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. |
The Hebrew word translated to the English "transgression" carries the idea of rebellion against God. It is due to this state of rebelliousness that Isaiah said the Messiah would die.
By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken (Isaiah 53:8).
Israel's (and the rest of the world's) transgressions have not ended. All people to one degree or another live with transgression in their life. The finishing of transgression that comes with this part of Daniel's prophecy points towards the death of the Messiah. Putting faith in Jesus as the Messiah who died for our sins like Isaiah 53 teaches, finishes our transgressions in God's eyes because the penalty for the transgression has already been paid.
While this part of the prophecy was fulfilled in principle at Christ's first coming, it will be fulfilled in full at His return.(1)
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit (John 19:30).
On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity (Zechariah 13:1).
Some Bibles use the word restrain instead of finish.(2)
Transgression can be defined as: infringement or violation of a law, command, or duty.(3)
The transgression would be terminated through atonement.(4)
At the end of the 490 years God will finish the transgression of Israel. The verb “to finish” (kālā’) means “to bring something to an end.” Israel’s sin of disobedience will be brought to an end at Christ's second coming when she repents and turns to Him as her Messiah and Savior. Then she will be restored to the land and blessed, in answer to Daniel's prayer.(5)
Daniel also refers to Israel's transgressions in Daniel 9:11. Daniel confirms that due to Israel's transgressions a curse has been brought upon Israel. This is the same curse Moses spoke about in Deuteronomy 18:1-14 and Leviticus 26:3-34. This was the short term transgressions to finish. The long term transgressions are ended through the Messiah.
The transgressions that Israel caused brought about the curse referenced in Leviticus's 26:3-20 and Deuteronomy 18: 1-14.
Some people like to use the term "restrain sin in principle' instead of finish the transgression.
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). John MacArthur Study Bible p.1218
2). Promise Keepers Men's Study Bible (NIV)
3). Merriam Webster Online Dictionary
4). ArtScroll Tanach Series (Daniel) p.260
5). 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. 1:1361
