Christianity and the End Times

Wrong. Cyrus is world-famous. Ever hear of the Cyrus cylinder ?

PaulK writes: Because the coming of God to redeem His people and set up an eternal kingdom is a mere triviality to you. It didn’t happen, but that doesn’t make it trivial to the writer or to the readers.

It didn’t happen, but that doesn’t make it trivial to the writer or to the readers.

PaulK writes:Without a certain start date - which you don’t have - you can’t say who did or did not come at the end of the 69 weeks.

3. (Dan 9:25) The course and dividing of the seventy weeks.Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times.a. From the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem: Here Gabriel revealed to Daniel the starting point for the seventy-weeks prophecy. There was a command to restore and build Jerusalem in history that started this specific period of time.i. The Bible presents four possible decrees that might fulfill this description:
Cyrus made a decree giving Ezra and the Babylonian captives the right to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple in 538 b.c. (Ezra 1:1-4 and 5:13-17). Darius made a decree giving Ezra the right to rebuild the temple in 517 b.c. (Ezra 6:6-12). Artaxerxes made a decree giving Ezra permission, safe passage, and supplies to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple in 458 b.c. (Ezra 7:11-26). Artaxerxes made a decree giving Nehemiah permission, safe passage and supplies to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the walls in 445 b.c. (Nehemiah 2:1-8).ii. Only the last of these four decrees was a command to restore and build Jerusalem. The first three each focused on the temple, not on the street or on the wall.

b. Until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks: Gabriel’s message to Daniel was simple and striking. 483 years — that is, 69 units of seven years — would pass from the time of the command recorded in Nehemiah 2:1-8 until the appearance of Messiah the Prince.i. Some say the 483 years were completed at the time of Jesus’ birth (5 or 4 b.c.). There is little chronological support for this date.ii. Some say the 483 years were completed at His baptism, at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry (if dated at a.d. 26). This is possible if one begins with the earlier decree of Artaxerxes, and figures with our present measurement for years (365.25 days to a year) instead of the ancient measurement of years (360 days to a year).iii. Some say the 483 years were completed at the triumphal entry of Jesus (if dated at a.d. 32). Sir Robert Anderson’s significant work The Coming Prince followed this argument in great detail. Anderson, using a 360-day year (which Israel used in Daniel’s day), calculated 173,880 days from the decree to the triumphal entry, fulfilling the prophecy to the day. It is customary for the Jews to have twelve months of 360 days each and then to insert a thirteenth month occasionally when necessary to correct the calendar. (Walvoord) The year a.d. 32 (based on Luke 3:1) for Jesus’ death is controversial (most chronologists favor a.d. 30 or 33). But recent attempts have made some case for the date: A recent article attempts to give credence to the date of a.d. 32; cf. R.E. Showers, Grace Journal, XI (Winter, 1970), pp. 30ff. The evidence presented is worthy of notice. (Wood) No one today is able dogmatically to declare that Sir Robert Anderson’s computations are impossible. (Walvoord)iv. Some say the 483 years were completed at the exact time of the crucifixion. This is a minority opinion. Most who find the date near this time also see it belonging to the Triumphal Entry, which happened seven days before the crucifixion.c. Until Messiah the Prince: Taking Anderson’s calculations as reliable, we see a remarkable fulfillment of prophecy. A Gentile king made a decree and 483 years later to the day, Jesus presented Himself as Messiah the Prince to Israel.i. In our mind a Prince is a good step lower than a king. In the Hebrew vocabulary, Prince has more the idea of strong, mighty ruler than son of a king and heir to the throne.ii. There was only one occasion in our Lord’s earthly ministry on which He is depicted as presenting Himself openly as Zion’s King, the so-called ‘Triumphal Entry,’ recorded in each one of the Gospels and fulfilling Zechariah 9:9 and Psalm 118:26. (Newell) On that day, Jesus deliberately arranged the event to present Himself as Messiah (Mark 11:1-10). On that day, Jesus welcomed praise (Luke 19:38-40) instead of quieting it (Luke 5:14 and 8:56). On that day, Jesus made special reference to the importance of that day (Luke 19:41-42).iii. This prophecy is so specifically fulfilled that it has been a significant testimony to many. Others of the Jewish [scholars], by the evidence of these words, have been compelled to confess that Messiah is already come, and that he was that Jesus whom their forefathers crucified. (Trapp)d. The street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times: This indicates that the rebuilding of the streets and wall of Jerusalem would happen in the first seven weeks mentioned. Then would follow another 62 weeks of years until the coming of Messiah the Prince.i. The seventy weeks are divided into three parts: Seven weeks — 49 years, until the city and its walls are rebuilt.
69 weeks (7 plus 62), 483 years from the decree, until Messiah the Prince appears. A final 70th week to complete the prophecy.

