The 70 Weeks Of Daniel

[Lewis]

Why is the 70 weeks of Daniel' important ? I just love hearing you guy's answers. It keeps me on my toes. I did a long study on it years back.

 

[JM]

Yes. It affects how you understand the return of Christ, the Covenant of Daniel 9, and ethnic Israel.

~JM~

 

[guibox]

Daniel 9 shows the covenant theology that applied to the probation of the Jewish nation and points to the Messiah. Not just Daniel 9 but Daniel 8 as well. Daniel 8:11-14 is fulfilled in Daniel 9:26,27 which was fulfilled in Christ. I believe that this is what Christ was referring to when He said that the OT 'testified of me'.

 

[Lewis]

Good answers. But how does Jesus' fit in ? And how does the rebuilding of the temple fit in. ?

 

[Vic C.]

I don't know about the building of the Temple. I've read that a temple would not even be needed; just an alter for a sacrifice. Irrelevant for the moment, IMO.

This thread probably belongs in the End Times Forum, but let's see how it goes.

I'd like to share some things I've read concerning Issac Newton and his take on Daniel's 70 weeks. One thing he alludes to is how it should be broken down. He actually sees seven weeks, 62 weeks (threescore and two weeks, one week and 1/2 week. He sees it all as historical. BTW, Newton read Hebrew and Greek and did his own interpretations.

http://www.historicist.com/newton/newtonprophecy.htm

1 WEEK

Newton's interpretation of Daniel's 1 week is rather brief:

"Yet shall he confirm the covenant with many for one week." He kept it, notwith standing his death, till the rejection of the Jews, and calling of Cornelius and the Gentiles in the seventh year after his passion.

Like a growing number of Bible scholars, Sir Isaac Newton felt that the 1 week portion of Daniel's prophecy related to Jesus Christ and not the Anti-christ, as modern day Bible scholars teach.

The covenant Daniel was referring to was the one mentioned previously:
"O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands... " (Daniel 9:4)

Daniel begins his prayer to God by referring to God's covenant of love and mercy. God sends his answer to Daniel through the angel Gabriel:
"He will confirm the covenant with many for one week. . . " (Daniel 9:27)

Could it be as simple as Newton states? Did Jesus confirm the "covenant with many" of Daniel's people, in other words, Israel?

Remember what Jesus said in Mark 14:24:
"And He said unto them, this is my blood of the new testameni (covenant), which is shed for many."

Did Jesus confirm His covenant of love and mercy with Daniel's people for 7 years? According to Newton, there was a 7 year period between the death of Christ and the time the Gospel was sent out to the Gentiles at the calling of Cornelius. If this is correct, then this could be the fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy.

The new covenant was a "strengthened" one which was offered to the Jews from the time of Christ's death until it was also sent to the Gentiles. The word for "confirm" is "strengthened", in the Hebrew. If this period was 7 years long as Newton says, then it could represent the correct solution.

1/2 OF WEEK

Newton's interpretation of Daniel's half a week is also quite brief:

"And in half a week he shall cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease;" that is, by the war of the Romans upon the Jews: which war, after some commotions, began in the 13th year of Nero , A.D. 67, in the Spring when Vespasian with an army invaded them; and ended in the second year of Vespasian, A.D. 70, in autumn, September 7 when Titus took the city, having burnt the Temple 27 days before: so that it lasted three years and an half.

Newton felt that this portion of Daniel's prophecy was fulfilled at the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in A.D. 70. The fact that this siege lasted for 3 1/2 years is recorded in history. It seems more than coincidence that Daniel's prophecy does mention a 3 1/2 year period after which the Temple sacrifices would cease. If Newton's interpretations are correct, it helps answer many questions which surround this prophecy of Daniel.

I have to say, I'm beginning to trust Newton on this.

