Could the key to unlocking the mysteries of biblical prophecy lie in the ancient text of Daniel's 70 Weeks? Join us for a riveting journey through time, as we dissect the 490-year forecast and decode the controversial final 'week' that has left scholars at odds. Navigating the prophetic landscape, we weigh the merits of two interpretations: one that sees Jesus as the covenant confirmer for a remaining three and a half years for the Jewish people, and another forecasting a full seven years of tribulation led by the Antichrist. Alongside reflections on the messianic 'cutting off' and the temple's destruction, we're diving deep into Brother Branham's teachings, including his visions of Elijah and Moses in the unfolding of end times.
As we step into the realm of end time prophecies, prepare to confront the ominous figure of the Antichrist and unravel the threads of a broken covenant destined to plunge the world into chaos. This episode isn't just about prophetic musings; it's an invitation to consider the profound implications of the rapture, the guiding light of two Revelation witnesses, and the pivotal role of spiritual wealth in the drama of the last days. Grounded in Brother Branham's influential ministry, we seek to illuminate the path toward understanding in an era of conflicting doctrines, fostering a space for personal insight and unity among believers navigating the esoteric terrain of eschatology.
Could the key to unlocking the mysteries of biblical prophecy lie in the ancient text of Daniel's 70 Weeks? Join us for a riveting journey through time, as we dissect the 490-year forecast and decode the controversial final 'week' that has left scholars at odds. Navigating the prophetic landscape, we weigh the merits of two interpretations: one that sees Jesus as the covenant confirmer for a remaining three and a half years for the Jewish people, and another forecasting a full seven years of tribulation led by the Antichrist. Alongside reflections on the messianic 'cutting off' and the temple's destruction, we're diving deep into Brother Branham's teachings, including his visions of Elijah and Moses in the unfolding of end times.
As we step into the realm of end time prophecies, prepare to confront the ominous figure of the Antichrist and unravel the threads of a broken covenant destined to plunge the world into chaos. This episode isn't just about prophetic musings; it's an invitation to consider the profound implications of the rapture, the guiding light of two Revelation witnesses, and the pivotal role of spiritual wealth in the drama of the last days. Grounded in Brother Branham's influential ministry, we seek to illuminate the path toward understanding in an era of conflicting doctrines, fostering a space for personal insight and unity among believers navigating the esoteric terrain of eschatology.
Speaker 1:
The 70th Week of Daniel, daniel, chapter 9, verses 24 through 27. 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 three score and two weeks the street shall be built again and the wall, even in troublous times. And after three score and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself, and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary, and the end thereof shall be with a flood. And unto the end of the war, desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week, and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate even until the consummation. And that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. No matter which perspective you have on this subject, it is one that arouses people's passions. Each side states that it is quite obvious what the truth is. Let us look at the verses directly, discuss the issues that are disputed and then present each side's viewpoint as clearly as possible. We will then look at what Brother Branham stated and try to point out closely what is being taught. We are not going to completely rehash the subject for the sake of brevity. Each week is speaking of seven years. The total is 490 years From the time that the decree to rebuild Jerusalem. Unto Messiah the Prince is 69 weeks or 483 years.
Speaker 1:
The verses speak of three intervals seven weeks, 62 weeks and one week. The seven weeks are the beginning of the 70 weeks, 62 weeks are in the middle of the total and one week is at the end. In verse 26, it states and after 62 weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself. So we can say it like it is After the completion of 69 weeks, messiah is cut off. Then we read in the last portion of verse 26, and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary, and the end thereof shall be with the flood, and unto the end of the war, desolations are determined. Here we have the Roman Empire under Emperor Vespasian and the General Titus, destroying the temple and the city. That happened in the year 70 AD. Destroying the temple and the city. That happened in the year 70 AD.
Speaker 1:
We have two princes spoken of in the 70 weeks of Daniel. Verse 25 says Messiah the prince and verse 26 speaks of the people, of the prince to come. This refers to the Antichrist that shall come out of Rome. Viewpoint one three and a half years left. Verse 27 is where much of the dispute takes place and he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week. Who is he that this verse is speaking of?
