Coachlight Bible Study – Daniel’s Seventy Weeks Part 2 of 2

Harmony of Prophecy In God’s Word – Some Old & Some New

All Prophecy centers on Christ’s Kingdom. The angel Gabriel gave the Seventy Weeks to Daniel to answer his prophetical questions. Christ added more Revelation to answer our questions today both in the Book of Matthew, and to John in the Book of Revelation. This Study looks at why there is a gap between the 69^th and 70^th Weeks and why we should study it. We will study some old and new prophecy

Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Daniel 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

Daniel 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

I. God’s Plan Outlined

A. 70 weeks of Daniel – A prophecy Chart

Daniel reveals 70 weeks - 70 x 7 = 490 years- of time from his day until God completes His plan for the Jews. The events of the 1^st 69 “weeks” (483 years) ended at Christ’s triumphal entry. Since the Jews rejected Christ, a gap occurred between the 69^th and 70^th week. This church-age gap is now almost 2,000 years. The final week (7 years, Daniel 9:26b, 27) will yet be fulfilled when God resumes His plan for Israel and judges the world (The 7-year Tribulation).

B. The Rapture

1. Christ returns in the air to take believers to heaven at the end of the church age and before the Tribulation (living and dead believers are given ressurrected bodies).

2. Passages: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-57; Revelation 3:10

C. The Tribulation – The 70^th Week

1. The Tribulation is a 7-year time of unequaled war and supernatural disaster during which the Antichrist asserts himself as the world ruler and God resumes His plan of bringing many Jews to salvation.

2. Daniel 9:26b, 27; 11:36-45; 12:9-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3; II Thessalonians :1-12; Matthew 24, 25; Ezekiel 38, 39; Revelation 4-18

D. Second Coming of Christ

1. Christ returns to the earth, ending the Tribulation. He comes to judge the Antichrist and the world, and to rescue the many Jews who turn to Christ as Messiah.

2. Passages: Zechariah 12, 14:1-15; Matthew 14:29-31; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 19:11-21

E. The Millennium

1. The Millennium is the 1,000 year period on earth following the Tribulation in which Christ rules and the Old Testament promises to Israel are fulfilled. At the end Satan is loosed to rebel once more (Revelation 20:7-9). He is judged, and then all unbelievers are finally judged (Great White Throne – Revelation 20:10-15).

2. Key Passages: Old Testament Kingdom prophecies (Isaiah 60-66 etc.) Revelation 20

E. The Eternal State

1. The eternal condition of all believers enjoying the new heavens and new earth.

2. Passages: Revelation 21:1-22:5

II. Comparing God’s Revealed Plan Some Old – Some New

Daniel’s 70^th Week, Olivet Discourse, And Revelation
Daniel’s Seventieth Week – Daniel 9:27
First Half	Middle	Last Half
3 ½ Years The prince that shall come (Antichrist) Makes a 7 Year Peace Pact With The Jews	The Covenant Broken Sacrifices And Oblations Cease	3 ½ Years A Period Of Desolations
The Second Advent

Christ’s Olivet Discourse – Matthew 24:1-31
First Half	Middle	Last Half
Wars, Famines, Pestilences, Earthquakes, False Christs, False Prophets. These Are The Beginning Of Sorrows	The Appearance Of The Abomination Of Desolation Spoken Of By The Prophet Daniel	A Period Of Tribulation Such As The World Has Never Seen Before
Matthew 24:4-14	Matthew 24:15-19	Matthew 24:20-22
The Second Advent – Matthew 24:29-31

The Book Of Revelation – Revelation 5:1 – 19:21
First Half	Middle	Last Half
3 ½ Years Wars, Famines, Pestilences, Earthquakes, False Christs, False Prophets. The Seals & Trumpets	The Dragon Cast Out On To The Earth And Incarnates Himself In The Antichrist	3 ½ Years The Vials The Great Tribulation
Revelation 5:1 -11:19	Revelation 12:1-17	Revelation 13:1 – 18:24
The Second Advent – Revelation 19:1-21

