Seventy Weeks
Walter Copes (wcopes@communique.net)
Wed, 24 Apr 1996 16:55:39 -0500
To: Fretwell@aol.com
From: wcopes@communique.net (Walter Copes)
Subject: SEVENTY WEEKS
Bro, Marion, I apologize for not getting to this sooner. I have
had a hectic two weeks, first at work then our daughter had her first
baby with. There were complication at birth but God came through again
as He always does!!
MF> Daniel nine gives us a remarkable prophetic picture of what was
MF> done by Jesus Christ, and what is still to be done, before this
MF> age comes to a close. Not all of the prophecy has been ful-
MF> filled yet. Let me draw your attention to a few facts.
I read you post with interest. Properly interpreted, the prophecy
of Daniel furnishes an excellent example of the principle that prophe-
cy is subject to literal interpretation. Practically all expositors,
however opposed to prophecy per se, agree that at least part of the
seventy weeks of Daniel is to be interpreted literally. Thus if the
first sixty-nine weeks of Daniel were subject to literal fulfillment,
it is a powerful argument that the final seventieth week will have a
similar fulfillment.
MF> The "seventy weeks" which were "determined" upon the people of
MF> Israel were scheduled to start with the order to rebuild
MF> Jerusalem.
I agree.
In the predictions of the Seventy Weeks, we have the indispens-
able chronological key to all New Testament prophecy. Our Lord's
great prophetical discourse recorded in Matthew and Mark fixes the
time of Israel's final and greatest trouble definitely within the days
of the Seventieth Week of Daniel's prophecy (Dan. 9:27; Matthew.
24:15-22; Mark 13:14-20). And the greater part of the Book of Revela-
tion is simply an expansion of Daniel's prophecy within the chrono-
logical framework as outlined by the same Seventieth Week, which is
divided into two equal periods, each extending for 1260 days, or 42
months, or 3 1/2 years (Revelation 11:1-3; 12:6, 14; 13:5). Therefore,
apart from, an understanding of the detail of the Seventy Weeks of
Daniel, all attempts to interpret New Testament prophecy, must fail in
large measure.
The entire prophecy has to do with Daniel's "people" and Daniel's
"city," that is, the Nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem (9:24)
Two different princes are mentioned, who should not be confused:
the first is named Messiah the Prince (9:25); and the second is de-
scribed as the Prince that shall come (9:26).
The end of the seven weeks and threescore and two weeks (69
weeks) will be marked by the appearance of Messiah as the "Prince" of
Israel (9:25).
The end of the seven weeks and threescore and two weeks (69
weeks) will be marked by the appearance of Messiah as the "Prince" of
Israel (9:25).
At a later time, "after the threescore and two weeks" which
follows the first seven weeks (that is, after 69 weeks), Messiah the
Prince will be "cut off," and Jerusalem will again be destroyed by the
people of another "prince" who is yet to come (9:26).
MF> That order was given in 457 BC. Each "week" stands for seven
MF> years.
MF> From 457 BC to 26 AD, when Jesus was baptized, and started His
MF> Ministry, is 483 Years, or 69 "weeks", right on schedule.
We different on the date here.
The date of Artaxerxes's reign can be definitely ascertained--not
from elaborate disquisitions by biblical commentators and prophetic
writers, but by the united voice of secular historians and chornolo-
gers.
The Persian edict which restored the autonomy of Judah was issued
in the Jewish month of Nisan. I may in fact have been dated from 1st
Nisan....The seventy weeks are therefore to be computed from the 1st
of Nisan B.C. 445.
Now the great characteristic of the Jewish sacred year has re-
mained unchanged ever since the memorable night when the equinoctial
moon beamed down upon the huts of Israel in Egypt, bloodstained by the
Paschal sacrifice; and there is neither doubt nor difficulty in fixing
within narrow limits the Julian date of the 1st of Nisan in any year
whatever. In B.C. 445 the new moon by which the Passover was regulated
was on the 13th of March at 7h. 9m. A.M. And accordingly the 1st Nisan
may be assigned to the 14th March.
From the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build
Jerusalem UNTO MESSIAH THE PRINCE shall be seven weeks and threescore
and two weeks." An era therefore of sixty-nine "weeks," or 483 pro-
phetic years reckoned from the 14th March, B.C. 445, should close with
some event to satisfy the words, "unto the Messiah the Prince."