Speaker 1:
It cannot be speaking of both the Prince to come and Messiah the Prince. For those that espouse that there are three and a half years left only for the Jews, then it should be stated that this is to be understood as Messiah the Prince. So it is showing that Messiah Jesus the Prince made a covenant with the Jewish people for one week and in the midst of the week he causes the sacrifice and oblation to cease. That is ineffectiveness. Viewpoint 2. One week left. Notice that nowhere does the scripture say that Messiah the Prince will be cut off in the midst of the week, but that he was cut off after 69 weeks. Messiah the Prince came the day that he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. This is what Brother Branham taught us in the sermon 70th week of Daniel. In verse 27, it states that he will make a covenant with many for one week. Those that hold to the viewpoint that there are seven years or one week left for the Jews teach that Messiah was cut off at the completion of the 69 weeks. The he that confirms the covenant for one week is the prince that is to come, the Antichrist of Rome. The temple having been rebuilt and sacrifice and oblation having been restored, a covenant of peace is made for seven years. In the midst of that week, the two prophets are killed and the sacrifice and oblation is ended because Antichrist breaks the covenant and goes to war against the Jewish people.
Speaker 1:
I want to be clear. I do not want to de-Christianize anyone that holds to either viewpoint. Each side has quotes to prove their point and scriptural reasons to show that they are correct. I want to review what Brother Branham himself stated about it and then provide both conclusions. Then I will give you my personal thoughts on the matter. Where it is just that my personal take. You may take it or leave it.
Speaker 1:
Now, starting to look at a number of quotes 70 weeks of Daniel. He was to be cut off and he was. He preached three and a half years to the Jews alone. He never went to the Gentiles, but he went to the Jews. Then there's three and a half years left for them yet of the preaching of the gospel and the reconciliation of Christ. And then there was a space given then for the Gentiles and they come down to this age. Then there's three and a half years left for the Jews. Now, if we get over in Revelation 11, we'll pick up exactly at the end. The church don't appear till the 19th chapter of Revelation, but the end of that, elijah and Moses returns again and preach to the Jews.
Speaker 1:
My note it is clear that prior to the preaching of the series, the 70 weeks of Daniel, brother Branham taught that there's just three and a half years left to the Jews. Continuing with quotes from Brother Branham, well, god did with the Jews just exactly what he said he would do in them 69 years or 483 years, but 69 weeks and one week left, one week's yet determined. Now, if these exactly was seven years each one of the weeks and we've already had 69 weeks. Then we have the Gentile age and we know we're at the end of the Gentile age. Then there's one more week left for the Jew. Is that right? And that's exactly seven years. If this was seven years, that's seven years, because he said there's 70 weeks, determined upon thy people. So we know we got seven years for the Jews. Is that true? Now, look at it. There's a question. I want to know it.
Speaker 1:
See, and in the middle of the week, in the middle of the Jewish week, that's three and a half years the Antichrist, the prince, a prince that is to come, and remember, he comes out of Rome, the prince that is to come. What is he? A pope, a prince amongst the people that is to come. There will rise a pharaoh who doesn't know Joseph. Now you Protestants say, well, now that's it, but just a minute.
Speaker 1:
We found out that the Protestants has an organization and makes a confederation of churches. Image to the beast and go right with them. And we find out here that the Jews are called in on this confederation. And we find out here that the Jews are called in on this confederation, yes, sir, and they agree. And the Bible said they did, and he makes a covenant with them and in the midst of the 70th week he breaks. The Antichrist breaks his covenant with the Jews, thy people. Why?
Speaker 1:
Now, when you read in Revelation 11 that I'll send that's 11, you're coming over towards 19, now that he will send his two prophets and they'll prophesy in that time. And here comes around and shows. And then I predicted. I never said the Lord told me that, but standing that morning in the church I said the way progress. I got back to one end of the wall and run to the other end of the wall and I said the way progress is going on. I'll predict that the time I don't know why I'm saying it, but I predict that that'll happen all between 1933 and 1977. And not knowing it God knows my heart, I never know until yesterday that 1977 is the Jubilee and exactly the same amount of time run out that he give with Israel and everything at the end. So we're at, and here we are, at the end of the age, at the coming in of the 70th week, we don't know what time that the church will be gone. Oh my, what can we do, friends? Where are we at Now?
Speaker 1:
Notice, here, in the middle of the week, three and a half days, three and a half years, rather, he breaks the covenant and causes the sacrifice and oblation that they will have set up already, because they'll go right back and say we'll have a fellowship, we'll get rid of communism, we'll just wipe communism all the way out. And they can do it, see, and they'll do it. The moment he starts that 70th week or seven years, the church is gone. Can you see it, friends? Raise up your hand if you can see it. The moment he starts the 70th week or seven years, the church is gone. Now, listen, I'm quoting again, recording so you won't forget it. This is what the Holy Spirit put upon my pen while I was writing my note.
