Why The Seventy Weeks Are 490 Days - To Be Interpreted As Years

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Phoneman777

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Most of us know about the prophecy Daniel was shown in chapter 8 and that he understood all of it as it was explained to him: the ram, the two horns, the goat, the notable horn, the four horns, the little horn, etc. - EXCEPT there was a portion that so confused and blew his mind that he:
  • literally passed out cold
  • was sick many days
  • searched in vain for someone to clear up the confusion
  • searched the Scriptures for answers
  • finally fasted with supplications and ashes and sackcloth
  • ...and sought the only One Who could provide answers in prayer.
That portion of the prophecy is the well known "2,300 Days" portion. While the Hebrew word "chazon" ("vision") is used to describe the entire prophecy in chapter 8, the word "mareh" is used exclusively to refer to the "2,300 Days" portion of it.

This
is
crucial.


QUESTION: As the 70 year captivity drew to a close, would Daniel have suffered such a tremendous physiological and psychological hiccup if those 2,300 Days were referring to a short little period of just over 6 years? What is another 6 years when compared to the entire 70 years which was coming to a close?

ANSWER: No. Daniel knew full well those 2,300 days were symbolic days which referred to another two thousand three hundred YEARS...and that's why Daniel's world turned upside down. He's expecting Israel to go home soon and yet hears about another 2,300 years of enemy triumph...enough to drive a lesser man insane.
Here's where it all ties together:
In chapter 9, Gabriel tells Daniel he's come to grant him "skill and understanding...(about what???)...therefore understand the matter and consider the 'mareh'". Gabriel unequivocally tells Daniel and us that he's there to school him about the "mareh" - the 2,300 Days portion of the prophecy, which I remind you he refers to as "mareh" in chapter 8, and is the only portion about which Daniel is so confused.

And what words does Gabriel immediately begin to speak when he starts to clear up Daniel's confusion about the 2,300 Days? "Seventy Weeks are determined upon thy people and thy holy city..."

Therefore, there is no other way to interpret these passages except that the 70 Weeks are "determined" ("cut off") from the only other time period from which they can possibly be cut off - the 2,300 Days.

And, since the 2,300 Days are symbolic days, as Daniel knew all too well, and require them to be interpreted by the Day/Year principle as 2,300 literal years, so must these symbolic 70 Weeks also be interpreted as 490 literal years.

Prophecy is given in symbolism - not only the beasts, horns, and winds, but also the days, weeks, months, years - and since the the Day/Year Principle is hereby established beyond all doubt, we cannot expect to maintain credibility by acknowledging usage of the Day/Year Principle in Daniel, but insist that Revelation - the most symbolic of all Bible books - speaks of literal time periods that require no interpretation.
 
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CoreIssue

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Most of us know about the prophecy Daniel was shown in chapter 8 and that he understood all of it as it was explained to him: the ram, the two horns, the goat, the notable horn, the four horns, the little horn, etc. - EXCEPT there was a portion that so confused and blew his mind that he:
  • literally passed out cold
  • was sick many days
  • searched in vain for someone to clear up the confusion
  • searched the Scriptures for answers
  • finally fasted with supplications and ashes and sackcloth
  • ...and sought the only One Who could provide answers in prayer.
That portion of the prophecy is the well known "2,300 Days" portion. While the Hebrew word "chazon" ("vision") is used to describe the entire prophecy in chapter 8, the word "mareh" is used exclusively to refer to the "2,300 Days" portion of it.

This
is
crucial.


QUESTION: As the 70 year captivity drew to a close, would Daniel have suffered such a tremendous physiological and psychological hiccup if those 2,300 Days were referring to a short little period of just over 6 years? What is another 6 years when compared to the entire 70 years which was coming to a close?

ANSWER: No. Daniel knew full well those 2,300 days were symbolic days which referred to another two thousand three hundred YEARS...and that's why Daniel's world turned upside down.

