His Servants' Ministry

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HIS SERVANTS' MINISTRY

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We here at His Servants' Ministry, teach the whole Truth of God's Holy Word. We teach God's goodness and mercy and Heaven; but we also teach God's righteous wrath and judgment to come and an eternal Hell, a Lake of Fire.

It deeply saddens me the way that the world is turning away from the goodness of Almighty God. The vast majoriy of people in the world today never, ever, think of eternity. They just keep on keeping on in their sin, and they really must think they will go to Heaven. My dear friend, there really IS a Hell, and there really IS a Judgment Day when ALL people will be held accountable for their sins. BEWARE!!!

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Book of Daniel
Chapter 9

INTRODUCTION TO DANIEL 9

Because Daniel studied and understood from the prophecy of Jeremiah (Jer.25:11-12), that the seventy years' captivity was now ending, he pours out his soul in fervent prayer to the God of Heaven and earnestly pleads for pardon and restoration for his captive people (vs.1-12). Because Daniel prays to God on behalf of Israel, the angel Gabriel is sent to inform him of the seventy prophetic weeks, or 490 years, which should elapse from the date of the edict to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple to the death of the Messiah (vs.20-27); a prophecy that is so exactly fulfilled according to the calculation of the best chronologers. These 70 prophetic weeks seem to have started in the month Nisan, B.C. 458. How terribly blinded are the Jews, who in contradiction to such a clear prophecy, still expect the Messiah who was cut off (killed), and, after suffering, is entered into his glory!
This is yet another of those incredible chapters in Scripture about prophecy! Personally, I think that this is one of the greatest chapters in the Book of Daniel, and certainly one of the greatest chapters of the entire Word of God. The subject here is double: prayer and prophecy. If we were to choose the ten greatest chapters in the Bible on the subject of prayer, this 9th Chapter of Daniel would have to be included . . . AND if the ten most important chapters on prophecy were chosen, this 9th Chapter of Daniel would have to be included there too. The first 21 verses give us the prayer of Daniel, and the last 6 verses give us the extremely important prophecy of the Seventy Weeks.

This prayer of Daniel is actually a peak of a perfect, non-stop life of prayer. Daniel had asked in prayer to learn the interpretation of the dream of Nebuchadnezzar (Dan.2:16-19), and he had been a man of prayer all the way through the Book. The prayer in this chapter gives us the pattern of his prayer life and makes us aware of the conditions of prayer.

Consider the following things in prayer:

Persistent Planning. Prayer should not be random hit-or-miss.
Prayer should not be just a repetition of idle words (Mat.6:7).
Prayer is heartfelt words that reveal the sincerity of the heart, which is rarely seen in prayer meetings today.
Prayer should be simple and uncomplicated. Daniel was honest and straightforward in his confession. He did not evade the issue.
Prayer is a powerful petition. Daniel received an answer while he was still speaking and praying. If we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us (1 Jn.5:14).
Prayer is very personal and private. Daniel did not call for a public prayer meeting; he prayed privately. Daniel’s prayer is about three minutes long. Our Lord Jesus often prayed privately. His prayer which is recorded in John 17, is also about three minutes long. There are many who want to call a public prayer meeting when they should spend more time in private prayer.
Prayer is full penetration. Prayer is the ONLY power of man that can penetrate outer space and access the throne of God (Rom.5:1-2). We should pray privately more often.

Prayer for Daniel was a real exercise of the soul. It can be for us as well. This kind of prayer is demanding and tiring work. It requires effort, endurance, persistence and suffering.
http://www.hisservantsministry.org/p_prayer.html
http://www.worldlychaos.org/w_c_books_prayer.html

In Chapter 9, the world powers here withdraw from our view. Israel, and the salvation by Messiah promised to it, are what is being revealed. Israel had clearly expected salvation at the end of their captivity. Daniel is for that reason told, that after the 70 years of the captivity, seventy times seven (70 X 7) years must elapse, and that even then, the Messiah would NOT come in glory as the Jews expected, through their misunderstanding of the earlier prophets, but by His dying would put away sin. This 9th Chapter of Daniel (Messianic prophecy) stands between the two visions of the Old Testament Antichrist, to comfort the wise.

The Prayer of Daniel (Dan.9:1-21)

Daniel 9:1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; (KJV)

Verse one gives us some background by giving us a date; which takes place in the first year of Darius, 539/538 B.C. The Babylonian captivity began in 605 B.C. In chapter two, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, was set in 602 B.C. (Daniel 2:1-45). In chapter four, Daniel’s vision of the four beasts and the Ancient of Days, was in 553 B.C. (Daniel 7:1-28). Chapter eight was the ram-goat vision, which was two years later, in 551 B.C. (Daniel 8:1-27). We now know from the beginning of the exile to Babylon to this prayer and interpretation, there have been 67 years.

An important question: Who was Darius? Darius the Mede may be identified as Cyaxares II of secular history (Dan.5:31). Darius is more of an official title, such as king, czar or emperor, than an actual name. There has been some disagreement as to the exact date. Some think it is 538 B.C.; others place it at 536 B.C. I will go with the date of this chapter to be 537 B.C., a year before Cyrus permitted the Jews to return from exile (2 Chron.36:21-23), and supposedly sixty-nine years after Daniel had been carried captive at the beginning of the captivity, 606 B.C.

Daniel 9:2 In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. (KJV)
Because Daniel had been studying the writings of Jeremiah and Isaiah, he knew the seventy years of captivity were almost up. But he did not understand the timetable of the prophetic events. He thought the Messianic Kingdom would be set up right after the seventy years of captivity. The angel Gabriel was sent to tell Daniel it was NOT going to be seventy years BUT seventy-sevens before the Kingdom would be established!Daniel referred to Jeremiah as the “prophet.” Daniel and Jeremiah were contemporaries, but a whole generation had passed since Jeremiah wrote his book.
Daniel had probably also studied Leviticus, 1 Kings, Isaiah, and Hosea. From Jeremiah, he learned the time of captivity would be 70 years. (Jer.25:10-14, 29:10-14). From Isaiah, he would have learned about Cyrus (Isa. 44:28, 45:1). From Lev. 26:40-43, 1 Kings 8:46-53, From Isaiah, Jeremiah 3:12-18, and Hosea 5:15-6:3 he would have learned that repentance was a prerequisite for the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom.

Six times in chapter 9, Daniel uses God’s personal name, YAWEH LORD (9:4, 9:10, 9:13, 9:14 twice). The reason Daniel uses God’s Name is because it means Keeper of the Covenants. God had promised through Jeremiah that the captivity would last 70 years (Jer.29:10). Daniel had been brought to Babylon in the first deportation in 605 B.C. It was now 539/538 B.C., which meant Daniel believed there were just three more years to go. The third deportation and destruction of Jerusalem happened in 586 B.C., and 70 years later, in 515 B.C., as God said, the Temple was rebuilt.

Daniel wisely turns to study the Book of the prophet Jeremiah who said that Israel would be in captivity for 70 years (Jer.25:11-12). The date is about 537 B.C. in this chapter. Daniel is possibly between eighty-five and ninety years of age. He had been captured back in 606 B.C. when he was about seventeen. That means that the 70 year captivity period is coming to a close. These people will be given the chance to return to their own land.
I think that Daniel was very concerned about his people, because he was stunned by the little horn in chapter 8, Antiochus Epiphanes, the Syrian king of the Seleucid dynasty. That monster would abuse and murder Daniel's people, and he would defile, desecrate and profane the Temple of God. All these things caused Daniel great sorrow.

We should realize that what brought Daniel to this prayer was his intense study of God’s Word. The Word of God ALWAYS reveals the will of God. A sincere study of God's Word, followed by our heartfelt prayer, is the correct way to know what God's will is in our lives.

So . . . what was it that Daniel was studying, and was so intent on?
Jeremiah 25:10-12 Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle. 11 And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. 12 And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations. (KJV)
We must remember that Daniel had been studying Jeremiah's prophecy about these 70 years.

Because Daniel had been studying the writings of Jeremiah and Isaiah, he knew the seventy years of captivity were almost up. But he did not understand the timetable of the prophetic events. He thought the Messianic Kingdom would be set up right after the seventy years of captivity. The angel Gabriel was sent to tell Daniel it was NOT going to be seventy years BUT seventy-sevens before the Kingdom would be established!

Daniel referred to Jeremiah as the “prophet.” Daniel and Jeremiah were contemporaries, but a whole generation had passed since Jeremiah wrote his book. Daniel had probably also studied Leviticus, 1 Kings, Isaiah, and Hosea. From Jeremiah, he learned the time of captivity would be 70 years. (Jer.25:10-14, 29:10-14). From Isaiah, he would have learned about Cyrus (Isa. 44:28, 45:1). From Lev. 26:40-43, 1 Kings 8:46-53, From Isaiah, Jeremiah 3:12-18, and Hosea 5:15-6:3 he would have learned that repentance was a prerequisite for the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom.

Six times in chapter 9, Daniel uses God’s personal name, YAWEH LORD (9:4, 9:10, 9:13, 9:14 twice). Daniel uses God’s Name because it means Keeper of the Covenants. God had promised through Jeremiah that the captivity would last 70 years (Jer.29:10). Daniel had been brought to Babylon in the first deportation in 605 B.C. It was now 539/538 B.C., which meant Daniel believed there were just three more years to go. The third deportation and destruction of Jerusalem happened in 586 B.C., and 70 years later, in 515 B.C., as God said, the Temple was rebuilt.

Daniel 9:3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: (KJV)
This Verse explains his preparing for this time of prayer. He has three things that he does: fasting, putting on sackcloth, and throwing ashes on himself, which are all Biblical symbols of remorse and mourning (Josh,.7:6, 2 Sam.1:1, 3:31, Est. 4:1-3, Job 2:12, 42:6, Eze.27:30. I set my face unto the Lord God (Dan.2:18; 6:10; 8:15, 27; 10:2-3) . . . which was the normal way of Daniel when he wanted a definite answer. Daniel demonstrated a determined persistence in prayer, much like Jacob in his prayer when he cried out, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me" (Gen.32:26).
Daniel’s prayer is very personal. It concerns him and his people, which is evident by the repeated use of the first person pronouns, I, we and our. These appear over 40 times in this prayer.
In Daniel 4:30, Nebuchadnezzar also used personal pronouns. What is the difference? For the king, it was a mark of pride, a mark of being lifted up. The difference of Daniel's use of the personal pronoun is just the opposite! It indicates humility, confession and confusion of faces (Dan.9:7; Jer.7:19), in direct opposition to Nebuchadnezzar's pride and self-adoration. We all must BEWARE!!! James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (KJV)
We know that the Lord Jesus fasted (Mat.21:18; Lk.4:1-2), but fasting was never given to the people of God as a service. In the early church, there were many who fasted (Lk.18:12; Acts.9:9; 10:30; 13:2-3; 14:23; 2 Cor.11:27)

Daniel 9:4 And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; (KJV)
Daniel describes YAHWEH (LORD) as a covenant-keeping God, for he recognizes God’s majesty. The LORD is the God who keeps His word (Neh.1:5, 9:32). In Exodus 20, the LORD describes Himself as a God who is merciful to those who love and obey Him. Deut.7:9 confirms the LORD is a covenant-keeping God, meaning He is faithful. Daniel understood keeping God’s commandments is the external manifestation of a believer’s love for God. Jesus confirms this understanding when He made a similar statement: John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. (KJV)

Daniel confesses for the sinful people with whom he identifies himself by we and us (Dan.9:5-19), also see Neh. Chapter 1 and Neh.9:33-38.
I am sure that Daniel is down on his face before the Lord God in his heartfelt prayer. He recognizes the outstanding qualities of Almighty God. Daniel is perfectly at rest with his personal relationship to God. He calls Him, my God, appealing to God in a very personal way. Before he confesses his sins, he accepts and believes the greatness of this awesome God of Heaven.
Dreadful God actually means God is well worthy of our respect and worship. I think good words for dreadful here would be awesome, amazing, incredible, remarkable and tremendous! NO one should ever go against God. You CANNOT win, EVER!

Seven great TRUTHS about Almighty God:
1. He is a great God (Dan.9:4).
2. He is a dreadful God (Dan.9:4). He must be feared (reverenced).
3. He keeps covenant and mercy to them that love Him (Dan.9:4.
4. He keeps them that keep His commandments (Dan.9:4).
5. He is a righteous God (Dan.9:7, 14, 16).
6. He is a God of judgment (Dan.9:7, 13-14, 16).
7. He is a God of mercy (Dan.9:8).

Daniel knows and acknowledges that God keeps the covenant and has infinite mercy on them that love Him. God NOT only makes Promises, He ALWAYS keeps His Promises . . . be they blessings OR curses. He is absolutely faithful. Since He is a God of mercy, the nation Israel had been preserved. It is also by His mercy that you and I have been brought through to this day. It is by His merciful kindness that He saves us. Lam. 3:22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (KJV) . . . My friend, God is gracious, kind and loving BUT He expects us to obey Him.
Now consider Daniel's confession of sin . . .

