unraveling the end a biblical synthesis of competing views

Unraveling the EndUnraveling the EndA Biblical Synthesis of Competing ViewsA Biblical Synthesis of Competing Views

The Historical Setting The Historical Setting and and

Defining Characteristic Defining Characteristic of the of the

Time of the EndTime of the End(Daniel 12)(Daniel 12)

Divine PerfectionDivine PerfectionProposition #3Proposition #3

• OneOne and and onlyonly End the Bible End the Bible consistentlyconsistently proclaims. proclaims.

• Covenantal, Covenantal, notnot cosmic. cosmic.

• Timely, and Timely, and notnot delayed. delayed.

• FramingFraming context for the context for the timetime and and naturenature of of eschatological eschatological fulfillmentfulfillment. .

• Everything Everything elseelse was to was to happenhappen “at just the “at just the rightright time”—at time”—at thisthis time. time.

Three Big ObjectionsThree Big Objections

1)1) ”The End of the World?” ”The End of the World?”

2) God 2) God only only promising never again to promising never again to destroy the world destroy the world by waterby water??

3) The “New Heaven and a New Earth?”3) The “New Heaven and a New Earth?”

Objection #1Objection #1“The End of the World?”“The End of the World?”

#1 reason#1 reason so many so many

have been have been hamstrunghamstrung

in their understanding in their understanding

of of end-timeend-time prophecy. prophecy.


• What does the book of Revelation say?What does the book of Revelation say?

Nothing!Nothing!

• What does the Bible say?What does the Bible say?

Nothing!Nothing!

• The historic creeds?The historic creeds?

Nothing!Nothing!


• The world ending “as we know it?”The world ending “as we know it?”

Nothing!Nothing!

• Jesus say?Jesus say?

Nothing!Nothing!

• An “end of time” or “end of human An “end of time” or “end of human history”?history”?

Nothing! Nothing!


• The biblical The biblical truthtruth about the proverbial “end about the proverbial “end of the world” of the world”

• Is contained Is contained withinwithin the biblical phrase the biblical phrase “world without end, Amen.” “world without end, Amen.”

• The Bible The Bible sayssays that the world had a that the world had a beginning, but is beginning, but is withoutwithout end . . . end . . .

• ““from the beginning of the world . . . . from the beginning of the world . . . . throughout all ages, world without end. throughout all ages, world without end. A-men. (Ephesians 3:9, 21, KJV)A-men. (Ephesians 3:9, 21, KJV)

Objection #3Objection #3The “New Heaven and a New Earth?”The “New Heaven and a New Earth?”

ThreeThree different different entitiesentities in the Bible in the Bible termed “heaven and earth.” termed “heaven and earth.”

1.1. Planet Earth and the cosmos creation Planet Earth and the cosmos creation ((Gen 1:1Gen 1:1; also Acts 4:24; 14:15-17).; also Acts 4:24; 14:15-17).

2. The Old Covenant creation. (Deut. 32:1; Isa. 1:2-3; 51:13, 15-16).

3. The old world empire of Babylon (3. The old world empire of Babylon (Isa.Isa. 13:13, 113:13, 1, also 19-22)., also 19-22).

Divine PerfectionDivine Perfection&&

The Appointed Time of the EndThe Appointed Time of the End• AppliedApplied his order, design, a plan, purpose, a his order, design, a plan, purpose, a

fixed and specified timeframe.fixed and specified timeframe.• Into his plan of Into his plan of redemptionredemption..• ForetoldForetold it all hundreds of years in advance. it all hundreds of years in advance.• FulfilledFulfilled it all with timely and mathematical it all with timely and mathematical

precision.precision.• Everything elseEverything else happened happened “at just the right time” “at just the right time”

(Rom. 5:6) and “in its proper time” (1 Tim. 2:6).(Rom. 5:6) and “in its proper time” (1 Tim. 2:6).


How we humans can How we humans can knowknow Who the Who the oneone truetrue God is: God is:

Isaiah. 44:6-8 Isaiah. 44:6-8

Also seeAlso see Isaiah 41:21-24; 42:8-9; Isaiah 41:21-24; 42:8-9;

45:20-22; 46:9-11; 48:3-645:20-22; 46:9-11; 48:3-6


• The God of the Bible The God of the Bible foretoldforetold—many times —many times and in many ways—what was going to and in many ways—what was going to happenhappen in the in the futurefuture. .

