The Book of Daniel is full of mysteries, and one of the most talked-about is the prophecy of the “70 weeks.” Most people think this prophecy points to the time of Jesus’ first coming, but what if it also reveals clues about the Second Coming? It seems the prophetic puzzle is a bit more complicated than we often assume and understanding that complexity could be key to recognizing where we stand on God’s timeline.
Two Views of Time
One key to finding the mystery of Daniel’s 70th week lies in understanding how time is measured in the scripture. As we’ve discussed the Bible uses both the Sacred year and the Civil year. It also accounts for time kept from 6 AM to 6 AM and 6 PM to 6 PM, but how does it relate to this prophecy? It turns out that these different calendars might point to two different fulfillments of the 70th-week prophecy!
The “prescribed” time (Sacred Calendar) varies from the “observed” time (Civil Calendar) by about three years. This difference isn’t a mistake; it’s a crucial piece of the puzzle.
The Faithful vs. The Unsaved
Could it be that the “prescribed” 70th week of Daniel is for those who are truly faithful and keep all of the Lord’s commandments? If so, then the events of that week would culminate in the seventh year of the Shemitah cycle, just as we would expect.
On the other hand, the “observed” 70th week might be for those who are not keeping the Lord’s commandments, and even for those who are currently unsaved. This suggests that there is a distinct timeline of events that applies differently to each group of believers. The three-year difference might represent the time of the Great Tribulation. And at the end of that time, then the final “harvest” of the remaining saints will be fulfilled in the “rapture” of those “left alive” at the end of the Great Tribulation.
The Law of Witnesses
This concept is supported by the Law of Witnesses: It is the witness of “two” that renders a matter true for certain!
Recent Signs and the 70th Week
One recent eclipse occurred right before the start of a “prescribed” year and cycle. This event may signal that we are exactly three years from the beginning of the “prescribed 70th week of Daniel.” That is exactly the length of the “Great Tribulation.”
The Question for Today
Understanding Daniel’s 70th week is about dates, calendars and understanding God’s plan for humanity. As Randall Gibbons says, “Are we living in the last days and the time of the end?” Daniel was told that the answer would be revealed and unsealed for the “wise” who were diligently seeking the answer.
Seek Wisdom and Understanding
Understanding this is not easy; it takes time, study, and most importantly, prayer. Don’t be afraid to dig into the scriptures and ask God to reveal the truth to you. If the Lord is willing to open your eyes, then you too can become one of the “wise” who understand the mysteries of Daniel.