DANIEL 12: 1260, 1290 & 1335 DAYS - PAST OR FUTURE?
Daniel is given a vision of the future which stretches right up to the time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation. He is even shown the deliverance of God’s people and the resurrection of the just and the unjust prior to the second coming of Christ. (Daniel 12:1-4). Surely this vision extended right up to the final scenes in this earth’s history. The latter section of Daniel 12 reveals time periods that are specified in response to the question: How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? And Daniel’s question: What shall be the end of these things? Unfortunately Daniel is told that the words are closed up and sealed to the time of the end. Daniel was to rest until the end of days, however, was given the privilege of recording a vision which would assist those living in the time of the end to understand the events they would see unfold. A vision designed to give hope to God’s people that God is in control and that Christ’s return to earth is imminent.
In 1844 God’s Advent movement was in its infancy. They truly believed that Christ was going to return on October 22, 1844. They had mapped out the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation in a chart. An integral component of the chart was the 1260, 1290 and 1335 prophetic days of Daniel 12. The 1335th day was positioned in the very year Christ was to return – 1843. But nevertheless the Advent pioneers sincerely believed that the time periods of Daniel 12 would take place just prior to the second coming of Christ.
Joshua Himes writes in the Signs of the Times on January 25, 1843:
XIV.—I believe the time can be known by all who desire to understand and to be ready for his coming. And I am fully convinced that some time between March 21st, 1843, and March 21st, 1844, according to the Jewish mode of computation of time, Christ will come, and bring all his saints with him; and that then he will reward every man as his work shall be.
As proof of his computation of the time of Christ’s return he then states the following:
It can be proved by the numbers in Revelation 13:18, “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred threescore and six,” connected with Daniel 12:12, as before quoted. This text shows the number of years that Rome would exist under the blasphemous head of Paganism, after it was connected with the people of God by league, beginning B. C. 158, add 666 years, will bring us to A. D. 508, when the daily was taken away. Then add Daniel 12:12, the 1335 to 508, makes the year 1843.
A chart was constructed that was based on the above proof and herein also lay the reason for the mistake in the figures on the chart that God put his hand over. The ‘six hundred threescore and six’ –the number of the beast was used to calculate the year 508 AD and then the return of Christ in the year 1843 by adding the 1335 days of Daniel 12: 12.
Did Christ come when they expected him? No, he did not. Was their positioning of the time periods just prior to the coming of Christ correct? Yes! It is up to those that are wise and who have their minds enlightened by the Holy Spirit to fully comprehend what this significant revelation means. The early pioneers in the Advent movement truly believed Christ was going to come. They did their very best to highlight that the prophetic time periods that God had revealed to Daniel were about to be fulfilled. Christ coming was imminent. But Christ did not come! The prophetic periods of Daniel 12 were not fulfilled at that time.
The 1260, 1290 and 1335 day time periods of Daniel 12 have a more complete fulfilment that is yet future. The 1260, 1290 and 1335 days were pivotal periods around which the early advent movement concluded that Christ was coming. They are still important prophetic periods that occur at the end of time – just before Christ comes. The pioneer’s placement of these prophetic periods just before Christ came was correct. Their application of these time periods was not for their time – they were to be unsealed in the ‘time of the end’ – the time in which we are now living.
Ellen White also confirmed that these time periods belong just prior to the advent of Christ:
In the Scriptures are presented truths that relate especially to our own time. To the period just prior to the appearing of the Son of man, the prophecies of Scripture point, and here their warnings and threatenings pre-eminently apply. The prophetic periods of Daniel, extending to the very eve of the great consummation, throw a flood of light upon events then to transpire. The book of Revelation is also replete with warning and instruction for the last generation. The beloved John, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, portrays the fearful and thrilling scenes connected with the close of earth's history, and presents the duties and dangers of God's people. None need remain in ignorance, none need be unprepared for the coming of the day of God. RH September 25, 1883, par. 6
Daniel asks the primary question, a question he longs to know the answer to: ‘How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?’ The answer is given from the man clothed in linen:
(Dan 12:7) 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.
A TIME, TIMES AND AN HALF.
This time period referred to by the man clothed in linen is obviously a time period related to the latter days because after this time period lapses and the King of the North accomplishes to scatter the power of the holy people ALL THESE SHALL BE FINISHED.
WHAT IS THE ‘ALL THESE’ REFERENCE REFERRING TO?
Remember the question asked prior to the announcement of the man in linen - ‘How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?’ ‘ALL THESE’ is a reference to the ‘WONDERS’ described in the vision.
In the Strong concordance the word ‘WONDERS’ can have the following meanings
h1. H6382
Original: *פּלא*
Transliteration: *pele'*
Phonetic: *peh'-leh*
*BDB Definition*:
# wonder, marvel
## wonder (extraordinary, hard to understand thing) ## wonder (of God's acts of judgment and redemption)
Origin: from [[d 6381]]
TWOT entry: 1768a
Part(s) of speech: Noun Masculine
*Strong's Definition*: From [[H6381]]; a _miracle: - _ marvellous thing, wonder (-ful, -fully).
Other scripture references using this same word in a similar fashion include:
*[[Exo 15:11]] KJV* Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
*[[Psa 77:14]] KJV* Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.
The man clothed in linen swears by him that LIVETH FOR EVER. He is stating that this declaration he is making is sanctioned by the eternal Father in heaven. The God who lives for ever DOES WONDERS or performs miracles and his actions are deemed out of the ordinary for the redemption and judgment of his people.
What ‘WONDERS’ or extraordinary miracles have been described in the vision just explained to Daniel? The question asked was: - ‘How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?’
The explanation of the vision to Daniel extends right throughout Daniel chapter 11 to Daniel chapter 12 and concludes or ends in verse 4. Obviously in the explanation some ‘WONDERS’ or miraculous events take place and they are towards the end of the vision. If we read Daniel 12: verses 1-4 we can find the wonders being referred to:
(Dan 12:1) And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
(Dan 12:2) And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
(Dan 12:3) And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
(Dan 12:4) But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
What miraculous acts of God’s judgment and power has Daniel been shown? Let’s make a list:
¨ Michael stands up
¨ Time of trouble such as never was
¨ The deliverance of the people written in the book
¨ The resurrection of people to everlasting life, but some to everlasting contempt
¨ The wise shining as the brightness of the firmament
The question asked: - ‘How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?’ – is referring to the final miraculous and extraordinary events that take place in the latter days and makes clear to Daniel what happens in the end to God’s precious people. They are DELIVERED.
How reassuring must it have been to Daniel to know what finally happens to God’s servants?
Daniel was the representative of God’s people through their captivity in Babylon.
(Dan 9:17) Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.
(Dan 9:18) O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.
(Dan 9:19) O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.
Daniel prayed on behalf of Israel, the captives of Babylon. He prayed for forgiveness and mercy and wanted God’s face to shine upon his sanctuary. Daniel loved God supremely and loved God’s people too. It was that selfless love that Daniel had for God and his children on earth, that willingness to do God’s will no matter what, that qualified him to prophesy to God’s children in the latter days. And God revealed to Daniel the final deliverance of God’s precious servants.
God longs for his people to love each other and have a supreme mission to reach out to those who are in Babylon today. He wants to empower his last day people to give the final call -
(Rev 18:4) And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Daniel longed for his people to ‘come out’ of Babylon and His desire is the same in the latter days.
(Dan 12:7) 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.
An obvious question to ask is: ‘Who is the ‘HE’ that accomplishes to scatter the power of the holy people? Has this ‘HE’ been referred to in the vision expounded in Daniel chapter eleven and twelve? If so where? It will need to relate to a scattering of the holy people, and a scattering that takes place at the end of time.
The HE referred to in Daniel is the King of the North who at the end determines to indeed scatter or destroy those who trouble him with their tidings – these people are giving a message that makes him really angry. The actual message they give will be discussed in detail later in this study.
(Dan 11:44) But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.
In answer to the question: ‘How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?’ the time period of a time, times and an half is stated and then the reference is made to the King of the North scattering the power of the holy people. It is AFTER these two events that ‘all these things shall be finished.’
In 1844 God’s Advent movement was in its infancy. They truly believed that Christ was going to return on October 22, 1844. They had mapped out the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation in a chart. An integral component of the chart was the 1260, 1290 and 1335 prophetic days of Daniel 12. The 1335th day was positioned in the very year Christ was to return – 1843. But nevertheless the Advent pioneers sincerely believed that the time periods of Daniel 12 would take place just prior to the second coming of Christ.
Joshua Himes writes in the Signs of the Times on January 25, 1843:
XIV.—I believe the time can be known by all who desire to understand and to be ready for his coming. And I am fully convinced that some time between March 21st, 1843, and March 21st, 1844, according to the Jewish mode of computation of time, Christ will come, and bring all his saints with him; and that then he will reward every man as his work shall be.
As proof of his computation of the time of Christ’s return he then states the following:
It can be proved by the numbers in Revelation 13:18, “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred threescore and six,” connected with Daniel 12:12, as before quoted. This text shows the number of years that Rome would exist under the blasphemous head of Paganism, after it was connected with the people of God by league, beginning B. C. 158, add 666 years, will bring us to A. D. 508, when the daily was taken away. Then add Daniel 12:12, the 1335 to 508, makes the year 1843.
A chart was constructed that was based on the above proof and herein also lay the reason for the mistake in the figures on the chart that God put his hand over. The ‘six hundred threescore and six’ –the number of the beast was used to calculate the year 508 AD and then the return of Christ in the year 1843 by adding the 1335 days of Daniel 12: 12.
Did Christ come when they expected him? No, he did not. Was their positioning of the time periods just prior to the coming of Christ correct? Yes! It is up to those that are wise and who have their minds enlightened by the Holy Spirit to fully comprehend what this significant revelation means. The early pioneers in the Advent movement truly believed Christ was going to come. They did their very best to highlight that the prophetic time periods that God had revealed to Daniel were about to be fulfilled. Christ coming was imminent. But Christ did not come! The prophetic periods of Daniel 12 were not fulfilled at that time.
