Chuck Missler and Daniel's Seventy Weeks - Facts and Interpretations

Interpretations and Facts:

The following quotes come from Chuck Missler’s article Daniel’s 70 Weeks. This article can be found here: http://www.khouse.org/articles/2004/552/ The articles below are not Mr. Missler’s complete rendering of the subject. I have limited myself to only written articles which are freely accessible on the internet. Mr. Missler’s complete work on Daniel 9 can be purchased from his ministry website at www.Khouse.org

All quotes from Mr. Missler’s article will be in red italics.
All quotes from the Scripture will be in blue italics.

“This includes a mathematical prophecy. As we have noted in previous articles, the Jewish (and Babylonian) calendars used a 360-day year;⁴ 69 weeks of 360-day years totals 173,880 days. In effect, Gabriel told Daniel that the interval between the commandment to rebuild Jerusalem until the presentation of the Messiah as King would be 173,880 days. “

This is not entirely correct. The Jewish religious calendar from at least the time of Hezekiah used a lunar/solar calendar. This calendar was never 360 days in length. The religious calendar was based on the cycle of the moon and then synchronized with the agricultural cycle of the sun. In practical application the Jewish religious calendar month began based on the visible light of the moon. We have documented astronomical records as far back as the time of Daniel which show the lunar cycle has been 29.53 days in length without any serious variations. (For an exhaustive discussion of this subject see Richard Stephenson’s book Historical Eclipses and Earth’s Rotation)

A lunar cycle of 29.53 days makes for 12 lunar cycles of 354 days. Every third year or so an intercalary month must be added to synchronized the lunar and solar cycle. This means that periodically the Jewish year has a 13^th month. To be completely factual the Jewish year (since the time of Hezekiah) has never had a 360 day year. Most “years” are 354.36 days long and approximately every 3^rd year or so the year is 383.89 days in length.

The Jewish religious calendar then, was not based on a certain number of days in a year but on the number of lunar cycles in a year. Unfortunately this point is completely ignored when discussing how the 2^nd temple era Jewish people understood time. Remember the number of days in a Jewish year has varied between 12 and 13 lunar cycles for over 2000 years.

“The commandment to restore and build Jerusalem was given by Artaxerxes Longimanus on March 14, 445 B.C.⁵ (The emphasis in the verse on "the street" and "the wall" was to avoid confusion with other earlier mandates confined to rebuilding the Temple.)”

For those who may not be familiar with the Persian period this statement concerning “Artaxerxes” Longimanus may seem like a reasonable assumption. Unfortunately this theory cannot be reasonably proven from the Scriptural record. In fact, those who hold this belief often provide zero Scriptural or historical evidence to support their theory that “Artaxerxes” = Longimanus. The entire foundation of their interpretation of Daniel 9 rests on this critical point and yet it is left unexplained and undefended.

First of all, it is clearly stated in the Scriptural record that Ezra and Nehemiah were contemporaries. We know from the book of Nehemiah that Nehemiah was governor from the 20^th – 32^nd year of a Persian “Artaxerxes”. For those who do not already know, the term “Artaxerxes” is a title not a proper name. Historically speaking there were 3 Perisan rulers known as “Artaxerxes” who ruled for at least 32 years. They are as follows:

Darius son of Hystaspes - 36 years
Longimanus – 41 years
Memnon – 46 years

All else being equal one of these three rulers could be our “Artaxerxes”. Unfortunately for those who believe Longimanus was a contemporary of Nehemiah the Scripture does not support this assertion. The following points show that Darius son of Hystaspes is the only Persian ruler who reasonably qualifies as the “Artaxerxes” of Ezra and Nehemiah.

