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Recently I received an e-mail from the Philippines.
The Brother was very troubled, because of the confusion over there, pertaining
to Daniels 70 weeks. He informed me that the common belief there, among
Message believers, was that there is still seven years left to be fulfilled.
Again, we come to a place, where things of necessity must be said to help
our understanding. It has been previously stated on some of the other studies, that the revealing of this Message has been progressive. There have been numerous examples given on various subjects, where God corrected Brother Branham on specific doctrinal issues. To some I have known over the years, it has been a stumbling block. To me, as a believer and pastor in this beloved Message it shows me, that the Message was not Brother Branham's thinking as a man. A Pastor of a large church in this message told me some time ago, that if Brother Branham ever had changed in his belief, or understanding, that he could not have full confidence in Brother Branham's Ministry. He is a very busy man, trying to make things fit together that are totally contradictory. Areas of the original 70 weeks of Daniel were clarified when the commission of the Message mysteries was given in 1963. I am rather thankful, that I heard the Seals in 1963, and did not get to hear the 70 weeks until later. Then, when I did get a chance to hear the tape and read the book, the understanding given by God in the opening of the Seals had already found its place. The simplicity of progressive revelation should be evident. The one and rather important area, that was corrected by the Super natural instructions given in the Seals, is that when the Gentile Bride goes up in the rapture, there are only three and one-half years left. In this three and one-half year time span, the Ministry of the two witnesses of Revelations 11, and the sealing of the 144,000 begins and is finished. We also understand that this three and one-half years is the great tribulation. As we study the various aspects of the 70 weeks time element, we will find out that it fits with the Scripture and with history. First let's take a look at the prophesy given to Daniel.
I don't think there would be a question as to the time element of the 70 weeks being weeks of years. Seven years representing one week. Jacob worked for Laban seven years to get Rachel for his wife. It was called in that time, a week of years.
70 weeks of years equalling a total of 490 years. The majority of Bible historians agree on the start date of the 70 weeks being 445 B.C. It is the only record in Scripture that identifies the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, after the Babylonian captivity. The building of the temple had started 10 years earlier but did not include the walls or the streets of the city. Some scholars use the earlier date, but as we will find out later it does not fit into the time element of Luke chapter 3, which is very specific as to when Tiberius and Pilate were in office. Since we have our start date which is the same as Brother Branham used, let's begin breaking down the 70 weeks (490 years) and arrive at the time that Jesus began his years in earthly Ministry. Let's examine the 25th, 26th and 27th verse of chapter 9.
There is a purposeful division of the time elements here, which to me, emphasizes the exacting of the time that would be within the year. From the going forth of the commandment (445 B.C.) until Messiah the Prince shall be 7 weeks (49 years) + 62 weeks (434 years) totaling 69 weeks or 483 years. An important note here. I am sure most who have studied the 70 weeks, understand these week years, are made up of time equaling 360 days. The Roman calendar uses 365+1/4 days per year. The difference between the two over the 483 years, adds seven years to the Sabbatical years which have only 360 days per year. This is needed when the math is figured from the start date in 445 B.C., until the time of Messiah at 30 A.D.--- 445 + 30 by the Roman calendar would only give us 475 years. The Seven years difference between the two, then added, would give us 475 + 7 equaling 482. We need a total of 483 years to fulfill 69 weeks, so why the 482? The astronomical year of zero (0) B.C.