DANIEL'S 70TH WEEK

 

 

We have been told that God has yet a special period of seven years of dealings with the Jews.  At the beginning of this period, the Antichrist will make a covenant with the Jews, which he will subsequently break in the middle of the seven year period by causing the sacrifices at the temple to cease. Then will follow a time of great tribulation. However Christians won’t have to worry because they will be taken to Heaven in the event known as ‘the Rapture.’ This much anticipated happening is ‘the next great event on God’s calendar.’ Meanwhile there is much debate about whether this will happen ‘pre-trib,’ mid-trib,’ or ‘post-trib.’

All this comes from one verse in Daniel – chapter 9 verse 27.

“Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering, and on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate.”

[The whole passage of vs 20-27 is relevant but for the sake of space I am quoting just vs 27]

The futurists teach that the ‘he’ mentioned in vs 27 is the Antichrist who makes a covenant with the Jews for one week [seven years]. He then brings an end to the sacrifices; which means that the Jews will have built their third temple.

God had sent a message to Daniel in captivity in Babylon that seventy weeks [weeks of years] were determined for the Jews and their holy city Jerusalem – from the command to restore and build Jerusalem; -seven weeks [49 years], then 62 ‘weeks’ till Messiah the Prince. The first period of seven weeks is the period up to the dedication of the second temple; then another period of 62 weeks till Messiah the prince would come. [483 years in all]

That much is clear, what is under debate is the remaining period of one ‘week.’ Futurists teach that it is yet to come, thus the scenario as above in the first paragraph.  However the historicists view [and mine] is that the 70^th week has been fulfilled. During the 70^th week the Gospel was preached only to the Jews.   Jesus said “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”[Matthew 15:24] When He sent out the disciples to preach He told them not to go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans “But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” [Matthew 10:6] This time period was still in the 70 ‘weeks’ determined on Israel. The pattern of redemption had to be fully completed in Israel – the pattern nation, before it went to the world.

  Looking at vs 27 again –

Then he shall confirm a covenant [i.e.  make a firm covenant ’ or cause a covenant to prevail’] with many for one week. But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering."

 At the last supper Jesus said, “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” [Matthew 26:28] This, I believe, is the covenant which is referred to; not some future covenant that the Antichrist makes with the Jews. After 3 and a half years ministry ’in the middle of the week’ Jesus was ‘cut off, but not for Himself’ vs 26. He thus made an end to the need for sacrifices as far as God was concerned as was signified by the rending the veil in the Temple. The Jews may or may not build a third Temple, but it is not part of God’s plan. The third temple is the Living Temple of all believers.

After the Resurrection and the coming of the Spirit, the Gospel continued to be preached to the Jews. Some believed but mostly it was rejected until finally the first Christian martyr, Stephen, was stoned. Then God raised up Paul to be an apostle to the Gentiles. The time had come the Gospel to go out to the whole world. God sent Peter to Cornelius, a Roman centurion, whose household received the good news gladly, and were subsequently filled with the Spirit. The seventy ‘weeks’ that God had ‘determined’ for Israel were over! This time period was given:-

To finish the transgression

To make an end of sins,
To make reconciliation for iniquity
To bring in everlasting righteousness
To seal up vision and prophecy
And to anoint the Most Holy.  Daniel 9:1, 2

 

This was all accomplished at the Cross. True, it has not yet been manifested; but the work was done at the Cross. It was a finished work and the end time truth which will cause the Church to rise up in victory is ‘The Finished Work of Christ.’ We have yet to lay hold of all that Christ accomplished for us. Creation waits for that day.

 

‘For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.’ Romans 8:19

Those who insert a large gap between the 69^th and the 70^th ‘week,’ probably believe that these things won’t be finished until the Second Coming. They are waiting to see the manifestation of them.

 

Continuing with Daniel 9 vs 27. “on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate.” In 70 AD after much persecution and tribulation, Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman prince Titus.  Some believe that the ‘wing of abominations’ refers to the Roman’s Eagle standard that fluttered over the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. So let us compare the conservative interpretation of Daniel 9 which was taught for over 1800 years, with the futurists’ interpretation. We will see that they are very different.

The second part marked * is the futurists interpretation.

PRE 70^TH ‘WEEK’ [SEVEN YEARS] [From the command to rebuild Jerusalem Daniel 9:25].

