The Case For the Investigative Judgment

[John317]

A number of people on the Forum have asked about the biblical evidence for the SDA understanding of the Investigative Judgment. I intend to help answer their question on this discussion thread.

The first part is chapter 17 in the book, Practical Lessons, written by a converted Jew named F.C. Gilbert.

The entire book is available online: http://dewsberry.com/content/es/content/fcgilbert/PracticalLessons.pdf

In future posts, I will also offer Bible studies showing the Scriptural evidence for the Investigative Judgment.

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A Remarkable Prophecy, and Its Fulfillment

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as unto a light

that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts. Knowing this first, that

no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” 2 Peter 1:19, 20.

WAITING FOR THE MESSIAH

EVERY pious and devoted Israelite that lived before Christ came to the earth, longed for the

privilege and the opportunity of seeing Him. Whether he were a prophet, priest, or king, his one desire was

to set his eyes upon the Messiah.

[1] That this was so is evident from the Savior’s own words:

“ But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your cars, for they hear. For verily I say unto you,

That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which you see, and have not seen

them and to hear those things which you hear, and have not heard them.”

[2]

And the Apostle Peter speaks a little later in this manner:

“Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets

have inquired and searched diligently who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you. Searching

what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify when it testified beforehand

the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.”

[3]

GOD PROPHESIED THE TIME

2. God, however, had made a prediction that the Messiah in person should come at a definite time;

and this all the people might have known.

[4] Had they only studied the Word of God as diligently as they

heeded the traditions of men, they would have learned of this, and then would have been prepared to meet

Him.

3. Strange as it seemed to the Jews, and strange as it may seem to the people of the present time,

nearly five hundred years before Christ appeared in the flesh, as the Messiah, there was a prediction made

that He would come in the very year, yes, even the month, of His coming was announced. [5] Certainly, a

remarkable incident, and in a measure the Jews appreciated it, but its full force and significance they never

understood.

A SINGULAR STATEMENT

4. After the Savior was baptized, and John was imprisoned, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the

gospel of the kingdom of God; [6] and He said:

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent you, and believe the gospel.” [7]

5. This no doubt has been considered by many at the present time as a singular statement, even as

it was thought to be by the people in Christ’s day. Yet it need not have been, had they only studied the word

of God. From the expression itself and the manner it was told, it is evident that the people should have

known what He meant, even as He asked Nicodemus, when speaking to him of the new birth, “ Art thou a

master of Israel, and know not these things?” [8] Clearly indicating that he ought to have known, and his

ignorance was without excuse.

6. “The time is fulfilled.” [9] What time? This no doubt was the question that many must have

asked. Yet it must have been clear to them that the lime had something to do with the kingdom of heaven,

and with the Messiah, in bringing the kingdom to men. Is there then a prophecy that the Jews might have

known concerning this time, and thus have been definitely prepared for the Messiah? If so, we can better

appreciate the meaning of their stumbling over Him as the Christ. [10] Possibly too, we may discover that

the Lord has included in this great prophecy certain predictions which affect the church of today, in

connection with Christ’s second advent.

THE WONDERFUL PROPHECY OF THE TIME

7. That such a prophecy should have been given, we might expect, for God had told the people

several centuries before, that He would do nothing but what He revealed His secrets unto His servants the

prophets. [11] What greater event could take place in this world than the coming of the Messiah, [12] the

“Desire of all nations;” [13] The Hope of the world? [14] We would then naturally expect that the Lord

would reveal to some of the prophets, not only that the Messiah would appear, ‘I but the time of his

appearance, so that the people might be in expectation of Him.

8. Such a prediction we find in the prophecy of Daniel, Which, after a brief consideration, will

enable us to see clearly the force of the Savior’s statement, [15] The time is fulfilled,” as well as that other

scripture, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” [16]

A REMARKABLE VISION

9. In the eighth chapter of the book of Daniel, we find that the prophet was given a vision. [17]

While in this vision several things were presented to him. He saw first a rain with two horns, one of which

was higher than the other. [18] After this he beheld an he-goat, or shaggy-goat, coming from the west,

directing his aim at this ram. [19] He ran into the ram with the fury of his power, smote him, brake his two

horns, and completely crushed him. [20] This he-goat had a remarkable horn between his eyes. [21] and

when the goat became great, this notable horn was broken; and in its place there arose four others, which

were scattered to the four winds of heaven. [22]

10. Out of one of these four horns there came another little horn, which waxed exceeding great,

southward, eastward, and toward the pleasant land. [23] This little horn destroyed everything that came in

its way, and finally became exceeding great, even to the host of heaven; and he also magnified himself to

the Prince of the host. [24]

11. After this scene, Daniel, while still in a vision, overheard a conversation. One saint asked

another saint a certain question, [25] to which, when the reply was made, Daniel received this answer:

“And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days then shall the sanctuary be

cleansed.” [26]

12. At this point Daniel awoke, and seemed desirous to understand what he had seen and heard.

[27] He then overheard some one calling to the Angel Gabriel to make Daniel understand the vision. [28]

The angel immediately proceeded to carry out the instruction, informing Daniel, however, that this vision

would not be completely fulfilled till the time of the end. [29]

THE EXPLANATION OF THE VISION

13. The prophet was then informed that the ram which he saw having the two horns represented

the kings of Media and Persia. [30] The he-goat represented Grecia. [31] The notable horn that was

between its eyes was the first king. [32] This was of course Alexander the Great. The four horns, [33]

which arose in that kingdom after Alexander died, or was broken [34] as the text says, were the four

leading generals of Alexander, who separated the kingdom into four parts. These generals were Cassander,

Lysimachus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy.

