“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,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate.”
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,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate.
This verse describes what will happen in the 70th seven, the Tribulation period of 7 years. God sets this 70th seven off by itself because there is a gap or parenthesis between the 69th seven and the 70th. That time is the period of the church, the time between the first coming of Christ and the Rapture (Ep 3:1-6).
When God finishes His dealings with the church, He brings the church to Himself in the first phase of Christ’s coming, the Rapture. Then He returns to dealing with Israel as a nation. The purpose of the Tribulation is to get the attention of Israel to accept Jesus in His Second Coming. At the end of the 70th seven, God will establish Israel again as God’s chosen people on earth.
The antecedent of “he” is the “prince who is to come” in verse 26. It is not Titus because he did not make a contract with Israel. The Antichrist of the Revived Roman Empire will make that covenant with Israel. Therefore, the seventieth week (seven sevens) does not follow upon the 69th week immediately. We see this kind of break in time between the Messiah’s first and Second Coming (Is 61:1-2).
The Antichrist will make a peace covenant with Israel for one week (seven years), guaranteeing Israel’s safety in the land. Israel will sign this contract with the head of the Revived Roman Empire, the Antichrist. These seven years will begin immediately after the Rapture. The “many” refers to Israel (v.24). He breaks this covenant “in the middle of the week” (3 ½ years). Daniel calls this “a time, times and half a time” (7:25; 12:7; cf. Re 12:14). John calls this “1,260 days” and “42 months” in Revelation (11:3; 12:6 and 11:2; 13:5).
The words “sacrifice and offerings” refer to the Levitical system of worship. The “wing of abominations” refers to a wing of the temple particularly corrupted because of idolatry. Jewish sacrifices stop forty-two months before Messiah returns (12:11).
Summary of the vision of the seventy sevens: The city and the streets are rebuilt in the first seven sevens. The Messiah comes and is cut off in the second period of sixty-two sevens. Intercalation (parenthesis) occurs between the sixty-ninth and seventh seven to allow for the church age. The seventh seven is the Tribulation period. The world ruler makes a covenant with Israel at the beginning of the Tribulation but then breaks that covenant in the middle of the Tribulation (42 months), taking away Israel’s sacrificial system, thus desecrating the temple.
The seventieth seven is a period of seven years (the Tribulation of seven years after the Rapture of the church). Unbelieving Jews will ally with “the prince that shall come” (v.26, a political ruler who makes a covenant with Israel in the middle of the Tribulation of seven years). This will be an unholy alliance to the damage of Israel as a nation. The person who confirms the covenant will “bring an end to sacrifice and offering.” All bloody and non-bloody sacrifices will cease.
This end of sacrifices during the Tribulation is the abomination of desolation of which Jesus spoke (11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15-16,21; Mark 13:14; 1 Macc 1:54). Daniel 12:11 makes this a clear reference to the future cessation of daily sacrifices, forty-two months before the Second Coming of Christ. What Antiochus Epiphanies did in a small way will become world-wide in the Tribulation under the world ruler (Re 13:4-7). He will be defeated at the Second Coming (Re 19 – cast into the Lake of Fire). This will be the terminus ad quem of the seventy sevens of Daniel. Daniel’s prophecy of the seventy sevens extends from Nehemiah (445 B.C.) until the Second Coming.
Mt 24:15-28, 15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 “Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 “And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 “But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 “And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. 23 ‘Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 “See, I have told you beforehand. 26 “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. 27 “For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 “For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.”
PRINCIPLE:
There is a major difference between Israel and the church in God’s economy.
APPLICATION:
No prophet in the Old Testament knew anything of the church. The Old Testament did not foretell the church. The promises to Israel do not apply to the church. The church is a new entity in the New Testament. God revealed the doctrine of the church to the apostle Paul.
Eph 3:1-7, 1 “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.”
The Bible divides people into three kinds:
1. The Jew
2. The Gentile
3. The church
1 Co 10:32-33, 32 “Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks (Gentile) or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”
Daniel and his friends were put there by men… that is not God's wrath.
ok, does it mean that there are 2 raptures happening?
One rapture… but the bible does discuss multiple resurrections. The first was with the resurrection of Christ. The next will be during the Rapture. There will also be another after tribulation. And then another after the 1000 years of peace (this is for those being judged at the Great White Throne Judgment).
what I mean is first the church and then the Jews after the seven years
is it?
Ranapriya and Frank, Note the differences between the Rapture and the Second Coming on this page: http://versebyversecommentary.com/articles/rapture-vs-the-second-coming/
yes, but the Rapture is happening at the second coming of our Lord. as said in Matthew 24
Ranapriya, there is nothing in Mt 24 about the rapture. The entire Olivet Discourse is about the Tribulation and the Second Coming. Ephesians 3 says that the complete idea of the church and its economy was given to Paul by special revelation.
Hi. Have been interested, as most are, about the timing of the rapture. I'm torn between the idea of it taking place at the 6th seal and at the 7th trumpet. If the antichrist is revealed first, then rapture, then that would put it around then. I still can't shake the idea of the 6th seal though. There is a good arguement for both. Your thoughts?
