Daniel receives more visions, culminating in a visit from the angel Gabriel. Gabriel’s message? God will successfully accomplish His total plan for Israel during a specified number of years.
The number will involve “seventy weeks” of seven for a total of 490 years, beginning with the comand to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The years will fall into three categories:
- First period, 49 years during which Jerusalem will be rebuilt (Daniel 9:25).
- Second period, 434 years, at which time the Messiah will be crucified (Daniel 9:26).
- Third period, 7 years, a reference to the coming Great Tribulation (Daniel 9:27).
This third period is the time of “wrath” in which Christians will be rescued (Raptured) according to the apostle Paul (1 Thessalonaians 1:10) in what he calls the Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13):
The glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us…
