DANIEL 9
DAN 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;
DAN 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.
As we saw in Daniel 6:28 this Darius ruled over the region of the Chaldeans but not the whole empire.
Daniel studied Jeremiah to understand the meanings of the symbols given to him. Even though he was a prophet led by the spirit he submitted himself to the word of God. "The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets" 1 Cor. 14:32 To reject the warnings of the prophets is to despise the word of Jesus Christ (Rev. 19:10) We must "Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper." 2 Chronicles 20:20. Thus we study one prophet's writing to understand another, making scripture study and prayer the basis of our answers.
The 70 years of Babylonian rule spoken of in Jer. 25:11,12 & 29:1,10 began when the first
captives were taken and ended when Cyrus released the Jews from Babylon. He must have
thought of the sanctuary in Jerusalem in ruins but the angel told him that it would not be fulfilled
for many days and would reach till the time of the end.
DAN 9:3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
DAN 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;
DAN 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:
DAN 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.
DAN 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.
DAN 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.
DAN 9:9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;
DAN 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.
DAN 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.
DAN 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.
DAN 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.
DAN 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.
DAN 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.
DAN 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.
DAN 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.
DAN 9:18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousness, but for thy great mercies.
DAN 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 that are called by thy name.
Jeremiah told them that their captivity was the result of their sins in Jer. 25:3-11.
Though people are individually saved or lost they have a responsibility to the organization to which they are a member. "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" Gal. 6:2.
Hence Daniel followed the counsel of Lev. 26:40-42 "But if they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers in their treachery which they committed against me, and also in walking contrary to me.... and they make amends for their iniquity; then I will remember my covenant with Jacob". Realizing that God was faithful in doing the curses He had promised in Deut. 28:15-68, Lev. chapters 26 & 27, 1 Kings 8:46-53, and Jer. 29:15-20 he knew that God would be no less faithful to bring the blessings He had likewise promised. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chr. 7:14.
Confession must be specific. "confess that he hath sinned in that thing." Lev. 5:5. He
acknowledged that God was just; he did not make excuses for their sin; forgiveness cannot be
received on the bases of merit or deserving of it so he based his hope on his great need that only
God could fill. His burden of prayer was for others just as Moses prayed for the people in Num.
14:11-19. For more on how to pray see APPENDIX E.
DAN 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;
DAN 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.
DAN 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.
DAN 9:23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to
show thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
His prayer, being in harmony with the instructions in the word of God and was answered immediately. Before Daniel could finish his prayer the angel was there with the answer. Our "Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." and His servants are swifter then our most urgent need. (See Matt. 6:8; Ezek. 1:14).
The Vision must be the vision already received in the previous chapter, for what else could it be without bringing more confusion? This must be the explanation or interpretation of the 2300 days previously discussed for nowhere else is there any other possible explanation or a specific date for the beginning of the 2300 days given in chapter 8. This was the only possible part of the vision of chapter 8 that he didn't understand, for the rest of the vision of chapter 8 was explained.
The 70 Weeks is a time prophecy that reveals the time and work of the Messiah. It was given over 500 years before Christ and made it possible for the Jews to identify Christ when he came. "Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you, searching what, or what manner of time, the spirit of Christ, which was in them, did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow." 1 Peter 1:10,11. The only place that the Bible gives the exact time of Christ's sufferings is in Daniel 9.
"In 1656 a dispute occurred in Poland between some distinguished Jewish rabbis and the
Catholics respecting the 70 weeks. The rabbis were so hard pushed by the argument that proved
Jesus to be the messiah, the time of his sufferings being at the end of the 70 weeks that they broke
up the discussion. The rabbis then held a meeting and pronounced a curse upon any Jew who
should attempt to ascertain the chronology of this prophetic period. Their anathema was this:
'May his bones and his memory rot who should attempt to number the 70 weeks'." THE
MIDNIGHT CRY Aug 10,1843. So lets examine it.
DAN 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.
Determined: Technically speaking the word for determined: CHATHAK means to cut off, to amputate or to determine according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, also Pulpit Commentary vol. 13 pg. 267 states "'Determined' is also a word that occurs only here; it is Aramaic, but not common even in that language. It means 'to cut off'."
A week is 7 days so 70 weeks are 70 X 7 days, or 490 days. These must be prophetic days for all of the things listed to happen in them as well as the implication of the wording. It doesn't say, 1 year 4 months and 10 days. Therefore it is 490 years determined, or cut off, that is given to the Hebrews and Jerusalem to do all the things listed. this time was given to Israel, to do their work, their commission to be a light to the world (Gen 12;3; Gal 3:8) at the end of this time they were cut off and God would use others to reach the world. Amazingly, here everyone agrees that this is "day for a year" symbolic prophecy.
These days are cut off, or determined from the 2300 day vision previously mentioned, the shorter being cut off of the longer and the only other time period in the vision. Irregardless of the meaning of the word determined the 70 weeks must begin with and be a part of the 2300 days, for the angel didn't finish his commission of explaining the vision of chapter eight, for Daniel fainted and if it is not explained here, then where? If this does not tell us the beginning date for the 2300 days then where is it given? If the beginning date is not given at all what is the point of giving the 2300 day prophecy? The angel says to "consider the vision" in verse 23 but what vision if not the preceding vision of chapter eight? Their is no vision in this chapter just the angel talking, explaining, the previous vision. The 70 weeks establishes or "seals" the vision by establishing the starting date and the fulfillment of the first part shows that the rest of it is true.
There is no reason to place pieces of it into the future, separating it from the rest. The whole meaning of the seventy weeks is lost if one week is completely separated and placed at another time. The point of a time prophecy is to point to when something will happen from another specified specific time. To cut up the seventy weeks and separate parts of it to last day events which cannot be related to the starting date of this prophecy is to undermine its meaning. This is what many have done in order to create support for their "more pleasing" doctrines.
