Friday, January 29, 2016

Two Prophecies seldom Mentioned (Part 2 of the Abominations of Desolation)

Two seldom mentioned prophecies

Dan 12:11, and 12.
11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.

In last week’s bible study we went over the 1260 day prophecy and discovered its beginning and end dates of the prophecy, and all the historical events that distinguished those dates. We saw the connection of the fourth beast in Daniel 7 to that of the first beast in Revelation 13. They are very similar, but the latter seemed to have grown larger and more powerful than the first beast from Daniel. These beasts represent the same thing, but in two different stages of earth’s time.
            The Beast in Daniel was described as the one that would rise up from the earth and gain power to rule and commit abomination and create desolation of the earth. This beast made war with the saints and thought to change times and laws for a time, times and a half (1260 prophetic days, or literal years).
            Now, the beast in Revelation 13 was said to also have received power and ruled the earth; he committed abomination against the Lord, and brought desolation upon the earth while making war against the saints. Like that of the Beast in Dan 7, the beast of Rev 13 also was given power for 42 months, or 1260 literal years.
            These two beast from Dan 7 and Rev 13 represent the same earthly power: Papal Rome, or Roman Catholicism. The beast in Dan 7 was the description of the beast before the ending of the 1260 days were complete. The papal power first became recognized in 538 A.D. as being a religious and governmental power. Exactly 1,260 years after 538 A.D., the Papal power was overthrown by Napoleon’s Army when General Berthier took the pope captive and threw him into prison in the year 1798. Thus, the beast received its deadly wound and the 1260 day prophecy was fulfilled. However, that same power represented by the beasts was returned to power after 1798 and its deadly wound was healed. Again, Papal Rome was given power and is said that he will go and make war against the saints and will rule over the earth again. The beast after the 1260 days is much more powerful than before when it grew to power between 538 and 1798. This is the time that we are in now where the beast is rising to power and preparing for the final conflict against the Lamb of God.
            Note: During the 1260 years it was said that the Woman in Revelation 14, which represent the People of God, was flown into the wilderness to be nourished for a time, times and a half, or 1260 prophetic days. During the persecution that Rome afflicted God’s people with through the 1260 years, God nourished and kept His people through the whole time. The Everlasting gospel was carried through that time of trouble into our day. The same faith of Jesus was kept alive into our day. Now, in the last time of trouble, God will strengthen and nourish His people to carry forward the everlasting gospel unto the end of the earth. May we be willing and ready to do just that.

            Now that our memory has been refreshed on the last 1,260 years, let’s figure out what the two times mentioned in Daniel 12:11 and 12 are.

Dan 12:11, and 12.
11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.

So, here we have the following:

  •      1290 days (Or literal years using a day for a year conversion from Ezekiel 4:6)
  •         1,335 days (or years)


            These two time periods mentioned above are related to the 1,260 years that we talked about last week. Read verse 7 of Dan 12 and you will see.

Daniel 12:7
7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

            Question is, when do these two time begin, and when do they end?

            It says in the verses above that when the daily sacrifices are taken away, that is when the abominations that maketh desolate were set up, is that referring to the midst of the last week of the 70 when the Sacrifices and oblations were made to cease? Therefore, did the 1290 days begin near the end of 70 weeks?

Well, that is not likely because Christ did not take away the daily sacrifice, instead He became the sacrifice; He fulfilled it and it was no longer necessary. The work in the Heavenly sanctuary was just beginning. And we already determined that the 1260 days ended when the abomination that maketh desolate was made to cease in the year 1798, so this 1290 day prophecy obviously did not begin in A.D. 31 when Christ was crucified. 

Perhaps this prophecy is marking the exact starting point of the setting up of abomination of desolation? 

Since the Abomination that made desolate was to last until the beast received its deadly wound, that means that the 1290 days ended the same time the 1260 days ended, in the year 1798. Now, by using reverse math we can define precisely what year the 1290 days (or literal years) began. Are you following me?
            1798-1290= the year 508 A.D.

