For the Doves who use a word for word translation bible like the King James 1611, I would like you to read Daniel 9:26 again. Notice that this scripture says that “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off”. It does not say at the beginning, or at the middle of, or at the end of the 69th week. So, the question becomes: How far into the 70th week was Messiah cut-off/crucified? Was it a few weeks, a few months, or a few years? My answer is in the midst of the 70th week or 3 ˝ years or 42 months or 1,260 days. What is your answer to this question: How far into the 70th week was Messiah crucified.
I believe that the three he’s in Daniel 9:27, all refer to the Messiah. When I replace the word “he” in Daniel 9:27 with the word “Messiah”, it reads as follows:
Daniel 9:27 (KJV) And Messiah shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week Messiah shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations Messiah shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Was Jesus in the process of confirming the covenant with many when he was crucified in the midst/middle of the 70th week? The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 15:8 that “Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers”. So, my answer is yes.
How did Jesus cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease? My answer is by the shedding of his blood. After Jesus shed his blood, there was no longer a need for shedding of the blood of animals as required by the Law. The precious blood of Jesus is what saves souls if they are willing to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Jesus shed blood nullified the Law given to the Jewish people by God. Yes, I know that after Jesus was crucified, there were and still are Jews who try to keep the Law, including the shedding of animal blood. But scripture tells us that those who keep the law, will be judged by the law.
How did Jesus make it (Jerusalem and Israel) desolate? By sending the Roman Prince Titus and his army to destroy Jerusalem in 70 AD, and to disperse those still alive in Israel to all nations where they have been persecuted since. After Titus destroyed Jerusalem, the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem lay desolate for 1,878 years and then God made Israel a nation again on May 14, 1948.
Base on the above, I believe there are only 3 ˝ years remaining to be fulfilled in the 70th week of Daniel.
Come Lord Jesus,
Garry