Looking Unto Jesus

18 “THEN SHALL THE SANCTUARY BE CLEANSED”

IN the eighth chapter of Daniel is given the record of one of his most remarkable visions. He sees a symbolic representation of several earthly kingdoms which were using their power to oppress and wear out the people of God in the earth. At length he beholds two divine beings conversing together (doubtless Michael and Gabriel, as they are elsewhere mentioned in the book of Daniel), and in reference to their conversation, this is what he says:- LUJ 149.1

“Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” Daniel 8:13, 14. LUJ 149.2

Angels understand what is of profit for us to know. Hence, purposely in the hearing of Daniel, one saint asked another this important question, “How long the vision ... to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?” And the one addressed then turned to Daniel, and gave the answer to him for the benefit of the church: “Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” It now becomes important to compute this period of time: to find its beginning and its termination, in order that we may get the benefit of the prophecy. And while doing this, let the reader keep in mind the point before us. We are still “looking unto Jesus,” though engaged in the application of prophecy; for the prophecy has to do with the sanctuary; and the sanctuary is where Jesus performs his ministry as priest; and more than this, it pertains to the “cleansing” of the sanctuary, which is the conclusion of the work of mercy for mankind! Surely no candid student of the Scriptures will be disposed to pass by the investigation of a subject which promises so much. LUJ 149.3

This period of 2300 days is not explained in Daniel 8; but a key to the explanation is given in chapter 9. We trust the reader is now ready to turn with new interest to a brief exposition of these portions of prophecy. Beginning with the second verse of chapter 8, several objects presented themselves in succession before the eye of the prophet. LUJ 150.1

Scene First. - The first object he beheld was a ram standing before the river, having two horns, one higher than the other. He saw this ram pushing westward, northward, and southward, with such vigor that no beast could stand before him, and he did according to his will, and became “great.” LUJ 150.2

Scene Second. - A rough he goat, with a notable horn between his eyes, came from the west with such rapidity that he seemed not to touch the ground. And he dashed into the ram, overthrew him, broke his horns, and trampled him into the ground. That he goat waxed “very great.” But while he was defiantly prancing about in the plenitude of his power, suddenly the great horn between his eyes was broken, and in its place as suddenly sprang forth four notable horns toward the four winds of heaven. LUJ 150.3

Scene Third. - Out of one of the four horns of the goat, the prophet then saw a little horn protruding. And lo, it grew with marvelous rapidity. It took a turn toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. It sprang upward to the host of heaven, and, encircling some of the stars, brought them to the ground and stamped upon them. It even reared itself against the prince of the host, took away the daily, cast down the place of his sanctuary, gathered to itself an overwhelming host by reason of transgression, cast down the truth to the ground, and practised and prospered. The little horn waxed “exceeding great.” LUJ 150.4

Scene Fourth. - Other objects now come into the field of vision. Heaven does not look with indifference upon all the transactions indicated by the symbols and their work thus far introduced, especially as such work affects the people of God. Angels regard it, and consult about it. Two of them held converse respecting it in the hearing of the prophet. “How long,” said one to the other, “shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?” Then turning to Daniel, as in addressing him he would address the people of God, who are more especially interested in the response, the angel made answer: “Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” LUJ 151.1

This is the entire matter of the vision and fills the chapter to the fifteenth verse. It was now necessary that it should be explained; and Daniel immediately heard - LUJ 151.2