The Seventy Weeks
Seventy weeks are... The 15th prophecy in Daniel (Dan. 9:24-27; 9:25-26 are fulfilled; Dan. 9:24 and Dan. 9:27 are unfulfilled). Next, Dan. 10:14.
The Seventy Weeks
There are 14 main parts to this prophecy. Without a clear understanding of them many other prophecies cannot be fully understood.
1. Meaning of the seventy weeks. The phrase "seventy weeks" literally means "seventy sevens" (Hebrew: for "week" is shabuwa, seven).
Seventy Sevens of Years because:
(1) Daniel’s prayer, to which this vision was an answer, did not concern days, but years (Dan. 9:2).
(2) The last "week" is one and is divided into 2 parts, the last half explained to be 3 1/2 years, as proved in the following notes.
(3) If the last half of the 70th week is 3 1/2 years, then the first half is also 3 1/2 years, making the one seven of Dan. 9:27 to be 7 years.
(4) If the last or one "week" is a period of 7 years, the other "weeks" are also 7 years each. The whole period, therefore, is 70 x 7 = 490 years.
2. Division of the seventy weeks. They are divided into three main periods:
(1) The 1st division—7 weeks, 49 years for the rebuilding of Jerusalem (Dan. 9:25)
(2) The 2nd division—62 weeks, 434 years from the completion of the city at the end of the 49 years to the time the Messiah is cut off or crucified for men (Dan. 9:25-26)
(3) The 3rd division—one week, 7 years, the last 7 years of this age, ending with the 2nd advent of Christ to fulfill the 6 events of Dan. 9:24
3. Whom do the seventy weeks concern? The whole 490 years are determined (Hebrew: chathak, cut off; marked off; decreed) to be fulfilled concerning thy people (Daniel’s people) and thy holy city (Daniel’s native city, Jerusalem) to fulfill the 6 events of Dan. 9:24. They do not concern the church in any sense. In fact, the church was not begun until after the 69th week, and it will be raptured before the 70th week begins (see, 2Thes. 2:7-8; Rev. 4:1).
When do they concern Israel and Jerusalem? Not during any time that she has been scattered among the nations. The 70 weeks concern Israel as a nation at Jerusalem. Since Israel was scattered and her city and temple destroyed in 70 A.D., since the 6 events of Dan. 9:24 have not yet been fulfilled, and since the 69th week ended at the crucifixion of Christ, the 70th week is the only part left to be fulfilled. During this time, the 6 events of Dan. 9:24 will be fulfilled. Still in the future, it will be fulfilled when Israel as a nation gets control of Jerusalem again presently in our time frame.
5. Six things to be done in the 70 weeks of Daniel (Dan. 9:24):
(1) "To finish (put an end to) the transgression." The Hebrew word pesha‛ means revolt; rebel; sin against lawful authority. It is often translated "transgression" (Psm. 51:1; Isa. 43:25; etc.). This transgression has reference to the sins of Israel at Jerusalem, the culmination of their sins when they will be saved from all sin at the return of their Messiah who will turn ungodliness from Jacob and convert the nation in a day (Rom. 11:25-29; Isa. 66:7-10; Eze. 36:24-30).
(2) "To make an end of sins" concerning Israel and Jerusalem. This has never been done, but will be accomplished at the second coming of Christ (Eze. 36:24-30; 37:24-27; 43:7; Zec. 14:1-21). The Spirit of repentance will be poured out upon Israel just before the second coming, and a fountain for sin and uncleanness will be opened to the whole nation at that time (Zec. 12:10-13:1; Rom. 11:25-29).
(3) "To make reconciliation (atonement; Hebrew: kaphar, to cover; make atonement) for iniquity." This was done for Israel and all others on the cross (Isa. 53:1-12; Col. 1:20; 2:14-17; 1Pet. 2:24), but Israel as a nation has not yet experienced this covering for sin. They will be fully reconciled to God at the second coming of Christ (Isa. 1:18-20; 66:7-8; Zec. 12:10-13:1; Mat. 23:37-39; Rom. 11:25-29).
(4) "To bring in everlasting righteousness." When transgression comes to an end, when an end of sins is made, and when full atonement for all sin is experienced by Israel, then everlasting righteousness concerning Israel and Jerusalem will be ushered in (Isa. 9:6-7; 12:1-6; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-14, 7:18, 7:27; Eze. 43:7; Zec. 14:1-21; Luke 1:32-33; Rom. 11:25-29; Rev. 11:15; 19:11-20:10; 21:1-22:5).
