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THE SEVENTIETH WEEK
BACKGROUND

The preceding timeline of Daniel's Seventieth week utilizes multiple Scriptures to help amplify and understand the events described in the great prophecy of Daniel 9:27 (notes) which records...

And he (the Antichrist - click for his many aliases) will make a firm covenant with the many (the Jews) for one week (7 years), but in the middle of the week (3.5 years) he (Antichrist - see Mt 24:15, 2Th 2:1, 2, 3, 4) will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate. (see in depth notes on Daniel 9:27)

Comment: Daniel's seventieth week is traditionally referred to by evangelical commentators as "The Tribulation" but it should be noted that is never specifically designated by this title in Scripture. The Great Tribulation on the other hand is a Scriptural term (Mt 24:21, Re 2:22-note, Re 7:14-note) but it refers specifically to the last 3.5 years of this seven year period, a time period Jeremiah referred to as the time of Jacob's distress or trouble (See Jacob’s Trouble and the Great Tribulation). Nevertheless because this term has been so widely accepted, it will be used as a synonym for the more Scripturally accurate term "Daniel's Seventieth Week"

The Seventieth Week of seven years, as noted above is usually called the Tribulation, and will begin when the Antichrist makes a firm covenant with Israel (Refer to timeline above; see also more detailed notes). The consensus among most conservative, evangelical scholars is that the Rapture of the Church immediately precedes the Tribulation and would also serve as a marker of the beginning of this last seven years (see timing of Rapture; 1Th 4:13,14,15,16,17,18 [see notes 4:13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18]). (See Table comparing Rapture vs Second Coming)

Although one cannot be absolutely dogmatic, it appears that the firm covenant between the Antichrist and Israel results in his guarantee of protection and provision of religious freedom which will in turn allow Israel to a rebuild their Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Scripture is unclear as to exactly when this Temple will be rebuilt but it will have to be built at some time in the first 3.5 years of the Tribulation in order for the Antichrist to take his place in the Temple (the abomination of desolation, Mt 24:15) at the midpoint of the Tribulation. Given the fact that at present (2008, the Temple Mount is under Muslim control and also is the site of the Dome of the Rock which is one of the three most holy places in Islam, there will have to be a radical shift in policy to allow the Jews to rebuild their Temple in this same location. The Antichrist's firm covenant will apparently bring about the necessary shift in policy and result in the longed for "Peace" in the Middle East. Clearly, the Antichrist will be viewed with great respect and admiration by the world for accomplishing what no one else had been able to accomplish.

John substantiates that during the first half of the Tribulation the Jewish Temple must be rebuilt recording that...

There was given me (John) a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, "Rise and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and those who worship in it. And leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations (Gentiles); and they will tread under foot the holy city (Jerusalem) for forty-two months (the last 3.5 years of the Tribulation). (Rev 11:1,2 See notes Re 11:1; 11:2).

REVELATION 11
AMPLIFIES DANIEL 9:27

As background to help understand Daniel 9:27, note that a basic understanding of Revelation 11 and 12 is important to comprehend the timing of events in Daniel's Seventieth Week. Therefore take some time and read Rev 11-12 and as you read observe repeated time phrases that equate with  a 3.5 year period, one of the references referring to the first 3.5 years of the Tribulation, but most of the references referring to the second 3.5 years of the Tribulation, the time Jesus specifically defined as the Great Tribulation. (After you have done you study refer to the chart on time phrases relating to the Tribulation). In the following section there is a brief outline of the important events in Revelation 11-12, but first please take time to read and observe these chapters on your own. Make note of context and interpret literally where possible (John's language in Revelation 12 is figurative, but do not forget the basic principle that even figurative passages have a "literal" meaning and are not to be wildly spiritualized or allegorized!). Ask and allow your Teacher, the Holy Spirit to lead you into all the truth (1Jn 2:27 where "anointing" is a reference to the Spirit indwelling every believer, Jn 14:26, 16:13, Ro 8:9-note)

In Revelation 11, note that the appearance of God's two witnesses during the first half of the Seven Year Tribulation is followed by their assassination, resurrection and ascension.

Revelation 11:3 And I will grant authority to my  two witnesses (there are many speculations about their identity but don't let that sidetrack you), and they will prophesy for  twelve hundred and sixty days (3.5 years - during the first half of the Tribulation) clothed in sackcloth." (note v3)
4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. (note v4)
5 And if anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies; and if anyone would desire to harm them, in this manner he must be killed. (note v5)
6 These have the power to shut up the sky, in order that rain may not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with every plague, as often as they desire. (note v6)
7 And when they have finished their testimony (note God's men are invincible until they have completed their assignment!) the Beast, (the Antichrist) that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them. (note v7)
8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt (Jerusalem), where also their Lord was crucified. (note v8)
9 And those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days (live images now possible via satellite, internet, etc), and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. (note v9)
10 And those who dwell on the earth (see significance of Earth Dwellers) will rejoice over them and make merry; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. (note v10)
11 And after the three and a half days the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were beholding them. (note v11)
12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies beheld them. (note v12)
 

Then in Revelation 11:13 God brings about another dramatic event which highlights the miraculous resurrection and ascension, John recording that...

And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city (of Jerusalem) fell; and seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. (See note Revelation 11:13)

Comment: Notice the degree of specificity of the details - 1/10th of the city fallen and 7000 people killed - numerical detail which will allow anyone alive during this time (and with ears to hear) to easily correlate these events John's prophecy in Revelation 11:13. The point is clear - God is giving an unequivocal sign (which parallels Jesus' warning in Mt 24:14, 15,16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21) and which signals the beginning of the last 3.5 years, the Great Tribulation, These events (along with those described below) will graciously allow anyone who is remaining on earth and who has ears to hear, to come to their senses. And if those alive on earth at this time (recall that the Church has already been delivered from this wrath to come -- 1Th 1:10-note, 1Th 5:9-note) will continue reading in Revelation 12 and 13, they will come to realize that the events in Jerusalem signal events far more ominous.

THE CRUCIAL MIDPOINT
OF DANIEL'S
SE