Daniel 9

Daniel’s prayer• Dan 9:12 You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers

by bringing upon us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem.

• What was Daniel talking about ?– Deut 4: 25 After you have had children and grandchildren and have lived in the land

a long time—if you then become corrupt and make any kind of idol, doing evil in the eyes of the LORD your God and provoking him to anger, 26 I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you this day that you will quickly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. You will not live there long but will certainly be destroyed. 27 The LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and only a few of you will survive among the nations to which the LORD will drive you. 28 There you will worship man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. 29 But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30 When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him. 31 For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath.

Words of the Angel…• Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are decreed as to your people and as to

your holy city, to finish the transgression and to make an end of sins, and to make atonement for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.

• Dan 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going out of the command to restore and to build Jerusalem, to Messiah the Prince, shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks. The street shall be built again, and the wall, even in times of affliction.

• Dan 9:26 And after sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself. And the people of the ruler who shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. And the end of it shall be with the flood, and ruins are determined, until the end shall be war.

• Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week. And in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease, and on a corner of the altar desolating abominations, even until the end. And that which was decreed shall be poured on the desolator.

Traditional interpretation

• Dan 9:24 gives an overview:– Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are decreed as to your people and as

to your holy city, to finish the transgression and to make an end of sins, and to make atonement for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.

• Dan 9:25 predicts what happens in the first 69 weeks:– Dan 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the

going out of the command to restore and to build Jerusalem, to Messiah the Prince, shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks (= 69 weeks).

• Dan 9:27 predicts the events of the last week:– Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm a covenant with many for one

week.

• There is a “gap” of time between the 2 predictions

Traditional interpretation

• One week = 7 year• However

– not 7 normal year– But a so-called “prophetic year”– One “prophetic year” = 12 x 30 days = 360 days– Support:

• Gen 7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, in the seventeenth day of the month… heavens were opened up

• Gen 8:3 And the waters returned from off the earth continually. And after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters had gone down.

• Gen 8:4 And in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark rested upon the mountains of Ararat.

• Looked like every month had 30 days…

1 week

Traditional interpretation

Neh 2:1-8

March 4, 444 BC

Artaxerxes decreesRebuilding Jerusalem

March 30, 33 AD

Jesus rides into Jerusalemon a donkey (as king)

Luke 19:28-40

69 x 7 = 483 “prophetic years” = 483 x 360 = 173,880 days = exactly # days between:

March 4, 444 BC March 30, 33 AD

1 week remains = 7 year

Today

62 + 7 weeks

Problems in the traditional interpretation

• The Bible does not teach anything about a “prophetic” year– A Biblical year is the same year used by Jews today.– It has approximately 365 days in a year

• The Arrival of Christ is fulfilled when Jesus enter Jerusalem– This event is NOT when Jesus arrives– Evidence that His birth was His arrival are:

• Angels announced His birth (Luke 2)• Wise men from the East and shepherds visited His birth• God-loving people knew when Jesus will arrive: Simeon and Anna

– How could Simeon and Anna know about His birth ?• Daniel 9 maybe… just maybe they understood the prediction !!!

• There is no explanation for the gap between the 2 fulfillment – it is rather “mysterious”

Newton’s interpretation

• There are 3 independent timing predictions:1. Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks is required to finish the

transgression and to make an end of sins, and to make atonement for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.

2. Dan 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going out of the command to restore and to build Jerusalem, to Messiah the Prince, shall be seven weeks, and

3. (from the going out of the command to restore and to build Jerusalem, to Messiah the Prince) shall be sixty-two weeks.

Fulfillment of the first prediction• Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are decreed as to your people and

as to your holy city, to finish the transgression and to make an end of sins, and to make atonement for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.

• According to Newton:– …by putting a week for seven years, are reckoned 490 years

from the time that the dispersed Jews should be re-incorporated into a people and a holy city, until the death and resurrection of Christ; whereby transgression should be finished, and sins ended, iniquity be expiated, and everlasting righteousness brought in, and this Vision be accomplished, and the Prophet consummated, that Prophet whom the Jews expected; and whereby the most Holy should be anointed, he who is therefore in the next words called the Anointed, that is, the Messiah, or the Christ. For by joining the accomplishment of the vision with the expiation of sins, the 490 years are ended with the death of Christ.

Fulfillment of the first prediction

• Ezra went up to Jerusalem, was in the year of the Julian Period 4257

• the death of Christ fell on the year of the Julian Period 4747, (= Anno Domini 34)

• Count the time from thence to the death of Christ, and you will find it just 490 years

4747 (34 AD)4257 (457 BC)

Ezra brings Jews back to Jerusalem Jesus’ crucifixion

490 years

(Date when the Jerusalem wall was finished)

Newton’s interpretation of Dan 9:25

• Dan 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going out of the command to restore and to build Jerusalem, to Messiah the Prince, shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks. The street shall be built again, and the wall, even in times of affliction.