The 1260, 1290 and 1335 day time periods of Daniel 12 have a more complete fulfilment that is yet future. The 1260, 1290 and 1335 days were pivotal periods around which the early advent movement concluded that Christ was coming. They are still important prophetic periods that occur at the end of time – just before Christ comes. The pioneer’s placement of these prophetic periods just before Christ came was correct. Their application of these time periods was not for their time – they were to be unsealed in the ‘time of the end’ – the time in which we are now living.
Ellen White also confirmed that these time periods belong just prior to the advent of Christ:
In the Scriptures are presented truths that relate especially to our own time. To the period just prior to the appearing of the Son of man, the prophecies of Scripture point, and here their warnings and threatenings pre-eminently apply. The prophetic periods of Daniel, extending to the very eve of the great consummation, throw a flood of light upon events then to transpire. The book of Revelation is also replete with warning and instruction for the last generation. The beloved John, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, portrays the fearful and thrilling scenes connected with the close of earth's history, and presents the duties and dangers of God's people. None need remain in ignorance, none need be unprepared for the coming of the day of God. RH September 25, 1883, par. 6
Daniel asks the primary question, a question he longs to know the answer to: ‘How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?’ The answer is given from the man clothed in linen:
(Dan 12:7) 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.
A TIME, TIMES AND AN HALF.
This time period referred to by the man clothed in linen is obviously a time period related to the latter days because after this time period lapses and the King of the North accomplishes to scatter the power of the holy people ALL THESE SHALL BE FINISHED.
WHAT IS THE ‘ALL THESE’ REFERENCE REFERRING TO?
Remember the question asked prior to the announcement of the man in linen - ‘How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?’ ‘ALL THESE’ is a reference to the ‘WONDERS’ described in the vision.
In the Strong concordance the word ‘WONDERS’ can have the following meanings
h1. H6382
Original: *פּלא*
Transliteration: *pele'*
Phonetic: *peh'-leh*
*BDB Definition*:
# wonder, marvel
## wonder (extraordinary, hard to understand thing) ## wonder (of God's acts of judgment and redemption)
Origin: from [[d 6381]]
TWOT entry: 1768a
Part(s) of speech: Noun Masculine
*Strong's Definition*: From [[H6381]]; a _miracle: - _ marvellous thing, wonder (-ful, -fully).
Other scripture references using this same word in a similar fashion include:
*[[Exo 15:11]] KJV* Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
*[[Psa 77:14]] KJV* Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.
The man clothed in linen swears by him that LIVETH FOR EVER. He is stating that this declaration he is making is sanctioned by the eternal Father in heaven. The God who lives for ever DOES WONDERS or performs miracles and his actions are deemed out of the ordinary for the redemption and judgment of his people.
What ‘WONDERS’ or extraordinary miracles have been described in the vision just explained to Daniel? The question asked was: - ‘How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?’
The explanation of the vision to Daniel extends right throughout Daniel chapter 11 to Daniel chapter 12 and concludes or ends in verse 4. Obviously in the explanation some ‘WONDERS’ or miraculous events take place and they are towards the end of the vision. If we read Daniel 12: verses 1-4 we can find the wonders being referred to:
(Dan 12:1) And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
(Dan 12:2) And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
(Dan 12:3) And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
(Dan 12:4) But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
What miraculous acts of God’s judgment and power has Daniel been shown? Let’s make a list:
¨ Michael stands up
¨ Time of trouble such as never was
¨ The deliverance of the people written in the book
¨ The resurrection of people to everlasting life, but some to everlasting contempt
¨ The wise shining as the brightness of the firmament
The question asked: - ‘How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?’ – is referring to the final miraculous and extraordinary events that take place in the latter days and makes clear to Daniel what happens in the end to God’s precious people. They are DELIVERED.
How reassuring must it have been to Daniel to know what finally happens to God’s servants?
Daniel was the representative of God’s people through their captivity in Babylon.
(Dan 9:17) Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.
(Dan 9:18) O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.
(Dan 9:19) O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.
Daniel prayed on behalf of Israel, the captives of Babylon. He prayed for forgiveness and mercy and wanted God’s face to shine upon his sanctuary. Daniel loved God supremely and loved God’s people too. It was that selfless love that Daniel had for God and his children on earth, that willingness to do God’s will no matter what, that qualified him to prophesy to God’s children in the latter days. And God revealed to Daniel the final deliverance of God’s precious servants.
God longs for his people to love each other and have a supreme mission to reach out to those who are in Babylon today. He wants to empower his last day people to give the final call -
(Rev 18:4) And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Daniel longed for his people to ‘come out’ of Babylon and His desire is the same in the latter days.
(Dan 12:7) 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.
An obvious question to ask is: ‘Who is the ‘HE’ that accomplishes to scatter the power of the holy people? Has this ‘HE’ been referred to in the vision expounded in Daniel chapter eleven and twelve? If so where? It will need to relate to a scattering of the holy people, and a scattering that takes place at the end of time.
The HE referred to in Daniel is the King of the North who at the end determines to indeed scatter or destroy those who trouble him with their tidings – these people are giving a message that makes him really angry. The actual message they give will be discussed in detail later in this study.
(Dan 11:44) But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.
In answer to the question: ‘How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?’ the time period of a time, times and an half is stated and then the reference is made to the King of the North scattering the power of the holy people. It is AFTER these two events that ‘all these things shall be finished.’
In answer to the question: ‘How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?’ the time period of a time, times and an half is stated and then the reference is made to the King of the North scattering the power of the holy people. It is AFTER these two events that ‘all these things shall be finished.’
We must now seek to understand what the time, times and a half represents and what the scattering of God’ holy people involves, It is essential that we use the Bible to interpret itself by comparing scripture to scripture to gain this understanding.
H5310
נָפַץ
nâphats
naw-fats'
A primitive root; to dash to pieces, or scatter: - be beaten in sunder, break (in pieces), broken, dash (in pieces), cause to be discharged, dispersed, be overspread, scatter.
Total KJV occurrences: 22
The scattering of the holy people is likened to being dashed to pieces and having the fragments dispersed. In other words the ‘power’ of the holy people is broken. Why does the King of the North want to scatter their ‘power’?
Going back to Daniel 11:44 we find out why:
(Dan 11:44) But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.
The TIDINGS that enrage the King of the North are defined as:
H8052
שְׁמוּעָה
shemû‛âh
shem-oo-aw'
Feminine passive participle of H8074; something heard, that is, an announcement: - bruit, doctrine, fame, mentioned, news, report, rumor, tidings.
Total KJV occurrences: 27
The King of the North receives news or a report or an announcement that troubles him and his response is to go forth with GREAT FURY to destroy many.
This anger and hatred for the message the King of the North hears is reiterated in Daniel 12:7 – “when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.”
The King of the North receives news or a report or an announcement that troubles him and his response is to go forth with GREAT FURY to destroy many.
This anger and hatred for the message the King of the North hears is reiterated in Daniel 12:7 – “when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.” The King of the North does everything in his power to destroy (break into pieces) their power. It is when the King of the North accomplishes or completes the scattering of the power of the holy people that the time, times and an half has reached its end and the ‘end of the wonders’ is imminent and ‘all these things shall be finished.
What is this ‘power’ of the holy people? Let us examine the word of God to explain this ‘power’:
(Luk 4:32) And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
(Luk 24:49) And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
(Act 1:8) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Sa-maria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
(2Ti 1:7) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Jesus Christ’s spoken word was with POWER (Luke 4:32). That same POWER – the promise of the father was to be given to Christ’s disciples at Pentecost when the Holy Ghost came upon them and gave them the POWER to be witnesses even to the uttermost part of the earth. God gave his witnesses His spirit – a spirit of power, love and a sound mind.
At the time of the end God’s witnesses are to receive a special outpouring of His spirit – ‘The Latter Rain’:
(Joe 2:28) And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
(Joe 2:29) And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
It is during this time of the outpouring of God’s spirit that a message is to be given and God’s witnesses (your sons and daughters) will prophesy again:
(Rev 10:11) And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
This message or announcement disturbs the King of the North: (Dan 11:44). But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him. Once again by comparing scripture with scripture, ‘precept upon precept’, ‘line upon line’ (Isaiah 28:10) we can determine that the power of the holy people is the spirit of God that enables them to prophesy and deliver a message that is unwelcome. It is interesting to note that this message is also described in Revelation 11:
(Rev 11:3) And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Rev 11:6) These have power to shut heaven that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
What is imperative to take note of is the mention of the length the prophesying extends for – ‘they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days’. This time period is equivalent to the time, times and an half of Daniel 12: 7. Over a period of three and a half literal years God’s witnesses will be prophesying, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The power of this message is aptly described:
(Rev 18:1) And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
It is the time of the ‘loud cry’ and the repetition of the three angel’s messages. This is the time when the King of the North becomes incensed with the TIDINGS he hears – the power of the holy people infuriates him and he accomplishes to SCATTER their power. This breaking up of the holy people’s power takes place at the end of the specified prophetic period:
(Rev 11:7) And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that as-cendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall over-come them, and kill them.
In the Revelation all the books of the Bible meet and end. Here is the complement of the book of Daniel. One is a prophecy; the other a revelation. The book that was sealed is not the Revelation, but that portion of the prophecy of Daniel relating to the last days. The angel commanded, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end.” Daniel 12:4. AA 585.1
The prophecy relating to the last days is being unsealed. The book of Revelation is a revelation of prophecy that has been sealed for thousands of years. Daniel 11 and 12 are finally being unsealed and understood. The second coming of Christ is soon to take place and the catch-cry to all is ‘Get Ready’ –‘Prepare to Meet they God’.
It is the King of the North in Daniel who SCATTERS the power of the holy people. It is the beast from the bottomless pit in Revelation who makes war against God’s witnesses. In both books the SCATTERING or MAKING WAR against God’s people takes place at the end of their testimony – the end of the 1260 days or time, times and an half time period.
