Daniel 9:27 – The Signing of the Covenant –Daniel’s Seventieth Week

Summary

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

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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

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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.

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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.

Transcript

[A]

The following is a listener supported ministry from the Grace Evangelical Society Today, more.

[B]

About Daniel's prophecy of the 70 weeks. What can be learned about the coming tribulation period from this prophecy? Stay tuned for a great discussion just ahead on Grace in Focus. This is the ministry of the Grace Evangelical society. Our website, faithalone.org we'd love you to go there to find out about our magazine. It's a free subscription. It's published six times per year. It's also called Grace in Focus. It's beautiful. We'd love you to have it. It is free all except if you live outside of the 48 contiguous United States. You do have to pay the postage. Get signed up today for the magazine graceinfocusaithalone.org and now with today's discussion, here again are Bob Wilken and Phillipe Sterling.

[C]

All right, I'm back with Phillipe. And by the way, I looked up your and I'm ashamed to say that I should have known better. It's actually from Greek and it's from Philippos. And philopos is from philao or the noun philos meaning love or lover. And hippos, which we get the word hippo from a hippopotamus is a river horse because potamus is river in Greek and hippo is horse. So Philippos is a lover of horses.

[A]

Compound word, a compound name. Yeah, lover of horses.

[C]

So basically you're some type of wrangler.

[A]

Cowboy.

[C]

Cowboy. So you're in the perfect city to be in Dallas. I mean, the things you learn on grace and focus. Well, last time we looked at Daniel 9, 24, 27, but we really didn't get into 27 other than reading it. And we led up to it to say these 70 sevens match beautifully from 444 BC to 33 AD for the first 69 sevens, the 483 weeks, but the final seven weeks, there's a gap, as there often is in prophecy. They're called prophetic gaps. For example, you'll remember Philippe Zechariah 9:9 talks about the triumphal entry.

[A]

Yes. A great gap of thousands of years between that.

[C]

Zechariah 9:10 is the millennial reign.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

So so far we're just short of 2000 years between the triumphal entry, which was in 33 AD and 2033. We're not that far off. In fact, if the rapture occurs in 2026, then the second coming would be in 2033, 2,000 years after the triumphal entry in any regard. Let's look at verse now.

[A]

You're not being a prophet there. You're just making an observation.

[C]

No. And if it occurs a thousand years from 2026, it'll be 3,000 years. I remember Craig Lichtman saying in class, I had him at Dallas Seminary. He's a Jewish believer. And Craig said, you know, there's all this enthusiasm about Israel being in the land. And he said how this is a fulfillment of prophecy and there's so much excitement that Jesus is coming back any day now. And he said, of course he's coming back any day now. That's the doctrine of imminence. But he's been coming back any day now for 2,000 years. And he said, if Israel gets kicked out of the Promised Land tomorrow, it won't hinder my faith one day.

[A]

It does not invalidate the prophetic framework that we have.

[C]

In fact, he went on to say, we don't know that this is the final ingathering. They could be kicked out of the Promised Land and go back multiple times between now and the final ingathering. Now, I do think, and Craig did too, that this is the final ingathering. I don't expect Israel to be kicked out of the Promised Land again. But his point is well taken. We don't have prophecy about that. All we know is there's a final ingathering. Hopefully this is it. And yes, we expect that he will return in our lifetime, but so did Zane Hodges. And he was disappointed, I'm sure at the moment he died that he didn't make it to the Rapture. And 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.

[A]

And we do see a pattern that's there that makes it possible that it could be right. But again, it paused. Just as here of the 69 weeks for the 70th week, there's a pause and that occurs. And we don't know how long that will be. Yeah.

[C]

Okay, let's read verse 27 again.

[A]

Then. He shall confirm a covenant with many for one week. But in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation which is determined is poured out on the desolate.

[C]

Okay, so he shall make a covenant with many for one week. Now, there is a question on whether we should translate that he or they, Zayn Hodges thinks that should be. They shall make A covenant with many.

[A]

For one thing, Zayn says that's really a group of national leaders initially that make the covenant and then the men of sin emerges later and could be an Assyrian as he develops in his book on.

[C]

Right. But whether it's he shall confirm a covenant or they shall confirm a covenant for one week, the point is the tribulation begins with this signing of the covenant, right?

[A]

Yes. The seven year. So sometime after the Rapture. They're not simultaneous.

[C]

The rapture. Now, let's talk about. All right now. Now you're messing up. You know, when I graduated from Dallas Seminary, I believe these were simultaneous. At the time of the signing of the covenant, that's when the rapture occurred.

[B]

We will rejoin in just a moment. But years ago, Zane Hodges wrot the Gospel Under Siege. Sadly, this is still true and GES president Bob Wilkin has recently written its sequel. Bob's new book, the Gospel is Still Under Siege is a book about theological clarity on the biblical teaching about eternal salvation. It is available now. Secure yours today at the Grace Evangelical Society's bookstore. Find [e-mail] store. That's faithalone.org store. Now back to today's content.

