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Counting Down – Daniel’s 70 Weeks and the End of the World How much longer do we have until the coming of the long-awaited Messiah? World troubles are exploding, governments are imploding, and men and women are frightened and terrified. Is nuclear Armageddon staring us in the face? What is the time-line till the end of time? How much longer must we wait? William F. Dankenbring In the prophecy of Zechariah we read: “Lo, a day of the LORD is coming when your spoil shall be divided in your very midst! For I will gather ALL NATIONS TO JERUSALEM for WAR:

The city shall be captured, the houses plundered, and the women violated; and a part of the city shall go into exile. But the rest of the population shall not be uprooted from the city. “Then the LORD will come forth [from heaven, where He has gone!] and make war on those nations as He is wont to make war on a day of battle. On that day He will set His feet on the Mount of Olives, near Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives shall split across from east to west . . . And the LORD my God, with all the holy beings, will come to you” (Zech. 14:1-5). Notice! Here we find that God Himself – the Messiah – will STAND ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES – the very same mountain from which Jesus Christ ascended to heaven (Acts 1:12) – and the same mountain to which the angels told the disciples that He would return (v.11).

This prophecy of Zechariah, therefore, is a vision of the SECOND COMING of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, when He will fight against the nations who have once again conquered Jerusalem. How much longer must we wait until this prophecy is fulfilled? The Wicked Prince The leader of the army which will come against Jerusalem will this time not be Titus or Vespacian, but the one foretold by Daniel who would arise in the END TIME, one who “will be extraordinarily destructive; he will prosper in what he does, and destroy the mighty and the people of holy ones. By his cunning, he will use deceit successfully. 18 He will make great plans, will destroy many, taking them unawares, and will rise up against the CHIEF OF CHIEFS [the Messiah Himself!], but will be broken, not by [human] hands” (Daniel 8:24-25). This wicked king is also described in Daniel 7. We read: “He will speak words against the Most High, and will harass the holy ones of the Most High. He will think of changing times and laws, and they will be delivered into his power for a time, times, and half a times [three and one half years]” (Dan.7:25).

The book of Revelation in the New Testament describes this wicked tyrant as a “beast.” The apostle John writes: “The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for FORTY-TWO MONTHS [three and one half years!]. . . . He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them” (Rev.13:5-7, NIV). This “beast,” along with all the kings of the earth, will gather at Jerusalem to fight against Christ at His return, at “the battle on the great day of God Almighty” (Rev.16:14). John says, “They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers” (Rev. 17:14). John goes on: “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God [compare John 1:1-2,14]. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. . . “

Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet . . The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulphur” (Rev.19:11-20). Thus the army of this world ruling “beast” will be destroyed by Christ, and the beast himself slain in the lake of fire. But when will these things come to pass? Daniel 9 Revealed A mysterious prophecy in Daniel 9 may well reveal the intriguing, incredible answer! Let’s take a new look at this mysterious cipher and its interpretation: “SEVENTY WEEKS are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish [margin, to restrain] the transgression, and to make an end [margin, to seal up] of sins, 19 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. “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem [margin, to build again Jerusalem] unto Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall [margin, breach, or ditch], in troublous times. “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be CUT OFF, but not for himself [margin, and shall have nothing]: 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 [margin, it shall be cut off by desolations].

“And 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 [margin, and upon the battlements shall be the idols of the desolater], he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate [margin, desolater]” (Dan.9:24-27). What a strange prophecy! It outlines strange events to occur in and around Jerusalem, till the coming of the Messiah and the end of the age. What are these mysterious “seventy weeks”? My article, “Daniel’s 70 Weeks Prophecy Proves Christ Is the Messiah!” details the first mind-boggling fulfillment of this ancient prophecy. It shows that counting from the famous decree of king Artaxerxes in 457 B.C., using a “day for a year,” the 69 weeks of the prophecy would end in 27 A.D. – the very year Jesus Christ began His ministry in ancient Judea! Then He was “cut off,” dying for our sins on the cross. Afterwards, 40 years later, the Roman prince Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the holy place, just as Daniel foretold. But amazing and stunning as it may sound, there is another, special END TIME fulfillment of this ancient prophecy!

