Daniel’s “Final Week” (70th Week) Has ALREADY Been Fulfilled

[WayneNSO]

I have to be honest I think that interpretation of Matthew 24:30 is a real stretch.

Jesus said the sign of the Son of Man would appear in heaven, all the peoples of the earth would mourn, and they would see Him coming on the clouds with power and great glory.

That is he vision Constantine said he saw a cross in the Sun

 

[Lovette]

• Many expect a future 7-year tribulation as Daniel’s 70th week. But scripture and history show it was fulfilled in Christ's 3½-year ministry and the events of AD 66–70. Let’s examine Daniel 9.
  
  
• Daniel 9:24: “Seventy weeks are decreed about your people (Israel) and your holy city (All 70 weeks are about Israel), to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.”
  
  
• After 69 weeks the Messiah comes: Daniel 9:25–26 — “...to the coming of an anointed one, a prince... And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off (The Crucifixion)... And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary... Desolations are decreed.”
  
  
• Clarification: The Anointed One (Messiah) is cut off. The “prince who is to come” is a Different figure (since it just said The Anointed One is cut off) the "prince who is to come" is fulfilled in the Roman commander Titus, whose legions destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70.
  
  
• The 70th week: Daniel 9:27 — “And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering...”
  
  
• First half (AD 27–30/33): Jesus confirms the New Covenant in His 3½-year ministry. At the midpoint (the cross) He ends the old sacrifices: Hebrews 10:12,14 “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God...”
  
  
• Last 3.5 years (AD 66/67–70): Cestius Gallus surrounded Jerusalem in AD 66 then suddenly retreated (allowing Christians to flee). Jewish civil war followed. In AD 70 Titus returned, besieged the city. After terrible suffering (famine and fighting), the Romans destroyed the Temple and much of Jerusalem. Josephus records ~1.1 million deaths and 97,000 taken captive.
  
  
• Jesus warned: Matthew 24:15 “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel... then let those who are in Judea flee...”
  
  
• Luke 21:20,22 (ESV): “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near... for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.” (Daniel 9:26)
  
  
• Note on 9:27: The “he” primarily refers to the Messiah (covenant and cross), while the Romans complete the desolations in the second half. Hebrew prophecy often works with layered fulfillment.
  
  
• Daniel 9:24’s Six goals were accomplished in Christ and the judgment of AD 70.
  
  
• Bottom line: Daniel’s final week (including the dramatic last 3½ years with armies appearing/retreating and final destruction) was fulfilled in the 1st century. “It is finished” (John 19:30).

Yes, absolutely! When a certain time period is proposed, it's naturally assumed to be a continuous time period without any gap. Where in the text suggests a 2000+ huge gap between the 69th and the 70th week? Doesn't make any sense, unless you're indoctrinated with the "seven year tribulation" theory.

 

[WayneNSO]

I have to be honest I think that interpretation of Matthew 24:30 is a real stretch.

Jesus said the sign of the Son of Man would appear in heaven, all the peoples of the earth would mourn, and they would see Him coming on the clouds with power and great glory.

You're right - why would it be talking about the events of 70 AD then jump to Constantine. So let me think it through proper this time - I jumped in without thinking and got the prophecies mixed up - we all make mistakes

One things for sure the - and they would see Him coming on the clouds with power and great glory. - is prophetic language referring to Judgement, see Isaiah 19:1 and Psalm 104:3 etc

Isaiah 19:1 The burden of Egypt. Behold, the Lord rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.

Psalm 104:3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:

When God spoke against Judah and warned them about the Babylonians that was going to used in judgement against against them God said:

Jeremiah 4:13 Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled.

and if you read Matthew 26:61-66 about destroying the Temple - verse 64 says this:

Matthew 26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

70AD was positive and final proof to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah, when their temple was destroyed and their city burned. It was divine vengeance and therefore there is no reason to move away from the events in 70AD

I stand corrected on my previous post - for some reason Constantine's vision came to mind and it was out of place here

 

[WayneNSO]

Now that I have corrected my rash thinking about verse 30. Lets look at verse 29 and the language of the Prophets:

Look at the language used in Isaiah 13 about the destruction of Babylon by the Medes:

Isaiah 13:6 Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

First thing to note - there is not only one "day of Lord" - "Day of the Lord" speaks of the appointed time for destruction and Judgment upon a people. In Isaiah 13 God used the Medes to accomplish this, in Matthew 24 He used the Romans.

Look at the similarity in language between Isaiah 13:7 and Luke 21:26:

Isaiah 13:7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:
Luke 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

Look at the similarity in language between Isaiah 13:8 and Matthew 24:8:

Isaiah 13:8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.
Matthew 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Does anyone think their faces shall be as flames is literal ? It is apocalyptic language.

Now lets compare the next 3 verses of Isaiah and look at Matthew 24:29

Isaiah 13:9 Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.

The Sun moon and Stars is referring to the bright luminaries of the Empire in question - the King - the Princes - the rulers of that empire being thrown down and destroyed. Here it is Babylon - In Matthew it is the wicked house of the Jews. Its lights are going to be extinguished, the sun is going to be set on them.

Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

It is speaking of the fall of the rulers - the chief priests scribes and Pharisees will be brought down to the earth.

One last thing of interest - The Jews used the Romans to kill Christ - The Lord used the Romans to destroy the Jews.