The temple and city rebuilt ‘in troublesome times’ during first 7 ‘weeks’ [49years].  [Ezra and Nehemiah]. Then 62 ‘weeks’ till Messiah.

69 ‘weeks’ [483 years completed].

*Same as above. Then there is a gap of about 2,000 years between the 69^th and 70^th week.

 

FIRST 3 ½ YRS

Messiah preaches the Gospel of the Kingdom.  Announces the New Covenant at the Last Supper. [‘confirms a covenant’]

*The Antichrist makes a covenant [pact] with the Jews.  ‘Rapture’ of the Church. 3½ years of peace.

‘MIDDLE OF THE WEEK’

Messiah ‘cut off’ for the sins of the world, bringing an end to the need for temple sacrifices. ‘It is finished.’

*The Antichrist breaks the covenant with the Jews and stops all sacrifices at the temple. He proclaims himself as God. [Some place the ‘Rapture’ here].

LAST 3½ YEARS

The New Covenant Gospel preached to the Jews. Some received but the nation as a whole rejected their Messiah. Stephen, the first Christian martyr stoned. 70^th ‘week’ finished.

*3½ years of Great Tribulation. 2^nd Coming.

 

POST 70^TH ‘WEEK’ [SEVEN YEARS]

The Gospel preached to the Gentiles. Paul converted and becomes the apostle to the Gentiles. The Gospel to be preached to all nations.

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14

2^nd Coming.

 

There has always been persecution and tribulation but no doubt it will be accelerated in the end times, but there is no specific 7 year period of tribulation. In 70AD Jerusalem with its temple was destroyed by the Roman army under Titus and the nation scattered among all the nations of the earth. The return of the Jews and the re-establishment of Israel as a nation as prophesied, is one of the signs of the last days of this age.

God hasn’t finished with the nation of Israel yet. Though the Glory has departed for now, they can come to God the same way as Gentiles do – by faith in the Messiah Jesus; and the Bible indicates that one day the time will come when ‘all Israel shall be saved.” [Romans 11:26] There will be a coming together of Jews and Gentiles at the end time and it will be a time of great blessing for the whole earth. [see Romans 11:15]

 
      
 
 
 

                                                                                          futurists view
 

traditional or conservative view. 

 

 

WHY MOSES MISSED OUT

The Old Testament reveals many graphic illustrations of Grace as in an incident at Kadesh. (Numbers 20) 

Again, as at Horeb, there was no water and the people thirsted. As before, God would provide water from a Rock. This time however, instead of smiting the Rock, Moses was told to just speak to the Rock.  Remember that in type “that Rock was Christ”  1 Corinthians 10:4

Moses, angry at the murmuring of the people, struck the Rock twice and said,

Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” 

Numbers 20:10 [emphasis added]

Psalm 106:33 says that he spoke rashly with his lips. Moses was boasting of his own ability.

Redemption is never of man’s works, “lest anyone should boast. ”  Ephesians 2:9

The Rock yielded water, but Moses disqualified himself from entering the Land. It is commonly taught that it was disobedience that kept him out, but primarily it was unbelief.

God said:-

“Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.”

Numbers 20:12  emphasis added

Disobedience follows unbelief. If we believe then we obey. Moses typical of the Law, couldn’t believe that a bit of human effort wasn’t necessary. It was all up to him. He had to bring water out of the Rock. 

Probably we have all thought that Moses punishment was a bit harsh, after all the years of faithful commitment, but remember that God was laying down a principle here. He was leaving a vital clue for us “upon whom the end of the age have come” [Read 1 Corinthians 10:11]

That Rock was Christ. One smiting of the Rock is sufficient. It was all that was necessary to give access to all the provision of God. We need only to speak to the Rock. What is speaking to the Rock? It is prayer and our faith confession of the Word. It’s not our works which make the fountain flow; it’s faith in His work.

Moses was indeed a great man of God. He came a long way by faith but couldn’t enter in to the Land because he lapsed into works. Did he make it into Heaven? Certainly! In Matthew 17 we see him on the Mount of Transfiguration with Elijah talking to Jesus. Entering the land isn’t about going to Heaven as we have stated. It’s about fulfilling the mission of the Church here in the Earth.

