In response to Greg Laurie's comments:
1. The Sabbath IS Repeated in the New Testament.
"For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest." (Heb. 4:4-5)
When speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem, an event that occurred 40 years AFTER Jesus' death and resurrection He said:
"But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:" (Matt. 24:20)
2. In Matt. 24:20 Jesus was making know His intentions that His followers would be keeping the Sabbath after His death. Why would He need to have a lesson on keeping the Sabbath if His followers already kept the Sabbath? The Jews did make keeping the Sabbath legalistic, and Jesus showed them the error of their ways by healing a leper on the Sabbath (John 5:9), driving out a demon on the Sabbath, and allowing the disciples to pick corn on the Sabbath to eat. These were not against the Sabbath commandment but were only against the man-made laws the Jews had invented pertaining to the Sabbath. When Jesus instructed the Pharisees and the disciples how to keep the Sabbath, isn't that instruction to keep the Sabbath? It most assuredly is. Here is a positive affirmation from the mouth of Jesus Himself whereby the practice of the Sabbath is affirmed.
"How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days." (Matt. 12:12)
3. Again, the Apostles never "taught" anyone to keep the Sabbath, because they all already were keeping it!
"And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God." (Acts 13:44)
"And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read." (Luke 4:1)
"For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after
----------------- Bulletin Message -----------------
From: LAZARUZ
Date: Mar 17, 2008 9:47 AM
The Plan of Salvation : from the book "Early Writings"
Sorrow filled heaven, as it was realized that man was lost, and that world which God had created was to be filled with mortals doomed to misery, sickness, and death, and there was no way of escape for the offender. The whole family of Adam must die. I saw the lovely Jesus and beheld an expression of sympathy and sorrow upon His countenance. Soon I saw Him approach the exceeding bright light which enshrouded the Father. Said my accompanying angel, He is in close converse with His Father. The anxiety of the angels seemed to be intense while Jesus was communing with His Father. Three times He was shut in by the glorious light about the Father, and the third time He came from the Father, His person could be seen. His countenance was calm, free from all perplexity and doubt, and shone with benevolence and loveliness, such as words cannot express. He then made known to the angelic host that a way of escape had been made for lost man. He told them that He had been pleading with His Father, and had offered to give His life a ransom, to take the sentence of death upon Himself, that through Him man might find pardon; that through the merits of His blood, and obedience to the law of God, they could have the favor of God, and be brought into the beautiful garden, and eat of the fruit of the tree of life. {EW 149.2}
At first the angels could not rejoice; for their Commander concealed nothing from them, but opened
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before them the plan of salvation. Jesus told them that He would stand between the wrath of His Father and guilty man, that He would bear iniquity and scorn, and but few would receive Him as the Son of God. Nearly all would hate and reject Him. He would leave all His glory in heaven, appear upon earth as a man, humble Himself as a man, become acquainted by His own experience with the various temptations with which man would be beset, that He might know how to succor those who should be tempted; and that finally, after His mission as a teacher would be accomplished, He would be delivered into the hands of men, and endure almost every cruelty and suffering that Satan and his angels could inspire wicked men to inflict; that He would die the cruelest of deaths, hung up between the heavens and the earth as a guilty sinner; that He would suffer dreadful hours of agony, which even angels could not look upon, but would veil their faces from the sight. Not merely agony of body would He suffer, but mental agony, that with which bodily suffering could in no wise be compared. The weight of the sins of the whole world would be upon Him. He told them He would die and rise again the third day, and would ascend to His Father to intercede for wayward, guilty man. {EW 149.3}
The angels prostrated themselves before Him. They offered their lives. Jesus said to them that He would by His death save many, that the life of an angel could not pay the debt. His life alone could be accepted of His Father as a ransom for man. Jesus also told them that they would have a part to act, to be with Him and at different times strengthen Him; that He would take man's fallen nature, and His strength would not be even equal with theirs; that they would be witnesses of His humiliation and great sufferings; and that as they would witness His sufferings, and the
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hatred of men toward Him, they would be stirred with the deepest emotion, and through their love for Him would wish to rescue and deliver Him from His murderers; but that they must not interfere to prevent anything they should behold; and that they should act a part in His resurrection; that the plan of salvation was devised, and His Father had accepted the plan. {EW 150.1}
With a holy sadness Jesus comforted and cheered the angels and informed them that hereafter those whom He should redeem would be with Him, and that by His death He should ransom many and destroy him who had the power of death. And His Father would give Him the kingdom and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, and He would possess it forever and ever. Satan and sinners would be destroyed, nevermore to disturb heaven or the purified new earth. Jesus bade the heavenly host be reconciled to the plan that His Father had accepted and rejoice that through His death fallen man could again be exalted to obtain favor with God and enjoy heaven. {EW 151.1}
Then joy, inexpressible joy, filled heaven. And the heavenly host sang a song of praise and adoration. They touched their harps and sang a note higher than they had done before, for the great mercy and condescension of God in yielding up His dearly Beloved to die for a race of rebels. Praise and adoration were poured forth for the self-denial and sacrifice of Jesus; that He would consent to leave the bosom of His Father, and choose a life of suffering and anguish, and die an ignominious death to give life to others. {EW 151.2}
Said the angel, "Think ye that the Father yielded up His dearly beloved Son without a struggle? No, no. It was even a struggle with the God of heaven, whether to let guilty man perish, or to give His beloved Son to die for Him." Angels were so interested for man's
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salvation that there could be found among them those who would yield their glory and give their life for perishing man, "But," said my accompanying angel, "that would avail nothing. The transgression was so great that an angel's life would not pay the debt. Nothing but the death and intercessions of His son would pay the debt and save lost man from hopeless sorrow and misery." {EW 151.3}
But the work of the angels was assigned them, to ascend and descend with strengthening balm from glory to soothe the Son of God in His sufferings, and minister unto Him. Also, their work would be to guard and keep the subjects of grace from the evil angels and the darkness constantly thrown around them by Satan. I saw that it was impossible for God to alter or change His law to save lost, perishing man; therefore He suffered His beloved Son to die for man's transgression. {EW 152.1}
Satan again rejoiced with his angels that he could, by causing man's fall, pull down the Son of God from His exalted position. He told his angels that when Jesus should take fallen man's nature, he could overpower Him and hinder the accomplishment of the plan of salvation. {EW 152.2}
I was shown Satan as he once was, a happy, exalted angel. Then I was shown him as he now is. He still bears a kingly form. His features are still noble, for he is an angel fallen. But the expression of his countenance is full of anxiety, care, unhappiness, malice, hate, mischief, deceit, and every evil. That brow which was once so noble, I particularly noticed. His forehead commenced from his eyes to recede. I saw that he had so long bent himself to evil that every good quality was debased, and every evil trait was developed. His eyes were cunning, sly, and showed great penetration. His frame was large, but the flesh hung loosely about his
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hands and face. As I beheld him, his chin was resting upon his left hand. He appeared to be in deep thought. A smile was upon his countenance, which made me tremble, it was so full of evil and satanic slyness. This smile is the one he wears just before he makes sure of his victim, and as he fastens the victim in his snare, this smile grows horrible.
