Understanding the Book of Daniy'el

The book of Daniy'el is "Prophecy." Prophecy is simply history written before it happens. All Prophecy become history after fulfillment. They are current events while happening in the present. They remain Prophecy if fulfillment remains pending.
The history of this world extends until the Second Coming of YaHuWshuaH. All biblical predictions (Prophecies) concerning tomorrow and unto the end of Time, remain Prophecy.

The book of Daniy'el, with its four vision-outlines, would be incomplete if their delineation of events ended in 1844, more than a century before the Second Coming. Not only does Daniy'el 11:40-45 cover events extending into the final crises, they are dealing with current events. The last chapter, Daniy'el 12:1-13, with its Epilogue of three timelines of Daniy'el 12:5-13, refers to events involving the Last Generation, at the very end of the final conflict.

It is important to understand the structure of the entire book of Daniy'el, and necessary to comprehend the nature and purpose of the whole book of Daniy'el, in order to know what to do with its last chapter. The book of Daniy'el is the story of the rise and fall of seven empires. The first four empires are described in chapter 2, the fifth in chapter 7, and the last two in chapters 11 and 12. Daniy'el 12, the last chapter, presents the rise and fall of the seventh empire, which occurs in the final actions of Earth's history.

The book of Daniy'el describes four visions or outlines of the history of this world from Daniy'el's day (600 BC) to the end of the world. The first vision-outline is found in Daniy'el chapter 2. The second, in chapter 7. The third, in chapter 8 and explained in chapter 9. The fourth vision-outline is in chapter 11, and includes the first four verses of chapter 12. At that point, the book was sealed up.

"But thou, O Daniy'el, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end ..."

The last verses of Daniy'el 12, (5-13) are an "Epilogue". Webster's Dictionary defines 'epilogue' as, explaining "how the work is finished". These last verses, present the rise and fall of the last of the seven empires. Chapter 12 gives numerical data, in the three timelines, regarding the final events which conclude the Great Controversy between haMashiyach and Satan in the final crisis.

Forward Movement of Prophecies
In Date-able Time

In the first vision-outline of a great symbolic image in chapter 2, Daniy'el saw four great empires rise and fall. They were: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and Rome. These empires can be historically dated. The fall of Rome occurred in 476 AD. Then Daniy'el saw the Second Coming of YaHuWshuaH. This is illustrated in the chart below.

The second vision-outline, of four symbolic "beasts" of Daniy'el 7, locks into the same scenes of Daniy'el 2 by repetition, so that one outline interprets the next outline. However, the second outline of empires adds the rise and fall of an additional or fifth empire, referred to as the "little horn."

And the ten horns out of this kingdom (the fourth - Rome) are ten kings (countries of Europe) that shall arise and another (the 11^th) shall rise after them.

The 11^th King, eventually grew by a lot of absorption and war into the 5^th Empire known by Scripture as the 'Little Horn'!

This "little horn," represented the Papal Supremacy that reigned over the old world from 538 to 1798 AD. You can see how the second vision-outline moved the scene forward in date-able time to 1798 AD. All four vision-outlines conclude with the Second Coming of YaHuWshuaH. Each additional vision-outline adds more information and moves ever closer to the endtime. This is also illustrated in the chart below.

The third vision-outline again repeats the description of the rise and fall of empires, but adds a 2300 day-year timeline which began in 457 BC and ended in 1844 AD, at the time of the opening of the investigative judgment in Heaven. The computation of this 2300 day-year timeline of Daniy'el 8: 14 moves still further forward in date-able time to 1844 AD.

The fourth vision-outline of chapter 11:1-45 and 12, which also concludes with the Second Coming of YaHuWshuaH, reveals the sixth and seventh empires! The seventh empire is a future Papal Supremacy also described in Chizayon (Revelation) 13 as the "beast," with his "mark" of authority over "all the world." Daniy'el 11:45 declares that "he shall come to his end and none shall help him." This fourth vision-outline, continuing on into Daniy'el 12:1-4, then describes the resurrection of the dead which brings the history of the world to an end.

