What I’m talking about is the prophecy found in the 9th chapter of the book of Daniel, commonly called “the 70 weeks”, but more accurately known to readers of this blog as the 70 Sevens. Let me tell you some fascinating and unusual details about this prophecy.
First, the prophecy begins its countdown to the messiah with a “commandment” (Hebrew dabar = word) to restore and build Jerusalem. As I’ve explained here, here, and here this “word” is none other than Yahweh’s divine word to restore and build Jerusalem as given through the prophets Haggai and Zechariah.
Second, this countdown is divided into distinct periods of time described as “sevens”.
Third, and most intriguing of all, is that while the prophecy gives a specific starting point, specific divisions, and events which take place during these periods of “sevens”, the prophecy is totally silent on the length of “time” meant for us to calculate these “seven” with. Here take a look:
Seventy weeks [sevens] 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.