8.0- Gabriel Explains the Prophecy
In Daniel 9 verses 20
through 27 we read:
20 I went on praying, confessing my sins and
the sins of my people Israel and pleading with the Lord my God to restore his
holy Temple. 21 While I was praying,
Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came flying down to where I
was. It was the time for the evening sacrifice to be offered. 22 He explained,
“Daniel, I have come here to help you understand the prophecy. 23 When you
began to plead with God, he answered you. He loves you, and so I have come to
tell you the answer. Now pay attention while I explain the vision.
24 “Seven times seventy years is the length of
time God has set for freeing your people and your holy city from sin and evil.
Sin will be forgiven and eternal justice established, so that the vision and
the prophecy will come true, and the holy Temple will be rededicated.
25 Note this and understand it: From the time
the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until God's chosen leader comes,
seven times seven years will pass. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and
strong defenses, and will stand for seven times sixty-two years, but this will
be a time of troubles. 26 And at the end of that time God's chosen leader will
be killed unjustly. The city and the
Temple will be destroyed by the invading army of a powerful ruler. The end will
come like a flood, bringing the war and destruction which God has prepared. 27
That ruler will have a firm agreement with many people for seven years, and
when half this time is past, he will put an end to sacrifices and offerings.
The Awful Horror will be placed on the highest point of the Temple and will
remain there until the one who put it there meets the end which God has
prepared for him.”