“A period of seventy sets of seven has been decreed for your people and your holy city to finish their rebellion, to put an end to their sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.” Daniel 9:24
According to the angel Gabriel, the future of Israel involves six events. All of these events were taken care of at the Cross of Jesus Christ. None of these events have been experienced by Israel due to their rejection of Jesus Christ as Messiah. All of these events will be experienced in the tribulation period for Israel.
To finish the transgression: This is the first and most important item and the list of things that must be accomplished during the last seven years. To all who believe, transgression was finished at the Cross. The perfect consummation of the redeeming work will not be realized until the end of the seven years. “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.” (Zechariah 12:10) “In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.” (Zechariah 13:1)
To make an end to sin: This phrase points to the time when sin will be eliminated, not only in principle but also in practice. This cannot happen until the reign of Christ during the Millennium. In that day, sin will have run its course in Israel, and it will be locked up, never to do its work again. “They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their God.” (Ezekiel 37:23)
To make reconciliation for inequity: This is the statement of atonement. Jesus Christ is the One making the atonement. Sin is ended because of the atonement of the Messiah. The word reconciliation means “atonement of a covering for sin” Actually this was done for Israel and all of us at the Cross, but Israel has not yet experienced this covering for sin. They will be fully reconciled to God at the second coming of Jesus Christ.