The Three Angels Messages
George Burnside
Is The Advent Message A Blunder, A Hoax?
If the year-day scale of prophetic time cannot be sustained from the Bible; if 1844 and the Investigative Judgment are an imagination; then the Great Advent Movement is a deception, a hoax and a colossal mistake. The issue is serious. There is no avoiding the issue. This movement is an amazing impregnable fulfillment of Bible Prophecy and hence God’s Last Warning Message to this confused and dying world. Or it is a blunder. Or on the other hand is this modern apostasy led by those who doubt our message and their followers a final drive to lead the advent movement astray? Is it to lead souls back into the mists of Babylonian confusion? “The dragon is wrath” with Christ’s church. So we need not be surprised if his most dangerous deceptions come from within the church. This has always been so. “From your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after themselves,! We have been warned that we have more to fear from within the church than without. The crisis is too serious for treating this as though it was merely a play on words, a controversy of mere human ideas. it is God’s Truth for this mighty hour that is at stake.
God’s Last Message for a doomed world that is at stake. There can be no compromise here. We cannot go back to Babylon. We left it for time and eternity. Hence we cannot go back. We dare not even consider such a step. Facing such a crisis let us look at a few of the main points.
It has been taunted “You cannot prove the year - day theory from the Bible.”
May we confidently say in reply that we do not need to prove it, as that has been done for us already. It has been done by no less an authority than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. In Mark 1:14 we have the first recorded words of Jesus as the Messiah as he came preaching the Gospel. It has often been noted by Bible lovers that the first statement in Scripture on a given subject is significant, and usually contains the key to that subject. That being so, the first words of Jesus as the Christ are certainly significant. His words are, “The time is fulfilled.” What time was fulfilled? The only time prophecy that gave the exact time for the Messiah is found in Daniel 9:25.
“Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks: and threescore and two weeks.”
Here is a time prophecy that reaches from the restoration, from the Babylonian captivity to the time of Christ. This is too simple and clear to be disputed. If this time period is a period of sixty-nine literal weeks it would be an absurdity and our Lord wrong. Such a conclusion is unthinkable. The more sure word of Prophecy does not make mistakes.
It is all too plain to need further proof that Jesus knew that here was a period sixty-nine weeks of years or 483 years. Jesus was baptized and anointed. He became “the Anointed” “the Messiah” (John 1:41) exactly as foretold in AD 27.
Our Lord’s statement “The Time is Fulfilled” settles the question forever. Jesus sets His divine seal on the year-day principle. Jesus confirms it. The year-day scale of prophecy is therefore correct because Jesus confirms it. What is a mere mortal’s word or opinion to the contrary?
When established by the infallible authority of Jesus that settles all.
Both the prophecies of Daniel the prophet, and John the Revelator tell of the antichrist’s attack on the sanctuary of heaven. (See Appendix 1 – Satan attacks the Truth of the Heavenly Two Apartment Sanctuary.)
In Daniel 8:11 we read “The place of His sanctuary was cast down.” And in Revelation 13:6 “He opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle.” In both of these predictions the sanctuary or tabernacle of our Lord is under attack by the Man of Sin. The Angel s of Glory are concerned and the cry is made “How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression making desolate, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?”
The answer is clear “And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” Daniel 8:14.
This time prophecy brings us to 1844. It is so clear and watertight that it allows but one answer - 1844. In fact it is pathetic to see critics trying to find an alternative conclusion. It is easy to find faults, but who can give us an alternative explanation?
To apply the prophecy to Antiochus Epiphanes is merely to avoid the facts. Although a popular theory it scarcely warrants serious consideration. (See Appendix 2, Antiochus Epiphanes. Appendix 3.)
When a cluster of events fulfils a prophecy exactly it settles the question. The 2300 year prophecy is fulfilled in 1844 and no other.
