Daniel  9_24-27      Is Jesus Coming??

Rev. David Holwick  ZJ

First Baptist Church

Ledgewood, New Jersey

September 25, 1994

Daniel 9:24-27
Matthew 24:29-39


IS JESUS COMING??



  I. The Great Return.


     March 11, 1942, was a dark and desperate day at Corregidor, an

        island fortress in the Philippines.

     American had been at war with Japan for four months and it was not

        going well.

     One island after another in the Pacific was falling to the Japanese

        onslaught.

     The enemy was now marching into the Philippines as confident and

        methodical as the star band in the Rose Bowl parade.

     Every American soldier knew that surrender was inevitable.

     The Army commander, Douglas MacArthur, had only three words for his

        comrades as he stepped into the escape boat destined for

           Australia.


     "I SHALL RETURN."


     Upon arriving 9 days later in the port of Adelaide, the 62-year-old

        military statesman closed his remarks with this sentence:

     I CAME THROUGH AND I SHALL RETURN.

     A little over 2 years later-- October, 1944, to be exact-- he stood

        once again on Philippine soil after landing safely at Leyte Island.

     This is what he said:

     "This is the voice of freedom, General MacArthur speaking.

         People of the Philippines: I HAVE RETURNED!"


     MacArthur is not the only one in history who has made promises.

     When Jesus walked on this earth he predicted his own death, then

        added, "I will come again."

     It has taken him longer than 2 years.

        Quite a bit longer!

     But if he is who he claimed to be, it must be true.

        He is coming back.

     But when?

                                                                   #1529


      A. Those who reject the Bible as authoritative have an easy answer:

            Never.

          1) Such a belief is simplistic and embarrassing to liberals.

          2) They "spiritualize" it, or even say Jesus was mistaken.


      B. Bible believers are more positive.

          1) Second Coming is emphasized in the Bible.

              a) One of key doctrines.

              b) Very important to Jesus.

          2) Evangelicals:  only God can straighten world out.

          3) Some are exact - Harold Camping, between now and Sept 27.


II. The first coming of Jesus was exactly predicted.

      A. Seventy weeks of Daniel 9:24f.

          1) Prophet was dejected, questioned God's plan for Israel.

              a) God gives him a timetable for world history.

          2) Literally, seventy sevens, or 490 years, in three sections.


      B. Six achievements this period will bring about.       Daniel 9:24

          1) Finish transgression.

              a) Conclusion of man's rebellion against God's authority.

              b) Requires God's Kingdom on earth, accomplished in the

                    Millennium.

          2) Put an end to sins.

              a) More general than transgression, involves missing

                    the mark.

              b) Suggests a new society where righteousness prevails.

          3) Atone for wickedness.

              a) Points to the crucifixion.

          4) Bring in everlasting righteousness.

              a) Universal righteousness, not just periods of good

                    government.

          5) Fulfillment of vision and prophecy.

              a) Jesus fulfilled many prophecies in the Old Testament.

              b) But this would go beyond Jesus' earthly ministry to his

                    rule over the whole earth.


          6) Anointing of Most Holy.

              a) Not a reference of anointing of Jesus, since term

                    is not used of people.

              b) Most likely refers to consecration of temple, perhaps

                    the millennial temple in Ezekiel 40-44.

          7) Most of these goals are as yet unfulfilled, so seventieth

                week must refer to last seven years before Jesus returns.


III. God's first timetable.

      A. Broken into two periods.

          1) Rebuilding of Jerusalem.

          2) Cutting off of Messiah.  (either death or abandonment)


      B. Command to rebuild Jerusalem.

          1) First decree of Cyrus the Great.        538 BC

                                        2 Chronicles 36:23; Ezr 1:2-4

              a) Rebuilding of temple only in view.

              b) Since temple requires worshippers, a rebuilt city

                    may be implied, but maybe not.

              c) Does not seem to fulfill requirements of Dan 9:25f.


          2) Commission granted to Nehemiah by Artaxerxes I in 446 B.C.

              a) Main goal is rebuilding of Jerusalem.       Neh 2:5-8

              b) But requires 360 day years to work out.

                  1> Jews did not use this type of calendar.

              c) 483 solar years come out to A.D. 38 or 39.


          3) Decree issued to Ezra in seventh year of Artaxerxes I in

                457 BC.                                  Ezra 7:12-26

              a) Chief emphasis is strengthening the temple and

                    enforcing the Jewish Law.

              b) Yet in Ezra's prayer, he refers to rebuilding of

                    temple and WALL of protection.      Ezra 9:9


              c) Resulting dates:

                  1> 457 to 408, Jerusalem rebuilt.   (7x7, 49 yrs)

                  2> 408 to A.D. 27, Messiah comes.   (62x7, 434 yrs)

                      A> Most likely the year Jesus was baptized, or

                            anointed.


              d) "Afterwards" Messiah is cut off.   (=killed)

                  1> "Anointed One" is a code word for the Messiah.