• Newton breaks this verse down into 2 prophecies of the coming of Jesus:– First coming as suffering servant (cut off and have nothing)– Second coming as a Prince

• How can this be ?– There are 2 returns of the Jews to rebuild Jerusalem !!!

• Any evidence that 2 returns of the Jews have been predicted ?– You bet…

Bible foretells that there will be 2 returns

• Isaiah 11:11 In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, [a] from Cush, [b] from Elam, from Babylonia, [c] from Hamath and from the islands of the sea.

• Joe 3:1-2 For, behold, in those days and in that time, when I will bring again the exiles of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will fight with them there for My people and for My inheritance Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and divided My land. – They are dividing God’s land NOW with their land-for-peace deal– Furthermore: God will fight for Israel at the Second return of

His people in Israel !– The Second return of the Jews is tied to the End Time !!!

Newton understood the double returns prediction

• According to Newton:– The Israelites in the days of the ancient Prophets, when the ten Tribes were

led into captivity, expected a double return; and that at the first the Jews should build a new Temple inferior to Solomon's, until the time of that age should be fulfilled; and afterwards they should return from all places of their captivity, and build Jerusalem and the Temple gloriously

• Newton wrote:– This part (second return) of the Prophecy being therefore not yet fulfilled

(in Newton’s time)

– However, it has been fulfilled in our time (1948) !!!

• First return: led by Ezra, the priest in 458 BC (See: Ezra in Old Testament)

• Second return: in 1948 AD !!!– We are the generation to witness the fulfillment of God’s prophecy !!!

– It also implies that we are the generation to witness Jesus’ return !!!

2 returns of Jews and 2 comings of Jesus

• Each return of the Jews heralds a coming of their Messiah !!!

• First return: led by Ezra, the priest in 458 BC (See: Ezra in Old Testament)– Heralds first coming of Jesus (waiting time: 62 “sevens”)

• Second return: in 1948 AD !!!– Heralds second coming of Jesus (waiting time: 7 “sevens”)

• According to the Angel (Dan 9:25)– 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.'

• So, the key is:– When did the Jews start rebuilding Jerusalem in each return ???

The first return of the Jews - the first coming of Christ

• According to Newton:– Yet threescore and two weeks (3x20 + 2 = 62) shall it return, and

the street be built and the wall, but in troublesome times: and after the threescore and two weeks the Messiah shall be cut off, and it shall not be his; but the people of a Prince to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary

Nehamiah finished the wall of Jerusalem in September in the year

of the Julian Period 4278

JP 4278436 BC

JP 47122 BC

the year in which Christ was born, according to Clemens Alexandrinus, Irenæus, Eusebius, Epiphanius, Jerome, Orosius, Cassiodorus, and other antients;

and this was the general opinion

62 x 7 = 434 (ordinary) years(not “prophetic” years) Is this why Simeon and Anna

were waiting in the temple to see their Messiah ???

The second return of Christ• Know also and understand, that from the going forth of the

commandment to cause to return and to build Jerusalem, unto the Anointed the Prince, shall be seven weeks.

• According to Newton:– … this being dated to his coming to be Prince or King, seems to relate

to his second coming.

– This part of the Prophecy being therefore not yet fulfilled, I shall not attempt a particular interpretation of it

– The manner I know not. Let time be the Interpreter.

– Newton lived in 1643-1727

• He did not have the advantage of our Generation who has witness the return of Gods people (in 1948) !!!

• We do !! It is being fulfilled in our time !!!

When was Jerusalem rebuilt ?

Jerusalem was conquered in the 6 days war (Jericho !!)

Decree to rebuild Jerusalem

Jewish Quarter = the ancient city of Jerusalem

The year of the second return of Christ ?

from the going forth of the commandment to cause to return and to build Jerusalem, unto the Anointed the Prince, shall be seven weeks

Are there any supporting evidence ?

• The Jubilee prediction of Rabbi Judah Ben Samuel in 1217

• The 6000 year teaching

• The construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza

Jubilee prediction of 1217

History of Jerusalem (Wikipedia)

1517 - ? Under Ottoman Turks

History of Jerusalem (Wikipedia)

1517-1917 Under Ottoman Turks

1917-? Under a “mandate” (owned by no one !)

History of Jerusalem (Wikipedia)1917-1967 Not under control of any one nation

1967 - ? Under control of Israel

Jubulee prediction of 1217

History of Jerusalem (Wikipedia)1917-1967 Not under control of any one nation

1967 - 2017 Under Israel

2017 Under Jesus !!!

The 6000 yr teaching

• Creation:– 6 days– 7th day Sabbath rest (Day of the Lord)

• Represents the history of the world– The Present Age will last 6000 years– Then followed by 1000 years reign of Christ

• Teaching is found in “Epistle of Barnabas”

Evidence for 6000 years teaching

• Genesis 6:3– And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always

strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

• 120 Jubilee years:– 120 x 50 = 6000 years

• God will end His strive with mankind after 6000 years…

• Will this lead to the End on: 2017 ???

