The "Terminus Ad Quem" Of Daniel’s 69th Week: A Novel Solution -- By: Christopher A. Hughes

Journal: Journal of Dispensational Theology
Volume: JODT 17:51 (Summer 2013)
Article: The "Terminus Ad Quem" Of Daniel’s 69th Week: A Novel Solution
Author: Christopher A. Hughes


The Terminus Ad Quem Of Daniel’s 69th Week:
A Novel Solution

Christopher A. Hughes

Christopher A. Hughes, M.D., internal medicine physician, MedProvider (Baylor Health Care System Affiliate), Dallas, Texas.

The incredible prophecy revealed in Daniel 9:24–27 has fascinated biblical scholars and laymen alike for centuries. Most recognize that something absolutely amazing is hidden there in plain sight, for while the predictions it makes are seemingly straightforward and clear, giving very specific appeals to dispensations of time with respect to the issuing of a decree, there has yet to be any unified consensus as to either the terminus a quo or terminus ad quem of especially the first 69 “weeks” of this prophecy.

As one might unfortunately expect, there presently exists a diversity of views as to the nature of this prophecy, which is regrettable because if there were to exist a single Christ-centered explanation as to the literal fulfillment of this prophecy, it would even more powerfully testify to the supernatural nature of the Scripture and in so doing conclusively foresee and thereby validate the life, ministry, death, and (as will be argued) resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. The divergent views can be divided primarily into those that are “Christological” and others that are “non-Christological”1 (an example of a non-Christological viewpoint being the idea that the 70 weeks culminate with the events of Antiochus Epiphanes2).

Furthermore, even among those who approach the passage from a literal and messianic point of view, it will not take the curious much time to discover as many as seven different views with respect to the starting point of this prophecy.3 There exists a similar disagreement with respect to the endpoint (terminus ad quem) of the 69 “weeks,” even among those who affirm a literal Christological view of that endpoint (i.e. does it terminate at

Christ’s crucifixion or at his baptism;4 does the 70th week involve the first advent of Christ and soon thereafter;5 or, does it occur entirely in the future6). Some of this disagreement is a consequence of the debate as to what unit of time a “week” actually represents (i.e. should the text be understood in a s...

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