(5) "To seal up the vision and prophecy." The prophecies concerning Israel and Jerusalem and their eternal restoration under their Messiah will be fulfilled. The word for "prophecy" here should have been translated "prophet." It could also mean that there will be no more need for inspired men to rebuke Israel at Jerusalem in the attempt to lead them to God and righteousness when the Messiah comes, "for all shall know the Lord from the least unto the greatest of them" (Isa. 11:9; 66:7-10; Jer. 31:31-40; Rom. 11:25-29).
(6) "To anoint the most holy." This refers to the cleansing of the holy of holies, the temple, and the city of Jerusalem from the abomination of desolation, the sacrilege of Gentiles; and to the anointing of the Millennial temple of Eze. 40-43; Zec. 6:12-13. "The most holy" is never used of a person, nor would the Jews ever associate this term with their Messiah who is always distinguished by the simple title, Messiah. Therefore, to teach that this refers to man crowning Christ is out of harmony with Scripture. Man is not to anoint and crown Christ. This has already been done by God the Father (Luke 22:29; Acts 1:7; 2:36; Phlp. 2:9-11; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 11:15; 19:11-21; Dan. 7:13-14).
6. When do the seventy weeks begin? With the commandment "to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince" (Dan. 9:25). There were three decrees for the restoration of Jerusalem:
(1) The first decree was given during the first year of the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia (Ezr. 1:1-4; 3:8; Isa. 44:28; 45:1-4; 46:11). Cyrus reigned 9 years; then Cambyses, his son, reigned 7 years. In the son’s reign the work on the temple ceased (Ezr. 4:1-24).
(2) Darius I of profane history reigned 35 years. In the second year of his reign he confirmed the decree made by Cyrus 18 years before. The temple was finished in the sixth year of his reign, but the city was not restored. Xerxes reigned 21 years (Dan. 11:1-3) during which time the city was not yet completed.
(3) Artaxerxes reigned for 40 years. In the 20th year of his reign (444 B.C.) he gave Nehemiah the 3rd decree "to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince" (Dan. 9:25-26; Neh. 2:1-6:19). From this point the 70 weeks or 490 years are counted. At this point the first division of the 490 years (the 7 weeks or 49 years for the restoration of Jerusalem with streets and the wall) began (Dan. 9:25). Nehemiah restored the walls in 52 days after he reached Jerusalem, but this was by no means the full restoration. That took place during the next 49 years. Thus the 3rd decree to restore Jerusalem was 92 years after the first decree by Cyrus.
7. The crucifixion of the Messiah. This was to be after the 62 weeks or 434 years, and was to follow the 7 weeks or 49 years of the restoration of Jerusalem (Dan. 9:25-26). Christ was crucified at the end of the 69th week, not in the middle of the 70th week. The 70th week did not end when Stephen was stoned, for the 6 events of point 5, above, were not fulfilled then, nor have they been fulfilled since then. They cannot be fulfilled with Israel and Jerusalem until the rapture of the church and the revelation of the future Antichrist (see, 2Thes. 2:7-8; Rev. 4:1).
8. The people of the prince that shall come (Dan. 9:26). This refers to the Romans who fulfilled this prophecy of the destruction of the city and temple and brought the desolations of Dan. 9:26. This was fulfilled in 70 A.D. (see, Luke 19:41-44; 21:20).
9. The prince that shall come (Dan. 9:26). This refers to Antichrist who will come from the Roman Empire territory, that is, the Grecian portion, and from the people who destroyed the city and temple of Israel in A.D. 70 (Dan. 9:26; Luke 21:20-24). He will come from among the 10 kingdoms yet to be formed inside the old Roman Empire territory (Dan. 7:23-24).
10. The church age—the great interval between the 69th and 70th weeks (Dan. 9:26-27). This period was not seen by the prophets, but it is clear here that certain things were to happen between the crucifixion of the Messiah and the Antichrist who makes the 7-year covenant with Israel in the latter days (Dan. 9:26-27).
11. Twelve great events between the 69th and 70th weeks:
(1) Christ was to be crucified at the end of the 69th week (Dan. 9:26).
(2) The Romans were to destroy Jerusalem and the temple between the crucifixion at the end of the 69th week and the 70th week (Dan. 9:26-27).