Year 2017 is 5999 years after Creation

• Problem:– The year 2017 is 5999 years after Creation of

Adam…– It is not 6000 years after Creation of Adam !?

• Wait, what did Jesus say:– Matt 24:22– “If those days had not been cut short, no one

would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.”

• God expedited the end by one year !!!

Construction of the Pyramid

• The construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza is very mysterious

• It is not a tomb

• The passage ways are aligned with certain stars on certain days

• The alignment on Yom Teruah in 2017 is very special

Leo = lion (Jesus is the Lion of Judah)

Regulus is a star, associated with “King”

The Day of the 2nd coming of Christ

• Gen 1:14 And God said, Let there be lights (sun and moon) in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years– Sign (oth): a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag,

beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc.: - mark, miracle, (en-) sign, token.

– Season (mo-aw-daw'): properly an appointment, that is, a fixed time or season; specifically a festival

• Lev 23:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.– Feast: mo-aw-daw‘ – SAME Hebrew word !!!

Lev 23: God’s appointed ‘feasts’

• Spring Feasts:– Nisan 14: Passover (Lev 23:5)

– Nisan 15: Unleavened bread (Lev 23:6)

– Sunday after Nisan 15: First Fruits (Lev 23:7)

– 7 weeks later: Weeks (Lev 23:15) = Pentacost

• Fall Feasts:– Tishri 1: Trumpets (Lev 23:24)

– Tishri 10: Yum Kippur (mourning) (Lev 23:27)

– Tishri 15: Tabernacles (Sukkot) (Lev 23:34)

God’s appointed ‘days’ !!!

• Spring Feasts mark events of Jesus’ first coming:– Jesus died on Nisan 14: Passover

– Cleansing of sin (yeast) Nisan 15: Unleavened bread

– Jesus resurrected on Sunday after Nisan 15: First Fruits (He is the FIRST of many resurrections)

– Holy Spirit poured out 7 weeks later: Weeks on Pentacost

• Look like God has chosen specific days for execute His plan for Salvation

• So what do the dates of Fall Feasts mark ?

God’s appointed ‘days’ !!!• Fall Feasts mark events of Jesus’ second coming:

– Rapture will occur on: Trumpets ???• 1Th 4:16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven

with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first.

• 1Th 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall ever be with the Lord.

– Jesus will return on: Yum Kippur ??? (mourning) • Mat 24:30 And then the sign of the Son of Man shall

appear in the heavens. And then all the tribes of the earth shall mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of the heaven with power and great glory.

– Tishri 15: Tabernacles (Sukkot) • Celebrates “God dwells (tabernacles) with mankind”• Zec 14:16 And it shall be, everyone who is left of all

the nations which came up against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, Jehovah of Hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.

Why God impose a Lunar calendar on the Jews

• First feast: Passover (Nisan 14)– Always full moon

• Last feast: Sukkot (Tabernacles – Tishri 15)– Always full moon

• Lunar eclipses only occurs on days when the moon is full !!!

• Mark Blitz discovered some amazing coincidences about 4 consecutive full moons on God’s feast days and the history of God’s people

Why the Mahdi fulfills the prophecy• Dan 9:26 After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be

cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary.

• Dan 9:26 tells us the identity of the Anti-Christ:– The people of the ruler who will come (= Anti-Christ) will destroy the city

and the sanctuary.

• As discussed, this is the first coming (33 AD):– Jesus was cut off from the cross and He had nothing (I.e., not a King)

• Then in 70 AD, the city (Jerusalem) and the sanctuary (Temple) was destroyed by the Romans under command of Titus.

• Hence:– The people of the ruler who will come = Romans.

– So: Anti-Christ (the ruler who will come) = EU leader ???

• Uh oh… Problem…

Why the Mahdi fulfills the prophecy• After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be cut off and

will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary.

• Does this tell us that the Mahdi is NOT the anti-Christ:– The people of the ruler who will come = Romans.

– So: Anti-Christ (the ruler who will come) = EU leader ???

• Not so fast:– In 70 AD, the Roman Empire consisted of: Western and Eastern half

– Titus (son of Vespesian) was general of the Eastern Roman Empire

– The soldiers of the Eastern Roman Empires came from Turkey

– Turkey today is Islamic and when the Mahdi appears, will be part of the Islamic Empire

• Credit: I like to thank Walid Shoebat for this little insight

Why the Mahdi fulfills the prophecy

• Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week– Islam ALSO prophecizes that the Mahdi

will make a treaty with ‘Romans’ (= the West) that will be upheld for 7 years (coincidence ???)

Mahdi treaty prophecy in Islam

Source: http://www.answering-islam.org/Authors/JR/Future/ ch05_comparing_the_biblical_antichrist.htm

Our amazing Creator

• So everything so far points towards the Madhi as the fulfillment of Biblical Prophecy

• Everything fits like a glove• God’s predictions are amazingly accurate:

–  Isaiah 46:9-10 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.  I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.