BIBLE STUDY #5 What time is it? PART I
The Bible often follows the process of repetition and enlargement. This consists of presenting a point and then expanding the details about the point in subsequent visions. In our next lesson, we shall begin to study a dream given to Daniel that clearly shows our chronological position in prophetic time!
Review
Our last study surveyed the sweeping prophecy of Daniel 2. King Nebuchadnezzar's dream concerning the kingdoms of man has almost been fulfilled and historical confirmation brings the fulfillment of the vision down to our day. But what time is it?
Will there be 100 more years before Jesus returns? Are we really living in the last days? If we are, how is it proven?
WHAT TIME IS IT?
There is only one prophecy in the Bible that tells us where we are in time. Other prophecies like Daniel 2 and Daniel 7 tell us where we are sequentially but only one leads us to a specific date so that we may know our chronological position. It's found in Daniel 8-12.
Introduction to the prophecy
1. This prophecy is directly connected with the work of Jesus in the heavenly sanctuary.
2. This prophecy has five very important dates connected with it. /all five dates have been historically confirmed.
3. Unlike the seven chapters of Daniel, this prophecy is written in Hebrew.
4. This prophecy came to Daniel in segments over a period of about three or four years. The last five chapters of Daniel (8-12) contain this prophecy.
5. Even though a portion of this prophecy applies to Daniel's day, the focus is the "appointed time of the end."
The vision
Sometime during the third year of King Belshazzar's reign (last king of Babylon), Daniel received the first segment of this serious vision. A summery of Daniel's vision follows:
1. I was standing beside the Ulai Canal… Before me was a ram with two long horns standing beside the canal. One of the horns was longer than the other but grew up later. I watched the ram as he charged toward the west, north and the south. No animal could stand against him… He did as he pleased and became great. {V14}
2. As I was thinking about this, suddenly a goat with a prominent horn between his eyes came from the west, crossing the whole earth without touching the ground. He came toward the two-horned ram…and charged at him with great rage. I saw him attack the ram furiously…and shatter his two horns. The ram was powerless to stand against him; the goat knocked him to the ground and trampled on him. {5-7}
3. The goat became very great, but at the height of his power his large horn was broken off, and in its place four prominent horns grew up toward the four winds of heaven…" {V8}
4. Later, out of the four winds, another horn arises. It starts small, but grows in power to the south and east and toward the Beautiful Land. It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them. {V9-10)
5. This horn sets itself up to be as great as the Prince of the host; it takes away the daily sacrifice from him, and the place of his sanctuary was brought low. {V11}
6. Because of rebellion, the saints and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground. {V12}
7. At the end of this vision, Daniel heard two angels talking as he watched this vision. One angel asked five questions {V13}, they are:
a. How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled?
b . How will the daily be taken away?
c. How long will the rebellion that causes desolation last?
d. How long will the sanctuary be surrendered?
e. How long will the people of earth be trampled upon?
The vision has two parts
During the vision, the angel Gabriel was sent to Daniel with the instruction, "tell this man the meaning of the vision." As will be seen, the content of the vision is so comprehensive, that Gabriel actually requires three visits to give Daniel a full explanation! The first visit of Gabriel begins in Daniel 8:15.
Before explaining the vision to Daniel, Gabriel twice emphasizes that this vision concerns "the appointed time of the end" (verses 17 and 19). The visit of Gabriel with Daniel took place 25 centuries ago. Several times in the vision the phrase "the appointed time of the end" is used. The phrase leads us to believe that God must have an appointed time to end the troubles on earth. Are we living in the last century? Have we reached "the appointed time of the end?' How can we tell if we have or haven't? Just as a navigator looks at the stars to know his latitude and longitude, there has to be some sign or event that shows our chronological position in time so that we can know when the appointed time of the end arrives. Without a marker, we can only guess at the time.