Daniel’s Confession for the People

In verses 5-19, Daniel plead guilty to the widespread disobedience to God’s Law. The people have sinned, rebelled, and turned away from God. Daniel acknowledges the sin and guilt of the people in four different ways:
It is interesting to s see how much Scripture Daniel includes in his prayer.
1 Ki. 8:47 Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness; (KJV)
Psalm 106:6 We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly. (KJV)
Daniel refers to 2 Chronicles 36 and Jeremiah 26, as he recognized Israel’s disobedience to both the Law of God and His prophets.
2 Ch. 36:15-16 And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: 16 But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy. (KJV)
Jer 26:4-6 And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you, 5 To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending them, but ye have not hearkened; 6 hen will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth. (KJV)

God used the prophets to speak to all levels of society: kings, priests, fathers and common people. Daniel admitted that all the ranks of society were guilty of disobedience. Israel had committed great acts of unfaithfulness against God. Israel was required to pay for her sins. She had become the scorn of pagan nations. Her disgrace was seen in the Temple’s destruction and her captivity in Babylon. Wherever Israel went, they experienced humiliation, and still do by many.

Daniel Presents the Reason for His Plea

In verses 9 and 10, Daniel describes Israel’s need for forgiveness with a reminder of WHO God is. He begins his plea for forgiveness by reminding God of His attributes. Psalm 103:8 states that He is a God of mercies and forgiveness. Lamentations 3:22 says God’s love is steadfast and never ceases and that His mercies never end. History proves those verses to be accurate, and throughout the history of the Jewish people, a remnant has survived because of God’s faithfulness. They were not consumed by Divine punishment because of the LORD’S Covent-keeping love. God’s compassion for His people (Lam.3:22) and His mercies (Dan. 9:9) have NEVER failed and they NEVER will.

Psalm 130:4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. (KJV)
Exo. 34:6-7 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, 7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. (KJV)

The LORD is a God gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty.
Nehemiah 9:17 also states that He is a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.

Daniel 9:5 We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: (KJV)
We have sinned . . . Daniel includes himself with his people when they rebelled against God, which resulted in their captivity. He is specific in his confession. Daniel labels each and every sin: iniquity, wickedness, rebellion, disobedience and refusing to listen to God's prophets. He does not leave anything out. What about us? Do we name our sins, one by one? OR do we just throw them into a big pot and want God to figure it out?

It is NOT enough to go to God and say, "I have sinned." I believe that our confession of sin should involve telling God exactly what we have done . . . name them one by one! Confession of sins should be very precise. Maybe we don't do it because we don’t like to do it because SIN is a very ugly thing to do! But . . . we should spell it out to Him. He already knows! And He already knows how ugly our sin is. We just need to come to Him in honest, open confession.

It is as if Daniel is saying: We are not only sinners, but our sin is wickedness to the highest degree. They had done wickedly and rebellingly. When we confess our sin to God there must be no mincing of words, no cloaking of sin, but should be a full and total revealing, with self –judging, self-hatred and deep sorrow for what we have done. This holy man Daniel put himself in the number with the greatest sinners.

Twelve sins of Israel:
1. We have sinned (Dan.9:5, 11, 15-16).
2. We have committed iniquity (Dan.9:5).
3. We have done wickedly (Dan.9:5).
4. We have departed from God's precepts (Dan.9:5).
5. We have departed from God's judgments (Dan.9:5).
6. We have not listened to God's servants, the prophets (Dan.9:6).
7. We have trespassed against God (Dan.9:7).
8. We have rebelled against God (Dan.9:9). Rebelled = revolt against God or royalty.
9. We have not obeyed God's voice (Dan.9:10).
10. We have not walked in His laws (Dan.9:10).
11. We have transgressed God's law (Dan.9:11).
12. We have disobeyed God's voice (Dan.9:11, 14).

Daniel 9:6 Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. (KJV)
The prophets were true servants of God, fearlessly warning the people without respect of persons. For God to send His prophets to His people (Israel) was an extremely high privilege, and the highest act of favor to them, and of His authority over them. The prophets were God's ambassadors, and came to the Jews in the Lord's Name . . . and for that reason their sin and punishment was the greater. God's ambassadors have a large commission, and general instruction to speak in the Name of their Lord with all authority, and without respect of persons. WHAT does this shows? (1.) God's authority is over all. (2.) God's mercy is towards all. (3.) The worsening of this sin, because it was of all kinds (Gen.6:12-13; 2 Chron.36:16).

Daniel 9:7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee. (KJV)
Confusion of faces is shame at our guilt, betrayal revealed in our face. Near, and... far off . . . is the chastisement, however varied. Some Jews not being cast off so far from Jerusalem as others, but all were sharers in the guilt. Confusion of faces: (Dan.9:7-8; 1 Sam.20:30; Ezra 9:7; Ps.109:29; Jer.7:19).
After Daniel had charged himself and his people with their guilt, he passes judgment . . . for in this case every TRUE penitent sits in judgment of himself, proceeding solemnly and impartially for he judges himself for God, and proceeds according to God's law, as conscience is his witness. Of this, God takes special notice of, and it prevents His judging of us. 1 Cor. 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (KJV) . . . This is a sign of true repentance! (2 Cor.7:11).

Daniel 9:8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. (KJV)
Daniel truly feels sorry for the sins committed by Israel. O Lord, he says, we and our kings, princes and ancestors have acted shamefully because we have sinned against you. Daniel certainly has a lesson here for us all! We really must be sorry for what we have done in our disobedience to Almighty God.

Daniel 9:9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; (KJV)
Mercies and forgivenesses . . . the plural intensifies the force. God’s mercy and forgiveness is compounded and exhibited in so many ways. Just as it is humbling to know that righteousnessbelongeth unto God, so it is comforting to know that mercies belong to the Lord our God.

HOW did God show Himself so merciful, when He punished them so severely? There are three answers: (1.) Because it was less than their sin deserved, for their sin was/is unbelief and utter rebellion against Him. (2.) Because their punishment was God's chastisement (to bring them to their senses), which to His people is an act of love and mercy (Heb12:6-11). (3.) Because God preserved them in their captivity, and delivered them from it.

Any time that we pray to God because of our sin and misery, we must never forget God's mercies and forgivenesses, as well as His justice (Ps.2:1, 11-12; 130:4-5). For as the one brings us down, so the other bears us up, giving us hope . . . or else we might be swallowed up with too much sorrow and despair (2 Cor.2:7, 11).

Daniel 9:10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. (KJV)
Daniel proceeds with his prayer to the God of Heaven. He states that WE have not obeyed the LORD our God, when You told us to live according to the laws which you gave us through your servants the prophets.
May I say, that confession of sin, especially in our day of humiliation, CANNOT be vain repetitions (Mat.6:7). WHY? Because you greatly offend Almighty God by being slight and unthinking in your confessions. Repeating a certain prayer over and over and over again is simply memorizing it, and it has NOTHING at all to do with asking God to forgive you for a CERTAIN sin (or sins) that you have committed! The confessing of sins is to be to GOD alone, and is an extremely personal thing! NO man on Earth can forgive your sins, no matter what the Catholic religion tells you! I believe the Bible, the Holy Word of God, NOT false teachers!
It was God's mercy not only to give His people the Law, which He did somberly by Moses (Ex.20; Deut.5), but set it plainly and powerfully before them, and set it at home in their hearts, by the clarifications and applications of ALL the Old Testament prophets, for that was their work.
God’s servants, the despised prophets (Isa.30:9-15), were finally recognized by Israel AFTER Israel had suffered greatly and many of their predictions had been fulfilled (2 Ki.17:13; Isa.44:26; Lam.2:17; Zec.1:16; Heb.1:1-2).

Punishment for Their Sin and Guilt

Daniel 9:11-14 deals with the punishment for their sin and guilt. Because the people did not obey the voice of LORD, they received the curse of the Law (Levi.26:14-39, Deut.28:15-68, 29:20). Because they sinned against God, disobeying His Law, everything Moses warned them of came to pass.

Daniel 9:11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him. (KJV)
Daniel admits that Israel had disobeyed God’s instruction and turned away from Him, refusing to listen to His Voice. Daniel knew that the solemn curses and judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God (Deut.27:15-26), had been poured down on them because of their sin.

When sin becomes an epidemic, it is sad and fatal to a nation (Ps.14:3; Rom.3:10-12), for a deluge of sin brought a deluge of judgment (Gen.6:5, 13, 17; 13:13; 18:20-21).
Sin causes a huge gap between God and man, and NO one can stand in that gap. They will fall to the bottom of the gorge. The curse of the Law then comes upon the sinner, because there IS punishment for the breach of God's Law (Jer.42:18; 44:12). My dear friend, God’s Law is holy, and it shows disrespect, irreverence and wickedness of sin, to break it.
Sin also shows the necessity and Excellency of Jesus Christ (Phil.3:8), who was sent by God to bless us, by freeing us from the curse of the law by becoming a Curse for us (Gal.3:13-14).
Curses of the Mosaic Law: (Deut.27:1-26; Josh.8:30-34).

Daniel 9:12 And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem. (KJV)
He hath confirmed his words which he spake against us . . . God's judgments that He threatens against sin should be greatly feared, because God is great and dreadful (Dan.9:4; Deut.7:9-10; Neh.1:8).
Against our judges that judged us . . . Israel’s judges were to govern the people, to judge their causes, and to appoint others for it. When there was a failure, as there was at times, it was a sin and judgment upon the people and upon the rulers and judges themselves, of which we find many instances and complaints in Scripture (Ps.2:2, 9; 58:1-2).
Jerusalem . . . a place privileged in many ways above all others, mainly by the Presence of God and His Promises to it (Ps.46:4; 48:2; 76:1-2). But, when sin is found there, it was punished to the height as in Sodom. Read the book of Lamentations.

I feel that I must put the following in this commentary.
God’s judgment on Israel was because of their rejection of the Messiah:
Isa. 8:14-1; 49:5, 7; 52:14; 53:1-3; Zec.11; Zec.13; Mat.21:33; 22:1.
Of war and other judgments on Israel:
Deut. 28:49-57; 2 Ki.20:17-18; 21:12-15; 2 Ki.22:16-17; 2 Ki.23:26-27; Isa.1:1-24; Isa.3; Isa. 4:1; Isa.5; Isa.6:9-13; 7:17-25; 8:14-22; Isa.9; Isa.10:12; 22:1-14; 28:14-22; 29:1-10; 30:1-17; Isa.31:1-3; 32:9-14; Jer.1:11-16; 4:5-31; Jer.6; Jer.7:8-34; Jer.8; Jer.9:9-26; 10:17-22; 11:9-23; Jer.13:9-27; 14:14-18; 15:1-14; Jer.16; Jer.17:1-4; 18:15-17; Jer.19; Jer 20:5; 21:4-7; 22:24-30; 25:8-38; Jer.28; Jer.34; Jer.37; Jer.38:1-3; 42:13-22; Jer. chapters 43-45; Lam.5:6; Eze.4-5; Eze.11.7-12; Eze. chapters 12-19; Eze.22:13-22; 23:22-35; Eze.24; Eze.33:21-29; Dan.9:26-27;
Joel 2:1-17; Amos 2:4-5; Mic.2:10; Mic.3; Mic.4:8-10; Hab.1:6-11; Zep.1; Zec.11; Zec.14:1-5; Mal.4:1; Mat.21:33-34; 23:35-38; 24:2, 14-42; Mk.12:1-13; Lk.13:34-35; 19:43-44; 21:5-25; Lk.23:28-31; Rev.1:7.

The judgment of Israel confirmed the words of Moses, and it confirmed the words of the prophets as they predicted the Babylonian captivity. A “Great evil” was brought upon Israel and the city of Jerusalem. No city had suffered as much as Jerusalem. Destruction came through slaying by the sword and the burning of the city.
In verse 13, Daniel’s prayer includes the confirmation and fulfillment of the prophecies of the Torah. The judgment Israel is suffering confirms the Law of Moses. Daniel prayed, As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us.

Daniel 9:13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth. (KJV)
As it is written in the law of Moses . . . (Lev.26:14-39). Daniel says that just as the Lord threatened and forewarned long ago, so it is come to pass this day upon us, because we did not pay heed to the warning . . . we refused to understand, but instead sinned and returned not unto Him. The Lord is right and just in all that is come upon us; mainly because we have not prayed unto God to prevent our misery before it came upon us, nor prayed to remove it when it lay heavy on us. We can see it in Ezekiel 39:23-24, who prophesied in the captivity, and how they received Him; and even though they kept a formal fast, what did that signify? (Zec.7:5-7).

Blessings and forgiveness from God can happen ONLY when we:
1. Have personal, sincere, heartfelt prayer and confession of sin (Dan.9:3-6, 17, 20).
2. Repent and turn from our sin (Dan.9:13; Isa.55:7).
3. Believe, understand and obeying the Truth of God (Dan.9:4-10, 13; Jn.8:32-36; Rom.1:16).

