The Battle belongs to The Lord, BUT We Have a Role

MESSAGE NOTES

Unshakeable: A Faith That Won’t Fold

“Explanation of The Prophecy of The Seven Weeks” - Daniel 9:24-27

Apocalyptic Literature: Apocalyptic Literature is the hardest parts of the Bible to interpret. So, our approach for the study of Daniel 7-12 is to study it from the perspective of what the writer intended to convey, what the original listener or reader heard or understood it to mean, and how the early Christian church looking back interpreted it. Apocalyptic literature shows us that the kingdoms and chaos and evil of this world will be replaced by the Kingdom of our God and of his Christ, and so God’s people can persevere in our faith and live with hope.

 

Last week in Daniel 9, we saw that Daniel recognizes Israel’s exile is not just political – it is spiritual. It is the result of God’s people compromising with the culture around them.  They practiced Syncretism, meaning they blended their faith with the values of the world. As a result, God used the nation of Babylon to discipline them. Daniel’s response is not outrage, but repentance. He turns to God in prayer, fasting, and confession, and he prays “we,” not “they.”  He identifies with the sins of the people.  He shows that the holiest response to sin is not condemnation, but confession and humility before God.

 

Daniel doesn’t excuse sin, but he carries it before God in repentance, and God answers Daniel immediately. The answer however, is not only in regard to the end of the years of exile.  Daniel prays about exile and God speaks about redemption. God reveals a plan far beyond returning his people to the land at the end of the 70 years. His plan is to deal with sin completely. In verses 24-27, “Seventy sevens” points to completeness and fulfillment. This is not just restoration, it is about atonement and righteousness, as The “Anointed One” points ultimately to Jesus. God’s plan is not just to fix circumstances like the exile in Babylon, but to redeem sin and restore all things.

 

Daniel 9:24–27 is one of the most intensely studied and debated prophetic passages in the Bible. Often called the prophecy of the "Seventy Weeks," it outlines a timeline determined by God for the Jewish people to restore the city of Jerusalem, and for God to ultimately defeat sin and establish everlasting righteousness.

 

70 Weeks Defined in verse 24: God decrees "seventy weeks" – which in ancient Hebrew context means 70 weeks of years, totaling 490 years to accomplish six major goals: 1. To finish (or in Hebrew restrain) transgression, 2. make an end to sin (or in Hebrew to “seal up” sin), 3. atone for iniquity, 4. bring in everlasting righteousness, 5. seal up vision and prophecy, and 6. anoint the most holy.

 

Two major interpretations of the "seventy weeks" (490 years) in Daniel 9:24-27 focus on whether the prophecy was fulfilled in the first century, or whether most of the prophecy was fulfilled in the first century but the last part of it is still future. The central debate concerns the timing of the final "seventieth week".

 

The Futurist view of Daniel 9:24-27 holds that 483 years were fulfilled sequentially from the rebuilding of Jerusalem to Christ’s crucifixion. The final seven-year period is disconnected from the first 483 years and deferred to a future end-time Tribulation. NOTE: This view was first developed in the 1830’s by the Darbyite movement in England.

 

1. The 69 Weeks (First 483 Years)

• The countdown begins with one of the two decrees by the Persian King Artaxerxes to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. The period runs for 483 years (69 weeks of years) culminating in the presentation and subsequent execution ("cutting off") of the Messiah, which futurists generally identify as the Triumphal Entry and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

 

2. The Gap (The Church Age)

• Following the 69th week, a significant gap occurs in the prophetic timeline. The events of Daniel 9:26b (the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 A.D. by Roman armies) occur during this pause, carried out by the "people of the prince who is to come."
• The Parenthesis: Futurists see the entire Church Age (the current era of grace) as an unprophesied parenthetical period wedged between the 69th and 70th weeks.

