Introduction to Commentaries on Biblical Prophecy

Concerning Biblical Eschatology, it may occur that the whole of the subject is contained in within the Book of Revelation. After many years considering the subject, however, I have surmised that John’s Revelation is more of a culmination than it is a work unto its own. The goal of this study is not only to try to understand the visions and symbolism therein, but to recognize the source material from which the visions and symbolism derive. Without a rooted awareness of the prophecies and language in the rest of the Bible, the Revelation can, and has, been made to say whatever the whims of many have chosen.

I do not have a specific roadmap of where this study will lead. Nor, do I necessarily have a plan at which to arrive at said, unknown, destination. My aim for this commentary series is not to make it appear that I have all of the answers, or that I am even well organized. I think it might be unique in that, perhaps–the teacher is as much of a student as is his audience–whomever that may be. In other words, I am discovering as we go.

I do have some background information, however. I am not approaching completely blind. And with that information, I have determined that the best place to start is with three verses in the Old Testament Book of Daniel. These three verses, found in chapter nine, I think are the cornerstone of all Biblical prophecy. They are as follows:

24 “Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the wrongdoing, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. 25 So you are to know and understand that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until Messiah the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with streets and moat, even in times of distress. 26 Then after the sixty-two weeks, the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. 27 And he will confirm a covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come the one who makes desolate, until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, gushes forth on the one who makes desolate.”

With these, I will begin.