The entire cleared area in front of the Western Wall was leveled and converted into a large paved open space. The lower square near the Wall is the prayer area, where one may find people praying or studying, either singly or in groups, day and night throughout the year" ( http://mosaic.lk.net/g-wall.html ).
"On June 7, 1967, on the third day of the Six Day War, Israeli paratroopers broke into the Old City and quickly took the Temple Mount. As the paratroopers approached the Western Wall, their excitement mounted. Soldiers began to shout and cheer as they advanced toward the Wall. Many were overcome with emotion. An Israeli radio reporter, Raphael Amir, touched the hearts of all when he said, 'At this moment, at this very moment, I am going down the steps to the Wall! I'm not religious and I never have been - but this is the Wall, and I am touching the stones of the Western Wall!' " ( http://www.jpost.com/Editions/2000/02/10/Tourism/Tourism.2496.html )
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Weeks Of Years?
Note that Leviticus 25 doesn't refer to "weeks," and that Daniel 9:24 doesn't refer to "weeks of years" or to any gap of time in the "70 weeks."
Has it been shown from history that Christ's crucifixion in 33 A.D. ended the 69 "weeks"?
Note that it says a "Messiah" is cut off after only 62 "weeks" (Daniel 9:26), not 69 "weeks."
Some say the 70 "weeks" are 490 years (70 times 7 years) that began with Nehemiah's trip to Jerusalem in 444 B.C., and that the 69th "week" ended in 33 A.D. with Christ's crucifixion. But note that 444 B.C. to 33 A.D. is 477 years, but 69 times 7 years would be 483 years. So this interpretation is off by 6 years.
Some say there were 69 seven-year periods ("weeks") from when Cyrus issued the decree for the Jews to return to Israel until Jesus was revealed. But didn't Cyrus make his decree in 538 B.C.? If there were 483 years (69 seven-year periods) from 538 B.C. until Jesus was revealed, was Jesus revealed in 55 B.C.?
Another interpretation says that the 69th week ended at Jesus' baptism, that Jesus was cut off in the midst of the 70th week, and that for the 7 years from his baptism until the gospel reached the Gentiles, Jesus confirmed the Abrahamic covenant with the Jews.
What is the historical source for the idea that the Gentiles did not receive the gospel until exactly 7 years after Jesus' baptism? It says the covenant will be confirmed "with many" for one "week" (Daniel 9:27). Aren't we Gentiles included in the "many" of Matthew 26:28? Don't these two verses refer to the same covenant in this interpretation?
I don't believe the scriptures regarding the gospel going to the Jews first are related to Daniel 9:27.
And how did Jesus confirm the gospel for only 7 years? Did he stop confirming it at some point? Isn't the new covenant an "everlasting covenant?" (Hebrews 13:20)
Another view says the last 3.5 years of the 70th week will be Jesus completing his 7-year ministry in the tribulation. Hasn't Jesus' new covenant ministry already lasted almost 2000 years (Hebrews 8:2), and won't he be our "high priest for ever?" (Hebrews 6:20) Does this view say that Jesus must return to the earth to "minister" the tribulation?
What is the "league" in Daniel 11:23, in this view? How will Daniel 11:22-23 be fulfilled? Who is "the prince of the covenant" that the Antichrist will "break?"
It says "in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease" (Daniel 9:27). Note that the temple sacrifices did not cease at the cross, but continued to be offered (Acts 21:26).
Other say he did not confirm it until "after" (instead of "for" as in the Bible) the 70th week, when the Gentiles received the gospel. But where does it say the Gentiles did not receive the gospel until more than 7 years after Jesus' baptism?
It doesn't say the building of the wall happens "after" the 7 weeks; the building of the wall is simply mentioned subsequently to both the 7 weeks and the 62 weeks (Daniel 9:25).
It says the cutting off of Messiah is "after" only 62 weeks (Daniel 9:26), not 69 weeks.
Just as there is no "after" in Daniel 9:25, so there is none in Daniel 9:27. The prophecy is about the 70 weeks, not after the 70 weeks. Why would the cessation of sacrifice be mentioned after the confirmation of the covenant if it actually happened before it: "He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease?" (Daniel 9:27)
What fulfilled the "overspreading of abominations" in Daniel 9:27?
One interpretation says that Josephus says Nehemiah actually didn't arrive in Jerusalem and give the word to begin rebuilding it until Artaxerxes' 25th year, which they say is 440 BC. But note that Nehemiah 2 shows no such gap of years between Artaxerxes' 20th year and Nehemiah's arriving in Jerusalem as its governor (Nehemiah 2:1, 5-11), nor does Nehemiah 5:14-15, which says Nehemiah had not taken bread "from the people" of Jerusalem since the 20th year of Artaxerxes.
Some say the fact that Nehemiah 2:18 says that Nehemiah was able to begin his rebuilding work immediately after his arrival shows that he had first obtained the materials, tools, and labor that he believed he would need to accomplish his work. But these things would not take 5 years to obtain.
If Artaxerxes began reigning in 465 B.C., then his 20th year (Nehemiah 2:1) was 445 B.C. If Christ had to come 69 x 7, or 483, years later, then Christ should have come in 38 A.D.
If Tiberius began reigning in 14 A.D., then his 15th year (Luke 3:1) was 29 A.D. Therefore the interpretation of Daniel 9:25 as a reference to the baptism of Jesus 483 years after the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem is off by 9 years.
LUNAR YEARS?
Some say that the Hebrew "prophetic years" were 360-day years. But where does the Bible say "prophetic years" or "360-day years?" And where does Daniel 9:24-27 even say "years?"
Some then say the 483 years are Jewish lunar years, which are only 354 days long. But 483 Jewish years would still be 483 solar years because "Judaism uses a lunar/solar calendar consisting of months that begin at the new moon. Each year has 12 or 13 months, to keep it in sync with the solar year"
(From http://www.jewfaq.org/cgi-bin/search.cgi?Keywords=calendar&x=12&y=10 ).
"In a cycle of nineteen years the third, sixth, eighth, eleventh, fourteenth, seventeenth, and nineteenth are made leap-years with an average length of 384 days, by the addition of a month following the twelfth ('Adar), and usually called We-'Adar (Second Adar). It is plain, therefore, that the Jewish year has long been, and still is, a luni-solar year"
(From http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03166a.htm ).
Some say that it was not until the 4th century BC that fixed points were established for these seven intercalations, and the nineteen year cycle was fully standardized. But how standardized the adjustments may have become in the 4th century BC does not negate the fact that the Jews have always adjusted their lunar calendar to keep it in step with the solar year in order that their feasts might always remain in their proper seasons:
"As they were lunar months they formed a mean year of 354 days, a year consequently shorter than the solar year by ten or eleven days. This difference, as can be readily seen, would have, in the course of time, completely disordered the months in relation to the seasons of the year; thus the first month, or N�san, (corresponding to the end of March or the beginning of April), in the middle of which the first ripe barley was to be presented to Yahweh in connection with the paschal feast (Ex. 12:1 sqq., 13:3 sqq; Lev. 23:10-12), might have fallen in the middle of winter; and some other festivals depending likewise on the products of the seasons would also have been materially interfered with" (From http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03166a.htm ).
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Proof Text For The 1st Coming?
The New Testament doesn't refer anywhere to Daniel 9 as a proof text that Jesus was the Messiah. An interpretation unsaved Jews see as not possible because of their luni/solar calendar presented as a "proof" could drive them away from wanting to hear any more "proofs."