                      A> In Greek, the word is "Christ."

                  2> According to Gospel of John, Jesus had a public

                        ministry that lasted 3 years.

                  3> Jesus was crucified on 14 Abib (Nisan) A.D. 30.


              e) Other events following the Messiah.

                  1> The city of the Messiah is destroyed.

                      A> Jerusalem was destroyed in AD 70, as Jesus

                            himself predicted.

                      B> Jesus is the only Jew to be seriously viewed as

                            the Messiah between Daniel and the destruction

                               of Jerusalem.

                  2> There will be wars and desolation.

                      A> Characterizes last 2,000 years.


      C. Daniel predicted Jesus' time, his mission and his death 587 years

            before the events.


IV. Can the date of the Second Coming be predicted exactly?

      A. Many schemes have been devised.

          1) Week of Millenniums in world's history.

              a) "One day is as a thousand years."

              b) Popular designation for Creation is 4004 BC.

              c) AD 2000 would bring us to dawn of final Millennium,

                    God's reign on earth.

              d) However, a 4004 BC Creation does not fit the Biblical

                    data, which requires an ancient earth.

          2) Counting one generation after fig tree (Israel).

              a) 1948 to ???

          3) Anything that fits.

              a) I find many theories are contrived, some are bizarre.


      B. Jesus says no one knows day or hour.                 Matt 24:36

          1) Several pastors are coming up with month and week, however.

              a) Harold Camping is just latest in a long line.

              b) Edgar Wisenant, 88 reasons why he would come in 1988.

                  1> Then 89 reasons he would come in 89...

              c) A group of Korean Christians predicted Oct 1992.

          2) History has been a severe judge of predictors.


      C. Nearness, but not exactness.                         Matt 24:33

          1) Main signs.   "When you see all these things...."

              a) Apostasy in church.                      Matt 24:10-12

              b) Antichrist.                     Matt 24:15,24; 2 Thess 2

              c) Great Tribulation.                       Matt 24:21


          2) Daniel's final climactic week.               Dan 9:27

              a) The "week" is a seven year treaty with, literally,

                    "the many."

                  1> Probably a designation for Israel.

                  2> Note that sacrifices are halted halfway through.

              b) "He" is probably related to the ruler to come, the

                    Antichrist.

                  1> Jesus says as much in Matthew 24.

                  2> He also says this person is still in the future.    24:15

              c) Many believe this final seven years is the period Jesus

                    called the Great Tribulation.            Matt 24:21

              d) By the time these signs appear, it may be TOO LATE.


         The May 1984 National Geographic showed color photos and drawings

            of the swift and terrible destruction that wiped out the Roman

               cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in A.D. 79.

         The explosion of Mount Vesuvius was so sudden, the residents were

            killed while in their routines: men and women were at the

               market, the rich in their luxurious baths, slaves at toil.

         They died amid volcanic ash and super heated gases.

            Even family pets suffered the same quick and final fate.

         It takes little imagination to picture the panic of that terrible

            day.


         The saddest part is that these people did not have to die.

         Scientists confirm what ancient Roman writers record - weeks of

            rumblings and shakings preceded the actual explosion.

         Even an ominous plume of smoke was clearly visible from the

            mountain days before the eruption.

         If only they had been able to read and respond to Vesuvius's

            warning!

         There are similar "rumblings" in our world:  warfare, earthquakes,

            nuclear threat, economic woes, breakdown of the family and

               moral standards.

         While not exactly new, these things do point to a coming Day of

            Judgment.

         People who are caught unprepared have no excuse.

         God warns and provides an escape to those who will heed the

            rumblings.

                                                                    #1983


  V. Are you ready?

      A. For those unprepared, he will come like a thief.     Matt 24:43

          1) "Days of Noah" doesn't refer to debauchery, but obliviousness.

              a) They gave no thought to eternity.            Matt 24:37

          2) Committed Christians will not be unaware.        1 Thess 5:4

              a) Moral dimension - "servants" must be obedient.


              During his 1960 presidential campaign, John F. Kennedy often

                 closed his speeches with the story of Colonel Davenport,

                   the Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives.

              One day in 1789, the sky of Hartford darkened ominously, and

                 some of the representatives, glancing out the windows,

                    feared the end of the world was at hand.


              When many of them called for an immediate adjournment,

                 Davenport rose and said,

              "The Day of Judgment is either approaching or it is not.

                 If it is not, there is no cause for adjournment.

              If it is, I choose to be found doing my duty.

                 Therefore, I wish that candles be brought in."

              Rather than fearing what is to come, we are to be faithful

                 till Christ returns.

              Instead of fearing the dark, we're to be lights as we watch

                 and wait.

                                                                   #1864


      B. If Jesus came today, would he claim you as one of his own?

          1) (Gospel laid out....)

