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reblog 30/11-2025
Is It Happening Again? The Fulfillment Of Daniel’s Prophecy Describing The Arrival Of The Messiah And The Beginning Of The Tribulation
Robert Clifton Robinson
401 prenumeranterPrenumerera
6 okt. 2025
Daniel Chapter 9 Presents Us With The Exact Day The Messiah Will Arrive The First Time: Jesus Did Arrive On This Date
April 6, 32 AD, Jesus rides into Jerusalem and is proclaimed the Messiah—the fulfillment of the Daniel 9:24 prophecy of Messiah’s arrival on earth the first time. Zechariah 9:9 the prophet predicted that when Messiah arrives He will be ”riding on the foal of a donkey: ”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.”
Matthew 21:1-5 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying 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. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.” 4 All 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.’ ”
Matthew Records Jesus’ Arrival as the Messiah, April 6, 32 AD
Matthew 21:8-9 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Hosanna in the highest!”
This Event That Zechariah Predicted 400 Years Before Jesus Arrived, Was Predicted By Daniel 600 Years Before Jesus Arrived:
Daniel 9:24 “Seventy weeks (490 years) are determined For your people (the Jews) and for your holy city (Jerusalem), To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy (the Messiah). 25 Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks.
This essay examines this event and the certainty that the remaining part of Daniel’s prophecy in chapter 9, will also be precisely fulfilled: The Prophecy of One Final Week (7 Years), that will begin by the signing of a Seven Year Peace Treaty. (I published this original essay in 2014.)
September 29, 2025, The President of the United State, Donald Trump, and the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Propose a 21 Point Peace Plan.
- Will The 21 Point Peace Plan Currently Underway, Lead To The Seven Year Peace Treaty Defined By The Prophecy Of Daniel 9:27?
- Full Transcript Of President Trump And Prime Minister Netanyahu: 21 Point Peace Plan\
We might conjecture that The Feast of Trumpets in 2025 was a trigger point for the signing of the Peace Plan now under consideration. We don’t know how long it will take for this Peace Plan to be agreed to and signed. We may not know all of the provisions of this Peace Plan (duration) until after it is signed.
It is possible that it will take many months for this Peace Plan to be in affect, perhaps the end of 2026, during the the time of the Feast of Trumpets again—when Jesus may come for His church and remove us from the earth before the Tribulation begins.
- The Tribulation is designated by Revelation 6:1, when a world leader institutes a Peace Plan, the opening of the first seal judgment.
- The church is already seen in heaven in Revelation chapter 4, where John is told to ”come up here,” a prequel to the removal of the church later at the time when the seven year Tribulation is about to begin.
- We don’t see Jesus’ church on Earth from the opening of the first seal in Revelation 6:1, through Revelation chapter 18, the completion of all 21 of the judgements of the Seven Seals, The Seven Trumpets, The Seven Bowls.
- Revelation 2:10, Jesus tells His church that because they have ”a little strength and have not denied His name” He will keep them from the Tribulation that will come upon the whole world.
- 1 Thessalonians 5, immediately after Paul reveals the removal of Jesus’ church from the Earth, he emphasizes that Jesus’ church ”is not appointed to the wrath of the Lamb,” designated in Revelation 6:15-17. When the Tribulation begins, notice the declaration of the unsaved who are in this time of wrath: ”Hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
Why is the Signing of a Seven Year Peace Plan Crucial To the Prophetic Timeline?
Before the Third Temple at Jerusalem can be built; before the antichrist can be revealed to the world; before he goes into the Temple and a command is given to worship the beast as God, a Seven Year Peace Plan must be signed.
- Why Is The Seven-Year Peace Treaty The Next Important Prophetic Event? Are We Seeing This Event Take Place Now?
- Why Jesus Will Remove His Church From The Earth Before The Tribulation Begins
- The Bible Describes The Beginning Of The Tribulation By A Peace Treaty, During A War With Israel
Never before in the history of the world have we witnessed the events that are now taking place. The possibility that the second part of Daniel’s Chapter 9 Prophecy: The Seventieth Week, may be about to happen.
The Premise:
Today, Billions of people eagerly await the second arrival of Jesus Christ, in fulfillment of His promise to return to earth.
Unknown to many people is the fact that the Bible reveals the precise day when Jesus would come to Jerusalem as the Messiah, the first time. The Book of Daniel, chapter 9, contains the most amazing and important prophecy of the entire Bible. In this single chapter, God reveals to us His entire prophetic plan for the last days of earth. He tells us the specific day when Jesus would come, and the precise details of His death for our sins.
When Jesus arrived and announced for the first time in His ministry that ”His time had come,” there were very few who were lining the street leading into the city of Jerusalem. About 700 years before Jesus came to the city, Isaiah the prophet had predicted that when Messiah did arrive, there would be very few who would be waiting for Him.
Isaiah 33:2 is generally accepted as a Messianic prophecy that will be fulfilled during the seven-year tribulation when Israel will receive Jesus as her promised Savior. There is, however, an earlier fulfillment of this prophecy as seen in the gospel of Luke.
Luke 2:25-32 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”
Simon is an old man, waiting at the temple every day for the coming of the Messiah. He believes that the Holy Spirit has revealed to him that he would not die until the Messiah made His entrance into the world. As Joseph and Mary bring Jesus to the temple, Simon realizes that this tiny baby is the King of kings and Lord of lords whom he has been waiting for.Is your greatest hope today the words of Isaiah’s prophecy? “O LORD, be gracious to us; We have waited for You.”
Simon had patiently waited for the coming of the Lord continuously. He was aware of the prophecy of Daniel, which predicted the Messiah would come on a specific day. There was apparently good reason for Simon to be anticipating the arrival of the Messiah during the time that he was alive. God had given His prophetic word in the Book of Daniel Chapter 9, carefully describing the specific day the Messiah would make His entrance into the world.
There should have been a large assembly of faithful people who were expecting the appearance of the Messiah at Jerusalem during that time. Instead only a few gathered to meet Him. God had given the nation of Israel hundreds of prophecies regarding the coming of their Messiah, yet they were not prepared for His arrival.
Today, Jesus is due to arrive a second time, at any moment. He promised He would return to remove His church from the earth before the judgment of the Tribulation period begins.[1] The majority of the world will repeat the error of Israel in failing to be ready when He comes again. When Jesus arrives at the outer atmosphere of the earth during the Rapture, the greater part of those who inhabit the earth will be caught by complete surprise. Various explanations will be given for the disappearance of people from all over the earth. Explanations from alien abduction, to mass suicide will be offered as possible justification for the disappearance of perhaps a billion people, all at once. See the chapter in this book: The Rapture of the Church.
