cOMPLEMENTARY PROPHECIES WRITTEN CENTURIES APART
When you see the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place....
The books of Daniel and Revelation complement each other and when connected illuminate those significant events that will surely take place leading up to the second coming of Christ.
The prophetic periods of Daniel were used as a foundation by the pioneers of the SDA Church to pinpoint significant events on God's prophetic calendar and initially this included even the second coming of Christ. Hence the disappointment of 1844 when the Millerites expected Christ to return. What went wrong?
When you see the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place....
The books of Daniel and Revelation complement each other and when connected illuminate those significant events that will surely take place leading up to the second coming of Christ.
The prophetic periods of Daniel were used as a foundation by the pioneers of the SDA Church to pinpoint significant events on God's prophetic calendar and initially this included even the second coming of Christ. Hence the disappointment of 1844 when the Millerites expected Christ to return. What went wrong?
A great disappointment took place but God wanted to reveal to those who clung to the truth they knew at that time that there was more to discover and that God wanted them to PROPHESY AGAIN Revelation 10:11.
The prophetic time periods of Daniel and Revelation according to the chart above had to all take place prior to or on the cusp of1843/44. Was this where their final fulfillment lay?
A key statement made by Ellen White is an important PROPHETIC KEY:
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
Question - What prophetic periods of Daniel extend to the very eve of the great consummation?
The great consummation being referred to is the coming of Christ. Traditionally the prophetic time periods have been viewed as ending in 1844 but according to Ellen White some of those periods extend to the very eve prior to the coming of Christ a second time. What prophetic periods could she be referring to?
Christ himself refers to one of these prophecies:
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Christ directly quotes one of Daniel's prophecies referring to the 'abomination of desolation'. Which prophecy in Daniel refers to the abomination of desolation that occurs after the gospel has gone to all the world and just prior to the great tribulation?
Daniel 12:8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
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 understand.
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.
Daniel's final reference to the abomination of desolation is in the final chapter of the book. Daniel 12 begins with the verse:
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.
The standing up of Michael signifies the beginning of the time of trouble such as never was. This corresponds to when Christ tells his disciples in Matthew 24:15 that "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)". Christ then instructs them to flee, to escape for their lives and to drop everything and run. Why? Matthew 24:21 tells us why:
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
This is exactly what we see described in Daniel 12:1 - "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." This final chapter in Daniel 12 and its contents are what Christ referred to in his discussion with his disciples on the Mount of Olives when his disciples asked: "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" Matthew 24:3. Christ's reference to the abomination of desolation in Matthew 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 understand:) is designed to take us back to the prophecies of Daniel to enlarge our understanding of what will be taking place at this time. Daniel 11 and 12 directly refers to the final abomination of desolation that Christ forewarned his disciples about.
Daniel desires to know how long it will take place for the wonders described at the beginning of the chapter to come to an end:
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.
But he still has difficulty comprehending what he has just been told and asks again:
Verse 8 O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
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 understand.
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.
Two KEYS to understanding Daniel's prophecy and how it connects with Christ's response to the disciples in Matthew 24 are as follows:
KEY ONE: The words in Daniel's prophecy are sealed to the time of the end. It is important to note that Christ was telling his disciples about signs that would take place at the 'end of the world' or the 'time of the end'.
KEY TWO: The abomination that maketh desolate is going to be set up or put in place at the end of 'a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 'Is this the abomination that Christ warns the disciples about.? According to Christ in verse 15: When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:). Where is the ' holy place' that the abomination of desolation stands in? Does this take place at the end of 1290 days or at some other time?
We have now determined through scripture that the abomination of desolation that Christ refers to is the same power referred to by Daniel in chapter twelve. We now have another prophetic key to consider:
KEY THREE: Ellen White actually refers to the abomination of desolation in a key statement that identifies the event described by Christ standing in the holy place Matthew 24:15 and here it is:
One effort more, and then Satan’s last device is employed. He hears the unceasing cry for Christ to come, for Christ to deliver them. This last strategy is to personate 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.] 4LtMs, Ms 16, 1884, par. 11
Satan's personation of Christ and claiming to be God 'answers to the last closing work.' In Christ's explanation to the disciples he sets out a time frame during which the abomination of desolation will stand in the holy place.
