The Mystery of Iniquity

[Gail]

Quote:

All need wisdom carefully to search out the mystery of iniquity that figures so largely in the winding up of this earth's history." TM 117

Search out the mystery of iniquity? Why do we need to search it out?

What is this quote saying to you?

[John317]

(KJV) 2 Thes. 2:7

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

2 Thes. 2:7

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.

One thing it means to me is that a lot of people won't believe or understand the truth about the mystery of iniquity.

Another is that while the mystery of iniquity is very important, it isn't in plain sight. That is why it is called "a mystery." God has revealed it to His people in the Scriptures, but God has also kept it hidden from the wicked. People must search it out with prayer and humility, just as we must do with the prophecies.

And third, I understand it to mean that there will be a lot of deception concerning the mystery of iniquity. Satan will work hard at getting people confused about it so that they won't know what it's talking about.

[skyblue888]

"For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way."

John, we already know that when the apostle Paul wrote these words he was thinking about the spirit of domination, the spirit of pre-eminence (man taking the place of Christ in the church) which was creeping into the Early Church, to bring men under the control of men. This mystery of iniquity had its beginning with Diotrephes (3 John 9,10) and it subsequently became the papacy: man taking the place of Christ in the church to lord it orver God's heritage. This mystery began with Lucifer in the courts of Heaven. Lucifer aspired to take the place of God.

Sadly, in these last days, this mystery of iniquity, the spirit of domination, has been waxing stronger and stronger within the very church that professes to believe present truth.

"The spirit of domination is extending to the presidents of our conferences... They are following in the track of Romanism." T.M.362. "Organizations, institutions, unless kept by the power of God will work under Satan's dictation to bring men under the control of men... Satan's methods are practiced even among Seventh-day Adventists, who claim to have advanced truth." T.M.366. "This lording it over God's heritage will create such a disgust of man's jurisdiction that a state of insubordination will result... At the time of of the first advent of Christ to our world, the men who composed the Sanhedrin exercised their authority in controlling men according to their will. Thus the souls of whom Christ had given His life to free from the bondage of Satan were brought under bondage to him in another form." T.M.361.

As we can see this "mystery of iniquity" which is the spirit of Satan, the spirit of domination, has been manifested in the church in all ages of the world. It is the spirit that is in the world. And that would explain why in the Testimonies we are told that we had become so much like the world that no difference could be seen.(R&H, Aug.20,1903; C.O.L.316)

Mrs. White was shown that this order of things will wax stronger and stronger until Jesus returns in the clouds of heaven.

sky

"Satan himself abode not in the truth; he is the mystery of iniquity." T.M.365.

[skyblue888]

"The kings of the earth and all inhabitants of the world would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy could enter the gates of Jerusalem." Lamentations 4:12.

These words were written more for us than for Jerusalem of old. "Jerusalem" today is the professed people of God.

sky

[skyblue888]

From the book, Testimonies to Ministers, we read that the Lord has a controversy with His people over this matter.

"A strange thing has come into our churches. Men who are in positions of responsibility, that they may be wise helpers to their fellow workers, have come to suppose that they are set as kings and rulers in the churches, to say to one brother, do this; to another, do that; and to another, be sure to labor in such and such a way. There have been places where the workers have been told that if they did not follow the instruction of these men of responsibility, their pay from the conference would be withheld." see pp.375,376,477,488. (1909)

While in Australia, Mrs. White wrote:

"Oh, if I could have the joyful news that the wills and minds of those in Battle Creek who have stood professedly as leaders, were emancipated from the teachings and slavery of Satan, whose captives they have been for so long, I would be willing to cross the broad Pacific to see your faces once more. But I am not anxious to see you with enfeeble perceptions and clouded minds because you have chosen darkness rather than light." Testimonies to Ministers, p.396.

"My heart aches to see presidents of conferences taking the burden of selecting those whom they think they can mold to work with them in the field. They take those who will not differ with them, but will act like mere machines. No president has any right to do this." Ibid, 304,305.

[Johnnboy]

These are some very good quotations given in the previous posts.

Really, we all need much prayer to be able to identify the mystery of iniquity, as it tries to work among us, and that we would boldly warn against it.

"Indifference and neutrality in a religious crisis is regarded by God as a grievous crime and equal to the very worst type of hostility against God." 3T 280.

