Fundamental Beliefs
The Bible, the Word of God
The central theme of the Bible, the theme about which every other in the whole book clusters, is the redemption plan, the restoration in the human soul of the image of God. (Ed. 125)
The Word of God
How did Jesus call the Sacred Writings?
Answer:
"Did ye never read in the scriptures,..?" Matt. 21: 42
What is in the Scriptures?
Answer:
"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." 5:39
What other term does John refer the Scriptures to where we could search for eternal life?
Answer:
"...our hands have handled, of the Word of life;" 1John 1:1
In the book of Luke, how did Jesus regard God's message to us?
Answer:
"And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it." Luke 8:21
How were the Scriptures given? And who gave it?
Answer:
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" 2Tim 3:16
How does the Holy Scriptures come to us?
Answer:
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:" Rev. 1:1
Note: The Bible within our reach exists not by the will of man but through the Holy Spirit who moved the writers (2Peter 1:20,21). They were inspired and was led to write those things that they had witnessed directly from God. "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full." 1Jn 1:1-4
The Profit of the Scriptures
For what are the scriptures profitable for?
Answer:
"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." 2Tim. 3: 15-17
How does the word of God work in us?
Answer:
"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." 1Thess. 2:13
What are the results of its working?
Answer:
"Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." John 15:3
"shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Ps. 119:9- 11
God's Word Was Preserved
God committed the preparation of His divinely inspired Word to finite man. This Word, arranged into books, the Old and New Testaments, is the guidebook to the inhabitants of a fallen world, bequeathed to them that, by studying and obeying the directions, not one soul would lose its way to heaven. (1SM 16)
Did God preserve the Bible from corruption?
Answer:
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. Psa 12:6.7
Does Jesus Christ confirm the authenticity of the Bible?
Answer:
Jesus confirmed it by quoting most of the books of Moses and the Prophets;
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself... And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Luk 24:27,44
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. John 5:39
note: From the texts above the "scriptures" referred here are those which were written by Moses and the Prophets.
Thus also Philip confirmed:
Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. John 1:45
And also by Paul:
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Rom 1:1,2
Did Paul start to gather all the Scriptures, including his epistles, even in his own time?
Answer:
The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. 2Ti 4:13
And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. Col. 4:16
This Holy Book withstood the attacks of Satan -- who has joined with malicious men -- to make everything of the heavenly things covered in mists and obscurity. In any case, the Lord has saved this Holy Book by His inexplicable force in its current shape—a graph or manual to the human family to show them the best approach to the heavenly paradise.
The Three Highest Powers in Heaven
The Bible provides evidence about the Three Highest, Holiest Beings in Heaven. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are the three most powerful agencies. They work together for human beings. They are united in their work of making the church on earth like the church in heaven.
Where in the Bible refers to their existence together?
Answer:
"John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." Rev. 1:4-6
Note: The Father, here, describes as "him which is, and which was, and which is to come in this text. The Holy Spirit describes as "seven Spirits". This expression refers to the Holy Ghost. Thompson remarks: “That is, from the Holy Spirit, denominated ‘the seven spirits,’ because seven is a sacred and perfect number; not thus named as denoting interior plurality, but the fulness and perfection of his gifts and operations.” Barnes says, “The number seven, therefore, may have been given by the Holy Spirit with reference to the diversity or the fulness of his operations on the souls of men, and to his manifold agency in the affairs of the world, as further developed in this book.” The third is Jesus Christ, the characteristic which pertains to Him are mentioned as: "the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth". The One Who "washed us from our sins in his own blood".
(See also Matt. 3:16,17; John 14:16,26; 15:26; 1Pet. 1:2; 1Cor. 12: 4-6; Heb. 9:14; Isa. 48:16)
What text in the Bible expresses God as more than one in number?
Answer:
Gen 1:1 " In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heaven and the earth."
Note: Elohim is a Hebrew word for God; it is plural in form.
Is there any English Bible translation that refers to God the Creator in plural form?
Answer:
Eccl 12:1 Remember also thy Creators in days of thy youth, While that the evil days come not, Nor the years have arrived, that thou sayest, 'I have no pleasure in them.' (Young's Literal Version)
What are the common commentaries regarding Isaiah 54:5 on "Maker and Husband"?
Answer:
Most of the commentaries agree on the word "Maker and Husband" as plural but rendered in all English Bible Version in the singular forms, such as Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible, Jamieson-Fausset- Brown Bible Commentary, Barnes' Note on the Bible, and more.
If Elohim is more than one, why is it in Deuteronomy 6:4 declares YHWH as one?
Answer:
The text reads, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD (YHWH):" Deut. 6:4.
