Daniel 9:24-27 by Howard Ratcliffe
Theresnothingnew.org/
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” 2 Peter 1:20-21
“For God is not the author of confusion...” 1 Cor 14:33
Most Prophecy researchers and study bible writers Privately Interpret “70 Weeks” as 70 Weeks of years with the last week being the 7 Year Tribulation Period. This last 7 years is said to be an end to the Age of Grace and a resumption of God’s dealing with Jews. It is said to begin with a Peace Treaty in Jerusalem and some even say a removal of the Christian “Church” in an event called the “Rapture”.
Consider that without interpreting this prophecy in terms of years, there would be no discussion of the following concepts which are not in the Word of God: 7 Year Tribulation; Tribulation would not be equated with God’s “Wrath”; no pre-Tribulation “Rapture”; no “Peace Treaty” in Jerusalem ending the “Age of Grace”; the Great Tribulation would not be confused with “Jacob’s Trouble” (Jer 30:7); Messiah the prince” would not be confused with “Messiah” who is “cut off” and perhaps the biggest error, the last 2300 Days beginning with “Daily Sacrifice” would not be interpreted as being in the past or as being a resumption of Old Testament animal sacrifices. This prophecy was given to Daniel (Dan 8) by the angel Gabriel in the presence of Jesus Christ (appearance of a man) and it made him sick and faint. Realize that Daniel was not faint of heart; he willingly gave up wealth and power for the Lion’s Den. Folks, the last 6 years and 4 months will indeed begin with “Daily Sacrifice” and it won’t be animals being sacrificed. Jesus had this to say about the Great Tribulation“And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” Mat 24:22
The sole purpose of this article is to describe what might be the central prophecy of the entire bible without any sort of “Private Interpretation”.
The requirements put forth in this prophecy are listed in Dan 9:24: 1. Finish the transgression. 2. Make an end of sins. 3. Make reconciliation for iniquity. 4. Bring in everlasting righteousness. 5. Seal up the vision and prophecy. 6. Anoint the most Holy.
The question I think fair to ask: Have all these things been done? If the prophecy were sealed, why did Jesus give John His testimony in Revelation? If sin is at an end, why is the world in its current situation?
Dan 9:24specifies “70 Weeks” to reconcile transgressions in Jerusalem and anoint the most Holy. This is no little transgression either! God was Crucified in the House of His friends. Before I begin this look at what is considered the “Central Prophecy”, let me ask the question: How does one atone for the sin of murdering God? Jesus would likely respond: I forgive you! He might say;Forgive them Father, they know not what they do; Tell me you’re sorry; I’m knocking, open the door and come be my bride. Love Me and Love your neighbor. After parting the Red Sea and raining fire and brimstone on Sodom and Gomorrah, don’t you think Jesus could have done away with evil 2000 years ago? He didn’t because everything in the bible down to the last “jot andtittle” will occur exactly as He wrote it 6000 years ago.
Most prophecy researchers assume 70 weeks is 490 years, but what if the bible really means exactly what it says? The only reason in the bible for assuming the “Tribulation Period” lasts 7 years is this prophecy by Daniel. First, here is a look at Dan 7.
Daniel 7 is “Privately Interpreted” in most study bibles (I have seen) as being a repeat of Daniel 2 the vision of the “Great Statue” ie Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome with the Lord coming to reign after that. Note in Dan 7:9 “his throne was like the fiery flame…judgment was set, and the books were opened”. The “Judgment Throne” and “Books” are not set up until after the Millennium (ref Rev 20-12-14) Notice also in verses 11-14 “one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days”. The “Beast” has just been destroyed in the burning flame, so this is describing the Spirit of GOD descending to earth as it was at the very beginning of Creation before Sin had entered the Garden. Thus, “his dominion is an everlasting dominion” refers to the LORD and the Ancient of Days refers to God in flesh (Jesus Christ) together as one in the midst of creation again forever. Nothing in the bible is by chance; God took 7 days for Creation and Daniel 7 describes the 4th kingdom upon the earth; Creation to Flood; Flood to Crucifixion; Crucifixion to 2nd Coming and 2nd Coming to Gog and Magog is how I read it.
Fitting Daniel 7 into a 6000 year time frame doesn’t work. Modern prophecy researchers claim the 4th Aryan Reich is the upcoming war with Iran because Russia, Turkey, Libya, Germany etc are likely going to be involved in it. George Bush received a scroll in Zedekiah’s Cave Jerusalem proclaiming he is “Gog, the Chief prince of Meshesh and Tubal”, so my question is, does that mean Ezekiel 38-39 is thus soon to be fulfilled?Read the Authorized Bible text and you will see whoever is claiming this (eg Chuck Missler khouse.org) is lying! Gog and Magog happens “after the thousand years” at the end of the Millennium as Rev 20:8 states. The entire basis of Satan’s massive “Sting Operation” if you will is to put an alternative Messiah on the throne of King David for a seemingly everlasting kingdom. The term “Amillennialism” refers to people who deny the Millennial Kingdom exists between the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ and the Spirit of GOD descending to “New Earth” for eternity. This is perhaps the key false doctrine Satan uses to become as the most High.Reading Daniel 9:27 literally changes the picture of the end times dramatically. Keep this in mind; Israel is restored at the end of the Millennium. At the end of the Age of Grace (6000 year point), everyone will be a Born Again Christian as John 3:3 clearly states or suffer a 2nd Death. The sacrificial Jewish worship system ended forever at the Crucifixion. Gog and Magog (Eze 38-39) is a gathering of nations refusing to keep the annual Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem (ref Zech 14:16) at the end of the Millennium (7000 year point). The number of rebels will be as the sand of the sea (ref Rev 20:8). The Spirit of GOD descending to earth will destroy them in an instant, thus even Gog and Magog is not a war; like Armageddon, its people destroying themselves and God cleansing away the Sinners. 7000 years will mark the end of death, Hell, Satan and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. This is 1000 years after the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ (ref Dan 7 and Rev 21).