III. The Time Gap Between 69^th & 70^th Week Is Called A Mystery

The Gap Between The 69^th & 70^th Week Is Called A New Testament Mystery
The Rejection Of The Messiah By Israel - To Their Acceptance Of Him
Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, Romans 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
Mystery	Reference
The Gentiles Called Out	Colossians 1:24-27
God’s Established Plan For Israel	Matthew 13:11
Israel Blinded So The Gentiles May Be Brought In	Romans 11:25
The Church - One Body Of Jews And Gentiles	Ephesians 3:3-9; Colossians 1:26-27; Ephesians 1:9-10; Romans 16:25-26
This Whole Program Of God That Results In Salvation	I Corinthians 2:7
The Relation Of Christ To Men In Redemption Is Called A Mystery	Colossians 2:2-3 ; 4:3
The Accomplishment Of The Incarnation Itself	I Timothy 3:16
The Development Of Evil The Man Of Sin	II Thessalonians 2:7-8
The Development Of The Apostate Religious System	Revelation 17:5-7
The Rapture	I Corinthians 15:51-55

God’s Kingdom Plan Through The Ages Was No Mystery
God Established His Rule And Kingdom To Demonstrate His Sovereignty
Adam was given dominion by appointment by God	To show the sovereignty belonging to God
	Adam sinned – No Demonstration of God’s sovereignty
The Dispensation of Conscience was intended to show God’s Sovereignty	The individual was given the responsibility to the sovereignty of God
	Man failed at this – Judgment – The Flood
Human Government was ordained to show God’s Sovereignty	Man was to recognize government as manifestation of God’s Sovereignty
	Man rebelled – Tower of Babel
God appointed judges	The judges were to manifest God’s authority
	Man rejected
God made a theocracy	God was to be recognized as sovereign
	The nation to manifest His sovereignty Israel Rebelled
God Revealed He would show His sovereignty through David’s Seed	David’s Seed would reign
	Christ came and was rejected By Israel
The Promise Of The Kingdom	God’s Unconditional Covenants
The Hidden Truth At 1^st Advent	The King & Kingdom Would Be Rejected
The Question Now	What Will Happen To God’s Kingdom Plan Now That The Kingdom Is Rejected?
The Mystery Kingdom	Age Between Christ’s Triumphal Entry & Israel’s Acceptance Of Him – 2^nd Advent
	Who Will Enter The Millennium

IV. Christ Explains The Mystery Of The Kingdom of Heaven

A. The Key - There was a sign in Isaiah

Isaiah 42: 3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. {smoking: or, dimly burning} {quench: Heb. quench it}

Isaiah 42:4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. {Discouraged: Heb. broken}

B. The Context - “Why speakest thou unto them in parables?” Matthew 13:10

1. Why the disciples surprised that He used parables?

a. In chapter 12 - Pharisees say Jesus cast out devils in the name of beelzebub.

b. Jesus had called them, a “generation of vipers”

c. The question - Why teach a nation that has said you were a son of satan?

2. 3 Purposes for using parables

a. A way of showing that He is the Messiah

Matthew 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:

Matthew 13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

b. A way to give truth to to the believer listening Matthew 13:11

“…It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven”

c. A way to hide the truth from the unbeliever listening Matthew 13:13-15

“…but to them it is not given.”

4. Why was it necessary to hide the Truth? – We will see in this lesson

C. The setting of Matthew 13 – Has Its Own Questions

1. Matthew shows Christ the Messiah to Israel

a. Christ is related to prophecy throughout Matthew

b. Throughout Matthew, Christ is shown as the Messiah

1. Chapters 1&2 – His legal right to the throne is revealed

2. Chapter 3 – The dedication of the King is explained

3. Chapter 4 – The moral right of the King

4. Chapters 5-7 – The judicial right of the King

5. Chapters 8-10 –His ministry to Israel - His prophetical authority

2. Israel’s big question:- 12:23 – “Is not this the son of David”?

3. They say He Acted Under Authority Of Beelzebub - Blasphemy

3. Both Christ and His forerunner have been rejected

Matthew 11:1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.

Matthew 11:2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

Matthew 11:3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

Matthew 11:4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:

Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

Matthew 11:6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

Matthew 11:7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

Matthew 11:8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.

Matthew 11:9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

3. This rejection will result in judgment

Matthew 11:20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:

Matthew 11:21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Matthew 11:22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.

