The vision takes place soon after Darius began his rulership over Babylon. Before this Babylon had been ruled by Belshazzar, and before him Nebuchadnezzer who had beseiged Jerusalem when Daniel was young. Daniel says he had read the prophecy foretold by the prophet Jeremiah. Being aware of this writing and beleiving the fulfillment was near at hand, describes how he prayed for the Kingdom of Israel asking God to have mercy on his rebellious people.
The Seventy Weeks
Gabriel responding to his prayer, makes a proclomation regarding the timing of important events in the future of the people of Israel. He tells Daniel that the people will be given seventy weeks to get rid of their sins. The seventy weeks is actually seventy times seven which is four hundred-ninty years.
We drew out a timeline and looked at what happened in these seventy weeks.
- In 7 weeks (49 years) there would be a decree to rebuild Jerusalem. 458 BC
- In 62 weeks (434 years) Jerusalem and the Temple would be rebuilt. 409 BC
- Messiah would then start his ministry. After the 62 weeks the anointed one (Messiah) would be cut off and have nothing.
- The last week (7 years) is split into two. In the last week Christ would make a strong covenant with many and for half of the week he shall put an end to the sacrifice and offering. (25 AD)
3 comments:
Another good post and the snappiest so far! (in terms of how quickly after the class it was posted..!)
I wonder though if anyone has any explanation of why the seventy weeks were 70 x 7?
Anyone?
If a seven days in a week, and quite often in prophecies etc a day is used to represent a year. Or so I'm told.
and the hebrew (aramaic?) word translated 'weeks' literally means 'sevens'. so 'seventy sevens have been determined'.
=)
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