The Key to the last days is Daniel chapter 9
In my opinion, the Old Testament Book of Daniel contains the most important prophecy found in the Bible regarding the timing and arrival of the promised Messiah. For more than 30 years, I have taught those who are interested in Bible prophecy, the events predicted by Daniel in comparison with the Book of Revelation and the words of Jesus found in the New Testament.
Over the years, my personal notes for this particular study in Daniel’s prophecy has grown quite large. I am including here, a part of my research and observations regarding the coming of the Messiah— anticipated by only a few at His first arrival on earth. The section of this book, where you may find the most detailed information for the events of Daniel’s prophecies—which predict the precise day the Messiah will arrive at Jerusalem, is found in Prophecy 309.
The 9th chapter of Daniel is regarded by many biblical experts as the most significant chapter of prophecy found in the Bible. The prophecies of Daniel Chapter 9 were so important, that Jesus held the leaders of Israel responsible for knowing the timing of these events described by Daniel.Luke 19:41-44 Now as Jesus drew near, He saw the city of Jerusalem and wept over it, 42 saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, 44 and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”
Jesus expected the leaders of Israel to know the prophecies of Daniel Chapter 9, because they foretold the specific day when He would come to Jerusalem as their Messiah. Because these men did not recognize their day of visitation by the Messiah, Jesus pronounces three prophecies of his own upon the entire nation:
Matthew 23:37-39 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’
Matthew 24:1-2 Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. 2 And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
Luke 21:20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.”
See the 14 prophecies that Jesus declared: The Predictions of Jesus.
38 years after Jesus spoke these words, Titus sacked the city of Jerusalem, and burned the Temple to the ground.
“The destruction of Jerusalem was more terrible than anything that the world has ever witnessed, either before or since. Even Titus seemed to see in his cruel work the hand of an avenging God” — Charles SpurgeonRemember that Daniel was given a glimpse into the future, where he saw the four major Gentile kingdoms of human history.[2]
Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzar.
Persia under King Cyrus.
Greece under Alexander the Great.
Rome under the Roman Emperors.
As we come to chapter 9 of Daniel, the kingdom of Babylon has now been defeated by the kingdom of the Medes and the Persians, under Darius and Cyrus.
Daniel 9:1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— 2 in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the LORD through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
As Daniel Chapter 9 begins, the nation of Israel has been held in captivity by the empire of Babylon. After 490 years of consistently disregarding the Lord and His law, God allowed Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to defeat and destroy Judah. The brightest and best young men were taken captive and carried back to Babylon to serve the king.
Jeremiah wrote that this captivity would last for 70 years
Jeremiah 25:1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah (which was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), 2 which Jeremiah the prophet spoke to all the people of Judah and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying: 3 “From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, even to this day, this is the twenty-third year in which the word of the LORD has come to me; and I have spoken to you, rising early and speaking, but you have not listened. 4 And the LORD has sent to you all His servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, but you have not listened nor inclined your ear to hear. 5 They said, ‘Repent now everyone of his evil way and his evil doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD has given to you and your fathers forever and ever. 6 Do not go after other gods to serve them and worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands; and I will not harm you.’ 7 Yet you have not listened to Me,” says the LORD, “that you might provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt. 8 Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Because you have not heard My words, 9 behold, I will send and take all the families of the north,’ says the LORD, “and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant, and will bring them against this land, against its inhabitants, and against these nations all around, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, a hissing, and perpetual desolations. 10 Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones and the light of the lamp. 11 And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.”
The record of history reveals that in 597 B. C., the Captivity began, precisely as the Lord has said. Nebuchadnezzar took Judah and Jerusalem. At the end of the end of 70 years, in 536 B.C., the Captivity is concluded. According to Daniel’s prophecy, the remainder of those who had been carried away to Babylon, will return to Judah once again. See the chart at Prophecy 309 for details.Jeremiah 29:1 Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the remainder of the elders who were carried away captive—to the priests, the prophets, and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon. 2 (This happened after Jeconiah the king, the queen mother, the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem.) 3 The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, saying, 4 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 6 Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. 7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace. 8 For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. 9 For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the LORD. 10 For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.
The Reason for the Captivity:
It is important to understand why the Lord allowed Nebuchadnezzar to have power over His people to take them captive. There were a variety of sins that Judah had committed against the Lord. The major issue was simply that they had forgotten the Lord in their lives. The reason why the captivity was to last for a period of 70 years was because they had not kept the Lord’s instructions for allowing the land to rest one year for every six in which they planted and harvested.
Exodus 23:10 “Six years you shall sow your land and gather in its produce, 11 but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave, the beasts of the field may eat. In like manner you shall do with your vineyard and your olive grove.”
When Israel came into their own land after being led through the Wilderness by the Lord for 40 years, they were given certain instructions. One of these commandments was that for every seven years they farmed the land, they should allow the ground to rest one year. We know today that one year of rest for every six years that a field is planted and harvested allows the soil to recover the nutrients which have been lost as the crops grow year after year in the soil. For a period of 490 years, Israel did not obey the Lord to allow the land to rest.
As a result—after 490 years, they owed the Lord a land-rest-debt of 70 years. (490 years Divided by 7 years is 70 years)As Daniel has been reading the prophecies of Jeremiah, he recognizes that the 70 years of Judah’s captivity are nearly complete.
Daniel 9:1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— 2 in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the LORD through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
Daniel’s response at this realization, causes him to pray and intercede for the entire nation of Israel and her people. He not only repents for his own sins, he petitions the Lord to also forgive the sins of his people, who had caused the captivity in the first place.
Daniel 9:3 Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. 4 And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, 5 we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments. 6 Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land. 7 O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame of face, as it is this day—to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those near and those far off in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of the unfaithfulness which they have committed against You. 8 O Lord, to us belongs shame of face, to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him. 10 We have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets. 19 O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”
This Prayer of Daniel For His Nation and People is a Model For What True Prayer Should Include
In the midst of Daniel’s petition, the Lord has already dispatched an angel to deliver a message to Daniel, even before he finishes speaking. By this example we understand that from the moment we begin to pray, the Lord is listening to us. If our prayer is like Daniel’s—honest, sincere, humble, repentant, and intercessory, God will not only hear us, He will respond.
Daniel 9:20 Now while I was speaking, 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 yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. 22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. 23 At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision.”