Many people challenge the idea that we are living at the end of the world's history. They ask, "what evidence do you have to show that the end is now and not 500 years from now?" The world has seen WW1, WW2 and there will be a WW3 (according to Revelation). So how can we know that we are living at the end of the world? Bible prophecy holds the answer. Jesus has declared the end from the beginning. Gabriel told Daniel, "…none of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand." Daniel 12:10
Even though the vision of Daniel 8-12 serves a variety of purposes and answers a number of questions, it basically has two parts. The first establishes a historical footing or marker so students of prophecy can determine their chronological position from historical sources. The second and more complex portion of the vision explains certain events that occur during the appointed time of the end. It is also important to know that other prophecies in the Bible add information to compliment the vision of Daniel.
The explanation begins
In his first visit with Daniel, the angel Gabriel said:
1. The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia. {V20
2. The goat is the kingdom of Greece, and the large horn is the first king. {V21}
3. The four horns that replaced the one that was broken off represents four kingdoms that will emerge from this nation but will not have the same power. {V22}
4. Later, (during the appointed time of the end) when lawlessness has gained control of the world, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed at whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people. {V23, 24}
5. He will cause deceit to prosper, He will consider himself superior and when the world feels secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power. {V25}
Commentary
Some commentators separate the last five chapters of Daniel into a number of unrelated visions because it is obvious that the visions and explanations come to Daniel over a period of time. However, we will see that each time Gabriel talks with Daniel, he refers to one of their earlier visits and/or a portion of the vision seen earlier. This clearly demonstrates a unity between the segments. Further, if we tie the five chapters together, the pieces will harmoniously relate to each other. If the vision is broken into disconnected parts, conclusions will have no historical footing to work from. In such a case, the appointed time of the end cannot be determined. We will see that Jesus carefully tied the historical events of Daniel's day and the appointed time of the end together with a specified number of years!
While the first portion of the vision held immediate meaning for Daniel, it more importantly provides very valuable historical data for us. This historical data provides a historical marker from which we can mark the passing of time. The second portion of the vision applies to events that take place during the appointed time of the end.
Immediate meaning
Jesus not only knows and predicts the future; He is also concerned with the present. In Daniel's day, Jesus was deeply grieved with Israel's rebellion and consequently sent them into captivity. Through Jeremiah, Jesus foretold the Babylonian captivity would last 70 years. "For twenty-three years…the word of the Lord has come to me and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened… Therefore the Lord Almighty says this: 'Because you have not listened to my words, I will summon all the peoples of the north and my servant Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon… And I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and against all the surrounding nations. This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years.'" Jeremiah 25:3,8,9,11
Remember, Daniel was one of the Hebrew captives taken into Babylon. He had interpreted the dream concerning the kingdoms of man for Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel knew that another world empire was to follow Babylon. In the vision of Daniel 8, Jesus not only reveals the rise of subsequent empires to Daniel, He even calls them by name!
(Jesus even named the Persian general that would overtake the Babylonian empire a hundred years before he was born! See Isaiah 45.) These nations are symbolized as a ram with two horns and a goat with a great horn. These two beasts and their horns represent the kings of the Medo-Persian and Grecian empires respectively.
Daniel also knew that the 70 years of captivity predicted by Jeremiah were about to expire too! He was anxious for his people to be set free to return to Jerusalem. He wondered if the fall of Babylon would bring freedom to his people. The hope of returning to the homeland and the destiny of his people burned deeply within his heart. Daniel wanted to know the outcome of these things so badly that he fasted and prayed for understanding for three weeks! At the end of the fast, Gabriel was sent to Daniel. He had good news and he had bad news.
Babylon's last night
Gabriel told Daniel that the fall of Babylon was imminent. He explained that the ram with two horns represented the kings of Media and Persia that would overthrow Babylon. Daniel was also shown that the Medo-Persian Empire would eventually fall. Thus Jesus opened Daniel's mind to a much larger view of His purposes than he understood before.
Gabriel explained to Daniel that God's purpose for Israel was much more inclusive that just returning to Jerusalem. So in the first visit, Gabriel told Daniel about the imminent of Babylon. Daniel needed to be prepared – for as it turned out, he would be put on center stage before the Babylonian ruler of the world.
On Babylon's last night, Daniel was awakened by a summons. He was told to immediately appear before Belshazzar, king of Babylon! The king and a thousand of his nobles were having a drunken party when a hand suddenly and mysteriously appeared and wrote something on the wall of the palace. The ominous message was not decipherable to the king, or his wise men. Eventually, Daniel was called to read the strange message. The old prophet told the king. "O king, the Most High God gave your father greatness and glory and splendor…But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was disposed from his throne…until he acknowledged that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men… But you his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven… You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways… The meaning is: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting. Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians." Selections from Daniel 5. The Bible also says that very night Belshazzar was slain and Darius the Mede took over the city of Babylon.
Historical notes
According to history, Babylon fell in the autumn of 538 B.C, as the Medes and Persians came to power. However, both Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel's visions say the Medes and Persians were not to rule the world forever. They too would pass away. About two centuries later, the defeat of the Persians by Alexander the Great at Arbela in 331 B.C. established Greece as a world empire. Thus history confirms the sequence and chronological portion of the vision concerning the ram and the goat.
The vision given to Daniel also predicted that the goat (Greece) would become very great, but at the height of his power his large horn was broken off and in its place four prominent horns grew up. At the zenith of world power, Greece's first king, Alexander the Great, died an untimely death at age 32. His kingdom was passed down to his heirs, but was eventually divided among his four leading generals: Cassander, Lysimachus, Selueucius and Ptolemy. History again confirms the sequence and chronology of the vision.
