Daniel's 70th Week
What happens during the 70th week is the most mysterious and cryptic.
Daniel 9:26-27 says, "Now after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one will be cut off and have nothing. As for the city and the sanctuary, the people of the coming prince will destroy them. But his (or 'the') end will come speedily like a flood. Until the end of the war that has been decreed there will be destruction. He will confirm a covenant with many for one week. But in the middle of that week he will bring sacrifices and offerings to a halt. On the wing of abominations will come one who destroys, until the decreed end is poured out on the one who destroys.”
The Gap Theory
The cutting off (death) of the anointed one was clearly prophesied to happen after the 69th week, implying that it would occur some time during the 70th week. Christ's death, either in 30 AD or 33 AD fulfilled this expectation, as long as we assume that the end of the 69th week marked the beginning of the 70th week. But the timing of the destruction of the city and sanctuary was ambiguous. Was it also to happen after the 69th week, but before the end of the 70th week? This ambiguity, together with the fact that it was fulfilled considerably later than 33/34 AD, and also with the fact that the events specifically prophesied for the 70th week were not fulfilled in the seven year period between 26/27 AD and 33/34 AD, have led to the theory that there is a pause or gap in the timeline between the 69th and 70th weeks. Accordingly, many prophecy scholars await the start of the 70th week, marked by the Antichrist signing a covenant, or international peace treaty, at some indeterminate point in the future.
The Dual-Fulfilment Theory
Alternatively, Christian Widener, in his book "Witnessing the end", which he published in 2023, suggests that the prophecy of 70 weeks has a dual-fulfilment. Messiah came 69 sevens after the first decree by Artaxerxes I, which Christian Widener places in 458 BC, with Christ's ministry starting 483 years later in 26 AD. He understands that Christ's death in 33 AD then completed the first fulfilment of 70 sevens, after Jesus having a seven year ministry. Widener points out that in 1537 AD, the Ottoman Sultan, Suleyman the Magnificent, issued a new decree for the rebuilding of Jerusalem, and subsequently restored many parts of the city. This included restoration and paving of the temple mount (the plaza), and also of the fortified moat around the Tower of David near the Jaffa Gate. His decree is carved in Arabic and is set in stone on the temple mount, which is visible today for all to see. His decree is also carved in stone on the side of the moat. This latter carving was buried in 1898 during expansion of the city, but a photograph of it was taken first. The decree translates as, "The order to construct this tower for protection of the Islamic walls by his power and duration of his reign, and to dispose of the favouring idols by his force and strength, the one that did Allah especially elected to rule the necks of the kings in the world, the possessor in chain of the throne of Caliphate, Sultan son of Sultan, son of Sultan, son of Sultan, Suleyman." Daniel 9:25 says, "It will again be built, with plaza and moat, but in distressful times." Does the word 'again' imply a second decree, a second rebuilding of Jerusalem, and the start of a second timeline of seventy sevens? Are the 'distressful times' those of the Ottoman Empire when Jews were still in exile and Jerusalem under Islamic rule? If so, 69 sevens starting in 1537 would be completed in 2020, and 70 sevens in 2027. Widener points out that in September 2020, Israel did in fact sign an international peace treaty, known as 'The Abraham Accords', with several Arab nations. They were signed first with the UAE and Bahrain, and then Morocco and Sudan followed. Further to publishing his book, Widener has an active YouTube channel and has produced a useful series of videos to support his theory.
Whether you accept the gap theory or the dual-fulfilment theory, the 70th week is understood to be the final seven years before Christ's second coming. According to the gap theory, it may begin at some yet-future point with the confirmation of a seven year covenant or peace treaty with 'many', understood to mean an international treaty involving Israel and a plurality of nations. According to the dual-fulfilment theory, and taking 1537 as the beginning of the second fulfilment, this second fulfilment of the 70th week started in 2020 when the Abraham Accords were first signed, and ends in 2027, implying that Jesus will return in 2027.
Who Confirms the Covenant?
Some Christians who adopt a preterist interpretation of many end-time prophecies identify Jesus as the one who confirmed a covenant with many for one week. At the same time they equate the Jews with 'the people of the coming prince', blaming them for destruction of the city and the sanctuary by the Romans in 70AD. It is true that on the night before his crucifixion, Jesus instituted the New Covenant (Matthew 26:26-28), and the following day he sealed it with his blood, shed on the cross (Hebrews 9:15-22). And the bible teaches that because Jesus has provided forgiveness of sins through his perfect sacrifice, there is no longer any need for animal sacrifices (Hebrews 10:4-18). However, the timings are wrong for Jesus to be the one who confirms a covenant for one week according to Daniel 9:27. The Last Supper, when he confirmed the New Covenant in his blood, was not at the beginning of the 70th week. Neither was the New Covenant limited to a seven year period, since it is an eternal covenant. Neither was it three and a half years later that he put an end to the need for animal sacrifices, but the very next day.