In Daniel 11 it is important to take notice of where the message or ‘tidings’ come from:
(Dan 11:44) But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him.
We shall now examine why these ‘tidings’ come from the ‘EAST’ and the ‘NORTH’.
The report from the East of greatest significance in the history of mankind can be found in the gospels:
(Mat 2:1) Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
(Mat 2:2) Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
(Mat 2:3) When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
The wise men from the East who had studied the prophecies of the coming King – Jesus Christ came to worship the new born King. But the message they brought troubled Herod and all Jerusalem. The message borne to Jerusalem ‘TROUBLED’ the Roman government and its leader at the time of Jesus’ birth.
The message from the East will be of a very similar nature to that given at the time of Christ’s birth as a babe in Bethlehem. This was Christ’s FIRST COMING. The message described as coming from the East at the end of time is the declaration of the SECOND COMING of Christ. It entails the three Angel’s messages and is described as a loud cry in Revelation 18.
Just prior to the close of probation and the second coming of Christ, Satan also intends to ‘personate’ or appear as Christ. The holy people of God identify this false Christ. It is no surprise that the King of the North is furious with the messages about the return of Christ and the holy people’s refusal to recognise Satan as the Christ. He is furious!
(Dan 11:45) And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
The King of the North plants the tabernacle of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain (Daniel 11:45). He magnifies himself above all (Daniel 11:37).
(Dan 11:36) And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
The ‘tidings’ that trouble the King of the North also come from the North. Why does this message come from this direction in addition to that of the East? Let us once again let scripture reveal what a message from this direction could possibly be about:
(Amos 8:12) And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.
Amos makes a direct reference to the East and the North. Whoever is wandering from sea to sea and from the North to the East cannot find the word of the Lord. The directions of the North and the East are where the word of the Lord has been heard from – a confirmation that the tidings from the North and the East in Daniel 11:44 are truly the WORD OF THE LORD.
By looking at the context of the quote we can find out who is being specifically referred to:
(Amo 8:13) In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst.
(Amo 8:14) They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, Thy god, O Dan, liveth; and, The manner of Beersheba liveth; even they shall fall, and never rise up again.
The message in addition to the heralding of Christ’s second coming from the East includes a plea to fair virgins and young men – this is in fact a reference to God’s people at the end of time. A harvest has already taken place. The summer fruit has already been collected (Amos 8:2). The terrible cry is heard:
(Jer 8:20) The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.
The thirst of the fair virgins and young men cannot be quenched. The harvest has come and they have not been saved. A tragedy that God has been pleading with his chosen people to avoid, but, the time of their judgment has passed:
(Amo 8:2) And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the LORD unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more.
If today, you regard yourself as a member of God’s true church - (Rev 14:12) Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus –you need to ask yourself : Could I be ‘swearing by the sin of Samaria’? Do I know what it is? The message from the North is a message of judgment to God’s chosen people. The sin of Samaria involved the worship of golden calves set up by the king of Israel at the time of Jeroboam (2 Kings 10:29). The worship of a false God by God’s chosen people is going to cause them to wander from the North to the East seeking the word of the Lord at the end of time and if the warning message from the North is not heeded prior to their probation closing, their destiny will be decided. It will be too late.
This end time judgment of God’s people is aptly captured by Ezekiel:
(Eze 8:3) And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.
(Eze 8:5) Then said he unto me, Son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way toward the north. So I lifted up mine eyes the way toward the north, and behold north-ward at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry.
An ‘image of jealousy’ is positioned in the NORTH gate –right in the entry. That image is a false God and the true God is jealous stating:
(Eze 8:6) “Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations.
God cannot dwell in His sanctuary when a false God is given preeminence. That false God is the trinity. An important study for you to read and understand is one that deals with the trinity – the false god worshipped today by the majority of Christian denominations and the Catholics. Please go to this Trinity link to find out why the worship of the trinity god is so abhorrent to the true God –the creator of the universe. The study – ‘The SDA golden calf’ reveals how prophecy in the Bible predicted that the sin of Samaria would once more become prevalent amongst God's professed people. The message from the North denounces the worship of the trinity god and those that are truly seeking truth will heed the message from the North. The reason why the fair virgins and young men wander from the North to the East is directly related to where the tidings or messages come from that infuriate the King of the North. The King of the North wants to destroy the power of the holy people and the fair virgins and young men who have heard the message, have not heeded it, and only when it is too late do they realise their true standing before the true God - the harvest is past and they are not saved. What a sad day that will be. Please don’t ignore the message from the North – it is imperative you realise that the image of jealousy situated in the entry at the North gate is impacting on your ability to understand the word of God.
(Isa 14:13) For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congrega-tion, in the sides of the north:
Lucifer has positioned himself where he has always longed to be – in the sides of the North. He is that ‘image of jealousy’ in the entry of the North gate.
(Isa 10:11) Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusa-lem and her idols?
(Isa 10:20) And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
(Isa 10:21) The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.
The message from the North will succeed in drawing a remnant of Jacob who will return unto the mighty God. And the plea still remains today:
(1Co 10:14) Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. Flee – before it is too late!
(Jer 3:12) Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.
(Jer 4:6) Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.
Destruction comes from the North and it is interesting to note in Ezekiel that the judgment of God’s people is pictured as also coming from the North:
(Eze 9:1) He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.
(Eze 9:2) And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.
The six men with destroying weapons in their hands enter in at the higher gate which lieth towards the north.
(Eze 9:4) And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
(Eze 9:5) And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:
(Eze 9:6) Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.
(Eze 9:7) And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city.
It will be a fearful day for God’s people if they have not heeded the message from the north.
The holy people bearing tidings from the North will be delivering the final three messages to the world empowered by the holy spirit of God. The final message from the third angel refers to destruction of all those that remain in spiritual Babylon:
(Rev 14:9) And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
(Rev 14:10) The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
The wine of the wrath of God without mixture is going to be the cup all those that remain in spiritual Bablyon will drink. Following the beast and receiving his mark will lead to an horrific end - total destruction in the lake of fire where all wickedness and sin will finally be consumed (Revelation 20:15).
God's holy people during their witnessing will also be announcing the judgments of God beginning with the seven trumpets one after another and ending with the seven last plagues. The first six trumpets are destruction with mercy because only 1/3 of mankind or the earth are impacted. The seven last plagues during the time of Jacob's trouble are poured out on those who have chosen to receive the mark of the beast and anyone who is alive during these plagues will truly experience the wrath of God without mercy. These messages of destruction are symbolised as coming from the North and will contribute to the fury with which the King of the North goes out to destroy the holy people of God. Studies on this website to help you understand these messages of destruction from God and how and when they will happen are available on this website - The Revelation 11 study is a good place to being followed by checking out the seven trumpet and individual trumpet studies.
The final King of the North in Daniel 11 and 12 is also pictured in Revelation as: the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. (Rev 17:11) Note that just like in Daniel 11:45 this beast or eighth king will come to his end or goes into perdition. The beast is given alle-giance from the ten kings: (Rev 17:13) These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength un-to the beast. And the papacy or impure woman reigns over the kings of the earth - (Rev 17:18) And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
The reign of the whore over the kings of the earth involves a very intimate association, so much so, that it is described thus: (Rev 17:2) With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the in-habitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. The doctrines of the papa-cy have been imbibed by the world. At that time the law of God will be flouted as the Sunday law is made a reality. Worship of the trinity must take place on the day the papacy has stated is holy – Sunday, the first day of the week, in total denial of the fourth commandment of the law of the true God, the creator of the universe. The Sabbath, the seventh day is considered of no consequence by the final King of the North and his collaborators. However, the tidings heard from the North and the East make him furious. Not only do the holy people protest about the Sunday law, claiming that to obey the law is the mark of the beast, but they also don’t believe in the trinity god whom the majority of Christendom worship. His fury knows no bounds. He makes war on the holy people of God at his peril.
(Dan 12:8) And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
(Dan 12:9) And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
(Dan 12:10) Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall un-derstand.
Daniel’s response to the question: ‘O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?’ reveals that he cannot comprehend the answer that was given – he heard the response, but has no understanding of when and how the end will take place. The man in linen states that the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. A contrast is made between those who will understand the prophetic timing of the final world events and those who don’t – none of the wicked will understand but the wise who have been purified, made white and tried WILL UNDERSTAND.
The man in linen then elaborates and provides Daniel with more information about the time of the end:
(Dan 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 hun-dred and ninety days.
(Dan 12:12) Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
(Dan 12:13) But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
We must now make every effort to understand and interpret the additional information that was provided in verses 11 and 12. We can only gain understanding through seeking guidance from our heavenly Father and the wisdom and spirit he promises to impart to those who ask.
(Jas 1:5) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men lib-erally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
We must also use scripture to shed light on scripture - here a little and there a little - line upon line and precept upon precept.
(Dan 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.
Previously the man in linen explained the time, times and an half period and how the power of the holy people would be broken and then the end of the wonders would finally take place. In answer to Daniel’s second question: ‘O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?’ the man in linen expounds more detail to Daniel.
The phrase ‘from the time that the daily shall be taken away’ (the word sacrifice has been excluded it is a word added by the translators) needs to be our first consideration. What is the daily? What is being taken away?
At the time the daily is being taken away the abomination that maketh desolate is being set up – it almost appears from this verse that the abomination being set up is taking the place of the daily. The daily is being eradicated and at the same the abomination is being set up.
God’s holy people are described in Revelation: (Rev 14:12) Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Three characteristics are revealed in this verse, the saints:
Israel when wandering in the wilderness after their departure from Egypt were instructed by Moses who had spent time on Sinai receiving God’s law written upon stone – these ten commandments are what the saints keep at the end of time.