An accurate understanding of Bible prophecy always harmonizes with historical evidence to unveil the foreknowledge of Jesus! Political powers do not come and go by the whim of men. The apostle Paul said, "…For there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." Romans 13:1
The horn that started small
Remember, Gabriel told Daniel two times that this vision concern the "appointed time of the end." In future lessons, we shall study the event that marks the time of the end and the horn that starts small. For now, we need to continue with the portion of the vision that relates to Daniel's day so that we may carefully establish some historical dates indicating when the appointed time of the end begins!
During the first year
Some time during the first year of the reign of the Medes and Persians, Daniel was imploring God for the release of the Jews from captivity and the restoration of Jerusalem when Gabriel suddenly appeared before Daniel to continue their discussion on the vision given to Daniel concerning the ram and goat. Daniel says, "…while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice." Daniel 9:21 On the second visit, Gabriel said, "I have come to give you insight and understanding… Therefore, consider the message and understand the vision" (of the 2,300 evenings and mornings). Daniel 9:21-23
(Note: Daniel's concern was focused on the end of the 70 years of Babylonian captivity predicted by Jeremiah. He anticipated the imminent fulfillment of the prophecy. He thought his vision of the 2,300 evenings and mornings related to the restoration of Israel and consequently sought greater understanding. Gabriel returns to talk with Daniel but the subject under discussion is much larger than the restoration of the Jews. In fact, history tells us that Daniel's concern for the freedom of his people was satisfied the year of Gabriel's visit! Captivity ended as prophesied by Jeremiah when Cyrus king of Persia, released Israel from captivity. Ezra recorded the decree. "In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation…"(freeing Israel). See Ezra 1:1-11
So Gabriel returns in this second visit to continue his explanation of the meaning of the vision having 2,300 evenings and mornings. The angel came to Daniel about sundown, the time of the evening sacrifice and said:
1. 70 "sevens (or weeks) are granted to Israel to:
1.
1. Pay the penalty for their wicked deeds as a nation
2. Put an end to national apostasy
3. Bring in everlasting righteousness
4. Seal up the vision and prophecy
5. Anoint the Most Holy
2. From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until the Anointed One appears would be 69 weeks.
3. In the middle of the 70th week, the Anointed One would be cut off, also confirm a covenant and He would put an end to sacrifice and offering.
4. Jerusalem and its sanctuary would later be destroyed.
5. Wars and desolations would continue until the end of time.
6. And one who causes desolations will continue until the end of time.
(See Daniel 9:24-27
Gabriel led Daniel to understand that God's purpose in the future was much larger than Israel returning to Jerusalem. In fact, if you'll compare items 2 and 4 of the prophecy, Gabriel explains that Jerusalem will be rebuilt and afterwards, it will be destroyed again!
Daniel was also told that wars would continue until the end of time and the one who causes desolation (destructions) would continue until the end of time.
The angel also told Daniel that the Anointed One (Messiah) would appear 69 weeks after the decree to rebuild Jerusalem.This indicated that yes, Jerusalem would be restored and that the Holy One of Israel would now come. Daniel knew of the promised Messiah for Isaiah had prophesied:"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel…God in the future will honor Galilee of the Gentiles…The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned…And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 7:14; 9:1,2,6
The most important matter that came out of this visit is that Daniel was led to understand that 70 "seven" were to be placed upon the Jews for several reasons. The ultimate purpose (see item 1 above) was to prepare a people to receive Messiah!
An appointment with Messiah
Review the six elements of Gabriel's talk with Daniel. You will notice that the message given to Daniel clearly states that from the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah appears would be 69 weeks.
God's timing is always perfect. Three keys unlock this important message from Gabriel allowing us to see the beauty of His timing. We will look at the first two keys in this study:
KEY I - A day for a year
The words "70 sevens" refer to an understanding the Jews had regarding time. A "seven" was a time period of 7 years. Seven " sevens" (or 49 years) was a revolving time period called a "Jubilee." According to Leviticus 25 & 26, the Jews were to count years by sevens for the land was to have a rest every 7th year. Israel was not to sow or plant their fields in the 7th year. God promised to make their fields so fruitful during the sixth year that work in the fields during the 7th year would be unnecessary!
Even more, after the year of rest at the 49th year, (the 7th sabbatical,) the year of Jubilee was the 50th year, which was also the first year of the next "seven." During the Jubilee year, land that had been sold was returned to the family. Debts were cancelled and real estate was returned to the original owner! The "seven" and the Jubilees were a lesson designed by Jesus to teach Israel that one-day, He would both redeem (buy back) those faithful and obedient to the Lord and would return them to their original homeland – the Garden of Eden. The great debt of sin would be paid in full for those willing to live by faith!
Daniel understood that 70 "sevens" of years meant 490 years or 10 Jubilees. This time period of grace would be granted to Israel as a final effort to fulfill God's plan for them as a nation. Daniel must have sorrowed to hear that Jerusalem would be rebuilt and then destroyed again. Would his people be prepared to accept the Messiah?
Daniel was told the Anointed One (the Messiah) would appear 483 years (69x7 =483) after the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. Although three decrees were given on behalf of Israel, the decree granting the necessary money, Artaxeres gave governmental power and freedom of worship in the seventh year of his reign. The decree is recorded in Ezra 7 and was issued in the fall of 457 B.C.
Note: Some challenge the use of the decree dated 457 B.C. since there were actually three decrees. Fortunately, enough historical evidence is available to show the particular decree, issued in 457 B.C., is the one that fulfills the prophecy.
In our understanding and application of the 69 "sevens" is correct, Jesus the Messiah, the Anointed One, should appear 483 years after the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem.Did He appear before the Jewish people that year?