Here's where it all ties together:
In chapter 9, Gabriel tells Daniel he's come to grant him "skill and understanding...(about what???)...therefore understand the matter and consider the "mareh". Gabriel unequivocally tells Daniel and us that he's there to school him about the "mareh" - the 2,300 Days portion of the prophecy, which I remind you he refers to as "mareh" in chapter 8, and is the only portion about which Daniel is so confused.

And what words does Gabriel immediately begin to speak when he starts to clear up Daniel's confusion? "Seventy Weeks are determined upon thy people and thy holy city..."

Therefore, there is no other way to interpret these passages except that the 70 Weeks are "determined" ("cut off") from the only other time period from which they can possibly be cut off - the 2,300 Days.

And, since the 2,300 Days are symbolic days, as Daniel knew all too well, and require them to be interpreted by the Day/Year principle as 2,300 literal years, so must these symbolic 70 Weeks also be interpreted as 490 literal years.

Prophecy is given in symbolism - not only the beasts, horns, and winds, but also the days, weeks, months, years - and since the the Day/Year Principle is hereby established beyond all doubt, we cannot expect to maintain credibility by acknowledging usage of the Day/Year Principle in Daniel, but insist that Revelation - the most symbolic of all Bible books - speaks of literal time periods that require no interpretation.
Ellen G White.
 

CoreIssue

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Daniel 70 weeks are the well-known Hebrew week of years, meaning seven years per week and 490 years 70 weeks. 69 weeks fulfill one to go.
 

Enoch111

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Daniel knew full well those 2,300 days were symbolic days which referred to another two thousand three hundred YEARS...
That is what some believe, but is it really so?

Let's see what the Bible says.

Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. (Dan 8:13,14)

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלַ֔י עַ֚ד עֶ֣רֶב בֹּ֔קֶר אַלְפַּ֖יִם וּשְׁלֹ֣שׁ מֵאֹ֑ות וְנִצְדַּ֖ק קֹֽדֶשׁ׃ (Dan 8:14)

Literal and interlinear rendering: AND HE SAID TO ME FOR EVENINGS DAYS TWO THOUSAND AND THREE HUNDRED THEN SHALL BE CLEANSED THE SANCTUARY.

Evenings and mornings (days) = 24 hour days (just as in Genesis 1). There is absolutely no way that anyone can legitimately convert that to years.

So what do we really have? 2,300 days/360= 6.39 years = 6 years + 4 months + 21 days.

This means that the total period regarding events connected with the Abomination of Desolation -- "the transgression of desolation" -- is somewhat less than 7 years.

To project this prophecy to 2,300 years is not only bizarre, but contrary to what is actually revealed.
 

CoreIssue

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Most of us know about the prophecy Daniel was shown in chapter 8 and that he understood all of it as it was explained to him: the ram, the two horns, the goat, the notable horn, the four horns, the little horn, etc. - EXCEPT there was a portion that so confused and blew his mind that he:
  • literally passed out cold
  • was sick many days
  • searched in vain for someone to clear up the confusion
  • searched the Scriptures for answers
  • finally fasted with supplications and ashes and sackcloth
  • ...and sought the only One Who could provide answers in prayer.
That portion of the prophecy is the well known "2,300 Days" portion. While the Hebrew word "chazon" ("vision") is used to describe the entire prophecy in chapter 8, the word "mareh" is used exclusively to refer to the "2,300 Days" portion of it.

This
is
crucial.


QUESTION: As the 70 year captivity drew to a close, would Daniel have suffered such a tremendous physiological and psychological hiccup if those 2,300 Days were referring to a short little period of just over 6 years? What is another 6 years when compared to the entire 70 years which was coming to a close?

ANSWER: No. Daniel knew full well those 2,300 days were symbolic days which referred to another two thousand three hundred YEARS...and that's why Daniel's world turned upside down. He's expecting Israel to go home soon and yet hears about another 2,300 years of enemy triumph...enough to drive a lesser man insane.
Here's where it all ties together:
In chapter 9, Gabriel tells Daniel he's come to grant him "skill and understanding...(about what???)...therefore understand the matter and consider the 'mareh'". Gabriel unequivocally tells Daniel and us that he's there to school him about the "mareh" - the 2,300 Days portion of the prophecy, which I remind you he refers to as "mareh" in chapter 8, and is the only portion about which Daniel is so confused.

