But the New Covenant was not confirmed before it was confirmed. Right?
If the New Covenant was confirmed (established) in the middle of the 70th week as Bab2 says (and I agree), then the New Covenant was only confirmed for 3 1/2 years (the last half of the 70th week) according to his view. Right?
No, he is citing also a separate additional, following the cross, 3 1/2 years to the time that Stephen was stoned - as that in his theory was the completion of the 70 weeks, is when the gospel was ceased to be to the Jews (completing the 70 weeks determined on Daniel's people the Jews) and which then after the completion of the 70th week, the gospel was spread to gentiles by Paul.
So Bab2 adds 3 years for Jesus's ministry time to the Jews, to get to the crucifixion, and from then, 3 1/2 years till the stoning of Stephen - to get a total of 7 years (thereabouts) for the confirming of the new covenant - to the Jews.
Separately, I would like to point out -
Another thing regarding the New Covenant, "confirmed" is the wrong word.
"Made understood" is the right phrase. Jesus before the crucifixion told the disciples what was going to happen -
but although he plainly told them, it was closed to their understanding until after the resurrection, when Jesus opened their minds.
Here is the text Luke 18:34, showing that the understanding was closed to the disciples...
Luke 18:
31 Then he took
unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
33 And they shall scourge
him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
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Here is the text, after the resurrection, when Jesus made everything understood to the disciples in Luke 24:
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
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And here is why the understanding was sealed from everyone until after the resurrection....
1Corthinians2:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery,
even the hidden
wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
When it was talking about the princes of this world, it is talking about Satan (the prince of this world) and the fallen angels (princes of Persia and Greece, for example) - who sought to have Jesus put to death, thinking by crucifying the King, it would keep the Kingdom of God from replacing their dominion overshadowing the world.
They had no idea that by Jesus being crucified, his shed blood would be the very thing that would free man from the penalty of sin - that man would not have to be judged for sin, that he could be forgiven; which conversely, Satan and the fallen angels have been judged already (John 16:11 below) for their sins and the prosecution and execution of the judgement is what is coming.
John 16:
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
Well, it's not. It is about the Glorious Return of Jesus. And there are 7 years forthcoming leading up to it, which Revelation 6 thorugh 19 describe, given by Jesus Himself. And none of the apostles wrote anything about the stoning of Stephen being associated with the confirmation of the covenant for 7 years.
