Ralph Porter

    After times of spiritual struggle, we often feel tired--sometimes even depressed. This response sometimes even strikes when we've experienced a great spiritual victory. Numerous biblical examples could be cited. Elijah's experience after his victory over the prophets of Baal is perhaps the best known example. He was tired and depressed. Daniel's experience following the visions of God's plan for the pagan nations received in Daniel 7 and 8 was similar to Elijah's. He was tired, sick, and frightened, due to the spiritual battle and the vision seen. Daniel needed another strong dose of Daniel 1-6! He needed to be reminded of how God had worked in the past to deliver the faithful in the face of great affliction.

    When we face spiritual struggles, we need to remember how God's hand sustained us in the past. God has left us many examples of servants who remained faithful in affliction, and triumphed. Daniel 1-6 and Hebrews 11 introduce us to many of these faithful followers of our Lord. In the Psalms, David is reminded of many times in the past when God has heard his cry and delivered him, therefore he is confident he can count on God to deliver him in the future. God also reminds us of occasions in our lives when we needed help and He gave us victory.

    Daniel is in need of such a reminder of God's faithfulness in the past as he struggles over God's plan for the future of His people. After receiving a glimpse of God's plan for pagan nations, he is full of questions. How does this program for pagans (Dan. 7-8) relate to God's plan for Israel? Will we survive? How will we be able to survive?

    Daniel 9-12 provide answers for these questions. The timing of this revelation, as it related to Daniel personally, and events taking place around him, answers the questions in his mind at the time of Babylon's fall. In the context of the development of the book, this revelation answers the questions raised in chapter 8, even though the events there actually occurred eleven years earlier.

    The last major section of the book reveals God's program for Israel in the future-during the times of the Gentiles (9-12). The Gentiles are still involved in the events introduced in these chapters, but the focus changes. The emphasis is now place on what God's people will experience. Daniel begins with a vision that gives an overview of God's program for Israel during the entire period. This revelation extends clear up to our times (Dan. 9). The introductory overview is followed by another revelation containing the details of God's program for Israel in the near future, along with a summary of the conclusion to the story (Dan 10-12).

Daniel's awareness of Jeremiah's prophecy   9:1-3

    In the first yr of Darius' reign, Daniel began to think about world events (9:1). The major developments in Babylon bring back memories. Daniel was undoubtedly thinking, "This sounds familiar! A famous preacher came to town years ago; he mentioned the eventual downfall of the empire." So Daniel went back to the books and discovered Jeremiah's message.

    As he studied Daniel discovered that the captivity was to last seventy years (9:2-3; Jer. 25:11-12; 29:10). As he begins to calculate the years, he realizes that the end is near. In fact, the fall of Babylon was a sign of the end. Thus he realizes that the end of the captivity is at hand. He could have thought: "It's all going according to God's plan; I don't need to do a thing!" However, instead of becoming passive, his awareness that God is at work motivates him to pray!

Daniel's prayer for the nation   9:4-19

    Daniel responds to his awareness of God's plan with "concentrated" prayer-calling on God to intervene on behalf of His people. He prays intensely, combining his praying with fasting, and with sack cloth and ashes. When God's people become so intent on accomplishing God's will, the appropriate biblical response is to fast. Not many people are so intent that they dress in burlap sacks and sit on a heap of ashes as Daniel did! But they may be moved to include fasting along with their petition. Fasting is not a strategy to manipulate God, nor a ritual of "superiority," as the Pharisees were accustomed to demonstrate. When Israel tried those kinds of strategies, God responds: "This is your thing!" He never asked for such practices!

    Biblical fasting is an intense desire to communicate with God, in a time of special need, to deny our personal comfort and desires, and to seek His will. It's practiced when God's people are so committed to seek God, to know His will, to achieve His will on earth as in heaven, to see God's will accomplished, that nothing else matters! It doesn't matter whether I eat! It doesn't matter whether I sleep! It doesn't matter whether I earn more money! Sex doesn't matter! None of the normal activities of life matter! Nothing matters--except knowing and doing God's will!