Unfortunately for your argument we have strong evidence that the intended end point is in the Maccabean period.

It is only speculation that the word to restore Jerusalem is a command from the Persian emperor.

You mean apart from the rise of Antiochus, and his attacks on the city and ending the sacrifices and putting up pagan altars in the Temple...

But it is speculation. There is no mention of the source of the command in Daniel.

Daniel doesn't even mention the Roman Empire

The issue is that Daniel has nothing to do with Jesus and it is only the Dogma of your Cult that tries to force fit Daniel (and almost every other messianic prophesy) to meet YOUR fantasies.

D. The Antichrist: the end times Antiochus Epiphanes.1. (Dan 11:36) The willful king: a shift to a future fulfillment.Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done.a. He shall exalt and magnify himself above every god: The angel explained to Daniel that this king would blaspheme God and exalt himself until the wrath has been accomplished and what has been determined shall be done.b. Above every god: Here we shift from what was fulfilled in the Ptolemies and the Selucids to what will be fulfilled in the Antichrist, the final world dictator. Daniel was told that this revelation pertained to the latter days (Daniel 10:14), and Daniel 11:36 begins to look more towards this final world dictator, who is sort of a last days Antiochus Epiphanes.i. We know that everything about this prophecy was not fulfilled during the career of Antiochus Epiphanes. Jesus specifically said the real abomination of desolation was still in the future (Matthew 24:15). The Apostle Paul paraphrased Daniel 11:36 in reference to the coming Antichrist: Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).ii. Antiochus Epiphanes is important, but mostly as a historical preview of the Antichrist. This is why so much space is given to describing the career of one evil man — because he prefigures the ultimate evil man. Antiochus Epiphanes is the trailer released well before the Antichrist, who is like the feature.c. He shall exalt and magnify himself above every god: Antiochus Epiphanes certainly did this in the general sense that all sinners oppose God. Yet he remained loyal to the Greek religious tradition, which revered the entire Olympian pantheon. Antiochus Epiphanes put a statue of Zeus in the temple, not of himself. This statement will be far more precisely fulfilled in the Antichrist, who sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God (2 Thessalonians 2:4).d. Shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished: Antichrist will do much damage, but he is on a short chain and will only work into God’s plan. God’s purpose will be accomplished.2. (Dan 11:37-39) The character and authority of the willful king.
He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all. But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things. Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain.a. He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women: Based on this, some Bible scholars believe that the Antichrist will be of Jewish descent, and perhaps will also be a homosexual. These things may not be popularly known about the man, but they may be true nonetheless.i. But many commentators believe that the desire of women refers to Jesus, in that all women desired the honor of bearing the Messiah and understanding desire as it is used in Haggai 2:7. Seeing the desire of women as Jesus makes most sense in light of the flow of context.b. He shall honor a god of fortresses: The Antichrist will take and hold power with military might and the shrewd use of great riches.
3. (Dan 11:40-45) The final conflict.At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him.a. At the time of the end: The angel described to Daniel a confederation of kings coming against this great leader, with a battle in and near the Holy Land.b. King of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind: Prophetically speaking, a precise identification of peoples mentioned is difficult. The king of the South may be Egypt or represent the Arab community. The king of the North may be the Antichrist’s domain (as the new Antiochus Epiphanes) or it may be Russia.i. The precise points may be cloudy, but the general idea is clear. The end will be marked by great conflict, culminating in the world’s armies gathering in the Promised Land to do final battle.c. Yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him: In the end there is no hope for the Antichrist or for any of his followers.