Beginning at verse 23, Gabriel informs Daniel of the most amazing prophetic revelation found in the entire Bible.This is the prophecy of all prophecies because of what it predicts and the advanced information that is communicated from this amazing revelation from God. In this text we find that all other prophecies of the Bible and their eventual fulfillment, will be centered around this section of Daniel’s prophecy.
Gabriel Tells Daniel The Prophecy of Messiah’s Arrival and the Seventieth Week
The Lord is Telling us the Precise Day When the Messiah Will Come to Jerusalem:
Daniel 9:24 “Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy. 25 Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times. 26 And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.”
Daniel Chapter 9, beginning at verse 24, describes the entire prophetic calendar for the last days, and it makes it crystal clear that the purpose of the seven-year Tribulation is directed at Israel, not the church of Jesus Christ.In this prophecy given by the Angel Gabriel, Daniel is told that 70 weeks of years or a period of 490 years (70 X 7 = 490) are determined for the Jews. We understand what the definition of a prophetic week is, from the text of Genesis Chapter 29. Jacob has worked for Laban for seven years in order to pay the dowry required to marry Rachel. At the end of the seven years, Laban tells Jacob to work an additional seven years, to fulfill her week.
Genesis 29:27 Fulfill her week, and we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years.
During These 70 Weeks of Years (490 years), all Biblical Prophecies Will be Completed
To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy.
The Prophecy will be in three parts:
First, a period of 7 weeks or 49 years.
Next, a period of 62 weeks or 483 years.
Finally, a period of 1 week or 7 years.
It is important to understand that this Prophecy is specifically given to the nation of Israel, not to Jesus’ Church. Therefore, the final seven years that are described as the Tribulation Period, have nothing to do with the church of Jesus Christ. It is for this reason that we do not see the church mentioned anywhere in the Book of Revelation, chapter 6:2 through chapter 18, when the judgments of the seven year Tribulation are being poured out on the earth. The church is seen in heaven, already redeemed, in Revelation chapters 4 and 5, before the Tribulation begins in chapter 6.
The Angel told Daniel: Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city (not for the church).The point of beginning for this prophecy is verse 25: from the going forth of the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. Remember that Judah has been in captivity in Babylon for the past 70 years.
Daniel 9:25 Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks (49 years) and sixty-two weeks (62 weeks of years).
This prophecy will begin its fulfillment when the command is given, allowing the captive Jews of Babylon, to return home to Jerusalem.
Once this command is issued, the prophetic time clock begins to tick, counting down seven weeks (49 years) and then sixty two weeks (483 years). At the end of these 483 years, the Messiah will make His entrance into Jerusalem and be proclaimed as “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”, Prophecy 149, from Psalm 118:24-26.
The fulfillment of this first part of Daniel’s prophecy is observed in Matthew’s gospel, chapter 21:
Matthew 21:8-9 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Hosanna in the highest!” See Prophecy 148.
The second part of Daniel’s prophecy declares that when the Messiah arrives, He will be cut off (killed,[3] verse 26) Then the people (Romans) of the prince who is to come, (the future antichrist), will destroy the city and the sanctuary (see Prophecy 310).
In These First 69 Weeks of Years Described by Daniel 9:24:
• Israel’s transgressions against the Lord will be atoned for.
• All sins will be at an end.
• Everlasting righteousness will arrive.
• All future prophetic events will be centered on these events.
• The Messiah will arrive.
Finally, There Will Be a 70th week, Called ”The Tribulation Period”
The Book of Revelation describes a period of seven years in which 21 judgments from God will be unleashed upon the earth after the Rapture has taken place.[4] This final seven years is also referred to as the 70th week of Daniel, as it is the final part of Daniel’s prophecy from chapter 7, verse 27:
”Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.”The “he” referred to here, is the world leader, the antichrist, who will institute a seven year (one week) peace plan for Israel and the surrounding nations. The Temple will be rebuilt on the original Temple Mount site, and the daily sacrifices will begin once again. At the mid-way point of the seven years of peace, the antichrist will end the daily sacrifices and exalt himself as God—commanding the world to worship him as their God.[5]
At the end of the seven years, following all 21 of the judgements described in Revelation 6-18; seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls, Jesus will return to earth with His redeemed church as described in Revelation chapter 19.
The Events of Daniel’s Prophecy in Sequential Order:
- A command given for the Jews to return to Jerusalem. This occurred on March 14, 445 B.C., according to history.[6]
- During the first 49 years, Jerusalem and the Temple will be rebuilt (Nehemiah 3-6).
- Then 434 years later, the Messiah will arrive.
- Jesus arrives on April 6, 32 AD, and is Proclaimed the Messiah
- Messiah will be killed. Jesus is Crucified
- The Romans will destroy Jerusalem and the Temple (70 A.D.).
- In the last of the Last days, the final week of 7 years, the Tribulation, begins by the signing of a peace treaty between Israel and the surrounding nations. (The Rapture Before or After This Peace Plan?)
- In the middle of the week or 3 1/2 years into the peace treaty, the man who orchestrated the peace plan, the antichrist, will break the peace.
- The antichrist, the beast, will end the daily sacrifices which have been conducted in the newly rebuilt temple at Jerusalem.
- He will enter the Holy place and announce that the whole world must worship him as God. This is referred to by Daniel as the abomination of desolation.
- Jesus will return with His church at the end of the seven year Tribulation Period.
In part one of the prophecy, Gabriel tells Daniel that the Messiah will arrive exactly 69 X 7 = 483 years or 173,880 days after the command is given for the Jews to leave Babylon, where they have been in captivity for 70 years, and return to Jerusalem.
• March 14, 445 B.C. to March 14, 32 A.D. is a period of 173,740 days.
• March 14, 32 A.D. to April 6, 32 A.D., a period of 24 days.
• Adding the number of days to account for Leap Years: 116 days.
• Total days from the time of the command on March 14, 445 B.C. is: 173,880 days.
The big question is: “When did the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem occur?”
According to the 15th edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, Artaxerxes Longimanus issued this command on March 14, 445 B.C.[7]
If we take the date March 14th, 445 B.C., and add 7 x 7 (49 years) and 69 x 7 years (483 years), for a total of 173,880 days, we arrive at April 6, 32 A.D. These calculations were verified by Sir Robert Anderson of The Royal Observatory in England.[8]
NOTE: On April sixth, 32 A.D. (tenth of Nisan), Jesus rides into Jerusalem and is proclaimed the Son of David, the Messiah. This fulfilled Daniel’s prophecy of the coming of the Messiah in Chapter 9, verse 25.
How We Know the Command Came in 445 B.C.
