169 - The Prophecy of Seventy Sevens in Eschatology#
169 - The Prophecy of Seventy Sevens in Eschatology
(JP Text Group - Sister Ren Wei's Compilation)
The topic we are sharing today is the prophecy of seventy sevens in eschatology.
Let’s look at today’s scripture, Daniel 9:24-27:
“Seventy sevens are decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place. Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven sevens and sixty-two sevens. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.”
“After the sixty-two sevens, the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. He will confirm a covenant with many for one seven; in the middle of the seven he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on the desolator.”
Let us first pray together:
Heavenly Father, we especially thank and praise you. Your words contain much power and light. You have placed the beginning and end of the world in your words. Today, grant us wisdom to see this final generation. Let us be wise and discerning. Thank you and praise the Lord! Especially bless every brother and sister who comes to seek you today. We pray in the name of the Lord Jesus, Hallelujah, Amen!
Eschatology is different from other letters. Many people have spoken about prophecies regarding the end times online or elsewhere, especially concerning the prophecies in Daniel and Revelation. If listening to prophetic explanations makes you feel afraid, you should be cautious. Because prophecies are fearful for the unbelievers, but for us believers, they are hope, Amen!
Please remember, no matter how many prophecies are in the Bible, for us believers, they are all hope!
The beginning and end of humanity are described in this Bible. The Bible tells us the origin and end of the world and humanity. Any questions you have can be answered in the Bible. Everything returns to the Bible for answers. Since the Bible has a beginning and an end, there will be many prophecies. There are about 1,500 prophecies in the Bible, most of which have already been fulfilled, with only a very few remaining to be fulfilled. Many of the prophecies written in this Bible in the past have been accomplished, and many more are about to be accomplished, all recorded in this very important book—the Bible.
2 Timothy 3:14-17:
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
What do you see? Who did you learn from?
God has placed His words in the Bible so that you can know Him and gain wisdom for salvation, but not everyone who sees the Bible will be saved; it is through faith in Christ Jesus that one gains wisdom for salvation. If you think this Bible is just a book describing the history of the Israelites, you will not gain wisdom for salvation.
“All Scripture is God-breathed” in the original language means it is inspired by God. God’s breath can turn the dead into the living; this Bible is a living book. There are many books in this world, but the books of the world are lifeless. However, this Bible is God-breathed and can give you life.
So what does this book actually say? It contains teachings; it contains assurances, including the assurance of faith and salvation; it contains restoration, for example, if you have a disease, if you believe in Jesus’ words, you can receive healing and restoration; it contains correction, for example, if you lived in a wrong environment in the past, but now, after knowing God, you have corrected it; and it also teaches righteousness, which is beneficial.
“The teaching of righteousness is beneficial” in the original language refers to the discipline concerning righteousness. The Chinese translation “teaching people to learn righteousness” seems to imply that we should strive to become righteous, but the original language expresses the meaning of “teaching about righteousness, training in righteousness, guiding in righteousness.” This refers to “discipline.”
This Bible lets us know that we have the righteousness of Christ. This Bible can guide us to come before Christ to receive His righteousness, training us to live out the pattern of the righteous.
The Bible contains teachings about righteousness “so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The Greek original means that this Bible cannot make us perfect, but the words in the Bible can empower us to prepare for every good work, equipping the people of God to do all kinds of beneficial things. By knowing the Bible, knowing Jesus, and knowing God’s words, we are equipping ourselves to do beneficial things for others. This is also the teaching throughout the entire Bible, Hallelujah!
The Bible mentions two very wonderful prophecies: one is about the prophecy of Jesus Christ, which was foretold in the Bible over 400 years before Christ’s birth. The Bible says: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel.” Jesus was born at the appointed time, and He died at the appointed time. This is the first prophecy about Jesus’ birth and death, which has been fulfilled.
The second important prophecy is about the verses in Daniel chapter 9, which is a very important prophecy known as “Seventy Sevens.” When we unlock this passage, our eyes will be opened, and we will be able to see the development of the entire world clearly. This is the characteristic of prophecy. This prophecy clearly tells us how the Lord Jesus came into the world, how He died, and what will happen at the end of the world.