Likewise as Jesus speaking through John the Revelator (Revelation 22:16) foretold the same work in Revelation 14:6-12. It announces “The Hour of His judgment is come”. This like Daniel 8:14 was in 1844. The cleansing of the sanctuary involves a work of judgment. (See Appendix 4. Cleansed? Restored? Justified? Vindicated?)
Both Daniel 8 and Revelation 14 point to 1844. They are both a time of judgment. This is further emphasized in Daniel7: 10 “The judgment was set and the books were opened”. The context makes it clear that the papacy is working while this judgment is in progress. Thus we have both Daniel Chapters seven and eight with Revelation 14 all pointing to the fact that while the man of sin is working to deceive, the judgment is in progress on the earth.
In Daniel 7:9,110 we have a majestic picture of the judgment hall of our God. When “the judgment was set and the books were opened” then the prophet exclaims “I beheld then” Daniel 7: 11. When? When the judgment had commenced! “1 beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spoke.” Did the horn power speak great words just after 1844? They certainly did. In 1854 was proclaimed the Immaculate Conception. “The Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception was preserved free from all stain of original sin.” “She was created more sublime and glorious than that of all nature.” “Very different from the rest of mankind.” Catholic Beliefs, page 214-217.
In 1870 the declaration was made of the Infallibility of the Pope. What greater words has the church ever - spoken?
In 1950 the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (bodily to heaven shortly after her death) was proclaimed by Pope Pius the 12th. The outline of prophecy is sure. “The Hour of His Judgment is come”. The “great words which the horn spoke”, are here. The Judgment message is going to the world. “The Scriptures cannot be broken”. The message of God is true. It is certain.
Not only did the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation tell of the man of sin’s attack on the Sanctuary of Heaven and the Judgment but also the book of Hebrews does likewise.
Note some plain Bible Facts:-
1. Christ is our Heavenly Priest.
Hebrews 8:1 “We have such a High Priest”.
Hebrews 7:24,25 “But this man, because He continues ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.“
1 Timothy 2:5 Jesus is the one and only Mediator, between God and men.
Hebrews 7:25 “He is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him.”
All who are saved will be saved by a priest and that Priest is Jesus. He says “I am the way”. There is only one way, and Jesus is the way. John 14:6 “No man comes unto the Father but by Me.” He is the only way. Proverbs 16:25. Other ways may seem right, but they end in death. Hebrews 7:25 This all powerful Priest, with an unchangeable priesthood “is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them”. He lives! He loves! Nothing is too hard for Him. He saves to the uttermost. “Such an High Priest becomes us.” He is just the kind of Priest we need.
2. Jesus is our Priest in the Heavenly Sanctuary.
Hebrews 8:1 Jesus is “in the heavens.”
Hebrews 4:14 “We have a great High Priest, that is passed into the Heavens.”
3. Jesus is “A minister of the Sanctuary.”
Hebrews 8:2 He is a minister “of the true tabernacle”. A tabernacle “which the Lord pitched and not man.” Thus the Scriptures of Truth clearly states that not only is there a Heavenly Sanctuary but also that there mediates our Living, Loving Lord, our all prevailing Advocate who can save to the uttermost all that come to God by Him. If they do the coming He will do the saving.
4. The Heavenly Sanctuary has Two Apartments. Hebrews 9:1-31.
(See Also “There is a Real Two-Apartment Sanctuary in Heaven”, by George Burnside.)
5. “THE EARTHLY SANCTUARY WAS A TYPE, A SHADOW OF THE TRUE TABERNACLE” - THE HEAVENLY SANCTUARY WHERE “OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST” MINISTERS. Hebrews 9:8, 9 “The first tabernacle” “was a figure for the time then present”. The earthly sanctuary was a temporary “shadow” “a figure” or a type of the “greater and more perfect tabernacle”. Hebrews 9:11 Christ now “being come an High Priest of good things to come” - in “a greater and more perfect tabernacle”. The Old Testament Sanctuary was temporal and typical, it was to show “good things to come.” It, like John the Baptist, pointed forward to Christ and His redemption wrought through the merits of His life and atoning sacrifice. The ministry of earthly priests and their earthly sanctuary “was imposed until the time of reformation.” It was a temporal service. Its work was typical of the work of Jesus both in His atoning death and His atoning ministry in’ the “greater and more perfect tabernacle.”
