When we were last together we were studying Daniel chapter 12 where Daniel heard a conversation between angels regarding the end of the time - end of the great tribulation. Daniel heard an angel ask the man clothed in linen...when will be the end of the wonders which thou hast mentioned?...Dan. 12:6. Wonders - what does this mean?
The word wonders means: miracle - an event distinguished from all others. The word miracle means: a sign. This particular wonder or sign - great tribulation - is an event distinguished from all others, and was permitted by God. How is this wonder distinguished from all others?
Jesus distinguished this event - wonder - when He said...there shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world...Matt. 24:21. While tribulation will be experienced throughout the ages, this horrific tribulation is distinguished because it is vengeance upon Israel for rejecting their Messiah. It is the Wrath of the Lamb executed upon them for rejecting Him...Rev. 6:16.
Israel was never annihilated until this time. This wonder is an event distinguished from all others. Once the Wrath of the Lamb is satisfied, this event will never occur again just as Jesus promised.
In this vision Daniel...heard the man clothed in linen, who was over the water of the river, and he lifted up his right hand and his left hand to Heaven, and sware by him that lives forever, that it should be for a time of times and half a time, when the dispersion is ended they shall know these things...Dan. 12:7. What does dispersion mean?
Beginning with Nero's persecution of Jewish Christians, and during the time of the Roman siege, beginning in 66 A.D., many fled for their lives into many nations during these dark days of evil. This was the beginning of the dispersion. By dispersing survivors into many nations, God will preserve the progeny of Abraham, who will be witnesses to the salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ. God will protect the holy nation He promised to Abraham...I Pet. 2:9
Many must be tested and thoroughly whitened, and tried with fire and sanctified...Dan:12:10. During this persecution the followers of Christ will be purified - allegiance to Christ must be confirmed during this period of time - a time of times and a half time. What is the translation of this metaphorical language?
We find the answer in the same angelic conversation overhead by Daniel...from the time of the removal of the perpetual sacrifice, when the abomination of desolation shall be set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days...Dan. 12:11. I described the removal of the perpetual sacrifice in Blog #22. What is the abomination of desolation?
In Daniel's 70-week vision he was shown...on the temple shall be the abomination of desolation...Dan. 9:27. Jesus confirmed Daniel...when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place...Matt. 24:15. We can see clearly now how these references are all referring to one event.
As the war was drawing to a close, Commander Titus Vespasian and his pagan army finally took possession of the city, after his pleas for surrender fell on deaf ears. His men brought their ensigns to the burned temple and set them against the eastern gate. At this time, they offered sacrifices to their heathen gods, while designating Titus as Imperator - on the temple shall be the abomination of desolation.
And one week shall establish the covenant with many: and in the midst of the week my sacrifice and drink-offering shall be taken away: and on the temple shall be the abomination of desolations; and at the end of the time an end shall be put to the desolation...Dan. 9:27 Septuagint.
During this final week of Daniel's vision - 70th - Commander Titus fulfilled the first 3 objectives in this prophecy: 1) established a covenant 2) sacrifice taken away 3) abomination of desolation of desolation on the temple. At the end of the war of 70 A.D. an end shall be put to the desolation. How does Titus accomplish the 4th objective? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
When we were last together we were at the point of the 70 A.D. war that left Commander Titus with one alternative. By now, during the 70th week of Daniel's vision, he had fulfilled two objectives of Daniel 9:27...and one week shall establish the covenant with many: and in the midst of the week my sacrifice and drink-offering shall be taken away. What is left to be accomplished in this verse?
There are two more objectives to be accomplished in Daniel 9:27...and on the temple shall be the abomination of desolation, and at the end of the time an end shall be put to the desolation.
While fulfilling the last two objectives, Commander Titus will fulfill the three objectives in Daniel 9:26...and He shall destroy the city and the sanctuary with the prince that is coming: they shall be cut off with a flood, and to the end of the war which is rapidly completed he shall appoint the city to desolation - Septuagint Bible.
Since Jesus described this war as the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled, we understand that this is the Wrath of the Lamb upon the those who rejected Him as their Messiah. So Daniel 9:26 becomes clear that it is Jesus Christ who appointed the city and the sanctuary to be destroyed by the prince that is coming - Commander Titus - a Prince of Rome. Jerusalem had been surrounded by the Roman army since 66 A.D...they shall be cut off with a flood.
Now Commander Titus, having exhausted all attempts to end the war peacefully, was left with one alternative...he shall appoint the city to desolation. Was this war described in another chapter of Daniel?