    Daniel desired God's will: he wants to see God's people restored to fellowship with Him. He'll settle for nothing less! He desires this more than food. So he puts on sack cloth and sits in an ash heap, praying, fasting, humbling himself before God. He confesses their sin and cries out to God, seeking the restoration of God's people.

    Daniel's confession (9:4-15). If you had been in Daniel's place, what would you have prayed? Why does Daniel pray this prayer? Daniel responds on the basis of Deuteronomy 28-30. Understanding this key passage is crucial to understanding everything that happens in the life of Israel, especially in the Old Testament story. This was Moses' final message to Israel. It provides the theological background for Daniel's prayer. From the very beginning, God established basis for blessing and cursing His people.

    In Deuteronomy 28, God tells them that if they will obey the Lord their God, He will respond by pouring out blessing upon them (28:1-14). On the other hand, if they refuse to obey the Lord their God, He will respond by pouring out cursing upon them (28:15-68). At the end of his message to the people, Moses tells them that after they have lived out these alternatives, and they find themselves in captivity somewhere off in the most remote corners of the earth, if they repent and return to God, He will restore them and bring them back to the land He promised to give them (30:1-3).

    On the basis of the principles established in Moses' message, Daniel acknowledges the cause of their suffering. They haven't obeyed Him. Therefore they are experiencing the curses God had promised to send. Now they are scattered to a far away land. If they want to experience God's blessing, they must turn back to God. They've come under God's judgment, but they haven't yet repented (9:13). Therefore, they continue under judgment. They haven't been forgiven. Now the time of restoration is near. Daniel responds for the people, doing what they should have done for themselves!

    Daniel's petition (9:16-19). His appeal is not on the basis of what they deserve; it's on the basis of God's grace. His appeal is not for their own sake; it's for the sake of God's name. He is the One whose reputation is at stake when people see what happens to His people.

    Daniel is motivated by the miserable political and spiritual condition of his people. Their situation isn't because of God's failure, but because of their disobedience. Daniel wants to see God glorified. He longs to see his people restored. That will only happen when they confess their sin and turn back to God. Therefore, Daniel cries out to God for revival among God's people.

    Daniel is going back to God's promise to Israel. He is confessing their failure to keep their promise. His appeal is that God will forgive His people and fulfill His covenants. He pleads for restoration and for revival. He wants God to make His people what He desires them to be. That's the cry of Daniel's heart. Daniel reveals a true pastor's heart--even for rebellious sheep! We seldom pray that way for sheep that have gone astray. Know how we pray? "Zap 'em, Lord!" "Wipe 'em out!" "Give 'em what they deserve!"

    Daniel intervenes: asking God to forgive and restore his people--not because they deserve it; but because of His mercy (18b-19). In the midst of perversity, sin, and rebellion, he doesn't ask for judgment; he asks for mercy, forgiveness, and restoration to blessing. His heart cries out to God for the good of his people. Is that our desire for our country today?

    Daniel has a realistic balance-recognizing that they are God's people-called by His name, though acting like pagans! Do we have a realistic understanding of the spiritual condition of our people? Are we genuinely aware of our spiritual heritage-but aware of how far we've drifted away from that heritage? Do we just complain about how bad things are? Or are we praying intensely for God's will to be done, that His name might be glorified? Are we pleading for God's mercy? Or, are we asking for vengeance? Are we hoping that God will make those awful sinners pay what they deserve?

    Samuel modeled the same kind of concern for his people as Daniel did: "Far be it from me that I should sin against God by ceasing to pray for you." Even when they offended him, he couldn't stop praying for their welfare, asking God to pour out blessing on them. Is that OUR prayer for OUR nation? Daniel prayed intently, asking God to restore His people, because he was aware that when God restores His people, the faithful ultimately triumph!

God's answer to Daniel's request   20-23

    In response to Daniel's prayer, God sends Gabriel with a new revelation and the promise that He will grant Daniel's desire. Through the Vision of the Seventy Weeks, God shows Daniel His plan to accomplish the restoration he is seeking. His desire won't come yet-but it will come!

God's plan to satisfy Daniel's desire   24-27

    God's plan to restore His people will take place in a period of seventy "weeks" (24). The word for "week" refers to a set of seven. He doesn't tell us what the sets of seven are composed of. By studying the fulfillment of the first part of this prophecy, and by comparing this passage to other prophecies, it's possible to demonstrate that these are sets of seven years.