The sixth empire is described in Daniy'el 11:36-40, as the godless, atheistic communist empire known as the USSR which fell in 1989. As "the King of the South", it was defeated by "the King of the North" in Daniy'el 11:40. We are now waiting for the rise of the seventh empire (Now happening before our eyes), after which there will soon be the Second Coming.

This chart below, illustrates the above information. It reveals by the diagonal line with its arrow, the fact that the last chapter of Daniy'el belongs in the future, concluding with the final crisis and deliverance of the Saints at the end of the world.

This understanding is validated and Cross-checked 100% by this statement by the Spirit of Prophecy:

Let us read and study the 12^th chapter of Daniy'el. it is 'a warning' we shall all need to understand before the time of the end.

This admonition by the Spirit of Prophecy is without controversy, placing the fulfillment of the Prophecy of Daniy'el chapter 12 in the future. This letter was written in 1903. That it is ' A warning we shall ... '. We cannot see how 'shall', can be referring to the past.

All Three Timelines

1. ...the man clothed in linen ...sware...that it shall be for a time, times, and an half ...to scatter the power of the holy people,.... Daniy'el 12:7. "Time" is Prophetic terminology, representing a biblical year of 360 literal (24-hour) days'. It is not symbolic or "Prophetic" time.
2. And from the time that the daily, shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Daniy'el 12:11.
3. Blessed is he that waiteth and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. Daniy'el 12:12.

There are three Fundamentally different methods of interpreting biblical Prophecies. They are:

1. Preterism
2. Futurism, and
3. Historicism.

"Preterism is the eschatological view that interprets Prophecies of the Bible as events which have already happened. Daniy'el is interpreted as events that happened in the second century BC, while Chizayon (Revelation) is interpreted as events that happened in the first century AD. Preterism holds that Ancient Yashar'el finds its continuation or fulfillment in the Natsariym Church at the destruction of Yerushalayim in 70 AD. The term preterism comes from the Latin 'praeter', which is listed in Webster's 1913 dictionary as a prefix denoting that something is "past" or "beyond", signifying that either all or a majority of Bible Prophecy was fulfilled by 70 AD. Adherents of preterism are commonly known as Preterists."

"Futurism is the eschatological view that interprets portions of the Book of Chizayon (Revelation), the Book of Daniy'el, and other Prophecies, as future events in a literal, physical, apocalyptic, and global context."

Historicism is the method of interpretation in Natsariym eschatology which associates biblical Prophecies with actual historical events and identifies symbolic beings with historical persons or societies. The Historicist school of Prophecy interpretation results in a progressive and continuous fulfillment of Prophecy and contained the viewpoint of almost all Protestant Reformers from the Reformation into the 19^th century.

The book of Daniy'el is classified as "Prophecy." Prophecy is simply history written before it happens. But when it begins to happen, Prophecy becomes made up of historical events which occurred in the past, are happening in the present, and will happen in the future. The history of this world extends until the Second Coming of YaHuWshuaH. We believe that any thinking person cannot but agree that the only valid way or method of dealing with Prophecies must be the Historicist way or method. If a 'Prophecy' has been fulfilled, it becomes 'history'. If it is being fulfilled today, it is 'News' or 'current event'. But, if it is yet to be fulfilled, it remains 'Prophecy'. So, whether a portion of a Prophecy has become history or is current event or remains to be fulfilled, it is the "Prophecy". Historicists acknowledge and accept this reality.

It may interest you to know that following the Reformation, the Papacy desperately sought for a way to turn away the stiff finger of Prophecy directed at it as the 'Little Horn', the 'Beast' and the 'Anti-Christ'!
The Jesuits, such as Francisco Ribera and Louis de Alcazar, used the malicious technique of interchanging literal and symbolic language, to discredit a correct application of the "little horn" of Daniy'el 7:25, representing Papal Rome as it reigned from 538 - 1798 AD. They ignored the context of symbolic "beasts" and declared the symbolic "time, and times, and dividing of time" of Daniy'el 7:25 to be literal time.

