End-Time Secrets of Daniel 8–12
Foreword – introduction – preface
Foreword
There are many
commentaries and prophetic works that address the varied messages of Daniel.
That book, perhaps more than any other, is the subject of amazing diversity
of opinion and scholarship.
Some schools of
thought conclude that this is more of a literary work than a theological
discourse. Others relegate it to the work of many authors with a lack of
cohesiveness. Some feel it was written 200-300 years later than is generally
believed. With such varied views on Daniel, its place in the sacred cannon
has been compromised. Disappointingly, many expositors begin
interpreting
before they contextually analyze or exegete.
This book
represents only an introductory approach to the wonders of Daniel. It is
vital to discover the repeated imagery in God’s many contacts with Daniel.
There is a progressive reinforcement of thought, continually adding
details to clarify truth. Highlights of the conflict between good and evil
are especially vivid in light of the end of time.
The first half of
the book relates to God’s sovereign rule over secular powers. The last half
addresses specifically God’s sovereign interest in His people, with the
desire to see everlasting righteousness among them.
Our focus is on
Chapters 8–12 and the great themes conveyed to all those who are written in
the “Lamb’s book of life” (Daniel 12:1). Those chapters are so crucial to
grasp. In fact, heaven was so concerned that Daniel understand the issues
with precision that Jesus personally visited him three times, presenting
some of the most profound language and thoughts in all of Scripture.
Though it’s full
of meaning and spans the next 2500 years, the majority of the visions and
themes relate to the final generation to live on this earth.
In Jesus’ day the
Pharisees were sequestered by a narrow base of knowledge, performing
ceremonies without understanding and filling their lives with acts of
tradition devoid of meaning.[1]
This acted to thwart spiritual growth and create barriers to eternal life.
Jesus told John that at the end of time many who would call themselves
committed Christians (
Few Christians
today go beyond the very first level of Biblical understanding they had at
baptism. Often the path that follows is littered with revolving door
opinions from that
simplistic basic knowledge.
“When God’s people
are at ease and satisfied with their present enlightenment, we may be sure
that He will not favor them. It is His will that they should be ever moving
forward to receive the increased and ever-increasing light which is shining
for them. The present attitude of the church is not pleasing to God. There
has come in a self-confidence that has led them to feel no necessity for
more truth and greater light.”[3]
Truth was never
meant to be grasped with cursory study. Saving truth was designed to ever
expand before the inquiring mind. This was the burden of the apostle Peter,
once naive and very satisfied with himself. “Grow in grace
and
the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (II Peter
“The truth is an
advancing truth and we must walk in the increasing light. We must have
living faith in our hearts, and reach out for larger knowledge and more
advanced light.”[4]
“Whenever the
people of God are growing in grace, they will be constantly obtaining a
clearer understanding of His word. They will discern new light and beauty in
its sacred truths. This has been true in the history of the church in all
ages, and thus it will continue to the end.”[5]
Truth does not
change. Light on truth increases as it advances. Remarkably, new light will
also be discerned and beauty of old truths will be seen. “The time for the
unfolding of special truth in relation to the closing scenes of this earth’s
history is during the last generations that shall live upon the earth.”[6]
When the disciples
asked Jesus those three pivotal questions about the end (Matthew
24:3), their minds were to grasp the great duality of truth between the
physical temple and the spiritual temple.
Before Jesus
answered them, He made it clear that correct knowledge was vital to a saving
experience for that time. “Take heed that no man deceive you” (Matthew
24:4). Increased light is a barrier against deception. Does this apply to
prophecy?
“The prophecies of
Daniel and of John are to be understood. They interpret each other. They
give to the world truths which every one should understand. These
prophecies are to be witnesses in the world.”[7]
Not only are they
to be understood but understood so well that they can be a witness to
truth through our teaching. Why?
“The study of the
Revelation directs the mind to the prophecies of Daniel, and both present
most important instruction, given of God to men, concerning events to take
place at the close of this world’s history.”[8]
This was penned
after 1844. What in Revelation speaks of the close of this world’s history?
Virtually the whole book. What speaks about the very end of time in Daniel?
Most messages in chapters 8–12. That is why this book was written.
“There is need of
much closer study of the word of God: especially should Daniel and
Revelation have attention as never before in the history of our work.”[9]
Daniel “bears his
testimony, that which the Lord revealed to him in vision
of the great and solemn events which we must know as we stand on the very
threshold of their fulfillment.”[10]
We are also warned
regarding the book of Revelation.
“The solemn
messages that have been given in their order in the Revelation are to occupy
the first place in the minds of God’s people.
Nothing else is to
be allowed to engross our attention.”[11]
Then a warning
about Daniel: “Let us read and study the twelfth chapter of Daniel. It is a
warning that we shall all need to understand before the
time of
the end.”[12]
(1903)
Was that warning
simply that probation would close and the great time of trouble would then
begin? Was it about three time prophecies that
ended in 1843, as so
many have erroneously concluded? Absolutely not! It is the “twelfth chapter”
that we are to understand before the end of time. That chapter is so
important, those time prophecies so vital, Jesus
personally appeared
to Daniel to give them. They are to be part of the final Loud Cry that will
clearly tell the world in specific terms that time has almost ceased.
