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APPENDIX MATERIAL.

Extract: From the (late) Australian Bible scholar, Wallace Jackel's "Vistas of Coming Glory"

The prophetic panorama of the seventy weeks has been designated "the backbone of prophecy." Here the whole prophetic programme of Israel's future is revealed. It is one of the strongholds of the futurist interpretation, and it is not surprising that our opponents have made it the special target of their attack.

Daniel 9:24-27. "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.

"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 three score and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

"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.

"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."

We must notice at the outset the particular force of the words, "thy people" and 'thy Holy City." It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of these words, for herein lies the key to the solution of the prophecy. "Thy people" are the Israelites, and "thy Holy City" is Jerusalem. Thus the prophecy of the 70 weeks concerns Israel exclusively. We must therefore repudiate all interpretations other than those that relate to the Jewish nation. "Thy people" and "thy city" are the criteria of interpretation and the premises of application. All subsequent reasoning rests on these introductory criteria. To recklessly disregard such divine sanctions, and then to proceed with an air of infallibility to anathematize the "futurists" for nullifying the work of the cross, seriously indicts the whole argument against the futurist interpretation.

. The seventy weeks mentioned in verse 24 are weeks of years, that is each week represents seven years. While this may seem to us an abstruse method of measuring time, it was very intelligible to the Hebrews, who commonly employed the method. In Genesis 29:27-28, Laban said to Jacob of Rachel, "Fulfil her week," that is, fulfil her seven years. "And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week" (seven years) and was then entitled to marry Rachel. The seventy year prophecy is divided up into three distinct periods, to wit:
 

1 A period of seven weeks, or seven sevens of years, which would be forty-nine years. This period of time concerned the rebuilding of the temple after the captivity in Babylon.

2. A period of 62 weeks which is 434 years, which was the exact time that elapsed between the building of the temple and the cutting off of Messiah the Prince.

3. A period of one week, that is, seven years, yet future which comprises the days of tribulation and the reign of Anti-Christ.

Turning to the prophecy, we notice that six things are to be accomplished at the end of the seventy weeks. A-millenialists and others profess to find the fulfilment of these six blessings at the first advent of Christ, and apply them to sinners generally. But this ignores the interpretive safeguards, "thy people" and "thy holy city." Having erred at this point, all their conclusions are necessarily false.

1. To finish transgression (literally, THE transgression). The word rendered finish has as its primary meaning, to restrain, to close up, to hinder. These meanings are shades of the central idea of restraining or completely hindering. Leviticus 26:40 suggests that there is a particular sin, of which the Jewish nation will be held guilty. Hosea 5:15 also suggests the same thing, "I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face." Gabriel referred to "the transgression," obviously then, it was a specific sin. This can be no other than the sin of rejecting and crucifying Jesus Christ. At the end of this age, Israel will repent and turn to Him, and the transgression will be removed.

2. To make an end of sins. Not sins in general, but Israel's sins. The meaning of the expression "to make an end of" is given as to "shut", "close," "seal," "hide." "The word," says Dr. Cooper, "was used of the closing of a letter - the primary idea being that of bringing to a conclusion." Such is the significance here! The sin of rejecting Christ has landed Israel into wholesale sin, thus blighting her national life, and making her a byword among the nations. The atonement truly was made at the cross, but Israel ass a nation, stubborn and rebellious, failed to appropriate the blessings. Only a remnant in New Testament days and onward availed themselves of it, but at the time of her "national conversion," the full blessings of Calvary will be experienced.

3. To make reconciliation for iniquity. The word "reconciliation" here means to expiate. Sin has caused a breach between Jehovah and Israel. Daniel's people are still "Lo-Ammi," - not my people; "Lo-ruhamah" not pitied; they are the "dry bones" of Ezekiel 37; the "broken-off branches" of Romans 11:17; but Israel will acknowledge her offence, and the way will be open for "national reconciliation." The virtues of Calvary which have been enjoyed through the age of grace by a believing remnant of Jews, will be enjoyed by all at the close of this age.

4. To bring in everlasting righteousness. At the end of the seventy year period, God will bring in the righteousness of the ages. This is not imputed righteousness, but a national, governmental, civic righteousness. This is nothing less than the world-wide kingdom of the Son of Man.

5. To seal up the vision and prophecy. The word "seal" means to conclude or finish - bringing matters to an end. It will complete all that the seers and prophets have foretold, and when the kingdom has come in reality, prophecy will be no longer required.

6. To anoint the "Most Holy." The expression "Most Holy" is used about forty times in the Scriptures and in the majority of cases it refers to the altar or sanctuary. Some render the passage "to anoint a Holy of Holies." The reference doubtless is to the glorious millennial temple yet to appear.”