Ribera placed a literal "time, times, and an half," or three and a half literal years, far into the future to apply to an unidentified Antichrist, taking the finger of accusation off the Roman Papacy. This technique is known as "Futurism". "Futurism" is not to be confused with a legitimate "Future Application" of Prophecy which is yet to be fulfilled. Alcazar placed the literal three and a half years far in the past, as having been previously fulfilled. He accomplished the same objective to remove accusation from Rome. His technique is known as "Preterism."

Today, the same technique, when used by modern theologians, ignores the literal language and literal context of Daniy'el 12, with its three timelines, and their literal "days", treating them as if they were symbolic language, or symbolic "days", each representing a literal year. Then, like the Preterists in the sixteen hundreds, the whole scene is relegated to the past, devising a new form of Preterism! Again, the accusing finger is removed from Papal Rome, masking or obfuscating its reign in the future final crisis as the 'Beast', described in Chizayon (Revelation) 13.

Conscientious Prophecy Expositors do not use Jesuit techniques or devices to distort and misplace, or deny Scriptural messages of warning! When Daniy'el 12 is correctly applied, it is a warning regarding the "beast" and his "mark" of Chizayon (Revelation) 13, and gives precise timing in regard to his reign. It is a part of the Third Angel's Warning and will swell into the "Loud Cry."

Chizayon chapter 10 is a commentary on the book of Daniy'el and most especially about the role the Prophecies in the Book of Daniy'el will play in the endtime. Consider the quote below:

...the seven thunders (See Chizayon 10: 3-4) ...relate to future events which will be disclosed in their order. Daniy'el will stand in his lot at the end of the days. Yahuwchanon saw the little book [Daniy'el] unsealed. Then Daniy'el's Prophecies have their proper place in the first, second, and third Angels' messages to be given [future] to the world. The unsealing of the little book was a message in relation to TIME."

If one should declare that Daniy'el 12 is literal and applies it to the future, will he not be classified as a "futurist"?

A "futurist" is one who imposes literal applications on Prophecies, regardless of its symbolic nature. Futurists disregard all context! A "futurist" was one who was always determined to divert the gaze from Papal Rome at any and all costs, no matter the damage to the word of Elohiym.

On the other hand, the 'Historicist' asks three questions of any Prophecy:

1. Is the Prophecy figurative, symbolic or literal?
2. Is there any time component in the Prophecy?
3. Has the Prophecy been fulfilled or yet to be fulfilled.

Those of the Historicist "School" of Prophecy Interpretation, from the days of the Protestant Reformation, recognized symbolic-Prophetic passages to be couched in figurative language. They used the Cross-reference method of study to interpret the symbols and the Year-day Computation Principle to interpret the times couched in symbolic text. They pointed the finger directly where it belonged, which in these cases, was at Papal Rome as the fulfillment and persecutor of Elohiym's people, past and future! (See Chizayon (Revelation) 13:1-10).

The Historicist uses both symbolic and literal Prophecy to provide an historical continuum of past, present and future. If one declares Daniy'el 12 to be written in literal language, to apply to the future he will take his place with the great Historicists of the centuries.

Daniy'el 12 | What Method? What Approach?

Is Daniy'el Chapter 12 symbolic or literal? Do we find literal language or symbolic language in the text? Is it for the future or for the past? Could it be a reiteration of the Prophecy of Daniy'el Chapter 7?

In Daniy'el 12 there is no Prophetic symbolism - no image, no beasts, no horns, no crowns, no mountains, no stone, no winds, no eyes, no mouth, none of the Prophetic symbolism often used in Daniy'el or Chizayon (Revelation). It is true that Daniy'el was in vision when he heard the conversation recorded in Daniy'el 12, but still there is no symbolism in the text. Therefore Daniy'el 12 should be read in its most literal sense. .... When Prophetic time periods are couched in the context of symbolic figures, these time periods should be treated as symbolic time and decoded by the Year-day Computation Principle. The timelines of Daniy'el 12 are not couched in symbolic context and should therefore be considered literal time. Prophecy Expositors do not have the right to attempt to decode literal statements of Scripture but must take them in the most "obvious and literal sense." Therefore the "days" spoken of in Daniy'el 12 should be regarded as literal days.