(Exo 31:18) And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
The children of Israel in their wilderness wanderings were often reminded of these commandments – God wanted them to keep them ALWAYS – he desired them to have a heart knowledge and dedication to Him. They could do this by honouring God and keeping his commandments:
(Deu 5:29) O thatH4310 H5414 there wereH1961 suchH2088 an heartH3824 in them, that they would fearH3372 me, and keepH8104 (H853) allH3605 my commandmentsH4687 always, H3605 H3117 thatH4616 it might be wellH3190 with them, and with their children-H1121 for ever!H5769
The Hebrew word for ALWAYS is important to consider:
H3117
יוֹם
yôm
yome
From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether liter-ally (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figuratively (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverbially): - age, + al-ways, + chronicles, continually (-ance), daily, ([birth-], each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, + (for) ever (-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as (. . . live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually, presently, + re-maineth, X required, season, X since, space, then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole (+ age), (full) year (-ly), + younger.
Total KJV occurrences: 2295
The words continually, forever, everlasting, so long as life will last and perpetually also apply in this context. Moses continues to speak to Israel reminding them of God’s ‘statutes and judgements’:
(Deu 6:6) And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
(Deu 6:7) And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
(Deu 6:8) And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
(Deu 6:9) And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
Moses wanted Israel to daily remind themselves of their responsibilities towards God. He wanted parents to teach their children daily – when they went to sleep – when they woke up – to talk of them whenever the opportunity arose and to make that opportunity happen. What is of interesting significance is that they are commanded to:
Bind them for a sign upon their hand and
They shall be as frontlets between their eyes or bind them upon their forehead.
The ‘DAILY’ taken away is the precious law of God which God referred to in this manner:
(Deu 5:29) O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
Our heavenly father desired the best for his children and wants them to keep his commandments ALWAYS or CONTINUALLY so that it would be well with them and their children. When we examine the meaning of the word DAILY you can see the direct connection between the commandments of God and the expression DAILY:
H8548
תָמִיד
tâmı̂yd
taw-meed'
From an unused root meaning to stretch; properly continuance (as indefinite ex-tension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially con-stantly); elliptically the regular (daily) sacrifice: - alway (-s), continual (employment, -ly), daily, ([n-]) ever (-more), perpetual.
Total KJV occurrences: 104
We must now seek to understand what the time, times and a half represents and what the scattering of God’ holy people involves, It is essential that we use the Bible to interpret itself by comparing scripture to scripture to gain this understanding.
H5310
נָפַץ
nâphats
naw-fats'
A primitive root; to dash to pieces, or scatter: - be beaten in sunder, break (in pieces), broken, dash (in pieces), cause to be discharged, dispersed, be overspread, scatter.
Total KJV occurrences: 22
The scattering of the holy people is likened to being dashed to pieces and having the fragments dispersed. In other words the ‘power’ of the holy people is broken. Why does the King of the North want to scatter their ‘power’?
Going back to Daniel 11:44 we find out why:
(Dan 11:44) But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.
The TIDINGS that enrage the King of the North are defined as:
H8052
שְׁמוּעָה
shemû‛âh
shem-oo-aw'
Feminine passive participle of H8074; something heard, that is, an announcement: - bruit, doctrine, fame, mentioned, news, report, rumor, tidings.
Total KJV occurrences: 27
The King of the North receives news or a report or an announcement that troubles him and his response is to go forth with GREAT FURY to destroy many.
This anger and hatred for the message the King of the North hears is reiterated in Daniel 12:7 – “when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.”
The King of the North receives news or a report or an announcement that troubles him and his response is to go forth with GREAT FURY to destroy many.
This anger and hatred for the message the King of the North hears is reiterated in Daniel 12:7 – “when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.” The King of the North does everything in his power to destroy (break into pieces) their power. It is when the King of the North accomplishes or completes the scattering of the power of the holy people that the time, times and an half has reached its end and the ‘end of the wonders’ is imminent and ‘all these things shall be finished.
What is this ‘power’ of the holy people? Let us examine the word of God to explain this ‘power’:
(Luk 4:32) And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
(Luk 24:49) And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
(Act 1:8) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Sa-maria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
(2Ti 1:7) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Jesus Christ’s spoken word was with POWER (Luke 4:32). That same POWER – the promise of the father was to be given to Christ’s disciples at Pentecost when the Holy Ghost came upon them and gave them the POWER to be witnesses even to the uttermost part of the earth. God gave his witnesses His spirit – a spirit of power, love and a sound mind.
At the time of the end God’s witnesses are to receive a special outpouring of His spirit – ‘The Latter Rain’:
(Joe 2:28) And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
(Joe 2:29) And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
It is during this time of the outpouring of God’s spirit that a message is to be given and God’s witnesses (your sons and daughters) will prophesy again:
(Rev 10:11) And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
This message or announcement disturbs the King of the North: (Dan 11:44). But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him. Once again by comparing scripture with scripture, ‘precept upon precept’, ‘line upon line’ (Isaiah 28:10) we can determine that the power of the holy people is the spirit of God that enables them to prophesy and deliver a message that is unwelcome. It is interesting to note that this message is also described in Revelation 11:
(Rev 11:3) And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Rev 11:6) These have power to shut heaven that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
What is imperative to take note of is the mention of the length the prophesying extends for – ‘they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days’. This time period is equivalent to the time, times and an half of Daniel 12: 7. Over a period of three and a half literal years God’s witnesses will be prophesying, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The power of this message is aptly described:
(Rev 18:1) And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
It is the time of the ‘loud cry’ and the repetition of the three angel’s messages. This is the time when the King of the North becomes incensed with the TIDINGS he hears – the power of the holy people infuriates him and he accomplishes to SCATTER their power. This breaking up of the holy people’s power takes place at the end of the specified prophetic period:
(Rev 11:7) And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that as-cendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall over-come them, and kill them.
In the Revelation all the books of the Bible meet and end. Here is the complement of the book of Daniel. One is a prophecy; the other a revelation. The book that was sealed is not the Revelation, but that portion of the prophecy of Daniel relating to the last days. The angel commanded, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end.” Daniel 12:4. AA 585.1
The prophecy relating to the last days is being unsealed. The book of Revelation is a revelation of prophecy that has been sealed for thousands of years. Daniel 11 and 12 are finally being unsealed and understood. The second coming of Christ is soon to take place and the catch-cry to all is ‘Get Ready’ –‘Prepare to Meet they God’.
It is the King of the North in Daniel who SCATTERS the power of the holy people. It is the beast from the bottomless pit in Revelation who makes war against God’s witnesses. In both books the SCATTERING or MAKING WAR against God’s people takes place at the end of their testimony – the end of the 1260 days or time, times and an half time period.
In Daniel 11 it is important to take notice of where the message or ‘tidings’ come from:
(Dan 11:44) But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him.
We shall now examine why these ‘tidings’ come from the ‘EAST’ and the ‘NORTH’.
The report from the East of greatest significance in the history of mankind can be found in the gospels:
(Mat 2:1) Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
(Mat 2:2) Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
(Mat 2:3) When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
The wise men from the East who had studied the prophecies of the coming King – Jesus Christ came to worship the new born King. But the message they brought troubled Herod and all Jerusalem. The message borne to Jerusalem ‘TROUBLED’ the Roman government and its leader at the time of Jesus’ birth.
The message from the East will be of a very similar nature to that given at the time of Christ’s birth as a babe in Bethlehem. This was Christ’s FIRST COMING. The message described as coming from the East at the end of time is the declaration of the SECOND COMING of Christ. It entails the three Angel’s messages and is described as a loud cry in Revelation 18.
Just prior to the close of probation and the second coming of Christ, Satan also intends to ‘personate’ or appear as Christ. The holy people of God identify this false Christ. It is no surprise that the King of the North is furious with the messages about the return of Christ and the holy people’s refusal to recognise Satan as the Christ. He is furious!
(Dan 11:45) And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
The King of the North plants the tabernacle of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain (Daniel 11:45). He magnifies himself above all (Daniel 11:37).
(Dan 11:36) And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
The ‘tidings’ that trouble the King of the North also come from the North. Why does this message come from this direction in addition to that of the East? Let us once again let scripture reveal what a message from this direction could possibly be about:
(Amos 8:12) And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.
Amos makes a direct reference to the East and the North. Whoever is wandering from sea to sea and from the North to the East cannot find the word of the Lord. The directions of the North and the East are where the word of the Lord has been heard from – a confirmation that the tidings from the North and the East in Daniel 11:44 are truly the WORD OF THE LORD.
By looking at the context of the quote we can find out who is being specifically referred to:
(Amo 8:13) In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst.
(Amo 8:14) They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, Thy god, O Dan, liveth; and, The manner of Beersheba liveth; even they shall fall, and never rise up again.
The message in addition to the heralding of Christ’s second coming from the East includes a plea to fair virgins and young men – this is in fact a reference to God’s people at the end of time. A harvest has already taken place. The summer fruit has already been collected (Amos 8:2). The terrible cry is heard:
(Jer 8:20) The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.
The thirst of the fair virgins and young men cannot be quenched. The harvest has come and they have not been saved. A tragedy that God has been pleading with his chosen people to avoid, but, the time of their judgment has passed:
(Amo 8:2) And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the LORD unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more.
If today, you regard yourself as a member of God’s true church - (Rev 14:12) Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus –you need to ask yourself : Could I be ‘swearing by the sin of Samaria’? Do I know what it is? The message from the North is a message of judgment to God’s chosen people. The sin of Samaria involved the worship of golden calves set up by the king of Israel at the time of Jeroboam (2 Kings 10:29). The worship of a false God by God’s chosen people is going to cause them to wander from the North to the East seeking the word of the Lord at the end of time and if the warning message from the North is not heeded prior to their probation closing, their destiny will be decided. It will be too late.
This end time judgment of God’s people is aptly captured by Ezekiel:
(Eze 8:3) And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.
(Eze 8:5) Then said he unto me, Son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way toward the north. So I lifted up mine eyes the way toward the north, and behold north-ward at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry.
An ‘image of jealousy’ is positioned in the NORTH gate –right in the entry. That image is a false God and the true God is jealous stating:
(Eze 8:6) “Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations.