[Johnnboy]

In the book, Prophets and Kings, the history of the prophet Elijah is written, with the lessons that are applicable to us today.

Then this statement is given:

"Multitudes....are as truly serving a false god as were the worshipers of Baal. Many even of those who claim to be Christians have allied themselves with influences that are unalterably opposed to God and His truth. Thus they are led to turn away from the divine and to exalt the human." PK 177.

The mystery of iniquity works in this way, exalting the human, where we least expect it.

An article prepared by the Biblical Research Institute of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, May 1988, has such open contradictions to statements from the Spirit of Prophecy, that one can be sure that if one depends on human interpretations, one would surely be deceived.

A quotation from this article follows:

"Seventh-day Adventists have always recognized from the biblical data itself that certain of the classical prophecies give clear evidence in their contexts that a more complete fulfillment may be expected after a partial application....However, we have never taken such a position on the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. To give dual and multiple fulfillments to these grand revelations of divine foreknowledge is to give the face of prophecy a nose of wax to be turned this way and that. Dual and multiple fulfillments rob these great prophecies of real significance and evaporate their contribution to our spiritual certainty."

Then from God's prophet, we read:

"We have no time to lose. Troublous times are before us. The world is stirred with the spirit of war. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the prophecies will take place. The prophecy in the eleventh of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfillment. Much of the history that has taken place in fulfillment of this prophecy will be repeated."[/b] 13MR 393

There are a number more instances we could site. But one wonders how many people have taken the Biblical Research Institute's explanation to be "gospel truth".

The one encourageing note in all of this is the Lord's answer to Elijah:

"Yet I have left [me] seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal,..." 1Kings 19:18.

"Not all in the world are lawless and sinful; not all have taken sides with the enemy. God has many thousands who have not bowed the knee to Baal, many who long to understand more fully in regard to Christ and the law, many who are hoping against hope that Jesus will come soon to end the reign of sin and death. And there are many who have been worshiping Baal ignorantly, but with whom the Spirit of God is still striving." Prophets and Kings 170, 171

[skyblue888]

In the book Testimonies to Ministers, the Lord has revealed that within the very religious organization that professes to believe present truth humanity is hailed as God!

"They look for a god in humanity, and Satan personifies the one they seek. Multitudes will be so deluded through their rejection of truth that they will accept the counterfeit. Humanity is hailed as God." p.365.

This is the religion of Baal.

"Baal, Baal, is the choice. The religion of many among us will be the religion of apostate Israel because they love their own way, and forsake the way of the Lord." p.467,468.

Solemn warning to all of us.

sky

[Johnnboy]

skyblue888,

Elijah dealt with the same Baal worship that we have today, exalting of the human in place of the divine.

"The Lord says, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord" (Malachi 4:5). Somebody is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say, "You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message." There are many who cannot distinguish between the work of God and that of man." 1SM 412

With the condition as it is, Elijah may not be very far away.

[skyblue888]

Elijah dealt with the same Baal worship that we have today, exalting of the human in place of the divine.

"The Lord says, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord" (Malachi 4:5). Somebody is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say, "You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message. There are many who cannot distinguish between the work of God and that of man." 1S.M. 412

With the condition as it is, Elijah may not be very far away.

Johnnboy

_____________________________________________

Thank you Johnn. I believe Elijah "the individual" has already come. It was Mrs. White. Read what you quoted again but this time including this sentence (in the blue): "Men may say,'You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message.' There are many who cannot distinguish between the work of God and that of men. I shall tell the truth as God gives it to me, and I say now, If you continue to find fault, to have a spirit of variance, you will never kwow the truth." 1 S.M.412.

By including the last sentence of this statement it becomes very clear that she is talking about her ministry, that men would find fault with her. She writes, "I shall tell the truth as God gives it to me, and I say now, If you continue to find fault, to have a spirit of variance, you will never know the truth."

This last sentence makes it very clear that this "somebody who was to come in the spirit of Elijah" was Mrs. White herself. If not then it would have to be A.T. Jones for nobody else besides Mrs. White dealt with this lording it over God's heritage more than him, especially in his Appeal for Gospel Order, Some History, Experience, and Facts, and Final Word and Confession. That would explain why the leaders found much fault with him, as we all know. But brother Jones himself stated that Mrs. White made the strongest statements in dealing with this problem.

