Page 168 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

DANIEL

7:8,24; 11:21-23). (3) He will speak great blasphemies The Length of Time of the 70 Weeks. The Hebrew term
against God (Da. 7:8,25). (4) He will persecute the for weeks here (shebuah) simply means “sevens.” The
saints, i.e., the Jewish people and the Gentiles who will context must determine whether it is a week of days, or
be converted through the ministry of the Jews (Da. of years, etc. (1) The weeks which have already been
7:21, 25; Re. 7; 13). (5) He will be allowed to rule for a fulfilled demonstrate these are weeks of years rather
specific period (Da. 7:25). Re. 13:5 tells us this will be than of days. It was almost 500 years from the
42 months, or the final 3.5 years of Daniel’s 70th Week rebuilding of the temple and of Jerusalem until the
(Da. 9:27). (6) He will be overthrown by the Son of God coming of Christ. This fits perfectly the testimony of Da.
(Da. 7:13-14, 21-22). Compare Re. 19:11-21 and 2 Th. 9:25, which places 69 weeks of years (483 years)
2:8. between the two events. It is only reasonable to believe
The Kingdom of God. (1) Begins with judgment that the 70th week shall also be a week of years, or a
processes (vv. 9-11, 22, 26; compare Re. 4-18). (2) seven year period. (2) When this Hebrew term is used
Given to the Son of Man (vv. 13-14; compare Re. 5). (3) of weeks of days, the word “days” is added (Da. 10:2-3).
Universal (v. 14). (4) Eternal (vv. 14, 18). (5) Righteous (3) The concept of weeks of years was familiar to
(vv. 18, 27). [See Kingdom of God, Millennium.] Jewish thinking (Le. 25:3-9). (4) At the time of the
Daniel 8. In this vision Daniel is given more details vision, Daniel had been thinking in terms of weeks of
regarding the Medo-Persian and Grecian empires and of years (Da. 9:2 compared with 2 Ch. 36:21).
the Antichrist’s activities in the last days. The angel told The Divisions of the 70 Weeks. The 70 weeks are
Daniel that the vision concerned the end time (Da. divided into distinct groups. (1) During the first 7 weeks
8:19). The ram is identified as Medo-Persia (Da. 8:20), (49 years) Jerusalem was rebuilt in troublous times
and the he goat which destroyed the ram is the king of (compare Nehemiah). (2) The next 62 weeks (434
Greece (Da. 8:21). History tells us this was Alexander years) extends from the rebuilding of Jerusalem until
the Great. After Alexander’s death, the Grecian kingdom the coming of the Messiah. (3) Between the 69th and
was divided into four parts by his generals (Da. 8:22). 70th week is a period of undetermined time during
Antiochus Epiphanes. Verses 9-12 and verses 23-25 which the Messiah is cut off (compare Mt. 27),
foreview two different men. This is a prophecy of Jerusalem is destroyed by Roman armies (A.D. 70), and
Antiochus Epiphanes, and beyond him, to the Antichrist. there are desolations until the end. The Hebrew word
Antiochus Epiphanes arose from the northern division of translated “desolation” is also translated “destruction
the Grecian kingdom about 200 B.C. and had a great (Ho. 2:12). It refers to the fact that Jerusalem has been
hatred for Israel. He caused the daily sacrifices to cease destroyed and overrun time and again throughout the
at the Jewish temple and persecuted the Jews. interim period between the 69th and 70th weeks.
Antiochus, as evil as he was, only foreshadows a much Unforeseen by Daniel is the interlude of the church age,
more evil man—”the man of sin,” the Antichrist. Jesus during which time the Messiah is resurrected and
Christ referred to this person and said that he would ascends back to heaven to oversee the calling out of a
operate during the Great Tribulation just preceding people for His name from among the nations (Lk.
Christ’s return (Mt. 24:15-30). 19:11-27; Ac. 15:14-18). (4) The 70th week (the final
The Little Horn. Daniel describes for us the Antichrist: seven years). The prince of the revived Roman Empire
will make a covenant with Israel. That the Antichrist
(1) Fierce countenance (Da. 8:23). Antichrist will be arises from the revived Roman Empire is evident by the
physically powerful and fearful. (2) Understanding dark fact that he is called the prince of the people who
sentences (Da. 8:23). Antichrist will be a master at the destroyed Jerusalem after Messiah’s death; this was
human politics and satanic intrigues which control the Rome. In the middle of the seven years the Antichrist
present world. (3) Mighty power, but not his own (Da. will desecrate the Jewish temple (compare Mt. 24:15; 2
8:24). His power will derive from Satan (2 Th. 2:9). (4) Th. 2:3-4). There will be desolations until Christ returns
Persecutes the Jewish people (Da. 8:24). (5) Magnifies to overthrow the Antichrist (compare Mt. 24:16-21; Re.
himself (Da. 8:25). [See Antichrist.] 11:2). The abomination that makes desolate marks the
DANIEL 9:24-27. God’s timetable for restoring Israel middle of the seven years. Compare Mt. 24:15 where
and overthrowing the Gentile powers. Jesus places this event in the Tribulation period. This
The Seventy Weeks. The occasion of the 70 weeks was abomination of desolation probably refers to the
Daniel’s prayer that God would have mercy on Israel. occasion when the Antichrist will set himself up as god
The vision of the 70 weeks is God’s answer. In this vision (2 Th. 2:4).
God reveals to Daniel the time schedule and major DANIEL 10-12. Daniel was told by the angel in
events which will lead to the establishment of Israel’s chapter 10 that he was “come to make thee understand
Messianic kingdom. what shall befall thy people in the latter days” (Da.

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