Note: The Hebrew word for "one" is "echad", a plural form that agrees with YHWH.
The same word, ECHAD, was used in the following texts, which refers to a group stated as one:
Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one (H259, ‘echâd) flesh.
Ezr 2:64 The whole congregation together (H259, ‘echâd) was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,
Eze 37:17 And join them one to another into one (H259, ‘echâd) stick; and they shall become oneH259 in thine hand.
Does it mean that the Lord YHWH is not just one?
Answer:
The answer is yes.
Who are They?
Answer:
The Father
Psalm 110:1: "A Psalm of David. The LORD(yehôvâh) said unto my Lord('âdôn), Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool."
Mar 12:35-37 And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.
Note: The LORD(YHWH), as referred to in Ps. 110:1, is none other but the Father, while Jesus points Himself as Lord(Adon), as implied in Mark 12:35-37.
The Son
Exo 6:3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God('êl) Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH (YHWH) was I not known to them.
John 8:56,58 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Note: The two texts imply that Jesus(YHWH) met with Patriarch Abraham.
The Holy Ghost
Isaiah's Vision of the Lord
In the year that King Uzziah died, I also saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphim: each one had six wings; with twain, he covered his face, and with twain, he covered his feet, and with twain, he did fly. And one cried unto another and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory... Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. Isa 6:1-3, 8-10
Note: In verse 1 of the same chapter, Isaiah saw the Lord(Adonai) sitting on the throne while the seraphim were crying one to another, saying, "Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD(YHWH) of hosts" (verse 3) and talked to Isaiah. According to Paul in Acts 28:25-27, this YHWH is none other than the Holy Spirit.
Love and Justice
"The truth as it is in Jesus will teach most important lessons. It will show that the love of God is broad and deep; that it is infinite; and that in awarding the penalty to the disobedient, those who have made void God's law, it will be uncompromising. This is the love and justice of God combined. It reaches to the very depth of human woe and degradation, to lift up the fallen and oppressed who lay hold of the truth by repentance and faith in Jesus" (The Review and Herald, February 8, 1898). LHU 158.6
What did John know about God in a simple word?
Answer:
God is love 1 John 4:8
How great is God's love to us?
Answer:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
What did Moses testify when he saw God?
Answer:
"And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation." Exo 34:6 ,7
Does God's Love Endure Forever?
Answer:
"Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever." Psa. 136:1 ASV
Will He never get angry because His love endures forever?
Answer:
"The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy." Psa. 103:8
What does it mean to "slow to anger"?
Answer:
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. " 2Pet. 3:9
When does God manifest his anger? Is it only some time in the future?
Answer:
"God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day." Psa 7:11
Does it also mean that His forbearance has a limit?
Answer:
"For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:.. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:" 2Pet. 2: 4-7,9
So, does God's love or salvation and justice prevail altogether?
Answer:
"There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?" James 4:12
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:18
Is God's love conditional?
Answer:
Absolutely yes!
"I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me." Pro 8:17
"If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15
"Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;
A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day:
And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known." Deut. 11:26 -28
"See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them." Deu 30:15 -20
How does God show His love to His erring children?
Answer:
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." Rev. 3:19
Why do we need God's chastisement when we err? Isn't it done only against those who did not accept Him as Saviour?
Answer:
".., My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." Heb 12:5-10
"But let none deceive themselves with the thought that God, in His great love and mercy, will yet save even the rejecters of His grace. The exceeding sinfulness of sin can be estimated only in the light of the cross. When men urge that God is too good to cast off the sinner, let them look to Calvary. It was because there was no other way in which man could be saved, because without this sacrifice it was impossible for the human race to escape from the defiling power of sin, and be restored to communion with holy beings,—impossible for them again to become partakers of spiritual life,—it was because of this that Christ took upon Himself the guilt of the disobedient and suffered in the sinner's stead. The love and suffering and death of the Son of God all testify to the terrible enormity of sin and declare that there is no escape from its power, no hope of the higher life, but through the submission of the soul to Christ." (SC 31)
Man In The Image Of God
Man was originally endowed with noble powers and a well-balanced mind. He was perfect in his being, and in harmony with God. His thoughts were pure, his aims holy. But through disobedience, his powers were perverted, and selfishness took the place of love. His nature became so weakened through transgression that it was impossible for him, in his own strength, to resist the power of evil. He was made captive by Satan, and would have remained so forever had not God specially interposed. It was the tempter's purpose to thwart the divine plan in man's creation, and fill the earth with woe and desolation. And he would point to all this evil as the result of God's work in creating man. (SC 17)
To whom was man likened when he was created?
