THE TIME OF THE END. In the book of Daniel, we find that Daniel has a prophetic vision of 2,300 days which is a timeline prophecy that extends to the “time of the end” and has relevance to us today. How, then, do we know when these 2,300 days begin, and how do we know when they will end?

In this series of videos, we continue looking at the Judgement from a mathematical perspective. We do this using Daniel and Revelation in the context of the three angels’ messages in Revelation chapter 14.

These messages make up the core of the gospel of Jesus Christ and are the present truth for our time.

If you want to review any of our previous videos, you can find them at SabbathSchoolDaily.com. Additionally, you can obtain the study guide for these lessons at Sabbath.School or ssnet.org.

Seeking God’s Presence

Heavenly Father, from all indications, we are in the end times. Give us the power we need to endure as time gets even tougher.  In Jesus’ Name Amen 

Daniel was confused by the 2300-day prophecy in Daniel 8:14. Therefore, God sent Gabriel to explain the vision.

Some Bible scholars believe that the 2,300 days are literal days. And they also apply the little horn in Daniel 8  to the Greek Seleucid empire army leader Antiochus Ephiphanes, who lived from 216 b.c. to 164 b.c. He attacked Jerusalem and defiled the Jewish temple. But the 2,300 days do not fit his time frame.

The problem with this is that, for starters,

The 2300 days do not even fit the time in which he lived.

The angel clearly says in Daniel 8:17, 19, 26 that the vision applies to the “time of the end.”

17 So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and fell on my face; but he said to me, “Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end.”

19 And he said, “Look, I am making known to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation; for at the appointed time the end shall be.

26 “And the vision of the evenings and mornings Which was told is true; Therefore seal up the vision, For it refers to many days in the future.” (Daniel 8:17, 19, 26)

Antiochus is no longer alive. Hence, it is evident that it does not apply to him because he does not even live in the time of the end.

So whom does it apply to?

Gabriel in Daniel 8 proceeds to give Daniel an explanation of the 2,300 days by first explaining the ruling powers that would follow. He indicated in Daniel 8:20 and 21 that the ram represented Media-Persia and the male goat represented Greece.

20 The ram which you saw, having the two horns—they are the kings of Media and Persia.

21 And the male goat is the kingdom of Greece. The large horn that is between its eyes is the first king. (Daniel 8:20-21)

And though not specifically named, like the two powers before it, the next ruling power, the little horn mentions in Daniel 8:9, 23, 24) is obviously Rome.

Daniel 8:9

9 And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land. (Daniel 8:9)

Daniel 8:23-24

23 “And in the latter time of their kingdom, When the transgressors have reached their fullness, A king shall arise, Having fierce features, Who understands sinister schemes.

24 His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; He shall destroy fearfully, And shall prosper and thrive; He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people. (Daniel 8:23-24)

Then Gabriel talks about the religiopolitical phase of Rome, indicating that in this phase, Rome was involved with both religious and political activity.

Gabriel explains in Daniel 8:10-12, and 25 that during this time, this nation would “cast down the truth to the ground”

10 And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them.

11 He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down.

12 Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered.

25 “Through his cunning He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; And he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; But he shall be broken without human means. (Daniel. 8:10–12, 25)

And in Daniel 8:10–12 Gabriel expresses further that in its religiopolitical phase, this nation would interfere with Christ’s heavenly ministry.

Finally, Gabriel in Daniel 8:14 tells of God’s response to the challenge of the earthly and religious powers that have attempted to take away His authority.

14 And he said to me, “For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.” (Daniel 8:14)

Thus, the cleansing of the sanctuary is a part of God’s divine solution to the sin problem.

Now Gabriel is ready to explain the details of God’s prophetic timetable. So, at the end of Daniel 8, we can see that Daniel understood the part of the vision about the nations that would follow the existing world ruling power continuing after his time, but he did not understand the part of the vision about the 2,300 days. Consequently, we find Daniel saying in Daniel 8:27.

27 And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days; afterward I arose and went about the king’s business. I was astonished by the vision, but no one understood it. (Daniel 8:27)

So, the earlier part about the ram, the goat, and the little horn was clearly explained with the first two powers outright identified by name in Daniel 8:20, 21.

What caused Daniel to faint and become sick was the information on the cleansing of the sanctuary. This part was not explained.

So, in Daniel 9, we see Gabriel returning to Daniel to explain the details of the prophetic timetable, the 2300 days.

Offering comfort and encouragement to Daniel, Gabriel says to him in Daniel 9:23

23 At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision: (Daniel 9:23)

What Vision? To find out more about this timeline, when it started and when it ends, watch our next video, Day 4: The Angel’s Instruction to Daniel

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