More Time Elements in the Gospels

Previously, we discussed Jesus’ declaration of the Kingdom, saying it was here.  This should be sufficient for the establishment of the Kingdom.  Since it was here when He was, and it hasn’t left, it alone should be sufficient to establish the case.

Be that as it may, there are plenty more proofs of the case.

Take the list of things to have accomplished in Daniel 9, which were to have been finished by the end of the 70 weeks, or 490 years.

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.

Daniel 9:24

The six things were never guaranteed to have been accomplished, the time frame was.  Jesus Himself said they missed the time of their visitation (Luke 19:44), which, in the language of Daniel, means the times were fulfilled, and that hour came and went, without them recognizing it.

But, of the fifth portion of this prophecy, the sealing up of vision and prophecy, Jesus’ words are sufficient.

 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

Luke 16:16

By Jesus’ own statement, the vision and prophecy were sealed up with the end of John’s ministry, and since that time, it is the Kingdom.

The other portions of this prophecy also point to this time frame, with the ministry of John the Baptist being the ministry of repentance, for ending transgression and sins, making reconciliation and bringing in righteousness (Jesus).  Yet, in the Jews of that days’ failing to anoint Jesus as King, as a nation, they missed the set window of time, the 490 years, which does not invalidate the prophecy, but invalidates the people.

The prophecy was that 490 years were given in order to accomplish those things, and 490 years were given exactly.  The fact that they were not accomplished does not change the fact that they were given, and fulfilled exactly, and missed, according to Jesus’ words on coming to Jerusalem.

This was planned and foreseen in Daniel 9’s vision as well, for it foretold in advance that both the city and the people would be destroyed, so it is clear even from the time the prophecy was given that it would not be fulfilled.  As Paul Himself wrote,

I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved.

Romans 11:25-26a

Jesus indicated that the time was then.  The Gospel record shows the fulfillment of Daniels’ visions, and that the timing and expectation of the Kingdom of God depicted by Daniel and indeed all the prophets was fulfilled in completeness through Christ’s coming.

This is not His Second Coming, which still awaits, as this article describes the difference in the two in Matthew 24, so we await yet the blessed hope that is promised, Christ coming with His white throne of glory.