Written by: Gail Green
If it is true that the weeks in Daniel’s seventy weeks are feasts of weeks (70 yrs) as stated on this blog then there is still one more question that needs to be answered: What does it mean when Daniel writes “after threescore and two years the Messiah is cut off” (Dan 9:26)? In the explanation of Daniel’s Seventy Weeks provided by Sir Robert Anderson the chosen meaning is to kill but when accepting that the seventy weeks are seventy years this meaning has to be adjusted to one or more of the other meanings because it is certain that Jesus is not going to literally die in these last days.
Daniel 9:26-27—And after threescore (60) and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off…And he (Antichrist) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week…
The words cut off are from a primitive root of the Hebrew language: karath meaning to be cut down, eliminated, killed, to cut or make a covenant, to destroy, to take away, permit to perish.
Where do we find corresponding verses to Daniel 9:26-27? They are found in 2Th.2:3 and 2Th. 2:7-8
2 Thessalonians 2:3—Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.
2 Th.2:7-8—For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth (withholds) [will let (withhold)], until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed...
The falling away is defined as apostisia a Greek word meaning defection or to forsake. It is described by Thayer’s Lexicon as turning away from the true faith: the truth of Jesus and that he is the only way to heaven. When someone who once believed in Jesus turns away from Him that person has in effect eliminated Him (cut Him off) from their life and forsaken (fell away/departed from) His truth. Did you notice in our definitions of cut off that one of the meanings is take away? The word “taken” as used in 2 Th. 2:8 comes from the primary root word airo of the Greek text meaning to be removed, to move from its place, or cause to cease just as the word karath (Hebrew) also means to take away or permit to perish. So when we look at these three verses we see that they say basically the same thing: He (Jesus: the truth) is taken out of the way (removed, cut off) and then the Wicked (lawless one) is revealed.
Paul describes the falling away/Christ being cut off in first and second Timothy.
1 Timothy 4:1—Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
2 Timothy 4:3-4—For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
I hope that you the reader can see that it is evident that Daniel 9:26-27 iterates the same message as 2 Th. 2:3, and verses 7-8. The Messiah is cut off (the falling away happens) and then he confirms a covenant (son of perdition is revealed).
To those who believe that "the day that shall not come" is the day of the Antichrist:
Contrary to the pre-tribulation rapture belief the subject of 2 Th.2 is the coming of the Lord and our gathering together unto him. It is not centered on the anti-Christ. Although there is a great deal of information about the son of perdition in the chapter that doesn’t change what Paul was concerned with. His main objective was that the people around him understood that the day of Christ was not at hand. He divulged that Jesus was not coming at any moment and then explained how they could be certain of that fact. He informed them of two things that have to happen before Jesus would return and gather His people unto him: (1) the falling away and (2) the man of perdition is revealed.
2 Th. 2:2—That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
If it is true that the weeks in Daniel’s seventy weeks are feasts of weeks (70 yrs) as stated on this blog then there is still one more question that needs to be answered: What does it mean when Daniel writes “after threescore and two years the Messiah is cut off” (Dan 9:26)? In the explanation of Daniel’s Seventy Weeks provided by Sir Robert Anderson the chosen meaning is to kill but when accepting that the seventy weeks are seventy years this meaning has to be adjusted to one or more of the other meanings because it is certain that Jesus is not going to literally die in these last days.
Daniel 9:26-27—And after threescore (60) and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off…And he (Antichrist) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week…
The words cut off are from a primitive root of the Hebrew language: karath meaning to be cut down, eliminated, killed, to cut or make a covenant, to destroy, to take away, permit to perish.
Where do we find corresponding verses to Daniel 9:26-27? They are found in 2Th.2:3 and 2Th. 2:7-8
2 Thessalonians 2:3—Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.
2 Th.2:7-8—For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth (withholds) [will let (withhold)], until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed...
The falling away is defined as apostisia a Greek word meaning defection or to forsake. It is described by Thayer’s Lexicon as turning away from the true faith: the truth of Jesus and that he is the only way to heaven. When someone who once believed in Jesus turns away from Him that person has in effect eliminated Him (cut Him off) from their life and forsaken (fell away/departed from) His truth. Did you notice in our definitions of cut off that one of the meanings is take away? The word “taken” as used in 2 Th. 2:8 comes from the primary root word airo of the Greek text meaning to be removed, to move from its place, or cause to cease just as the word karath (Hebrew) also means to take away or permit to perish. So when we look at these three verses we see that they say basically the same thing: He (Jesus: the truth) is taken out of the way (removed, cut off) and then the Wicked (lawless one) is revealed.
Paul describes the falling away/Christ being cut off in first and second Timothy.
1 Timothy 4:1—Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
2 Timothy 4:3-4—For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
I hope that you the reader can see that it is evident that Daniel 9:26-27 iterates the same message as 2 Th. 2:3, and verses 7-8. The Messiah is cut off (the falling away happens) and then he confirms a covenant (son of perdition is revealed).
