Q&A: Daniel’s Seventy Weeks, Denominations, and Closing Prayers in Jesus’ Name

You're just in time for the Bible Answer Man broadcast with Hank Hanegraaff, the radio outreach of the Christian Research Institute. Our purpose here at CRI is to equip Christians to provide biblical answers to life's most important questions, to read the Bible for all its worth, and counter the teachings of cults and world religions that deviate from the plumb line of God's Word because life and truth matter. For more information, to order resources or donate, call 888-7000-CRI or go online to equip.org. That's equip.org. The following program was pre-recorded.

Now here's the president of the Christian Research Institute, Hank Hanegraaff.

Thank you very much, Randy. And let's go to the phone lines. First up is Ken, listening in Nashville, Tennessee.

Hi, Ken. Hi, Hank.

How are you? I'm good. How are you?

I'm doing great. I just want to thank you for making my ride home every day so productive.

My pleasure.

Hey, I have a very.

Important question to me. I grew up in a neighborhood that really there were no church-going folks that really knew anything about the faith, and neither did I until the last few years. And I've been trying to use my little knowledge I now have to spread that word a little bit And I really got shaken up a couple months ago, and still remain so, because I had heard and understood in the past that in Daniel 77, this prophecy, I think it's in Daniel 9, he talks about, it's one of the most specific prophecies there are, at least that I've seen. It says, in this exact amount of years will be when the Messiah comes. So I thought, what better way to communicate to my friends and family and to open the door to them to talk about

such a specific prophecy that came true in the exact year it was supposed to, and everything was great, and I've talked to them about several other things, and it's really helping. I have read a few of your particular booklets, and actually your book as well, How God Spoken, fully expecting there to be a perfect analysis of how this came true to the exact year, but when I see you reference Daniel, your references to his prophecies typically talk about the succession of nations that took over, you know, following Daniel for the next several hundred years, but they never talk about the specific year matching precisely to when he said that the Messiah would come. So I'm a little nervous now that I may have been telling them

the wrong thing. So can you please tell me, is that true? And if it's not, what should I be telling my friends and family?

Well, I don't think it's true. In fact, I think that if, in fact, it was true, Jesus himself, as well as the disciples of Jesus, along with early church writers, would have used the 70 weeks prophecy to as proof of the specific timeframe in which Jesus would arrive in history. And instead they don't do that. Not only that, but there's little agreement among commentators with respect to what the 70 weeks prophecy actually says. Commentators are all over the map on that. In fact, there's a long footnote in my book on this very topic. And then the third thing I would say is if you check different versions of the Bible, well, let's say you pull up the NIV or the Revised Standard Version of the Bible and

you read the 70 Weeks Prophecy, you're going to read different renditions of the 70 Weeks Prophecy. So the language itself is very difficult from the Hebrew into the Receptor language. Those are three specific reasons why I don't use it. But I certainly think, and I've pointed this out in the book as well, that we can be absolutely certain that only Jesus Christ could emerge from the doorway of Old Testament prophecy based on his ancestry, his birthplace, the circumstances surrounding his death, and the fact that the date of his visitation would be prophesied within historically narrow time parameters.

In other words, it'd have to come after the last oracle of the prophet Malachi and before the temple would be destroyed. And then there are many other things, of course, the fact that he would be an extraordinary worker of miracles, that he would have to fulfill the law and the prophets, that it wouldn't be enough for him to be a light to his own people, but he would have to be a light to the Gentiles as well. So only one can emerge from that doorway of biblical prophecy. Now, in addition to that, I've also pointed out that with awe-inspiring precision, Daniel does predict that as you point out in the prologue to your question, a succession of nations from Babylon through the Median and Persian empires to the

persecution and suffering of the Jews under the second century Greco-Syrian beast Antiochus IV Epiphanes, including the despot's desecration of the Jerusalem temple, his untimely death, and then freedom for the Jews under Judas Maccabeus. Not only that, but as Daniel, and this I think is really important, as Daniel looks down the corridor of time, he gets a glimpse, the first century coming of Messiah. Because as prophesied by Jeremiah, Jerusalem would experience a partial restoration when 70 years are completed for Babylon, and then as revealed to Daniel through the angel Gabriel, the return from exile was merely a type of the antitypical freedom that would be experienced through Judas Maccabeus, which itself was typological of ultimate restoration through

the Messianic Jesus. And therefore, I would say that Daniel's 77s encompass 10 Jubilee eras and thus represent the extended exile of the Jews that would end in the fullness of time, in other words, the quintessential Jubilee, when the people of God would experience ultimate redemption and restoration, not in a holy city, but in a holy Christ who inaugurates a kingdom that, as Daniel makes clear, will itself endure forever. It'll crush all those other kingdoms. So I think there are things that we can say with certainty, and I feel much more secure in sticking with that line of argumentation.