Answer:
"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." Gen. 1:26
What was the original nature of man before he fell into sin?
Answer:
"Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions." Eccl. 7:29
What happened to the man after they sought out many inventions?
"Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions." Psa 106:39
Did man change the image of God in him? What is the extent of this change?
Answer:
"And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things... Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen." Rom_1:23 ,25
Note:-- Therefore the changes of an image refer more to the character, as also implied in 1Cor. 15: 49 "And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly."
So, man changed the truth! What is truth? How does the Bible define it?
Answer:
"Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth." "Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth."- Psa_119:151, 142
Note: Clear enough the law is truth.
Does righteousness have something to do with the truth?
Answer:
"Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings." -Isa. 51:7
Note: Therefore, righteousness is the law, the transcript of Christ's character. And the image of God was lost in man due to his apostasy from the truth!
What else happened when man apostatized from the truth?
Answer:
"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." - Isa_59:2
How far is the distance that separates God and man?
Answer:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." -Isa 55:8,9
"And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence." -Luke 16:26
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" -Rom 3:23
In this sinful state of man whose side is he with? To whom did sin originate? And what was God's action to save man from death?
Answer:
"He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." 1John 3:8
How did Jesus destroy the works of the devil?
Answer:
"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;" Heb_2:14
What kind of death?
Answer:
"And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." -Php. 2:8
Does the death of Christ draw man back to Him from being separated?
Answer:
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
This he said, signifying what death he should die. -John 12:32, 33
While Jesus is doing His part in drawing man back to God, what is man's part in response?
Answer:
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. -Jas 4:7,8
Does it mean that man needs to cooperate?
Answer:
"...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Php 2:12,13
What else could a man get if he cooperates with God?
Answer:
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Rom 5:1, 2
What is the main reason? Why did God do all of these for mankind?
Answer:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." -Joh 3:16
Is there anything that can separate those who believe in this love?
Answer:
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." -Rom 8:35-37
What great love! How did God call those who believe?
Answer:
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not." -1Jn 3:1
How did Jesus call the believer?
Answer:
Heb_2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Why does God want man to be conformed to the image of His Son?
Answer:
"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." Rom. 8:29
"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." Col. 1:16,18
Through this faith the heart is renewed in the image of God. And the heart that in its unrenewed state is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be, now delights in its holy precepts, exclaiming with the psalmist, “O how love I Thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” Psalm 119:97. And the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us, “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1. (SC 16)
The Righteousness Of Christ
As Christians, do we ask, "What is the righteousness of God"? Has it ever been conceived in our minds? Christ's righteousness is a virtue of which man cannot, by his power, be able to produce and be in favour with God. This topic will teach us how the Bible defines "righteousness".
What is righteousness?
Answer:
"Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous." 1Jn. 3:7
Note: Plain and simple, righteousness is right doing.
What is the righteousness of Christ?
Answer:
Psa_119:172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
Note: God's commandments are righteousness. It is Christ's righteousness. Furthermore, Isaiah 51:6,7 says, "Lift up your eyes to the heavens and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be forever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished. Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings." Therefore, it is very clear that the law is God's righteousness. It's so simple, no complications.
What more proof do we have about Christ's righteousness?
Answer:
1 John 5:17 says, "All unrighteousness is sin:" and what is sin? 1 John 3:4 "sin is the transgression of the law." So, unrighteousness and transgression of the law are the same; both are the definition of sin. In a positive sense, therefore, righteousness must be obedience to the law. To put it in a simple illustration, it goes like this:
Negative Side
unrighteousness= sin
Transgression of the law= sin
Positive Side
righteousness= obedience to the law
Does man have a so-called "own righteousness"? If so, what kind of righteousness does he have?
Answer:
"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Isa 64:6
"For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 5:20
Isn't man capable of doing good and being righteous in God's sight?
Answer:
".., out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man (Mark 7:21-23)".
Man is "captive by him at his will." 2Tim. 2:26
Note: Man cannot do any good for himself. He cannot obey God's law in its entirety. Whatever proceeds from his heart is evil. In the sight of God, "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags".
"... are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes. Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." Rom 3:9-19
In conclusion, are those who profess to keep the law justified before God merely?
Answer:
Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
In this case, how can a man be just before God if his "deeds of the law" are all unacceptable? What shall we do to be saved?
Answer:
Believe in Jesus - John 3:16 Act. 10:43 Rom 10:13; 4:12
What will happen to a man when he accepts and believes in Jesus Christ?
Answer:
And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. James 2:23
Who will put on the robe of Christ's righteousness on man?
Answer:
"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." Isa. 61:10
Since Christ would cover the repentant sinner with His robe of righteousness, does it mean that when He presents the sinner to the Father, the Father will accept the sinner not because of his feeble works but for the sake of the righteousness of Christ?
