Chapter 8

The Last Seven Years of this Age

"Seventy Weeks are Decreed Upon Thy People."

Bible teachers very often refer to "the great tribulation", the period of judgment with which this age closes, as being seven years in duration. This is often done without an explanation of where such information is found The article and chart on this page proposes to give briefly such information. In the ninth chapter of Daniel there is revealed a week of years — seven years; this week is divided into two equal parts of three and a half years. A certain evil prince, arising out of Rome, is the dominating ruler of that whole period. He makes a covenant with many of the Jews for that seven years and in the middle of the week he breaks the covenant. It is briefly introduced; little is said about it and the subject is dismissed. One might think that it had been forgotten. However, the immediate context, and in fact the whole book of Daniel helps to give this special period of seven years an important setting. It is the concluding week of what is known generally as "the seventy weeks of Daniel." Let us say it is — the severed week which is severed in the center. No other such week is known in the Scriptures.

"And Even Unto the Full End"

In this chapter, Daniel 9, the prophet is thinking about the ending of seventy ones of years, and God sends an angel from heaven to reveal to him a period of seventy sevens of years. He tells him that seventy weeks of years are decreed upon his people. At the end of this period of 490 years there would come to Israel six wonderful benefits, which would bring to full fruition every glorious promise ever made to the nation. It was said that 69 of these weeks (483 years) would bring them to the "Anointed One" — that is Messiah the Prince. A point was given when the count was to begin (Dan. 9:25; Neh. 2:4-6) but beginning there to count always involved the student in an uncertain discussion of chronology. There is a more simple and absolutely certain way of reaching the goal. Only once in the life of Jesus is it recorded that He was ANOINTED; that was with the Holy Spirit at His baptism (Matt. 3:16, 17; Acts 10:38). Only once in His are was He proclaimed Prince — -the son of David; that was at His triumphant entry into Jerusalem just a few days before crucifixion (Matt. 21:1-10). Here, in these two events, one in the middle and one at the end of the sixty-ninth week, we have Messiah the Prince. Daniel says that AFTER the sixty-nine weeks Messiah should be cut off. Sixty-nine weeks brings us to the end of the period — to the seventieth week. The last half of that week is called "the full end" (Dan. 9:27). In that verse we have that strange severed week which is severed in the center.

"Desolations Are Determined."

The crucifixion was AFTER the sixty-nine weeks. If the seventieth week of seven years followed immediately and was finished seven years after the crucifixion, the six wonderful benefits promised Israel would have been realized. They were not. When Christ left their temple, just prior to the crucifixion, God vacated that house and it was THEIR house and DESOLATE (Matt. 23:37-39). A remnant according to election was accepted and the nation blinded and set aside. That seventieth week had not been fulfilled and has not yet become history. During the age of grace God is gathering His church. When that is complete the church will be taken up and God will begin dealing with Israel again (Rom. 11:25-32). When that becomes a fact there lies just seven years ahead — the time of Jacob's trouble, and then the six benefits are due Israel. At about the same time the prince out of Rome makes the covenant with Jews for a WEEK.

"Authority to Continue Forty and Two Months"

Beginning at the ninth chapter of Daniel, and reading the next 38 books of the Bible, you will find no such period of seven years severed in the center, until you come to Revelation. In chapters 11, 12, 13 of Revelation you find a seven years period divided into two equal parts of three and a half years (Rev 11:2 — forty and two months; Rev. 11:3 — twelve hundred and sixty days; Rev. 12:14 — three and a half years; Rev. 13:5 — forty and two months). All these terms mean three and a half years. They represent two halves of seven years. The two witnesses testify for the first half and are killed by the beast out of the pit (Rev. 11:7) This is "the beast" of Revelation 13 who has after his death-stroke is healed three and a half years. Here in Revelation you have the facts of this strange seven years, severed in the center. It is the last seven years of Gentile rule. It comes as the consummation of this age. It is the seventieth week of Daniel and at its close the six wonderful benefits are due Israel.

"To Finish Transgression"

Examine Daniel 9:24 for six benefits; look at the chart and note the place where they did not come; note the place where they are due. It is the glorious reign of Christ. For the character of Israel at that time read Ezekiel 36:24-31. The facts all of the facts on this topic. fit like the fingers of clasped hands. When this time comes the Church will be with the Lord and like Him. reigning with Him. Israel will be converted and restored and there will be a great revival among the Gentiles who survive the tribulation period.

Original Editor's Note: We take the position that the Present Age ends with the rapture of the church, and that the seven years of tribulation are a distinct dispensation in that God is primarily dealing with the Jewish nation).