Sabbath, October 29, 2022
The Sanctuary Grossly Disrespected
“… 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.
“Honored by men with the responsibilities of state and with the secrets of kingdoms bearing universal sway, Daniel was honored by God as His ambassador, and was given many revelations of the mysteries of ages to come. His wonderful prophecies, as recorded by him in chapters 7 to 12 of the book bearing his name, were not fully understood even by the prophet himself; but before his life labors closed, he was given the blessed assurance that ‘at the end of the days’–in the closing period of this world’s history–he would again be permitted to stand in his lot and place. It was not given him to understand all that God had revealed of the divine purpose. ‘Shut up the words, and seal the book,’ he was directed concerning his prophetic writings; these were to be sealed ‘even to the time of the end.’” –Prophets and Kings, p. 547.
SUNDAY
1. What power was to arise and expand? According to the prophecy, what kind of power would that be, and when was it to arise?
Daniel 8:9, 23 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceed- ing great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land…. 23And 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.
“A third power is here introduced into the prophecy. In the explanation given to Daniel by the angel of this symbol, is not described as definitely as are Medo-Persia and Greece….
“It has been an easy matter to show that the little horn does not denote Antiochus. It will be as easy to show that it does denote Rome….
“Rome meets all the specifications of the prophecy. No other power does meet them. Hence Rome, and no other, is the power in question.” –Uriah Smith, The Prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation, 1944, pp. 156, 158, 162.
MONDAY
The little horn
2. How would this little horn act against God’s people, the Prince, and the sanctuary?
Daniel 8:10-12, English Standard Version It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them. 11It set itself up to be as great as the commander of the army of the Lord; it took away the daily sacrifice from the Lord, and his sanctuary was thrown down.12Because of rebellion, the Lord’s people and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground.
“The little horn ‘waxed great, even to [against, margin] the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground.’ Rome did this also. In this expression two figures are introduced, ‘the host’ and ‘the stars.’ When used in a symbolic sense concerning events taking place on earth, these figures refer almost always to the people of God and their leaders. In verse 13 of this chapter we read that both the sanctuary and the host will be trodden under foot. Here undoubtedly reference is made to God’s people and the place of their worship. The stars would naturally represent the leaders of the work of God. This thought is further indicated in one of the applications of Revelation 12:4 where we read that the great red dragon, a symbol of Rome, cast down a third part of the stars to the ground.
“The little horn magnified himself even to the Prince of the host. Rome alone did this. In the interpretation (verse 25) the little horn is said to ‘stand up against thePrince of princes.’ This is clearly an allusion to the crucifixion of our Lord under the jurisdiction of the Romans.” – Uriah Smith, The Prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation, p. 159.
TUESDAY
3. What did one angel ask another? Does this question imply that the hei- nous work of the little horn would be short-lived?
Daniel 8:13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that cer- tain 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?
“These two verses [13 and 14] of Daniel 8 close the vision proper. They introduce the one remaining point which of all others would naturally be of most absorbing interest to the prophet and to the church, namely, the length of time the desolating powers previously brought to view were to continue. How long shall they continue their course of oppression against God’s people? If time had been given, Daniel might have asked this question himself, but God ever anticipates our desires, and sometimes answers them before we ask.” – Uriah Smith, The Prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation, p. 162.
WEDNESDAY
A prophecy of long duration
4. What was the other angel’s response? How long would it take before the cleansing of the sanctuary would take place? Are these literal or prophetic days?
Daniel 8:14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
“‘Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.’ Following his rule of making Scripture its own interpreter, Miller learned that a day in symbolic prophecy represents a year (Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6); he saw that the period of 2300 prophetic days, or literal years, would extend far beyond the close of the Jewish dispensation, hence it could not refer to the sanctuary of that dispensation.” –The Great Controversy, p. 324.
“God’s people are now to have their eyes fixed on the heavenly sanctuary, where the final ministration of our great High Priest in the work of the judgment is going forward–where He is interceding for His people.” –(Review and Herald, November 27, 1883) Evangelism, p. 223.
THURSDAY
5. Did Daniel understand the vision that he had been given? According to the angel’s explanation, to what time does the vision refer?
Daniel 8:15-17 And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. 16And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. 17So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Under- stand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.
“We now enter upon the interpretation of the vision. We have already mentioned Daniel’s longing to understand these things. He sought for the meaning. Immediately there stood before the prophet one who had the appearance of a man. Daniel heard a man’s voice, that is, the voice of an angel as of a man speaking. The commandment was given to make this man Daniel understand the vision. It was addressed to Gabriel, a name that signifies ‘the strength of God, or ‘man of God.’ He continues his instruction to Daniel in chapter 9.” – Uriah Smith, The Prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation, p. 187.
