Thursday: The Prophetic Timetable
Read Daniel 8:13. What is the question asked here, and how does it help us understand the answer in the next verse?
What is the timing of the 2,300 evenings and mornings? First, we must note that after Daniel is shown the ram and the goat, followed by the actions of and the damage caused by the little horn, the vision turns into a question in Daniel 8:13.
Image © Pacific Press collection at GoodSalt.com
This question is especially concerned with what will happen at the end of that prophetic period, as well as the duration of the entire vision. In addition, such a period cannot be limited only to the duration of the actions of the little horn, because the term vision includes everything from the ram to the actions of the little horn. So this must be a long period of actual historical time.
To the question “How long shall be the vision” (ram [Media-Persia], goat [Greece], and the little horn and its actions [Rome, pagan and papal]), the other heavenly being replied: “For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed” (Dan. 8:14, NKJV). As has already been noted, this period is so long because it begins during the time of the Medo-Persian Empire and extends through the timing of the Greek empire and pagan and papal Rome, thousands of years. According to the historicist method of interpretation (see Lesson 1), this prophetic period should be calculated on the basis of the year-day principle, which means that the 2,300 evenings and mornings correspond to a timespan of 2,300 years. Otherwise, the 2,300 days would amount to a bit more than just six years, an impossibly short time for all the events of the vision. Hence, the year-day principle must be in effect.
Daniel chapter 8 does not provide the information to allow us to calculate the beginning of this time period, which of course could establish its end. But Daniel 9 provides the crucial piece of information (see next week’s lesson).
| The 2,300 years of this prophecy constitute the longest time prophecy in the Bible. Think of it: 2,300 years! That’s a long time, especially in comparison to how long we live now. How can this contrast help us learn to be patient with God and in our own anticipation of the timing of final events? |
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"The Prophetic Timetable" and its encompassed doctrines has constituted one of the most controversial issues within Adventism over the past three quarters of a century and has significantly contributed to 'desolation' within the Adventist Church - especially since the 1980's here in Australia.
What if the key points behind this vitally important part of scripture that even Jesus specifically pointed to in Matthew 24:15 are not in fact about precisely when the "2300 evenings and mornings" started and ended.
And what if a focus on start and end dates is actually obscuring the truth of what we were meant to understand for our point in time within the Great Controversy?
What if the 2300 evenings and mornings was meant to draw our attention to a concept other than its precise numberless? Something that would reassure and strengthen us in perseverance and endurance when we are faced with evil that 'does as it pleases and prospers' to the point that we are 'horrified'- as Daniel was when he was seeking to understand the nightmarish vision he had just witnessed (Daniel 8:12; 13)?
Thanks for this reminder, Phil.
In his sermon on Sabbath, our pastor mentioned that he was meeting with several men for Bible study (none of them Adventist), and two of them referenced the Sabbath, one of them mentioning what a blessing he was gaining from the Sabbath. Then he turned to our pastor Dwight and suggested that he probably had a lot to say on this subject. Our pastor realized then that if all he had to say was that the Sabbath is from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, he would be no more than an empty tin can. He needed to be able to share the blessings of the Sabbath in his own life.
I believe the same is true for all of us. We need to be able to share our experience in the Sabbath and in the sanctuary.
In similar manner, if our focus is largely on the timing of the 2300 days, we are likely missing what God wants to communicate to us.
We are not saved by dates or facts. We are not saved by objective "truth," but Jesus said, "I am the Truth." Thus we need to understand how the objective teachings of the Bible contribute to our relationship to Him who IS the Truth.
Did Jesus stay in the Holy Place at His ascension for Him to move to the Most Holy Place in 1844
My dear brother Maurice, I hoped your comments today. Greetings from Venezuela. I know your time is short this week. God bless you and each brother who share the gospel through this page.
Thank you Victor. Hopefully, readers will follow my example and study these issues for themselves. I have read a lot this week and am still sorting some of it in my own mind. This is a time and topic for prayer and spirit-guided study. ..and sharing our perceptions with one another.