The reign of Artaxerxes I (Longimanus) is computed from 465 B.C., according to the history of the Persians.[9] Xerxes I, was murdered by Artabanus the commander of the royal bodyguard of the king. He was the most powerful of the officials in the court of the Persian king. With the help of Aspamitres, a eunuch, Artabanus assassinated Xerxes I, bringing Artaxerxes Longimanus to the throne in 465 B.C.[10]
- According to Nehemiah 2:1, Artaxerxes wrote the command for the Jews to return to Jerusalem in the 20th year of his reign.
- Nehemiah 2:1: ”And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before.”
- According to Nehemiah, adding 20 years from Artaxerxes ascension to the throne in 465 B.C., we come to 445 B.C.
Hebrew months were not calculated in the same way that our current calendar months are determined. The first day of a Hebrew calendar month begins immediately following a new moon (when no moon is visible).
The way in which the first day of the month was determined in Israel during their ancient history was by observation. When at least two witnesses noticed that a new moon had occurred, they would notify the Sanhedrin at Jerusalem. Upon verification of the beginning of the new moon, the leaders of Israel would declare the “rosh chodesh,” the first of the month. Messengers would then be dispatched over the land to notify the people that the new month had begun.[11]
In the year 445 B.C., the new moon occurred on the 13th day of March at 7:09 a.m.[12] This would place the 1st day of April, the Hebrew month of Nissan, on March 14, 445 B.C. This was also the day that the Passover Lamb was offered.
Ezra and Nehemiah traveled together from Babylon, back to Jerusalem after Artaxerxes issued to command to return and rebuild the city. We know from Ezra’s account that they left Babylon on the first day of the first month, which is Nissan 1, or our calendar, the 14th of March, 445 B.C. Ezra says that he arrived back in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, Av by the Jewish calendar.
Ezra 7:9 On the first day of the first month he began his journey from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.
This verifies from the historical record and the Bible, that the date of the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, from Artaxerxes, was in fact issued on March 14, 445, B.C.
According to Nehemiah 6:15, the walls of Jerusalem were completed after just 52 days on the 25th day of September. Counting backwards for 52 days, we come to the 3rd of Av. This confirms that Nehemiah would have arrived with Ezra on Av 1, according to Nehemiah 2:11.
Nehemiah 2:11 So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days.
From the historical records of the Persians, the Jews, and the Hebrew scriptures, we can accurately compute the date of Artaxerxes command to return to Jerusalem as being March 14, 445 B.C.
The Jews who had been held captive in Babylon for 70 years, were allowed by Artaxerxes command, to return to Jerusalem and begin building the city. This is the object of the first seven weeks, or 49 years of Daniel’s prophecy, which was precisely fulfilled according to the Book of Nehemiah, Chapters 3-6.
The second set of 62 weeks of years (483), ended at Jesus arrival in Jerusalem on April 6, 32 A.D. On the Hebrew Calendar, this was the 10th day of Nissan, 32 A.D., the day that the Passover Lamb was inspected for flaws before He would be sacrificed four days later on the 14th day of the month, the precise day the Passover Lamb would be sacrificed. Jesus died on this exact day, as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. See Prophecy 21.
What The narrative of The New Testament Reveal
If we examine what took place on April 6, 32 A.D., as described by Matthew’s gospel, we find that this was the precise day that Jesus instructed His disciples to go to Bethphage and bring Him the foal of a donkey.
Matthew 21:1-5 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying 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. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.” 4 All 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.’ ”
The fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9, Prophecy 338
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.
Matthew 21:6-7 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. 8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
This Was Palm Sunday, April 6, 32 A.D.
This is the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy for the arrival of the Messiah, 483 years after the command given by Artaxerxes for the Jews to return to Jerusalem on March 14, 445 B.C.
Matthew 21:9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Hosanna in the highest!”
The fulfillment of Psalm 118:26, Prophecy 149
From history, we know that on Palm Sunday, April 6, 32 A.D., Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the foal of a donkey, and was proclaimed the Messiah.
March 14, 445 B.C. + 483 years at 360 days per year. (483 X 360 = 173,880 Days)
So far, the first 69 weeks (483 years) have been fulfilled. Jesus came to Jerusalem on the specific date that Daniel had predicted. The angel Gabriel told Daniel that 70 weeks were determined for Israel. This leaves one seven-year period of time remaining, before the entire prophecy is fulfilled—the 70th week of Daniel, the seven year Tribulation.
In this 195th prophecy, Isaiah’s corresponding prophecy with Daniel 9, predicts that when the Messiah arrives in Israel, most of the nation will not receive Him. The testimony of those who were present at the time Jesus came into the city on Palm Sunday, April 6, 32 A.D., describes the leaders of Israel and most of the people of the city, who would not receive Him as the promised Messiah.NOTE: On April sixth, 32 A.D. (tenth of Nisan), Jesus rides into Jerusalem and is proclaimed the Son of David, the Messiah. This fulfilled Daniel’s prophecy of the coming of the Messiah in Chapter 9, verse 25.
Isaiah also wrote that there would be a few who were prepared, waiting, watching, and ready to receive Him, these are described by Isaiah with the words:
Isaiah 33:2 O LORD, be gracious to us; We have waited for You.
Will you be numbered amongst the few who are waiting, watching, and ready to receive Jesus when He returns for His church?
See all of the Messianic Prophecies of Jesus with their complete commentary and personal application, in the new book: ”The Prophecies of the Messiah.”
NOTES:
[1] Revelation 3:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:9, John 14:3
[2] Daniel chapters 4 and 7
[3] Genesis 9:11, the first place in the Bible where the term “cut off” is mentioned, in conjunction with all people of the earth being killed in the great flood of Noah.
[4] Revelation chapters 6-18
[5] The antichrist, called “the little horn,” Daniel 8:9, he shall remove the daily sacrifices, Daniel 8:11, he will exalt himself as God and command the world to worship him as God, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.
[6] Encyclopedia Britannica, 1990 edition. 1990, 15TH Edition 32 volume set
[7] Ibid.
[8] Sir Robert Anderson, “the Coming Prince”.
[9] R. Schmitt. of Iran “Art”axerxes. Encyclopædia Iranica. 15 December 1986. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
[10] 1. Iran-e-Bastan/Pirnia Book, 1 page 873, 2. Dandamayev 3. History of Persian Empire-Olmstead pages 289-90
[11] From Judaism 101, http://www.jewfaq.org/calendar.htm
[12] From a letter sent to Sir Robert Anderson: To the Royal Obseervatory, Greewich, June 26th, I877. ”SIR, – I have had the moon’s place calculated from Largeteau’s Tables in Additions to the Connaisance des Tems 1846, by one of my assistants, and have no doubt of its correctness. The place being calculated for – 444, March 12d. 20h., French reckoning, or March 12d. 8h. P. M., it appears that the said time was short of New Moon by about 8h. 47m., and therefore the New Moon occurred at 4h. 47m. A. M., March 13th, Paris time.” I am, etc (the 13th day of March at 7:09 a.m)., ” (Signed,) G. B. AIRY.” Anderson, Sir Robert (2010-05-27). The Coming Prince (Kindle Locations 1737-1748). . Kindle Edition.