Daniel 9:14 Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice. (KJV)
Therefore hath the Lord watched . . . Verse 14 repeats the reasons for God’s punishment. “Therefore”, connects verse 14 with verse 13. Daniel refers to Jeremiah 31:28, and Jeremiah 44:27, which say God watched over His people. God allowed the captivity for two reasons: Israel did not obey His voice, and He must punish sin.

My dear friend, God took notice of all their ways (and ours), even while men sleep in their carnal security, and have no dreams of danger. God’s watching here states the right ways that He uses to punish sinners. I know for a fact that God is never hasty in executing His judgment correctly. He is a good, honorable, righteous and patient God, and He is always hoping the transgressor will come to their senses and repent. BUT . . . He is a very careful Watchman, and NO violator shall escape from His Hands, no matter what they think! We must remember this!
God is always righteous . . . and I truly do believe that TRUE penitents ALWAYS defend and justify God, and always ascribe righteousness to Him (Job 36:3). They NEVER complain that their punishment was too severe, and they NEVER bellyache like a spoiled child saying, He’s picking on me (Neh.9:33; Job 36:3; Ps.51:4; Lam.3:39-42).

Let us consider this fact: up to now, we see how Daniel contrasts God's goodness with Israel's sin. Daniel contrasts God’s righteousness with their confusion of face (their shame). They were scattered from their homes because they disobeyed and trespassed against Almighty God. They rightly deserved the punishment they had received. God was right in sending them into captivity. God was right; they were wrong. My dear friend, there is certainly a lesson here for us, IF we sit up and take notice!

Do you make excuses for your sin? Most of us are guilty! When you go to God in prayer, do you say: "Lord, you know how weak I am.” You are trying to put the blame of YOUR sin on God! It is NOT going to work! When you sin, it is YOUR decision to do so . . . NOT God’s decision! You KNOW you did wrong, now stand up and take the penalty! You and I get exactly what we deserve because God always does right!
It seems that today there are many who imply that God may be wrong in what He is doing. Times change they say! Yes, times do change . . . but GOD NEVER CHANGES! God does NOT change: (Num.23:19; Ps.33:11; 46:10; 102:25-27; 138:8; Mal.3:6; Rom.11:29; Phil.1:6; Tit.1:2; Heb.6:17; 12:8; Jam.1:17)

God is not wrong, ever! We are the ones who are wrong. Daniel's attitude is the proper attitude that each of us should take as we approach our God in prayer. God will not utterly forsake us, but He certainly will not move on our behalf until we get to the place where we can claim the mercy of God and stop making excuses for ourselves.

Daniel Pleads for Mercy

A change takes place in verses 15 to 19. Even with their failures, Daniel pleads for God’s mercy. Verse 15 begins with Daniel remembering God’s past dealing with Israel. He addressed the LORD as Adonai . . . O Lord our God. This was the God of the Exodus who brought Israel out of Egypt (Ex.7:8-12:36). Daniel appealed to the God of the Exodus, who once before brought His people out of a foreign country and into their land. Nehemiah does the same in Nehemiah 9:9-12.

Daniel mentions two areas where God’s anger had become manifest: #1. the city of Jerusalem and #2. the Holy Mountain, meaning the Temple Mount. Again, he states Israel’s responsibility. Babylon was a tool in God’s hand. It was the Jewish people, NOT Nebuchadnezzar, who were responsible for the destruction of Jerusalem. The “inequities of our fathers” refer to the generation that lived seventy years before. The punishment came because of ISRAEL’S sins. As a result, they became a source of embarrassment to all the surrounding Gentile nations.
All through the Scriptures, God’s Name is linked to Jerusalem, (1 Kings 11:36, 14:21, 2 Kings 21:4, 7, 2 Chron.6:6, 33:4, Ezra 6:12). Daniel admits the Jewish people have been a reproach to the LORD’S reputation.

Daniel 9:15 And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly. (KJV)
Daniel mentions deliverance now, that it would please God to put forth the same power in this deliverance out of Babylon as He did Egypt, according to His Promise (Ps.80:8; Jer.16:14; 23:7-8). When Daniel read the prophecy of the 70 years in Jeremiah, he as a result based his faith on it (Dan.9:2). The Lord certainly did plague them for their wickedness, but the Lord assured them they should return out of captivity, for He would deliver them, as He once did out of Egypt (Ps.80:8-14; Jer.32:21; 23:7-8).
Thy people . . . Israelites, Jews, even in apostasy and dispersion, are still considered the chosen people of God. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . http://www.lastdaysprophecy.org/L_D_israel_god%27s_chosen_people.htm
http://www.lastdaysprophecy.org/L_D_israel.htm
God is going to bring them to repentance and eternal obedience and He shall fulfill the covenants made with them (Isa.11:10-12; 59:20-21; 66:7-8; Eze.37; Zec.12:10 through 13:1; Lk.1:32-33; Rom.11:25-29).

Verse 16 acknowledges God’s righteousness. Daniel clearly states that mercy should not be extended to Israel because of who they are but because of Who God is. The reason why the LORD should fulfill Daniel’s request is because of His righteousness.

Daniel 9:16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us. (KJV)
It is as if Daniel says: Lord, according to Thy righteousness Thou hast punished Thy people, as they justly deserved; now according to Thy mercies, which is another part of Thy righteousness, save Thy people, even though they do NOT deserve it. Psalm 143:1-2 Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. (KJV)
When God makes a Promise, He will fulfill it, but always in mercy (compassion), for His alone is true faithfulness and righteousness (1 Jn.1:9). Even though sin is the reproach of any people and nation, yet it is much more of the people of God (Israel, and TRUE Christians today, Jews and Gentiles) which should be a holy people, because their God is a holy God, and His Laws are holy laws, by which they excel all other people.
It seems that Jerusalem had become a reproach to all people around them (Zec.14:2-3; Mic.4:11-13). This was a double reproach . . . the people and the Holy City! Daniel said that it was grievous for them to bear it. Daniel begs, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem.
Jerusalem has been chosen by God to be the capital of His eternal Kingdom on Earth (Ps.2:6; 48:2; 87:2; 102:16; 132:13; Isa.2:2-4; Eze.48; Zec.14).
Jerusalem is Mt. Zion (Ps.2:6; 48:2; 87:2).

Ten prayer requests of Daniel:
1. That God’s anger and fury be turned away from Jerusalem and Mt. Zion (Dan.9:16).
2. That God hear his prayer (Dan.9:17-19).
3. That God hear his supplications (Dan.9:17).
4. That God’s Face would shine upon His Sanctuary (Dan.9:17).
5. That God would incline His Ear to hear Daniel (Dan.9:18).
6. That God would open His Eyes (Dan.9:18).
7. That God would see our desolations (Dan.9:18).
8. That God would forgive our sins (Dan.9:19).
9. That God would hearken and do (Dan.9:19).
10. That God would not defer (delay) my answer (Dan.9:19).

Daniel 9:17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. (KJV)
Daniel pleaded with God here especially for the Temple: O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant. Hear me as I plead that You may restore Your Temple, which has been destroyed . . . restore it Lord, so that everyone will know that You are God. O our God, cause Thy Face to shine upon the sanctuary, giving us proof that You are reconciled to us.

Daniel 9:18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our despairs, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. (KJV)
Incline thine ear, and hear. . . please lean down and listen to me. Open thine eyes and see our despair and misery. Can You see how Your once beautiful city, now lies in ruins. Daniel says: We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because we desperately need Your mercy.
Consider: (1.) How Daniel calls Jerusalem the city of God (Ps.48:1-2; Jer.25:29). (2.) How careful and cautious Daniel is to desire mercy, and to renounce merit. Thus it should be with all the saints.

Daniel 9:19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name. (KJV)
Daniel uses ‘O Lord’ three times and asks God to #1. hear. #2. forgive, #3. listen to, #4. do, and #5. defer not. He asks God NOT to delay the fulfillment of the seventy years in captivity. Here, we have the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man (Jam.5:16) prevailing. The Lord God allows and loves persistence in prayer (Rom.12:12; 1 Thes.5:17; Jam.5:17-18). Daniel and the people of God were under a sore trial, for the 70 years' captivity were now ended. Therefore Daniel begs the Lord, hear for Thine own sake, not for ours. O Lord, remember us. Lord, hear us. Lord, forgive us. Lord, listen to us, and act on our behalf, so that everyone will know that you are God. Please do not delay, for this city and these people are Yours.

Daniel 9:20 And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God; (KJV)
We see that Daniel used vocal prayer, pouring out his soul to God. When the saints go to God in prayer, they have a private and VERY personal conversation and fellowship with God. This special time should be a humble, holy and passionate unburdening of our soul to God. When we go to God in prayer, it would do us well to confess the sins of the nation, as well as confessing our own sins, for when a child of God sets himself in earnest to seek God by prayer, the Lord hears him. God greatly encourages prayer, and fulfils His Promises made of old to His people (Lev.26:40-42; Deut.30:1-3; Isa. 30:19; 65:24). It shall come to pass, before they call I will answer, and while they are yet speaking I will hear. Let us always remember that the Lord is quick in hearing and helping His people, no matter when, where or why we may ask His help. . . . Let us all be as humble as Daniel when we go to the LORD in prayer.

It is at this time that the angel, Gabriel is sent to Daniel to tell him the time of the Messiah's death, and the consequence of it.

Daniel 9:21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. (KJV)
The man Gabriel . . . the angel Gabriel, who had appeared to Daniel before (Dan.8:16-27), as a man is the same here as person . . . the person Gabriel.
Being caused to fly swiftly . . . may I say to you, that God hears sincere, heartfelt prayer with great delight, and He always sends the best and quickest answer to our problem. Far too often we get too impatient as we wait for God’s answer . . . instead, we should patiently WAIT on the Lord, for He will always send the best answer at the RIGHT time. Do not be impatient. To wait on the Lord is always wise! (Ps.27:14).
On this answer to Daniel, Gabriel was ordered to go at more than usual speed. Again, the man Gabriel was an angel and it seems that he appeared in human form. The time of his appearance was at the hour of the evening sacrifice at Jerusalem, which would be approximately three o'clock in the afternoon.

Daniel’s Prophecy
of the Seventy Weeks (9:22-27)

Following is the prophecy brought by the archangel Gabriel to Daniel, after Daniel’s prayer to God for forgiveness, which makes this Chapter so important in the study of end times.

Daniel 9:22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. (KJV)
Daniel gets an immediate answer to his prayer. Some say that it takes about three minute to read Daniel's prayer in Hebrew. By the time Daniel finished his prayer, the angel Gabriel was there. WOW!!! Isaiah 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. (KJV) . . . The Lord kept His Promise to Daniel.

Daniel was greatly beloved in Heaven (Dan.7:19; 10:11, 19). How wonderful that is. My friend, the TRUE believer in Christ Jesus is seen by God as being in Christ (Rom.8:1). We are accepted in the Beloved (Eph.1:6), so the TRUE believer too, is beloved in Heaven because he is in Christ.

Daniel 9:23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. (KJV)
The commandment came forth . . . this thing (prophecy) was decreed long before in God's counsel; but was not ordered to be proclaimed, until Daniel’s prayer. The declaration of the divine prophecy of the 70 weeks was made in Heaven to the angels as soon as Daniel began to pray.
Greatly beloved literally means he was dear to God, he was a desirable young man (Eze.23:6, 12). Daniel was the apocalyptic prophet of the Old Testament and was like the apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved (Jn.3:23), so the apocalyptic prophet of the Old Testament was greatly beloved of God, and was the object of God's delight.
The vision . . . gives further revelation (more information) as to Messiah in connection with Jeremiah's prophecy of 70 years of the captivity. The command to understand is the same as in the following Scripture where Rome mainly, and Antichrist eventually, is referred to. Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) (KJV)

Daniel 9:24 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. (KJV)
This is a prophecy that confuses so many people. Seventy weeks does not mean weeks of seven days any more than it means weeks of seven years or seven other periods of time. The Hebrew word for seven is shabua, and means a unit of measure. It is much like our word dozen. Dozen could be a dozen of anything . . . a dozen eggs, a dozen bananas, a dozen donuts, etc. I think here, seventy weeks means seventy sevens. It could be seventy sevens of anything. It could be units of days or months or years. In the background of this verse it is plain that Daniel has been reading in Jeremiah about years, 70 years. Jeremiah had been preaching and writing that the captivity would be for 70 years. The seventy years of captivity was the precise penalty for violating 70 sabbatical years. That would be seventy sevens, a total of 490 years. In those 490 years, Israel had violated exactly 70 sabbatical years; so they would go into captivity for seventy years. 2 Chron. 36:21 To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years. (KJV)

70 Sabbaths without Rest

The Lord gave Ezekiel a prophecy to act out. Ezekiel was to lay on his right side for 390 days for the 390 years of iniquity of the children of Israel. Then he was to lay on his left side for 40 days for the 40 years of the iniquity of the people of Judah. The total years of iniquity were 430 years. (390 + 40 = 430).
Ezekiel 4:4-6 Lie thou also upon thy left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it: according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt bear their iniquity. 5 For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days: so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. 6 And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year. (KJV)
For 430 years God’s people (Israel) refused to keep the Sabbaticals and the Jubilees holy to God. The land was kept from its rest during the 70 Sabbatical years.

