The Seventy Weeks
Meaning of the seventy weeks.
The phrase “seventy weeks” literally means “seventy sevens” (Hebrew: for “week” is shabuwa` (HSN-<H7620>), seven).
Seventy Sevens of Years because:
(1) Daniel’s prayer, to which this vision was an answer, did not concern days, but years (Dan. 9:2).
(2) The last “week” is one and is divided into 2 parts, the last half explained to be 3 1/2 years, as proved in the following notes.
(3) If the last half of the 70th week is 3 1/2 years, then the first half is also 3 1/2 years, making the one seven of Dan. 9:27 to be 7 years.
(4) If the last or one “week” is a period of 7 years, the other “weeks” are also 7 years each. The whole period, therefore, is 70 × 7 = 490 years.
2. Division of the seventy weeks. They are divided into three main periods:
(1) The 1st division—7 weeks, 49 years for the rebuilding of Jerusalem (Dan. 9:25)
25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
(2) The 2nd division—62 weeks, 434 years from the completion of the city at the end of the 49 years to the time the Messiah is cut off or crucified for men (Dan. 9:25–26)
25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, *but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
(3) The 3rd division—one week, 7 years, the last 7 years of this age, ending with the 2nd advent of Christ to fulfill the 6 events of Dan. 9:24
Whom do the seventy weeks concern? The whole 490 years are determined (Hebrew: chathak (HSN-<H2852>), cut off; marked off; decreed) to be fulfilled concerning thy people (Daniel’s people) and thy holy city (Daniel’s native city, Jerusalem) to fulfill the 6 events of Dan. 9:24. They do not concern the church in any sense. In fact, the church was not begun until after the 69th week, and it will be raptured before the 70th week begins (notes, 2Th. 2:7–8; Rev. 4:1).
When do they concern Israel and Jerusalem? Not during any time that she has been scattered among the nations. The 70 weeks concern Israel as a nation at Jerusalem. Since Israel was scattered and her city and temple destroyed in 70 A.D., since the 6 events of Dan. 9:24 have not yet been fulfilled, and since the 69th week ended at the crucifixion of Christ, the 70th week is the only part left to be fulfilled. During this time, the 6 events of Dan. 9:24 will be fulfilled. Still in the future, it will be fulfilled when Israel as a nation gets control of Jerusalem again.
Six things to be done in the 70 weeks of Daniel (Dan. 9:24):
24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and fto make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
(1) “To finish (put an end to) the transgression.” The Hebrew word pesha` (HSN-<H6588>) means revolt; rebel; sin against lawful authority. It is often translated “transgression” (Ps. 51:1; Isa. 43:25; etc.). This transgression has reference to the sins of Israel at Jerusalem, the culmination of their sins when they will be saved from all sin at the return of their Messiah who will turn ungodliness from Jacob and convert the nation in a day (Rom. 11:25–29; Isa. 66:7–10; Ezek. 36:24–30).
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. 29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
(2) “To make an end of sins” concerning Israel and Jerusalem. This has never been done, but will be accomplished at the second coming of Christ (Ezek. 36:24–30; 37:24–27; 43:7; Zech. 14).
24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
The blessings of Christ's kingdom
25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. 30 And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen.
The Spirit of repentance will be poured out upon Israel just before the second coming, and a fountain for sin and uncleanness will be opened to the whole nation at that time (Zech. 12:10—Zech. 13:1; Rom. 11:25–29).
10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. 11 In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. 12 And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart; 13 The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart; 14 All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.
Chapter 13
The fountain of purging for Jerusalem
1 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.
“To make reconciliation (atonement; Hebrew: kaphar (HSN-<H3722>), to cover; make atonement) for iniquity.” This was done for Israel and all others on the cross (Isa. 53; Col. 1:20; 2:14–17; 1Pet. 2:24),
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
but Israel as a nation has not yet experienced this covering for sin. They will be fully reconciled to God at the second coming of Christ (Isa. 1:18–20; 66:7–8; Zech. 12:10—Zech. 13:1; Mt. 23:37–39; Rom. 11:25–29).
37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. 39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
“To bring in everlasting righteousness.” When transgression comes to an end, when an end of sins is made, and when full atonement for all sin is experienced by Israel, then everlasting righteousness concerning Israel and Jerusalem will be ushered in (Isa. 9:6–7; 12:1–6; Dan. 2:44–45; 7:13–14, 18, 27; Ezek. 43:7; Zech. 14; Lk. 1:32–33; Rom. 11:25–29; Rev. 11:15; Rev. 19:11—Rev. 20:10; Rev. 21:1—Rev. 22:5).
