The 70 Weeks Prophecy - The Ezra 6:14 Challenge

[EclipseEventSigns]

There can only be one correct interpretation of the 70 Weeks prophecy. That means most views are wrong. I wanted to identify a single issue as the test to judge all interpretations by. I think I have found it.

Everyone argues endlessly about which king made the decree to start the whole period of the 70 Weeks. Was it Cyrus? Was it Darius? Was it Artaxerxes? Was it something else people come up with? Well, Ezra gives us the major clue.

When talking about the second temple, he says: [Ezr 6:14 LSB] 14b So they built and completed [it] according to the decree of the God of Israel and the decree of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

Ezra 6:14 states that there were more than just 3 decrees from earthly kings that allowed for the completion of the temple (and by extension, returning to the land and rebuilding Jerusalem). There was a fourth. In addition Ezra seems to list the earthly decrees in chronological order. That would suggest that the decree by God, which no one recognizes, happened BEFORE the one from Cyrus. Where is this decree? Why does no one recognize or address this? Can your particular system even survive taking this decree into account? Either your interpretation can't pass the test or your interpretation does not consider the Word of God as accurate.

My claim is that ALL interpretations of the 70 Weeks Prophecy can not pass this test. Except for the one correct one.

 

[EclipseEventSigns]

Here's another clue about the Ezra 6:14 Test.
People just do not fully address the real reason for the 70 Weeks Prophecy. They focus on the climax - Daniel 9:24-27. But in order to truly understand the prophecy, the entire Chapter 9 must be correctly understood. The key is in verse 2
[Dan 9:2 ESV] 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.

Daniel studied and understood what was in Jeremiah's writings. It caused such a stir in him that he launched into an impassioned prayer. He realized the very reputation of God was on the line.
[Dan 9:19 ESV] 5 ... O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake...

The entire chapter revolves around Jeremiah. Daniel correctly understands Jeremiah. He prays. God hears and immediately sends Gabriel with an answer for Daniel. God's answer as the 70 Weeks Prophecy directly addresses what Jeremiah said. This is what everyone has missed - for centuries.

Gabriel ties the 70 Weeks right back to the very place where Daniel had been intensely studying. He gives him an answer within his own lifetime. Not with some future decree by an earthly king when he is long dead. Gabriel tells Daniel to "understand" and Daniel would have immediately understood exactly what Gabriel was saying. The utterance or going forth of the word (command) to restore and build Jerusalem is the key anchor point. But it's a play on words. It's not just the subject matter but the actual words themselves. The words to restore and build - Hebrew "sub" and "bana" - that's the key. Where were those actual words used in Jeremiah and what exactly did they signify?

 

[EclipseEventSigns]

Here's another clue for the Ezra 6:14 Challenge.
Ezra specifically lists 4 commands. These allowed the temple to be finished by reason of, as a result of, because of these 4 commands. This is not the same as stating they all only dealt with the temple. Some were limited in scope to the temple. But some included reentry into the land so that Jerusalem would be rebuilt along with the temple. Three were by earthly kings. The first in the list was by God Himself. Where is this command and when was it done?

An in depth analysis of Daniel 9:25 very clearly shows that none of the eventual 3 decrees by earthly kings is being referred to. The very first part of the phrase that Gabriel speaks makes this evident. "So you are to know and have insight that from the going out of...."[Dan 9:25a] Gabriel tells Daniel to listen to this information and fully understand it. Daniel is not going to have to wait around for some earthly king like Artaxerxes to make a decree a hundred years after he is dead. He was to understand what Gabriel was saying immediately. God gave Daniel an answer to his prayer right then and there.

As I stated previously it's all tied to Jeremiah's writings, which Daniel had been studying intensely and finally understood. "Restore" and "rebuild". "Sub" and "bana". The keys that Gabriel told to Daniel and what he understood. But also the phrase "the going out of the word". The "word" is the Hebrew "dabar". It means speech, utterance, words. Daniel never uses this word to refer to an official decree by an earthly king. Never. He uses entirely different words for that. But he does use "dabar" when talking about the word of God. God's word through the prophets. He actually uses it at the beginning of the chapter.

[Dan 9:2 LSB] 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, discerned in the books the number of the years [concerning] which the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah the prophet ...

Gabriel specifically ties the "sub" and "bana" to the word of the Lord through Jeremiah which Daniel was well acquainted with. It would have made immediate and perfect sense to Daniel. Just as Gabriel told him it would.