"In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar – when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee… The people were waiting expectantly and were wondering in their hearts if John (the Baptist) might possibly be the Christ… When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too… Jesus…was about thirty years old when he began his ministry." Selections from Luke 3.
From historical sources we can calculate the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar that Luke speaks of. It is 27 A.D., which is exactly 483 years from the decree in 457 B.C. by Artaxerxes! Jesus, who set the time of His appearing – appeared right on time.
KEY II – Jesus dies on time
Gabriel said that in the middle of the 70th "seven" the Anointed One would be cut off (literally cut down), that He would also confirm a covenant and He would put an end to sacrifice and offering.
Since a "seven" represents 7 years, the 70th week of this prophecy is seven years long. The 70th week began with 27 A.D. and reaches to 34 A.D. The middle mark (or middle of the week) between these years is 30 A.D. Several points converge during this year:
1. Jesus was crucified in the spring of the year during the Passover feast, which was celebrated in the spring. John 19:14
2. It appears that Passover fell on Saturday that year, John 19:31 (Note: some scholars believe the accompanying eclipse of the sun at Jesus' death is recorded as being Friday April 7th, 30 A.D.)
3. Gabriel indicated that Messiah was to be "cut off" (literally translated: cut down).
Did his own people cut him down? Stephen, the first Christian martyr cried out to
The Sanhedrin regarding the crucifixion of Jesus "you have betrayed and murder-ed him!" Acts 7:52
4. Did Messiah put an end to sacrifices and offerings? Paul says, "God …cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross." Colossians 2:13,14
5. Did Jesus confirm the covenant? Again, Paul says, "This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him." Hebrews 2:3
History agrees
According to the prophecy, Jesus died exactly on time. As the High Priest was about to slay the Passover lamb in Jerusalem's temple, out on Golgotha's hill – Jesus, the Passover Lamb of God died for the sins of the whole world.
An angel immediately flew to the temple and tore open the heavy veil from top to bottom that separated the Holy place from the Most Holy place. This act signified the end of the sacrificial system. Jesus had confirmed His covenant with His own blood. The religious services, which had been required of Israel, were now unnecessary. The penalty of sin, which they had pointed to, was paid in full. The shadow of earthy things disappeared in the fulfillment of Christ's death. The ceremonies were nailed to the cross.
(Note: When the veil was torn open, the great multitude that gathered for the Passover beheld the contents of the Most Holy place of the temple for the first time. The room's sole property was darkness. The Ark of the Covenant that had been hidden by Jeremiah at the time of the Babylonian captivity was never found and remains hidden to this very day! How symbolic that darkness not only filled the inner place of Israel's religious shrine, great darkness filled the hearts of the worshipers too.)
Summary
1. In 27A.D., the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar, the Jews anticipated the appearing of Messiah. The women at the well said: "I know that Messiah is coming…when he comes, he will explain everything to us." John 4:25 Mathematically, 27 A.D. is the 483rd year from the decree given by Artaxerxes in 457 B.C.
2. Jesus was baptized in 27 A.D. being 30 years of age before he could serve as a priest. See Numbers 4:3
3. "Elijah" as promised in Malachi 4:5 preceded the year 27 A.D. He came in the person of John the Baptist to prepare the "way of the Lord." Matthew 11:14
4. Jesus, who gave this vision to Daniel 550 years before He was born, understood the timing and fulfillment of the prophecy, for He said at the beginning of His ministry on earth, "The time has come…" Mark 1:14,15 Again, Jesus speaking after His baptism in Nazareth said, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me…to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18,19
5. Christ died precisely on time. Jesus, the Passover Lamb of God, died on the very day the ceremonial service had pointed to for centuries. The Council of Caesarea in 196 A.D., the Alexandrian Chronicle, and early historians Maximus Monachus, and Cedrenus also historically confirm 30 A.D.
6. Each time the story is told of the birth of Jesus, the story of the wise men is told. What many people don't know is the wise men were students of prophecy. They came from the East (area around Babylon) where they found and studied Daniel's writings. By understanding that a priest in Israel had to be 30 years of age before beginning his ministry, they calculated the end of the 483 years and then subtracted 30 years from their conclusion to determine the year of Jesus birth. When you consider the fact that their roundtrip journey took about 2 years, you can begin to appreciate the intensity of their desire to attend the birth of Messiah. Wise men do not go to such lengths on a whim. Like the prophets Simeon and Anna, they longed to "personally" behold the Savior of the world. Their presence at the birth of Jesus also confirms the accuracy of this prophecy for there are no other prophecies in the Bible pinpointing the time of Messiah's appearing other than this one found in Daniel 9.
The fullness of time
Paul succinctly sums up Daniel's prophecy by saying, "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son…" (Galatians 4:4). Can any question remain that God's timing is less than perfect?
In our next study, the third key will be explained. It holds a special message for Christians!
BIBLE STUDY #6 What time is it?PART II
Review
In our last lesson we began looking into Daniel's prophecy concerning the appointed time of the end. Even though the prophecy spans several centuries, its primary focus is the appointed time of the end.
The prophecy actually contains two parts. The first part held immediate meaning for Daniel and as we shall see, it also establishes a valuable historical marker so that we might know when the end of time arrives. So far, we have discussed 3 dates. These were 457 B.C., 27 and 31 A.D. The correctness of 457B.C. is marked by the decree of Artaxerxes (Ezra 7) to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. Jesus beginning his ministry precisely on time 483 years later - during the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar.
The 15th year of Tiberius Caesar is 27 A.D. Further, Jesus, the Passover Lamb, died right on time, three and half years later at the Passover feast in the Spring of 30 A.D.