However, during the loud cry it will not be a lone individual dealing with this problem but several individuals are to come in the spirit of Elijah to speak the truth as God shall give it to them.

There are statements in the Testimonies speaking of Elijah the individual and of Elijah the people. Have you ever come across them?

If this is the case, the "Elijah the people" is

not very far away.

sky

[skyblue888]

Elijah the individual:

"SOMEBODY is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say, 'You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message." 1 S.M.412.

It is plain and clear that these words predict an individual.

The Elijah the people:

"John came in the spirit and power of Elijah to proclaim the first advent of Jesus. I was pointed down to the last days and saw that John represented THOSE who should go forth in the spirit and power of Elijah to herald the day of wrath and the second coming of Jesus." Early Writings, 155 or Desire of Ages, 101.

John the Baptist was the "Elijah the individual" and at Pentecost the apostles of Christ became the "Elijah the people" in the Early Rain experience.

Mrs. White was the "Elijah the individual" and those who bring the latter rain message and loud cry will be the "Elijah the people."

What say you?

sky

[Johnnboy]

Skyblue,

What the quote is really saying is “somebody” which is implying an individual, but we see a little more clarification when the word “he” is added, (we cannot go by the footnote), as you know the footnote is not inspired.

Also, it is very important to consider the words, “in the spirit and power of Elijah”. First, we must focus on the prophet Elijah's “spirit” and “power”, most clearly demonstrated at the showdown on Mt. Carmel.

It begins with a very serious call to reform and repent, to choose the true God over Baal-worship. You and I both know how it ended: Spectacular miracles happening in the sight of ALL Israel, resulting in the opening of the eyes of ALL the people to clearly see the deceptions practiced by the prophets and priests of Baal. Then it culminated in the massacre of 850 of these wicked deceivers, the prophets and priests of Baal, by Elijah's own hands! Of course, he was given assistance by the people, as he said, “Let not one of them escape!”

The great and wonderful work done though God's holy prophet, Ellen G. White, cannot even be compared to the tremendous manifestation of God's power through His prophet, Elijah. Her work was a different ministry.

Other details of the Elijah's life and ministry that do not parallel the prophet, E.G. White, is that his special ministry was a 3 ½ year time period, as was John the Baptist's, who heralded the first advent of Jesus. After the 3 ½ years of drought in the time of Elijah, in which there was no dew or rain, the great demonstration took place. After Elijah prayed 7 times, there appeared the small cloud, “like a man's hand”. (1 Kings 18:44) , similar to the small, black, cloud that is the sign of the Son of Man.

In Revelation, there is a comparable prophecy that shows a similar demonstration. God's prophets have power to shut heaven, that in rain not during the days of their prophesying. (Revelation 11:6)

Therefore, with this evidence, I would expect Elijah to appear 3 ½ years before the commencement of the Jubilee. (Early Writings 35) Of course, all of this occurs some unknown number of days before the second coming of Christ. God's voice gives the day and hour of the second coming at midnight when the anti-typical Jubilee begins.

One last note, the 144,000 will be echoing this same Elijah message during this last 3 ½ years.

What are your thoughts?

[skyblue888]

What the quote is really saying is “somebody” which is implying an individual, but we see a little more clarification when the word “he” is added, (we cannot go by the footnote), as you know the footnote is not inspired.

Johnnboy

_____________________________

Johnn, what footnote? I only quoted Mrs. White's words.

sky

[skyblue888]

Also, it is very important to consider the words, “in the spirit and power of Elijah”. First, we must focus on the prophet Elijah's “spirit” and “power”, most clearly demonstrated at the showdown on Mt. Carmel.

Johnnboy

_____________________________________________

But Johnn, we cannot afford to forget that both Elijah and John the Baptist did not understand the nature of Christ's kingdom. They both had looked forward for the Lord to reveal Himself as a God that answereth by fire. They both looked for the high places of human pride and power to be cast down. But Jesus was to do His work, not with the clash of arms and the overtuning of kingdoms, as Elijah and John the Baptists expected, but through speaking to the hearts of men by a life of mercy and self-sacrifice. See Desire of Ages, 215, 2nd parg and 217, last parg.

