A Verse, Difficult to Understand

And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. (Daniel 12:11)

There are many different interpretations of this verse, and we even had our own different interpretation which is still on our website in the article The Resurrection of the Beast. The first challenge is to correctly understand what the “daily” is. Just take a look in that same article at how many interpretations of the word “daily” exist, from this day all the way back to Josephus in the first century!

The second challenge is to understand the relationship between the “taking away of the daily” and the “setting up of the abomination.” Again, there are many opinions about when these two events take place and whether they occur at the same time, resulting in many different end-time charts with the 1335-, 1290-, and 1260-day periods in various relations to one another.

What is the “Daily”?

Sister White gives us the following statement on the daily:

Then I saw in relation to the “daily” (Daniel 8:12) that the word “sacrifice” was supplied by man’s wisdom, and does not belong to the text, and that the Lord gave the correct view of it to those who gave the judgment hour cry. When union existed, before 1844, nearly all were united on the correct view of the “daily”; but in the confusion since 1844, other views have been embraced, and darkness and confusion have followed. Time has not been a test since 1844, and it will never again be a test. {EW 74.2}

At first glance it would seem that the above quote solves all our problems by telling us exactly that the “daily” is not the “daily sacrifice.” However, a careful reading of the text does not allow us to say that. She speaks of the experience of the Pioneers, saying that they understood the “daily” correctly for their time, but she does not exclude the possibility that the “daily” has other interpretations for other times. Yes, the word “sacrifice” was added by human wisdom, and does not belong to the text, but that does not exclude the possibility that the “daily” could mean the “daily sacrifice” in some applications of the prophecy. Truly the correct view for the Millerite movement was given, and confusion has ensued regarding the meaning of the “daily” for the historical fulfillment, but that does not exclude other views for future applications of the prophecy.

Jesus gave us an example application of the verse:

But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: (Mark 13:14)

He references the verse in Daniel in the context of the destruction of Jerusalem, and the destruction at the end of the world. For now, let’s focus on the destruction of Jerusalem. If the desolation of Jerusalem was its destruction in AD 70, then the abomination that causes the desolation is the besieging of the city by the Roman army. It was precisely this event that signaled the Christians to flee the city and save their lives, which they did at the first opportunity when the army temporarily went back.

If the abomination was the besieging of Jerusalem, what must have been the prerequisite “taking away of the daily”? Paganism was not taken away at that time; it was Jesus Himself that took away the daily sacrifices by dying on the cross at the exact time of the killing of the daily sacrificial lamb.

Let us compare another verse from Daniel that explains in clear terms what the meaning was in Jesus’ day, and what it is for us, too:

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 for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27)

Here in verse 9:27 Daniel tells us first in clear words what he was later referring to in brief words in verse 12:11. Here we see that the first application of the prophecy, which applied to Jesus’ death on the cross, was specifically about the ceasing of the daily sacrifice, which was the prerequisite for the overspreading of abominations resulting in desolation.

Indeed, many Bible translators correctly (perhaps unwittingly) translated the “daily” as the “daily sacrifice.” This is—in light of verse 9:27—the more enduring meaning, the one that applies to Jesus, and the one that applies to the final events which we are witnessing in our day.

Two Events Easily Confounded

At first we thought, like many, that the taking away of the daily sacrifice and the setting up of the abomination must happen at the same time in order for both events to begin the 1290-day period. It is easy to make that mistake because of the structure of the sentence and the use of the word “and” connecting the two events.

We already saw in the previous section that when Jesus “took away” the daily sacrifice, the destruction of Jerusalem did not happen immediately. We did not take that expanded time into account in our modern-day application and fell into another disappointment as a result. Afterward we realized in our studies that the events require a process of time to happen, but it wasn’t until a little later that we received a confirmation of this view that was sitting right under our noses in the Bible Commentary the whole time. The confusion is easily dissipated when we see what the Hebrew language literally says:

11. The daily sacrifice. See on Ch. 8:11. Taken away. The clause may be translated literally, “and from the time of the taking away of the continual, even in order to set up the abomination.” This would indicate that the “taking away” was done with the direct intent of setting up the abomination. The focus may be upon the preparatory “taking away” rather than upon the subsequent “setting up.” {Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 880}

As you can see, according to the original Hebrew, the 1290 days begin with the taking away of the “continual” or daily sacrifice, and the abomination is a separate event that could not happen until after the daily was taken away.

