Uncovering the True Traitors of Society through Religion
Analysis of Seventh Day Adventism Part II
This is a continuation of Part I on this series: An analysis of the prophecy of Daniel to counter an ominous teaching product of the Adventist interpretation opposite to the year 31 A.D. In order to interpret this prophecy (wrongfully called the “prophecy of 2,300 days” it is necessary to understand that the word “days” in this passage does not have the same connotation as in Genesis “…So the evening and the morning were the first day” (Genesis 1:5). In this case, it means“For two thousand three hundred twilight and morning sacrifices; then the sanctuary shall be vindicated.” Like we mentioned in the first part of this series the context clearly indicates the true translation: “vindicated” not “cleansed”.
In this article, it is our intent to clarify how necessary it is to understand God through His words and actions. But before discussing any prophetic considerations regarding Daniel, we will present to you a Bible study on what are God’s priorities and why these are such priorities.
Time and its Effects on Prophecy
There is no need for exact dates in prophecy in order for them to be fulfilled or be understood. Prophecies are never meant to indicate exact time tables, for, in one way or the other, they are affected by the unpredictable actions of men. God is invariable, but as a general rule, we, humans are very variable. Though prophecies are clung to history and are sent exclusively for mankind, not for angels (Note: This does not mean that angels do not have their own set of prophecies, what we are saying is that the Bible prophecies are meant for mankind). Consequently, God who does not control men like robots (Bear in mind that God respects men’s free will for He created them in His own image) simply awaits for man to freely engage in doing his part in order for the prophecy to reach its fulfillment within the time frame relatively close to the period of times that most benefits mankind. In other words, are men participants in the fulfillment of prophecy (with the exception of a few prophecies which are unilaterally managed by God himself). Never forget His Sovereignty).
Summing up, men do affect prophecy: An action today may delay or advance any given prophecy. When looking to different fulfillments of most prophecies in the Scriptures, we can clearly see that man constitute a variable that is, an unpredictable element which affects the course of the fulfillment of the prophecy. For example, if the Church complies with its evangelical commission for the end of times, then it will help contribute in the advance of Jesus’ second coming; but if the Church becomes neglectful, it will contribute for some delay of the Lord’s return. It is not God who delays prophecy but man. Again, God is not subject to time for He is timeless. We, humans are the ones who live within the boundaries of time. Speaking in practical terms, when God carries out his part he does so taking into consideration the creature—not because God has any limitations but because of His relationship with his creatures, who are short-lived. God chose to wait for the voluntary actions of mankind in time. Paradoxically, these actions have no effect on time itself.
God emphasizes in the fulfillment of events, not on exact dates. On the other hand, it is man who lives within the limitations of time and its surrounding circumstances. Therefore, though time is not important to God; it is indeed for men, who are in the impeding need to wait for specific circumstances before executing their respective actions. Let us see an example: “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth…” (Galatians 4:4) Notice the way God acted when the fullness of the time had come under specific circumstances. When the appropriate circumstances, which came as a result of the actions of men in time, were present, God acted sending His Son. It was God’s own initiative to determine when to send His Son, but He also takes into consideration the fact that men do need the time factor. This is the reason why God acts in relationship to time on behalf of man, and not in accordance to His own time-frame for He is eternal. Due to the fact that prophecy implies a relationship between God and man, He waits for humanity and adjusts into humanity’s time-frame but always giving priority to the fulfillment of the events rather than to specific dates.
The end has come! Of course, it is the end of time for mankind, not for God. We are not saying that God has no more time left but that it is He who determines the limits of time for humanity. Because men pretend to resist, God is determined to wait no longer. Even though, God feels compelled to wait for some time but He has the power to put an end to time whenever He wishes. This is very clear by the light of the Scriptures “And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” (Gen 6:3)
The “Seventh Day Adventist”, “The Jehovah Witnesses”, the “Universal Church” of Herbert W. Armstrong, among others, are clear examples of those who prefer to be tied to the fulfillment of events in exact specific dates even when it is clear that God prefers to be connected to the fact of the fulfillment of an event rather than the exact date such fulfillment takes place. We must adjust our way of thinking in the following manner: It is better to have an event being fulfilled that benefits mankind even when it is chronologically inaccurate than a chronologically exact event which is harmful to God’s purposes. That is why humans are surrounded by frustration and disappointments. Many times we think God failed us but the truth is that we are the ones who failed God.
There are two types of mentality: The Western-World mentality which highlights chronological exactness, and the idiosyncratic style of the Eastern mentality. The Western mentality gives too much attention to exactness while the Oriental mentality gives more importance to the clarity of the idea. As a result, the Western world gives too much emphasis to external appearances rather than to the content of the idea. It comes as no surprise that the people chosen to be depositories of the truth were from the Eastern Hemisphere who emphasizes more on the idea and the action itself rather than the chronological reasoning of the Western Hemisphere.