So we may be sure that this violent aspect of Elijah's ministry will not be part of the last work upon the earth.

Back to you.

sky

[skyblue888]

The great and wonderful work done though God's holy prophet, Ellen G. White, cannot even be compared to the tremendous manifestation of God's power through His prophet, Elijah. Her work was a different ministry.

Johnboy

_______________________________

Sorry Johnn, but I have to disagree with you on that. Mrs. White came in the spirit and power of Elijah except that she understood the nature of Christ's kingdom. Elijah and John the Baptist didn't. Desire of Ages, pp.215,217 make that very clear.

So on the contrary her ministry was greater than that of Elijah and John the Baptist since she understood something that these two prophets didn't and it is a most vital aspect of the last message of mercy which is to illuminate the whole earth. See C.O.L.415.

sky

[skyblue888]

Other details of the Elijah's life and ministry that do not parallel the prophet, E.G. White, is that his special ministry was a 3 ½ year time period, as was John the Baptist's, who heralded the first advent of Jesus. After the 3 ½ years of drought in the time of Elijah, in which there was no dew or rain, the great demonstration took place. After Elijah prayed 7 times, there appeared the small cloud, “like a man's hand”. (1 Kings 18:44) , similar to the small, black, cloud that is the sign of the Son of Man.

Johnnboy

__________________________

I believe that the three and a half year drought in the time of Elijah symbolizes the 1260 years of spiritual drought during those years of the papal supremacy. It was after those long years of spiritual drought that Mrs. White, that "somebody" who was to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, appeared to prepare a people for the second coming of Christ. The Elijah the people are prepared to give the last message of mercy to the church and to the world only because they have given heed to the messages brought by Mrs. White, the Elijah the individual. At the end of that message probation will close, the seven last plagues will follow and Jesus will return in the clouds of Heaven.

sky

[skyblue888]

Therefore, with this evidence, I would expect Elijah to appear 3 ½ years before the commencement of the Jubilee. (Early Writings 35) Of course, all of this occurs some unknown number of days before the second coming of Christ. God's voice gives the day and hour of the second coming at midnight when the anti-typical Jubilee begins.

One last note, the 144,000 will be echoing this same Elijah message during this last 3 ½ years.

Johnnboy

____________________________________

John, the 144,000 do not even exist as a nucleous of people until after the close of probation! In order to become members of that illustrious company of people, we must take part in the giving of the latter rain and loud cry messages and during that time we must grow up into Christ until the full corn of Christ's character is in the ear, which prepares us to pass the great final test (buy-and-sell and death decrees) taking place at the end of the loud cry, coinciding with the judgment of the living moments prior to the close of general probation.

And since 1844 there has not been and never will be again any message based on time, whether prophetic or literal. See 1 S.M.188 and Bible Commentary, Vol.7A, p.415.

sky

[Johnnboy]

Elijah the individual:

"SOMEBODY is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say, 'You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message." 1 S.M.412.

It is plain and clear that these words predict an individual.

The Elijah the people:

"John came in the spirit and power of Elijah to proclaim the first advent of Jesus. I was pointed down to the last days and saw that John represented THOSE who should go forth in the spirit and power of Elijah to herald the day of wrath and the second coming of Jesus." Early Writings, 155 or Desire of Ages, 101.

John the Baptist was the "Elijah the individual" and at Pentecost the apostles of Christ became the "Elijah the people" in the Early Rain experience.

Mrs. White was the "Elijah the individual" and those who bring the latter rain message and loud cry will be the "Elijah the people."

What say you?

sky

I would agree with the statements you give, although I don't believe that Ellen White ever claimed to be Elijah. I have not seen any inspired evidence to prove that she came in the "spirit and power of Elijah".

[Johnnboy]

Skyblue888,

I think this statement is very relevant as we read inspired evidence.

“Concerning the popular system of interpreting, or misinterpreting, the Scriptures, Wolff wrote: “The greater part of the Christian church have swerved from the plain sense of Scripture, and have turned to the phantomizing system of the Buddhists; they believe that the future happiness of mankind will consist in moving about in the air, and suppose that when they are reading Jews, they must understand Gentiles; and when they read Jerusalem, they must understand the church; and if it said earth, it means sky; and for the coming of the Lord they must understand the progress of the missionary societies; and going up to the mountain of the Lord's house, signifies a grand class-meeting of Methodists.” GC88 360

I don't think we should re-interpret Ellen White's statement when she said, “Somebody is to come,” and change it to say, “ I have come”, or something similar; or when she said, “...when he appears...”, and take it to mean, “she has appeared.” We just can't do that to inspired writings. We must let them teach us, rather than us making them say something that they don't say.

