44:11
Romans 11 and Daniel's "70 Weeks" - Part 2
Cross to Crown Ministries
Overview
This video explores the prophetic significance of Daniel's 70 weeks prophecy in relation to Romans 11, focusing on God's plan for Israel and the Gentiles. It delves into the interpretation of the 70 weeks, particularly the 70th week, and its connection to the destruction of the Jerusalem temple and the coming of the Messiah. The speaker contrasts a dispensationalist view, which posits a future tribulation period for Israel, with an interpretation that sees the 70th week as fulfilled in the events surrounding Jesus' life, death, and the subsequent destruction of the temple in 70 AD.
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Chapters
- Romans 11 addresses the question of whether God's word to Israel has failed, as many Jews did not accept Jesus as Messiah.
- A 'mystery' revealed is that a partial hardening has come upon Israel until the 'fullness of the Gentiles' has arrived.
- This hardening is a judicial punishment, not permanent, and is temporary until a specific time marker.
- After this period, all Israel will be saved, as indicated by prophecies about a Deliverer coming from Zion to remove ungodliness.
Understanding this mystery is crucial for grasping God's ongoing plan for both Israel and the Gentiles, preventing a misunderstanding of God's faithfulness to His promises.
Paul's statement in Romans 11:25: 'a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.'
- Isaiah's prophecy, quoted by Paul, speaks of the atonement for Jacob's iniquity.
- This atonement is linked to a future event involving the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.
- Jesus' prophecy in Matthew 24 about the temple's destruction ('not one stone will be left upon another') echoes Isaiah's vision.
- The disciples' question about the timing of these events and the sign of Jesus' coming reveals their understanding of prophecy.
Connecting Isaiah's prophecy to Jesus' words about the temple's destruction highlights the prophetic continuity and the significance of these events for understanding God's judgment and redemptive plan.
Jesus' statement to his disciples: 'Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another which will not be torn down.'
- Daniel's prayer for Jerusalem's restoration prompts a divine message from the angel Gabriel.
- The prophecy concerns 70 'weeks' (sevens) decreed for Daniel's people and city, marking a specific timeframe.
- These weeks are purposed to finish transgression, make an end of sin, atone for iniquity, bring in everlasting righteousness, seal vision and prophecy, and anoint the Most Holy.
- The prophecy outlines a timeline from a decree to restore Jerusalem until the Messiah the Prince.
Daniel's 70 weeks prophecy provides a detailed prophetic timeline that is essential for understanding the timing of key redemptive events, including the Messiah's coming and suffering.
Gabriel's message to Daniel: 'Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city...'
- The prophecy divides the 70 weeks into 7 weeks and 62 weeks (totaling 69 weeks) leading up to the Messiah the Prince.
- During this period, Jerusalem will be rebuilt, despite distress and opposition.
- After the 69 weeks, the Messiah will be 'cut off' (killed) and 'have nothing'.
- Following this, the people of a future prince will destroy the city and the sanctuary.
This section precisely pinpoints the timing of the Messiah's arrival and subsequent death, and links it directly to the destruction of Jerusalem, providing a framework for historical and prophetic interpretation.
The prophecy states: '...until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks... And after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah shall be cut off and shall have nothing.'
- Verse 27 describes a covenant made for 'one week' (the 70th week), during which sacrifices will cease.
- A dispensationalist view interprets this 70th week as a future seven-year tribulation period for Israel, with a gap after the 69th week.
- The speaker argues against this gap, suggesting the 70th week is fulfilled in the events surrounding Jesus' ministry and the destruction of the temple.
- The 'covenant' is seen as the New Covenant made by Messiah, and the 'one who makes desolate' refers to the Roman destruction of Jerusalem.
The interpretation of the 70th week is central to understanding the timing of end-times events and God's plan for Israel, with significant implications for eschatology.
The controversial verse: 'He will make firm covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering.'
- The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 AD by the Romans fulfills the prophecy of the city and sanctuary being destroyed.
- Jesus' warning to flee Judea when the 'abomination of desolation' is seen directly relates to this event.
- The 70 weeks (490 years) are not necessarily a strict literal count but a symbolic representation of a divinely appointed period.
- The number '70 times 7' used by Jesus for forgiveness illustrates the symbolic use of numbers in prophecy.
Recognizing the fulfillment of these prophecies in historical events like the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD provides strong evidence for the accuracy of biblical prophecy and Jesus' divine authority.
The Roman destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 AD, documented by historian Josephus.
Key takeaways
- God's word and promises to Israel have not failed, despite historical rejections of the Messiah.
- A partial hardening of Israel was divinely permitted until the full inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan.
- Daniel's 70 weeks prophecy provides a precise timeline for the Messiah's coming, suffering, and the destruction of Jerusalem.
- The 'Messiah the Prince' is cut off after 69 weeks, signifying Jesus' crucifixion and rejection.
- The 70th week is interpreted as fulfilled in the events surrounding Jesus' ministry and the New Covenant, not as a future tribulation period.
- Prophetic numbers, like the 70 weeks, often carry symbolic meaning beyond a literal chronological count.
- Jesus' warnings about the destruction of the temple and the 'abomination of desolation' were fulfilled in 70 AD.
Key terms
Romans 11Daniel's 70 WeeksPartial HardeningFullness of the GentilesMystery (Biblical)AtonementMessiah the PrinceCut OffAbomination of DesolationDispensationalismTribulationNew Covenant
Test your understanding
- What is the 'mystery' Paul reveals in Romans 11 regarding Israel?
- How does Isaiah's prophecy about the atonement for Israel's sins connect with Jesus' words about the temple?
- What are the stated purposes of the 70 weeks decreed for Daniel's people and city?
- According to Daniel's prophecy, what significant event occurs after the 69 weeks, and what happens to the city and sanctuary afterward?
- What are the main differences between the dispensationalist interpretation of the 70th week and the interpretation presented in the video?