• AllAll has happened. has happened.

• No otherNo other god, faith, religion, or ideology in god, faith, religion, or ideology in the world the world can claimcan claim this. this.

• NorNor has anything to has anything to comparecompare with the with the validatingvalidating evidence of evidence of fulfilledfulfilled prophecy. prophecy.

Divine PerfectionDivine Perfection&&

The Appointed Time of the EndThe Appointed Time of the End

““For the revelation awaits an appointed For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; false. Though it linger, wait for it;

it will certainly come and will not delay.”it will certainly come and will not delay.”

(Habakkuk (Habakkuk 2:3)2:3)

Daniel’s Two Time PropheciesDaniel’s Two Time Prophecies

• Daniel’s 70 Weeks (9:24-27)Daniel’s 70 Weeks (9:24-27)• Time of the End (12:1-13). Time of the End (12:1-13). • Like Like bookendsbookends . . . . . . • Bracketed the Bracketed the exactexact time in history. time in history.• The “last days.”The “last days.”• FrontFront bookend—the coming of the Messiah. bookend—the coming of the Messiah. • BackBack bookend—Habakkuk’s “appointed time...of bookend—Habakkuk’s “appointed time...of

the end.”the end.”


• MuchMuch disagreement. disagreement.

• A “contemporary” forgery.

• Most misunderstood and misapplied passages of Scripture.

• Delayed, deferred, or put on hold, somehow.

• In direct In direct contradictioncontradiction of Habakkuk’s text of Habakkuk’s text of “will not delay” (Hab. 2:3).of “will not delay” (Hab. 2:3).

Daniel—the Key to the End TimesDaniel—the Key to the End Times

• God doesn’t play word games.

• Daniel got it exactly right.

• Literal, exact, chronological, and sequential fulfillment.

• Daniel’s two time prophecies.

• No interruptions, no gaps, no gimmicks!

• Perfectly!


Daniel’s 70 Weeks / Time of the EndDaniel’s 70 Weeks / Time of the End

• Clearly understood.

• Not confusing and divisive.

• Most straightforward, historically documentable, and inspirationally impressive.

• By its exactness.

Daniel’s 70 WeeksTimeline

• The total elapsed The total elapsed timetime of 490 years. of 490 years.

• DecreedDecreed [determined] upon the [determined] upon the JewsJews and and your holy your holy citycity (Jerusalem). (Jerusalem).

• Achievement of the Achievement of the sixsix purposes (vs. 24). purposes (vs. 24).

• Exact Exact timetime and number of and number of yearsyears until the until the “Anointed One, the ruler,” the “Anointed One, the ruler,” the MessiahMessiah..

• Confirm a covenant for Confirm a covenant for oneone week (7 years) week (7 years)


• A specific starting and finishing point.A specific starting and finishing point.

• Subdivided into three time segments: Subdivided into three time segments:

1) Initial period of “seven sevens” (49 1) Initial period of “seven sevens” (49

years)years) 2) Period of “sixty-two sevens” (434 years) 2) Period of “sixty-two sevens” (434 years)

3) Final period of “one seven” (7 years)3) Final period of “one seven” (7 years)


““One of the most puzzling One of the most puzzling

prophetic texts to decipher.”prophetic texts to decipher.”

Dictionary of Biblical Prophecy and End Times, Dictionary of Biblical Prophecy and End Times, 425.425.


““The historically defensible interpretation The historically defensible interpretation has greatest authority. has greatest authority.

That is, interpreters can have maximum That is, interpreters can have maximum confidence in their understanding of a text confidence in their understanding of a text when they base that understanding on when they base that understanding on historically defensible arguments.”historically defensible arguments.”

Klein, Blomberg & Hubbard, Jr., Klein, Blomberg & Hubbard, Jr., Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, 149.Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, 149.

Daniel’s 70 WeeksDaniel’s 70 WeeksTimelineTimeline

Starting PointStarting Point

457 B.C.457 B.C. …from the issuing of the …from the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem… Jerusalem… (Dan. 9:25).(Dan. 9:25).