[Johnnboy]

Also, it is very important to consider the words, “in the spirit and power of Elijah”. First, we must focus on the prophet Elijah's “spirit” and “power”, most clearly demonstrated at the showdown on Mt. Carmel.

Johnnboy

_____________________________________________

But Johnn, we cannot afford to forget that both Elijah and John the Baptist did not understand the nature of Christ's kingdom. They both had looked forward for the Lord to reveal Himself as a God that answereth by fire. They both looked for the high places of human pride and power to be cast down. But Jesus was to do His work, not with the clash of arms and the overtuning of kingdoms, as Elijah and John the Baptists expected, but through speaking to the hearts of men by a life of mercy and self-sacrifice. See Desire of Ages, 215, 2nd parg and 217, last parg.

So we may be sure that this violent aspect of Elijah's ministry will not be part of the last work upon the earth.

Back to you.

sky

skyblue,

What do these statements mean to you, regarding the angel of Revelation 18, who joins the 3rd angel's message?

"Concerning Babylon, the symbol of the apostate church, He says to His ministers of judgment, "Her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double." Revelation 18:5, 6. COL 178

"Now the angel of death goes forth, represented in Ezekiel's vision by the men with the slaughtering weapons, to whom the command is given: “Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women; but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary.” Says the prophet, “They began at the ancient men which were before the house.” [Ezekiel 9:1-6.] The work of destruction begins among those who have professed to be the spiritual guardians of the people. The false watchmen are the first to fall. There are none to pity or to spare. Men, women, maidens, and little children perish together.

“The Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” [isaiah 26:21.] GC 656

[Johnnboy]

Therefore, with this evidence, I would expect Elijah to appear 3 ½ years before the commencement of the Jubilee. (Early Writings 35) Of course, all of this occurs some unknown number of days before the second coming of Christ. God's voice gives the day and hour of the second coming at midnight when the anti-typical Jubilee begins.

One last note, the 144,000 will be echoing this same Elijah message during this last 3 ½ years.

Johnnboy

____________________________________

John, the 144,000 do not even exist as a nucleous of people until after the close of probation! In order to become members of that illustrious company of people, we must take part in the giving of the latter rain and loud cry messages and during that time we must grow up into Christ until the full corn of Christ's character is in the ear, which prepares us to pass the great final test (buy-and-sell and death decrees) taking place at the end of the loud cry, coinciding with the judgment of the living moments prior to the close of general probation.

And since 1844 there has not been and never will be again any message based on time, whether prophetic or literal. See 1 S.M.188 and Bible Commentary, Vol.7A, p.415.

sky

Sky,

The statement actually says:

"This time, which the angel declares with a solemn oath, is not the end of this world's history, neither of probationary time, but of prophetic time, which should precede the advent of our Lord. That is, the people will not have another message upon definite time. After this period of time, reaching from 1842 to 1844, there can be no definite tracing of the prophetic time." 7BC 971

The ststements do not say "literal time" or there would be a contradiction with Ellen White's statement in 1897.

[Revelation 13:4-10 quoted.] "This entire chapter is a revelation of what will surely take place" [Revelation 13:11, 15-17 quoted] (MS 88, 1897). 7BC 979

This shows a future fulfillment of this whole chapter which includes 42 months when all the world wonders after the beast and power is given him to continue 40 and 2 months. This time period would not be prophetic time, it would be in literal time. Prophetic time is "time" that is a prophecy in itself--therefore, it is termed "prophetic".

[phkrause]

I would agree with the statements you give, although I don't believe that Ellen White ever claimed to be Elijah. I have not seen any inspired evidence to prove that she came in the "spirit and power of Elijah".

She never even said or proclaimed herself a prophet so I think your point doesn't really say much here.

As far as skyblue888s statement about EGW I don't necessarilly(sp) agree with either, but having said that, he makes an interesting point though.

