Six Things in Seven’s

Daniel 9:22-24 He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you true insight and understanding. 23 As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the message and understand the vision: 24 “Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy.”
 
FIRST, let’s know about the ‘seventy sevens”. Why does Gabriel, the messenger, divide time into units of seven? In truth, this is God-ordained from the beginning. God created the earth in seven day s. God commanded every seventh day is a Sabbath. Every seven years is a Sabbath year. (That’s right. Take a year off!) Every Seven 7’s – 49 years – is the Year of Jubilee. This was to be a time of redemption, renewal and rest. Thus, seventy sevens is 490 years.
    This is quite amazing. When you consider the time segments from the birth of Jacob’s sons to the Jews’ release from Egypt, the time of the Judges, the years of the kings, and the time from the Exile’s beginning to Jesus, 490 years is near the length of each of these different segments.
    Then Gabriel changes the visions’ focus. The  prior visions have been about the Gentile nations. Now Gabriel reveals what and when six significant events that are decreed for your people and your holy city. To correctly interpret the visions, it is essential we know this is for the Jews and Jerusalem.
    The first of the six is to finish transgression. This refers to the “sin-covering” death of Jesus, who paid the price and covers our sins with his righteousness. The second is the time to put an end to sin. This refers to a remnant, a minority of the Jews, who will accept Jesus as the Messiah (Paul writes of the remnant in Romans 9 & 11).  
    Third is similar. The Jews will atone for wickedness, which is the Jews’ lack of faith and faithfulness toward God. This atonement – reconciliation with God – will bring the saved remnant into God’s family. Fourth, will bring in everlasting righteousness. Here is a promise the faithful Jews will receive and live in a right relationship with God. Number five is to seal up vision and prophecy. This points to the end of prophecy regarding the Messiah. Acts 3:25 “He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’” The Blessing of salvation has come from Abraham to the world. It was then time to evangelize the world. Sixth, then, is the repentant Jews’ response to salvation. This is the time to anoint the most holy. The redeemed will anoint the Messiah, Jesus Christ, as King for eternity.
    Yes, there are various interpretations. This explanation from various commentaries seems to be most in line with the other prophecies. We’ll continue the understanding of these years and events in the next lesson on verses 25-26. As we’ve seen in the prophecies of the Gentiles, God is very specific about the times to accomplish his will. Scripture continues to reveal the LORD God’s absolute authority.
    Are you saved? Praise the Lord for your blessed assurance. Live in joy and confidence of God’s promises continue to come true. Are you wondering, “Can I trust the Lord’s Word for my life?” Pray, then, for the Spirit to open your eyes to see God’s magnificent plan for eternal life, promised in the past, fulfilled now and forever. Amen.
 
1 Timothy 6:15b God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords.