The prophet Daniel learned from reading the words of the prophet Jeremiah that the exile of God’s people in Babylon would last for seventy years. This time period was based upon 490 years of them and their ancestors ignoring God’s sabbath, or Shabbat, the land rest required by the law of Moses, given by God eight centuries before Daniel was born. Every seventh year was supposed to be a sabbath year of rest for the land, when it was to lie fallow, but this law had been ignored, so the 70 years of sabbath rest owed to the Lord was repaid during the exile.
The sabbath year was to be without planting or harvest, to honor the Lord as the ultimate source and provider of His peoples’ bounty. It also permitted the poor of the land and the sojourner to access whatever grew on it during the sabbath year, to use for their own provision and sustenance. As different fields enjoyed sabbath rests during different years, this was one of God’s ways of providing a steady source of food for the poor and hungry to glean from. (He had also told farmers to always leave the boundaries of their fields unharvested and available for gleaning by the needy). But this agrarian nation chose to ignore God’s sabbath land requirement, and continued to plant and harvest their fields in every consecutive year, without the sabbath rest.
As recorded in the book of 2 Chronicles, God permitted King Nebuchadnezzar to invade the land, and he took the people of Judah captive into Babylon.
20 He exiled to Babylon those who had escaped the sword and they became slaves to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia— 21 in fulfillment of the word of Adonai by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had paid back her Shabbat rests—for as long as it lay desolate—the Shabbat rest was kept till 70 years were complete. 2 Chronicles 36:20-21 (TLV)
When Daniel realized from the word of God that the seventy-year period was nearing an end, and he prayed earnestly to the Lord to forgive him and the people for rejecting God and His law. He pleaded with the Lord to free the people and allow them to return home from exile in Babylon to restore and rebuild the temple and the city of Jerusalem. While Daniel was still praying, the angel Gabriel appeared on the scene to assure him that he was beloved by God, that his prayer had indeed been heard, and that God was now also doing a new thing for His people – introducing the One who will be king over a coming global and eternal divine kingdom.
Just as 490 years held a significant meaning looking into the past, it also held a deep meaning for the peoples’ future. “Seventy sevens” or “seventy weeks” of years, or 490 years, would establish the date for the arrival of the coming Messiah the Prince, or Mashiach, in Hebrew.
The “seventy sevens” prophecy given to Daniel documents the Messiah’s coming in two separate events: first, the first sixty-nine weeks of years (listed as 7+62 weeks) point to the time of Jesus Christ presenting Himself as King in Jerusalem, just prior to His atoning crucifixion, when He would be “cut off”. Second, after a lengthy time gap, the remaining 70th week points to the second coming of Christ, which will occur sometime in our future, near the end of the Times of the Gentiles. This 70th week will come when God the Father deems the era of human government to be complete. It will mark the beginning of a seven-year Great Tribulation period in the last days, as prophesied in multiple places in the Bible, sometimes referred to as the Day of the Lord.
After the seven year trial of the seventieth week is complete, the Father will send Jesus to earth to defeat the little horn, or Antichrist, the last evil leader and tormentor of the entire world. Jesus will come in power and glory to defeat Antichrist and his armies, and the demonic powers behind them, to assume all honor and authority over our planet and all of the heavens. He will then reign forever as King over the eternal Kingdom of God.
Before Daniel had even finished praying his prayer of repentance and supplication, the angel Gabriel arrived to present him with this prophetic message.
22 “He instructed me and said to me: ‘Daniel, I have come now to give you insight and understanding. 23 At the beginning of your requests, a message went out, and I have come to declare it to you, for you are greatly esteemed. Therefore consider the message and understand the vision:
24 “Seventy weeks are decreed concerning your people and your holy city,
to put an end to transgression
to bring sin to an end,
to atone for iniquity,
to bring in everlasting righteousness,
to seal up vision and prophecy,
and to anoint the Holy of Holies.
25 So know and understand:
From the issuing of the decree to restore and to build Jerusalem until the time Mashiach, the Prince (or Messiah), there shall be seven weeks and 62 weeks.
It will be rebuilt, with plaza and moat, but it will be in times of distress. Daniel 9:22-25 (TLV)
This remarkable prophecy puts the Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem as their Messiah as occurring in April, 33 AD. The decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem would start this Messianic clock. It was given some years after Daniel, by King Artaxerxes of Persia, in the 20th year of his reign, as recorded in the book of Nehemiah, chapter 2. Historically, Artaxerxes’ decree occurred in 444 BC. Using a 360-day calendar from the Old Testament, the sixty-nine weeks of years points to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus, right on schedule.
The remainder of Gabriel’s prophecy to Daniel refers to the Messiah being “cut off” after these sixty-nine weeks. This points to Jesus’ crucifixion, which would bring an end to sin and atone for believers’ iniquity, while His subsequent resurrection would bring in everlasting righteousness to all people of faith.
Titus of Rome would destroy the temple in 70 AD. Then the Time of the Gentiles will last until the end times, in our future, when Antichrist will reign over a reconstituted Roman empire for the seven year (or one week) tribulation period.
26 Then after the 62 weeks Mashiach will be cut off and have nothing.
Then the people of a prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. But his end will come like a flood. Until the end of the war that is decreed there will be destruction.
27 Then he will make a firm covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on a wing of abominations will come one who destroys, until the decreed annihilation is poured out on the one who destroys.’” Daniel 9:26-27 (TLV)
This is an amazing section of scripture that shows us that God has His loving hand on our past, present, and future. Believers will always have a wonderful hope because of His tremendous grace, mercy, and generosity. Eternal salvation is offered to all who would choose Him and be covered by the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah, or Mashiach, in Hebrew.
Reflection
Jesus came to earth on God’s timeline, according to His long term plan. He will come again to defeat Antichrist and to rule the entire world on these same terms.
Similarly, the Lord chooses each one of us to live in our own time and location. He has known us intimately since the beginning of time, and He loves us deeply.
May God help each one of us to live out His plan today, in a way that brings Him good pleasure.
Lord, thank You that of our times are in Your hands. We trust You to bring us safely through our days on earth, into Your eternal kingdom, through the sanctifying and life-giving death of Jesus Christ on the cross and His triumphant resurrection from the dead. Hold us close throughout our life and grant us and our loved ones Your rich blessing and protection through all of our trials, challenges, and tribulations. Help us to reflect and share Your goodness and love with others. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have a blessed and joyful day in the Lord today.
Reference: Hoehner, Harold, Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ, 1977 by The Zondervan Corporation
Daily Meditations from the Genealogy of Jesus 