To finish the transgression was done by the sacrifice of Christ and the sanctuary service that applied the sacrifice thus finishing the trangression. "And for this cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance." Heb. 9:15 "For he was cut off out of the land of the living; for the trangression of my people was he stricken" Isa. 53:8
To make an end of sins was done at his death and is also the purpose of the sanctuary service, to make a legal end accounting of the sins. "But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared, to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself" Heb. 9:26, "Ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins." 1 John 3:5
To make reconciliation for iniquity was the duty of the High Priest and the purpose of the sanctuary service in applying or substituting the blood or death penalty of the true lamb for the sinner. "Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren; that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people." Heb. 2:17
To bring in everlasting righteousness "That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our lord." Rom. 5:21 "By the obedience of one shall many be made righteous" Phil 2:8 "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." "I do not frustrate the grace of God; for if righteousness came by the law, then Christ is dead in vain:"
To seal up the vision and prophecy What does to seal up mean? To seal is to make sure, certain and unalterable. "Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm;" Song of Sol. 8:6 (Also see Esth. 3:12; 8:8) "He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true." John 3:33 "When I have performed this, and sealed to them this fruit" Rom. 15:28 "Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his." 2 Tim. 2:19 Therefore the death of the Messiah would make sure or seal the vision of the previous chapter for it would make no sense to seal up or make sure anything else. If the first 70 weeks of the 2300 days are fulfilled then the rest is sure as well.
To anoint the most holy In the Old Testament this phrase almost always referred to the sanctuary things, thus it signifies the anointing of the true, the heavenly, just as the earthly was anointed or dedicated before its services began (Lev. 8:10,11), thus meaning the end of the earthly or the symbolic sanctuary. The only exception to it being applied to the sanctuary building or its objects is 1 Chr. 23:13 where it calls the priesthood the most holy. The true priest and true sacrificial lamb of the true sanctuary was Christ the Messiah and He was anointed at his Baptism then three and a half years later he ratified the new covenant with his death and made the true lamb sacrifice, and ended the earthly symbol and began the heavenly as spoken of in Hebrews.
"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power." Acts 10:38 "For of
a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with
the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever thy hand and
thy counsel determined before to be done." Acts 4:27 "Therefore God, even thy God, hath
anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." Heb. 1:9
DAN 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.
The starting date is given as the time of the command to restore and to build Jerusalem. Fortunately this command is preserved in Ezra 7:11-28. There are several other similar commands and so we will examine each one to verify that we have the right starting event.
1st. The first was given by Cyrus the Great about 538 B.C. Ezra 1:2-11. He gave them the vessels that had been taken by Nebuchadnezzar and let the Jews go home. But this doesn't fulfill it, for it didn't command any restoration of the city and it was called a proclamation, not a decree and it didn't do the job which is the reason why further decrees were necessary.
2nd. The second decree was by Darius I Hystapes around 519 B.C. (Ezra 6:1-12) but it was only a confirmation of the previous decree.
3rd. The third and final decree was given by Artaxerxes I Longimanus was in 457 B.C.(1) It authorized the appointment of magistrates and judges, reestablishing Jewish law, making Jerusalem the capital and financed it. It is the only decree that mentions the rebuilding of the city as the prophecy states.
"And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Atraxerxes kings of Persia." Ezra 6:14. This text refers to all three decrees as the decree that did the job. This decree is also the only decree that we know absolutely the time of the decree and the only one that will make sense with the time prophecies, as we will see.
"Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest . . . Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, . . . I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priest and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, . . . according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand; and to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counselors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, . . . And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God. The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God. . . And whatsoever more shall be needful . . . bestow it out of the king's treasure house. And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, [Palestine] that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily, . .Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done. . . it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom upon them [Jewish priests and authorities] and thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thy land, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that now them not. And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon them, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment." Ezra 7:11-26. Thus they were authorized to teach the law and enforce it even to the death penalty. This implies courts and fortresses for the enforcement of court decrees and a wall to protect the city. This restored Jerusalem to capital city status. Though this decree was given earlier in the year it is reasonable that it did not go into effect until it was implemented, which would have most likely have been the beginning of the Jewish year or the Day of Atonement, giving Ezra enough time to travel to Jerusalem and arrange everything and would be the perfect occasion for ground breaking (Ezra 7:8,9).
4th ? Some claim that a fourth "decree" was given in about 444 B.C. to Nehemiah, the kings cupbearer (Nehemiah chapters 1&2). In Ezra 4:7-23 the Samaritans petitioned the king to stop the rebuilding and the king did order the suspension of it. Neh. 1:3,4 "..the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire. I sat down and wept, and mourned for days." Nehemiah wasn't plunged into despair and mourned for days because of the startling news that the city was broken down from Nebuchadnezzar, about 150 years earlier, but because of its current setback due to the Samaritans. Nehemiah, the cupbearer of the king (Neh. 1:11), got the king to reauthorize the continued work on the city around 444 B.C.(Neh. 2:) This was a resuming decree and not as far reaching as his previous decree. Since the actual work at rebuilding the walls of the city had previously begun under the decree of 457 B.C. that is the "going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem"
Nehemiah arrived (Neh. 2:18) with no proper decree or documents from the king so this was not a true decree. It was never called a decree. The letters he received were not addressed to Nehemiah but to others to allow him to continue the work. Nehamiah only delivered them. These letters are not preserved in the word of God and there is no evidence that the permission of the king to Nehemiah (2:6) was anything but verbal.
Subdivided. Then the text divides the 70 weeks up into divisions of 7 weeks and 62 weeks, which is not the way anyone would normally say 69 weeks, so these are divisions of the 70 weeks starting with 7 weeks. Then it tells us that the streets and walls will be built again in troublous times. 7 times 7 days is 49 days or 49 prophetic, day for a year, years. In other words forty nine years after the decree, the city would be finished. It was rebuilt "in troublous times" as the workmen had to have swords by their sides while working on it. See Neh. 4:17-23. The city was reconsecrated as you can read about it in Neh. 12-13. This would have been done at the beginning of the spiritual year - the Jews' day of atonement - in the fall of the year.
Unto the Messiah the Prince At the end of the 69 weeks comes the Messiah the Prince. The word Messiah means anointed. Thus this predicted the anointing of Christ.
At His baptism Christ said, "The time is fulfilled." Mark 1:15. What time was fulfilled if not this prophecy? I know of none else that it could have been. "When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son," Gal. 4:4 Jesus did not begin his ministry, his public work, until his baptism. This is the record of His Baptism "Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased." Luke 3:21,22 ". . . after the baptism which John preached. God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power:" Acts 10:37,38 (Also Matt. 3:13-16). He is called the Messiah. "We have found the Messiah" John 1:41,42 and He identified Himself as the Messiah in John 4:25,26 and Mark 1:9-15.
After His baptism He went into the wilderness for 40 days to be tested by Satan. As soon as He came out of the wilderness He read in a synagogue the next Sabbath Isaiah 61 verse 1. "The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek: he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound". Then He said, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears" Luke 4:1-21. So plainly Christ was anointed for service as the Messiah on or before this day and thus began the public ministry of Jesus the Christ. Luke 3:1-3 tells us that the baptism of Christ occurred in the 15th year of Tiberius, which was in 27 A.D. because Tiberius came into power in 12 A.D. "Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene," Luke 3:1. It also lists 4 other rulers and their offices which only ruled at the same time in 27 A.D. The 69 weeks or 483 day-years from 457 B.C. would take us to 27 A.D.