14. The angel further said that in the closing days of their kingdom there should arise another

power, represented by the little horn, which should be strong and mighty. This we are aware, represented

the iron monarchy Rome, which succeeded Grecia, as a universal power. [35] This power would also stand

up against (oppose) the Prince of princes [36] who is Jesus Christ. [37] This certainly the Bible declares

Rome did, when Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, passed the death sentence upon the Lord Jesus Christ,

and gave the authority to the Jews to put Him to death. [38]

ONE PORTION UNEXPLAINED.

15. So far everything of the vision was explained, except the verse, “Unto two thousand and three

hundred days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” [39] The angel then told Daniel that the vision,

concerning the evening and the morning which was given, is true. This vision of the “evening and

morning” referred to meant the two thousand and three hundred days. For the literal translation of the

Hebrew reads thus:

“And he said unto me, Until evening and morning two thousand three hundred, and the sanctuary

shall be cleansed, or justified.” [39]

In the margin of Daniel 8: 14 we find the words, evening and morning, instead of the word, days.

(a) Hence it is evident that this is what the angel had in mind when he told Daniel that the “vision of the

evening and morning” which he had seen was true; [40] but it was to be closed up for many days.

DANIEL SEEKING LIGHT

16. When the angel closed with these words, Daniel was perplexed and astonished. [41] This was

the part of the vision which he particularly wished to know; but here he was left without information. This

further knowledge was not granted to him on this occasion, because what he had seen made such an

impression upon his mind, especially as He beheld the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ by the hands of

those wicked men who slew Him, [42] that it caused him to be ill, and he was obliged to leave his duties for

a time. [43]

17. However, the desire to understand that part of the vision never left him; he knew there were

some matters connected with that in Which he Was interested. Hence like a true man of God, with a

burning and a yearning to know the will of God and to receive all that the Lord had for him, he began to

study the Bible,” hoping if possible to receive light, that the cleansing of the sanctuary and the time might

be made clear to him.

HIS SEARCH REWARDED

18. In the course of his study of the Scriptures, he came across some texts in Jeremiah, which

impressed him that there existed some relation between the two things, the time-the twenty-three hundred

days-and the event-the cleansing of the sanctuary. Since Jerusalem was desolate and defiled by the hands of

the Gentiles under Nebuchadnezzar, who burned the house of God and removed the vessels to Babylon,

[45] he concluded that this vision had something to do with the restoration and return of the temple and the

people. And since he found in Jeremiah’s prophecy a certain time promised, after which they should be

reinstated into the favor of God, his conclusion was no doubt irresistible that he had found what he sought.

Here are the texts:

“For thus said the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon 1 will visit you, and

perform My good word toward you in causing you to return to this place. For 1 know the thoughts that I

think toward you, said the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall

you call upon Me, and you shall go and pray unto Me, and 1 will hearken unto you. And you shall seek Me,

and find Me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart. And 1 will be found of you, said the Lord:

and I will turn away your captivity, and 1 will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places

whither I have driven you, said the Lord.” [46]

“And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that 1 will punish the king of

Babylon, and that nation, said the Lord, for their iniquity.” [47]

19. Then taking God at His word, he immediately began to carry out the instruction, in earnestly

seeking the Lord with fasting and praying; [48] and continued thus till the answer came. The burden of his

prayer [49] was that the Lord would remember how kind and merciful He was, how sinful the people were,

and that He would carry out the promise contained in that message of the sanctuary to be cleansed. He

prays:

“O Lord, according to all Thy righteousness, 1 beseech Thee, let Your 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. 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.” [50]

HIS REQUEST GRANTED

20. While in this earnest, prayerful attitude, about the time of the evening sacrifice, [51] ( he

received a visitation from the same angel who had partially enlightened Him previously. [52] The angelic

hand being placed tenderly upon the faithful and devoted prophet, the heavenly messenger informed him

that he had come to answer his request, [53] and give to him the desires of his heart, because he was dearly

beloved in heaven. [54] What a beautiful testimony to receive from the heavenly visitant, who had just

come from the very presence of God. [55]

21. He immediately began where he left off with the previous explanation, found in the closing

part of the eighth chapter. [56] He said:

“Seventy weeks are determined upon Thy people and upon Thy holy city, to finish the

transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in

everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy.” [57]

THE TIME

22. Thus we see that the Angel Gabriel begins at the very point that Daniel wishes to know,

namely, the time shown by the twenty-three hundred days. [58] No other time is mentioned in the vision of

the eighth chapter. No other vision had been given to the prophet since he received that one. No explanation

had been given to him since he received the vision; his prayer was that he might know the meaning of the

unfulfilled portion of the heavenly scene. When then the angel comes to him, and informs him he is to give

him the wishes of his heart, and commences by announcing a period of time, the evidence is most

conclusive that he refers to that period, or to a portion of that period with which Daniel was familiar. The

only period of time being that in the previous chapter, the prophet at once recognizes the relation of the

two.