Three keys help us unlock the vision of Daniel's prophecy. The first key requires an understanding of the time period known as a "seven." A "seven" represents 7 years. (See Leviticus 26.) Every 7 years, the Jews did not plant crops for this year was a rest or sabbatical. Thus 70 "sevens" represent 490 literal years. The appearing of Messiah 483 years later (69 "seven") confirms the correctness of this interpretation.
The second key is the historical timing of Christ's death as it relates to the prophecy. Jesus died precisely on time in the middle of the 70th week, which is 30 A.D. Some students of prophecy believe the 70th week is broken into two parts. In this view, the 70th week contains a time period of 3.5 years, a gap of many centuries, then the final time period of 3.5 years. If this is true, the middle of the 70th cannot be determined! For example, we can only compute the middle of the 70th week when we know the beginning and ending dates. The middle year between 27 A.D. and 34 A.D. is 30 A.D. However, if the 70th week is not consecutive years, the middle of the 70th week cannot be determined until the end of the week is known.
Other students of prophecy attempt to move the entire 70th week of seven years to the end of time. If this is done, the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus are completely missed! Further, those moving the 70th week of seven years to the end of time disconnect the 69 weeks from the 70th week. If this is done, no historical marker pinpoints the beginning of the seven years of the 70th week.
The 70 weeks of 490 years must stand together as one unit of time. These years were allotted to the Jewish nation to accomplish certain things, which Gabriel explained to Daniel. Jesus Himself confirmed the beginning of the 70th week of seven years by beginning His ministry in 27 A.D. and confirming the covenant by His death three and a half years later in 30 A.D.
The third and last key that unlocks this portion of the prophecy relates to the end of the 70th week – 34 A.D. At this point in time, the destiny of the Jewish nation was decided.
KEY III – The destiny of the Jews
Let us review Gabriel's comments to Daniel concerning the Jews:
"70 sevens (or weeks) are granted to Israel to":
1. Pay the penalty for their wicked deeds as a nation
2. Put an end to national apostasy
3. Bring in everlasting righteousness
4. Seal up the vision and prophecy
5. Anoint the Most Holy
The first two elements of the prophecy above relate to Jewish behavior and the last three elements relate to promised glory. The Jews knew they were special to God. They knew that Messiah would come through their bloodline. This prophecy underscores the special relationship between Jesus and His people. If they would turn to Jesus, Israel could still fulfill His purpose. They would have the opportunity to anoint the Most Holy One of Israel! They would have the opportunity to bring in everlasting righteousness. Just think, if the Jews had taken advantage of the promise given, the history of the world would be far different than it has been! If the Jews have fulfilled their calling, they could have "sealed up the vision and prophecy" so that the destruction also contained in this prophecy would not take place!
This prophecy (and a few others in the Bible) contains a conditional element. If Israel did not meet the conditions set forth, Jerusalem would again be destroyed and wars and desolations would continue to the end of the world. Even more, the "one" who causes wars and desolations would be free to continue his work until the end.
This prophecy illuminates a very serious and important point. When Jesus chose Israel to be a special people to Himself, He wanted them to clearly understand that the relationship depended upon certain conditions. Jesus told the Jews through Moses, "..If you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you… The Lord will send on you curses, confusion and rebuke in everything you put your hand to, until you are destroyed and come to sudden ruin because of the evil you have done in forsaking him." Deuteronomy 28:15,20
So, seventy "sevens" or 490 years of probationary time was granted to Israel. It was their last opportunity for reconciliation with Jesus. God had suffered with their stiff-necks and hard hearts for about 1300 years, and this was their final opportunity. If they did not respond to the offer, Jesus would do something else. Several important factors supplement this portion of the prophecy.
During the 70 "sevens" Israel was to atone for their wicked ways as a nation by experiencing revival and reformation. Repentance means the forsaking of sin! During this probationary time of 490 years (457 B.C. to 34 A.D.), the Jewish nation was to "bring in everlasting righteousness" by forsaking sin and measuring up to the high standards set forth by Jesus.
70 "sevens" – a measure of forgiveness
The Jewish people knew the 70 sevens were probationary. They knew national apostasy brought on the Babylonian captivity. They knew they were given a last chance. In fact, Jesus used the 70 "sevens" mentioned in Daniel 9 as an expression of forbearance when Peter asked, "…Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? Jesus answered, I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21,22
The Jews were to bring in everlasting righteousness. What does "bringing in everlasting righteousness" mean? It means Jesus wanted the nation to operate on the principles of righteousness. This can only happen if the people of the nation love righteousness. Jesus wanted a people that loved the Lord with all their hearts and their neighbors as themselves! The Jews clearly knew that their favored status with God was conditional. Moses had said, "If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands… blessings will come… However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands… curses will come upon you…" (Deut 28)
The last year of the 70th "seven" occurred in 34 A.D. This year is very important for it represents the last year of Jewish probation as a nation to receive and fulfill God's promises. As the 490 years of probationary time expired, so did Israel's last opportunity to fulfill God's glorious plan for them as a nation. Like Sodom and Gomorrah, Jericho and the wicked nations of Canaan, Israel passed the point of divine forbearance. They had been forgiven "seventy times seven." The Jewish nation like the heathen nations before them came to the end of divine mercy and Jesus dealt with them accordingly. Jesus had clearly warned Israel of His actions on the heathen and made it clear He would do the same to them saying, "…So I punished (the land of Canaan) for its sin and the land vomited out its inhabitants… And if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you." Leviticus 18:25,28
Israel abandoned
A series of events transpired in 34 A.D. that shows Jesus terminated His relationship with the nation of Israel. Before looking at them, lets review Israel's relation to Jesus:
* The Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah, the Savior of the world. They could not see beyond the shadows of ceremonies and services. For salvation, they preferred the blood of animals to faith in the blood of Jesus.
