“Finish the Transgression”, (Daniel 9:24):

The word ‘finish’ is from the Hebrew word kâlâh meaning “be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, spent”; of a prophecy, “fulfilled” (BDB kalah).

The Greek word used to translate this word in Daniel is suntĕlĕō. This word is used in Romans 9:28, quoting Isaiah 10:22, translated ‘consumption’, (KJV) and ‘destruction’ (RSV). The word may imply ‘to bring to one end’[1], not necessarily to a final end.

“Make an End of Sin”, (Daniel 9:24):

Christ’s death “put an end to sin” for those who believed, that is, the true Israel. This fulfilled also the words of Isaiah 59:20-21 as also quoted in Romans 11:26; also the words of Jeremiah 31:33-34 among others. The Hebrew word is châtham, meaning ‘to seal, affix seal in attestation, i.e., ratifying it, seal up….keep securely’. In this passage it implies ‘to make an end, or stop’. In Job 37:7 the word is used of sealing up Man’s hands as establishing a limit to his endeavors.

Hebrews 9:26 “But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself” (RSV), shows clearly that Christ’s atoning sacrifice “put an end to sin” for those who would accept it. “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified,” (Hebrews 10:14). He brought the atonement to its perfection.

“Make Reconciliation for Iniquity”:

The word translated ‘reconciliation’ here is the Hebrew word kâphar, ‘to cover, or atone, expiate, placate or cancel’. Other forms of the word mean ‘to hide, wash away, or obliterate, to ransom or propitiate’.

The corresponding Greek word (hilasmŏs), is translated ‘propitiation’ in Romans 3:25, 1 John 2:2; 4:10, (KJV); ‘expiation’ (RSV) It is very clear from the use of these terms in the New Testament that Christ fulfilled the prophecy of Daniel 9:24 that there would be “reconciliation for iniquity” by the end of the appointed time.[2]

“To Bring in Everlasting Righteousness”:

As for Daniel’s prophecy that “the end” would “bring in everlasting righteousness”, Isaiah had also foreseen that Israel would all be righteous, Isaiah 60:21. Isaiah 53:11 clearly foretold that the Messiah would make many righteous. This was fulfilled and brought to its perfection in the fact that the New Israel was composed of those who were born again by the blood of Jesus. Only those who were righteous through His blood were Israel. (See Jeremiah 33:15-16). Romans 5:18-21 and 2 Corinthians. 5:21 make this abundantly clear.

“To Seal Up the Vision and Prophecy”:

Again the Hebrew word used here for ‘seal up’ is châtham. Here the word is used in the sense of “attesting to, ratifying, or verifying”. The entire New Testament might be described as attesting to, ratifying or verifying the Old Testament by fulfilling it.

The Greek word translated ‘seal’ in the New Testament is sphragis, one meaning of which is ‘to stamp…as a mark of…genuineness’. Christ’s mission and ministry proved the genuineness of the Old Testament.

The following show how He fulfilled the Scriptures: (‘Fulfilled’ is from the Greek word pleroo ‘to make replete… finish [a period or task], verify [or coincide with a prediction], etc.: accomplish …complete, end… fill [up], fulfill … perfect….’):

Matthew 3:15; 4:14; 5:17,18; 8:17; 12:17; 21:4; 24:34; 26:54, 56; 27:9, 35.

Mark 1:15; 14:49; 15:28; Luke 4:21; 21:22, 24, 32; 22:16; 24:44; John 12:38; 13:18; 15:25; 17:12; 18:9, 32; 19:24, 36; Acts 1:16; 3:18; 13:27; Romans 8:4; 13:8, 10; Ephesians 4:10; Colossians 1:25; James 2:23.