Hebrews 8:5 clearly states that the Old Testament priests served as “the example and shadow of heavenly things”.
ANOINTING.
Before the Sanctuary could function at all it must be anointed. A special “holy anointing oil” (Exodus 30:22-25) must be prepared. Great care must be used in the anointing. The first article of furniture to be anointed was “the ark of the testimony” Exodus 30:26. This was the most important article. Anointing began at the Ark and in the Most Holy Place. Then everything else connected with the tabernacle was anointed. Not only did the Scripture reveal the anointing of the Old Testament Sanctuary, but the anointing of the Heavenly Sanctuary is a subject of Bible Prophecy. In Daniel 9:24 we have the climactic act of the “Seventy weeks” namely “to anoint the Most Holy.” “Anoint a most holy place” RSV. “Consecrate a most sacred place” Moffatt. This could not refer to the earthly sanctuary as “Messiah the Prince,” would “cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease”. Daniel 9:25,27. This happened when Jesus died and “the veil in the temple was rent in twain” Matthew 27:51. The earthly sanctuary was finished. Soon after the city of Jerusalem and the sanctuary was destroyed, as foretold in Daniel 9:26.
Yes, the Old Testament Sanctuary was finished. Type had met anti type, the “shadow” was giving place to the reality. The Heavenly Sanctuary was anointed by Jesus at His ascension. To do this He must enter the Heavenly Sanctuary. He must begin at the Ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy place, as foretold in the “shadow” or type. This as stated in Daniel 9:27, must take place during the “seventy weeks” or before AD 34. Christ must enter the Most Holy place at His ascension. Type must meet anti type. But there is no need to confuse this anointing with the daily and yearly service of the Sanctuary. The anointing had to be accomplished before the ministration of the sanctuary began. It was a separate service.
After the anointing then the “daily” service of the sanctuary began. In Leviticus 4:27 “if any of the common people sin” he must bring an offering, “lay his hand on the head of the sin offering and slay the sin offering in the place of the burnt offering” Leviticus 4:29. Then notice, the priest takes over “The priest shall take of the blood thereof with his finger and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering”. Leviticus 4:30. “And the priest shall make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him.” Leviticus 4:31. It should be noticed that atonement and forgiveness were made by the priest. This instruction is repeated many times. It is the priest that makes the atonement with forgiveness. It is not merely the slaying of the sin offering that gives atonement.
Always remember that the Old Testament’s account of the typical sacrifices and the ministration of the priests were recorded in Scripture. “All Scripture is given by inspiration”. Although this inspired instruction is greatly neglected by Laodicean Christians it does not do away with the fact that instruction is from God. It is only neglected at great loss to the neglector. The neglect of study into the sanctuary has resulted in confusion and error.
THE MAIN POINT
Hebrews 8:1 “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an High Priest, who
is set on the right hand on the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.” Instead of “the sum” other
translations give “the chief point” or “the main point”.
Christendom knows little or nothing of the priestly work of Jesus. “What is Jesus doing in Heaven now is a subject of which they know little. Yet the Scripture of Truth declares it “the Chief point”. Note these Scripture Facts.
Jesus became a man to be a priest. “Wherefore in all things it became Him to be made like unto His brethren that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest.” Hebrews 2:17.
NOT WITHOUT BLOOD
Calvary provides Jesus with the means of our atonement and forgiveness. Hebrews 8:3 “It is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.” He had his atoning blood to offer for our life. “For without the shedding of blood is there no remission.
Hebrews 9:7 “Not without blood” is the rule throughout Holy Writ. That scarlet line runs through all Scripture.
