Daniel 9:24-27, What things Must be Fulfilled? (2)

Daniel 9 provides an “official” list of what must all come together by the time Jesus returns.  Gabriel said to Daniel: Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city.  Daniel, knowing the 70 years of captivity prophesied by Jeremiah was about to come to an end, had sought the LORD about this in 9:1-19.  Gabriel was sent to give Daniel understanding about how God would keep His word.

God’s answer was that “Seventy weeks” or “seventy sevens” were determined, meaning 490 years.  Gabriel revealed what would happen by the end of the 490 years.  This is like the Discourse.  The disciples first interest was about the destruction of the temple.  But Jesus gave an answer that went far beyond 70AD.  Daniel prayed about the end of captivity, but God took him far beyond to His grand plan for Israel.

So, in Dan. 9:24, what must come together in “the end,” when God completes His work with Daniel’s people and city, when Christ returns in power and glory?

·       To finish the transgression.

·       To make an end of sins.

The reason for Israel’s captivity is her sinful turning away from God.  She regularly violated the covenant established at Mt. Sinai.  God regularly afflicted Israel with the judgments He had promised.  This must come to an end.  Israel must come to true repentance so she can enter Christ’s Kingdom.

·       To make reconciliation for iniquity.

·       To bring in everlasting righteousness.

The Kingdom of Christ will be a righteous kingdom.  Thus, there must be atonement for sin, and Daniel’s people must become the righteous people of God.  This calls for the cross of Christ and the provision of righteousness.  The OT referred to Messiah as “The LORD our righteousness.”  That, we know, is God’s answer to Israel’s need: their sin imputed to Christ and His righteousness imputed to them.

·       To seal up vision and prophecy.

·       And to anoint the Most Holy.

Rev. 19:10 says the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy.  2 Cor. 1:20 says that all God’s promises are Yes and Amen in Christ.  Many prophecies are given in the OT with regards to Messiah, and all of these will come to fulfillment when He comes.  And, given that “Most Holy” seems to refer to the Holy of Holies in the temple, all the “prophecies” made about Christ through the sacrificial and priestly systems will come to fulfillment when He returns.

There is a lot to consider when we think of all that must happen before Christ can return in power and glory.  And yet, the Sovereign LORD has said it will happen, and at the time that He has determined.