 

3. The 70th Week (The Final Seven Years)

• The final "week" is a literal seven-year period. It is initiated when the Antichrist (the "prince who is to come") signs or enforces a "firm covenant" or peace treaty with Israel.
• The Abomination of Desolation: At the midpoint (three and a half years in), the Antichrist breaks the covenant (peace treaty). He puts a stop to the Jewish temple sacrifices and commits the "abomination of desolation," placing an idolatrous object in the holy place.
• The Great Tribulation: This mid-point begins the "Great Tribulation" (or "Time of Jacob's Trouble"), a period of severe global distress and divine judgment that culminates in the physical, visible return of Jesus Christ to establish His earthly kingdom.

 

Theological Implications

• Distinct Focus: This view maintains a strict distinction between Israel and the Church, asserting that the 70th week exclusively concerns the literal Jewish nation rather than Gentile believers.
• Pre-Tribulation Rapture: Most Futurists (specifically Dispensationalists) believe the Church will be raptured to heaven before the 70th week begins, leaving the final seven years for God to complete His plan of redemption and judgment for Israel

 

 

The Historicist view of Daniel 9:24-27 is a master timeline of prophetic history, where each "week" equals seven literal years, totaling 490 years. Historicists believe that this period ran continuously from the 5th century BC decree to rebuild Jerusalem through to the first-century ministry and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. NOTE: This view was how the early church understood Daniel 9.

 

1. The 7 Weeks & 62 Weeks (483 Years)

• The Starting Point: The timeline begins with the decree to "restore and rebuild Jerusalem," which Historicists typically date to the decree of Artaxerxes in 457 BC (as outlined in Ezra 7).
• The 7 Weeks (49 Years): The initial period is devoted to the rebuilding of the walls and streets of Jerusalem and restoring the government of the city under trying times as told about in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.
• The 62 Weeks (434 Years): This segment covers the span between the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the appearance of the "Anointed One" (the Messiah, Jesus, who is anointed at his Baptism).
• Fulfillment: This calculates to 483 years, arriving at the public baptism and anointing of Jesus of Nazareth @ 27 AD.

 

2. The 70th Week (The Final 7 Years)

Unlike Dispensational Futurists—who place a multi-millennial gap between the 69th and 70th week, the Historicist view holds that the 70th week immediately follows the 483 years, taking place from 27 to 34 AD.

• The Messiah's Covenant (Daniel 9:27): Historicists interpret the "confirming of the covenant" for one week as the ministry of Jesus Christ for @ 3 ½ years followed by 3 ½ years of His early apostles, directed primarily to the Jewish people.
• Sacrifices Ceasing (Daniel 9:27): In the "middle of the week" (@31 AD), Jesus was "cut off" (crucified). Through His substitutionary death, the ultimate sacrifice was made, rendering the Levitical temple sacrifices obsolete and symbolic.

 

3. The Aftermath and Destruction (Daniel 9:26)

The prophecy also addresses the consequence of the Jewish nation rejecting the Messiah. Some Historicists identify the "people of the prince who is to come" as the Roman legions, who invaded Judea under the reign of Titus and destroyed the city and the sanctuary in 70 AD. Others identify this figure as Jesus who ends the sacrificial law.

 

Theological Implications

Because the Historicist school evaluates prophecies through the lens of continuous, unfolding history, this passage is viewed as completely fulfilled by the 1st century, firmly establishing Christ as the Messiah who accomplished the ultimate atonement for sin.

 

 

 

 

 

MESSAGE NOTES

Unshakeable: A Faith That Won’t Fold - Part 13

“The Battle belongs to The Lord, BUT We Have a Role” - Daniel 10-11

 

Daniel Chapter 10 serves as the "behind-the-scenes" prologue to Daniel's final and most detailed vision found in chapters 11–12. It is unique because it pulls back the curtain on spiritual warfare, revealing that human history and individual prayers and faith are intertwined with a cosmic struggle between angelic and demonic forces.