You and your calculator probably figured 26 A.D. but that is because you understand the number
zero and use it. But the people that designed our calender did not understand why you should
assign a number to nothing. They had no year called zero so you go directly from 1 B.C. to 1
A.D. There is no 12 month zero year between the 1st year before Christ's birthday and the 1st
year of Christ, just as there is no zero year between the year before you were born and your first
year. According to this system when you are one month old you would be in year one, month one
and your first birthday would be the beginning of your second year. This is why we live in the
20th century even though we still live in the 1900's. The first century is what the years before the
year 101 are called. In B.C. - A.D. years (technically called ordinal numbers) their is no zero
(technically cardinal numbers) this is why your calculator comes up one year off, because it counts
zero as a whole number.
DAN 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.
After the 62 week segment our Messiah would be cut off but not for himself, this demonstrates
that the 70 weeks was divided into 7, 62 & 1 week segments. Then another prince would destroy
the city and the sanctuary (Rome). These desolations that would follow His being cut off were
what Jesus was warning the people about in Matt. 24:15. See Matt. 24:15-22 pgs. 113-116
DAN 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.
Shall confirm the covenant: What covenant is to be confirmed? It is not the old covenant, for that was confirmed long before Daniel by an animal sacrifice, and at best could only be a symbol or type of the New, real, or everlasting covenant, and since the Bible speaks of only two, it must be the new covenant. See Ezek. 36:25-8, Jer. 31:31-4, Heb. 8:10,11, Heb. 7:27.
The midst of the week: The first sixty nine of the 70 weeks have been reviewed so this must be
the last week. Their is no bible text, nor any reason to remove the 70th week from the 70 (See
"Secret Rapture" pg. 120,121). The 69 weeks or 483 day-years from 457 B.C. would take us to
27 A.D.
Fall of 457 B.C. / 2 B.C. 1 B.C. 1 A.D. 2 A.D. / 27 A.D. fall / 31 A.D.spring /34 A.D. fall
---+----/----+-----+----------+-------+-----/-----+-------------------+---------------------+------
^----------69 Wks or 483 day-years-------^--midst of week^--------------------^
^----------70 wks or 490 day-years----------------------------------------------------^
Jesus was baptized/anointed at the time of year when many people would have been in Jerusalem and when the minds of the people were on religious things (Deut. 16:16). This occurred several months before the next Passover as he had the 40 days in the wilderness and some traveling and preaching before the next Passover; so this would have been at the Feast of trumpets and the day of Atonement (during the Jewish 7th month). There were exactly 4 Passovers from this time till He was crucified on the 4th Passover. The 1st Passover, 6 months since His anointing, John 2:13; 2nd Passover and one year 6 months since anointing, John 5:1; 3rd Passover and 2 1/2 years, John 6:4; 4th Passover and the time of Crucifixion, 3 1/2 years since anointing John 13:1. This would mean that His public ministry lasted exactly 3 1/2 years and then He died on the cross or made the True Lamb sacrifice for sin. His sacrifice and substitute as the True Lamb (John 1:29) sacrifice; His death ended the symbolic or typical services (Heb. 9:26; 10:4-9) "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" Matt. 26:28. Again the time of the death of the true sacrifice was predicted. "Then Jesus said unto them, 'My time is not yet come: but your time is always ready. ... Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet fully come.'", "Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come." John 7:6,8,30 "and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come." John 8:20 "And Jesus answered them, saying, 'The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.'" John 12:23. He was speaking of his death, as can be seen by the rest of the chapter. He must be referring to this prophecy or why else should he refer to a specific time that He would be crucified? The Passover of His death would then be in 31 A.D.
Again in Luke 13:31-33 "The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem." Did Christ only work for three more literal days? Did his ministry end and He die in just three more literal days or is this a day for a year prophecy? Christ had ministered for about six months and here He predicted three more years until his death, His duty being "perfected".
Calculating the Time of the Cross from astronomy. Can we determine the date of the crucifixion by calculating the Passover date? Some have tried by calculating the way the Jews timed their Passover and by the facts of that Passover sabbath, a fairly rare type of Passover, for it fell on the Sabbath day (Mat. 26:17 & Lev. 23:5-15). Some say it was Friday, April 7, 30 A.D. but this is based on an assumption that the new moon (determining the beginning of the month) would be observed at the time it mathematically could have been seen. This is why most Bibles have a reference to 30 A.D. in their margin. However they didn't calculate the new moons but observed them, which is different depending on weather conditions. G.M. Clemence of the U.S. Naval Observatory says concerning this: "The interval from new moon to the appearance of the crescent cannot be calculated from theory alone. Criteria must be established empirically for each individual geographical locality. Different writers have not always agreed completely on these criteria; and, moreover, some allowance presumably must be made for variations due to local practices and circumstances at the time of each observation.... the dates of Nisan 14 in the years of the first century of the Christian era cannot possibly be determined by any astronomical calculating; they can be fixed, if by any means at all, only by the study and interpretation of contemporary records." Quoted in God Cares pg. 254. It is just as possible that Jesus was crucified on Friday April 27, 31 A.D. This is the midst of the week.
Symbolic Ceremonies Fulfilled: Jesus instituted the Lords supper (Mat. 26:17-30) before his death because after his death no new institution could be added to the New covenant. After it was sealed, signed as it were with His blood no changes could be made just as after one is dead they cannot change their will. This is the Christian replacement for the typical or symbolic Jewish feast of unleavened bread. Before the sun set that Friday the symbolic Passover lamb was to be slain. This was when Christ died on the cross fulfilling the type to the day. "For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us:" 1 Cor. 5:7 (Isa. 53:7). The next day was the Passover sabbath followed by the ceremony of the wave sheaf. The waving of the first fruits of the harvest before the Lord. This was done on the resurrection day "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept." 1 Cor. 15:20 also verse 23 & Acts 26:23. Thus the first fruits of the resurrection with glorious bodies was fulfilled to the day (Phil. 3:21). Some 50 days latter on the day of Pentecost (Lev 23:16,17) the type of receiving food from God the Christian church was born receiving the gifts of the spirit in full (Acts 2:1-4). Thus all of these springtime ceremonies were perfectly fulfilled in relation to the first coming of Christ, not only as to their nature and order, but as to time (Lev. 23:1-17). So would the fall or autumnal types relate to His second coming, pointing to the second advent, be fulfilled as to time therefore, as the high priest, on the tenth day of the seventh month, on the great day of atonement entered a new phase of work, a special atonement for the blotting out of the sins of his people, or , which is the same thing, for the cleansing of the sanctuary. "unto two thousand three hundred days," said the angel to the prophet, "Then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.".
