Home > What is Daniel's 70 Weeks Prophecy?
What is Daniel's 70 Weeks Prophecy?
The book of Daniel, written nearly 2,600 years ago, is considered to be the backbone of Bible prophecy. In Chapter 9, Daniel, who was given a vision from the angel Gabriel, writes what is considered to be one of the most prophetic prophecies in the entire Bible. The passage, from verses 24 through 27, is referred to as the “70 Weeks Prophecy” as it outlines what God will accomplish during this specific time period. The 70 weeks started when the decree to rebuild Jerusalem went out and provided timing as to when the Messiah would be cut off (at his 1st coming). There would then be a gap between the 69th and 70th week which is where we currently are in time. Ultimately, at end of the 70th week, the Messiah will return to Israel (at his 2nd coming) to end their blindness, to atone for the sins and to bring in everlasting righteousness.The Calculation
It’s important to note that “weeks” means a “week of years” or a time period of 7 years. Therefore 70 weeks of 7 years is a total of 490 years. This time clock of weeks started when the decree to rebuild Jerusalem, declared by King Artaxerxes, went out on March 14 (same as Nissan 1) in year 445 BC. Next, if you add 69 weeks, of 360-day biblical years (ie. 69 x 7 x 360), you end up with a total of 173,880 days. Adding 173,880 days to the start date of Mar 14, 445 BC lands exactly on Apr 6 in 32 AD. Just noting that this calculation was first discovered in 1895 by Sir Robert Anderson in his book title “The Coming Prince” and has been verified by many sources.Daniel’s 70th Week = The 7 Year Tribulation
I wanted to make a quick mention that Daniel’s 70th week is simply another name for the coming 7-Year Tribulation. In the Bible, the Tribulation is also known as “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble,” the “Great and Terrible Day of the Lord” as well as the “Hour of Trial.” All these names refer to, and describe, a time of intense distress and testing for Israel while God pours out his wrath on an unbelieving world. In fact, the word “Tribulation” actually comes from the root word “Tribulum.” A tribulum is an ancient agricultural sledge with sharp teeth dragged over harvested grain stalks to separate the edible grain kernels from the straw and chaff. The process itself is harsh, violent, and crushing which accurately describes the intense distress and testing that is soon coming upon the earth.
The following are verses 24 through 27 of Daniel Chapter 9. I’ve high-lighted the “weeks” where they are mentioned and provided a brief explanation of what takes place during each.
The Seventy Weeks Prophecy
24 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.
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.
A summary of what God will accomplish
during the full 70 weeks. He will end their blindness, atone for their sins,
bring in everlasting righteousness, as prophesied,
when the Jewish people finally realize
that Christ is their true Messiah.
during the full 70 weeks. He will end their blindness, atone for their sins,
bring in everlasting righteousness, as prophesied,
when the Jewish people finally realize
that Christ is their true Messiah.
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.
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.
What will happen in the first 69 weeks.
From the decree given to rebuild Jerusalem,
there will be 69 weeks (ie. 483 years),
till the Messiah comes.
there will be 69 weeks (ie. 483 years),
till the Messiah comes.
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.
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.
The gap period between the 69th and 70th week.
This takes place after the Messiah was cut off
(ie. killed) and then the sanctuary (ie. the temple)
will be destroyed.
(ie. killed) and then the sanctuary (ie. the temple)
will be destroyed.
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.
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.
The final 70th week of Daniel.
Begins when the coming Anti-Christ confirms a
covenant with Israel for a period of 7 years.
At the halfway mark (ie 3.5 years), the Anti-Christ
performs an abominable act in it an the temple
becomes desolate (ie. deserted).
covenant with Israel for a period of 7 years.
At the halfway mark (ie 3.5 years), the Anti-Christ
performs an abominable act in it an the temple
becomes desolate (ie. deserted).
Related Topics of Interest
- Why Bible-Believing Christians Feel the Rapture of the Church is Very Near
- Are we Living in the "Last Days?"
- What are the 2 Resurrections in the Bible?
- Will Our Good Works Get Us Into Heaven?
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