The "Days" Timelines

1. ...the man clothed in linen ...sware...that it shall be for a time, times, and an half ...to scatter the power of the holy people,....
   Daniy'el. 12:7.

"Time" is Prophetic terminology, representing a biblical year of 360 literal (24-hour) days'. It is not symbolic or "Prophetic" time.

2. 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.
   Daniy'el. 12:11.
3. Blessed is he that waiteth and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
   Daniy'el. 12:12.

Prophetic Symbols & Figures | A Discussion

Some Prophecies are written in figurative-symbolic language, such as those of Daniy'el 2, 7, 8, and parts of Chizayon (Revelation). These symbols are those of images, beasts, horns, eyes, mountains, stones, etc. Other Prophecies are written in literal language, such as that of MattithYahuw 24:7, "...there shall be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places." It is Prophecy because it points to the future but it uses no symbolism. It simply points to specific events to occur.

Only those Prophecies which are couched in symbols or figurative language must have those symbols decoded or interpreted. This decoding process or "interpretation" is the first step toward understanding. After the symbol or figure of speech is "interpreted" / "decoded", then an application can be made. Prophecies which are written in literal language do not need to be decoded or interpreted. They need only to be applied to the correct circumstance.

The process of decoding or "interpreting" symbolism is circumscribed to a procedure in which the Bible must be its own Interpreter or Expositor! We are given the following warning which is the first hermeneutic rule of exposition:

Knowing this first, that no Prophecy [Prophetic symbol] of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.

In this process of decoding or interpretation of symbolism, no man is permitted to insert his own private opinions or conjecture as to the meaning of a symbol or figure or type. These meanings must be derived by Cross reference Bible study in which other portions of the Scripture unlock or decode the meaning. This process is described in the scripture below.

Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? ... For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; ... the word of YaHuWaH was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon percept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; ...

Please beloved, note this:
Regardless of the various translations of YeshaYahuw 28 in corrupted Bibles, in which there has been an attempt to discard the Cross-reference or topical study of the Scripture, there remains the context which reinforces this basic hermeneutic in which the Bible remains its own Expositor or "Interpreter" of Prophetic symbolism.

This is why this Ministry recommends these for Bible Study:

• ☞ The KJV
• ☞ The RNKJV

Never use any other translation for Bible Study please. Read them if you must, but do not rely on them for Bible Study. They are mostly corrupted and designed by Satan and the Papacy to deceive and mislead!

If a Prophecy is written in symbolism, the first step toward understanding is the decoding or interpretation of the symbol. Only after that is carefully "nailed down" by Scriptural Cross-reference, can the next step be taken - that of application. An example follows:

THE SYMBOL:

"I saw in my vision ...four great beasts..." Daniy'el 7:2,3.

THE DECODING:

Step No. 1 Interpretation
The Bible interprets the symbols as follows: "These great beasts... are four kings." Daniy'el 7:17.

APPLICATION:

Step No. 2 Application
The four kings, representing kingdoms, are: Babylon , Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.

Only after such "interpretation" of the symbol is complete, can the Prophecy Expositor make an APPLICATION to the correct persons or circumstances. When Prophecy is written without symbolism, then Step No. 1 is eliminated. It then needs no "interpretation." It requires only Step No. 2 - that of Application.

Daniy'el chapters 10, 11 and 12, Daniy'el's last Vision, a clear narration by the Angel Gavriy'el, uses NO SYMBOLISM. It needs only an application to the correct circumstances. The book A WARNING is not an "interpretation" of Daniy'el 12. Daniy'el 12 uses no symbolism, but it contains perplexing terminology which needs to be defined. Therefore the objectives of the book and this website are to:

1. Classify the language form of Daniy'el 12 as "literal."
2. Define its terms with reference to the original Hebrew language.
3. Reduce the KJV's baffling terminology to simple everyday language.
4. Provide linkage between Daniy'el and Chizayon (Revelation).
5. Apply its plain, literal statements to circumstances as described in other Bible passages with endtime Prophetic significance.
6. Proclaim the warning, "that we shall all need to understand."
7. Bring confidence to Elohiym's people as the end approaches.