The Coming Prince
Consequently, it makes more sense to understand that the one who confirms a seven year covenant is the coming prince (Daniel 9:26), otherwise known as the Antichrist (1 John 2:18), or as the man of lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:3), and to adopt a futurist view of Daniel's 70th week. Verse 26b says, "As for the city and the sanctuary, the people of the coming prince will destroy them". So who is this coming prince, and who are his people that destroy Jerusalem and the temple? It was Roman legions under the command of General Titus who destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, but Titus is not the prince in view here. Given that the people who destroyed the temple in 70 AD were Roman legions, it is commonly assumed that the Antichrist will therefore be the ruler of a restored Roman Empire. However, the legions that destroyed Jerusalem were not actually from the Italian Peninsula. The Roman army recruited heavily from the regions it ruled over, which included much of the Middle East and North Africa. Titus commanded the eastern legions of the Roman Empire. The siege and destruction of Jerusalem is recorded in detail by the historians Josephus and Tacitus. Jerusalem was besieged by an army comprised of four legions, plus various Arab auxiliaries. The legions were Legion 10 from Turkey and Syria, Legion 15 from Syria, Legion 12 from Eastern Turkey and Syria, and Legion 5 from Serbia and Bulgaria. The legion in particular that breached the walls of Jerusalem and destroyed the temple was Legion 10. This legion was comprised of four cohorts: one from Syria, one from Turkey, one of Arabs from Petra in Jordan, and one of Arabs from Arabia. If these are the people of the coming prince (the Antichrist), then it implies that the Antichrist will come from Turkey, Syria or Arabia. This is consistent with Ezekiel 38:2, where the Antichrist is called Gog, and is identified as 'the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal'. Meshech and Tubal were regions of ancient Turkey. (Reference: ‘God’s War on Terror’ by Walid Shoebat, pages 349-353. He quotes extensively from the first century historians, Tacitus and Josephus).
Daniel 9:26-27 says, "Now after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one will be cut off and have nothing. As for the city and the sanctuary, the people of the coming prince will destroy them. But his (or 'the') end will come speedily like a flood. Until the end of the war that has been decreed there will be destruction. He will confirm a covenant with many for one week. But in the middle of that week he will bring sacrifices and offerings to a halt. On the wing of abominations will come one who destroys, until the decreed end is poured out on the one who destroys.”
The Gap Theory
The cutting off (death) of the anointed one was clearly prophesied to happen after the 69th week, implying that it would occur some time during the 70th week. Christ's death, either in 30 AD or 33 AD fulfilled this expectation, as long as we assume that the end of the 69th week marked the beginning of the 70th week. But the timing of the destruction of the city and sanctuary was ambiguous. Was it also to happen after the 69th week, but before the end of the 70th week? This ambiguity, together with the fact that it was fulfilled considerably later than 33/34 AD, and also with the fact that the events specifically prophesied for the 70th week were not fulfilled in the seven year period between 26/27 AD and 33/34 AD, have led to the theory that there is a pause or gap in the timeline between the 69th and 70th weeks. Accordingly, many prophecy scholars await the start of the 70th week, marked by the Antichrist signing a covenant, or international peace treaty, at some indeterminate point in the future.
The Dual-Fulfilment Theory
Alternatively, Christian Widener, in his book "Witnessing the end", which he published in 2023, suggests that the prophecy of 70 weeks has a dual-fulfilment. Messiah came 69 sevens after the first decree by Artaxerxes I, which Christian Widener places in 458 BC, with Christ's ministry starting 483 years later in 26 AD. He understands that Christ's death in 33 AD then completed the first fulfilment of 70 sevens, after Jesus having a seven year ministry. Widener points out that in 1537 AD, the Ottoman Sultan, Suleyman the Magnificent, issued a new decree for the rebuilding of Jerusalem, and subsequently restored many parts of the city. This included restoration and paving of the temple mount (the plaza), and also of the fortified moat around the Tower of David near the Jaffa Gate. His decree is carved in Arabic and is set in stone on the temple mount, which is visible today for all to see. His decree is also carved in stone on the side of the moat. This latter carving was buried in 1898 during expansion of the city, but a photograph of it was taken first. The decree translates as, "The order to construct this tower for protection of the Islamic walls by his power and duration of his reign, and to dispose of the favouring idols by his force and strength, the one that did Allah especially elected to rule the necks of the kings in the world, the possessor in chain of the throne of Caliphate, Sultan son of Sultan, son of Sultan, son of Sultan, Suleyman." Daniel 9:25 says, "It will again be built, with plaza and moat, but in distressful times." Does the word 'again' imply a second decree, a second rebuilding of Jerusalem, and the start of a second timeline of seventy sevens? Are the 'distressful times' those of the Ottoman Empire when Jews were still in exile and Jerusalem under Islamic rule? If so, 69 sevens starting in 1537 would be completed in 2020, and 70 sevens in 2027. Widener points out that in September 2020, Israel did in fact sign an international peace treaty, known as 'The Abraham Accords', with several Arab nations. They were signed first with the UAE and Bahrain, and then Morocco and Sudan followed. Further to publishing his book, Widener has an active YouTube channel and has produced a useful series of videos to support his theory.