7 And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel sno more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places.
“To seal up the vision and prophecy.” The prophecies concerning Israel and Jerusalem and their eternal restoration under their Messiah will be fulfilled. The word for “prophecy” here should have been translated “prophet.” It could also mean that there will be no more need for inspired men to rebuke Israel at Jerusalem in the attempt to lead them to God and righteousness when the Messiah comes, “for all shall know the Lord from the least unto the greatest of them” (Isa. 11:9; 66:7–10; Jer. 31:31–40; Rom. 11:25–29).
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. 29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
“To anoint the most holy.” This refers to the cleansing of the holy of holies, the temple, and the city of Jerusalem from the abomination of desolation, the sacrilege of Gentiles; and to the anointing of the Millennial temple of Ezek. 40–43; Zech. 6:12–13.
Zephaniah; 11 Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest; 12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: 13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
“The most holy” is never used of a person, nor would the Jews ever associate this term with their Messiah who is always distinguished by the simple title, Messiah. Therefore, to teach that this refers to man crowning Christ is out of harmony with Scripture. Man is not to anoint and crown Christ. This has already been done by God the Father (Lk. 22:29; Acts 1:7; 2:36; Php. 2:9–11; Heb. 1:1–3; Rev. 11:15; 19:11–21; Dan. 7:13–14).
6. When do the seventy weeks begin? With the commandment “to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince” (Dan. 9:25). There were three decrees for the restoration of Jerusalem:
25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
(1) The first decree was given during the first year of the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia (Ezra 1:1–4; 3:8; Isa. 44:28; 45:1–4; 46:11). Cyrus reigned 9 years; then Cambyses, his son, reigned 7 years. In the son’s reign the work on the temple ceased (Ezra 4:1–24).
(2) Darius I of profane history reigned 35 years. In the second year of his reign he confirmed the decree made by Cyrus 18 years before. The temple was finished in the sixth year of his reign, but the city was not restored. Xerxes reigned 21 years (Dan. 11:1–3) during which time the city was not yet completed.
(3) Artaxerxes reigned for 40 years. In the 20th year of his reign (444 B.C.) he gave Nehemiah the 3rd decree “to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince” (Dan. 9:25–26; Neh. 2:1—Neh. 6:19). From this point the 70 weeks or 490 years are counted. At this point the first division of the 490 years (the 7 weeks or 49 years for the restoration of Jerusalem with streets and the wall) began (Dan. 9:25). Nehemiah restored the walls in 52 days after he reached Jerusalem, but this was by no means the full restoration. That took place during the next 49 years. Thus the 3rd decree to restore Jerusalem was 84 years after the first decree by Cyrus.
7. The crucifixion of the Messiah. This was to be after the 62 weeks or 434 years, and was to follow the 7 weeks or 49 years of the restoration of Jerusalem (Dan. 9:25–26).
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
Christ was crucified at the end of the 69th week, not in the middle of the 70th week. The 70th week did not end when Stephen was stoned, for the 6 events of point 5, above, were not fulfilled then, nor have they been fulfilled since then. They cannot be fulfilled with Israel and Jerusalem until the rapture of the church and the revelation of the future Antichrist (notes, 2Th. 2:7–8; Rev. 4:1).
8. The people of the prince that shall come (Dan. 9:26). This refers to the Romans who fulfilled this prophecy of the destruction of the city and temple and brought the desolations of Dan. 9:26. This was fulfilled in 70 A.D. (see notes, Lk. 19:41–44; 21:20).
20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
[compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh] When the Romans surround the city and cut off all supplies (fulfilling Lk. 19:43) then let those on the outside effect their escape, for the desolation of Jerusalem is at hand (Lk. 21:20–24). This is the main emphasis of Christ in Lk. 21, answering the question of Lk. 21:7 which is not answered in Mt. 24 or Mk. 13.
9. The prince that shall come (Dan. 9:26). This refers to Antichrist who will come from the Roman Empire territory, that is, the Grecian portion, and from the people who destroyed the city and temple of Israel in A.D. 70 (Dan. 9:26; Lk. 21:20–24). He will come from among the 10 kingdoms yet to be formed inside the old Roman Empire territory (Dan. 7:23–24).
10. The church age—the great interval between the 69th and 70th weeks (Dan. 9:26–27). This period was not seen by the prophets, but it is clear here that certain things were to happen between the crucifixion of the Messiah and the Antichrist who makes the 7-year covenant with Israel in the latter days (Dan. 9:26–27).
27 And he shall confirm zzthe covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
