The Importance of Daniel 9:24-27 and Daniel’s Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks

Summary

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Grace in Focus: The Importance of Daniel 9:24-27 and Daniel’s Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks

Date: December 8, 2025
Host: Bob Wilkin (Grace Evangelical Society)
Guest: Philippe Sterling
Length: Approx. 13 mins

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Overview:

This episode dives into Daniel 9:24-27, a foundational passage for biblical prophecy and dispensational theology. Bob Wilkin and Philippe Sterling explore the meaning and implications of Daniel’s prophecy of the Seventy Weeks, how it aligns with the timeline of Christ’s ministry, its significance for end-times events, and the crucial distinction between issues of justification and eschatological understanding.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to Eschatology & Personal Anecdotes

• Eschatology – Derived from the Greek “eschatos” (meaning “last”): the study of last things or end-times.
• Lighthearted banter about Greek names, setting a friendly, conversational tone.

“I named him Eschatos … because he was always late.” — Bob Wilkin, (02:13)

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2. Context & Chronology of Daniel 9:24-27

• Philippe Sterling explicates: Dispensationalists understand each “week” as a period of 7 years, thus 70 weeks equals 490 years.
• Reference to Harold Hoehner’s chronology: From the decree to rebuild Jerusalem (444 B.C.) to Jesus’ triumphal entry (33 A.D.) is 69 weeks, or 483 years—leaving one “week” yet future.

“Dispensationalists … believe, and I’m convinced this is the only way to understand Daniel 9:27, is that each of these weeks represents seven years.” — Philippe Sterling, (03:35)

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3. Verse-by-Verse Walkthrough

a. Daniel 9:24 – The Purpose of the 70 Weeks

• Six goals are identified for Israel and Jerusalem, culminating in “everlasting righteousness.”

“Notice we’re bringing in everlasting righteousness. This is a reference to the coming kingdom ... it will be everlasting.” — Philippe Sterling, (04:58)

b. Daniel 9:25 – The Starting Point and Division of the Weeks

• The “command to restore and build Jerusalem” refers to Artaxerxes’ decree to Nehemiah (444 B.C.).
• 7 weeks + 62 weeks = 69 weeks (483 years) to Messiah's arrival.

“That would have been in 444 B.C. … Dr. Hoehner then takes the chronology from 444-33 A.D.” — Bob Wilkin, (05:44)

c. Daniel 9:26 – Messiah Cut Off & Destruction of Jerusalem

• After the 62 weeks (or the total 69), “Messiah shall be cut off”—understood as the crucifixion.
• “The people of the prince who is to come” refers to the Romans, who destroy Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 A.D.

“The Romans who destroyed the city in 70 A.D … out of that, in the 70th week, there will be a prince to come.” — Bob Wilkin, (09:30)

d. Daniel 9:27 – The Final, Future Week

• A coming “prince” (interpreted as the Antichrist) will make a covenant for one week (seven years), breaking it halfway and setting up the “abomination of desolation.”

“In the middle of the week, he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. … Proclaims himself to be God and to be worshipped as God.” — Bob Wilkin, (12:07)

• This event is paralleled in Jesus’ Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24).

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4. The “Times of the Gentiles” Debate

• Discussion about when the “times of the Gentiles” ends—one view (Zane Hodges) saying 1967 (Israel regains Jerusalem), Bob and Philippe maintain it goes until the end of the 70th week, when Jesus returns.

“I hold the view … that I think we’re still in the time of the Gentiles … it won’t end until the end of Daniel’s 70th week.” — Bob Wilkin, (10:59)

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5. “Abomination of Desolation” Explained

• Midway through the 70th week, Antichrist desecrates the temple with an image, demanding worship—echoed in Revelation and Matthew 24.

“Sets up an image of the beast in the temple, the rebuilt tribulation temple that is there, and desecrates it … proclaims himself to be God and to be worshipped as God.” — Bob Wilkin, (12:07)

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6. Theological Significance & Prophetic Importance

• Prophecy “opens up … like a flower,” showing both fulfilled and future events.