Matthew 11:23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

Matthew 11:24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

4. The rejection brings about a new invitation

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

5. The Holy Spirit had proved His authority

a. His own people said His authority was from hell instead of heaven

b. They blasphemed the Holy Ghost

6. The New Question

What will happen to God’s Kingdom Plan - Israel has rejected The Kingdom along with the King?

7. We Have To Remember

a. Christ’s Kingdom based on an unconditional Covenant

b. How can it be tossed away?

V. Interpretation of the Parables

A. The Sower and the Soils – (Matthew 13:3-9; 18-23)

1. This present age is characterized by the sewing of the seed

2. There is a difference in the preparation of the soils to receive the seed sown

3. There is opposition to the Word from the world, the flesh, and satan

4. There will be a decreasing response to the sowing of the seed – (some a hundred fold, some sixty, etc.)

5. The parallel passage in Mark 4, states that this program and Christ interpreting it, would be basic to understanding the other parables.

Mark 4: 13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

B. The Wheat and the Tares – Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43 – Also interpreted by Christ

1. The true sowing of the last parable will be imitated by a false sowing.

2. There will be good and evil together or side-by-side from the sowing.

3. There will be a judgment at the end of the age separating the good from the evil

4. The result of the judgment is the good go into the Millennium - the rest excluded

5. The character of each sowing can only be determined by its fruitfulness.

.

Contrasting the Sower and the Wheat and Tares
Sower	Wheat and Tares
Emphasis on the “Word”	Emphasis on the “children of the kingdom”
Dealing mainly with the church	Dealing with Israel – Matthew 8:11-12
Seed sown in the hearts of men	Seed is sown in the world
No mention of judgment	Age ends in judgment
The church is never judged as to who will make glory	God judging Israel as a nation at the end of the age
Church raptured before the Tribulation	Wheat and tares grow together
Church after rapture is handed out crowns (judgment seat of Christ)– only righteous raptured	Wicked judged by angels before the righteous are rewarded – Only righteous left
The church returns with Christ at Second Advent	The Millennial kingdom set up after judgment

C. The Mustard Seed – (Matthew 13:31-32) – To the Jew, the mustard seed was used to weigh (what they considered) the smallest measurable amount. The mustard grows to 20-30 feet in one year.

1. Insignificant beginning of the kingdom is taught

2. There will be a great growth of the kingdom after it is introduced

3. Symbols in Daniel’s prophecy – (Daniel 4:1-37) – The tree represented Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom – (Daniel 4:20-22) – The birds represented the people who received benefit from his kingdom

So, The mustard reveals that the kingdom in its new form will have an insignificant beginning, but will grow to great size and multitudes will benefit from it.

D. The Leaven Hidden in the Meal – (Matthew 13:33) –

1. When leaven is used in Scripture, it often symbolizes evil. – (Exodus 12:15; Leviticus 2:11; 6:17; 10:12; Matthew 16:6; Mark 8:15; I Corinthians 5:6, 8; Galatians 5:9)

2. The sacrifices in Leviticus 2:1-3, which are types of Christ show that this is not always so.

3. The emphases here is not on the character of leaven, but the fact that the leaven has been hidden in the meal.

4. This demonstrates the how it works when pitched into the meal

a. An irreversible actions begins

b. It will continues until the process is completed

5. Shows how the new form of the kingdom will develop

6. The power of the kingdom will not be external, but internal

7. All previous kingdoms were introduced by military might

a. Babylon came to power by defeating Assyria

b. The Meads and Persians came to power by defeating Babylon

c. Greece came to power by conquering the Meads and the Persians

d. Rome ruled by overwhelming Greece

8. This new kingdom will flourish, not by military might, but by power within

So, The Mustard & The Hidden Leaven Teach The Growth Of The Kingdom

E. The Hid Treasure – (Matthew 13:44) – Its purpose is to show the relationship of Israel to this present age.

1. Israel is set aside, but not forgotten

2. An individual (Christ) is purchasing a treasure – (purchased on the cross)

3. The treasure is hidden in a field, unseen, but the location is known to the purchaser

4. During the age, the purchaser does not take possession of the treasure

5. During the age, the purchaser does take possession of the place where the treasure is hidden.

6. Christ layed the foundation for Israel’s acceptance in this age, even though the age ends without Him taken possession of the treasure.

