The Interpretation of Daniel 9 in Dispensationalism
In Dispensationalism, the first 483 years of Daniel 9 end a few days before the Cross, and the last 7 years describe an end-time Antichrist.
Daniel 9
Daniel 9
The Book of Nehemiah gives context for Daniel’s prophecies.
Summary of the Book of Nehemiah. Judea was completely destroyed by the Babylonians. Through Nehemiah and others, God effectively gave Israel a new beginning.
Book of Daniel
The vision in Daniel 9 was the answer to Daniel’s prayer.
God promised, through Jeremiah, to restore Israel after 70 years. Daniel prayed for this promise. The prophecy confirmed that God would renew the Covenant.
Daniel 9
When did Daniel 9 predict the Messiah would come?
In the RSV, the messiah appears after 49 years. Therefore, he cannot be Christ. In the NASB, the messiah appears after 483 years.
Daniel 9
When are the goals of the 490 years (Daniel 9:24) fulfilled?
Daniel 9:24 sets 6 goals for the 490 years. Were the goals fulfilled by Christ’s life and death, 2000 years ago, or only when He returns?
Daniel 9
During the last seven years, who makes what covenant?
Is it the Antichrist, during the last seven years before Christ returns, or Jesus Christ, 2000 years ago, confirming God’s covenant with Israel?
Daniel 9
What is the Abomination of Desolation in Daniel 9:27?
In some translations, a desolator will be destroyed. In others, the desolated is destroyed. The poetic pattern provides the answer.
Daniel 9
Daniel 9:27 does not follow chronologically after verse 26.
The prophecy is a poem, alternating between two foci: Jerusalem and the Messiah. The events of each are in chronological order, but the entire prophecy is not.
Daniel 9
The 490 years ended with the stoning of Stephen.
The Cross did not end God’s covenant with Israel. After Jesus died, God sent the Holy Spirit with power, but only to Israel, calling Israel to repentance.
Daniel 9
The 70-week prophecy renewed God’s covenant for 70 weeks.
The covenant unites prayer and prophecy. Daniel’s prayer asked God to renew His covenant with Israel. Through the 70-week prophecy, God renewed His covenant.