The Jubilee Cycle

Leviticus 25:8-12 And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years. 9 Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. 10 And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family. 11 A jubile shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vine undressed. 12 For it is the jubile; it shall be holy unto you: ye shall eat the increase thereof out of the field. (KJV) . . . In other words, every 50 years, the Jews were to allow the land to rest, which they did NOT do! During that year all property that had been sold was to be restored to the original owner or their descendants, and any who have been sold as slaves must be returned to their families. During that year they were not plant their fields or store any of the crops that grow on their own, and were not to gather the grapes from their unpruned vines. It was to be a jubilee (celebration) year for Israel, and they were to keep it holy. They were allowed to eat whatever the land produces on its own.
Laws concerning the Jubilee: (Lev.25:8-55; 27:17-24; Num.36:4).

Daniel was confused as to how the end of the seventy years of captivity would fit into the long period of the times of the Gentiles (Lk.21:24), the Gentile world power which the visions in Daniel chapters 7 and 8 had so clearly shown. He clearly thought that at the end of the seventy years his people would be returned to the land, the Promised Messiah would come, and the Kingdom which had been promised to David (Isa.9:6-7; Jer.33:15-17, 26; Eze.24:23-24; 37:24-25; Hos.3:5), would be established. BUT . . . how could both be true? It appeared to him, I am sure, to be an irreconcilable situation created by these prophecies that seemed contradictory.

The Seventy Weeks, or the seventy sevens, answer two questions. Israel's kingdom will not come immediately. The seventy sevens must run their course. These seventy sevens fit into the times of the Gentiles and run alongside them. They are broken up to fit into Gentile times. Now, back to our Scripture.

Daniel 9:24 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. (KJV)
The word for determined literally means cutting off. These seventy sevens are to be cut off, as the following verses will show. The seventy sevens for Israel and the times of the Gentiles will both come to an end at the same time, that being at the Second Coming of Christ to the Earth (Zec.14:1-5; Rev.19:11-21). I think that this is important for us to know correctly understand the prophecy.
The Seventy Weeks concern thy people, meaning the people of Daniel, the Jews, meaning Israel. And the seventy weeks also concern the holy city, which can be none other than Jerusalem. Six things are to be accomplished in those Seventy Weeks or 490 years. As I see it, 69 of those 70 weeks have already passed, leaving one week to be fulfilled.
The Seventy Weeks is a very important prophecy, but it has so many opinions. What we must know is, WHEN did this seventy weeks begin? So, WHEN did the seventy weeks begin?

What is here said by the angel Gabriel is not a direct answer to Daniel's prayer. He prays to know when the seventy weeks of the captivity are to end, but Gabriel shows Daniel that there are seventy weeks determined related to a release from another kind of captivity, which shall begin with the going forth of the edict to restore and rebuild Jerusalem (Neh.2:1-8), and shall terminate with the death of Messiah the Prince (Jn.19:30), and the total abolition of the Jewish sacrifices. In the following verses Gabriel goes into into the details of this most important prophecy, and leaves them with Daniel for his comfort . . . who in return, has left them to the TRUE church to confirm its faith, and to testify to the Truth of God’s Divine revelations to us. The Seventy Weeks contain the fullest confirmation (Truth) of Christianity, and a complete rejection of the Jewish complaints and irreverence on this subject.
Seventy weeks are determined . . . the Jews had Sabbatical years (Lev.25:8), by which their years were divided into weeks of years. This is important to know, for in the Seventy Weeks prophecy, each week contains seven years. The seventy weeks here spoken of amount to 490 years.

From the Babylonian captivity, the theocracy never recovered its full freedom and this period of Israel's subjection to the Gentiles is to continue until the Millennium (Rev.20), when Israel shall be restored as head of the New Testament theocracy, which will embrace the whole earth.
Theocracyis a government in which Jewish priests ruled in the Name of God, as Israel had done from the time of Moses until the election of Saul as King (1 Sam.11:12-15; Hos.13:11).

The Seventy Weeks

There are several main parts to this prophecy. Without our understanding them, many other prophecies cannot be fully understood. Seventy weeks literally means seventy sevens.

Seventy Sevens of Years because:

*****(1) Daniel's prayer, to which this vision was an answer, did not concern days, but years (Dan.9:2).

*****(2) The last week is seven years, and is divided into 2 parts, each being 3 1/2 years. Since the last half of the 70th week is 3 1/2 years, then the first half is also 3 1/2 years, making the last week a period of 7 years. All the other weeks are also 7 years each. The whole period, thus, is 70 x 7 = 490 years.

*****(3.) The seventy weeks are divided into three main periods: #1. The 1st division . . . 7 weeks, (49 years) for the rebuilding of Jerusalem (Dan. 9:25). #2. The 2nd division . . . 62 weeks, 434 years from the completion of the city at the end of the 49 years to the time the Messiah is cut off or crucified for men (Dan. 9:25-26). #3. The 3rd division . . . one week, 7 years, the last 7 years of this age, ending with the Second Coming of Christ to fulfill the 6 events of Dan. 9:24.

*****(4.) Whom do the seventy weeks concern? The whole 490 years are determined (cut off, marked off, declared) to be fulfilled concerning thy people (Daniel's people, the Jews, Israel) and thy holy city (Daniel's native city, Jerusalem) to fulfill the 6 events of Dan. 9:24. They do NOT concern the church in any way, because the church did not begin until AFTER the 69th week, and it will be raptured BEFORE the 70th week begins (Jn.14:1-3; 2 Thes.4:13-18; 1 Cor.15:52-53; 2 Thes. 2:7-8; Rev. 4:1).

*****(5.) The 70 weeks concern Israel as a nation at Jerusalem. When do they concern Israel and Jerusalem? NOT when she is been scattered among the nations. Since Israel was scattered and her city and Temple destroyed in 70 A.D., and since the 6 events of Dan. 9:24 have not yet been fulfilled, and since the 69th week ended at the crucifixion of Christ, the 70th week is the only part left to be fulfilled. During this 70th week, the 6 events of Dan. 9:24 will be fulfilled. This is still in the future, but it will be fulfilled when Israel as a nation gets control of Jerusalem again.

*****(6.) Six things to be done in the 70 weeks of Daniel (Dan. 9:24).
Consider the six things to be accomplished:
(1.) To finish the transgression. This refers to the transgression of Israel. This refers to Israel’s unbelief of the TRUE Messiah. Calvary’s cross provided the redemption for sin . . . for the sin of the nation, but NOT all Israel accepted it. Today the Gospel of Jesus Christ has gone out to the ends of the Earth declaring that mankind can be redeemed! People refuse to believe it (Jews and Gentiles). But in that last week (7 years), we are told that God says: Zechariah 13:1 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. (KJV) . . . That fountain has not been opened yet. All you have to do is to look at the land of Israel and you will know this has not been fulfilled.
(2.) To make an end of sins. . . . rather ‏to make an end of sin-offerings, which our Lord did when He offered His spotless Soul and Body on the cross once for all.
(3.) To make reconciliation for iniquity refers to the making atonement or expiation for iniquity; which Christ Jesus did by the once for all (Heb.10:10) Offering up of Himself.
This refers to the national sins of Israel will come to an end at the Second Coming of Christ. Israel is just like any other people or any other nation. They are sinners as individuals and as a nation. They have made many mistakes as a nation (but so has the USA). God will eventually put an end of sins! One day it will be: Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (KJV) To make reconciliation for iniquity. During this period of Seventy Weeks, God has provided a redemption through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He has established an atonement for sins, that being Jesus! Jesus paid the full penalty of sins on the cross, for ALL people Jew and Gentile alike.
(4.) And to bring in everlasting righteousness refers to the Return of Christ at the end of the 490 years to establish His Kingdom. Everlasting righteousness is the Righteousness, or the Righteous One, the One and Only Person who had been the Object of the faith of mankind, and the Subject of the predictions of the prophets through all the ages of the world.
(5.) To seal up the vision and prophecy means that all will be fulfilled, which will defend this prophecy as well as all other prophecies in Scripture. The main body of the Old Testament centers on the glorious Return of Christ to Earth, and His following Kingdom. Because of this, the bulk of prophecies will be fulfilled at the end of the 70 weeks.
(6.) And to anoint the Most Holy refers to the Holy of holies, and has reference to the anointing of the holy of holies in the Millennial Temple about which Ezekiel spoke (Eze. chapters 40-46).
The glory of the Lord will return in the Person of the Lord (Eze.43:1-5). The glory of God was removed from the Temple because of Israel’s sins (Eze.9:3; 10:4, 18; 11:22-23).
Another view on this is, this refers to the cleansing of the holy of holies, the Temple, and the city of Jerusalem from the abomination of desolation (Mat 24:15), the blasphemous profane idol of the Antichrist; and to the anointing of the Millennial Temple (Eze.40-43; Zec.6:12-13). The most holy is used 110 times in the KJV of the Bible, and it is NEVER used of a person, nor would the Jews ever use this term in association (linked) with their Messiah Who is always distinguished by the simple title, Messiah. So it seems that to teach that this refers to man crowning Christ is totally against the teaching of the Scriptures. Man CANNOT anoint Christ, nor can he crown Christ. This has already been done by God the Father (Dan.7:13-14; Zec.14:1-5; Lk.22:29; Acts 1:7; 2:36; Phil.2:9-11; Heb.1:1-3; Rev.11:15; 19:11-21).

******(7.) When do the seventy weeks begin? With the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince (Dan. 9:25). There were three decrees for the restoration of Jerusalem:

The first decree was given during the first year of the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia (Ezra 1:1-4; 3:8; Isa. 44:28; 45:1-4; 46:11). Cyrus reigned 9 years; then Cambyses, his son, reigned 7 years. In the son's reign the work on the temple ceased (Ezra 4:1-24).
Darius I of profane history reigned 35 years. In the second year of his reign he confirmed the decree made by Cyrus 18 years before. The temple was finished in the sixth year of his reign, but the city was not restored. Xerxes reigned 21 years (Dan. 11:1-3) during which time the city was not yet completed.
Artaxerxes reigned for 40 years. In the 20th year of his reign (444 B.C.) he gave Nehemiah the 3rd decree "to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince" (Dan. 9:25-26; Neh. 2:1 - Neh. 6:19). From this point the 70 weeks or 490 years are counted. At this point the first division of the 490 years (the 7 weeks or 49 years for the restoration of Jerusalem with streets and the wall) began (Dan. 9:25). Nehemiah restored the walls in 52 days after he reached Jerusalem, but this was by no means the full restoration. That took place during the next 49 years. Thus the 3rd decree to restore Jerusalem was 84 years after the first decree by Cyrus.

*****(8.) The crucifixion of the Messiah. This was to be AFTER the 62 weeks or 434 years, and was to follow the 7 weeks or 49 years of the restoration of Jerusalem (Dan. 9:25-26). Christ was crucified at the end of the 69th week, not in the middle of the 70th week. The 70th week did not end when Stephen was stoned, for the 6 events Dan.9:24, were not fulfilled then, nor have they been fulfilled since then. They cannot be fulfilled with Israel and Jerusalem until the rapture of the church and the revelation of the future Antichrist (2 Thes.4:13-18; 2 Thes. 2:7-8; Rev. 4:1).

*****(9.) The people of the prince that shall come (Dan. 9:26). This refers to the Romans who fulfilled this prophecy of the destruction of the city and temple and brought about the desolations of Dan. 9:26. This was fulfilled in 70 A.D. (Lk. 19:41-44; 21:20).

*****(10.) The prince that shall come (Dan. 9:26). This refers to Antichrist who will come from the Revived Roman Empire territory, and from the people who destroyed the city and Temple of Israel in A.D. 70 (Dan. 9:26; Lk. 21:20-24). He will come from among the 10 kingdoms yet to be formed, inside the Revived Roman Empire (Dan. 7:23-24).

*****(11.) The church age . . . is the time period between the 69th and 70th weeks (Dan. 9:26-27). This period was NOT seen by the prophets, but it is quite clear that certain things were to happen between the crucifixion of the Messiah and the Antichrist who makes the 7-year covenant with Israel in the latter days (Dan. 9:26-27).