4. (Dan 9:26) What happens after the first sixty-nine weeks.And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; and the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, and till the end of the war desolations are determined.a. After the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off: The Biblical term cut off is sometimes used to describe execution (see Genesis 9:11 and Exodus 31:14). Gabriel told Daniel that the Messiah will be cut off for the sake of others, not for Himself.i. Able chronologists have shown that the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ occurred immediately after the expiration of 483 prophetic years, of 360 days each, from the time of Artaxerxes’ order. (Ironside)ii. Strangely, many able commentators simply ignore these numbers. The numbers are symbolic and not arithmetical. (Baldwin)iii. Cut off is a poignant description of Jesus’ earthly life up to and including the cross. Born in another man’s stable, cradled in another man’s manger with nowhere to lay his head during his life on earth, and buried in another man’s tomb after dying on a cursed cross, the Christ of God and the Friend of the friendless was indeed cut off and had nothing. (Heslop)b. Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary: After the Messiah was cut off, Jerusalem and her temple would be destroyed again by an overwhelming army (with a flood). Most all Bible scholars and commentators agree that this was fulfilled in the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in a.d. 70.c. The people of the prince who is to come shall destroy: The destroying army is made up of the people of the prince who is to come. This coming prince is described more in Daniel 9:26.
5. (Dan 9:27) The events of the seventieth week.Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate.a. He shall confirm a covenant: The he Gabriel described is the prince who is to come mentioned in the previous verse. If we know that the prince’s people destroyed Jerusalem in a.d. 70, then we know this coming prince has his ancestral roots in the soil of the ancient Roman Empire.i. Therefore, the prince who is to come will in some way be an heir to the Romans, even as the final world government is an heir to the Roman Empire (Daniel 7).b. He shall confirm a covenant with many for one week: The coming prince will make a covenant with Israel for the final unit of seven years, completing the seventy weeks prophesied for the Jewish people and Jerusalem.i. Covenant with many: The word many here is a specific reference to Israel, not a general reference to a group. The ancient Hebrew says, covenant with the many.ii. With this covenant Israel will embrace the Antichrist as a political messiah, if not the literal Messiah. Jesus predicted this in John 5:43: I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.iii. Taking the description of what would be accomplished in the 70 Weeks from Daniel 9:24, we know that the 70 Weeks are not yet complete. Yet the events promised in the first 69 weeks are fulfilled, indicated that there is a lengthy pause in the 70 Weeks, between the 69th week and the 70th week. The 70th week will begin when the coming prince shall confirm a covenant with the Jewish people. These gaps or pauses in prophecy may seem strange to us, but they are common. Comparing Isaiah 9:6 and Luke 1:31-33 shows another significant pause or gap in prophecy regarding the coming of the Messiah.iv. We can think of it in this way: God appointed 490 years of special focus on Israel in His redemptive plan. The years were paused by Israel’s rejection of Jesus. Now there is no special focus on Israel in God’s redemptive plan because this is the time of the church. God’s focus will return to Israel when the church is taken away (at the rapture) and the last seven years of man’s rule on this earth begin.v. The 70th week will begin when the Jewish people are restored in unbelief to their land and city; and among them will be found a faithful remnant, owning their sin, and seeking Jehovah’s face. (Henry Ironside writing in 1911)c. In the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering: The coming prince will break the covenant with Israel in the middle of the seven years, the final week (period of seven years).i. The Book of Revelation sees this seven year period with both its halves as yet future (Revelation 12:6, 13-14; 13:5-9, 14-15). The middle of the week and the end of sacrifice had not yet happened in 90 a.d.d. On the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate: The ending of sacrifice will come with abominations, followed by tremendous desolation.i. Abominations translates an ancient Hebrew word (shiqquwts) that is connected to horrific idolatry (Deuteronomy 29:17, 1 Kings 11:5-7, 2 Kings 23:13). The idea is that the coming prince breaks the covenant and brings an end to sacrifice and offering by desecrating the holy place of the temple with a horrific idolatry.ii. Jesus called this the abomination of desolation (Matthew 24:15) and indicated that it would be a pivotal sign in the Great Tribulation. Paul referred to the idolatry of the coming prince in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.e. Until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate: This breaking of the covenant and abomination of desolation has a promised consummation. Before the 70th week is completed, each of the things described in Daniel 9:24 will be accomplished and everlasting righteousness will reign.