The 1290 Days

Now, let’s explore what exactly happened that took away the daily in Jesus’ day. We know this prophecy was fulfilled by his death on the cross, and by dying on the cross at the exact time of the daily sacrifice, Jesus the antitype “took away” the type. No longer do we have to wonder what the daily slaying of the lamb means, because now we understand the real meaning by looking at Jesus’ death on the cross.

The daily sacrifice was not the only part of the ceremonial system, however. Another part was the feast days, which Jesus also “took away” by instituting the Lord’s Supper in their place. Now we no longer keep the feast days the Jewish way, but we do still keep the Lord’s Supper. Jesus was also our Passover lamb, and by figuratively eating his flesh and drinking his blood we take part in his sacrifice.

There is still a third part of the ceremonial system that was taken away, and this is the most important part and took place in Gethsemane. This is where Jesus, “sorrowful even unto death” (so sad he could die), three times pleaded for a way out. Three times he demonstrated his selfless and supreme love for the Father and the whole universe, saying “Thy will be done.” He was willing to go through with it, no matter what the cost would be.

The taking away of all three parts of the “daily sacrifice” in Jesus’ day met the condition for the abomination of desolation to be set up. Indeed, about 35 years later the Roman armies surrounded Jerusalem, and subsequently destroyed it. This was a type of Daniel 12:11, but not a fulfillment. Remember that the prophecy in Daniel 12 is especially for the last days.

Many Passover Lambs

Growing up as a human being in this world, Jesus had to study the scriptures. He had laid his omniscience aside to take on humanity and had to learn as a human. As he studied, he found himself in the sanctuary, and from its types he recognized his purpose in being born. Because of his understanding of his role in the prophecies, he knew what duties and obligations he needed to fulfill when the time came. He searched the prophecies, understood them, preached them, and fulfilled them. Long before the Passover in AD 31 he announced his death on the cross and his subsequent resurrection. Three times he announced it (Matthew 16:21, 17:22-23, 20:17-19).

Jesus fulfilled the Passover in every way except one: he was not slain in the evening when the Passover lamb was slain. He was slain the next day at the time of the daily sacrifice. That one point has been left open for fulfillment in our day. Many verses also give us the indication that when the 144000 are born, before they grow up into the full stature of Christ, there will be a slaughter of many innocent victims:

In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. (Matthew 2:18)

Three times (including this warning) we announced the massive deaths of innocent lambs of God by the fire that the beast power brings down from heaven (Revelation 13:13). With the help of the Holy Spirit, we search the prophecies, understand them, preach them, and fulfill them. We can fulfill them because we understand our role, and our duties and obligations for the days in which we live. We found ourselves in the heavenly sanctuary in Orion. We found our purpose, understood our obligations, and knew what to do to observe the Lord’s Supper the right day.

The destruction of Jerusalem happened during Passover time when many people from all over were visiting the city. Only the Christians escaped the Roman army because they were under the new covenant in Christ. This is a type for the days in which we live. The antitype is the world-wide destruction of those who haven’t “eaten” the body and blood of Jesus this year. When the beast causes fire to come down from heaven, only those will be safe who prepare their hearts and eat and drink Christ at the coming Lord’s Supper. If you did not participate in the Lord’s Supper correctly this year, please prepare your heart to observe it as we will explain in Part 3.

We arrived at the Lord’s Supper at the end of our 40-day journey into the Most Holy Place (figuratively). That day was the first day of the 1290 days, which began at sunset Thursday, April 5, 2012. The last of the 1290 days will end at the close of Sabbath, October 17, 2015, when the door of the ark will have been closed.