(3) There was to be a war between the Romans and Israel between the 69th and 70th weeks (Dan. 9:26-27).
(4) Israel was to be defeated by the Romans between the 69th and 70th weeks, or their city and temple could not be destroyed (Dan. 9:26-27).
(5) Israel was to be scattered among the nations by the Romans between the 69th and 70th weeks, or the end of this war would not be as a flood to carry them away (Dan. 9:26-27; Luke 21:20-24).
(6) Desolation's of Israel and their city and temple were to follow the end of the war between Israel and the Romans (Dan. 9:26; Luke 21:20-24). When Christ comes to defend Israel from Antichrist, Jerusalem and the temple will be rebuilt, not destroyed (Zec. 6:12-13; 14:1-21; Mat. 25:31-46; Rev. 11:15; 19:11-21).
Historically, all the above events were fulfilled by the Romans. They crucified Christ about 31 A.D. and destroyed Jerusalem about 70 A.D. These events did not happen in either the 69th or the 70th week. Jerusalem was destroyed about 39 years after the crucifixion of Christ which ended the 69th week.
(7) "The prince that shall come" was to come after the destruction and desolations of Jerusalem (Dan. 9:26-27). Since the Jews were led away captive among all nations in 70 A.D. "the prince that shall come" could not confirm a covenant with Jews to fulfill Dan. 9:27. This remains to be done in the future.
(8) Jerusalem must be restored as the capital of Israel and a temple rebuilt before Antichrist can come and confirm the 7-year covenant with many Jews to fulfill Dan. 9:27 as we have seen done in our time.
(9) The city and sanctuary were to be destroyed by the Romans, as in Dan. 9:26. They must be restored before the 7-year covenant of Dan. 9:27 can be made, for the temple is to be made desolate again in the midst of the 7 years. If it was destroyed in 70 A.D. then it could not possibly be made desolate again until its restoration first. Since it has never been restored from 70 A.D. until now, the fulfillment of Dan. 9:27 must be future.
(10) Israel, being broken off because of unbelief at the crucifixion of Christ, must be restored again to their own land and get control of Jerusalem before the 6 events of point 5, above, can be fulfilled. Just before the crucifixion Jesus wept over Jerusalem saying, "How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate . . . . ye shall not see Me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord" (Mat. 21:43; 23:37-39; 24:2; Luke 21:20-24). This is the official rejection of Israel as a nation until the second coming of Christ. God could not have fulfilled the 70th week with them immediately following the crucifixion because of cutting them off at this time. The 70th week remains to be fulfilled when God deals with them as a nation again (Eze. 37:1-28). He cannot do this until the new nation of Israel gets control of Jerusalem again, for the whole 70 weeks concern Israel and Jerusalem (Dan. 9:24). Neither can the 70th week be fulfilled until the temple is built again in Jerusalem (Dan. 9:26-27).
(11) The prince that shall come from the Roman Empire territory is the one referred to in Dan. 9:27 that shall confirm the covenant with many Jews for 7 years. He does not come until after the future 10 kingdoms are formed inside the old Roman Empire territory (Dan. 7:23-24), and until after the rapture of the church. Therefore, the 70th week is after these 2 events.
The 70th week will be the last 7 years of this age, between the rapture and the second coming (Dan. 9:27). It will be the future tribulation period ending with the second coming. All of Matthew 24-25; Rev. 4-19; Rev. 21:1-27; Dan. 7:19-27; 8:9-14, 8:22-25; 9:27; 11:36-45; 12:1-17, and many other passages will be fulfilled during these 7 years. The great tribulation will be during the last 3 1/2 years (Jer. 30:4-9; Dan. 12:1; Mat. 24:15-24; Rev. 11:1-19:21). The first 3 1/2 years will be a lesser tribulation due to the fact that Antichrist will be only rising to power (Dan. 7:23-24; Mat. 24:4-14; Rev. 6:1-9:21).
(12) The present church age rightfully comes in between the 69th and 70th weeks, during which time Israel is rejected by God and scattered among the nations. There is a postponement of the fulfillment of the 70th week immediately following the end of the 69th week due to Israel’s rejection and her house being left desolate until God restores it again in the days of the coming of Christ. "When the Lord shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory" (Psm. 102:16).
