TABLE I.

THE SEVENTY WEEKS.

The commencement and termination of the 70 weeks, or 490 years according to the following authors.

REMARKS ON TABLE I.

Maramensis reckons by Jubilees of 49 years each=3430. See the Investigator, vol. II. p. 123.

Most of the above authors reckon by solar years. Julius Africanus by lunar years, and reduces the total period 490 to 475, and several others adopt different systems of chronology to make the times yield to their schemes.

Sir Isaac Newton reckons 62 weeks or 434 years from the time Nehemiah finished the wall, Neh. vi. 15. which, he says, was in the Julian Period 4278, to which add 434=4172 which is the very year Christ was born: that is two years before the vulgar era. He considers the command to restore and build Jerusalem not yet given, but that it will precede the second advent 7 weeks or 49 years. Origen reckoned the 70 weeks equal to 4900 years. See Calmet on Weeks. John Caverhill, M. D. has two beginnings and endings; 1st. from 444 B. C. to A. D. 46 when Jerusalem ceased to be a holy city; 2nd. from 356 B. C. to A. D. 135 when the Jews ceased to be a people.

This prophecy cannot be fulfilled in any measure, until "the command to restore and build Jerusalem" has been issued. The sense therefore requires that it should be read thus: "After threescore and two weeks Messiah shall be made a covenant, but not for himself." The analogy of divine truth requires this rendering, and the following passages amply support it. I will give thee for a covenant to the people." Lowth. Isa. xlii. 6. "I will preserve thee and give thee for a covenant for the people. xlix. 8. As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant, I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein there is no water." Zech. ix. 11. And the use of the word Atalnкn, covenant, in the new Testament shows that Jesus Christ is made a covenant. "For this is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for many. Mat. xxvi. 28. Mark xiii. 24. "This is the blood of the covenant." Heb. ix. 20. and again "Through the blood of the covenant." Heb. xiii. 20. Is not this the blood of Christ? and is he not called the covenant? See Parkhurst on the place.

The old covenant was a type of the new, which is a better covenant, established upon better promises, which is made with better sacrifices, and ratified with better blood. The whole centres in Christ who was made the life and soul of it. Whatever Christ is in

the economy of Redemption he is made that by the purpose of God. "The word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us. God sent forth his son made of a woman, made under the law”—made a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec-made a surety of a better covenant-he is the foundation and made the head of the corner. In a word he is

made all in all. This is he who of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. "And after threescore and two weeks" from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem "shall Messiah be made a covenant, but not for himself:" but for us men and for our salvation. When the Jews are restored and converted, Messiah the prince will be given for a covenant to the people, even an everlasting covenant, called the sure mercies of David. "Behold I have given him for a witness to the people, a Leader and Commander to the people." Isa. lv. 4, 5. This shall take place when God shall make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah,-"when he shall forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more. This is the time "that the city shall be built to the Lord from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner. And the measuring line shall yet go over against it upon the hill Gareb, and shall compass about

to Goath. And the valley of the dead bodies and of the ashes, and all the fields unto the brook Kidron, unto the corner of the horse gate toward the east, shall be holy unto the Lord; it shall not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever." Jer xxxi. 31–40. Then he will finish transgression, and make an end of sins:" "and wash away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purge the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof" not by shedding his own blood, but "by the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning. And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and a smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all, the glory shall be a defence. Isa. iv. 4, 5.

After the Jews have been restored, and have built their city, and have become prosperous, the allied armies under Gog or the Prince that is to come, will invade the land, and take the city and sanctuary. From the whole account two things are demonstrated. First. That none of the decrees of the Persian kings contained any "commandment to restore and build Jerusalem;" yet the prophecy relates only to the building of the city without one word about rebuilding the temple." Secondly. That those decrees were fulfilled while Jerusalem