Jesus, Our Example

How did we “take away” the daily sacrifice? In three ways, just like how Jesus “took away” the type in three ways. First of all, by publishing The Clock of God in Orion we show the intercession of Jesus for his people that is taking place right now in heaven. This corresponds to the slaying of the daily sacrificial lamb. The Orion message shows by the wounds in the limbs of our Lord how he has pled his blood for the sins of the Church. It is a personal message for each one of us: do we cherish the same spirit as our forefathers who rejected Christ?

Secondly, in the articles series titled Shadows of the Future, the numbers of the sacrifices are deciphered to show us the duration of the plagues. The real “taking away” happened with the publishing of the countdown to the beginning date of the plagues along with The Vessel of Time presentation. We “took away” the mystery of the sacrificial animals, as the prophecy pertains to our day. It is precisely the beginning of the plagues that marks the time when 144000 people will have been completely purified of sin and will live during the plagues without an intercessor before God.

Finally, and most importantly, we understand the full meaning of our high calling to serve as witnesses for the Father in His trial, and the consequences to the entire universe if we should fail. As we studied the Word, we found ourselves in it just like how Jesus recognized himself in the scriptures. We understand our role, as he understood his. It was this recognition that caused us to pledge our vows to be faithful to the Father, no matter what the cost. After our Lord’s Supper here in Paraguay on the same Jewish day we even realized that we might die in the fire balls, and we accepted that “cup” if that is what it would require for us to be faithful to the Father and to the universe to give this message.

It was love that finally took away the daily. It is love that drives us to continue this ministry. It is love that motivates us to study and share the light we are receiving, even to readers that mock and scorn. We left our homes, our comforts, some of us our families, to do this and are even willing to sacrifice our very lives if necessary, to fulfill our commission.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)

Preparation for Service

We represent both the beginning and the end of Jesus’ ministry. As we are beginning to lead the 144000 into service, we had to go through three tests just like Jesus met three tests in the wilderness at the beginning of his ministry. The first test for us was which one we would esteem more: man’s bread or God’s bread.

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)

In order to enter our “restaurant” we had to first recognize Jesus in the constellation of Orion. This required us to distinguish between man’s opinions and the Word of God. By and large, the majority of Adventists failed the first test because they savored the “no time-setting” bread of man’s imagination more than the Bread of Life Himself standing in Orion.

We ate a long time in our “restaurant” before our little disappointment with regard to what took place on February 27 at the beginning of the 1335 days. It tested whether we really believed and assimilated the messages of Orion and the High Sabbaths, or whether we were just going along eating man’s ideas because they tasted good. We who endured found the following words of Sister White to be true:

The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger—a faith that will not faint though severely tried. The period of probation is granted to all to prepare for that time. Jacob prevailed because he was persevering and determined. His victory is an evidence of the power of importunate prayer. All who will lay hold of God’s promises, as he did, and be as earnest and persevering as he was, will succeed as he succeeded. Those who are unwilling to deny self, to agonize before God, to pray long and earnestly for His blessing, will not obtain it. Wrestling with God—how few know what it is! How few have ever had their souls drawn out after God with intensity of desire until every power is on the stretch. When waves of despair which no language can express sweep over the suppliant, how few cling with unyielding faith to the promises of God. {GC 621.2}

The year and day of Jesus’ coming is indeed a beautiful promise of God, and those of us who clung to that promise endured delay and spiritual hunger for better understanding.

For the second test, Jesus was taken to the pinnacle of the earthly temple. Our study of the High Sabbaths published in the article The Vessel of Time on Sunday, April 1 reveals the history of the earthly sanctuary of Adventism from 1841 to present. We are in 2012 at the pinnacle of that temple. The High Sabbath List confirms all the dates in Orion and includes much more information and detail.

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. (Matthew 12:31-32)

The Son of man is represented by Orion, and those who have rejected Orion can be forgiven. But the evidence is so clear from the High Sabbaths that a person who rejects the message from their vantage point at the pinnacle of the temple, and still refuses to accept the message and repent in the face of such a clear and complimentary sign, has rejected the Holy Spirit to the point that there is no hope for them any longer.

Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them. (Ezekiel 20:12) 

Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. (Matthew 4:7)

Each test is sequential; those who don’t pass the earlier tests will not meet the later tests.

