If in Daniel 9:27 the covenant is for seven years, would that mean people during the Tribulation will know the day of our Lord’s return?

This text is from a letter written by David Gooding in 1994.

I suppose that the period of seven years in Daniel 9:27 to which you refer may be a round number, and not a precise period.

In Daniel 12:11–12, for instance, two different sets of numbers of days are given. The verses do not say why two different periods are mentioned, one shorter and one longer, and I take it that the reason for this difference will become apparent when the great event happens.

Our Lord's words in Matthew 24:36 are that no one knows the day nor the hour. Do you think perhaps that the terms 'day' and 'hour' here could actually indicate a more precise knowledge of the timing? That is, from the time of the setting up of the abomination until the end, the people of that day may well know the general period at which the Lord shall come, but will not know the precise day and hour until he actually comes?

Yours very sincerely,