12. The covenant between Antichrist and Israel (Dan. 9:27). The terms of this covenant are not listed, but it is clear it will be a non-aggression pact, perhaps even a military alliance that will enable the Antichrist to gain power over the 10 kingdoms during the first 3 1/2 years of the 70th week (Dan. 7:23-24; 8:23-25; Rev. 17:8-17). It will include the protection of Israel in their national establishment and restoration and assure them at least temporary peace (Dan. 8:25; 9:27; 11:36-45). The length of the covenant is to be 7 years (Dan. 9:27).
13. The middle of the week (Dan. 9:27). The Antichrist in 3 1/2 years gets power over the 10 kingdoms (Dan. 7:23-24; Rev. 17:8-17). He then breaks his covenant with Israel, enters and takes over Israel, and makes the Jewish temple his capital building (Dan. 7:21-25; 8:9-14, 8:22-25; 9:27; 11:36-45; Mat. 24:15-24; 2Thes. 2:3-4; Rev. 13:1-18; 17:8-17). He will then do away with all Jewish sacrifices in the temple and set himself and his image in the temple to be worshiped as God. This will continue 2,300 evenings and mornings, or 3 years, 2 months, and 10 days of the 1,260 days of the last 3 1/2 years of the 70th week (Dan. 8:9-14; 9:27; 11:45; Mat. 24:15-22; 2Thes. 2:3-4; Rev. 13:1-18).
14. The end of the 70th week (Dan. 9:27). The beast worship and the abomination will continue from the middle of the 70th week through the judgments that will be poured out upon the one making the temple desolate (Dan. 9:27). These judgments will consist of the plagues caused by the 2 witnesses (Rev. 11:3-11) and the vial judgments (Rev. 15-16), ending with Antichrist’s defeat and destruction at Armageddon (Rev. 16:13-16; 19:11-21; Zec. 14:1-21).
Ten Things that End This Age:
1. The 7th vial (Rev. 16:17-21)
2. Destruction of Babylon (Rev. 16:19; 18:1-24)
3. The second coming of Christ (Rev. 19:11-21)
4. The battle of Armageddon (Rev. 19:11-21)
5. Judgment of the nations (Mat. 25:31-46)
6. Separation of the tares from the wheat (Mat. 13:1-58)
7. Regathering of Israel (Mat. 24:29-31; Isa. 11:10-12; Eze. 37:1-28)
8. Conversion of Israel (Rom. 11:25-29)
9. Liberation of Jerusalem (Zec. 14:1-21)
10. Fulfillment of the 6 things of point 5, above
Twenty-five Things End Here:
1. Daniel’s 70th week (Dan. 9:27)
2. Dispensation of Grace (Mat. 3:1-17, refs.)
3. The tribulation (Dan. 9:27; 12:1; Mat. 24:15-22; Rev. 6:1-19:21)
4. Satan’s activities on earth for a 1,000-year period (Rev. 20:1-10)
5. The Times of the Gentiles
6. The wrath of God (Rev. 6:17; 15:1-16:21)
7. Rebellion of Israel (Zec. 12:10-13:1; Mat. 23:37-39; Rom. 11:25-29)
8. Desolation's of Jerusalem (Zec. 14:1-21; Luke 21:20-24)
9. Gentile world kingdoms (Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-14, 7:23-27; Rev. 17:8-17; 19:11-21)
10. Persecution of Christians (Zec. 14:9; Mat. 13:40-43; 25:31-46; Rev. 20:1-15)
11. Reign of Antichrist (Rev. 19:19-21)
12. Beast worship (Rev. 13:1-18; 14:9-11; 15:2-4; 20:4-6)
13. Revived Grecian Empire (Dan. 8:22-25; 11:36-45; Rev. 13:5; 19:19-21)
14. Freedom of demons and fallen angels (Isa. 24:21-22; Rev. 12:7-12; 20:1-3)
Satanic miracles (2Thes. 2:8-12; Rev. 13:1-5, 13:12-17; 16:13-14; 19:20)
16. The first resurrection
17. Dispersion of Israel (Mat. 24:29-31; Isa. 11:10-12; Eze. 37:1-28)
18. Ministry of the 2 witnesses (Rev. 11:7-12)
19. Man’s independent rule on earth (Zec. 14:9; Rev. 5:10; 11:15; 20:1-10; 22:4-5)
20. Blindness of Israel (Rom. 11:25-29)
21. Satan’s dominion of the earth (Rev. 12:7-12; 20:1-10)
22. The 70 weeks or 490 years (Dan. 9:24)
23. The time, times, and half a time (Dan. 7:25; 12:7; Rev. 12:14)
24. The 42 months (Rev. 11:2; 13:5)
25. The 1,260 days (Rev. 11:3; 12:6)
to finish the... At the end of the 490 years God will finish the transgression of Israel. The verb “to finish” kālā’ means “to bring something to an end.” Israel’s sin of disobedience will be brought to an end at Christ’s second coming when she repents and turns to Him as her Messiah and Savior. Then she will be restored to the land and blessed, in answer to Daniel’s prayer.
to make an... God will put an end to sin. The verb ḥāṯam has the idea of sealing up. Here the thought is sealing something up with a view to punishment (cf. Deut. 32:34; Job. 14:17). This emphasized that Israel’s sin which had gone unpunished would be punished — in or through Jesus Christ, her Substitute, who would bear the sins of the world on the cross. Then at Christ’s second coming He will remove Israel’s sin (Eze. 37:23; Rom. 11:20-27).
and to make... God will atone for wickedness. The verb “to atone” kāp̱ar means “to cover or expiate.” This too relates to God’s final atonement of Israel when she repents at Christ’s second coming, as the provision for that atonement has already been made at the Cross. Israel’s Day of Atonement should be kept in view here too, as in the first of these six accomplishments. On that day God provided a just basis on which He would deal with a guilty people. The blood applied to the mercy seat (“the atonement cover,” Lev. 16:14) over the ark of the covenant enabled Him to dwell among His sinful people. Similarly Daniel’s prophecy promised that because of Christ’s blood shed on the cross God would deal with sinners, and here in particular, with sinners in Israel. Being propitiated (i.e., satisfied) by Christ’s blood, God can atone for or expiate sin. The Greek words for “atonement cover” (hilasmos; KJV, “mercy seat”) and “propitiate” (hilaskomai) are related.
and to make... The second three accomplishments deal with positive aspects of God’s program. Being satisfied by the death of Christ, God will bring in everlasting righteousness. The form of the verb “bring in” here means “to cause to come in.” The word “everlasting” (here pl. in Heb.) means ages. Thus this phrase (lit., “to bring in righteousness of ages”) is a prophecy that God will establish an age characterized by righteousness. This is a reference to the millennial kingdom (Isa. 60:21; Jer. 23:5-6).
to seal up... God will seal up vision and prophecy. All that God through the prophets said He would do in fulfilling His covenant with Israel will be fully realized in the millennial kingdom. Until they are fulfilled, prophecies are “unsealed.” (“Seal” translates the same verb, ḥāṯam, used in the second of these six accomplishments.)
and to anoint... God will anoint the Most Holy. This may refer to the dedication of the most holy place in the millennial temple, described in Ezekiel 41-46. Most likely refers not to a holy place, but to the Holy One, Christ. If so, this speaks of the enthronement of Christ, “the Anointed One” (Dan. 7:25-27) as King of kings and Lord of lords in the Millennium. These six accomplishments, then, anticipate the establishment of Israel’s covenanted millennial kingdom under the authority of her promised King. The six summarize God’s whole program to bring the nation Israel the blessings He promised through His covenants (Gen. 15:18-21; 2Sa. 7:16; Jer. 31:31-34).
The most Holy who will come is the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus reconciles the Father to fallen man. Jesus fulfills the law, and brings in grace. God not only forgives the sinner, but makes provision for his forgiveness to be lawful. Jesus became the substitute for all of mankind. He reconciles us to the Father with His precious shed blood.
The program in the 70 “sevens
Daniel was first informed that God’s program would be consummated in 70 “sevens.” Since Daniel had been thinking of God’s program in terms of years (Dan. 9:1; cf. Jer. 25:11-12; 2Ch. 36:21), it would be most natural for him to understand these “sevens” as years. Whereas people today think in units of tens (e.g., decades), Daniel’s people thought in terms of sevens (heptads). Seven days are in one week. Every seventh year was a sabbath rest year (Lev_25:1-7). Seven “sevens” brought them to the Year of Jubilee (Lev. 25:8-12). Seventy “sevens,” then, is a span of 490 years. The 490 could not designate days (about 1 years) for that would not be enough time for the events prophesied in Dan. 9:24-27 to occur. The same is true of 490 weeks of seven days each (i.e., 3,430 days, about 9 years). Also if days were intended one would expect Daniel to have added “of days” after “70 sevens” for in Dan. 10:2-3 he wrote literally, “three sevens of days” (NIV, “three weeks”).
