Gates of the City

Daniel’s Seventieth Week

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.  (Daniel 9:27)

Because we are instructed to verify the accuracy of any theology being promoted as biblical and taught in the name of Jesus Christ, it is wisdom to always look for at least a second, and possibly a third scriptural confirmation to support the text from which the theology is being taught. That is why I created the list below of the various seven-year periods mentioned in the Bible, excluding those pertaining to genealogy records. To keep the list reasonably short only a brief description is given with the scripture references alone provided.

1. There is the two separate seven-year periods for which Jacob labored for Rachael. The first in which he was tricked and given Leah instead, followed by the next seven years after which he indeed received Rachael, (Genesis 29:18-28). 
2. The seven years of plenty and the seven years of famine with Joseph in Egypt, (Genesis 41).
3. Six years the Jews were permitted to sow their land and to gather in the fruits thereof. But the seventh was the sabbatical Shemitah year in which they were to let the land rest, that the poor people may eat, and what remained was for the beasts of the field, (Leviticus 25:2-7).
4. Seven times the seven Sabbath years to the Year of Jubilee, (Leviticus 25:8).
5. The time to build the city of Hebron, (Numbers 13:22).
6. At the end of six years when a Hebrew had been sold into servitude, they were to be released and set free at the beginning of the sabbatical Shemitah year, (Deuteronomy 15:1, 31:10).
7. Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years, (Judges 6:1).
8. The young bullock that Gideon used to throw down the altar of Baal was seven years old, (Judges 6:25).
9. Jephthah judged Israel seven years, (Judges 12:9).
10. The seven years of famine under David and Samuel, (2^nd Samuel 24:13).
11. David reigned seven years in Hebron (I Kings 2:11).
12. The seven years of famine with Elisha. (2^nd Kings 8:1-2).
13. The seven years of burning weapons after the war with Gog and Magog, which if there is a seven-year tribulation immediately before the return of Christ, then this war needs to occur before then. (Ezekiel 39:9.)
14. Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years, (Luke 2:36).

Of all these, only number 7 might remotely be construed as a seven year tribulation period. Still, there is no mention of a great war, or a slaughtering of the Jews, only that they fled and hid in caves and were greatly impoverished. This is hardly a type and shadow of what is taught as the Great Tribulation. 

Consequently, Daniel’s seventieth week period is the only “seven year” scriptural reference that I am aware of which is used as foundation for the theology of the “seven year tribulation.” According to the popular teaching of this theology, the division “in the midst of the week” is when the antichrist does away with the animal sacrifices that supposedly will be reinstated in a yet to be built third temple in Jerusalem.

Since seven years divided by two equals three and a half years, it must be acknowledged that there are also several three and a half year periods mentioned in scriptures; being referred to as “time, times, and half of time,” 42 months, or periods of 1260 days, 1290 days, and 1335 days. With all these segments of time recorded in scripture, it is not surprising there has always been a curiosity as to what these times meant. This has resulted in an untold number of exhaustive calculations having been made in an attempt to learn just when they might occur. It is astounding the extreme lengths some of these would-be prophets have labored to prove they know the dates of these times and when they will occur when scripture clearly states the revelation for some of them are sealed until the end. That means God must reveal it, and He will in His time.

Job 32:8 – But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty gives them understanding.

Proverbs 2:6 – For the LORD gives wisdom, and out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.

1st Corinthians 2:11 – For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God. ¹² Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. ¹³ Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. ¹⁴ But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

To assume all the various three and a half year periods mentioned in scripture must be related to either the beginning or end of a seven-year tribulation period would be as imprudent as believing all the previously mentioned seven-year periods were all referencing the same period of time. A careful and honest examination of them should produce evidence enough for a thorough dismissal of such nonsense. Though it is reasonable to openly evaluate the meaning or probability of things, and time frames in scripture, caution must be taken when asserting things to an absolute. For even recent history shows it isn’t hard for someone to earn the title of “false” teacher or prophet. 

However, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t consider such texts in the light of history and prayerfully seek understanding through the Holy Spirit’s illumination. We must be students of God’s word, for perhaps the greatest reward of persistent prayer and seeking to prove all things, will be the avoidance of being carried away by the flood of false doctrines. For the Holy Spirit warned such would be abundantly promoted in the last day through arrogant men thinking themselves to be something they are not.