“A message will
soon [future to 1906] be given by God’s appointment that will swell into the
loud cry. Then Daniel will stand in his lot to give his testimony.”[13]
Standing unique among
Old Testament books, Daniel is written with predictive messages that carry one
forward to the very
end of time. That era unequivocally ushers in the
Most fascinating, this
book is written in two languages. Chapters 1 through 2:4a is a historical
introduction in Hebrew. Chapters 2:4b through
It is this latter
section of Daniel that is the focus of this book. Those Hebraic messages present
great themes to guide God’s people right at the end of time. It also serves as
an introduction to the whole book of Revelation. The imagery of Jesus in 10:5-8
is a segué into His portrayal in Revelation 1:12-17.
Jesus tied these great
truths to the end of time in that great eschatological discourse, “When
ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the
prophet …” (Matthew 24:15 and Mark
When will God execute
judgment? Daniel opens to the student exactly when this will occur. Carefully
and progressively one can see it is after the 42 prophetic months of
7:25, after the 2300 prophetic atonement years of 8:14 and
during the
1260 literal days of 12:7.
“A wonderful
connection is seen between the universe of heaven and this world. The things
revealed to Daniel were afterward complemented by the revelation made to John on
the Isle of Patmos. These two books should be carefully studied. Twice Daniel
inquired, How long shall it be to the end of time? … The book of Daniel
is unsealed in the revelation to John, and carries us forward to the last scenes
of this earth’s history.… Teach these things.”[14]
Daniel 8:19, with
great precision, states that the eth qets will occur at the
appointed
time or mowed. After many years (at least seven and possibly as long
as nineteen) Jesus personally came to Daniel and told him when the
mowed
would end. There is no date setting or timed prophecies that
lead up to
these periods. God said that was not for us to know (Acts 1:7). Daniel is
event-driven. Those events come at the eth qets, which, when they begin,
come within a timeframe described in Daniel 12.
There is a great deal
of prejudice and bias related to Daniel 8–12 based on misapplication of
quotations from Ellen G. White. This book sweeps aside that restrictive focus of
the past and, with Biblical firmness, points forward to the time these passages
will become part of the Loud Cry.
“The prophetic periods
of Daniel, extending to the very eve of the great consummation,
throw a
flood of light upon events then to transpire.”[15]
“A great work will be
done in a short time. A message will soon be given by God’s appointment that
will swell into a loud cry. Then Daniel will stand in his lot, to give his
testimony.”[16]
Paul made it
impeccably clear that Jesus will not come as a thief in the night to those who
are children of the light (I Thessalonians 5:5). He then challenged God’s people
to “Let us watch and be sober.” Watch for what? His coming? That is
not
the message. It is for the signs that give His people light that summer is near
(Matthew 24:32). It is
almost time for the harvest.
This study will not
move forward sequentially verse by verse. The structure of Daniel 8–12 finds a
message, explanation, then repetition of those messages with added insight.
These chapters reveal the final rise of the papacy. To make sure this message is
not missed, chapter 11 is inserted. Thus, an approach will be taken to highlight
informational clues that build upon each other until a whole of end-time truth
is opened up.
Daniel 8 and 9 present
special everlasting covenant themes. Since the King James Version fails to
correctly present several key texts, they will be dealt with in special detail
as this study progresses.
Though at times
in-depth study must be taken to make certain that truth is upheld, all attempts
to simplify the veracity of these prophetic messages in unpretentious language
is made.
References:
[1]
White, Ellen G.; The Desire of Ages, pp. 278-279.
[2]
White, Ellen G.; Faith and Works, p. 82.
[3]
White, Ellen G.; Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 708-709.
[4]
White, Ellen G.; The Review and Herald,
[5]
White, Ellen G.; Gospel Workers, p. 297.
[6]
White, Ellen G.; Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 692-693.
[7]
White, Ellen G.; The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol.
7, p. 949 (emphasis added).
[8]
White, Ellen G.; The Great Controversy, p. 341 (emphasis added).
[9]
White, Ellen G.; Testimonies to Ministers, p. 112.
[10]
White, Ellen G.; Manuscript 32, 1896.
[11]
White, Ellen G.; Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 302
(emphasis added).
[12]
White, Ellen G.; Manuscript Releases, vol. 15, p. 228 (1903);
Last Day Events, p. 15 (emphasis added).
[13]
Ibid.,
vol. 2, p. 20 (Letter 54, 1906).
[14]
White, Ellen G.; Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 114-115 (emphasis
added).
[15]
White, Ellen G.; The
Review and Herald,
[16]
White, Ellen G.; Manuscript Releases, vol. 2, p. 20 (Letter
54, 1906).