The Book of Daniel, written approximately 530 B.C. (though some dispute this, a few even claiming it to have been written as late as 165 B.C.), holds many incredible prophecies in its pages. One of the most amazing of all can be found in chapter 9:
Daniel 9:24-27
24Seventy 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. 25Know therefore and understand , that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the 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. 26And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off , but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined . 27And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease , and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate , even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate .
This central prophecy in the Book of Daniel is commonly referred to as The Vision of the 70 Weeks. The prophetic "week" referred to is composed of seven years (i.e. One "day" equals one year, two "days" equals two years, etc.). The "commandment" referred to in verse 25 is decree given by Artaxerxes to rebuild Jerusalem in 445 B.C. (see Nehemiah 2:1-8). The period of seven weeks recorded in verse 25 spans forty-nine years (the period of rebuilding) and brings us to approximately 406 B.C.* This period is followed by a sixty-two week period (434 years) leading up to "Messiah the Prince," who will be "cut off, but not for himself" (verse 26). This refers to the crucifixion of Christ, which took place in approximately 30 A.D.* Finally, the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D. is noted in verse 26.
In this incredible prophecy, the Prophet Daniel foretold the crucifixion of Jesus Christ approximately 560 years in advance! This wonderful book records many other amazingly accurate prophecies, and I strongly encourage anyone who doubts the authenticity of God's Word to read this book cover to cover.
For those of you keeping track, these events account for only 69 of the prophetic weeks. The 70th Week of Daniel is believed by most to refer to the coming seven year Tribulation period foretold in the Book of Revelation.
*Note that the Jewish Calendar was composed of 360 days, thus the math doesn't work out as would initially be expected.
In Christ,
Matthew
