The idea of a seven-year tribulation, commonly taught in some Christian circles, is largely based on only one verse—Daniel 9:27. This interpretation holds that the Antichrist will make a covenant with Israel for seven years, breaking it halfway through. However, a closer look suggests that this interpretation shifts the focus away from the true subject of the passage—Jesus Christ, not the Antichrist.

Daniel 9:24-27 outlines seventy “weeks” (or sets of seven years, equaling 490 years) that God has determined for His people. After 69 of these weeks, the Messiah is “cut off,” which refers to Jesus’ death in the 70th week, meaning this final week began with His ministry. The key question is: what happens during this last week?

Daniel 9:27 states, “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease.” While some believe the “he” refers to the Antichrist, the context of the previous verse points to the Messiah (Jesus). Thus, the “he” who confirms the covenant with “many” refers to Jesus, not the Antichrist. Jesus did, in fact, confirm the covenant during His ministry. At the Last Supper, He said, “This is my blood of the new covenant, shed for many” (Matthew 26:28). His ministry lasted exactly 3 1/2 years—half of the final seven-year period.

In the middle of the 70th week, Jesus was crucified, fulfilling the prophecy that He would “cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease.” His death on the cross ended the need for animal sacrifices because His sacrifice was the final, perfect atonement for sin. Hebrews 10:10-12 reinforces this, stating that Christ’s offering sanctified us “once for all,” and no further sacrifices are necessary. This event fulfilled Daniel’s prophecy in a spiritual sense, as it made the temple sacrifices obsolete.

This leaves the final 3 1/2 years, which many believe correspond to the tribulation described in the Book of Revelation. Revelation frequently mentions periods of 3 1/2 years (42 months, 1,260 days, or “a time, times, and half a time”) connected to the Great Tribulation. However, it’s important to note that Revelation never mentions a seven-year tribulation period. The idea of a seven-year tribulation wasn’t introduced until the 19th century, when John Darby popularized it. His interpretation added a seven-year framework that is not explicitly stated in Scripture, especially not in Revelation.

In conclusion, the idea of a seven-year tribulation is based on a narrow interpretation of Daniel 9:27 and a relatively recent theological development. A more careful reading shows that Daniel’s prophecy is centered on Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the first half of the 70th week through His ministry and crucifixion. The remaining 3 1/2 years likely refer to future events described in Revelation. This Christ-centered interpretation offers a clearer, more consistent understanding of both Daniel and Revelation, keeping Jesus—not the Antichrist—at the center of biblical prophecy.