Speaker 1:
It is quite clear that while Brother Branham studied and taught directly upon the subject, he went to great detail to show that verse 26 is Messiah the Prince and verse 27 is the Antichrist making a covenant with the Jews and breaking it in the midst of the week. He then says that the moment that the 70th week begins, the church, the bride, will be raptured. Then he states that this is what the Holy Spirit put upon my pen, continuing with quotes the three and a half years Messiah prophesied, and then he was cut off, the prince, in the middle of the 70th week. And then there's three and a half weeks left yet and we find out two prophets of Revelation he never changes his coat again Of Revelation 11, comes down and prophesies to the Jews Now the church will be taken away at that time and he shall confirm the covenant with many. For one week, now watch. And in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblations to cease For the overspreading of abomination. He shall make it desolate even unto the consummation, and that determined shall be poured out upon the desolate.
Speaker 1:
Note this is Brother Branham reading and commenting on Daniel 9.27. Watch. Oh, what a shrewd thing he is. Here he is, is now. We got our picture and know that he's rome. We know that he's the white horse rider, we know that he went forth as a doctrine. And then what was pagan rome converted into papal rome and crowned now watch, in the end time, not in the early days when christ was preaching, but in the end time, the last part of the week where we just took the 70 weeks of daniel, and christ has prophesied for three and a half years, and three and a half years are yet determined. Is that right? And this prince in that time is to make a covenant with Daniel's people, which is the Jews. That's when the bride's taken out. Now she won't see it. Notice, in the last one half of Daniel's week the people makes a covenant. This prince makes a covenant with Rome, makes a covenant with them, no doubt for the wealth, for Catholic and Jew holds the wealth of the world.
Speaker 1:
My note Please understand, as I write this, that I am a firm believer that Brother Branham's ministry fulfilled Malachi 4, revelation 10, luke 17, 30, 1 Thessalonians 4, 16, etc. I do believe in the vindication of his ministry and that we should accept his vindicated teaching and submit ourselves to it. Now Brother Branham has again gone back to what he taught prior to teaching directly on the subject of Daniel's 70 weeks. He is stating that there are three and a half years left for the Jews, even though previously he said the Holy Spirit showed him that the moment the 70th week begins, the church will be raptured. Then you see that he mixes the two thoughts. Now, later he has Messiah being cut off in the middle of the week and the Antichrist breaking the covenant in the middle of the week as well, as we have shown before, we cannot have both the Messiah and the Antichrist making a covenant for one week. This is a consistent thought through the series on the seals. The Antichrist makes a covenant with the Jews and breaks it. The only place this is found is in Daniel 9, verse 27.
Speaker 1:
Continuing with quotes, now here's a little thing. We're going to reverse back a minute where the three and a half years are Daniel's 70 weeks, the last half of Daniel's 70 weeks, which is three and one half years. Now we how many remembers that from the church ages? Sure, you see, there's 70 weeks determined. Look how perfect it was Said. Messiah will come and he'll be cut off for the sacrifice in the midst of the week and the oblation will cease. Then there is still three and a half years waited for the Messiah doctrine to the Jew and God does not deal with the Jew and the Gentile at the same time. And he makes this covenant with the Jews and in the midst of this three and a half years he breaks his covenant as soon as he gets the thing wrapped up and gets the money of the Jews tied up.
Speaker 1:
Brother Branham, I noticed you. You're referring to Daniel's 70 weeks on the first seal message, I understand, on Daniel, on the tape of Daniel when the gospel returns to the Jews, the 70 weeks will begin. Daniel, when the gospel returns to the Jews, the 70 weeks will begin. Is there one week, seven years left for the Jews, or yet is there only one half week? Three and one half years left for them. Only one half week.
Speaker 1:
Jesus prophesied the first half week, as was predicted. Only one half week left for them. When was the covenant of Daniel 9.27 confirmed? For a week, one half of it was confirmed, the covenant when Jesus Christ was on earth preaching to the Jews. He never went to the Gentiles at all and he told his disciples don't go to the Gentiles. That was to the Jews alone, see, and he preached for three and a half years, that's half of the 70 week. Now, as Daniel said he would do. Now, remember he was firmly vindicated to the Jews, but their eyes were blinded to bring in the space of the Gentiles. Can't you see the whole program? See, and he proved himself a prophet, done just exactly what the prophet would do, showed them a sign of prophet, which your own word says.
