Daniel's Seventy Weeks — Allegorical / Amillennial / Covenantal View
This chart illustrates the Allegorical / Amillennial / Covenantal interpretation of Daniel's Seventy Weeks (Daniel 9:24–27), as held by Augustine (in part), Meredith Kline, Kim Riddlebarger, Sam Storms, Lee Irons, H.C. Leupold, C.F. Keil, and various covenant theologians.
In this view, the number seven symbolizes completeness or perfection. The 490 years are not a literal chronology but a theological framework. The "seventy sevens" evoke the Sabbath (Lev 25), the Jubilee, and the Exile (2 Chr 36:21). The starting decree is typically Cyrus's decree of 539/538 BC, or the divine "word" that went forth when Daniel prayed (Dan 9:23).
The 70th week is understood as an indeterminate period: Christ's earthly ministry culminates in the crucifixion at the first half, while the second half encompasses the entire Church Age until the Parousia (Second Coming and Final Judgment). Two internal sub-variants exist: a historical variant (Young, Leupold, Keil) that maintains some chronological correspondence, and a symbolic variant (Kline, Riddlebarger, Storms) where the 490 years are entirely theological.
For a full comparison of all eight views, see The Eight Views of Daniel's Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks.
Text equivalent of the chart (for accessibility)
| Segment | Approximate span | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Start | 539/538 BC — Decree of Cyrus or Daniel's prayer | Symbolic beginning. |
| 7 weeks | Symbolic period | Rebuilding of Jerusalem under the Persians. |
| 62 weeks | Symbolic period | Leading up to the coming of Christ. |
| End of 69 weeks | ~AD 30 — Ministry and/or death of Christ | The Messiah appears. |
| 70th week (first half) | Christ's earthly ministry | Culminating in the crucifixion. |
| 70th week (second half) | Church Age (present era, undefined length) | The present dispensation until the Parousia. |
| End of 70th week | Second Coming — Final Judgment | Consummation of redemption. |