LESSON SIXTEEN

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Scripture to read:   

Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 28, Jeremiah 25, Daniel 9, Hosea 5-6:2

In Chapters 2, 7, 8 and 11 you receive a history lesson on the empires that have ruled God’s people even until the end. You will be shown how they ruled over Israel, the term and outcome of those empires and who will be ruling the end time power that Satan resurrects. Next in chapter 9, Daniel’s vision changes to focus on God’s people, Israel. 

Please read these scriptures in the specified order. They establish a progression: first, God's commandments; second, the consequences for breaking His covenant; third, His requirements for restoration; and finally, His promise of deliverance. While many have misinterpreted this chapter with the 70th week being the Great Tribulation, Daniel 12 provides the actual timeline for our current focus. 

1” In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;” 

The first year of Darius is 539 BC. It is 9 years since Daniel's vision in chapter 8. The Jews had been subjected to the Babylonians since 609 BC. In 539 BC, Babylon was conquered by Medo-Persia and the captives were subject to a new ruling government. Darius the Mede is the same person as Cyaxares II, who was an uncle to Cyrus the Great and son of Astyages. Cyrus conquered Babylon in 539 BC at which point Cyaxares II became its king. In about 537 BC, Cyaxares II gave his daughter in marriage to Cyrus and the Median kingdom as her dowry, which further cemented the merged Median and Persian kingdoms. Cyaxares II, under the throne name of Darius, died about 537 BC, and Cyrus then took the throne. The reference to Darius the Mede differentiates this Darius from the Darius (I) who ruled after Cyrus.

2” In the first year of his reign, I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.”

Daniel was studying the prophecy of the 70-year captivity. This refers to a separate prophecy by Jeremiah that specified the length of time Israel would be in captivity by Babylon.

3 “And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: 4 And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; 5 We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: 6 Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. 7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee. 8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness’s, though we have rebelled against him; 10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.”

Knowing the captivity would soon be over according to the prophecy, Daniel prays to God, seeking deliverance of his people and the restoration of their city, Jerusalem. Daniel's earnestness brings to light the conditional nature of certain prophecies. He did not sit still, just awaiting the prophetic word to be fulfilled. He knew that repentance, honesty of heart and seeking God made a difference. 

Plus, in this prophecy, the act of God's people in seeking Him, was part of the prophecy. God said "Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart" Jeremiah 29:12-13 

In the same way, today we should be praying for God's apostatizing people and for deliverance from end-time powers. The loyalty and repentance of God's end-time people are also prophesied in Revelation. As Daniel prays, he acknowledges God's faithfulness, mercy and longsuffering. He also acknowledges Israel's sins and that they have rebelled, ignored prophets and broken the covenant. Daniel seeks with all his heart, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes. He takes the situation seriously.

11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore, the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him. 12 And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem. 13 As it is written in the “law of Moses”, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.14 Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is  righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice."

Daniel realizes that the curse of the law of Moses is upon them because of their transgressions. The curse that Daniel refers to can be read in Deuteronomy 28. Verses 1 to 14 outline the blessings for obedience. Verses 15 onward reveal what will happen if Israel disobeys. Read verses 45-51. Notice in verse 50 that a nation of fierce countenance will come against them because of their rebellion. In Daniel's vision in chapter 8 (the vision the angel is returning to explain here in Daniel 9) Daniel saw a king (kingdom) of fierce countenance stand up and come against God's people.

"And in the latter time of their kingdom [4 divisions of Greece] , when the transgressors [Israel] are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance [Rome], and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up" Daniel 8:23

As we studied the succession of kingdoms in Daniel 8, we saw that the little horn, which is also described as the king of fierce countenance, represents the Roman Realm. Read on in Deuteronomy 28:52-57. This section describes the actions of the nation of fierce countenance and that it brings a siege to the gates of the Jew's city, Jerusalem. This is describing Rome, which besieged Jerusalem in 70 AD. It is also recorded in history that the cannibalism predicted in these verses really did occur during the siege (Josephus, Wars of the Jews, Book VI, Chapter 3, Section 4). Daniel's reference to the curse of Deuteronomy 28, where the nation of fierce countenance refers to Rome's future siege of Jerusalem, provides additional evidence that the king of fierce countenance in Daniel 8:23 represents Rome. We can imagine this greatly startled Daniel, as he knows they have transgressed, and fears things will be put in motion so the king of fierce countenance will stand up and cause destruction.

15"And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly. 16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us. 17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. 18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousness’s, but for thy great mercies. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name."

Daniel pleads with God to forgive them and remove their reproach, for God's own sake. This situation was affecting God's people and therefore God Himself. Those under reproach are called by God's name. The actions of those claiming to be followers of God affect other peoples' view of God. Misdeeds and selfish actions don't only affect the perpetrator and those hurt by the perpetrator, but it misrepresents the true character of God to others, possibly turning them away from pursuing God in their own lives.