JULGLÄDJE / Den vackraste tiden på året: Vi tänder det första adventsljuset, och här är vad det faktiskt betyder
Den vackraste tiden på året: Vi tänder det första adventsljuset, och här är vad det faktiskt betyder
Vi utforskade advents historia och djupare andliga betydelse, kransens symbolik och den detaljerade tolkningen av var och en av de fyra ljusen som leder oss till julen
Slutet av november 2025 bjuder på stunder som många har väntat ivrigt på året runt. Doften av kanel och glögg, glöggen som skenet, tusentals ljus och en känsla av gemenskap tar sakta över stadens gator och torg. Det centrala ögonblicket i övergången till högtidssäsongen sker denna helg, när det första adventsljuset tänds.
Även om den första söndagen i advent infaller den 30 november i år, börjar ceremonierna och tändningen av det första ljuset på stadens torg, såsom den i Zagrebs Manduševac, traditionellt kvällen innan, lördagen den 29 november, och introducerar oss till en tid av hopp, vaksamhet och ljus.
Vad är advent?
Advent handlar inte bara om att räkna ner dagarna till jul och öppna fönstren på chokladkalendrar. Det är en period av djup andlig symbolik, en tradition som går tillbaka århundraden och seder som förbinder generationer.
Namnet ”advent” kommer i sig från det latinska ordet adventus, som betyder ”kommande”. Under det kristna liturgiska året är det en introduktionsperiod, en tid av intensiv förberedelse, inte bara för firandet av Jesu Kristi födelse – julen, utan också en påminnelse om Hans andra ankomst. Det är just denna dubbla karaktär av advent som ger den en särskild tyngd: den första delen av advent (till den 16 december) fokuserar på den eskatologiska förväntan av ändens tid, medan den andra delen (från 17 december till julafton) är en direkt förberedelse för minnesstunden av Kristi första födelse i Betlehem.
Hur länge varar advent?
Den andliga dimensionen av advent manifesteras genom kallelsen till vaksamhet och bön. Det är en tid av ”helig längtan”, när de troende symboliskt uttrycker sin beredskap och avsägelse från sömn för att välkomna Ljuset genom de tidiga morgonmässorna – gryningen. Den lila färgen, som dominerar de liturgiska dräkterna och adventskransen, är inte bara botens färg, utan också färgen på den kungliga värdigheten hos den som kommer. Den bjuder in oss att granska vårt samvete, men också glädjen i att vänta på ett möte.
Många undrar varför början av advent varierar varje år. Regeln är egentligen enkel, men relaterad till den liturgiska kalendern: Advent täcker alltid de fyra söndagarna före jul. Den första söndagen i advent bestäms som den närmast apostelns fest för Sankt Andreas apostel, som firas den 30 november. Det är därför som den första söndagen i advent år 2025 infaller exakt på det datumet. Adventsperioden varar till julafton den 24 december och avslutas med den första julmässan – midnattsmässan.
Symboliken i adventskransen och de fyra ljusen
Den mest igenkännliga symbolen från denna period är utan tvekan adventskransen, som döljer lager av betydelser. Dess cirkulära form, utan början eller slut, är en uråldrig symbol för evigheten och Guds oändliga kärlek som inte känner några gränser. Materialen som den är tillverkade av är inte heller slumpmässiga; Ständigt gröna kvistar (tall, gran, järnek) representerar liv som inte upphör och hoppas på förnyelse, även under de kallaste och mörkaste vinterdagarna, och trotsar naturens dödhet.
Men kransens hjärta består av fyra ljus. Ljuset från ljuset symboliserar Jesu ankomst, ”Världens ljus”, som driver bort syndens och dödens mörker. Varje ljus har sitt eget specifika namn och andliga budskap, och de tänds gradvis för att betona den växande intensiteten av förväntan:
Första ljuset (Hoppets ljus eller Profetens ljus): Den tänds på den första söndagen i advent. Den är traditionellt lila till färgen. Den symboliserar hoppet om Messias ankomst som Gamla testamentets profeter, särskilt Jesaja, förkunnade århundraden före Kristi födelse. Dess låga representerar den orubbliga tron att ljuset alltid besegrar mörkret.
Andra ljuset (Kärlekens ljus eller Betlehemsljuset): Den brinner på andra söndagen. Även lila, detta ljus påminner om platsen för Jesu födelse – Betlehem. Den symboliserar Kristi krubba och den enorma kärlek som ledde Maria och Josef in på en svår väg, liksom Guds kärlek till mänskligheten, som visade sig i ödmjukheten i att födas i ett stall.
Tredje ljuset (Glädjens ljus eller Herdeljuset): Detta ljus är speciellt eftersom det är det enda som är rosa i färgen. Den infaller på den tredje söndagen i advent, känd som Gaudete (Glädd dig) söndag. Den rosa färgen skapas genom att blanda lila (botens färg) och vitt (högtidens färg), vilket symboliserar att julen är nära och att botgörande sorg ger vika för glädjefylld förväntan. Det påminner oss om herdarna som var de första att rusa för att se den nyfödde Frälsaren med glädje.
Fjärde ljuset (Fredsljus eller Änglaljus): Det sista lila ljuset tänds på själva julaftonen. Det symboliserar ängelns förkunnelse: ”Ära vare Gud i det högsta, och frid på jorden åt goda människor”. Dess låga påminner oss om att syftet med Kristi ankomst är att bringa fred – både inre och fred mellan folken.
