Seventy Weeks of Daniel
By: Kevin Heckle
I propose that the first half of Daniel’s seventieth week was completed during the ministry of Jesus. The three and a half year ministry of Jesus, culminating in His crucifixion can be reconciled EXACTLY with Scripture as I will establish. During the first half of the 70th week, Jesus confirmed the New Covenant; he made an END of sins and reconciliation for iniquity by His work on the Cross. The three and a half year Tribulation at the end of this age will complete the 70th week, bringing in an everlasting righteousness, finishing the prophecy. While I know this is a departure from the traditional view; the 70th week or final week of years (seven) being the length of the Great Tribulation, I believe that I can clearly establish that the first half of the 70th week has been completed. For most of my Christian life, I have believed that the Great Tribulation will endure for seven years. In light of this overwhelming evidence, I have changed my view. Not only does this new evidence establish my proposal regarding the 70th week, it reconciles the timing of the birth and crucifixion of Christ with Daniel’s prophecy of weeks from the decrees by Artaxerxes.
Beginning with the birth of Jesus, from the decrees of Artaxerxes: according to Ezra 7:6-16 Artaxerxes makes a decree funding the work in Jerusalem . The seventh year (verse 8) of Artaxerxes has been well established to be 457 BC. The other decree of Artaxerxes regarding the restoration of Jerusalem is established by Nehemiah 2:1-8 which is the twentieth year of Artaxerxes reign in 444 BC. The latter date can even be further refined as it specifically says ‘the month of Nissan’. This is the latest date of the decree. Many have claimed that the following passage refers to the crucifixion of Jesus:
Daniel 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself:
However, from the latest decree of Artaxerxes in 444 B.C. (AND the last such decree in the Bible), using 62 weeks of heptads or 62 sevens the latest date the proposed crucifixion would occur would be March 2, 10 BC (Julian):
62 x 7 = 434 years. -444 + 434 = -10.
To be fair, the narrative does say AFTER 62 weeks (434 years) Messiah would be ‘cut off’. A crucifixion date between 28 and 35 AD would be AFTER -10 BC. However, I believe the phrase ‘cut off, but not for himself’ is referring to the circumcision eight days after birth that is performed on all Jewish boys. The Messiah although circumcised, being the Son of God would not need to be circumcised for HIMSELF as the covenant was required by HIM of Abraham and his descendants. Jesus being perfect would have no need to be circumcised (Romans 4:8-13). Being perfect, He would break no law and would have no need of circumcision. The phrase ‘cut off’ H3772) is used in the Old Testament referring to both the covenant and the procedure of circumcision. Thus the phrase ‘cut off, but not for himself’ can establish the date of birth, circumcision traditionally occurring eight days after.
If then the Messiah was born AFTER 62 weeks (434 years) we should be able to establish a closer time. If indeed this passage is referring to the birth of Jesus it could be reasonably deduced that the birth would occur BEFORE the 63rd week (441 years). Otherwise the narrative would be open-ended and meaningless as a prophecy pinpointing the timeframe of the Messiah. Calculating the date from the decree of Artaxerxes in 457 B.C., adding 434 or 441 years yield an entirely too early a date. Calculating the date from the second decree of Artaxerxes in 444 BC (1559315.5 Julian) places the birth date of the Messiah somewhere between 9/7/11 BC (Greg) and 8/29/4 BC (Greg).
Before I go any further, the criteria that I am using is a 364 day year which was in use by the Hebrews during the time period we are looking at. It can be established that the 364 day year was in use during the Second Temple period http://www.docstoc.com/docs/26777780/The-360-and-364-Day-Year-in-Ancient-Mesopotamia. All dates were converted to Julian, as it is a more accurate way to add and subtract dates other than the Gregorian BC and AD. However, I have reconverted the Julian date to a time format that you can be familiar with. All date calculations were converted using the date calculator found here. http://www.fourmilab.ch/documents/calendar/
The timeframe established above between 11 and 4 BC should also be supported by the Biblical narrative of the Christmas story. It is well established that Herod the Great perished in 4 BC. He was the king which the Magi visited inquiring about the newborn Messiah. He inquired of them WHEN the celestial event had occurred, compelling them to travel to see the Messiah. Afterward, Herod ordered all male children two years and under to be killed. If this event occurred in the last year of Herod’s life, the timeframe can be narrowed to certainly before his 4 BC death to 6 BC or possibly earlier. Joseph returns with Jesus and Mary to Judea , according to Matthew 2:19 after he hears of Herod’s death and Archelaus (Herod’s son) standing in his place.
