The 70 weeks… (2 things)

• 1^st – The Prayer of Daniel… vs. 1-20
  • 1^st – The fulfillment of prophecy… vs. 1-3
    • In the first year of Darius – son of Ahasuerus – of the lineage of the Medes…
      • King Darius – the name means Lord – was A ruler in the Medo-Persian Empire…
      • But ‘Darius the Mede’ is not that same as Darius I – who would later be the 4^th King…
      • It is thought Cyrus the Persian made him A ruler over the Chaldeans (Babylon)!
    • In the first year of Darius – 537 B.C. – Daniel understood the captivity was almost done…
      • According to Leviticus 25 – Israel was to give the land a Sabbath once every 7 years…
      • But for the 490 years they were in the Land – Israel never did honor the Sabbath year…
      • So God let Judah be captive in Babylon for 70 years – Jeremiah 25:12 / 29:10
      • Giving the Land the 70 Sabbaths that Israel had failed to give to it!
    • The captivity began around 605 B.C. with the first conquest of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar…
      • The same year when Daniel was taken captive to Babylon – Daniel 1:1
      • Daniel did the math – and realized the 70 years was almost up…
      • His response was to set his face towards God – pray – and fast in sackcloth and ashes!
      • Because he knew the time was near – and he wanted to be ready! 
      • We read our Bibles – and we see the prophecies coming true – Jesus is coming soon…
      • The question is do we believe – do we respond like Daniel and go to our knees to get ready!
      • Cause when we least expect it – Jesus will come like thief – I Thessalonians 5:2
      • And if we are not ready – if we are not watching – we could miss what God is doing…
      • So lets get ready – live every day knowing today could well be the day we see Jesus!
        
  • 2^nd – The confession of Daniel… vs. 4-6
    • God who keep his promises / mercy – to those who love Him and Keep His commandments…
      • The promises and mercy of the Lord – are for those who love the Lord…
      • I think a lot of people play at being a Christian thinking the title keeps them safe…
      • As if God will somehow overlook their sin – so long as they own a Bible / go to church…
      • But the blessing and grace of God are reserved for those who love Him…
      • And while it is easy to say we love Jesus – the proof is found in our actions – John 14:15
      • Many will say in that day – Lord / Lord – but He will say I never knew you – Matthew 7:21
    • Daniel admitted that ‘we have sinned’…
      • Daniel is one of only two men in the Bible we have no ‘recorded’ sin of (Joseph is the other)…
      • That does not mean Daniel did not sin – everyone is a sinner – Romans 3:23
      • Yet Daniel did not see himself as greater than others – he related to those he prayed for!
      • When we pray for others – it is easy to get a feeling of superiority…
      • We who are holy – need to lift up those who are obviously so much worse than us…
      • Yet people can tell when we look down on them – and that tends to separate us…
      • Jesus was holier than anyone – yet He sat down an ate with sinners – Mark 2:16…
      • In order be effective in praying for others – we need to relate to them / not judge them!
    • Israel had failed in 3 ways…
      • They had done wickedly and rebelled against the Lord…
      • They had not obeyed the commands (precepts) and judgments of the Lord…
      • And they had not listened to the warnings of the Prophets of the Lord…
      • When we sin we have a choice – repent / or run the risk of being hardened – Hebrews 3:13
      • Hardened so we no longer want to hear the commands / Word of the Lord…
      • The Bible will keep us from sin – but sin will keep us from the Bible – Psalm 119:11
      • Hardened so we no longer want to be around those who follow the Lord…
      • Because they remind us of our sin – so we avoid church – and end up in the wrong crowd!
  • 3^rd – The consequences of sin… vs. 7-14
    • God is righteous – but Israel had shame because of their sin…
      • All of Israel – men of Judah / Jerusalem / those near and far / Kings / Princes / Fathers…
      • People tend to think that if everyone is doing something – then it must be OK…
      • They may even pass laws to make it ‘legal’ – making themselves feel better…
      • But righteousness is not a democracy – we do not get to vote to decide what truth is!
      • Romans 3:4 – “Let God be true but every man a liar…”
    • To God belongs mercies (plural) and forgiveness – but Israel refused to obey the voice of God…
      • Therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law was poured out on them…
      • No one had ever seen a disaster like what had been done to Jerusalem…
      • Yet still the people of Israel would not turn to their God – so the captivity continued!
      • Leviticus 26:14-29 – God warned Israel what would happen if they disobeyed Him…
      • 4 times He warned them if they did not repent – the punishment would increase by 7 times!
      • Those who survived would be left in terror – a shaking leaf would send them running!
      • God did all this to Israel – but always with a heart to see them turn back to the Lord…
      • Isaiah 1:18 – “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow.”
      • God allows us to face consequence – reap what we sow – to bring us back to Him…
      • If we do not learn the first time – God ‘turns up the heat’ 7x to get our attention…
      • Still not listening – God can go as long – make it as ‘hot’ as He needs…
      • So that we finally learn to turn to the Lord – humbly submit our lives to Him!
  • 4^th – The request of Daniel… vs. 15-20
    • To the God who brought His people out of Egypt with a Mighty Hand…
      • God did not need to be reminded about how He saved Israel – but Daniel did…
      • When we remember what the Lord has done – our perspective changes…
      • We no longer see our problems – instead our God who is greater than any problem!
    • Daniel asked the Lord – help Israel represent You…
      • Lord turn Your anger and Your fury away from Your city Jerusalem…
      • Lord hear the prayer of Your servant – and shine Your face on Your Sanctuary (Temple)…
      • Lord incline Your ear / open Your eyes – to see the desolation of Your city…
      • Not because of the righteous deeds of Israel – but because of Your great mercies!
      • O Lord hear! O Lord forgive! O lord listen and Act!
      • For Your sake / for Your city / for Your people / which are called by Your name!
      • Daniel understood Israel had failed to represent the Lord – so they needed help!
      • As Christians we represent Jesus to a world that does not know Him – Matthew 5:14
      • Unfortunately far too often the church looks more like the world – than our Lord…
      • So we pray – we pray that God purifies His church – makes us like Him… 
      • Because when the church is pure – the church shines – and the whole world takes notice!
        