Speaker 1:
If a man says he's spiritual or prophet, watch what he says, and if it comes to pass, just keep on coming to pass what he said continually. Like you, look in the Bible it says knock and it'll be open. Seek, find, ask, be given. Now, if you'll notice, it's knocketh, just constantly. Knock. To illustrate Brother Branham repeatedly knocks on the pulpit. Stay right there, like the unjust judge wouldn't answer the woman. He just kept knocking on her door saying I'm on your hand, not seek, say Lord, I'd like to have this. Amen, that's not it. Stay right there till you get it. You know it's going to come, so he promised it. So just stay right there till you hold on to it. See now.
Speaker 1:
Now in the last part, the 70th week, the last part of it will be during the time of the tribulation period after the rapture of the church. Then there is the three and a half years here that it will be confirmed to them again by prophets. See Moses and Elijah, revelations 11. Since then it seems like the first three and one half years was fulfilled during the ministry. Well, here you got it right of Jesus. But the expression midst of the week seems to be applied only to the Antichrist breaking his covenant. No, that Antichrist breaks his covenant at the end of the last three and one half years. See, as I understood Daniel tape, the first 69 weeks ended when Jesus rode into Jerusalem, ad, so that three and one half years of his ministry would be included in the full. Last week or seven years would still be fulfilled and we begin at the rapture.
Speaker 1:
Please clarify this for me. You know, brother, sister, ever who that's asked this question, very fine, but I believe you got a little mixed up on what I said. See Now, when Jesus came into Jerusalem that is exactly right, that was the end of he went right straight in from there and was crucified and he did prophesy half of the 70 weeks, which is three and one half Now he has cut off. His soul was made a sacrifice and now there would come in this last day there's three and one half years still prophesied to the Jews, and during that time was a gathering of the saints for the rapture. See now, I ain't going to get all these through, brother, sister, I have no desire to write that Brother Branham made a mistake or contradicted himself.
Speaker 1:
The fact is, I don't believe he did, but I also don't want to bury my head in the sand. We also know that he told us that, in his opinion, the Laodicean age would end and his seven prophecies would be fulfilled by 1977. This has not happened. He has also told us that, in his opinion, martin Luther King Jr would lead millions of blacks to their death, and this did not happen either.
Speaker 1:
Continuing with the quotes now, I do not want anyone to go away misunderstanding. This Tape's still playing. I don't want anyone to misunderstand. Don't misunderstand now and say Brother Branham said Jesus will come in 1977. I never said no, such a thing. Jesus may come today, but I have predicted that between 33 and 77 something would take place, that these things that I seen come to pass and the vision would take place. Did you prophesy that there's a million Negroes killed or did you just announce that there will be this happening Now? See, I've always asked you to be careful what you're listening to. See, there's so much of it that it's just the human side, but always, if there is something that goes forth, it will speak. It. It's thus, saith the Lord, even to visions or anything. With that said, we take very seriously what Brother Branham stated was under the inspiration and was thus saith the Lord, when God vindicates his prophet, it is to show that his doctrine is right, not that his every word recorded on tapes is thus saith the Lord.
Speaker 1:
So here we have the progression of Brother Branham's discussion on the topic of the 70th week. One prior to 1961, he stated that Messiah prophesied to the Jews for three and a half years. He was cut off in the midst of the week and there's three and a half years left for the Jews years. He was cut off in the midst of the week and there's three and a half years left for the Jews. Two, in August of 1961, he teaches us there is 69 weeks until the Messiah, the Prince, is cut off. Then Antichrist makes a covenant with the Jews for one week and breaks that covenant in the midst of the week. Three, in August of 1961, he tells us that the Holy Spirit put upon his pen at the moment the 70th week starts, the church will be gone. That is, there is one full week left for the Jews. Four, in January 1963, and then in March 1963, he goes back to saying Jesus prophesied for three and a half years and then was cut off in the midst of the week. Then God will turn back and deal with the Jews, three and a half years, cut off in the midst of the week. Then God will turn back and deal with the Jews. Three and a half years. Five In March 1963, he says that the Antichrist makes a covenant with the Jews and then in Q&As he says the Messiah makes a covenant for one week with the Jews and is cut off in the midst of it. Six In March 1963, he is asked about this seeming contradiction. In March 1963, he is asked about this seeming contradiction and he simply answers there is one half week left for the Jews. Seven In August 1964, he is asked the question. When you preached upon the subject, you said the 69 weeks were fulfilled when Jesus rode on a donkey into Jerusalem and that the last seven years would begin at the rapture. His response is you misunderstood and repeats his teaching of three and a half years being left.