God cannot dwell in His sanctuary when a false God is given preeminence. That false God is the trinity. An important study for you to read and understand is one that deals with the trinity – the false god worshipped today by the majority of Christian denominations and the Catholics. Please go to this Trinity link to find out why the worship of the trinity god is so abhorrent to the true God –the creator of the universe. The study – ‘The SDA golden calf’ reveals how prophecy in the Bible predicted that the sin of Samaria would once more become prevalent amongst God's professed people. The message from the North denounces the worship of the trinity god and those that are truly seeking truth will heed the message from the North. The reason why the fair virgins and young men wander from the North to the East is directly related to where the tidings or messages come from that infuriate the King of the North. The King of the North wants to destroy the power of the holy people and the fair virgins and young men who have heard the message, have not heeded it, and only when it is too late do they realise their true standing before the true God - the harvest is past and they are not saved. What a sad day that will be. Please don’t ignore the message from the North – it is imperative you realise that the image of jealousy situated in the entry at the North gate is impacting on your ability to understand the word of God.
(Isa 14:13) For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congrega-tion, in the sides of the north:
Lucifer has positioned himself where he has always longed to be – in the sides of the North. He is that ‘image of jealousy’ in the entry of the North gate.
(Isa 10:11) Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusa-lem and her idols?
(Isa 10:20) And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
(Isa 10:21) The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.
The message from the North will succeed in drawing a remnant of Jacob who will return unto the mighty God. And the plea still remains today:
(1Co 10:14) Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. Flee – before it is too late!
(Jer 3:12) Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.
(Jer 4:6) Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.
Destruction comes from the North and it is interesting to note in Ezekiel that the judgment of God’s people is pictured as also coming from the North:
(Eze 9:1) He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.
(Eze 9:2) And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.
The six men with destroying weapons in their hands enter in at the higher gate which lieth towards the north.
(Eze 9:4) And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
(Eze 9:5) And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:
(Eze 9:6) Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.
(Eze 9:7) And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city.
It will be a fearful day for God’s people if they have not heeded the message from the north.
The holy people bearing tidings from the North will be delivering the final three messages to the world empowered by the holy spirit of God. The final message from the third angel refers to destruction of all those that remain in spiritual Babylon:
(Rev 14:9) And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
(Rev 14:10) The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
The wine of the wrath of God without mixture is going to be the cup all those that remain in spiritual Bablyon will drink. Following the beast and receiving his mark will lead to an horrific end - total destruction in the lake of fire where all wickedness and sin will finally be consumed (Revelation 20:15).
God's holy people during their witnessing will also be announcing the judgments of God beginning with the seven trumpets one after another and ending with the seven last plagues. The first six trumpets are destruction with mercy because only 1/3 of mankind or the earth are impacted. The seven last plagues during the time of Jacob's trouble are poured out on those who have chosen to receive the mark of the beast and anyone who is alive during these plagues will truly experience the wrath of God without mercy. These messages of destruction are symbolised as coming from the North and will contribute to the fury with which the King of the North goes out to destroy the holy people of God. Studies on this website to help you understand these messages of destruction from God and how and when they will happen are available on this website - The Revelation 11 study is a good place to being followed by checking out the seven trumpet and individual trumpet studies.
The final King of the North in Daniel 11 and 12 is also pictured in Revelation as: the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. (Rev 17:11) Note that just like in Daniel 11:45 this beast or eighth king will come to his end or goes into perdition. The beast is given alle-giance from the ten kings: (Rev 17:13) These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength un-to the beast. And the papacy or impure woman reigns over the kings of the earth - (Rev 17:18) And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
The reign of the whore over the kings of the earth involves a very intimate association, so much so, that it is described thus: (Rev 17:2) With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the in-habitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. The doctrines of the papa-cy have been imbibed by the world. At that time the law of God will be flouted as the Sunday law is made a reality. Worship of the trinity must take place on the day the papacy has stated is holy – Sunday, the first day of the week, in total denial of the fourth commandment of the law of the true God, the creator of the universe. The Sabbath, the seventh day is considered of no consequence by the final King of the North and his collaborators. However, the tidings heard from the North and the East make him furious. Not only do the holy people protest about the Sunday law, claiming that to obey the law is the mark of the beast, but they also don’t believe in the trinity god whom the majority of Christendom worship. His fury knows no bounds. He makes war on the holy people of God at his peril.
(Dan 12:8) And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
(Dan 12:9) And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
(Dan 12:10) Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall un-derstand.
Daniel’s response to the question: ‘O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?’ reveals that he cannot comprehend the answer that was given – he heard the response, but has no understanding of when and how the end will take place. The man in linen states that the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. A contrast is made between those who will understand the prophetic timing of the final world events and those who don’t – none of the wicked will understand but the wise who have been purified, made white and tried WILL UNDERSTAND.
The man in linen then elaborates and provides Daniel with more information about the time of the end:
(Dan 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 hun-dred and ninety days.
(Dan 12:12) Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
(Dan 12:13) But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
We must now make every effort to understand and interpret the additional information that was provided in verses 11 and 12. We can only gain understanding through seeking guidance from our heavenly Father and the wisdom and spirit he promises to impart to those who ask.
(Jas 1:5) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men lib-erally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
We must also use scripture to shed light on scripture - here a little and there a little - line upon line and precept upon precept.
(Dan 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.
Previously the man in linen explained the time, times and an half period and how the power of the holy people would be broken and then the end of the wonders would finally take place. In answer to Daniel’s second question: ‘O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?’ the man in linen expounds more detail to Daniel.
The phrase ‘from the time that the daily shall be taken away’ (the word sacrifice has been excluded it is a word added by the translators) needs to be our first consideration. What is the daily? What is being taken away?
At the time the daily is being taken away the abomination that maketh desolate is being set up – it almost appears from this verse that the abomination being set up is taking the place of the daily. The daily is being eradicated and at the same the abomination is being set up.
God’s holy people are described in Revelation: (Rev 14:12) Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Three characteristics are revealed in this verse, the saints:
- are patient,
- they keep the commandments of God and
- they have the faith of Jesus.
Israel when wandering in the wilderness after their departure from Egypt were instructed by Moses who had spent time on Sinai receiving God’s law written upon stone – these ten commandments are what the saints keep at the end of time.
(Exo 31:18) And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
The children of Israel in their wilderness wanderings were often reminded of these commandments – God wanted them to keep them ALWAYS – he desired them to have a heart knowledge and dedication to Him. They could do this by honouring God and keeping his commandments:
(Deu 5:29) O thatH4310 H5414 there wereH1961 suchH2088 an heartH3824 in them, that they would fearH3372 me, and keepH8104 (H853) allH3605 my commandmentsH4687 always, H3605 H3117 thatH4616 it might be wellH3190 with them, and with their children-H1121 for ever!H5769
The Hebrew word for ALWAYS is important to consider:
H3117
יוֹם
yôm
yome
From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether liter-ally (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figuratively (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverbially): - age, + al-ways, + chronicles, continually (-ance), daily, ([birth-], each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, + (for) ever (-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as (. . . live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually, presently, + re-maineth, X required, season, X since, space, then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole (+ age), (full) year (-ly), + younger.
Total KJV occurrences: 2295
The words continually, forever, everlasting, so long as life will last and perpetually also apply in this context. Moses continues to speak to Israel reminding them of God’s ‘statutes and judgements’:
(Deu 6:6) And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
(Deu 6:7) And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
(Deu 6:8) And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
(Deu 6:9) And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
Moses wanted Israel to daily remind themselves of their responsibilities towards God. He wanted parents to teach their children daily – when they went to sleep – when they woke up – to talk of them whenever the opportunity arose and to make that opportunity happen. What is of interesting significance is that they are commanded to:
Bind them for a sign upon their hand and
They shall be as frontlets between their eyes or bind them upon their forehead.
The ‘DAILY’ taken away is the precious law of God which God referred to in this manner:
(Deu 5:29) O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
Our heavenly father desired the best for his children and wants them to keep his commandments ALWAYS or CONTINUALLY so that it would be well with them and their children. When we examine the meaning of the word DAILY you can see the direct connection between the commandments of God and the expression DAILY:
H8548
תָמִיד
tâmı̂yd
taw-meed'
From an unused root meaning to stretch; properly continuance (as indefinite ex-tension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially con-stantly); elliptically the regular (daily) sacrifice: - alway (-s), continual (employment, -ly), daily, ([n-]) ever (-more), perpetual.
Total KJV occurrences: 104
The DAILY is also ALWAYS, CONSTANT or CONTINUAL and PERPETUAL. The DAILY that Daniel referred to is taken away. The question arises –if it is taken away how can it be perpetual? This is when you need to comprehend what is happening at the end of time and what is prophesied to take place.
At the time of the end it is the law of God that is under attack by the arch deceiver Satan. His hatred to-wards God’s law began in heaven when it condemned him for his pride and rebellion and he and a third of the angelic host were thrown out of heaven. That conflict over the devil’s hatred for God’s law reaches its climax right on the cusp of the end of the world, right at the time Daniel is describing in chapter 12.