“The dispensational understanding of Daniel 9:24-27 really opens up prophecy like a flower. … There are so many prophecies fulfilled in this passage and some which are yet future.” — Philippe Sterling, (12:29)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Precision of Biblical Chronology:
  “It comes out exactly 483 years because it leaves off the 70th seven. It’s 69 weeks.” — Philippe Sterling, (03:35)
• On the Crucifixion as Fulfillment:
  “Messiah comes and enters in 33 AD and is killed … that would be Calvary.” — Bob Wilkin & Philippe Sterling, (08:21–08:29)
• On the Abomination of Desolation:
  “He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering … and desecrates [the temple]; in essence proclaims himself to be God.” — Bob Wilkin, (12:07)
• On Eschatological Puzzles:
  "I hope you all can see that the dispensational understanding of Daniel 9:24-27 really opens up prophecy like a flower." — Philippe Sterling, (12:29)

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Important Timestamps

• 01:04 — Start of eschatology discussion
• 03:35 — Explanation of 70 weeks as 490 years
• 04:34–05:23 — Reading of Daniel 9:24-25 and initial interpretation
• 06:16 — The Messiah’s arrival and the 69 “weeks”
• 08:21–08:29 — Messiah “cut off” (crucifixion) explained
• 09:30 — Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
• 10:59–11:20 — “Times of the Gentiles” discussion
• 12:07 — Abomination of Desolation defined
• 12:29 — Prophetic implications and future discussion

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Conclusion

The episode offers a concise yet deep dive into Daniel 9:24-27, laying out dispensational interpretations and their implications for understanding both the First and Second Comings of Christ, the timeline of the end times, and the promise of God’s everlasting kingdom. Bob Wilkin and Philippe Sterling’s discussion combines scholarly insight, scriptural exposition, and practical clarity—making this a rich resource for anyone curious about biblical prophecy and eschatological hope.

Transcript

[Bob Wilkin]

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

[Announcer]

If you like Bible prophecy, then of course you know about Daniel's prophecy in chapter nine of the 70 weeks. What do these weeks represent and why is it that the 70 weeks prophecy opens all the rest of end time prophecy so much? Well, hello friend, we're glad you're joining us today. This is Grace in Focus. We are a ministry of the Grace Evangelical society. Our website faithalone.org and you can also find our YouTube channel. It is Grace Evangelical Society. We do release new videos each week and we invite you to view them. YouTube Grace Evangelical Society. We also invite you to our National Conference 2026, May 18th, 21st. We'll be saying more about this. Stay tuned or find the [e-mail] and now with our very interesting discussion today, here is Bob Wilkin along with Phillipe Sterling.

[Philippe Sterling]

Okay, I'm here with Philippe Sterling. And Philippe, we're continuing a discussion we started before about eschatology from the Greek word eschatos, meaning last. In fact, quick, quick, funny story, Philippe. Yes, I taught for one year at Multnomah School of the Bible and I was supposed to teach the second year Greek class, which at Multnomah was translating large sections of the New Testament. And so the person that was the head of the department, the Greek department and had taught it before told me, you're to assign each student a Greek name. And so I said okay. And he expected that what I would do would be to try to find a Greek name that corresponded with the person's English name. Like I had a guy in the class named Tim or Timothy, so it would be Timotea. Right. But this one guy kept coming in late every class. He was, you know, always a minute or two late or whatever. And I didn't assign him a name yet. And, and his name was Tim. And so I named him Eschatos.

[Bob Wilkin]

Because.

[Philippe Sterling]

He was always late.

[Bob Wilkin]

So descriptive name on the matter of name. I'm Philippe, right? She is, of course does Philippi. And Brenda, when we just had started dating, was on this summer project with Campus Crusade with crew and one of the teachers there for the initial part of the summer project taught on the book of Philippians. And so all of Brenda's buddies there started to tease her every time she got a letter from me. I would send her typically two or three letters a week while she was there. And so they were always saying, did you get a letter from you? Philippian.

[Philippe Sterling]

That's good. Well, so what does Philippe mean in French Is there some meaning for that, or is it just Philip?

[Bob Wilkin]

I never really looked into the etymology of my name in the French.

[Philippe Sterling]

Yeah, I know.

