Daniel’s 70 Weeks: The Timeline That Changes Everything

Reclaiming Daniel’s 70 Weeks from Misinterpretation

For centuries, Daniel’s 70 Weeks prophecy has been misunderstood—often taken out of context and turned into a countdown for the Antichrist. But what if we’ve been reading it wrong? What if this prophecy was never about a future world dictator, but about God’s redemptive plan through Jesus Christ?

For full context click here for part 1

What This Blog Will Cover

In Part 1, we restored the historical and biblical context of Daniel’s prophecy, showing how Daniel’s prayer was not about the Antichrist, but about God’s covenant faithfulness. We examined the six divine purposes behind the prophecy and how they point directly to Christ.

But misinterpretation has consequences. Isaiah warned of a time when people would twist the truth, calling good evil and evil good (Isaiah 5:20). Have we done the same with Daniel 9? Have we shifted the focus away from Christ and placed it onto an Antichrist?

⏳ Time is short, and truth matters.

What You’ll Discover in Part 2

✅ The structure of the 70 Weeks timeline—what each period represents.

✅ How the prophecy pinpoints the arrival of the Messiah with astonishing precision.

✅ The meaning of Daniel 9:27—one of the most debated verses in Bible prophecy.

✅ Why many interpretations mistakenly shift the focus from Christ to the Antichrist.

If Daniel 9:24 tells us why the 70 Weeks exist, then Daniel 9:25-27 tells us how they unfold. And as we will see, this prophecy has been hijacked for far too long.

Let’s reclaim its true meaning.

The Timeline of the 70 Weeks: Understanding the Decree and the Messiah’s Arrival

Daniel 9:25 provides a clear prophetic timeline, but one that has been debated for centuries. Gabriel tells Daniel:

“Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.” (Daniel 9:25, KJV)

Breaking Down the 69 Weeks

Gabriel reveals that from the issuing of a decree to rebuild Jerusalem until the arrival of Messiah the Prince, there will be:

📅 7 weeks (49 years) + 62 weeks (434 years) = 69 weeks (483 years).

This 483-year countdown leads directly to Jesus Christ.

Why Two Separate Periods?

📌 The first 7 weeks (49 years) likely represent the time it took to rebuild Jerusalem after the decree.

📌 The next 62 weeks (434 years) extend from the completion of Jerusalem to the arrival of the Messiah.

This structure shows that the prophecy is not just about Messiah’s coming—it also acknowledges the restoration of Jerusalem, a key event in Jewish history.

Which Decree? Identifying the Starting Point

One of the most debated aspects of this prophecy is which decree marks the beginning of the 69 weeks. There are three major possibilities:

1️⃣ The Decree of Cyrus (538-537 BC)

📖 Ezra 1:2: “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem.”

❌ Problem: This decree focuses on rebuilding the temple, not the city itself.

2️⃣ The Decree of Darius (Reaffirming Cyrus, Ezra 6:1-12)

🔹 Darius reaffirms Cyrus’ decree and ensures that temple construction continues.

❌ Problem: Again, this decree does not explicitly address the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

3️⃣ The Decree of Artaxerxes (Ezra 7:12-26)

This decree, issued by Artaxerxes, granted Jewish autonomy and provided resources for rebuilding the city.

✅ Why this one? 

✔️ The timing aligns best with the arrival of Christ.

✔️ It authorizes the reestablishment of governance and religious leadership, which matches Daniel 9:25.

✔️ Many scholars believe this decree in Ezra 7 (457 BC) is the best candidate, as it leads to approximately 26 AD, aligning with the beginning of Jesus' ministry.

The Purpose Is Not to Set Dates, But to Reclaim Meaning

There is much debate over exact dates due to variations in ancient calendar systems. But pinning down an exact year is not the goal.

The true purpose of this prophecy is to point to the Messiah, not to fuel speculation.

Gabriel is revealing God’s plan of redemption, showing that Jesus arrived at the appointed time, just as Daniel foretold.

Before We Move Forward: Is This Prophecy About the Antichrist?

Before diving into the final two verses of Daniel 9, it’s important to clear up a major misconception. Many teachers today claim that these verses shift focus to the Antichrist, but this is a serious error—one that drastically alters the true meaning of the prophecy.

