When the topic of the "future Antichrist'' arises, its supporters sometimes refer to the 70 weeks prophecy in Daniel 9 for Scriptural proof. However, a close examination of this passage will prove otherwise. In verse 24, six things are mentioned that would be accomplished during the 70 weeks. Notice how all six relate to the work of Jesus Christ. In fact, the fulfillment of each event by Jesus is mentioned by New Testament writers in the following passages:

1. To finish the transgression - Matthew 23:32,38.
2. To put an end to sin offerings - Hebrews 10:11-14.
3. To atone for iniquity - Hebrews 10:1-4,12-14.
4. To bring in everlasting righteousness - Romans 2:7;
   1 Corinthians 1:30
5. To seal both vision and prophet - John 6:27.
6. To anoint a Most Holy One - Acts 10:38.

The fact that these six things were accomplished by Jesus should be no surprise because verse 25 of Daniel 9 refers to the coming of "Messiah the Prince" after seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks, or a total of sixty-nine weeks. Here, once again we apply the principle of one day representing one year, as has been previously shown to be done with many time periods in Bible prophecy (see footnote 2 in chapter 9). The 69 weeks represent 69 "weeks of years" (RSV) or 483 years. These 483 years began in 456 BC with a decree by Artaxerxes to "restore and build Jerusalem" (see Nehemiah 2:1-10), and ended in 27 AD when Jesus Christ began his public ministry and was anointed with the Holy Spirit at his baptism.

During the seventieth week of years, Jesus the Messiah was "cut off" or crucified in 30 AD as verse 26 predicted¹. The Jews were then given a 40 year trial period to see if they would repent of their wicked deeds. As a nation, the Jews still rejected Jesus as their Messiah at the end of 40 years, so God then sent "the people (Roman army) of the Prince (Jesus) that shall come'' (v.26) into Jerusalem to "destroy the city and the sanctuary." This occurred in 70 AD when the Roman army entered Jerusalem and destroyed both the city and the temple. The Roman army was referred to as "the people of the Prince" because Jesus used that army in carrying out God's will to humble the Jews for their rejection of the Christ. The parable of the marriage feast in Matthew 22:1-14 is in agreement with this principle. In this parable, the King's (God's) marriage feast for his son (Jesus) was made light of by the people (the Jews) and they slew the King's servants (the prophets), so the King "sent forth his armies (the Roman armies), and destroyed those murderers (the Jews) and burned up their city (Jerusalem)."

Continuing in Daniel 9 at verse 27, we find that Jesus did confirm the Abrahamic Covenant² during the seventieth week of years, the same in which he was crucified. Sacrifice and oblation were made to cease, because after Jesus' death there was no longer any need to sacrifice for sins. Israel has been desolate since the days the Roman army destroyed the city. Jesus himself said of the Jews before his death:

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! {38} Behold, your house is forsaken and desolate. {39} For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." (Matthew 23:37-39)

Only recently have we seen the beginning of the consummation as the Jews are establishing themselves in Israel today. Very shortly the desolation will be over and Israel will again turn to Jesus and say, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.''

So when we examine the seventy-weeks prophecy of Daniel 9 in detail, we find there is no support, nor any mention of the "future Antichrist" that is so popular in Christianity today. There is also no justification for separating the seventieth week from the previous sixty-nine, and placing its fulfillment at the second coming of Jesus Christ, some 2,000 years after the fulfillment of the first sixty-nine weeks. The "future Antichrist" theory relies heavily upon inserting a 2,000 year gap between the fulfillment of the sixty-ninth and seventieth weeks, however, the Bible makes no mention of this gap. By reading through the entire ninth chapter of Daniel, it becomes evident that this prophecy of the seventy-weeks was given to the Jews of Daniel's time who were in captivity in Babylon, to encourage them concerning the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the coming of Messiah, both of which happened many centuries ago.

BACK

NEXT

Footnotes:

1. Once it is admitted that the coming Prince in Daniel 9:25 is Jesus Christ, we have no alternative but to accept he is also the Prince who is to come in the next verse (v.26). There is no indication in Daniel's prophecy that he is speaking of two different princes in these two verses so we should accept he is referring to the same person, Jesus Christ. This becomes a problem for those who accept the "future Antichrist" theory because in order to fit this prophecy of Daniel 9 into the "future Antichrist'' concept, they must distinguish between the two princes and claim they are two different people. The first Prince is taken to be Jesus and in the very next verse they try to make that Prince to be the "future Antichrist". Once again this is an indication to what extent one must twist and misinterpret Scripture to support the "future Antichrist" theory.