When an Oriental sees a boat sailing on the open sea, he imagines how joyful it is to travel and even feel the pleasant breeze of fresh air, the sensation of the speed and the amusement of the travel itself; when a Westerner sees that same scene, he would pay more attention to trivial details, and say: “How beautiful are its colors”, “How calm is the sea today” affecting this way the whole idea, neglecting this way the essence of the action, emphasizing in the outer beauty instead. In the same manner, prophecy can be negatively affected by this type of Western mindset for it will fix its eyes to the chronological time in which God takes action, diminishing the value and true significance of the prophecy itself, and as a result, distorting its meaning.
The point here is the following: The Adventist Church, which pretends to see God’s actions with the Western way of thinking, relies in exact dates, neglecting this way to see the deeper idea God intends to illustrate, instead of understanding the effects of the actions that God reveals. By pretending to analyze prophecy from a Western standpoint, they are making of an important prophecy a mere narrative from the past, neglecting its true message and not allowing us to see the fundamental and necessary encouragement by which God wants to sustain us. At the end, you are missing the whole point! The purpose of the biblical prophecies is to announce the final victory for the people of God. They are a constant reminder, a catalyst, so our strengths do not falter and our faith be reinforced. The result: Men, and specially Adventists, when calculating exact numbers, they proclaim: “Great” We are God’s people! We are awesome!” Meanwhile, from heaven, Christ says: “Boo! You did not allow yourself the great blessing that I offered you, limiting it all to a numerical joy”. What a big flop! By not accepting your “1844 mistake” you have made it worse for yourselves, for a big mistake has been turned into a huge one. Therefore, you must now worry so much more.
The Prophecy of Daniel 8:14
In order to correctly interpret this prophecy, we must first understand its fundamental element: Daniel 8:14 is not speaking of 2,300 days but of 2,300 “evening and mornings” sacrifices“. By no means does it should be confused with a similar expression Genesis 1:5, “it was the afternoon and morning one day.” Though it does not have the same connotation as in Genesis, it does establish our criteria that allow us to understand how many days are there in 2,300 evening and morning sacrifices. Therefore, there is no mistake on this: the duration of the prophecy is 1,150 prophetic days or years, not 2,300!
Now that we are aware of the extent of this prophecy let us put together the whole puzzle. We must ask ourselves: How does the fulfillment of the prophecy begin? Which is the context for this prophecy, purification or vindication? Notice the way the revealing angel begins by describing the actions of the transgressor that desolates—represented by the prefigurative prevaricator, Antioch Epiphanus, who speaking in historical terms, trampled underfoot the Jewish temple in the year 168 B.C. In fact, Antioch —who was a figure of this prophecy—profaned the temple and took away the daily sacrifices offered there for approximately 42 months or what is equivalent to three and half years or 1,150 days. For 3½ years, the Jewish people were left without the daily sacrifices until its reestablishment at some point between the years 165 and 164 B.C. This became a literal fulfillment in its historical context. We must always understand that, historically speaking, prophecy fulfills itself more than once or bilaterally. In other words, the term“prefigurative” implies bringing historically fulfilled events to lead us towards the intended futuristic reality. Antioch Epiphanus is a figure in history that represented Rome’s destruction of the truth. In order to understand this reality, it’s necessary to understand the “year per day” prophetic calculation. Let us take as an example Constantine’s Imperial Decree, which declared Christianity as the state religion. This decree was carried out by Theodosius at 379 or 380 B.C. In fact, it was during Theodosius’ reign that Rome Christianity did as it pleased to such an extent as to “cast the truth down to the ground”. In Christ—priest according to the order of Melchizedec — entered the Most Holy Place once and forever and with one sacrifice justified the human race (Heb. 10:14). If we begin counting from the year 380 B.C. to 1,150 year later, it will take us to the year 1530 B.C.
This date marks the climax of the Reformation Movement, led by Martin Luther, (and sustained by his fellow reformer Phillip Melanchthon), who figuratively speaking vindicated the sanctuary which is symbol of no other than Our Lord Jesus Christ: His incarnation, mediation and redemptive work. Consequently, we have offered you the correct interpretation of the 2,300 sacrifices or 1,150 days. Bottom line: this prophecy should not be used to support a non-biblical “Investigative judgment or trial in 1844”; but of historically culminated events, that even when not chronometrically exact, they do aim at an ultimate reality. We remind you that history repeats itself: the principles in conflict between Antioch and the Jews, which are figures of the Roman Empire and the Reformation Movement respectively, will continue throughout history and now at the end of times the prophetic word that has marked the “Conflict of the Ages” regains its effectiveness.
Consequently, be alert at this sequel of prophetic interpretations, and you will see the benefits, and specially you, members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, so that you may have a correct and prophetic interpretation of the book of Daniel.
Evidently, my dear reader, the historical pattern has been a repetitive or circular, not linear (like many of you presuppose), In other words, in principle, past events do repeat themselves. For this reason we will present in future articles the repercussions of all these affairs at the end of times. When the time comes we will be presenting the final implications of this great “Conflict of the Ages”.
If you want to stay in contact with the truth, keep in touch with this legitimate ministry of the end of times. To be continued.
