I occasionally hear speculation about how the End Times might begin on a certain date on the calendar because of some event or meeting that is scheduled to take place on that date. For instance, I recently heard speculation that the End Times might begin this April, which is the suggested time a former group of 26 E.U. leaders have given to current E.U. leaders to push for a U.N.-led solution for Middle East peace. The speculation is that this particular push for Middle East peace could lead to the confirmation of a seven year covenant, which Daniel 9:27 suggests to us is the event that marks the start of the seventieth week of Daniel (the seven year period that many people call the “tribulation”).
- Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
I tend to not get too caught up in the speculation concerning certain dates/events because I believe the Bible provides information that we can use to estimate the time of year when the start of the seventieth week of Daniel is most likely going to occur.
- Today I’ll share with you why I believe the start of the seventieth week of Daniel is most likely going to occur at a specific time of year and share with you what time of year that is.
A few weeks ago I wrote about the future significance of Hanukkah. I mentioned in that article that I believe the end of the seventieth week of Daniel will occur on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. I’ll again state why I believe the seventieth week of Daniel will end on Yom Kippur in this article in case you have not read my article on the future significance of Hanukkah.
First, here is a background article on Yom Kippur in case you are unfamiliar with this important Jewish Holiday: Link You will see in the article that seeking atonement and reconciliation are two central themes of Yom Kippur.
I believe the seventieth week of Daniel is going to end on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur (Tishri 10) because the significance of Yom Kippur aligns perfectly with what is going to take place at the end of the seventieth week of Daniel. Two of the main purposes of the seventy weeks of Daniel is to atone for the sins of Jerusalem and the Jewish people and to make reconciliation for iniquity (Dan 9:24).
- Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Since Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement on the Jewish calendar (Leviticus 16:29-30 and 23:27-28) and a day of reconciliation it is fitting that the final atonement of sins and reconciliation is completed on the Day of Atonement at the end of the seventieth week of Daniel...
In addition, there is evidence that a Jubilee Year will begin immediately after the end of the seventieth week of Daniel (Isaiah 61, Isaiah 58, Luke 4:18-21). Jubilee Years begin on Yom Kippur. For more access this link...
The following table displays the next ten potential End Times start dates if the seventieth week of Daniel ends on Yom Kippur. I found these dates by finding when Yom Kippur occurs for each year listed in the table below and then subtracting 2520 days, the length of the seventieth week of Daniel (see the appendix if you’re curious why the seventieth week of Daniel is 2520 days in length).[i] (Here is a link to the table in case you cannot see it: Link)
The above table suggests that we should pay the most attention to the time between late October and middle November each year for the potential start of the End Times. Events that take place outside this time period are unlikely going to be events that initiate start of the seventieth week of Daniel, the confirmation of the seven year covenant (Daniel 9:27).
- I am not saying that every event that occurs outside the late October through middle November period is irrelevant or unimportant. Some events that take place outside this time period can be important because they can be events that eventually lead to the initiation of the seventieth week of Daniel. For instance, all that work that goes into confirming a (new) seven year covenant is unlikely going to take place within just a few weeks because making a seven year or even a three and a half year commitment is a big one for all parties involved. There would likely have to be negotiation sessions that takes place outside of the late October and middle November time period before the covenant is confirmed so the parties involved are comfortable with the long-term arrangement.
Consequently, I do not believe the seventieth week of Daniel is going to start this April. However, it is good to continue watching for signs that the End Times are approaching because they can come at any time of the year.
Appendix
[i] The Length of the 70th Week of Daniel
Gabriel told Daniel that 70 weeks have been given to the people of Israel and the city of Jerusalem to end their disobedience, atone for their sins, and to be saved.
- Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
- Dan 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
- Dan 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
Most Christians who study Bible prophecy agree that the first 69 weeks of this prophecy was fulfilled over a several-hundred year period with a call to rebuild Jerusalem in the 20th year of Artaxerxes Longimanus’s reign (Nehemiah Ch. 2:1-5) and the death and ascension of Christ. Therefore, Gabriel did not mean 70 literal weeks where each week is 7 days in length. The Hebrew translation of the word “week” in Daniel is shâbûa‛, which actually means “seven”. Therefore we can also refer to Daniel’s prophecy as “the 70 sevens”. The length of a prophetic week can be determined by analyzing the structure of the 70th week of Daniel. Daniel’s 70th week is divided into two halves. In the first half Antichrist will make and keep a covenant with Israel, but will break it halfway through the seven.
- Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
The 2nd half of the week is a period of severe persecution. This period of time will last for “time, times, and a half”. The Hebrew word for “time” is “mô‛êd”, which also can mean “a year”. Nearly every commentator who analyzes Daniel’s 70 week prophecy agrees that “time, times, and a half” means 3 ½ years. Therefore, a prophetic week is a seven year period.
- Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
In Revelation 12:14 we learn that 3 ½ prophetic years is the equivalent of 1260 days. If we divide 1260 days by 3 ½ years we will find that a prophetic year is 360 days long.
- Rev 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
- Rev 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Similarly, 3 ½ years is also defined as 42 months since seven years is the equivalent to 84 months. Therefore a prophetic month is 30 days long since 1260 days divided by 42 months equals 30 days/month.
- Rev 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
- Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Given this information, we can confirm that the 70th Week of Daniel will be 2520 days long three different.
- 30 Days (in a Prophetic Month) x 42 Prophetic Months (in Half a Prophetic Week) x 2 Halves = 2520 Days
- 7 Prophetic Years (in a Prophetic Week) x 360 Days (in a Prophetic Year) = 2520 Days
- 1260 Days in “Time, Times, and Half” x 2 Halves = 2520 Days.
For more about the 70 Weeks of Daniel you can access my research study where I provide a completely new explanation of the prophecy by clicking this link.
