GROK’S summary from Tom Bradford’s teachings on Daniel to include key items from:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfuie1NF3dY&t=1454s

 

Daniel’s Prophecy: 70 Weeks & The 6 Goals - Insights from Tom Bradford

This page summarizes key insights from Tom Bradford's teaching on Daniel's 70 weeks prophecy, drawn from the Torah Class video and related lessons. The content emphasizes humility in interpretation, focusing on Scripture over rigid timelines.

Tom's Quote on Not Being Fixed in Doctrine

In his lesson, Tom Bradford warns against holding too tightly to preconceived doctrines, which can cause us to miss the true fulfillment of prophecy. He states:

"Do we really want the truth? That sounds so simple and straightforward; almost a cliché. I doubt that any Christian or Messianic or religious Jew that I might ask that question of, would answer it in any other way than to have a half-insulted look on their face and say: 'Of course I do'. However my personal observation has been somewhat to the contrary.

Rather, what I have observed is that what the largest segment of folks want is a doctrine that first and foremost validates their preferred already-established lifestyle, and next in importance is that we want pleasant doctrines that point the way towards an easy, safe and happy path along our faith journey...

And finally, as I believe history proves has always been the case, we tend to regard whatever we read in the Scriptures through the lens of the world as we perceive it in our day... So that makes us susceptible to thinking that certain God-ordained Torah commandments are outdated or prophesied activities can’t happen as precisely Biblically prescribed because the conditions are simply not present nor can we imagine a circumstance where they might be. So, to compensate, we’ll stretch and pull and reshape and allegorize Bible passages to meet what we can see before us and allow little if any room for the mystery of unforeseeable changes that God says will come."

This highlights the danger of becoming so locked into our doctrines and timelines that we fail to recognize the actual fulfillment of prophecy when it occurs.

The Three Views on Daniel's 70 Weeks from the 1800s

Tom references Dr. Kiel's mid-1800s commentary on Daniel, which summarizes three primary theological interpretations of the 70 weeks prophecy. These views reflect the diversity of thought among scholars and underscore the need for humility rather than certainty:

  1. Fulfilled in Christ's First Coming (Preterist-like View): Held by most early Church Fathers and ancient Christian interpreters up to the 16th century. The 70 weeks are seen as entirely fulfilled by Christ's advent, death, resurrection, and the subsequent destruction of Jerusalem around 70 A.D., with no future aspect.
  2. Linked to Antiochus Epiphanes (Historicist-like View): Popular from the Enlightenment Era (1700s onward) and in modern liberal theology. The prophecy is interpreted as code referring to events around Antiochus Epiphanes in 165 B.C., terminating over 100 years before Christ's birth.
  3. End Times Prophecy (Futurist View): Advocated by some early Church Fathers, theologians in the 1800s, and modern Conservative Evangelical prophecy teachers. At least part of the prophecy (often the 70th week) is seen as yet future, relating to the second coming of Christ, the Antichrist, and the Millennial Kingdom.

Dr. Kiel also suggested that the 70 sevens (potentially 490 years) might be symbolic rather than a precise timeline, drawing parallels to Jesus' use of "seventy times seven" in Matthew 18:21-22 as a symbol for unlimited forgiveness.

The Six Goals of Daniel 9:24

The core of the 70 weeks prophecy lies in six God-given goals outlined in Daniel 9:24. These serve as a roadmap for redemption, divided into three negative (addressing sin) and three positive (bringing restoration) aspects. Tom provides a detailed Hebrew-based interpretation:

Goal Number

Hebrew Phrase

Interpretation

Explanation

1

le-kalle ha-pesha

Restraining rebellion

To restrain or hinder transgression/rebellion against God, not necessarily end it completely (as "kalle" means to shut up or hold in).

2

ulahatom hatta’ot

Finishing the task of the sin offering

To complete the purpose of the sin offering (hatta’at), fulfilled by Messiah's sacrifice on the cross, eliminating the need for further animal sacrifices.

3

ulekapper avon

Making atonement for our perverse condition

To make atonement (kippur, as in Yom Kippur) for iniquity, leading to reconciliation with God.

4

ulehabi olamim tzedek

Bringing in everlasting righteousness

To usher in perpetual righteousness as a gift of grace, following the resolution of sin.

5

ve-la-hatom hazon ve-navi

Validating and preserving vision and prophet

To seal up (authenticate and preserve) visions and prophets, confirming God's promises through His messengers.

6

Anointing the Holy of Holies

Anointing the Holy of Holies into service

To consecrate the Most Holy (qodesh qodashim), referring to the Temple's innermost room, preparing it for divine service.

These goals are explicitly for "your people and your holy city" (the Jews and Jerusalem), though Gentile believers benefit through grafting into Israel (Romans 11). Not all goals were fulfilled at Christ's first coming; some, like establishing everlasting righteousness and the Millennial Kingdom, remain future.

Other Conclusions Drawn About Daniel's Prophecy

Tom draws several key conclusions from the prophecy, urging a scriptural focus over dogmatic timelines:

  • Symbolic vs. Literal Interpretation: The 70 weeks may represent 490 literal years (weeks of years, based on "shabua" meaning sevens), but could be symbolic, allowing for gaps (e.g., between the 69th and 70th weeks). Starting points for the timeline vary, such as decrees from Artaxerxes in 458 B.C. or 445 B.C., but exact math often requires adjustments.
  • The 70th Week and Future Events: The final week (7 years) is often seen as future, involving a covenant made by "he" (potentially the Antichrist), leading to abomination in the Temple (referenced in Matthew 24:15–16). This aligns with End Times events, including the second coming of Christ as a warrior-king to defeat evil and establish His earthly Kingdom.
  • Focus on Israel: The prophecy centers on the Jewish people and Jerusalem, not primarily the Church. The rise of the Hebrew Roots movement is viewed as a correction to refocus on Israel's role in redemption.
  • Humility and Scripture Literacy: Interpretations have varied historically (e.g., Essenes expecting fulfillment around Christ's birth, early Church Fathers like Irenaeus supporting a gap theory). Tom emphasizes being "less certain, more scriptural," avoiding divisiveness over timelines. The prophecy calls for repentance and deeper Bible study rather than solving it as a riddle.
  • Unfulfilled Aspects: Messiah was "cut off" after 69 weeks (Christ's crucifixion), but full redemption—including anointing a new Temple and worldwide Kingdom—awaits fulfillment. Historical attempts to force-fit timelines (e.g., to Antiochus Epiphanes) are criticized for inconsistencies.

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