To interpret this passage correctly, let’s go back to Gabriel’s actual words in Daniel 9:24:

“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.” (Daniel 9:24, KJV)

These six divine purposes define the prophecy’s entire scope:

✅ To finish the transgression

✅ To make an end of sins

✅ To make reconciliation for iniquity

✅ To bring in everlasting righteousness

✅ To seal up the vision and prophecy

✅ To anoint the most Holy

Then, in Daniel 9:25, we are told who this prophecy leads to:

“Unto Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks.”

📌 The entire passage is about Messiah the Prince—not a future world dictator.

There is nothing in Gabriel’s words that suggests this prophecy is about the Antichrist. The focus is clear: this prophecy is about the Messiah and His redemptive work.

We covered this with more detail in part 1 click here for part 1

Daniel 9:26 – The Messiah Cut Off and the People of the Prince

As the prophecy continues, Gabriel reveals a pivotal moment:

“And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.” (Daniel 9:26, KJV)

This verse presents two key details:

1️⃣ The cutting off of the Messiah

2️⃣ The destruction of the city and sanctuary by the people of the prince

Messiah Cut Off: What Does This Mean?

Gabriel states that after the 62 weeks (following the first 7 weeks), Messiah will be cut off. This raises an important question:

• Does this mean He was cut off immediately after the 69 weeks?

• Or does His death fall within the final 70th week?

If Messiah was cut off immediately after the 69 weeks, this would leave a 56-year gap before the 70 weeks concluded, with no clear explanation of how the prophecy’s six divine purposes (Daniel 9:24) were fulfilled.

A more natural reading is that Messiah’s ministry and death fall within the 70th week. This aligns with:

✅ The purpose of the prophecy, which centers on dealing with sin and bringing reconciliation.

✅ The work of Jesus’ three-and-a-half-year ministry, culminating in His crucifixion.

✅ The idea that the 70th week is part of the prophecy’s fulfillment, not something separate.

Jesus’ death was the ultimate atonement for sin—the very work the 70 Weeks prophecy was meant to address.

“He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.” (Isaiah 53:8)

Who Are “The People of the Prince” That Destroy the City?

The second part of Daniel 9:26 states:

“…and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary…”

A common interpretation suggests that this “prince” refers to a future Antichrist, but the text specifically says “the people” of the prince will destroy the city and temple.

This aligns historically with what happened in 70 AD, when the Romans under General Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the temple.

Who Are “The People”?

📌 The Romans—the armies that physically destroyed the city.

📌 The Jewish leaders—whose rejection of Christ led to Jerusalem’s downfall.

Is “The Prince” Referring to Titus or Someone Else?

Some argue that since Titus led the Roman legions, the “prince” in this verse must refer to him. This is a reasonable interpretation, and many respected scholars hold this view.

However, there’s an issue:The only prince explicitly named in this prophecy is Messiah the Prince (Daniel 9:25).

So why suddenly redefine “prince” in verse 26 to mean Titus or even a future Antichrist?

A consistent reading suggests that the “prince” in verse 26 is still referring to Messiah from the previous verse. If that’s the case, then “the people of the prince” would refer to the Jewish people—whose rejection of Christ ultimately led to the city’s destruction.

How Could the Jewish People Destroy Their Own City?

This does not mean they physically destroyed it, but rather that their rejection of Christ led to divine judgment upon Jerusalem.

Jesus Himself prophesied this in Matthew 23:37-38:

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, 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.”

Jerusalem’s Destruction: Judgment for Rejecting the Messiah

✔️ The Romans were the instrument of judgment.

✔️ The Jewish leadership’s rejection of Jesus was the cause.

This pattern is consistent with biblical history:

📖 God used Babylon to judge Judah in 586 BC (Jeremiah 25:9).

📖 God used Rome to judge Jerusalem in 70 AD for rejecting Christ.

“And the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.” (Daniel 9:26b, KJV)

The phrase “with a flood” is often used prophetically to describe an overwhelming invasion or destruction (Isaiah 8:7-8). The destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD was precisely that—sudden, severe, and complete.

Daniel 9:27 – Who is “He” in This Verse?

As we approach the final verse of this prophecy, we encounter one of the most debated phrases in Bible prophecy:

“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” (Daniel 9:27, KJV)

Who is the “He” in This Verse?