1.1. Cyrus’ Decree in 538 B.C. (recorded in Ezra 1:2-4)Cyrus’ Decree in 538 B.C. (recorded in Ezra 1:2-4)

2.2. Darius’ Decree around 520 B.C. (Ezra 6:3-12)Darius’ Decree around 520 B.C. (Ezra 6:3-12)

3.3. Artaxerxes’ Decree at 457 B.C. (Ezra 7:11-26).Artaxerxes’ Decree at 457 B.C. (Ezra 7:11-26).


First Segment: the Seven SevensFirst Segment: the Seven Sevens

(49 Years)(49 Years)

457 – 408 B.C. 457 – 408 B.C. …It will be rebuilt with …It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of streets and a trench, but in times of trouble…trouble…(Dan. 9:25). (Dan. 9:25).

• ReadRead about this Nehemiah 2-6. about this Nehemiah 2-6.

• Finished Finished settlingsettling Jerusalem in Jerusalem in 49 years49 years..


Second Segment: Sixty-two Sevens Second Segment: Sixty-two Sevens

(434 More Consecutive Years) (434 More Consecutive Years)

408 B.C. – A.D. 27 . . . 408 B.C. – A.D. 27 . . . and sixty-two and sixty-two ‘sevens’… (Dan. 9:25).‘sevens’… (Dan. 9:25).

• No gap No gap suggested suggested between segments.between segments.

• Messianic expectations began running Messianic expectations began running highhigh..

• Jesus Jesus bornborn in 4 B.C. in 4 B.C.


Third Segment, One SevenThird Segment, One Seven(First Half – 3 ½ Years)(First Half – 3 ½ Years)

A.D.A.D. 27-30. 27-30. …until the Anointed One, the …until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens’ ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens’ and sixty-two ‘sevens’… and sixty-two ‘sevens’… (Dan. 9:25). (Dan. 9:25).

• No gap No gap suggestedsuggested between segments. between segments.• Jesus is publicly identified as the Messiah

with his baptism in the Jordan River.• And anointed by the Holy Spirit.


Third Segment, One SevenThird Segment, One Seven

(First Half – 3 ½ Years)(First Half – 3 ½ Years)


• Wilderness—forty days.

• Read from scroll (Isaiah 61:1-2)

• Stopped in mid-verse—why?


Third Segment, One SevenThird Segment, One Seven

(First Half – 3 ½ Years)(First Half – 3 ½ Years)


• ““The time is fulfilled” (Mark 1:15).The time is fulfilled” (Mark 1:15).

• The 70The 70thth week was week was uponupon them. them.

• PreciselyPrecisely, “at just the , “at just the rightright time.” time.”


After 483 YearsAfter 483 Years A.D. 27 …After sixty-two’ sevens’ the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed [determined] ...And one who causes desolation will place abominations on a wing of the temple until the end that is decreed [determined] is poured out on him. (Dan. 9:26 [KJV]).


After 483 YearsAfter 483 Years

• The The samesame Hebrew Hebrew wordword [ [charatscharats], translated as ], translated as “decreed” or “determined” (Dan. 11:36). “decreed” or “determined” (Dan. 11:36).

• UsedUsed in a future fulfillment in a future fulfillment sensesense, “...for what , “...for what has been determined must take place.” has been determined must take place.”

• Does Does notnot require that all events “ require that all events “happenhappen” during ” during that same time frame, although that same time frame, although somesome did. did.

• IntegrityIntegrity of Daniel’s two interrelated and of Daniel’s two interrelated and interconnected time frames interconnected time frames withoutwithout resorting to resorting to interruptions, gaps, or gimmicks.interruptions, gaps, or gimmicks.


The Middle of the Final WeekThe Middle of the Final Week

A.D. 30. A.D. 30. …He will confirm a covenant with …He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven,’ but in the middle of many for one ‘seven,’ but in the middle of that seven, hethat seven, he [Jesus, the Messiah] [Jesus, the Messiah] shall shall put an end to sacrifice and offering… put an end to sacrifice and offering… (Dan. 9:27).(Dan. 9:27).

