Daniel 9:24: Anointing, Messiah, and Everlasting Righteousness

Daniel 9:24

24 Seventy weeks are determined on your people and on your 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.

Daniel 9:24 speaks about anointing "the most Holy," which refers to the consecration of Jesus Christ as the Messiah, our High Priest, and His ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. This anointing is intrinsically linked to His mission to bring everlasting righteousness and cleanse the universe from sinCWCP 114.3+1.

The Prophecy of Daniel 9:24

The verse in Daniel 9:24 states: "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." This prophecy clearly outlines the grand purpose of Christ's coming and workRR 245.5+11.

Jesus Christ: The Anointed One

The "anointing" mentioned in Daniel 9:24 refers to Jesus Christ Himself, the "Messiah" which means "the Anointed One"MWV2 68.4. He is the Lord's Anointed, specifically chosen and empowered by God to fulfill His divine missionPTUK November 9, 1899, page 706.2+3. This anointing signifies His divine appointment as the ultimate King and High Priest, a truth proclaimed by a voice from heaven at His baptism, declaring, "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" Matthew 3:17LTJMB2 219.1+1. He was anointed by God with the oil of gladness above His fellows Hebrews 1:9 as prophesied in Psalm 45:7+1.

The Purpose of the Anointing

The anointing of the Most Holy is not merely a symbolic act, but a profound declaration of Christ's work, encompassing several key aspects:

• To Finish Transgression and Make an End of Sins: Christ came to put away sin through the sacrifice of Himself Daniel 9:24+1CWCP 114.3+3. His sacrifice is the only and last offering that can take away sin, establishing a new covenant by His own blood Hebrews 9:26MWV2 68.4+1. This work is not just about pardon but also about the perfecting of believers, finishing transgression, and making an end of sins in their livesCWCP 114.3+3.

• To Make Reconciliation for Iniquity: Through His life and death, Jesus reconciled humanity to God, making peace through His cross Ephesians 2:13-16CWCP 114.3+4. His priestly ministry ensures that atonement is made for iniquityCWCP 114.3+3.

• To Bring in Everlasting Righteousness: The righteousness of God is revealed through Christ, and it is by faith in Jesus Christ that men are made righteous and receive eternal life Daniel 9:24+1CWCP 114.3+5. This everlasting righteousness is a result of His perfect obedience and sacrifice.

• To Seal up Vision and Prophecy: Christ's coming and ministry fulfilled numerous prophecies concerning the Messiah, thereby sealing up or confirming the prophetic word Daniel 9:24CWCP 114.3+4. He demonstrated His mission by fulfilling prophecy, even the miracle of raising the dead and preaching good tidings to the poor Luke 4:18+1BIC 87.2.

The Heavenly Sanctuary and Christ's Ministry

This "anointing of the most Holy" also directly relates to the heavenly sanctuary, where Christ serves as our High PriestARSH December 11, 1855, page 86.5+2. Just as the earthly tabernacle and its priests were anointed and consecrated for holy service Exodus 30:25-31+1BHOTV4 45.1+1 Christ was anointed for His high priestly work in the true tabernacle, which God pitched, and not man Hebrews 8:1-2ARSH May 14, 1901, page 317.6+1. He entered the Most Holy Place in heaven not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood, obtaining eternal redemption Hebrews 9:11-12AERS 156.1. The cleansing of the sanctuary, therefore, is directly connected to the finishing of transgression and the perfecting of believers in JesusCWCP 114.3+2.

The Oil of Grace and the Holy Spirit

The anointing of the Most Holy is also understood as the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, often symbolized as "golden oil" or "oil of grace." This divine anointing is essential for believers today9MR 128.3+20. Just as the lamps in the sanctuary were continually fed with oil to give light Zechariah 4:1-141888 1498.1+4 believers need a daily fresh supply of the Holy Spirit to shine forth God's light to the world9MR 128.3+4. This spiritual anointing enables understanding of sacred truths, discernment between truth and error, and empowers Christians to live a life that glorifies God6BC 1064.5+12. It purifies the soul from selfishness, envy, and evil-speaking, leading to a radical transformation of character 2 Corinthians 5:176MR 55.4+2.

In essence, Daniel 9:24 highlights the pivotal role of Jesus Christ as the Anointed One, whose redemptive work and ongoing ministry in the heavenly sanctuary bring about the ultimate end of sin and the establishment of everlasting righteousness for all who believeCWCP 114.3+3.