A popular interpretation claims that the “he” in Daniel 9:27 refers to a future Antichrist who:

🔹 Makes a seven-year peace treaty with Israel.

🔹 Breaks the treaty midway through, causing sacrifices to cease.

🔹 Commits an abomination in a rebuilt temple.

🔹 Brings about the Great Tribulation.

This view is widespread but rests on assumptions that are not in the text.

Does the Context Point to the Antichrist?

To determine who “he” is, we must apply basic rules of interpretation:

📖 Who is the most recent subject? 

📖 Who does the prophecy focus on? 

📖 Does this interpretation align with the stated purpose of the 70 Weeks?

Looking at verse 25:

“Unto Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks.”

Then verse 26:

“And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off.”

The last proper noun before verse 27 is Messiah the Prince.

This means that the natural reading of verse 27 would still be referring to Messiah—not to an Antichrist who was never mentioned.

What Does the Messiah Do in This Verse?

✅ “He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week.”

🔹 The Messiah is the one who confirms the covenant.

🔹 This is not a political treaty but God’s covenant of redemption.

🔹 Jesus Himself said:

“This is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matthew 26:28)

✅ “In the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease.”

🔹 Jesus’ death on the cross ended the need for temple sacrifices.

🔹 His sacrifice was once for all (Hebrews 10:8-10).

🔹 The tearing of the temple veil (Matthew 27:51) symbolized this.

✅ “For the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate.”

🔹 The rejection of Christ led to the desolation of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

🔹 Jesus prophesied this in Matthew 24:15.

The Prophetic Pattern of Three and a Half Years

A fascinating aspect of this prophecy is the midpoint of the 70th week, which occurs three and a half years into the final seven-year period.

Why is Three and a Half Years Significant?

This three-and-a-half-year timeframe appears multiple times in biblical prophecy:

• Daniel 7:25 – The saints are given into the hands of an enemy for “a time, times, and half a time” (3.5 years).

• Daniel 12:7 – A prophetic period of 3.5 years leading to the kingdom.

• Revelation 11:2-3 – The two witnesses prophesy for 1,260 days (3.5 years).

• Revelation 12:6, 14 – The woman (symbolizing God's people) is nourished for 1,260 days.

• Revelation 13:5 – The beast is given authority for 42 months (3.5 years).

Jesus' Ministry and Three and a Half Years

Interestingly, Jesus’ earthly ministry lasted approximately 3.5 years, aligning with this prophetic timeframe:

📖 Church historians like Eusebius pointed to this as evidence that Jesus ministered for this duration.

📖 The Gospel of John records at least three Passovers during Jesus’ ministry, confirming a 3 to 3.5-year period.

Jesus Hints at This in Luke 4

At the start of His public ministry, Jesus read from Isaiah 61 in the synagogue:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19)

Then, unexpectedly, He stopped mid-verse and closed the scroll. The next part of Isaiah 61:2 says:

“and the day of vengeance of our God.”

Why did Jesus stop reading?

• He was fulfilling the first part (His first coming).

• The rest of the prophecy pertains to His second coming.

This division of time suggests that prophetic periods—especially 3.5 years—are highly significant.

The Future Implications of Three and a Half Years

While Daniel’s 70 Weeks prophecy was fulfilled in the first century, there is strong biblical precedent for seeing this timeframe reappear in eschatological prophecy.

• Could this three-and-a-half-year period have dual fulfillment—both in Jesus’ first coming and in future end-time events?

• How does this pattern relate to Revelation’s tribulation timeline?

• Does this suggest a continuity between Christ’s ministry and prophetic end-time events?

These are the big questions that we will explore in a future post.

A Call to Study and Discern

I understand that what we’ve covered may challenge long-held beliefs. That’s okay. Truth is not something we defend out of tradition—it’s something we seek, knowing that God’s Word is our ultimate authority.

I encourage you:

📖 Go back and study these passages for yourself.

🙏 Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into truth.

⚖️ Rightly divide the Word of God.

If this prophecy is truly about Christ, then it should transform how we view biblical prophecy. Are we willing to set aside assumptions and let Scripture interpret Scripture?

Let’s reclaim the true meaning of Daniel 9 and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus—the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan.