Commentary on the prophesy of Daniel 9:24-27
In chapters 9, 10, 11, and 12 of the Book of Daniel,
there are nations, dynasties, important people and events that affect Israel’s
history during the “latter days” as a nation.
(Especially in the Book of Daniel, the “latter
days” always refer to the era from Cyrus and the building of the second
temple ending with the destruction of the nation of Israel, Jerusalem, and the
temple in 70 C.E. by Titus and
the Roman Army.)
Understanding
Daniel 9:24-27
Daniel 9 (24) Seventy weeks [sevened i.e. 70x7 which equals 490 years] are determined [i.e. measured out by the councils of
Heaven] upon
thy [Daniel’s] people [Israel]
and upon thy holy city [Jerusalem], to finish the transgression [reject and murder their Saviour], and to
make an end of *sins [-i.e. sacrifice/penalty for sins], and to make
reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring
in everlasting righteousness [Ro. 3:21-26 & I Cor. 1:30 & Psalm 119:142], and to seal up the vision and prophecy [Isa. 29:1011 & Rom. 11:7-10], and to anoint the most Holy [Isa. 60:1; Luke
4:18-19; Mark 1:7-10; II Cor. 6:16; I Peter 2:4-5 & Acts two]. (25) Know
therefore and understand, that from
the going forth of the commandment [by Cyrus] to restore and to build Jerusalem 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 [in the 7 weeks of years]. (26) And [then] after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself: and the
people [the Romans] of the prince [Titus] 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. (27) And He [YAHshua] shall confirm the covenant with many for one
week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the [need
for] 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.
*H2403. chatta'ah,
khat-taw-aw'; or chatta'th, khat-tawth';
from H2398; an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty,
occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concr.) an offender:--punishment (of
sin), purifying (-fication for sin), sin (-ner, offering).
According to verses 24 & 25, there was to be sixty-nine
weeks of years (69 x 7 = 483 years) from the proclamation of Cyrus until Messiah was revealed to
Israel when the following would be accomplished.
[# 1] to finish the transgression, and
[# 2] to make an end of [sacrifice/penalty for] sins, and
[# 3] to make reconciliation for iniquity, and
[# 4] to bring in everlasting righteousness, and
[# 5] to seal up the vision and prophecy, and
[# 6] to anoint the most Holy.
Going through each of these six prophesies in this verse:
Prophesy #1: To finish the transgression
Consider this scathing rebuke:
Mat. 23 (29) Woe unto you,
scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye build the tombs of the prophets,
and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous, (30) And say, If we had been in the
days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of
the prophets. (31) Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the
children of them which killed the prophets. (32)
Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. [They
were about to commit their ultimate transgression or sin by rejecting and
killing the Messiah!] (33) Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye
escape the damnation of hell? (34)
Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify;
and some of them shall ye scourge in
your synagogues, and persecute them from
city to city: (35) That upon you may come ALL the righteous blood shed upon the earth,
from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias,
whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. (36) Verily I say
unto you, ALL THESE THINGS shall come
upon THIS GENERATION. (37) O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou
that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how
often would I have gathered thy
children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (38) Behold, your
house is left unto you desolate. [If
you don’t think YAHshua’s prophesy came true within forty years, read Wars
of the Jews by Josephus!]
Prophesy #2: To make an end of [not
“of,” but “for”] sins
Paul wrote that YAHshua appeared to put away [G115: cancel] sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
Hebrews 9 (24) For Messiah is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of YAHWEH for us: (25) Nor yet that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; (26) For then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away [cancel] sin by the sacrifice of Himself. (27) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (28) So Messiah was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
What is sin? Sin
is the transgression of the law. (I John 3:4) and The penalty or wages
of sin is death.
(Romans 6:23)
Therefore, Messiah put
away sin (canceled our death penalty) by the sacrifice of Himself to free us from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8 (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Messiah YAHshua hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
SIN,
as used in Daniel 9:24 is (Strongs Word
#H2403) “Offence and its penalty”. In other words, YAHshua did make an end (not “of,” but) “for” the Death Penalty for sins
for the Believers in Him!