[C]

When I graduated from Dallas Seminary, I believe that at the time of the signing of the covenant, that's when the Rapture occurred. We're going up. The signing is taking place and I believe that until maybe 2000, so long after 18 years after I graduated from Dallas Seminary, and I remember hearing some talk at the Pre Trib Study group and one of the talks said that there would be a gap probably between 30 and 45 days between the Rapture and the signing of the covenant. And they said, we know at the end of the tribulation, the millennium doesn't begin the exact moment that the tribulation ends.

[A]

Daniel talks about 45 days and does.

[C]

In Daniel chapter 12, right?

[A]

Yes.

[C]

So we know there's a gap there. And they said if there's symmetry, there's going to be a similar gap at the beginning. And they said it's extremely unlikely that the signing of the covenant would take place at the moment of the rapture, because certain things have to happen for a covenant to be signed. And it's unlikely that this would all be done in secret. So if there's a gap there, there's time for that to develop and for the news to come out that, hey, there's news that, you know, this peace treaty may be signed and yada yada. And at that point I came to believe that that was correct, that there is a gap. So I would agree that when he says about the signing of the covenant between Israel and the Gentile nations, that this signing of the covenant will probably be somewhere between a month, month and a half, two months. We don't know some undetermined gap in there. And that means, for example, Philippe, that we don't need to see the temple rebuilt before the Tribulation starts. Right. It could be built in those 45 days, or in fact, it could be built in the beginning of the Tribulation.

[A]

That could be part of the peace treaty itself to allow the Jews to rebuild the temple without the Islamic nation invading, trying to prohibit that.

[C]

Right. So you've got the signing of this covenant, this agreement between them, this covenant which is going to be broken. Right.

[A]

Two and a half years. That's part of it.

[C]

Okay, so the tribulation is the 70th seven. It's seven weeks long. But this seven weeks, we know from the book of Revelation is going to be broken into two halves.

[A]

Yeah, time, times and half a time.

[C]

That's in what verse? I can't remember. It escapes me right this moment. But the time, times and half a time refers to that. Now, in Daniel, we also have the number of days laid out, and those days work out to 360 days times three and a half years. And that's what? 12.

[A]

1260.

[C]

Yeah. And so, you know, even Daniel lays out the two halves, and the first half is called the Tribulation, the second half is called the great tribulation. All seven is the 70th seven. But the second half is worse than the first half.

[A]

Yes, and Jesus talks about that in the Olivet discourse, Matth. He talks about the beginning of sorrows, which is the first two and a half years, and then the Great Tribulation.

[C]

And he also alludes to the abomination of desolation in the parable of the ten virgins when he talks about this midnight cry. And at the midnight cry, half of those five of them have sufficient oil to see them through the second half of the Tribulation. The others don't. In other words, five of them have developed enough spiritual strength in the first half of the seven years to see them through persevering the second half. The other five don't. All ten represent believers. But the midnight cry in Matthew 25, 1:12 is referring to the abomination. Okay, so he goes on and he says there's going to be this abomination. And we already talked about that. That's when they set up this image.

[A]

The image of the beast in the.

[C]

Temple and it says he's bringing an end to sacrifice and offering. So no more will the Jewish people be allowed to go in and offer animal sacrifice.

[A]

Well, a vast persecution is going to take place and the book of Revelation gives us more detail. In Revelation chapter 12 and also in.

[C]

The elevated discourse, they're to flee.

[A]

Right. If you're on the housetop, don't even go down to get your coat or anything, just.

[C]

And what is this consummation which is determined is that the end of the.

[A]

I think it probably refers to the second coming and the destruction of armies of the nations that will take place at Armageddon.

[C]

Armageddon is really this mountain of Megiddo and there's a valley in front of it. But the 70th seven is also called the time of Jacob's trouble in the Old Testament, right?

[A]

Yes.

[C]

This will be a very difficult time for Israel. So we've already talked about the Rapture and we won't be there when this seven year, Daniel 77 occurs. We'll be with the Lord and we.

[A]

May have a view of it with the Lord.

[C]

If we're in the sky, then we'll be watching the events unfold. And 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. It's going to be very quick and then we're going to be coming with the Lord to the Mount of Olives. Alright, well, very good and thank you all. And remember, let's keep grace in focus.

[B]

Would you be interested in some free ebooks on topics you hear on this program? Well, if you are, you need to come Visit [e-mail] that's faithalone.org we would love to hear from you. Maybe you've got a question, comment or some feedback. If you do, please don't hesitate to send us a message. Here's our email address. It's radioaithalone.org that's radioaithalone.org and when you do very important, please let us know your radio station call letters and the city of your location on our next episode, an introduction to the tribulation period. We'd love you to join us. And until then, let's keep grace in focus.

[A]

The proceeding has been a listener supported ministry from the Grace Evangelical Society.