Christ specifically attested to the words and ministries of the prophets as being genuine in the following references: Matthew 1:22; 2:5, 15, 17; 3:3; 13:14, 35; 15:17; 24:15; 27:9; Mark 1:2; 13:14;Luke 1:70; 3:4; 4:17; 18:31; 24:25; John 1:23, 45; 6:45; Acts 2:16; 3:21; 8:28, 30, 34; 10:43; 13:27; 15:15; 24; 24:14, 27; 26:22, 27; 28:23, 25; Romans 1:2; 3:21; 16:26; Ephesians 2:20; 2 Peter 1:19; 3:2; Jude 14.

“To Anoint a Most Holy Place (or One)”, (Daniel 9:24).

The very name ‘Jesus Christ’ indicates that He was that “Most Holy One” and therefore His Body, the Church, was and is that “Most Holy Place”. The word ‘Jesus’ is from the Hebrew words “Yahweh Saves”. The word translated ‘Christ’ is from the Greek word Christos, and is the word used in the Septuagint for ‘Messiah’. Its use in Daniel 9:25 is interpreted in the Jewish writings as the expected Savior, as the One anointed of God to be the King and Redeemer of His people.[3] For the people of the New Testament era, the very name ‘Jesus Christ’ meant that He fulfilled Daniel 9:25.

After His ascension, the Church continued to fulfill Christ’s mission on earth, acting as His Body. As His Body, we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit and the New Jerusalem, the Bride of Christ. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, the “Holy City” is the “place where God chooses to place His Name.” Clearly, when Christ gave the Church His Name, it became the Holy City, for God had chosen to place His Name on Her. Therefore, the Church is the Anointed Holy Place, just as Christ is the Anointed Holy One.

“Messiah Shall Be Cut Off, but Not for Himself”, (Daniel 9:26):

With the clear understanding that Isaiah 53 is a prophecy of Jesus, the eighth verse describes the cutting off of the Messiah. In connection with Isaiah 53:5, and 12, which are cited in the New Testament, (Acts 8:32-33; Rom. 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:3; 1 Pet. 2:24), the prophecy of Daniel 9:26 is clearly fulfilled. The fact that Jesus thereby fulfilled the role of “Israel” is made clear in Psalm 129:1-3 which describes his scourging as reported in Matthew 27:26.

Jeremiah 11:19 is another clear prophecy of the cutting off of the Messiah which was clearly fulfilled in his atoning death.

“The People of the Prince Who Is to Come Shall Destroy the City and the Sanctuary”, (Daniel 9:26)

Jesus’ own people, the unbelieving Jews, destroyed the city and the sanctuary. The historical account of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple is found in Josephus’ writings. It is very clear that the warring armies of the priests who wished to be appointed by Rome as High Priest were responsible for the devastation of the City and burning of the Temple (Ant. 20.9.10-11 and Wars, Books 4, 5, and 6).

“Its End Shall Come with a Flood, and to the End There Shall Be War”, (Daniel 9:26).

In the context, “Its end” means the end of Jerusalem and the Jewish people. The word here translated ‘end’ is from the Hebrew word qets. It not only indicates an extremity, but also carries the sense of cutting or chopping off. It is used of the end of the time for a certain person or era. It is part of the words for harvesting or reaping, in the sense that the crop is ‘cut off’ in order to harvest the grain or fruit. The gist of meaning here is that the old Israel of the flesh has come to its full fruition and it is time for the harvest. This is the sense behind Jesus’ words in Matthew 13:29-30 concerning the harvest when the tares will be separated from the wheat.

John the Baptist also realized that the ‘end’ of the fleshly nation was to be a reaping of harvest, Matthew 3:11-12:

His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor (a code name for Jerusalem), and gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. [4] (RSV. See also Luke 3:17).

The harvest is not only the ‘end’ but it is also the ‘beginning’ if one considers that the grain or fruit harvested is the seed for the new crop. It is in this sense that Jesus declared Himself to be “the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega”. Jesus’ crucifixion marked the end of the old fleshly Israel; His resurrection marked the beginning of the glorified body of the Church, the New Israel.

“With a flood” refers to the overflowing of sin which results in judgment. Isaiah 28:2, 15 and 18; 30:28 show quite clearly the meaning of the overflowing flood of God’s pent up wrath.