Ibland placeras ett femte, vitt ljus i mitten av kransen – Kristi ljus, som tänds på själva julen och symboliserar att Han föddes och att ljuset är fullständigt.Att lära sig av barnPredikan för första adventsöndagen
Dom Pius Mary Noonan
30 novLÄS I APPEN
Visa oss, o Herre, din barmhärtighet och ge oss din frälsning. Alleluiaversen i dagens mässa, hämtad från Psalm 84, som är en av de stora adventspsalmerna, har blivit en del av mässans dagliga liturgi. Den reciteras omedelbart innan prästen går upp på altarets trappsteg i början av den heliga mässan. Herrens barmhärtighet och frälsning är först och främst en person; det är Hans Son i personifiering som kommer till oss som världens Frälsare och bringar Guds barmhärtighet för våra synder. Detta gör det tydligt att Psalmen i grunden var en bön för att få Messias nåd. För kyrkan, som redan har tagit emot Messias, är det en vädjan om nåden av ett särskilt besök från Jesus, vilket framför allt betyder nu genom sakramenten men också vid tidens slut när Han kommer med kraft och majestät för att döma levande och döda. Sådan kommer Herrens återkomst att vara, som är en av trons grundläggande artiklar, en som vi är inbjudna att reflektera över särskilt under denna adventstid. I 2 000 år har kyrkan väntat på denna välsignade händelse, och den har aldrig varit närmare än nu. Och ändå känns det ibland långt. Vi behöver tålamod. Vi är ofta som små barn som blir upprörda för att de vill ha något direkt, medan de måste lära sig att tålmodigt vänta på det. Vi lär oss så mycket genom att titta på barn.
Alla de som väntar på dig, o Herre, ska inte förvirras. Så vi upprepar det fyra gånger under denna heliga mässa. Det är tydligt att Heliga Moder Kyrkan försöker få fram något till oss. Om väntan ibland kan kännas lång, påminner Sankt Petrus oss om att för Herren är en dag tusen år, och tusen år är en dag (jfr. 2 S. 3:8). Gud är utanför tiden. Vi är i tid, och som barn kan det kännas som en evighet. Därav befallningen att tålmodigt vänta på Herren. Vi har alla känt personer som inte har tålamod att vänta på ett resultat. De vill ha omedelbara resultat, och om de inte får dem går de vidare och gör något annat. Och i så fall åstadkommer de aldrig något meningsfullt. I den religiösa världen ser vi samma sak. Idag är det många som lämnar kyrkan eftersom de har förlorat hoppet om Herrens löften. De är som de dumma jungfrur som somnar i väntan på Herren (jfr Matt 25), och de vaknar och upptäcker att Herren inte alls var långt borta. Men det kommer att vara för sent.
När det är dag måste vi verka Guds verk, för natten kommer då ingen kan arbeta (Joh 9). Detta är ett av de stora teman under adventstiden. Det spelar ingen roll hur länge vi måste vänta; Vilken tid som helst är obetydlig jämfört med den belöning som väntar oss. I verkligheten är väntan inte lång, för livet är så fruktansvärt kort. Så vad ska vi göra medan vi väntar? Håll vakt. Hur gör vi det? Paulus berättar kortfattat i dagens brev det berömda stycket som lyckades omvända den tveksamma Augustinus: Nu är det timmen att vakna ur sömnen… Natten är förbi och dagen är nära. Låt oss därför kasta av oss mörkrets verk och ta på oss ljusets rustning. Låt oss vandra ärligt, som på dagen: inte i orgier och fylleri, inte i promiskuitet och utsvävande, inte i rivalitet och svartsjuka: utan ta på oss Herren Jesus Kristus.
Med bara några få ord har aposteln sammanfattat de onda verk som frestar oss: högmod, avund, ilska, lust i alla dess former. Ondskans vägar är som ett dånande hav som kastar upp horder av orenheter och smuts. Medan Herrens väg är en väg av fred och ro. Det finns ingen frid för de ogudaktiga, säger Herren. Ty så säger Herren Gud, Israels Helige: Om ni återvänder och är stilla, skall ni bli frälsta; i tystnad och hopp skall er styrka vara (Is 30:15). Om du återvänder och är tyst, om du förblir tyst och hoppas, kommer du att belönas. Men ge inte upp och fly inte, för då blir du tomhänt. Det är därför advent också är en tid för botgöring och omvändelse. Det är inte en tid för firande. Firandet börjar på juldagen och pågår under de tolv juldagarna. Låt oss använda dessa adventsdagar för att förbereda oss väl och med hängivenhet ta emot botens sakrament, så att vi kan vara fullt förberedda för de nådegåvor Herren vill ge oss vid jul.
Under denna adventstid kommer kyrkan ofta att vägleda våra tankar till Vår Fru och uppmana oss att förena oss med henne medan hon med kärleksfull förväntan väntar på sin Sons födelse. I bebådelsens mysterium betraktar vi henne i en ödmjuk väntan på Herren. Hon visste att Han skulle komma för att rädda sitt folk, och med alla hebreer vid den tiden bad hon att timmen inte skulle vara långt borta. Det finns en tradition enligt vilken många judiska flickor bad att de skulle få privilegiet att vara Messias moder, men Maria bad att få vara bara en tjänarinna i Messias moders hus. Sådan är den ödmjukhet med vilken man bör vänta på Guds nåd, och som är så långt ifrån hämndlystnadens anda som tror sig ha rätt till allt.
Sankt Efrem uppmanar oss i en predikan för denna söndag: ”Gör er redo att gå ut på ert arbete och förbered er för att odla ert fält. Fältet är ditt nuvarande liv, och ta med dig det gamla tillsammans med Nya testamentet. Sätt en törnehäck över ditt fält och din själ, genom bön och fasta tillsammans med undervisning. … Vårda din själ på samma sätt som en vacker vingård. Och som vingårdens väktare slår mot tjuvarna med sina knytnävar, och ropar till dem med varningar och håller dem på avstånd med stenar, så ropar ni i bön, ropar med psalmsången och driver bort den tjuvaktige räven, det vill säga djävulen. Var vaksam på din fiende, så att han inte genomborrar ditt hjärta med någon envis och olämplig önskan… Motstå och motstå Honom med trons sköld. Sätt på dig hoppets hjälm. Dra andens svärd, som är Guds ord. Och så, beväpnade mot fienden, stå fast och var inte ovaksam i striden, utan visa dig nykter och vaksam i allt.”
Idag börjar också novenan för förberedelserna inför högtiden för den obefläckade avlelsen den 8 december. Låt oss förbereda oss väl genom att erbjuda Vår Välsignade Fru en vacker andlig bukett blommor, hämtad från vår själs trädgård. Låt oss sträva efter att utöva alla dygder, att göra uppoffringar, att förödmjuka oss i allt, så att när dagen kommer ska vi inte stå tomhänta inför Himlens Drottning.
© 2025 Dom Pius Mary Noonan 30 november 2025
”Den som inte slipar eggen när järnet blir slött måste använda mer kraft. Men vishet leder till framgång.”