"He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation: for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken." Isa. 53:8. "Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. and behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;" Matt. 27:50,51. The ripping of the thick multilayered veil in two revealed the most holy place to the worshipers. Now all could see that the Shekinah glory and the centerpiece, the ark of the covenant, which was forbidden to look upon was gone. The death or destruction of this veil which stood between the sinner and the righteous justice of God was also a symbol of Christ our mediator. This showed that the sanctuary services were now meaningless and ended. Thus the earthly sanctuary and all of its types were replaced by the real thing. Because they, the symbolic lamb and sanctuary system, pointed forward in faith to the real lamb sacrifice and what the real priest of heaven would do now that Christ started to do these things in reality, a symbol of a lamb was no longer necessary. Therefore these things were no longer to be done to show our faith because the real thing had come and replaced the symbols.
End of the week: For 3 1/2 years after the cross the disciples went first "to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" Matt. 10:5,6. In other words they preached to the Jews. The Jewish counsel had tried to stop the preachers of Christ (Acts 5:33) but they held back until their counsel united in the death of Stephen (Acts 6:8-14; 7:54-60). They "plugged their ears" at his trial (Acts 7:57), refusing even to listen to the disciples testimony and proceeded to imprison any preacher of the Gospel (Acts 8:1-3). they placed their coats in the hands of Saul, soon to be converted and become Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles (Rom 11:13), and they stoned Stephen to death. They dared not kill Jesus themselves for fear of the Roman law that allowed only Roman courts to give the death penalty and passed the responsibility on to Rome but now they themselves declared open season upon the believers in Christ. Their refusal to listen and their persecution sent Christ's followers out to the Gentiles. Thus the counsel of the Jews, the representatives of the people, officially voted to punish the people that preached Christ exactly 3 1/2 years from the Crucifixion of Christ sealing their probation and sending the gospel to the gentiles. Soon after this event Paul dedicated his life to raising churches among the Gentiles and Peter in Acts 10 received a vision telling him to go to the Gentiles and to no longer distinguish between the Jews and Gentiles. The margin of your Bible says this occurred in 34 A.D., on schedule, fulfilling Daniel 9:26. None of the other "decree" starting dates or alternate interpretations even comes close to accurately lining up with these events.
Having cut themselves off from God their limited self governing was taken away in 37 A.D. and their rebellion caused the Roman general Titus to level and burn Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Even though he made every effort to prevent the destruction of the temple it was completely destroyed. By 135 A.D. the Romans had even thrown out all the Jews from the area of Palestine around Jerusalem and forbad them to enter the area at all for 200 years.
The 70 weeks in Review
In review we saw that
the 70 weeks
determined upon thy
people was a definite
period allotted to the
Jews. 70 X 7 is 490
days-years, seven weeks
of years to rebuild and
then 62 more weeks till
the anointing. In the
middle of the last week
the sacrifices ended as
the once and for all true
sacrifice or substitute
for our penalties as sinners occurred. Then the end of this probationary period for the Jews came
at the end of the final week and "the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and
the sanctuary;" of verse 26 were the Romans who destroyed Jerusalem and the earthly sanctuary
thus ending its services.
The 2300 Days
Now that we are
confident in our
understanding of
the 70 weeks we
can be confident in
our understanding
of the 2300 days
of chapter eight.
As you may recall
the question in
Daniel 8:13 was
"How long shall be
the vision?"
(Verses 1-13).
That vision began during the Medo-Persian Empire. The answer was "Unto two thousand and
three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." Verse 14 (See Page 67). Then in verse
16 of the same chapter the angel Gabriel was commanded to make Daniel understand, Yet all but
the 2300 days was explained when "Daniel fainted" and "none understood it." according to verse
27. Now this same angel, Gabriel (chapter nine verse 21) has "come forth to give thee skill and
understanding of the vision (verses 22,23 see pages 72,72). This could only be the previous vision
of chapter eight for none other exits. The explanation is a time prophecy, the 70 weeks, that also
starts in the Medo-Persian empire and also is related to the sanctuary. These 70 weeks are
determined from or cut off of some other time prophecy which could only be the 2300 days of the
previous chapter. Thus Gabriel finishes his commission of explaining the vision of chapter 8 with
this 70 weeks prophecy. Thus the 2300 days must begin with the same starting date of 457 B.C. If
it does not then where does Gabriel finish his commission of Dan 8:16 to give understanding in
this mater? And where is the exact starting date for the prophecy of Dan 8:14 given?
As the 70 weeks of years or 490 days-years ended in the fall of 34 A.D. the 2300 days-years using the same starting date would continue 1810 symbolic days or years to the fall of 1844.
As the end of the 70 weeks reached till the end of the Jews' probation and their judgement so the end of the 2300 day-years is the end of probationary time for the Gentiles. As the 70 weeks of years ended with the rejection of the Messiah by the majority of professed believers so at the ending of the 2300 days the majority of Christian Churches rejected the message of His soon return.
The cleansing of the sanctuary that
occurs at the end of the 2300 days
in the typical or symbolic happened
once a year, after the feast of
tabernacles, the day of Atonement.
Just as all of the other ceremonies
had their fulfillment on the lateral
day or type. It is reasonable that the
real day of Atonement would commence on this symbolic day. The day of atonement is observed
by the Jews more than any other in the year, thought the Rabbinical Jews observe it one month
earlier than the true time, as we think is evident from the fact, that barley is not ripe in Judea on
the 16th day of the first month, as they reckon time; but the law of Moses required a sheaf to be
waved before the Lord on that day. Therefore we calculate according to the Karaite restoration of
the Mosaic reckoning for the sacred year which would make the day of atonement in 1844 fall on
October the 22nd.
This was a solemn day (Lev. 16:31; 23:26-32 page 68 How is the Sanctuary Cleansed?). Afterward they rejoiced because they were not cut off, their names were still written in the books.
We are living in the real day of atonement; the real cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary is going on now, since 1844. This is the event referred to in Dan 7:9-14. This is the judgement, the preparation time for the end of the world. The time for the last warning message to be given to a dying world.