Well, I appreciate that. And as you've mentioned, there's a lot of other things that I can talk about. I just really liked that one because it was so precise. But as you're pointing out now, I guess I'm going to leave that one off of my the list of things that I talked about from this point on.

Well, at least if you do, make sure that you make the appropriate qualifications. Yes.

Hank, I really appreciate it. Thank you so much.

You got it. Again, all the details given in my book. There's a particularly long footnote on page 333, and it's kind of interesting that it would be on that page because a lot of people say there are exactly 333 prophecies, Messianic in nature and the Old Testament fulfilled in the New. That also is a bit spurious. I think we're better off as Christians to understate than overstate. Sometimes we set the bar a lot higher than we need to because, believe me, Messianic prophecy is so powerful a proof that we don't want to overstate it because if we overstate, let's say there are 332 instead of 333, the skeptic will seize on that. Just as powerful to mention that there are tens of of prophecies made in the old,

fulfilled in the new. Maybe up to 100, but let's not overstate the case, because sometimes the same prophecies are stated in different places, and they're added together as though it's cumulative. So we need to be very careful on how we make the case so we don't overstate the case. Better under-promise, over-perform. The majesty of Scripture is grand enough in and of itself. I want to go back to the phone lines, talk to JB. Hi, JB.

All right. I think I got a question I want to ask you. It's kind of bothering me a little bit, the question. I've been looking through the Bible. I've seen one church in the Bible that's the Church of Christ. The only church I see. But I see all the other denominations. You've got the Bakker Church. You've got G. O. K.

Whitney.

You've got Cassie. You've got all that. It looks like Christ left him, left back, and he left one name. I think I always need a wedding name, Church of Christ. That one guy has to give me an ass on that pretty sucker.

Yeah, this is an essential question that I'm asked over and over again about denominations. Remember that the point you're making is a very important point in essentials unity, which is to say we stand with all Christians on the essentials of the historic Christian faith. But there are secondary issues that divide Christians. And we can debate those issues vigorously.

We don't have to ultimately separate over those issues. For example, church ecclesiology. or church government is an issue that Christians debate vigorously, but they don't have to divide over it. Eschatology. I was just talking about eschatology with someone earlier today, and eschatology is an interesting subject. The timing of the tribulation, the meaning of the millennium, something that we could debate vigorously.

We ultimately do not have to divide over. I have very strong opinions in this area, and I've written about them, but I don't divide with those who hold to different eschatologies as long as they believe that Jesus Christ will appear a second time, and when he does, he will put all things to right. exactly how that cashes out. Again, there are distinctions within denominations on that. But these are secondary issues that divide denominations one from the other. But we are the church universal, standing shoulder to shoulder with one another on essential Christian doctrine, the very essentials for which the martyrs shed their blood. And we should ever remember That Christian doctrine is the foundation on which the

very gospel of Jesus Christ himself rests, from his deity to the eschatological certainty that he will appear a second time to judge the living and the dead. Be right back with more answers to your questions.

Pastor Martin Niemöller spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps. Reflecting on the camps where millions would die, Niemöller said, First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me. To ensure that your voice is heard and that someone is speaking for you, become a member today of CRI's support team. Simply call 888-7000-CRI. That's 888-7000-CRI. Or visit our website at equip.org. Don't tune out. Hank will be back after the break. The number of wolves surrounding the Christian flock is growing, and they relish nothing more than docile sheep utterly incapable of defending themselves.

