THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL: PART THREE

The angel Gabriel gave Daniel the prophecy known as "Daniel's Seventy Weeks," which described the future of Israel from the command to rebuild Jerusalem with its Temple, until the "consummation" (Dan. 9:21-27). The Hebrew word translated "consummation" is כָּלָה (kalah) means "to be complete." The total number of years was to be 490 (seventy sevens). Gabriel told Daniel that 69 weeks (7 + 60 + 2 or 483 years) would pass until the Israel's long-awaited Messiah would be killed (Dan. 9:26). Right on time, Jesus came, was crucified, buried, rose again, and ascended to His Father (1 Cor. 15:3-4; Acts 1:9; Col. 3:1). So what happened to the seventieth week of Daniel's prophecy? The seven remaining years have not taken place yet.

The hiatus, which some refer to as a "biblical parenthesis," occurs between the 69th and 70th week of the prophecy, into which the mystery of the Church Age is inserted; it is known as the "gap theory" of Daniel 9 (Eph. 5:32). The seventieth week of the prophecy is expected to commence after the Rapture of the Church (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:51-52; 1 Thes. 4:13-18; Rev. 3:10; 4:1), and will end at the Second Coming of Christ (Matt. 24:29-31; Rev. 19:11-21; etc.).

Daniel wrote, "And he shall confirm the 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" (Dan. 9:27). The last seven years ending in the "consummation," are known by three names: Daniel's Seventieth Week (Dan. 9:27); The Time of Jacob's Trouble (Jer. 30:7); and the Tribulation (Matt. 24:21, 29; Rev. 7:14). This seven year period is described in several passages, and they should be studied together (Dan. 9:27; 11:31-36; 12:1; Matt. 24:1-29; Mk. 13:1-23; Lk. 21:5-24; 2 Thes. 2:1-12: Rev. 6 - 18).

The Beast, or the Antichrist, will break his covenant with Israel exactly three and a half years into the seven year treaty (Dan. 9:27). This three and a half year period is described as being 1260 days (Rev. 11:3; 12:6); 42 months (Rev. 11:2; 13:5); and as "a time, times, and half (time)" (Dan. 12:7). The covenant will be broken when he enters the Temple, and declares himself to be God. Called the "abomination of desolation," the Jews, who have had three and a half years of peace, will see the Beast for who he is, and having their "eyes opened," will literally "head for the hills" (Matt. 24:15-16; Mk. 13:14; Lk. 21:20-21; Rom. 11:25; Rev. 12:6).

Between the prophecies of the Book of Daniel; the Olivet Discourse of Matthew, Mark, and Luke; the warning in 2 Thessalonians; and Chapters 6 through 18 of Revelation, we have a clear picture of what the Beast or Antichrist does. The only things we do not know are his identity and when he will make the covenant.