Note the application to the church. The high priest continues in the most holy place until the cleansing process in finished. "And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness."; "And this shall be a stature for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you: (30) For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all our sins before the Lord." Lev 16:16,29,30. Then the true meaning of the cleansing of the sanctuary is that the high priest is in the sanctuary "which the Lord pitched, and not man." Heb. 8:2 that is the new Jerusalem in the heavens and is making an atonement or blotting out of the sins of his true followers. While he is doing this they are in their trial "Here is the patience of the saints" This must be finished by the coming of the New Jerusalem (Joel 3:16,17) when God's people are cleansed "sealed" and the captivity of Zion is turned. This is the shaking of the sea and all nations (Matt. 24:29, Amos 1:2, Hab. 2:6-7, Jer 25:30,31, Heb 12:25, Eccl. 13:25,26)
As this prophecy began with the restoration of Israel and its truths so it ends with the restoration of the truths cast down in ages past (Dan 8:11,12,13). In order for the records of believers to be cleansed it requires that those currently living must likewise be cleansed of error and sin else this work cannot come to a close. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9.
Pre-Advent Judgment This is a judgment which must precede the issuing of rewards or penalties which come when Christ comes, See Malachi 3:18; Dan. 12:10; & Rev. 22:10-12. We are told "that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" 1 Peter 4:17 Thus the judgment is not instant. In Revelation 20:12 we are again told of this event "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." So the judgment occurs at a set time and we are living in that time.
Some names are blotted out of the book of life (Rev. 3:5). Thus anyone who confesses Christ can be blotted out even though their name is in the book.
"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Matt. 12:36,37 also see James 2:10-12.
We too should make sure all of our sins are confessed and prepare for judgment by asking God to tell us what we need to confess and forsake and give us the strength to follow Him.
PreAdvent Judgment in Parable: The judgment before the second coming of Christ is also shown in the parable of Matthew 22:1-14 "And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.
What is the wedding garment? "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." Isa. 61:10 (Also see Rev. 3:5; 19:8, Eph. 5:27, Rev. 3:18, Isa. 64:6)
This illustration of the great invitation by God to unite his divine nature with the human. "For I
am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one
that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Rom. 1:16. The "great persecution" of the
Jews (Acts 8:1) ended their probation and the gospel went to the Gentiles and the great city of
God, Jerusalem, and its temple was destroyed. Of the mixed company that presumed to come to
this free feast some refused to make the preparation required. This guest refused to take the
righteousness provided. The king's examination of the guests prior to the wedding represents a
work of judgment, of investigation, before the final reward (Rev. 22:12).
Parallel prophecies
Are there any other prophecies about 1844? Yes, we will see one in Daniel 12:12 (pg 108). Then
there are several more prophecies that parallel the 2300 day-years. Clearly a certain amount of
time was allotted by God for sin on this earth before His return. This would give Satan his fair
chance and give disobedience enough time so that no one would wonder if there was a better way
than God's way. In Revelation 10 we will learn of this end of prophetic time.
7 prophetic years of probation on the children of God
"And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me, then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins." "I will chastise you seven times for your sins.", "And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, . . . And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it. And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths." Lev. 26:23,24, 28, 31-34
"And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, (Jer. 15:1-3) and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, (Jer. 5:14) both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years;" Ezek. 39:9.
I know of no way that this can be taken and understood literally so it must be symbolic. Their can be no doubt that the Assirians and the Babylonians were the nation used by God to make desolate Judah and Jerusalem (See Jer. 21-29, & the book Ezekiel).
"And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem." Jer. 15:4.
Here began the scattering of the people of God among the heathen, also predicted in Deut. 28:64, Jer. 9:16; 10:21, Ezek. 12:10-16. Since the days of Manasseh the church has not had a moment of respite but has been scattered among the kingdoms of the world. Then, if Babylon was the nation which was to scatter the people of God, and this in the days of Manasseh, when was this captivity?
"Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen." "Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers," 2 Chr. 33:9-12. This occurred in 677 B.C.
So the cause was their sins and the effect was their captivity, yet the children of Judah and
Jerusalem were never free from the Assirian and Babylonian yoke but had to pay tribute until the
Medes and Persians conquered about 150 years later. Then they were in bondage to them till
Alexander the Grecian conquered them and then to them until the Roman general Bacchides came
in 158 B.C. Then they were dispersed and never again has the church of God which passed on to
those that accepted the Messiah been out of bondage. This 7 times or 7 years being prophetic
day-years would start from the time of the first king to do so wickedly, the cause, and the first
king of the people of God to be taken captive which was in 677 B.C. We are told that 3 times and
a half time is 1260 days in Rev. 12:6. So 7 times must be 2520 days. Each day representing a year
would be 2520 years from Menasseh's being taken by the Assyrians to Babylon would take us to
1844 A.D. when the allotted time promised would be up. 677 B.C. + 2520 years +1 year for the
number zero that is not in the B.C.-A.D. system equals 1844.
677 B.C. ~ 1 B.C. 1 A.D. 2 A.D. 3 A.D. ~ 1844 A.D. True Calendar Time (no 0 year)
-677 ~ - 1 0 1 2 ~ 1843 Mathematical Calculator
^----------------------2520 years------------------------^ (hence we must add one to be correct)
Thus the people of God were to be scattered among the kingdoms of the world, until seven times
of captivity should pass over them. This is the allotted time till the judgment and the return of
things to the people of God. (This may also be symbolized in Deut. 15:1 & Jer. 34:8-20)
The Jubilee of Jubilees
"Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubilee 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.", "And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family." Lev. 25:9,10 (Also: Lev. 25:8-54; 27:17-24, Num. 36:4)
Since the jubilee is symbolic of the time of the day of atonement and the reward of the meek (Matt. 5:5, Ps. 37:11) and since it is based on time, it is only reasonable that its time is symbolic or prophetic. A jubilee occurred every fifty years. At the end of the Day of Atonement in the 49th year they celebrated and welcomed in the year of Jubilee. After the 50th year thy started counting again. A jubilee of jubilees would naturally be a jubilee times a jubilee. At the end of forty-nine jubilees of fifty years each we would arrive at the grand jubilee celebration, the climax of the symbol. Thus 49 X 50 equals 2450 years until the beginning of the jubilee of jubilees.
