Relevant
From dictionary.com…“adjective bearing upon or connected with the matter in hand; pertinent: a relevant remark”
(underlining mine)
Summary – Daniel 9:24-27
This passage focuses on two things:1) It accurately predicted the time Christ would be revealed to Israel .2) It revealed details about one of the most powerful men in history, who is still future to us, and who challenges the rule of God on earth.
Summary – Daniel 9:24-27
• Six things have to happen before the Kingdom will come. All will be accomplished by God.
• There was a command from a king to rebuild Jerusalem and its walls.
• This command is the starting point of a 483 year countdown to Jesus appearing to Israel.
Summary – Daniel 9:24-27
• Jerusalem would be rebuilt in difficult times• The last seven year period was delayed to a future
time.• That seven year period is the subject of the book of
the Revelation.• Jesus would be killed after He appeared. His death
would be for us, not Himself.
Summary – Daniel 9:24-27
• Rome would destroy Jerusalem.• Rome will later make a covenant with Israel. • After 3 ½ years, the Beast, the man of sin, will break
that agreement.• The future Beast will act like an earlier king whose
actions were accurately predicted by Daniel centuries before he appeared.
Summary – Daniel 9:24-27
• Only Israel’s King will be able to deliver them.• The free will of man, the stubbornness of Israel, make
all of this necessary.• If the past was accurately foretold before it occurred,
then so can the future.
What we know – Daniel 9:24
“Sevens”
The “sevens” are seven years, not days.
Background to Israel’s captivity
Israel was told to honor the Lord with the Sabbath.______________________________________
But there was more than one Sabbath.
Background to Israel’s captivity
One Sabbath involved the seventh day each week.______________________________________
The other was to be kept every seventh year.Leviticus 25:1f.
Background to Israel’s captivity
Israel failed to keep the yearly Sabbath…for 490 years!________________________________
In other words, they ignored it 70 times and went into captivity for 70 years as a consequence.
Jeremiah 25:8-14
What we know – Daniel 9:24-27
Now, God turns things around.
Their sin was for 70 “seven s” (490 years)
Now, in 70 “sevens”, God’s grace would triumph!
What we know – Daniel 9:24-27
But, how should we understand the prophecy?
At least two legitimate options exist…
What we know – Daniel 9:24-27
1. To finish the transgression = Israel’s sin, ultimately may refer to her rejection of the Messiah and/or disobedience to the Mosaic Covenant.
2. To make an end of sins = accomplished by the death of Christ for Israel and the world. Finished, finally, at His second coming when Israel’s sins are ended.
3. To make reconciliation for iniquity = Provision made for Israel at the cross, experienced at His return.
What we know – Daniel 9:24-27
4. To bring in everlasting righteousness = At the return of the King.5. To seal up vision and prophecy = All that God has said He will do through the prophets would be realized when Christ returns for His kingdom.6. Anoint the Most Holy = The dedication of the Temple in the Kingdom.
What we know – Daniel 9:24-27
“Messiah will be cut off”________________________
Christ was crucified following the first 483 years.________________________
“but not for Himself”_______________________
The reason for His death was other than Himself…He died for us!
What we know – Daniel 9:26
“the people of the prince who is to come”
Titus of Rome leveled Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
What we know – Daniel 9:27
“Then (looking ahead) he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week”
Better = “the people (of the prince who is to come)”____________________________
Collectively = “they shall confirm a covenant…”
Nations from what was once the Roman Empire.
What we know – Daniel 9:27
“But in the middle of the weekHe shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.”
Now the man of sin becomes the “beast” of Revelation and reveals his true self.
Antiochus prefigures this man.
What we know – Daniel 9:27
The necessary groundwork is being laid for the Kingdom to arrive.
But that Kingdom won’t arrive without Israel’s repentance.
And Israel’s repentance won’t come easily.
Relevant
From dictionary.com…“adjective bearing upon or connected with the matter in hand; pertinent: a relevant remark”
(underlining mine)