Expert: Mrs. Priscilla Lyons - 3/1/2009

Question
Where does the 62 years comes form in this verse, and what does it mean 7*62 years but this will be a time of troubles?

Answer
Dear Lisa,
   Thanks for writing.  Daniel 9:24 says "70 weeks are determined upon thy (Daniel's) people (the Jews)" so the 7 weeks and 62 weeks in verse 25 seem to mean 69 weeks (periods of 7 years, or 483 years) between the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem (see Ezra 1) and when Jesus, the Messiah was born.  
   Daniel's message was during the time the Jews were in captivity in Babylon for seventy years.  At the end of the seventy years, Cyrus proclaimed the Jewish return to rebuild Jerusalem.
   Ezra and Nehemiah tell of the troubles the Jews had in rebuilding Jerusalem and the wall around it.  Perhaps the first 49 years (7 weeks) are the length of time to get the job done?  Anyway, the last 62 weeks (434 years) brought the Jewish history up to the time of Jesus, the Messiah.
   Then verse 26 says the Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself (He died on the cross for us, not for Himself).  There remains one week (seven years) left of the original 70 weeks Daniel prophesied for the Jews, which seems to be still in the future.
   Verse 26 continues about the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city.  The Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD.  A prince to come (from Rome?) will, as it says in verse 27, confirm the covenant with many for one week.  
   Since Jesus died and rose again, the direct path to God has been available to everyone without having to go through the Jewish nation.  These 2000 years, called the Church age, or time of the Gentiles, seem to not be a part of Daniel's prophecy, so a future seven week period seems to be in store for God to specifically deal with the Jews again.  Most people consider Revelation to describe that seven year period, which includes the overspreading of abominations and desolation.
   I hope this helps answer your question.  When the prophecy of the last week (seven years) is fulfilled, we'll probably understand it better, as the prophecies of Jesus are better understood in hindsight.
   Sincerely,
   Priscilla