The Prophecy - Daniel 9:24-27 - Daniel's 70 Weeks |
Old Testament Prophecy |
24) Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place. 25) So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress. 26) Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. 27)And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate. |
This covenant or agreement between the Antichrist who will be representing several nations and Israel seems to be what puts things in motion for Daniel's 70th Week to begin. The specific nature of the covenant is not revealed. The treaty is expected to be comprehensive meaning that several nations will take part in it. It does not have to include every single nation that is near Israel.
For one seven-year period that leader will make a steadfast agreement with many peoples.(1)
He: the pronoun refers to the ruler or leader mentioned in the previous verses.(1) “The ruler who will come” (Dan. 9:26) will be this covenant-maker, for that person is the antecedent of the word he in verse 27. As a yet-future ruler he will be the final head of the fourth empire (the little horn of the fourth beast, Dan. 7:8).(2)
Some versions read "make a firm covenant." (This shows that this treaty is a significantly stronger (Peace) Treaty than in the past).
With many: other versions understand this to mean “with the mighty.” But it is generally agreed that it means “many peoples.”(1)
The beginning of the week (week 70) may be marked by the establishment of a firm covenant or treaty between the Coming Prince and the Jewish nation. In the "midst" of the Seventieth Week, evidently breaking his treaty, the coming prince will suddenly cause the Jewish sacrifice to cease and precipitate upon this people a time of wrath and desolation lasting to the "full end" of the week.(3)
A Peace treaty is already in place (Camp David Agreement) between Israel and Egypt. This treaty could be used as a starting point to expand the number of nations taking part in it.
This could be the forming of a New Covenant or this could be the endorsement or modification of a pre-existing covenant that is made stronger or firm.
There are at least 4 Reasons To Believe that this coming peace treaty will include giving Israel the authorization to rebuild the Third Temple.
The covenant he will make will evidently be a peace covenant, in which he will guarantee Israel’s safety in the land. This suggests that Israel will be in her land but will be unable to defend herself for she will have lost any support she may have had previously. Therefore she will need and welcome the peacemaking role of this head of the confederation of 10 European (Roman) nations. In offering this covenant, this ruler will pose as a prince of peace, and Israel will accept his authority.(2)
Some variations include "And he will make a firm covenant "(Nasb), "Then he shall confirm a covenant "(nkjv), and "He will strengthen a covenant"(ArtScroll). Also sometimes translated as "binding agreement" or "to strike a firm alliance."
Here are some links that have been created to help move around inside of the Daniel 9:24-27 prophecy.
Other links of interest include:
1). Pter-Contesse, Ren.; Ellington, John: A Handbook on the Book of Daniel. New York : United Bible Societies, 1993 (UBS Handbook Series; Helps for Translators), S. 257
2).Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 1:1364
3). J. Dwight Pentecost Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology p.241.