To conquer the Land we need to see that one smiting of the Rock is enough. i.e. the Cross is all-sufficient.  In many and subtle ways we keep smiting the Rock. When we say that Jesus has yet more to do before the Kingdom is established; we are smiting the Rock. We are saying that the Cross wasn’t enough. The Scriptures say that Jesus is now seated at the Father’s right hand, waiting for His enemies to be made His footstool.  Jesus will come again when we have completed our assignment to make disciples of all the nations, and we have put His enemies under His feet.

When we say that we have to “die to self” then we are smiting the Rock.  It sounds very pious and commendable, but plainly it is works.  Jesus has already done the job:-

“I was crucified with Christ” Galatians 2:20  emphasis added

“For you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God”  Colossians 3:3 emphasis added

“If One died for all, then all died.”  2 Corinthians 5:14 e.a.

“knowing this, that our old man was crucified with [Him] that the body of sin might be done away with..”  Romans 6:6  e.a.

“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

 Galatians 5:24 e.a

We need to stop smiting the Rock and learn to rest in His completed work on our behalf. As Paul says in Romans 6:11 “Consider it done.”  By ONE offering He has perfected us forever.  [Hebrews 10:14] But doesn’t Paul say “I die daily?” [1 Corinthians 15:31]. In the context he is talking about the perils he faces daily for the sake of the Gospel. The Accuser will keep us busy wrestling the flesh, smiting the Rock.  It’s a red herring, a delaying tactic, to keep us from doing what we’re supposed to be doing – wrestling against powers and principalities and spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies and liberating the Earth from satan’s grip.  We do not need to wrestle with flesh and blood, including our own; that battle has been won. 

The battle against the enemy will be won only on the basis of what Jesus has done; not on the basis of what we can do. We do however need to consecrate ourselves and be totally available to God. That shouldn’t be difficult when we see what’s at stake and the glorious victory ahead.

How then are we changed into Christ’s image if not by battling the flesh?  2 Corinthians 3:18 gives the answer.

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding, as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

We are changed through revelation.  Every time the Spirit shows us more of Him a change is effected in us because it is a spiritual principle that no man can see God and live.  [Exodus 33:20] At each glimpse of His glory, something of the old nature in us dies as the hush of holiness settles in our soul and silences Self.  Jacob saw God face to face at Peniel and thereafter he walked with a limp.  No longer did he have confidence in himself, only in God. As Paul was to say centuries later “Our sufficiency[ is] from God”. [ 2 Corinthians 3:5]

You can tell when people have seen God; it shows. Moses saw God and his face shone with glory. Isaiah saw God in the Temple and was thereafter totally sold out to Him. Head knowledge can make us proud, even just head knowledge of the Bible: [“Knowledge puffs up” 1 Corinthians 8:1] But revelation humbles us. When we see God’s glory with the eyes of our heart, the flesh is dumb, there’s nothing to say.  Job saw God and didn’t need answers

anymore. Seeing God was enough. He said;-

“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,

But now my eye sees You.

Therefore I abhor [myself],

And repent in dust and ashes.”  Job 42:5,6

It is seeing the goodness of God that leads us to repentance. [Romans 2:4] When Moses asked to see God, He said “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you.”  [Exodus 33:19]  Moses received a revelation of a merciful, gracious, longsuffering God, abounding in goodness and truth and his face reflected His glory. Supremely, God is revealed in His Son Jesus:-

“God………has shone in our hearts to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”  2 Corinthians 4:6

It is a humbling, purifying experience to see God. If we want to be like Jesus all we need to do is to seek His face, and we will be changed from glory to glory. Legally, our old nature died at the Cross, it was crucified with Christ:  Experientially, day by day, we are changed by revelation. We are responsible, of course, to walk in the light of what we have seen. 

“For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required…..”  Luke 12:48

 

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POSSESSING THE LAND

“But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.”            Numbers 14:21

 

Tucked away in the book of Numbers, a book that is often passed over, is this vow of God that the time is coming then His glory will fill the Earth. The prospect of seeing this come to pass should fill the heart of every Christian with joy and longing.  What is overlooked is the significance of where and when and under what circumstances this vow was made.

Israel was at the border of the Promised Land, having been led by the Cloud of the Spirit through the Wilderness. Their destiny was to possess the Land and establish the Kingdom. Twelve men were sent in to spy out the Land. The report of the majority was that it was indeed a good Land, but it was occupied by giants in walled cities. The Land was impregnable!