[Bob Wilkin]

I don't have particular, you know, meaning to it, actually. I guess now that I'm 71 years old, I better look into that, huh?

[Philippe Sterling]

Okay, next time we get together, I want to report on what the etymology is of Philippe in French or any language. It might not be from French. Who knows? Well, today we're going to be looking at our next step on this journey through eschatology is Daniel 9:24:27. And it's a real interesting section in which Daniel talks about weeks and dispensationalists. Believe, and I'm convinced this is the only way to understand Daniel 9:27 is that each of these weeks represents seven years. So that 70 weeks represents 490 years. And what's amazing is Harold Honer worked out the chronology when he was doing his doctoral dissertation from the point spoken of in Daniel 9:24:27 to Jesus, triumphal entry. And it comes out exactly 483 years because it leaves off the 70th seven. It's 69 weeks. So let's read Daniel 9:24:27, and if you have your Bibles and you're not driving, turn there and look with us.

[Bob Wilkin]

All right, I'll read it. Verse 24, Daniel, chapter 9. 70 weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up visions and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy.

[Philippe Sterling]

Okay, now hang on. Notice we're bringing in everlasting righteousness. This is a reference to right to the coming kingdom.

[Bob Wilkin]

Yes.

[Philippe Sterling]

It's going to be a righteous kingdom. Jesus. Kingdom is righteous. It will begin in the millennium, and it will be a righteous kingdom then. And it'll be everlasting. In fact, Peter even calls the millennium part of the everlasting kingdom. Anyway, go ahead. Verse 25.

[Bob Wilkin]

Know, therefore, and understand that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the prince, There shall be seven weeks and 62 weeks.

[Philippe Sterling]

Okay, hang on there. What does he mean, the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem?

[Bob Wilkin]

Well, you refer to Dr. Hohner, right. And he maintains, and I think that's the best decree that I think we have, which will be the decree of Ortho Xerxes to Nehemiah to allow him to return and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and basically establish it as a Fully functioning city, protected and all. And that would have been in 444 B.C. and that's where Dr. Hohner then takes the chronology from 444-33 A.D.

Which is.

[Philippe Sterling]

Until Messiah the prince. Now, it's not just the birth of Messiah the prince, Right? This would be to the triumphal entry.

[Bob Wilkin]

And yes, to he is basically entering into Jerusalem and the offer of himself as a promised Messiah.

[Philippe Sterling]

Okay, all right, let's keep going here then.

[Bob Wilkin]

And after the 62 weeks, Messiah shall be cut off, but not for himself. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be worth a flood. And until the end of the war desolations are determined. 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.

[Announcer]

Just jumping in here to make you aware of our magazine, Grace in Focus. It is a bi monthly, six issues per year, 48 page magazine, full color. And we want you to subscribe by emailing your name and your snail mail address to gesaithalone.org the subscription is free, it can be accessed electronically or it can be actually physically sent to you. If you live in the lower 48 United States, that's our Grace and Focus magazine. Send your name and snail mail address to gesaithalone.org.

Okay, so in 27, it's.

[Philippe Sterling]

After the 62 weeks. And if you go back to 25, it's seven weeks plus 62 weeks. And actually in Hebrew, doesn't it say seven sevens? Yes, and so we call it weeks, but you could just say, you know, we've got seven sevens and 62 sevens.

[Bob Wilkin]

Yes.

[Philippe Sterling]

To equal 69. And Messiah shelf shall be cut off. What does that refer to?

[Bob Wilkin]

That would be the Messiah comes and enters in 33 AD and is killed.

[Philippe Sterling]

Okay, so that cut off, that would be Calvary.

[Bob Wilkin]

At Calvary, the crucifixion. And.

[Philippe Sterling]

But he's not cut off for himself. Now this would allude to Isaiah 52 and 53 with the suffering servant.

[Bob Wilkin]

Yes.

[Philippe Sterling]

So this is a prophecy ultimately about his crucifixion, right?

[Bob Wilkin]

Yes.

[Philippe Sterling]

And then it says, and the people of the prince who is to come. Who is that?