* The Jews failed to bring in national repentance; thus their corporate rebellion led them to crucify Jesus and persecute those who represented His work on earth.
Their religious pride blinded them in their transgressions.
* Jesus, knowing He would die in 30 A.D. when He gave the prophecy to Daniel, did not base the close of Jewish probation on His death. For three and half years after His death, His disciples pressed upon the leaders in Jerusalem the prophecies concerning the resurrected Messiah! Oh, what divine mercy, what divine patience and forbearance! Jesus, before his death predicted the Jews would reject the gospel, saying, "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead."
Luke 16:31
The straw that breaks the camel's back
The most significant historical event recorded in the Bible during the last year of probationary time (34 A.D.) was the stoning of the Christian deacon, Stephen. The Sanhedrin (the Jewish Supreme court) sentenced Stephen to death for preaching, "Jesus risen from the dead." The killing of Stephen initiated a calculated and open persecution of all Christians by the Jews (see Acts 7).
Jesus chooses others to carry His gospel
What did Jesus do from heaven in 34 A.D. in response to the decision of the Jews?
1. Jesus gave Peter a vision about unclean animals. While in vision, Peter thought the command to "kill and eat" the unclean animals had dietary implications. Peter said, "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean." Acts 10:14 But a voice from heaven said, "…Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." Acts 10:15 three times this happened. Peter wondered about the vision. What did it mean? While thinking about the meaning, the Holy Spirit said, "…Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them."
Acts 10:19,20
The apostle Peter was invited to the home of a Roman centurion, Cornelius. Cornelius was a Gentile and as such, was regarded as "unclean" by the Jews. But Cornelius wanted to hear the gospel. He was a God-fearing man.
Peter was very perplexed about going into the home of a Gentile (which was unlawful for a Jew to enter), but the Holy Spirit had said, "Go!" Upon arriving at the home of Cornelius, Peter said, "…you are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?" Acts 10:28,29 Peter now understood the meaning of the vision. A great change was taking place. He dimly began to see that the commission of representing God on earth belonged to the Christians – instead of the Jews. (Compare Acts 10, Matthew 28)
2. Perhaps the strongest response of Jesus to Israel's final rejection in 34 A.D. was to take one of Israel's brightest and best and "make" a Christian out of him. The conversion of Saul to the apostle Paul and his life of service is a story only excelled by the life of Jesus. Saul, the Jewish persecutor, became Paul, the persecuted Christian, an apostle sent specifically to the gentiles. Jesus told Ananias concerning Saul, "…This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." Acts 9:15,16
At the expiration of the 70 "seven" in 34 A.D., Israel had failed to meet the conditions of the prophecy. Therefore, Jesus rose up a new group of "chosen" people called "Christians." Jesus set out to accomplish through the Christians Church what the Jews had failed to do. He gave the Christian Church a renewed covenant, a renewed faith, a renewed understanding of His character and most of all, a theology based on His life, death, resurrection and priestly ministry.
Three keys confirm historical footing
The three keys now work together to unlock the longest time prophecy in the Bible. Note that 457 B.C. is now historically confirmed with three dates. First, Jesus began His ministry on time (27 A.D.), He died on time (30 A.D.), and Israel lost favored status at the end of the seventy "seven" (34 A.D.). The promised destruction of the city and the temple also mentioned in the prophecy (Daniel 9:26) occurred in 70 A.D. Rome completely destroyed Jerusalem in that siege. What a sad ending to such a glorious beginning.
The appointed time of the end
The vision of Daniel is comprehensive. As you can see, the Bible is a storehouse of treasures and those who study prophecy study the deep things of God.
Now that the accuracy of 457 B.C. has been "nailed" down, we can understand another portion of Daniel's vision. Remember, Daniel heard two angels talking in the first segment of his vision. One angel asked a very complex question that really contains five questions. They are:
1. How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled?
2. How will the daily be taken away?
3. How long will the rebellion that causes desolation last?
4. How long will the sanctuary be surrendered?
5. How long will the saints be trampled upon?
The answers to these five questions are sprinkled throughout this comprehensive prophecy. To appreciate the answers to all these questions, the student must understand Revelation's story too. For now, we will look at the fourth question, "how long will the sanctuary be surrendered?"
Daniel heard an immediate answer to this question. One angel said, "…it will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be recons crated" (Daniel 8:14). Daniel heard the answer, but didn't understand the meaning. Gabriel said, "The vision of the (2,300) evenings and mornings that has been given to you is true, but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future. I Daniel was exhausted and lay ill for several days. Then I got up and went about the king's business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding" Daniel 8:26,27
A year passes
Daniel meditated on the vision from time to time. As any student of prophecy, he carefully studied all that had been revealed through past prophets for understanding on God's purposes and plans. He wanted to know the meaning of what he had seen. One day, while Daniel was in earnest prayer, Gabriel came to give more information about the vision.
(Note: The reason we have spent considerable effort establishing the historical importance and accuracy of 457 B.C. is because this date also marks the beginning of the 2.300 evenings and mornings!)
Seventy "sevens" are cut off
Remember, Gabriel told Daniel, "Seventy sevens are decreed for your people…" Daniel 9:24 The Hebrew word translated "decreed" is chathak (see Strong's Hebrew and Chaldee dictionary #2852), which literally means, "cut off." What Gabriel told Daniel is that seventy "sevens" are "cut off" from the vision of the 2,300 evenings and mornings. In other words, the 490 years are a subset or part of the larger vision.
