Commentary and Notes
We begin with the three sections of 14 generations. What is the significance of this?
First, the section of the fourteen generations of Adam is defined as Israel. To see this we will compare this genealogy in Matthew with the one given in Luke, then we will explain this. Next the second section of the fourteen generations of Israel is defined as Israel in preparation for the Son of Adam. This is until the exile into Babylon. Then the third section of fourteen generations Israel is defined as Israel being brought to Mashiach and presented to Mashiach to become the bride of Mashiach as the Last Adam.
In summary, the three periods are:
1) Adam defined as now being comprehended in the nation of Israel.
2) Israel is given the definition of being a nation in preparation for Mashiach.
3) Israel is given the definition of being a nation being presented to Mashiach.
Daniel's prayer is altogether based on the prayer of Moshe for Israel, that God, having brought Israel out of Egypt, would not destroy Israel and replace Israel with another people, for the sake of God's own name. Replacement theology implies a final rejection of Moses prayer and therefore also here of Daniel's prayer. It interprets the 70 weeks as indicating a setting aside of Israel in one degree or another without recognizing that this is actually an interpretation that would constitute a negative reply to Daniel's prayer.
Insofar as the 70 weeks might be understood as indicating 490 years, relating this to the three groups of 14 generations set out in Mashiach's genealogy by Matthew, the correspondence is in that on the first level all is about the atonement in Mashiach's death and resurrection. On the next level this whole period is, as it were, unfolded again and is seen with a different lens, representing the period from Mashiach until All Israel is saved. The second level would involve an interpretation that followed the complete repentance and rectification of Israel. In the sense of the first level the interpretation of the 70 weeks the interpretation would follow the most complete propitiatory meaning of Daniel 9:24: "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." All of this would be understood to be referring to the work of Mashiach and the preparation of Israel for this work - which must be seen in this light to have begun with the calling of Abraham, God's word as given to Abraham and his seed and with the covenant made with Abraham which constituted Israel as Israel in preparation for the redemption. This interpretation has not occurred to Christian theologians because they have not begun with the recognition that Mashiach did in fact make atonement for Israel corporately.
It is clear that the 70 weeks represents a symbolic number or symbolic way of designating a period. It is more a spiritual period of time than a period as measured in this world, although there is a hidden correspondence between the spiritual measure and the natural measure. If it is said that 490 years is a variety of this same number and specifies the time from the Babylonian captivity until Mashiach then it is a form of this number which refers to it at its most condensed state. From this state it must be understood to be expanded to comprehend the whole time from Abraham to Mashiach. This is the full period of the 42 generations. It is when this same period is "spiritually doubled" that the 70 weeks are understood to extend to the end of days. Thus, rightly understood, there is not a conflict between the historical and the future interpretation of the prophecy.
Daniel's prayer is altogether based on the prayer of Moshe for Israel, that God, having brought Israel out of Egypt, would not destroy Israel and replace Israel with another people, for the sake of God's own name. Replacement theology implies a final rejection of Moses prayer and therefore also here of Daniel's prayer. It interprets the 70 weeks as indicating a setting aside of Israel in one degree or another without recognizing that this is actually an interpretation that would constitute a negative reply to Daniel's prayer.
Insofar as the 70 weeks might be understood as indicating 490 years, relating this to the three groups of 14 generations set out in Mashiach's genealogy by Matthew, the correspondence is in that on the first level all is about the atonement in Mashiach's death and resurrection. On the next level this whole period is, as it were, unfolded again and is seen with a different lens, representing the period from Mashiach until All Israel is saved. The second level would involve an interpretation that followed the complete repentance and rectification of Israel. In the sense of the first level the interpretation of the 70 weeks the interpretation would follow the most complete propitiatory meaning of Daniel 9:24: "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." All of this would be understood to be referring to the work of Mashiach and the preparation of Israel for this work - which must be seen in this light to have begun with the calling of Abraham, God's word as given to Abraham and his seed and with the covenant made with Abraham which constituted Israel as Israel in preparation for the redemption. This interpretation has not occurred to Christian theologians because they have not begun with the recognition that Mashiach did in fact make atonement for Israel corporately.
It is clear that the 70 weeks represents a symbolic number or symbolic way of designating a period. It is more a spiritual period of time than a period as measured in this world, although there is a hidden correspondence between the spiritual measure and the natural measure. If it is said that 490 years is a variety of this same number and specifies the time from the Babylonian captivity until Mashiach then it is a form of this number which refers to it at its most condensed state. From this state it must be understood to be expanded to comprehend the whole time from Abraham to Mashiach. This is the full period of the 42 generations. It is when this same period is "spiritually doubled" that the 70 weeks are understood to extend to the end of days. Thus, rightly understood, there is not a conflict between the historical and the future interpretation of the prophecy.