Hebrews 9:12 “By His own blood He entered into the holy place”. Hebrews 9:14 “The blood of Christ shall purge your conscience”. Hebrews 10:19 “Having therefore brethren, boldness to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus.” Hebrews 12:24 “You are come to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant and the blood of sprinkling.”
Hebrews 13:12-13 “Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with His own blood suffered without the gate.”
Hebrews 13:20 “God brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus through the blood of the everlasting covenant.”
Such Scriptures teach us plainly of the efficaciousness of the Blood of Jesus. “Not without blood” Hebrews 9:7 runs from beginning to end of salvation. “By His own blood” Hebrews 9:12. Christ Himself was the originator of the Old Testament sanctuary service. “The many sacrifices” were to keep before men, and to implant upon their mind and heart the great truth that without the shedding of blood is no remission. The blood of Christ alone is efficacious. “We must become exponents of the efficacy of the blood of Christ.” 6 Testimonies, page 82. We must also look to our advocate. It takes both the blood and the priest. It must ever be remembered, that God was only accessible to the sinner through the mediation of our priest. “He can save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him.” Christ is the only way. He is the one Mediator. In the Old Testament the sinner could kill the offering, but he could not apply the blood. This truth is well nigh forgotten by Christendom today. Why? Bible Prophecy shows why. We come again to our opening Scriptures.
HOW CHRISTENDOM LOST THE SANCTUARY TRUTH.
In Daniel 8:11 when speaking of the Antichrist it states “He shall magnify himself even to the prince of the host” - the margin states “against” “Against the Prince of the Host” Against Christ. This is the antichrist. “And by him the daily sacrifice was taken away and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. Note first it would cast down the place of Christ’s Sanctuary. As we have already seen the only Sanctuary that counts today is Christ’s Sanctuary in heaven where as our Priest mediates His all-powerful, all prevailing blood. The Scriptures clearly state that the Old Testament priests served “unto the example and shadow of heavenly things.” The Old Testament sanctuary was a figure of the Heavenly Sanctuary.
But Rome would have us believe the Old Testament priests served as a type and shadow of their priests today and the Old Testament sanctuary was a type of their Catholic Church. They state “The real presence of our divine Lord in the blessed Eucharist makes every Catholic church a tabernacle of the Most High”. The True Voice (R C.)
TRUTH AND ERROR
“If any man sin” the Word of God says “we have an Advocate.” 1 John 1 Christ our Advocate is all we need, by virtue of His atoning blood and His all prevailing intercession. He can provide full and free forgiveness. But Catholicism would have us believe that if we sin we must kneel at the feet of their priests and they grant forgiveness. Instead of our Heavenly priest in the Heavenly Sanctuary Catholicism has earthly Mortal priests in an earthly church. They fulfil prophecy, they cast down Christ’s Sanctuary.
Daniel 8:11 Note further the prophecy says that by the antichrist “the daily sacrifice was taken away”. Note it was the “daily” that was taken away. This was translated from the word “tamid.” In Numbers 28, 29 alone this word is used 17 times in reference to the “continual” service in the Sanctuary. It is the same word as translated “daily” in Daniel 8. This was conducted every day hence called the “daily” or “continual.” Every day the priest ministered the blood in the first apartment of the sanctuary. This foreshadowed the priestly work of Jesus in the “daily” of prophecy.
Hebrews 9:6 “The priests went always (every day) into the first tabernacle”. This was the “daily,” or daily service. The yearly service was conducted in the second apartment.
Hebrews 9:7 “But into the second went the high priest alone once every year.”
Hebrews 7:24, 25 “But this man (Jesus) because He continues ever, (He never dies, He lives forever more) hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost (He can save from the uttermost depth to the uttermost for ever more! O What a Savior.) that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them.” He ever lives to carry on His daily intercession. It is the intercession of our Lord that saves. The blood must be’ applied not merely spilt. This “daily” intercession the man of sin would “take away.” If any man sin we have an advocate Jesus Christ, the Righteous.
