THE PUZZLING SEVENTY WEEKS PROPHECY

The Seventy Weeks Prophecy, found in Daniel 9:24-27, is one of the most debated passages in the Bible. The crux of the debate centers around the exact historical era covered by the 70-week period. This chapter will present a brief overview of Daniel 9. Futurists find a prediction of Christ's first advent in verses 24-26, and an outline of the tribulation period in verse 27. To the contrary, scholarly studies conclude that the Seventy Weeks Prophecy is simply another creative version of events culminating in the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes.

The Seventy Weeks of Daniel

In the first year of Darius son of Ahasuerus, by birth a Mede who became king over the realm of the Chaldeans. (Daniel 9:1)

The Seventy Weeks Prophecy is set in the "first year of Darius." According to the author's depiction of Jewish history, 'Darius the Mede' ruled Babylon after its fall to the 'Medes and the Persians' (cf. 5:28-30). The likely date for the prophecy's setting would about 539 B.C., the historical date for the conquest of Babylon by Cyrus of Persia.

Daniel's Study of Jeremiah

In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to the prophet Jeremiah, must be fulfilled for the devastation of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. (Daniel 9:2)

The author depicts Daniel studying "books" that contained the prophecies of Jeremiah. Daniel is curious about the fulfillment of the 70-year captivity. According to the author, Daniel was captured and taken to Babylon in 605 B.C. About 66 years later, Babylon was conquered by Persia. Under such circumstances, a captive Jew, such as Daniel, would naturally be curious as to the captivity's termination point. Thus, the author's placement of Daniel in the 'first year of Darius' would certainly be appropriate for his concerns.

To Read More, Order a copy of Beasts, Horns and the Antichrist from one of the following sources:

Available At These Fine Online Bookstores
Amazon.com	Ships in 24 Hours
Armageddon Books	Ships in 24 Hours
Barnes and Noble	Ships in 3-5 Weeks
Borders.com	Ships in 2-4 Weeks