From militant secularists at home to militant Islamists abroad, the assaults on biblical Christianity are growing dangerously. But Christian Research Institute support team members aren't in favor of feeding these wolves. Instead, each day they're making possible an array of outreaches that defang these wolf packs with solid arguments and evidence that have stood the test of time. What's more, support team members are equipping themselves with CRI's Equipping Essentials, a hand-picked collection of the best apologetics tools around. Your selection of resources are just our way of saying thanks. To learn more about the benefits of membership, simply visit equip.org. Once again, that's equip.org. The Complete Bible Answer Book Collector's Edition is

the comprehensive collection of the most often asked questions Hank Hanegraaff has received throughout his four decades as host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast. With more than half a million copies already in print, this newly revised and expanded Collector's Edition Help seekers and skeptics alike sort through the truth on topics such as reliability of the Bible, religions and cults, the resurrection and afterlife, and many more issues vital to a better understanding of God in Christ and our relationship to Him. To receive your copy of the complete Bible answer book, Collector's Edition, revised and expanded, call 888-7000-CRI.

and make a gift to support the Christian Research Institute's life-changing outreaches, 888-7000-CRI, or visit us at equip.org. Has God spoken? Are the words of Scripture merely human in origin, or are they in fact the very words of God Himself? Three years in the making and based on two decades of research and reflection, Hank Hanegraaff's monumental book, Has God Spoken?, answers what is surely the most important question facing our world.

In Has God Spoken? Memorable Proofs of the Bible's Divine Inspiration, Hank counters the contentions of the Bible attackers and clearly shows that belief in the Holy Scriptures is not a guess or wishful thinking. It is the only logical conclusion after an honest examination of overwhelming evidence. Order Has God Spoken from the Christian Research Institute by calling 888-7000-CRI or go online to equip.org, equip.org. Let's return to your host, Hank Hanegraaff.

Let's go back to the phone lines, talk next to Kerri. She's listening in Kansas City, Missouri. Hi, Kerri.

Hi, how you doing?

I'm doing good. How are you? All right.

I have a question.

Why do we close our prayers in Jesus' name?

Well, we try to be Christocentric. We try to make Jesus Christ the center of everything, even the center of our prayers. In fact, it would do well to recognize that every time we say amen, we are voicing the name of Jesus, because Jesus is called the amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. But we're specifically told in John chapter 14, by Jesus himself, I will do whatever you ask in my name so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it. And again, when we invoke the name of God in our prayers, we are saying, as it were, if it be thy will, because we see a snapshot of He sees the panoply of our lives and he knows what's best for us. But this is something that

we see throughout the scriptures. Whatever you ask the Father in my name, said Jesus, he will give it to you. Jesus is the mediator between God and men. He's our high priest. He's our advocate. And that's why we pray in his name. So to pray in Christ's name is to pray in his authority and ultimately to submit to him as Lord of all as we seek not our own agendas, but his agenda, his purpose for our lives.

So it's not a magic formula, but it's a way of saying, may it be so in accordance with your will.

All right.

Thank you, Hank.

You're such a blessing.

I listen to you all the time.

Thank you, Carrie. God bless you. I want to go back to the phone lines, talk to Stephen in San Antonio, Texas. Hi, Stephen. Hello, Hank.

How are you?

Good.

How are you?

I'm doing well. I am a non-denominational pastor, and my fiancée is an apostolic Pentecostal oneness believer. And that organization is coming against our union by using the Scripture, being unequally yoked with unbelievers. And I was wondering if you can explain that Scripture to me.

Yeah, basically what's going on here is that the oneness people oftentimes in their most cultic permutations are suggesting that unless you are baptized by their formula in their church, you are not really a believer. So that's what's being invoked there. They hold to a litany of legalistic prescriptions, including the test of rebaptism by their formula with evidence of speaking in tongues. So if you don't speak in tongues, you're not saved. And of course, that puts tremendous pressure on adherents to conjure up the gift of tongues. But those who do not speak in tongues are thought to be lacking in faith or even entirely unrepentant, and therefore they're not believers. And so they're invoking this language to

suggest that if you were to marry, the two of you would be unequally yoked, a believer and a non-believer. So essentially, unless you adhere to her tradition, you're not a believer. That's the assertion they're making.

Wow.

Yeah, and this is all based on an error begetting another error. The belief that one must be baptized only in the name of Jesus has led to the further error on their part that Jesus is himself the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And therefore, if you hold to the Trinity, then you're holding to pagan polytheism in their view. So they don't hold to one God revealed in three persons who are eternally distinct, but they hold to three manifestations of one God revealed in Jesus.

And therefore, again, if you're a Trinitarian, if you believe in one God revealed in Three persons who are eternally distinct, and they believe you're not really a Christian. You're holding to pagan polytheism.

Yes, sir.