20 “And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God; 21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. 22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. 23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter and consider the vision.”

Gabriel had been seen before, in Daniel 8:16, which is the first time Gabriel is mentioned in the Bible. Both times he appeared; his goal has been to make Daniel understand the vision. Notice that Daniel hadn't received a vision since the one in Daniel 8. 

24"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."

Now, in Daniel 9, as Daniel's mind is focused on the end of the 70 years of captivity and the rebellion of the Jews, the angel returns to explain the vision. The angel is speaking to Daniel, so "thy people" refers to Daniel's people, the Jews and their city, Jerusalem. There were to be 70 prophetic weeks, which is 490 (70 X 7) literal years (1 day = 1 year), designated especially for the Jews.

The Jewish nation had been selected for a special work... to spread the news about the Messiah and provide the bloodline for Messiah to come into the world. Only the Messiah could accomplish all the tasks outlined in this prophecy:

1. Finish the "transgression"

The Jew's rebellion or revolt (pesha) would be allowed to proceed until the 70 weeks were over. Then Jesus would close the Jewish nation's probation. By the end of the Medo-Persian realm the transgression of the Jews had developed to the point that the king of fierce countenance was allowed to stand up and initiate the destructions described as curses in the law of Moses. "And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up." Dan. 8:23

2. Make an end to sins, make reconciliation for iniquity and bring in everlasting righteousness

Only Jesus' sacrifice and ministry could bring about these accomplishments. Jesus' ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, launched near the end of this 70-year time period, culminates in the "cleansing of the sanctuary" at the end of the 2300 days. It is then that:

(a) all sins are removed or blotted out,

(b) reconciliation or atonement is completed,

(c) that which is right is proved right and declared right so that righteousness can reign forever

3. Seal up the vision and prophecy

The word translated to "seal" means to close up or make an end. It is also used in the phrase translated to "make an end of sins". When Jesus preached, He said "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:15). The 70 weeks prophecy was about to be fulfilled by Christ and His apostles as the 70th and final week of the prophecy was completed.

4. Anoint the most Holy 

The word translated to "most Holy" is the same word translated to "sanctuary" in Dan. 8:13. After Christ was resurrected and ascended to heaven, He began His work in the sanctuary. Just like the earthly sanctuary was anointed before use, the heavenly sanctuary was to be anointed. The heavenly sanctuary service provides a way to end sins, reconcile iniquity and bring in righteousness that lasts forever. This is the sanctuary that is later cleansed at the end of the 2,300 days. 

25"Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem"

Gabriel proceeds to explain the start date for the 70 weeks. There were four decrees related to the return of the Jews to Jerusalem. The date of 455 BC is the starting date for the time as it is the culminating decree that enabled the restoration of independent government and control of religious and civil affairs.

537 BC - Decree by Cyrus (Ezra 1:1-4). It was Cyrus the Great who set the stage for the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the house of God. This event was foretold long before it occurred, and even Cyrus' name was prophesied (Is. 44:28, 45:1). A declaration issued by Cyrus, inscribed on a clay cylinder, was discovered in 1879 by an archaeologist in the foundation of the Marduk temple of Babylon. It is often referred to as the world's first charter of human rights, confirming the biblical view of Cyrus' generosity and religious tolerance.

519 BC - Decree by Darius (Ezra 6:1-12). This enabled the Jews to continue the work that had been hindered. It was the time of Haggai, Zechariah, Joshua and Zerubbabel. Like Cyrus' decree, this only enabled the building of the temple.

455 BC - Decree by Artaxerxes (Ezra 7:13-26, 4:1-24). It was this decree, in the autumn of 455 BC, a comprehensive decree by Artaxerxes Longimanus, that actually made restoration possible. It made it possible for an independent civil order to be established, and they restored magistrates and judges.

444 BC - Decree by Artaxerses (Neh. 2:1-4, 17, 20 and 6:1-15). The building process had been interrupted. This was not really a new decree but a reinstatement to Nehemiah to build the walls. "unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks:"

After 455 BC (the commandment/decree to restore Jerusalem), the Messiah (anointed one), could be expected after 69 prophetic weeks, which is 483 literal years. Christ (the Messiah/Anointed one) was baptized and anointed with the Holy Spirit in 29 A.D, which marked the beginning of His ministry, exactly 69 weeks into the prophecy. Right after Jesus was baptized, and began to preach, he announced the fulfillment of this time prophecy. 

He said that "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye and believe the gospel". (Mark. 1:15) I find it hard to understand that if they were aware of Daniel’s prophecy detailing the exact time that their Messiah would arrive, that they were not watching in anticipation. Not only that, but why would they deny their Messiah when he had already fulfilled several prophecies.