(Note that the beginning of the 1260 day prophecy was not when the abomination of desolation was set up, but rather was when the fourth beast in Dan 7 received its power. That was in 538 AD when the papacy became a recognized government. The actual beginning of abomination of desolation was thirty years prior in 508 A.D.)

What happened in 508 A.D. that could be the reason for beginning the prophecy?
Most history books say very little about the year 508. Yet one significant event stands out. In Europe, one of the major events of that year was the conclusion of the war between Clovis, king of the Franks (later France), and the Visigoths, whom he defeated and pushed into Spain.

Who was Clovis, and who were the Visigoths?

“Clovis (c. 466-511) was the first King of the Franks to unite all the Frankish tribes under one king. He also introduced Christianity. He was the son of Childeric Iand Basina. At age 15, he succeeded his father, in the year 481.”
The quote above says that Clovis was a Christian, but if you read Wikipedia (which is a popular online encyclopedia that leans toward an influence to Catholicism), you will find that Clovis was noted for his conversion to Catholicism.
Clovis was, most certainly, a catholic king. He aligned his views with that of the Roman Catholic Church and thus made war in the name of Rome to conquer for him. In 508, Clovis defeated the Visigoths, marking a notable victory for the Roman Church.


            Who and what are the Visigoths?

The Visigoths were a branch of the nomadic people of Germany known as the Goths. They were considered barbarians practically. Though, some of the ways of the Visigoths may have seemed barbaric, the Visigoths, like many of the Goths, did not believe the way that Rome did. In fact, many of the Goths were not pagans, but actually real Christians, keeping some of what the Apostles had taught the churches before that time. Thus the reason that Clovis made war with the Visigoths was because they rebelled against Rome and the papal rule. In the ultimate battle fought between Clovis, King of the Franks, and the Visigoths, it was actually an ultimate showdown between Catholicism and the free believers of Christianity.
When Clovis won the battle against the Visigoths in A.D. 508, this terminated the united resistance against the development of the papacy. The Bishop of Rome had gained a theological victory over the known world.
Now, do you see the importance of the date 508? 

What about the daily sacrifices, weren’t those supposed to be taken away at the beginning of the 1290 days as well?

The "daily" represents Christ's mediatorial ministry in the holy place in the heavenly sanctuary. It represents the continual work of Christ ministering in the sanctuary not made with hands, where He entered with His own blood to make intercession for His people.

So, how could Rome take away the Daily Mediatorial Ministry of Christ in the Heavenly Sanctuary?

Well, first of all, they took away the freedom of Religion and began oppressing all who believed in Christ and His true ministry, and the Roman Catholic church set up the confessional system where sinners would only need to confess to priests or bishops to receive forgiveness, instead of seeking the only one who could forgive and take away sins—Our High priest, Jesus Christ. In this manner the Roman Catholic Church, which is represented by the beasts in Dan 7 and Rev 13, took away the “daily sacrifices” and set up the “abomination that maketh desolate… (Dan 12:11). Thus, the freedom of Confessing directly to Christ was taken away starting 508 to 1798.

Do each of you understand, now, the importance of the date 508 as the beginning of the 1290 days?

What about the 1335 days?

Since we know the beginning point of the 1290 day prophecy, it can be assumed that the starting point of both the 1290 days and the 1335 days began at the same time. If we add 1,335 years to the year 508 A.D. what do we come to? If the 1335 years began in 508, when did it end?

The year 1843, amen?
 Surprised? Isn’t the sure word of Prophecy in Scripture so amazingly specific, clear and absolutely true?
Praise God for this gift.

Why, again, was 1843 so important in biblical prophecy?