• 2^nd – The 70 week prophecy… vs. 21-27
  • 1^st – Answered prayer… vs. 21-23
    • While Daniel was still praying – God sent the answer…
      • Gabriel appeared again – first time was in the vision of Mornings and Evenings – Daniel 8…
      • The moment Daniel started his prayer – Gabriel had been sent…
      • He flew swiftly (was exhausted) so he could get to Daniel by 3pm (evening offering)…
      • Because Daniel was beloved – he was sent to give him skill to understanding the vision…
    • Daniel had been praying in anticipation of the fulfillment of 70-year prophecy of Jeremiah…
      • He expected an end to captivity – and perhaps for God to establish His Kingdom…
      • Although Judah would return to rebuild the Temple / Jerusalem…
      • The end was not yet – so Gabriel was there to reveal when the end would come!
  • 2^nd – 490 years till the end… vs. 24
    • 70 weeks are determined for Israel (your people) and Jerusalem (holy city)…
      • The word translated ‘weeks’ here is the Hebrew – שָׁבֻעַ shâbua – literally just ‘seven’…
      • The only way to determine what the seven refers to – days / weeks / years – is context…
    • These 70 – ‘7s’ of Daniel – are the key to unlock all End Time Prophecy in the Bible…
      • Israel is God’s prophetic watch/ timer – it is how God ‘tells time’ prophetically…
      • God tells Daniel there are 70×7 (490 years) left on the clock until the end when God will:
      • Finish transgressions – literally ‘shut up’ / abolish/ or remove sin… 
      • Make an end of sin – the Hebrew means to seal – or to hide out of sight…
      • Make reconciliation for sin – literally to cover – to make atonement for sin…
      • Bring in everlasting righteousness – restoration of the relationship between God and man…
      • Seal up (finish or complete) the vision and prophecy – put an end to further revelations…
      • Anoint the Most Holy – speaking of establishing the Kingdom of God!
  • 3^rd – The start of the timer – the command to rebuild Jerusalem… vs. 25
    • There were multiple commands to rebuild Jerusalem (Zerubbabel / Ezra)…
      • But only one that included rebuilding the wall – in troublesome times – Nehemiah 2:1
      • When Nehemiah did the work under constant threat of attack – Nehemiah 4:17
      • The command was given in the month of Nisan (April) – in the 20^th year of Artaxerxes…
      • According to Hebrew tradition – when no day is given – it is 1^st day of the month…
      • Meaning the command to rebuild the wall was given to Nehemiah on March 14^th – 445 B.C.
      • 62 weeks / and 7 weeks (69 total) after the command was given – the Messiah would come!
      • 483 years or 173,880 days later on April 6^th – 32 A.D. – Jesus arrived!
      • Important note: the Babylonian calendar was based on a 360-day LUNAR year
    • In Luke 19:41 – as Jesus drew near the Jerusalem – He wept over it…
      • Israel was expected to recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah because…
      • Because they had even been told THE EXACT DAY He would arrive – Palm Sunday!
      • The Jews were all very religious- they all went to ‘church every Sunday’…
      • But very few of them actually knew / read their Bible – so they missed Jesus!
      • It is so important we learn – read – and get to know our Bible…
      • It is easy to be religious- but miss most important thing of all- Jesus!
      • That is why we go to Bible studies  / read the Bible/ listen to the Bible on the radio
      • So we get into the Word to learn all about our Lord – so we do not miss Jesus!
  • 4th – The death of the messiah / destruction of Israel… vs. 26
    • After the 483 years – the Messiah will be cut off – killed – but not for Himself…
      • Jesus would be crucified – not because of His sins – but for the sins of all men…
      • People often think that the Gospel message is something only found in the New Testament…
      • But the whole plan of salvation was laid out in the Old Testament!
      • It was always the plan of God that He would come to earth and die – so we could be saved!
      • Isaiah 53:5 – “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”
    • Then the people (Rome) of the prince who is to come (Antichrist)…
      • They would come and destroy the city – Jerusalem – and the sanctuary – the Temple…
      • In the end it would be like a flood came through – nothing left standing / nothing remained…
      • Jesus would go on to tell His disciples – not on stone would be left upon another – Luke 21:6
      • When the Jews rebelled in 70 A.D. – Titus Vespasian responded with the 10^th Roman legion…
      • He laid siege to Jerusalem killing over 1 million Jews – destroying the city…
      • He did not intend to destroy the Temple – but in the siege it caught fire…
      • The gold of the Temple melted between the stone blocks…
      • The Romans dismantled the Temple stone by stone to get the gold!
      • Not one stone remained upon another – the ruins are still in Israel to this day!
    • Till the end of the war – desolations are determined…
      • Likely referring to the war against sin – the war against satan…
      • Until the end of that war – the people of Israel will be desolate / isolated / hated…
      • From 1967 to 1989 the UN Security Council passed 88 resolutions criticizing Israeli…
      • During this time the UN General Assembly passed 429 resolutions against Israel!
      • There is only one entire UN Division devoted to a single group of people – Palestinians!
      • The only UN day dedicated to a specific people is November 29 – for the Palestinian People!
      • Only one refugee agency dedicated to a specific people: UNRWA – for Palestinian Refugees!
      • UN Human Rights Commission has condeend Israel more than every other nation combined!
      • As we get closer to the end – every nation will turn its back on Israel!
      • Zechariah 12:3 – “I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone… though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.”
  • 5^th – The 7 years of Tribulation… vs. 27
    • There is one week – 7 years that still have not ticked off the clock…
      • When Jesus was crucified – the clock stopped – and has been stopped for 2000 years!
      • Ushering in a time called ‘church age’ – that began with the Crucifixion…
      • And will continue until the last gentile to be saved – gets saved – Romans 11:25
      • When Jesus will come to Rapture the church – I Thessalonians 4:16 / I Corinthians 15:51
    • He (prince) shall confirm a covenant with the people for one week…
      • The clock will start again when the Antichrist makes peace with Israel…
      • The thought is in the aftermath of the rapture (1 billion people disappear)…
      • And after the Magog invasion (God destroys armies of Russia and the Arabs)…
      • The world will be in chaos – one man will step up offering peace and safety…
      • He will make peace by offering to rebuild the 3^rd Temple for Israel…
      • The Jews have everything ready to rebuild the temple – waiting for their messiah!
      • The Antichrist will be received as the Jewish Messiah – because he rebuilds the Temple…
      • John 5:43 – “I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.”
      • Thus starting the last 7 years on Gods watch – the 7 years of Tribulation!