True understanding is given by direct commandment of God who tries the hearts of men. It is never the product of clever men being able to calculate their way through hidden codes in scripture; Harold Camping’s date setting errors should be a sufficient warning to any aspiring date setter. But that doesn’t mean we cannot know the times in which we are living, after all Daniel did. Didn’t he? But that doesn’t mean we cannot know the times in which we are living, after all didn’t Daniel?  

Matthew 11:25 – At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them unto babes.

Matthew 13:11 – He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. ¹² For whosoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever has not, from him shall be taken away even that he which has.

John 8:31 – Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If you continue in My word, then are you My disciples indeed; ³² And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

We must not fail to notice that it was because Daniel had set his face to seek the Lord with “prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes,” that the Angel Gabriel was sent forth as Daniel was confessing both his sins and the sins of Israel. Now some may protest and say that statement sounds like a doctrine of “works,” that Gabriel came because Daniel did those things. Absolutely it does, but regardless, Daniel prayed the way he did because God’s grace was not neglected or given in vain in his life. It was the grace of God which had empowered Daniel to become the kind of man who would humble himself before the Lord with fastings, and with contrition confess both his sins and the sins of his people while crying out in faith for God’s mercies.

1st Corinthians 15:10 – But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Keep in mind that Gabriel did not come just to give Daniel a prophetic explanation; he came to literally show all these things to Daniel through a vision, from the rebuilding of the wall to the coming of Christ and His death, to the destruction of the Temple and the Holy City Jerusalem.

 Daniel 9:23 – At the beginning of your supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show you; for you are greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

To help keep this seventieth week proper context, let’s again take a fresh look at the beginning of the chapter –

Daniel 9:1 – In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; ² In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. ³ So I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes.

That passage is one of my favorites, for the simple reason that Daniel states he “understood” the duration of the Jewish Babylonian captivity was about to come to an end “by the books” of Jeremiah the prophet. This shows that some things of God are not hidden; rather they are there to bless all who would read and hear it.

Jeremiah 25:11 – And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. ¹² And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation says the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans will I make a perpetual desolations.

Jeremiah 29:10 – For thus says the LORD, After seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and will perform My good word toward you in causing you to return to this place. ¹¹ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ¹² Then shall you call upon Me, and you shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. ¹³ And you shall seek Me, and find Me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart.

Knowing the seventy years was about to be concluded, Daniel humbly “set” his “face unto the Lord God” to seek God’s grace and mercy for the sins of Israel that His favor might once again be restored unto them. If only believers in America would so seek God’s face like Daniel did, using every means of humbling themselves and petitioning God for His mercies, or like the king and people of Nineveh at the preaching of Jonah. But where can we find this “prayer and supplications with fasting and sackcloth, and ashes” in the American churches today? Have they all forgotten Jesus’ words that “blessed are they that mourn?”

But no, such willful self-humiliation and humbling and seeking God’s face with prolong fastings is hard to find in America nowadays; and that because too many churches have taken the shame out of sinning by misrepresenting the amazing grace of God as something so cheap, and conveniently available, almost as if it were but a common commodity always readily obtainable on the shelf at a nearby convenience store. This has left some professors of Christ’s name so unguarded in their hearts that they carelessly commit sin the same way the American government spends our money, never worrying about the consequences of their sins because they think they have an endless supply of “grace.” They have either forgotten, or simply chosen to ignore that “grace is sufficient;” three words that were intended to show the adequacy of God’s grace, while at the same time warning it can be both frustrated and exhausted. What else can this lawless behavior among professing Christians be but the foretold “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness?”

Jude 1:4 – For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying [the will of] the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus.

What is amazing, is that even in the light of his deep conviction of both his and Israel’s sins, is Daniel’s strong faith, and how evident it is in his prayer to God.

Daniel 9:10 – Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His laws, which He had set before us by His servants the prophets. ¹¹ Yea, for all Israel have transgressed Your law, even by departing, that they might not obey Your voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against Him. ¹² And He has confirmed His words, which He spoke against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven it has not been done as it has been done upon Jerusalem.¹³ For as it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet we made not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand Your truth. 