In 1843 the good news of the Advent of Christ was beginning to be proclaimed in all the earth, and the freedom to accept it and believe it was for all. Of course, 1843 may seem so long ago, but considering the many years that led up to 1843, it was not that long ago. Again, all the prophecies mentioned above did in fact come to pass before or at 1844. That means we are in the earths final days. We are indeed in the time of probation. We are each being judged by God to know if we are worthy to be sealed by His mark or not. Oh, that we may earnestly search our hearts and study the word to ensure we are faultless before God, and completely grounded in His truth so we can stand unmoved in the time of trial and affliction. Amen.

Conclusion


 The 1260 days began when the Papacy became a recognized government and religious power in the year 538, and the prophecy ended when the Beast received it's deadly wound by the hand of Napoleon's army in 1798. The 1290 day prophecy began when the Abomination of desolation was set up in 508 AD, marked by the Victory of Clovis over the Visigoths in the fight of Papal Rome against Christianity. At that time the Papacy became the enforcer of her ways, and in a sense, she took away the daily sacrifices by replacing Christ with Idols and men.
The 1335 days began the same time as the 1290, and ended in 1843, which was marked by the Advent message and everlasting Gospel being proclaimed in a great awakening.
Now, we receive signs for our time to know that the time is short.
Let us lift up one another in truth and Righteousness and strive to be ready to stand for the truth, unmoved in the time of affliction. Let us lean and rely completely on Our Father in heaven.

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Abomination of Desolation

The Abomination of desolation

Daniel 12:11, 12:
11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
            What is the Abomination of Desolation? And what time is the thousand two hundred and ninety days?
Let’s turn to Matthew 24, now, to see what Jesus says about it.
Matthew 24:15-22
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day:
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
            Still, we have no explanation yet of what the abomination of desolation is, neither do we have a clarification of the time prophecy given. The Desire of ages chapter 69, titled on the mount of Olives, gives some clarification for Matthew 24.
Desire of Ages pages 628 and 636:
            Christ's words had been spoken in the hearing of a large number of people; but when He was alone, Peter, John, James, and Andrew came to Him as He sat upon the Mount of Olives. “Tell us,” they said, “when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Jesus did not answer His disciples by taking up separately the destruction of Jerusalem and the great day of His coming. He mingled the description of these two events. Had He opened to His disciples’ future events as He beheld them, they would have been unable to endure the sight. In mercy to them He blended the description of the two great crises, leaving the disciples to study out the meaning for themselves. When He referred to the destruction of Jerusalem, His prophetic words reached beyond that event to the final conflagration in that day when the Lord shall rise out of His place to punish the world for their iniquity, when the earth shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. This entire discourse was given, not for the disciples only, but for those who should live in the last scenes of this earth's history. {DA 628.1}
            Here we see that the abomination of desolation is a conflict between good and evil both in the early Christian’s days and in the days near the end of this world. Perhaps we are getting close to understanding what the time prophecy is referencing.
Let’s turn to Luke chapter 21 to establish what was mentioned in the quote from DA:
Luke 21:20-22, see also 25, 26
This is a continuation of what Christ was saying to the disciples on the mount of Olives when they proposed the questions about the end.
 20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
            With these verses we can be certain that Jesus was talking about two crisis’s that were to come to pass: one near the earlier part of the Christian church and one in the times of the end. Notice verse 25 that says that there will be signs in the sun, moon and stars, and distress among the nations. As Christ showed the disciples in verse 20 what signs would indicate what time was upon them, so also Christ gave an explanation of the sign of the times for the Christians in the last days.  Some of these thing have come to pass.
            May 19, 1780, is known as the dark day. On this date the sun was covered by what seemed to have been thick darkness. It had never been so dark during the day ever in recorded history. Candles were required for light in the midday, and it stayed dark all the way to midnight. Then, when the moon would have come out and showed its brightness, it also did not seem to shed as much light. The moon had turned red as blood and cast an eerie glow on everything.
 Again, in Nov 13, 1833, there was an even that took place in the heavens that had never happened before or been seen since. It is known as the night the sky fell. A massive meteor shower that cannot even be explained took place for hours on end throughout the night. Many were convinced it was the end of the world. But, we remember that all of these things are just fulfillments of prophecy. These things go to shew that we are nearing the final conflict that has been waging before the world began.