FIRST TIMING INDICATOR:
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
How do we know when this point in time is reached? Revelation 10:
7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
The phrase 'when he shall begin to sound' is better translated ' when he is about to sound'. The seventh angel referred to is the angel which sounds the seventh trumpet. All previous trumpets have sounded. The climactic war of the sixth trumpet has ended - Satan's closing work to deceive the world has taken place. Revelation 11 summarises the events of this 'closing work':
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
Satan or the beast from the bottomless pit seeks to make war and kill them after they finished their testimony. This testimony or loud cry is given throughout the period of 1260 literal days. The end of the 1260 is when their testimony is finished and this is also specified in Daniel 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.
The holy people of God will be giving their testimony for a time, times and an half or the same period of 1260 days highlighted in Revelation 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
SECOND TIMING INDICATOR:
The phrase stated by Christ in verse 14 of Matthew 24
: " and then shall the end come" is reference to events which will take place as the END unfolds. The very next verse is our second timing indicator:
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
After the testimony of God's witnesses comes to an end Christ specifically refers to the 'Abomination of Desolation' mentioned by Daniel standing in the 'holy place'. What or who is the abomination of desolation? When this event takes place God's people are instructed to flee for their lives. This is the first significant event of the 'end'. Daniel describes what takes place at the time of the end:
40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
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 war described between the King of the North and the King of the South will take place and is described in the sixth trumpet just before Michael stands up but what is important to note is in verse 45 where he plants his dwelling place or 'tabernacles of his palace'- in the GLORIOUS HOLY MOUNTAIN ! Hold on a minute! The word 'holy' helps the penny drop. Christ referred to the abomination of desolation standing in the 'HOLY PLACE'.
Daniel has previously in his book defined where the 'holy mountain' is:
16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.
This 'holy mountain' or 'holy place' is where the 'abomination of desolation' is going to stand' and is the event which co-aligns with Michael standing up or completing his priestly ministration and cleansing of the sanctuary. In earthly Jerusalem the 'King of the North' will stand in the place of God and even claim to be God:
Ezekiel 28:2 Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
This wannabe God sets out to deceive the world. Ellen White saw this taking place and exclaimed:
One effort more, and then Satan’s last device is employed. He hears the unceasing cry for Christ to come, for Christ to deliver them. This last strategy is to personate 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.] 4LtMs, Ms 16, 1884, par. 11
Jeremiah saw the same event and wrote:
Lamentations 4:12 The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem.
Satan parading as Christ will plant his tabernacles in the glorious holy mountain and
STAND IN THE HOLY PLACE.
TIMING INDICATOR THREE
In Matthew 24 after Christ highlights the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place and instructing God's people to flee he states:
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Daniel records the same instruction
Daniel 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.
When comparing the above records the similarities in the text are blatantly obvious - Christ was paraphrasing the writing of Daniel making a direct connection. The timing of events recorded by Daniel and Christ are harmonious and clear. They are events which will soon take place and our understanding of them needs to be shared.
THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATE IS SET UP
In Daniel 12:11 we find the final reference to the abomination that maketh desolate:
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.
In the closing work just prior to the great tribulation beginning we know Satan himself will stand in the holy place or Jerusalem. This signifies the closure of the 1260 days of the testimony of God's witnesses as John writes in Revelation 11:
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
But it is not looking good for God's witnesses because he plans to make war against them, overcome them and kill them!
The abomination that maketh desolate is in fact an idol that makes desolate or an idol of destruction. The idol that desolates is Satan himself, he is called the destroyer when identified as the leader of the satanic locust horde in the fifth trumpet:
11And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.
Abaddon in Hebrew means : destruction
Apollyon: the angel of the bottomless pit, the Destroyer
Satan's titles are consistent in scripture because in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 he is titled not only the man of sin but the son of perdition. The meaning of perdition is : destroying and utter destruction. Satan relishes destroying the lives of people, their families, their livelihoods and their characters and it is his animosity against the people of God that will reach a zenith when he with the ten kings, representative of all worldly governments, set up a death decree applicable to all persons who refuse to keep holy Sunday, the first day of the week.