2 Peter 1:19-21:
“We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
The Bible has many prophecies, but we should not interpret them casually. I have seen many people interpret Revelation, and the meaning of Revelation is to uncover. However, many interpretations make people feel afraid. I have heard some people explain that “666” recorded in Revelation refers to the human chip, and some say “666” is the QR code at the back of the book. Should we stop reading books then?
Such interpretations are very far-fetched, and there are even more outrageous interpretations. Revelation records a dwelling place for all kinds of unclean spirits (Revelation 18:2: “With a mighty voice he shouted: ‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’ She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird.”) Some even say that dwelling place is the Bird’s Nest in Beijing, which is a private interpretation of the Bible.
Do not interpret the Bible this way. “666” in the original language consists of three words—six hundred, sixty, and six. These three words all have meaning and should not be interpreted casually. We will have the opportunity to share this information. Today we will look at “Seventy Sevens,” which is a very significant record of human development.
Sharing Point One: The Representational Meaning of the Number Seven in the Bible
Seven represents completeness. Almost all prophecies are related to “seven.” This number is also very common in our daily lives. God created the heavens and the earth in six days, and on the seventh day, He rested, and then the cycle began, continuously following seven or multiples of seven. Today, we will briefly share a few meanings of the number “seven”—the seventh day is the Sabbath, a day when God allows you to rest, a day when you do not have to do anything, just enjoy with God! This is what God told us about the significance of the seventh day at the beginning. The seventh year is the year of rest, a year when God allows us to rest.
Leviticus 25:20-22:
“You may ask, ‘What will we eat in the seventh year if we do not plant or harvest our crops?’ I will send you such a blessing in the sixth year that the land will yield enough for three years. While you plant during the eighth year, you will eat from the old crop and will continue to eat from it until the harvest of the ninth year comes in.”
When God told this law to the Israelites, He knew they would be worried. Some would say, “What will we eat if we do not work in the seventh year?” God knew they had this concern, so He would bless them with three years’ harvest in the sixth year. Originally, they were to rest for one year, but instead, they received three years’ harvest. This means that in the year of rest, they did not have to work, and when the new grain came out the following year, they would still have plenty of the old grain. Do you see God’s blessing? And this seventh year is also called the “Year of Release.”
For example, if I owe someone money and cannot repay it, I go to work for him. Remember: I can work for him for a maximum of six years, and in the seventh year, he must let me go free. This is the law God set for the Israelites. In God’s eyes, there are no permanent slaves. In the seventh year, it is the Year of Release, and people must be set free.
Every seven years is a year of rest, and seven years of rest equal forty-nine years, which is also called the “Year of Jubilee.” During these forty-nine years, people have enjoyed seven years of rest. God says this is a day worth commemorating. After enjoying these seven years of rest, God will grant people even greater rest, entering into the Year of Jubilee. The fiftieth year is the Year of Jubilee, characterized by redemption, release, return, and rest.
No matter how much debt people had in the past, in the Year of Jubilee, everything resets to zero. No matter how much hatred people had in the past, in the Year of Jubilee, everything resets to zero. Everything returns to its original state in the Year of Jubilee. When Jesus Christ came, He announced the Year of Jubilee. From Jesus Christ onward, forgiveness began, release began, freedom began, and rest began. Hallelujah! Then after the seventy sevens, there is the millennium. The Year of Jubilee has such great forgiveness and freedom. What about the millennium? A full thousand years for you to enjoy rest—do you know how wonderful that day is?
The number seven in the Bible represents two aspects—“completeness” and “rest.” God allows people to rest to free them from labor, to gain ease and comfort, allowing them to enjoy His freedom and rest in Him. He absolutely does not want His people to be bound by continuous labor; He desires for people to adjust their focus back to God. After working hard for six years, in the seventh year, God wants you to look up to Him again and enjoy His power, His provision, and His presence.