The Fourth Beast of Daniel 7
If you would read with me in Daniel chapter 7, we might find some background to who is openly responsible for the setting up of the Abomination of Desolation. In Daniel 7, Daniel describes the vision he was given about the four beasts that came up out of the earth. We will focus on the fourth beast -- the most diverse beast from the rest.

Dan 7:7 and 8 (the fourth beast):
7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
Dan 7:19-26 (The interpretation given to Daniel by an angel)
 19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;
20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. (The Lord reigns victorious)
               So, here we have portrayed in Dan 7 is a frightening beast that is strong, great and powerful. This beast commits great abomination against the Lord of lords and King of kings, and creates desolation upon the earth and the people of God. Therefore, this beast appears to set up the abomination of desolation. In verse 25 is given another time prophecy. Now we have two time prophecies that we have to define. Let’s turn to Daniel 12 and compare.
               Dan 12:7 -
6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
At this point, Daniel was confused about what the end of these things were, and eager to understand he inquired from the angel, but he was told to go his way for the things were sealed unto the end and not for his time.
Notice verse 7 that another time prophecy is given; two and a half times. What does that mean? A time represents a year, or 365 prophetic days. So, the time, times, and a half are 3 ½ years, or 1260 Prophetic days. Amen? Remember this number.

 Alright, is there another beast that comes to mind while reading of the one mentioned above? Revelation 13?
Let’s turn to Revelation now and compare the first Beast in Chapter 13 with the one we just read about.
The first beast of Revelation 13
The beast in Revelation 13:1-10
 1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
            Note: Notice the similarities between this beast and the one in Dan 7? They both are fierce and powerful; they both have ten horns; they both waged war against the saints and against God. Both beasts committed the abomination against God, and brought desolation to the earth and the people of God. At this point I am sure we can be sure that the fourth Beast in Dan 7, and the first beast in Rev 13 are representing the same power. Are you following me? From what we know, we already know who these beasts represent. They represent Rome, and the Papal Pagan Rome. Also note in verse 5 that it was given its power to continue forty two months. How many days is that? Let’s do the Math: there are about 30 days in a month, so multiply 30 by 42 and we have 30x42=1260 days. Remember this from the time, times and a half from Daniel 12? The time, times and half, or 3 ½ years, and the 42 months are the same time period. Now we are getting somewhere. Amen?
           
Let’s read what Mrs. White says about these numbers:
The Great controversy: (based on Rev 13:1-10)
In chapter 13 [Verses 1-10.] is described another beast, “like unto a leopard,” to which the dragon gave “his power, and his seat, and great authority.” This symbol, as most Protestants have believed, represents the papacy, which succeeded to the power and seat and authority once possessed by the ancient Roman Empire. Of the leopard-like beast it is declared: “There was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies.... And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in Heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them; and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” This prophecy, which is nearly identical with the description of the little horn of Daniel 7, unquestionably points to the papacy. {GC88 439.1}
“Power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. (Rev 13:5)” And, says the prophet, “I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death.” And again, “He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity; he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword.” The forty and two months are the same as the “time and times and the dividing of time,” three years and a half, or 1260 days, of Daniel 7,—the time during which the papal power was to oppress God's people. This period, as stated in preceding chapters, began with the establishment of the papacy, A. D. 538, and terminated in 1798. At that time, when the papacy was abolished and the pope made captive by the French army, the papal power received its deadly wound, and the prediction was fulfilled, “He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity.” {GC88 439.2}
Now, does that makes sense? We established that the beast in Rev 13 represents the papacy, and it was given its power for 1260 years, but when one of its head was wounded, was that the end of the beast? The end of the conflict? It didn’t appear to be. Verse 3 says that it’s deadly wound was healed. Again the beast received its power, from the dragon, and again it went to make war with the saints. At least we know what the 1260 days, or years, stand for now. Amen? The dates between 538 A.D. to 1798 A.D. were troublous times for God’s people, were they not? They endured through these dark times. But how did they endure? Well let’s find out.