The counterfeit system of priests says if any sin they must go to their priests and they will forgive. They took away the “daily” intercession of Jesus. It was in the first apartment that forgiveness was granted by the priest. Leviticus 4:20, 26, 31, 35.
At the Reformation many wonderful truths were discovered. But certainly not all truth. The reformed churches still largely held to the dogmas of Sunday Sacredness; Eternal suffering in hell; immortality of the soul; and original sin with its baby sprinkling, limbo and purgatory. Along with these the reformers did not discover the great Sanctuary truth and its kindred truths. These were reserved for the final generation. When will the final restoration of truth come?
Daniel 8:13,14 “How Long?” before the transgression “making desolate” was answered. Modern Christendom know little or nothing about “What Jesus is doing in Heaven now” because Catholicism “took away” “the daily” the continual work of Jesus.
HOW LONG?
How long before truth would be restored and the sanctuary truth cease to be cast down and trodden down?
Daniel 8:14 “Unto two thousand and three hundred days.” “Unto 1844”. That was the year of restoration! The counterfeit system had taken away practically all truth. But step by step God has been restoring it. The apostasy has taken away God’s law. They had taken away the Gospel. They had taken away the knowledge of sin. They had taken away salvation from sin and in its place given indulgences for sin.
But 1844 brought the “Everlasting Gospel,” with its “power unto salvation”. It revealed our Living Loving Lord, who can save to the uttermost. This truth does not “deny the power” as apostate Laodicea does. 2 Timothy 3:5. This last message, that comes to light in 1844, has the answer to the great apostasy of the dark ages. It has the Everlasting Gospel which has the power of God unto salvation to everyone who trusts and follows it. It has the message of Jesus.
“I Jesus have sent Mine angel (messenger) to testify unto you these things in the churches”. May it soon be preached in all churches and neglected by none.
TWO APARTMENT SANCTUARY
Satan Attacks the Truth of the Heavenly Two Apartment Sanctuary.
“As the sanctuary on earth had two apartments, the holy and the most holy, so there are two holy places in the sanctuary in heaven. And the ark containing the law of God, the altar of incense, and other instruments of service found in the sanctuary below, have also their counterpart in the sanctuary above. In holy vision the apostle John was permitted to enter heaven, and he there beheld the candlestick and the altar of incense, and as the temple of God was opened, “he beheld also ‘the ark of His testament.” (Revelation 4:5; 8:3; 11:19.) Christ in His Sanctuary, page 14.
“It was also shown a sanctuary upon the earth containing two apartments. It resembled the one in heaven, and 1 was told that it was a figure of the heavenly. The furniture of the first apartment of the earthly sanctuary was like that in the first apartment of the heavenly. The veil was lifted, and 1 looked into the holy of holies, and saw that the furniture was the same as in the most holy place in the heavenly sanctuary.” - Early Writings, pages 252, 253. Christ in His Sanctuary, page 14.
“Preaching the Sanctuary Doctrine Endorsed by Holy Spirit. For more than half a century the different points of present truth have been questioned and opposed. New theories have been advanced as truth, which were not truth, and the Spirit of God revealed their error. As the great pillars of our faith have been presented, the Holy Spirit has borne witness to them, and especially is this so regarding the truths of the sanctuary question. Over and over again the Holy Spirit has in a marked manner endorsed the preaching of this doctrine. But today, as in the past, some will be led to form new theories and to deny the truths upon which the Spirit of God has pi aced His approval. Manuscript 125, 1907. Evangelism, page 224.
“False Theories Regarding the Sanctuary. In the future, deception of every kind is to arise, and we want solid ground for our feet. We want sol id pillars for the building. Not one pin is to be removed from that which the Lord has established. The enemy will bring in false theories, such as the doctrine that there is no sanctuary. This is one of the points on which there will be a departing from the faith. Where shall we find safety unless it be in the truths that the Lord has been giving for the last fifty years?” - Review and Herald, May 25, 1905. Evangelism, page 224 (120 years).