And what words does Gabriel immediately begin to speak when he starts to clear up Daniel's confusion? "Seventy Weeks are determined upon thy people and thy holy city..."

Therefore, there is no other way to interpret these passages except that the 70 Weeks are "determined" ("cut off") from the only other time period from which they can possibly be cut off - the 2,300 Days.

And, since the 2,300 Days are symbolic days, as Daniel knew all too well, and require them to be interpreted by the Day/Year principle as 2,300 literal years, so must these symbolic 70 Weeks also be interpreted as 490 literal years.

Prophecy is given in symbolism - not only the beasts, horns, and winds, but also the days, weeks, months, years - and since the the Day/Year Principle is hereby established beyond all doubt, we cannot expect to maintain credibility by acknowledging usage of the Day/Year Principle in Daniel, but insist that Revelation - the most symbolic of all Bible books - speaks of literal time periods that require no interpretation.
You you need to study more and read carefully.

The 2,300 days are literally 2,300 days, not years.

13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, “How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled—the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, the surrender of the sanctuary and the trampling underfoot of the Lord’s people?”

14 He said to me, “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated.”

That phrase is the same as used in Genesis. It means 24 hour days. Unless of course you're climbing God remaking the earth took 600 years.

That time is from mid-tribulation to completion.
 

Phoneman777

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That is what some believe, but is it really so?

Let's see what the Bible says.

Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. (Dan 8:13,14)

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלַ֔י עַ֚ד עֶ֣רֶב בֹּ֔קֶר אַלְפַּ֖יִם וּשְׁלֹ֣שׁ מֵאֹ֑ות וְנִצְדַּ֖ק קֹֽדֶשׁ׃ (Dan 8:14)

Literal and interlinear rendering: AND HE SAID TO ME FOR EVENINGS DAYS TWO THOUSAND AND THREE HUNDRED THEN SHALL BE CLEANSED THE SANCTUARY.

Evenings and mornings (days) = 24 hour days (just as in Genesis 1). There is absolutely no way that anyone can legitimately convert that to years.
So, you literally believe what caused Daniel to undergo such tremendous physiological and psychological trauma was because he'd just been told his homeland, which was destroyed almost 70 years before, would lie in ruins for just another 6 years or so, which by way of comparison would have been a cakewalk for him...right?

No way. He freaked out because he knew they were 2,300 years like Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6 exemplifies.
 

CoreIssue

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So, you literally believe what caused Daniel to undergo such tremendous physiological and psychological trauma was because he'd just been told his homeland, which was destroyed almost 70 years before, would lie in ruins for just another 6 years or so, which by way of comparison would have been a cakewalk for him...right?

No way. He freaked out because he knew they were 2,300 years like Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6 exemplifies.
False
 

Truth

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You you need to study more and read carefully.

The 2,300 days are literally 2,300 days, not years.

13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, “How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled—the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, the surrender of the sanctuary and the trampling underfoot of the Lord’s people?”

14 He said to me, “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated.”

That phrase is the same as used in Genesis. It means 24 hour days. Unless of course you're climbing God remaking the earth took 600 years.

That time is from mid-tribulation to completion.


2300 Evenings and Mornings. Right!!! SOOOOO Divide By Two, Because Evenings & Mornings Accrue in the Same Day, as far as time is concerned, or should I say Mornings & Evening's. maybe the Scripture is relating to the Daily Sacrifice's, anyway, Just another View??? It could be 1150 Days ?????? Maybe something to Chew on?
 