Colin, you are expressing the pre-wrath interpretation of the rapture. It appears to me to be a convoluted way to interpret eschatology. There are extensive arguments against this view.
Hi, Do you hold the view that the warnings to the churches in revelations were a message of repentance as to avoid going through the tribulation. The blessing of obedience being rescued or taken out of the way. The tribulations purpose to refine or purify faith and obedience were it lacked in those saints who didn't heed the warnings to the churches by Jesus. I mentioned the view of thew sixth seal as among an earth shattering cataclysm, saints appear in heaven from every tongue, singing a song of salvation, waving palm branches … who have made their garments white. They'd prepared themselves as a bride. When John enquired" who are these"? he was told that they had come out of great tribulation. The previous seals sound like tribulation to me, but your right, there are arguments against this idea
Colin, the purpose of the Tribulation was not for the church but for Israel. That is, to bring Israel to the Messiah. They rejected Him at His first coming but they will accept Him at His Second Coming at the end of the Tribulation. Note the structure of Revelation. Chapter one–our blessed Lord. Chapters 2-3 the church. Chapters 4-19 the Tribulation, chapter 20 the Millennium. Chapters 21-22 the Eternal State.
I too agree with Colin, even the Church (believers – who are in right relationship with the Lord) will be going through the tribulation, and their faith in the Lord will be tested during the tribulation. and the Lord will be with them through until the end. Further some of the harassment that we "the believers" under going for our faith in the Lord. Back in our country like not having the mark of the beast, if you are not a Roman Catholic, you can not get the children in to the school and even when you are dead no burial grounds. So aren't we going through the tribulation even now. And the Lord will appear at a time no one will except and will take us to Him.
Another reason for this is, say if the church was taken (raptured) and from then any one can count the seven years for the Second coming of our Lord. But as said in the bible no one will know the day of the coming of our Lord.
So what do you all think?
Ranapryia, you still have not answered the problem of the differences between the Rapture and the Second Coming: http://versebyversecommentary.com/articles/rapture-vs-the-second-coming/ There is nothing in Scripture about being in right relationship to the Lord and going through the Tribulation unless you mean that Christians (i.e., the church will not go through the Tribulation). Christians are definitely going through tribulation but not the Tribulation. I would suggest you study my First Thessalonians study and especially the Introduction to the book.
There appears to be an inconsistency in the following
"The seventiethth seven is the Tribulation period. The world ruler makes a covenant with Israel at the beginning of the Tribulation but then breaks that covenant in the middle of the Tribulation (42 months) taking away Israel’s sacrificial system thus desecrating the temple.
The seventieth seven is a period of seven years (the Tribulation of seven years after the Rapture of the church). Unbelieving Jews will enter into alliance with “the prince that shall come” (v.26, a political ruler who makes a covenant with Israel in the middle of the Tribulation of seven years)."
The ruler makes a seven year covenant, but then it appears to be only 3 1/2 years; or are you saying there is a second covenant at the midway point? It would be an assumed covenant as there is no direct statement saying so.
Brian, thanks for your comment. All I am saying is that the Antichrist makes the covenant for 7 years but breaks his own covenant at the mid point.
I've read the discussions above and yes there is a lot of talk about the 7 year peace treaty the antichrist makes but I really have trouble seeing it that way. Depending on which version you read, all have very good points. I tend to believe more so that Daniel 9:25 onward isn't referring to an end time antichrist at all, nor a peace treaty that he makes … even that it refers to a 7 year period. Without going into to much detail, Daniel is told the "he" after only sentences before referring to two individuals only. Neither were an antichrist. In the cemeteries before Christ, Daniel wouldn't have, I believe, wouldn't have understood the concept unless it was stated in a way that he could understand it. If he didn't and the angel was referring to an antichrist, as per the other accounts, Daniel would have asked for an explanation. Making a peace treaty is not the same thing as confirming a covenant, I believe, especially a "berith" Devine covenant. "With many can also be translated as" with abundance" so a treaty with many referring to the Israelites may not be the correct interpretation of that part of the statement either. I could go on but maybe ther will be a treaty maybe there won't , they certainly need one but quite possibly I think a lot of people may be looking for the wrong thing or reading into a possible event.. Just putting it out there guys
Dr Grant and all brothers and sisters. Dr Grant is correct in what he is saying, we have tribulation and trials in our life know, but what Grant said , we have not been in a great tribulation that will be in the last three and one half years of the tribulation, see Matt.24:21 you can't describe it because it is soo bad. About the rapture go to Dr Grant writting on 1 Thess. 1:10 f. The second comming and the second advent are the same. Christ came once to die on the Cross, The next time he will come in the air which is the rapture, for the church, before the 7 year tribulation, the second comming or second advent, He will bring the church with him at the end of the 7 year tribulation,. At The rapture head goes up first, at the second comming or second advent feet comes down first Period.