FRIDAY
6. What did the angel repeat? Then, why is it not possible to apply the vision to the Greek Empire and its time?
Daniel 8:23, 18, 19 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…. 18Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright. 19And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.
“This power succeeds to the four divisions of the goat kingdom in the latter time of their kingdom, that is, toward the termination of their career. It is of course the same as the little horn of verse 9 and onward. Apply it to Rome, as set forth in remarks on verse 9, and all is harmonious and clear.” – Uriah Smith, The Prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation, p. 189.
SABBATH
The prophesied power
7. What would God’s people suffer under the iron rule? Even whom would this power go against? What world power fulfilled this prophecy?
Daniel 8:24-26 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. 25And 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. 26And 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.
Luke 2:1, 6, 7; 3:1, 2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed…. 6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn…. 3:1Now in the fif- teenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, 2Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
“Rome has been distinguished above all other powers for a policy of craft, by means of which it brought the nations under its control. This is true of both paganand papal Rome. Thus by peace it destroyed many. Finally, in the person of one of its governors, Rome stood up against the Prince of princes, by giving sentence of death against Jesus Christ. ‘But he shall be broken without hands.’ This parallels the prophecy of Daniel 2:34, where the stone ‘cut out without hands’ destroys all earthly powers…. ‘The vision of the evening and the morning’ refers to the period of 2300 days. In view of the long period of oppression, and the calamities which were to come upon his people, Daniel fainted and was sick certain days. He was astonished at the vision, but did not understand it.” – Uriah Smith, The Prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation, pp. 190, 191.
Only that which reflects His character can endure
“From the rise and fall of nations as made plain in the books of Daniel and the Revelation, we need to learn how worthless is mere outward and worldly glory. Babylon, with all its power and magnificence, the like of which our world has never since beheld–power and magnificence which to the people of that day seemed so stable and enduring–how completely has it passed away! As ‘the flower of the grass,’ it has perished. James 1:10. So perished the Medo-Persian kingdom, and the kingdoms of Grecia and Rome. And so perishes all that has not God for its foundation. Only that which is bound up with His purpose, and expresses His character, can endure. His principles are the only steadfast things our world knows.” –Prophets and Kings, p. 548.
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Missionary Report for the University in Guatemala
To be read on Sabbath, October 29, 2022
The Special Sabbath School Offering
will be gathered on Sabbath, November 5, 2022
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom:…” Proverbs 9:10.
The Scientific College of Computer Studies is one of the educational centers around the world that has received support from the General Conference. The Col-lege is located in the city of Coatepeque in southern Guatemala, thirty minutes from the Mexican border. The school was created, authorized, and operated under the Departmental Directorate of the Ministry of Education of Guatemala under Res- olution No. 156-9, dated October 6, 1995. This is an educational institution that offers three levels of study–Complete Primary, Basic, and Diversified. Having met the requirements for these three levels makes this college a pre-university school. It belongs to the International Missionary Society, Seventh-day Adventist Church, Reform Movement, Guatemalan Field, and the General Conference as co-owners of the school and facilities.
According to the master plan for the levels of education, we now have the oppor- tunity to begin the process of opening a university, following God’s plan as written in Child Guidance, p. 306: “Church schools are to be established for the children in the cities, and in connection with these schools provision is to be made for the teaching of higher studies, where these are called for.”
Today we have the opportunity to move forward with this project, and we pray that with God’s guidance we can comply with the procedures for advancing higher education and very soon have a university that belongs to the church. This will give many of our young people the opportunity to complete their advanced studies.
So far, we have had interviews with members of the Superior Council of Rec- tors of Private Universities, who have provided the guidelines for the facilities, sixmodules of which have already been completed. One requirement to be authorized as a university is that we complete construction of the two modules for the second level, after which we will have constructed eight modules (four for the first level and four for the second level). Thanks to the support of the General Conference, we have begun such construction and have thus completed the requirement. At the same time, there is a group of professional brethren who are working on the curriculum so that we will have all the documents requested by the Superior Council of Rectors of Private Universities, which will decide about the approval of the operation of the uni- versity. The plan is for the university to be approved for in-person instruction under the Faculty of Humanities and at the same time to operate a virtual-learning system so the brothers and sisters in other countries may have virtual access to the school.
Therefore, we appeal to all our dear brothers, sisters, friends, and supporters from all over the world: Please make a financial contribution, according to the bless-ings that you have received from God, so that this project of the Scientific University in the Americas may become a reality. We believe that God will continue to provide means through the generosity of His children who desire the church’s educational institutions to be a means for preaching the gospel so that many people will come to the knowledge of the truth. God bless you.
–Danilo Monterroso
Latin American Division Leader