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Sermon #8503

The Interpretation of Daniel 9

A Sermon on Daniel 9

Originally preached Feb. 4, 1955

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Sermon Description

When will Jesus return? Daniel 9 is vital to the Christian understanding of events. However, due to its difficult nature, many Christians interpret it incorrectly or stay away from it all-together. Yet, God placed it in His word for a reason. In this sermon titled “The Interpretation of Daniel 9,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones begins with a reminder of the godly people who have disagreed widely on interpretation regarding passages like Daniel 9, encouraging the listener to avoid being overly dogmatic regarding the subject. Regardless of opinion, Daniel 9 is about what God has determined regarding a chosen people. One of the most well-known sections in this chapter refers to “70 weeks,” a timeline regarding when the events at the end of time will happen. Are these literal weeks? If not, what do they represent? Why are they divided up, and will Christians leave in the midst of them? Dr. Lloyd-Jones makes his argument for which period he believes the listeners are living in, as well as identifying the purposes these “weeks” serve.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. Dr. Lloyd-Jones begins by emphasizing the importance of keeping an open mind when interpreting prophecy and the second coming of Christ. Many godly men of the past have disagreed on these matters.
  2. The sermon will consider Daniel 9:24-27, Matthew 24-25, 1 Thessalonians 4-5, and parts of Revelation. The sermon will not provide an exhaustive exposition of Revelation to keep within the scope of the series.
  3. Daniel 9:24-27 is one of the most difficult passages in the Old Testament to interpret. There are many views on its meaning.
  4. God has determined and decided something with regard to Israel and Jerusalem (v. 24). This suggests God has a plan for Israel.
  5. Six things will happen during the "70 weeks" (v. 24):
  6. Finish the transgression: Put an end to sin
  7. Make an end of sins: Sins will be forgiven
  8. Make reconciliation for iniquity: Sin will be removed and reconciliation with God will happen
  9. Bring in everlasting righteousness: Everlasting righteousness will come
  10. Seal up vision and prophecy: Vision and prophecy will end

  11. Anoint the most holy: A most holy person will be anointed

  12. The 70 weeks are divided into 7 weeks (49 years), 62 weeks (434 years), and 1 week (7 years) (v. 25). The 7 weeks refer to the rebuilding of Jerusalem. The 62 weeks go from that time to the coming of the Messiah. Most agree this refers to Jesus.

  13. After the 69 weeks, the Messiah will be cut off (v. 26). This refers to Jesus' crucifixion. There is disagreement over whether the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 is referred to next.
  14. He will confirm a covenant for 1 week (7 years) (v. 27). There is disagreement over the identity of "he" and when this week is.
  15. In the middle of the week, sacrifices will end (v. 27). There is disagreement over when this happens.
  16. The abomination of desolation will come, and wrath will be poured out (v. 27). There is disagreement over when this happens.
  17. There are two main views: 1) The traditional view: The 70th week follows sequentially after the 69th. 2) The futurist view (from 1830): There is a gap between the 69th and 70th week. The 70th week is in the future tribulation.
  18. The futurist view sees the 70 weeks as 490 years. 7 weeks (49 years) for rebuilding Jerusalem. 62 weeks (434 years) to the Messiah. A gap of at least 2000 years. The 70th week (7 years) is the future tribulation. The "he" of v. 27 is the Antichrist.
  19. Questions to consider: Has v. 24 been fulfilled? What about v. 26? Who is "he" in v. 27? Do vv. 26-27 refer to the 70th week or a gap? Is there a gap between the 69th and 70th week?

Great Biblical Doctrines

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.