Tag: Bible Prophecy

Chapter 11 ended as the world collapsed into a religious miasma, whereas chapter 12 opens with Michael, Christ standing up as if to say–”Enough!” Another time we see Christ standing is ironically in the year AD 34, at the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:55, 56), the end of the time period allotted to the ancient Jewish nation as discussed in Daniel 9. Chapter 12 is the final chapter of Daniel and opens as a climax to the scene, which started in chapter 9. It comes to a close in two different ways, depending on one’s viewpoint and purpose for reading the book.

If one reads the book of Daniel as a mere historical composite, then chapter 12 poses a cliffhanger, for it leaves one in suspense and shrouded with many unanswered questions. If one reads it as yes, a historical tome, but with a spiritual eye, then one recognizes it is book one of a two-book biopic, if you would. Daniel up to this point has been granted privy to the closing scenes of earth’s history–at least to a point. It gave him a bird’s-eye view, as well as a closer inspection. For whatever reason, this insight is now being abruptly removed, and it leaves him to wonder. 

Bible Prophecy

The book closes with three time prophecies (1260 days, 1290 days, and 1335 days). Again, the greater details are beyond this devotional. It is important to recognize that these are not arbitrary or isolated periods. They are part and parcel of the original 2300-day prophecy, as presented in Daniel 8:14. Thus, when studying them, it is important to keep them in this proper context. Again, each day represents a year in Bible prophecy, as discussed earlier (Daniel 9). We set the beginning date of 457 BC. Thus, by calculation, the ending date of the 2300-day (year) prophecy is 1844. One can then calculate each timeline based on these dates.

Enough!

The chapter ends and Gabriel graciously ushers Daniel off of the scene in verse 4. Daniel protests and Gabriel retorts in verse 9 with “Enough!”. This leaves Daniel’s visions and timelines to unfold just as foretold centuries before they took place. Spoiler alert! Another prophet, 500+ years later and also in captivity, opens the so-called closed book (Daniel 12:4, 9). The apostle John continues the saga in the New Testament book of Revelation.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we praise You for Your loving care by showing us the future in Your Word. Help us study it and align ourselves with Your purpose for us. In the wonderful name of Your Son, Jesus, Michael, the great Prince of Peace.

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We left Daniel highly disappointed in Chapter 8. Daniel chapter 9, finds Daniel realizing that the time for the 70-year captivity is almost over, as described in Jeremiah 25:11, 12 and 29:10. However, he also recognizes why his people ended up in captivity. This was because of their disobedience to God or falling away from His precepts. Daniel is concerned that despite the seventy years of punishment, the people have not made full repentance, which is a turning away from the heart condition that put them at odds with God’s favor. Thus, he stands in the gap as an intercessor and prays one of the greatest prayers of the Bible. As other prayers, it is a model for each of us as we intercede on behalf of others. For Daniel, it was the prelude to a grand revelation.

Intercessory Prayer

First, he sets himself in a posture of praying–not necessarily the collective positions of kneeling, hands folded, and eyes closed. Instead, it is an attitude of the heart showed outwardly by fasting and purging himself. Daniel recognizes that he himself is a sinner, interceding on behalf of sinners to a Holy God; therefore, his spiritual attitude is one of full contrition, as a Levitical high priest (Leviticus 16:6, 11). He starts by praying for himself, confessing his own sins. Daniel then launches into the corporate sins. Israel disregarded God’s messages through HIs messengers. They transgressed His laws and, yes, God has a right to be displeased and angry and thus, they deserve to be in the situation that they are in. However, he pleads based on the mercies of God and His loving character.

Answered Prayer

Although not explicitly outlined in his prayer, Daniel recalls the admonition of King Solomon in I Chronicles 6:36-39 and God’s familiar response as penned in verse 14. “If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” So Daniel does just that and before he even finishes his prayer (Isaiah 65:24), God dispatched the angel Gabriel from heaven in response.

A Grand Revelation

Gabriel affirms Daniel’s prayer. He then gives clarification and a grand revelation to the prophetic timeline as seen in chapter 8, verse 14. “Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” 

Key to Bible Prophecy

To fully understand this and other prophecies, we must follow the biblical injunction found in Isaiah 28:10. “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; hear a little, and there a little:”. Thus, in Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6, we learn that a day equals a year in Bible prophecy. With this guideline in mind, 2300 days equals 2300 years. Hence, the calculations follow and give us a grand revelation as well.

2300 Days

Where does the timeline begin? In Daniel 9:25, the answer is given, which is from the degree to rebuild Jerusalem, as found in Ezra 7:11-26. This occurred in 457 BC, which corresponds to the seventh year of King Artaxerxes’ reign (Ezra 7:7). The full 2300 days or 2300 years takes us to AD 1844. 457 years Before Christ + 1843 years After Christ–(no “0” year) = 2300 years or AD 1844. Daniel 9:24 describes the first aspect of the timeline. 70 weeks, which is 70 weeks x 7 days per week equals 490 days or 490 years. These 70 weeks are further outlined for better clarity in verses 25-27 as 7 weeks (v. 25) + 62 weeks (vv. 25, 26) + 1 week (v.27) = 70 weeks.

70 Weeks

Let’s explore the various components of the 70 weeks:

• 7 weeks
  • Daniel 9:25 states that it will take 7 weeks to build the city. Thus, 7 weeks x 7 days per week = 49 days or 49 years, which takes us to 408 BC. 
• 62 weeks
  • Verse 25 says, along with verse 26, that there are three-score or 60 + 2 weeks = 62 weeks x 7 days per week = 434 days or years. This takes us to AD 27.
    • We could also start at the beginning of the prophecy 457 BC and add 7 + 62 weeks = 69 weeks x 7 days per week = 483 days or years, which will also take us to 27 AD.
  • Luke 3:1 describes the significance of AD 27, for which Daniel 9:25 refers to Messiah the Prince or the Anointed One (Daniel 9:24). Luke describes in exquisite detail all the elements needed to pin down the date.
    • It was “the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar”, as well as other officials who were in office. They would play crucial roles in the life of Jesus the Christ.
    • Luke 3:21-22 gives remarkable detail of Jesus’ anointing by the Holy Spirit after His baptism.
• 1 week
  • Daniel 9:27 adds another prophetic week, 1 week x 7 days per week = 7 days or 7 years, and outlines that in the midst of the week, the sacrifice will cease.
    • After 3 ½ years of ministry, Jesus Christ, the antitypical sacrificial Lamb (Genesis 3:15, 4:4; Exodus 12:3-14; Mark 15:37, 38; John 1:29, 36; and Hebrews 9:2-7, 11-14, 24-25, 28) was crucified. 
    • The balance of the last week (3 ½ years) serves to complete the 70-week prophecy towards the ancient Jewish nation and culminates in the martyrdom of Stephen in AD 34. The gospel message then extends to the Gentiles or the rest of the known world (Acts 7:59-8:1; 1:8).

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the opportunity to study Your Word. It is not a mystery. It is all about Your Son Jesus Christ. Give us wisdom as we read and the ability to understand it. Help us receive Him into our lives. We pray this in His name, amen.

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