 

1. Daniel’s Three-Week Fast (10:1-3)

The chapter begins in the third year of Cyrus (c. 536 BC), a time when the first group of exiles had already returned to Jerusalem but were facing intense opposition.

• The Partial Fast: For 21 days, Daniel abstained from "pleasant food," meat, and wine, and did not anoint himself. This is the origin of the modern Daniel Fast.
• The Reason: Daniel was in deep mourning, likely over the report of his people's struggle in Jerusalem or the weight of a "great conflict" revealed to him.

 

2. The Radiant Messenger (10:4-11)

While standing by the Tigris River, Daniel sees a figure of overwhelming brilliance—clothed in linen with a gold belt, a face like lightning, and eyes like flaming torches. Daniel alone saw the figure, while his companions fled in terror.

• Identity Debate: Many scholars view this as a Christophany (a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus) due to the description's similarity to the one in Revelation 1. Others believe it is a high-ranking angel, possibly Gabriel, who had appeared to Daniel before.

 

3. Cosmic Conflict and Delayed Answers (10:12-11:1)

The chapters provide a rare look at the spiritual hierarchy and territorial nature of unseen forces in a spiritual war:

• The Prince of Persia: The messenger explains he was dispatched the moment Daniel began to pray, but he was "withstood" for 21 days by the "prince of the kingdom of Persia". This is interpreted as a high-ranking demonic entity assigned to influence the Persian Empire.
• Michael the Archangel: The messenger was only able to break through when Michael, identified as "your prince" (the protector of Israel), came to help him.
• The Ongoing War: The angel notes that after delivering the message, he must return to fight the Prince of Persia, and later, the Prince of Greece will arise and after that other kings will fight one another culminating in one of the most evil kings who is so violent towards God’s people – the king we know as Antiochus Epiphanes who we talked about in chapter 8.

 

Meaning and Application for Today

• Spiritual Reality of Politics: The chapter implies that behind earthly governments and conflicts, there are spiritual powers at work (spiritual war).
• Persistence in Prayer and Faith: Daniel's experience suggests that answers to prayer may be delayed not by God’s reluctance, but by spiritual resistance (spiritual war). It encourages believers to be persistent in prayer and faith, as the answer may be "on the way" despite unseen obstacles.
• God’s Esteem: Twice, Daniel is told he is "greatly beloved" or "highly precious" to God. This reminds us that God hears and values the prayers of the humble who trust him in faith even when they feel weak or overwhelmed.

 

The Specific Prophecies of Daniel 11: Daniel 11 is often called the most "historically verifiable" prophecy in the Bible. It outlines the power struggle between the Ptolemaic Empire (King of the South, based in Egypt) and the Seleucid Empire (King of the North, based in Syria).

 

• The Four Kings of Persia (11:2): Correctly predicts the sequence of Persian rulers leading up to Xerxes, who famously invaded Greece.
• The "Mighty King" (11:3-4): Describes Alexander the Great, whose empire was "broken and parceled out toward the four winds" (to four of his generals) rather than going to his descendants.
• The "King of the South" vs. "King of the North": (11:5–20): Describe nearly 150 years of complex political marriages, betrayals, and wars between the Ptolemies and Seleucids. For example:
• The Failed Marriage (11:6): Describes the marriage of Berenice (South) to Antiochus II (North) to seal a peace treaty, which ended in the murder of both by a jealous ex-wife.
• The Rise and Reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (v. 21-45): The prophecy "zooms in" on the "contemptible person" we discussed in Chapter 8. It details his deceptive rise to power, his failed invasion of Egypt (prevented by the "ships of Kittim" or the Romans), his subsequent rage-filled desecration of the Jewish Temple, and his exaltation of himself above every god evidenced in Antiochus’ naming himself Epiphanies (manifestation of god – Zeus).  As we saw in Chapter 8, he is destroyed by divine intervention, not human hands.