“The passing of the time in 1844 was a period of great events, opening to our astonished eyes the cleansing of the sanctuary transpiring in heaven, and having decided relation to God’s people upon the earth, (also) the first and second angels’ messages and the third, unfurling the banner on which was inscribed, ‘The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.’ One of the landmarks under this message was the temple of God, seen by His truth-loving people in heaven, and the ark containing the law of God.” Councils to Writers, page 30.
“Early Workers to Speak. God has given me light regarding our periodicals. What is it? He has said that the dead are to speak. How? Their works shall follow them. We are to repeat the words of the pioneers in our work, who knew what it cost to search for the truth as for hidden treasure, and who labored to lay the foundation of our work. They moved forward step by step under the influence of the Spirit of God. One by one these pioneers are passing away. The word given me is, Let that which these men have written in the past be reproduce. And in the ‘Signs of the Times’ let not the articles be long or the print fine. Do not try to crowd everything into one number of the paper. Let the print be good, and let earnest, living experiences be put into the paper.” Councils to Writers, page 28.
“I know that the sanctuary question stands in righteousness and truth, just as we have held it for so many years. It is the enemy that leads minds off on sidetracks. He is pleased when those who know the truth become engrossed in collecting scriptures to pile around erroneous theories, which have no foundation in truth. The scriptures thus used are misapplied; they were not given to substantiate error, but to strengthen truth.” Gospel Workers, page 303. (1915) Councils to Writers, page 54.
“Moving a Block or Stirring a Pin. I saw a company who stood well guarded and firm, giving no countenance to those who would unsettle the established faith of the body. God looked upon them with approbation. 1 was shown three steps, the first, second, and third angels’ messages. Said my accompanying angel, ‘Woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin of these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance. The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are received.‘ 1 was again brought down through these messages, and saw how dearly the people of God had purchased their experience. It had been obtained through much suffering and severe conflict. God had led them along step by step, until He had placed them upon a solid, immovable platform.” Early Writings, pp. 258,259. (1858.) Councils to Writers, page 53.
ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES
These few facts overthrow this pagan, modernistic theory that tries to make Daniel a mere historian and not a prophet of God.
To avoid and obscure the clear light of prophecy, the theory was advanced that one of the Syrian kings, Antiochus Epiphanes was the little horn of both Daniel 7 and 8. Let us consider the facts.
LITTLE HORN OF DANIEL 7, IS IT ROMAN OR SYRIAN?
These few facts overthrow this pagan, modernistic theory that tries to make Daniel a mere historian and not a prophet of God.
The vain attempts to make Antiochus the little horn of Daniel 8 fail likewise.
It is very apparent that the “little horn” of either Daniel 7 and 8 does not apply to Antiochus Epiphanes. The facts do not fit the specifications of Prophecy. Applying the prophecy to Antiochus was a poor pagan’s attempt to avoid his God required responsibilities and to excuse his rejection of truth. He tried to discredit the divine predictions of the one whom Christ called “Daniel the Prophet”. Daniel was not a mere historian as this truth-rejector would imply.
The finger of Daniel’s prophecy points with infallible accuracy to the awful Roman apostasy that climaxed in the Papacy who cast down the truth, wears out the saints of the Most High, and continues through the 9ime of the end” and will continue to the “end of time”.
Antiochus Epiphanes was one of the weakest of the kings of Syria. He gave himself the name “Epiphanes” = “The Illustrious”. Prideaux, the historian says that this title could not be more alien to his character. The Syrian people called him “Epimanes” “The Madman”.
The prophecy points to not only a persecuting power that would “cast down some to the host and of the stars to the ground and stamped upon them” but he also “magnified himself even to the Prince of the host” (Christ) Daniel 8:10, 11.
“He shall stand up against the Prince of princes” Christ. Daniel 8:25.
This Rome did but Antiochus dies 164 years before Christ. Antiochus just does not meet the specifications of prophecy.
If a power meets some of the specifications but not all of them, then it must be rejected.