“He Shall Make a Strong Covenant with Many for One Week”, (Daniel 9:27):

Jesus made a strong covenant with as many Jews as would believe. The “one week” may represent the final 70 years of the existence of the nation, that is, the time from the birth of Christ to the destruction. The last half of this seventy would be the time from Christ’s death to the destruction.

Of the many Scriptures that verify this 1 Cor. 11:25 is ample within itself to make the point. Jesus here proclaimed: “This cup is the New Covenant in my blood.’”

Jesus “Caused the Sacrifice and Offering to Cease,” (Daniel 9:27).

Hebrews chapter 10 clearly shows that Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself ended the sacrifices and offerings required by the Law. Hebrews 9:25-26 shows that Christ’s one-time sacrifice made other sacrifices unnecessary, therefore the old traditional sacrifices ceased.

“Upon the Wing of Abominations Shall Come One Who Makes Desolate”, (Daniel 9:27):

The passages cited above from Josephus amply show that the illegitimate priesthood committed abominations that utterly defied God to fulfill the curses of His covenant. But earlier than the destruction of the physical city and the Jewish people, came the rejection and crucifixion of Christ, which, in its truest sense, made the fleshly nation desolate, that is, without an Heir, for Christ was the last and only legitimate Heir.

“Until the Decreed End Be Poured Out upon the Desolator”, (Daniel 9:27).

The “decreed end” is translated ‘consummation’ in the KJV. The “decreed end” refers to the end of the “seventy weeks of years” plus “Time, Times and Dividing of Times”. Verse 24: “Seventy weeks are decreed” (RSV), “determined” (KJV). In verse 26, “desolations are decreed” (RSV), “determined” (KJV). The Hebrew word is chârats, ‘a consummation or strict decision, that which is strictly determined (BDB s.v.).” The Hebrew word here translated ‘end’ is kâlah, (as defined above). This “decreed end” came when Jerusalem was destroyed in AD 70 and Revelation 1:3 refers to it: “The (appointed) time is at hand.”

Christians of the New Testament era would have been reminded also of the passage in Jeremiah 51:35:

The violence done to me and to my kinsmen be upon Babylon, let the inhabitant of Zion say. ‘My blood be upon the inhabitants of Chaldea’ let Jerusalem say. (RSV)

The blood of Christ and those who were being martyred for His name’s sake was to be visited upon ‘Babylon’, the wicked leaders of the Jewish nation who were persecuting the Church to the death. The Church had now become the heir to the title of “Zion” and of “Jerusalem” and the earthly Jerusalem had become heir to the title of “Babylon”.

Jesus’ words in Matthew 23:34-8 have these prophecies of Jeremiah as referents when he spoke to the Pharisees and scribes:

Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of innocent Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly, I say to you, all this will come upon this generation.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! Behold, your house is forsaken and desolate.” (RSV)

The “flood” spoken of in Daniel 9:26 refers to the backlog of vengeance that God had reserved from the time of Abel until after the provision for the atonement which Christ made. But when Christ’s atonement was rejected, the flood of vengeance had to be poured out. Thus we find that “Mystery Babylon”, code name for the fallen Jerusalem, was suffering the vengeance for “all who have been slain on earth.” (Revelation 18:24 RSV).

The ‘End’ Came upon the Desolator, (Daniel 9:27).

As cited above, the “Desolator” was the body of those who followed the wicked priesthood of the Jewish nation who not only destroyed the literal temple, but were also guilty of destroying both Christ’s physical body and also His spiritual Body, the Church. The “decreed end” was that which the Lord spoke to Daniel, and it was poured out upon that fleshly nation because of their sin and rejection of Christ. By their crucifixion of Christ, they made the nation “desolate”, for “desolate” means without an heir, and they killed the last and only legitimate Heir to the promises to Abraham. They even went so far as to request their own death sentence: to ask that Christ’s innocent blood be required at their hands! (Matt. 27:25).