1. The Scripture shows that Ezra’s father was Seraiah, the last high priest of Solomon’s temple. Seraiah was killed shortly after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. The following table gives the absolute minimum age of Ezra in the 7^th year of a the above Persian “Artaxerxes”. Keep in mind that Ezra was still alive 14 years later in the 21st year of one of these “Artaxerxes” where the law was read during the feast of Tabernacles to all the people in the 7^th year of the Sabbath cycle. Also keep in mind this assumes that Ezra was only 1 years old at his father’s death.

2. Many of the men who originally went up in the 1^st year of Cyrus with Joshua and Zerubbabel were still alive in the 20^th year of this “Artaxerxes”. Table 6.3 below gives the lowest possible ages for these men in the 20th year of "Artaxerxes". (This again assuming the most minimal ages for these men as leaders of their people.)

3. Joiakim was a contemporary of Nehemiah as well as Akkub and Talmon the porters.

Nehemiah 12:25-26 ²⁵ Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, were porters keeping the ward at the thresholds of the gates. ²⁶ These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the priest, the scribe.

4. The natural chronological flow if Ezra 6 & 7 shows that House of YHWH was completed in the 6th year of Darius and then in the 7^th year of Darius “Artaxerxes”, Ezra went up to Jerusalem.

Ezra 6:14-15 ¹⁴ And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and {even} Artaxerxes king of Persia. ¹⁵ And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.

5. The historical records confirms that Darius son of Hystaspes was the “Artaxerxes” and “Ahasuerus” who rule over 127 proveniences.

The 2nd part of Mr. Missler’s statement does not reflect the actual evidence of the verse.

Daniel 9:25 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.

The “commandment to restore and build” is tied directly to the coming of the Messiah after “7 weeks”. The text does not indicate the “street and the wall” has anything to do with the “commandment”. What the text does indicate is that “street and the wall” would be built sometime during the 62 “weeks” but after the 1^st “7 weeks”.

Scripturally speaking there are at least 5 identifiable “commandments” to restore and build Jerusalem which may qualify as the “commandment to restore and build”.

1. The commandment in the 1^st year of Cyrus. (536 BC)

2. The commandment in the 2^nd year of Darius (Hystaspes) (520 BC)

3. The commandment by YHWH in the 2^nd year of Darius (Hystaspes) (520 BC)

4. The commandment by “Artaxerxes”? in his 7^thyear. (permission given to Ezra to beautify the Temple)

5. The commandment by “Artaxerxes” in his 20^th year. (permission given to Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem)

In discussing this subject over the past many years I am always struck by the absence of any attempt for Biblical scholars to address the one command that makes the most sense. That is the command given by YHWH through the two prophets Haggai and Zechariah to restore and build Jerusalem. Here are part of those instructions given to the prophet Zechariah. Also note how Ezra 6 bares witness to these commandments.

Zechariah 1:16-17 ¹⁶ Therefore thus saith YHWH; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith YHWH of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem. ¹⁷ Cry yet, saying, Thus saith YHWH of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and YHWH shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.

Ezra 6:14-15 ¹⁴ And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. ¹⁵ And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.

“When we examine the period between March 14, 445 B.C. and April 6, 32 A.D., and correct for leap years, we discover that it is 173,880 days exactly, to the very day!”

There is another problem with this statement besides the ones addressed above. 32 AD does not synchronize with the gospel evidence which indicates Yashua (Jesus) was crucified in 30 AD. The only reason 32 AD is chosen is it is the only day which works with the above theory. A theory which is based on an unproven starting point, using a calendar that would have made no sense to the people of the time.

The sixty-two "weeks" follow the initial seven, so verse 26 deals with events after 69th week, but before the 70th. These events include the Messiah being killed and the city and sanctuary being destroyed.

In order for the above to be correct the plan reading of the text must be set aside. The crowning achievement of this messianic prophecy is the coming of the Messiah and his work at Calvary. How then is the Messiah “cut off” after the 69^th “week” but not in the 70^th “week”. How does the very fulfillment of part of this prophecy take place ‘outside” the 70 “weeks” period. This makes no reasonable sense.

