A critical analysis of premillennial dispensationalism's interpretation ...

they perceive the future course of Israel’s history and God’s dealings with the
Gentile nations (Riddlebarger: 150).
As has already been said, it is vital that the correct context governs the
interpretation of the prophecy in question. Not to do so would remove from
sight important information necessary for the correct understanding of the
prophecy.
Throughout Daniel 9:1-19, the prophet includes in his prayer of repentance
that Israel had continually broken the covenant and, in consequence, the
renewal of covenant had become necessary. It is with this in mind - the
necessity of a new covenant - that one must commence the interpretation of
Gabriel’s words. Christ was central to the prophecy as it was He alone who
could fulfil the Old Covenant requirements. Furthermore, only He could initiate
and validate the New through His vicarious death and physical resurrection.
The prophet, in his prayer that precedes Gabriel’s arrival, invokes God’s
covenant mercies and in so doing makes repeated use of God’s covenant
name (YHWH). In addition, Daniel repeatedly uses the name ‘Adonay’ which
is the characteristic designation of the dominant party in the covenant
(Riddlebarger: 151).
This entire passage, therefore, displays a clear understanding of covenant
that is impossible to ignore. With this in mind, it is interesting to note that
Daniel 9:24-27 follows the covenant administration pattern set out in Leviticus
26. Daniel’s prayer corresponds to the confession of Leviticus 26:40. Gabriel’s
prophecy corresponds to the covenant restitution and renewal of Leviticus
26:24ff. As Riddlebarger points out, “Too often, this important context is
overlooked.” (Riddlebarger: 152).
It should also be remembered that there is another important redemptivehistorical
connection in Leviticus 26:43. The Lord declared that there would be
a time when the land would “enjoy its sabbaths’’ while the land was deserted
by the children of Israel. In II Chronicles 36:21, the writer looks back on the
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