PREDICTIVE PROPHECY

PART TWO "A"

 

THE SEVEN YEAR TRIULATION PERIOD

 

~The seven years prior to the Coming of the Lord~

In judgment

 

In part one of these studies we learned from scripture the relation between the Rapture and the Tribulation Period. Immediately after the Rapture of the church the seven year tribulation period is initiated by the revealing of the lawless one. (2nd Thessalonians :28 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

 

At the Rapture:

 

1. At the response to the Shout of Jesus from heaven the church will ascend from the earth to meet Jesus on the clouds to be there with Him there forever.

(1st Thessalonians 4:13-18)

2. After the church meets Jesus in the clouds the Lawless one will be reveled.

(2nd Thessalonians 2:8)

3. The unsaved at the time of the Rapture of the church will be deceived by the Lawless one and will be condemned forever. (2nd Thessalonians 4:10-12)

 

As we pursue the path of predictive prophecy it is important to keep in mind that God's perfect plan for the age's works on His divine schedule which is unknown to us. In most cases a careful study of Bible prophecy tells us what is going to happen without telling us exactly when it will happen. There are a few exceptions to this rule. For example Genesis 2:16-17 "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." In this prophecy God tells Adam and Eve what will happen and when it will happen. And Genesis 6:1-3 "Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose. And the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years." Genesis 6:12-13 "So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth." In this prophecy God tells what will happen and when it will happen as well.

 

As we pursue the path of predictive prophecy it is important to keep in mind that God's perfect plan for the age's works on His divine schedule which is unknown to us. In most cases a careful study of Bible prophecy tells us what is going to happen without telling us exactly when it will happen. There are a few exceptions to this rule. For example Genesis 2:16-17 "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." In this prophecy God tells Adam and Eve what will happen and when it will happen. And Genesis 6:1-3 "Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose. And the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years." Genesis 6:12-13 "So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth." In this prophecy God tells what will happen and when it will happen as well.

 

However the prophecies regarding the coming of Christ for the church (Rapture) is for God the Father alone to know. But His coming at the end of the Tribulation period is revealed as 490 years after the rapture of the church takes place. Only after the coming of Christ for His church can we calculate the second coming of Christ to the earth. That calculation is revealed to us in the Seventy Week Prophecy found in the ninth chapter verses 24-27 of the book of Daniel, to be 70 weeks of years (70X7=490) or 490 years. This prophecy is often referred to as "Daniel's seventy week prophecy and Jacob's trouble." Also spoken of by Jesus as "The Abomination of Desolation" Matthew 24:15 vv "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand). This prophecy was actually given to Daniel by the Angel Gabriel, and recorded by Daniel in verses 9:20-23.

 

~The Seventy Weeks~

490 years

 

Note:

This passage will be much easier to understand if we know that the word "weeks" used frequently in these four verses, is translated from the Hebrew word "shabuwa`" and literally translated means "sevens". For example, in verse 9:24 the words "Seventy weeks are determined", we would understand, "seventy sevens" are determined". (70X7=490÷7=70 weeks of seven is determined.)

 

It should also be understood that these lengths of time are calculated by the Biblical calendar as is found in Scripture. There is conclusive evidence to show that the prophetic year of Scripture is composed of 360 days, or twelve months of 30 days.

 

According to the Genesis record, the flood began on the seventeenth day of the second month (Genesis 7:11), and came to an end on the seventeenth day of the seventh month (Genesis 8:4). Now this is a period of exactly five months, and fortunately the length of the same period is given in terms of days-"an hundred and fifty days"- (Genesis 7:24). "And the waters prevailed on the earth one hundred and fifty days. (Genesis 8:3) "And the waters receded continually from the earth." At the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters decreased. Thus the earliest known month used in Biblical history was thirty days in length, and twelve such months would give us a 360 day year. This same period of time is referred to as times and times and a half time. (One year, two Years, and a half year)

 

Understanding that the word "weeks literally means years, and these years are 360 days in length will aid us greatly in understanding the meaning of this prophecy.

 

NOTE:

Additional Biblical confirmation of the above mentioned information.

