Prophetic Expositions, vol. 1

THE DATE OF THE TWO THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED DAYS NOT IN THE EIGHT CHAPTER

The date of the 2300 days is the most important point to be settled in the whole controversy. We turn to the instructions of Gabriel and search for it, but search in vain. He concluded his communication by saying, “The vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true; wherefore; shut thou up the vision, for it shall be for many days.” Bp. Newton remarks, “An evening and morning being in Hebrew, the notation of time for a day,” “in allusion to it, it is said, the vision of the evening and morning (2300 evening and morning) which was told is true.” PREX1 127.2

But Daniel remained ignorant of its import, for he was told to shut it up, for it shall be for many days. That is, as Bp. Newton observes, “the shutting up of the vision implies that it should not be understood for some time.” “And,” he continues, “we cannot say as it was sufficiently understood so long as Antiochus Epiphanes was taken for the little horn.” “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.” PREX1 128.1

The whole subject remained to him in impenetrable obscurity. PREX1 128.2