CONTINUED

[John317]

CONTINUED

WHAT WAS INVOLVED IN THE SEVENTY WEEKS

23. Here then we have a period designated as “seventy weeks,” which were determined, or cut off,

© or decreed, upon Daniel’s people, the Jews. During this period eight specific events were to take place,

every one of which would be connected with the time specified.

24. First, the seventy weeks were cut off, or decreed upon this people; that is, this period of time

was allotted to the Jews, at the end of which the Jews, as a nation, would be cut off.

25. Second, during this period, or ending with this period, the holy city would be cut off. The

temple, the house of God, the land, the city of the people, would no more bear that relation to God which

they formerly did, when the Jews Were the chosen people of God.

26. Third, the transgressions of the people would be finished, or as the Hebrew renders it, closed

up, or completed; that is, during this period the Jewish people would reach the climax of their sins and

wickedness, which would close their probation as a nation. On account of their wicked course during this

period their transgressions would be beyond any remedy. [59]

27. Fourth, to make an end of sins; or as the margin renders the thought, “to seal up,” which is the

Hebrew expression. The word rendered sins in this phrase, is the same Hebrew word as “sin offering.” That

is, during this period of seventy weeks, the sin offerings would be sealed, completed, finished. The method

also of the forgiveness of sins, through the blood of the animals, would therefore come to an end, because

of the abolition of these sin offerings. This certainly is the thought in the text, concerning the word Cha-los.

The words of this expression in the Hebrew, Ool-chosam-Cha-los, are literally, “and the sealing up of sin

offerings.”

28. Fifth, to make reconciliation for iniquity, or as the Hebrew word renders the thought, 11 the

atonement for sins,” “the forgiveness for sins.” The Hebrew word, “Chapar”, is the word which means

atonement, or forgiveness; (d) that is, during this period of seventy weeks, atonement would be made for

sins, by which men would have the forgiveness of sins.

29. Sixth, the bringing in of everlasting righteousness; that is, during this time everlasting

righteousness would be brought in, righteousness of eternity. On this expression the great and scholarly

rabbi and commentator, Rashi, says that this everlasting righteousness will be brought to the people through

the Messiah who is to live forever.

30. Seventh, to seal up the vision and the prophecy; that is, the vision concerning the twenty-three

hundred days, and concerning the prophet through whom the vision came, would be scaled up, certified,

demonstrated, during the seventy weeks. (e) In other words, something would occur during this period that

would prove conclusively that this vision was of God, as well as was the man who gave it.

31. Eighth, the anointing of the most holy; that is, the “holy of holies,” the holiest of holy things

and places would be anointed during this period.

WHY DANIEL RECEIVED HIS TESTIMONY

32. All these things were to transpire during these seventy weeks. Surely then this is a most

remarkable prophecy, one that should have stirred every Israelite to make investigation, one that deserved

most profound and thoughtful search. It is not at all surprising then that to the Prophet Daniel should be

brought that sweet testimonial from heaven, that he was a man greatly beloved, [60] because he was so

desirous of ascertaining what was intended by that time and event spoken of by the angel.

THE BEGINNING OF THE TIME

33. While Daniel had revealed to him, in part, the thing he wished to know concerning the time, he

was still left in the dark when the time was to begin. If the angel would leave unexplained this important

part, then mystery would still be enshrouding this great truth. The angel, however, knowing Daniel’s desire,

proceeds to explain the commencement of this time by saying:

“Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to

build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street

shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 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 desolation are

determined. 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 consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” [61]

34. Here then we have the heavenly messenger giving to the prophet, directly from the court of

glory, the definite and minute explanation of these seventy weeks, even when the reckoning was to be

commenced. The time, therefore, from which these days were to be counted, was the decree to restore and

to build Jerusalem. If we can ascertain when this decree was issued, we have the definite certainty when to

begin the numbering.

THE MEANING OF THE DAYS

15. It should be borne in mind that these seventy weeks, or four hundred ninety days, are part of

the twenty-three hundred days. [62] This, therefore, being true, the beginning of the four hundred ninety

days marks also the commencement of the twenty-three hundred, because the former are cut off from the

latter.

36. When the angel gave to Daniel the vision in the eighth chapter, he revealed it to him in

metaphors; hence the reason for the angel’s giving him the explanation in the latter part of the same

chapter. This being true of the first part of the vision, it must be equally true of the last part; therefore, these

days are metaphors; or, when speaking of prophecy, we use the term symbols. It will then be necessary to

understand the meaning of these symbolic days, even as it was necessary for Daniel to understand the

meaning of the ram, the he goat, etc.