CoreIssue

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2300 Evenings and Mornings. Right!!! SOOOOO Divide By Two, Because Evenings & Mornings Accrue in the Same Day, as far as time is concerned, or should I say Mornings & Evening's. maybe the Scripture is relating to the Daily Sacrifice's, anyway, Just another View??? It could be 1150 Days ?????? Maybe something to Chew on?
It is 2,300 days and 2,300 evenings, totaling 2,300 24 hour days.
 
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Enoch111

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So, you literally believe what caused Daniel to undergo such tremendous physiological and psychological trauma was because he'd just been told his homeland, which was destroyed almost 70 years before, would lie in ruins for just another 6 years or so, which by way of comparison would have been a cakewalk for him...right?
First of all let's just settle on the fact that that period was somewhat under 7 years, since that is exactly what is stated.

Next, to address your issue about Daniel's distress, let's take a closer look at what was distressing him.

THE KING OF FIERCE COUNTENANCE (DANIEL 8)

23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. [THE ANTICHRIST]
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: [HAVING SATAN'S POWER] and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. [DANIEL'S REDEEMED PEOPLE TO BE DESTROYED]
25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, [THE GREATEST BLASPHEMER ON EARTH WILL MOCK GOD] and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; [THE OPPONENT AND ENEMY OF CHRIST WILL OPPOSE CHRIST] but he shall be broken without hand.
26 And the vision of the evening and the morning [LITERAL DAYS, NOT YEARS] which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. [STILL IN THE FUTURE]
27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it. [IMAGINE SEEING THE ANTICHRIST IN A VISION TAKING CONTROL, AND DESTROYING THE JEWS. IMAGINE THE HOLOCAUST BEING REPEATED].
 

Phoneman777

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First of all let's just settle on the fact that that period was somewhat under 7 years, since that is exactly what is stated.

Next, to address your issue about Daniel's distress, let's take a closer look at what was distressing him.

THE KING OF FIERCE COUNTENANCE (DANIEL 8)

23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. [THE ANTICHRIST]
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: [HAVING SATAN'S POWER] and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. [DANIEL'S REDEEMED PEOPLE TO BE DESTROYED]
25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, [THE GREATEST BLASPHEMER ON EARTH WILL MOCK GOD] and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; [THE OPPONENT AND ENEMY OF CHRIST WILL OPPOSE CHRIST] but he shall be broken without hand.
26 And the vision of the evening and the morning [LITERAL DAYS, NOT YEARS] which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. [STILL IN THE FUTURE]
27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it. [IMAGINE SEEING THE ANTICHRIST IN A VISION TAKING CONTROL, AND DESTROYING THE JEWS. IMAGINE THE HOLOCAUST BEING REPEATED].
If the period of 6 years was literal, what Sanctuary was "cleansed" at the close of it? The sanctuary was destroyed and Zerrubabel's temple had yet to be constructed. Also, the end of the "mareh" was for "the distant future" which means in order for the 2,300 days to reach the distant future, they would have to be symbolic days, or literal years.

And from what time period was the 70 Weeks cut? The only possible candidate is the 2,300 Days, which is exactly the purpose for why the 70 Weeks are presented - to clear up Daniel's confusion about the "mareh". When Gabriel begins explaining the "mareh", he IMMEDIATELY launches into the 70 Weeks as being "cut off" - obviously for anyone who isn't a Jesuit Futurist that means cut off from the 2,300.

Sorry, but your explanation has too many plot holes.
 

Phoneman777

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First of all let's just settle on the fact that that period was somewhat under 7 years, since that is exactly what is stated.

Next, to address your issue about Daniel's distress, let's take a closer look at what was distressing him.