Answer:
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Tit. 3:5
What are the other processes that man should act to be fully accepted by God?
Answer:
Learn and reason with Jesus- Matt. 11:28,29; Isa. 1:18
acknowledge sin- Jer. 3:13; 14:20; Ps. 51:3
repent and be converted- Act 2:38; 3:19
confess- 1 John 1:9
amend ways and doings - Jer. 7:3
Now that man is justified, what should be his goal, and what should he do to maintain his just state before God?
Answer:
"That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." Tit 3:7 ,8
What are the good works to be maintained? What is the standard of good works?
Answer:
"And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Mat 19:16 ,17
Therefore, for man to be "justified by the deeds of the law," he needs Christ Jesus for help. Compared to his past Christless life, is it possible for a justified state of man to keep God's law and be acceptable?
Answer:
"With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." Matt. 19:26
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" Joh 1:12
" I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phil. 4:13
So, God's law, by God's grace, can be kept through faith. Would the robe of Christ's righteousness be granted to those who pass through severe trials up to eternal time?
Answer:
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Rev. 19:8
Having Christ's righteousness, what will God's people be called at last?
Answer:
"In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." Jer. 23:6
We do not earn salvation by our obedience; for salvation is the free gift of God, to be received by faith. But obedience is the fruit of faith. “Ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him.” 1 John 3:5, 6. Here is the true test. If we abide in Christ, if the love of God dwells in us, our feelings, our thoughts, our purposes, our actions, will be in harmony with the will of God as expressed in the precepts of His holy law. “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.” 1 John 3:7. Righteousness is defined by the standard of God's holy law, as expressed in the ten precepts given on Sinai. (SC 61)
God looked down the ages and anticipated the rise and fall of all Kingdoms. Many years before the kingdoms have entered the stage of activity. God announced to Nebuchadnezzar that the realm of Babylon should fall, and another realm would emerge, which likewise would have its time of trial. Neglecting to magnify the genuine God, its brilliance would blur, and a third realm would possess its place. Also, this would fall; and a fourth, solid as iron, would subdue the kingdoms of the world.
Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, was troubled by a dream. Promised with reward or even threatened with death, not one of his wise men, magician, and sorcerers were able to tell him his forgotten dream. Daniel, the man of the living God, came into the scene and told him his dream and its interpretation.
DANIEL II
What was the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar?
Answer:
"Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth." Dan 2:31 -35
Did God, through Daniel, tell the interpretation of the king's dream?
Answer:
"This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king." Dan 2:36
What is the meaning of the head of gold?
Answer:
"And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold." Dan 2:38
Are there other kingdoms to arise next to Babylon?
Answer:
"And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth." Dan 2:39
How strong is the fourth kingdom represented by the legs of iron?
Answer:
"And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise." Dan 2:40
Note: "The four world empires here predicted as part of Nebuchadnezzar's dream are generally understood to have been Babylon (head of pure gold), Persian (breast and arm of silver), Greek (belly and thighs), and Roman empires (legs of iron and feet and toes of partly iron and partly baked clay). This prophecy of the four kingdoms is further expanded under different images in chapter 7 (the four beasts)." Halley's Bible Handbook, pp. 431, 432
What happened to the fourth kingdom?
Answer:
"And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay." Dan 2:41
Note: When Constantine the Great transferred to his new capital Constantinople (now Istanbul), Rome collapsed by a savage invasion of Barbarian tribes from the north. So as the prophecy foretold, "the kingdom shall be divided."
Did the ten kingdoms have equal power when the fourth kingdom was divided?
Answer:
"And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken." Dan 2:42
Were they united again?
Answer:
"And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay." Dan 2:43
What kind of kingdom arose after those kingdoms? To Whom does it belong?
Answer:
"And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure." Dan 2:44,45
Concerning the four kingdoms, every particular was fulfilled, to the letter. Only one remains to be fulfilled, the establishment of God's Kingdom represented by the stone.
DANIEL VII
"This is a continuation of the prophecy of chapter 2, which was spoken 60 years earlier: four world empires, and then the kingdom of God." Halley's Bible Handbook, p. 436
To come up with the proper understanding of the prophecy, the language of the Bible is to be taken, explained, or understood according to its obvious meaning, except if there exists some valid reason for assuming it to be figurative.
Symbols and Representations
Wind - strife, political commotion, and war (Jeremiah 25:31-3)
Beast - Kings/ Kingdoms (Dan. 7: 17, 23)
Water/Sea - peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues (Rev. 17:15)
Horns - Kings/ Kingdoms (Dan. 7: 24)
What was the dream of Daniel In the first year of Belshazzar, king of Babylon?