Daniel 9:26-27 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. 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.

Note also Daniel 9:27 states “He” shall confirm (fulfill or strengthen and already existing covenant) a covenant for 1 “week”. The Scripture is perfectly clear who confirms the “covenant”.

Galatians 3:16-17 ¹⁶ Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. ¹⁷ And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

Also note Daniel 9:4 sets the context by identifying the “covenant” and its identification with YHWH.

Daniel 9:4 ⁴ And I prayed unto YHWH my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

“The Messiah was, of course, executed at the Crucifixion..."but not for Himself."

The city and the sanctuary were destroyed 38 years later when the Roman legions under Titus Vespasian leveled the city of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, precisely as Daniel and Jesus had predicted. In fact, as one carefully examines Jesus' specific words, it appears that He held them accountable to know this astonishing prophecy in Daniel 9! "Because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation."

I agree with Mr. Missler here in general principle but not in the specific date. The true beauty of Yashua’s warning is that He told them the “sign” they should look for was the “sign of Jonah”. It was Jonah, who after spending “3 days and 3 nights” in separation in the whales belly, came to the Ninevites and warned them they had 40 days to repent. It was Yashua who after “3 days and 3 nights in the heart of the earth” came to His wicked generation and also warned them they needed to repent. 40 years later in 70 AD Jerusalem and it’s people were destroyed. They of course did not “hear” the sign of Jonah.

The following quotes are taken from Mr. Misslers article The Festive Spring. The article in its entirety may be found here: http://www.khouse.org/articles/1995/104/#resources

All quotes from Mr. Missler’s article will be in red italics.
All quotes from the Scripture will be in blue italics.

“Paul also identifies Jesus as "our passover."⁵ Jesus was, indeed, offered as our passover lamb on the very day of passover, the 14th of Nisan. Careful study of this celebration will reveal that every detail points to Jesus' offering of Himself on the cross!”

There are a couple of problems with this identification. According to the Torah of Moses the Passover lamb’s are slain during the day of the 14^th of Nisan. Historical records from the time of Yashua show these sacrifices took place between noon and 6 pm of the 14^th of Nisan. That evening (start of the 15^th) at sundown the Passover lambs were eaten. This places the Passover supper at the end of the 14^th and the beginning of the 15^th of Nisan on the 1^st day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

The gospel accounts do not support the theory that Yashua was “offered as our Passover lamb” on the 14^th of Nisan. Implicate in this idea is that Yashua was killed at the same time the Passover sacrifices were killed. The gospel accounts though, place Yashua’s entry into Jerusalem on the same day the Passover lambs were being killed. That following evening when all Israel was eating the Passover supper, Yashua and His disciples were eating it as well.

Something that is not often considered in this discussion is that fact that there were other “Passover lambs” slain during the feast of “Passover”. (“Passover” as the entire feast of Unleavened Bread was commonly known among the people of that day) Also forgotten is the Scriptural fact that the Passover sacrifice did not take place on the Feast day nor did it atone for the sins of the people. Those sacrifices took place on the 15^th of Nisan on the Feast day.

Mark 14:12 ¹² And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?

Luke 22:7-8 ⁷ Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. ⁸ And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.

Matthew 26:17 ¹⁷ Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?

John 13:1-2 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. ² And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;

“Noah's flood ended on the 17th day of the 7th month.⁹ This month becomes the first month at the institution of the Passover.¹⁰ Our new beginning in Christ was on the anniversary of the Earth's "new beginning" under Noah!

Israel's new beginning, the crossing of the Red Sea, is believed to have been on the 17th of Nisan. Also, in their flight after passover, Israel retrieved the body of Joseph from his tomb. After passover, Jesus was retrieved rom another Joseph's tomb on this date.”

Excellent points with which I agree.

I will gladly place here, in its entirety, any response Mr. Missler might like to make to the above criticisms. I only ask that it be related to the subject under discussion and that it not be personal in nature.