So where is this word of the Lord using the specific words "sub" and "bana"? This is the Ezra 6:14 Challenge. If an interpretation of the 70 Weeks prophecy doesn't address this issue, it is not correct.

 

[EclipseEventSigns]

Here's another clue for the Ezra 6:14 Challenge.

Ezra 6:14 shows that Ezra understood the 70 Weeks Prophecy correctly. He recognized the existence and importance of God's command to be listed as one of the four decrees which allowed for the return to the land and the completion of the second temple. Return and restore. "Sub" and "bana".

But the proper interpretation was being lost to time. Very few truly understood the 70 Weeks. And this makes complete sense. Gabriel said the prophecy would be sealed during the period of 70 weeks. One of the 6 purposes for the 70 Weeks is:
[Dan 9:24 LSB] 24 "Seventy weeks have been determined for your people and for your holy city,... to seal up vision and prophecy"

Later, in Gabriel's last recorded visit to Daniel, he says:
[Dan 12:4 LSB] 4 "But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the time of the end; ..."
The entire contents of Daniel's prophecies would be hidden from proper interpretation until the time of the end.

So those who try to find the interpretation within the writings of the early Church Fathers are on a fool's errand. They did not properly understand prophecy. God said it wouldn't be possible then. Or some look to Bishop Ussher. Nope. He was wrong too. Or Isaac Newton. Nope. Or Magellan. Nope.

Well, surely Sir Robert Anderson. He came up with a fantastic ingenious method that is highly popular to this day. Well, he definitely lived closer to the time of the end. But that's been already 140 years. So nope. How about the prophecy craze starting in the mid 20th century? Getting closer. But still not the time of the end. What about the explosion of prophecy "ministries" with everyone interpreting news headlines and trying to find the "7 year peace treaty"? Closer still to the time of the end. But still not as almost everyone still is tied to the misunderstandings from Church tradition.

Only with a fresh and accurate approach to the original text in Hebrew and the willingness to go where the Scriptural evidence leads will the proper interpretation be found. It won't be found in any English translation as none of the various Bible translators fully understood the 70 Weeks prophecy so no one has translated the Hebrew text in a manner that allows for the interpretation to become obvious.

The time of the end continues to get ever closer. The Ezra 6:14 Challenge exists to separate all the old misunderstandings of the past from the one correct interpretation that results when things are understood correctly. Does your particular interpretation of the 70 Weeks meet the Challenge?

 

[EclipseEventSigns]

Here's another clue for the Ezra 6:14 Challenge.

Ezra 6:14 lists 4 commands that were given in order for the temple to be completed - and by way of returning to the land and restoring it. The Hebrew words "sub" and "bana". "Return" and "restore". These are the words found in Daniel 9:25. The words which signaled the start of the entire period of the 70 Weeks.

Arguments have raged back and forth as to when did this period start. What king's decree started the whole thing? Look on any forum thread about this topic and every tom, dick and harry has their pet interpretation. Very few base theirs on an accurate understanding of the text. Some tie it to their particular denomination. Or some "personal vision from God". Or some supposed expert scholar. But no one realizes that Ezra 6:14 invalidates all of their interpretations. They don't acknowledge or realize that God's command to "sub" and "bana" came before any of the 3 kings' decrees.

This makes complete sense, unfortunately. Out of all the many English translations, they all interpret Daniel 9:25 differently. It's a complete mess. This shows that no translator has ever truly correctly understood the 70 Weeks prophecy.

The vast majority of proposed interpretations are based on the King James Version.
King James Bible
Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem 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.

Some are very close in wording.
New American Standard Bible
So you are to know and understand that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until Messiah the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with streets and moat, even in times of distress.

New International Version
"Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven 'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens.' It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.

But their biases are very evident. Anyone who knows the Hebrew language knows that there are no capital letters in Hebrew. Or punctuation. Any translation that puts in capitals and adds punctuation is making an INTERPRETATION of the original Hebrew text. It's very safe to say that anyone who bases their own view on the KJV, NASB, NIV or similar with added capitals will NEVER come to the correct view of the prophecy.

Obviously, the English language needs punctuation. But what about those translations who don't add capitals for "messiah" and "prince"?
NET Bible
So know and understand: From the issuing of the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until an anointed one, a prince arrives, there will be a period of seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will again be built, with plaza and moat, but in distressful times.