-A.D. accounts for a full year, even though by adding 30 A.D. to 445 B.C. does not take into account this full year, though it is there. To make it simple, it would be, 445 + 30 + 1 for the year of 0 (zero) to be included. This would give us an actual total of 476 years plus the 7 gained by the difference in reckoning, between the Roman calendar and Jewish sabbatical calendar. This would bring our total to 483. It took the first 7 weeks or 49 years to complete the rebuilding of the walls and city of Jerusalem. From that time, 62 more weeks equaling 434 years would pass until Messiah began His ministry, as we will find later on. What we have so far is, from the going forth of the commandment to rebuild the walls and the city in 445 B.C., to the manifested Christ, would be 69 weeks for a total of 483 years. Notice the Scripture declares that AFTER the 7 weeks + the 62 weeks, Messiah would be cut off. NOT WHEN 483 YEARS WERE FULFILLED BUT AFTER. Scripture in verse 26 (Daniel Chapter 9) goes on to prophesy, as a result of Messiah being cut off and rejected, that there would come forth another prince, (Roman) that would destroy the Temple and the city of Jerusalem. This would again scatter the power of the Holy people, driving them again among the nations of the world. As we understand this begins the trumpets time period for the Jews during the Gentile age. Titus fulfilled that destruction. Verse 27 must be looked at carefully and not confused with the prince that was to destroy the sanctuary and the city. This verse reverts back to give a key description of the Prince that was cut off. It is declared that HE CONFIRMS (preaches) the covenant (NEW) for the 70th week, BUT is cut off (crucified) in the middle of the week (70th). This would identify the meaning of verse 26, which declares THAT AFTER the 69 weeks Messiah would be cut off. He started his earthly ministry, then preached for three and one-half years. Obviously, Jesus' earthly ministry as the Son Of Man, lasted for 3 1/2 years and fulfilled the first half of the 70th week and the last half will confirm the covenant of Jesus Christ to the 144,000 through the ministry of the two witnesses of Revelations 11. This will be the time of fulfilling the desolations foretold to come upon the Jews and the bringing in of everlasting righteousness in the Millennium. Jesus' death on the cross did away with the sacrifice of the blood of bulls, sheep and goats etc., ending the Old oblation and sacrifice. Throughout his ministry he had declared that the Son Of Man must be lifted up, confirming the new covenant with a miracle Ministry theretofore unseen.
The breaking of the Seven Seals, began by suprenatural instruction, the Sword in hand, infallible interpretation of the mysteries. Going on in our study I would like to focus on a most interesting setting of Scripture in Luke chapter 3, that ties to the accuracy and intricacy of the 70 weeks. For those who hold to 7 more years to be fulfilled
to complete the 70th week, the historical record would make it most difficult.
Here we have Scriptural record of the beginning of John the Baptist's ministry.
As Brother Branham has told us and is commonly accepted by many Bible scholars, John's ministry lasted approximately 6 months. According to Luke's Gospel John was 6 months older than Jesus.
We will refer to just two historical dates which
can be easily researched, pertaining to the time of Tiberius Caesar's
rule and that of Pontius Pilate. Pontius Pilates rule as procurator of Judea ran from A.D. 26 to A.D. 36. The ministry of John and Jesus had to be fulfilled under the rule of these two timespans. Our Scripture already declares the ministry of John began somewhere in the 1 year rule of Tiberius. Luke 3:3 It is well understood that John had to be 30 or older, to enter into his ministry to fulfill Scriptural law. By the 70 weeks prophecy, Messiah the Prince would come on the scene ( be manifested) at 69 weeks, then confirm the covenant until the midst of the 70th week. The target of 69 weeks would of absolute necessity
have to be at the very end of A.D 29, or the beginning of A.D.30. John comes out of the wilderness about six months before Jesus begins his ministry. Historically and Scripturally during the rule of Tiberius Caesar, which was between 28 and 29 A.D. Jesus, as we have been told by Brother Branham, was born in April, probably at the time of Passover. He was the Passover lamb. He would have become 30 in A.D.30 in the month Nisan, early in the year. The reason for this is the zero (0) B.C.-A.D. date of His birth being a 365 day year. (Nisan-- our March- April- in the year 0- B.C.-A.D.) He would have been 1, early in A.D.1 Obviously John's Ministry was still in progress, so Jesus waited until it was fulfilled, placing the beginning of his ministry in A.D.30 EXACTLY at the 69 week time frame. Notice the accuracy of the scriptures, as is stated in Luke 3:23 And Jesus himself began to be ABOUT thirty years of age, being (as was supposed ) the son of Joseph, which was [the son] of Heli, In our way of saying it, it would be that He was
around 30 years old. We understand, that to fulfill all righteousness
(full law) he could not start his ministry before 30, so it only leaves
the probability of after 30. In A.D.30 He completed the first 6 months
of his Ministry then had a full year in 31, 32 and 33. He was cut off, but not for Himself. It ushered in the Age of AMAZING GRACE through the BLOOD of GOD, to which we Gentile DOGS can find rest unto our souls by HIS SOVEREIGNTY ALONE. Questions can be directed to: Bro. Garold MacGraw |
