Apparently, the covenant will be confirmed, affirmed, and/or supported by a man (possibly not yet known globally by that point) who is known in the Bible as the “man of lawlessness” The 70th Week of Daniel is an eschatological and prophetic term, often used to refer to the final 7 years of this age, during much of which there will be a great purging of the earth. It is believed, by most Christian faiths, that by the end of this period, Jesus the Messiah (Christ) will descend to earth to destroy the enemies of Israel and to set up His millennial (1,000-year) kingdom on the earth (see the Millennium). Jesus and John wrote parallel depictions of as much as 6 of the final 7 years (see Parallels Between the Six Seals and the Olivet Discourse).
According to the angel Gabriel, by the end of 70 “weeks” of years (a “week” being equivalent to 7 years), it has been decreed by God, concerning Daniel’s “people” (Israel) and “holy city” (Jerusalem), that the following will come to pass
The final segment of the 70 “weeks,” of course, will be the “70th Week.” This ultimate period of 7 years will commence with the confirmation or strengthening of a covenant, presumed to involve Israel and other unspecified nations or peoples, for one “week” or “heptad” of years—that is, for seven years Apparently, the covenant will be confirmed, affirmed, and/or supported by a man (possibly not yet known globally by that point) who is known in the Bible as the “man of lawlessness”
Many feel that the European Neighbourhood Policy, officially in effect as of January 1, 2007, is the 7-year confirmation of the prophesied covenant of
The exponential curve in the Graph of the 70th Week depicts the “Intensity of Troubles” on the earth, as a factor of “Time,” following the confirmation of the covenant for 7 years. For 3½ years after the establishment of the confirming agreement, worldwide deception, troubles, and sorrows (including more frequent, severe, and widespread earthquakes, plagues, famines and wars) will continue to increase gradually, just as the curve to the left of the vertical axis is more horizontal than vertical.
At the midpoint of the 70th Week, the abomination that causes desolation will be set up in the Third Temple in Jerusalem. After this point, great tribulation, suffering, and cataclysms around the world will escalate markedly, just as the curve to the right of the vertical axis is more vertical than horizontal. Severe calamities will soar, unabated, during the final 3½ years of the 7-year period.
God will be opposed to the 7-year accord, involving Israel, because His chosen people (the Israelites) will have entered into the agreement without having consulted Him and without having gained His approval. This is shown in the Old Testament book of the prophet Isaiah
The final Jewish temple (the Third Temple, promoted zealously by The Temple Institute) will be in place, in Jerusalem, prior to the midpoint of the 70th Week. Presumably, the Mosaic sacrificial system, including the slaughtering of animals, will be reinstated. The Antichrist or “desolator,” evidently, will walk into this temple and “put an end to sacrifice and offering” in the middle of the 70th Week
Most Christians believe that, at some point during the 70th Week, The Rapture of believers will take place (see also Pre-Wrath Rapture). The timing of this momentous event is a topic of considerable debate (see Views and Debates).
Many embrace the erroneous belief that they will be removed from the earth prior to the onset of the 70th Week (via the Pre-Tribulation Rapture). Initially, they will not recognize that the final seven-year period of this age has begun, since they still will be present on the earth, anticipating the Rapture to take place. As a result, once it has become unmistakably clear that the 70th Week already has commenced, many may believe that they have been “deceived” by their Christian leaders, and/or “abandoned” by Jesus, resulting in a great apostasy of believers.
A detailed, sequential description of the Book of Revelation can be found in this commentary: The Chronology of Revelation. A chart can be found at The 70th Week and Extensions. Yet another chart of The 70th Week and Extensions contains Bible passages referencing portions of the 70th Week.