The Seventy Weeks of Daniel
Daniel 9:24-27
C.S.R. You ask whether the first half of the seventieth week of Daniel has already been fulfilled in the three-and-a-half years ministry of Christ on earth, as has been suggested.
We think not. You will notice that it is distinctly stated that after the three score and two weeks (mentioned immediately following the first seven weeks, or forty-nine years, during which the wall of Jerusalem would be re-built “in troublous times”) Messiah would be cut off. The cutting off of Messiah is thus placed not in the midst of the seventieth week, but after sixty-nine weeks in all had run their course: that is, of course, in the symbolism of Daniel’s prophecy, weeks of years, that is, 483 years. The period of 483 years runs from “the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem:” this commandment was evidently that given to Nehemiah in the l0th year of the reign of Artaxerxes, for the earlier decrees recorded as to Jerusalem concerned simply “the house of the Lord God of Israel” (Ezra 1:1-3; 6:38; 7:7); and the dates of secular history confirm the fulfillment of the prophecy in the fact of the 483 years running out in the time of Christ, His crucifixion, and the suspension of God’s special dealings with the Jews. From that point they were left to the mercy of the Gentiles, and very soon “the people of the prince” (the Romans) besieged and destroyed the city and the sanctuary.
So that the last week, or seven years, still awaits fulfillment. This week will commence when God resumes His special dealings with the Jews. This will be of course after the rapture of the Church (1 Thess. 4:14-18), but how soon after is not revealed.
It is interesting to notice that it does not say “the prince” will destroy the city and the sanctuary, but “the people of the prince;” the prince himself comes into the arena during the last week, which is still future. He will belong to the Roman Empire, for he is of the same people that destroyed Jerusalem in A.D. 70; but it is the Roman Empire divided into ten kingdoms, the ten horns (the horn is symbolical of power) of Daniel 7:24. He shall arise and subdue three of these kingdoms. At the appearance of this prince it would seem that many of the Jews are already gathered in unbelief to their own land, their temple rebuilt and the sacrifices resumed, and they will make a covenant with him, in order, probably, to save themselves from “the overflowing scourge” — some great power from the North (Isa. 28:15). Nothing corresponding to this covenant of verse 27 has taken place since the events of verse 26.
But the alliance thus formed with this blasphemous prince will be broken by him in the midst of the week; he will force idolatry upon them, and even erect an idol in the holy place within the temple — the abomination of desolation (Matt. 24:15, see also Rev. 13:5). There are several Scriptures which evidently refer to this point of history: “In the midst of the week (i.e., in the middle of the seven years) he shall cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease,” etc. (Dan. 9:27). “He shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High (the true remnant of Israel), and think to change times and laws; and they shall be given into his hand until a time, and times, and the dividing of time” — three years and a half (Dan. 7:25). Then under the figure of the “beast” (power) “there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months” — three years and a half (Rev. 13:5-7.) “And the holy city shall be trodden underfoot forty and two months” (Rev. 11:2).
It will probably be, during this period that the Jews will go through the “great tribulation” (Matt. 24:3-25), the time of Jacob’s sorrow, the result of her rejection of her Messiah. But through all this period the true remnant of Israel shall be preserved of God “for a time, and times, and half a time” (Rev. 12:14). Finally those days of sorrow will be shortened for the elect’s sake (Matt. 24:22). The Lord will answer the cries of His people by coming to Mount Olivet (Zech. 14:14) to the exact spot from whence He left the earth (Acts 1:11, 12). And the seventy weeks will close in “everlasting righteousness” brought in by Him, who, in His cutting off as Messiah, made “reconciliation for iniquity” (Dan. 9:24).
The Fullness of the Gentiles
Romans 11:25
R.H. This is not identical with “the times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24) to which you also refer. This latter is the whole period during which Jerusalem is subject to Gentile rule: it began with the Babylonian captivity of Judah under Nebuchadnezzar, and will extend until the time when at the close of Daniel’s seventieth week the Gentile world power is smitten and destroyed by the “stone cut out without hands” (Dan. 2:34-35, 44), that is, at the coming of the Lord as predicted in Revelation 19:11.
As to “the fullness of the Gentiles,” however, we may point out that God’s dealings with Israel as His specially favored and chosen people on earth, were suspended as a result of their rejection of Christ as their Messiah; they were blind and saw not in the One who came “meek and sitting on an ass” their all-glorious King; they were deaf and would not listen to His word of emancipation and life. So they stumbled, and He became a rock of offense to them. But by their fall, salvation has gone out to the Gentiles (verse II), and the harvest of this gospel amongst the Gentiles will be the Church, the Bride of Christ. This is the fullness of the Gentiles.
But when the fullness of the Gentiles is gathered in — that is, when the Church has been caught up to her appointed place in heaven above — God will resume (from the beginning of Daniel’s seventieth week) His dealings with Israel, beloved for the fathers’ sakes, “and so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written. There shall come out of Zion a Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob” (ver. 26).
So that Israel’s rejection of Christ did but further God’s gracious and eternal purpose of gathering out of the nations a people for Himself, nor will the promises made to Abraham and David fail of fulfillment. Thus God makes the very wrath of men to praise Him, and well may we exclaim with the apostle, as we view it all: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counselor? or who hath first given to Him and it shall be recompensed unto Him again? For of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen” (verses 33-36).
Idolatry
SCAR. It is clear from Deuteronomy 32:17 and 1 Corinthians 10:20 that our contributor was right in stating that “idolatry is demon-worship,” and the Israelites were undoubtedly guilty of this sin when they bowed down before the golden calf (Ex. 32).
Yet as you point out the worship of the calf “Thy gods, O Israel” is not made prominent in 1 Corinthians 10:7, but the fact that “the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” The fear of Moses, which doubtless had had a restraining effect upon their evil tendencies was removed, and they gave rein to their passions, and made themselves merry in his absence.
There is certainly in this a warning for us, and to this end it is quoted in Corinthians. The Lord is absent from this earth, it is our privilege and responsibility to remain true to Him and to watch for His return, and in this way all Israel ought to have acted as regards Moses. But we need to seek grace from God, that we may be kept in true heart separation from the world, lest we fall into this snare, and we be found like the one in Matthew 24:48-49, “But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken.” This is idolatry. It is those who have professed loyalty to a rejected and absent Lord, turning again to the world that rejoices at His absence (John 16:20) and making themselves merry with it.
Covetousness is also spoken of as idolatry (Col. 3:5). Whether it be the using of things possessed in self-gratification, or the lust for things not possessed, the heart is in bondage to something other than God, and it is idolatry.
In Other Lands
As to the “Scripture Truth” Free Distribution Fund (for free supply of copies of “Scripture Truth” to missionaries and Christian workers in other lands), we have to announce that our brother in Christ, Mr. Thos. Bell, of “Summerleigh,” Monkseaton, Northumberland, has kindly undertaken to conduct this fund jointly with Mr. D. R. Huntley, whose address was published last month. Contributions may be sent to either of them, and will be acknowledged by them jointly.
“Freely ye have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8).