There are two parts in Daniel’s prayer that God’s people would do well to both recognize and embrace. First, in his prayer it is evident that he fully believed God had proven the certainty of His words by judging Israel according to what was written by Moses. Second, having witnessed the certainty of God’s word, Daniel humbled himself with “prayer and supplications, and with fasting, with sackcloth and ashes, that he might properly come before God to recount unto Him the purposes of His judgments, and plead that He would grant to them true repentance, “that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand Thy truth.”

Daniel 9:18 – O my God, incline Your ear and hear; and open Your eyes and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name, for we do not present our supplications before You for our righteousnesses, but for Your great mercies. O Lord hear; O Lord forgive; O Lord hearken and do; an defer not, for Your own sake, O my God: for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.

It is evident Daniel’s faith pleased God; for it was a holy faith that had grown in Daniel’s contrite heart as he read the word of the Lord and prayed over Jeremiah’s prophecies. Being humbled by God’s righteous judgments, Daniel passionately sought the Lord for further understanding of the future events concerning his people, never ceasing to plead with God concerning their fate. Therefore, God sent Gabriel to reveal unto Daniel the future events which were sure to unfold.

Daniel 9:20 – And while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God; ²¹ Yea, while I was speaking in prayer, the man, even Gabriel whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. ²² And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give you skill and understanding. ²³ At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show you; for you are greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

Notice Daniel states that the Angel Gabriel “touched me in my severe exhaustion about the time of the evening sacrifice.” Here was Daniel, a righteous man fervently praying without ceasing; refusing to give way to his own exhausted flesh. From the text it cannot be determine whether Gabriel touched him merely to gain his attention due to the intensity of Daniel’s concentration in prayer, or to strengthen him so that he could now hear the word the Lord sent unto him because he had literally succumbed to exhaustion and fainted before the Lord. Regardless, it is apparent Daniel had given himself completely to seeking God, utilizing all the means God had established for all men to seek Him; that is with humility, humbling oneself with sackcloth and ashes, with prayer without ceasing and fasting.  

How sad it is that many “Christians” who are called by His name are so easily wearied by prayer. Many through their laziness unwittingly dishonor God continually by neglecting this priceless grace, not realizing God has given prayer as a means whereby men might seek Him while He may be found. Do we think God has to listen to our prayers, or that we can command the Almighty’s attention whenever we want it? Have we forgotten God fully expects the prayers of the righteous, yet will not hear the prayers of sinners, unless they are prayers of repentance?

Psalm 66:18 – If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

Proverbs 15:29 – The LORD is far from the wicked: but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

John 9:31 – Now we know that God hears not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and does His will, him He hears.

Yet regardless of God’s clear words, many Christians would never consider sitting in sackcloth and ashes to humble themselves as part of their repentance for personal sins, or the sins of their country… after all, how old fashion and antiquated is that?

Likewise, rarely do you hear Christians anymore confessing their sins one to another and praying to be healed of the bitterness, pride, and unforgiveness they have hidden deep in their hearts for years, perhaps even decades. However, you will never hear of a true God sent revival which truly transformed the people of a city or nation without hearing of such things occurring. Instead, megachurches in America are overflowing with people hiding secret sins in their hearts and always excusing themselves by saying “Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven.” This new faith of these modern professors of Christianity is in stark contrast with the faith of the godly of just even a hundred years ago.

Professing to be Christians, yet looking and behaving no different from the spiritually lost of the world, they piously walk around speaking their Christianese to each other while clinging in vain to a false confidence that in spite of their many obvious besetting sins God still hears their prayers and happily forgives them.

These are not true “believers,” but rather unbelievers who have refused to utilize the means whereby men are called to seek God. Instead, they constantly cast His words behind them while in vain they offer their gifts upon the altar of God while knowing full well that their hearts are not right with their brothers. These are they who are so easily wearied in prayer that the very thought of it can exhaust them; let alone think of giving themselves to prolong fasting. May we never fail to distinguish the difference between the atheistic non-believer and the hypocritical unbelievers lest we slip into the latter’s camp.