THE SYMBOL EXPLAINED

27. The Bible makes this point very clear; and a lucid definition is given of a prophetic day. In the

thirteenth and fourteenth chapters of Numbers, we have the account of the twelve spies going to search the

promised land, and their reports, the evil report of the ten, the good report of the two. After spending the

entire night in weeping, [63] the people desired and hoped that they might die in the wilderness rather than

go into such a country, where there seemed so many obstacles. The Lord answered their request, and

informed them they should certainly die in the wilderness. A part of His sentence reads as follows:

“After the number of the days in the which you searched the land, even forty days, each day for a

year, shall you bear your iniquities, even forty years, and you shall know My breach of promise.” [64]

38. The Prophet Ezekiel, in a vision given to him concerning a period of time, gives this

description of the divine explanation:

“Lie thou also upon thy left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it: according to

the number of the days that thou shall lie upon it, thou shall bear their iniquity. For I have laid upon thee the

years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days. I have appointed thee each day for a year.” [65]

TWO OR THREE WITNESSES

39. We are told that out of the mouth of two or three Witnesses shall every word be established.

[66] Here then we have two witnesses to testify that a day in the Bible, when used as a metaphor, or

symbol, represents a year. Therefore the twenty three hundred days [67] would represent twenty-three

hundred years. The seventy weeks, or four hundred ninety days, would represent four hundred ninety years.

(f)

THE GOING FORTH OF THE DECREE

40. Having everything clear before us thus far, we are now prepared to consider the going forth of

the commandment, or, in other Words, the location of the period. There were three different edicts issued

concerning the restoration of the temple, and its completed services. [68] But the work of the decree was

not fulfilled till the one issued by Artaxerxes. [69] (g) This being true, we learn that the time to commence

the reckoning of this period is the year 457 BC. [70] In the fall (h) of this year the seventy weeks and the

twenty-three hundred days began to be counted.

41. The angel, however, divides the seventy weeks into three distinct periods:

1. The seven weeks, or forty-nine prophetic days, or years, were for the building of the wall of the

city. [71]

2. The sixty-two weeks, after the seven, were to reach to the Messiah, the Prince. [72]

3. The one week, during this time the Messiah was to be cut off, and the sacrifices and offerings

were to cease. [73] (See accompanying diagram in book.)

THE TIME DEFINITELY LOCATED

42. Beginning then with the fall of BC 457, the first part, seven weeks or forty-nine years, would

end in the fall of 408 BC. This was the time when the wall of the city was completed. From the fall of BC

408, adding 62 weeks or 434 years, would bring us to the fall of AD 27; or adding 49 to the 434, would

bring the same result, AD 27. At this time the Messiah, the Prince, was to come. Who is the Messiah, the

Prince? And was this literally fulfilled?

THE MESSIAH - A LITERAL FULFILLMENT

43. The Messiah is none other than Jesus Christ. The word Messiah is a Hebrew word, meaning

anointed. This is explained in Psalm 2:2: “Against the Lord, and against His Anointed.” Hebrew, His

Messiah. The same word which in the Hebrew means Messiah, is in the Greek, called, Christos, anointed.

44. When Andrew found the Savior, he wanted his brother Simon to meet Him; hence he said to

him:

“We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.” Margin, “Anointed.” [74]

45. When the woman at the well talked with the Savior, she said to Him:

“I know that Messiah comes, which is called Christ.” [75]

Thus We see that the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One, is none other than Jesus. [76] But

when was He anointed? When did He become the Messiah? With what was He anointed?

“And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of

John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like

a dove descending upon Him. And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art My beloved Son, in

whom 1 am well pleased.” [77]

This was at His baptism.

“And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him, and a voice from heaven,

which said, . . .” [78]

“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power.” [79]

46. Thus we see it is certain that the Messiah, the Prince, [80] is none other than Jesus Christ, who

became the Anointed [81] of God, when He was baptized with the Holy Ghost and with power.

47. But the query might arise, “Was this literally fulfilled in the fall of AD 27. Yes, most

decidedly, for by consulting the chronology of an Oxford Bible at Mark 1, where the baptism is spoken of,

[82] we find the year given AD 27. And proofs from other chronologists might be adduced which give the

same results. Thus we see that exactly sixty-nine prophetic weeks, or four hundred eighty-three literal years

from the fall of BC 457, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, became the great Prince, Savior, and Anointed of God.

We can then appreciate the meaning of that text in Mark, mentioned in the fourth paragraph of this chapter

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.” [83]

THE JEWS COULD HAVE KNOWN THIS

48. Yes, the Jews might have known all through the centuries when to expect the Messiah. They

might have known the very year He was to come, the very month He was to appear. And when He told

them “the time is at hand,” He sought to arrest their attention to the prophecy of Daniel concerning

Himself; for this is the only scripture that has the definite time connected with the coming of the Messiah.

How full of meaning then those words of the Savior:

“If thou had known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!

But now they are hid from your eyes, because thou knew not the time of your visitation.” [84]

49. No doubt this was what Luke had reference to when speaking of Paul’s discussing the Bible

with the Jews in the synagogue:

“And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out

of the scriptures, opening and alleging that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.” [85]

50. There are many scriptures [86] which have a slight bearing on this subject, all of which

confirm what the Jews might have known concerning this wonderful prophecy relating to Christ.