2300 DAYS
Daniel 8:4 “Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
GOOD NEWS BIBLE
Daniel 8:14 “I heard the other angel answer. It will continue for 1,150 days, during which evening and morning sacrifices will not be offered. Then the Temple will be restored.”
WHY THE DIFFERENCE?
The Good News Bible translators put down their ideas rather than translating the actual words of the Hebrew. It is an expansion and interpretation of the Hebrew.
WHY 1150 DAYS?
The translators evidently, applied this prophecy to Antiochus Epiphanies. In 168 BC he plundered the Temple of Jerusalem, terminated the sacrifices, and erected an altar in the Temple grounds on which pigs were offered. The Maccabean revolt defeated Antiochus, army and restored the Temple worship.
THE FACTS OF HISTORY REVOLT AGAINST THIS IDEA
Josephus, the Jewish historian states that the restoration of the Temple “took place on the same day on which, three years before, their Holy service had been transformed into an impure and profane form of worship. For the temple, after being made desolate by Antiochus, had remained so for three years.” Antiquities 12, section 76.
2300 days would equal more than six years, so the number 1150 is chosen, as it to their ideas.
SACRIFICES
Because the Hebrew for “day” had “evening morning” they say this refers to the evening and morning sacrifice. This is based on an assumption and nothing more.
It will be noted that in Daniel 8 the word “sacrifice” is in italics, to indicate that it is not in the original, but has been supplied.
Sister White makes this helpful statement: “Then 1 saw in relation to the ‘daily’ (Daniel 8:12) that the word ‘sacrifice’, was supplied by man’s wisdom, and does not belong to the text, and that the Lord gave the correct view of it to those who gave the judgment hour cry.” Early Writings page 74.
The translators of the Authorized Version would never dare to add words without indicating it by placing the supplied word in italics. Many of the modern, popular translations appear to think nothing of adding words to suit their own ideas.
For the eight words of the literal Hebrew of Daniel 8:14, there are seven of the Authorized Version, where as the Good News Bible has sixteen. For many of these added words there are no corresponding words in the Hebrew. Thus many modern, so called, translations become really paraphrases or perhaps they could more correctly be labeled comments.
This brings us to the caution often expressed, but too often ignored. Such “translations” as the “Good News Bible” are not good study Bibles as the authors write in their own ideas.
CLEANSED? RESTORED? JUSTIFIED? VINDICATED?
Daniel 8:14 “And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” The Hebrew word “sadaq” is translated in different ways according to the context. In English a word can have different meanings according to how it is used, or the context. The “justify” does not fit the context very well, neither does “vindicated”. A man could be vindicated, but not an object. You could not vindicate a chair, table or a sanctuary. You can vindicate a personal being but not an inanimate object. This has been clearly recognized by translators.
Here are some of the earliest translations in English. These all used the word.
CLEANSED IN DANIEL 8:14.
These translations were all before the King James Version
WycliffeBible
Great Bible
Coverdale Bible
Geneva Bible
Traverner Bible
Bishops Bible
Matthews Bible
The Septuagint a Greek translation, used by Jesus, has the word “Katharizo”, which means “cleanse”.
THE FOLLOWING TRANSLATIONS ALL USED “CLEANSED”
Rheims-Douai Noyes
Moulton French Versions of Osterwald
French Versions of Segond French Versions of Lausanne
Boothroyd Spurrell
Martin The Vulgate
ERV Harkavy
ASV Ray
ARV Knox
Only One “Rotherham” used the “vindicated”. Three “he justified” and one “be restored”.
In addition to this overwhelming list of translations favoring “cleansed”, we have also the “Testimony of Jesus which is the Spirit of Prophecy”.
“The foundations were laid at the beginning of our work, by prayerful study of the Word and by revelation.” Gospel Workers, page 307.