Also since Israel and Judah had failed to keep the sabbatical years (every seventh year the land was to lie fallow, Lev. 25:1-7) throughout her history, the Lord enforced on the land 70 “sabbaths” (cf. Lev. 26:34-35). Thus 490 years would be required to complete 70 sabbatical years with one occurring every seventh year.
This span of time was decreed for Daniel’s people (cf. “your people” in Dan. 10:14; 11:14) and the Holy City (cf. Dan. 9:16, 9:24). This prophecy, then, is concerned not with world history or church history, but with the history of Israel and the city of Jerusalem. By the time these 490 years run their course, God will have completed six things for Israel. The first three have to do with sin, and the second three with the kingdom. The basis for the first three was provided in the work of Christ on the cross, but all six will be realized by Israel at the Second Advent of Christ.
1. At the end of the 490 years God will finish the transgression of Israel. The verb “to finish” (kālā’) means “to bring something to an end.” Israel’s sin of disobedience will be brought to an end at Christ’s second coming when she repents and turns to Him as her Messiah and Savior. Then she will be restored to the land and blessed, in answer to Daniel’s prayer.
In Old Testament days the high-point in Israel’s festival calendar was the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:1-34). On that day the nation assembled before God, acknowledged her sin, and offered blood sacrifices to cover that sin. Though that sacrifice covered Israel’s sin for 12 months, it did not permanently remove that sin (Heb. 10:1-3). It was necessary that a sacrifice be offered God that would permanently remove all the accumulated sins. This sacrifice was offered by Jesus Christ who by His death made payment for all sins that had not been removed in the past (cf. Rom. 3:25). So His atoning work on the cross has made possible His future “finishing” of Israel’s transgression.
2. God will put an end to sin. The verb ḥāṯam has the idea of sealing up. Here the thought is sealing something up with a view to punishment (cf. Deut. 32:34; Job 14:17). This emphasized that Israel’s sin which had gone unpunished would be punished — in or through Jesus Christ, her Substitute, who would bear the sins of the world on the cross. Then at Christ’s second coming He will remove Israel’s sin (Eze. 37:23; Rom. 11:20-27).
3. God will atone for wickedness. The verb “to atone” (kāp̱ar) means “to cover or expiate.” This too relates to God’s final atonement of Israel when she repents at Christ’s second coming, as the provision for that atonement has already been made at the Cross. Israel’s Day of Atonement should be kept in view here too, as in the first of these six accomplishments. On that day God provided a just basis on which He would deal with a guilty people. The blood applied to the mercy seat (“the atonement cover,” Lev. 16:14) over the ark of the covenant enabled Him to dwell among His sinful people. Similarly Daniel’s prophecy promised that because of Christ’s blood shed on the cross God would deal with sinners, and here in particular, with sinners in Israel.
Being propitiated (i.e., satisfied) by Christ’s blood, God can atone for or expiate sin. The Greek words for “atonement cover” (hilasmos; KJV, “mercy seat”) and “propitiate” (hilaskomai) are related.
4. The second three accomplishments deal with positive aspects of God’s program. Being satisfied by the death of Christ, God will bring in everlasting righteousness. The form of the verb “bring in” here means “to cause to come in.” The word “everlasting” (here pl. in Heb.) means ages. Thus this phrase (lit., “to bring in righteousness of ages”) is a prophecy that God will establish an age characterized by righteousness. This is a reference to the millennial kingdom (Isa. 60:21; Jer. 23:5-6).
5. God will seal up vision and prophecy. All that God through the prophets said He would do in fulfilling His covenant with Israel will be fully realized in the millennial kingdom. Until they are fulfilled, prophecies are “unsealed.” (“Seal” translates the same verb, ḥāṯam, used in the second of these six accomplishments.)
6. God will anoint the Most Holy. This may refer to the dedication of the most holy place in the millennial temple, described in Eze. 41-46. Or it may refer not to a holy place, but to the Holy One, Christ. If so, this speaks of the enthronement of Christ, “the Anointed One” (Dan. 7:25-27) as King of kings and Lord of lords in the Millennium.
These six accomplishments, then, anticipate the establishment of Israel’s covenanted millennial kingdom under the authority of her promised King. The six summarize God’s whole program to bring the nation Israel the blessings He promised through His covenants (Gen. 15:18-21; 2Sam. 7:16; Jer. 31:31-34).
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