The 70 Weeks of Daniel Prophecy

In this article, we are going to examine a vision which is commonly referred to as The 70 Weeks of Daniel. Daniel’s 70 “weeks” prophecy is unsurpassed in majesty, unparalleled in detail, and unrivaled in the prophets. It takes us from the depths of the Babylonian captivity to the grandeur of the Messianic kingdom, providing us with a road map of future events found nowhere else in Scripture. The clear understanding of it is indispensable to every reader of God’s Word, who wants to know God’s purposes concerning the future.

The Background of the Vision

The people of Israel were in their final days of captivity in ancient Babylon when the prophet Daniel received this vision. Daniel was reading the writings of the prophet Jeremiah, who had prophesied that the Jewish people would return to Israel after 70 years of Babylonian captivity. Daniel realized that the end of the 70 years in Babylon was at hand. Because of this knowledge, and with complete faith in the God of Israel who knows the future, he prayed one of the most gripping and poignant prayers found in the Bible. God answered Daniel’s prayer by sending the angel Gabriel with the prophecy.

The Three Parameters of the Prophecy

To begin with, this vision establishes three parameters:

  • Parameter One: An Allotment of Prophetic Time. The first parameter is that these “70 Weeks” are an allotment of prophetic time, where predicted Biblical events are fulfilled. Prophetically speaking, each “week” or “seven” has a duration of seven years. So the 70 Weeks of Daniel encompasses a time span of 490 years.
  • Parameter Two: People of Israel and Jerusalem. The second parameter is that the fulfillment of this vision are for the benefit of (and directly involve) the people of Israel and the holy city of Jerusalem.
  • Parameter Three: Signs. The third parameter is that this vision is a series of predicted events, with each event being a sign, which indicates the start or the finish of a phase within the 70 Weeks.

The Timeline of the 70 Weeks

The following summary outlines the key periods within the 490-year prophecy based on the biblical text:

  • Start of the Allotment: The going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem.
  • The First 69 Weeks (483 Years): From the decree unto Messiah the Prince (7 weeks, and threescore and two weeks).
  • The Fulfillment: Messiah is "cut off," representing the crucifixion of The-Son-of-Man.
  • The Final Allotment: The 70th week which leads to the end of sins and the anointing of the most Holy.

The Decree to Restore Jerusalem

The event which designated the start of this allotment is the issuing of an official document, which restores the people of Israel and the city of Jerusalem. This event was fulfilled in 457 BC when Persian King Atexerxes1 issued a decree, which freed Israel from captivity in Babylon encouraging the people of Israel to return and restore to the city of Jerusalem. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto 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.

Messiah's Advent and the Final Week

The next event predicted in this vision is the first advent of Messiah, which was predicted to occurred 69 weeks or 483 years after the issuing of the decree. The vision even goes so far as to predict the execution (cut off) of Messiah. Studies have shown that The-Son-of-Man’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem and His crucifixion occurred as predicted, 483 years after the issuing of the edict by king Artaxerxes. With the Master’s crucifixion, the first 69 weeks of Daniel’s vision were fulfilled.

Regarding the final phase, seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins. These six events designate the “finish” of this 490 year allotment of prophetic time. And since “sin” still exist, we know that this prophecy has yet to be fulfilled and is predicted to take place at the second coming, when The-Son-of-Man will put “an end of sin” and anoint the most Holy Place when He establishes His kingdom on earth.