 

[Lewis]

http://www.truthinhistory.org/70weeks.htm

 

[JM]

Vic, eschatology is a flip flop theology, I mean, just when you think you got it...then comes along Newton. ;-) That's why eschatology is never used to determine orthodoxy of believe....that stated...

The better I come to understand the covenants of scripture the better I understand eschatology, to anyone studying this issue I'd beg you to study the idea of covenant and what it means from God's point of view. [think God's thoughts after Him, think God's thoughts after Him]

In "A Case for Amillennialism," Kim Riddlebarger outlines Dan. 9 in clear fashion. I'll post more latter tonight if I get time.

God's promises to be our God and to take us to Himself as a peculiar people for His own possession is bound up with the of flow of history, such that God spreads His name-banner aegis over us, and we become His name-image bearers in our pilgrimage through time, with all the privilege and obligation that brings, in the expectation of the perfection of God's image in us through the resurrection. This legal, intimate, mutual relationship is known as the covenant, and it is the dominating theme in the whole of Scripture. To understand God's revelation in redemptive history, then, we must learn to view all of history as the progressively unfolding historical realization of God re-creating His image-likeness upon His fallen people, that they might glorify Him and enjoy Him forever. - Two-Age Eschatology

http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/a ... ology.html

~JM~

 

[guibox]

I would highly recommend that you take the time to read this (It is lengthy and scholarly), but it links Daniel 8:1-14 to Daniel 9:26,27 and shows the covenant theology Daniel used to point to the Messiah and that the 2300 days find it's fulfllment in Christ.

http://www.jesusinstituteforum.org/LAPart1.html

 

[JM]

I would highly recommend that you take the time to read this (It is lengthy and scholarly), but it links Daniel 8:1-14 to Daniel 9:26,27 and shows the covenant theology Daniel used to point to the Messiah and that the 2300 days find it's fulfllment in Christ.

http://www.jesusinstituteforum.org/LAPart1.html

It's a struggle isn't it? We find a two stage eschatological scheme presented in scripture, one is a real/literal fulfillment and the other is a spiritual fulfillment. George Ladd does a good job of making the case plain, the "already not yet", but doesn't further prove one over the other.

I'll read thru the link a little latter.

~JM~

 

[Vic C.]

We have new members with opinions on this. So, I am resurrecting it and moving it here, the End Times Forum.

Comments anyone?

 

[sheshisown]

Ooooo... the 70th week of Daniel 9~

Well, I am no theologian, however I love to study prophecy, especially end times prophecy! The bible is approximately one third phophecy, and along with the current world events... how could we not desire to look into this matter?

Now FYI~ I come from a background of Calvary Chapel teachings, so as Vic C. has informed me in previous conversations, my views go along with rapture and pre-trib ideas. However, I am not closed to other views as I do not believe having differing views of end times will effect the foundations of our common faith. Hopefully, you are able to listen to my views which may differ from yours... ;)

Daniel 9:22- And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, "O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. 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: Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city,"

Many past and present Bible scholars (not just Calvary Chapelites) and commentators think this refers to seventy sets of seven years, or "weeks of years." In ancient Hebrew, weeks refers to a unit of seven. Much like our word decade refers to units of ten. The Hebrew word here is often used to mean a unit of seven days, but it may also be used for a unit of seven years.

If you know Arthur Clarkes commentary you may recognise this following:
"The Jews had Sabbatic years, by which their years were divided into weeks of years, as in this important prophecy, each week containing seven years." (Clarke)

I found an example that uses the same ancient Hebrew word (shabuwa') for both "seven days" and "seven years" used in the same context. :D

Genesis 29:18- Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, "I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter. And Laban said, "It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me." So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her. Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her." ... so after Labans switcheroo, Jacob complains he got the wrong gal to wife and Laban justifies his trickery... (verse 26) And Laban said, "It must not be done so in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. Fulfill her week, and we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years." Then Jacob did so and fulfilled her week. So he gave him his daughter Rachel as wife also.