In chapter 12 of Daniel, Michael, the great prince, appears to Daniel and explains there shall be a time of tribulation, such tribulation as has not been from the time that there was a nation on earth until that time. This is because Israel had not rejected their Messiah until this time in history. The Wrath of the Lamb will annihilate them as a nation - this has never happened in history. At that time thy people shall be delivered, even everyone that is written in the book. What does this statement mean?
The angel is telling Daniel that though this horrific war will end with the loss of life for many people, if their names are written in the Book of Life they will be delivered. Daniel and his people asleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to reproach and everlasting shame when Jesus Christ was resurrected. At that time many arose from the grave and preached in the streets of Jerusalem...Matt. 27:51-54.
And thou, Daniel, close the words, and seal the book to the time of the end; until many are taught, and knowledge is increased...Dan. 12:4. This means: at the end of the time. Time means: week - 70th week of Daniel...Dan. 9:27. At the end of Daniel's 70 weeks (times) vision - an end shall be put to the desolation.
Before all this takes place men must be taught, and knowledge increased. What could this mean? Daniel was shown that the Anointed One will arrive and be destroyed. Israel must be taught about the coming Messiah, the truth about what the prophets have foretold, and how to prepare for His arrival. The Messiah would personally increase their knowledge, not only about His plans and purposes, but also how to understand the signs that will precede the devastating annihilation of their nation - at the end of the time - 70th week.
Daniel was instructed to close the words, and seal the book to the time of the end - end of the determination revealed in his 70-week vision. Why was this important? It would only be necessary to prepare the hearts and minds of the people who would actually experience the fulfillment of this prophecy. Near the end of the 62 weeks portion of Daniel's vision, God sent John the Baptist to prepare the hearts of the people for the coming Messiah.
Daniel heard a conversation between angels - one asked the man clothed in linen, "When will be the end of the wonders which thou hast mentioned?" Wonders? What could that mean? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
In the last blog (#21) we began to correlate other scriptures with the events of Dan. 9:27 - the 70th week of Daniel's vision, confirming the fulfillment of his prophecy. Commander Titus is the Prince who established a covenant with Israel, but they rejected it, so war continued.
And from the time of the removal of the perpetual sacrifice, when the abomination of desolation shall be set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days...Dan. 12:11 Septuagint. This verse describes the same event described in Dan. 9:27...in the midst of the week my sacrifice and drink offering shall be taken away - but gives us a time frame for its fulfillment. From the day the perpetual sacrifice is removed, until the abomination is set up, will be 1290 days.
The angel gives to Daniel a very clear, unambiguous numerical calculation of 1290 days as the exact amount of time, set by God. The time between the last day the daily sacrifice was performed, to the time when the abomination of desolation is set up is 1290 days - 3.7 years.
Jesus warned His apostles about this time and told them how to recognize the signs that will precede the appearance of the abomination of desolation so they could escape, when He said...therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains...Matt. 24:15-16.
Jesus said...whoever reads, let him understand. We can understand clearly when we read historical documentation regarding the fulfillment of this event. Regarding this event Jesus said...for there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, nor ever shall be. What does this mean?
God created this nation as His chosen people - an example to other nations of how He will treat anyone who choses to trust in Him. For many centuries His relationship with His chosen people was often strained - they sinned - He punished - they returned their allegiance to Him once again. Daniel's 70-week vision revealed events that would take place over several centuries, culminating with the annihilation of this nation.
He raised Israel up - His chosen people - and closed them down. There has been no war like 70 A.D...nor ever shall be. This war describes the Wrath of the Lamb against Israel for rejecting Jesus Christ as the final sacrifice for their sins...Rev. 6:16. Once the Wrath of the Lamb is executed there will be no need to do it again. As a nation, Israel will no longer be a blip on the radar.
So what is the perpetual sacrifice that will be removed during the War of 70 A.D? The perpetual sacrifice describes the continual sacrifice that was ordained at Mount Sinai. Two unblemished lambs were offered to the Lord continually, one in the morning and one in the evening with oil. But on the Sabbath, wine is mingled with the oil as a drink offering. Once every year the kid of a goat - the scapegoat - is offered to the Lord for the sins of the people...Lev. 28:1-15.
After Jesus Christ became the blood sacrifice for the sins of all mankind, the animal sacrifice was supposed to cease...but it didn't. God gave Israel 40 years to repent and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior - but they didn't. Remember, 40 means a probationary period of time. During the great tribulation - War of 70 A.D. - God will make sure the perpetual animal sacrifice will cease. - by force. God is not mocked...Gal 6:7.
