BIRTHPLACE OF THE ANTICHRIST!

  The prophecy of the ninth chapter of Daniel is perhaps the most abused and misused prophecy of all. Out of a false interpretation of this chapter has arisen a futuristic teaching that postpones to the close of the age, those things that were long since fulfilled at the first advent of Jesus Christ.

  Beginning with the 24^th verse, we are clearly told those things that shall occur during the 490-year period mentioned here. Every Bible student is agreed that the 70 weeks mentioned are weeks of years, namely 70 weeks of seven years each, making a total of 490 years. A careful reading of the 24^th verse informs one that the whole prophecy would culminate in the last, or 70^th week of the prophecy, during the ministry and final crucifixion of the Messiah. The very wording of the passage indicates this.  Read it.

How absurd, then for the so-called Bible teachers to amputate, as they have, the 70^th week from the other 69, and postpone its fulfillment to the close of this age, some 1900+ years later. Yet this is what has been done, and how often one hears some preacher telling his audience about the time when the 70^th week of Daniel will begin, and the “Antichrist” shall appear and make a covenant with the Jews for seven years, the period covered by the 70^th week. Then, they say, this “Antichrist” will break the covenant in the middle of this seven-year period, and the “Great Tribulation” will begin! This theory is developed from what is said in the 27^th verse. I presume nearly every one who shall read this, has heard this doctrine proclaimed at some time, if not, many times.

Now, lets look at the Facts! Following the statement of what shall occur during the 490-year period, in the 25^th verse, we read these words: “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem (Neh.2:1-8) unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.”

  This makes a total of 69 weeks (week of years) or 69 X 7 years, which is 483 years, thus bringing us to the 70^th week, and to “Messiah the Prince.”

  Note that this only brings us to the appearance of the Messiah, or the beginning of Christ’s ministry. That’s exactly what it says, “…seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks, (483 years) UNTO the Messiah the Prince.”  This brings us, therefore, to the 70^th week in which Christ’s ministry began, in which ministry those things enumerated in the 24^th verse would of necessity find their fulfillment.  Six things are set forth in this 24^th verse: namely, “to finish the transgression,” “to make an end of sins,” “to make reconciliation for iniquity,” “to bring in everlasting righteousness,” “to seal us up vision and prophecy,” and to “anoint the most holy.”  By their very wording, all of these must find their accomplishment in the ministry and death of Christ, the Messiah.

Otherwise, the entire prophecy loses its meaning and these things enumerated in the 24^th verse, if not fulfilled in Christ’s earthly ministry, are not yet fulfilled, and the “Antichrist” certainly is not going to make an end of sins, bring in everlasting righteousness, make reconciliation for iniquity, and anoint the Most Holy.

  I call your attention to this to show the absurdity of the futuristic teaching, which makes the 70^th week a future period in which the theoretical “Antichrist” shall have full sway.

  Now note, please, the 26^th verse, which says: “And AFTER threescore and two weeks,” (the other seven weeks having elapsed in the rebuilding of Jerusalem) AFTER the expiration of the seven weeks and threescore and two weeks, something was to happen – the Messiah was to be cut off!  And so I ask, “What comes after 69 – 70, does it not? Most assuredly! Then if Christ was crucified after the 69 weeks had elapsed, it MUST have occurred in the 70^th week; it could not be otherwise!

  And now give careful attention to the rest of this 26^th verse. It says, “And the people of the prince that shall come, shall destroy the city and the sanctuary…”.  It is a matter of well-known history that Titus’ army did destroy the city as foretold here. There are two persons mentioned in this 26^th verse; one is the Messiah, the other the prince that should come.  Just these two are mentioned.

Therefore, the 27^th verse must refer to one of these persons when it says, “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week.”  To which of these two persons does the personal pronoun “he” refer? It cannot refer to any third party, for none is mentioned, and to say it did would be contrary to the use of language. The antecedent of the pronoun “he” is either the Messiah, or the prince Titus. And it is certain that Titus did not confirm any covenant with anybody; he destroyed the city. Then “he” must refer to the Messiah.

  And it is a known fact, to those who have honestly studied the Scriptures, that Jesus Christ did confirm the covenant. We are told that He did, in Romans 15:8. He came as the Mediator of the covenant (Heb.9:15). And we also know that after approximately three and one-half years of His ministry, or in the midst of the 70^th week, He caused the sacrifice and oblation to cease, when He Himself became the “one sacrifice for sins for ever,” as we read in Hebrews 10:12 and 9:26-28. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, caused the sacrifice and oblation to cease, for prior to His death these things were offered, but after the Lamb of God was slain, “there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins…” (Heb.10:26).

  For some three and one-half years after Christ’s death the apostles preached to the Jews and then turned to a people known as Gentiles, thus completing the 70^th week. Read Acts 13:46.

  Then what about the much talked of future 70^th week of Daniel 9? It is a theory only which cannot be substantiated either by Scriptures or from history. The 70^th week of the ninth chapter of Daniel is long since a matter of history, the midst of that week witnessing, as the 26^th and 27^th verses plainly state, the cutting off, or crucifixion of Christ, the Messiah.

  And if the 70^th week is still future, as some maintain, then the Messiah has not yet been crucified. And who would believe a thing so absurd as that?  Yet strangely enough Christian people who believe in a crucified, resurrected Christ, are subscribing to a doctrine that maintains that the 70^th week is yet to come!

In conclusion let me ask – “Have you read carefully, with an open mind, the prophecy of Daniel 9:24 to 27 inclusive?  Better read it again and let it speak its own message.

                    The School of Affliction Graduates Rare Scholars.

Originally published in The National Message.

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