Because that year, God’s special blessing will yield three times the harvest, directly allowing people to rest. God especially hopes that people can return to Him during the Year of Jubilee, coming out of fierce competition, out of various pressures of livelihood, and out of issues related to status and finances, starting anew, letting people know that God is the true provider.
One very interesting thing is that for an entire year, God’s people enjoy rest, joy, and provision from God. The Year of Jubilee is particularly important. According to the law, the announcement of the Year of Jubilee is made on the Day of Atonement. On each Day of Atonement, the high priest atones for the people, leading a bull and sheep to offer sacrifices before God, and then takes the blood of the bull and sheep into the Most Holy Place to receive God’s grace. After the Day of Atonement, it is the Year of Jubilee.
The lamb of the Day of Atonement refers to Jesus Christ. So when Jesus was offered on the cross, the trumpet sounded, and the true Year of Jubilee began. After Jesus, the Year of Jubilee began, the true rest began, and during the Year of Jubilee, the announcement of forgiveness of sins began. All loans and mortgages were redeemed in the Year of Jubilee.
Just as the Lord led the Israelites out of Egypt, today Jesus Christ has also redeemed us from the world, allowing us to enjoy His eternal rest and His eternal provision. The purpose of God in doing this is to let us remember that God is the only provider. God hopes that everyone is generous, and He gives everyone freedom, prohibiting permanent slavery. Only because of Christ’s redemption can we come out of permanent bondage today.
In the fiftieth year, the people received forgiveness of sins and enjoyed His freedom together with God, just like returning to the Garden of Eden. In the past, the earth was cursed, and Adam had to sweat to make a living. In the Year of Jubilee, people do not need to labor or sweat; they are greatly blessed by God. This is the lifestyle we have in Christ today. These blessings have already been accomplished in the Lord Jesus Christ.
This also gives us great hope: we need to labor on this earth today, but one day when Jesus returns, we will enjoy eternal rest with Him. Hallelujah! At that time, the trumpet of freedom will sound throughout the world, and God’s people will enjoy eternal inheritance and be forever with God.
The Book of Daniel is a prophecy for the Jews, while Revelation is a prophecy for the church and the prophecy of the end of the world. Although the Book of Daniel is for the Israelites, the prophecy starts from Israel and then develops.
Looking at today’s scripture, “Seventy sevens are decreed for your people and your holy city.” So these “seventy sevens” are divided into three stages: the first stage is “seven sevens”; the second stage is “sixty-two sevens”; the third stage is the final “one seven.” (7+62+1=70)
Daniel 9:25:
“Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven sevens and sixty-two sevens. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.”
From the beginning of the rebuilding of Jerusalem until the appearance of the Anointed One, Jesus Christ, there were “seven sevens” and “sixty-two sevens.” Some people have calculated this time precisely: starting from the seventh year of Artaxerxes, which is 457 BC, the Israelites began to rebuild Jerusalem, and it took exactly 49 years to establish the city, completing the first “seven sevens.”
Starting from 457 BC, the first stage of “seven sevens” took 7×7=49 years, and the second stage of “sixty-two sevens” took 62×7=434 years, totaling 483 years. Therefore, from 457 BC, after 483 years, Jesus Christ was crucified, with only a few years of difference. The timing is very accurate. This prophecy from over four hundred years before Christ has been completely fulfilled in Jesus. The first stage of “seven sevens” and the second stage of “sixty-two sevens” have all been completely fulfilled.
Daniel 9:26:
“After the sixty-two sevens, the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.”
The prophecies in the Bible clearly tell us that “seventy sevens are decreed. To finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness.” After the “sixty-two sevens,” the Anointed One, our Lord Jesus Christ, will be cut off and will have nothing.
Jesus Christ came to finish transgression and bring in everlasting righteousness. How does Jesus stop transgression? Some tell us that we need to preach the Ten Commandments more and emphasize the law to stop sin, but this method does not work. The Jews received a complete law for fifteen hundred years but did not stop transgression. It is Jesus Christ who came and stopped transgression with grace.