No student of the Gospel narrative can fail to see that the
Lord's last visit to Jerusalem was not only in fact, but in the pur-
pose of it, the crisis of His ministry...now the twofold testimony of
His words and His works had been fully rendered, and His entry into
the Holy City was to proclaim His Messiahship and to receive His doom.
And the date of it can be ascertained. In accordance with the
Jewish custom, the Lord went up to Jerusalem upon the 8th Nisan, "six
days before the Passover." But as the 14th, on which the Paschal
Supper was eaten, fell that year upon a Thursday, the 8th was the
preceding Friday. He must have spent the Sabbath, therefore, at Betha-
ny; and on the evening of the 9th, after the Sabbath had ended, the
Supper took place in Martha's house. Upon the following day, the 10th
Nisan, He entered Jerusalem as recorded in the Gospels.
The julian date of that 10th Nisan was Sunday the 6th April, A.D.
32. What then was the length of the period intervening between the
issuing of the decree to rebuild Jerusalem and the public advent of
"Messiah the prince,"--between the 14th March, B.C. 445, and the 6th
April A.D. 32? THE INTERVAL CONTAINED EXACTLY AND TO THE VERY DAY
173,880 DAYS, OR SEVEN TIMES SIXTY-NINE PROPHETIC YEARS OF 360 DAYS,
the first sixty-nine weeks of Gabriel's prophecy. [Robert Anderson,
THE COMING PRINCE, pp. 124-28.]
Anderson arrives at his figures as follows:
The 1st Nisan in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes (the edict to
rebuild Jerusalem) was 14 March, B.C. 445.
The 10th Nisan in Passion Week (Christ's entry into Jerusalem)
was 6 April, A.D. 32.
The intervening period was 476 years and 24 days (the days being
reckoned inclusively, as required by the language of the prophecy, and
in accordance with Jewish practice).
But, 476 X 365 =3D 173,740 days
Add (14 March to 6th April 24 days
BOTH inclusive
Add for leap years 116 days
_______________
173,880 days
And 69 weeks of prophetic years of 360 days (or 69 X 7 X 360) =3D
173,880 days.
Thus Anderson shows us that the sixty-nine weeks began with the
decree to rebuild Jerusalem and terminated at the triumphal entry into
Jerusalem on the Sunday of the week of the Lord's death. The accuracy
of Daniel' prophecy is observed in that he states "AFTER threescore
and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off" (Daniel 9:26).
MF> That order was given in 457 BC. Each "week" stands for seven
MF> years.
MF> From 457 BC to 26 AD, when Jesus was baptized, and started His
MF> Ministry, is 483 Years, or 69 "weeks", right on schedule.
MF> It was prophesied of Messiah that He would CONFIRM THE COVENANT
MF> WITH MANY FOR ONE WEEK. THIS IS THE SEVENTIETH WEEK. The cove-
MF> nant which Jesus CONFIRMED was the Covenant of Abraham, which was
MF> to be in force for a thousand generations, and involved the
MF> whole world. It had been made by God, so ONLY GOD'S SEED OF PROM-
MF> ISE WOULD BE ABLE TO CONFIRM IT.It is IMPOSSIBLE TO CONFIRM A
MF> COVENANT WHICH YOU DID NOT MAKE IN THE FIRST PLACE!
I am having a little trouble understanding this section. The
covenant was to be in force for a 7 year period. You appear to recog-
nize this from the wording of the first sentence. However, in the
second sentence you say it is to be in force for a thousand genera-
tions and involve the whole world. Regardless of who makes the or
confirms the covenant it will be in force for a period of 7 years.
This cannot be the New Covenant because it has now been about 2000
years which certainly exceeds the 7 years of prophecy. It cannot be
the Abrahamic Covenant because it too exceeds 7 years as you have
already indicated. The problem here is to determine WHICH covenant is
being referenced. Whichever it is it must be in force for a 7 year
period or it does not fit the prophecy.
MF> Antichrist CAN NOT be a figure in this transaction. He has NEVER
MF> made a covenant, so he cannot CONFIRM one.