“And He came to Nazareth, and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath

day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when

He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

because He bath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. And He began to say unto them, this day is

this scripture fulfilled in your cars. And all bare Him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which

proceeded out of His month.” [87]

“But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Soil, made of a woman, made under

the law.” [88]

51. Other scriptures might be cited which show how accurate and precise the Lord is, in having

His word fulfilled. [89] Whether men are prepared to believe or receive it, [90] the word of the Lord is

accomplishing its mission. What a blessed thing it would have been to the Jews had they only been ready

for Him, by having understood this most remarkable prophecy. May there not be a lesson for the church of

today? Might it not be well to ponder and listen?

CONTINUED

[John317]

CONTINUED

THE SEVENTIETH WEEK

52. Having now followed the angel to the appearance of the Messiah, Gabriel said, Messiah would

confirm the covenant with many for one week, [91] but in the midst of the week He would be cut off, as a

result of which there would be a cessation of the sacrifices and offerings. [92]

53. When the Savior began to preach, His work was wholly among the Jews. [93] When He

ordained the twelve, and sent them forth, and afterward the seventy, they were all commissioned to go to

the lost sheep of the house of Israel. [94] He labored among them just three and a half years, then He was

crucified. After His ascension, the Apostles carried on the work; and from the time of the crucifixion till the

persecution of the church at Jerusalem, [95] when many were scattered abroad, some going to Samaria

there to preach the gospel, [96] was just three and a half years. This completed the seventieth week. At the

close of this prophetic week, or the four hundred ninetieth year, the Jews, as a nation, entirely rejected the

gospel, and climaxed their national sin by stoning Stephen, while the glory of God shone in his face. [97]

Then for the first time the gospel was preached to others outside of the Jews. [98] Paul, the great apostle to

the Gentiles, was converted. [99] The seventy weeks had ended; Israel, as a nation, as a separate people,

was cut off. [100] This brings us to the year AD 34, in the fall. See chronology in margin at Acts 8, also

diagram.

GOD’S DIVINE, TIMEPIECE

54. Here, then, we see the tracings of the finger of God. Here we observe how the Lord keeps the

great clock of time in the best of condition. When the hour has arrived for any momentous event to be

fulfilled, though it may have been predicted thousands of years before, instantly the alarm rings, the sound

goes forth, the work is done.

THE FAITHFUL FULFILLMENT

55. We will now return and briefly reiterate those eight events, mentioned in paragraph twentythree

of this chapter, and see how they were all literally and faithfully fulfilled.

(a) By the Jews rejecting the gospel, the Savior told them that the kingdom of God would be taken

from them and given to another people who would bring forth the fruits thereof. [101] And the Gentiles,

who formerly were not a people, had now become the people of God. [102]

( The day after Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem, when the palm branches were strewed all

along the way, [103] as He descended the Mount of Olives, He said that their house, the temple, the sacred

place of God’s worship, had become desolate, and was forever forsaken. [104] And the next day lie told the

disciples that the time would come when not a stone would be left upon another that should not be thrown

down. [105]

© When the Jews clamored for the blood of Christ, they said they were willing to have His blood

upon them and upon their children, only let Him be crucified. [106] The Savior, knowing they would do

this, told them that all the righteous blood which had ever been shed in the world, beginning with the blood

of Abel, would be required of them. They would drink to the dregs the cup of suffering. [107] They filled

up the cup of their sins, when they crucified the Lord of glory, and stoned Stephen to death.

(d) When Christ hung on the cross, and cried, “It is finished,” the vale of the temple was rent in

twain, from top to bottom; [108] thus showing that sin offerings had forever ceased; because He, the great

Sin Offering, was the fulfillment of them all.

(e) By His death He brought forgiveness of sins. He made the atonement [109] for the Jews and

for the world. The forgiveness of sins came only through Him. [110]

He was the righteousness of God. [111] He was the first and only person who could look the

world, the flesh, and the devil in the face, and challenge them to convince Him of any sin. [112] Through

His righteous life He brought righteousness to every man. He is the righteousness of God; and by faith in

His blood, [113] and in His righteous life, all can share the same gift.

(g) His baptism, the length of time He preached, the rending of the vale of the temple, the warning

to the disciples of the destruction of Jerusalem, and quoting Daniel to that effect, [114] all went to prove

that the vision was of God. It was established during this period; and the Prophet Daniel was the messenger

who gave it to men by the hand of the angel.

(h) When Christ left this earth and went to heaven, He entered upon His ministry, not in the holy

places made with hands, but in heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. [115] As long as

the temple service was conducted, the work in the holy places in the heavenly sanctuary was not carried on.

[116] But when the house was forsaken of its Lord, and the type was fulfilled in the antitype, then the holy

places in the heavenly were anointed for the work of the Heavenly Priest, even Jesus Christ. [117]

THE REST OF THE DAYS

56. Having found that the seventy weeks ended in AD 34, the question naturally arises, “When

would the entire period of the twenty-three hundred days terminate?” This is a simple proposition.

Deducting 490 from 2300, we have a balance of 1810. The 490 terminating in the fall of AD 34, adding the

balance of 1810, would give the ending of the entire period of 2300 days in the fall of 1844. See diagram.