The majority are usually wrong is this true to scripture? Did not Yahshua minister 3+1/2 years? The end of needing to sacrifice thru new covenant sealed with His blood? (Now Telescope instead of microscope,is not what the Father Yahweh, is primarily concerned about, to start with,
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT? see Isaiah 45:11) for purposes of dominion to day the least? Yet let us progress to Eph.4:13 is this not the Glory of the Father? Were not angles overheard saying Job 7:17,18? Does not all creation grown and travail in earnest expatiation waiting for the manifestation of the sons of I Am that I Am ?
Are we not chosen in the furnace of affliction? 2 Cor.12:9,10 secret of success? as Franklin distilled from the Bible adversity does best discover virtue prosperity does best discover vice. Will there be adversity during last 3+1/2 years ? Who said better is the end of a matter than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit than the proud in spirit? Here is a question many have yet considered concerning event timing see 1 The.4:16,17 the dead in Christ shall rise first?
1 Cor.15:51,52..at the last trumpet.. the dead shall be raised? Now the observation concerning resurrection verses 22-24 Messiah the first fruits afterward they that are Messiah’s at His coming then comes the end when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to Yahweh, Finally Rev.20:4-6 the vast multitude which no man could number 7:14 (must be over 200 million which was numbered Rev.9:16) the exalted and honored overcomes , the first resurrection hmm question if Rapture takes place at beginning or before tribulation then Dead would have to be raised also before tribulation and then end would have to come. Meaning no one could be saved during tribulation Plus how could there be a tribulation if the end comes after pre tribulation ? there is only one resurrection of the righteous dead. In the mouth of two or three witnesses let every word be established. has anyone noticed the 42 similarities between Rev.chapters 6-9 and 14-19? In summation 3+1/2 Messiah cuts covenant + 3+1/2 (Messiah finishes covenant) first the natural than the spiritual… returns first in His body than for His people 1Pet.1:23
Eph.1:23 Col 1:23 Dan.12:3 Acts 14:22
Rev.3:21
Tracy, your thoughts are rambling and incoherent. I would suggest that you go to each of the passages that you suggest in my commentary and read them in context. I appreciate your commitment to the Word of God.
I agree with tracy – We are in dander of taking glory from the Lord Jesus. I don’t trust the dispensational view. What will we do in glory if we find out the covenant is the New Covenant – their sins and iniquities I will remember no more. Surely he died to bring Jew and Gentile together into one body -the Church.
William, I hold the opposite trust. I would much rather trust a normal hermeneutic which is based on a normal-literal approach to interpretation rather than spiritualizing the text as does covenant theology.
Tracy,
There “First Resurrection” is not an event that takes place at one time. It is a label for all of God’s people who are resurrected beginning with Jesus and ending with those resurrected after the Tribulation. Please note that the church does not go through the Tribulation, and that the term “First Resurrection” is NOT synonymous with or exclusive to the church. In the same way, in The Millennium, and in Eternity, there are people “saved” who are not the church. For instance, those “saved” under pre-church era conditions and those “saved” out of Great Tribulation will be there, but it is a mistaken inference to assume they are the church, which will also be there. I recommend you study the concept of ecclesiology and understand the distinction between the church and Israel. There have been people saved throughout all periods or eras or ages of time, but the church is a uniquely distinguished entity that began at and only at Pentecost and will end at the Rapture – whose purpose and destiny was hidden throughout the OT, but revealed by God to Paul in the New, as God’s Bride.
Mike, well said.
Frank, your comments are spot on, good to hear someone speak with a good understanding of Scripture, God Bless
Sadly, so many do not understand when Jesus or His Word refers to the church or the Jews, without knowing that, it is impossible to figure these events out……….
Hi Grant, I have read scripture to indicate that the church is the Bride of Christ, but also the New Jerusalem is referred to the “bride of Christ’ in Revelation 21:9-11. How can the New Jerusalem and the church both be the Bride of Christ?
Donna,
The church is the bride of Christ but she will be united with her Husband in glory (Re 19:7ff). The church will be with Christ in heaven for eternity. There will be a wedding supper when the Church is welcomed into heaven. A declaration of this is given in Revelation 19:7–8. The marriage precedes His glorious return (vv. 11-16). The Bride will have made herself ready. By the time the New Jerusalem comes into existence, the church will live in her.
Donna,
Great question. Rev. 21:9-10 says:
“And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,”
-Revelation 21:9-10
Verse 2 similarly had said,
“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” -Revelation 21:2
Let’s understand with precision. John had said the angel told him he would be taken to see the Lamb’s wife, and the next thing he saw was the New Jerusalem. I think it is worth noting that the city was prepared “AS” a bride. In other words, I think what is being communicated is the New Jerusalem is the future eternal home of God’s bride – the church – and if John was to see the bride, he would have to see the city, as that is where she dwells. The city was adorned as a bride because it was inhabited by the bride.
Its sort of like saying “let me show you the President.” And then I took you to show you the White House.
Thankyou Grant and Mike, that is what I thought it might mean. Very helpful.
I believe that King Jesus Lord of all wants us to study his word , because most of you are trying to figure out whats gonna happen, none of you actually know , none of you , it says that in his word , just stay in his word , if you do that you cant mess it up,i hope and pray that im on the first wave during the battle of Armageddon , IHS