You're absolutely right. Thank you, sir. You've been a tremendous help. I love your program, and God bless you for everything that you do.

Thank you very much. Appreciate your call. And yeah, this is one of those things that we need to know about oneness Pentecostals. Now, this is not Pentecostalism in general. In fact, Pentecostalism itself exposed oneness. Pentecostalism is heresy. because the oneness Pentecostals believe that unless you are baptized using the correct formula, you are not truly saved. And in their view, the formula is this, I baptize you in the name of Jesus, not I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Conversely, however, when Peter says we are to be baptized in the name of Jesus, or when Jesus says we are to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, they are not prescribing different formulas. What they're saying is

that we are baptized by the authority vested in the one true God revealed to us in the Bible. Therefore, to be baptized in the name of Jesus is to be baptized on the basis of our belief in his death, burial, and resurrection. And this ought to underscore something. Language does mean something. And the Oneness Pentecostals have distorted the language of Scripture in order to make it a formula that misrepresents the very nature of God. And therefore, they have adhered to modalism, God appearing in different modes or manifestations, as opposed to adhering or bowing their knee before God's self-revelation of Himself. Which is to say, God has taught us how to think about Him. And we should not be philosophically driven, we should be biblically driven. The Bible

says there's only one God. The Bible says the Father is God. The Bible says the Son is God. The Bible says the Holy Spirit is God. And in myriad places, the Bible demonstrates that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are eternally distinct. In other words, as Trinitarians, we bow our knee before God's revelation of Himself to us. One what, three who's. I've laid this out in a lot of different places, including the Complete Bible Answer Book Collector's Edition, which is available through the Ministry of the Christian Research Institute.

Back to the phone callers. Next up is Ryan listening in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Hi, Ryan. Yes, hi.

I hope as a comment, also, I believe in the Gospel of Thomas.

Which was Jesus' twin.

You know the whole thing about the Holy Grail? He looked like Jesus, Mary, and Magdalene.

So you believe in the Gospel of Thomas?

Yes, and that he taught past life.

Yeah, you know, I have a hard time with the Gospel of Thomas, because... Well, right, but this is written pseudonymously, which is to say it wasn't really written by Thomas. But besides that, you can see that it is colored by Gnosticism and by a completely.

Well, Gnostic is a Greek word, means knowledge, and it's written even in St. Paul, because the New Testament.

Was written in Greek.

Okay, but the difference between the Gospel of Thomas and what is written by Paul or any of the other biblical writers is the difference between night and day. For example, let me give you a passage from the Gospel of Thomas. It's a very famous passage because here we have a conversation between Peter and Jesus. And Simon Peter says... Make Mary leave us, for females don't deserve life. And then Jesus says, look, I will guide her to make her male so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For every female who makes herself male will enter the domain of heaven. My point here is to say that this is dramatically different from a biblical ethic.

Did you know the women.

Were erased from the Bible?

Like Mary Magdalene's gospel.

She married... Okay, my point is that the Gnostics, long after the Bible was complete, all of the Bible was completed by AD 70. Long afterwards, they had a kind of ethic in which women were considered to be less worthy than men, which was... the case in the surrounding culture of the first century as well, but the Bible stands completely in opposition to that. If you listen to the Bible's words, the Bible makes clear that there's no distinction between male and female, between Jew and Greek, between slave and free, that we are one in Christ. And in the Bible, you have women who are the first to testify to the most significant event in all of Scripture.

You have women as apostles and women as teachers. So the Bible elevates women to complete ontological equality with men. I'm simply pointing out that those who adhere to Gnostic Gospels like the Gospel of Thomas are adhering to anti-female rhetoric that has no part within inspired literature. It is absolutely absurd to suppose that Jesus Christ would say that every female who makes herself male will enter the domain of heaven. This is gnostic, patriarchal kind of language that has no place whatsoever within Christianity. So if you want to believe in it, you're believing in something that is non-canonical, is not rooted in history and evidence, and I've written about this in various places, including Has God Spoken? But

I think it's very sad today that people are trying to put the Gospel of Judas or the Gospel of Mary Magdalene or the Gospel of Thomas on the same footing as the canonical Gospels. The difference is the difference between day and night. Thanks to everyone for your support and for tuning in today.

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Q&A: Daniel’s Seventy Weeks, Denominations, and Closing Prayers in Jesus’ Name

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