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Session 2 Session 1 ended with the explanation of how the three views of the millennium reflect our understanding of interpreting scripture. One can approach scripture from an allegorical viewpoint, or a literal - face-value approach. This study takes a literal or face-value approach to interpretation. There are five keys to a face-value hermeneutic or interpretation.
The first is to accept the meaning of scripture in its most normal, natural, and customary sense. Number two is to take scripture in context. Any individual or group of individual scriptures can be made to say almost anything. The setting and ideas of the passages surrounding the scripture must be taken into account. Number three: compare scripture with scripture. Someone once said that scripture is its own best interpreter. Number four: before truth is realized, all seeming scriptural contradictions must be harmonized. If the proper interpretation is found in a scriptural passage, it will harmonize with all other scripture. Number five: watch for near/far prophetic applications in scripture. Matthew quoted Isaiah's prophecy to King Ahaz...
This prophecy was given to Ahaz and was fulfilled in his time. But Matthew quotes this prophecy...
There were several hundred years between these two fulfillments. Therefore, it was fulfilled in the near future in King Ahaz's time and in the far future when Jesus was born. This is a common occurrence in Biblical prophecy. So, the fifth key is to watch for possible near/far applications to prophecy. Understanding Prophecy We start with a proper scriptural interpretation (Hermeneutic), and then we must understand that end-time prophecy revolves around five concepts as depicted in the pillars in the illustration below:
These five concepts are 1) Daniel's 70th Week, 2) The Salvation of Israel, 3) The Rapture, 4) God reclaiming rule of this earth, and 5) The Battle of Armageddon. These are five prophetic markers that delineate end-time events. Daniel's 70th Week The first pillar of end-time understanding is Daniel's 70th Week. This week is described in Daniel.
These "sevens" are seven years. The KJV called them "weeks" of years. Therefore there are 70 sets of seven years prophesied. Daniel tells us that the 70 "sevens" are decreed regarding two things: 1) your people (Israel) and 2) your holy city (Jerusalem). Then he lists six goals for establishing this period of years.
In the next verse he elaborates on this 70 "sevens" of years...
In 445 B.C. Artaxerxes Longimanus issued a decree to rebuild Jerusalem (cf. Neh 2:5). From 445 B.C. to Jesus Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem = 483 years exactly! Daniel continues...
We are told in verse 27 that the "ruler who will come" will confirm a covenant with many for one "seven." Most agree that this "ruler" refers to the Antichrist. Therefore the 70th Week of Daniel will begin by the signing of a seven-year covenant by Antichrist with many. Most also agree that this will be a covenant of peace between Israel and the "many." Isaiah writes of this covenant.
“69 Weeks are past, and only the 70th week remains before ‘everlasting righteousness’ can be brought to Israel and the most Holy One will be anointed, reclaiming rule over the earth from Satan.” (Van Kampen, Robert, The Sign, 1999, page 91). Daniel's seventieth week is also referred to in the book of Revelation. Although the prophecies do not explicitly mention Daniel the correlation is unmistakable.
The prophet Daniel elaborates further on these time periods...
Daniel prophesies of "the middle of the seven" which is 3½ years or 1,260 days. Then at the end of the book he mentions that from time that the Abomination of Desolation is set up - which is at the "middle of the seven," there will be 1,290 days - this is 30 days more than the 3½ years. Then he says that "blessed is the one" who reaches the 1,335 days. This is 45 more days than the 1,260 + 30. Each of these periods have a significant point of reference. Rev. 13:5 tells us that he will rule for 42 months or 1,260 days. Daniel 9:27 states the Abomination of Desolation will be set up until the "end is poured out on him." and last, we are told that one is blessed if he reaches the 1,335 days. Therefore, we can put together this picture. The Antichrist will rule until the end of the 70th week or 1,260 days. Thirty days later he will meet his "end." The book of Revelation tells us that his "end" will be at Armageddon. The next event will be the establishment of the millennial reign of Christ which we can surmise will happen 45 days later. This is depicted in the chart below...
The final event that takes place during Daniel's 70th week is the salvation of all Israel. The Apostle Paul states...
The prophet Zechariah records that by the this time there will only be 1/3 of Israel left!
Now we can modify our chart to include this last event of Daniel's 70th Week...
We are left with two time periods that need a more detailed explanation - that is the 30 day period and 45 day period following the 70th Week.
These periods will be covered in detail in the next two sessions, but we can classify them as follows:
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