It is on the law of God that the last great struggle of the controversy between Christ and His angels and Satan and his angels will come, and it will be decisive for all the world.... Men in responsible positions will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath themselves, but from the sacred desk will urge upon the people the ob-servance of the first day of the week, pleading tradition and custom in behalf of this man-made institution. They will point to calamities on land and sea—to the storms of wind, the floods, the earthquakes, the destruction by fire—as judgments indicating God's displeasure because Sunday is not sacredly observed. These ca-lamities will increase more and more, one disaster will follow close upon the heels of another; and those who make void the law of God will point to the few who are keeping the Sabbath of the fourth commandment as the ones who are bringing wrath upon the world. This falsehood is Satan's device that he may ensnare the unwary.—The Southern Watchman, June 28, 1904.ChS 155.2
The Protestant world today see in the little company keeping the Sabbath a Mor-decai in the gate. His character and conduct, expressing reverence for the law of God, are a constant rebuke to those who have cast off the fear of the Lord, and are trampling upon His Sabbath; the unwelcome intruder must by some means be put out of the way.--Testimonies for the Church 5:450.ChS 158.2
Satan will excite indignation against the humble minority who conscientiously re-fuse to accept popular customs and traditions. Men of position and reputation will join with the lawless and the vile to take counsel against the people of God. Wealth, genius, education, will combine to cover them with contempt. Persecuting rulers, ministers, and church members will conspire against them. With voice and pen, by boasts, threats, and ridicule, they will seek to overthrow their faith. By false representations and angry appeals, they will stir up the passions of the peo-ple. Not having a “Thus saith the Scriptures” to bring against the advocates of the Bible Sabbath, they will resort to oppressive enactments to supply the lack. To se-cure popularity and patronage, legislators will yield to the demand for a Sunday law.... On this battlefield comes the last great conflict of the controversy between truth and error.--Testimonies for the Church 5:450, 451.ChS 158.3
Ellen White clearly spells out these end time events. The expression ‘make void the Law of God’ used by her comes from the Psalms which is a description of what will be happening at this time – the end of time:
(Psa 119:126) It is timeH6256 for thee, LORD,H3068 to work:H6213 for they have made voidH6565 thy law.H8451
The psalmist David prophesies of a time when God’s law will be made void. This is also the time when the DAILY is taken away. Just to be sure we will examine the meaning of the word VOID:
H6565
פָּרַר
pârar
paw-rar'
A primitive root; to break up (usually figuratively, that is, to violate, frustrate): - X any ways, break (asunder), cast off, cause to cease, X clean, defeat, disannul, dis-appoint, dissolve, divide, make of none effect, fail, frustrate, bring (come) to nought, X utterly, make void.
Total KJV occurrences: 51
The law of God will be VIOLATED, CAUSED TO CEASE, DISANNULLED and MADE OF NONE EFFECT by Sa-tan, but this does not mean he can destroy the law of God. Nor can he remove it from the hearts and minds of God’s holy people where the law of God is engraved.
(Jer 31:33) But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
The law of God was referred to as the tables of witness or testimony (Exodus 31:18). It was given to the children of Israel as a physical representation or a pattern of the heavenly record of God’s law that was in the temple of heaven. The law of God is everlasting, perpetual or continual as David testifies to in Psalms 119:
(Psa 119:44) So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
(Psa 119:97) MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
(Psa 119:109) My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
(Psa 119:144) The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me under-standing, and I shall live.
(Psa 119:152) Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
(Psa 119:160) Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy right-eous judgments endureth for ever.
The DAILY referred to by Daniel in the last days that is taken away is the everlasting law of God. Satan’s hatred for God’s law has been demonstrated time and time again. It is this law that condemns sin and Satan’s continual warfare against the kingdom of God. It is this law that has been changed by the papacy by the replacement of God’s seventh day Sabbath in the fourth commandment with the first day of the week. This ‘taking away’ of the law of God is described as he shall “think to change times and laws” and Isaiah states that by doing so the law of God has been broken, transgressed and changed.
(Dan 7:25) 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.
(Isa 24:5) The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
Satan is a diligent Bible student. He knows that his time is short, and he seeks at every point to counterwork the work of the Lord upon this earth. It is impossible to give any idea of the experience of the people of God who shall be alive upon the earth when celestial glory and a repetition of the persecutions of the past are blended. They will walk in the light proceeding from the throne of God. By means of the angels there will be constant communication between heaven and earth.
And Satan, surrounded by evil angels, and claiming to be God, will work miracles of all kinds, to deceive, if possible, the very elect. God's people will not find their safety in working miracles, for Satan will counterfeit the miracles that will be wrought. God's tried and tested people will find their power in the sign spoken of in Exodus 31:12-18. They are to take their stand on the living word: “It is written.” This is the only foundation upon which they can stand securely. Those who have broken their covenant with God will in that day be without God and without hope. CCh 39.5
The worshipers of God will be especially distinguished by their regard for the fourth commandment, since this is the sign of God's creative power and the wit-ness to His claim upon man's reverence and homage. The wicked will be distin-guished by their efforts to tear down the Creator's memorial and to exalt the in-stitution of Rome. In the issue of the conflict all Christendom will be divided into two great classes, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Je-sus, and those who worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark. Alt-hough church and state will unite their power to compel all, “both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond,” to receive the mark of the beast, yet the people of God will not receive it. Revelation 13:16. The prophet of Patmos beholds “them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God,” and singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Revelation 15:2.CCh 39.6
Fearful tests and trials await the people of God. The spirit of war is stirring the na-tions from one end of the earth to the other. But in the midst of the time of trou-ble that is coming,—a time of trouble such as has not been since there was a na-tion—God's chosen people will stand unmoved. Satan and his host cannot destroy them, for angels that excel in strength will protect them.2CCh 40.1
Ellen White so clearly describes the conflict at the time of the end: “The wicked will be distinguished by their efforts to tear down the Creator's memorial” - it is this TEARING DOWN that is the TAKING AWAY of the DAILY. Yet even though the everlasting covenant is broken by the wicked majority, God’s holy minority hold aloft the law of God, it is written in their hearts and minds and they stand unmoved in the strength of Christ.
A fascinating comparison between the DAILY or LAW OF GOD and the MARK OF THE BEAST reveals some interesting similarities. You have one of two choices and that is it!
The DAILY is an expression used by translators which encapsulates the CONTINUAL relationship God wants us to have with him. By constant communion with our creator and our belief in the son of God – Jesus Christ – our saviour; that tremendous gift that the Father gave, draws us to Him and his son. With the spirit of God implanted within and his very law written in our hearts, our desire is to obey Him and follow his commandments – to be a son and daughter of the most High God.
In the time of the end Satan so desires to overthrow the kingdom of God, his hatred of the law of God becomes paramount – after all, it is the law of God that condemned him for his rebellion in heaven. ‘God is so unfair and dictatorial’ has been Satan’s catch-cry ever since his exit from the high estate he, and the angels deceived by him once held. He now implements a plan to rid the world of commandment keepers and followers of the true God. He introduces the ‘mark of the beast’. Through his last day channels – the lamb-like beast of Revelation 13 causes all to receive a mark in their forehead or right hand:
(Rev 13:17) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
(Rev 13:12) And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
The mark of the beast system is set up in order for Satan to finally receive the worship he has longed for. His day Sunday, the first day of the week will replace the Lord’s day – the Sabbath – the seventh day of the week. If you don’t want to worship on Satan’s day Revelation 13:15 states that Satan will: “cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.”
Basically the choice all inhabitants of the earth have at this time in the earth’s history is to choose to follow the true God and creator of the heavens and the earth or Satan, the fallen angel who has been plotting his creator’s overthrow ever since the war he began in heaven.
Both choices will involve actions – the use of the hand signifies the importance of the hands in doing good or evil, following God or Satan – some texts referring to hands and the actions that they do :
(Psa 18:24) Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.
(Ecc 4:6) Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
(Isa 3:11) Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.
(Lam 3:64) Render unto them a recompence, O LORD, according to the work of their hands.
Choosing who to serve – God or Satan in the end time will involve you choosing between the mark of the beast or the keeping of the commandments of the Creator God. Your choice or actions symbolised by your hands will be evidence of which path you take.
The mark of the beast is also positioned in the forehead and God’s law is also bound upon the forehead or as a frontlet between your eyes. The significance of the forehead is representative of the mind or decision making powers of each individual. All have a choice and a decision to make. However, when the law of God is written in your heart or mind and your attitude enables you to truly say: ‘I delight to do thy will’; your love for the creator God through the power of His indwelling spirit will enable you to refuse the mark of the beast despite the threat of death.
(Jas 1:12) Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
The DAILY and its meaning at the end of time has now been explained – from the time that the law of God is taken away or made of no effect to the time that the abomination that maketh desolate is set up is the next phrase we have to examine. What is the ABOMINATION THAT MAKETH DESOLATE?
(Dan 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.
ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION
To understand the abomination of desolation we first need to understand what the word abomination is referring to. The word abomination in Hebrew can be used in a variety of contexts to focus on a particular aspect of the abomination.
The first reference to abomination in the Bible can be found in:
*[[Gen 43:32]] KJV* And they set on for him by himself, and for them by them-selves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
This word is used 112 times in the Old Testament and when used is referring to a custom or an activity that God finds detestable. The action or custom can also be an idol or the worship of that idol.
The next reference to abomination is this Hebrew word:
H6292
Original: פּגּל פּגּוּל
Transliteration: piggûl piggûl
Phonetic: pig-gool'
The first verse in the Bible that refers to this type of abomination is:
*[[Lev 7:18]] KJV* And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity.
In this context the word abomination refers specifically to unclean flesh associated with sacrifices. Con-suming it on the third day is considered to be disgusting because the flesh is probably in a state of decom-position and it would stink and be unhealthy to consume.
This type of reference to abomination happens only 4 times in the Old Testament.
Another reference to abomination in the Old Testament is used 11 times and often refers to animals that are considered unclean and should not be consumed.
H8263
Original: שקץ
Transliteration: sheqets
Phonetic: sheh'-kets
*[[Lev 11:41]] KJV* And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten. This reference can refer to an idol also.
H8262
Original: שקץ
Transliteration: shâqats
Phonetic: shaw-kats'
When abomination is referred to with the above Hebrew word it is used to label an item or object as filthy, polluted and detestable as in the verse below:
*[[Deu 7:26/KJV]]* Neither shalt thou bring H935 an abomination H8441 into thine house H1004, lest thou be a cursed thing H2764 like it: but thou shalt utterly H8262 detest H8262 it, and thou shalt utterly H8581 abhor H8581 it; for it is a cursed thing H2764.
In the verse above the word abomination is another Hebrew word but the word 'shâqats' has been trans-lated in the Old Testament as 'detest' even though it has been translated as abomination in another place: Leviticus 11:11. This reference to abomination occurs 6 times in the Old Testament.