It is only natural that at the end of the type, the symbolic, that the antitype or real would begin. At
the end of the type the anti-type or at the end of the example the spiritual reality. We know that
the last of the people of God's sole and true possession of the promised land occurred when
Nebecadnezzar took over in 607 B.C. [Some say this occurred in 605 B.C. but in seems
reasonable that 607 B.C. was a jubilee year in that exactly 150 years latter in 457 B.C. they
dedicated the temple, most appropriate if it would have been a jubilee year whether it was kept as
such or not.] Previous to Nebuchadnezzar's arrival they had keep the Jubilee (2 Chron. 34:31-33,
2 Kings 23:3,25). We are told by the prophecy of Ezek. 21:25-27 (pg. 23) that they never
regained their land but were subject to the pagan kings of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and
Rome. Therefore, the last time they truly had the promised land was in 607 B.C. and they could
not have from then onward truly kept the literal jubilee and there is no record of them doing so.
From this date forty-nine jubilees would take us to the beginning of the fiftieth jubilee, the jubilee
of jubilee. 607 B.C. + 2450 = 1844 A.D. The jubilee was celebrated on the day of atonement or
the day of judgment and only after the judgment, or the day of atonement was over, could they
celebrate it. On this day several things happened. A sacrifice for the sin of the people, which was
fulfilled by Christ in 31 A.D. once and for all. The judgment or atonement of the sanctuary
followed by the death of the cause of and end of all sin by the scapegoat followed by the
inheritance of the land by the righteous. The latter is not fulfilled until after the events of Rev. 20,
mainly the 1000 years. Clearly this could not, and did not, all happen in one day but only marks
the beginning of these things. If they did happen in one day, then these texts do tell us the day of
Christ's return but we are told that no one can tell when this happens in Matt. 24:36; 25:13. The
jubilee of jubilees, therefore does not tell us the exact day that the meek will inherit the earth, but
like the other prophecies it tells us when the time allotted for the wicked would end, but not the
day or hour of Christ's appearing for no man can know that. It does, however, indicate when the
judgment begins and when the time allotted the wicked would end. Since 1844 we have been on
borrowed time for the allotted time is up. The only reason we are still here is due to the mercy of
God for he knows that we are not ready for his return. The message of last warning to be given to
the earth has not yet been fully given and this is our duty before Christ can come. This message
was not to be given long before 1844 as the time was not yet up.
6000 year old earth is due its sabbath
"One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."
2 Peter 3:8
A week is the only time given directly to us by God. Where else do we get a week from? It has no other possible source. The holy Sabbath, the seventh day of the week, is the day of God, a day of coming into contact, in communion with Heaven, after six days of work. Likewise after the first six days of sin this planet is due its holy rest. It is clear from Gen. 1:11,12,29 that the seed and fruit was ripe for the harvest when God finished His six days of work as Adam and Eve partook of it. Those that believe in the types can see no other place for the 6000 to end but in the Jewish 7th month, the end of the harvest (October). This time came due in 1844. Since then the earth has been due its sabbath rest.
Another example of this can be seen in the highly symbolic story of Jericho. The one great obstacle that stood in the way of Israel inheriting the promised land was this great city. Two spies declared to a harlot that if she would be under the scarlet thread she and any others with her would be protected from destruction. All the others died in their stubborn rebellion against God. Six days trumpets of warning were given to the city of Jericho before its utter destruction on the seventh day. See Joshua 1:13, 15; 2:1-21; 6:1-25. Either the days are meaningless or they are symbolic. If they are symbolic they can only be either a day for a year, which makes no sense or a day for a thousand years. In which case the evil occupation of the meek's earth are given six thousand years before their utter destruction and only those that are covered by the bloodstained clothing or righteousness of the Lamb will be spared to inherit the promised land. In Revelation the details will be more clearly outlined. (Also See: Mark 9:1-7)
Obviously there is room for error in any genealogy however I felt it was worth your consideration.
Yrs - Total Yrs. - Ref.
Creation - 0 Gen. 1: - 5:2 Luke 3:38 in the day that God created man . . . called Adam.
Adam . . 130 130 Gen. 5:3 And Adam lived a hundred thirty years, and begat Seth.
Seth . . . 105 235 Gen. 5:6 Seth lived a hundred and five years and begat Enos.
Enos . . . . 90 325 Gen. 5:9 Enos lived ninety years and begat Cainan,
Cainan . . . 70 395 Gen. 5:12 Cainan lived seventy years and begat Mahalaleel,
Mahalaleel . 65 460 Gen. 5:15 Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared,
Jared . . . . 162 622 Gen. 5:18 Jared lived hundred sixty and two years and begat Enoch,
Enoch . . . . 65 687 Gen. 5:21 Enoch lived sixty and five years and begat Methuselah,
Methuselah 187 874 Gen. 5:25 Methuselah lived hundred eighty seven years begat Lamech
Lamech . . . 182 1056 Gen. 5:28,29 Lemech lived hundred eighty two years and begat Noah.
Noah . . . . . 600 1656 Gen. 7:6 Noah was six hundred years old when the flood came.
The Flood . 1 1657 Gen. 8:13 In the six hundredth and first year . . waters dried up.
Shem . . . . . 2 1659 Gen. 11:10 Shem begat Arphaxad two years after the flood.
Arphaxad . . 35 1694 Gen. 11:12 Arphaxad lived five and thirty years and begat Salah.
Salah . . . . . 30 1724 Gen. 11:14 Salah lived thirty years and begat Eber.
Heber . . . . 34 1758 Gen. 11:16 Eber lived four and thirty years and begat Peleg.
Peleg . . . . . 30 1788 Gen. 11:18 Peleg lived thirty years and begat Reu.
Reu . . . . . . 32 1820 Gen. 11:20 Reu lived two and thirty years and begat Serug.
Serug . . . . . 30 1850 Gen. 11:22 Serug lived thirty years and begat Nahor.
Nahor . . . . 29 1879 Gen. 11:24 Nahor lived nine and twenty years and begat Terah.
Terah's life 205 2084 Gen. 11:32 Terah were two hundred and five years and Terah died.
The Exode did not begin until Terah's death; then Abraham left Haran and the Exode began, as is clearly proved by Acts 7:4 "when his(Abraham's) father was dead, he removed him into this land"
Exode . . . 430 2514 Ex. 12:40,41 the sojourning of . . Israel . . was four hundred thirty years
The Exode in Egypt from Abraham to the wilderness-state.
Wilderness 40 2554 Josh. 5:6 Israel walked forty years in the wilderness.
Joshua . . 25 2579 Josh. 14:7; 24:29 forty when spied out land . . died at one hundred ten
Joshua was a young man when he came out of Egypt, Exodus 33:11: could not have been more than 45 years old then, about 85 when he entered Canaan, and 110 when he died, leaving 25 years.
