I recognize that we are currently in grace, but does the Bible say that God goes back to prophecy and law?

QUESTION:

“Christ was the end of the first program and has become the only way to the Father. But I'm not sure about your telling about the going back to prophecy/law. Please can you explain and provide some scriptures.”

MY REPLY:

The Seventy Weeks (of Years) Prophecy

The most thorough way to prove that the prophecy/law program reactivates is to look at prophecy itself, using one of the most powerful prophecies in the Bible: Daniel’s 70-weeks prophecy, found in Daniel 9:24-27.

This prophecy outlines a timeline of God’s plan for Israel. The prophecy is divided into three parts: 7 weeks, 62 weeks, and 1 week, totaling 70 weeks of years (490 years).

Interruption by Paul’s Mystery and Grace Dispensation

The prophetic program for Israel was interrupted after the 69th week (7+62 sevens = 483 years) with the arrival of Jesus Christ, who was “cut off” (crucified) as prophesied in Dan.9:26. This interruption is often referred to as the “gap” or “parenthesis” in the prophecy.

During this gap, the “mystery” revealed to Paul, which is the dispensation of grace, began. This period is characterized by the inclusion of Gentiles into God’s plan without the need for adherence to the Mosaic Law, emphasizing salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This dispensation was not revealed in the Old Testament and is considered a “mystery” because it was hidden until Paul’s revelation (Ephesians 3:2-6).

So, during this dispensation of mystery/grace, no biblical prophecy is being fulfilled. No prophet was able to prophecy about a period or events which God kept secret and revealed to Paul after his Damascus Road experience. 

Rom 16:25  Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,  (26)  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

Col 1:25-27  Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;  (26)  Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:  (27)  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

This entire dispensation of grace is outside of the scope of bible prophecy. However, after this period ends, prophecy will resume again for Israel as there are still prophecies that need to be fulfilled. Consider the last book in the Bible, Revelation, which is part of Israel’s program, prophesied by Israel’s prophets.

Resumption of the 70th Week

The 70th week, or the final 7 years of the prophecy, will commence after the dispensation of grace ends. This period is often associated with the end times and the 7-year tribulation, where Israel will face significant trials and ultimately recognize Jesus as the Messiah. This week will conclude with the second coming of Christ and the establishment of His Millennial kingdom, bringing an end to Israel’s period of discipline and fulfilling God’s promises to them.

According to Dan.9:27, the signing of a peace treaty by the Antichrist marks the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel’s prophecy, resuming God’s prophetic timeline for Israel. This event takes place after the rapture of the Body of Christ and officially begins the 7-year Tribulation.

The Peace Treaty and the 70th Week

Daniel 9:27 states:

“He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple, he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”

Midpoint of the 70th Week

Halfway through this period (after 3.5 years), the Antichrist will break the treaty, ending the Jewish sacrifices and offerings. He will then commit the “abomination of desolation” by desecrating the temple. This act is a significant marker in end-times prophecy, leading to intense persecution and tribulation for Israel.

Mark 13:14  states:

“But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:…”

Dispensational References

When one recognizes dispensational truths, you will see how the Bible outlines distinct periods in God’s plan for humanity. Here’s a few references of dispensations periods that you can look deeper into.

Ephesians mentions a basic outline of the dispensation, “time past, but now and ages to come”.

Eph 2:7  That IN THE AGES TO COME he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  (8)  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.  (10)  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.  (11)  Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called UNCIRCUMCISION by that which is called the CIRCUMCISION in the flesh made by hands;  (12)  That AT THAT TIME ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:  (13)  BUT NOW in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Other references linked to dispensational division:

From Moses to Paul: Law and Prophecy

• Law:

o Exodus 20:1-17: The giving of the Ten Commandments.

o Galatians 3:24: “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

o Romans 7:6  But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. . 

• Prophecy:

o Matthew 11:13: “For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.”

o Luke 16:16: “The Law and the Prophets were until John; since that time the kingdom of God has been preached…”

From Paul to the Rapture: Dispensation of Grace and Mystery

• Grace:

o Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”

o Romans 6:14: “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”

• Mystery:

o Ephesians 3:2-6: Paul speaks of the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to previous generations.

o 1 Corinthians 15:51-52: “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed…”

After the Rapture: Reactivation of Law and Prophecy

• Reactivation of Law and Prophecy:

o Revelation 7:4-8: The sealing of the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel indicates a return to God’s focus on Israel.

o Revelation 11:3-6: The two witnesses prophesy during the tribulation, indicating a return to prophetic activity.

o Matthew 24:15: Jesus refers to the “abomination of desolation” spoken of by Daniel, linking back to the prophetic law. 

o Matthew 24:21-22: “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless

• End of Grace:

o 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: Describes the rapture, after which the focus shifts back to Israel and the fulfillment of prophecies.

o Daniel 9:24-27: Discusses the 70-weeks prophecy, indicating a future time when God will deal with Israel again.

o Jeremiah 31:31-34: This passage speaks of a new covenant with Israel, indicating a future restoration of God’s law.

Conclusion:

I know this is a mouthful, but it is only a small amount of the volume of info I have concerning dispensational truth, Israel and the Body of Christ, and rightly dividing. Remember, Paul tells Timothy in his last epistle before he is executed, saying to Timothy,

2Ti 2:14  Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.  (15)  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH.  (16)  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.