THE SIGNIFICANCE OF UNDERSTANDING THE "70 WEEKS" OF DANIEL
There is one very important reason why it is important to understand this prophecy, especially today. There are many folks out there who have taken the last "week" or 7 years of this prophecy and placed it in the future. They explain that we still have either 3 1/2 years or 7 years before Christ returns, based on their interpretation of this prophecy. They tell of events which MUST come to pass which require either 3 1/2 years or 7 years BEFORE Christ can return. This causes many people to believe there is much more time still left before His return. But we see nothing in this prophecy that has not reached it's fulfillment over 1,900 years ago.

 

There is a great danger in trying to predict exactly how the unfulfilled prophecies will be fulfilled because IF WE ARE WRONG, we are in grave danger of completely missing the entire event, not recognizing it when it occurs. There is grave danger in trying to predict events which MUST occur BEFORE the Lord comes, because if we believe certain things still have to happen, or certain time periods still have to pass before the second Advent, He may take us quite by surprise. 

 

People tend to procrastinate if they think they have plenty of time to get something done. How many of us are living our lives the way we would if we knew Christ would be here tomorrow? NOW is the hour of salvation- NOW is the time to live as if we expected Him any minute. After all, how many people will die tomorrow? or even today? Look at the terrible tragedy which just occurred in Oklahoma City- for those people, there is no more time. When Christ returns, He says: 

 

REV 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 12 And, behold, I come quickly;.... 

 

All decisions are final when we die. There is no second chance. Nor will there be a second chance for those alive when He returns.

 

Every person needs to consider carefully- have we fully dedicated our lives to Him, or do we just make a weak showing of it, thinking that when things start to get rough, we'll become more serious about the matter? If you think about ANYTHING in this newsletter, it needs to be this- what if you should die tomorrow? Are you ready for the Lord to come today? Because Christ, Himself, tells a very somber parable about those who are NOT ready- and the important thing to keep in mind here is that He is talking about THOSE WHO PROFESS TO BE BELIEVERS- He ISN'T talking about non-believers versus believers in this passage. 

 

MAT 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh... 48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

 

Don't skip over the Scriptures-READ them, for only THEY have the power of life in them. The point Christ was making is quite evident. The virgins were ALL invited to the marriage. ALL of them EXPECTED to be there. These represent BELIEVERS,- those who profess to be Christians. Yet the "foolish virgins" figured they had plenty of time to get the extra oil that would be needed, just as the "foolish Christians" figure they have plenty of time to prepare for His coming. But just as the "foolish virgins", calling to the Lord for admittance when they found the door shut, were denied entrance, the "foolish Christians" will be met with horrifying words when they call out to the Lord: 

 

MAT 7:22 ...Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity... 

 

MAT 25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 When shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

 

The average Christian who is experiencing a relatively good life, with a family he loves, doesn't want to face the reality that the time is almost at hand for all things to end, or change, when Christ returns. Therefore, the most popular ministries of the day are those that put many "time prophecies" between our present day and the coming of the Lord, making it appear that we can continue as we are for a number of years at the minimum. 

 

Does this reflect the general uncertainty of the events that will take place at the coming of the Lord? One devoted Christian parent had become convinced that family life would be terminated at His coming; this thought had been presented to him by his pastor in reference to Christ's statement that there will be "no marriage in heaven" (Mat 22:30). This individual, naturally, was less than enthusiastic about an event which would disrupt a loving family relationship and therefore he verbalized his desire that Christ would delay His coming so he could enjoy his young family for a while. He was quite relieved after reading Isaiah 11:6-9. While family life may be different in Heaven, on the "earth made new" it obviously will involve our young children, building houses and planting vineyards. (Isa 65:21-23). 

 

Only a misunderstanding of Scripture can make us reluctant to welcome our Lord. Those we love and we ourselves will finally be freed from the dangers and uncertainties of this mortal life. We are told that if we put family, positions of honor, or possessions in a higher "value status" than Christ (Mat 10:37, Mar 10:17, 21, 22) are not worthy of Him.

 

While we are to "occupy till I come" (and it is not appropriate that we should sell everything, dawn white robes and wait for Christ's coming on the highest hill top we can find), we should "watch and be ready" and "keep our lamps trimmed and burning". The Bible is full of "object lessons" of what to do and what not to do. Here is one that is appropriate for the subject under discussion: 

 

Act 24:25 And as he [Paul] reasoned of righteousness,... and judgement to come, Felix trembled and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee". 

 

There is no record of Felix calling for Paul or any one else, and he most likely died a lost man, having passed up the best opportunity Divine love and mercy could give him. We can not postpone making things right with our God for any reason; that includes watching for some popular prophetic event to happen and then get "serious".