More On Daniel’s 70th Week

Q

Regarding your recent article “What If They Had Accepted Him”. Toward the end you mentioned that the clock on Daniel’s prophecy paused seven years short of its scheduled duration, a pause which continues to this day. My question is why did the clock pause 7 years and not 3 1/2 years since Jesus was cut off in the midst of the week?

A

Jesus was crucified near the middle of a week, but not in the middle of the 70th Week, as some people try to claim. Daniel’s 70 weeks prophecy says the anointed one (Messiah) would be cut off (executed) after the 69th week (7 plus 62). You’ll see this in Daniel 9:26.

Then Daniel 9:27 says the people of a ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary, causing the people to be dispersed. This happened about 38 years later. Finally the coming ruler will confirm a covenant for one week. This part of Daniel’s prophecy has not happened yet, and it includes all of the missing 70th Week.