Many bible scholars state that after translating the above passages by Daniel, it is possible to figure the date of the first coming of Christ. The times mentioned can not be taken literally since weeks had a different meaning in Hebrew from what we have now. Simply put, 1 week equals 7 years, so the 70 weeks spoken of in the above passage equals 490 years. If is much more complicated than I made it seem to figure out the time period, but the end result is the same. This is the exact time that Jesus came on to the scene.

Daniel stated that the people were to know and understand about both comings of Christ. Jesus also stated in Matthew 24:15 that the people are to understand the prophecies of Daniel.

Matthew 24:15 Someday you will see that "Horrible Thing" in the holy place, just as the prophet Daniel said. Everyone who reads this must try to understand! 16 If you are living in Judea at that time, run to the mountains. 17 If you are on the roof of your house, don't go inside to get anything. 18 If you are out in the field, don't go back for your coat. 19 It will be a terrible time for women who are expecting babies or nursing young children. 20 And pray that you won't have to escape in winter or on a Sabbath. 21 This will be the worst time of suffering since the beginning of the world, and nothing this terrible will ever happen again. 22 If God doesn't make the time shorter, no one will be left alive. But because of God's chosen ones, he will make the time shorter. 23 Someone may say, "Here is the Messiah!" or "There he is!" But don't believe it. 24 False messiahs and false prophets will come and work great miracles and signs. They will even try to fool God's chosen ones. 25 But I have warned you ahead of time. 26 If you are told that the Messiah is out in the desert, don't go there! And if you are told that he is in some secret place, don't believe it! 27 The coming of the Son of Man will be like lightning that can be seen from east to west. 28 Where there is a corpse, there will always be buzzards. 29 Right after those days of suffering, "The sun will become dark, and the moon will no longer shine. The stars will fall, and the powers in the sky will be shaken." 30 Then a sign will appear in the sky. And there will be the Son of Man. All nations on earth will weep when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 At the sound of a loud trumpet, he will send his angels to bring his chosen ones together from all over the earth.

Does the above passage refer to some sort of nuclear winter on the earth? Is it inevitable that man will bring great destruction on himself? Who can really tell? The Horrible Thing could be a comet or meteor striking the earth, or some global disaster. The point here is that when these things begin to happen that will announce the second coming and all must be ready. The exact time of the second coming is not stated but it will coincide with the end of the world and Matthew says "No one can know the exact hour"

Some people believe that some of the prophesy will be fulfilled when there is peace in the middle east. A third temple on Mount Moriah that was predicted might be built. Some people have even gone so far as to set a date. A popular range of dates is 2011 to 2047. I say why not pick 2384 or 2005 or 10987? It truly seems senseless to try and pick an exact date for the second coming and the end of the world. One of the truest sayings I ever heard was 'live every day like it is your last.' That way you will always be prepared.