Avoid the Temptation of Spending Too Much Time on the Seventy Weeks (part 13 of preaching through Daniel’s gospel)

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Final Chart

If you’re preaching on Daniel 9, then you face the infamous 70 weeks. If you’re preaching in a traditional kind of church, you will be tempted to spend time trying to explain the chart you see above or some variation of it.

The problem is that our charts are clearer than Daniel and the rest of Scripture.

That means we’ll spend precious sermon minutes explaining what we’re not sure of. So, in Daniel 9, here are some things we can be sure of:

  • We should follow Daniel’s model prayer, confess our sins, and plead for mercy. That’s always appropriate and necessary.
  • Even though we can’t know exactly how long we have to wait before the consummation of history (the length of time covered by the 62 weeks), we know we’re still in waiting mode. Paul makes it clear that we are saved by hope.
  • We know exactly what God is doing while we wait. Verse 24b says, “to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.” Duguid understands this as, “God’s timescale for the sanctification of His people and the renovation of the world.”
  • We know exactly what we are to be doing while we wait. You may recall an earlier post on Daniel’s unique take on evangelism. Back in Daniel 8:27 “Then I rose and went about the king’s business, but I was appalled by the vision and did not understand it.” You might consider understanding the king’s business in two ways. First, your parishioners have work to do in this world. It is important work and ordained by God (providing it is righteous employment). Second, we all have our King’s business to attend to–being disciples and making disciples. We stay busy until He comes.

Whether in Daniel or some other apocalyptic section of Scripture, avoid the temptation of trying to explain the unexplainable. Focus on the speeches and actions of key characters and clear indications of what God will do.

Preach well for the sake of His reputation in the church and in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:21).

Randal

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Categories: apocalyptic, prophecy
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