A New Analysis of Daniel 9 This is exciting – stunning. God has revealed a WHOLE NEW END-TIME DIMENSION to this remarkable ancient prophecy! Let’s notice carefully! The Hebrew word for “weeks” in the prophecy of the 70 weeks, is the word shavuot. It also designates the “Feast of Shavuot,” or “Feast of Weeks,” which follows Passover, fifty days later. We are told to “count seven weeks,” till the 50th day, from the day after Passover, counting beginning Nisan 16, and the fiftieth day is “Shavuot,” the Feast of Weeks. Its name is derived from the counting of seven weeks from Passover, thus, “Feast of Weeks.” 20 The Hebrew word Shavuot, therefore, also refers to an ANNUAL HOLY DAY, which is counted, and looked forward to with great expectancy and joy. Anciently, it represented the day of the covenant God made with Israel on that day at Mount Sinai. The Hebrew word “Shavuot” literally means #7620, shavua, (plural Shavuot), and means “literally sevened, i.e. a week.” It also means, #7621, “something sworn, an oath.” It was at Mount Sinai, after a period of seven sevens, that the Feast of Shavuot was arrived at, and it was the day God and Israel swore an “Oath” – a Covenant of Marriage. So literally, the prophecy of Daniel is the prophecy of “seventy sevens” or even “seventy Shavuot” – that is, Festivals of Shavuot. If we look at it that way, then seventy such Festivals would equal 70 years, as the Feast occurs once a year! Now, let’s take a fresh look at this intriguing prophecy. “

Seventy weeks [Shavuot] are determined.” Seventy Feasts of Shavuot would be 70 years! “. . . for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression . . . to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.” (Dan.9:24). So this prophecy says (also) that there will be seventy years to the end point – the coming of the Messiah and the Kingdom of God, ending the period of man’s transgression on the earth. “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince . . . (v.25). The United Nations voted to partition Israel in November 1947, and Israel became a state May 14, 1948. Both of these occurred during the Hebrew year 5708. This would be the date for the restoration of Israel and Jerusalem. “There shall be seven weeks and sixty two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall [of protection], even in troublesome times” (v.25b). Seven “weeks” also means “seven Shavuot,” or Feasts of Weeks – meaning “seven years.” Sixty two “weeks” likewise can mean 62 years. So we have a period of seven years, and a period of 62 years. From Israel’s inception in 1948, there was war. The nation was born in a bloodbath as surrounding Arab nations immediately attacked. In May, 1948, Israel had to fight the surrounding Arab nations which invaded her territory, and the following years were “troublesome times.” War again broke out in 1956, and in 1967 the “Six Day War” was fought, and the “Yom Kippur War” in 1973, then the invasion of Lebanon in 1982, and the subsequent Palestinian intifada in 1987, lasting to the present time.

“And after the sixty two weeks Messiah [anointed one] shall be cut off . . .” 21 62 “weeks” is also 62 Shavuot = 62 Shavuot or “years.” From 1948, counting 62 years, brings us to 2010 A.D. 1948 +62 2010 A.D. After these “62” Shavuot, ending in 2010, the “anointed one” – a designation for the anointed people of God, Israel – shall be “cut off” – that is, begin to be “cut off” as a nation, as a people, and destroyed. What happened in 2010? The Muslim Barack Hussein Obama became president of the world’s last remaining superpower in 2009 – the United States – and by 2010 he began compromising Israel’s security, independence, and forcefully turning against America’s only true ally in the Middle East. Currying favor with the Arab oil producing nations, he has begun cutting Israel off at the knees. Denying them missiles and bunkerbusting bombs. Threatening them with sanctions, and trade embargoes. Treating their diplomats and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with contempt, hostility, scorn and derision. Israel has begun to be “cut off” – the anointed people are being persecuted by their supposed sole remaining “friend” and ally in all the world. “And the people [army] of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, and till the end of the war desolations are determined. . .” (verse 26). Israel will be invaded! Jerusalem destroyed! Jihad will reign! Desolations and destruction will rage and follow till the end of the period of conflict and warfare. “Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering” (v.27).