7. The treasure will be unearthed when He returns to establish His Kingdom

8. Israel is now blinded, but possessed by the purchaser

F. The Pearl – (Matthew 13:45-46) – Within this present age, Christ will not only receive the treasure, Israel, He will also have the church

1. The church, like the pearl, becomes the possession of the merchant man, Christ, by purchase.

2. The church, like the pearl can only adorn him if it is taken out of the place in which it was formed.

G. The Dragnet – (Matthew 13:47-50) – The age is to end in judgment

1. This judgment is principally on Gentile nations – (Because it was cast into the sea – (Matthew 13:47)

2. This is in contrast to the judgment on Israel in the second parable.

So, the unsaved will be excluded from the kingdom to be established as previously taught, and the righteous will be taken into it.

Revealing The Mysteries Of The Kingdom Of Heaven
Parable	Kingdom Revelation
The Seed And The Soils	The Kingdom Proclaimed
The Wheat & The Tares	Imitation In The Kingdom
The Mustard Tree	The Kingdom Growing Multitudes Benefiting
The Hidden Leaven	Internal Kingdom Power Growing By The Holy Spirit Not By Military Might
The Hidden Treasure	Israel In This Kingdom
The Pearl	Church In This Kingdom
The Drag-Net	Judgment of Nations At The End

VI. Christ Teaches The Mysteries Of The The Kingdom - Olivet Discourse

I. Christ’s teaching His disciples at the Mount of Olives – The chronology is given in Matthew 24:1 – 25: 46.

A. The context –– Judgment and blindness on Israel – Chapter 23

1. Given two days before His death - Matthew 26:1-2

2. Given just after the condemnation of the Pharisees – Matthew 23:13-36

3. Also just after stating judgment and the “blindness upon the nation of Israel” – Matthew 23:37-39

4. Spoken to His disciples still classed as Jews – He was talking to Jews about Jews

5. In chapter 24, He teaches the overthrow of Jerusalem – Matthew 24:1-2

B. The Disciples Questions

1. Undoubtedly the promise of His return sparked the questions - Matthew 23:39

2. When shall these things be? – the answer is given in Luke:

Luke 21:20 ¶ And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

Luke 21:21  Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

Luke 21:22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

Luke 21:23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

Luke 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

3. What shall be the sign of your coming, and the end of the world (age)?

a. Matthew 24 and 25 was written to answer this question.

b. It is answered in strict chronological order

The First Half of the 70^th Week
Revelation Chapter 6	Matthew 24
The First Seal – revealing a false Christ on a white horse, who establishes a temporary peace.  Revelation 6:1-2	The First Prophecy – “Many shall come in my name, saying I am Christ”.  Matthew 24:5
The Second Seal – revealing a man on a red horse to whom is given a great sword, and who will take peace from the earth…that they should kill one another. Revelation 6:4	The Second Prophecy - ….”wars and rumours of wars….. nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom”. Matthew 24:6-7
The Third Seal – revealing a man on a black horse with balances in his hand (depicting famine) Revelation 6:5-6	The Third Prophecy - …”and there shall be famines…..”  Matthew 24:7
The Fourth Seal – revealing a man, (death) on a pale horse killing with sword, hunger and beasts. Revelation 6:6:7-8	The Fourth Prophecy – “…and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.”  Matthew 24:7
All these are the beginning of sorrows - Matthew 24:8
The Last Half of the 70^th Week
Revelation 12:12-17	Matthew 24:9-26
The Fifth Seal – the souls that were slain for the Word of God, who from under the altar cry, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on earth.”  Revelation 6:9-11	The Fifth Prophecy – “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.”  Matthew 24:9
Daniel 9:27 - 27  And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate	When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place….. Matthew 24:15

Christ’s Chronology Of Future Events
Beginning of the Seventieth Week
Israel Lives In Relative Safety Under The False Covenant	Daniel 9:27
Israel Experiences Chastisements	Matthew 24:4-8 Revelation 6 Seals
Israel Lives In Relative Safety With A False Covenant