Skillful Prophecy Expositors see no tension or conflict between literal and symbolic forms of Prophetic utterance. The Historicist "School" of Prophecy Interpretation and Application has used both forms to identify historical-political-spiritual events of the past, present and future. Skillful exposition requires that the Bible student:

1. Recognize the difference between literal and symbolic language.
2. Understand the harmonious relationship between the two Prophecy forms.
3. Permit the Scriptures to decode or "interpret" the symbols.
4. Consistently use the Historicist methods in both forms (symbolic and literal).
5. Make consistent applications, using either form, extending the historical view as new messages emerge as time advances the "unrolling of the scroll."

Crucial Guardrails:

1. One Bible text shall not be permitted to destroy all others on the same subject!
2. Bible verses must be kept in context.
3. One quotation from the Spirit of Prophecy shall not be permitted to destroy all others on the same subject.
4. Quotations from the Spirit of Prophecy must be kept in context of the discussion.
5. Statements by Spirit of Prophecy must be kept in circumstantial and historical setting.

When these hermeneutic principles are followed, the statements of Scripture and Ellen G. White will be found in perfect harmony. A good hermeneutic will solve the problem of careless assumptions and making up excuses to ignore the Scriptures which deal with closing events!

The Literal Approach

Every declaration of Scripture is to be taken in the most obvious and literal sense, except where context and the well-known laws of language show that the terms are figurative, and not literal, and whatever is figurative must be explained by other portions of the Bible which are literal.

The above quotation defines one of the most important hermeneutic rules to be used in a study of the Bible. This is called the Literal Approach and it applies to all parts of the books of the Bible. It is the only approach approved by all Historicists throughout history.

By this Literal Approach all foundations were laid for Adventism and the doctrines now held by the Church. It is therefore no wonder that inspite of her current state of declension, Adventism remains the one Denomination where anyone can find and learn Bible truths untainted by human opinions even though you will have need of a great deal of discernment while there.

This means that Daniy'el 12 must also be subjected to this Literal Approach and guarded by this hermeneutic principle. Again, the reason is that in Daniy'el 12 there is no Prophetic symbolism - no image, no beasts, no horns, no crowns, no mountains, no stone, no winds, no eyes, no mouth, none of the Prophetic symbolism used elsewhere in Daniy'el or Chizayon (Revelation).

Why Should we be intensely focused on Daniy'el 12?

In every age there is a new development of truth, a message of Elohiym to the people of that generation. The old truths are all essential; new truth is not independent of the old, but an unfolding of it. It is only as the old truths are understood that we can comprehend the new. When haMashiyach desired to open to His disciples the truth of His resurrection, He began "at (Moses) Mosheh and all the Prophets" and "expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:27. But it is the light which shines in the fresh unfolding of truth that glorifies the old. He who rejects or neglects the new, does not really possess the old. For him it loses its vital power and becomes but a lifeless form".

We want the past message and the fresh message."

Let us read and study the 12^th chapter of Daniy'el. It Is a warning we shall all need to understand before the time of the end.".

In the Scriptures are presented truths that relate especially to our own time ...The Prophetic periods [timelines] of Daniy'el, extending to the very eve of the great consummation [Second Coming], throw a flood of light upon events then to transpire.

Beloved, the intense focus on Daniy'el chapter 12 is the best investment that we can make today. We are the 'Last Generation'. In these Prophecies, we have guidance, information, counsel and encouragement to see us safely through a time the like of which, no generation before us ever experienced. If you have been following the pattern of events in the USA and around the world, you will be sure to be convinced that we are the 'Last Generation'.