Whether you accept the gap theory or the dual-fulfilment theory, the 70th week is understood to be the final seven years before Christ's second coming. According to the gap theory, it may begin at some yet-future point with the confirmation of a seven year covenant or peace treaty with 'many', understood to mean an international treaty involving Israel and a plurality of nations. According to the dual-fulfilment theory, and taking 1537 as the beginning of the second fulfilment, this second fulfilment of the 70th week started in 2020 when the Abraham Accords were first signed, and ends in 2027, implying that Jesus will return in 2027.
Who Confirms the Covenant?
Some Christians who adopt a preterist interpretation of many end-time prophecies identify Jesus as the one who confirmed a covenant with many for one week. At the same time they equate the Jews with 'the people of the coming prince', blaming them for destruction of the city and the sanctuary by the Romans in 70AD. It is true that on the night before his crucifixion, Jesus instituted the New Covenant (Matthew 26:26-28), and the following day he sealed it with his blood, shed on the cross (Hebrews 9:15-22). And the bible teaches that because Jesus has provided forgiveness of sins through his perfect sacrifice, there is no longer any need for animal sacrifices (Hebrews 10:4-18). However, the timings are wrong for Jesus to be the one who confirms a covenant for one week according to Daniel 9:27. The Last Supper, when he confirmed the New Covenant in his blood, was not at the beginning of the 70th week. Neither was the New Covenant limited to a seven year period, since it is an eternal covenant. Neither was it three and a half years later that he put an end to the need for animal sacrifices, but the very next day.
The Coming Prince
Consequently, it makes more sense to understand that the one who confirms a seven year covenant is the coming prince (Daniel 9:26), otherwise known as the Antichrist (1 John 2:18), or as the man of lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:3), and to adopt a futurist view of Daniel's 70th week. Verse 26b says, "As for the city and the sanctuary, the people of the coming prince will destroy them". So who is this coming prince, and who are his people that destroy Jerusalem and the temple? It was Roman legions under the command of General Titus who destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, but Titus is not the prince in view here. Given that the people who destroyed the temple in 70 AD were Roman legions, it is commonly assumed that the Antichrist will therefore be the ruler of a restored Roman Empire. However, the legions that destroyed Jerusalem were not actually from the Italian Peninsula. The Roman army recruited heavily from the regions it ruled over, which included much of the Middle East and North Africa. Titus commanded the eastern legions of the Roman Empire. The siege and destruction of Jerusalem is recorded in detail by the historians Josephus and Tacitus. Jerusalem was besieged by an army comprised of four legions, plus various Arab auxiliaries. The legions were Legion 10 from Turkey and Syria, Legion 15 from Syria, Legion 12 from Eastern Turkey and Syria, and Legion 5 from Serbia and Bulgaria. The legion in particular that breached the walls of Jerusalem and destroyed the temple was Legion 10. This legion was comprised of four cohorts: one from Syria, one from Turkey, one of Arabs from Petra in Jordan, and one of Arabs from Arabia. If these are the people of the coming prince (the Antichrist), then it implies that the Antichrist will come from Turkey, Syria or Arabia. This is consistent with Ezekiel 38:2, where the Antichrist is called Gog, and is identified as 'the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal'. Meshech and Tubal were regions of ancient Turkey. (Reference: ‘God’s War on Terror’ by Walid Shoebat, pages 349-353. He quotes extensively from the first century historians, Tacitus and Josephus).
What remains of the 70 week timeline?
It is important to point out that the dual-fulfilment theory does not imply or necessitate a second fulfilment of events already completed during the first fulfilment of the 70 week timeline. Rather, the assumption is that events prophesied to occur within the 70 week timeline, but which were not fulfilled during the first 70 weeks, will instead be fulfilled during the second 70 weeks.