In the Ryrie NASV and Zondervan NIV,Dan 9:24is described in terms of 490 years.In the 20th year of Artaxerxes (Xerxes son) decreed the re-building of the Temple in 445 BC (ref Neh 2:5)69 weeks of years is 483. Both claim “Messiah cutoff” refers to the Crucifixion in 30 AD and “people of the prince” refers to the Romans who destroyed the Temple stone by stone in 70 AD. Other prophecy researchers say “Messiah cutoff” refers to the birth of Jesus, but there are also a few other things to consider. There were 4 “Decrees” given at different times by Cyrus, Darius and 2 by Artaxerxes to rebuild Jerusalem and/or the Temple ranging over a roughly 100 year period from 539 BC to 445 BC. If the starting point is in question, the Birth and Crucifixion dates for Jesus are as well. The subject of another article, Jesus was not born at Christmas, and even the year varies from 1 BC- 1AD, to 4 BC to the date I believe is most accurate Feast of Tabernacles 6 BC. This places the Crucifixion from 27 AD to 33AD; the point is not to debate which is more accurate, but to show the Private Interpretation of 70 Weeks being 490 years is based on very dubious calculations not found in scripture.
I’m not going to bog down with history and Persian King lists here, but the 20th year of Artaxerxes is most often used as the starting point and may or may not have been 445 BC. Artaxerxes was an Achaemenid King of Persia descended from and controlled by Mede Priests “Magi”. “Arta” means truth; Magi were liars, so we are taking our chances Greek and Persian history is correct in relation to the bible. Hitler claimed he was to lead the 3rd Aryan “Reich” and many prophecy researchers are now claiming the 4th Beast Kingdom described in Dan 7 is building today with Iran and Russia. I’ll prove this 4th Kingdom is after the Millennium culminating in Gog and Magog, not now. What is brewing today is the empire described in Dan 8:3-5; the Rough Goat of the west versus the Mede-Persian Ram. I’ll also show that “People of the prince” are not Romans and “Messiah cutoff” is not referring to the Birth or Crucifixion of Jesus, but rather the impossibility to access the Saviour in prayer and repentance near the end of the Age of Grace.
According to most study bible authors,the “Age of Grace” fits between the 69th and 70th week with the last week or yearsbeing the 7 year Tribulation Period.Fine, but what if the Tribulation is not 7 years? Jesus said a little leaven will leaveneth the entire lump and this reasoning is loaded with it. Jesus was talking about error; just a small error in translation can make a big difference, so it is worth examining the details.
BC (Before Christ) does not mean BCE (Before Common Era) and Jesus was not born on Christmas at the changeover from 1 BC to 1 AD (Anno Domini; year of the Lord). Jesus was 30 years old at baptism(ref Luke 3:23). Herod the Great died in the spring of 4 BC and ordered the killing of infants 2 and under which puts Jesus’ birth either in 5 or 6 BC. “Messiah cutoff” cannot refer to the Crucifixion because Jesus was not cutoff from anyone. “People of the Prince” were not Romans despite how many Study Bibles may say it.The prince of this world is Satan; they are Satanists and the worst of the lot were described as the Synagogue of Satan (pretend Jews), not Roman. The Tribulation Period as being 7 years is not described anywhere in scripture and the reference in Dan 9:27 is dubious at best. The last 3½ years “Great Tribulation” is called Jacob’s Trouble by study bible writers, but Obadiah clearly states Jacob is not in Jerusalem, Edom is. Even attempting to make the math work gives me a headache; 445 BC to 30 AD is not 483 years of 360 days; it must be converted from the 360 day lunar calendar into 173,880 days and into 365 ¼ Solar Year days which is 476 years. 445 BC is based on questionable history of Artaxerxes and even when this done, the year of the Crucifixion comes up 33 AD, a provably wrong date. Jehovah’s Witness interpret the 20th year of Artaxerxes to be 455 BC, but they also claim to be the saved 144,000 of Israel. Once again there is little to no historical basis for that and CT Russell was a false prophet and liar. An unrelated example of leaven becoming regarded as fact is assuming “Kings of the East” refer to China, Korea or Japan; they are only “East” because the British decided the Americas were in the west. God looks at the earth as a sphere; as far as I can discern “East” only means out of relationship with Him as in where Cain was banished! I feel that arguing whether a straw, wood or brick house is best when all are built on a foundation of sand is a moot point. I say the bible means exactly what is says, not what someone thinks it means! 70 Weeks interpreted as 70 weeks worth of years is simply a Private Interpretation of scripture built on assumptions which are often simply not true or justified by scripture.