The final week - 70th - of Daniel's vision was fulfilled between 63 A.D. and 70 A.D. When General Vespasian arrived in 66 A.D. he cut off Jerusalem from the outside world. After a few months of confinement all food supplies were eaten, including animals for sacrifice, wine, oil and all food...in the midst of the week my sacrifice and drink-offering shall be taken away...Dan. 9:27. This is the beginning of the 1290-day countdown...Dan. 12:11.
After the animal sacrifice ceased, Commander Titus arrived in 68 A.D. offering a covenant to preserve them, their city, and their temple from any further damage - but they refused protection from their enemy. See Blog #18 for details.
Their refusal of Commander Titus' covenant leaves him with one alternative - what was it? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
For those who are new to this Blog, its purpose is to adhere to the admonishment of the Apostle Peter...no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation...for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit...II Pet. 1:20-21. Millions of Christians are captivated by people who interpret prophecy of scripture, laying out future events categorically, but they do so by defying the clear instructions of Peter.
Sadly, the modern end-time doctrine espoused by all mainstream denominations, predicts future events unequivocally as if they know more than the Apostle Peter, so do not have to listen to his words of warning. When we research church history we will find clear documentation of fulfilled prophecy in Revelation and Daniel. Looking back at fulfilled prophecy provides accuracy - predicting the future places us in a dangerous position - a position of error.
As we continue our study of Daniel's 70-week vision, we are defining the black horse prophecy as it pertains to the War of 70 AD...so I looked and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand...and I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius...Rev. 6:5-6. This prophecy reveals the horrible judgment Israel experienced during the war.
Remember, a sword was seen in the sky above Jerusalem for a year, warning them the war was coming. This sword was placed in the hands of Commander Titus who fulfilled the red horse prophecy...another horse, fiery red, went out...and it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another, and there was given to him a great sword...Rev. 6:4.
Before Titus took over, the war devastated the people behind the wall of Jerusalem. Food became so scarce it would take a full days wage to buy only one quart of wheat or three quarts of barley. Wheat was considered a more valuable grain, used by the wealthy, while barley was less valuable and used by the poor, but in these desperate times both would cost a denarius - wage for a full day of work.
To understand more clearly in modern times, if your daily wage is $200.00 and you had to use all of it on only one loaf of bread, it would create a severe hardship for you. Only the wealthy could buy the scare food. Near the end, no amount of money could buy any food because it was all gone.
History records how these poor souls dredged sewers and dung hills for any semblance of food. Even old belts and shoes were not left untouched as a source for food by the despairing, humiliated, vanquished populous. This once proud, wealthy, and religious people were reduced to repulsive savages before their God, their countrymen, and their enemy.
There is also a warning in Rev. 6:6...do not harm the oil and wine. What could this mean? It means do not be unjust to this action. By the time Titus took over the war, the few surviving priests had no animals left to sacrifice, because they had been eaten by the citizens languishing in the misery of their confinement. Even the oil and the wine preserved for the daily sacrifice had been consumed. This loss is because of their refusal to repent - so this daily sacrifice was removed by God.
God couldn't force them to accept Jesus Christ as the final sacrifice for the sins of mankind, but He could forcefully and justifiably remove the animal sacrifices that had become a stench in His nostrils.
This brings us back to Daniel 9:27...in the midst of the week my sacrifice and drink-offering shall be taken away. This is objective #2 - out of 4 - listed in Blog #18 - outlining the events of Dan. 9:27. Figuratively, the word midst in this text means - midnight hour. The end of the perpetual sacrifice would be the "midnight hour" to these religious people, when the war heads into its final days, rushing Israel to annihilation.
What does the 12th chapter of Daniel have to say about the removal of the daily sacrifice during the final week (70th) of Daniel's prophecy? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
During the 70th week of Daniel's vision - Dan. 9:27 - four objectives must be accomplished which I enumerated in Blog #18. Blog #18-19 detail via historical documentation how Commander Titus fulfilled the first objective completely...one week shall establish the covenant with many.
After the covenant offered to many by Commander Titus was soundly rejected, what did he do next? Commander Titus had sent Josephus to plead with the citizens of Israel hiding behind the great wall to stop their rebellion and live, but they rejected his entreaty. Yet, after his passionate appeal a few citizens realized their folly and fled to the Roman's to accept their promised refuge.
When the leaders of the sedition, along with the prophets, priests and religious leaders saw this, they insisted that Josephus was lying, and told the fearful people that the Roman's actually killed all the deserters - if they stay behind the walls - God will save them. This lie prevented hundreds of thousands from fleeing to safety. History records that after the war, the Roman's restored all possessions to those who had taken refuge, allowing them to begin again - just as Titus promised.
