Daniel 9:27

"And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week; and for half of the week he shall cause sacrifice and offering to cease; and upon the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator" (Daniel 9:27).

 

Comment:

Daniel is the apocalyptic Book of Hebrews scripture, related in many ways to the apocalyptic book of the New Testament, the Revelation to John. Both were written during times of great suffering: Daniel under the rule of Antiochus Epiphanes, and John during the reign of the Roman emperor Domitian. The essence of all apocalyptic literature is to affirm that suffering, while a part of a divine plan, is not the end of the story. The suffering will be followed by redemption and joy.

Here the reference to "one week" is not to be taken literally. It is an echo of the metaphysical seven days of creation described in Genesis; it describes the entirety of the human experience. It suggests that even those who "make a strong covenant" with the Lord will experience sacrifice and desolation; it's a part of the human experience. The message to those who are suffering at the time is the same as it is to us today: Hang on—salvation is coming!

Blessings!

Rev. Ed