Then the angel said, the sanctuary should be cleansed. [118]

LOSS TO THE ANCIENT PEOPLE

57. We have already seen what the Jewish people lost in not studying that period, in not being

prepared to receive Christ at His first advent. Amid the multitude of their teachings and traditions, they

neglected the great themes of study, the prophecies of the word of God; hence were unprepared for the

event. They were looking for a kingdom brilliant with the luster of power, and dazzling with the brightness

of outward glory; but this they did not receive, because the kingdom which Christ was to set up then, would

be located in the hearts of men. [119] And the glory of their power would be heavenly. They lost all, power,

statehood, glory.

WHAT THE CHURCH NOW MIGHT KNOW

58. Church of the living God today! Should there not be an arousing on the part of men and

women, who live this side of the middle of the nineteenth century, to ascertain what is involved in the

cleansing of the sanctuary ? (i) Is it not possible that the time of visitation to the church of God today has

come, even as it came to the Jews in days of old? The result of their neglect was sad and fatal; like causes

produce similar results. Whatsoever was written aforetime was written for our learning, [120] that we, upon

whom the ends of the world are come, [121] should take heed. Watch, take heed. [122] But of the times and

the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write unto you.” [123]

[John317]

EXPLANATORY NOTES

Paragraph 15.

(a) The word tlays in this verse should be translated, evening, morning. This is the correct

rendering. The Hebrew is literally, evening, morning. These words are precisely the same as translated in

Genesis 1:5, 8, 13, etc., evening and morning. It is important to bear this in mind for future consideration of

this vision.

Paragraph 20.

( See explanatory note on chapter fourteen, paragraph 15 (. The evening sacrifice was offered

about the same time. This was the same time the incense was burned. Exodus 30:7, 8; Luke 1:9, 19. It was

also the hour of prayer. This is no doubt why Peter and John were on their way to the temple at this hour.

Acts 3: 1. See also Acts 10: 3.

Paragraph 23.

© The word determined does not make clear the thought in the text. The word in the Hebrew is

literally, to cut off short. The root word means to cut quickly, to decree. One of the ablest Jewish

commentators, makes this comment on the word, Nech-iach: “These years are decreed ones, in the sense of

being cut off.” And the word he uses here for cutting off is korath, one of the most forcible words of this

definition in the Hebrew. This thought will make more clear the exposition of this whole period.

paragraph 28.

(d) This word Cha-par is used in Exodus and Leviticus, denoting atonement. See Exodus 29:36,

37; 32:30; Leviticus 4: 20, 26,31, etc.

Paragraph 30.

(e) Leeser, the translator of the Old Testament from the Hebrew, says in his explanatory notes, that

this expression, “seal up,” means that prophecy and visions should be confirmed through the glorious

fulfillment. And this is exactly what happened. The prophecy and the vision was “confirmed,” because it

found its “glorious fulfillment” in Jesus the Messiah, who was the One that fulfilled all things. See Luke

24:44.

Paragraph 39.

Having given the reader a clear demonstration from the word of God that a day in prophecy

represents a year, and therefore the 2300 days represent so many years, we will now call attention to the

fact that the Hebrew teaches that same truth in a very direct way. Thus we shall have two witnesses from

another view that this is the word of God.

The Hebrew words, translated seventy weeks, are Sho-voo-iin Slziv-ini which by all Jewish

translators are rendered Shmee-tos,” or seventy Schmeetos. But a Shmee-lau is a period of seven years.

This is recognized by Jews everywhere. Therefore a literal translation from the Hebrew would be, seventy

times the period of seven years, or four hundred ninety years. In his translation of the Old Testament,

explanatory note, forty-seven, Leeser says on Daniel 9:24: “Ancient Jewish writers thought that the second

temple stood four hundred twenty years, which, with the seventy years of the Babylonian captivity, make

four hundred ninety years.” While their application of the time is incorrect and erroneous, it expresses the

view of ancient Hebrew writers, showing their understanding of the seventy weeks.

Paragraph 40.

That the time to begin the counting of this period is the decree of Artaxerxes, and not of the others,

will be evident from the conclusions reached in the body of the chapter, to which the reader is referred.

(h) The Bible method of reckoning months is different from that followed by the nations of earth.

The first month, Nisan, occurs from the latter part of March to the latter part of April. It took them several

months to reach Jerusalem, and to be accepted of the lieutenants and governors across the river. This would

bring the time of the year, when the decree became effective, about the fall, or the seventh Jewish month.

See Ezra 7:8, 9, 21; 8:36.

Paragraph 58.

(i) See chapter fifteen, paragraphs 20-38.

1. Luke 2:25-30, 38.

2. Matthew 13:16,17.

3. 1 Peter 1:9-11.