The final “week” – THE FINAL SEVEN YEARS – will be from 2010 to 2017 – the last week of years! In the middle of this final period Temple sacrifices and prayers will cease. The dark prince will force them to stop. “And on the wing of ABOMINATIONS shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate [or, desolator, marginal reading]” (verse 27b). This constitutes a shocking, incredible new view of Daniel’s 70 weeks prophecy, as it applies to the END TIME, – a pattern of fulfillment beginning in 1948 and ending 70 years later – in 2017-2018 A.D. Could this be the final countdown to the coming of the Messiah? 22 Note that this incredible prophecy has many levels. It correctly predicted the first coming of the Messiah, as the lamb of God who was sacrificed, to the very year He began His ministry – 27 A.D.! This mind-boggling prophecy also appears to predict the exact year of the SECOND and FINAL coming of the Messiah – 2017-2018 A.D.!!! Since it predicted the first coming of Messiah to the precise year, then it should logically predict the second coming to the precise year as well! The End of the Age Now notice! The “prince” causes sacrifice and offering to cease in the “MIDST” of the final week – or middle. Half-way through a week is 3 1/2 days. Since this is a prophetic week, it refers to 3 1/2 years. Thus the prince and his forces will “rule” over the holy city and its environs for the last 3 1/2 years of this age. This coincides with the 42 months mentioned in Revelation 11 – for 42 months equals 3 1/2 years! This desecration of the newly established Temple or Sanctuary is also mentioned in other prophecies in Daniel. Notice! Daniel 11 describes what will happen this way: “Ships from Kittim will come against him. He will be checked, and will turn back, RAGING AGAINST THE HOLY COVENANT. Having done his pleasure, he will then attend to THOSE WHO FORSAKE THE HOLY COVENANT [apostate, renegade Jewish and Christian leaders]. Forces will be levied by him; they will DESECRATE THE TEMPLE, the fortress; they will ABOLISH THE REGULAR OFFERING and set up the appalling abomination [probably either a statue or the ‘prince’ himself]. He will flatter with smooth words those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people devoted to their God will stand firm. The knowledgeable among the people will make the many understand; and for a while they shall fall by sword and flame, suffer captivity and spoilation. In defeat, they will receive a little help, and many will join them insincerely. Some of the knowledgeable will fall, that they may be refined and purged and whitened until the TIME OF THE END, for an interval still remains until the appointed time” (Dan. 11:30-35).

This evil end-time tyrant, the head of a coming “New International Order” or modern version of the ancient “Holy Roman Empire” of the Middle Ages, will “do as he pleases; he will exalt and magnify himself [he has a terrible case of inflated vanity and supreme egotism!] above every god, and he will speak awful things against the God of gods. He will prosper until wrath is spent, and what has been decreed is accomplished” (Dan. 11:36). Do we know any world leader today who is so wrapped up in himself, cloaked in vanity and supreme ego? This flattering, insincere, very savvy “king,” this end-time political figure, is also referred to in Daniel’s prophecy as a “contemptible man” (Dan. 11:21), or “a vile person” (NKJV), a “despicable creature” (Moffatt translation), who will “come in unawares and seize the kingdom through trickery” – “intrigue” (NKJV) – he will gain the leadership of 23 the coming New World Order by cunning wisdom and sleight-of-hand, using deceitful, underhanded and devious means (Dan. 11:21). Moffatt translates, “by means of specious promises he shall pervert those who bring guilt upon the nation” (Dan.11:32). Does this not sound like the way Barack Obama became president of the United States? Trickery, deceit, blandishments, smiles, charisma, promises, chants, slogans, songs, spell-binding mass hypnotism, illusion, magic, perversion, fraud! Born in Kenya, yet claiming birth in Hawaii, despite the available evidence. The world has been deceived. Satan has inspired his servant and prophecy will show the conclusion of the diabolical hoax. Our present world is an age of savage and vehement apostasy. It will be unmatched in all the annals of the history of mankind. Blood will flow in rivers. Billions will die in thermonuclear and chemical-biological warfare that is soon to rise up in our faces. Moffatt translates Daniel 9:27 as follows: “For a week of years the main body of the people shall cease to practice their religion; for half of that time sacrifice and offering shall cease, and instead of this there shall be an appalling abomination, till finally the appointed doom falls upon the sacrilegious abomination.” The Jubilee Cycle Also Another incredible prophecy ending in 2017 has to do with the Jubilee cycles which God appointed for Israel. They were to count seven Sabbatical year cycles, each cycle a 7 year period ending in a land Sabbath, a year of rest for the land (Lev.25). Seven such cycles would be 7 x 7 or 49 years, and the 50th year was the Jubilee year. Ancient Judah was taken into captivity by king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in 604 B.C. They began to suffer “seven times” punishment at that time. As a “time” equals a year, and a prophetic year is 360 days, and each day equals a “year” in fulfillment, then this punishment lasted 2,520 years. Let’s apply this principle to the “seven times” punishment God said He would pour out on his people if they broke His covenant (Lev.26). Thus 360 x 7 = 2520 years! If we count 2520 years from 604 B.C., we come to 1917 A.D.! 2520 years -604 B.C. 1916 +1 (no year zero) 1917 A.D.

