posted
Here is an apparent hint that seems to be often missed. When asked how often we should forgive our brother the questioner forwarded the answer of 7 times. But Jesus clarified that answer by responding 70 X 7. Do you realize that equals 490 and that there is a reference to 70 X 7 in Daniel? Yes, check it out.
In Daniel 9:24 it reads, "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and thy holy city..."
Perhaps the NIV makes it more plain. "Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city..."
This is significant because Daniel was praying and confessing his sins and the sins of his people just before the angel Gabriel spoke these words to him. So this is in reference to God's mercy on Daniel and his people.
The 70 X 7 in Daniel refers to 490 weeks. But as we understand this today these are prophetic years beginning with the rebuilding of Jerusalem and extending through the time of Christ. It demonstrates the patience and long-suffering of God toward Israel 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."
At the end of this 490 years that God alloted for Israel's probation, Jesus was to come providing them with salvation through faith in Him. They would have been under a tutor all this time which was to prepare them to receive Christ. But only a handful, comparitavely, accepted Him. And, because they rejected Jesus as a nation, they themselves were rejected as a nation as was their holy city and temple which was left desolate. "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." (see Luke 13:35 and Matthew 23:38.) God had truly forgiven them 70 X 7 times, or 490 years--for a 'time' in scripture sometimes refers to a year.
So as with many scriptures, everything is beautifully woven together into one harmonious truth.
Does anyone else have thoughts about forgiveness or this parallel I've mentioned?
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