Answer:
"In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters. Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another." Dan 7:1 -3
(click here and read note #1 for Albert Barnes commentary on these verses)
What was the first beast?
Answer:
"The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it." Dan 7:4
Note: "the lion - the king of beasts - would accurately symbolize that kingdom in the days of Nebuchadnezzar - a kingdom occupying the same position among other kingdoms which the lion does among other beasts, and well represented in its power and ferocity by the lion." (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible).
What represented the kingdom next to Babylon?
Answer:
"And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh." Dan. 7:5
Note: "The application of this symbol was not explained by the angel to Daniel; but if the former pertained to Babylon, there can be little difficulty in understanding to what this is to be applied. It is evidently to what succeeded the Babylonian - the Medo-Persian, the kingdom ruled successively by Cyrus, Cambyses, Smerdis, Darius, Xerxes, Artaxerxes, and Darius Nothus, until it was overthrown by Alexander the Great. The only inquiry now is as to the pertinency of the symbol here employed to represent this kingdom." (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible)
What was the third beast?
Answer:
"After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it." Dan. 7: 6
Note: "If this be so, then we naturally look for the fulfillment of this symbol - the third head - in the kingdom or dynasty that followed directly that of Medo-Persia - the Macedonian dynasty or kingdom founded by Alexander the Great, extending over the same countries before occupied by Babylon and the Medo-Persian empire, and continuing until it was swallowed up in the conquests of Rome." (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible)
What represented the fourth kingdom?
Answer:
"After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns." Dan. 7:7
Note:_ "This is allowed, on all hands, to be the Roman empire." --by Adam Clarke (click here and read note #2 for more information)
"These four world empires are commonly taken to be Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome,.." Halley's Bible Handbook, p.436
What was the next scene that caught Daniel's attention?
Answer:
"I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things." (Dan 7:8)
Note:_ According to Dr. Halley, "The "ten horns" of the fourth beast (v.24), which correspond to the 10 toes of 2:41-42, are taken to be the 10 kings or kingdoms into which the Roman empire is divided." (click here and read note #3 for more information)
How were the three horns plucked up?
Answer:
"And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings." Dan 7:24
Note: You may ask, who is the little horn? I saw no other reason but to point you to the Papacy as she is the only powerful entity that came out after those kingdoms that ruled for 1,260 years. According to Cardinal H. Manning, "...for twelve hundred years the Bishops of Rome have reigned as temporal princes." Historically, the pope of Rome was taken captive by Gen. Berthier in 1798. Going back from A.D. 538 (the year when Belisarius drove out the Visigoths from Rome) to 1798, it will take 1,260 years, the space of time the Cardinal estimated.
"When the Roman Empire fell, the bishop of Rome took on many trappings and administrative structures of imperial power." 101 Q&A on Popes and the Papacy, p.5
Clear enough, the little horn subdued three horns, but how? Probably this would be an inquiry to be made by a learner of Bible prophecy. To know more about the details of the story, (click here and read note #4 for more information)
What are the characteristics of the little horn?
Answer:
"And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time." Dan 7:25
Note: The papacy has all the descriptions as enumerated in the text. First, blasphemously assumes and "takes the place" of Jesus Christ (Crossing the Threshold of Hope, p.3). Second, she admitted the persecution against God's people. Third, she also made changes to the Law of God, especially the seventh-day Sabbath. Fourth, she reigned for 1,260 the meaning of "time, times, and the dividing of time." (Click here and read note #5 for more information)
After the reigns of these kingdoms, what was the next scene Daniel saw?
Answer:
"I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." Dan 7:9,10, 13,14
Note: "thrones were cast down" most of the Bible renders the phrase as the following: "thrones were put in place" (GNB) ", “I watched until thrones were placed" (WEB), "I watched until the thrones were set in place" (MKJV). It implies the same with verse 10 which says, "the judgment was set". It is not about the fall of those four earthly kingdoms, but it is the Judgement about to happen in Heaven above, from the time of Daniel. The scene is the same in Revelation chapters 4 and 5, which shows that the heavenly hosts assemble in one place and sit on their respective thrones round about God. This Judgement will be dealt, with in a separate topic entitled "The 2,300 days/years."
The Prophetic Vision Of Daniel- II
DANIEL VIII
"This chapter contains further predictions about the second and third world empires spoken of in chapters 2 and 7, that is the Persian and Greek empires." Halley's Bible Handbook, p. 438
What was the first image Daniel saw in his vision?
Answer:
"Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great." Dan 8:3, 4
What was the second image?
