Daniel Chapter 9 prophesies in verses 24, 26 & 27 that 70 weeks of years (that is 490 years) are determined to finish the transgressions of the Jews before God and that midway through the final 7 years, a wicked ruler who is to come forth from the former Roman Empire will commit a desolating abomination.

This mid-week of years abomination is pivotal to our study.

There are some who teach that this abomination was committed back in Old Testament times or else that it took place during Christ’s first advent. It is also often taught that the first 3 ½ years of the final 7 years has already elapsed and that there are only 3 ½ remaining for this prophecy to be fulfilled.

The prophetic Scriptures refute these teachings. The Word of God reveals that the final week of 7 years waits intact and that the abomination which will be committed by the evil ruler is yet still in the future.

A key verse which needs to be kept in mind is Revelation 13:5 where we are told that the evil ruler will have a point of recognizable division in his authority. After he will have had a period of time to rule we are told that he will be granted an extension of time encompassing an additional 3 ½ years.

We quote, "And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months."

This man who is commonly referred to as the Anti-Christ does not just suddenly appear on the world scene with just 3 ½ years of time remaining. Daniel 9:27 confirms that he will have at least 3 ½ years prior to this point to make a name for himself when he strengthens a 7 year covenant with Israel. He then breaks the covenant for the final 3 ½ years.

Regarding the prophecy of the 70 sets of 7 years for Israel found in Dan. Ch. 9 of the Holy Bible we will be looking at aspects of these final 7 years. With the absolute certainty of the soon fulfillment of these fast approaching 7 years we will take a closer look at what God has revealed about this time of judgment.

In Dan. 9:26-27 we can see where a 7 year covenant will one day be strengthened by an influential leader who will come from one of the areas formerly controlled by the Roman Empire.

We then find that these 7 years will be divided midway by some revolting act committed by this newly recognized world leader. The Bible calls this contemptible act the "Abomination of Desolation."

Jesus used this term in His detailed prophecy of the last days in Matthew 24:15. He made reference directly to the prophecy of the final 7 weeks found in Dan. 9:27, 11:31 & 12:11 when speaking of this trigger point which will close out the remaining 3 ½ years of this time of tribulation (Matt. 24:21.)

The prophecies in Daniel along with other prophetic passages reveal that the coming man of sin will take issue with the Jew’s worship of God and will cause the restored worship and sacrifices being offered at the rebuilt temple to cease.

The use of the word "abomination", reveals to us that the Anti-Christ goes beyond just stopping the activity at the Temple. The Scriptures reveal that he will also be responsible for the instituting of an idolatrous substitute to be worshipped. It is because of this abomination that overwhelming desolation will come.

The New Testament sheds even more light on what this wicked king intends to do. The revealing passage of endtime prophecy found in II Thess. 2:3-4 declares that when this son of Hell and ruin commandeers the soon to be built temple in Jerusalem, he will blasphemously exalt himself above all that is called God and will in a moment of insane evil claim himself to be God.

Turning to one of the more detailed prophecies concerning the appearance of the Anti-Christ, we find greater insight regarding this moment of satanic self-exaltation when this beastly king demands to be worshipped.

In Ch. 13 of the Book of Revelation we are shown the following. Verse 1 tells us in conjunction with other prophecies that he will ultimately lead a 10-kingdom confederacy.

Verses 2-4 tell us that he will be tremendously commanding and that it is Satan who empowers him.

Verse 5 confirms to us that he will receive his full authority upon the earth during the final 3 ½ years of Daniel’s 70th week of years.

Verse 6 shows us once again that he will commit his blasphemy against God at this precise mid-point of the final 7 years.

Verse 7 reveals that the people, who had delayed in becoming believers in Jesus Christ and were left behind on the earth during this time after the Rapture, will face unrelenting horrible persecutions and will even be put to death.

Reading on in verses 11-13 of Rev. 13 we find that a miracle-working false prophet will be in alliance with the Anti-Christ.

Verses 14-18 then tell us that at the time of the Anti-Christ’s blasphemy his false prophet will give life to an image. The Scriptures do not say that the false prophet is able to create life but rather that life will be imparted to the image. What abject horror this 21st century wizardry will unleash is beyond mortal comprehension. This image will stand in the Temple and will demand that the world not only worship the beastly king, but also that everyone be marked upon their right hand or forehead to show submission to a satanic religious/economic system. The penalty imposed by the new world order upon those failing to be absorbed into this system will be death by beheading or starvation.

According to the Scriptures found in Rev. 14:9-13, God’s punishment for those taking this mark upon their body is immeasurably more to be feared. Their punishment by God’s Word will be eternal damnation.

We know that at the time that Jesus spoke the words recorded in Matt. 24 the "Abomination of Desolation" was a future event which was to take place at the close of the age just prior to His physical return to the earth.

This close of the age scenario for the "Abomination of Desolation" is also confirmed in Dan. Ch. 12, II Thess. Ch. 2 & Chapters 5-19 of the Book of Revelation.

It is without question by this fact alone that we know that the first 69 sets of 7 years prophesied of in Dan. 9 has a gap of time separating the 69th week of years from the final 7 years which will bring the total of Israel’s 70 weeks of years prophecy to its magnificent conclusion.

It must be remembered that the Jews are still in a serious dispute with God. We read in Hosea 5:14-15 that it is God who allows the Jewish people to suffer during their times of tribulation. We are told that it is because of some great offence which they have committed against God that these times of trials have been permitted. God tells them that He had been among them at one time and that He has returned to His place in Heaven until they acknowledge their offence and repent.

We now understand by Scriptures such as John 1:1, 14:6 & 23 & 15:6-23 that Israel’s offence was the rejection of God when He was manifest in the flesh of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This coming attempt by the Jews to approach God through Temple worship and sacrifices in the future are to God just an extension of their original offence when they rejected His Son.

The offering of sacrifices during the tribulation will be the equivalency of an ongoing act of defiance since God has already given the very life and blood of His own Son as the final act of atonement (see Heb. 7:22-28, 9:11-28 & 10:9-14 e.g.).

In Rev. Ch. 11 we are told that God will send two greatly anointed prophets to the Temple which will be standing in Jerusalem during the time of the Tribulation. Their ministry will require that they evaluate the altar in this rebuilt temple and those who are worshipping therein.

We know by the Scriptures discussed earlier that the sacrifices made at this altar and the temple worshippers will be given a failing grade by these two prophets since these actions will be measured only in the light of their acceptance of God’s Son.

According to Zech. 13:8-9, two-thirds of the Jews will perish due to this ongoing offense and Zech. 14:2,3,12 & 16 reveals that all the nations which God uses to punish Israel for her hardness will in turn be destroyed because of their own evil inclinations and unbelief.

It must never be forgotten that every person will be evaluated solely on their faith or rejection of Jesus Christ’s offer of forgiveness for their sins.

In the day of Israel’s redemption one-third of the Jews will understand the words of the Apostle Peter as is recorded for us in Acts 4:10-12, "Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name given among men by which we must be saved."