Romans 6:14:
“For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”
This is how Jesus stops transgression: He gives you grace, and transgression is stopped. After Jesus Christ came, He brought us grace and truth. Because of grace, many who followed Jesus—Zacchaeus, the prostitute, the tax collector, the soldiers, the fishermen—were changed. The grace of Jesus is a powerful weapon to stop transgression! Let’s see how Jesus cleanses wickedness. Is it by our effort not to sin? This is not something we can achieve through effort. The prophecy tells us that it is after Jesus Christ came that He cleansed wickedness.
Hebrews 10:10-12:
“And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.”
Jesus paid our debt of sin with His body, removing our sin. His body cleansed our wickedness, making us holy.
Hebrews 1:3:
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
Jesus Christ cleansed our sins and then sat down at the right hand of God. This is the method of cleansing wickedness, using the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse all our sins. Today, cleansing wickedness and atoning for sin is not by your effort but by the body of Jesus Christ. He is the eternal sacrifice for sin. Because of Him, we are called “righteous” today, bringing in everlasting “righteousness.” This “righteousness” is the “righteousness” of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 9:12:
“He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.”
The blood of Jesus Christ can redeem sins forever, so our “righteousness” is also eternal. In God’s eyes, because Jesus offered one sacrifice, we who are sanctified are made perfect forever. “Forever” in the Greek original means without time. In Christ, before God, we are justified without time. This is the everlasting righteousness that Jesus Christ brings and manifests to you.
Then to seal up vision and prophecy, it is necessary to seal it, so Jesus said, “The prophets spoke until John,” meaning the prophecies concerning Jesus Christ should not be spoken anymore because Jesus has come. Those past prophecies began to be sealed up; there is no need to look at them anymore. This matter has been accomplished in Jesus. Jesus Christ has completely fulfilled the prophecies.
Acts 2:36-38:
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Repentance means turning to God, being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and then your sins will be forgiven because Jesus came to finish transgression, cleanse wickedness, atone for sin, bring in everlasting righteousness, and seal up vision and prophecy. “To anoint the most holy one” refers to our Jesus Christ. Jesus is the anointed King; He is the Messiah.
Luke 4:18-21:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Jesus has been revealing to the Israelites: “Do not wait any longer; I am the Messiah.” But they did not accept it. Did this change the fact?—The world continues to move forward. This passage quotes scripture from Isaiah.
“To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the *day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn…” (Isaiah 61:2)
Jesus only read the first half of this verse; He did not read the second half, then rolled it up and said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
We know that “seven sevens” and “sixty-two sevens” have been fulfilled. We are now in between “sixty-two sevens” and the final “one seven,” which is called the “Year of Jubilee.”
The characteristic of the Year of Jubilee is grace, so we are also called the “Age of Grace,” which is the day of enjoying rest. Of course, this day is better the longer it lasts. In the Year of Jubilee, the captives are released, the blind receive sight, and the oppressed are set free. People will go everywhere proclaiming the message of the Year of Jubilee. These are all gifts from the Lord; this is the day of open grace. People are enjoying this power. We are currently in the Age of Jubilee, but the day of vengeance of God will also come during the last seven years.
The Age of Grace will not continue indefinitely; one day it will end. During this period, we are the most blessed. People who lived in the past envied our generation. The Israelites waited fifty years for a Year of Jubilee, but we do not have to wait under the New Covenant because every year is a Year of Jubilee. Now, when you pray to God, He will hear your prayers and answer them. If you have something that oppresses you, God will set you free. If you say you cannot see, God will make you see. Those who are bound can also find freedom and release here because this is the Year of Jubilee, the year of God’s provision, the year of God’s grace. Hallelujah!
Why do we say we are now in between “sixty-two sevens” and the final “one seven”? Because after the “sixty-two sevens,” the Anointed One, Jesus Christ, was cut off and had nothing. When Jesus was on the cross, He lost everything—His personality, dignity, and all His possessions. It was not taken from Him by force; He willingly gave it all up. Because of the punishment He bore, we have peace; because of the wounds He suffered, we are healed; because He became poor, we became rich; because He had nothing, we lack nothing and have more than enough.