Ellen White a modern day prophet writes:
As the Sabbath becomes the special point of controversy throughout Christendom, it will be urged that the few who stand in opposition to the church and 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 was brought against Christ. “It is expedient for us,” said Caiaphas, “that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.” John 11:50. This argument will appear conclusive; a decree will finally be issued against those who hallow the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, denouncing them 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. The people of God will then be plunged into those scenes of distress described as “the time of Jacob's trouble.” Jeremiah 30:5-7; Genesis 32:24-30. HF 374.3
Wonderful events are soon to open before the world. The end of all things is at hand. 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 observe the first day of the week as the Sabbath. HP 344.3
Those who honor the Bible Sabbath will be denounced as enemies of law and order, as breaking down the moral restraints of society, causing anarchy and corruption, and calling down the judgments of God upon the earth. Their conscientious scruples will be pronounced obstinacy, stubbornness, and contempt of authority. They will be accused of disaffection toward the government. Ministers who deny the obligation of the divine law will present from the pulpit the duty of yielding obedience to the civil authorities as ordained of God. In legislative halls and courts of justice, commandment keepers will be misrepresented and condemned. A false coloring will be given to their words; the worst construction will be put upon their motives. GC 592.1
I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus’ work was done in the sanctuary, and then will come the seven last plagues. These plagues enraged the wicked against the righteous; they thought that we had brought the judgments of God upon them, and that if they could rid the earth of us, the plagues would then be stayed. A decree went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry day and night for deliverance. This was the time of Jacob's trouble. EW 36.2
When the protection of human laws shall be withdrawn from those who honor the law of God, there will be, in different lands, a simultaneous movement for their destruction. As the time appointed in the decree draws near, the people will conspire to root out the hated sect. It will be determined to strike in one night a decisive blow, which shall utterly silence the voice of dissent and reproof. GC88 635.1
Fearful tests and trials await the people of God. The spirit of war is stirring the nations from one end of the earth to the other. But in the midst of the time of trouble that is coming,—a time of trouble such as has not been since there was a nation—God's chosen people will stand unmoved. Satan and his host cannot destroy them, for angels that excel in strength will protect them.2 CCh 40.1
The abomination or idol that makes desolate is also the idol 'sabbath' Sunday. Enshrined into law, Sunday is deified above the law of God and is truly an abomination. Satan who has spurred the world's political and church leaders into supporting his change in God's law - the ten commandments, fulfills the prophecy of Ezekiel: "I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas" and 2 Thessalonians 2:4 "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God."
Sunday has been the accepted day of worship of Catholics and the majority of Protestant religions for centuries but is not the seventh day of the week that God rested on at the end of creation:
Genesis: 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
The sabbath or seventh day is enshrined in the ten commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai:
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Christ says to you and I today:
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Christ - the one and only - is coming quickly and places a special blessing on those that DO his commandments! Christ will bless you and give you entrance into the kingdom of God and you will have right to partake of the tree of life.
Sunday is an idol, an idol sabbath inbuilt by Satan himself into the majority of so called Christian religions. It is an idol or abomination that will become a law of desolation during the time of trouble - "the abomination that maketh desolate" will be set up 30 days after the testimony of the witnesses ends at the end of the 1260 days. Parliaments around the world will rubber stamp the law setting it up, enacting it ready for commencement and operation as a law of the land by day 1290. It will be a worldwide effort to cleanse the earth of this troublesome 'sect'.
The Sunday law decree has set within it a particular date by which all seventh day sabbath keepers must give their allegiance to Sunday as the true sabbath, as instigated by Satan, acting as God on earth. If compliance is not forthcoming death will be their reward on the date set within the law.
This is the time of Jacob's trouble. The heavenly ladder he envisioned is a comfort to the people of God. God's heavenly host are on earth protecting them from the abomination that maketh desolate.
While the seven plagues are being poured out on the wicked at this time the true God in heaven protects his saints from harm. The final prophetic period of 1335 days is recorded by Daniel:
Daniel 12:12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
God will save his commandment keeping people as he has promised. Paul prophesies of God cutting short the work in righteousness:
Romans 9:28 For he will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
Paul confirms Christ's statement in Matthew 24: And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
God will save his elect:
Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
The abomination that maketh desolate will be set up. Sunday, the first day of the week, an idol, will be enshrined in law as the official day of worship. Death is the punishment for those who will not obey. A specific time is set in the decree for the destruction of Sunday law breakers. But the true Christ will rescue his people before the decree's punishment can be inflicted.