 Two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, reminded the people that God had given them the Land for their inheritance and He was with them. They couldn’t fail. Israel choose to believe the negative report and incurred God’s anger by refusing to enter the Land. Moses interceded for Israel and God pardoned them. It was then that He made the vow. In effect He said:-

“You won’t possess the Land, but one day a generation will arise who will. It is then that My glory will fill the Earth.”  [My paraphrase vs 21-31]  God’s glory filling the earth is dependent upon the people of God possessing the Land. The ultimate fulfilment of this promise still lies ahead.

The promises of God belong to the Seed of Abraham. The patriarch had physical Seed –   Isaac and his descendants; and he had spiritual Seed – all those in Christ. [Read Galatians 3:16, 29.] These scriptures are pivotal to our understanding of the role of the Church in these end times. They tell us that Abraham’s Seed is One but many.  Isaac and Israel together are the physical Seed. [God called them His Son. “Israel is My son My firstborn” Exodus 4:20]. Christ and His Church are the spiritual Seed of Abraham.

To the physical Seed of Abraham, God gave the Land of Canaan for an inheritance; to the spiritual Seed, He gave the Earth. “For the promise that he would be heir of the world, was not given to Abraham, or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.” Romans 4:13. This is probably a revelation to most Christians. For many years we thought of the Promised Land as Heaven. This is reflected in the many songs that speak of ‘crossing Jordan’ as dying. However the whole Salvation scenario is about reclaiming the Earth for the Kingdom of God. We lost Heaven on Earth at the Fall when Adam transferred his allegiance from God to Satan: Now ‘the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.’ 1 John 5:19. At the Cross Jesus removed Satan’s authority from all who trust in Him and regained the title deeds of the Earth for redeemed Man.  It is legally ours, but like the land of Canaan, we have to possess it.

Israel’s journey to and possession of their inheritance is a type or a map, showing us how the spiritual Seed will possess their inheritance. It is then that the glory of God will fill the Earth just as He vowed.

After many years in the Wilderness, a generation arose in Israel who, under Joshua, finally crossed Jordan and conquered the Land. When Solomon, son of David, sat on the throne, the Land was prosperous, the great golden temple was built and Israel came under the rule and blessing of Almighty. This is a faint earthly picture of what it the Earth will be when the Kingdom comes. All that was lost at the Fall will be restored, and King Jesus will sit on the throne.

The end time generation of Overcomers is soon to rise in the Earth. The battle of the ages for possession of the Earth will be fought and won on the battlefield of prayer and through proclamation of the Gospel and the heavenly hosts will join the fray just as they did at Jericho. Then Hell’s strongholds will crumble; Creation will be restored and the Kingdom of God will come ‘on Earth as it is in Heaven.’ AMEN

 

OUT OF THE WILDERNESS

On the few occasions that I have stated to Christians that the Church is still in the wilderness,  I have met with protest. One lady stated emphatically, “Well I’m not!”  It is true that we are seated ‘together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus,’ that is our legal and eternal position in Christ. It is all ours ‘by grace through faith.’ However in our experience we have not yet entered into the fullness of Kingdom authority. What is ours legally has to be brought into our experience if it’s going to change the world.

Even Jesus had to do spend time in the wilderness. As Man He had to walk the walk that we are called to walk. Jesus came out of the wilderness ‘in the power of the Spirit’ and began to tackle the Enemy’s strongholds – casting out demons, healing the sick, raising the dead, preaching the good news to the oppressed and bringing people out of bondage.

“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”    1 John 3:8

Israel was called ‘The Church (or the congregation) in the wilderness.’ For forty years they wandered in the wasteland until a new generation emerged under Joshua and then they went to war. After a few preliminary battles east of Jordan, they finally crossed the river and brought down the towering stronghold of Jericho. Then they went on to possess the Land.

 We will start bringing down the Enemy’s strongholds when we come out of the wilderness. Do we even know that that is what we’re supposed to be doing? Much of Christendom seems to believe that Jesus will do that when He returns; but the Bible says that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God ‘waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.’ (Hebrews 10:13)

On the Christian radio station just recently, a converted Muslim was giving his powerful testimony and sharing the amazing things that are happening in the Middle East, with thousands coming to Christ through dreams and visions. For years Christians have been targeting the Muslim world in prayer, especially during the month of Ramadan. We are beginning to see the results. This speaker closed with a challenging statement that; just as a few decades ago it was time for the Communist strongholds – the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtin to come down, so now is the time for the Muslim strongholds to be brought down.  Amen to that!

