There are many things which are not stated directly, but implied indirectly. Why are people looking for statements in the Bible as though it were a textbook of Systematic Theology? Spiritual discernment is a prerequisite. And Scriptures must be brought together to understand the truth.
Sorry but in this instance it is nothing more than a very poor interpretation of the prophecy and the vain attempt to
force a false doctrine (teaching) into the prophecy which is not there. The doctrine of the seven year tribulation is nothing more than the vain babblings of men, specifically that of Nelson Darby and those who adhere to his teachings.
No it was not since the most critical condition for the fulfillment of that prophecy was not met -- ETERNAL RIGHTEOUSNESS on earth and in Israel.
Please note carefully: Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. (Dan 9:24).
That means exactly what it says. This present evil world is full of sin, evil, and wickedness. But that is not supposed to go on forever. God wants to "bring in everlasting righteousness" on this earth through Christ. That is yet future.
For unto us a child [CHRIST] is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isa 9:6,7)
And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness. (Isa 16:5)
In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. (Isa 26:1,2)
Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies: And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin: And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city. Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness. (Isa 1:24-27)
It is apparent that you have misunderstood what was implied by the statement, “
to bring in everlasting righteousness”. Based upon the texts you have quoted you appear to imagine it means
to bring in the kingdom of everlasting righteousness, to establish
the kingdom of righteousness, this however is not what was meant.
What then is the thought of bringing in “
everlasting righteousness”?
Jesus’ one offering on Calvary justified or brought in a righteousness (justification)
for God’s people on a continual basis—without the need of any further sacrifice, repetition, mass or any other custom. His sacrifice was a lasting and continual sacrifice. The price he paid continued on and became a life-giving factor for justifying the Lord’s people throughout the Gospel Age. Hence
age-lasting righteousness was provided for the consecrated, particularly of the Gospel Age. The same standing in righteousness will be given to the remainder of mankind in the next age when the ransom is applied to them as well.
“
For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified (i.e. set-apart, during the Gospel Age).”
Heb 10:14
Here again our attention is drawn to the Redeemer's work -- the cross of Calvary -- the sin-bearing Savior and all the value of His work. The "
righteousness of the law" is a Biblical expression and easily recognized as a condition unattainable by any of the fallen race. Even Israel, to whom God's oracles were committed, found themselves helpless under the Law's just demand, and so we read, "
Israel hath not attained to the law of righteousness" (
Rom. 9:34); "
going about to establish their own righteousness" (
Rom. 10:3); "
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth." (
Rom. 10:4.)
Moses gave no Jew
a permanent status as a righteous person, but Christ provides a firm basis of hope by His death – His one offering -- and so gives each one who is being sanctified
an assurance of this standing guaranteed by the Word of the living God, so that such may serve Him with reverence and godly fear. Repetition of sacrificial offering was the need in Israel's day, but no repetition will ever be needed of that sacrifice which was given "
once for all" and through which we draw "
near to God" with hearts sprinkled from a consciousness of evil --
true participators in everlasting righteousness.
“
But now (“at this time,” that is to say, under the Gospel or New Testament dispensation)
apart from law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, Borne witness to by the law and the prophets, a righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all that have faith…” (
Rom 3:21, 22) Rotherham’s Translation
The word translated “
But” is strongly adversative; it contrasts the revelation of righteousness with that of wrath.”
The wrath of God is revealed from heaven (
1:18),
but now the righteousness (by faith)
of (or from)
God is manifested.
“Our Lord's ministry covered three and a half years, ending with his crucifixion, at the time of the Passover, in the spring of
A.D. 33. In this he exactly fulfilled the prophecy concerning the remaining or last week (seven years) of promised favor, which says: "
After (7 and 62)
sixty-nine weeks shall Messiah be cut off but not for himself", "
in the midst of the week [remaining-- the 70th] he shall cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease."
The sacrifices which were offered according to the Law there ceased; not that animals, incense, etc., were not offered thereafter by the priests, for they continued to be offered year by year, but that they were not accepted by Jehovah, and were in no sense sacrifices for sin. The true sacrifice having come, our Lord Jesus having "
put away sin by the sacrifice of himself" (
Heb. 9:26), Jehovah could no longer recognize other offerings as sacrifices, nor any necessity for them.
There, at the cross, Messiah, who had been sacrificing himself for three and a half years, finished the work (
John 19:30) and thus "
made an end of sin," made full and complete reconciliation toward God for the iniquity of men,
thus bringing to all mankind an everlasting justification from sin, instead of the typical yearly justification, accomplished by the types for the typical people, Israel (
This would be the beginning of everlasting righteousness).
The death of Messiah was also the "
seal"--the guarantee of the fulfillment --of all the visions and prophecies of coming blessings, and "
times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." (
Acts 3:21) Those promises, both the Abrahamic Covenant and the New Covenant, were secured, made sure, with "
his own precious blood" (
Luke 22:20; 1 Cor. 11:25), which speaks better things for us than the blood of bulls and goats--even everlasting justification and putting away of sin, to all those who receive him. And in the remainder or latter half of this seventieth or last week of Jewish favor-- the three and a half years, beginning with Pentecost—his followers, "
the most holy"
of that nation (the Jewish nation, Israelite's Indeed), were anointed with the holy Spirit of God, even as the Messiah had been at the close of the sixty-ninth week.” B68, 69
