7) The Seventy Weeks
The most precise messianic prophecy in the Bible
The prophecy of the seventy weeks in Daniel 9 is the most precise messianic prophecy in the Bible. It predicted with exactness when the Messiah would appear, be anointed, and die. This prophecy confirms that Jesus is the promised Christ.
The Seventy Weeks
How many weeks were determined for Daniel's people?
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Answer: 70 weeks
Daniel 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."
How many years are 70 prophetic weeks?
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Answer: 490 years (70 x 7 days = 490 days/years)
Daniel 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."
The Purpose of the Seventy Weeks
What were the purposes of the seventy weeks?
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Answer: To end transgression, make atonement for iniquity, and bring everlasting righteousness
Daniel 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."
Who would fulfill the central purpose of the 70 weeks, bringing in everlasting righteousness?
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Answer: The Messiah, Jesus Christ
Daniel 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."
The Division of the Seventy Weeks
How are the seventy weeks divided?
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Answer: 7 weeks + 62 weeks + 1 week
Daniel 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."
What do the first 7 weeks (49 years) cover?
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Answer: The period of Jerusalem's reconstruction
Daniel 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 decree of Artaxerxes went into effect in the autumn of 457 B.C. From this date, 483 years extend to the autumn of A.D. 27.” — Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 327, par. 1.
Within the 70 weeks, the prophecy points to Christ’s baptism and anointing in A.D. 27, His crucifixion in A.D. 31, and the end of the special period granted to the Jews in A.D. 34.
The Messiah Prince
When would the Messiah Prince appear?
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Answer: After 69 weeks (483 years) from the decree
Daniel 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."
What happened in 27 A.D. (457 B.C. + 483 years)?
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Answer: The baptism of Jesus and His anointing by the Holy Spirit
Luke 3:21-22: "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."
The Cutting Off of the Messiah
What would happen to the Messiah in the middle of the last week?
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Answer: He would be cut off (killed), causing the sacrifice to cease
Daniel 9:26-27: "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. 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."
When was Jesus crucified (in the middle of the 70th week)?
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Answer: 31 A.D. (3.5 years after His baptism)
Daniel 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."
And Now?
The seventy weeks confirm that Jesus is the Messiah:
- 457 B.C.: Beginning of the count
- 27 A.D.: Jesus’ baptism (Messiah anointed)
- 31 A.D.: Jesus’ crucifixion (in the middle of the week)
- 34 A.D.: End of the seventy weeks (stoning of Stephen, gospel to the Gentiles)
My Decision
The prophecy of the seventy weeks convinces me that Jesus is the promised Messiah. He appeared, was anointed, and died exactly at the predicted time. I accept Jesus as my Savior, the perfect fulfillment of messianic prophecies.