JPS Tanakh 1917
Know therefore and discern, that from the going forth of the word to restore and to build Jerusalem unto one anointed, a prince, shall be seven weeks; and for threescore and two weeks, it shall be built again, with broad place and moat, but in troublous times.

Coverdale Bible of 1535
Vnderstode this then, and marcke it well: that from the tyme it shalbe concluded, to go and repayre Ierusalem agayne, vnto Christ (or the anoynted) prynce: there shalbe seuen wekes. Then shall the stretes & walles be buylded agayne [sixty-two] wekes, but with harde troublous tyme.

Even though the Coverdale still capitalizes "Christ", they include the alternate "anoynted". But notice where the periods of weeks occur. Totally different. And what are you going to do with this translation?
English Standard Version
Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time.

The proper interpretation is all tied to the original Hebrew text. No one will understand the prophecy correctly by reading an English translation. That is part of the Ezra 6:14 Challenge.

 

[GISMYS_7]

LOL!!! Really!! How important is it????? =

 

[EclipseEventSigns]

LOL!!! Really!! How important is it????? =

My claim is that ALL interpretations of the 70 Weeks Prophecy can not pass this test. Except for the one correct one.

 

[GISMYS_7]

2Timothy 2:14-16==14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words;r it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.s 16 Avoid godless chatter,t because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
Avoid satan's traps!!

 

[EclipseEventSigns]

2Timothy 2:14-16==14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words;r it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.s 16 Avoid godless chatter,t because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
Avoid satan's traps!!

If you don't think it's worthwhile, kindly stop commenting.

 

[Eternally Grateful]

2Timothy 2:14-16==14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words;r it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.s 16 Avoid godless chatter,t because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
Avoid satan's traps!!

some people don't get it

 

[EclipseEventSigns]

2Timothy 2:14-16==14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words;r it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.s 16 Avoid godless chatter,t because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
Avoid satan's traps!!

Actually, the secret is right there in the verse you quoted:
"15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth"

The 70 Weeks prophecy has not been handled correctly by most people. The Ezra 6:14 Challenge exists solely to point this out and to challenge people to handle the word of truth correctly. Do you have this courage?

 

[Randy Kluth]

There can only be one correct interpretation of the 70 Weeks prophecy. That means most views are wrong. I wanted to identify a single issue as the test to judge all interpretations by. I think I have found it.

Everyone argues endlessly about which king made the decree to start the whole period of the 70 Weeks. Was it Cyrus? Was it Darius? Was it Artaxerxes? Was it something else people come up with? Well, Ezra gives us the major clue.

When talking about the second temple, he says: [Ezr 6:14 LSB] 14b So they built and completed [it] according to the decree of the God of Israel and the decree of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

Ezra 6:14 states that there were more than just 3 decrees from earthly kings that allowed for the completion of the temple (and by extension, returning to the land and rebuilding Jerusalem). There was a fourth. In addition Ezra seems to list the earthly decrees in chronological order. That would suggest that the decree by God, which no one recognizes, happened BEFORE the one from Cyrus. Where is this decree? Why does no one recognize or address this? Can your particular system even survive taking this decree into account? Either your interpretation can't pass the test or your interpretation does not consider the Word of God as accurate.

My claim is that ALL interpretations of the 70 Weeks Prophecy can not pass this test. Except for the one correct one.

Well of course only one is the absolute "correct one!" But it is likely that more than only a small minority view would get it right. Otherwise, God would seem to have failed to teach the Church through that prophecy. And the Scriptures indicate God sends forth His word and accomplishes what He wants through it. A strong segment of the Church must have gotten it right!

To me, the most logical "decree" may not have even been mentioned, biblically, as the one Daniel references. But it was in the 7th year of Artaxerxes that the decree went forth setting the ground for the rebuilding of Jerusalem. The temple had been built previously, and Artaxerxes in his 7th year took up the task that had been started before him by establishing the temple worship properly and by preparing for city government, leading ultimately to Nehemiah's building of the walls and the reconstruction of the city.

I choose the 457 BC date because that leads exactly up to about 26 AD, when Christ began his ministry, which I think was the beginning of the 70th Week. And I don't think the Week was ever completed because sacrifices were delegitimized in the middle of the Week when Christ was "cut off." Nor do I think the Week had to be completed in order for the 70 Weeks Prophecy to be completed. The 70th Week was simply the last of the 70 Weeks and was completed as a half-Week.

So the 70 Weeks Prophecy was all about what Christ accomplished in his earthly ministry and about what would result in Jerusalem. The Jews would continue in their sin and rebellion, having rejected Christ. And their city and their sanctuary would be destroyed in the same generation.