 

THE BIBLICAL CALENDAR USED IN THE INTERPRETATION

 

NOTES:

 

  1. To determine the end we must establish the beginning.

2. There is an original and specific calendar recorded in Scripture.

 

Our goal:

 

1. Ascertain the nature and length of the “weeks”.

2. Determine what historical the events which mark their beginning and their end.

3. Confirm whether the prediction fits the history from a chronological standpoint.

4. Understand that the first sixty nine weeks have been fulfilled.

 

Our approach:

 

  • Four questions will cover the field of investigation.

 

  1. What is the measure of time indicated by this “Weeks” of the prophecy?
  2. If these “weeks” are composed of years, what is the length of the year?
  3. When did the whole period of the Seventy Weeks Begin?
  4. When did the fist sixty-nine weeks end and what happened on that date?

 

1. What kind of weeks are they?

 

  • To the casual reader the word “week” means one thing. The Gregorian calendar in use today determines a week to mean seven twenty four hour days.
  • The Jewish calendar had a “seven” of years as well as seven of days.
    • This Biblical “week” of years was just as familiar to the Jew as the “week” of days is to us.
    • In certain respects even more important.
    • Six years the Jew was free to till and sow his land, but the seventh year was to be a “Sabbath of rest unto the land.”
  • Sabbath of rest unto the land.

 

Leviticus 25:3-4 'Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather in its fruit; 'but in the seventh year there shall be a “Sabbath” of solemn rest for the land, a “Sabbath” to the LORD. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard.

 

Upon a multiple of this important week of years – “Seven Sabbaths of years”- there was based the great jubilee of social and economic adjustment every fiftieth year.

 

On this most important year Debts were wiped out, Estates returned to the original owner, and slaves were set free.

 

  • The Year of Jubilee

 

  1. 25:8-10 'And you shall count seven Sabbaths of years for yourself, seven times seven years; and the time of the seven Sabbaths of years shall be to you forty-nine years. 'Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land. 'And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family.

 

There are several reasons to believe that “Seventy Weeks” of this prophecy refer to the well known “seven “of years.

 

  1. In context, Daniel had been thinking not only in terms of years rather than days, but also in a definite multiple of “sevens” (10X7) of years.

 

Daniel 9:1-2 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans -- in the first year of his reign I, Daniel understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the LORD, given through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

 

Jeremiah 25:11 ‘And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon “seventy (Hebrew "shib`iym") years.”

 

  1. Daniel also knew that the very length of the Babylonian captivity had been based on Jewish violations of the Devine law of the Sabbatical year.

 

  • God’s definite time of captivity.
  • The Jews had been removed off the land and sent captive to Babylon in order that the land could rest for “seventy years.”

 

2nd Chronicles 36:20-21 And those who escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon, where they became servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths. As long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfill “seventy years.”

 

It is evident that the Sabbatical year had been violated for 490 years, or exactly seventy “sevens” of years. How appropriate therefore, at the end of the judgment for these violations the Angel should be sent to reveal the start of a new era of Gods dealing with the Jews.

 

A judgment that had extended for the same number of years that covered by the violations of the Sabbatical year, namely a cycle of 490 years or “seventy Sevens” of years.

 

With the understanding of the forgoing information, and for clarity and understanding we will, "for the purpose of this study only", replace the word "weeks" with the word "years", and the word "week" with the word "year" .

 

THE SEVENTY WEEK PROPHECY

 

Daniel 9:24 "Seventy years are determined for your people and for your holy city, 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.

 

  • The 6 reasons for the Seventy years.

 

1) to finish the transgression. (pesha`) a revolt of God's people.

2) to make an end of sins (chatta'ah) an offence, disobedience to God's law.

3) to make reconciliation for iniquity. (kaphar) to cover, atone for Israel's sin.

4) to bring in everlasting righteousness (`avon) The righteousness of Christ.

5) to seal up vision and prophecy (chatham) to close up. (Daniel 8:26; 12:4)

6) to anoint the Most Holy. (mashach) by implication, to consecrate (the Temple) See: 1st Kings 8:6; 1st Chronicles 6:49; 2nd Chronicles 3:10, 5:7; 5:11; Ezra 4;14 (Just a few references)

 

  • These 6 objectives will be accomplished by the end of the seven year tribulation period and the victory of Christ at the battle of Armageddon.

