Revelation 11:1-3

The Great Tribulation & Daniel’s ‘70 Weeks’

Purpose for this study The love of God’s Word Principle of Interpretation: Interpretation should not rest upon surmise or speculation; but only what is supported either by direct proof from Scripture, or by reasonable deduction from Scripture Interpretation linked to Revelation

Turn to Daniel 9:20-27 The setting of this prophecy …in response to prayer

70 ‘sevens’ or ‘weeks’ = (of years) 490 years Decreed for- Israel (your people) and Jerusalem (holy city) Account given of the second period of national existence of the Jewish people Six things which were to be accomplished within the period of 490 years 24 “Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place (or One).

It can be known and understood When does the stretch of 490 years begin? The decree of Cyrus the Great freeing the Jews and granting them liberty to return from exile to rebuild their city. (Ezra 1:1-4; Isaiah 45:13) 25 “Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.

What was the precise event that marked the Anointed One’s coming? When was Jesus of Nazareth presented to Israel as the Anointed One? His baptism in the Jordan when He was "anointed" for His ministry 25 “Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.

70 Weeks divided into 3 Parts: 1st potion- 7 weeks (49 years) – rebuilding of the city and temple took place 2nd portion- 62 weeks (434 years) - uneventful, so far as this prophecy is concerned 3rd portion- 1 week (7 years) – most stupendous events of all time (vs. 24 is accomplished) TOTAL- 70 weeks (490 years)

26 After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death (will be cut off) and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him (or it).”

Modern Interpretation The last week (70th) or 7 years is detached and separated by several centuries from previous 69 Only 26a is in the past, 26b-27 is in the future (for us) “the end” means the end of the world (this present age) Has direct context with interpretation of the book Revelation

Modern Interpretation Anti-Christ is who is referred to in vs. 27 he will make a covenant/treaty with many covenant will be for term of 1 week (7 years) it will have for its purpose to resume their ancient and long abolished temple sacrifices he will break the covenant/treaty in the midst of the week (3.5 years) and “put an end to sacrifice and offering” The “abomination…” is idol worship

English Translation of Septuagint Version 27 And one week shall establish the covenant with many; and in the midst of the week my sacrifice and drink offering shall be taken away; and upon the temple shall be the abomination of desolation; and at the end of the time (the age) an end shall be put to the desolation.” New Living Translation 27 The ruler will make a treaty with the people for a period of one set of seven, but after half this time, he will put an end to the sacrifices and offerings. And as a climax to all his terrible deeds, he will set up a sacrilegious object that causes desecration, until the fate decreed for this defiler is finally poured out on him.”

After 69 weeks, the beginning of the 70th week 26 After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death (will be cut off) and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. After 69 weeks, the beginning of the 70th week Who is “the ruler who will come”? Titus, the ruler (or prince) who was in command of the armies (Romans) at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem What is the end that will come like a flood?

Luke 19:41-44 41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

Who is the pronoun ‘he’ referring to? 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him (or it).” Who is the pronoun ‘he’ referring to? Jesus confirms His covenant with many Matthew 26:28 (NIV) This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (NLT) For this is my blood, which confirms the covenant…to forgive the sins of many.

In the middle of the ‘seven’ (70th week) 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him (or it).” In the middle of the ‘seven’ (70th week) He put an end to sacrifice and offering Gospel preached to Jews after His ascension for another half a week (3.5 years) before being proclaimed to Gentiles abomination that causes desolation- the expression means an armed heathen force

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34) In answer to that prayer the full probationary period of forty years (A.D. 30 to A.D. 70) was added to their national existence

In Conclusion… Breaking off parts of prophecy and applying them to detached future centuries has nothing in Scripture to support it We must interpret Scripture with Scripture There may be possibilities of secondary and final fulfillments to prophecies in Scripture that we have not discovered. But we must tread carefully

I recommend this book: THE SEVENTY WEEKS AND THE GREAT TRIBULATION by Philip Mauro