Another criterion is the celestial events that occurred matching the Biblical narrative. Of course we’ve all heard of the Star of Bethlehem but there was also a ‘heavenly host’: Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying… This term ‘heavenly host’ is applied as celestial objects in Acts 7:42-43. Was there a celestial event interpreted as being important enough to the Magi, to travel to Judea and inquire of the ruthless Herod the Great regarding Messiah? Does the event ALSO fall between 11 and 4 BC? The book, The Star of Bethlehem: Legacy of the Magi by Michael Molnar offers compelling evidence that such an event did occur on April 6, 17 BC. A summary can be viewed here: http://www.eclipse.net/~molnar/. The date falls between the 434 and 441 year timeframe after 444 BC decree; it falls two years prior to Herod’s death; an important Star of Bethlehem event occurs; as well as the ‘heavenly host’ accompanying the angel.
(Insert picture here)
Pictured above is the once in a lifetime event that occurred on the morning of April 17, 6 BC. Prior to sunrise, Jupiter rose with the new Moon in Aries (representing the new king in Judea to the Magi) as well as the ‘heavenly host’ with the other planets in close alignment.
With this date established (4/17/6 BC Julian) we can now calculate the date at which Jesus caused the sacrifice and the oblation to cease. Many (including myself) have attributed this passage of Scripture to a future event in which the antichrist would cause the sacrifice in the Temple to cease; He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease. However, in the context of this passage, the ‘seventy weeks’ is about putting an end to sin, reconciliation and bringing in an everlasting righteousness. Can the antichrist (future) cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease or did Jesus already do that? Wasn’t the Temple veil and the stones rent upon Jesus crucifixion (Matthew 27:51)? Wouldn’t the sacrifice of animals for the remission of sins AFTER the Cross be an abomination? When Jesus visited the Temple , didn’t he find it corrupted already (den of thieves)? For the widespread abominations he made the Temple desolate even until the consummation (end times) or today: for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation.
I contend that the abomination in Daniel 11 is a description of Antiochus Epiphanies IV, the typology of the latter day antichrist.
If Jesus confirms the (new) covenant with many for one week and causes the sacrifice to cease in the middle of that week by His crucifixion; that leaves a half week for the following: and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. This I believe is referring to the Great Tribulation lasting 3.5 years, those things poured upon the desolate as spoken of in the Book of Revelation.
Now if I have properly interpreted this passage, then the timing of the crucifixion should prove it.
Calculating the total value of 69 weeks of years is 483 years. If we add 483 years to Artaxerxes second decree in 444 BC, places the crucifixion far too late at 38-39 AD as we know Pontius Pilate was procurator of Judea from AD 26-36. The crucifixion date must fall between 26 and 36 AD. If we use the first decree of Artaxerxes in 457 BC, adding the 483 years takes us to 25 AD, which is slightly short of Pontius Pilate, but close. However, this date is only 30 years past the birth date of Jesus. Spectacularly, this matches Luke 3:23 where the Bible says Jesus is ‘about thirty’! This marks the beginning of Jesus’ ministry (confirming the covenant) at His baptism. God declares Him: “Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” 69 weeks to the Messiah (annointed by the Holy Spirit of God) is fulfilled!!!!
The half week added (Jesus confirming the covenant putting an end to sin) or 69.5 weeks is 69.5 x 7 = 486.5 years of 364 days. John documents in chapters 2, 6 and 13 at least three different Passovers, during Jesus’ ministry. Consequently, that places Jesus between 33 to 34 years old at his Crucifixion and Resurrection. Passover in 29 AD fits the narrative and history, falling within the reign of Pilate. Friday April 15, 29 AD (Julian day 1731756.5) minus 486.5 years (69 weeks plus half week is 177086 days) yields 1554670.5 OR June 457 BC, the year of Artaxerxes first decree!!!!!!
From April 17, 6 BC until April 15, 29 AD there are 12419 days. Jesus was crucified on His 34th birthday as 12419 days is EXACTLY 34 solar years of 365.25 days. (12419/365.25 = 34.001 years).
In conclusion, the prophecy in Daniel is amazingly accurate from the decrees of Artaxerxes in 457 BC and 444 BC, using the 364 day-long year which was in use by the Hebrews at that time!
444 BC plus 62 weeks, but not after 63 weeks frames the birth date of Jesus on April 17, 6 BC (Julian)
457 BC plus 69 weeks, God proclaims Jesus as His Son in 25 AD.
457 BC plus 69 plus ½ week (confirming the covenant) marks the year of the crucifixion and resurrection in 29 AD. Passover that year was April 15 – 16. Friday the 15th was exactly 34 solar years from the Birth of Christ.
The half week, completing the 70 weeks of Daniel, will be the time in which desolations are poured out upon the desolate, sealing the vision and the prophecy, bringing in an everlasting righteousness for both Jew and Gentile!
YBIC,
Kevin Heckle
Dan 9:24 Seventy 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.
Dan 9:25 Know 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.
Dan 9:26 And 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.
Dan 9:27 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 he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Daniel 11:22 And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.
Antichrist
Daniel 11:31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily [sacrifice], and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.
Daniel 11:32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do [exploits].