THE KING OF FIERCE COUNTENANCE (DANIEL 8)

23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. [THE ANTICHRIST]
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: [HAVING SATAN'S POWER] and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. [DANIEL'S REDEEMED PEOPLE TO BE DESTROYED]
25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, [THE GREATEST BLASPHEMER ON EARTH WILL MOCK GOD] and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; [THE OPPONENT AND ENEMY OF CHRIST WILL OPPOSE CHRIST] but he shall be broken without hand.
26 And the vision of the evening and the morning [LITERAL DAYS, NOT YEARS] which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. [STILL IN THE FUTURE]
27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it. [IMAGINE SEEING THE ANTICHRIST IN A VISION TAKING CONTROL, AND DESTROYING THE JEWS. IMAGINE THE HOLOCAUST BEING REPEATED].
Once again, your ripping up the prophetic timeline. The damage done to the "daily" and the "desolation" of the "sanctuary" has to begin back in history because the prophecy starts with Medo Persia, then Greece, then the "Little Horn" - which has something to do with Rome which followed Greece - and the Little Horn takes part in the "desolation" and the taking away of the "daily".

We can't ignore the events of history which can explain who is the Little Horn, ignore the successive, consecutively unfolding nature of prophetic events to come, nor allow our failure to identify anything in history that fits the description given of the 2,300 Days to justify ripping it out of history and sending it down to the end of time, such as the Holocaust. The 70 Weeks are "cut off" - from what???????

From the symbolic 2,300 Days which are literal years.
 

CoreIssue

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Once again, your ripping up the prophetic timeline. The damage done to the "daily" and the "desolation" of the "sanctuary" has to begin back in history because the prophecy starts with Medo Persia, then Greece, then the "Little Horn" - which has something to do with Rome which followed Greece - and the Little Horn takes part in the "desolation" and the taking away of the "daily".

We can't ignore the events of history which can explain who is the Little Horn, ignore the successive, consecutively unfolding nature of prophetic events to come, nor allow our failure to identify anything in history that fits the description given of the 2,300 Days to justify ripping it out of history and sending it down to the end of time, such as the Holocaust. The 70 Weeks are "cut off" - from what???????

From the symbolic 2,300 Days which are literal years.
It is 2,300 days and 2,300 evenings, totaling 2,300 24 hour days.

Are you saying Genesis it was not six days but six years?
13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, “How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled—the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, the surrender of the sanctuary and the trampling underfoot of the Lord’s people?”

14 He said to me, “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated.”
 

Phoneman777

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It is 2,300 days and 2,300 evenings, totaling 2,300 24 hour days.

Are you saying Genesis it was not six days but six years?
Genesis ain't future predictions, it's historic account of that which had already passed. Big diff.

Ezekiel laid on his side for 10 Days which was symbolic for 10 Years, "each day for a year".

God told the Israelites that since they spied out the land for 40 Days but lacked faith, they'd wander the wilderness 40 Years, "each day for a year".

Jesus told His disciples to deliver the message to Herod that He was going to teach, preach, and heal "today, tomorrow, and the third day I will be perfected" --- He continued to do all those things for another 3 Years, "each day for a year".

Plenty of examples in Scripture of the "day/year principle" yet somehow you guys who fancy yourselves such capable students of prophecy somehow can't grasp the concept that is such passages, time is every bit of symbolic as beasts, horns, winds, etc.
 

CoreIssue

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Genesis ain't future predictions, it's historic account of that which had already passed. Big diff.

Ezekiel laid on his side for 10 Days which was symbolic for 10 Years, "each day for a year".

God told the Israelites that since they spied out the land for 40 Days but lacked faith, they'd wander the wilderness 40 Years, "each day for a year".

Jesus told His disciples to deliver the message to Herod that He was going to teach, preach, and heal "today, tomorrow, and the third day I will be perfected" --- He continued to do all those things for another 3 Years, "each day for a year".

Plenty of examples in Scripture of the "day/year principle" yet somehow you guys who fancy yourselves such capable students of prophecy somehow can't grasp the concept that is such passages, time is every bit of symbolic as beasts, horns, winds, etc.

Language used Genesis is the same used in Daniel.

Spying for 40 days happened at the end of the 40 years.

You don't understand figurative speech on the message to Herod?

You have not given one example to support your case on the 2300 days.

A day is 1000 years until the Lord in the day of the Lord will last 2000 years.

So I understand that plus one a week of of years is.

But when it says evening and a morning is not a year.

By your idea Jesus didn't resurrect for three years.