Daniel

I have been reading through Daniel, STILL. I love this book. I have been in Chapter 9 for quite awhile now. The second part of the chapter is the 70 sevens. This new study took me to the verses that describe why the people of Jerusalem were to be out of their land for 70 years as captives in other nations. In Lev. 25 and 26 God tells them that they are to give the land a Sabbath rest every seven years. For 490 years they had not given the land it's rest as God commanded.

Lev. 25:1-7, 26:27-35, 2 Chr. 36:20-21

They had transgressed, and turned their back on the Law of the Lord and they owed Him 70 years of rest for the land. As long as they were out of the land it had rest.

In the 70 sevens of daniel chapter 9 we see 70 weeks (groups of 7 years) that total 490 years.

I find that fascinating. God repeats the same numbers in 2 different situations.

490 years- in transgression

70 years- in captivity - rest for the land

Start of the 70 weeks- Nehemiah to rebuild the Temple

End of week 69- triumphal entry and death

Church age- Unknown length of time- Israel on hold (as Beth Moore says)

Week 70- Tribulation

The tribulation starts our with a time of peace and rest for Israel. They sign an agreement with the antichrist. At the end of the 3.5 years the Antichrist turns against the agreement and commits what is called the abomination of desolation. Israel flees for safely.

Once Jesus died on the cross he completed the law. At that point Gentiles had access to heaven through faith in Jesus. Enter the Church age!!! Thank you Lord!!! Israel turned their back on Jesus, the messiah that they had been waiting so long for, and are still waiting for. They are living without peace!!! At the start of the 70th week they will sign a covenant with the antichrist that will promise them peace. It is a false peace. They are searching for peace, but look to the wrong man to fulfill it. Luke 19:42-42. I love those verse. They are a beautiful picture of the complete and awesome love that Christ has for His people. He can't enter the city without crying for them. He knows what is coming. He is heartbroken over the fact that they do not know what will truly bring them peace!!

"I'm here. I've come to you! I love you! So much that I will soon die for you! If you only knew, knew what would truly bring you peace!"

They go into the covenant seeking rest and end up in the worst predicament that their nation will have ever known. BUT.......The 70th week will end with the return of the Lord!! That time period will finish the transgression, make an end of sins, reconcile for iniquity, bring in everlasting righteousness, seal up the vision and prophecy, and anoint the most Holy!! (Daniel 9:24)

The first 70, was 70 years. It was due to their iniquity and sins. The land needed rest that they would not give it. The last 70 is weeks, or groups of 7's. The last week starts with them seeking rest that they will not find, and ends with the purging of all iniquity.

I am not sure I communicated this very well. i have ten million thoughts running through my head!! Anyway, I saw something beautiful in the way the Lord worked and is working, and I wanted to try and share it. : )