*****(12.) Some great events that happen between the 69th and 70th weeks:

Christ was to be crucified at the end of the 69th week (Dan. 9:26).
The Romans were to destroy Jerusalem and the Temple between the crucifixion at the end of the 69th week and the 70th week (Dan. 9:26-27).
There was to be a war between the Romans and Israel between the 69th and 70th weeks (Dan. 9:26-27).
Israel was to be defeated by the Romans between the 69th and 70th weeks, or their city and Temple could not be destroyed (Dan. 9:26-27).
Israel was to be scattered among the nations by the Romans between the 69th and 70th weeks, or the end of this war would not be as a flood to carry them away (Dan. 9:26-27; Lk. 21:20-24).
Desolations of Israel and their city and Temple were to follow the end of the war between Israel and the Romans (Dan. 9:26; Lk. 21:20-24). When Christ comes to defend Israel from Antichrist, Jerusalem and the Temple will be rebuilt, not destroyed (Zech. 6:12-13; 14:1-21; Mt. 25:31-46; Rev. 11:15; 19:11-21). Historically, ALL the above events were fulfilled by the Romans. They crucified Christ about 31 A.D. and destroyed Jerusalem about 70 A.D. These events did not happen in either the 69th or the 70th week. Jerusalem was destroyed about 39 years after the crucifixion of Christ which ended the 69th week.
The prince that shall come was to come after the destruction and desolations of Jerusalem (Dan. 9:26-27). Since the Jews were led away captive among all nations in 70 A.D. . . . the prince that shall come could not confirm a covenant with Jews to fulfill Dan. 9:27. This prophecy yet remains to be fulfilled in the future.
Jerusalem must be restored as the capital of Israel and a Temple rebuilt BEFORE the Antichrist can come and confirm the 7-year covenant with many to fulfill Dan. 9:27.
The city and sanctuary were to be destroyed by the Romans, as in Dan. 9:26. They must be restored before the 7-year covenant of Dan. 9:27 can be made, for the Temple is to be made desolate AGAIN in the midst of the 7 years. If it was destroyed in 70 A.D. then it could not possibly be made desolate again until it is first restored. Since it has never been restored from 70 A.D. until now, the fulfillment of Dan. 9:27 must be future.
Israel, being broken off because of unbelief at the crucifixion of Christ, must be restored again to their own land and must gain control of Jerusalem BEFORE the 6 events of *****7, above, can be fulfilled. Just before His crucifixion Jesus wept over Jerusalem saying: Matthew 23:37 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. (KJV) . . . This was the official rejection of Israel as a nation until the Second Coming of Christ. God could not have fulfilled the 70th week with them immediately following the crucifixion because He was cutting them off at this time. The word for determined literally means cutting off (Dan.9:24). The 70th week remains to be fulfilled when God deals with them as a nation again, in the Great Tribulation period (Eze. 37). He cannot do this until Israel gets control of Jerusalem again, because the WHOLE 70 weeks concern Israel and Jerusalem (Dan. 9:24). And neither can the 70th week be fulfilled until the Temple is built again in Jerusalem (Dan. 9:26-27). http://www.lastdaysprophecy.org/L_D_jerusalem_temples.htm
The prince that shall come from the Roman Empire territory is the one referred to in Dan. 9:27 that shall confirm the covenant with many Jews for 7 years. He does not come until after the future 10 kingdoms are formed inside the old Roman Empire territory (Dan. 7:23-24), and until AFTER the Rapture of the church. http://www.godcannotlie.org/1_thes_ch4.htm http://www.hisservants.org/rapture,_second_coming_h_s.htm http://www.judgmentcoming.org/noah_end_times_what_happens.html The 70th week will be the last 7 years of this age, BETWEEN the Rapture and the Second Coming (Dan. 9:27). It will be the future, coming Tribulation period which ends with the Second Coming of Christ to the Earth (Zec.14:1-5; Rev.19:11-21). Matthew chapters 24-25; Rev. chapters 4-19 & 21; Dan. 7:19-27; 8:9-14,22-25; 9:27; 11:36-45; 12:1-13, and many other passages will be fulfilled during these 7 years. The Great Tribulation will be the last of the 70th week, the last 3 ½ years (Jer.30:4-9; Dan.12:1; Mat.24:15-24; Rev. Jer. 30:4-9; Dan. 12:1; Mt. 24:15-24; Rev. 11:1 through Rev. 19:21). The first 3 ½ years will be a lot lesser tribulation due to the fact that Antichrist will still be trying to prove he is a ‘good guy’ and he is only rising to power.

The present church age correctly comes in BETWEEN the 69th and 70th weeks, during which time Israel is rejected by God and scattered among the nations and hated and looked down on as a nation (Deut.28:37, 45-46; Ps.2:2-3; 44:13-14); Zec.12:1-3). There is a postponement of the fulfillment of the 70th week immediately following the end of the 69th week due to Israel's rejection and her house being left desolate until God restores it again in the days of the Coming of Christ . . . When the Lord shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory (Ps. 102:16).
The covenant between Antichrist and Israel (Dan. 9:27). The terms of this covenant (peace treaty) are not listed, but it is clear it will be a non-aggression pact, perhaps even a military alliance that will empower the Antichrist to gain control over the 10 kingdoms during the first 3 1/2 years of the 70th week (Dan. 7:23-24; 8:23-25; Rev. 17:8-17). It will include the protection of Israel in their national establishment and restoration and assure them at least temporary peace (Dan. 8:25; 9:27; 11:36-45). The length of the covenant is to be 7 years (Dan. 9:27).
The middle of the week (Dan. 9:27). The Antichrist in 3 ½ years takes control over the 10 kingdoms (Dan. 7:23-24; Rev. 17:8-17), and he shall break his covenant with Israel. It seems that he shall enter Israel, and make the Jewish Temple his capital building (Dan. 7:21-25; 8:9-14, 22-25; 9:27; 11:36-45; Mt. 24:15-24; 2 Thes. 2:3-4; Rev. 13:1-18). He will at that time do away with all Jewish sacrifices in the Temple and set himself and his abominable image in the Temple to be worshiped as god. This will continue 2,300 evenings and mornings, or 3 years, 2 months, and 10 days of the 1,260 days of the last 3 ½ years of the 70th week (Dan. 8:9-14; 9:27; 11:45; Mt. 24:15-22; 2Thes. 2:3-4; Rev. 13:1-18).
The end of the 70th week (Dan. 9:27). The worship of the beast (Antichrist) and the abomination of desolation (Dan.12:11; Mat.24:15; Mk.13:14) will continue from the middle of the 70th week through the judgments that will be poured out upon the one (Antichrist) making the Temple desolate (Dan. 9:27). These judgments consist of the plagues caused by the 2 witnesses (Rev. 11:3-11) and the vial judgments (Rev. chapters 15 & 16) ending with Antichrist's defeat and destruction at Armageddon (Rev. 16:13-16; 19:11-21; Zech. 14).

Daniel 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment 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. (KJV)
Gabriel gives the exact time when the seventy sevens would start, from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks.
Seven weeks equals forty-nine years. Gabriel had a specific decree in mind. A king will issue it and pertain to the rebuilding of Jerusalem. The king’s decree would be the starting point of the seventy weeks.. . . the above 70 weeks, or 490 years, are divided into three separate periods, and to each different period, certain specific events shall take place. The three periods are:
1. Seven weeks, that is, 49 years.
2. Sixty-two weeks, that is, 434 years.
3. One week, that is, 7 years.
The first period of seven weeks was to restore and repair Jerusalem. Ezra (Ezra 7:9, 11-26), and Nehemiah (Chapters 1 & 2) were employed in restoring the sacred constitutions and civil establishments of the Jews. This work lasted 49 years after the commission was given by
Artaxerxes in 445 BC (Neh.2:1-8).
Following the above first period of seven weeks, the second period of sixty-two weeks, or 434 years more, begins. At the end of the second period, Daniels’s prophecy says, Messiah the Prince should come, meaning that seven weeks (49 years), should be allowed for the restoration of the Jewish state . . . and from which time until the public entrance of the Messiah on the work of the ministry should be sixty-two weeks (434 years), with a total of four hundred and eighty-three (483 years).
The street shall be built again, and the wall . . . streets and wall express the total restoration of the city, including the roads and the streets leading to Jerusalem.

In the last parts of verses 26 & 27, we will see the third part of this great prophecy, which refers to what should be done after the completion of these seventy weeks.

Seven sets of seven (49 years) and sixty-two sets of seven (434 years) will pass in history from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler, the Anointed Messiah comes. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, despite the troublous times.
Messiah the Prince is Christ Jesus' title in respect to Israel (Ps.2:2; Mat.27:37, 42). This speaks not only of His First Coming but I think also of His death (vs 26).

After the 69 weeks, or 483 years, there is a time break. Between the sixty-ninth and 70th week two events of utmost importance are to take place:

Messiah will be cut off, the crucifixion (death) of Christ, the great mystery and truth of the Gospel.
Destruction of Jerusalem, which took place in A.D. 70, when Titus the Roman was the instrument.

The final week (70th week), is a period of 7 years, and is projected into the future and does not chronologically follow the other 69 weeks. I believe that the time gap between the 69th and 70th weeks is the age of grace (Rom.6:14-15). . . totally unknown to the prophets. The 70th week is in the future final period and is yet to be fulfilled.
My friend, you and I are living in the age of grace. The 70th week of Daniel, the Rapture (1 Thes.4:13-18) and the Tribulation Period which is to follow, are yet to take place.

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. (KJV)
After the threescore and two weeks . . . after 7 weeks and after the 62 weeks that followed them, which make a total of 69 weeks, referring to Gabriel’s information (Dan.9:21-24).
Shall Messiah be cut off . . . this is a definite and unmistakable reference on the death of Jesus! The term ‘cut off” is found in Lev.7:20, Psalm 109:13, and Nahum 2:13; 3:15. The term means a violent death. This is a prophecy that the death of Christ would be as that of a condemned criminal sentenced to death, as the Jews did (Christ's executioners), proclaim that He died for blasphemy, and that He was a satanic impostor. http://www.hisservants.org/israel_did_she_kill_jesus_h_s.htm
Even God Himself charged sin upon Christ Jesus, and the curse (Isa.53:4; Acts 2:23; 2 Cor.5:21; Gal.3:13).
But not for himself . . . there was none to help Him; they would not have Him for their Messiah; they set him at nought, would not have Him live, and therefore He would not own them for His people, but cast them off. Jesus was totally innocent and without guilt. He died for others, not for Himself, but for our sakes and for our salvation. The Anointed One, the Messiah will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing.
The people of the prince that shall come . . . this is none other than the Romans, who, according to the prophecy, destroyed the Temple, and then, as a flood, swept away all, until the total destruction of that obstinate people finished the war. The city was leveled as if by a catastrophic flood. Waters, floods: (Ps.18:4; 42:7; 69:15; 124:4-5; Isa.8:7-8; 28:2; 43:2; 59:19; Jer.46:7-8; Lam.3:54; Dan.9:26; Rev.12:15-16; 17:1, 15).
And unto the end of the war desolations are determined . . . from that time on, the history of that city would be of war and destruction. The end . . . here, I think means the times of the Gentiles.

This verse explains the gap between the second and third period of weeks: After the sixty-two weeks, Gabriel foretold that there would be a gap of time between the end of the 69th seven and the beginning of the 70th seven. The angel told of three specific events.
#1. The anointed One would be killed.
#2. Jerusalem and the Temple would be destroyed.
#3. There would be war.

Why would the angel who was sent to comfort Daniel, state here this tragedy of destruction and desolation that was beyond the space of seventy weeks? I think the answer is so that Daniel would be informed of the judgments of God upon that place and people, and the reasons of it . . . . that being their rejecting and killing Christ.
Israel might expect Messiah's Kingdom of Glory (Millennium), if not after the seventy years' captivity, at least at the end of the sixty-two weeks . . . but instead it would be the death of Christ and the resulting destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. With a flood . . . namely, of war, implying the completeness of the catastrophe. There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down (Mat.24:2). http://www.hisservants.org/messianic_prophecies_h_s.htm

When Israel's prophetic clock was put on hold, after the 69 weeks, or 483 years, there is a time break, a time gap, which is the Church age, from Pentecost to the Rapture. This time period is not mentioned in the Old Testament. When Messiah was cut off . . . the Church Age clock started ticking. The Rapture will end the Church Age and Israel's clock will start ticking again for the final week (7 year period) in the Tribulation Period.
The Church of Jesus Christ has been persecuted and slammed, beaten and burned but it continues on. We are very blessed to be able to live during this wonderful age of grace (Rom.6:14). When anyone puts their faith in Jesus, they receive God’s mercy and forgiveness. But, we need to understand the Church clock will stop ticking sometime in the future . . . soon I think!
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. (KJV)
1 Thes. 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (KJV)
I believe that God has a certain quota to fill, and when the full number of Gentiles has come in, the day of grace will end and God will then again start to deal with Israel in the 70th week (Dan.9:27). When the last individual of God’s elect (Mat.24:24, 31; Rom.8:33) is added to the Church, Jesus shall appear in the clouds for the TRUE church. 1 Cor. 15:51-52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (KJV)

Daniel 9:27 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. (KJV)
He shall confirm the covenant . . . there are many opinions on the numbers, times and events in these prophetic verses in Daniel.

There are three main views: ******#1 The prophecy was fulfilled in the past at the desecration of the Temple by Antiochus IV Epiphanes from 168 to 167 B.C. (Dan.11:31); ******#2 It was fulfilled in the past at the destruction of the Temple by the Roman general Titus in A.D. 70 when one million Jews were killed; ******#3 It is still to be fulfilled in the future under the Antichrist. . . . I believe this refers to #3.
It is my opinion that the prophecy here in verse 27, is yet to be fulfilled by the Antichrist in the Great Tribulation Period. This speaks of the first beast in the Book of Revelation (Rev.13:1), the Antichrist (Dan.7:7-8, 19-20, 23-24; 11 39; 2 Thes.2:3-4; Rev.12:3; 13:1, 5-6; 17:3, 16).
The Antichrist will make a treaty with Israel for a period of one week (7 years), but when only half way through the covenant (3 ½ years), he will put an end to the sacrifices and offerings in the Temple. There is no Jewish Temple today, so there has to be one before the Tribulation period begins. http://www.lastdaysprophecy.org/L_D_jerusalem_temples.htm

As the highpoint to all the Antichrist’s terrible deeds, he will set up a blasphemous, disrespectful object that causes irreverent defilement (abomination of desolation Dan.12:11; Mat.24:15; Mk.13:14), until the doom decreed for this defiler is finally poured out upon him. That profane image will be placed in the Temple and will remain there until the one who put it there meets his end which God has prepared for him (Rev.19:20; 20:10).
For the overspreading of abominations . . . because of the abominations committed by the unholy people against the Holy One, poured upon the desolate . . . not upon the desolate place, but upon the causer of desolation (Dan.12:11), meaning the Antichrist, the one making the Temple desolate.
I believe that the prophetic Scriptures in Daniel clearly show the Coming of the Messiah, His sufferings and God’s holy, righteous and severe wrath upon the Jews for it, that it thoroughly contradicts their unbelief; and fully confirms our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Jews (Israel) are guilty of the most stubborn, determined unbelief, in expecting ANOTHER Messiah, so long after the time clearly stated for His Coming in the Old Testament prophecies. The seventy weeks mean a day for a year, or 490 years. About the end of this period a Perfect Sacrifice would be offered (Lev.22:21; Heb.9:12-14), making full atonement for sin, and bringing in everlasting righteousness to justify every believer in Christ (Rom.3:22; 5:1, 9). The Jews, in the crucifixion of Jesus, would commit that crime by which the measure of their guilt would be filled up, and troubles would come upon their nation. All blessings bestowed on sinful man come through Christ's atoning Sacrifice, who suffered ONCE for sins (Heb.10:10), the Just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God. JESUS is our One and Only Way of access to the throne of grace, and is our ONLY entrance to Heaven (Jn.14:6; Acts 4:12). Jesus is the Door to Heaven! http://www.hisservants.org/books_christ_is_the_door.html
This seals the sum of prophecy and confirms the covenant with many. Let us all rejoice in the blessings of salvation, and remember what they cost the Redeemer. Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (KJV) . . . Can ANYONE escape the judgment of Hell without Jesus? The Bible clearly tells us NO!
http://www.judgmentcoming.org/j_c_hell_is_it_there.htm

Prophecies of Christ Jesus as Messiah
Seed of the woman (Gen.15; Gal.4:4)
Born in Bethlehem (Mic.5:2; Mat.2:1; Lk.2:4-7)
Born of a virgin (Isa.7:14; Mat.1:21-23; Lk. 1:26-27, 30-31)
Descendant of Abraham (Gen.12:1-3; 22:18; Mat.1:1; Gal.3:16)
Descendant of Isaac (Gen.17:19; Lk.3:34)
Descendant of Jacob (Num.24:17; Mat.1:2)
Descendant of Jesse (Isa.11:10; Rom.15:12)
Descendant of David (Jer.23:5-6; Mat.1:1)
Was of the tribe of Judah (Gen.49:10; Lk.3:23, 33; Heb.7:14)
Was of the house of David (2 Sam.7:12-16; Mat.1:1)
Will shepherd His people (Eze.37:24; Mat.2:6)
Heir to the throne of David (Isa.9:7; Lk.1:32-33)
Anointed and eternal (Ps.45:6-7; 102:25-27; Heb.1:8-12)
Time for His Birth (Dan.9:25; Lk.2:1-2)
Worshipped by shepherds (Ps.72:9; Lk.2:8-15)
Honored by great kings (Ps.72:10, 15; Isa.60:3; Mat.2:1-11)
Slaughter of children (Jer.31:15; Mat.2:16-18)
Flight to Egypt (Hos.11:1; Mat.2:14-15)
The way prepared (Isa.40:3-5; Lk.3:3-6)
Preceded by a forerunner (Mal.3:1; Lk.7:24, 27)
Preceded by Elijah (Mal.4:5-6; Mat.11:13-14)
Declared to be the Son of God (Ps.2:7; Pro.30:4; Mat.3:13; Lk.1:32)
Rejected by His own people, the Jews (Isa.53:3; 8:14; 28:16; Ps.118:22;
Jn.1:11; Lk.23:18; Acts 4:11; 1 Pet.2:6-8)

Special Comments for Daniel Chapter 9

Consider the following things in prayer:

Persistent Planning. Prayer should not be random hit-or-miss.
Prayer should not be just a repetition of idle words (Mat.6:7).
Prayer is heartfelt words that reveal the sincerity of the heart, which is rarely seen in prayer meetings today.
Prayer should be simple and uncomplicated. Daniel was honest and straightforward in his confession. He did not evade the issue.
Prayer is a powerful petition. Daniel received an answer while he was still speaking and praying. If we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us (1 Jn.5:14).
Prayer is very personal and private. Daniel did not call for a public prayer meeting; he prayed privately. Daniel’s prayer is about three minutes long. Our Lord Jesus often prayed privately. His prayer which is recorded in John 17, is also about three minutes long. There are many who want to call a public prayer meeting when they should spend more time in private prayer.
Prayer is full penetration. Prayer is the ONLY power of man that can penetrate outer space and access the throne of God (Rom.5:1-2). We should pray privately more often.

Twelve sins of Israel:
1. We have sinned (Dan.9:5, 11, 15-16).
2. We have committed iniquity (Dan.9:5).
3. We have done wickedly (Dan.9:5).
4. We have departed from God's Precepts (Dan.9:5).
5. We have departed from God's judgments (Dan.9:5).
6. We have not listened to God's servants, the prophets (Dan.9:6).
7. We have trespassed against God (Dan.9:7).
8. We have rebelled against God (Dan.9:9). Rebelled = revolted against God.
9. We have not obeyed God's Voice (Dan.9:10).
10. We have not walked in His Laws (Dan.9:10).
11. We have transgressed God's Law (Dan.9:11).
12. We have disobeyed God's Voice (Dan.9:11, 14).

Why do Daniel and Revelation give different numbers of
1,260, 1,290 and 1,335 days for the Tribulation Period

The books of Daniel and Revelation are often studied together, because their prophecies concerning the end times weave together nicely. Both books mention a certain number of days during the Tribulation Period. Daniel mentions 1,290 days and 1,335 days; Revelation mentions 1,260 days, for a total “discrepancy” of 75 days (1,335 – 1,260 = 75).
Daniel 12:11-12 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. (KJV)
Revelation 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. (KJV)
Both of these prophecies deal with precise time periods associated with the seven-year tribulation.
Daniel 9:27 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. (KJV)
The Tribulation Period begins with the signing of a peace treaty between the Antichrist and Israel, intended to be for one “seven,” meaning a set of seven years. But the “seven” is divided into half . . . and midway through the seven years (3 ½ years), the Antichrist breaks the peace treaty and sets up in the temple a sacrilegious object (the abomination that causes desolation Dan.11:31; 12:11; Mat.24:15; Mk.13:14; 2 Thes.2:4; Rev.13:14-15). The phrase in the midst of the week indicates that the first half of the tribulation lasts for 3½ years (1,260 days, using a “prophetic year” of 360 days). Likewise, the second half of the tribulation lasts another 1,260 days (another 3½ years), for a total of seven years.

Revelation 11:3 precisely mentions 1,260 days, which corresponds exactly with Daniel’s prophecy of the abomination of desolation. In Revelation, there is an added detail: my two witnesses will preach and perform miracles for half of the Tribulation Period . . . which is the first half, according to the timetable of Revelation. These two witnesses are killed in the midst of the week. Their bodies will lie in the streets for three and a half days as the world celebrates their demise; then they will be resurrected and taken up to Heaven (Rev.11:7-13).
http://www.godcannotlie.org/rev_ch11.htm

The 1,260 days of the second half of the Great Tribulation begins when the Antichrist breaks the treaty, occupies the third Jewish temple, and sets up a profane and irreverent object of worship in the Temple of God. This 1,260 day period ends when the Antichrist is defeated at the battle of Armageddon upon Jesus’ Return to Earth (Zec.14:1-5; Rev.19:11-21). At that time, the Great Tribulation will end.

Daniel 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. (KJV)
This mentions 1,290 days, which is 30 days more than the second half of the Tribulation. Many different comments try to explain what happens in those 30 extra days. I do not know the answer to this. One possible idea is that the nation of Israel will be rebuilt in that month after the utter devastation it endured during the Great Tribulation.
Daniel 12:12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. (KJV)
This mentions 1335 days, there will be an extra 45 days, on top of the extra 30 days, after which something else will happen. Daniel does not clearly say what will happen, but he does say those who remain until the end of that segment (1,335 days after the breaking of the treaty and 75 days after the end of the Tribulation) will be blessed. The blessing here is entry into the 1000 year Millennium Kingdom (Rev.20). What will take place during those 45 days? I think it is very possible that this may be when the judgment of the Gentile nations, described in Matthew 25:31-46) will take place, possibly when the Gentiles are judged for their treatment of Israel during the Great Tribulation. Did they help Jesus’ brethren (Mat.25:40), or did they turn a blind eye to the Jews’ troubles or worse, assist in their persecution?
So, those who survive the Great Tribulation and survive the sheep and goat judgment will enter the Millennium. This is a blessing, indeed.
Consider the following:
• After the rapture of the church, the Antichrist enters a treaty with Israel which begins the seven-year Tribulation Period.
• In the midst of the week (1,260 days later), the Antichrist breaks the treaty, defiles the Temple of God, and launches an outright persecution of the Jews.
• At the end of the Tribulation (1,260 days after the desecration of the Temple), Christ Jesus returns to Earth and defeats the forces of the Antichrist.
• During the next 30 days (leading up to 1,290 days after the desecration of the Temple), Israel is rebuilt and the Earth is restored.
• During the next 45 days (leading up to 1,335 days after the desecration of the temple), the Gentile nations are judged for their treatment of Israel.
• The 1000 year Millennium begins (Rev.20:3-5).

Will the Son of Man Find Faith on Earth?

Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (KJV)

This is a hard saying because so many are not quite sure what it means, especially in relation to its context. When a question is asked, the answer expected is either a yes or a no . . . but not here! Many consider that the answer implied here is no, and I absolutely agree with that.

Luke is the only Gospel writer who records the question, and he places it at the end of the parable of the persistent widow . . . the widow who refused to take no for an answer. Jesus told this parable to teach His apostles that "they should always pray and not give up" (Lk.18:1). But what has that to do with the Son of Man finding faith on earth when He comes?

The widow in the parable showed faith of an unusually determined quality, NOT personal faith in the unjust judge whom she pestered until he granted her petition to keep her quiet, but faith in the effectiveness of persistent prayer. The point of the story seems to be: even a hard-headed judge, who neither feared God nor regard man, saw to it that a widow got her rights, NOT for the sake of seeing justice done but to get rest from her persistent demands. How much more will God, who is NOT an unjust judge but a loving Father, listen to His children's plea for justification!

SO . . . the question: When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? The Coming of the Son of Man is a major theme in the preceding chapter of Luke's record, in the discourse of Jesus about the day when the Son of Man is revealed (Lk.17:22-27). The lesson impressed by this discourse on the hearers is that they must keep alert, watching and be ready for that day when it comes. When that day comes, God will vindicate His righteous cause and also the cause of His people who trust Him. BUT . . . they must trust him and not lose heart; they must here and now continue faithfully in the work assigned to them. (This is the lesson also of the parable of the pounds in Luke 19:11-27).

The Son of Man, when He comes, will be like the lightning, illuminating the sky from one end to the other (Lk.17:24), and He will be able to survey the Earth to see IF there is any faith on it (and how much), and see IF there be any faithful and wise steward whom his master when He comes will find loyally fulfilling his service (Lk.12:42-44). So the question Will he find faith on earth? I think the answer depends on the faithfulness of those who wait to give account of their stewardship when Judge Jesus calls for it.

