THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING BIBLE PROPHECY

It was not until the early 1800's (A.D.), with the "birth of Dispensationalism," that God "unsealed" the Book of Daniel. Daniel had written:  "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased" (Dan. 12:4). About the time of the first "horseless land travel" (passenger trains), John Darby "discovered" that, simply stated, our present Church Age is a parenthetical period of time between Daniel's sixty-ninth and seventieth "week."  This view of Scripture provided the key for "rightly dividing the Word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15).  Israel and the Church, were and are, two separate but co-existent entities. Here is the passage that unlocked his understanding:

"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.  Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem (445 B.C.) unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.  And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off (killed - A.D. 30), but not for Himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary (Romans - A.D. 70); and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.  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. 9:24-27).

The "weeks" were actually seven years each.  Israel would be God's main focus for sixty-nine "weeks" (483 years). At the end of that period, their Messiah would be killed (v. 26). The seventieth "week" (yet to begin), will be Israel's seven-year Tribulation (v. 27; Mt. 24:3-29; Rev. 6 - 18). The dispensation that involves Israel, is not yet finished.  The parenthetical Church Age is about to end, and Israel's "last week" will follow.  THEN, Israel's King of kings and Lord of lords will return and "make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness" during His Millennial Reign (Dan. 9:24; Rev. 20:1-7)!   

In summary, seven sevens were "spent" rebuilding the Temple and Jerusalem. Then, sixty-two sevens passed before Jesus is crucified. Then, God's focus changes to being on the Church, a mystery to Israel, and its 2000 years (so far) has Israel's "clock" on hold. Then, the Church is removed (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:48-52; 1 Th. 4:16-17; Rev. 4:1), and Israel's "clock" begins for the seven-year Tribulation.  The entire seventy weeks of Daniel's prophecy will be finished with the return of Jesus Christ, King of the Jews, and Head of the Body of Christ! 

 

Praise God we live at a time when Bible prophecy is unsealed!  Come Lord Jesus!