Elders 18 2597 Josephus Antiquities of the Jews Book VI Chapter v. Sect. 4
Judges begin. See Judges 2:7-15
Under Cushan 8 2605 Judg. 3:8 Israel . . . served Chushanrishathaim eight years.
Othniel 40 2645 Judg. 3:11 The land had rest forty years and Othniel died.
Egion 18 2663 Judg. 3:14 Israel served Eglon eighteen years.
Ehud . . . . 80 2743 Judg. 3:30 So Moah was subdued . . land had rest fourscore years.
Jabin . . 20 2763 Judg. 4:3 Twenty years he mightily oppressed . . Israel.
Barak . . . 40 2803 Judg. 5:31 And the land had rest forty years.
Midianites 7 2810 Judg. 6:1 Lord delivered them . . into hand of Midian seven years.
Gideon . . 40 2850 Judg. 8:28 Midian subdued . . quietness forty years in days of Gideon.
Abimelech 3 2853 Judg. 9:22 Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel.
Tola . . . 23 2876 Judg. 10:2 He(Tola) judged Israel twenty and three years and died.
Jair . . . . 22 2898 Judg. 10:3 After arose Jair . . and judged Israel twenty two years.
Philistines 18 2916 Judg. 10:8 That year they vexed Israel eighteen years.
Jephthath 6 2922 Judg. 12:7 Jephthath judged Israel six years and then died.
Ibzan . . . 7 2929 Judg. 12:8,9 After him Ibzan judged Israel . . . seven years.
Elon . . . 10 2939 Judg. 12:11 After him Elon judged Israel ten years.
Abdon . . . 8 2947 Judg. 12:14 And he judged Israel eight years.
Philistines 40 2987 Judg. 13:1 The Lord delivered them unto the Philistines forty years.
Eli . . . . . 40 3027 1 Sam. 4:18;8: And he had judged Israel forty years.
This ends the Judges 448 years being in harmony with Acts 13:20 "judges about 450 years until Samuel the prophet" As it respects the text in 1 Kings 6:1, it cannot be reconciled with the history of the Judges and the statement of Paul; I have therefore followed two witnesses instead of one.
Samuel 21 3048 1 Sam. 7:2-17 For it was twenty years . . . plus.
Samuel could not have been more than 39 when Eli died. Then, Israel was lamenting the loss of the Ark more than 20 years. Samuel judged Israel some years after, and became old, and his sons judged Israel. He must have been around 60 when Saul was made King. As it respects Samuel, I have no doubt of at least a period of 21 years; but it may possibly have exceeded this.
King Saul 40 3088 Acts 13:21 They desired a king . . Saul . . the space of forty years.
David 40 3128 2 Sam. 5:4 David . . . and he reigned forty years.
Solomon 40 3168 1 Kings 11:42 Solomon reigned . . over all Israel forty years.
Rehoboam 17 3185 2 Chr. 12:13 So king Rehoboam . . reigned seventeen years.
Abijam . . . 3 3188 1 Kings 15:2 Three years reigned in Jerusalem.
Asa . . . . . 41 3229 1 Kings 15:9,10 Asa . . and forty and one years reigned he.
Jehoshaphat 25 3254 1 Kings 22:42 Jehoshaphat . . . reigned twenty and five years.
Jehoram . . 8 3262 2 Kings 8:16,17 He reigned eight years.
Ahaziah . . . 1 3263 2 Kings 8:26 He reigned one year.
Athaliah 6 3269 2 Kings 11:3,4 And he was with her six years.
(his Mother)
Joash . . . 40 3309 2 Kings 12:1 Jehoash began to reign; and forty years reigned he.
Amaziah, 29 3338 2 Kings 14:2 Amaziah . . .reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem.
Interrignum 11 3349 2 Kings 15:1,2 (See 2 Kings 14: & 15:)
Azariah . . 52 3401 2 Kings 15:2 Amaziah . . reigned two and fifty years.
Jotham . . . 16 3417 2 Kings 15:33 Jotham . . . he reigned sixteen years.
Ahaz . . . 16 3433 2 Kings 16:2 Ahaz when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years.
Hezekiah . . 29 3462 2 Kings 18:2 Hezekiah . . . and he reigned twenty and nine years.
Manasseh . 55 3517 2 Kings 21:1 Manasseh . . . reigned fifty and five years.
Amon . . . 2 3519 2 Kings 21:19 Amon . . . reigned two years.
Josiah . . . 31 3550 2 Kings 22:1 Josiah . . . reigned thirty and one years.
Jehoahaz 0 3550 2 Kings 23:31 Jehoahaz reigned three months.
Jehoiakim . . 11 3561 2 Kings 23:36 Jehoiakim . . . reigned eleven years.
Captivity 70 3631 2 Chr. 36:5-10, 15-23; Jer 1:2,3
The 70 years of captivity began here, ended with the 1st year of Cyrus.
Cyrus . . . 6 3637 Rollins Ancient History, book 1 p. 354
Cambyses . . 7 3644 Rollins Ancient History, book 2 p. 366.
Darius-
Hystaspes 36 3680 Rollins Ancient History, book 2 p. 9
Xerxes . . 13 3693 Rollins Ancient History, book 2 p. 9
Atraxerxes
Longimanus 7 3700 457 B.C. Ezra 7:10-13
This is the decree going forth to rebuild Jerusalem. This was in 457 B.C. See Ferguson's Astronomy, also Prideaux's Connection.
The command to rebuild being in 457 B.C., the beginning of the 2300 days. The earth being 3700
years old in 457 B.C would make the earth under sin 6000 years old in 1844. 3700 + 457 + 1844
-1 for the non existent zero year when changing from B.C. to A.D. equals 6000. If this is in error
it is only by a few years at most and seems the most logical and reasonable. The time allotted for
the earth to be under sin would be 6000 years using the day equals a thousand years text. Thus it
is now possible for the second coming of Christ, as the time given to sin to show its colors has
expired.
A Delay in the Coming of Christ?
In answering the question of how long God would permit injustice God said:
"And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." Habakkuk 2:2,3
The "tarry"ing past the appointed time shows a delay from what is expected.
How Much Longer? Is there any Bible example for a long delay? "And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years." Gen 6:3. For 120 years Noah warned of the coming destruction of the world. There is a clear indication from texts like Matt. 24:48 (pg.121); Matt. 25;1,5,19 (pg.123-4); Hab.2:1-4(above); Ezek.12:21-25,27,28; Heb 10:35-39 (pg.124) that their would be a delay a tarring of our Lords return.