Commander Titus had no choice left - let the war advance to its conclusion! Remember - in Blog #15 we explained how the Roman siege actually began in 66 A.D. when General Vespasian set up his fortifications outside Jerusalem fulfilling the second objective in Dan. 9:26...and they shall be cut off with a flood. Jerusalem had been isolated from the outside world since this date. In Blog #17 we describe how eventually their supplies were gone - no animals left for the daily sacrifice, nor enough priests alive to offer it.
By the time Commander Titus showed up in 68 A.D. these people were starving and desperate, yet resolute against the covenant offered by Titus. They hung tenaciously to the promises of the false prophets that God would deliver them from the hands of the pagans - after all - they were God's chosen people.
A wealthy woman named Mary, fled from the small town of Perea to Jerusalem for protection. Like thousands of other people, she believed that Jerusalem was invincible because God protects His people. Though the famine became intense and hunger intolerable, for months Mary valiantly tried to nurture her infant on a shriveled breast, devoid of any sign of milk. Finally exasperated by hopelessness, she suddenly ripped him away from her breast moaning in despair, "O thou miserable infant! For who shall I preserve thee in this war, this famine, and sedition?"
In her anguish, alone without any answers and driven by her own basal needs, Mary killed, roasted, and ate her own son. Jesus referred to these days when He warned...woe unto those who give suck in those days...Matt. 24:19. Jesus was describing one of the perils of the "great tribulation."
Horror gripped the hearts of the bedraggled survivors, as they realized the 'monster' within them could not be contained. Realism finally set in - they were submerged in an inescapable crucible of death. We can see with this egregious act by Mary, survival became the prevailing focus of the starving people behind the walls of Jerusalem, as the war raged on.
Terrible methods of torment were devised to discover hidden morsels of food. To force a confession from a food hoarder, the stronger people would band together and hold down a weaker person, then drive sharp stakes up his fundaments (rectum) until he surrendered his food stash. Woeful creatures roamed the streets of Jerusalem scavenging for any hint of food, obliged to eat sordid things that even animals wouldn't touch.
My Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Series reveals how Jesus warned about this day...So I looked and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand...and I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius...Rev. 6:5-6. When our allegiance is surrendered to anyone or anything other than Jesus Christ, we will be found wanting - scales will no longer balance.
Israel had rejected Jesus Christ as their Messiah and they were now experiencing the Wrath of the Lamb...Rev. 6:16.
The average pay for working one day in this ancient society was a denarius. The black horse prophecy reveals that during this horrible judgment, Israel would be held captive where desperation ruled. How does their desperation fulfill...a quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question men's doctrines...sheeple follow without question~~~
When we were last together in our study of Daniel's 70-week vision, we began to dissect Daniel 9:27 - and one week shall establish the covenant with many: and in the midst of the week my sacrifice and drink-offering shall be taken away: and on the temple shall be the abomination of desolations; and at the end of the time an end shall be put to the desolation...Septuagint translation.
In blog #18 of this series I listed the four objectives that were accomplished in the 70th week of the vision according to the historian Josephus. Also I explained who fulfilled the first objective, although we will have more information about Commander Titus as we continue our study. The second objective to be fulfilled in Daniel 9:27 is: in the midst of the week my sacrifice and drink-offering shall be taken away.
After Commander Titus was unsuccessful with the covenant he offered to the religious leaders, before the war became irreversible Titus personally talked with one of the leaders of the insurrection, John Matthias. Titus offered his covenant to him, confirming that he had no desire to defile or pollute their sanctuary because he respected their religious practices, and did not want to harm them.
Commander Titus confirmed his covenant with John Matthias that no Roman would go near, nor offer any affront to their temple, but would endeavor to preserve their holy house. John Matthias and his party would not accept the covenant offered by Titus. Blinded by religious pride, seduced by false prophecies, these Jews chose to embrace the promises of the false prophets, who assured them they would be supernaturally delivered by God -- not by a covenant with Rome.
Yet Commander Titus tried one more desperate action. Because of their new kinship, Titus sent Flavius Josephus, a Jewish Priest, to the Jewish leaders to beseech them to surrender. But the religious leaders in Jerusalem saw him, though a countryman, as a turncoat, so they would not entertain his pleas to stop the rebellion. Nonetheless, desperation provoked Josephus to continue his entreaty.
Outside the walls of Jerusalem, through tears of anguish, Josephus cried, "And who is there that does not know what the writings of the ancient prophets contain in them, and particularly that oracle which is now going to be fulfilled upon this miserable city? The ancient prophets foretold that this city should be then taken, when somebody shall begin the slaughter of his countrymen! It is God, therefore, it is God himself who is bringing on the fire to purge this city and temple by means of the Roman's, and is going to pluck up this city which is full of your pollutions."