Answer:
"And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes." Dan. 8:5,6
What did the "he-goat" do to the ram?
Answer:
"And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven." Dan 8:7,8
What do the ram and "he-goat" represent?
Answer:
"The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king." Dan 8:20, 21
What happened to the "he-goat"?
Answer:
"Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.' Dan. 8:8
Note: "Alexander died 323 b.c.; Antipater succeeded Perdiccas, 321 b.c.; Ptolemy Lagus the same year took possession of Egypt; Cassander assumed the government of Macedon, 317 B.C.; Seleucus Nicator took possession of Syria, 311 b.c.; in 305 b.c. the successors of Alexander took the title of kings,.." (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible)
What was the third image?
Answer:
"And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them." Dan 8:9,10
Note: This little horn must be the same Empire of Rome as shown in Daniel chapters 2 and 7 because, compared to the former two beasts mentioned, its power shows more than its predecessors, "waxed exceeding great." No kingdom could stand against this great Empire in its prime. Among those was Antiochus the Great, who lost his war with the Romans. His son Antiochus Epiphanes which many mistakenly believed to be the little horn, became tributary to Rome, and obeyed at once in the dictate of Rome to leave Jerusalem after he devastated that territory.
"'...out of one of them' The little horn from the conquered Macedonian horn of the goat, it is going forth to new conquests in other directions. It therefore appeared to the prophet, or may be properly spoken of in this prophecy, as coming forth from one of the horns of the goat." DAR1909, p.175 (click here and read note #6 for more information.)
What were the kingdoms that existed on the directions given in verse 9?
Answer:
Toward the South (Egypt, was made province of Rome 30 B.C.), toward the East (Syria, conquered by Rome and made a province), and toward the Pleasant Land (Judea, the land of then God's chosen people).
What are the characteristics of the little horn?
Answer:
"And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand." Dan 8:23 -25
Note: For a more detailed explanation regarding the little horn, click here and read note #7.
"Yea, he magnified (himself) even to the prince of the host.." Is the little horn going to stand against God?
Answer:
He shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes;
Note: First, Rome, in her pagan phase, the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified under her jurisdiction, and in her change to the papacy, continued the war against the Lord in the person of His saints. She changed her policy against the people of God to a peaceful solution by a compromise of truth and declared the bishop of Rome to be the head of the Church, thus "magnified" or "stand up against the Prince," Jesus Christ (Isa 9:6; Dan. 9:25; 12:1; Acts 3:15; 5:31; Rev. 1:5).
What is the meaning of "and by him the daily ("sacrifice" is not in the original verse) was taken away."?
Answer:
What was taken was the pagan phase (the daily) and replaced with a papal phase.
Note: Rome has two phases, the pagan and papal phases. The first direction of its wars was made against the earthly kingdoms, then came the change and pointed its war against the people of God.
"In the early fourth century, the Roman Emperor Constantine favored Christianity and protected it from persecution. He endowed the church with money, perhaps with the land in central Italy that would become the papal state, and certainly with buildings in the city of Rome." (101 Q&A on Popes and Papacy, p.16)
"When the Roman Empire collapsed, the bishop of Rome was in the position to take charge because Christianity was now protected and playing a leading role in religious and political matters." (ibid, p.17)
".., when Rome fell, church and state were merged into one-- just as paganism and Roman Empire had naturally gone together." (ibid, p.23) (Click here and read note #8 for more information)
What does "and the place of his sanctuary was cast down" mean?
Answer:
Constantine the Great, as Pontifex Maximus, abandoned his old sanctuary, the central capital of his power, and moved to the new capital at Constantinople. "Roman Empire collapses, bishop of Rome steps into power vacuum" (101 Q&A on Popes and the Papacy, Timeline xix). Rome, his sanctuary or the place of worship, was remodelled into a papal religion. So is the phrase, "...the place of his sanctuary was cast down".
