In the 19th century, a group of English pastors from the Anglican Church formed an alliance called the Plymouth Brethren. John Nelson Darby became a spokesman for a new theology based on Jesuit doctrines derived from a book by Emmanuel Lacunza. This theology taught that the 70th week of the prophecy in Daniel 9 was yet to occur, a belief that became known as Futurism. Darby visited the United States six times in the 1830s, successfully propagating the futurist interpretation of the 70th week. This futurist thinking was later adopted by various theological seminaries, including Dallas Theological Seminary, Moody Bible Institute, and Fuller Theological Seminary.
In the late 19th century, a Kansas lawyer named Cyrus Scofield discovered this Jesuit doctrine and, in 1909, published the Scofield Reference Bible. His footnotes supported the futurist Jesuit doctrines, leading to widespread acceptance among evangelical pastors. Since then, many evangelical pastors trained in these institutions have continued to present futurist Jesuit doctrine to their congregations. This study examines the biblical foundation of the 70th week of Daniel 9 and its implications for the future.
Biblical Analysis of Daniel 9
In Daniel 8:14, the prophet is told that the sanctuary would be cleansed after 2,300 days. Daniel does not initially realize that the sanctuary mentioned is the heavenly, not the earthly, sanctuary in Jerusalem (see Hebrews 8:1-2).
Daniel 8:27 – Daniel faints after the vision because he does not understand it.
Daniel 8:26 – Gabriel explains that the vision (Mareh) refers to the 2,300-day prophecy.
Daniel 9:22-23 – Gabriel, whom Daniel had seen in the vision of chapter 8, returns to give him understanding, asking him to consider the vision—the one given in Daniel 8:14 that he had not understood (the Mareh).
Daniel 9:24 – Gabriel informs Daniel that 70 weeks (490 years) of probation for Israel have been “determined” or “cut off” from the larger 2,300-day prophecy.
Verse 24 – Gabriel presents six major spiritual goals to be accomplished by the Messiah, including putting an end to sin, fulfilling vision and prophecy, and bringing in everlasting righteousness—fulfilled in Jesus, the righteous one.
Daniel 9:25 – Gabriel states that the Messiah, the Prince, will arrive at the end of 69 weeks (7 weeks plus 62 weeks).
Daniel 9:26-27 – Gabriel reveals that the Messiah will be “cut off” in the middle of the 70th week, causing the sacrificial system to cease. He will confirm a strong covenant with His people during that week—the new covenant ratified by the blood of Jesus (see Matthew 26:28).
From this straightforward biblical exegesis, it is clear that assigning verse 27 of Daniel 9 to the Antichrist is entirely unfounded. The only person capable of ending the sacrificial system ordained by God is Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. The Antichrist cannot remove sin or nullify God’s sacrificial system.
Examining the Doctrine of the Secret Rapture
The doctrine of a secret rapture, promoted by many evangelicals and Pentecostals, lacks biblical support. Scripture clearly states that the only rapture of the Church will occur at Christ’s second coming, which will be visible and audible.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 – The Apostle Paul describes Christ’s return as personal, visible, and accompanied by loud trumpet sounds. The dead in Christ will rise first, followed by those who are alive and remain, who will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord. This is the visible and audible rapture of the Church, comprising both Jews and Gentiles (see Galatians 3:26-29):
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Paul again emphasizes in 1 Corinthians 15:22-23 that the dead in Christ will remain in their graves until Christ’s coming:
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
In 1 Corinthians 15:51-55, Paul declares that believers will not receive immortality until the Lord’s coming at the last trumpet:
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
There is no secret rapture of the Christian Church. Instead, Scripture affirms the coming of the Lord from heaven, which will be visible and audible. It will be so powerful that it will awaken the dead. The Lord will come in power and great glory, and believers will be changed, receiving a glorious body “like unto His body.” Praise the Lord!
