Understanding the
Seventieth Week of Daniel
Daniel is speaking of a week of years, or 7 years. There is much proof of this.
Daniel 9:27
Amplified Bible (AMP)
27And he shall enter into a strong and firm covenant with the many for one week [seven years]. And in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and offering to cease [for the remaining three and one-half years]; and upon the wing or pinnacle of abominations [shall come] one who makes desolate, until the full determined end is poured out on the desolator.
Let's look closer at the word "midst." It was translated from the Hebrew word, "chetsiy."
Strong's H2677 - chetsiy
Thayers: of chetsiy
1) half
a) half
b) middle
Chetsiy comes from the root word: "chatsah"
Thayer's says of chatsah:
1) to divide, cut in two, cut short, live half (of one's life)
a) (Qal)
1) to divide
2) to half, cut in two
b) (Niphal) to be divided
Can we see how midst means to divide into two halves?
Now, let's see some other verses where this same Hebrew word, chetsiy was used, and how KJV translated it: look for the Strong's number 2677. I will help and make that word bigger:
Exodus 12
29And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.Exodus 25
Exodus 24
6And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.
10And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
Exodus 25
17And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.
Exodus 25
23Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
Exodus 26
12And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle.
Exodus 26
Can we see now, how this same Hebrew word has been translated "half" many times? (There was many more: I just took a sampling.)
16Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of one board.
So what do we know now, about the week? Daniel wrote, " And in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and offering to cease." So we know that this event, when the "he" mentioned stops the daily sacrifice, it will take place in the exact middle of the week, thus dividing the week into two equal halves.
Now some simple arithmetic: we know that Daniel and other prophets used a 360 day year. So 7 years times 360 days = 2520. That is simple enough: the 70th week will be a total of 2520 days, NO MORE AND NO LESS. Now, if we divide that into halves: 2520 divided by 2 = 1260. So we KNOW that the abomination will take place dividing the week into two halves of 1260 days each.
Now, back to the 2520. Daniel also used a 30 day month. So 2520 divided by 30 = 84 months. Divide that be 2 = 42 months.
Now, for further proof of this, did Daniel write of a 42 month period of time? Of course he did.
Daniel 7 (Amplified text)
25And he shall speak words against the Most High [God] and shall wear out the saints of the Most High and think to change the time [of sacred feasts and holy days] and the law; and the saints shall be given into his hand for a time, two times, and half a time [three and one-half years].
Daniel 12 (Amplified text)
7And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right and his left hand toward the heavens and swore by Him Who lives forever that it shall be for a time, times, and a half a time [or three and one-half years]; and when they have made an end of shattering and crushing the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
We see then, that Daniel wrote of the last half of the week and twice mentioned that the last half of the week would be exactly 3 1/2 years. 3.5*360/30=42. The time, times and half of time is just another way of saying 3 1/2 years or 42 months of time.
Does the New Testament speak of this same period of time? Of course it does.
Rev 11 (Amp. text)
2But leave out of your measuring the court outside the sanctuary of God; omit that, for it is given over to the Gentiles (the nations), and they will trample the holy city underfoot for 42 months (three and one-half years).(B)
This verse is speaking of a time JUST BEFORE the abomination. The count of 42 months will begin right here in this verse. Does it make sense that before the man of sin can enter the temple IN Jerusalem, he must first ENTER JERUSALEM? Of course it does: this verse is showing us that the man of sin with his Gentile armies have just arrived in Jerusalem. Perhaps this is a week or so BEFORE the Abomination will take place.
Rev. 11 (Amp. text)
3And I will grant the power of prophecy to My two witnesses for 1,260 (42 months; three and one-half years), dressed in sackcloth.
Here we see the arrival of the two witnesses. They will have EXACTLY (to the very day accuracy) 1260 days to witness. Since they arrive JUST AFTER the Man of Sin has entered Jerusalem (A perfect time for them to show up) and since we know they (the Gentiles) have arrived just before the abomination, so too these two witnesses arrive JUST BEFORE the abomination. In fact, since they MUST testify for 1260 days, and they will be killed and lay dead for 3 1/2 days, we can make a very good guess that Rev. 11:3, when the two witnesses arrive will be EXACTLY 3 1/2 days before the abomination. So their count begins 3 1/2 days before the abomination, and they witness for God for 1260 days, taking them to EXACTLY 3 1/2 days before the very END of the week. They lay dead for 3 1/2 days, they RISE on the very last day of the 70th week, the VERY TIME that ALL the Old Testament saints arise. What did Jesus say, speaking to Old Testament saints say concerning the resurrection?
John 6:39
And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
Jesus was here speaking of the day of resurrection of the OLD TESTAMENT saints. They arise, with the two witnesses, at the 7th vial in Rev. 16.
Rev 12:6 (Amp. text)
6And the woman [herself] fled into the desert (wilderness), where she has a retreat prepared [for her] by God, in which she is to be fed and kept safe for 1,260 days (42 months; three and one-half years).
Again we see a time VERY CLOSE (within seconds) of the abomination: but now AFTER the event: remember, Jesus told them to FLEE quickly, no time to get anything - just RUN FOR THEIR LIFE. So we KNOW this fleeing will start only seconds after the abomination. Therefore, in 12:6 John is only seconds after the abomination. And here we see they will have 1260 days to flee and be fed and kept safe.
Rev 12 (Amp. text)
14But the woman was supplied with the two wings of a giant eagle, so that she might fly from the presence of the serpent into the desert (wilderness), to the retreat where she is to be kept safe and fed for a time, and times, and half a time (three and one-half years, or 1,260 days).
Again this is speaking of those living in Judea that will FLEE when they see the abomination. Again John tells us they will have 3 1/2 years of protection. So again we see that in 12:14, John is still VERY CLOSE to the exact midpoint of the week. But this time, it may not be accurate to the very hour, so this verse could be a few hours after 12:6. (It will take Michael some time at war with the devil and his demons)
Rev. 13 (Amp. text)
5And the beast was given the power of speech, uttering boastful and blasphemous words, and he was given freedom to exert his authority and to exercise his will during forty-two months (three and a half years).
Again this count will begin right here in this verse. So John is still close after the abomination.
So we have seen in the book of Revelation 5 different mentions of the last half of the week: given in days, months and years. HOW MUCH MORE PROOF DO WE NEED? Well, we don't need any more proof: now we have it "iron clad" or "set in concrete" that the last half of the week will be EXACTLY 1260 days, or 42 months. Since we already know that the abomination event will divide the week into two EQUAL halves, then we can assume that the FIRST HALF will also be 1260 days.
Therefore, we can know without a shadow of doubt, that any other time frames given, such as 1290 days, we can KNOW without any doubt that this is a time 30 days AFTER THE END of the 70th week. (Some people try to subtract 1290 from the end, to arrive and some mystical point just before the midpoint - but there is no justifiable reason to do so.)
We can also know that the 1335th day will be a day some 75 days AFTER the official end of the week. Again, some people try to subtract 1335 from the end, to arrive and some mystical point before the midpoint - but there is no justifiable reason to do so. These two numbers speak of TWO EVENTS that will come AFTER the end of the 70th week. One of these just might be the day Jesus and the armies of God come for the battle of Armageddon. Remember, Jesus does NOT COME on the last day of the week! That too is a MYTH. What does John tell us? The wedding supper will take place, MUST take place, AFTER the end of the week, because it is an event that MUST wait for the resurrection of the OLD TESTAMENT saints that arise at the 7th vial. Jesus and His armies will come back to earth AFTER the Wedding and wedding supper.
Lyle