After we understood what really took place on February 27 and what would take place at the end of the 40 days, we recognized our duty to come together for the Lord’s Supper, just like the Israelites were supposed to come together to Jerusalem every year for Passover. Brother John’s invitation to observe the Lord’s Supper at his farm in Paraguay was the third test, as many of us including myself had to leave every worldly thing behind in the full knowledge that circumstances might make it impossible to return.

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Matthew 4:8-10)

Many of us faced terrible problems just to come together in Paraguay for the Lord’s Supper. Some of us had to leave our families & homes, let go of all belongings and worldliness, and even let go of cherished relationships. For me personally, this test of whether I would cherish more the things of this world or the things of heaven was a severe one, but the answer still stands: “It is written:”

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. (Matthew 10:37-39)

Nothing we did was more than our Lord. He also gave up his home, family, and job to fulfill his ministry. Sister White, a mother of several children, also placed God’s cause in its rightful place:

Although the cares that came upon us in connection with the publishing work and other branches of the cause involved much perplexity, the greatest sacrifice I was called to make in connection with the work was to leave my children to the care of others. {1T 101.3}

This three-part warning is coming from the leaders of God’s remnant movement to call the 144000 witnesses from among the churches, so that the 144000 can in turn give the final message of warning to the entire world. As the 144000 read our experiences and trials, they will count the cost and be strengthened to endure their own trials in giving their life fully to God’s cause.

The 1290 days started with our being “ready” to properly observe the Lord’s Supper in full consciousness of our work. During this timeframe, the saints will give their witness for the Father. At the end of the 1290 days on Sabbath, October 17, 2015, the “ark door” will shut seven days before the plagues begin on the High Sabbath of October 24, 2015 to signal our liberation from Babylon.

Conclusion

We stress that we are not prophets and our understanding is growing day-by-day as the Holy Spirit leads. We thought the big disaster event would begin at the Lord’s Supper on April 5 and published public warnings accordingly. Again, we took the safe course. Our experience through the whole Passion Week and after has paralleled the experience of Jesus and the disciples.

We experienced our own personal “garden of Gethsemane.” But we kept studying and praying, with several of the group staying awake in continuous prayer and study until better understanding came. This new light shined on us in our Gethsemane experience like the angel that strengthened Jesus in the garden. We realized that we are walking in the experience of Jesus like no group has ever done before.

As it turned out, on Friday morning we received many mocking e-mails about the message. This corresponds to the insults Jesus received during his mockery of a trial on Friday morning. We even realized that the ministry would “die” with Jesus if the fire balls would not come by the time Jesus died about the ninth hour, and so it was. Brother John shut down the website about the ninth hour for that reason.

As we continued to study and seek understanding of our experiences, the Holy Spirit helped us to see clearly again. We understood that the beginning of the 1290 days was not the beginning of the abomination of desolation, but the prerequisite event that took away the daily sacrifice. After the daily sacrifice was taken away, the abomination could be set up any time after that. Like the angel of the Lord that lightened the sky at the resurrection of Jesus, this new light on the 1290 days “resurrected” our ministry and the website was brought back up on Sunday to give our final warning.

But why was the taking away of the daily sacrifice the prerequisite for the abomination? God was waiting for a long time for his people to be ready:

Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of the Saviour shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim His own. It is the privilege of every Christian, not only to look for, but to hasten, the coming of our Lord. Were all who profess His name bearing fruit to His glory, how quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the gospel! Quickly the last great harvest would be ripened, and Christ would come. {CT 324.3}

The period has begun during which Satan will persecute God’s people without restraint. It began because the faithful leaders were ready. Are you ready too?

Three times Jesus trembled and prayed and asked if it were possible to avoid the cup. Three times he surrendered His will to the Father. It has been hard for us to give these warnings, especially in the face of ridicule and disbelief, and we have counted every earthly thing loss to do it. We gave two warnings so far, one for February 27, and another for April 5. We have one more warning to give in the third part of this series.

Figure 1: The Start of the 1290 Days

Figure 2: The End of the 1290 Days and the 7 Days

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