4. Luke 19:44; 1:68-70.

5. Galatians 4:4.

6. Matthew 4:12-23.

7. Mark 1:14, 15.

8. John 3:10.

9. Mark 1:15.

10. Isaiah 28:16; Romans 9:32-33; 1 Peter 2:6-8.

11. Amos 3:7.

12. Genesis 49:10.

13. Haggai 2:7.

14. Ephesians 2:12; Psalm 71:5; Colossians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Timothy 1:1.

15. Malachi 3:1.

16. Mark 1:15; Luke 4:21.

17. Daniel 8:1.

18. Daniel 8:2-4.

19. Daniel 8:5, 6.

20. Daniel 8:7, 8.

21. Daniel 8:5.

22. Daniel 8:8.

23. Daniel 8:9.

24. Daniel 8:10-12.

25. Daniel 8:13.

26. Daniel 8:14.

27. Daniel 8:15.

28. Daniel 8:16.

29. Daniel 8:17-19.

30. Daniel 8:20.

31. Daniel 8:21.

32. Daniel 8:21.

33. Daniel 8:22.

34. Daniel 8:8.

35. Daniel 8:23, 24; Luke 2:1.

36. Daniel 8:25.

37. Acts 3:15; 5:31; Revelation 1:5.

38. John 19:15,16; Acts 4:25, 26.

39. Daniel 8:14.

40. Daniel 8:26.

41. Daniel 8:27.

42. Daniel 8:25.

43. Daniel 8:27

44. Daniel 9:2.

45. 2 Kings 25:8-10; Daniel 1:1, 2.

46. Jeremiah 19:10-14,

47. Jeremiah 25:12.

48. Daniel 9:3.

49. Daniel 9:5-19.

50. Daniel 9:16,17.

51. Numbers 28:4.

52. Daniel 9:21.

53. Daniel 9:22.

54. Daniel 9:12.

55. Luke 1:19.

56. Daniel 8:26.

57. Daniel 9:24.

58. Daniel 8:14.

59. 2 Chronicles 36:16.

60. Daniel 9:23.

61. Daniel 9:25-27.

62. Daniel 8:14.

63. Numbers 14:1.

64. Numbers 14:34.

65. Ezekiel 4:4-6.

66. Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15; Matthew 18:16; John 8:17.

67. Daniel 8:14.

68. Ezra 6:14, margin.

69. Ezra 7:11-21.

70. Ezra 7:1, 8, 9, Chronology in the margin.

71. Daniel 9:25.

72. Daniel 9:25, 26.

73. Daniel 9:27.

74. John 1:41.

75. John 4:25.

76. John 1:42.

77. Mark 1:9-11.

78. Luke 3:22.

79. Acts 10:38.

80. Acts 3:15; 3:31.

81. Hebrews 1:8-9.

82. See Mark 1:10, margin; Luke 3:21, margin.

83. Mark 1:15.

84. Luke 19:41, 44.

85. Acts 17:2, 3.

86. Acts 9:22; 18:5, 28, etc.

87. Luke 4:16-22.

88. Galatians 4:4.

89. Isaiah 55:11.

90. Ezekiel 2:7.

91. Daniel 9:27.

92. Daniel 9:26, 27.

93. Matthew 15:24.

94. Matthew 10:5, 6; Luke 10:3.

95. Acts 8:3.

96. Acts 8:4, 5.

97. Acts 6:15; 7:56-60.

98. Acts 8:5; Acts 11:20.

99. Acts 9:5, 6.

100. Matthew 21:43; Romans 9:25, 26.

101. Matthew 21:43.

102. 1 Peter 2:10.

103. Matthew 21:4-9.

104. Luke 19:37, 41, 43, 44.

105. Matthew 24:1, 2; Mark 13:1, 2.

106. Matthew 27:25.

107. Matthew 23:34, 35; 21:38-41; Luke 23:29, 30.

108. John 19:30; Luke 13:45; Mark 15:38.

109. Romans 5:11.

110. Acts 13:38; 3:26

111. 1 John 2:1; 1 Corinthians 1:30.

112. John 8:46; 14:30; 16:33.

113. Romans 3:24-27.

114. Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14; Luke 21:20. Compare Daniel 9:27.

115. Hebrews 9:8, 24.

116. Hebrews 9:9.

117. Hebrews 8:1, 2.

118. Daniel 8:14.

119. Luke 17:20, 21.

120. Romans 15:4.

121. 1 Corinthians 10:11.

122. Luke 12:37,38; Mark 13:35-37.

123. 1 Thessalonians 5:1.

[Lysimachus]

Wow, I've got some READING TO DO!!! :D

[Gail]

Wow, I've got some READING TO DO!!!

A study into the entire sanctuary subject is even better! The judgment fits right in nicely

[Gibs]

Re 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

How else would he know to whom to reward?

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Gail]

John317, I just sent a link to this page to a pastor I talked with for about 10 minutes PLUS sold him a copy of Bradley Williams' book.

Your thread here was timely!

[Samie]

Some Bible facts:

1. All sins - past, present, future - were forgiven on the cross.

Colossians 2:13-14

Quote:

13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

2. Current sins committed are not imputed against man since these had been forgiven and man reconciled / atoned on the cross ('reconciliation' and 'atonement' are from the same Greek 'katallage').

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Quote:

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation

Romans 5:10-11

Quote:

10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

3. In the New Covenant, God does not and refuses to remember any sin no matter how hard one tries to remind Him about anyone of them.

Hebrews 10:16-17

Quote:

16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more

If all sins have been forgiven and taken away, and no record of sin maintained since God refuses to remember all sins, what then remains to be cleansed from the sanctuary?

[Samie]

Re 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

How else would he know to whom to reward?

