Daniel Unlocked #57

Daniel Unlocked #57. The Prophecy and the Work of the Messiah.

The intercessory prayer of Daniel addresses two main concerns: the sins of the people and the desolation of Jerusalem. Thus, God’s response deals with these two petitions. Through the work of the Messiah the people will be redeemed, and the sanctuary will be anointed. The two specific petitions, however, are answered in ways that transcend the immediate historical horizon of Daniel: the work of the Messiah will benefit the entire human race. Read again Daniel 9:21–27 and notice what must be achieved in this 70-week / 490-year period.

Firstly, “To finish the transgression.” The Hebrew word for “transgression” (pesha‘) suggests the wilful violations by an inferior against a superior (for example, Prov. 28:24). This word also occurs in the Bible regarding open defiance of God by humans (Ezek. 2:3). Through the blood of Jesus, however, rebellion against God is quashed, and humans are offered the saving merits that flow from Calvary. Therefore, the second point is He would “make an end of sins.” The verb carries the meaning of “to seal,” and here it means that sin is forgiven.

Since the Fall, humanity has been unable to live up to God’s pefect standard, but the Messiah will take care of our failures. As Paul said, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” 2 Cor 5:21

Which is the third point in our text; He would “make reconciliation for iniquity.” As Paul again says: “For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Col. 1:19, 20). Here, too, only Jesus can bring about this reality. He “bring(s) in everlasting righteousness.” Christ took our place on the cross and thereby bestowed upon us the blessed condition of “being right” with God. Only by faith can we receive this righteousness that comes from God. This would “seal up the vision and prophecy.” When Christ offered Himself in sacrifice, the Old Testament prophecies that pointed to His atoning work were sealed up in the sense that they were fulfilled. So, the final point would be “to anoint the Most Holy.” The Most Holy mentioned here is not a person but a place. So, the statement refers to the anointing of the heavenly sanctuary as Christ was inaugurated there as our great High Priest (Heb. 8:1).

The prayer gives us the setting, which is the intercession of a great prophet for his people. Notice the time of prayer. It is the time of the evening sacrifice – 3pm – this is the exact time of Christs death and He cried “it is finished.” The prayer uses all the key words of the prophecy. As with earlier prophecies of Daniel, this one refers not only to Christ, but to His great antagonist, the anti-Christ. Daniel 9:24-27 is the devotional heart of the entire Bible. It gives the exact time of Christ’s appearance and the exact time of His death. That is why the devil Has attacked it so strenuously, as we shall see.