I don't believe there is a gap in the 70 weeks.

I appreciate your willingness to engage with these complex topics. Forgive me for the long reply here, but these subjects require a little more explanation than normal.

Regarding the 70 weeks prophecy in Daniel, while you maintain there is no gap, the text itself may provide evidence for a gap between the 69th and 70th week.

In Daniel 9:27, the prophecy states, "And 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."

This prophecy aligns with other passages that speak of the "abomination of desolation," a key event in end-times prophecy. Jesus Himself referred to this event in Matthew 24:15-21, linking it to a future time of great tribulation: "So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains... For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again."

The apostle Paul also references the "abomination of desolation" in his letters, specifically in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, where he speaks of a future event:

"Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God."

That passage aligns with the concept of the abomination of desolation, where a figure of great evil (the Antichrist) will desecrate the temple in Jerusalem during a future period of tribulation.

Paul's mention of this event as something yet to come, along with similar passages in the New Testament, supports the idea that certain aspects of end-times prophecy, such as the 70th week of Daniel and the abomination of desolation, are still awaiting fulfillment. This reinforces the futurist interpretation of these prophecies, suggesting that they will be fulfilled in a future period of tribulation preceding Christ's return.

The description of the great tribulation in Matthew 24 and other passages (such as Revelation 7:14) portrays a period of unprecedented suffering and turmoil that has not yet been fulfilled in history. This, of course, aligns with a futurist interpretation of end-times events, suggesting that the 70th week of Daniel, including the abomination of desolation, is yet to come.

Furthermore, the idea of a gap within a prophetic timeline is not unprecedented in biblical prophecy. For example, in Luke 4:16-21, Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah and stops mid-sentence, implying a gap in the fulfillment of that prophecy. He reads, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor." He then stops before reading, "and the day of vengeance of our God." This "gap" suggests that the fulfillment of the latter part of this prophecy has a future aspect, which aligns with the concept of a gap in the 70 weeks prophecy.

One thing to keep in mind when discussing Hebrew prophecy is that the Church Age, which was not fully revealed to the Old Testament prophets, introduces the possibility of gaps in biblical prophecy. The concept of the Church Age as a mystery is a significant aspect of biblical theology. The apostle Paul, in Ephesians 3:4-6, describes this mystery as the inclusion of the Gentiles in God's redemptive plan through faith in Christ. He explains that this mystery was not made known to previous generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.

This imagery can be likened to looking at two distant mountain peaks - one behind the other - without being able to see the valley between them. The Old Testament prophets, while they foresaw the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God's kingdom, did not have a clear view of the Church Age—the period between Christ's first and second comings—where the Gentiles would be included as fellow heirs with the Jews in the body of Christ.

This hidden period, in which Gentiles are included in God's plan of salvation through faith in Christ, was gradually unveiled through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. This theological insight suggests that there may be gaps or undisclosed periods in other prophecies, especially concerning the timing and nature of future events, awaiting fulfillment in God's sovereign timing.

Considering the above points, do you see the possibility that the 70th week of Daniel, including the abomination of desolation, is yet future and part of a future tribulation period?

"To me it seems all weeks are accounted for, with the final week being the 3.5 years to execution / resurrection and the stoning of Steven (end of Israel only, beginning of Gospel to all nations) followed by the next 3.5 years, whatever happened then. I don't understand why this last week magically disappears and lasts for undetermined amount of time when all the others had a set time."

The interpretation you've presented suggests that the entire 70th week of Daniel's prophecy was fulfilled in the events surrounding the stoning of Stephen and the subsequent spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles. However, there are several reasons why this view faces challenges in aligning with the biblical text:

1. Duration of the 70th Week: The prophecy in Daniel 9:27 indicates that the 70th week would be a seven-year period (one 'seven' in biblical language often denotes a week of years, i.e., seven years). The idea that the 70th week was split into two parts with a gap between them, as you suggest, is not explicitly supported by the text.

2. Specific Events in the 70th Week: The events described in Daniel 9:27 for the 70th week, such as the confirming of a covenant and the setting up of the abomination of desolation, are typically understood in a future eschatological context and have not been historically fulfilled in the manner you describe.

3. Jesus' Ministry and the 70th Week: Your view suggests that the ministry of Jesus and the subsequent events, including the stoning of Stephen, encompassed the entire 70th week. However, this timeline does not align with the chronology presented in the Gospels or the book of Acts.

4. Continuity of the Prophecy: The prophecy in Daniel 9 concerning the 70 weeks is presented as a continuous timeline leading up to the Messiah. Interpreting the 70th week as having been partially fulfilled in the past and then halted for an extended period of time raises questions about the continuity and coherence of the prophecy.

In light of these considerations, it seems that the interpretation you've offered, while seeking to make sense of the timeline of events, may not fully align with the details and structure of the 70 weeks prophecy as presented in Daniel 9.

edit- forgot to reply to the OT heavenly bodies language parts... what came to me on this is that these references probably had meanings already assigned to them which were only known by the faithful remnant of Israel and these were shown to John and so he wrote Revelation with them, and of course Christ knew, and also used them. I bet they all reference the same things, all the way through, and I don't think they mean the actual stars, sun, or moon. I bet God can be quite cheeky and clever if He wants to keep something hidden, even using something with parallel earthly phenomena such as solar and lunar eclipses to veil coded language with, sort of like a double-veil.

The concept of cosmic language in apocalyptic literature referring to times of great judgment is not unique to the Bible but is a common feature in ancient Near Eastern and Jewish apocalyptic texts. For example, in the Book of Enoch, similar cosmic imagery is used to depict eschatological events. The darkening of the sun and moon, and the falling of stars, are used symbolically to signify the collapse of earthly powers and the arrival of divine judgment.

Moreover, in the broader context of ancient Near Eastern literature, cosmic phenomena were often seen as omens or signs of significant events, including divine intervention or the overthrow of rulers. These cosmic signs were believed to herald a time of great change or upheaval in the world.

Therefore, interpreting the cosmic language in Revelation and other apocalyptic texts as having a hidden or secret meaning beyond their symbolic value as indicators of divine judgment is not necessary. The use of such imagery is a literary device employed to convey the dramatic and transformative nature of the events described in these texts, rather than indicating a hidden code or esoteric meaning.

I know I've said a lot here. Much to ruminate on. No need to rush on a response. I do enjoy, however, this exchange and the respectful manner in which you’re engaging. It's refreshing!