9:24-26 Seventy weeks... from... until. These are weeks of years, whereas weeks of days are described in a different way (
10:2, 3). The time spans from Artaxerxes’s decree to rebuild Jerusalem, c. 445 b.c. (
Neh. 2:1-8), to the Messiah’s kingdom. This panorama includes: (1) seven weeks or forty-nine years, possibly closing Nehemiah’s career in the rebuilding of the “street and wall,” as well as the end of the ministry of Malachi and the close of the OT; (2) sixty-two weeks or 434 more years for a total of 483 years to the First Advent of Messiah. This was fulfilled at the triumphal entry on 9 Nisan, a.d. 30 (
see notes on Matt. 21:1-9). The Messiah will be “cut off,” (a common reference to death); and (3) the final seven years or seventieth week of the time of Antichrist (cf.
v. 27). Roman people, from whom the Antichrist will come, will “destroy the city” of Jerusalem and its temple in a.d. 70.
Key Word
Confess: 9:4—lit. “to throw” or “to cast off.” This Hebrew verb conveys the act of “casting off” sin and acknowledging rebellion against God’s commandments (Neh. 1:6, 9:2; Ps. 32:3; Prov. 28:13). Confession also conveys thanksgiving for God’s greatness (1 Kin. 8:33, 35). Confession of sin is thanksgiving because it recognizes the grace and goodness of God’s forgiveness (2 Chr. 30:22).
9:24. This highly complex and amazingly accurate prophecy answers Daniel’s prayer, not with reference to near history, but by referencing the far future of Israel at the end of the age. God promises two sets of three accomplishments each. First, those related to sin are: (1)
finish the transgression, i.e., restrain sin and Israel’s in particular during its long trend of apostasy, as in
verse 11; (2)
make an end of sins, i.e., to judge sin with finality (cf.
Heb. 9:26); and (3)
make reconciliation for iniquity, signifies to furnish the actual basis of covering sin by full atonement, the blood of the crucified Messiah who is “cut off” (
v. 26), which affects the first two realities (cf. the fountain,
Zech. 13:1).
Second, those accomplishments related to righteousness are: (1)
bring in... righteousness, the eternal righteousness of Daniel’s people in their great change from centuries of apostasy; (2)
seal up vision, i.e., no more revelation is needed and God will bring these anticipations to completion by their fulfillment in Israel’s blessing as a nation; and (3)
anoint the Most Holy, consecrate the Holy Place in a future temple that will be the center of worship in the millennial kingdom (cf.
Ezek. 40-48). Clearly, this must be understood as sweeping to the end of Gentile power and the time of Antichrist right before Christ’s return. Summing up, the first three are fulfilled in principle at Christ’s First Coming, in full at His return. The last three complete the plan at His Second Advent.
9:27 Then. This is surely the end of the age, the Second Advent judgment, because the bringing in of righteousness did not occur seven years after the death of the Messiah, nor did the destruction of Jerusalem fit the seven-year period (occurring thirty-seven years later). This is the future seven-year period which ends with sin’s final judgment and Christ’s reign of righteousness; i.e., the return of Christ and the establishment of His rule. These seven years constitute the seventieth week of Daniel.
he shall confirm. He is the last-mentioned prince (
v. 26), leader of the Roman sphere (cf. chs. 2; 7), the Antichrist who comes in the latter days. The time is in the future Tribulation period of “one week,” i.e., the final seven years of
verse 24. He confirms (lit., causes to prevail) a seven-year covenant, his own pact with Israel, that will actually turn out to be for a shorter time. The leader in this covenant is the “little horn” of
7:7, 8,
20, 21,
24-26, and the evil leader found in NT prophecy (
Mark 13:14;
2 Thess. 2:3-10;
Rev. 13:1-10). That he is in the future, even after Christ’s First Advent, is shown by: (1)
Matthew 24:15; (2) the time references that match (
7:25;
Rev. 11:2, 3;
12:14;
13:5); and (3) the end extending to the Second Advent, matching the duration elsewhere mentioned in Daniel (
2:35,
45;
7:15ff.;
12:1-3) and
Revelation 11:2;
12:14;
13:5.
middle of the week. This is the halfway point of the seventieth week of years, i.e., seven years leading to Christ’s Second Coming. The Antichrist will break his covenant with Israel (
v. 27a), which has resumed its ancient sacrificial system. Three and one-half years of Tribulation remain, agreeing with the time in other Scriptures (
7:25;
Rev. 11:2, 3;
12:14;
13:5, called “Great Tribulation,” cf.
Matt. 24:21) as a period when God’s wrath intensifies.
abominations... one who makes desolate. The Antichrist will cause abomination against Jewish religion. This violation will desolate or ruin what Jews regard as sacred, namely their holy temple and the honoring of God’s presence there (cf.
1 Kin. 9:3;
2 Thess. 2:4). Jesus refers directly to this text in His Olivet discourse (
Matt. 24:15).
See note on 11:31. the consummation. God permits this tribulation during the Antichrist’s persecutions and then ultimately triumphs by judging the sin and sinners in Israel (
12:7) and in the world (cf.
Jer. 25:31). This includes the Antichrist (
11:45;
Rev. 19:20), and all who deserve judgment (
9:24;
Matt. 13:41-43).
The MacArthur Bible Commentary.