The 70th week is often described as 7 year “Tribulation” which begins with a Jewish peace treaty in Jerusalem. There are many big problems with this “Private Interpretation” all geared to Man’s effort to re-gather Jews to Israel and install a Man to rule the world from Jerusalem rather than God’s re-gathering of Israel to the Promised land 1000 years from now. New bibles butcher this, so use the Authorized Bible (KJV) and read Ezekiel 48 in comparison to Revelation 7. Notice the “h” is missing in Rev 7; this is because God seals 144,000 Israelites, making them Born Again Christians. This reconciles sins of the past bringing them into relationship with God (In Hebrew, the added “h” means God is with or in covenant with). Without question, these are Torah observant Jewish Law abiding people still in Diaspora, not Talumdistsor Kabbalists pretending to be “Jews” in Israel.Real Jews are not Zionists, or into Qaballah and do not use the Talmud or Zohar for anything. The Crucifixion ended the sacrificial worship system God gave to Israel; Talmudic Rabbis developed their own sacrificial worship system involving human sacrifice. Jacob is restored after the Temple described in Ezekiel 40-47 comes down with the Spirit of GOD from Heaven. Folks, it should be painfully obvious Israel is not following God’s Commandments and God most certainly does not use the 6 Pointed Star as His symbol. That symbol represents Molech (aka Milcom) and Ashtaroth, the Phoenician gods, King Solomon brought into Israel 3000 years ago. Using my Oxford New Pilgrim KJV Study Bible as an example; Pre-Tribulation “Rapture” is described; “Gog and Magog” is described as happening before the 2nd Coming and Daniel 9:27 is described as I did above. To be blunt; all 3 are bold faced lies.
Jesus said a little leaven would leaven the whole lump (bread) because He is the bread. You can’t know the time of His visitation until you know who He is. It makes no difference what I say, you need to let Jesus teach you through the Holy Ghost; I’m only prompting you to do so. Jesus comes for His “Bride” at the “Wedding of the Lamb” at the 7th Trumpet (Rev 19:7); Rapture is not even in the bible and Jesus most certainly does not come for His bride before all have had an opportunity to make a Covenant of Marriage with Him. That’s lie #1. Lie #2 is claiming Gog and Magog is happening now; Rev 20:7 clearly states this is after the thousand years! Let’s now look at lie #3 that Dan 9:24 is 70 weeks worth of years.
Jesus was not born at Christmas; He was born on Feast of Tabernacles (15 Tishri), 6 months after John the Baptist who was born on Passover (14 Nisan) and He was Crucified at 33 ½ , rising after 3 days on Passover. In the Millennium, He will restore an annual celebration of His birthday “Feast of Tabernacles” (Zech 14:16). I assume that date will be the 2nd coming, but that date is only known to God now. Jesus was 30 when He began His ministry (ref Luke 3:21-23) and it lasted 3 years. John baptized Him with water, but Jesus received baptism of the Holy Ghost afterHis water baptism in the Jordan River. Jesus was not “Saved” by the Water; He is the Water.Many Churches use the symbol of the Dove, but the Holy Ghost is available to anyone who asks for it, not in the water offered in Church. Anti means both against and alternative; Satan is most often portrayed as the horned Devil, but the reality is he will pretend to be the Man of Peace as Jesus once was. Jesus however will cleanse the sinners out of the world with fire when He comes and nobody gathering for battle or the Temple made by the hand of Man will survive. Herod the Great died in the Spring of 4 BC. The “Magi” could not have seen the “Star in the East” and traveled to witness Jesus in the Manger; that journey from Babylon to Bethlehem is over 400 miles. Herod was “Edomite” married to a Hasmonean princess (Mariamne); he ordered the killing of first born males 2 and under in an effort to change biblical prophecy of the coming Messiahof Jacob to rule as King because he was an Edomite King. The bible was written before Creation (ref John 1:1), so changing anything, even one “jot or tittle” is not possible. Jesus was born either 5 or 6 BC, but most certainly He was born before Herod died. I have another article on “Christmas” which goes into more detail, but based on this alone, one should seriously consider a literal interpretation of Dan 9:27 rather than a Private Interpretation by Man. Week means 7 days; there is no Peace Treaty, only the “Covenant with Many” which is in all likelihood the Mark of the Beast.
“People of the Prince” are people who have voluntarily committed Blasphemy of the Holy Ghost; Jesus has erased themfrom the “Lamb’s Book of Life”. “People of the Prince” are essentially married to Satan and began doing so voluntarily in “Grove” rituals as soon as Flood waters receded from the “High Places”; they have never stopped! When you read Dan 9:24-27, answer this; Who is Messiah the Prince? Who is the most Holy? Who is the cutoff Messiah and what does cutoff mean? Who are the people of the prince? What is the consummation?What does daily sacrifice refer to? What does oblation refer to? What is this flood talking about?