H8251
Original: שקּץ שקּוּץ
Transliteration: shiqqûts shiqqûts
Phonetic: shik-koots'
BDB Definition:
detestable thing or idol, abominable thing, abomination, idol, detested thing
Origin: from H8262
TWOT entry: 2459b
Part(s) of speech: Noun Masculine
Strong's Definition: From H8262; disgusting, that is, filthy ; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol: - abominable filth (idol, -ation), detestable (thing).
*[[2Ki 23:13/KJV]]* And the high places H1116 that were before H6440 Jerusalem H3389, which were on the right hand H3225 of the mount H2022 of corruption H4889, which Solomon H8010 the king H4428 of Israel H3478 had builded H1129 for Ashtoreth H6253 the abomination H8251 of the Zidonians H6722, and for Chemosh H3645 the abomination H8251 of the Moabites H4124, and for Milcom H4445 the abomination H8441 of the children H1121 of Ammon H5983, did the king H4428 defile H2930.
*[[Eze 20:7/KJV]]* Then said H559 I unto them, Cast ye away H7993 every man H376 the abominations H8251 of his eyes H5869, and defile H2930 not yourselves with the idols H1544 of Egypt H4714: I am the LORD H3068 your God H430.
*[[Dan 9:27/KJV]]* And he shall confirm H1396 the covenant H1285 with many-H7227 for one H259 week H7620: and in the midst H2677 of the week H7620 he shall cause the sacrifice H2077 and the oblation H4503 to cease H7673, and for the overspreading H3671 of abominations H8251 he shall make it desolate H8074, even until the consummation H3617, and that determined H2782 shall be poured H5413 upon the desolate H8074.
*[[Dan 11:31/KJV]]* And arms H2220 shall stand H5975 on his part, and they shall pollute H2490 the sanctuary H4720 of strength H4581, and shall take away H5493 the daily H8548 sacrifice, and they shall place H5414 the abomination H8251 that maketh desolate H8074.
*[[Dan 12:11/KJV]]* And from the time H6256 that the daily H8548 sacrifice shall be taken away H5493, and the abomination H8251 that maketh desolate H8074 set up H5414, there shall be a thousand H505 two hundred H3967 and ninety H8673 days H3117.
It is the Hebrew word: shiqqûts that is used in Daniel and particularly in the phrase: 'abomination of desolation'. In other verses it refers to an idol or idols (plural) that are detestable. Other synonyms for the word detestable include loathsome and vile. In 2 Kings 23:13 the abomination or vile idol of the Zidonians was Ashtoreth and the detestable idol of the Moabites was Chemosh. These idols were abominations to God and He wanted his people to return to the worship of their creator. It was Josiah who after reading a book of the covenant or law in the house of the Lord was able to turn God's chosen people away from the idols and idolatrous practices they had been wallowing in for years:
*[[2Ki 23:3]] KJV* And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimo-nies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the cove-nant.
*[[Dan 11:31/KJV]]* And arms H2220 shall stand H5975 on his part, and they shall pollute H2490 the sanctuary H4720 of strength H4581, and shall take away H5493 the daily H8548 sacrifice, and they shall place H5414 the abomination H8251 that maketh desolate H8074.
Now we know what this particular Hebrew word refers to we could read the previous text in this manner:
*[[Dan 11:31/KJV]]* And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the idol that maketh desolate.
We have determined what the abomination is - an idol. Now we need to examine what desolate means because this is what happens as a result of the idol being positioned or placed in the sanctuary of strength.
h1. H8074
Original: *שמם*
Transliteration: *shâmêm*
Phonetic: *shaw-mame'*
*BDB Definition*:
to be desolate, be appalled, stun, stupefy
(Qal)
to be desolated, be deflowered, be deserted, be appalled
to be appalled, be awestruck
(Niphal)
to be desolated, be made desolate
to be appalled
(Polel)
to be stunned
appalling, causing horror (participle)
horror-causer, appaller (substantive)
(Hiphil)
to devastate, ravage, make desolated
to appal, show horror
(Hophal) to lay desolate, be desolated
(Hithpolel)
to cause to be desolate
to be appalled, be astounded
to cause oneself desolation, cause oneself ruin
Origin: a primitive root
TWOT entry: 2409
Part(s) of speech: Verb
*Strong's Definition*: A primitive root; to _stun_ (or intransitively _grow numb_), that is, _devastate_ or (figuratively) _stupefy_ (both usually in a passive sense): - make amazed, be as-tonied, (be an) astonish (-ment), (be, bring into, unto, lay, lie, make) desolate (-ion, places), be destitute, destroy (self), (lay, lie, make) waste,
wonder.
The idol (abomination) when set up or placed has a devastating effect on God's people and their ability to worship the true God. The placement or setting up of the abomination that maketh desolate occurs because the majority of God's professed people are not following God's commandments. The result of not obeying God's commandments was spelt out in no uncertain terms by Moses to the children of Israel:
*[[Lev 26:14]] KJV* But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments;
*[[Lev 26:15]] KJV* And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant:
*[[Lev 26:16]] KJV* I also will do this unto you;....
*[[Lev 26:30]] KJV* And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.
*[[Lev 26:31]] KJV* And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours.
*[[Lev 26:32]] KJV* And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it.
*[[Lev 26:33]] KJV* And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out asword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste.
*[[Lev 26:34]] KJV* Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth deso-late, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths.
*[[Lev 26:35]] KJV* As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because itdid not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.
Disobedience to God brings desolation. That message comes through loud and clear through God's instructions to his people. The desolation that takes place is very real. Their sanctuaries were to be destroyed or laid waste (Leviticus 26:31) and they were to be scattered among the heathen.
Daniel studied the words of the prophets and knew why Jerusalem had been desolated:
*[[Dan 9:2]] KJV* In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the proph-et, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. God also revealed to Daniel the future desolations God's people would also experience:
(Dan 9:26) And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
*[[Dan 9:27/KJV]]* And he shall confirm H1396 the covenant H1285 with many H7227 for one H259 week H7620: and in the midst H2677 of the week H7620 he shall cause the sacrifice H2077 and the oblation H4503 to cease H7673, and for the overspreading H3671 of abominations H8251 he shall make it desolate H8074, even until the consummation H3617, and that determined H2782 shall be poured H5413 upon the desolate H8074.
The above verses written by Daniel prophesy what will happen to the messiah and also Jerusalem. It is the ‘overspreading of abominations’ that lead to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. It is interesting to note that the city and the sanctuary are destroyed in verse 26 just like God told Israel in Leviticus 26:31 through His servant Moses : I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation.
Another fascinating reference to the DAILY (the law of God) and the sanctuary being cast down can be found in Daniel 8 verse 11. The little horn which waxes great magnifies himself even to the prince of the host of heaven – Christ.
(Rev 1:5) And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
(Act 5:31) Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour,for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
(Dan 8:9) 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.
(Dan 8:10) 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.
(Dan 8:11) 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.
The little horn in verse 11 magnifies himself against Christ – the prince of the host and takes away the daily or the ability of God’s saints (the host to be trodden under foot) to freely keep the law of God according to their conscience. Pagan Rome through Pontius Pilate sentenced Christ – the prince to death and also persecuted Christians in future generations. Laws were enacted by Roman emperors to enforce devotion to Roman gods and allegiance to the emperor. These enactments magnified pagan Rome’s power and authority above that of God.
Looking back into history we can locate several examples of Roman law that epitomise the taking away of the daily:
In January 250, Decius is said to have issued one of the most remarkable Roman imperial edicts. From the numerous surviving texts from Egypt, recording the act of sacrifice, it appears that the edict itself was fairly clear:[11]
All the inhabitants of the empire were required to sacrifice before the magistrates of their community 'for the safety of the empire' by a certain day (the date would vary from place to place and the order may have been that the sacrifice had to be completed within a specified period after a community received the edict). When they sacrificed they would obtain a certificate (libellus) recording the fact that they had complied with the order.[2] That is, the certificate would testify the sac-rificant's loyalty to the ancestral gods and to the consumption of sacrificial food and drink as well as the names of the officials who were overseeing the sacri-fice. Handbook to life in ancient Rome, By Lesley Adkins, Roy A. Adkins, 2004, p. 241
Roman law via the edict of Decius in 250 AD enforced the breaking of a number of the commandments of God. First and foremost was the blatant desecration of the first commandment: (Exo 20:3) Thou shalt have no other gods before me. People who obeyed this edict were also stating publicly that they didn’t believe in the full and complete sacrifice of Christ. By sacrificing to other God’s they were acknowledging human authority above the God of heaven and by breaking one commandment they were in fact guilty of breaking the whole law :
(Jas 2:10) For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Another time when Roman law made null and void God’s law was during the ‘Great Persecution’ between 303 and 313:
The Diocletianic or Great Persecution was the last and most severe persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire.[1] In 303, the Emperors Diocletian, Maximian, Ga-lerius, and Constantius issued a series of edicts rescinding the legal rights of Chris-tians and demanding that they comply with traditional Roman religious practices. Later edicts targeted the clergy and ordered all inhabitants to sacrifice to the Ro-man gods (a policy known as universal sacrifice). … Persecutory laws were nulli-fied by different emperors at different times, but Constantine and Licinius's Edict of Milan (313) has traditionally marked the end of the persecution.[2]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocletianic_Persecution#cite_note-2
The daily was truly taken away by pagan Rome and numerous Christians who obeyed God rather than man at that time lost their lives rather than dishonour their God and creator.
