My Concordia Bible says that verses 25 through 27 “are broken down into unequal stages or segments of “seven,” “sixty-two,” and “one” weeks. This division of the symbolic total gave assurance that the redemption of mankind would take place in a historical setting but not before two distinguishable eras had run their course. The first seven weeks were God’s pledge to restore and build Jerusalem…The 62 weeks to follow affirmed that the rebuilt city would continue to function as Israel’s religions center when the Messianic age was to begin. The final week would bring the consummation of all things which are decreed and preceded it.”
Any questions?
This prophecy concerns both the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem (that Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed) and the restoration of Christ’s kingdom (at the second coming). No, I’m not going to try to break down the specifics of how the seventy weeks distinctly satisfy both prophecies. The language in the prophecy can be both literal and figurative, both a real timeline and a foretelling of an unknown time to come. In our world today, people still argue about just when the second coming and final restoration of Jerusalem will occur. Some easily understood sources that give good explanations are https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/daniel-9-25, https://www.neverthirsty.org/bible-qa/qa-archives/question/why-is-daniels-prophecy-in-925-27-so-vital-to-understanding-the-future/, https://gracebibleny.org/understanding_vision_daniel_92027, and https://www.gotquestions.org/seventy-sevens.html. I encourage anyone who’s curious to investigate this more.
But you know where we’re going, right?
The most important thing in Daniel’s prophecy is that he foretells the coming of Jesus, the Anointed One. In His coming, there would be seven ‘seven’s, signifying total completeness. In Jesus, Israel would have and find everything and everyone it ever looked for. Jesus would be both man and Messiah, ruler and servant to all. Jesus would come in times of trouble – which He did and He will – and He would be God’s chosen one from His chosen people to make all things right.
People much more deeply educated than yours truly have discussed this prophecy for over 2500 years. I’m content to know that God gave this promise to come here and live as one of us. He did just that, five hundred and change years after Daniel. He lives with us still in our hearts and when we live out His Word. And He will come back to live yet again at the end of the age. That’s enough for me. I’ll leave arguing the specifics to others.
For further reading: 1 Samuel 13:14, Ezra 3:3, Ezra 4:24, Matthew 1:17, John 4:25, Daniel 9:26
Lord God, thank You yet again for promising to come and deliver us from our sins, to make all things new.
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