“The line of prophecy in which these symbols are found, begins with Revelation 12, with the dragon that sought to destroy Christ at his birth. The dragon is said to be Satan; [Revelation 12:9.] he it was that moved upon Herod to put the Saviour to death. But the chief agent of Satan in making war upon Christ and his people during the first centuries of the Christian era, was the Roman Empire, in which paganism was the prevailing religion. Thus while the dragon, primarily, represents Satan, it is, in a secondary sense, a symbol of pagan Rome. {GC88 438.2}”

Now, let’s look at the woman in Revelation 12. Bear with me, we are coming to the conclusion of this:
The woman of Revelation 12
Revelation 12:1-6, 13-17:
1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
            Note: Remember that the Dragon here has a dual application of representing Lucifer and the Roman church.
5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Again we see the relationship of the 1260 Prophetic days with that of the time, times and half a time. We know from before that this time was set between 538 A.D. to 1798 A.D. In this time was the affliction of the saints, but God Nourished them through this time, did He not? He certainly did, Praise the Lord.
“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 12:17. This chapter of the Revelation presents a series of events, some of which were history in John’s day, and others were prophecy. In the first part of the chapter there appears a woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and a crown with twelve stars on her head. She represents the true church. Then we see a great red dragon who attempts to destroy the Man-child born of the woman. The dragon is identified as the same enemy that warred against Michael and His angels and was banished from heaven. He is called the accuser of the brethren. It is made clear that through the blood of the Lamb and the word of the testimony of the saints, many have overcome him. Because of the shortening of the time, the efforts of the dragon increased and his persecution drove the woman into a place of refuge for “a time, and times, and half a time,” the 1260-year period from A.D. 538 to 1798. The woman was nourished during this time and received help that kept her from being destroyed completely. Many, but not all, who comprised the seed—the children of the woman—were put to death, forced into renunciation of their faith, or led astray through false doctrines and deceptive practices. A few, only a remnant, remained to launch once more God’s program of sending to all the world a message of His love and redeeming power. {APAY 143.3}

            Note: Now, the dragon which gave the Beast of Dan 7 and Rev 13 its power, went to make war with the woman, who is God’s church, and the remnant of her seed, which are the remaining people of God’s church. Remember how all of these tie in together.
Conclusion

So, what is the abomination that maketh desolation?
Well, so far we have established that the beasts in Dan 7 and Rev 13 set up the abomination of Desolation. They committed abomination unto God by blaspheming His name, and by making war with the saints, or the ones faithful to the lamb. Their abominations made desolate the people of God by persecution and sore afflictions. These beast represent the pagan religious power on the earth who received their power from the dragon, who sought to change times and laws, and to make war with the Saints. They have made and shall make desolate the earth by breaking it into pieces and stamping out the remnant of it. This power may have been wounded as if to death in 1798 when the pope was taken into captivity, but its deadly wound was healed. That Power is again rising up to challenge the authority of God. They commit great abominations on the earth, and seek to make desolate the remnant of God’s people. We are soon to enter into a great time of trouble, a time of sore affliction like there has never been before. Soon, that great Beast and its harlot mount will become drunken upon the blood of the saints – upon the blood those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. But we have a blessed hope through these things. First, these things must come to pass before the coming of the Son of God can be, and second, as God nourished his people for 1260 years in the dark ages, so He will nourish all those who remain faithful and in all things even unto the end.
After these things, the Lamb which was slain for the abominations of the wicked shall come to bring his remnant faithful people with Him; he shall pour out His Righteous judgement. The Lamb of God shall put a finish to all the things of wickedness, abomination and destruction. He shall pour out the ultimate desolation upon the abominations of the Wicked. His wrath shall be poured out without mixture, and it shall not be quenched.
                                  