At the end of time once more legislation of earthly governments will take away the daily and God’s law will be disannulled or made of none effect. Ellen White prophesies of this time which is soon to come to pass:
I have been shown that Satan is stealing a march upon us. The law of God, through the agency of Satan, is to be made void. In our land of boasted free-dom, religious liberty will come to an end. The contest will be decided over the Sabbath question, which will agitate the whole world. Ev 236.3
From the very beginning of the great controversy in heaven it has been Satan's purpose to overthrow the law of God. It was to accomplish this that he entered upon his rebellion against the Creator, and though he was cast out of heaven he has continued the same warfare upon the earth. To deceive men, and thus lead them to transgress God's law, is the object which he has steadfastly pursued. Whether this be accomplished by casting aside the law altogether, or by re-jecting one of its precepts, the result will be ultimately the same. He that offends “in one point,” manifests contempt for the whole law; his influence and example are on the side of transgression; he becomes “guilty of all.” James 2:10.GC 582.1
The last great conflict between truth and error is but the final struggle of the long-standing controversy concerning the law of God. Upon this battle we are now entering--a battle between the laws of men and the precepts of Jehovah, be-tween the religion of the Bible and the religion of fable and tradition. GC 582.2
This law that Satan so much desires to have regarded null and void is the great moral standard of righteousness. Any violation of it is an act of transgression against God, and will be visited with the penalty of the divine law. To all the in-habitants of the world who make void the law of Jehovah, and continue to live in transgression, death must surely come. Ms72-1901.14
(Dan 8:12) And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and pros-pered.
(Dan 8:13) 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?
(Dan 8:14) And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
Daniel 8 continues to describe the attack on the commandments of God ‘by reason of transgression’ or as a result of transgression. Both pagan and then papal Rome ‘cast down the truth to the ground and did indeed practise and prosper for a lengthy period – until the end of the two thousand and three hundred days (Days of Atonement).
(Dan 9:26) And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
The people of the prince referred to in Daniel 9 is the host of Daniel 8 verse 12. This host alongside the Roman Prince: Titus ransacked Jerusalem in AD 70 and the sanctuary was decimated.
(Rev 12:15) And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the wom-an, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
(Rev 12:16) 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.
Daniel 9:26 summarises the vast 1260 year period during the Dark Ages when papal persecution drove God’s true people to the wilderness. There was a flood – from the mouth of the serpent that attempted to destroy the truth and the people who worshipped the creator of heaven and earth. God’s people were preserved and: ‘the earth opened her mouth’ describes how God preserved his people from destruction, although many did lose their lives and were martyred.
The expression: ‘unto the end of the war desolations are determined’ can be compared to (Rev 12:17) 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. This war stretches right until the end of the great controversy between Christ and Satan.
(Dan 9:27) And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the con-summation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
This remnant, existing amid the signs and wonders that usher in the great and ter-rible day of the Lord, is doubtless the remnant of the seed of the woman spoken of in Revelation 12:17—the last generation of the church on earth. “And the drag-on 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.”EW 143.1
The trying experiences that came to God's people in the days of Esther were not peculiar to that age alone. The revelator, looking down the ages to the close of time, has declared, “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. Some who today are living on the earth will see these words fulfilled. The same spirit that in ages past led men to persecute the true church, will in the future lead to the pursuance of a similar course toward those who maintain their loyalty to God. Even now prepara-tions are being made for this last great conflict.PK 605.1
The overspreading of abominations or filthy, disgusting idols and worship of them leads to the desolation of God’s professed people – initially the Jews and ultimately the synagogue of Satan who say they are Jews and are not (Revelation 2: 9, 3: 9). The phrase ‘until the consummation’ refers to the end of the war when sin has been vanquished. Desolation is determined and Ezekiel 9 accurately describes the desolation of the synagogue of Satan and the preservation of those who sigh and cry for the abominations that are done in the midst thereof.
(Eze 9:4) And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
(Eze 9:8) And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou destroy all the resi-due of Israel in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem?
Stephen in his response to his accusers – the Jewish Sanhedrin told them straight:
(Act 7:51) Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
(Act 7:52) Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
(Act 7:53) Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
It is no surprise that desolations soon followed for the Jewish nation.
Dan 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.
The taking away of the daily will involve a legislative enactment that is placed above the law of God. The abomination that maketh desolate is the idol that will lead to the desolation of God’s professed people.
Ellen White clearly identifies what this abomination or idol is:
Satan has taken the world captive. He has introduced an idol sabbath, apparently giving to it great importance. He has stolen the homage of the Christian world away from the Sabbath of the Lord for this idol sabbath. The world bows to a tra-dition, a man-made commandment. As Nebuchadnezzar set up his golden image on the plain of Dura, and so exalted himself, so, for which he has stolen the livery of heaven. RH March 8, 1898
An interesting word is used by Ellen White to reveal how Satan exalts himself. To steal the homage of heaven the idol Sabbath has been set up like Nebuchadnezzar’s idol. To exalt himself he “has stolen the livery of heaven.” What is the word ‘livery’ referring to?
livery1
/ˈlɪvərɪ/
noun (pl) -eries
1. the identifying uniform, badge, etc, of a member of a guild or one of the serv-ants of a feudal lord
2. a uniform worn by some menservants and chauffeurs
3. an individual or group that wears such a uniform
4. distinctive dress or outward appearance
5. the stabling, keeping, or hiring out of horses for money
as modifier): a livery horse
6. at livery, being kept in a livery stable7. legal history) an ancient method of conveying freehold land
www.dictionary.com
When the idol Sabbath –Sunday, is set up and worship is mandated by law just as Nebuchadnezzar set up the image on the plain of Dura Satan steals the livery of heaven. The most appropriate meaning for livery in this context is ‘distinctive dress or outward appearance’. This is the time of Satan’s personation of Christ. Clad in the outward appearance of the ‘son of God’ as described in Revelation 1 he walks the earth as the heavenly man – Christ.
The abomination or idol that is set up is the false Sabbath Sunday, however, the worship that takes place is really homage to the devil. Satan parading as Christ on earth is the abomination of desolation.
One effort more, and then Satan’s last device is employed. He hears the unceas-ing cry for Christ to come, for Christ to deliver them. This last strategy is to per-sonate Christ and make them think their prayers are answered. But this answers to the last closing work, the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place. [Text ends here.]Ms16-1884.11 (For more information about Satan’s per-sonation of Christ please read or download the study on this topic – HERE)
Christ’s warning to those living at the end of time directly referring to the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place can be found in the gospels:
(Mat 24:15) When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him under-stand:)
(Mar 13:14) But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth under-stand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
The abomination of desolation or Satan parading in the livery of heaven as Christ himself is a sign to God’s people at that time to flee. The event takes place just prior to Michael standing up or the close of probation for mankind.
Dan 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.
Examining Daniel 12:11 we note that ‘from the time the daily shall be taken away’ or in other words from the time the law of God is disannulled or made of none effect by the introduction of the idol Sabbath en-shrined in legislation by the USA or the lamblike beast of Revelation 13 there will be a period of 1290 literal days till the ‘abomination that maketh desolate is set up’.
How does the abomination bring desolation? How is it set up? The idol Sabbath or the abomination is also going to make desolate or bring destruction.
The setting up of the desolating power of the idol Sabbath is the introduction of a death decree for those who refuse to receive the mark of the beast. Ellen White clearly describes why and how legislation is enacted that will bring death to all those that dare not worship on Sunday and give homage to Satan parading as Christ throughout the earth:
As the Sabbath has become the special point of controversy throughout Christen-dom, and religious and secular authorities have combined to enforce the ob-servance of the Sunday, the persistent refusal of a small minority to yield to the popular demand will make them objects of universal execration. It will be urged that the few who stand in opposition to an institution of the church and a law of the state ought not to be tolerated; that it is better for them to suffer than for whole nations to be thrown into confusion and lawlessness. The same argument many centuries ago was brought against Christ by the “rulers of the people.” “It is expedient for us,” said the wily Caiaphas, “that one man should die for the peo-ple, and that the whole nation perish not.” John 11:50. This argument will appear conclusive; and a decree will finally be issued against those who hallow the Sab-bath of the fourth commandment, denouncing them as deserving of the severest punishment and giving the people liberty, after a certain time, to put them to death. Romanism in the Old World and apostate Protestantism in the New will pursue a similar course toward those who honor all the divine precepts.GC 615.2
As Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon issued a decree that all who would not bow down and worship this image should be killed, so a proclamation will be made that all who will not reverence the Sunday institution will be punished with imprisonment and death.... Let all read carefully the thirteenth chapter of Reve-lation, for it concerns every human agent, great and small.--Manuscript Releases 14:91 (1896).LDE 257.3
Important are the lessons to be learned from the experience of the Hebrew youth on the plain of Dura. In this our day, many of God's servants, though innocent of wrongdoing, will be given over to suffer humiliation and abuse at the hands of those who, inspired by Satan, are filled with envy and religious bigotry. Especially will the wrath of man be aroused against those who hallow the Sabbath of the fourth commandment; and at last a universal decree will denounce these as de-serving of death.PK 512.1
The powers of earth, uniting to war against the commandments of God, will de-cree that “all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond” (Revelation 13:16), shall conform to the customs of the church by the observance of the false sabbath. All who refuse compliance will be visited with civil penalties, and it will finally be declared that they are deserving of death.--The Great Controversy, 604 (1911).LDE 257.5
Especially will the wrath of man be aroused against those who hallow the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and at last a universal decree will denounce these as deserving of death.--Prophets and Kings, 512 (c. 1914).LDE 258.1
The time of trouble is about to come upon the people of God. Then it is that the decree will go forth forbidding those who keep the Sabbath of the Lord to buy or sell, and threatening them with punishment, and even death, if they do not ob-serve the first day of the week as the Sabbath.--In Heavenly Places, 344 (1908).LDE 257.4
The abomination or idol Sabbath and its creator Satan attempts to desolate God’s people when at the end of the one thousand, two hundred and ninety days the penalty of death becomes law. The setting up of the abomination of desolation has been accomplished.
The graphic below attempts to reveal the end time events in their order – there are however a number of verses in Daniel 12 still to examine.
This study is to be continued. The author is very happy to consider any comments on the study that will help reveal more truth to those who desire to hear. Please write to [email protected] if you would like to share your thoughts.
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