Grace in Focus Podcast Summary
Episode: Daniel 9:27 – The Signing of the Covenant – Daniel’s Seventieth Week
Date: December 9, 2025
Hosts: Bob Wilkin & Phillipe Sterling

Episode Overview

In this episode, Bob Wilkin and Phillipe Sterling dig into Daniel 9:27, focusing on the prophetic “seventieth week” — a foundational period in eschatology (the study of end times). The discussion revolves around how this prophetic week relates to the Tribulation, the timing of the Rapture, the signing of a pivotal covenant, and what these mean in the broader landscape of Free Grace theology.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Prophetic Gaps in Scripture

• Bob compares the “prophetic gap” between Daniel’s 69th and 70th weeks to other Scriptural gaps, such as Zechariah 9:9–10, where there are “thousands of years between” key Messianic events. (02:22, 02:27)
• “We’re just short of 2,000 years between the triumphal entry, which was in 33 AD, and 2033... If the rapture occurs in 2026, then the Second Coming would be in 2033, 2,000 years after the triumphal entry.” (02:30–03:01)

2. Assurance Amid Uncertainty

• The hosts stress we cannot set exact dates for prophetic events:

  “All we know is there’s a final ingathering. Hopefully this is it. And yes, we expect that [Jesus] will return in our lifetime, but so did Zane Hodges. ... I don’t think we can say with certainty…it could easily be hundreds or even thousands of years from now. But on the other hand, it could easily be today.” (03:46–04:42)

3. Daniel 9:27 and the Covenant

• Phillipe reads Daniel 9:27 and the hosts discuss translation nuances—whether “he” or “they” confirm the covenant (05:01–05:38).
• Bob:

  “Zane Hodges thinks that should be ‘They shall make a covenant with many’…initially a group of national leaders make the covenant and then the man of sin emerges later.” (05:24–05:53)

• Regardless, the covenant’s signing marks the beginning of the Tribulation.

4. Timing of the Rapture and the Covenant Signing

• Bob recounts his shift in belief about the timing:

  “When I graduated from Dallas Seminary, I believed that at the time of the signing of the covenant, that’s when the Rapture occurred…Until maybe 2000. …One of the talks [at the Pre-Trib Study Group] said that there would be a gap probably between 30 and 45 days between the Rapture and the signing of the covenant.” (07:02–07:54)

• Gap suggested by symmetry in Daniel (12:54), since Daniel “talks about 45 days…if there’s symmetry, there’s going to be a similar gap at the beginning.” (07:50–08:19)
• It’s unneeded for the temple to be rebuilt before the Tribulation:

  “It could be built in those 45 days, or in fact, it could be built in the beginning of the Tribulation.” (08:36–09:06)
  Phillipe: “That could be part of the peace treaty itself to allow the Jews to rebuild the temple” (09:06)

5. The Structure of the Tribulation

• The “seventieth week” is divided:
  • Two halves — first half: “Tribulation,” second half: “Great Tribulation.” (09:24–10:17)
  • Supported by Daniel’s day counts (1,260 days = 3.5 years), and Jesus’ division into beginning “sorrows” and final “Great Tribulation” in the Olivet Discourse. (10:17–10:29)

6. The Abomination of Desolation

• Bob links the mid-point crisis (“abomination of desolation”) to other teachings:

  “He also alludes to the abomination of desolation in the parable of the ten virgins...the midnight cry in Matthew 25:1-12 is referring to the abomination.” (10:29–11:19)

• The abomination halts temple sacrifice and launches intense persecution. (11:21–11:29)
• Phillipe notes:

  “A vast persecution is going to take place and the book of Revelation gives us more detail.” (11:29–11:38)

7. Consummation and Armageddon

• The determined “consummation” at Daniel 9:27’s close is identified as the Second Coming and destruction of the armies at Armageddon. (11:43–11:58)
• The period is also labeled the “time of Jacob’s trouble”—a reference to Israel’s suffering. (11:58–12:10)

8. Encouragement to Believers

• Bob:

  “We’ve already talked about the Rapture and we won’t be there when this seven year, Daniel 70th seven occurs. We’ll be with the Lord...” (12:10–12:24)

• The perception of time in eternity is a comfort:

  “For us it’s going to seem like minutes because we’ll be on divine time...Seven years is going to seem like about seven minutes...then we’re going to be coming with the Lord to the Mount of Olives.” (12:27–12:56)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Prophetic Gaps:
  “There are these prophetic gaps... Zechariah 9:9 talks about the triumphal entry. Zechariah 9:10 is the millennial reign. So far we’re just short of 2,000 years between...”
  — Bob Wilkin (02:22–02:30)

• On Imminence and Prophetic Patience:
  “That’s the doctrine of imminence. But he’s been coming back any day now for 2,000 years.”
  — Quoting Craig Lichtman via Bob Wilkin (03:21–03:27)

• On Change in Rapture Timing View:
  “I remember hearing...there would be a gap probably between 30 and 45 days between the Rapture and the signing of the covenant...It’s extremely unlikely that the signing would take place at the moment of the Rapture, because certain things have to happen for a covenant to be signed.”
  — Bob Wilkin (07:40–08:19)

• On Israel and the Promised Land:
  “If Israel gets kicked out of the Promised Land tomorrow, it won’t hinder my faith one day. It does not invalidate the prophetic framework…”
  — Quoting Craig Lichtman via Phillipe Sterling (03:37–03:51)

• On Temple Timing and Tribulation:
  “We don’t need to see the temple rebuilt before the Tribulation starts. …it could be built in those 45 days, or in fact, it could be built in the beginning of the Tribulation.”
  — Bob Wilkin (09:06) “That could be part of the peace treaty itself to allow the Jews to rebuild the temple without the Islamic nation invading…”
  — Phillipe Sterling (09:16)

• On the Experience of Eternity:
  “For us, it’s going to seem like minutes because we’ll be on divine time where a thousand years is as a day. Seven years is going to seem like about seven minutes.”
  — Bob Wilkin (12:27–12:56)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Prophetic Gaps/Setting the Context: 01:40–03:30
• Assurance and Date-Setting: 03:37–04:42
• Reading Daniel 9:27 & Discussion of Covenant: 05:01–06:05
• Rapture-Covenant Gap and Temple Rebuilding: 07:02–09:16
• Structure of the Tribulation: 09:24–10:29
• Abomination of Desolation/Persecution: 10:29–11:43
• Consummation & Armageddon: 11:43–11:58
• Application for Believers: 12:09–12:56

Tone and Language

Friendly, scholarly, and conversational — typical of Free Grace theology discussions with a blend of lighthearted banter (the “lover of horses” segment) and precise, measured Bible study. Hosts are careful to distinguish between speculation and doctrine, and maintain a humble, hope-filled approach to biblical prophecy.

In Summary:
The episode offers a clear, approachable exposition of Daniel 9:27, explaining its significance for prophetic timelines and church doctrine, while encouraging listeners to remain vigilant, hopeful, and focused on grace — regardless of the uncertainties of the future.