The relationship between the vision recorded in Daniel 8 and the comments of Gabriel in Daniel 9 is clearly established for Daniel identifies Gabriel as the one he had talked with in the earlier segment of this vision. (Daniel 9:21) Even though Daniel desired to know the meaning of the vision concerning the 2,300 evenings and mornings, Gabriel does not directly address the first segment of Daniel's vision except to say the seventy sevens are cut off from the larger time period.
What does the scripture mean? "…it will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be recon se crated." Daniel 8:14 Several elements have to be addressed to explain the meaning of this verse.
1. Since creation, an evening and a morning represent one day. "God called the light 'day' and the darkness He called 'night'. And there was evening and morning the first day." Genesis 1:5 In Bible times a day began at evening (twilight). This was followed by midnight, morning and noon. A 24-hour day lasted from evening to evening.
* 2,300 evenings and mornings means 2,300 days. Since the seventy "sevens" (490 years) are "cut off" from this prophecy, we know that this prophecy represents on day as a year. Here's how: the seventy "sevens" are a subset of a larger time prophecy; consequently, they are "cut off" or cut out of the larger time prophecy. If the seventy "sevens" use the day for a year process, then 2,300 days have to follow the day/year structure too!
From the mathematics alone, we note the date would be 1843. This is because math uses a number scale that includes a zero. Notice the following scale:
-----------------------------------------
- 2 -1 0 1 2
3. You will notice that 2 years (or two spaces) exist between –1 and 1 for this scale moves from –1 to 0 to 1. When the dating of time relative to Christ's birth was put together, the 0 year was left out. It is not possible to say 0 B.C. or 0 A.D. So any periods of time that span B.C. to A.D. must have an additional year added to be mathematically correct. So 1843 + 1 equals 1844.
4. What does the Bible mean when it says that the sanctuary will be recon se crated or cleansed after 2,300 evenings and mornings?
Some Christians believe that the Jews are still God's chosen people and that Israel has an important part for the cause of Jesus at the end of the world. Thirty-eight hundred years of Jewish history and tradition indicates the Jewish nation will never accept Christ as the promised Messiah. (Yes, a few Jews have come to accept Jesus as their personal Messiah, but as a nation, they haven't changed.)
It is true that Israel plays a part in the end of the world – but it is not a glorious part. This prophecy of Daniel predicts that Israel (and most of the world) will accept the great imposter that is coming upon the earth claiming to be God! More will be said about this when we study Revelation 9.
The sanctuary to which the vision relates exists in heaven, where Jesus serves as our High Priest. Remember, this vision primarily applies to the "appointed time of the end." The Romans destroyed the rebuilt sanctuary of the Jews in A.D.70 because the privilege of being God's chosen nation was forfeited by the end of the 70th Week (34 A.D.). Thus Jesus prophesied to the Pharisees, "Look, your house (temple) is left to you desolate."
Matthew 23:38
Remember, the Apostle Paul confirms the presence of the heavenly sanctuary, "We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man." Hebrews 8:1,2
So, the vision of the 2,300 days is connected to the services of the heavenly sanctuary that is to be restored or recon se crated! How can this be?
The sanctuary restored
The Christian faith is built upon the achievement of Jesus. He came to earth, was tempted beyond anything humans will ever face; yet lived a sinless life and willingly died at the hands of His own people to pay the penalty of sin. He returned to heaven and sat down at the right hand of the Father to intercede through the merits of His blood for the human race. Christ's work in heaven from His ascension to 1844 many is thought of as that of a priest in the earthy sanctuary.
Since the Old Testament sanctuary built in the wilderness was a representation of the one in heaven, services there represent or "shadow" processes of services actually taking place in heaven! Paul clearly understood this point. Talking about the role of priests, he says, "They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: 'See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.'" Hebrews 8:5
Since the Jews failed to respond to the probationary time period of the seventy "sevens", the intended purpose of the rebuilt temple and restored services were never fulfilled. Consequently, Jesus said, "Your temple is left desolate." Here is a profound point: What Jesus intended to do in the earthy temple would have to be done in the heavenly one!
In a later lesson, we will learn that Jesus was coroneted as High Priest in 1844 in heaven and began a very special work. It is His coronation and work as our High Priest that recon se crates or restores the sanctuary process! This is not to say Jesus wasn't busy with heavenly business from His ascension in 30 A.D. to 1844. No! Jesus was very intimately involved with the development of the Christian Church. Jesus showed Daniel that certain matters would develop during the "times of the Gentiles." Some of these prophetic matters are very fascinating and will be looked at in our next lesson.
The point is made that Jesus clearly placed a long span of time between Daniel's day and the "appointed time of the end: - 2,300 years to be exact! Since Jesus personally confirmed the accuracy of 457 B.C. with his baptism and death, 1844 is just as certain too! We shall soon see that 1844 marks the beginning of the end.
Summary
Daniel 8 and 9 are inseparably linked together to show us when the "appointed time of the end" arrives chronologically. The accuracy of 1844 is as certain as the beginning date of 457 B.C., the baptism of Jesus in 27 A.D. and the death of Jesus in 30 A.D. Three keys unlock the meaning of the seventy "sevens" and the resulting harmony is both scriptural and historical.
Isn't it interesting that what the Jews forfeited, the Christians inherited? In our next study, we will look into prophetic events that take place between the ascension of Jesus and 1844. We will see how history repeats itself!
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