Daniel 9:24-27 – 6

Daniel 9 is a linchpin of prophetic teaching.

As I have studied this topic over the years, a particular teaching has garnered favor among believers. I followed that teaching faithfully for most of my pilgrimage.

I would like to offer an alternative viewpoint for a fellow believer to consider.

When I first encountered this viewpoint, I struggled with it. I refused it, then ignored it, then argued with it. But I also believe as Christians, we need to wrestle with the Word.

Sure, we may come away limping, like old Isaac, but as always, encountering the Word produces fruit.

So with that thought let’s continue and read the verse under consideration first.

Daniel 9:24

“Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.

This post we will continue to look at the second couplet

COUPLET 2 – Second Thought

To Bring in Everlasting Righteousness

Everlasting righteousness. Is there anything in this terminology that does not allow for the presence of sin alongside of the everlasting righteousness.

Everlasting is the Hebrew word `owlam, and is also, very very interesting. See A Study of Eternal/Everlasting if you want to be shocked. (I was)

Olam can mean for ever or everlasting, but is also a term that could mean a long duration. I personally believe Daniel is speaking of everlasting here, but the prophecy is so difficult to cipher, this issue may need to be revisited or reconsidered at a later date.

Anywho, I don’t understand this righteousness (that is everlasting) as speaking of filling/controlling/infecting all people on the earth. Daniels point is time dependent (either a long time or eternal), not the spread of righteousness within every person on earth.

With that refinement of thought, consider what the apostles wrote concerning the righteousness of Christ in the believer’s life.

1 Corinthians 1:30

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Rom. 3:21-26

Even the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God…through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood to declare his RIGHTEOUSNESS for the remission of sins”

Rom. 5:17-21

By the righteousness of one…shall many be made righteous… unto eternal life by Jesus Christ

2 Cor. 5:21

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God in him”

1 Peter 2:24

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto RIGHTEOUSNESS”

1 John 2:29

Everyone that doeth RIGHTEOUSNESS is born of him

Righteousness in the believers life is a New Testament teaching that directly relates to Daniels prophecy, if you will allow it.

The concept of righteousness needs further consideration – I looked into this as a study when I was just a youngin (as a Christian), and found it to be kinda surprising. If I find my notes I will post.

This completes our second couplet, and next time we get together, we shall enter into the third and final couplet.

I hope you will join me again as we “Consider the Bible”.

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