    To understand world events, as they relate to Israel, we must be familiar with this prophecy! Gabriel informs Daniel that at the conclusion of this period, six goals will have been accomplished. While Daniel saw these six goals as a unified result of the total plan, we can see that they are fulfilled as two groups of three goals each, fulfilled by the two times Christ comes to earth.

    The first three goals are related to Christ's work in dealing with sin. These goals were accomplished at the first coming of Christ. At least His first coming made provision for God to deal with sin. At His first coming, Christ would finish the transgression. "Transgression" is a specific type of sin, related to the violation of the law. In bringing about the conclusion of such violations of God's laws, He would bring to an end the rebellion of God's people against Him against His law. When His people stop disobeying and hear His voice, He will be able to pour out on His people the blessings He promised to give them.

    A second benefit of the first coming of Christ was the provision that would put and end to sin. This statement is a general reference to sin itself. By His death on the cross, provision is made for the removal of sin. The third goal is also related to Christ's death: He would make atonement for wickedness. By His death Christ payed the penalty that we deserve to pay.

    The other three goals are related to the establishing of the kingdom on earth, which will occur at the second coming of Christ. When He establishes His kingdom, He will bring in everlasting righteousness. His kingdom will be characterized by righteousness and His people will practice a righteous lifestyle.

    The second goal accomplished at our Lord's second coming will be to "seal up vision and prophecy." The idea expressed by "sealing up" can have two different meanings. Sometimes it refers to limiting access to a vision or prophecy, so that the people can't understand it. The expression is used that way in Daniel 12. In this context it seems to make more sense to use the idea of fulfilling, confirming or assuring something. The same expression is used with reference to Satan in Ezekiel 28, when God states that Satan "sealed up the sum." The idea is to be "the epitome" of something. Christ introduces the climax of everything the prophets had promised for God's people. He is the final fulfillment of it all!

    The third goal could also have two possible meanings. At the second coming of Christ "the most holy" is anointed. Throughout the Old Testament the "Most Holy Place" was the central place in the temple. At Christ's coming the temple will once again be established (Ezek. 40-48), and thus it would most certainly be anointed by God again, to function as the worship center that will bring true glory to Him. It is also possible that the "Most Holy" is not a reference to a place, but to a Person, who will be anointed by God, at the Lord's coming. In this case the goal would refer to the crowning of Messiah. That will also occur when the kingdom is established. Based on other passages of Scripture, it is clear that both the Most Holy Place and the Most Holy One will be anointed at the Lord's second coming. Since the Person is more important than the place that is most likely the focus of this third goal that will be accomplished at His coming.

Summary of God's plan   9:25-27

    After identifying these six goals that God is going to accomplish by carrying out His plan, Gabriel reveals the program that God will use to accomplish these goals. From the issuing of the decree to rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah arrives there will be a period of seven weeks, plus an additional sixty-two weeks, for a total of sixty-nine periods of seven years each (9:25).

    The subdivision of these two periods is never explained. The first seven weeks carries through to about the end of the century and the end of construction period. It comes out around 400 B.C. No significant event is indicated to help us identify an exact date. Following that, another period of degeneration and divine silence follows. The second part of this period is 434 years (of 360 days) long.

    The issuing of the decree to rebuild the city must be a reference to the decree Artaxerxes issued for Nehemiah to go back and rebuild the walls of the city. That's the only decree that refers to the rebuilding of the city itself. That decree was issued on Mar. 5, 444 B.C. The reference to the "times of distress" certainly applies to conditions in Jerusalem when Nehemiah led the people in the restoration of the city walls. Calculating the days for 483 years of 360 days each, and converting them over to our modern calendar brings us to the conclusion that the period ends on the exact day of Christ's triumphal entry (Mar. 30, A.D. 33)!

    Gabriel continues to explain that following the end of the sixty-nine weeks, Messiah would will be cut off and Jerusalem would be destroyed (9:26). Don't miss the prophetic evidence from the Old Testament for Messiah's rejection and divine judgment! How else could the city be destroyed after His coming?