Daniel 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be
cut off, but not for himself: AND THE PEOPLE OF THE PRINCE THAT SHALL
COME SHALL DESTROY THE CITY AND THE SANCTUARY; and the end thereof
shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are
determined.
The city and the sanctuary were destroyed by the Roman army of
Titus in 70 AD. Therefore the prince CANNOT be Jesus because He is
Jewish and not Roman. The Jews did not destroy the city the Romans
did.
MF> Gal 3:17 tells us that the covenant was destined by God to be
MF> confirmed in Jesus Christ before Jesus was ever born.
Again the question which must be answered is which Covenant is
being referenced here. If the covenant is to be in force for any
period except 7 years then it is the wrong covenant and does not
apply.
MF> Jesus was sent to the house of Israel, His own, but they cut Him
MF> off (crucified Him) after 3 1/2 years. Hence, there is another 3
MF> 1/2 yr period DETERMINED upon them.
MF> At the close of His 3 1/2 year Ministry, Jesus accomplished
MF> THREE of the six things which were to be accomplished within the
MF> 490 yr. period. The other three, He could not accomplish, due to
MF> the ELEMENT OF TIME.
You listed the 6 promises of Daniel 9:24 (omitted to save space).
The to whom these 6 promises refer is given in the first words of
the verse. "Seventy weeks are determined upon THY PEOPLE AND UPON THY
HOLY CITY..." The words "thy people" is a clear reference to the Jews.
The words "thy holy city" is a clear reference to Jerusalem. Did God
deceive Daniel with these words and mean something entirely different
and Daniel was not allowed to know the true meaning of the words? I do
not think so. God has no need to do such a thing. It is against His
nature to so. Daniel would have understood the words to be referring
to the Jews who were his people and to Jerusalem. Therefore the 6
promises must apply to the Jews and to the city of Jerusalem.
MF> You see, the Covenant of Promise which God gave to Abraham was
MF> the promise of God, one day, coming to dwell in the hearts of His
MF> people.
But God also promised that the physical descendants of Abraham
would also possess the land from the river of Egypt to the river
Euphrates as an everlasting possession. This promise too must be kept
for it has yet to be possessed as promised. Nor can this promise be
extended to the New Testament church. The church has a better promise
(John 14:2-3).
MF> We know it today as the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, as it fell at
MF> Pentecost.
Can this be the covenant spoken of in Daniel 9:26? This promise
has been in effect for close to 2000 years now. The one of 9:26 is to
be in effect for a 7 year period.
MF> When the seventieth week is finished, all believers living at the
MF> time should have, within them, the FULNESS OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD.
Taken with other prophecies we can safely say that when the 70
years are complete Jesus returns in power and glory (Revelation 19:11-
21). Plus when the 70 weeks are completed God will fulfill the uncon-
ditional promises He made to Abraham concerning the land.=7F
MF> He said He would do a quick work. A Nation should be born in a
MF> day.
Could this apply to the nation of Israel? It does fit the politi-
cal qualifications?
MF> Jesus "confirmed the Covenant with many for one week (the 70th
MF> week)."
It is here that I disagree. The Covenant which Jesus made has now
been in force for nearly 2000 years. This certainly disqualifies it
being the covenant spoken of in Daniel 9:27.
MF> He was "cut off, but not for himself, in the midst of the week"
MF> leaving a half-week still to be accomplished.
Daniel 9:26 says that He would be cut off AFTER 69 weeks. Jerusa-
lem would be destroyed. If we are to take this as a part of the 69
weeks then we are force to say that the 70 weeks are not true. The
prophecy would of necessity have to be 75 weeks plus another 5 years.
(The Romans destroyed Jerusalem some 40 years after the crucifixion.)
MF> There is NO WAY for Anti-Christ, or any other being to "confirm"
MF> any covenant which GOD HAS MADE.
Confirm---H1396. gabar, gaw-bar'; a prim. root; to be strong; by
impl. to prevail, act insolently:--exceed, confirm, be great, be
mighty, prevail, put to more [strength], strengthen, be stronger, be
valiant.
I do not think that Jesus ever did or will act insolently. Inso-
lence is a trait of the Antichrist. Basically the prince to come will
ENFORCE the covenant which is to be for a period of 7 years.
Walter Copes
The joy of the Lord is my strength
(wcopes@communique.net)
Walter L Copes=20