This view is confirmed for me by Luke 21, where this is given in vivid detail, although the Synoptic Gospels all say the exact same thing, using less detail. They all refer back to Dan 9 and the 70 Weeks Prophecy when Messiah would be "cut off" and the Abomination of Desolation would be set against the Temple to destroy it and the city. The AoD, therefore, is the "people of the ruler to come," the Roman Army.

 

[EclipseEventSigns]

Well of course only one is the absolute "correct one!" But it is likely that more than only a small minority view would get it right. Otherwise, God would seem to have failed to teach the Church through that prophecy. And the Scriptures indicate God sends forth His word and accomplishes what He wants through it. A strong segment of the Church must have gotten it right!

To me, the most logical "decree" may not have even been mentioned, biblically, as the one Daniel references. But it was in the 7th year of Artaxerxes that the decree went forth setting the ground for the rebuilding of Jerusalem. The temple had been built previously, and Artaxerxes in his 7th year took up the task that had been started before him by establishing the temple worship properly and by preparing for city government, leading ultimately to Nehemiah's building of the walls and the reconstruction of the city.

I choose the 457 BC date because that leads exactly up to about 26 AD, when Christ began his ministry, which I think was the beginning of the 70th Week. And I don't think the Week was ever completed because sacrifices were delegitimized in the middle of the Week when Christ was "cut off." Nor do I think the Week had to be completed in order for the 70 Weeks Prophecy to be completed. The 70th Week was simply the last of the 70 Weeks and was completed as a half-Week.

So the 70 Weeks Prophecy was all about what Christ accomplished in his earthly ministry and about what would result in Jerusalem. The Jews would continue in their sin and rebellion, having rejected Christ. And their city and their sanctuary would be destroyed in the same generation. This view is confirmed for me by Luke 21, where this is given in vivid detail, although the Synoptic Gospels all say the exact same thing, using less detail. They all refer back to Dan 9 and the 70 Weeks Prophecy when Messiah would be "cut off" and the Abomination of Desolation would be set against the Temple to destroy it and the city. The AoD, therefore, is the "people of the ruler to come," the Roman Army.

All that explanation is a very common view. The entire point of the Ezra 6:14 Challenge is to explain and incorporate the command of God that is listed - the very first in the list of 4. I notice that your explanation does not take this into account either.

 

[Randy Kluth]

All that explanation is a very common view. The entire point of the Ezra 6:14 Challenge is to explain and incorporate the command of God that is listed - the very first in the list of 4. I notice that your explanation does not take this into account either.

I thought I was very detailed in my explanation? The decree is given in Ezra 7, and the time frame fits the time between the decree and the beginning of Christ's ministry. The time frame incorporates the main focus of the prophecy, which is the ministry of Christ, his being cut off, the destruction of the temple worship, and the invasion by the Roman Army.

And it is indeed a "common view," which I explained is much more likely an interpretation than a small minority view. God's word must've spoken to people or would He have spoken at all? Diversity of opinion is normal, but eccentric views are not likely correct.

Finally, I did indeed considered all decrees on this matter. The fact I chose only one is precisely what you said must happen--there must be only one "correct view."

 

[GISMYS_7]

Believe the eternal living Word of God!!!===
2Timothy 2:14-16==14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words;r it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.s 16 Avoid godless chatter,t because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
Avoid satan's traps!!

 

[EclipseEventSigns]

I thought I was very detailed in my explanation? The decree is given in Ezra 7, and the time frame fits the time between the decree and the beginning of Christ's ministry. The time frame incorporates the main focus of the prophecy, which is the ministry of Christ, his being cut off, the destruction of the temple worship, and the invasion by the Roman Army.

And it is indeed a "common view," which I explained is much more likely an interpretation than a small minority view. God's word must've spoken to people or would He have spoken at all? Diversity of opinion is normal, but eccentric views are not likely correct.

Finally, I did indeed considered all decrees on this matter. The fact I chose only one is precisely what you said must happen--there must be only one "correct view."

You missed the point. You assume it is a decree given by an earthly king. Ezra puts God's command first in the list. When was God's command to "sub" and "bana"? And no, the church has NEVER gotten the 70 Weeks prophecy correct. Gabriel said that would be case. It's sealed up "until the time of the end".

 

[Randy Kluth]

There can only be one correct interpretation of the 70 Weeks prophecy. That means most views are wrong. I wanted to identify a single issue as the test to judge all interpretations by. I think I have found it.

