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Living the Christian Life Magazine
Daniel’s prophecy coincides with the main purpose of the Book of Revelation, that is “the time of the tribulation” Chapters 4 to 19. The Great tribulation, the latter half of the final week is especially in view. The 70th week sees the anti-Christ who signs a covenant with Israel to start this period of tribulation. (Dan 7:27 & 2 Thes. 2:7) He breaks that covenant in the midst of the final week. At the end of this tribulation period when the antichrist is finally defeated there will be the glorious appearing of Christ (Rev 19:11-20 Zech 14:4 2 Thes 1:7)
You will remember, of the anti-Christ it is said that in the early days he speaks as a lamb, he comes and he speaks peaceably.It is only later that his true nature is seen and half way through this period he breaks his covenant with the people of God. He causes the sanctuary to be desecrated, probably setting up an image of himself. Remember in chapter 3:8 saw that enforced worship of the image is to be typical of the end of the age He sets up an image in the very sanctuary of the people of God, and the end is near. For just 3 years he does his worst, he seeks to destroy the city and the sanctuary and there are wars and desolations, the overspreading of abominations until the consummation, for he will be cut off without hand.
The Lord Himself will deal with him, but this final period, this brief period of 1,260 days - 3-years - is for Israel, the day of Jacob's trouble, the day when the anti-Christ, the prince of the people, is breaking his covenant and seeking to destroy the earthly people of God.
Thank God for the consummation. Thank God for the end, it is in His Hands and He has the last word. Those who say that as far as they are concerned, there is no future for the Jew are blind to this final period of their history. God at the moment is no longer dealing with the Jews as a nation.
He did that in the Old Testament dispensation and He will do it again, for that final brief period after our age,the time of the Gentiles, is completed. Now He is calling out of all nations, Jew and Gentile, a people for His own Name into the Church of God, but when the Church Age is past, for that brief period,
He will take up the story again with Israel and Paul tells us about it, you will remember, in Romans 11. He says in verse 25
"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part hath befallen Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in"- and then all Israel shall be saved. It is written, “There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins." That is what Daniel prayed about. That is what the Angel Gabriel told him about. He spoke of the removing of their sins and the bringing in of everlasting righteousness. The purpose of God for Israel is their salvation, and “if the casting away of them" says Paul "has been the reconciling of the nations of the world, what will their redemption be, their gathering again be, but life from the dead."
When God blesses Israel, He shall yet, through them, bless all the nations of the world in the millennial reign. That day, I believe, is very near We are moving rapidly to the end of the Church Age and the beginning of this very brief period of final Jewish history before the Saviour comes. He is coming for His earthly people and for you and me. In the meantime we are to serve Him as He deserves.
Further studies of this period will appear in future articles
Of Bible Prophecy in Living Magazine
Daniel’s Prophecy in Daniel Chapter 9 - The Final Week
The Great Tribulation
"A time will come" says Gabriel. "A time will come when all sin will finish for this nation." "A time will come when transgression will end." "A time will come when there is established everlasting righteousness. There will be no need of prophet; there will be no need of prophecy; there will be no need of vision, and that time will be at the end of 70 weeks."
Bible Prophecy