          2) When the signs finally come together, it may be too late.


=============+++++++++++++++++==============++++++++++++===========


     Harold Camping, "1994."


  I. Daniel 9's seventy weeks.

      A. From rebuilding of Jerusalem walls to Messiah.

          1) In 539 BC, Cyrus begins reign over Babylon and commands Jews

                to rebuild temple.

          2) In 445 BC, Nehemiah is given permission to rebuild.

              a) Daniel says walls to be rebuilt.

              b) Artaxerxes gave permission to rebuild walls, but did not

                    command it.               p 382

              c) Computation which converts 365 1/4 day years into 360

                    day years is invalid, even though it comes out to

                    AD 32.

          3) In 458 BC, Ezra re-establishes law in Israel.      *******

              a) "Seven sevens" refers to a Jubilee period.

              b) Jubilee year was 457.

              c) Using this as starting point, brings Messiah at AD 29.

              d) The Messiah is cut off in AD 33.

                  1> He is born in prior Jubilee year, 7 BC.


      B. Many significant Biblical events are separated by 1000 years.


     Archer, Expositor's.


  I. The seventy weeks.

      A. Literally, seventy sevens, or 490 years, in three sections.


      B. Six achievements.

          1) Finish transgression.

              a) Conclusion of man's rebellion against God's authority.

              b) Requires God's Kingdom on earth, accomplished in the

                    Millennium.

          2) Put an end to sins.

              a) More general than transgression, involves missing

                    the mark.

              b) Suggests a new society where righteousness prevails.

          3) Atone for wickedness.

              a) Points to the crucifixion.

              b) "Last days" began at Pentecost.

          4) Bring in everlasting righteousness.

              a) Universal righteousness, not just periods of good

                    government.

          5) Fulfillment of vision and prophecy.

              a) Goes beyond Jesus' earthly ministry to his rule over

                    whole earth.

          6) Anointing of Most Holy.

              a) Not a reference of anointing of Jesus, since term

                    is not used of people.

              b) Most likely refers to consecration of temple, perhaps

                    the millennial temple in Ezekiel 40-44.


      C. Most of these goals are as yet unfulfilled, so seventieth

            week must refer to last seven years before Jesus returns.


II. The command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem.

      A. Broken into two periods.

          1) Rebuilding of Jerusalem.

          2) Cutting off of Messiah.

              a) "Have nothing" may mean "no one," referring to the

                    abandonment by Jesus' disciples.

              b) It could also mean he died without material wealth.


      B. Command to rebuild Jerusalem.

          1) First decree of Cyrus the Great.  538 BC  2 Chr 36:23; Ezr 1:2-4

              a) Rebuilding of temple only in view.

              b) Since temple requires worshippers, a rebuilt city

                    may be implied, but maybe not.

              c) Does not seem to fulfill requirements of Dan 9:25f.

          2) Decree issued to Ezra in seventh year of Artaxerxes I

                in 457 B.C.                             Ezra 7:12-26

              a) Chief emphasis is strengthening the temple and

                    enforcing the Jewish Law.

              b) Yet in Ezra's prayer he refers to rebuilding of

                    temple and wall of protection.      Ezra 9:9

                  1> He did not succeed and a 13 year delay ensued.

              c) Resulting dating:

                  1> 457 to 408, Jerusalem rebuilt.

                  2> 408 to A.D. 27, Messiah comes.

                  3> "Afterwards" he is cut off.

                      A> Jesus crucified on 14 Abib (Nisan) A.D. 30, after

                            a public ministry of 3 years (gospel of John).

          3) Commission granted to Nehemiah by Artaxerxes I in 446 B.C.

              a) Main goal is rebuilding of Jerusalem.       Neh 2:5-8

              b) 483 solar years come out to A.D. 38 or 39.

                  1> Robert Anderson used "prophetic years" of 360 days.

                  2> No proof Jews (or anyone else) used such years.

                      A> Rev 12:6,14 speaks of 1,260 days as 3« years.

                      B> Probably meant as approximate figuring.

              c) Even with 360 day years, end result is A.D. 32 or 33.

                  1> Not generally accepted date of crucifixion.


III. Prophesied destruction.

      A. City destroyed in AD 70 by Titus, 40 years after crucifixion.


      B. Following age is to be characterized by war and bloodshed.

          1) Note that it is referred to before mention of the 70th week.

          2) An interruption is implied.


      C. Covenant confirmed for seven years.

          1) Who is in view?

              a) Grammar would suggest antecedent, the Roman ruler.

              b) The "many" would be Jewish believers in Christ.

                  1> Sacrifices would then be memorials, like the Lord's

                        Supper.

          2) Broken halfway through.

              a) Perhaps like Nazi tyranny.


      D. Abomination of desolation.

          1) Jesus quoted it, and regarded it as still future.

          2) Most likely a work (or person) of the Antichrist.



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