The 70 Weeks of Daniel
- Joe Hawkins
- 48 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Few passages in Scripture are as precise, profound, and prophetically loaded as the seventy weeks prophecy of Daniel 9. Though often overlooked or misunderstood, this single revelation forms one of the strongest chronological backbones in all of biblical prophecy. It explains Israel’s history, foretells the first coming of Messiah with astonishing accuracy, and sets the boundaries for the coming Tribulation—all while making one thing unmistakably clear: God is not finished with Israel, and the Church is not appointed to Daniel’s final week.
Daniel’s Prayer and God’s Answer
Daniel 9 opens not with prophecy, but with prayer. Daniel, now an elderly man living in Babylonian captivity, studies the writings of Jeremiah and realizes Israel’s seventy-year exile is nearing its end. Rather than celebrating prematurely, Daniel is broken. He prays a confession not only for the sins of the nation, but for his own. His prayer is saturated with humility, repentance, and reverence for God’s covenant faithfulness.
This matters. Daniel’s prayer becomes a model for believers today—intercessory, Scripture-driven, and grounded in God’s mercy rather than human merit. And while Daniel is still praying, God answers.
The angel Gabriel is dispatched with a message that reaches far beyond Daniel’s immediate concern. Instead of merely addressing the end of Babylonian captivity, God reveals His entire redemptive timetable for Israel—from the rebuilding of Jerusalem to the Second Coming of Christ.
What Are the Seventy Weeks?
Daniel 9:24–27 introduces the prophecy:
“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city…”
The phrase “seventy weeks” does not refer to days, but to weeks of years. In Hebrew usage, a “week” (shabua) simply means a unit of seven. Scripture itself establishes this pattern. Israel observed sabbatical years grouped into seven-year cycles (Leviticus 25), and Genesis 29 records Jacob serving “a week” of years—seven full years—for Rachel.
Seventy weeks, then, equals 490 years. These years are specifically “determined” for Daniel’s people (Israel) and Daniel’s city (Jerusalem). This is not a general prophecy for the world, nor a symbolic framework for the Church. It is a literal, chronological program for national Israel.
Why This Prophecy Is So Important
Many prophecy scholars regard Daniel 9 as the single most important passage in all of eschatology. It is the key that unlocks both Messianic prophecy and God’s covenant dealings with Israel.
This prophecy does several critical things:
It accurately predicts the timing of Messiah’s first coming.
It explains Israel’s rejection of Messiah.
It anticipates the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.
It defines the future Tribulation period.
It establishes a clear separation between Israel and the Church.
If Daniel’s seventy weeks are mishandled, everything downstream in prophecy becomes distorted.
The Purpose of the Seventy Weeks
Daniel 9:24 lists six divine objectives that will be accomplished during the 490-year program:
To finish transgression
To make an end of sins
To make reconciliation for iniquity
To bring in everlasting righteousness
To seal up vision and prophecy
To anoint the Most Holy
These goals are not aimed at perfecting the Church. They are directed toward resolving Israel’s national sin problem and restoring her covenant relationship with God. While Christ’s atonement provides salvation for all, Israel as a nation has not yet repented or embraced Messiah. That national reconciliation awaits the end of Daniel’s program.
This alone dismantles the idea that the Church must pass through the Tribulation for purification. Scripture already tells us what the seventy weeks accomplish—and the Church is not listed among the objectives.
Breaking Down the Timeline
The seventy weeks are divided into three segments:
1. Seven Weeks (49 Years)
The prophecy begins with the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. This occurred in 444 BC when Artaxerxes issued his command to Nehemiah. The city was rebuilt during “troublesome times,” exactly as Daniel foretold.
2. Sixty-Two Weeks (434 Years)
From the completion of Jerusalem’s restoration, the prophetic clock runs forward to the arrival of Messiah. At the end of this period—69 weeks total—Messiah is “cut off, but not for Himself.” Jesus’ crucifixion occurred precisely on schedule.
3. One Final Week (7 Years)
After the 69th week, the prophetic clock stops.
This pause is critical.
The Church: A Mystery Inserted Between the Weeks
Between the 69th and 70th weeks lies the Church Age—a mystery not revealed in the Old Testament, but later disclosed through the apostles, particularly Paul. During this interval, God temporarily sets aside Israel and forms the Body of Christ, composed of believing Jews and Gentiles alike.
This explains why the Church is absent from Daniel’s prophecy. It did not exist when the prophecy was given, and it is not included when the prophecy resumes.
The Church is not part of the seventy weeks. The Church is not appointed to wrath. The Church must be removed before the final week begins.
Daniel 9:27 describes the final seven years:
“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week…”
The “he” is the future Antichrist. He will enter into a covenant—most likely a peace agreement—with Israel. This covenant marks the official beginning of the Tribulation.
At the midpoint (3½ years), the Antichrist breaks the covenant, halts Jewish sacrifices, and commits the abomination of desolation by desecrating the Temple. Jesus Himself referenced this event in Matthew 24, warning those in Judea to flee immediately.
This final week is what Scripture calls:
The time of Jacob’s trouble
The Great Tribulation
A period of unparalleled distress
It is not designed for the Church, but for Israel and an unbelieving world.
The End Result: Wrath Followed by Glory
The seventy weeks conclude with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. At that moment:
Antichrist is destroyed
Israel repents nationally
Messiah establishes His kingdom
Everlasting righteousness begins
Prophecy places a strict time limit on evil. Antichrist’s reign is temporary, measured, and doomed. Christ will return, defeat him by the brightness of His coming, and usher in the Millennial Kingdom.
Israel, once blinded, will finally see. The veil will be lifted. A nation will be born in a day.
Why This Matters Now
Daniel’s seventy weeks remind us that God’s plan is orderly, intentional, and unstoppable. History is not spiraling randomly—it is moving toward a divinely appointed conclusion.
For the Church, this prophecy reinforces urgency. Our role is not to endure the Tribulation, but to proclaim the gospel before it begins. The Church Age will not last forever. The prophetic clock is ticking.
For Israel, the prophecy affirms God’s faithfulness. Despite centuries of rebellion and suffering, God’s covenant promises remain intact. Wrath is coming—but so is glory.
Final Thoughts
Daniel’s seventy weeks are not symbolic poetry or theological abstraction. They are a literal roadmap of redemptive history. When interpreted plainly, they align perfectly with Christ’s first coming, explain the present age, and illuminate the final events of human history.
The greatest mistake we can make is forcing the Church into a prophecy where it does not belong.
God has not confused His programs. He has not merged His covenants. He has not rewritten His promises. Daniel’s prophecy stands as written—precise, powerful, and prophetic.
And it reminds us of this unshakable truth: God keeps His word.