The call to 'Prophesy Again' is strong and you are called to sound the LOUD CRY. The prophetic keys have opened the locks. With our revived understanding of scripture and prophecy we can awaken the longing for truth
The prophetic time periods of Daniel and Revelation according to the chart above had to all take place prior to or on the cusp of1843/44. Was this where their final fulfillment lay?
A key statement made by Ellen White is an important PROPHETIC KEY:
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
Question - What prophetic periods of Daniel extend to the very eve of the great consummation?
The great consummation being referred to is the coming of Christ. Traditionally the prophetic time periods have been viewed as ending in 1844 but according to Ellen White some of those periods extend to the very eve prior to the coming of Christ a second time. What prophetic periods could she be referring to?
Christ himself refers to one of these prophecies:
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Christ directly quotes one of Daniel's prophecies referring to the 'abomination of desolation'. Which prophecy in Daniel refers to the abomination of desolation that occurs after the gospel has gone to all the world and just prior to the great tribulation?
Daniel 12:8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
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 understand.
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.
Daniel's final reference to the abomination of desolation is in the final chapter of the book. Daniel 12 begins with the verse:
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.
The standing up of Michael signifies the beginning of the time of trouble such as never was. This corresponds to when Christ tells his disciples in Matthew 24:15 that "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)". Christ then instructs them to flee, to escape for their lives and to drop everything and run. Why? Matthew 24:21 tells us why:
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
This is exactly what we see described in Daniel 12:1 - "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." This final chapter in Daniel 12 and its contents are what Christ referred to in his discussion with his disciples on the Mount of Olives when his disciples asked: "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" Matthew 24:3. Christ's reference to the abomination of desolation in Matthew 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 understand:) is designed to take us back to the prophecies of Daniel to enlarge our understanding of what will be taking place at this time. Daniel 11 and 12 directly refers to the final abomination of desolation that Christ forewarned his disciples about.
Daniel desires to know how long it will take place for the wonders described at the beginning of the chapter to come to an end:
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.
But he still has difficulty comprehending what he has just been told and asks again:
Verse 8 O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
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 understand.
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.
Two KEYS to understanding Daniel's prophecy and how it connects with Christ's response to the disciples in Matthew 24 are as follows:
KEY ONE: The words in Daniel's prophecy are sealed to the time of the end. It is important to note that Christ was telling his disciples about signs that would take place at the 'end of the world' or the 'time of the end'.
KEY TWO: The abomination that maketh desolate is going to be set up or put in place at the end of 'a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 'Is this the abomination that Christ warns the disciples about.? According to Christ in verse 15: When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:). Where is the ' holy place' that the abomination of desolation stands in? Does this take place at the end of 1290 days or at some other time?
We have now determined through scripture that the abomination of desolation that Christ refers to is the same power referred to by Daniel in chapter twelve. We now have another prophetic key to consider:
KEY THREE: Ellen White actually refers to the abomination of desolation in a key statement that identifies the event described by Christ standing in the holy place Matthew 24:15 and here it is:
One effort more, and then Satan’s last device is employed. He hears the unceasing cry for Christ to come, for Christ to deliver them. This last strategy is to personate 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.] 4LtMs, Ms 16, 1884, par. 11
Satan's personation of Christ and claiming to be God 'answers to the last closing work.' In Christ's explanation to the disciples he sets out a time frame during which the abomination of desolation will stand in the holy place.
FIRST TIMING INDICATOR:
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
How do we know when this point in time is reached? Revelation 10:
7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
The phrase 'when he shall begin to sound' is better translated ' when he is about to sound'. The seventh angel referred to is the angel which sounds the seventh trumpet. All previous trumpets have sounded. The climactic war of the sixth trumpet has ended - Satan's closing work to deceive the world has taken place. Revelation 11 summarises the events of this 'closing work':
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
Satan or the beast from the bottomless pit seeks to make war and kill them after they finished their testimony. This testimony or loud cry is given throughout the period of 1260 literal days. The end of the 1260 is when their testimony is finished and this is also specified in Daniel 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.