Jesus gave us everything; this is what Jesus accomplished for us. “The Anointed One will be cut off” has also happened. Even those who do not believe in Jesus know that there was a man named Jesus who was killed in the region of Israel, permanently recorded in history.
Luke 21:20-22:
“When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains; let those in the city get out; and let those in the country not enter the city, because these are the days of vengeance and fulfillment of all that is written.”
This is a prophecy that Jesus personally spoke to Jerusalem. This passage fulfills the prophecy that “the people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.” In AD 70, to be precise, in AD 69, Roman General Titus led an army to besiege Jerusalem. At that time, God’s instruction to the people was one word—flee.
At that time, if you said, “Lord! Save me! Save me!” it would be useless to pray there without leaving. Do you know what happened then? It was also a festival for the Israelites, and people were worshiping God. In fact, God was no longer there; Jesus had already been killed, but people were still offering sacrifices. On the day of sacrifice, the Romans besieged the city of Jerusalem, directly starting from the gate, killing everyone in the temple, including all the priests.
The blood that flowed out of the holy city ran into the Kidron Valley. The place where Jesus took His disciples to pray before going to the cross—the Garden of Gethsemane—has a stream called the Kidron Valley. Previously, the blood of the sacrificed bulls and sheep flowed out from the Kidron Valley, but all those who did not heed these warnings had curses fall upon them, and their blood flowed out from the Kidron Valley.
The entire city of Jerusalem was destroyed and then set on fire. After the fire burned the holy city, the Roman soldiers discovered that melted gold flowed into the cracks of the city walls. Therefore, Titus ordered the soldiers to pry up all the stones, which fulfilled Jesus’ words—that in the future, not one stone would be left on another. These events were bound to happen.
“The end will come like a flood. War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.” After the destruction of Jerusalem, the Israelites entered into warfare, which continues to this day. Because the days of desolation have been decreed, this word has been fulfilled. But this is not the end; the final “one seven” has not yet come. We are waiting for the arrival of the final “one seven” because in the final “one seven,” Jesus Christ will return, and the conclusion is within the final “one seven.”
Daniel 9:27:
“He will confirm a covenant with many for one seven; in the middle of the seven he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple, he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on the desolator.”
Let me repeat: we are currently in the period after “sixty-two sevens” and before the final “one seven.” Once we enter the final “one seven,” it means there are only seven years left. The period between “sixty-two sevens” and the final “one seven” is not immediately consecutive; there is a gap. We are currently in this gap, but this gap could end at any moment. There will be a sign—during this period, the gospel will be preached to the ends of the earth.
Romans 11:25-27:
“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, as it is written: ‘The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.’”
In fact, this covenant was established over two thousand years ago; it is just that the Israelites do not believe or accept it. Until the return of Jesus Christ, He will reveal Himself to them again, and at that time they will awaken and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. This will happen in the final “one seven.”
The Book of Genesis is the book of origins and also the book of endings. In the latter half of Genesis, it records an event: there was a seven-year famine in the world. More than two years into the famine, Jacob’s family could no longer endure it; they ran out of food and began to go to Egypt to buy grain. This is what will happen in “one seven and a half.”
They went to Egypt to buy grain, but they did not know that the one selling grain in Egypt was their brother Joseph. Joseph recognized them and supplied their needs, but they were afraid. We are now in the Age of Grace, while the Jews still live under the law. They have not enjoyed grace, so when grace comes upon them, their reaction is fear. When Joseph supplied them with grain without asking for their money, their reaction was, “What is God trying to say to us? Why is the money here?” So when they see grace, the Jews are afraid because they do not understand grace.
How unfortunate! Such a wonderful time, and the people in the Year of Jubilee do not understand how to enjoy it; they still live under the law, trying to gain God’s favor through their efforts. People do not realize that the Year of Jubilee is to completely let go of their efforts and let God provide. Today, no matter what aspect we need to turn around—economics, family relationships, or health—we should enjoy the Year of Jubilee that God has given us. We can tell God our needs, and He will provide because we are in this Year of Jubilee. This is the hope that Jesus Christ brings. The world still strives on its own, while we completely rely on the grace of Jesus Christ.
