Daniel 9 - "The 70-Week Mystery Revealed"

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Daniel 9 is one of the most amazing and significant prophetic passages in the Bible. It begins with Daniel’s understanding and application of biblical prophecy. Daniel, somehow, had a collection of the writings of Jeremiah. Jeremiah had prophesied that the enslavement and exile of Jews was going to last 70 years in the land of Babylon (Jeremiah 25:10-12) - which covers much of modern day Iraq and Iran. This was a wake-up call for Daniel. He had already been in exile within the land of Babylon for many years (roughly 19 years), and he knew that since Jeremiah's prophecies had all come true then the return to Jerusalem might actually happen in his life-time. 

It's believed that although Daniel and his three friends, Meshech, Shadrach, and Abednego were exiled into Babylon around the year 605 B.C., most bible scholars believe the 70 year time period spoken of by Jeremiah probably took place around 586 B.C. - the year the Temple was completed demolished and destroyed. When this happened, it represented the end of Jewish habitation within the city of Jerusalem. With the destruction of the most important symbol of Israel - the Temple of God - it would seem plausible that this would be the sign of the beginning of the exile and the end of the Jewish occupation of Jerusalem.

Daniel was so moved by Jeremiah's writings and so disgusted with how rebellious his own people had been toward God, that he was deeply moved to fast and pray for God to forgive His people of their sins. He asks God for mercy and urgently requests God to fulfill His promise (the one as prophesied to Jeremiah) and restore his people to Jerusalem. He also acknowledges that God was right in sending them into exile. There was no doubt that they deserved it, and Daniel was in complete agreement with God about His decision to exile His people.

While Daniel is praying, an angel appears to Daniel and tells him that Jerusalem will be rebuilt after 70 years of captivity. However, the angel also gives Daniel a much longer timetable called the "seventy weeks prophecy." The seventy weeks are actually seventy "weeks of years," meaning that each "week" represents seven years. So the 70 weeks in total equals 490 years. The angel tells Daniel that this prophecy involves a period of 70 weeks that are divided into three parts: 7 weeks, 62 weeks, and 1 week. The first part, the 7 weeks, refers to the time it will take for Jerusalem to be rebuilt after the Babylonian captivity. This prophecy was fulfilled when Cyrus the Great of Persia issued a decree that allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. In fact, this is how and why many Jewish scholars believed in the imminent coming of the Messiah around the time of His virgin birth.  When you do the math based on biblical prophecy (as did these Jewish scholars) it was clear to those who would do the math to see exactly when Jesus was going to arrive in His first coming! 

You can see this in Luke 2:26- "And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace. According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” 

The second part, the 62 weeks, refers to the time between the rebuilding of the Temple and the coming of the Messiah. This is a period of 434 years. This is where the Jewish scholars pick up on the mathematically calculation concerning the first coming of Jesus to earth.  

Finally, the last week refers to the seven-year tribulation period that will precede the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. During this last week, the antichrist will rise to power and wage war against the people of God. This will become hell on earth as God unleashes His fury against man for his sinfulness. And even then, many will recognize the plagues are from God but instead of turning to God in repentance, most reject Him.  The anti-christ will cause everyone around the world to worship him.  He will be a Satan-filled man, and it's always been Satan's desire to set up his own kingdom and have many worship him.  This will happen in the final days before Jesus comes and destroys those who are unbelievers, sets up His throne in Jerusalem, rules the earth for a thousand years when finally it's practically gone from hell on earth to heaven on earth.  Much, much more can be said about this, but I'll refrain until we get to the book of Revelation.

Keep in mind, the seventy weeks prophecy is a complex and fascinating prophecy that has been interpreted in many different ways throughout history. Some Christians believe that many elements of the prophecy have already been fulfilled, while others believe that it is yet to be fulfilled in the end times. I. personally, believe whole-heartedly that these are future events that have yet to take place. Regardless of the interpretation, the prophecy serves as a reminder of God's ultimate plan for humanity and the importance of staying vigilant in our faith, love, and devotion to God Almighty!