The angel Gabriel made several visits to Daniel in response to the latter's appeal for light on the great time vision recorded in Daniel 8:14. It was in answer to the seer's most earnest prayer for a clear understanding of the 2300 days that the heavenly messenger came to the prophet and made the following announcement: "O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. . . . Therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision."
The mighty visitor proceeds to enlighten the aged man of God with these words:
"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy." Dan. 9:24.
Time Covered by Angel's Statement
It is not necessary to dwell at length on the first part of this verse. It is generally understood by prophetic students that the term "seventy weeks" (sh-voo-im shiv-im) is by all Hebrew writers and commentators expounded as seventy times the period of seven years. The same conclusion is reached by recognizing the Biblical principle of a day for a year in prophecy. (See Num. 14:34; Eze. 4:6.) But Gabriel announced to the prophet that, during this 490 years, there was to be an anointing of the "most holy." What is this "most holy" that should be anointed' before the close of this time period?
It has been said by some that this refers to the anointing of the Messiah; for in the two subsequent verses the angel mentions that a certain number of these years reaches to Messiah the Prince, and to the time when the Messiah is cut off. It should, however, be remembered that the word Messiah means "anointed." (See Acts 4:25, 26, compared with Ps. 2:1, 2, and John 1:41, including the margin.) Yet we do not find in Scripture that the words "most holy" are applied to the Messiah. Jesus is called "Thy Holy One" (Ps. 89:19), "Thine Holy One" (Ps. 16:10), "the Holy One of Israel" (Isa. 55:5), "that holy thing" (Luke 1:35), "Thy Holy Child" (Acts 4:27). In harmony with the forecast made by the angel, Jesus was anointed as the Messiah, for it is written: "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power." Acts 10:38. This anointing, which took place at His baptism, occurred in the fullness of the time (Luke 3:21, 22), to fulfill the prediction made in Daniel 9:25, 26. But the Old Testament nowhere states that the Saviour will be called the "most holy."
Furthermore, the words "Thy Holy One," "Thine Holy One," before mentioned, are from a different Hebrew expression than the words "most holy" noted in Daniel 9:24. The Hebrew word chasid is used in those two texts. But the words "most holy" in Daniel 9:24 apply to objects, and not to persons. Seldom in the Old Testament are the words ko-desh ka-do-shim, "most holy," applied to any other object than the "holy of holies" in the sanctuary. Possibly once or twice this expression, ko-desh ka-doshim, may be used for holy things, but the term is not applied to a person. It is essential to bear this thought in mind.
It is true that the Bible says Christ is to experience two anointings. The one at His baptism, we have already mentioned; the other we shall note later. But it is evident that the anointing of the "most holy" in Daniel 9:24 does not have reference to the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Saviour at the time when Jesus received baptism at the hands of John.
Anointing of the Sanctuary
The Scriptures teach that when the sanctuary in the wilderness was in preparation for the priesthood and its services, Moses was commanded to make a holy anointing oil. Ex. 30: 22-25. The specific purpose of this holy oil was to anoint the vessels of the tabernacle, including the holy and the most holy places, and for the anointing of the priests. Verses 26-30. Strict commands were given that upon no human flesh should this holy oil come, save only the priests', and upon the vessels of the sanctuary. Verses 31-33. To violate this meant being cut off.
Again, when Israel's prophet was commanded to set up the tabernacle, Moses was exhorted:
"Thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof.. . . And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto Me in the priest's office. And thou shalt bring his sons, . . . and thou shalt anoint them, . . . that they may minister unto Me in the priest's office." Ex. 40:9-15.
When Moses had completed the setting up of the tabernacle, he was commanded to dedicate the sanctuary and to consecrate the priests before- Aaron and his sons entered upon their sacred offices. The account of this dedicatory and consecration service is found in Leviticus 8. A call was made for the congregation to gather at the door of the sanctuary to witness this solemn and sacred ceremony. Verses 3-5. Moses impressed upon the people that he was carrying out this service at the command of God. Verse 5.
Aaron and his sons were washed with water from the laver. They were then clothed with the holy garments. Verses 6-9, 13. The holy anointing oil was then applied to the sanctuary and its vessels. All parts of the tabernacle were anointed, including the furnishings in the most holy. Lev. 8:10, 11; Ex. 30:26-28. After the tabernacle and its furnishings, including the holy and the most holy, were anointed, the holy oil of anointing was poured upon the priests, upon Aaron and his sons. Lev. 8:12; Ex. 30:30. This anointing of the high priest was so complete that centuries later the psalmist refers to it as follows:
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments." Ps. 133:1, 2.
Dedicatory and Consecration Services
Seven days were occupied in these sacred and solemn services; for it is written:
"Ye shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation in seven days, until the days of your consecration be at an end: for seven days shall he consecrate you." Lev. 8:33.
Moreover, no person who was associated with the sanctuary service was permitted to engage in any occupation during these days of dedication and consecration. The record states:
"Therefore shall ye abide at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation day and night seven days, and keep the charge of the Lord, that ye die not: for so I am commanded. So Aaron and his sons did all things which the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses." Verses 35, 36.
That the holy and "most holy" places of the sanctuary were anointed and sanctified, is confirmed by a later testimony:
"It came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them." Num. 7:1.
Thus it is clear that every part of the sanctuary was set apart, dedicated, consecrated with the holy anointing oil. But the ministry of the sanctuary by the priests could not begin until after the tabernacle and the priests had been set apart by this sacred service. This dedication of the sacred structure was necessary before the priestly service could become effective therein. At the completion of this holy service, Aaron and his sons were prepared to carry forward the ministry of reconciliation with the sacrifices in the holy place. Lev. 9:4, 6, 22, 23. God approved of the dedication of the sanctuary and the consecration of the priesthood. The sanctuary service now was inaugurated.
Antitpyical "Most Holy" Anointed
During the years from 457 B. C. to 34 A. D., covering the period of the 490 years spoken of by the angel Gabriel, there was no sanctuary on earth anointed, nor was there any dedication or consecration of a priesthood to the sacred office of priestly ministry. It is true that the Israelites had returned from their Babylonian exile, and entered again into the worship of God by offering sacrifices, following the decree by Artaxerxes. Ezra 7:10-27. But the Aaronic priesthood had already been in existence for more than a thousand years. God had promised the Jewish people that at the close of the seventy years of their captivity they should return to the land of their fathers. Jer. 29: 10-14. But their restoration to Palestine and their renewal of the sacrificial system in the temple were but a continuation of the priestly ministry which had been active for many centuries prior to their exile in Babylon, but which ministry ceased because of the destruction of the temple, due to their sinful practices. 2 Chron. 36:14-21.
However, the Lord Jesus, after He completed His work on earth, was taken to heaven to appear in the presence of God as man's high priest and intercessor. He ascended to minister in the sanctuary which the Lord pitched and not man. Heb. 8:2. Before He entered upon this priestly ministry in heaven, there must needs be a dedication of the heavenly sanctuary and a consecration of the priesthood of that sanctuary. Heb. 9:11-28. Jesus ascended to heaven forty days after His resurrection. Acts 1:3. According to the announcement of the angel Gabriel, recorded in Daniel 9:25-27, Jesus must minister three and one half years on earth after He became Messiah. His Messianic anointing occurred at His baptism in October, 27 A. D. He labored among men three and one-half years following His baptism, and then died as the Lamb of God. Therefore His ascension took place over three years before the completion of the full 490 years. It is the "most holy" of the heavenly sanctuary which Gabriel declared should be anointed during the seventy times seven years. That this actually occurred we will show in another article.
Washington, D. C.