"Shortly after tolerating and then beginning to favor Christianity in the early fourth century, Constantine built a new capital that he named after himself: Constantinople, now Istanbul in Turkey. The Empire was just to large to administer from Rome at this point, so he established a second court in Constantinople. This arrangement allowed the bishop of Rome to grow in power,.. Back in Rome the bishops stepped into the power vacuum left by the western emperor and empire. They adopted much of the imperial machinery: the Latin language, the system of administrative dioceses (a Roman imperial word), architecture (a basilica is a Roman receiving hall), the way of handling correspondence, the formulas for writing laws (called decretal), and some of the court ritual, as well. Although the western empire was fading, the the power of the bishop of Rome did not because of the series of strong popes who asserted the power of Peter within church affairs and who exercised leadership in temporal matters because no one else was around to do so." (101 Q&A on Popes and the Papacy, p.19).`
What is the meaning of "And an host was given him against the daily... by reason of transgression"
Answer:
The "host" was the Barbarian tribes who ravaged the abandoned empire and were responsible for its changes. Politically, they conquered Rome, but spiritually, they were converted to the papal religion. "The Western Empire, under the control of warlike, non- Christian tribes, began to convert these peoples to Christianity, and one by one their kingdom in the West collapsed (Burgundians in AD 532; Vandals in AD 533; Ostrogoths in AD 553). Meanwhile, Clovis, king of Franks, was converted to Christianity in AD 496 and became a great support to the Church" (the Compact History of the Catholic Church, p.35)
They became the instrument for the growth of the power of the new phase of the little horn, the papal Rome. And it is all "by reason of transgression" meaning the cunning of the papacy did all.
Notice the consistency of the prophecy of Daniel in chapters 2, 7, and 8; all have the same players from the four great empires to the divided kingdoms and to the little horn, which is the papacy.
What is "...it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered."?
Answer:
The following are some of the truths they changed, practised and prospered:
a) The sacrifice of Christ changed to the Eucharist
b) Christ as the High Priest is being replaced by the pope
c) The change of God's Law
d) Changed the Holy Day of Rest from Saturday to Sunday.
e) Portions of the Bible considered as "myth".
f) and more... (please click here for all its supporting documents.)
Did Daniel understand the entire vision of Chapter 8 given to him?
Answer:
"And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it." -Dan 8:27
Note: Concerning the Ram, he-goat, and the little horn and their activities, all were explained to Daniel in verses 15 to 25. But the question is, what portion of the vision did Daniel not understand, which had caused him to be sick for days? The next topic will discuss the answer, "The 2,300 days/years Prophecy."
Click here for the comments on Daniel 8:13.
The 2,300 days/years Prophecy
In this topic, we will discuss the unexplained portion of the vision left in chapter 8 concerning the 2,300 days/years.
What was left unexplained by Angel Gabriel in Daniel chapter 8?
Answer:
"And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." Dan. 8:14
Note: The portion Gabriel omitted or left unexplained in chapter 8 is about time prophecy. The given number is 2,300 days. The endpoint of the number will bring us to the starting point when the Sanctuary will be cleansed. To know the definite time of the cleansing of the Sanctuary is by determining when it started. The Cleansing of the Sanctuary will be dealt with in the topic "The Ministration of Christ."
Is 2,300 days literal?
Answer:
"After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise." Num. 14:34
"And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year." Eze. 4:6
Note: Based on the two texts, one day is equivalent to 1 year. Therefore, it is symbolic. It would be inconsistent to interpret the beast and the little horn as symbolic, but the 2,300 days are literal.
Did God give the command to Angel Gabriel to let Daniel know about the unexplained portion of the vision?
Answer:
"At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision." Dan. 9: 23
What is in the vision that he needs to consider?
Answer:
"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." Dan 9:24
Note: As promised, Gabriel gave Daniel the meaning of the vision by bringing him to 70 weeks or 490 days/years prophecy. This portion of time is for the people of Israel. The time to make themselves right before God and to finish their transgression. These seventy weeks are to be cut off or removed from any longer time because the word determined is the only word in the Bible that means cut off. Cut off where? The nearest possibility is from 2,300 years, the longest-time prophecy given in a vision to Daniel. Therefore the starting point of the seventy weeks must also be the same as the 2,300 years.
When was the 70 weeks or 490 years started?
Answer:
"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." Dan. 9:25
Note: The angel told Daniel that the commencement of the seventy weeks is from the going forth of the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem. Therefore that is the point where the 2,300 years started. Ezra 7 records the decree made by King Artaxerxes, and it says, "Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of Heaven,.. I make a decree," the 7th year of Artaxerxes' reign, (Ezra 7:8) that is 457 B.C. (the decree took effect at the autumn of that same year). According to the text, seventy weeks is to extend to Messiah the Prince, there are seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks, which is equal to 483 years. Therefore if we count 483 years from the autumn of 457 B.C., it will bring us to the autumn of A.D. 27, the year Jesus was baptized and entered His mission and preached concerning the 'time', the 70 weeks given for His people "to finish their transgression."
What happened after 69 weeks?
Answer:
"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 after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off..." Dan. 9: 27, 26,
Note: After three and half years of preaching, Jesus was crucified (autumn of 31 A.D.) by it He confirmed the covenant, and the ministration of the earthly sanctuary stopped. Forward from the crucifixion three and a half years, it will bring us to A.D.34, the ending point of the entire time of the seventy weeks. This date is known as the date of the martyrdom of Stephen. It marks the rejection of the Jewish Church with the Gospel of Jesus. Therefore, His disciples directed their missionary work to the Gentiles. (For more information, click here.)
