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Daniel's 70 7's
Daniel's 70 7's
The 9th chapter of Daniel is a difficult chapter if the varying number of interpretations is used as an indicator. How do we go about understanding this? I would start with two thoughts. First, Jesus said that 'the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of heaven is at hand' (Mark 1:14-15). Whatever prophecy about time and the kingdom you read in the Old Testament must come to harmony with Jesus's statement. Second, Jesus quoted from this passage and applied it to the destruction of the Jerusalem by the Romans in AD 70 (Matt. 24:15).
While this IS a prophecy dealing with a time element, the time element isn't straight-forward. Our first problem is identifying the '7's'. It isn't said that they are days, weeks, or years. It doesn't say they are Jewish days, weeks, or years. Most take it to mean 'weeks of years' and come up with 490 years. Things were to begin with the decree of Cyrus and to end with the destruction of the temple / city. This may not refer to actual dates at all but to completeness of events, as Jesus used the seventy times seven to explain how often to forgive someone. However you add them up, the time was fulfilled when Jesus came (Mark 1:15, Gal. 4:4).
Daniel then is told that specific things would happen during these times. I have tried to let the coming of Jesus and what He accomplished be the guide to understanding these things.
1. "To finish transgression". Jesus gave himself as a once and for all sacrifice to reconcile believers to God.
2. "To put an end to sin". Jesus brought forgiveness that will cause that God never brings up the sin again.
3. "To atone for iniquity". Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for all iniquity, sin, and transgression.
4. "To bring in everlasting righteousness". Jesus is OUR righteousness. Through HIM we have been justified and declared righteous.
5. "To seal both vision and prophet". Jesus fulfilled and verified all prophecies of the Messiah. In doing so He gave a New Covenant that is the revelation of all truth and was once for all delivered.
6. "To anoint the most holy". This can refer to a place, in which case Jesus anointed the true holy of holies with His sacrifice of himself. It can also refer to a person, in which case He is shown to be the anointed one (the Messiah, the Christ).
We are told that from the decree of Cyrus to leave and rebuild Jerusalem to the coming of "an anointed one" there would be seven '7's' and sixty-nine '7's'. The anointed one would be THE anointed one - the Messiah, the Christ, Jesus.
After the 69th '7', this anointed one is cut off. Jesus the Christ would die.
Following this death of the anointed one a coming prince would destroy the city of Jerusalem. Such destruction is the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 by the Romans (cp. Matt. 24:15).
In verse 27 such destruction was simply said to be done by 'He'. While that could be either the anointed one or the 'coming prince', either way it still points to AD 70. The 'prince' carried out the plan of the anointed one (Jesus) hence it could be said that either one of them destroyed the city.
With all of this, the sacrifices and offerings came to an end. Effectually they ended with the sacrifice of Jesus that made them unnecessary AND they were no longer offered at all with the destruction of the temple, city, and priesthood.
With the coming of Jesus and His sacrifice we see the end of the first covenant and its provisions. We have a new covenant mediated by a new high priest who offered Himself and now officiates as high priest in the very presence of God in heaven. We who believe in Him have come to the heavenly Jerusalem. Our sins and iniquities have been forgiven and thus done away with. Our sins have been atoned for and we are now right with God. All of this was done through the coming of Jesus the Christ. Thank you LORD.
Hugh DeLong