Brothers and sisters, why do you think Abraham thought he could appeal to God, asking Him to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if there were just even fifty righteous men in the cities? Most people tend to think it was just “righteous Lot” who was living there vexing his soul among all those vulgarly wicked and profane sodomites. But do you really think Lot would live there alone if there were no other professing “believers” living there? When Ezekiel was sent to reprove Israel, God declared that “As I live says the Lord Jehovah, Sodom your sister, she nor her daughters has not done as you have done, you and your daughters.” Do you think that there were no professing believers in Ezekiel’s days?

No, there were religious people all over the land, boasting in their arrogance and claiming to be God’s chosen people, prophets and priests and faithful followers of Jehovah. They were the called-out ones, or so they thought. Those Jews in Ezekiel’s days were both shocked and surprise when judgment fell upon them, just as many of today’s professing Christians will be when they too cry out “Lord! Lord! Did we not prophesy in Your name, and through Your name cast out demons, and through Your name do many wonderful works?” Only to hear the Lord reply, “I never knew you! Depart from Me, you who lived working lawlessness!” Likewise, righteous Lot was alone only in his righteousness, but there were many living in Sodom and Gomorrah claiming to be his fellow believers in the living God. Therefore, Abraham asked God, “Perhaps there are fifty righteous within the city. Will You also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are in it?” Yet the longer Abraham thought about the “believers” dwelling in Sodom and the surrounding cities, he began to go lower and lower in asking God till he said “Oh do not let the LORD be angry, and I will speak only once more. Perhaps ten shall be found there?” And the Lord replied, “I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.”

Seriously consider this, you who so confidently profess to be serving God, for out of Abraham’s appeal to God to spare the cities for fifty righteous, only one true believer was led out. That was a speculated “fifty” out of how many though that was professing faith? Abraham knew they were not all serving God, that many had deceived their own selves into thinking they were righteous, so fifty had to be a conservative number to start with. Then, knowing the holiness of God, Abraham began to whittle the numbers down till he reached ten, only a mere ten and God still said He would have spared the cities. And yet it was only righteous Lot with his two daughters who came out from among them, with his wife looking back perishing.

Do you understand the math concerning all this? Only 8% of Abraham’s original conservative estimated number of believers actually escape Sodom, and with his wife looking back and becoming a pillar of salt, so in the end only 6% of that number were actually spared, just three of them. So, how can it be that so many Christians are failing to discern this and fear God?

But back to Daniel, it is evident that the angel was there to give him a clear understanding of this vision. Howbeit, there were still other visions given to Daniel which when he sought understanding he was told, “Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” But understand how that is clearly not the case here. This time the angel is there to explain specific things to Daniel concerning the Jewish people, Jerusalem, the Temple, and the Messiah. For in verse 24 the angel clarifies to Daniel what his vision was all about and the duration of time to be given to it.

Daniel 9:24 – Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 

Once more, for convenience, here are the seven specific things the Angel Gabriel was sent to give Daniel as an “understanding” of his vision.

The first thing mentioned is the time element whereby “Seventy weeks are determined…” These “seventy weeks” represent a total duration of 490 years. The most difficult part of this vision for many seems to be how to determine the exact starting time, and there are no shortages of perspectives out there.

Nevertheless, Daniel understood the Jews’ seventy years of captivity was about to end and accordingly was earnestly seeking God for understanding of what was about to happen to his people. Therefore, the angel comes and tells him of yet another captivity and when it would be over as well, the captivity of sin.

Psalm 68:18 – You have ascended on high, You hast led captivity captive: Thou have received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.

 Ephesians 4:8 – Wherefore he said, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Gabriel shows him that similarly to the “seventy years,” that God has determined “seventy weeks” would be relative to this captivity of sin, its solution and Redeemer, Messiah the Prince. However, these 70 weeks are weeks of years, representing a total of 490 years, the same number Jesus’ used in His exhortation to His disciples to be willing to forgive others for their sins, seven times seventy.

Matthew 18:21 – Then came Peter to Him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? ²² Jesus said unto him, I say not unto you, until seven times: but until seventy times seven. 