See here the Hebrew attests to the use of the word week for both seven days, Jacob fulfills Leah's week; the seven days of newly wedded life... then Jacob fulfills Rachels week; the seven further years he worked for Laban. :nod

For your people and for your holy city: The seventy weeks are focused on Daniel's people (the Jews) and his holy city (Jerusalem). Unless the church has become Israel, the church (meaning believers in Christ after His cross and crucifixtion) is not in view here.

Talbot calls the seventy weeks "God's calendar for Israel" because it does not focus on the Gentiles or the church.

Okay~ I know I am going slow in breaking this down... but that is the best way for me to understand it. From what I have gleaned so far, I would also begin to think that the rest of the verses that speak of weeks ... also intend a period of seven years, because the context would be unmarred that way. yes?

There is a great deal more prophecy to look into. I hope where we must that we can agree to disagree if that is needed to press on. :D

In Christ... bonnie

 

[samuel]

Daniel 9:26-27 were fulfilled by Christ, and the Roman army. While the Israelis would rebuild a temple in a heartbeat if allowed, God does not want or sanction this. Only those who believe, and teach a pre-trib rapture teach this as future.

While Jesus spoke of the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel. We have to stop and consider, that a temple does not have to be rebuilt to fulfill this. Jerusalem and the temple mount, stand on Mount Horeb. This is the Temple in the wilderness, where God directed Moses to take off his shoes, because he was standing on Holy Ground, this has not changed. This is also where Abraham, took Isaac to sacrifice him.

All that is necessary for the man of sin to do, is stand in the city of Jerusalem, and declare himself God to fulfill this prophesy. Or you might consider, that if the Jews do manage to rebuild a temple, that this is the Abomination of Desolation “standing where it should notâ€Â.

 

[rickanderson]

Shalom, Guys and Gals.

I'm glad to see quotations from Covenant Theology sources on the 70th Week, such as Kim Riddlebarger's and Isaac Newton's. The premillenial dispensationalist televangelists, the End-Times "sensationalist" book authors and the faculty at Dallas Theological Seminary in Texas have so utterly monopolized this discussion for so long that hardly anyone else in the evangelical community knows there's another, more historic and more scriptural view!

In short, Isacc Newton is generally correct. So is Kim Riddlebarger, and so is Covenant Theology.

The way to understand this prophesy is NOT to inject a 2000 year "parenthesis" between the 69th and 70th week. This is past history, and points to the Messiah and the events portrayed in the Wars of the Jews (Josephus).

Rev. Rick Anderson; Assoc. Pastor, Stratford Orthodox Presbyterian Church (NJ, USA)
CHAIM Ministry to the Jewish People (a Reformed and Covenantal Missionary Outreach)

 

[RND]

Shalom, Guys and Gals.

I'm glad to see quotations from Covenant Theology sources on the 70th Week, such as Kim Riddlebarger's and Isaac Newton's. The premillenial dispensationalist televangelists, the End-Times "sensationalist" book authors and the faculty at Dallas Theological Seminary in Texas have so utterly monopolized this discussion for so long that hardly anyone else in the evangelical community knows there's another, more historic and more scriptural view!

In short, Isacc Newton is generally correct. So is Kim Riddlebarger, and so is Covenant Theology.

The way to understand this prophesy is NOT to inject a 2000 year "parenthesis" between the 69th and 70th week. This is past history, and points to the Messiah and the events portrayed in the Wars of the Jews (Josephus).

Rev. Rick Anderson; Assoc. Pastor, Stratford Orthodox Presbyterian Church (NJ, USA)
CHAIM Ministry to the Jewish People (a Reformed and Covenantal Missionary Outreach)

Glad to see there are still some that hold to the old reformation view of historicism. Now, if we could just get those to think like "Adventist's" we'd be all set! Otherwise, just exactly what is the "protest" all about?

Dan 7:25 And he shall speak [great] words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

Why the Protestant Reformation Failed! by Frank M. Walker