The holy people of God will be giving their testimony for a time, times and an half or the same period of 1260 days highlighted in Revelation 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
SECOND TIMING INDICATOR:
The phrase stated by Christ in verse 14 of Matthew 24
: " and then shall the end come" is reference to events which will take place as the END unfolds. The very next verse is our second timing indicator:
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
After the testimony of God's witnesses comes to an end Christ specifically refers to the 'Abomination of Desolation' mentioned by Daniel standing in the 'holy place'. What or who is the abomination of desolation? When this event takes place God's people are instructed to flee for their lives. This is the first significant event of the 'end'. Daniel describes what takes place at the time of the end:
40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
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 war described between the King of the North and the King of the South will take place and is described in the sixth trumpet just before Michael stands up but what is important to note is in verse 45 where he plants his dwelling place or 'tabernacles of his palace'- in the GLORIOUS HOLY MOUNTAIN ! Hold on a minute! The word 'holy' helps the penny drop. Christ referred to the abomination of desolation standing in the 'HOLY PLACE'.
Daniel has previously in his book defined where the 'holy mountain' is:
16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.
This 'holy mountain' or 'holy place' is where the 'abomination of desolation' is going to stand' and is the event which co-aligns with Michael standing up or completing his priestly ministration and cleansing of the sanctuary. In earthly Jerusalem the 'King of the North' will stand in the place of God and even claim to be God:
Ezekiel 28:2 Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
This wannabe God sets out to deceive the world. Ellen White saw this taking place and exclaimed:
One effort more, and then Satan’s last device is employed. He hears the unceasing cry for Christ to come, for Christ to deliver them. This last strategy is to personate 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.] 4LtMs, Ms 16, 1884, par. 11
Jeremiah saw the same event and wrote:
Lamentations 4:12 The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem.
Satan parading as Christ will plant his tabernacles in the glorious holy mountain and
STAND IN THE HOLY PLACE.
TIMING INDICATOR THREE
In Matthew 24 after Christ highlights the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place and instructing God's people to flee he states:
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Daniel records the same instruction
Daniel 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.
When comparing the above records the similarities in the text are blatantly obvious - Christ was paraphrasing the writing of Daniel making a direct connection. The timing of events recorded by Daniel and Christ are harmonious and clear. They are events which will soon take place and our understanding of them needs to be shared.
THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATE IS SET UP
In Daniel 12:11 we find the final reference to the abomination that maketh desolate:
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.
In the closing work just prior to the great tribulation beginning we know Satan himself will stand in the holy place or Jerusalem. This signifies the closure of the 1260 days of the testimony of God's witnesses as John writes in Revelation 11:
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
But it is not looking good for God's witnesses because he plans to make war against them, overcome them and kill them!
The abomination that maketh desolate is in fact an idol that makes desolate or an idol of destruction. The idol that desolates is Satan himself, he is called the destroyer when identified as the leader of the satanic locust horde in the fifth trumpet:
11And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.
Abaddon in Hebrew means : destruction
Apollyon: the angel of the bottomless pit, the Destroyer
Satan's titles are consistent in scripture because in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 he is titled not only the man of sin but the son of perdition. The meaning of perdition is : destroying and utter destruction. Satan relishes destroying the lives of people, their families, their livelihoods and their characters and it is his animosity against the people of God that will reach a zenith when he with the ten kings, representative of all worldly governments, set up a death decree applicable to all persons who refuse to keep holy Sunday, the first day of the week.