If the endpoint of 70 weeks or 490 years is the autumn of AD 34, then we still have 1810 years left to complete the 2300 days/years. So, continuing counting from 34 AD by adding 1810 years, will bring us to the autumn of 1844 (click here to see its diagram). The autumn of 1844, therefore, is the year pointed out in Dan. 8: 14 to be the starting year of the cleansing of the Sanctuary. The weight of the subject "Cleansing of the Sanctuary" will be learned in the topic "The Ministration of Christ."
What Is The Sanctuary?
"...then shall the sanctuary be cleansed."
The Ministration of Christ
In 1844 our great High Priest entered the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, to begin the work of the investigative judgment. The cases of the righteous dead have been passing in review before God. When that work shall be completed, judgment is to be pronounced upon the living. How precious, how important are these solemn moments! Each of us has a case pending in the court of heaven. We are individually to be judged according to the deeds done in the body. In the typical service, when the work of atonement was performed by the high priest in the most holy place of the earthly sanctuary, the people were required to afflict their souls before God, and confess their sins, that they might be atoned for and blotted out. Will any less be required of us in this antitypical day of atonement, when Christ in the sanctuary above is pleading in behalf of his people, and the final, irrevocable decision is to be pronounced upon every case?
Is Jesus Christ a High Priest?
Answer:
Heb. 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Note: Unlike the Old Covenant, it needed a change of a high priest because of the reason of death. But Christ, as the High Priest of the New Covenant, Who will not taste death, will be a Priest forever under the New Covenant.
Note:
What are the two kinds of order of Priesthood in the Bible?
Answer:
Heb. 7:11,17 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?.. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.
Note: The two orders of Priesthood are Melchisedec and Levitical priesthood. Both Priesthoods function according to the law as ordained by God.
Under what order is Jesus Christ as a High Priest?
Answer:
Heb. 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.
Note: Unlike the Old Covenant, it needed a change of a high priest because of the reason of death. But Christ, as the High Priest of the New Covenant, Who will never taste death again, will be a Priest forever under the New Covenant.
If Jesus is a High Priest, why didn't He go into the Temple and perform the duty of an earthly priest?
Answer:
Heb. 8: 4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
Note: Under the ordinance of Levitical Priesthood, somebody should take the high priest only from the line of Aaron. Since Jesus came from the tribe of Judah ( Heb. 7: 13,14), He cannot be a priest here on earth ( Heb. 8: 4). Therefore, the law governing the priesthood is changed ( Heb 7:12) when the new covenant was replaced the old one (please read the whole chapter of Hebrews 8).
Since Jesus Christ is in Heaven doing his duty as a priest, does it mean there is also a Sanctuary in Heaven?
Answer:
Heb. 8:1-5 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
Exo. 15:8,9,40 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it... And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
Heb :24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:.
Note: Here is revealed the sanctuary of the new covenant. The sanctuary of the first covenant was pitched by man, built by Moses; this is pitched by the Lord, not by man. In that sanctuary the earthly priests performed their service; in this, Christ, our great High Priest, ministers at God's right hand. One sanctuary was on earth, the other is in heaven. GC413
What are the works of Jesus as a High Priest?
Answer:
1 John 2:1 Advocate
Heb, 7:25 Intercessor
1Tim. 2:5/ Heb. 8:6, 9:15,12:24 Mediator
What else is the work that is being committed to Him by the Father?
Answer:
John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
Note: God has given the Son of man authority to execute judgment, as He has experienced the depths of human affliction and temptation and understands the weaknesses and wrongdoing of mankind. Through His triumph over Satan's temptations and His sacrifice for our salvation, He will execute justice with compassion for the souls His blood has redeemed.
The question, What is the sanctuary? is clearly answered in the Scriptures. The term “sanctuary,” as used in the Bible, refers, first, to the tabernacle built by Moses, as a pattern of heavenly things; and, secondly, to the “true tabernacle” in heaven, to which the earthly sanctuary pointed. At the death of Christ the typical service ended. The “true tabernacle” in heaven is the sanctuary of the new covenant. And as the prophecy of Daniel 8:14 is fulfilled in this dispensation, the sanctuary to which it refers must be the sanctuary of the new covenant. At the termination of the 2300 days, in 1844, there had been no sanctuary on earth for many centuries. Thus the prophecy, “Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed,” unquestionably points to the sanctuary in heaven. GC417