MPV Commentary

Daniel 9:24-27 is one of the most significant passages in the Bible, revealing God's plan for Israel and the world. The prophecy begins by stating that seventy weeks (or periods) have been decreed for Jerusalem to be rebuilt and restored. This period includes a series of events that will culminate in the coming of the Messiah.

The first sixty-nine weeks are divided into seven-week cycles, with each cycle consisting of a week of years (49 years). During this time, the city will be rebuilt, and the people will experience a period of peace and prosperity. However, this peace will be broken when the prince who is to come will stop the daily sacrifices and offerings.

The prince who is to come is likely Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Seleucid king who desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem by sacrificing pigs on the altar. This event was seen as a fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy, but it also foreshadowed the ultimate desecration that would occur when the Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel.

The seventieth week is still future and will be a time of great tribulation for Israel. During this period, the Antichrist will confirm a covenant with many, but in the middle of the week, he will stop the daily sacrifices and offerings. This event marks the beginning of the end times, when God's wrath will be poured out on the world.

The prophecy also speaks of Jesus Christ as the one who will confirm the covenant with many. He is the Messiah who was promised to Israel, and his death and resurrection marked the fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy. The New Testament teaches that Jesus' sacrifice terminated all sacrifices and offerings, making way for a new covenant between God and humanity.

The passage also highlights the importance of understanding the timing of events in relation to God's plan. The seventy weeks are not just a series of random events but are part of a larger narrative that unfolds over time. By studying this prophecy, we can gain a deeper understanding of God's sovereignty and his plan for redemption.

In the context of Jesus' ministry, the seventieth week is seen as a period of great tribulation for Israel, which began when they rejected Christ and was consummated with the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus in A.D. 70. However, this event also marked the beginning of a new era, when God's kingdom would be extended to the Gentiles.

The prophecy concludes by emphasizing that God's plan is not just for Israel but for all nations. The desolation caused by the Antichrist will ultimately lead to the establishment of God's kingdom on earth, where Jesus Christ will reign supreme.