Josephus had the correct interpretation of prophecy, because it was being fulfilled as he spoke. Prophecy is understand in its fulfillment. The false prophets, priests, and scribes inside the walls, stubbornly clung to their misinterpretations of prophecy . Not being persuaded by the truth spoken by the ancient prophets whom Josephus referenced, and despite that fact that the people of Jerusalem were already starving as the punishment of God apprehended them, they continued to resist common sense.
Commandeer Titus was left with no choice but to proceed with the battle. He was sent to do a job, so he summoned 6,000 of his select horsemen to finish the war started by his father - General Vespasian. Titus and his men came close to the city to observe the strength of the fortifications that had been place by his father over two years ago. This would help him plan his strategy to end the war in victory for Rome.
It was too late to stop the war, but God in one final act of mercy caused Commander Titus and his men to do a strange thing. After they had surrounded the city for a brief period of time, suddenly, and with no apparent reason, Titus and his troops withdrew to their camp at the Mount of Olives, six furlongs (3/4 mile) from Jerusalem.
This act of Titus gave a little extra time for those who had fallen victim to the lies of the false prophets, to rethink their decision and possibly flee for their lives. Jesus said...let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains; let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her...Luke 21:21.
What did Commander Titus do next? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
The modern end time doctrine of mainline denominations, established by Cyrus Scofield in his study Bible published in 1909, insists that Daniel's 70-week vision has not been completely fulfilled. But historical documentation refutes Mr. Scofield's assumption. Most readers of my blog have never read the historical facts that I have delineated. Once someone has read the facts they can reject them and continue to embrace Mr. Scofield's false doctrine, but at least the facts have been presented.
And one week shall establish the covenant with many: and in the midst of the week my sacrifice and drink-offering shall be taken away: and on the temple shall be the abomination of desolations; and at the end of the time an end shall be put to the desolation...Dan. 9:27 Septuagint translation.
The Septuagint Bible is the Greek translation of the Old Testament. Septuagint means 70. Because of its accuracy, this is the translation used primarily by early historians like Eusebius Pamphilus, Bishop of Cesarea, and Flavius Josephus, a Priest of Jerusalem. It was first translated and published in Alexandria, Egypt in 285-247 B.C., by 70 Jewish scholars according to Josephus. Along with the Hebrew and Aramaic it was also accepted and read by Jesus, the apostles and early Christians.
Before we dissect Daniel 9:27, I want to draw your attention to a very clear verse in this translation, that is ambiguous in the modern English translations. The last portion of Daniel 9:27 says...and at the end of the time an end shall be put to the desolation. This clearly explains that at the end of the time an end shall be put to the desolation. At the end of the Roman army attack on Jerusalem - abomination of desolation - an end shall be put to the desolation. As we will see in our study, historical documentation confirms this truth.
There are four objectives in Daniel 9:27 that were accomplished during the 70th week of Daniel's vision described as one week. These four objectives were completely fulfilled in 63-70 A.D.
1. One week shall establish the covenant with many.
2. In the midst of the week my sacrifice and drink-offering shall be taken away.
3. On the temple shall be the abomination of desolations.
4. At the end of the time, an end shall be put to the desolation.
In blog #17 we found out that historical documentation reveals Commander Titus as the prince that is coming...Dan. 9:26. As a Prince of Rome, He is the one who established a covenant with the citizens of Jerusalem. What was the covenant offered by him?
The covenant offered by Commander Titus was his solemn promise to preserve them, their city, and their temple. Have you ever heard about this covenant made by Titus? If I hadn't studied historical documentation recorded by the historian Josephus, I wouldn't have known either. Commander Titus did say that his covenant came with one condition. What was his one condition? He asked the citizens of Israel to stop their insurrection against Rome.
During the 70th week of Daniel's vision, God in His infinite mercy was offering Israel protection and preservation via her enemy - Rome. The covenant offered to the Jewish people by Commander Titus is the fulfillment of the first objective in Daniel 9:27 - one week shall establish the covenant with many.
The religious leaders of Israel had already refused the new covenant of salvation offered by Jesus Christ, signed by His blood. But God, who is long-suffering, provided an opportunity to at least save their physical lives, by using Israel's nemesis to offer a covenant that would preserve them, their city, and their temple. But, they flatly refused the covenant offered by Commander Titus.
Without the eyewitness account of the historian Josephus, we would not have been privy to this very serious covenant offered by Commander Titus who did not want to destroy the revered temple or the city of Jerusalem, proving the fulfillment of the 70th week of Daniel's vision. But there is more - so much more. Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