[Bob Wilkin]

Okay, so the people of the prince to come. The prince to come, it's going to be dealing with the 70th week.

[Philippe Sterling]

Right.

[Bob Wilkin]

And that will be the one we understand from Revelation as the beast, also.

[Philippe Sterling]

Called the man of sin.

[Bob Wilkin]

The man of sin, but he's this.

[Philippe Sterling]

World ruler during the 70th seven.

[Bob Wilkin]

Yes.

[Philippe Sterling]

And who are the people of the prince to come?

[Bob Wilkin]

So ultimately, this man who will come from the remnants of the Roman Empire that's reconstituted perhaps in some facets in the 70th week. But the people of the prince to come shall destroy the city.

[Philippe Sterling]

And that would be the Romans.

[Bob Wilkin]

The Romans who destroyed the city in 70 A.D. titus in the Romans legion. He was a general at the time. You. Eventually, he will become one of the emperors of Rome as well. But in 70 AD, the Roman legions, led by Titus, destroyed the temple, the city, and dispersed the Jewish people for the most part. And so out of that, in the 70th week, there will be a prince to come.

[Philippe Sterling]

And that's a direct fulfillment of this. People shall destroy the city and they'll destroy the sanctuary. A reference to the temple.

[Bob Wilkin]

Yes.

[Philippe Sterling]

And the end of it shall be with a flood until the end of the war. Desolations are determined. What is the end of the war? Is this the war between the Gentiles and the Jewish people?

[Bob Wilkin]

This would be probably the time, what's referred to generally as a time of the Gentiles, I think Luke 21:24. Right.

[Philippe Sterling]

And by the way, that's a controversial verse. Zane Hodges understood that. That that occurred in 1967 and that the time of the Gentiles ended in 1967 when Israel took control of Jerusalem. Not all of it, of course. They didn't get the Temple Mount, not all of the Temple Mount, because there's the Dome of the Rock still there. But that is the view of many people. However, I hold the view, and I don't know about you, Philippe, that I think we're still in the time of the Gentiles.

[Bob Wilkin]

And.

[Philippe Sterling]

And it won't end until the end of Daniel's 70th week, when Jerusalem is surrounded by Gentile armies and Jesus sets foot on the Mount of Olives and destroys the Gentile armies. And now the time of the Jews begins, which is the millennium and the new earth.

[Bob Wilkin]

That will be my view as well, because Jerusalem is trampled by this prince who will come. The abomination of desolation is the.

[Philippe Sterling]

Okay, now what's the abomination of desolation?

[Bob Wilkin]

Well, if we go to Jesus, of course, talked about it a little bit and referring it back to Daniel. So midweek of this final 70th week of Daniel two and a half years, the man of sin, the beast, with the encouragement of the false prophet that is there, sets up an image of the beast in the temple, the rebuilt tribulation temple that is there, and desecrates it, in essence proclaims himself to be God and to be worshipped as God.

[Philippe Sterling]

Yeah, because there are not supposed to be any images in the temple other than the ones that God has ordained. And certainly you wouldn't have an image of some Gentile ruler. And by the way, that's in the Olivet discourse where Jesus talks about this.

[Bob Wilkin]

Yes. In Matthew 24 he specifically refers to Daniel and to this passage in Daniel 9.

[Philippe Sterling]

Okay, so we're going to have to pick up on this the next time and finish this discussion because we haven't really gotten to the meatiest verse, which is Daniel 9:27. But I hope you all can see that the dispensational understanding of Daniel 9:24 27 really opens up prophecy like a flower. I mean there are so many prophecies fulfilled in this passage and and some which are yet future Daniel's 70th week. So until next time, let's keep Grace in focus.

[Announcer]

We invite you to check out our Monday, Wednesday and Friday five minute YouTube videos at YouTube Grace Evangelical Society. You will love the content and learn a lot. There are a lot of costs involved in staying on the air. That's why we so much appreciate our financial partners. If you'd like to learn how to become one, you can find out more by going to faithalone.org and on our next episode, more discussion about Daniel's 70 weeks prophecy. Please join us. And in the meantime, let's keep grace in focus.

[Bob Wilkin]

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