The Fulfillment of the Sixty-Nine Sevens (Daniel 9:25)

I. Video

What is the prophetic outline to the Book of Daniel?

II. Video Data. John Ankerberg Show. Dr. John Ankerberg (M. Div., D. Min). Dr. Jimmy DeYoung (M. Div., Ph. D., 1940-21).

III. Introduction. The Fulfillment of the Sixty-Nine Sevens. Author: Dr. John F. Walvoord (A.B., M.A., Th. B., Th. M., Th. D., D.D., Litt. D., 1910-2002).

A. 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 three score and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.”

B. At the outset of the revelation of the details of the seventy sevens, Daniel is exhorted to know and understand the main facts of the prophecy (cf. Dan 9:22). 

C. The key to the interpretation of the entire passage is found in the phrase “from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem.” The question of the terminus a quo, the date on which the seventy sevens begin, is obviously most important both in interpreting the prophecy and in finding suitable fulfillment. The date is identified as being the one in which a commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem is issued. The decree of Artaxerxes was  given to Nehemiah authorizing the rebuilding of the city (Neh 2:1-8, 536 B.C.). Implication has been drawn from Ezra 4:12-21 (534 B.C.) that the city walls were rebuilt at that time and that the reference to “a wall in Judah” in Ezra 9:9 (457 B.C.) signifies completion. 

D. In verse 25, Daniel is introduced to two periods of time which are immediately consecutive, first a period of seven sevens, or forty-nine years, and then a period of sixty-two sevens, or four hundred and thirty-four years. There is no indication clearly given as to the reason for distinguishing between the two periods except that he adds “the streets shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times.”

E. That Sir Robert Anderson is right in building upon a 360-day year seems to be attested by the Scriptures. It is customary for the Jews to have twelve months of 360 days each and then to insert a thirteenth month occasionally when necessary to correct the calendar. The use of the 360-day year is confirmed by the forty-two months of the great tribulation (Rev 11:2; 13:5) being equated with 1,260 days (Rev 12:6; 11:3).

F. Accordingly, the best explanation of the time when the sixty-nine sevens ended is that it occurred shortly before the death of Christ anticipated in Daniel 9:26 as following the sixty-ninth seven. Practically all expositors agree that the death of Christ occurred after the sixty-ninth seven. 

G. The best end point for the sixty-nine sevens is shortly before Christ’s death anticipated in Daniel 9:26. Practically all expositors agree that the crucifixion occurred after the sixty-ninth seven. 

H. The dates of the sixty-nine weeks of Daniel 9:25 extended from the first of Nisan (March 5) 444 B.C., to the tenth of Nisan (March 30) A.D. 33.

IV. Verse examination (Daniel 9:25). Ryrie Study Bible, 1986, Dr. Charles C. Ryrie, Th. M., Th. D., Ph. D., Litt. D., 1925-2016).

The 70 sevens begin with a “decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem,” the commandment of Artaxerxes Longimanus (Neh 2:5).  The public square and moat were rebuilt by the time the first seven weeks (49 years) were completed. 

V. Summary. Author: Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Old Testament (Abridged Edition) Old Testament. Author,  Kenneth L. Barker (B.A., Th. M., Ph. D.).

A. Verse 25 is crucial. Only sixty-nine heptads (units of seven) are listed here, broken into two segments. The first segment of seven amounts to forty-nine years, during which the city of Jerusalem is to be “rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.”

B. Verse 26 specifies the termination of the sixty-nine heptads: the cutting off of the Messiah. After the appearance of Messiah as Ruler—483 years after the sixty-nine weeks have begun—he will be cut off. This accords very well with a three-year ministry of the Messiah prior to his crucifixion.

VI. My Bucket List shows the references that I consult, of theologians and printed resources, whenever I write an article that will be posted. Please the Pages of my site to find Bucket List.

VII . My Websites To Follow.

https://equippingblog.wordpress.com/ Eternity

https://untotheleastofthese.home.blog/ Book Prep

https://newsandcommentary38395276.wordpress.com/ Thy Kingdom Come

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