    During the last week a treaty will be made. There would be a direct relationship between a prince who would come later and the people who would destroy the city at the end of the sixty-ninth week. He is a descendant from that nation, who becomes a significant ruler of the final week. This prince makes a covenant with them. However, the prince will break the covenant at mid-week. He puts an end to all acts of worship, sacrifices and offerings. He is then described as one who desolates and who will commit abominable acts. In the end, at the appointed time, God will intervene and the prince will be judged.

    How do we explain parenthesis between the sixty-ninth and the seventieth weeks? None of the other weeks permit a break. Doesn't this break ruin the seventy-week schedule? It would certainly appear that way. However, a careful study of Daniel 9 will demonstrate that the account itself requires a break between the weeks.

    According to Daniel 9:26, after the sixty-two weeks, Messiah is cut off. That occurred in A.D. 33. He goes on to note that following His death the city will be destroyed. The destruction of the city didn't happen immediately. It didn't happen until A.D. 70. Then he predicts other devastations: "until the end there will be war." The immediate strife continued until A.D. 70, in fact, it really continued until A.D. 135. The reference to war "until the end seems to carry on until the tribulation. "Then," after that, for another week the prince makes the covenant (9:27). Thus, whatever your view of the tribulation may be, Daniel 9 itself requires that a parenthesis be inserted here. It couldn't have possibly occurred in the next seven years after Christ's death!

    The Vision of the Seventy Weeks,traces God's plan from Daniel's day, to the day that Christ rode into Jerusalem-even up to the day Christ's kingdom is established on earth, more than 2000 years later!

    The vision demonstrates clearly that however dark times may seem to be, God is still in charge, and is still carrying out His plan for His world.

    The first sixty-nine weeks have come and gone. The final seven year period is yet to be fulfilled. It begins with a peace treaty. After a time of war and desolation, a ruler of a nation descended from Rome will make a treaty with Israel. However, after three and a half years, he turns on them, and stops them from worshiping God.

    Recent history has provided some interesting developments and glimpses of how this could happen. July 21, 1994, the Salt Lake Tribune carried the following news story:

"With Secretary of State . . . looking on, top-ranking cabinet ministers from Israel and Jordan met in public for the first time . . . and pledged that their countries will keep on course toward resolution of their 46-year conflict.

    . . . meeting was intended as signal that for them that the Arab-Israeli conflict is ended and that they foresee normal relations between their countries in the not-distant future.

    . . . "These are indeed vital and critical moments which historians shall cherish and poets shall relish,"

    . . . [The Jordanian Prime Minister] said. "They will be recorded in the annals of history in block letters, for they separate the age between peace and war. . . . "

    "They might go much further than has been expected toward ending the state of war that has existed between the countries since Israel's creation in 1948. [Sec. of State] . . . hailed the meeting 

. . . as a major step toward resolving the bitter animosity that has existed for so long between Israel and its Arab neighbors, exposing the region to five wars over the past four and a half decades."

    Has someone been at work behind the scenes attempting to establish a treaty which would guarantee the protection of Israel?

    One of the most significant symbolic acts was when Jordan's king Hussein flew his jet over Jerusalem, reveling in the establishment of a new peace! Ezekiel 38-39 indicates that when Israel is attacked in the end times, they will be living in "unwalled cities."

    With Hussein flying his jet overhead, Israel began cutting down barbed wire at the Israel/Jordan border. Is this what's involved in the establishment of "unwalled cities?" Is Israel that easily prepared to take down the protective shield? Why? It didn't happen in '94! If anything, it's gone backwards since! However, this is the kind of article you can expect when Daniel's prophecy is fulfilled.

    Someone approached me after our message on Israel's future a few weeks ago, when I mentioned that I'm watching for someone to offer to make a peace treaty with Israel. They wanted to know if I think we'll be here to see this happen. No. I don't think we'll see it happen. But I do think it's the next definitive step in the carrying out of God's program for Israel. There's nothing that would prevent the signing of the treaty from happening soon.

        The end is near!

                The Son of Man comes at a time that ye think not!

                As in Noah's day, life will go on as usual. People won't be expecting it.

                        Then suddenly He will come! 

                                ARE YOU READY?!!!