 What happened in 1917 A.D. that relates to the kingdom of Judah? 24 1917 A.D. is the very year General Allenby conquered Jerusalem and wrested control of Palestine from the Turkish Empire during World War I! In that very same year, the Balfour Declaration in Great Britain paved the way for the return of the Jewish people to their homeland in the Middle East. Arthur James Balfour (1848-1930) served as the Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1902 to 1905 and was a leader of the Conservative Party for over 20 years. The Balfour Declaration issued in 1917 bore his name. He served as Foreign Secretary in the coalition war cabinet of David Lloyd George from 1916 to 1919. The Balfour Declaration dealt with the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. The Declaration read as follows: “His Majesty’s Government view with favor the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavors to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.”

In 1922 the League of Nations endorsed the declaration and gave Great Britain a mandate to rule over Palestine. The British mandate ended in 1947. In 1948, the Jews in the territory mandated to Britain established the independent state of Israel. 1917 was the pivotal year. Notice! Once again, a very significant fulfillment of prophecy occurred, 2,520 years after the original nation of Judah was taken into captivity by Babylon in 604 B.C. This amazing prophetic fulfillment, like that for the kingdom of Israel, clearly validates the prophetic principle of 2,520 years of punishment on God’s people for disobedience – for both Israelites and Jews. Then, exactly 50 years later, one Jubilee cycle, the Six Day War broke out in 1967 – and once again God intervened mightily to save His people! Since the punishment on Judah was completed in 1917, it makes sense that we should begin once again counting “Jubilee cycles” from that date. If we do so, several interesting things develop. Notice! 1917/18 +50 1967/68 1967 could also be considered the end of one Jubilee cycle beginning in 1917 when Israel was “restored” in Palestine by the Balfour Declaration! It is also the fateful year of the miraculous “Six Day War” in which Israel defeated the surrounding Arab states in a blitzkrieg type war in a mere six days! 25 Is this astonishing victory for Israel in 1967 significant? A nation of 2 1/2 million put to rout the armies and military forces of Arab nations with a combined population of over 140 million. This was “a staggering achievement,” in the words of Winston S. and Randolph S. Churchill. Colin Legum in The Observer called the Israeli victory “a miracle of arms” (ibid.,p.194-195).

He added that one of Israel's leading soldierpoliticians remarked: “The only analogy I can think of is if Britain had found herself in occupation of Berlin just three days after Dunkirk. The suddenness of the transformation from a situation of acute danger to unparalleled victory is too much for any people to absorb. It will take time to get over it” (ibid.). On June 27 three laws were passed through the Knesset annexing the Old City of Jerusalem and reuniting it with the New City on the next day. Was this amazing Six Day War significant in relation to Biblical prophecy? Of course it was! But now let’s continue the ‘Jubilee cycle.’ The next 50 years ends in the year 2017. 1967/68 +50 2017/18 Notice! This date, 2017, is the same date as the 70 years beginning in 1947, the year of the UN mandate to divide Palestine into a Jewish and an Arab state! By this reckoning, the year 2016-2017 is a JUBILEE YEAR! Could this be the “Jubilee year” on which the Messiah will return in glory? The apostle Peter thundered that the Messiah would return at “the times of restitution of all things” (Acts 3:21) – and the Jubilee year was the year of “restitution of all things,” the year when each person would return to his possession, a holy year, a year “to proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants” (Leviticus 25:9-13). 2017 is a unique “Jubilee year” counted from 1917, when God restored His people to the Middle East when General Allenby conquered Jerusalem and the Turkish Empire, and when the Balfour Declaration opened the doors and encouraged Jewish emigration to their original homeland. Could all this be mere coincidence? Or is GOD Almighty in control of the times and the seasons of Biblical prophecy and their fulfillment?