Daniel’s 70 WeeksDaniel’s 70 Weeks

The Second Half of the Final WeekThe Second Half of the Final WeekA.D. 30 – 34.A.D. 30 – 34. (3 ½ Years)(3 ½ Years)

• StayedStayed in Jerusalem awaiting and then in Jerusalem awaiting and then experiencing the events of Pentecost (Luke experiencing the events of Pentecost (Luke 24:49). 24:49).

• But But afterafter Pentecost they did Pentecost they did notnot yet disperse and yet disperse and “Go…and teach all nations” or “make “Go…and teach all nations” or “make

disciples of all nations,” as Jesus had disciples of all nations,” as Jesus had commanded (Matt. 28:19 KJV - NIV). commanded (Matt. 28:19 KJV - NIV).

• Why didn’t they?Why didn’t they?


The Finishing PointThe Finishing Point

A.D. 34.A.D. 34.

• When “Philip went down to a city in Samaria, and proclaimed Christ there” (Acts 8:5).

• The time restriction was now over.

• The Gospel was now free to go to the Gentiles.


• CommencedCommenced in 457 B.C. with the decree in 457 B.C. with the decree of Artaxerxes. of Artaxerxes.

• DeterminedDetermined in A.D. 30 at the Cross. in A.D. 30 at the Cross.• ConfirmedConfirmed by the New Covenant for 3 ½ by the New Covenant for 3 ½

years before and 3 ½ years after the years before and 3 ½ years after the Cross. Cross.

• ConcludedConcluded in A.D. 34 when the Gospel in A.D. 34 when the Gospel had been preached to the Jews and was had been preached to the Jews and was now freed to go to the Gentiles. now freed to go to the Gentiles.

Daniel’s Time of the EndDaniel’s Time of the EndTimelineTimelineStarting PointStarting Point

July A.D. 66July A.D. 66.. (Dan. 12:11) …from the time that the daily (Dan. 12:11) …from the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished... sacrifice is abolished...

• Jewish Zealots Jewish Zealots stormedstormed Jerusalem. Jerusalem. • BurnedBurned the palace of Agrippa and Bernice. the palace of Agrippa and Bernice.• BurnedBurned the palace of the Jewish High Priest, Ananias. the palace of the Jewish High Priest, Ananias.• KilledKilled him. him. • MassacredMassacred a garrison of Roman soldiers. a garrison of Roman soldiers. • StoppedStopped performing the twice-daily Temple performing the twice-daily Temple sacrificessacrifices for for

Caesar and the Roman people. Caesar and the Roman people. • This This cessationcessation of the daily sacrifice was the of the daily sacrifice was the truetrue

beginningbeginning of the Roman-Jewish War—Josephus. of the Roman-Jewish War—Josephus.

Daniel’s Time of the EndDaniel’s Time of the EndTimelineTimeline

1,290 Days Later1,290 Days Later (Dan. 12:11) ...and the abomination that causes (Dan. 12:11) ...and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.

• A A majormajor abomination in the Temple. abomination in the Temple. • Roman Army encamped in Caesarea. Roman Army encamped in Caesarea. • StrifeStrife between rival Jewish factions reaches a between rival Jewish factions reaches a climaxclimax. . • Rival Zealot factions Rival Zealot factions defileddefiled the Temple with the Temple with murdersmurders. . • The Temple is defiled with The Temple is defiled with carnagecarnage at every corner. at every corner. • Even Even worshipersworshipers were were killedkilled while offering sacrifices. while offering sacrifices. • The Jews The Jews burnedburned down their own down their own grain storehouses.grain storehouses.


Finishing PointFinishing Point1335 Days Later1335 Days Later

A.D.A.D. 70 70 (Dan. 12:12) Blessed is the one who waits for (Dan. 12:12) Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.

• Shortly before Passover in the Shortly before Passover in the SpringSpring of A.D. 70. of A.D. 70. • 45 days45 days after the cited desecration of the Temple. after the cited desecration of the Temple. • Titus’ Roman Titus’ Roman legionslegions advanced toward Jerusalem. advanced toward Jerusalem. • They “They “set upset up” three encampments overlooking ” three encampments overlooking

Jerusalem. Jerusalem. • Fourth and Fourth and finalfinal encampment of armies encampment of armies surroundingsurrounding

Jerusalem during the war.Jerusalem during the war.