During “one seven and a half,” there will definitely be wars, and the desolation has already been decreed. Genesis records that aside from Egypt, the world was desolate. When “one seven and a half” occurs, Jacob’s family will recognize Joseph. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am your brother Joseph, the one God sent ahead of you to preserve your lives. Go back and bring your father here! There are still five years of famine.”
This plan has five years left, so Jacob’s family did not have to go through the famine. They were brought to Joseph’s side, and they lived in a place called “Goshen.” “Goshen” means “near.” This means Joseph brought his brothers and father to a place very close to him.
We are not affected by this seven-year famine. We are always in a place close to God. This day is truly near. Have you noticed that both the world and the church are experiencing famine? This proves that the last seven years are indeed near. The famine is global, including the church. Many law-based churches have no message to preach at the end, so they start saying, “Repent!” “Confess your sins!”
But in grace, the supply is increasing. Because the food is with Jesus, if you do not preach Jesus, how can there be food? You will only eat less and less. Therefore, our church will continue to preach what Jesus Christ and His cross have done for us, and the more we preach, the more supply there will be. This is why the gospel can supply other churches in China today.
We are talking about the message of the last Joseph. The Old Testament Joseph foreshadows our Lord Jesus Christ. In the last days, we must preach Jesus and what He accomplished on the cross, which will bring supply to many, including the Jews. For example, if you want to preach the gospel to the Jews, if you talk about confession, they are more proficient than you. If you talk about the law, they understand the law better than you, and they are practitioners. What do they need? The grace of Jesus Christ!
They do not know this. The Old Testament prophecies are sealed for the Jews but opened for us. It is not that we are smarter than them; it is because their hearts are not opened, while we are opened because we are not under the law. One day, when Jesus Christ returns, He will personally reveal Himself to them. One day, when the full number of Gentiles comes in, all Israel will be saved. Do you know how fast the Israelites will be saved? Perhaps it will be overnight. God is waiting for the full number of Gentiles to come in.
The gospel started from Jerusalem, spread to Europe, and now is in China, making a complete circle back to Jerusalem. Wherever the gospel goes, the economy, national strength, and military power of that country will rise. Therefore, the rise of China is inevitable. When the gospel reached Rome, Rome became a powerful empire. Later, it reached Britain, and Britain also became a powerful empire. Then it reached America, and America began to revive. In just a few hundred years, why could America rise? Because of Jesus Christ.
Now we are blessed because the main work of Jesus Christ is in China. We need to supply them with food like Joseph, giving it freely. Hallelujah! China must take on this mission, continuing westward to India, Arabia, and other countries to bring the gospel back to Jerusalem. The distance shown on the map is very short. Today, many missionaries from China have gone to these countries to preach the gospel and establish many churches. This is an extremely important sign. As far as I know, there is already a very famous pastor preaching grace to the Jews, and the thoughts of the Jews are beginning to turn around. This means the final seven is about to arrive.
2 Timothy 4:3-5:
“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”
As the final seven approaches, people will not want the truth anymore; they will be tired of sound doctrine. If you only preach “Jesus and the cross of Jesus,” others will say you are a heretic. People will be tired of sound doctrine and prefer to hear strange messages, such as “So-and-so went to hell; what is the first layer of hell, the second layer…” and they will add many teachers. Some will start saying, “Last night, I had a dream! A white light came down, and our room was all bright…” This is the situation in the church as the time approaches. What is the state of the world?
Luke 21:10-11:
“Then he said to them: ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.’”
The environment of the world is also changing: now, the phenomenon of nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom is more frequent than in any previous era. Earthquakes are occurring more frequently, especially after the year 2000; earthquakes around the world are increasing. Famines and plagues are also increasing. This proves that the final seven is about to enter. These are disasters for the world. But we have hope because Jesus is coming soon. In at most seven years, everything will be over.
Matthew 24:28: “Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.”