How many will there be with faith? It is my humble opinion, NOT many! "Will he find faith on earth?" Very little, according to the way the world is going today. Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (KJV) . . . More and more are walking on the broad road that leads to eternal destruction. BEWARE!!! Which road are you on? Do you trust and obey Jesus, the Master? Or are you on the broad road with the other master, Satan?

The God of Heaven

That they would desire mercies of the God of Heaven . . . expressions such as this are found only in the books of the captivity: Ezra, Nehemiah and Daniel. It was only AFTER the departure of the glory of God from Jerusalem, from the Holy of Holies in the Temple, that God was addressed as the God of Heaven. These young Hebrew men knew that God did not dwell in the Temple in Jerusalem. The One and Only Almighty God is the God of Heaven.
The God of Heaven: (Ezra 1:2; 5:11-12; 6:9-10; 7:21, 23; Neh.1:4-5; 2:4, 20; Ps.136:26; Dan. 2:18-19, 37). This expression was used only AFTER the glory of God was removed from the Temple (Eze.9:3; 10:4, 18; 11:22-23). God’s glory would then be gone from the Earth until Christ Jesus came (Lk.1:9; 2:1-30)
Daniel calls the true God the God of heaven, because He made Heaven and His Throne is there. The heathens and magicians' gods did NOT come from Heaven . . . but were evil demons of Hell. The God of Heaven (Ezra ch.7), will set up a Kingdom on Earth that shall never be destroyed.

Seven great TRUTHS about Almighty God:
1. He is a great God (Dan.9:4).
2. He is a dreadful God (Dan.9:4). He must be feared (reverenced).
3. He keeps covenant and mercy to them that love Him (Dan.9:4.
4. He keeps them that keep His commandments (Dan.9:4).
5. He is a righteous God (Dan.9:7, 14, 16).
6. He is a God of judgment (Dan.9:7, 13-14, 16).
7. He is a God of mercy (Dan.9:8).

God’s judgment on Israel because of their rejection of the Messiah:
Isa. 8:14-1; 49:5, 7; 52:14; 53:1-3; Zec.11; Zec.13; Mat.21:33; 22:1.
Of war and other judgments on Israel:
Deut. 28:49-57; 2 Ki.20:17-18; 21:12-15; 2 Ki.22:16-17; 2 Ki.23:26-27; Isa.1:1-24; Isa.3; Isa. 4:1; Isa.5; Isa.6:9-13; 7:17-25; 8:14-22; Isa.9; Isa.10:12; 22:1-14; 28:14-22; 29:1-10; 30:1-17; Isa.31:1-3; 32:9-14; Jer.1:11-16; 4:5-31; Jer.6; Jer.7:8-34; Jer.8; Jer.9:9-26; 10:17-22; 11:9-23; Jer.13:9-27; 14:14-18; 15:1-14; Jer.16; Jer.17:1-4; 18:15-17; Jer.19; Jer 20:5; 21:4-7; 22:24-30; 25:8-38; Jer.28; Jer.34; Jer.37; Jer.38:1-3; 42:13-22; Jer. chapters 43-45; Lam.5:6; Eze.4-5; Eze.11.7-12; Eze. Chapters 12-19; Eze.22:13-22; 23:22-35; Eze.24; Eze.33:21-29; Dan.9:26-27; Joel 2:1-17; Amos 2:4-5; Mic.2:10; Mic.3; Mic.4:8-10; Hab.1:6-11; Zep.1; Zec.11; Zec.14:1-5; Mal.4:1; Mat.21:33-34; 23:35-38; 24:2, 14-42; Mk.12:1-13; Lk.13:34-35; 19:43-44; 21:5-25; Lk.23:28-31; Rev.1:7.

70 Sabbaths without Rest

The Lord gave Ezekiel a prophecy to act out. Ezekiel was to lay on his right side for 390 days for the 390 years of iniquity of the children of Israel. Then he was to lay on his left side for 40 days for the 40 years of the iniquity of the people of Judah. The total years of iniquity were 430 years. (390 + 40 = 430).
Ezekiel 4:4-6 Lie thou also upon thy left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it: according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt bear their iniquity. 5 For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days: so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. 6 And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year. (KJV)
For 430 years God’s people (Israel) refused to keep the Sabbaticals and the Jubilees holy to God. The land was kept from its rest during the 70 Sabbatical years.

The Jubilee Cycle

Leviticus 25:8-12 And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years.
9 Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. 10 And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family. 11 A jubile shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vine undressed. 12 For it is the jubile; it shall be holy unto you: ye shall eat the increase thereof out of the field. (KJV) . . . In other words, every 50 years, the Jews were to allow the land to rest, which they did NOT do! So after During that year all property that had been sold was to be restored to the original owner or their descendants, and any who have been sold as slaves must be returned to their families. During that year they were not plant their fields or store any of the crops that grow on their own, and were not to gather the grapes from their unpruned vines. It was to be a jubilee (celebration) year for Israel, and they were to keep it holy. They were allowed to eat whatever the land produces on its own. Laws concerning the Jubilee: (Lev.25:8-55; 27:17-24; Num.36:4).

Comments on the four beasts

The four beasts are four kings or kingdoms one after the other (Dan. 2:39-43; 7:17, 23-24; 8:20-23; Rev.17:9-11).
The God of Heaven will set up a Kingdom in the days of the ten kingdoms and the little horn (Dan.2:44-45; 7:18, 27; Rev.17:8-17).
The Kingdom of Heaven and of God will be given to the saints over which they shall rule (Dan.7:13-14, 18, 27; Mat.13:41-50; 25:31-46; Rom.8:17-18; 1 Cor.6:2; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev.1:6; 5:10; 20:4-6).
The reign of Christ and His saints will be eternal (Dan.7:14).
The inhabitants of the Eternal Kingdom will be the coming eternal generations of people of all nations and all races (Dan.7:14).
The fourth beast is the fourth kingdom (the old Roman Empire) which shall devour the territories of the first three beasts (Dan.7:7-8, 19; 23).
The ten horns are ten kingdoms out of the fourth kingdom (the old Roman Empire territory). They are yet to be formed (Dan.7:7-8, 20, 20-23; Rev.17:9-18). http://www.lastdaysprophecy.org/L_D_one_world_revived_roman_empire.htm http://www.lastdaysprophecy.org/L_D_%20e_t_read_understand_watch_wait.htm
The little horn is the Antichrist who will come up among the ten kingdoms after they are formed (Dan.7:7-8, 20, 20-23; Rev.17:9-18). http://www.lastdaysprophecy.org/L_D_%20e_t_antichrist.htm
The little horn shall be different in power from the ten kingdoms (Dan. 7:7-8. 20, 23-24; 8:20-23; 11:35-45; Rev.13:1-18; 17;8-18).
The little horn shall subdue three of the ten kingdoms in his rise to power (Dan. 7:7-8. 20, 23-24; 8:20-23; 11:35-45; Rev.13:1-18; 17;8-18).
The little horn shall speak great things (Dan.7:8, 11, 20, 25; 8{23-25; 11:36; Rev.13:5).
The little horn shall make war on the saints (Dan.7:21, 25; 8:23-25; 9:27; 11:35-45; 12:7; Rev.11:7; 13:7; 14:9-11; 15:2-4; 20:4-6). Antichrist shall prevail against them, until 3 things happen: (a) Until the Ancient of Days comes to the Earth at the Second Coming to defeat and destroy the little horn (Dan.7:21-22, 26-27; 8:23-25; 9:27; 11:40-45; Rev.17:8-18; 19:11-21). (b) Until judgment is given to the saints (Dan.7:22; 2 Cor.6:2). (c) Until the time for the saints to possess the kingdom (Dan.7:18, 22, 27; Mat.25:31-46; Lk.22:30; Rom.8:17-18; 2 Tim.2:12; Rev.1:6; 5:10; 11:15; 20:4-6; 22:4-5).
The little horn shall change times and laws for three and a half years (Dan.7:25; 12:7; Rev.13:5).
The little horn shall come to an end when the Ancient of Days comes and the judgment is held (Dan.7:26; 8:25; 9:27; 11:40-45; 12:7; Rev.19:11-21).
The kingdom of the little horn, and all other world kingdoms shall be given to Christ and the saints of the Most High, which shall become the Kingdom of God on Earth forever (Dan.7:13-14, 18, 27; 2:44-45; Zec.14; Rev.19:11-21; 20:1-10).

Some Facts about the Antichrist

#1. He will speak great words (Dan.7:8, 11, 20, 25; 8:23-25; 11:36; Rev.13:5).
#2. He will be slain (Dan.7:11; 8:25; 11:45; Isa.11:4; 2 Thes.2:8; Rev.19:20). To be slain (killed) at the Second Coming of Christ, the Antichrist must be a mortal man of the last days, one who must die his own appointed death (Heb.9:27). Because of this, he will not, he cannot be some historical man who has died and been resurrected as an immortal man and an incarnation of Satan, as some believe.
#3. His body will be destroyed eternally (Dan.7:11; Mat.10:28; Lk.12:5).
#4. His body will be cast into Hell’s lake of fire (Dan.7:11; Rev.19:20; 20:10).

When Will the Kingdom of Christ be Set Up?

At the Return of the King of glory (; Isa.9:6-7; Dan.2:44-45; 7:13-14; 8:18-22; Zec.14; Mat.25:31-46; 2 Thes.1:7; Jude 1:14; Rev.17:14; 19:11 through 20:7).
When Jerusalem is surrounded by armies (Zec.14).
After the church is raptured (1 Cor.15:51-58; 1 Thes.4:13-18), because the church comes back to Earth from Heaven with Christ to help Him set up the Kingdom and reign over the nations (Zec.14:1-5; Jude 1:14; Rev.1:4-5; 5:10; 17:14; 19:11-21). The church shall be raptured BEFORE the coming of the Antichrist (2 Thes.2:7-8) and Antichrist shall make his appearance BEFORE Christ comes (2 Thes.2:1-6), therefore Christ's Kingdom cannot be set up until these things take place.
The Kingdom of Heaven (of Christ) shall take place after the yet to come Tribulation period, because Christ Jesus does not come back to the Earth with the saints until then (Dan.12:1-13; Zec.14:1-21; Mat.24:15-31; Rev.19:11-21).
The Kingdom of Heaven (of Christ) shall take place after the great apostasy and the revelation of the Antichrist, for Antichrist can be destroyed only by Christ at His Second Coming to Earth, so the beast (Antichrist) must be here when Christ comes (Dan.7:18-27; 8:16-27; 11:36 through 12:13; Thes.2:1-12; Rev.19:11-21). Great apostasy shall abound in the latter days: (Mat.24:12; 2 Thes.2:3; 1 Tim.4:1-3; 2 Tim.3:1-7). It is here my friend!
At the time the Antichrist is destroyed and Satan is bound for 1,000 years (Rev.5:10; 20:1-7). During the Church Age and the future Tribulation period, Satan is loose (1 Pet.5:8; Rev.12:12-17; 20:1-7). BEWARE!!! The devil is still loose and very active! We are still in the Church Age and will be until Christ comes to bind the devil.
The Kingdom of Heaven (of Christ) shall take place after the first resurrection, for the saints shall reign with Christ on Earth for 1,000 years (Rev.5:9-10; 20:1-6). So, the saints must first be resurrected before they can reign with Christ in His Kingdom. This time in which we now live is the period of suffering for Christ, not the period of reigning with Him, for the Rapture nor the Great Tribulation has taken place yet (Rom.8:18; 1 Cor.15:20-58; 2 Cor.5:6; Phil.1:23; Col.1:24; 2 Tim.2:12; 3:12). The 1,000 year Millennium lies between the resurrection of the righteous and that of the wicked (I Thes.4:13-18; Rev.20:4-6, 11-15).
After Israel is gathered back from all countries where she is today (Eze.20:33-36; 36:17-38; 37:-28; Hos.3:4-5).
After Israel finally repents (Zec.12:10-14; 13:1-9; 14:1-21; Mat.23:37-39; 24:15-31; 25:31-46; Rom.11:25-29).
When the Jews are delivered from the armies of the nations and become a blessing to all the families of the Earth (Gen.12:1-3; Ps.2:6-8; Isa.9:6-7; 25:6-9; Zec.9:9-11; 14:1-21; Acts 15:13-18; Lk.1:32-35).
In the days of the ten kings of Revised Rome Empire (Dan.2:40-45; 7:18-28; Rev.17:8-18). http://www.lastdaysprophecy.org/L_D_one_world_revived_roman_empire.htm http://www.lastdaysprophecy.org/L_D_%20e_t_read_understand_watch_wait.htm
At the end of the times of the Gentiles (Lk.21;20-24; Rom.11:25-29).
After God shall put down rebellion on Earth (Acts 1:7-11; 3:19-21; 1 Cor.15:24-29).
At the destruction of the earthly kingdoms spoken of by the Books of Daniel and Revelation (Dan.2:44-45; 7:13-14; Zec.14; Rev.11:15; 17:14).
After all of Revelation chapters 6-19 is fulfilled, for in Rev.19:20 Christ Jesus shall remove the wicked devil and ALL who follow him, and He sets up His eternal Kingdom.