Ellen White a modern day prophet writes:
As the Sabbath becomes the special point of controversy throughout Christendom, it will be urged that the few who stand in opposition to the church and 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 was brought against Christ. “It is expedient for us,” said Caiaphas, “that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.” John 11:50. This argument will appear conclusive; a decree will finally be issued against those who hallow the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, denouncing them 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. The people of God will then be plunged into those scenes of distress described as “the time of Jacob's trouble.” Jeremiah 30:5-7; Genesis 32:24-30. HF 374.3
Wonderful events are soon to open before the world. The end of all things is at hand. 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 observe the first day of the week as the Sabbath. HP 344.3
Those who honor the Bible Sabbath will be denounced as enemies of law and order, as breaking down the moral restraints of society, causing anarchy and corruption, and calling down the judgments of God upon the earth. Their conscientious scruples will be pronounced obstinacy, stubbornness, and contempt of authority. They will be accused of disaffection toward the government. Ministers who deny the obligation of the divine law will present from the pulpit the duty of yielding obedience to the civil authorities as ordained of God. In legislative halls and courts of justice, commandment keepers will be misrepresented and condemned. A false coloring will be given to their words; the worst construction will be put upon their motives. GC 592.1
I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus’ work was done in the sanctuary, and then will come the seven last plagues. These plagues enraged the wicked against the righteous; they thought that we had brought the judgments of God upon them, and that if they could rid the earth of us, the plagues would then be stayed. A decree went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry day and night for deliverance. This was the time of Jacob's trouble. EW 36.2
When the protection of human laws shall be withdrawn from those who honor the law of God, there will be, in different lands, a simultaneous movement for their destruction. As the time appointed in the decree draws near, the people will conspire to root out the hated sect. It will be determined to strike in one night a decisive blow, which shall utterly silence the voice of dissent and reproof. GC88 635.1
Fearful tests and trials await the people of God. The spirit of war is stirring the nations from one end of the earth to the other. But in the midst of the time of trouble that is coming,—a time of trouble such as has not been since there was a nation—God's chosen people will stand unmoved. Satan and his host cannot destroy them, for angels that excel in strength will protect them.2 CCh 40.1
The abomination or idol that makes desolate is also the idol 'sabbath' Sunday. Enshrined into law, Sunday is deified above the law of God and is truly an abomination. Satan who has spurred the world's political and church leaders into supporting his change in God's law - the ten commandments, fulfills the prophecy of Ezekiel: "I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas" and 2 Thessalonians 2:4 "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God."
Sunday has been the accepted day of worship of Catholics and the majority of Protestant religions for centuries but is not the seventh day of the week that God rested on at the end of creation:
Genesis: 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
The sabbath or seventh day is enshrined in the ten commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai:
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Christ says to you and I today:
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Christ - the one and only - is coming quickly and places a special blessing on those that DO his commandments! Christ will bless you and give you entrance into the kingdom of God and you will have right to partake of the tree of life.
Sunday is an idol, an idol sabbath inbuilt by Satan himself into the majority of so called Christian religions. It is an idol or abomination that will become a law of desolation during the time of trouble - "the abomination that maketh desolate" will be set up 30 days after the testimony of the witnesses ends at the end of the 1260 days. Parliaments around the world will rubber stamp the law setting it up, enacting it ready for commencement and operation as a law of the land by day 1290. It will be a worldwide effort to cleanse the earth of this troublesome 'sect'.
The Sunday law decree has set within it a particular date by which all seventh day sabbath keepers must give their allegiance to Sunday as the true sabbath, as instigated by Satan, acting as God on earth. If compliance is not forthcoming death will be their reward on the date set within the law.
This is the time of Jacob's trouble. The heavenly ladder he envisioned is a comfort to the people of God. God's heavenly host are on earth protecting them from the abomination that maketh desolate.
While the seven plagues are being poured out on the wicked at this time the true God in heaven protects his saints from harm. The final prophetic period of 1335 days is recorded by Daniel:
Daniel 12:12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
God will save his commandment keeping people as he has promised. Paul prophesies of God cutting short the work in righteousness:
Romans 9:28 For he will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
Paul confirms Christ's statement in Matthew 24: And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
God will save his elect:
Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
The abomination that maketh desolate will be set up. Sunday, the first day of the week, an idol, will be enshrined in law as the official day of worship. Death is the punishment for those who will not obey. A specific time is set in the decree for the destruction of Sunday law breakers. But the true Christ will rescue his people before the decree's punishment can be inflicted.
The call to 'Prophesy Again' is strong and you are called to sound the LOUD CRY. The prophetic keys have opened the locks. With our revived understanding of scripture and prophecy we can awaken the longing for truth
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