In the world, if a carcass has a few vultures gathered, that is not significant. But if there are many carcasses and many vultures gather, it becomes a sign that we should pay attention to; that day is near. If there are small conflicts within a country, that is normal. But if many countries are involved in war, we should be alert; the time has come. In recent years, natural conditions have also changed. Places that should rain do not rain, and places that should not rain have turned into seas. The signs and wonders from heaven are increasing, and we need to be alert. The final “one seven” is only seven years; once you enter, everything will be over.
Daniel 12:4:
“But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”
This prophecy is something the Jews do not understand, but it is revealed to us by our Lord Jesus in the Bible, allowing us to understand.
Matthew 24:32-33:
“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.”
This prophecy refers to the restoration of Israel. The fig tree symbolizes Israel. When the fig tree’s twigs get tender and its leaves come out, it proves that this nation has revived. A nation that was gone for two thousand years suddenly revived. From 1948, when Israel was restored, until today, sixty-eight years have passed. The Son of Man is near, already at the door. Therefore, we can assert that this day is truly near. Perhaps in our generation, we will see the arrival of the final seven years. After the final seven enters, a false peace will emerge, which is the Antichrist.
He will sign a false peace treaty in this world, allowing Muslims and Christians to stop fighting and live in harmony. The temple in Israel will be allowed to be built. A peace covenant will be signed within “one seven.” After three and a half years, “he will put an end to sacrifice and offering.”—The true nature of the Antichrist will be revealed. He will begin to force the Jews to stop their sacrifices, and the Antichrist will suddenly turn against the Jews.
He will rely on foreign gods to break through the strongest defenses. Those who acknowledge him will be honored, and he will give them authority over many, and he will divide the land for a price. (Daniel 11:39)
Daniel 12:11:
“From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.”
One thousand two hundred ninety days equals three and a half years. Therefore, during the middle three and a half years, the Antichrist will strongly prohibit all sacrificial systems and will place false gods in the temple. Anyone who does not listen to him will be killed. This is the true nature of the Antichrist. This is what will happen in the last three and a half years. When this abomination is placed in the temple, what will happen? Revelation records that the key to the abyss will be given, and all kinds of unclean spirits will be released, filling the world.
At that time, the world will be a place where no one can survive, completely filled with all kinds of evil spirits. But we will not be in that evil three and a half years. When the trumpet sounds, we will be taken to a secret place to meet the Lord. We have hope, just like the Jews were with Joseph; we are not in this state, and we are not in this famine. But the Jews will be in that great tribulation. This is not an exaggeration. Everyone should carefully observe the world; the days are truly near.
As the days draw near, what about the people around us? We need to have a sense of urgency and quickly share the gospel with those around us! Because that day is coming, believing in Jesus will come at a cost. Now, our task and mission is to preach the gospel.
Acts 1:8:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
So we must bear witness for Jesus Christ. This scripture contains eternal life, equipping the people of God to do all kinds of good works. God will give us power to bear witness for Jesus Christ. Thank you and praise the Lord! For the unbelievers, we preach the gospel to let them believe in Jesus; for the believers, many do not come to church or gather anymore. We need to encourage one another.
Hebrews 10:25:
“Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
If we see someone who claims to believe in Jesus but does not gather, we must tell them that the time is near. Why does God want us not to stop gathering at this end time? Because we cannot overcome this environment; we need God’s words to supply us and God’s power to fill us. Hallelujah!
Let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we especially thank and praise you. You have placed the prophecies of the end of the world in your words to give your children wisdom and insight to see the end of this world. At the same time, you give us a mission, letting us know that many people around us have not accepted you. You do not wish for them to be in famine; you do not wish for them to be in pain. You hope they can meet you. You give us power and equip us to do all kinds of good works, which is to bring Christ to them, to encourage those who are weak and fallen to return to Jesus Christ, allowing them to enjoy your provision and your Year of Jubilee.
In the last days, let each of us equip ourselves. We know that day is truly near. Thank you and praise you. We have hope in Christ. We wish for more people to receive this hope, to receive the release of Jesus Christ, to receive the freedom of Jesus Christ, to receive the power of Jesus Christ. Thank you and praise the Lord. Thank you for loving us this way. We pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!