A question must be asked at this time. How could the Pharisees who were well versed in the prophecies pertaining to their Messiah's coming miss their fulfillment? How could one man's fulfillment of all the prophetic scriptures not be enough?  

Below is just a few of the prophecies fulfilled by Jesus that should have confirmed his identity.

Virgin birth prophecy: Isaiah 7 

"14Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. 15Curds and honey He shall eat, that He may know to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16For before the Child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land that you dread will be forsaken by both her kings."

Fulfilled: Matthew 1

"18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Born in Bethlehem prophecy: Micah 5

"2But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” 3Therefore He shall give them up, Until the time that she who is in labor has given birth;"

Fulfilled: Matthew 2

"3When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

Fulfilled:Luke 1

"10Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:14“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”15So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”

Come out of Egypt prophecy: Hosea 11

"1When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son"

Fulfilled: Matthew 2

"13Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” 14When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt,"

Messiah will arrive in Jerusalem riding on the foal of a donkey prophecy: Zechariah 9 

9“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey."

Fulfilled: Matthew 21

"1Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 3And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.” 4All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: 5“Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” 6So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 7They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them"

The only way to explain their ignorance is their rigid adherence to tradition and their own interpretations of scripture. They expected a political-military deliverer who would overthrow Roman oppression and restore Israel to its former glory. Jesus’ humble birth, emphasis on spiritual renewal, and non-violent approach shattered these expectations. Their arrogance, desire for power, and refusal to consider alternative interpretations created a significant blind spot, hindering their ability to recognize the divine in Jesus’ ministry. This spiritual blindness is evident in their attempts to discredit Jesus and, ultimately, their role in his crucifixion. 

“...the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.”

It would be difficult, and others would try to stop them, but the walls and the streets of Jerusalem would be built. The division of the 69 weeks into 7 and 62 indicates that the wall and streets would be built by the end of 7 prophetic weeks (49 literal years), or by 406 BC.

26"And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself:"

In April 33 AD, the Messiah's life would be cut short for the benefit of others. In looking forward to the time of the Messiah, the prophet Isaiah also revealed that Messiah would be cut off, and that this meant he would die. 

"He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken" Isaiah 53:8 

Jesus died on the cross as a substitute for others. Though innocent, He died a violent death, not accepted by His own people and alone. Isaiah also describes that the Messiah's life would be one of service and sacrifice, affliction and grief. He would do everything possible to save others from sin and ruin, even to the point of giving His own life. "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed". Isaiah 53:5

"...and the people of the prince [Rome] that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined."

Jerusalem would be rebuilt, but its destruction is also here foretold. This was fulfilled in 70 A.D, when the Romans besieged Jerusalem, destroyed the city and burned the sanctuary. This identifies Rome as "the prince that shall come". Remember that Daniel 9 is explaining Daniel 8. The "king of fierce countenance" of Daniel 8 is the same power brought to light (Rome). This is the prince/king that would come to fulfill the curse of Deuteronomy 28 that had Daniel so disturbed. 

Moses predicted that the Jews' enemy would besiege them, parents would eat their children and families would turn upon one another. There would be sickness and fear, and they would be dispersed among nations. These were the exact results when Jerusalem was besieged by Rome, the "nation of fierce countenance".

Flood 

The end is described as a flood, which is often used in the Bible to represent an invading army or overwhelming force.

End of the war 

The wars between the Jews and the Romans continued long after Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D. The Romans went on to desolate the land of Judea and disperse the Jews. When Jesus warned the Christians to flee from this siege of Jerusalem, He included the entire land of Judea in His warnings. There was terrible bloodshed on both sides, and the Jews, along with their homeland, were especially devastated in the wars of 115-117 AD and 132-135 AD. 

The Romans were determined to root out all traces of Judaism. They even officially ceased the name of Jerusalem in 130 AD and changed the name of the province to "Syria Palaestina". During these struggles, many Jews fled to Parthia, which protected the Jews and fought against the Romans until their last battle in 217 AD.

27"He [Jesus] shall confirm the [old] covenant with many for one week:"

One week

Jesus confirmed his Father’s covenant (Law of Moses) by his own baptism. Christ and His apostles focused on taking the gospel message primarily to the Jews for 7 years (3-1/2 years during Jesus' ministry and 3-1/2 years after), from 29 AD until the year 36 AD. At the end of those seven years, Stephen preached a final, convincing sermon to the leaders of the Jewish nation, giving them one last chance to keep God's everlasting covenant. After preaching, Steven looked up and saw Jesus in heaven. This enraged the Jewish leaders. They rejected the message and stoned Stephen to death. After this, the apostles shifted their focus to the Gentiles (the date of Stephen’s stoning is based on Paul's conversion and the gospel going to the gentiles). 