When introducing the 70 week timeline in Daniel 9:24-27, the angel tells Daniel, "Seventy weeks have been determined concerning your people and your holy city to put an end to rebellion, to bring sin to completion, to atone for iniquity, to bring in perpetual righteousness, to seal up the prophetic vision, and to anoint a most holy place." Let's analyse these six elements individually:
1) put an end to rebellion - this looks forward to Christ's second coming (Daniel 7:13-14, Matthew 24:30, Revelation 6:12-17), and to his ensuing defeat of the Antichrist and all his followers.
2) to bring sin to completion - In Genesis 15:16, God promised the land of Canaan to Abraham's descendants. He told Abraham that his descendants would be slaves in a foreign country for four hundred years, after which they would return to the land of Canaan, "for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its limit". At his second coming, Jesus will announce the day of God's vengeance (Isaiah 61:2, Revelation 6:17) when he will put an end to all rebellion. But as in antiquity, he first waits for sin to reach its full measure.
3) to atone for iniquity - This was fulfilled once and for all by Christ's death on the cross. Obviously, we should not expect any repeat fulfilment of this!
4) to bring in perpetual righteousness - although this began at the Cross, it will be completed at the second coming when Jesus comes to replace all earthly kingdoms with his kingdom rule (Daniel 7:27, Revelation 11:17), after which "the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14).
5) to seal up the prophetic vision - Seals were used to authenticate official documents. The second coming of Jesus is the grand focus of Old Testament prophecy, when biblical prophecy in general will be authenticated by its fulfilment.
6) to anoint the most holy - this expression is used of places, not people (see NET Bible notes) and I believe is speaking about the re-dedication and purification of the Temple Mount with a view to building the Millennial temple. Jews celebrate the Festival of Hanukkah, which commemorates the rededication of the second temple in 164 BC, after Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated it with his idol of Zeus, which Daniel 11:31 calls the 'abomination that causes desolation'. The temple mount (or possibly a third temple) will be similarly desecrated by the end-time Antichrist (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15), but Jesus will dedicate a new Millennial temple (Isaiah 56:5-7, 60:7, 62:9, 66:6, Jeremiah 33:11).
It is important to point out that the dual-fulfilment theory does not imply or necessitate a second fulfilment of events already completed during the first fulfilment of the 70 week timeline. Rather, the assumption is that events prophesied to occur within the 70 week timeline, but which were not fulfilled during the first 70 weeks, will instead be fulfilled during the second 70 weeks.
When introducing the 70 week timeline in Daniel 9:24-27, the angel tells Daniel, "Seventy weeks have been determined concerning your people and your holy city to put an end to rebellion, to bring sin to completion, to atone for iniquity, to bring in perpetual righteousness, to seal up the prophetic vision, and to anoint a most holy place." Let's analyse these six elements individually:
1) put an end to rebellion - this looks forward to Christ's second coming (Daniel 7:13-14, Matthew 24:30, Revelation 6:12-17), and to his ensuing defeat of the Antichrist and all his followers.
2) to bring sin to completion - In Genesis 15:16, God promised the land of Canaan to Abraham's descendants. He told Abraham that his descendants would be slaves in a foreign country for four hundred years, after which they would return to the land of Canaan, "for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its limit". At his second coming, Jesus will announce the day of God's vengeance (Isaiah 61:2, Revelation 6:17) when he will put an end to all rebellion. But as in antiquity, he first waits for sin to reach its full measure.
3) to atone for iniquity - This was fulfilled once and for all by Christ's death on the cross. Obviously, we should not expect any repeat fulfilment of this!
4) to bring in perpetual righteousness - although this began at the Cross, it will be completed at the second coming when Jesus comes to replace all earthly kingdoms with his kingdom rule (Daniel 7:27, Revelation 11:17), after which "the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14).
5) to seal up the prophetic vision - Seals were used to authenticate official documents. The second coming of Jesus is the grand focus of Old Testament prophecy, when biblical prophecy in general will be authenticated by its fulfilment.
6) to anoint the most holy - this expression is used of places, not people (see NET Bible notes) and I believe is speaking about the re-dedication and purification of the Temple Mount with a view to building the Millennial temple. Jews celebrate the Festival of Hanukkah, which commemorates the rededication of the second temple in 164 BC, after Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated it with his idol of Zeus, which Daniel 11:31 calls the 'abomination that causes desolation'. The temple mount (or possibly a third temple) will be similarly desecrated by the end-time Antichrist (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15), but Jesus will dedicate a new Millennial temple (Isaiah 56:5-7, 60:7, 62:9, 66:6, Jeremiah 33:11).