These seventy weeks, or 490-year period, are said to start with the commandment to go forth to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. Now apart from the fact that most commentators recognize Daniel’s weeks as each representing a seven-year period, biblical confirmation of this interpretation as acceptable is readily seen within God’s commandment to give the land a Sabbath every seventh year.

Leviticus 25:2 – Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When you come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a Sabbath unto the LORD. ³ Six years you shall sow thy field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof; ⁴ But in the seventh year shall be a Sabbath of rest unto the land, a Sabbath for the LORD: You shall neither sow thy field, nor prune our vineyard… ⁸ And you shall number seven Sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven Sabbaths of years shall be unto you forty and nine years.

The 490 years was divided into three segments of time with each having assigned unique purposes, the first two of which are mentioned in verse 25. The first is a 7-week period, representing a period of 49 years, was when “the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times” in Jerusalem. The second is 62 weeks, or the next 434 years which concludes with the coming of “Messiah the Prince.” Together the total times of both periods being 483 years.

Daniel 9:25 – Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

While it has been difficult for men to agree upon when the commencements of these periods begin, “from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem,” we know the Angel Gabriel stated specifically what event follows their ending, “Messiah the Prince.” This clearly means that the coming of the Messiah would be 483 years after the commandment was issued. I am persuaded that Jesus gives us the best indication of the time of this part of the prophecy’s conclusion.

Mark 1:14 – Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, ¹⁵ saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe the gospel.

If this “time” which Jesus stated was “fulfilled” is not the same time that was mentioned by Gabriel to Daniel, then students of the word are obligated to find another prophetic time in scripture to affix to Jesus’ words. However, if this was the fulfillment of Daniel’s sixty-nine weeks, then Jesus’ ministry simultaneously begins with the seventieth week. Also consider these other verses by the Apostle Paul. 

Galatians 4:4 – But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son [Messiah the Prince], made of a woman and under the law, ⁵ To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Ephesians 1:5 – Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, ⁶ To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He has made us accepted in the Beloved. ⁷ In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace; ⁸ Wherein He has abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; ⁹ Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: ¹⁰ That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together into one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him.

Though rarely noted by many, at the time of Christ’s birth there were true students of God’s word who certainly understood the meaning and purpose of the verses in Daniel. Because they were not slothful, but rather had faithfully prayed and studied the scriptures, I fully believe God “made known” unto them the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure which He had purposed in Himself. Therefore, just like Daniel understood by the books, these too recognized that the time of Daniel’s vision was dawning toward the coming of “Messiah the Prince.” For this reason there were the faithful and believing in the Temple of Jerusalem, both expecting and “waiting for the consolation of Israel” prior to the days of Jesus’ birth.

Luke 2:25 – And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord; ²³ (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) ²⁴ And they came to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. ²⁵ And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, who was waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. ²⁶ For it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ²⁷ And he had come by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the law, ²⁸ Then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace according to Your word: ³⁰ For mine eyes have seen Your Salvation, ³¹ Which You have prepared before the face of all people; ³² A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel. ³³ And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. ³⁴ And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary His mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; ³⁵ (Yea, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. ³⁶ And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; ³⁷ And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but had served God with fastings and prayers night and day. ³⁸ And coming in that instant she gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spoke of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Undeniably, there was sound scriptural justification for these people in their days to be looking for the redemption of Israel. Therefore, it is evident they knew and understood the time in which they were privileged to live, because of the seventy weeks recorded in Daniel’s vision. By that sure word of prophecy, they knew the conclusion of the 483 years till the coming of Messiah was not far off and consequently were eagerly looking for Him. That is why the Lord was greatly displeased with those who weren’t expecting Him. For prophecy is given to God’s people that they might know the things pertinent to their time. Accordingly, the greatest proof of Jesus’ ministry beginning on the start of Daniel’s seventieth week comes from His admonition to the people of Israel.

Luke 19:41 – And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it, ⁴² Saying, If you had known, even you, at least in this your day, the things which belong unto your peace! but now they are hid from your eyes. ⁴³ For the days shall come upon you that your enemies shall cast a trench about and compass you round about, and shall keep you in on every side, ⁴⁴ and lay you even with the ground, and your children within you; and they shall not leave in you one stone upon another; because you knew not the time of your visitation.