Daniel 9:24-27 – 7 – Considering the Bible

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.

Thanks for sticking with me in this journey through the hottest passage in Daniel. I taught this study in a Sunday School class that had never heard of this approach, and I appreciated the gracious (but firm) discussion during some of the previous couplets.

These next two posts we will finish up with those infamous six, that portion of Daniels prophecy that is defining what actually will happen within the time frame determined for this people and the holy city. It is the heart of the passage, and we checked out the first two couplets in previous posts.

This post we will take a look at the third couplet

COUPLET 3 – First Thought

To Seal Up the Vision and Prophecy

Vision – in the OT, this term only has the concept of a vision, whether ecstatic or as a prophecy.

Since it is coupled with the idea of prophecy, it may best be understood to be regarding visions, such as Daniel experienced.

Prophecy – in the OT, this term is translated as prophet 312 times, and as prophecy 1x. Our passage is the only time in the OT that this term is translated as prophecy.

Could Daniel be speaking of prophets being sealed up?

General Questions I Got

How does this relate to the resurgence of the apostolic ministry presently?

If Daniel 9:24-27 is time dependent, as he states in the beginning, does this verse teach that prophets were sealed up in the first century?

And how does this compare with the visions some have had in centuries past? Does this invalidate those visions?

Remember, as discussed in previous posts in this series, that to seal something does not imply permanence (Check out my 2 part study on Sealing, beginning with Sealing – Old Testament Basis).

OK, so how does that relate to the NT canon. Is it completed?

I would suggest that the apostles and prophets that spoke on the authority of the Christ have supplied all we need to live godly in this present world. Visions and prophets that speak the same message may be sent to wake the church up, but any message that crosses the scripture must be ignored or opposed.

Regarding the completion of sealing up prophets and visions, the NT seems to clearly address this.

Lets get Specific

To be a bit more specific, is Daniel speaking of THE vision and prophecy, that is, the very prophecy he is giving forth?

It is interesting that in Daniels vision/prophecy we are studying, he is told that the prophecy and vision were to be sealed up until the end of the 70 weeks.

Remember the concept of sealing. It is important to note that to seal something does not necessarily mean the object sealed will be sealed permanently!

One example of this very concept can be seen when John makes mention of sealing in Rev 22:10

Rev 22:10

And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

What is even more interesting to my thinking is that time is a factor in this verse also.
With that connection made, it would seem obvious that the topic of all prophecy has the Messiah smack dab in the middle of it. When He came, prophecy was being fulfilled. A few (of many) verses to support this follows.

Acts 3:18

But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

John 5:39

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Matthew 11:13

All the prophets and the law prophesied until John

As has become evident, I consider the first advent to be the core of the prophecy Daniel experienced.

Is He not the focus and sum of all Scripture? Is He not the One to whom all attention, focus, love and honor is to be given? Consider the intent of the Scripture as you consider your interpretation of this difficult passage.

I hope you will join me again as we will again be Considering the Bible