After the disappointment of October 22 while Hiram Edson was “Walking through a cornfield the day after the disappointment, an overwhelming conviction came to him “that instead of our High Priest coming out of the Most Holy of the heavenly sanctuary to come to this earth on the tenth day of the seventh month, at the end of the 2300 days, He for the first time entered on that day the second apartment of that sanctuary and that He had a work to perform in the Most Holy before coming to this earth.” Hirarn Edson, fragment of a manuscript on his “Life and Experience.”
Later, Hiram Edson, O. R. L. Crosier, and Dr. Franklin B. Hahn met as a study group to investigate the Bible intensively along these lines. After some months of study the results were published in articles by Crosier, first, in the Day-Dawn of Canandaigua, New York, and later in the Day Star of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Concerning Crosier’s position, Ellen G. White said to Eli Curtis in a letter dated April 21, 1847: “The Lord show me in vision, more than one year ago, that Brother Crosier had the true light, on the cleansing of the Sanctuary, et cetera. And that it was His will, that Brother Crosier should write out the view which he gave us in the Day-Star, Extra, February 7, 1846. I feel fully authorized by the Lord to recommend that Extra, to every saint.” A Word to the “Little Flock”, page 12.
Subsequently in her writings Ellen G. White has given detailed expositions on the sanctuary doctrine as held by Seventh-day Adventists. This confirmation is an encouragement to us. “When the power of God testifies as to what is truth, that truth is to stand forever as the truth.” Counsels to Writers and Editors, page 31.
DANIEL 8 AND 9
Daniel 9:23 Daniel the “greatly beloved” was told to “CONSIDER THE VISION”. What Vision? “The Vision” is mentioned ten times in Daniel 8. There is no new or independent vision given. The same vision is dealt with throughout Daniel 8 and 9. In Daniel 8, all is explained except the time period = the 2300 days.
Daniel 8:26,27 “True ... but none understood it”. Daniel 8 closes with questions still unanswered. Therefore Daniel 9 is not giving us a new line of prophecy, but it is a continuation, a completion of the angel’s explanation of the vision. Thus these two chapters are linked. They must not be separated. Critics who would try to separate them can give no starting point for Daniel 8:14 and hence no explanation.
Daniel 8:26,27 God’s unerring Scriptures, declares this is “true”, but it is not explained, in Daniel 8. Daniel 9 explains the one unexplained symbol of Daniel 8, namely the “vision of the evening and the morning”.
Daniel 9:23 The heavenly command is “Consider the Vision”. There is only one vision that was to be considered the one vision, mentioned through Daniel 8.
Daniel 8:26 Consider “The vision of the evening and morning which is told is true”. This was to be considered. Not the whole vision - that had been largely explained. All was clear, except the time period. This is now to be considered. Daniel 8 closes with and when the vision is to be considered time is again dealt with.
Daniel 9:24 “Seventy weeks are determined” - This was what was to be considered.
DETERMINED = “CUTOFF”.
This phrase s not used anywhere else in the Scriptures. It means “to Cut off”. We quote but two well known authorities: Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance states that “determined” means “to cut off”. The “Pulpit Commentary” Volume 12, page 267. “Determined’ is also a word that occurs only here; it is Aramaic, but not common even in that language. It means “to cut off’ “Cut off” is significant.
Daniel 9:24 “Seventy weeks” is a time period, so it is time that is cut off. It is cut off the only other time period mentioned in “the Vision”, the 2300 year period. As a peace of cloth is “cut off” the bolt of cloth, so the 70 weeks period is “cut off” the longer period of time in the vision. Therefore the time periods of Daniel 8, 9 are linked - linked by our God. “What therefore God hath joined together let not man put asunder”. Ignoring this command of our Lord, like ignoring any other command, will end in darkness and deception.
Daniel 12:10 “None of the wicked shall understand.”
Matthew 24:15 “Daniel” “understand”. God’s true people - “the wise shall understand”. They will understand Daniel. Only those who obey, who will to do Christ’s will, will know of the teaching of Christ. (John 7:17) May you be willing to obey Christ that you “understand” too.