Daniel's Vision Of The 70 Weeks Series

Last time we discussed in detail Daniel's prayer. He gave us a prime example of the format of a prayer. He first showed his adoration for the Lord. Then he confessed not only his sins but the sins of Israel. Then he thanked God for being so forgiving and righteous and merciful. Then he asked God to show him how long the people would be in exile.

Just as Daniel finishes his prayer, God immediately answers Daniel's prayer. God loved Daniel, and he loved his people. So, God was bound to hear this prayer that was so passionately and honestly offered up by Daniel. Daniel pleaded with God to forgive his people's sins and return them to the promised land so they could rebuild Jerusalem and the nation. In answer to Daniel's fervent prayer for forgiveness and restoration, the Lord gave him an astonishing prophecy. His new prophecy revealed that God would not only forgive and restore Israel but also that a day was coming when he would offer the whole world forgiveness of sins.

Daniel 9:20-23. God reveals His plan for Israel and for all human beings through the angel Gabriel. Gabriel abruptly interrupted Daniel's prayer, at the very point where Daniel was asking for forgiveness in verse 20. The Lord had heard Daniel's prayer and knew his heart was genuine. This occurred at the time of the evening worship and sacrifice as noted in verse 21. The timing was significant, because the sacrificial lamb pointed to the Lord Jesus Christ, and Christ was to be the focus of this present vision and prophecy. Note that this is the Old Testament but it is pointing to Christ in the New Testament. Daniel's request for God to forgive the sins of the people was to be accomplished by the coming Savior's death upon the cross.

Gabriel informed Daniel of several facts.

-first, Gabriel had been sent to give Daniel very special insight into God's plans for the future of the Jews as well as for the human race as a whole.

-second, he declared that Daniel's prayer had been heard and his request was granted. In fact, the very moment Daniel had begun to pray, the Lord had heard. He immediately answered his servant’s prayer. Do you know why? Daniel was very special to God. In God's eyes, Daniel was a precious believer because he had lived a consistent life before the Lord. He had diligently studied God's word and prayed fervently. His life was a positive, steadfast testimony for the Lord.

-third, Daniel was to listen closely to the message being brought him so he could understand the vision.

Daniel needed special insight and understanding with regard to his people, Israel. So, he asked God through prayer and Bible study, and the Lord met Daniel's need. A lesson for us in this is that when any of us lack insight or wisdom, we have to seek the Lord through prayer and through studying God's holy word. If we are genuine and faithful, the Lord will hear our prayers and meet our needs. He will give us whatever understanding or wisdom we need to deal with our specific area of concern.

So God lays out his six-fold plan for both Israel and the human race. God's plan and timetable would be fulfilled during seventy sevens or 490 years. Some translations refer to this as 70 weeks but the Hebrew simply says seventy sevens. Let's go just a little bit deeper for those who might be wondering. How do we know that the 70 weeks or 70 sevens is referring to years as opposed to actual weeks or days?

If you look at verse 24, you'll see the answer. This verse concerns the coming of Jesus Christ to offer salvation to the human race, which is spelled out in the six weeks that are listed. Looking back in history to the time of Daniel and the time of Christ, we know that it was centuries between the two periods, not days or weeks. Days and weeks were clearly not enough time for the events of Daniel chapter 9 to take place. So, we know that the weeks of seventy sevens definitely refer to years.

So God informed Daniel that he had a wonderful plan for Israel. But if you look closely at verse 24 you will see how God's plan for Israel includes salvation for the human race as well. While some of the predictions in this prophecy have already been partially fulfilled, all six will be completely fulfilled at the end of 490 years. God Himself will be the one who fulfills his six-fold plan when Christ returns to set up God's Kingdom on earth.

Let's take a glancing look at God’s six-fold plan without getting too deep. I can literally spend a minimum of an hour in study of just verse 24 but we won’t go that deep tonight. Keep in mind that this is speaking of future events, even for us. The first part of God's plan is to stop the rebellion or transgression of the Jews. The day is coming when the Jews will no longer sin or rebel against God. That day will be when Jesus Christ returns to set up God's Kingdom on earth. (future prophecy)