The “time of the end” was now at hand.The “time of the end” was now at hand. • In In AprilApril of A.D. 70, the Romans of A.D. 70, the Romans beganbegan their their

fourth and final fourth and final siegesiege. . • In In SeptemberSeptember, it was , it was overover. . • Not only the Not only the citycity and the and the TempleTemple but the whole but the whole

of biblical Judaism was of biblical Judaism was utterlyutterly destroyed and left destroyed and left desolateddesolated..

• Fulfillment of “the day of Fulfillment of “the day of vengeancevengeance of God.” of God.” • The The portionportion of Isaiah 61:1-2 which Jesus, 43 of Isaiah 61:1-2 which Jesus, 43

years earlier did years earlier did notnot quote (Luke 4:13-21). quote (Luke 4:13-21).


A.D. 70A.D. 70• Within 3 years, “Within 3 years, “every stoneevery stone” was dismantled in ” was dismantled in

fulfillmentfulfillment of Jesus’ most dramatic prophecy of Jesus’ most dramatic prophecy

(Matt. 24:2).(Matt. 24:2).• At just the At just the rightright time, the “appointed time of the time, the “appointed time of the

end” had . . . end” had . . . • ““certainly certainly comecome,” “not prove ,” “not prove falsefalse,” “not ,” “not delaydelay.” .” • Just as God’s prophet, Just as God’s prophet, HabakkukHabakkuk, had , had perfectlyperfectly

prophesied almost prophesied almost eighteight centuries earlier. centuries earlier.


Daniel’s 70 Weeks / Time of the EndDaniel’s 70 Weeks / Time of the End• Literally, exactly, chronologically, and Literally, exactly, chronologically, and

sequentially.sequentially.• Within their Within their twotwo respective respective timetime periods. periods.• Precisely as Precisely as foretoldforetold. . • No gaps, no gimmicks, no delay. No gaps, no gimmicks, no delay. • The The historical settinghistorical setting and and defining characteristicdefining characteristic

of Daniel’s “time of the end” achieved fulfillment. of Daniel’s “time of the end” achieved fulfillment. • When the “the When the “the powerpower of the holy people” was of the holy people” was

““finallyfinally broken” (Dan. 12:7). broken” (Dan. 12:7).


ThusThus • The end the Bible proclaims is The end the Bible proclaims is pastpast. . • Habakkuk’s “appointed time...of the end” Habakkuk’s “appointed time...of the end”

certainly came and is over. certainly came and is over. • Not the end of human history, the end of Not the end of human history, the end of

time, or the destruction of the physical time, or the destruction of the physical creation. creation.

• Behind us, not ahead of us. Behind us, not ahead of us. • Past, not in the future. Past, not in the future.

The End TimesThe End TimesLast DaysLast Days

← ← Fullness of TimeFullness of Time →→

Daniel’s Daniel’s

7070thth Week Week

A.D. 27-34A.D. 27-34

FRONT FRONT

BOOKENDBOOKEND

Daniel’sDaniel’s

Time of the EndTime of the End

A.D. 66-70A.D. 66-70

BACKBACK

BOOKENDBOOKEND

Next WeekNext Week

The The NewNew TestamentTestament..

How does all this fulfillment How does all this fulfillment

fitfit, , match upmatch up, and/or , and/or dovetaildovetail with Jesus, with Jesus,

the early Church, and the NT writers? the early Church, and the NT writers?

Perfectly!Perfectly!““Earnestly Earnestly contend for the faith that was contend for the faith that was onceonce forfor

allall delivereddelivered to the saints.” to the saints.” (Jude 3)(Jude 3)

Next WeekNext Week

The Second Coming / the Return of Christ?The Second Coming / the Return of Christ?

Did this also happen in A.D. 70 Did this also happen in A.D. 70 at the “time of the end”? at the “time of the end”?

Or, is it still future?Or, is it still future?

What does the Bible say and not say?What does the Bible say and not say?

unraveling the end a biblical synthesis of competing views

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