• Laid out in the Book of Revelation – God pours out 21 judgments in the 7-years of tribulation
• They are broken up into 3 sets of 7 judgments – Seal / Trumpet / and Bowl judgments…
• One quarter of all the earth dies with the opening of the first 4 seals…
• By the time 6^th trumpet is blown – 60% of the world’s population has perished!
• The terror will be so great – unless God limited it to just 7 years – no one would survive!
• The bad news – anyone who does not believe in Jesus has this to look forward to…
• The good news – if you believe in Jesus – you will be safely in heaven!
• Really good motivation to believe in Jesus today – II Corinthians 6:2
• People can be saved during the Tribulation – but you will have to go through it…
• And the end result will be you will die – beheaded – for your faith in Jesus – Revelation 20:4 

Luke 21:28 – “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

On the wings of abominations shall be one who makes desolate…

3 ½ years into the Tribulation the Antichrist will perform the Abomination of Desolation!

He will bring and end to the sacrifices and offerings at the Temple…

Then the Anti-Christ will enter the rebuilt 3^rd temple – into the Holiest of All…

The footstool of God – where the Ark of the Covenant once stood (1^st Temple only)…

There he will demand he is god – and should be worshiped by the world!

This begins the determined countdown leading to THE END – 1290 days later…

When Jesus will return – 2^nd coming – and establish His Kingdom!

Revelation 19:11 – “I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.”

For Daniel – the end was still far off – the timer had not even started…

But we are living in the Last Days – 483 years have ticked off – only 7 years remain…

And we are seeing the events unfold telling us the clock is about to start again…

And the next major prophetic event to take place – is the rapture of the church…

It is easy to forget this may be the day – Jesus could come tonight!

It is easy to get caught up in the cares of this life – forget that Jesus is coming!