[Johnnboy]

Originally Posted By: Johnnboy

I would agree with the statements you give, although I don't believe that Ellen White ever claimed to be Elijah. I have not seen any inspired evidence to prove that she came in the "spirit and power of Elijah".

She never even said or proclaimed herself a prophet so I think your point doesn't really say much here.

As far as skyblue888s statement about EGW I don't necessarilly(sp) agree with either, but having said that, he makes an interesting point though.

As far as Ellen G. White is concerned, it's best to let the holy prophet speak for herself, don't you think?

"During the discourse, I said that I did not claim to be a prophetess. Some were surprised at this statement, and as much is being said in regard to it, I will make an explanation. Others have called me a prophetess, but I have never assumed that title. I have not felt that it was my duty thus to designate myself. Those who boldly assume that they are prophets in this our day are often a reproach to the cause of Christ.

My work includes much more than this name signifies. I regard myself as a messenger, entrusted by the Lord with messages for His people." E.G.W.--Letter 55, 1905.

"I am now instructed that I am not to be hindered in my work by those who engage in suppositions regarding its nature, whose minds are struggling with so many intricate problems connected with the supposed work of a prophet. My commission embraces the work of a prophet, but it does not end there. It embraces much more than the minds of those who have been sowing the seeds of unbelief can comprehend." E.G.W.--Letter 244, 1906. (Addressed to elders of Battle Creek church.) 1SM 35, 36

[Johnnboy]

Therefore, with this evidence, I would expect Elijah to appear 3 ½ years before the commencement of the Jubilee. (Early Writings 35) Of course, all of this occurs some unknown number of days before the second coming of Christ. God's voice gives the day and hour of the second coming at midnight when the anti-typical Jubilee begins.

One last note, the 144,000 will be echoing this same Elijah message during this last 3 ½ years.

Johnnboy

____________________________________

John, the 144,000 do not even exist as a nucleous of people until after the close of probation! In order to become members of that illustrious company of people, we must take part in the giving of the latter rain and loud cry messages and during that time we must grow up into Christ until the full corn of Christ's character is in the ear, which prepares us to pass the great final test (buy-and-sell and death decrees) taking place at the end of the loud cry, coinciding with the judgment of the living moments prior to the close of general probation.

And since 1844 there has not been and never will be again any message based on time, whether prophetic or literal. See 1 S.M.188 and Bible Commentary, Vol.7A, p.415.

sky

In Daniel 12, Daniel relates his vision of events to transpire at the end of time. He asked two questions about time. He did not ask, “How long will it be until 150 years before the end of time?” He expressly asked, “How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?” He had just been shown Michael standing up, (close of probation, See CET 187) , the blotting out of sins, the small resurrection before the second coming, etc. Twice Daniel is given an answer of time.

I know that this is a lengthy quotation and most folks will scan part of it, but, I would ask that all would carefully, prayerfully read the inspired quote below.

“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?

"And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And He said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 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. 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. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days."

“It was the Lion of the tribe of Judah who unsealed the book and gave to John the revelation of what should be in these last days. Daniel stood in his lot to bear his testimony which was sealed until the time of the end, when the first angel's message should be proclaimed to our world. These matters are of infinite importance in these last days; but while "many shall be purified, and made white, and tried," "the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand." How true this is! Sin is the transgression of the law of God; and those who will not accept the light in regard to the law of God will not understand the proclamation of the first, second, and third angel's messages. The book of Daniel is unsealed in the revelation to John, and carries us forward to the last scenes of this earth's history.” TM 114, 115.

Remember that prophetic time ended in 1844, so the answers given to Daniel cannot be in prophetic time!!

“Those who eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God will bring from the books of Daniel and Revelation truth that is inspired by the Holy Spirit. They will start into action forces that cannot be repressed. The lips of children will be opened to proclaim the mysteries that have been hidden from the minds of men.

We are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Many of the prophecies are about to be fulfilled in quick succession. Every element of power is about to be set to work. Past history will be repeated; old controversies will arouse to new life, and peril will beset God's people on every side. Intensity is taking hold of the human family. It is permeating everything upon the earth. . . .

Study Revelation in connection with Daniel, for history will be repeated. . . . We, with all our religious advantages, ought to know far more today than we do know.” TM 116

[skyblue888]