 

25 "Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven years and sixty-two years [69]; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times [Nehemiah 4:1-14; 6:1-14 Ezra 4:1-16].

 

1) It was the report of the ruined condition of the "the wall" and "the gates" of the city that aroused the deep concern of Nehemiah, the Jewish cupbearer of King Artaxerxes. (Nehemiah 1:1-4)

2) After earnest prayer Nehemiah dares to petition the King. (Nehemiah 2:1-8)

 

  • The command to restore and build Jerusalem.
  1. There is only one decree in Old Testament history which, apart from all expedients of interpretation, and by any possibility be identified as the "command" referred to in Daniel's prophecy. The decree is found in the book of Nehemiah. Read carefully Nehemiah 1:1-4 and 2:1-8, noting several facts:

 

  1. This "commandment", by a large number of interpreters, has been identified with the decrees issued by Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, recorded in the book of Ezra. But these decrees without any exception have to do with the rebuilding of the Temple, not the City. Read carefully Ezra 1;1-2; 4:1-5; 11-24; 6:1-5 ;14-15, 7:11, 20, 27, and notice that in every case the decree concerns the "the house of the Lord". But there is no authorization for the rebuilding of the city.

 

26 "And after the sixty-two years Messiah shall be cut off [crucified], but not for Himself; and the people of the prince who is to come [General Titus and the Roman army] shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood [take place quickly], and till the end of the war desolations are determined.

 

  • After sixty two years Christ will be crucified. Mark: 15:3-14 & 20, John 19:15-18.
  • General Titus and the Roman army will destroy the temple and Jerusalem. [A.D.70]
  1. Jeremiah 26:18 "Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Zion shall be plowed like a field, Jerusalem shall become heaps of ruins, and the mountain of the temple like the bare hills of the forest." '
  2. This condition will prevail till the end of the war, desolations are determined. [certain]

 

27 Then he [the man of perdition] shall confirm a covenant with many [Jewish people] for seven years; but in the middle of the seven years 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 [the man of perdition] shall confirm a covenant with many [Jewish people] for seven years.
  1. The antichrist will promise to the Jewish people the rebuilding of the Temple and they will be allowed to resume their sacrificial worship.
  2. We know the temple will be rebuilt because in the middle of this period of seven years [three and one half years] he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering, and on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate.

(Daniel 12:11 "And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.) [Three and one half years]

  1. even until the consummation, ("kalaha" completion; adv. complete destruction.

Rev 19:11-22:21

  1. CHRIST, Final Coming The concluding part of the Bible speaks of the concluding events of our world. This last section of the Bible uses previous biblical language to describe Christ's final victory. Christ will ride to victory, punishing His enemies and finally establishing His rule over all creation. Satan will be finally defeated. Jesus will rule with His faithful people and will judge the dead. Unbelievers will be punished, while believers will live eternally in the New Jerusalem. God's church can depend on God's promise. Jesus Christ will come soon. The pure and the faithful will receive His rewards.
  1. which is determined, (by the foreknowledge of God.)
  2. is poured out on the desolate. (Those who are condemned) because the refuse to acknowledge God for who He is.

Rev 19:11-22:21

JESUS CHRIST, Final Coming

  1. concluding part of the Bible speaks of the concluding events of our world. This last section of the Bible uses previous biblical language to describe Christ's final victory. Christ will ride to victory, punishing His enemies and finally establishing His rule over all creation. Satan will be finally defeated. Jesus will rule with His faithful people and will judge the dead. Unbelievers will be punished, while believers will live eternally in the New Jerusalem. God's church can depend on God's promise. Jesus Christ will come soon. ( pure and the faithful will receive His rewards.) REV 22:12-13 "And behold, I am coming quickly [tachu {takh-oo'} quickly, speedily' without delay], and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to his work."I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the last.

 

In part 2 "B" of this study we will explore the events that will take place in the second three and one half years of the tribulation period.