By Dr. Michael S. Heiser
This series contains the blog articles by biblical scholar Dr Michael S. Heiser in his blog series on eschatology.
Why an Obsession with Eschatology is a Waste of Time, Part 7
Focus: Is there any biblical proof that the 70th week of Daniel = the tribulation period? Everyone assumes it, but there’s no Bible verse that says it.
The question to address in this post is much simpler than others: Is there any biblical proof that the 70th week of Daniel = the tribulation period?
This equation is critical to the pre-trib, premill view of the rapture. That is, without this equation, that view is very damaged.
Sure, there are plenty of biblical references to a time of tribulation, “the time of Jacob’s trouble,” and of course there is the “70 weeks” prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27. But is there any biblical proof that these terms overlap or are to be defined by each other? Is the 70th week of Daniel ever called or alluded to as a period of tribulation? You’d think that would be important (at least I would).
A couple of observations are in order on this one – I’d like some participation from you all, too.
1. Here is a link to all the occurrences of the word used in Matthew 24 for “tribulation” (Greek: thlipsis). Does any use of the term allude to Daniel 9’s 70th week?
2. Notice that in Daniel 9 the only reference to “trouble” (v. 25) is placed before the 70th week. The Septuagint does *not* use thlipsis in this passage to translate this word.
3. The only time Daniel 9:24-27 is specifically referenced in the New Testament is Matt. 24:15. Note that the “tribulation” period in Matthew *follows* in Matt 24:21 (the earlier reference to “tribulation in 24:9 is obviously personal to each of the disciples of Jesus’ day). This suggests that the tribulation period cannot be the 70th week of Daniel, though *part* of that 70th week is defined as a period of tribulation. This is a common position of the pre-wrath rapture view.
So, what I’d like in terms of interaction is for those who would define / equate the 70th week of Daniel with a seven year tribulation to provide some textual support for that view.
We’ll get into the 70 weeks prophecy itself shortly.
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