The Seventy Weeks of Daniel as Understood by Sir Robert Anderson in The Coming PrinceDaniel 9:24-25 says that from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem to the coming of the Messiah there will be 483 years.7 + 62 weeks = 69 groups of seven years. 7 x 69 = 483 yearsAnderson understood a prophetic year as 360 days. This is based both on ancient history and on Revelation 11:2, 13:5, 11:3, and 12:6 which indicate that 42 months — 3 years — are equal to 1,260 days.Therefore, 483 years x 360 days = 173,880 daysArtaxerxes started his reign in 465 b.c. The decree to rebuild Jerusalem was given on the first day of Nisan, in the 20th year of Artaxerxes. In our calendar system (the Julian calendar) that date is March 14, 445 b.c. (Nehemiah 2:1)Jesus started His ministry in the 15th year of Tiberius (see Luke 3:1). Tiberius started his reign in a.d. 14, so Jesus’ ministry started in a.d. 29. Anderson believed that Jesus celebrated four Passovers during His ministry, one each in a.d. 29, 30, 31. and His final Passover in a.d. 32. With the help of lunar charts, we can calculate the exact date of ancient Passovers, so it is possible to calculate the exact day of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem as April 6, a.d. 32.From 445 b.c. to a.d. 32. there are 476 years on the Julian calendar
(not 477 years, because there is no year zero).476 years x 365 days = 173,740 days.Adjusting for the difference between March 14 and April 6 adds 24 days.Adjusting for leap years over a period of 476 years adds 116 days.
The total number of days from March 14, 445 b.c. to April 6, a.d. 32.
173,740 + 24 + 116 = 173,880 days.According to his calendar, Daniel told us there would be 173,880 days between the decree and the arrival of Messiah the Prince.
Jesus said to the Jews of this day: If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! (Luke 19:42). David said of this day in Psalm 118:24: This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Anyone care to explain why these 'prophecies' are open to interpretation? How come these predictions are so important yet so obscure?

Just like miracles, never anything unambiguos. Now why is that?

Daniel 10-12 is back to how God is going to smash Antiochus and the Greeks and set up the eternal Jewish Kingdom

Daniel 10 gets angels involved. It’s another end times prophecy,

and starts with the Greeks coming to defeat the Persians.

Daniel 11 is the meat of this prophecy. Again Alexander’s kingdoms are divided and the successor kingdoms - named after the four cardinal directions here - are the focus. Only the North (Seleucids) and South (Ptolomies) are of real significance.

There are echoes of Daniel 9 here, more evidence that the seventieth week really is about Antiochus’ dealings with the Jews.
Daniel 9:25 ...And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood...

Daniel 11:22 With the force of a flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, and also the prince of the covenantAnd this goes on, until the end of the chapter. There is no shift, just as in Daniel 8 the focus is firmly on Antiochus.

Daniel 12 completes it, saying that Michael will intervene, there will be great troubles for the Jews, but they will be redeemed, even the dead who will return to life.

There is more on timing, though: Again this makes a mess of some futurist interpretations. If the daily sacrifice had been taken away and the abomination set up in 70AD or before, then this period should have been completed, even if the days are read as years. So, it’s back to everything being in the future.

So, in conclusion Daniel places the end times in the Maccabean period, explicitly in Daniel 8 and 11. Daniel 7 and 9 link to those, (Daniel 9 referencing events of the period) and nothing says otherwise.

Christian interpreters usually can’t accept this but nevertheless it is there.

The assertion that the little horn image refers to two different people needs more support.

\ The evidence that the Roman Empire is intended is weak, and contradicted by Daniel 8 and Daniel 10-12.