 

[WayneNSO]

So what about Matthew 24 verse 31? Can it still be understood within the context of the rest of the verses about 70 AD?

Matthew 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

This can seen in context by realising that after the destruction of Jeruslam in 70AD, Jesus would by his angels or ministers gather together to himself an Ecclesia - a called out body of believers from all nations under heaven. Angels can also be translated as messengers, but even if it is actual angels referred to the message is still the same. The Gospel.

The great sound of a trumpet - is the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

That the Christian religion spread after the destruction of Jerusalem - history attests to. Christianity was no longer looked upon as just a mere sect of Judaism, but a new religion in the eyes of the known world at that time.

 

[WayneNSO]

I feel like I have just written a book on Matthew 24 lol, did not mean to spam. But after realising I was getting mixed up prophecy wise in that earlier post and not wanting to deceive or lead people astray I had to correct myself.

 

[HeIsHere]

That is he vision Constantine said he saw a cross in the Sun

Have you read The Book of Antiquities by Josephus, it gives some other insight to this.

 

[HeIsHere]

70AD was positive and final proof to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah, when their temple was destroyed and their city burned. It was divine vengeance and therefore there is no reason to move away from the events in 70AD

Yes I agree.

 

[WayneNSO]

Have you read The Book of Antiquities by Josephus, it gives some other insight to this.

Yes but I was getting mixed up when I typed that

 

[HeIsHere]

Yes but I was getting mixed up when I typed that

I think it was all in the first century.

 

[WayneNSO]

I think it was all in the first century.

In my opinion you have to look at the Old Testament prophecies to understand the language - the same language used in Revelation also. The error comes in not studying the Bible as a whole - not just the New Testament and thinking it is all literal. If you take the language as literal we end up with Lord of the Rings

 

[dkontner]

The events of 70 A.D. will repeat one last time. That's what 1948 was all about.

 

[HeIsHere]

In my opinion you have to look at the Old Testament prophecies to understand the language - the same language used in Revelation also. The error comes in not studying the Bible as a whole - not just the New Testament and thinking it is all literal. If you take the language as literal we end up with Lord of the Rings

Yes to really understand it deeply, however, when I read Matthew 24 with honesty and no preconceived ideas, it was like the blinders came off, and at that point I had to test my new understanding exactly how you say.
And it fits!

 

[WayneNSO]

The events of 70 A.D. will repeat one last time. That's what 1948 was all about.

You mean Jerusalem destroyed again ?

 

[GaryA]

First thing to note - there is not only one "day of Lord" - "Day of the Lord" speaks of the appointed time for destruction and Judgment upon a people.

Nope - there is only one 'Day of the Lord' - you are missing something...

The 'Day of the Lord' is two things - the '7th day' of history - the 1000 years after the Second Coming of Christ - AND - the first [24-hour] day of that 1000 years. Jesus appears at His return on that first day.

Every verse/passage in the table on this web page is referring to the 'event' that is Second Coming of Christ.

Second Coming

When you see destruction/judgment associated with this day in a verse/passage, it is referring to the 'event' that is the 'Wrath of God'.

 

[GaryA]

It is not just "similarity in language" - it is the very same 'event'.

 

[GaryA]

Look at the similarity in language between Isaiah 13:8 and Matthew 24:8:

Isaiah 13:8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.
Matthew 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Does anyone think their faces shall be as flames is literal ? It is apocalyptic language.

The mere fact that the word 'as' is used puts it into the non-literal category; however, the 'event' aspect is real - it is literal - it will occur.

The phrase "It is apocalyptic language." is always/usually used only when people do not properly understand - or, will not accept - what the Bible is actually saying. It is only really "meaningful" to those who wish to "spiritualize" absolutely everything in scripture. (prophetically speaking)

 

[Roger316]

I understand the futurist perspective, but I see some important problems with applying the entire 70 weeks (including the 70th week) to a future period where Israel as a nation accepts Jesus.


Daniel 9:24 says the 70 weeks are “determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city” to accomplish six specific things — including finishing transgression, making an end of sins, bringing in everlasting righteousness, and anointing the Most Holy.


These things were accomplished in Jesus Christ at the cross and through the New Covenant (Hebrews 9-10, Romans 3:21-26). The 70 weeks were about God’s dealing with Old Covenant Israel — not a future national acceptance.


Jesus Himself placed the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecies (including the Abomination of Desolation and desolation of Jerusalem) in His own generation (Matthew 24:15, 34; Luke 21:20-24). He said “these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.”


Regarding Romans 11 and the future salvation of Israel — I agree that God has not cast away His people and there is a future ingathering. But that does not require the 70 weeks clock to still be running. The 70 weeks were a specific timed prophecy for the coming of the Messiah and the end of the old covenant system, which was completed in the 1st century.


The “prince who is to come” in Daniel 9:26 whose people destroy the city was fulfilled by the Romans under Titus in AD 70 — exactly as Jesus predicted.


I believe the 70 weeks were completely fulfilled, while God still has future plans for ethnic Israel as Romans 11 describes.


Curious what you think about Jesus’ time statements in the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24:34)?

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I agree with everything you said except I don't think Jesus accomplished everything in verse 24 at the cross. This is why God punished Israel in 70AD.

 

[GaryA]

The phrase "It is apocalyptic language." is

The statement "It is apocalyptic language." is

 

[GaryA]

(prophetically speaking)

(with [specific] regard to Bible prophecy)