“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?” (Daniel 8:13).

Two years previously, when encountering another vision (Daniel 7), Daniel struggled emotionally over what he was shown: “As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me” (Daniel 7:28). “And the visions of my head troubled me” (Daniel 4:5).

In this vision he had just seen violence between the ram and the he-goat. Then the little horn hurt God and His people. Now he was once again filled with questions and concerns. “What is Gabriel trying to get across?,” he thought. Daniel remained silent until after the 2300 prophecy (8:14) when he couldn’t hold back any longer and asked “the meaning” (8:15) of this vision. In fact, things became so stressful he actually fainted (8:27). Because of this, both the mareh and chazown visions would have to be finished at other settings – years later!

Gabriel and Jesus knew what was going on. They came to help Daniel and all the students of his book. On Daniel’s behalf, Gabriel is about to ask Jesus four questions that relate to the chazown vision. The answers wouldn’t be finished for at least seven more years. BUT – Daniel never forgot those questions; neither should we. This is how they unfolded.

“Then I heard one saint speaking and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake …” (vs 13).

Don’t be overwhelmed – this verse is really straightforward. That “certain saint” is Jesus and the saint speaking is the one which has been speaking all along – Gabriel. He prepares to ask those questions. Some margins call the “certain saint” the “wonderful numberer,” but that is a Jewish scribe’s suggestion which is not in the original. Yet, it fits in beautifully. The literal meaning, however, is “whoever it may be.” This suggests Gabriel is about to ask a superior – the Holy One – the “nondescript,” the “whoever it may be” – those questions.

That “certain saint” will appear to Daniel personally two more times before this book is finished! This is what each of those visits means:

1.  Jesus as a “certain saint” (8:13), a “man’s voice” (8:16) – presenting the timing framework for the mareh and the chazown visions (they were different visions)

2.  Jesus as King, Judge, Priest (10:5-6) – the defining imagery of Jesus as deliverer – and a beautiful
segué into the book of Revelation

3.  Jesus as High Priest – fully dressed in linen – final Day of Atonement imagery when the world will be divided into two groups (12:5-13)

Now the questions begin. Carefully look at each word. They are important to the last group of God’s people – who are represented by the 144,000. Each question is packed with amazing revelation to us – right now.

“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?” (vs 13).

Do you see something incredible? They are all timing questions. Gabriel is referring right back to the vision that has been unfolding. This question will come up again in Daniel and repeatedly in Revelation.

“How long” – or, more accurately, “till when” is the chazown vision? In essence, “When will this all happen?” “In what period of time in the future will this occur?” The answer begins in the next verse. Gabriel summarizes the key points of the vision for Daniel (and us) in this four-part question. We know Daniel is listening because he says, “then I heard.” Here are those four key points:

When will the:

1.  Tamiyd – continual presence of God be abandoned, especially
related to the Sabbath?

2.  Pesha – rebellion against God’s authority, laws and covenant lead to desolation?

3.  Qodesh – God’s church be
persecuted?

4.  Tsaba – saints be persecuted?

How is Jesus going to answer? I’m sure Daniel is wide-eyed, leaning forward and concentrating very hard. Jesus is about to speak. He won’t give us all the answers because Daniel simply can’t get past the first part before fainting. Here is how those answers will play out:

1.   Daniel 8:14 – Jesus tells us when spiritual deliverance occurs

2.   Daniel 12:5-13 – Jesus tells us when physical deliverance occurs

Remarkable as it may seem, those responses are given in legal language. Why that way? Because Jesus is going to tell how the great controversy will end – legally – forever. When that happens God is vindicated and so are His people. Those answers have to be in legal language! He is also talking to the universe.

Before we begin to unfold one of the great Biblical mysteries, let’s look at two Hebrew words we just mentioned. They’re going to come up again.

The Hebrew word for “transgression” is pesha, which means sin or rebellion against God’s law, covenant and authority. The word for “desolation,” shamen, is associated with divine judgment or disaster. Later, we will find that this occurs when God expresses His indignation (zaam) or wrath (8:19) at the very end of time.

What is this all saying? The papacy or little horn will sin (pesha) against God’s law, covenant and authority. This will lead to divine judgment recognized as God’s wrath [which relates to the first four Trumpets and the Seven Last Plagues (Revelation 8, 16)]. Jesus, however, is going to get far more specific than that!

Let’s listen now to His answer related to spiritual deliverance. Oh yes, the sanctuary will be cleansed – but that means far more than we’ve ever imagined!

Franklin S. Fowler Jr., M.D.; Prophecy Research Initiative © 2009