DANIEL
9:27 This is clearly the end of the age, the Second Advent judgment, because the bringing in of righteousness did not occur 7 years after the death of the Messiah, nor did the destruction of Jerusalem fit the 7 year period (occurring 37 years later). This is the future 7 year period which ends with sin's final judgment and Christ's reign of righteousness; i.e., the return of Christ and the establishment of His rule. These 7 years constitute the 70th week of Daniel.
he will make a firm covenant. "He" is the last-mentioned prince (
v. 26), leader of the Roman sphere (cf.
chaps. 2 and
7), the Antichrist who comes in the latter days. The time is in the future tribulation period of "one week," i.e., the final 7 years of
v. 24. He confirms (lit., causes to prevail) a 7 year covenant, his own pact with Israel for what will turn out actually to be for a shorter time. The leader in this covenant is the "little horn" of
7:7, 8,
20, 21,
24-26, and the evil leader of NT prophecy (
Mk 13:14;
2Th 2:3-10;
Rev 13:1-10). That he is in the future, even after Christ's First Advent, is shown by 1)
Mt 24:15; 2) by the time references that match (
7:25;
Rev 11:2, 3;
12:14;
13:5); and 3) by the end here extending to the Second Advent, matching the duration elsewhere mentioned in Daniel (
2:35,
45;
7:15ff.;
12:1-3) and
Rev 11:2;
12:14;
13:5.
middle of the week. This is the halfway point of the 70th week of years, i.e., 7 years leading to Christ's second coming. The Antichrist will break his covenant with Israel (
v. 27a), which has resumed its ancient sacrificial system. Three and a half years of tribulation remain, agreeing with the time in other Scriptures (
7:25;
Rev 11:2, 3;
12:14;
13:5; called "great tribulation," cf.
Mt 24:21) as God's wrath intensifies.
abominations... one who makes desolate. The Antichrist will cause abomination against Jewish religion. This violation will desolate or ruin what Jews regard as sacred, namely their holy temple and the honoring of God's presence there (cf.
1Ki 9:3;
2Th 2:4). Jesus refers directly to this text in His Olivet discourse (
Mt 24:15).
See 11:31 [note]. complete destruction. God permits this tribulation under the Antichrist's persecutions and ultimately triumphs, achieving judgment of the sin and sinners in Israel (
12:7) and in the world (cf.
Jer 25:31). This includes the Antichrist (
11:45;
Rev 19:20), and all who deserve judgment (
9:24;
Mt 13:41-43).
The MacArthur Study Bible.