"Everything in the world is in agitation. The signs of the times are ominous. Coming events cast their shadows before. The Spirit of God is withdrawing from the earth, and calamity follows calamity by sea and by land. There are tempests, earthquakes, fires, floods, murders of every grade. Who can read the future? Where is security? There is assurance in nothing that is human or earthly. Rapidly men are ranging themselves under the banner they have chosen. Restlessly are they waiting and watching the movements of their leaders. There are those who are waiting and watching and working for our Lord's appearing. Another class are falling into line under the generalship of the first great apostate. Few believe with heart and soul that we have a hell to shun and a heaven to win. {DA 636.1}
            Be always prayerful and watchful -- The crisis is stealing gradually upon us. The sun shines in the heavens, passing over its usual round, and the heavens still declare the glory of God. Men are still eating and drinking, planting and building, marrying, and giving in marriage. Merchants are still buying and selling. Men are jostling one against another, contending for the highest place. Pleasure lovers are still crowding to theaters, horse races, gambling hells. The highest excitement prevails, yet probation's hour is fast closing, and every case is about to be eternally decided. Satan sees that his time is short. He has set all his agencies at work that men may be deceived, deluded, occupied and entranced, until the day of probation shall be ended, and the door of mercy be forever shut. {DA 636.2}
Solemnly there come to us down through the centuries the warning words of our Lord from the Mount of Olives: “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” {DA 636.3} (DA Chap 69)"


My prayer for each of us is that we would give ourselves completely unto God, to take up the banner of Christ to march forward with courage and unwavering faith. I pray that we would keep the Commandments of God, and not of man; that we would keep the faith of Jesus, and take up the cross and follow Him.

“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36).