WHO is the Ancient of Days?

The identity of the Ancient of Days is an interesting subject. If we carefully consider the Scriptures, we will see that this title absolutely refers to BOTH the Father and His only begotten Son, Jesus.
Daniel 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. (KJV) . . . This speaks of God the Father because the Son of Man who came . . . . near before Him is Christ Jesus! Now let’s consider another verse.

Daniel 7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. (KJV) . . . This cannot possibly mean God the Father because ALL judgment is given to the Son. Judge, Jesus: (Mat.11:27; 16:27; 25:31-46; 28:18; Jn.5:22-29; Rom.2:16; 14:10; 1 Cor.4:4-5; 2 Tim.4:1, 8; 1 Pet.4:5; Rev.19:11).
Daniel 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. (KJV) . . . This parallels verse 22. I think that this might refer to the Father as well, because the description of this Being could parallel God the Father, as well as Christ Jesus. But, Ezekiel 1:15-21 describe the wheels that seem to be part of Christ’s Throne.
Also consider: Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (KJV) . . . Isaiah calls the One here, who is clearly Christ, The Everlasting Father.
I will submit some Scriptures that may help if you are confused.
John 10:30 I and my Father are one. (KJV) . . . NOT one in Person, for the Father is a distinct Person from the Son, and the Son a distinct Person from the Father. But, they BOTH are ONE in agreement and harmony, nature and spirit, perfections and power, since Christ Jesus is speaking of the impossibility of plucking away any of the sheep, out of His own and His Father's Hands.
It should be considered that Jesus is both the Son of God and the Son of Man. And as TRUE Christians believe; since He is the Son of God, He lay in the bosom of His Father (Jn.1:18), and had access to all His secrets, to all His thoughts and to all His purposes and plans . . . and as such, He knew the day and hour of judgment, being God omniscient. In this respect, He is ONE with the Father, having the same perfections of power, knowledge and wisdom . . . but as the Son of Man, He was not of the same nature as the Father, and had not the same knowledge. His human knowledge of things when He was on Earth was not infinite.

John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? (KJV) . . . My friend, Jesus IS God! http://www.hisservants.org/is_jesus_god_h_s.htm
He that hath seen me hath seen the Father . . . all TRUE believers have seen Jesus AND the Father . . . NOT with physical eyes, but with the eyes of understanding; and any person that has seen Him, has seen the perfections of the Godhead in Jesus. The perfections the apostles saw in Jesus, were the exact same ones that were in the Father.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (KJV)
John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. (KJV)
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (KJV)
Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (KJV)
1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. (KJV) . . . this speaks of the ‘Trinity’ (Mat.28:19; John 14:26; 15:26; 2 Cor.13:14; 1 Pet.1:2). We have a very unique God! He is three Persons, but ONE GOD! Just as an egg has three different elements: shell, white and yolk; it takes all three to make ONE egg! So it is with our God; He IS three different Persons, yet ONE God. And all three Persons of these Persons always agree, and are always in perfect harmony!

The FALSE Christ, the Antichrist

The Bible describes this pretend Christ much differently than what many people think he is like. He will NOT be fearsome or frightening, NOT when he first comes on the scene. He shall win people over to him by being friendly, nice and warm towards them. He will use everything to his advantage. His charming personality and way with words will easily enable him to manipulate people to get his way. One of the devil’s most brilliant plans is to present himself NOT as a menacing monster but instead, as an appealing, charming angel of light (2 Cor.11:14). He knows very well that he can attract many more flies with honey that he can vinegar, and that he can advance his plan more effectively by using a friendly, likeable public image. The Bible then clearly tells us that this evil beast, the Antichrist will be charming, intelligent and silver-tongued. People will like him, and he will be a natural leader.

The Bible also tells us that the Antichrist will be successful in achieving something that has eluded some of the leading statesmen (and women) of our time . . . that being peace in the Middle East. THAT would be impossible unless he was important and likeable, and was observed by all parties as honorable, reliable, and trustworthy.

Will this man know that He is the Antichrist?

NO one knows who this man is! And I do not think that he knows he is the fourth beast (the Antichrist). And NO one knows if this man is alive at this time. Only God knows this!

I do not think man will be known by the Biblical terms (Antichrist or Beast). I think he will be high up in government somewhere in the world, and I think he will be greeted as Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. Secretary, or some very respectful title. So, will this evil man, controlled by Satan, know who he is . . . or will he be more interested in the job that he is manipulated to do by unseen, sinister forces?
The Scriptures seem to indicate that he is self-aware and knows what he is doing. It seems that every move he makes is carefully and cleverly calculated. The grand performance he puts on to persuade Israel to sign his seven-year Mideast peace plan must surely be a thing of unequaled beauty (Dan.9:27).

Israel shall sign the peace treaty! BUT . . . mid way in the contract, the Antichrist breaks the treaty. Three and a half years later, this same so-called nice-guy (Antichrist) does an about-face, betrays Israel, and a multi-nation military force occupies Israel.

As I see it, from then on, I think that the man, Antichrist, will be well aware that he is definitely on a mission. In his mind, he may well think he is a power for good, like Hitler thought he was. He may not see himself as evil, but one thing about evil is, it has a non-fillable capacity for self-justification and self-deception. The Antichrist, like his boss (the red dragon Rev.12:3), will be self-deceived.

Will the Antichrist Be Jewish?

I do NOT know if the Antichrist:

Will be Jewish or Gentile, or
Will come from any specific geographical location.

Below are some comments of other commentators:

Daniel 11:37-38 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. 38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. (KJV) . . . From this Scripture, it seems that the Antichrist's father will be Jewish. The Bible teaches that the Antichrist will not honor the God of his fathers. This seems to prove that the Antichrist will be Jewish, or at least part Jewish!
Nor the desire of women, nor regard any god . . . for he shall magnify himself above all. But in his estate shall he honor the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honor with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. If the Antichrist's fathers were Jewish fathers, then obviously he must be Jewish as well.

Jews today blatantly reject Jesus as their Messiah (Christ). But, Judaizers today are persistently looking for the Coming of their Messiah. They shall be shocked, because the one that shall come will be the coming Antichrist . . . whom they will receive.
John 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. (KJV) . . . Jesus’ Words!
In addition, the Bible teaches that the Antichrist will not honor the God of his fathers. Clearly, this plainly evidences that the Antichrist will be Jewish . . . or partly Jewish. See Daniel 11:37-38 above.
The Antichrist is called the man of sin, the son of perdition (2 Thes.2:3). He will be a totally lawless one. The ACLU, American Civil Liberties Union, was founded by Jews and is operated by Jews today. They are not only liberals, but they do NOT want anyone praying to Jesus. They want NO manger scene, NO Ten Commandments, NO Jesus in any way! BEWARE!!! The ACLU are ultimate law breakers. They hate the holy and precious Name of Jesus.

Authentic vs Counterfeit

The Antichrist’s first dealings with Israel, including his ability to get them to sign on to his Mideast peace treaty tell us that his true character will NOT be evident at first (Rev.6:2). But as the Tribulation progresses, it will become very clear that he is up to no good (Rev.3-8). Israel will be brought back to reality when he cancels his agreement with them half way through the peace treaty, and clears the way for an international military force to occupy Israel. They will finally realize that the Beast (Dan.7:7, 19) is NOT the compassionate peacemaker he portrayed himself to be (Rev.6:2). He certainly will NOT be a friend of the Jewish people, but instead quite the opposite! He will be a Hitler-like, vicious anti-Semite. Hitler’s Holocaust will be mild when compared to what the Antichrist will do! Antichrist, the beast and the red dragon, the devil (Rev.ch.12; Rev.13:11, 13; 16:13; 20:2) will know that IF they can exterminate the Jewish people, God will NOT be able to keep His Promises to Abraham. Their reasoning is sound and their plan is brilliant; BUT THEIR PLAN WILL FAIL.

The Antichrist’s Destiny

The Antichrist’s career will rise and fall quickly, probably less than 10 years. The world will be introduced to him when he emerges possibly as an economic or political leader somewhere in the Old Roman Empire world. I think that he will quickly earn worldwide acclaim when he successfully sets up a seven-year Mid-east peace agreement (Dan.9:27). During the first 3 ½ years, the Jewish people from the worldwide Dispersion will return as one to share in Israel’s newly won peace, prosperity and security (Isa.11:12, 16; 27:13; 43:6; Zec.10:8-12). But, half way into the agreement, the Antichrist will break his promise and clear the way for an epic, anti-Semitic movement against Israel, which will exceed even Hitler’s Nazi Holocaust with its horrific murders and cruel inhumaneness. This second 3 ½ year period is called the Great Tribulation, because of its horrors (Mat.24:21).
http://www.godcannotlie.org/rev_ch6.htm
http://www.hisservants.org/tribulation_why_h_s.htm
http://www.judgmentcoming.org/j_c_books_judgment_in_great_tribulation.html

After 3 ½ years of persecuting the Jewish people . . . seven years after the signing of the peace treaty . . . a huge, multinational military force will encompass Jerusalem, like a ravenous lion closing in for the kill after stalking its prey. This all will be organized by the Antichrist, the Beast (Dan.7:7, 19; Zec.14:2), utilizing whatever resources are at his beck and call.

Just as the scales fell from Saul’s eyes, allowing him to see again (Acts 9:18), millions of Jews will finally SEE and recognize that Yeshua (JESUS) is their Messiah. God will touch their hearts and the scales of unbelief will fall from their spiritual eyes. Gospel seeds that have been sown in Israel and around the world for centuries by Messianic ministries and congregations will germinate at long last, taking root in their hearts! Virtually all Israel will be born again in one day.
Romans 11:25-28 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 ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. (KJV) . . . (Isa.45:17; 54:6-10; Jer.3:17-22; 31:31-37; 32:37-41).
The Apostle Paul looked forward to this glorious day when he said that the time would come when all Israel will be saved (vs.26). He said it would be like life from the dead (Rom.11:15). There is a day coming when masses of Jewish believers shall realize their terrible predicament, and call out for God to save them. Yeshua (JESUS) will descend from the heavens over Jerusalem and destroy Israel’s enemies in one, major swoop (Zec.14:1-5; Rev.19:11-21). Everything that the Antichrist, under the control of Satan, the red dragon (Rev.12), has been planning for years to accomplish (to utterly destroying Israel), will be UNDONE in a matter of seconds at the end of Armageddon (Zec.12:8-11; Rev.16:16).

Contrasting the Messiahs

Christ the TRUE Messiah                Antichrist the FALSE Messiah
Christ descended from Heaven (Jn.6:38)    Will ascend from the abyss (Rev.11:7)
Came in the Name of the Father (Jn.5:43) Will come in his own name (Jn.5:43)
Was despised by the world (Isa.53:3)         Will be revered and worshipped (Rev.13:4)
Came humbly as a servant (Phil.2:7-8)       Will come claiming to be God (2 Thes.2:4)

Something More Important than Antichrist’s Identity

We may not fully understand, but we have an important part in end-time changes, and in the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies. Even if the prophecies are not fulfilled until long after we are gone, we will still be in the picture when it finally happens. HOW? God clearly tells us that His Word never returns to Him void (Isa. 55:11). So, when we share the Gospel of Christ Jesus, the Messiah with anyone during our life-time, we are planting seeds in people’s hearts that will take root someday and blossom into new life. The apostle Paul applied this pattern of planting, watering and harvesting to his own ministry (1 Cor.3:5-7), and we should imitate him.

Did you ever toss a stone into a pond? Did you ever watch the ripples of water extend outward in a cascade of tiny, little waves? That is how our influence lives on, even long after we are gone. If we are faithful in sowing the seed, someone else will come along and water that seed. God takes our efforts and multiplies them in a way that will glorify Him.

I never thought when I was given this poem in 1999, that I would be using it here in 2016 in my commentary on the Book of Daniel! God certainly does work in very mysterious ways! To Him be all the glory!

RIPPLES

When into the water, a stone I throw,
Such pretty ripples, wander to and fro.
This makes me think, of what we should do,
Tell others of Christ Jesus, me and you!

Serving Christ, is like a pretty little wave,
For we are reaching out, lost souls to save!
Each one we reach, has a ‘ripple’ effect,
Jesus’ command, we must not neglect!

Just as ripples, are caused by a stone,
A lost one is reached, by God’s Word, alone!
So we must the Gospel, to lost souls take,
Jesus’ command, we must not forsake!

Just as ripples wander to the shore,
God’s Word into hearts, we must try to pour!
Then that person, will reach to another,
And into God’s family, comes yet one other!

As a ripple, each one of us must be,
Reaching out to lost souls, constantly!
Do you tell others, just Jesus can save?
Do you ripple, as a pretty little wave?
***************************
By: His servant, Connie Kramer Nov.23, 1999 # 591
Go ye therefore! (Mat.28:19-20)

Book of Daniel

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