Daniel was speaking, praying and confessing both his own sin and that of the nation. Only when we acknowledge our own sin do we have the right to confess that of the nation and pray effectively for the nation. Daniel was also praying for "His holy hill", presumably Mount Zion. While he was doing this the angel Gabriel came. The angel had been sent to give Daniel insight. As soon as Daniel had started to pray God had started to answer. He also tells Daniel that he is highly esteemed. Now the concept of being "highly esteemed" doesn't sit well with us because we are afraid of pride, and rightly so. For there have been many who have fallen through pride and it is a pernicious sin. But we need to recognise that God may actually think highly of us. Note that Daniel had confessed his sins. It is only people who humble themselves before God who can possibly be highly esteemed by Him.
We then get lots of talk of sevens and seventy sevens. There are numerous interpretations of all this, debate largely centering around how literal we are to take these time periods.
Verse 24 involves an awful lot! Sin is to be finished with, wickedness atoned for, everlasting righteousness brought in, seal up the vision and the prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. Some of this, especially the atoning of sin, was accomplished on the cross. There is repentance of sin now, the work of transformation has begun, but will only be completed on the return of Christ. Sealing could mean sealing in the sense of closing it, but could also mean authenticating it. This verse probably applies to the whole of history.
Then we read that the rebuilding will be in a time of trouble, lasting sixty nine sevens. The NIV (9:26) says the anointed one shall be put to death. The text doesn't actually say this, rather the ESV says the anointed one shall be cut off. The meaning is unclear.
The final verses seem to talk of the anti-Christ. Whatever the details, it is clear that the end is associated with tough times.
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