Friday, January 15, 2016

Study of the Sanctuary - Part 6



2300 days prophecy

Review of the 70 weeks:
So, the Seventy weeks prophetically represents 490 years. The 490 years began when Artaxerxes sent out the decree to rebuild Jerusalem (Ezra 7:12-26). The last week of the Prophetic 70 weeks (or the beginning of the last 7 years) was marked by the Anointing of Christ, the Messiah, at His baptism when the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove. It was at this Baptism that Jesus began His ministry.
            In the Midst of the last week of the prophecy, (A.D. 31) Christ was crucified, and the sacrifices and ordinances of the tabernacle were made to cease. That is when the ceremonial laws were fulfilled. The work of the tabernacle was then moved to the heavenly Sanctuary; Christ became our High Priest and now labors in the Heavenly as our Mediator to make atonement for our sins. No other mediator would I want other than Jesus Himself.
            The end of the 70 weeks was marked in A.D. 34, when the Jews began persecuting the true followers of Christ by the stoning of Steven. At this time the Gospel moved from the Jews and became available to the gentiles (all the earth), to any who would receive it.
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The 70 weeks prophecy and the 2300 days prophecy are connected. To find out how, we need to review the Vision in which Daniel received the prophecy.
Where is the prophecy found?
Daniel 8:13 and 14
13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?
14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
In Chapter eight of Daniel, a vision is given to him about a Ram with two horns, one horn being taller than the other. This Ram was portrayed as powerful and strong, and it pushed towards the West, North, and South so that no beast might stand before him (verse 4). Then, as Daniel was considering the ram, a He Goat came from the West on the face of the whole earth “and touched not the ground…” (5). This goat had a notable horn between its eyes. Now, according to that which is written, the goat charged at the Ram and smote him, and the Ram was powerless against the goat, and the goat cast the ram down and stamped upon him. The goat became very powerful, and when he was strong the horn between his eyes was broken, and four horns came up in its place. “And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. 10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. 11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. 12 And a host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered. (Verses 9-12).” After this point in the prophecy is where the 2300 days prophecy was given to Daniel.
            When Daniel received the vision, he was confused about it and sought for the meaning. Then Gabriel was sent unto him to make known to him the meaning. (Verses 15-26).
            In Short, the angel said that the vision would happen at the time of the end. The Angel said, “The Ram that though sawest having two horns are the Kings of Media and Persia. And the rough goat is the king of Grecia (Greece): and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. (20, 21).” Then, four more kings rose up in the same kingdom, but not in the same power. One of these kings, as being described as “a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up (23).” This king is the one who is mighty, but not by his own power. He shall destroy many with peace, and he will stand up against the Prince of princes, but will be defeated.
So, what does this prophecy have to do with the 2300 days, and the cleansing of the Sanctuary? The precise link between the vision and the prophecy is not all very clear to me yet, I am still studying it out, but there is a definite connection between the cleansing of the sanctuary being near the time of the end, and when the “transgression of desolation” shall be set up. (Read Daniel 12, verse 11).
Now I need you to think back a ways to the tabernacle of Israel. What was the cleansing ceremony of the sanctuary?
So, the Prophecy says in Dan 8:14, that the Sanctuary would be cleansed, or begin being cleansed at the end of 2300 days. Remember that in Israel there was an annual event that took place with the sanctuary that all the people of Israel prepared themselves for. This day was called the Day of Atonement. The purpose of the Day of Atonement was to cleanse the sanctuary from all the sins of the people from throughout the year that had been laid upon the sanctuary. (Note: when the evening or morning sacrifice was carried out, the sins that were confessed upon the sacrifice would be ceremonially placed upon the tabernacle until the tenth day of the 7th month of the year). In the Day of Atonement, the High Priest would make a special offering and sacrifice for the sins of the people and his own. Then, the high priest would take blood of the sacrifice and go into the most holy Place to make atonement to the Father, for intercession for Israel. Once the atonement was made for Israel, the sins would have to be removed from the camp and from the Sanctuary. Thus was the purpose of the Scapegoat. The sins would be put upon the Scape goat, and a fit man would take the goat out of the camp to leave it, outside the camp. The Fit man would then cleanse himself before returning to the camp. Likewise, is the same pattern in the heavenly Sanctuary? (We will look at the Cleansing of the heavenly Sanctuary later in the study).