Prophesy #3: To make reconciliation
for iniquity
Romans 5 (8) But YAHWEH commendeth HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Messiah died for us. (9) Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. (10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to YAHWEH by the death of HIS Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (11) And not only so, but we also joy in YAHWEH through our Sovereign YAHshua Messiah, by Whom we have now received the atonement.
Prophesy #4: To bring in everlasting righteousness
The
righteousness that YAHshua brought in to those who believe is everlasting!
[Rom. 3:21-26 & Psalm 119:142]
Romans 3 (21) But now the righteousness of YAHWEH without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; (22) Even the righteousness of YAHWEH which is by faith of YAHshua Messiah unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Psalm 119 (142) THY righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and THY law is the truth.
Prophesy #5: To seal
up the vision and prophecy
YAHshua
sealed and
made sure that vision and
prophesy was fulfilled by closing the eyes and ears of His own people who were
about to kill Him!
Isaiah 29
(10) For YAHWEH
hath poured out upon you the spirit
of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath HE covered. (11) And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed,
which men deliver to one that is
learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: [Also
see Isaiah 6:9-13]
The Apostle Paul affirms it.
Romans 11 (7) What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the Election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (8) (According as it is written, YAHWEH hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear [Isa 29:10; Deut 29:4];) unto this day. (9) And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them: (10) Let their eyes be darkened that they may not see, and bow down their back always [Psa 69:22-23].
Prophesy #6: To anoint the most
Holy
At the beginning of His ministry, YAHshua told the people that He was anointed.
Luke
4 (18) The Spirit of My Sovereign YAHWEH, is upon Me, because HE hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath
sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and
recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
(19) To preach the acceptable year of YAHWEH. [Isa 61:1]
At His baptism, YAHshua received the Holy Spirit and was to baptize the Elect with the Holy Spirit too.
Mark 1 (7) And [John] preached, saying, There cometh One mightier than I after me, the latchet of Whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. (8) I indeed have baptized you with water: but He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit. (9) And it came to pass in those days, that YAHshua came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. (10) And straightway coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him:
The Apostles, a part of the foundation of the Assembly, were anointed on the Day of Pentecost.
Acts 2:1 continues from 1:26 about the same subject, the acts of the Apostles. “They” in acts two still refers to the Apostles, even though YAHWEH’S Assembly was surely anointed on that Day too.)
Acts 2 (1) And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they [the Apostles] were all with one accord in one place. (2) And suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they [the Apostles] were sitting. (3) And there appeared unto them [the Apostles] cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them [the Apostles]. (4) And they [the Apostles] were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other [different] tongues [languages], as the Spirit gave them [the Apostles] utterance.
YAHshua could not anoint the great Assembly with the Holy Spirit until He ascended to Heaven.
John
16 (6) But because I [YAHshua]
have said these things unto you, sorrow hath
filled your heart. (7)
Nevertheless I
tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter [Holy
Spirit] will not come unto you; but if I depart [speaking of His death,
burial, resurrection, and ascension], I will
send it [the Holy Spirit] unto you.
The reason that YAHshua could not
anoint the great assembly until He ascended was because the Assembly is the
temple of YAHWEH as stated in II Cor. 6:16 (quoted below). YAHshua had to die for our sins, be resurrected and present
Himself to YAHWEH as the atonement
for us to be cleansed before YAHWEH could put HIS
HOLY Spirit in us. Until YAHshua did those
things our bodies were too unclean for YAHWEH to
put His Holy Spirit in.
The promise of the Holy Spirit was made to them on the Day of Pentecost and to all subsequent converts.
Acts 2 (38) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of YAHshua Messiah for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (39) For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as YAHWEH our Elohim shall call. (40) And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. (41) Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
II Cor 1 (21) Now HE which stablisheth us with you in Messiah, and hath anointed us, is YAHWEH; (22) Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
II Cor. 6 (16) And what agreement hath the temple of YAHWEH with idols? For ye are the temple of the living Elohim; as YAHWEH hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their Elohim, and they shall be MY people.
