In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel told him, “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”, and in chapter nine and verse twenty-four of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel told him, “seventy weeks are determined upon your people” where we read,
Seventy weeks are determined upon your 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.
The verse reads, “Seventy weeks are determined upon your people and upon your holy city, to finish the transgression, …” Daniel began with the words, “seventy weeks” or “seventy periods or periods of seven which may be days or years” “are determined upon your people” which means “are decreed and marked out upon your, Daniel’s, human beings” “and upon your holy city” or “and on your, Daniel’s, sacred and hallowed dwelling place, abode, habitation and town”, “to finish the transgression” which means “to shut up, restrain and complete the time of rebellion and sin”. Daniel shared how Gabriel said there were seventy sevens of years that were decreed upon Daniel’s human beings and city to make an end of the time of rebellion and sin.
The verse continues, “… and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, …” Daniel added the words, “and to make an end of sins” or “and to complete, finish and exhaust errors, wrongs and mistakes”, “and to make reconciliation” which means “and to make atonement, cover, purge and propitiation” “for iniquity” or “on behalf of perversity, depravity and consequence of or punishment for moral evil and wickedness”, “and to bring in” which means “and to enter and be enumerated with” “everlasting righteousness” or “being just and right unto futurity, perpetuity and long duration”. Daniel said Gabriel told him the purpose for the “seventy weeks” was also to cause the finish of errors, mistakes and wrongs, make atonement and on behalf of the errors and wrongs of mankind and to cause perpetual right and just behavior to be among men.
Finally the verse says, “… and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.” Daniel concluded this verse with the words, “and to seal up” which means “and to lock up and fasten” “the vision and the prophecy” or “the mental imagery, appearance and sighting as well as the and the spoken, declared and proclaimed word ”, “and to anoint” which means “and to smear, spread a liquid over and consecrate” ‘the most Holy” or “the set apart, sacred, separated and hallowed One”. Daniel ended this verse by sharing how Gabriel told him that the “seventy weeks” which were decreed upon the people of Israel and their city was also to lock up and fasten the mental imagery and inspired proclamation as well as to consecrate the sacred, pure and hallowed One.
When we think through Daniel’s words in this verse, we learn through Gabriel that there were seventy sets of seventy years assigned to the people of Israel. This means there are four hundred and ninety years that the people of Israel were specifically given to fulfill God’s will for them. We shall learn more about these years in our next few verses, but for now, let us keep in mind that the eternal God is able to see the past, present and future all in one glance. God knows the times appointed to Israel and to us, and because He desires to live with us forever, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When He resurrected Jesus from the dead after three days, He made the way for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and to be empowered with His Holy Spirit as He teaches us to trust Him with the times of Israel and with our times as well.
Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel tells him about, “seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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