Why are seven years of Daniel's prophecy left unfulfilled?
Of the 490 years in God's timetable for Israel, only 483 were fulfilled by Christ's first coming. The remaining seven years, Daniel's 70th week, were not fulfilled then and are pushed into the future, when Christ returns and sets up His kingdom.
Les explains that the prophecy's final part is still future. The items listed in the passage—bringing in everlasting righteousness, sealing up the vision and the prophecy, and anointing the most holy—did not happen at Christ's first coming. They will happen when He returns and sets up His kingdom. Even though 490 years were in God's timetable for Israel leading up to the rejection of the Messiah, only 483 years were fulfilled. That leaves seven years unfulfilled at Christ's first coming. Chronologists and archaeologists found the decree Daniel mentions, dated March 14th, 445 B.C., and from that date to Palm Sunday was exactly 483 years. That part was fulfilled, but the prophecy said 490 years. Therefore Bible scholars sometimes call the Tribulation Daniel's 70th week. Sixty-nine weeks were fulfilled at the cross, but the 70th week, or final seven years, is still left unfulfilled and has been pushed into the future.
Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
More Questions
What do the seventy weeks in Daniel 9:24 mean in years?
The seventy weeks in Daniel 9:24 are seventy weeks of years, totaling 490 years.