If it wasn't for this 2300 years of Daniel's prophecy none of us would be here. God's time is not our time, we are locked to this, not Him. We must praise God for "delays", sometimes! Thank Him because He owns the future! Living with Him today may make all the difference tomorrow! Besides, we are at the end of all these prophecies, having an opportunity to live the days perhaps to see everything being fulfilled. Amidst all of the troubles and challenges we go through, none ever loses by trusting Him today in order to gain a better tomorrow.
The concept of '2300'days has been a subject of theological concern since it has a direct impact on our salvation.But:
a) how does this figure impact the lives of those who lived before 457BC, does it have some bearing to them?
b) how does this figure affect the lives of non-adventist who have no light about it?
The 2300 days has no bearing on anyone's salvation. If it did, the New Testament would have made that clear. Instead, anyone who believes Jesus died and rose again according to the scriptures is saved (1 Cor 15:1-3). Calvary is the focus of God's plan of redemption, not 1844.
There are so many different interpretations and opinions as well as assumptions on these prophecies that it is difficult to decide as to what is right or what should be accepted. Either we accept the churches' view as inspired or we get down into sackcloth and ashes so that the Holy Spirit will unravel or make us to understand the mysteries.
As far as I am concerned some of these things are mysteries and we will understand them better by and by. They are not salvivic. What is important is that we know that Jesus died to save us and because of His death we are guaranteed Eternal life. We must now trust and obey to the fullest to show we appreciate the Sacrifice of Christ for us.
All of these prophecies and mysteries have love at the base. Love therefore, should be our major focus. If we know the 2300days and other prophecies and hate our brother it would have been better if we didn't know them.
Here is the reminder
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1CORINTHIANS 13:1-2
13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
Thank you Redva.
“For 2300 evenings mornings” is the answer to the question involving the Horn’s specific activity. From the outset Daniel’s concern was fixed on the fourth kingdom/beast and the horn of that beast, especially (Dan 7:19,20; 8:15).. Daniel had difficulty understanding that part of the vision, the evening mornings (Dan 8:27). He was told that it pertained to many days ‘in the future’(Dan 8:26)..And later, “now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to *your people*(Judah/Israel) in the end/latter days.” (Dan 10:14).
Dan 8:9-12 details the activity of the Horn. He magnified himself up to the Prince/Commander of the host (Christ). It was because of transgression that the host was given over to the Horn along with the continuity/daily/regular sacrifice. It flung truth to the ground (see Isa 59:14). Above all, he took a stand against Christ, the Prince of princes (Dan 8:25; Heb 9:8-10). {Christ was a contemporary.}
The dailysacrifice/continuity or evenings-mornings is the service of worship assigned by God to Israel (Heb 9:6; Exo 27:20,21; 29:38-42; Lev 6:20; 24:2-4; Num 4:16). “When the transgressors have finished...( Dan 8:23). Who are the transgressors? “70 sevens have been determined for you and *your people* to finish the transgression....”(Dan 9:24). These are the saints who were given into the hand of the Horn for 3 1/2 times (Dan 7:25). The Law ministry came in because of transgressions (Gal 3:19).
Since the evenings-mornings was enumerated to 2300, two services per day. That adds up to 1150 days, which is closer to the horn’s 3 1/2 times dominion of terror over the saints, among whom was Christ working His 3 1/2 years ministry. Christ’s incarnation came at the “end of the age”(Heb 9:26), which is Daniel’s end, the end of the Old Covenant. Christ taught mercy over sacrifice having considered that “Sacrifice and offering You have not desired, but a body You have prepared for Me...(Heb 10:5-7; Matt 12:7). But the Horn *exalted* the continuity/daily sacrifice over Christ (Dan 8:11). The Horn’s activity did not begin in 457 BC.
Our identity is bound to the 2300 ‘days’ prophecy. If our interpretation, as is, is correct, then we stand on firm ground. But if it’s not correct we should revise it for Truth’s sake.