At the end of the 2300 days prophecy, what sanctuary was to be cleansed? What is the Sanctuary representing here in Dan 8:14? Is the Sanctuary here a symbol of something? Or literal?
It would be a literal sanctuary being mentioned in this verse, but which sanctuary? We already know that the 70 weeks prophecy specified that the physical earthly sanctuary and its ordinances were finished in the midst of the 49th week (Dan 9:27), so what other sanctuary could there be? The heavenly, of course, because at the end of the 70 weeks the daily sacrifices and oblations had been made to cease. Christ had fulfilled their purpose and thus, when He died, the work was removed from the earthly to the heavenly sanctuary. Therefore, we know that at the end of the 2300 days, it could only be the heavenly sanctuary that would be cleansed, and that it did not represent the earth.
Now, coming to the understanding of the sanctuary, there was a man who discovered the 2300 day prophecy and studied it out, and brought it to light just under 200 years ago. His name was William Miller. At the time that Miller came across this portion of truth, it was a common belief that time that the word sanctuary in Daniels vision, meant the earth. So, when Miller read that it said the “Sanctuary would be cleansed” at the end of the 2300 days, he thought the earth would be cleansed. Thus was the founding reason for the great disappointment. But, as we study this prophecy, we will realize the importance of that date 1844.
“The angel had been sent to Daniel for the express purpose of explaining to him the point which he had failed to understand in the vision of the eighth chapter, the statement relative to time—“unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” After bidding Daniel “understand the matter, and consider the vision,” the very first words of the angel are: “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy Holy City.” The word here translated “determined” literally signifies “cut off.” Seventy weeks, representing 490 years, are declared by the angel to be cut off, as specially pertaining to the Jews. But from what were they cut off? As the 2300 days was the only period of time mentioned in chapter 8, it must be the period from which the seventy weeks were cut off; the seventy weeks must therefore be a part of the 2300 days, and the two periods must begin together. The seventy weeks were declared by the angel to date from the going forth of the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem. If the date of this commandment could be found, then the starting point for the great period of the 2300 days would be ascertained. {GC 326.2}”
Remember, when did the 70 weeks begin?
Remember that the 70 weeks began when the decree from Artaxerxes was declared to go and rebuild Jerusalem? (Ezra 7:12-26). Artaxerxes was actually the third king to proclaim the decree to go and rebuild Jerusalem, but his was the final of the three. Once his decree was sent forth, the beginning of the 70 weeks began, which was in the year 457 B.C.
“Thus far every specification of the prophecies (of the 70 weeks as was shown in last week’s study) is strikingly fulfilled, and the beginning of the seventy weeks is fixed beyond question at 457 B.C., and their expiration in A.D. 34. From this data there is no difficulty in finding the termination of the 2300 days. The seventy weeks—490 days—having been cut off from the 2300, there were 1810 days remaining. After the end of 490 days, the 1810 days were still to be fulfilled. From A.D. 34, 1810 years extend to 1844. Consequently the 2300 days of Daniel 8:14 terminated in the year 1844. At the expiration of this great prophetic period, upon the testimony of the angel of God, “the sanctuary shall be cleansed.” Thus the time of the cleansing of the sanctuary – which was almost universally believed to be at the Second Advent – was definitely pointed out. {GC 328.2}”
Miller and his associates at first believed that the 2300 days would terminate in the spring of 1844, whereas the prophecy points to the autumn of that year. The misapprehension of this point brought disappointment and perplexity to those who had fixed upon the earlier date as the time of the Lord's coming. But this did not in the least affect the strength of the argument that the 2300 days terminated in the year 1844, and that great event represented by the cleansing of the sanctuary must then take place. [GC 328.3]"
Conclusion
Do you understand the 2300 days prophecy in full now? Can you see how the 70 weeks and 2300 days are connected?
The 2300 days (or using the interpretation of a day for a year rule found in Ezekiel 4:6, the 2300 years) is directly connected to the 70 weeks prophecy because they both began at the same time by Artaxerxes decree to rebuild Jerusalem, and by how the 70 weeks Prophecy is said to be “cut off” from the 2300 days. Together, the prophecies began in the year 457 B.C.
The 2300 days (or years) ended 1810 years after the termination of the 70 weeks (A.D. 34) in the autumn of 1844. It was at this time that the work that Christ was doing in the heavenly Sanctuary moved from the Holy place, to making atonement in the Most Holy place. Thus marked the beginning of the cleansing of the Sanctuary.
In the Heavenly Sanctuary, Christ has ascended carrying the sins of all the wicked. In the most holy place, Christ has enacted as our high priest committed to carrying out the service of salvation for sinners. Currently, we are being watched and judged by God in contrast to His law, to see whether or not we are worthy to receive the atoning blood of Christ. This means we currently reside in the time of Judgement.
May we each realize the true impact of this time, its true importance. Let us be sure to examine ourselves and repent and confess all things to Christ, so that He can cover our sins by the blood that He shed for us.
So that HE can make atonement for us. 
Once this the Sunday law is passed, it marks the time when probation begins. Do we not know that these things are near to coming to pass? That the signs of the times that have been given to us as warnings, that the end is near? It surely is near. Amen?
So, may we make use of our time now, so that we can be ready to be with Jesus our savior when He comes soon in the clouds. That is my wish and prayer for each of us.