How long will God keep us waiting? Is there a limit to God's patience with us? I believe so. One possibility "Until the third or forth generation" This principle can be seen in Gen. 15:16, Ex. 20:5 pg. 25. It seems to be the limit of God's forbearance in these matters.
So how long is a generation? A couple of examples should suffice: "Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land, which I sware to give unto your fathers," Gen 1:35 "And your children shall wonder in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness." (See Ps. 95:10,11; Num. 14:20-35; Deut. 2:7, 8:2) This "evil generation" lasted for nearly forty years. [38 most likely as they had already wondered two years from Egypt before being turned back for their sin] Another example: "Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children." Mat. 27:25. " . . . verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation." Luke 11;50,51 (Mat. 23:34-37, Luke 17:25, Mat. 24:34 pg. 119, Acts 2:23,40; 3:23). It was less than 40 years from the time of this sermon till the complete fulfillment. His crucifixion was in 31 A.D. and 39 years latter "this generation" saw the destruction of Jerusalem and suffered the greatest indignities including mass crucifixions of the people in 70 A.D.
A generation couldn't be less than 40 years else these texts could not be true. Forty years is a common time frame in the Bible and must be what is meant by these two examples of what a generation is. Four generations each of up to 40 years would be 160 years. If this calculation and application is correct then God's patience, or the limit of His delay is about up.
Caution: Christ said in regarding this issue: "And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power." Acts 1:7. The disciple were anxious to know the exact time of His return but knowing when was not the important thing but to be fit witnesses to the world for him was. Our present duty, not speculations is to be our focus.
We are in continual danger of getting above the simplicity of the gospel. (John 17:3). I hope that these passages will not just gratify curiosity or startle with something new and original but give us a sense of urgency to seek God individually, to fervently pray for his transforming grace and leading in our lives, that we re-evaluate our priorities.
In Matt. 25 the story of the virgins. They did not know the exact time that the bridegroom (Jesus) would come, only that it was very near and seemed overdue. It was their duty to keep oil (indwelling spirit) and their lights burning (witness). We too know the time is near, even overdue but this should not make us sleep but more urgent to our duty knowing that this borrowed time could come to an end at any moment.
Other Fulfilled Prophecies Regarding the Messiah: The 70 weeks tells us when but their were many more prophecies.
"These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be
fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning
Me." Luke 24:44.
Gen. 12:3 Of the seed [descendent] of Abraham - Matt. 1:1
Gen. 17:19 Of the seed of Isaac - Luke 3:34
Num. 24:17 Of the seed of Jacob - Matt. 1:2
Gen. 49:10 Of tribe of Judah - Luke 3:33
Isa. 40:3 The voice in the wilderness preparing the way - Matt. 2:16-18
Isa. 7:14 Born of a virgin - Matt. 1:22,23
Gen. 3:15 Her seed [rest of Bible always refers to children - Gal. 4:4
as seed of men] thus a virgin birth
Micah 5:2 In the town of Bethlehem - Matt. 2:1
Hos. 11:1 Flight to Egypt - Matt. 2:14,15
Jer. 31:15 Slaughter of children - Matt. 2:16-18
Mal. 3:1 Preceded by a forerunner - Luke 7:24,27
Ps. 2:7 Declared by God to be His son - Matt. 3:17
Isa. 9:1,2 A ministry in Galilee (Zebulun & Naphtali) - Matt. 4:13-16
Deut. 18:15 Called a prophet - Acts 3:20,22
Isa. 61:1,2 Anointed to preach unto the meek & brokenhearted - Luke 4:16-21, Luke 7:19-22
Isa. 53:3 His own received Him not - John 1:11
Ps 110:4 Priest after order of Melchizedek - Heb. 5:5,6
Zech. 9:9 Triumphal entry into Jerusalem - Mark 11:7,9,11
Gen. 3:15 Isa. 53:10 Would bruise the Devil in his death - John 19:18; Rom. 16:20
Ex. 12:46 No broken bone in symbolic sacrifice - John 19:36
Ps. 2:1,2 The leaders would counsel against him - Mark 15:1; Acts 4:25-28
Ps. 16:10 & 49:15 To be resurrected - Mark 16:6,7
Ps. 22:1 Words on cross My God, Why hast thou forsaken me? - Matt. 27:46
Ps. 22:6 Despised of the people - Matt. 27:39-44
Ps. 22:7,8 Spat on and asked him to save himself - Matt. 27:39-44
Ps. 22:16 Pierced hands and feet - John 19:18
Ps. 22:17 No broken bones, "they look and stare at me" - Matt. 27:36
Ps. 22:18 Parted garments and cast lots - Matt. 27:35
Ps. 22:31 He shall fulfill the sayings of this Psalm - John 19:30
Ps. 31:5 Words on cross "into thine hand I commit my spirit" - Luke 23:46
Ps. 34:20 No broken bones - John 19:32,33,36
Ps. 35:11 False witnesses - Mark 14:56
Ps. 38:11 Friends stand off - Luke 23:49
Ps. 35:19 Hated without reason - John 15:24,25
Ps. 41:9 Friend eat bread with lifted up heel against me - John 13:18
Ps. 68:18 Ascended to God's right hand - Mark 16:19, 1 Cor 15:4, Eph 4:8
Ps. 69:19,21 Enemies would surround him and reproach Him - Matt. 27:28-29
Ps. 69:21 Given gall and vinegar to drink - Matt. 27:34 John 19:28-30
Ps. 109:4 Prayed for his enemies - Luke 23:34
Ps. 109:25 Shake their heads in reproach to Him - Matt. 27:39
Isa. 50:6 Spit on His face and hit His cheeks - Matt. 26:67
Isa. 53:5,6,10 Bruised for our iniquities - Rom. 5:6,8
Isa. 53:7 Not open mouth in trial - Matt. 26:62,63; 27:13,14
Isa. 53:9 Died with wicked, buried with rich. - Matt. 27:38, 57-60
Isa. 53:12 Numbered with the transgressors (thieves) - Mark 15:27,28
Ps. 16:10 Not stay in the grave - Acts 2:27; Matt. 12:39,40
Amos 8:9 Sun darkened at noon when He died - Matt. 27:45
Zech. 11:12,13 Sold for 30 pieces of silver used for potter's field - Matt. 27:3-9
Zech. 12:10 They will pierce him and look upon him - John 19:34
Zech. 13:7 His sheep fled when they killed the shepherd - Mark 14:27,50