To those who believe that "the day that shall not come" is the day of the Antichrist:
Contrary to the pre-tribulation rapture belief the subject of 2 Th.2 is the coming of the Lord and our gathering together unto him. It is not centered on the anti-Christ. Although there is a great deal of information about the son of perdition in the chapter that doesn’t change what Paul was concerned with. His main objective was that the people around him understood that the day of Christ was not at hand. He divulged that Jesus was not coming at any moment and then explained how they could be certain of that fact. He informed them of two things that have to happen before Jesus would return and gather His people unto him: (1) the falling away and (2) the man of perdition is revealed.
2 Th. 2:2—That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
Blue Letter Bible. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2012, from http://www.blueletterbible.org
The Coming Prince. (n.d.). Retrieved August 18, 2012, from Philologos: http://philologos.org/__eb-tcp/default.htm
8 comments:
Hello Gail,
I have read that through twice. What you say does appear to make much sense, very interesting.
I am thinking aloud somewhat, but this apostasy has been going on for, I don't know exactly, but for rather a long time.
That said the falling away is obviously accelerating at breakneck speed.
I must pray and study this more.
God bless you
Hi Colin,
It is so funny how you are always in a different place when you visit my site! I thought you were someone else: Wheaton Aston, St. Helens is a new one on me!
I agree the apostasy has been going on for a long time but it has in the last few years, as you put it, accelerated! 2 Thess. 2 does teach of a falling away before the Antichrist comes to power so that must mean the apostasy will get worse than ever before?
And yes, it does make sense doesn’t it? It amazes me how it all fits together! It is so hard for me to wrap my head around it. Sometimes I wonder: Am I making this stuff up? But there is no way I could make it up if I tried! I often tell God that I hope it is all true for two reasons: I don’t want to lead anyone astray and most importantly this world is so bad we need His rule to come quickly! I can’t hardly wait for a world of real peace and love!
God bless you!
PS: I got your last email: take your time!
Gail,
Oh! That last sentence of yours! The coming glorious millennial kingdom, under the eternal blessed God and Saviour, Jesus Christ our Lord, yes, a time of peace and blessedness that this sinful sick ridden world has not yet known!
Yes when those age old prophecies such as Isaiah 11 will be actually be realised!
The morning after the darkest night in Israel's history, what a morning!
When the Lord Jesus Himself is King over all! He will be as '..the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.' 2 Samuel 23.4 (read the context)
What a day that WILL be!
Yes I know, in the incredibly short time I have been communicating with you, (yet it feels like ages!) I have moved to Caerphilly, Wheaton Aston and other places but not yet Eastbourne!
That is so beautiful Colin! In King David’s last words he spoke of the coming kingdom and of Him who shall rule it! Oh, What a glorious day that we be! It was David's hearts desire as it is ours! Amen and Amen!
Come sweet Jesus!
Gail,
Do you think it fitting to describe the coming King as 'sweet'? I am NOT saying it is an insult or anything like that per se, perhaps it borders on being too familiar or not a fitting way of addressing His Majesty? I say this because I am reminded of John 20.17; when Mary was admonished, and also Revelation 1.17 when John 'fell as dead': John being the one who reclined 'on Jesus' bosom' in John 13.23. It would seem when one reads the description of the one with whom we have to do in the first chapter of the Apocalypse, perhaps 'Come King Jesus' may be more fitting?
He came the first time in humiliation, but the second time He will come in Glory and Power and Majesty beyond our comprehension!
Praise His Holy Name!
God bless you
Hi Colin,
Yes, I do think it is fitting to describe the coming King as 'sweet' i.e. kind. Would a king that wasn't sweet in nature let another man lay on his chest or wash the feet of His servants? Jesus is a king but he also called Himself brother to all those who do the will of His Father and if a brother isn't familiar: who is? (Matthew 12:50). One definition given for sweet: (archaic) is respected: dear or beloved.
John 20.17: Mary was told to stay away from Him because He had just been resurrected and had not been to Heaven to see His Father and would be defiled if she would have touched Him at that time. He later come back and told Thomas to touch his wounds.
God Bless!
Gail,
I haven't got a problem with THAT definition of 'sweet'. Otherwise it sounds like we are referring to the nativity!
Having said all this, I can't look at these things through the eyes of a woman!
God bless you!
As for Thomas, he is probably the most misunderstood apostle. Unlike most of professing Christianity, he wasn't easily deceived. Though I am not commending his unbelief, you understand? And he didn't need to touch Him!
I'm glad you understand where I'm coming from now. There are a lot of folks in the Bible belt that call Jesus sweet.
The only reason I brought up Thomas was to point out that Jesus offered him to touch Him after He came back from being resurrected in contrast to before He went to see the Father and not letting Mary touch Him.
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