Why is the Tribulation called Daniel's 70th week?
The Tribulation is called Daniel's 70th week because Daniel's prophecy gave Israel 490 years, yet only 483 were fulfilled by Christ's first coming. The remaining seven-year period—the 70th week—was left unfulfilled and pushed into the future, where it corresponds to the Tribulation.
Les explains that Daniel's prophecy set 490 years in God's timetable for the nation of Israel leading up to the rejection of the Messiah. However, only 483 years were fulfilled at Christ's first coming. Chronologists and archaeologists have found the decree Daniel mentions, dated March 14, 445 B.C., and from that date to Palm Sunday was exactly 483 years. Because the prophecy said 490 years, Bible scholars have sometimes referred to the Tribulation as Daniel's 70th week. Sixty-nine weeks were fulfilled at the cross, but the 70th week—the final seven years—is still left unfulfilled and has been pushed out into the future. The context also notes that part of the prophecy—bringing in everlasting righteousness, sealing up the vision, and anointing the most holy—has not yet happened; it will when He returns and sets up His kingdom.
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.