— Predikaren 10:10 —
När jag hade hus så eldade jag med ved. Jag köpte mig en motorsåg och fixade på så vis min ved. En dag står jag och sågar ved. Kedja var slö. Jag fick trycka på lite extra. För den som var van med motorsåg kunde mycket väl höra att kedjan var slö. Men jag skulle strax sluta så det fick liksom vara med att slipa kedjan. Helt plötsligt kom grannen till mig. Säger inte mycket. Men han tog motorsågen ur mina händer. Slipade kedjan. Tackade för sig och gick. Och jag tackade för att han slipade min kedja.
Att ha ett vässat verktyg är A o O. Jag fick ta i rätt bra för att kunna koma igenom vedträna. Det gick så mycket bättre och fortare när kedjan var nyslipad.
Predikaren använder denna bild på de andliga verktyg vi har. Om vi nye slipar dem kommer vi att behöva använda mer kraft. Kärnbibeln skriver så här: ‘Om järnet blir slött (trubbigt, dåligt) och ingen skärper eggen måste han använda mer kraft, men vishet lönar sig för vägledning [man tjänar på vishetens goda råd] .
Vems ansvar är det att vi slipar vårt verktyg? Är det ”granne” som måste klättra in över staketet och slipa ”kedjan”? Nej, det ansvaret ligger hos oss själva. I gemenskap med Guds Helige Ande kan vi slipa vårt andliga liv och verktyg till att komma i tjänst. Och ett välslipat verktyg behöver man inte bruka mer kraft än nödvändigt.
Ett ”oslipat verktyg” är som att man går i egen kraft mer än att lita på att Gud utför sitt verk. Eller att försöka och försöka men inte lyckas just därför att man inte slipat sitt verktyg. Jag är rädd för att vi tappar bort oss här ibland. Stanna upp. Slipa ditt verktyg. Det kommer välsigna din tjänst.
Herre, visa mig vägen till ”slipstenen”. Adventskransen.
Maria Angela Grow
29 novLÄS I APPEN
Adventskransen.
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Den har sitt ursprung i Tyskland för flera hundra år sedan och har blivit en älskad sed för många familjer över hela Amerika. Barnen är djupt imponerade av den vackra symboliken i adventskransen. Deras förväntan inför julen, Kristi födelsedag, ökar i takt med att ceremonierna fortskrider varje vecka i advent.
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Kristna som förberedde sig för sin ljus- och livsfest – Frälsarens födelse – fann denna krans vara ett lämpligt sätt att göra detta. Genom att lägga till ett ljus för var och en av de fyra söndagarna i advent, tänker de på mörkret utan Gud efter syndafallet, och det växande hoppet om frälsning, som tänds i paradiset och närs genom tiderna av profeterna fram till Johannes Föregångaren, tills morgonstjärnan som förkunnar solens ankomst trädde fram: Jungfrun som födde en Son.
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Kransen utan början och slut står för evigheten; de eviggröna växterna för liv och tillväxt; de fyra ljusen, helst av bivax och välsignade och avsatta sedan Kyndelsmässan, representerar tiderna ”som sitter i mörker och dödens skugga”, varje ljus tillför mer ljus fram till jul, då ljuset från kransen tänder, så att säga, ljuset på ”livets träd”, julgranen – för tiden är fullbordad.
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Kransens välsignelse
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Välsignelsen ska äga rum på lördagskvällen före första söndagen i advent. Före kvällsmaten utför fadern eller, i hans frånvaro, hushållets överhuvud, välsignelsen i närvaro av hela familjen. Ljusen tänds medan alla sjunger psalmen ”O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”
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Fader: Vår hjälp är i Herrens namn.
Familj: Som har skapat himmel och jord.
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Låt oss be:
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O Gud, genom vars Ord allt är helgat, utgjuta Din välsignelse över denna krans och ge att vi som använder den kan förbereda våra hjärtan för Kristi ankomst och få av Dig rikliga nådegåvor. Genom Kristus, vår Herre. R. Amen.
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Fadern ströjer sedan vigvatten över kransen. Varje kväll tänds ljusen före kvällsmaten medan adventshymnen sjungs. Bönerna som hör hemma varje vecka i advent följer, och den andra versen av adventshymnen sjungs i slutet. Under den första veckan tänds ett ljus av det yngsta barnet under psalmen och lämnas brinnande under hela kvällsmåltiden. Två ljus tänds av det äldsta barnet under den andra veckan; Tre ljus tänds av modern under den tredje veckan. Alla fyra ljus tänds av fadern under den fjärde veckan i advent.Evangeliereflektion för den 30:e november i Herrens år 2025
Judson Carroll
30 novLÄS I APPEN
Matteus 24:37-44
37 Och som i Noes dagar, så skall också Människosonens ankomst ske. 38 Ty som de på dagarna före floden åt och drack, gifte sig och gav i äktenskap, ända till den dag då Noe gick in i arken, 39 Och de visste inte förrän floden kom, och tog dem alla bort; så skall även Människosonens ankomst ske. 40 Då ska två vara på fältet: en ska tas och en ska lämnas kvar.
41 Två kvinnor ska mala vid kvarnen: en ska tas och en ska lämnas kvar. 42 Vakta därför, för ni vet inte vilken timme er Herre kommer. 43 Men vet detta, ni, att om husets godman visste vid vilken tid tjuven skulle komma, skulle han säkert vaka och inte låta hans hus brytas upp. 44 Därför är du också beredd, ty vid vilken timme du inte vet kommer Människosonen.
Idag fortsätter vår Herre att varna oss för att vi inte vet när Han kommer igen. Som jag har sagt tidigare, ingen vet när Jesus kommer tillbaka. Den som säger att de gör det har antingen fel eller ljuger. Men det är förstås också sant att ingen vet vilken dag de dog. Även om dagens evangelium definitivt handlar om ”ändens tider”, vet vi aldrig när en översvämning kan ta våra liv eller utplåna allt vi har. Det var definitivt fallet i min hemstad förra året. En orkan som egentligen inte borde vara någon stor sak regnade så mycket på så kort tid att grunda floder och bäckar steg 9 meter på bara några timmar! Hela städer förstördes.
När det gäller kvinnorna som maler vid kvarnen kan vi tänka att detta är ett budskap om att Gud kan ta en av dem i en protestantisk ”Uppryckelse”-liknande situation. Och även om Gud absolut kan göra som Han vill, är det mycket mer relevant för oss att överväga att vi när som helst kan dö av en hjärtinfarkt eller stroke medan vi arbetar. Vi fokuserar så intensivt på vårt arbete och på att betala våra räkningar, försörja våra familjer, att vi sällan stannar upp och tänker att Gud bokstavligen kan ta oss på ett ögonblick.