Instead of looking to the skies for the Rapture Rescue ‘any moment now,’ we need to be tackling the strongholds of Islam with the certainty that in Jesus’ Mighty All-conquering Name, the walls will fall. Imagine the effect of millions of ex-Muslims doing jihad for Jesus against the devil. Then imagine every stronghold of the Enemy that holds humanity captive, falling like dominos, till every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord. That’s the Lord’s plan for the Church. ‘I will build My Church and the gates of hell will not stand against it.’

What was the wilderness experience about really? Largely it was about a question of identity. God had said of Jesus, ‘This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased.’ The Devil tempted, ‘IF You are the Son of God……..’: God had said of Israel, ‘Israel is My son, My Firstborn” (Exodus 4:22). Their faith confession was ‘We’re just a bunch of grasshoppers.’ Tackling giants and their strongholds was way beyond them. When they finally did cross Jordan, they found that all the hosts of heaven were waiting to join the battle.

Are we still in the wilderness? Well the vanguard of the Church is emerging. The rest will be playing catch-up till finally God’s mighty Army brings down the gates of hell and possesses the Land and King Jesus will reign on the Earth.

Comments and questions are invited.  Val

THE GLORY OF HIS PRESENCE

Every Christian has experienced in some measure at least, the presence of God - some more than others.When you were born again, you began to know that Other Presence with you. When you were filled with the Spirit,  that sense of His presence increased - that beautiful presence which draws us on to follow after and which causes us to lift up our hearts in worship. This is what every person in the world is longing for, even though they may not know it. As Saint Augustine said, "You have made us for Thyself and our hearts cannot rest until it rests in Thee"

Now magnify that presence many times over - the beauty of His holiness, the knowledge of His Glory, the deep, deep satisfaction of His fathomless love. This is what will pervade the Church in this last great move of God. This is what the world is seeking.

That presence will convince the world of the reality of God and the truth of His Word. It will bring conviction of sin. Witness its effect on Isaiah in the temple; on Job when he saw His Glory; on Moses who had to wear a veil to cover the reflected Glory on his face. That presence will bring healing and cause every knee to bow and every tongue to confess the Lordship of Christ. That presence will have every demon fleeing in dread.  His presence will wash away all the filth and the hurt and the hate of this world.

Back in the days of the Charismatic Renewal, I saw something of the power of His presence. People surrendered to the Lord without anyone preaching to them or sharing 'The four spiritual laws' with them. His presence said it all.

In the worldwide Awakening that is coming, the intensity of His presence will be greater than anything we have previously experienced. How do I know all this? Because I see in the Type of the Tabernacle that the Church is about to go into the Holy of Holies - beyond the Veil.

The Day if Atonement was the holiest Day of the year for Israel. Some things happened in the solemn rituals connected to that day that were unique. On that day only, the High Priest went through the Veil; and on that day the Scapegoat was taken out into the wilderness carrying all of the sins of all of the people.

These rituals portray a deeper revelation and experience of the Cross. We know that historically, the Veil was torn at the time of Jesus' death; but what does that mean for us personally? We can know that the Crucifixion really happened; but unless we come personally to the Cross we won't receive its benefits. Likewise, the rending of the Veil can be just a fact of history unless it is personally applied. I have written about this in my book "End Time Insights."  I hope you manage to get a copy of it and take a walk through the Tabernacle and experience the rending of the Veil for yourself.

The removal of the Veil comes with the truth of the finished work of Christ. Hitherto we have not come into the full realisation of just what the cross accomplished. When we do we will rise 'unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ' [Ephesians 4:13] and be a 'glorious Church without spot or wrinkle'.[Ephesians 5:26] When we, by the Spirit, behold His glory, we will become glorious because it is a spiritual principle that 'what we see, we will be.'
"But we all with unveiled face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory unto glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord." [2 Corinthians 3:18] 

We are changed, not by crossing t's and dotting i's but by beholding the Glory of His presence beyond the Veil. It is this removal of the Veil in the Church which will draw in the nations and bring into manifestation all that Jesus died for.

"And he will destroy in this mountain [Mt Zion- the Church] the face of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations.
He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth; for the Lord hath spoken it.
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us; this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation." Isaiah 25:7 - 9