Daniel 9:24 - A Closer Look

Just what is the span of time for the prophecy given by God through Gabriel to Daniel? How do we know it’s not over already? This page is my attempt to answer those questions by showing the original Hebrew definitions for the words used, showing that not all the things listed as prerequisites to the ending of the 70 weeks are fulfilled as of yet. This eliminates the possibility that all prophecy is fulfilled and further places the final seven years in our future, or as I believe you will see, currently unfolding.

There are two parts to this passage. The first deals with the subject, Israel and Jerusalem. The second deals with the timing aspect. Since the first part is pretty straight-forward, I will attempt to explain the different sections of the timing aspect according to the Bible. These are AND conditions. As with Boolean conditions, each and every one must be fulfilled for the prophecy to be complete. That prophecy is encased in this 70 weeks timeframe. That means there is a gap in the prophecy from the end of the 69th week to the future 70^th week. Since all the following would have had to be completed in the seven years after the triumphal entry, and it clearly hasn’t been fulfilled yet, it must reside in our future.

Furthermore, Christ labels the abomination of desolation as the beginning of the time of great tribulation. This is the beginning of the reign of the man of sin, given power by the dragon. Revelation 13:5 This continues for 3½ years at which time the Bible says Christ throws the antichrist and false prophet into the lake of fire, ending the 1260-day reign of the beast. Revelation 19:20 And since that happens at Christ’s return in glory, which has not occurred yet, it clearly must happen within the 70^th week of Daniel and before it ends since the abomination of desolation is in the middle of that 70^th week.

to finish the transgression

By looking at the original definitions for these words, it would seem to be that rebellion, sin, and transgression must be withheld and restrained. I’ve personally seen enough sin in my life to recognize that this isn’t fulfilled entirely yet. It won’t be until the millennium, when Christ will rule with a rod of iron. There will be perfect peace and He will be a present authority to stop or refrain revolt or transgression from His rule.

As well, the national and religious rebellion of Israel as a nation will be over after Israel calls upon the name of the Lord. Yeshua said that this would be when they (Israel) would see Him again. There’s an interesting study on the 9th of Av and its connection to Christ’s return in glory and Armageddon.

to make an end of sins

Comment by Lazarus43:

“It should be noted that the Hebrew word “chatta’ah” (Strong’s 02403), translated “sins” in Daniel 9:24 is also translated as “sin offering” 116 times in the KJV translation. From the definition of the Hebrew word “chatta’ah” (Strong’s 02403), it makes sense that the “end of sins” from Daniel 9:27 is not an end to man’s ability to sin. What is ended is the inevitable connection of “an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness) and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation.”

Spiritual death is the penalty for sin. The “sin and then make a sacrifice” system of the law was only a faint shadow of God’s final solution. Jesus’ death on the cross ended the system of “sin and sacrifice.” According to Jesus’ last words on the cross, “It is finished.” No more sacrifices or “sin offerings” were needed or would be accepted. The veil was ripped from top to bottom in the temple built by the hands of men. It should be remembered that, “a great many of the priests” came to understand what had happened:

Acts 6:7
The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

Also, remember what John the Baptist said, The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said,

John 1:29
Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

to make reconciliation for iniquity

I believe this was accomplished by Christ on the cross. He made reconciliation possible for us who live in iniquity.

to bring in everlasting righteousness

This too, I believe was fulfilled with Christ’s sacrifice. This is specifically the bringing in of everlasting righteousness, not necessarily the fulfillment of nothing but righteousness. However, the fullness of this righteousness will be seen for eternity after the millennium.

to seal up the vision and prophecy

The very nature of a vision, dream, or revelation signifies that the thing being seen has not occurred yet, once it happens it is no longer prophetic but now history. The very nature of Bible prophecy is that which occurs in earth space-time. So to seal up or make an end to these things means that those things we have in scripture now must be fulfilled prior to the end of the 70^th week of Daniel’s prophecy given to him by God through the angel Gabriel. Almost all of Revelation is contained within the 70 weeks timeframe. There are explanations of what will happen after the 70 weeks, but mostly descriptive of what it will be like. Not the kind of prophecy we see describing, in great detail, the period of time prior to Christ’s return to earth to rule. I believe the sealing of the vision and prophecy comes when Christ does.

Once Christ is here, there will be no need for record or report or evidence because Christ will dwell among us on the earth from that point till they are destroyed. So if our report of Christ is prophecy (since all prophecy revolves around Christ), then that will end when Christ’s presence is His own testimony and prophecy will be fulfilled among us.

to anoint the most Holy

What is the most Holy? I did a search through scripture to see where else “most Holy” is used and what it is in reference to. My conclusion is that the most Holy is the physical location of the holy of Holies on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. I believe the anointing of the holy of Holies will be when Christ steps His feet on the Mount of Olives and enters through the Golden Gate into the temple, His throne for the next 1,000 years. He is worthy and indeed was the One who’s presence rested there in Old Testament times. Here is a quick breakdown of “most Holy.”

So as you can see, the majority of times in scripture speaking of the “most Holy” are discussing the area of the Temple or adjectives describing things associated with it such as the burnt offerings that were given there and the eating of these most Holy offerings. Clearly something that must be anointed must be physical and indeed the majority of times the Bible talks about “most Holy,” it is in reference to the physical location of the Temple and more specifically, the holy of Holies, where the Lord dwelt among Israel all that time ago. He will return to rule from there as well. Amen!