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Easy, it seems; via the book of life. Those in the book are ushered to heaven and rewarded with life eternal. All others, rewarded with the wrath of God.

[Gibs]

Samie,

The seventh seal isn't taken off that book until,

Re 8:1 ¶ And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

It is then in Heaven at the great white throne it is finally opened and that brings a silence for half an hour.

Re 20:11 ¶ And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Re 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Aussiemike]

Some Bible facts:

1. All sins - past, present, future - were forgiven on the cross.

"If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are still in your sins."

1 Cor 15:17

If i am still in my sins if christ is dead then clearly our sins were not forgiven at the cross.

Our sins are not forgiven until we repent.

[Samie]

Samie,

The seventh seal isn't taken off that book until,

Re 8:1 ¶ And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

It is then in Heaven at the great white throne it is finally opened and that brings a silence for half an hour.

Re 20:11 ¶ And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Re 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Seems odd, unless you can show biblical proof the sealed book in Rev 5 is the book of life. Can you, please?

[Samie]

Originally Posted By: Samie

Some Bible facts:

1. All sins - past, present, future - were forgiven on the cross.

"If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are still in your sins."

1 Cor 15:17

If i am still in my sins if christ is dead then clearly our sins were not forgiven at the cross.

Our sins are not forgiven until we repent.

But was Christ not raised and is still dead that you are still in your sins? The fact that He was risen and is alive forevermore disproves your contention.

[Gibs]

It can be no other book, it is not Revelation, it is the Lambs Book of Life written before the foundation of the world, a book of perfect prophecy and as each seal is taken off some things are seen as each seal is taken off as the scroll is written back side and inside. The inside is only seen when the last seal is taken off and low and behold, it even brings silence in Heaven.

Who else could be found worthy to open the seals but Him who wrote it and sealed it?

The rest is for all to see when we get there. All questions will be answered then and all knees will bow and acknowledge His Justice.

John317 may have some come back on your query some different and this is his thread.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Aussiemike]

But was Christ not raised and is still dead that you are still in your sins? The fact that He was risen and is alive forevermore disproves your contention.

i read your statement a number of times and i still have no idea what you are talking about.

1 Cor 15:17 disproves your belief.

Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

There is no forgiveness of sins without repentance. Therefore our sins were not forgiven at the cross

[Samie]

Bro. Gibs;

I was asking for biblical proof, not just mere assumption. Can you please show even one verse hinting that the sealed book in Rev 5 is the book of life?

[Samie]

Bro Aussiemike;

You brought up 1 Cor 15:17 to show forgiveness did not occur on the cross if Christ is dead. I merely showed you that verse speaks otherwise.

1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

But because Christ was raised and is alive therefore the verse speaks contrary to your conclusion.

[Samie]

Quote:

John 6:33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

Obviously the world is dead otherwise Christ would not have given it life. But why is the world dead?

Quote:

Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins

Clearly, sin made the world dead. Unless sin is forgiven and taken away the world remains dead. And how can the dead repent? If it were true that man need to first repent before his sins can be forgiven, then he can never be forgiven because he cannot repent yet being dead.

The fact that men are now capable of repenting is proof enough he had been previously made alive and therefore already forgiven.

Quote:

Colossians 2:13 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses

[Gibs]

Bro. Gibs;

I was asking for biblical proof, not just mere assumption. Can you please show even one verse hinting that the sealed book in Rev 5 is the book of life?

I gave you all there is and you may do with it what you like as suits you best.

I doubt I would be satisfied with your view any more than you are of mine.

Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Samie]

Originally Posted By: Samie

Bro. Gibs;

I was asking for biblical proof, not just mere assumption. Can you please show even one verse hinting that the sealed book in Rev 5 is the book of life?

I gave you all there is and you may do with it what you like as suits you best.

I doubt I would be satisfied with your view any more than you are of mine.

Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

So that concludes there is no biblical proof that backs up your claim the book of life is sealed and not opened until the 7th seal is taken off.

Just wondering how names can be written in or blotted out from a sealed book.

[cheddar]

Just wondering how names can be written in or blotted out from a sealed book.

The book of Daniel is the only book in the bible which is described as being sealed.

I always thought the book in Rev. 5 was the book of life but you make a good point.

[Gibs]

It was all done before the foundation of the world, a prophecy, all names were written but foreknowledge blots out the ones as He knew the substance of all before in the womb and before. No one writes in His Book and He only is able to even remove it's seals, none other has the right. Why the silence? Awe!

Don't like that explanation? Got a better one?

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Samie]

It was all done before the foundation of the world, a prophecy, all names were written but foreknowledge blots out the ones as He knew the substance of all before in the womb and before. No one writes in His Book and He only is able to even remove it's seals, none other has the right. Why the silence? Awe!

Don't like that explanation? Got a better one?

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Oh, oh. The blotting was done in the foundation of the world, you claim? So the tense used in the following verses is wrong?

Exodus 32:33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book

Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

[BobRyan]

It seems to me that the most succinct example of "Investigative Judgment" is found in Dan 7 - where see that the saints are the subject of the judgment, that it consists of a review of "book" in a court room context and that it completes before the 2nd coming and after the division of the Roman empire.

in Christ,

Bob