Everyone argues endlessly about which king made the decree to start the whole period of the 70 Weeks. Was it Cyrus? Was it Darius? Was it Artaxerxes? Was it something else people come up with? Well, Ezra gives us the major clue.

When talking about the second temple, he says: [Ezr 6:14 LSB] 14b So they built and completed [it] according to the decree of the God of Israel and the decree of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

Ezra 6:14 states that there were more than just 3 decrees from earthly kings that allowed for the completion of the temple (and by extension, returning to the land and rebuilding Jerusalem). There was a fourth. In addition Ezra seems to list the earthly decrees in chronological order. That would suggest that the decree by God, which no one recognizes, happened BEFORE the one from Cyrus. Where is this decree? Why does no one recognize or address this? Can your particular system even survive taking this decree into account? Either your interpretation can't pass the test or your interpretation does not consider the Word of God as accurate.

My claim is that ALL interpretations of the 70 Weeks Prophecy can not pass this test. Except for the one correct one.

"The decree of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes" indicates a singular "decree" to which all the mentioned kings contributed. They appear to be mentioned as singular because of their singular purpose, to restore both the temple and the city of Jerusalem.

Mentioning 3 kings does not imply 3 decrees. It only suggests that these 3 kings directly contributed to this singular purpose by issuing their own decrees. So there were *at least* 3 decrees. I'm not sure where you get there being a "4th decree" preexisting the decree of Cyrus?

Artaxerxes issued 2 decrees in this respect, one in his 7th year and one in his 20th year. I choose the decree in the 7th year because contributing to the full functioning of the temple began the process of constructing a city fully engaged in their restored covenant with God. And that's what Artaxerxes did. He finished restoring the temple worship itself along with appointing city magistrates. This was followed by his decree to rebuild the city walls, etc.

 

[EclipseEventSigns]

"The decree of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes" indicates a singular "decree" to which all the mentioned kings contributed. They appear to be mentioned as singular because of their singular purpose, to restore both the temple and the city of Jerusalem.

Mentioning 3 kings does not imply 3 decrees. It only suggests that these 3 kings directly contributed to this singular purpose by issuing their own decrees. So there were *at least* 3 decrees. I'm not sure where you get there being a "4th decree" preexisting the decree of Cyrus?

Artaxerxes issued 2 decrees in this respect, one in his 7th year and one in his 20th year. I choose the decree in the 7th year because contributing to the full functioning of the temple began the process of constructing a city fully engaged in their restored covenant with God. And that's what Artaxerxes did. He finished restoring the temple worship itself along with appointing city magistrates. This was followed by his decree to rebuild the city walls, etc.

Have you read Ezra 6:14?
[Ezr 6:14 LSB] 14b So they built and completed [it] according to the decree of the God of Israel and the decree of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

 

[Randy Kluth]

You missed the point. You assume it is a decree given by an earthly king. Ezra puts God's command first in the list. When was God's command to "sub" and "bana"? And no, the church has NEVER gotten the 70 Weeks prophecy correct. Gabriel said that would be case. It's sealed up "until the time of the end".

You render the prophecy meaningless.

 

[Randy Kluth]

Have you read Ezra 6:14?
[Ezr 6:14 LSB] 14b So they built and completed [it] according to the decree of the God of Israel and the decree of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

You seem to have a language issue here. The more natural meaning would exclude the way you are counting decrees here.

The more natural understanding would be that God is decreeing something *through* these earthly kings. He is using these kings as the vehicle for His own heavenly decree.

His decree is not separate, nor to be counted separately, from the decrees of these earthly kings. They are all one singular decree from God, allowing *all* of these kings' decrees to contribute to the one heavenly decree, to the one heavenly purpose, which was to rebuild both the temple and the city of Jerusalem.

You are not reading the communication properly. The result is rendering the prophecy beyond understanding, which is not what the angel means when he says details are closed off until the endtimes.

The purpose is to give enough truth to guide the People of God until the actual details come to pass. We are not to focus so much on the exact details, but on the main idea, which is to remain true to God's word until it is completely fulfilled. It is not always our purpose to actually strive to live in a time so prophesied, but rather, to prepare God's People in advance of that prophecy coming to pass.

In the same way, we preach a Kingdom that is yet to come. Our purpose is not to strive to be the Last Generation who will see this come to pass. Rather, our purpose is to preach it so that God's People can prepare now for that event.