In the last edition we studied the 2nd section of Daniel’s 70 week prophesy and learned how it accurately predicted the exact date of first coming of Jesus, the Messiah.In the 1st and 2nd sections of Daniel’s 70 week prophesy, 69 of the 70 weeks are fulfilled leaving us with 1 remaining week. But, we also learned that with the Messiah being ‘cut off’ a period of 2000 years begins in which the Jews are also ‘cut off’ from their capital Jerusalem and their country Israel (I will explain later why a 2000 year period is indicated). Jesus also prophesied of this time:
“"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near… they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations; and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” – Luke 21:20-24.
Jesus was speaking of the time when the armies of Rome surrounded the city of Jerusalem to destroy it. He warned those who would listen to flee Jerusalem and He warned that Jerusalem would be under Gentile domination until the end when ‘the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
The prophet Daniel introduces this period of time by saying “… and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined” – Daniel 9:26ff. The prophet Hosea also gives us a clue concerning this length of time –
Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. Hosea 6:1-3
The Apostle Peter helps us to interpret this passage by telling us that one day with the Lord is as 1000 years (2 Peter 3:8). The Hosea passage is saying God has ‘torn’ them for two days (2000 years) but then He will heal them and they shall return to the Lord. But, before this ‘healing’ the 3rd section of Daniel’s 70 week prophesies will come to pass.
And he shall confirm the (or a) covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate (or desolator). Daniel 9:27
The ‘he’ in this verse is the Roman prince that is referred to earlier:
“and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary” – Daniel 9:26
We know this ‘prince’ will be connected in some way with Rome because it was the Romans that destroyed Jerusalem. When he comes on the scene it will be to confirm a 7 year covenant with many in Israel. While the King James Version translates “confirm the covenant”, the text actually says “confirm a covenant”, in other words another treaty of peace. And it is important to notice that this treaty is made with many, in other words, not all in Israel agree to it.
So this is the setting in which the 3rd section of Daniel’s 70 week prophesy begins. A 2000 year period of suffering for the Jews is coming to an end. They have come back to their land of Israel and they are in control of Jerusalem. The promise of peace is at last visible. But, instead there is one war after another and it looks like all the nations of the earth will turn against them.
Isaiah 11:14, Psalm 83, and Ezekiel 38 & 39 describe the constant wars they have had and are expecting in the short 63 years the returned nation of Israel has existed. Furthermore the threat of Zechariah 14, otherwise known as Armageddon is starring them in the face. While some in Israel will begin looking to the LORD for help, many will look to man for the promise of peace.
This will be the political situation that ushers in the ‘man of sin’ the Apostle Paul warned about (2 Thessalonians 2:3). He will come offering a way out of the constant turmoil and war the Jews have been living under. He will suggest a seven year peace treaty that even allows for the Jews to rebuild their Temple and begin once again their sacrificial system of offerings. Many in Israel will see this as an answer to their problems and embrace it with joy. This covenant will be touted as the solution to the Mideast turmoil and worldwide economic upheaval. But not all in Israel will buy into to it and when he later tries to set up his own statue in the Temple the Jews will revolt and he will break the treaty, stopping the sacrifices and offerings. As Jesus prophesied –
Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by the Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whosoever reads, let him understand) – Matthew 24:15
This will begin the 3½ years of ‘great tribulation’ Jesus warned about –
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. – Matthew 24:21
Revelation 12 and 13 also describe this time period in great detail. It will be worst time of testing the world has ever seen and Jesus said unless this time had been shortened not even the elect would survive. But, the elect do survive and even overcome this antichrist beast.
…until the end that is decreed is poured out on him. – Daniel 9:27ff
Daniel declares that this desolator will come to an end and that the judgment of God will be poured out upon him.
Revelation reveals to us how we can overcome this beast and win even though he will appear to have all the power.
They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. – Revelation 12:11 (emphasis added)
The angel Gabriel gives Daniel an outline of history that is to come for his people. Two parts of it have happened just as he said and the third part is being prepared to happen even now. I believe we are privileged to live during its fulfillment. But to overcome we must know by personal experience what the blood of Jesus Christ has done for us and its power over Satan. We must not only know about the blood of the Lamb but, we must openly declare it to a lost world. That means we must be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Before Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit fell on them, the disciples were hiding from the Pharisees, but after being filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost they were boldly declaring the blood of the Lamb even at the risk of their own lives. They were transformed into over comers.
Friend, that same Holy Spirit is offered to you. As Peter preached that Pentecost day –
The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:39
The promise of the Holy Spirit has never been withdrawn and He comes with all His gifts, just as at the first. All you have to do is obey the call of the Lord and ask. Jesus said, “Ask and you shall receive.” And Jesus doesn’t lie.
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