Speaker 1:
It is clear that Brother Branham forgot what he taught about in the sermon series, the Seventy Weeks of Daniel. Brother Branham claims, and I believe, that his teaching in the seven seals is inspired. Most message believers will say well, since there is confusion on the issue, we will go with what Brother Branham stated after the seals were opened, and it is clear, he stated there are three and a half years left. So we believe that the questions that come up as a result of this line of thinking are these 1. Why did Brother Branham claim that the Holy Spirit put upon his pen? The moment the 70th week begins, the church is gone. Two, who is the he being spoken of in Daniel, chapter 9, verse 27? If it is Messiah the Prince, then where do we find the teaching that the Antichrist makes a covenant with the Jews in the Bible? Three, why does Brother Branham say that Jesus Christ made a covenant with the Jews and the Antichrist made a covenant with the Jews, both based on Daniel 9.27?
Speaker 1:
During the series on the revelation of the seven seals, some message believers state there is one week left for the Jews. The Antichrist makes a covenant with the Jews for a week, and the day the 69 weeks were fulfilled was when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. He also claims to have had the Holy Spirit show this to him. We believe and accept the revelation of the seven seals and believe it is inspired. Also, he does not claim that his teaching on the 70 weeks is inspired during the seals, but that the interpretation of the seals is inspired. At the same time, he claimed his interpretation of the 70 weeks was under inspiration as well.
Speaker 1:
The question that comes up as a result of this line of thinking are these 1. Are you stating that Brother Branham made a mistake in his doctrine? 2. Why did he teach again and again during the seals that there is three and a half years left for the Jews? Conclusion Each of these viewpoints within the context of the message have their own problems.
Speaker 1:
The three and a half years view chooses to ignore an entire series preached by the prophet. The one week view chooses to ignore what the prophet said about this specific subject during the seals or sort of reinterprets it. Both sides have a good reason for holding to their viewpoint. The question that each of us need to answer are is this keeping me faithful to the Word of God? Is my heart connected to the Savior through all of this? Am I remaining in faith to God and His Word? In my opinion, based upon the Scripture, there is one week remaining for the Jews.
Speaker 1:
I accept this viewpoint because of its consistency in the scripture and that Brother Branham told us. The Holy Spirit put it upon his pen. Below you will find the chart that Brother Branham drew out during the series on the 70 weeks of Daniel. In the book, brother Branham mentions the chart in the sermon the 70th week of Daniel. If you notice here on the chart, I've got the church age in between those 70 weeks. I cannot easily disregard something. When Brother Branham taught directly on the subject, he was directed by the Holy Spirit to preach that message. He was also directed by the Holy Spirit to preach the seven seals, and his interpretation of the seven seals is exactly, perfectly vindicated. I believe it with all my heart.
Speaker 1:
The things he states about the three and a half years left to the Jews are simply perhaps his memory failing him, or perhaps there is another explanation. I will refer to his own statement. I've always asked you to be careful what you're listening to See. There's so much of it that it's just the human side. Another thought we could add is simply that it is accurate that there are three and a half years left for God to deal with the Jews through the two witnesses and call the 144,000 out. Then, at the completion of the three and a half years, the two witnesses are killed and God stops dealing with the Jews.
Speaker 1:
At this time the Antichrist breaks his covenant and begins to persecute and hunt down the Jewish believers and the foolish virgins. It is accurate that there are three and a half years left for the Jews to receive the ministry of Jesus Christ, and it is also accurate that there are seven years left of the 70 weeks. Therefore, we have to rely on the scriptures and the personal leadership of the Holy Spirit in our own lives. I do not wish to argue and fuss with everyone those reading this. I adjure you don't argue, don't fight over this issue with your brothers. You pray, you search, you study and get the revelation of the Word of God for your own self. Then that revelation will be evidenced in your personal life by your love, kindness and patience to your brother.