 

NOTE: Futurists interpret 11:36-45 as a "Shift" to the End Times as they say in verse 36, the language shifts from descriptions that fit Antiochus perfectly to descriptions of a "King" who seems to represent a final, future Antichrist. Historists interpret these verses as stated above.

 

The specific historical names of the kings who fulfilled 11:5–45:

 

It’s so interesting to see how "The King of the South" (Egypt) and "The King of the North" (Syria) played out in real history. Here are the specific figures that historians and theologians point to for verses 5–45.

 

The Historical "Game of Thrones" (Daniel 11:5–20):

 

Verse	Prophetic Description	Historical Fulfillment
v. 5	A strong King of the South, but an officer becomes even stronger.	Ptolemy I (South) and his former general Seleucus I (North), who eventually controlled a much larger territory.
v. 6	An alliance through marriage that ends in disaster and murder.	Berenice (daughter of Ptolemy II) married Antiochus II to seal a treaty. Antiochus' ex-wife, Laodice, had them both poisoned/murdered in a jealous rage.
v. 7-8	A "branch from her roots" (a relative) invades the North in revenge.	Ptolemy III (Berenice’s brother) invaded Syria to avenge her murder, capturing the capital and bringing massive loot back to Egypt.
v. 10-13	Sons of the North stir up war and a "great multitude" is defeated.	Antiochus III (The Great) attacked Egypt. He was initially defeated at the Battle of Raphia (217 BC) where Ptolemy IV’s army slaughtered thousands.
v. 14-17	The King of the North returns with a bigger army and gives his daughter in marriage to "destroy" the kingdom.	Antiochus III defeated the Egyptians and gave his daughter, Cleopatra I (the first one!), to Ptolemy V in marriage, hoping she would act as a spy. Instead, she sided with her husband.
v. 18-19	The King turns toward the coastlands but is stashed by a commander.	Antiochus III tried to invade Greece/Rome but was crushed by the Roman general Scipio. He died while trying to loot a temple to pay his debts.
v. 20	A successor who sends out a tax collector.	Seleucus IV, who was famous for nothing else but sending his minister, Heliodorus, to tax the Jewish Temple to pay off Roman war debts.

 

Verses 21-45: Describe the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanies (who we talked about in chapter 8) with amazing accuracy.

 

The theme of Daniel 9:24-11:45 is spiritual warfare – a “Holy War” being waged between God and His heavenly forces VS. Satan and the forces of evil. The message of Daniel to us in this is that In spite of present circumstances, God is in control! This Holy War began as described in Revelation 12, and when God created mankind to be in a loving relationship with Him, Satan decided to intervene and destroy God's plan and the relationship between God and His creation. (See Genesis 3)

 

Spiritually we live between D-Day and V-Day as the victory has been won on the cross, but the battles will continue until Jesus comes back again (See Revelation 21:1-7). As we live life and face spiritual warfare, the “Christian’s Spiritual Warfare Manifesto” shows us how to engage temptation and evil. (See Ephesians 6:10-18).

 

Our Battlefronts: 1. The World: 1 John 5:19  2. The Flesh – Human Nature: Romans 7:21-25  3. The Devil: 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:11-12, 2 Corinthians 11:3  4. B.L.E.S.S.: John 15:18-19, Acts 4:1-31, 5:17-42 Matthew 28:18-20 ----

We can win the battle with Persistence in Prayer and Faith and in Community together.

 

Taking It Home

 

We encourage you to take a few minutes today and this week to process this morning’s message.  These questions are designed for discussion with your family, a friend, mentor, spouse, and small group.  They are also useful for self-reflection.

 

1. What stands out to you in these passages from the Bible? From the message?

 

2. What is difficult for you to understand or accept in these passages from the Bible?  From the message?

 

3. What is God saying in these passages and through what we heard in the message about Himself? About people? About you?

 

4. What examples are there to follow, commands to obey, or promises to stand on from these passages in the Bible, and from what we heard in the message?