The Last Generation In Matthew 24:32-33, Jesus Christ said to His disciples, “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see these things, know that it [His coming] is near—at the doors!” 26 He declared, “Assuredly I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place” (verse 34). What is this fig tree? The fig tree is a type of Israel and the Jewish people. We read in Hosea 9:7-10, “The days of punishment have come; the days of recompense have come. Israel knows! The prophet is a fool. The spiritual man is insane, because of the greatness of your iniquity and great enmity. The watchman of Ephraim is with my God; but the prophet [ministers in general] is a fowler’s snare in all his ways—Enmity in the house of his God. They are deeply corrupted, as in the days of Gibeah [when homosexuality was rampant – see Judges 19:22]” (Hosea 9:7-9). Hosea continues, ““I saw your fathers as the first fruits on the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal Peor, and separated themselves to that shame [disgusting, shameful idol]; they became an abomination like the thing they loved” (verse 10). End-time Israel, America and Great Britain, and the Jews also, are spiritually contaminated by SIN – wickedness – gross sensual immorality, licentiousness and the whole gamut of wickedness! Yeshua says to His disciples, “Look at the fig tree and all the trees.

When they are already budding you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. Assuredly I say to you, THIS GENERATION [THAT SEES ISRAEL BUDDING LIKE A FIG TREE] WILL BY NO MEANS PASS AWAY TILL ALL THINGS TAKE PLACE” (Luke 21:29-33). Yeshua says “the fig tree,” designating a particular fig tree, beginning to put out its leaves, and when we see it we are to know that it is the time of the last generation. The nation of Israel was “born” in 1947-1948 and began to put out its leaves and became a great nation in the Middle East and is today an outstanding leader in commerce, technology and science. We are living in that generation! But how long is a “generation”? Moses wrote in the Psalms, “For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, and like a watch in the night” (Psalm 90:4). Verse 10 goes on, “the days of our lives are seventy years.” The average generation is 70 years. Counting from 1947-1948, the year of the birth of Israel, 70 years, brings us to 2017-2018! According to the words of Christ, ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE FINISHED, COMPLETED, BEFORE THE END of THIS GENERATION!

If the final generation began when Israel became a nation, in 1948, then 70 years from then would be 2018! 27 Although many people and past generations thought Christ would come in their time, and they were wrong, this time all the evidence seems to converge on THIS VERY DECADE! Prophecy Being Fulfilled! The prophecy of Daniel 9 and the “seventy weeks” has been fulfilled, to the very year, thus far. There is no reason to think that the remainder of this amazing, crucial, pivotal prophecy will not also be fulfilled to the very year! And the events of the last “week” of years before the return of the Messiah are laid out for us – including a period of apostasy, invasion, overthrow, and 3 1/2 years of terrible persecution and travail among the nations under the dictatorial fist of a tyrannical world despot! How does this knowledge relate to the prophecy in Daniel 9? It fits like hand in glove. This would imply that the “final week” or seven years of Daniel’s “70 Shavuot” or “weeks” prophecy” may have actually begun in the year 2011!

This final period of time corresponds to the “crisis at the close” spoken of by Daniel – a “time of trouble” such as has never been upon the earth in all its gory, bloody, sanguinary, cruel history (Daniel 12:1). Daniel was told, “And now, O Daniel, keep all this a closed secret and keep the book shut as a secret, till the crisis at the END; err then many shall give way and trouble shall be multiplied on earth” (Dan.12:4, Moffatt). The revelation was to be hidden away; its meaning concealed, till the end times. Daniel, fascinated, was told, “Ask no more, Daniel, for the revelation is to be kept secret and closed, TILL THE CRISIS AT THE CLOSE. Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the evil shall do evilly; none of the evil shall understand things, it is the pious who understand” (Dan.12:10, Moffatt).

No man knows the exact day or hour of the Messiah’s coming. Yeshua declared, “Now no one knows anything of that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, not even the Son, but only the Father” (Mark 13:32). In fact, Messiah went on, “Take care, keep awake and pray; you never know the time. It is like a man leaving his house to go abroad; he puts his servants in charge, each with his work to do, and he orders the porter to keep watch. Watch then, for you never know when the Lord of the House will come, in the late evening or at midnight or at cock-crow or in the morning. Watch, in case he comes suddenly and finds you asleep. Watch: I say it to you, and I say it to all” (Mark 13:33-37). The stage is being set. The trumpeters are beginning to blow. The orchestra is tuning up. The final drama is about to begin. Are you ready for End of the Age, the coming cataclysm, the apocalypse, Start spreading the Gospel the Good News of Yeshua ( Jesus the Christ Almighty). You don't have much time left!!!!