En väns far var en ganska ung man. En januarimorgon fick han en massiv hjärtattack och dog på deras uppfart på väg till jobbet. De hittade honom med hans rosenkrans i handen. Han var förberedd. Är vi det? Varför spekulera och oroa oss för ”ändens tid” när allt detta ligger bortom vår förståelse? Det är vårt sista ögonblick på denna jord som borde vara av största oro. Jesus sa att vi skulle låta dagens problem vara tillräckligt och inte oroa oss för framtiden. Har du varit på bikt nyligen? Är din rosenkrans i fickan? Har du bett idag? Gick du på mässan i söndags? Ärligt talat misslyckas jag med flera av de punkterna idag. Jag ber att jag får leva en dag till så att jag kan ställa saker till rätta… Men det finns ingen garanti för att det händer! Adventskransens välsignelser.
Maria Angela Grow
29 novLÄS I APPEN
Adventskransens välsignelser.
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Betydelsen av adventskransen
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I kristen symbolik står hjulet eller kransen för evigheten. Dess användning är särskilt passande under advent, tiden för förväntan på Herrens ankomst.
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Barn älskar skönheten i den enkla traditionella ceremonin. Att tända ljus i en adventskrans är ett enkelt sätt att starta en tradition av familjegudstjänst i hemmet. De som deltar kommer att uppskatta upplevelsen hela livet.
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Adventskransceremonin
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Ceremonin är enkel. Den börjar vid kvällsmåltiden lördagen före första söndagen i advent med kransens välsignelse. (Hushållets överhuvud är den som utses att be bönerna, varefter olika familjemedlemmar tänder ljusen. Om gruppen inte är en familj kan en ledare väljas för att säga bönerna och andra utses för att tända ljusen. För att välsigna kransen föreslås följande bön:
O Gud, genom vars ord allt är helgat, utgjuta din välsignelse över denna krans och ge oss som använder den att förbereda våra hjärtan för Kristi ankomst och få av dig rikliga nåder. Genom Kristus, vår Herre. Amen.
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Den första veckan
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Varje kväll tänds det första lila ljuset av hushållets yngsta barn och lämnas brinnande under måltiden.
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Herre, rör upp Din kraft, vi ber Dig, och kom, så att vi genom Ditt beskydd förtjänar att räddas från våra synders hotande faror och räddas genom Din befrielse. Genom Kristus, vår Herre. Amen.
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Andra veckan
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Sedan tänder det äldsta barnet inte bara det första, utan också ett andra lila ljus. Båda ljusen brinner under kvällsmaten som tidigare.
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Herre, rör upp våra hjärtan så att vi kan förbereda oss för din enfödde Son, så att vi genom Hans ankomst blir värdiga att tjäna Dig med rena sinnen. Genom Kristus, vår Herre. Amen.
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Den tredje veckan
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Den glädjefyllda söndagen i advent (känd som ”Gaudete”) representeras av ros (eller rosa) istället för den botgörande lila färgen. Varje natt under den tredje veckan tänder familjens mor det rosa ljuset, liksom de två tidigare brända ljusen, efter att följande bön har sagts:
O Herre, vi ber dig, böj ditt öra för våra böner och upplys mörkret i våra sinnen genom nåden av din besök. Genom Kristus, vår Herre. Amen.
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Den fjärde veckan
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Hushållets fader tänder alla fyra ljusen i rätt ordning under den fjärde veckan efter att ha upprepat följande bön:
O Herre, rör upp Din kraft, vi ber Dig, och kom, och med stor kraft hjälp oss, så att med hjälp av Din nåd, Din barmhärtighetUl förlåtelse kan påskynda det våra synder hindrar. Genom Kristus, vår Herre. Amen.
This Novena starts today, November 30th! Many blessings abound!!
A Favorite Christmas Novena ~
The St. Andrew Novena
The Christmas Novena—often called the St. Andrew Novena (prayed from November 30th to December 24th)—is, I believe, one of the most beloved Advent prayers in the Catholic tradition.
In our home, this novena has become a cherished part of preparing our hearts for Advent. Each year we offer intentions as a family, something we hope to gain together, and then a private intention, chosen by each person—perhaps a virtue to grow in or help in overcoming a particular weakness.
Although the novena stretches beyond the traditional nine days, we still refer to it as a novena because it is prayed in a “novena style”—repeated faithfully each day for a set period.
We’ve found that the easiest way to remember the prayer is to attach it to our daily Rosary. I know other families who pray it before supper, lighting their Advent wreath candles as part of their mealtime grace. Truly, it can be prayed at any time of day, but choosing a regular moment when the whole family is gathered—Rosary time, morning or night prayers, or at meals—makes it much easier to keep the devotion going.
Imagine a child who loves you dearly—how ready he is to do whatever he can just to make you happy. Now imagine the Christ-Child, the Divine Bambino. With infinite love, He longs to pour out graces on us! Everything is within His power, so long as what we ask does not hinder our path to eternal salvation.
In this beautiful season of preparing for the coming of Christ, the St. Andrew Christmas Novena helps us turn our hearts toward Him with love and expectancy.
St. Andrew, whose feast opens the novena, holds the special distinction of being the first apostle called by Our Lord. Yet this novena is unique—it does not ask for St. Andrew’s intercession directly. Instead, it lovingly contemplates the very hour of Christ’s birth and seeks grace from God Himself.
The novena begins on November 30th, the Feast of St. Andrew, and continues through Christmas Eve, December 24th.
And if you begin late or miss a day—don’t be discouraged! Simply make up the extra prayers along the way. Jesus blesses every sincere effort.
St. Andrew Christmas Novena
Hail and Blessed be the hour and the moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.
Recite 15 times per day. It is permitted to break it up and pray 5x’s in the morning, afternoon and evening, but for the sake of missing one of the times and forgetting, I prefer to say them all at once.
Prepare for Miracles!
You can print out the PDF here: St Andrew Christmas Novena
Prayer to the Divine Bambino
A wonderful prayer to say each day of Advent!
Available here on PDF: Divine Bambino
Divine Bambino,
In my difficulties: help me.
From the enemies of my soul: save me.
In my errors: enlighten me.
In my doubts and pains: comfort me.
In my solitudes: be with me.
In my diseases: invigorate me.
When others despise me: encourage me.
In temptations: defend me.
In difficult hours: strengthen me.
With Your Sacred Heart: love me.
With Your immense power: protect me
And, into Your arms,
When I die: receive me.
Amen.
https://www.youtube.com/live/SOMxtmT3XPE?si=piOKSwUWZ3QYE0V-
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