I Peter 2 (4) To Whom coming, as unto a Living Stone, disallowed indeed of men, but Chosen of YAHWEH, and precious, (5) Ye also, as Lively Stones, are built up a Spiritual House, a Holy Priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to YAHWEH by YAHshua Messiah.
The end of the sixty-nine of the seventy weeks brought us to the beginning of the seventieth week of years in which the above six things were accomplished. All these things were basically accomplished within about fifty days during the first three and one half years. During the rest of that week of years after the Messiah was cut off, the confirming of the covenant went on un-hindered in Israel until the beginning of the great persecutions to the Assembly and the stoning of Stephan, as is evident by the following verses. (When the great persecutions of the Assembly began and Stephen was stoned was when Prophesy #5: “To seal up the vision and prophecy” was finalized and their destruction which occurred about forty years later was sealed.)
Acts 2 (41) Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. ... (46) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, (47) Praising YAHWEH, and having favour with all the people. And YAHWEH added to the Assembly daily such as should be saved.
Acts 5 (12) And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. (13) And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. (14) And believers were the more added to the Sovereign, multitudes both of men and women.) (15) Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. (16) There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
It is clear that YAHshua was cut of in the midst of the seventieth week. The seventieth week of the 70 x 7 or 490 years (not 69.5 x 7 or 486.5 years) was finished beginning with the great persecutions to the Assembly and the stoning of Stephan. These latter two occurrences did go hand and hand.
Acts 7 (59) And they stoned Stephen, calling upon YAHWEH, and saying, Sovereign YAHshua, receive my spirit. (60) And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, YAHWEH, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.... 8 (I) And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the Assembly which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
The seventieth week was not split up to be fulfilled two thousand years or more later. That would not be what was stated by Gabriel to the faithful prophet Daniel in verse twenty four. Israel had seventy weeks of years 490 (not 486.5) for all those things to be fulfilled!
In verse 26, Gabriel also mentions the Romans and their prince Titus destroying the city and that the desolations would last until the end.
Dan 9 (26) And after [the] threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself: and the people [Romans] of the prince [Titus] that shall come shall destroy the city [70 C.E.] and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
In verse 27, Gabriel is speaking of YAHWEH'S covenant being freely confirmed with the nation of Israel and this finishes out the seventieth week of years. At that same time ( the great persecution and the stoning of Stephen) YAHWEH cut them off as a nation from HIS blessing and protection.
Dan 9 (27) And He [Messiah the Prince] shall confirm the covenant with many for one week [the one remaining week of the 70 weeks i.e. from YAHshua's baptism until the stoning of Stephen]: and in the midst of the week He shall cause the [need for] sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations He shall make it desolate [He did make it desolate in 70 C.E.], even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
The Septuagint (LXX) states it more correctly.
LXXE Dan 9 (27) And one week shall establish the covenant with many: and in the midst of the week MY [need for] sacrifice and drink-offering shall be taken away: and on the temple shall be the abomination of desolations; and at the end of time an end shall be put to the desolation.
“At the end of time an end shall be put to the desolation” is the only part of this prophesy that is yet to be fulfilled. It will be fulfilled when the times of the Gentiles/the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Luke 21 (24) And 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 be fulfilled.
Romans 11 (25) For I would not,
brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in
your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness
of the Gentiles be come in. (26) And *so
all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion
the Deliverer, and shall turn away wickedness from Jacob: [Isa 59:20-21] (27) For this is
MY Covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins [Jer 31:33; Isa 27:9].
*G3779. houto, hoo'-to; or
(before a vowel) houtos, hoo'-toce; adv.
from G3778; in this way
(referring to what precedes or follows) [see
verse 23 for what way or manner]:--after
that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that, like (-wise), no
more, on this fashion (-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what.
T.A.H.