"...and in the midst of the week he [Jesus] shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,"

In the spring of 33 AD (precisely halfway through) Christ died on the cross. This occurred on the exact day of the Jewish Passover (14th day of the 1st month), perfectly fulfilling the symbolism of the feast. Jesus, identified as the innocent Lamb of God (John 1:29), eliminated the need for animal sacrifices, because his great sacrifice was what all the animal sacrifices foreshadowed. A visible sign emphasized this point at the moment Jesus died, as the veil in the Jewish temple was torn in half from top to bottom. 

Just as Jesus fulfilled the Passover on the exact day of the Jewish feast, He fulfills the remaining feasts on the exact day of the type. He was resurrected on the 16th day of the 1st month, fulfilling the symbolism of the Feast of First fruits and He poured out the Holy Spirit 50 days later, on the 6th day of the 3rd month to fulfill the Feast of Weeks. In the same way, he will fulfill the final feasts that will end with the Feast of Tabernacles in his millennial kingdom.

"...and for the overspreading of abominations he [Jesus] shall make it desolate,"

After the 70 weeks, when Jesus is repeatedly rejected and excluded from the services performed in the sanctuary, He finally withdraws and leaves it alone. It is then vulnerable to be desolated or, as the original word means, to experience astonishing devastation. The way is paved "for the overspreading of abominations", which means detestable and idolatrous. 

Sadly, in early church history and onward, just as in the symbolic earthly sanctuary, abominations were brought into the church that obscured Jesus’ mediatorial work in the heavenly sanctuary. Many of God’s people were led to focus on man-made methods of salvation and on human intercession in place of Jesus. Their eyes were taken off the Lamb. The prophecies in Daniel 7, 8 and 11 provide details of how Rome continues to spread these abominations until the "consummation".

When the Roman military surrounded Jerusalem and desolated the earthly sanctuary in 70 A.D., it gave us a clue to help understand Daniel's other prophecies of the abomination of desolation that occurred when Rome's military powers "surrounded" the heavenly sanctuary and desolated it as state powers established the Papacy's substitute mediatorial system in the churches in place of Jesus' mediation in heaven. 

This began in 554 A.D. when Justinian's decree officially integrated church officials into government and enforced the papal religion by force. They took over the churches, taking away the direct mediation that Jesus does from the heavenly sanctuary and giving the mediation to the papacy who set up an idolatrous system where people are directed to look to an earthly system of priests for forgiveness and church requirements for salvation.

"...even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate [Rome]"

The phrase "until the consummation" means "until the full end". Those who cause desolation and bring in abominations will eventually be destroyed. Since the Roman realm is the desolator, as well as the fourth and final kingdom of prophecy it will be the recipient of God's wrath. The second half is referring to the prince who is to come from verse 26. This is the same as the fierce king of Dan. 8:13 who we already know, is tied to the transgression of desolation.

The 490 years (70 weeks), designated especially to the Jews, had come to an end "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city". The Jews, while entitled to salvation just like everyone else, lost their special privileges as a nation, and the responsibility of disseminating the truth to the world and caring for the growing body of believers was given to the Christian church. 

The New Testament writers make it clear that God's covenant promises are to be fulfilled to those who are part of Christ's body/church. This group is often referred to as "Spiritual Israel" or the "Israel of God". These are they which live according to the Spirit of God instead of their own selfish desires. It's not your lineage that's important to God, it's your decision for Christ that allows Him to count you as His child.

Hosea 5-6:2

The book of Hosea was written by the prophet Hosea, who lived during the 8th century BC in the northern kingdom of Israel during a tumultuous time in the nation’s history. Hosea was called by God to deliver a message of judgment and restoration to the people of Israel, who had turned away from their covenant relationship with the Lord. 

5:15” I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.”

Despite their cries for help, there will be no one to rescue them from the consequences of their disobedience.

6:1“Come and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.”

Hosea continues to plead with the people of Israel to return to God and repent of their sins. He reminds them of God’s desire to heal and restore them, even though they have repeatedly broken their promises to Him.

6:2”After two days He will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.”

This verse suggests a period of waiting and anticipation for restoration. The mention of "two days" and "the third day" are symbolic of the time that would elapse before God’s intervention and restoration. The reference of "two days" suggests that he will come back after a prophetic term of 2000 years (1 day = 1000 years). Jesus ascended back to heaven "his place" after Israel rejected him in 33 AD. 

This restoration will take place as early as 2033, when they finally realize that he is the true Messiah and plead for forgiveness. Upon their restoration to his people, they will live in his presence and worship him as their Redeemer in his kingdom forever. Fortunately, this redemption is for both Jews and Gentiles who acknowledge Jesus as their true Messiah, and we will all be in his presence in the Millennial Kingdom.