Daniels 70 weeks

• Each week represents a period of 7 years. (7x70=490 years)

• These 70 “weeks” are divided into 3 periods.

• There is biblical evidence that the original year may have been 360 days (12 thirty day months), as opposed to 365 1/4 days. (Genesis 7:11-22, 8:3-4; Esther 1:4)

• This 360 day year is called a prophetic year

• The year associated with the end times, seems to be the same (Dan. 7:25; Rev. 11:2-3; 12:6; 13:5-7)

• 483 prophetic years would only be 476 calendar years

1. Period 1 = 49 years (7 “weeks”)(Daniel 9:25)

• The Jews will rebuild the city of Jerusalem during troubled times.

• This would begin with the decree of Artaxerxes in 444 B.C.(some scholars say 445), authorizing Nehemiah to go to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls.

• The Decree was given in the 20th year of Artaxerxes’ reign (Nehemiah 2:1).

• Artaxerxes reigned from 464 to 424 B.C.

• This would not refer to Ezra, in457 B.C., as the emphasis of the prophecy is on the city, not the temple.

2. Period 2 = 434 years (62 “weeks”)(Daniel 9:26)

• Add period 1 and 2 together, and you get 483 prophetic years (476 calendar years)

• This is the amount of time until the Messiah is cut off.

• Starting with 444 B.C., we come to the year 32 A.D.

• Jesus was crucified in 32 A.D. (Some scholars say 31 A.D.)

• The rest of the prophecy was fulfilled in 70 A.D. when the Romans destroyed the Temple.

• The word “flood” can also be translated “overflowing”, probably referring to the dispersion of the Jews into all nations in 135 A.D.

3. Period 3 = 7 years (1 “week”)(V.26-27)

• The “prince to come” in verse 26 is the future Antichrist. His people are the heathen nations.

• There is a gap of unknown time between the 69th and 70th weeks.

• The beginning of the last week will be marked by the signing of a covenant between Antichrist and Israel.

• After 3-1/2 years, the Antichrist will break the covenant and a time of great suffering will begin.

• This will climax with the return of Christ.