p. 54 | THE SEVENTY WEEKS by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 27, 1890

THE SEVENTY WEEKS.

By Editor

LAST week we considered that part of Daniel 8 that related to the symbols of the ram, goat, four horns, and little horn which came out of one of the four horns. We found these to represent, according to the interpretation of the angel Gabriel and the specifications of the prophecy, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and Rome, the little horn representing Rome in its entire career of pagan and papal existence.

In addition to the symbols above referred to, Daniel hears one holy being ask another, "How long shall be the vision?" and the answer is directed to Daniel: "Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed [Hebrew, justified]." Dan. 8:13, 14. Although God commanded Gabriel to make known to Daniel the vision, although he came for that purpose, and did explain the symbols, Daniel says that the vision was not understood. He certainly did not refer to the symbols of the empires and dynasties before mentioned; he must have referred to that part which had special reference to the people of God, namely, the time when the sanctuary—God's dwelling-place, where priestly service for fallen man is performed—and the host—those who worship at the sanctuary—are to be trodden under foot. When, therefore, we come to that time when Gabriel fulfilled his mission, we shall find him explaining the time to the prophet.

Let us notice again the question, "How long shall be the vision concerning the daily, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot." Dan. 8:13. We have omitted the word "sacrifice" because it is not in the original Hebrew, neither is it necessary to the sense. Our translators supposed that it must have reference to something taking place each day, and so supplied "sacrifice." But the word from which daily is translated, tamid, means "continual," and is more frequently translated in the Scriptures. The prophecy speaks of Rome as a desolating power as regards the people of God, namely, the continual desolation, or Paganism, and the transgression of desolation, or the Papacy, which came by transgression or apostasy. How long are these phases of desolation to continue to oppress the people of God? The answer is, "Unto two thousand and three hundred days," and then would occur a work comparatively brief, which would bring the great drama to a close.

As the long-existing empires are symbolized by comparatively short-lived beasts, so this long period of time is symbolized by a short period. Days in prophecy symbolize literal years. Eze. 4:4-6; Num. 14:34. Analogy requires that this period of time should be understood in this way; for it would be incongruous to use such a short period of time literally in connection with short-lived beasts symbolically. The Scripture rule above referred to proves that this period should be taken to represent years; and the application and explication of the prophecy will prove the same thing. We inquire, therefore, When does this long period of 2,300 years begin?

The answer to this question will surely be revealed by Gabriel when he fulfills his mission of making known to Daniel the vision. On account of the weakness of Daniel, he could not bear to hear the whole interpretation when the angel first came, but Daniel had by no means forgotten it. He seems to have connected this 2,300 years with the seventy years of captivity of the Jews. He records some of the petitions he put forth for God's blessing upon his captive people, in the ninth chapter. Babylon had passed, Darius the Mede was on the throne. The people of God were still in captivity; the temple was in ruins. Daniel prayed for forgiveness, and that God might cause his face to shine upon his sanctuary, which was desolate. Dan. 9:1, 2, 17.

And, lo! as he prayed, God answered. Gabriel, who had appeared to him only in the vision of the eighth chapter, appeared to him again. He (1) informed Daniel that he had come to give him understanding (Dan. 9:22) as God had commanded him to do (Dan. 8:16); (2) he called Daniel's attention to the vision in which he, Gabriel, had before appeared (Dan. 9:23). Daniel's consideration of that vision would bring to his mind the part left unexplained, namely, the long period of 2,300 years. (3) Upon this period of time the angel begins his interpretation. We quote verses 22-24:—

"And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved; therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. 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."

"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people." The word "determined" means, according to Gesenius, the standard Hebrew lexicographer, "to cut off." Says Josiah Litch, "Hebraists all admit that the word 'determined,' in our English version, does signify 'cut off.' Not one has disputed it." Determine has a similar meaning. "Thy people" refers to Daniel's people, the Jews. The expression would then mean, Seventy weeks are cut off upon the Jews. Cut off from what?—From the time mentioned in the vision to which Gabriel referred Daniel, the 2,300 years. Seventy weeks of these years were cut off, then, upon the people of the Jews. Seventy weeks of years would be (70x7=490) 490 years.

During this period of 490 years the following things would take place: (1) "To finish the transgression." Spurrell renders "to complete the apostasy." The Jews were to fill up the measure of their iniquity. Matt. 23:32. (2) "To make an end of sins." And this was to be done (3) by making "reconciliation for iniquity." 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Rom. 5:10. (4) "To bring in everlasting righteousness;" the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 3:21, 22. (5) "To seal up the vision and the prophecy." To seal up means to "close up," "to confirm, or ratify." If the former definition be given to this we would understand that this period of time would be plain and open to the Jews till the 490 years had passed, after which it would not be opened to the world till the whole book of Daniel was made known, at the time of the end. Dan. 12:4, 9, 10. If the second definition be given, it would indicate that the events of the seventy weeks of years would greatly confirm the vision and strengthen the confidence of those who believed it. Either may be true. (6) "To anoint the Most Holy." Houbigant's translation, as well as others of good authority, read "holy of holies," referring to the heavenly sanctuary. Whether it refers to Christ or to the sanctuary in which he ministers, matters not to our understanding of the prophecy. Both events occurred during the 490 years.

It will be seen from the foregoing how important is this prophecy. It is a prediction of the mission of Christ. It is a part of the divine witness which testified to his divine mission and work. John 5:39. It is important, therefore, to understand it. We have learned thus far that the 2,300 days, or years, cover the period of pagan and papal rule and persecution; that seventy weeks of this period, or 490 years, are cut off upon the Jews, during which time Christ was to come. This latter period is still further subdivided, the beginning noted, and the events to occur as the shorter periods come to an end. This we will consider in our next. M. C. W.