2300 DAY PROPHECY OF DANIEL

In conjunction with this page, please see our page - WAS THE ATONEMENT FINISHED AT THE CROSS?

Revelation 11:1 ...'And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.'

The 2300 day prophecy in Daniel is the longest time prophecy in the Bible and is of vital importance to understand, and yet the truth of this important prophecy is rarely heard today. But on this page you will see this great prophecy come to light. Please prayerfully study this subject and ask God to guide you.

Daniel 8:13-14 ...'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 two thousand and three hundred days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.'

There are two sanctuaries mentioned in Daniel 8. In verse 11, we have 'miqdash', which can be a sanctuary dedicated to either God or an idol. And in verses 13 and 14 we have 'qodesh', which refers specifically to a holy place of God. So "the sanctuary" to be cleansed at the end of this 2300 day time period, as mentioned above refers to a holy place of God. Was it the sanctuary of God on earth that was cleansed as many believe, or the heavenly sanctuary where God the Father and Christ are today?

Let us confirm an important point first. The majority of other Christians believe that this prophecy relates to a literal 2300 DAYS, and that it was fulfilled by Antiochus Epiphanes somewhere between 175BC and 164BC. Antiochus is known to have defiled the temple in Jerusalem with pig sacrifices and therefore many believe the 'cleansing of the sanctuary' points to the overthrowing of Antiochus and cleansing the sanctuary of his pig sacrifices. But please note: Where does God ever say in His Word that His temple could be 'cleansed' by the overthrowing of heathen kings and removing their unclean sacrifices? We clearly read that the sanctuary (whether on earth or in heaven) can only be cleansed by blood, to cleanse it of the sin of God's OWN people (See Leviticus 16:16-19 and Hebrews 9:22-23). So if we are to study this in light of what scripture says, rather than man's ideas, then the cleansing of the sanctuary is dealing with cleansing God's temple with blood to make atonement for HIS people.

Leviticus 16:16-19 ...'And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of THEIR transgressions in all THEIR sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness. And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel. And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the Lord, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about. And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.'

In other words ... "unto two thousand and three hundred days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed" of the sins of MY people. Do you see?

Let us look at some more points to show why the mainstream view of this prophecy, placing the 2300 days as LITERAL days back in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes is error.

Daniel 8:17 ...'So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.'

So the vision concerning the 2300 was to be fulfilled and revealed at the 'time of the end.' When is this? Let us look at some other verses dealing with the 'time of the end.'

Daniel 12:4 ...'But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.'

Daniel 11:40 ...'And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.'

Daniel 12:9 ...'And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.'

So this vision was to be sealed until the time of the end. And if we study the way God wants us to study, we must use scripture to interpret scripture. So how do we understand the term 'time of the end' in Daniel? Well, we all know that Daniel 11 is an historical account from the time of Darius the Mede, one of the kings of the ram in Daniel 8:3, until the last days just before Jesus Christ returns. Now does anyone believe that the term 'time of the end' in verse 40 of Daniel 11 is referring to the time around Antiochus Epiphanes? No. We all know this is speaking of the past couple hundred years. The time of the end CANNOT be way back in the days of Antiochus. No, this has to be closer to our day today. Remember, Daniel was told in Daniel 8:17 that "at the time of the end shall be the vision." Or in other words, at the time of the end shall the vision be fulfilled. This could not be fulfilled all the way back in the days of Antiochus.

See WHY ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES CANNOT BE THE LITTLE HORN OF DANIEL 8 for evidence of this.

See DANIEL 11 AND THE KING OF THE NORTH for a more detailed study on Daniel 11.

This is the first evidence that the 2300 days prophecy cannot be literal days.

The vision in Daniel 8 begins with the ram and the goat. Gabriel tells Daniel that the ram and the goat are the kingdoms of Medo/Persia and Greece (vs.20-21). Why was Daniel shown these animals representing these two kingdoms? In Daniel 7, Medo Persia and Greece are represented as a bear and a leopard. But now here they are a ram and a goat. This is because the vision is dealing with the sanctuary of God and these are sanctuary animals (ram - Leviticus 5:15, goat - Leviticus 9:15). This shows Medo Persia and Greece are clearly INVOLVED in the vision. God shows them as sanctuary animals because the vision is about the sanctuary, which means they must have some part to play in this vision. This is key to understand. So if they are involved in the vision, then the length of the vision MUST include those kingdoms. And when we look into the 70 weeks prophecy of Daniel 9 further down, we will see that it is connected to the 2300 day prophecy and the 70 week prophecy begins with the command to restore and build Jerusalem given by a PERSIAN king.

Let me give you an example from previous prophecies. In Daniel 2 we have the vision of the image - head of gold, chest of silver, etc, etc. This vision deals with ALL those nations, right? And includes their history. The same with Daniel 7. The vision includes the history of Babylon (lion), Medo Persia (bear), Greece (leopard) and Rome (terrible beast, including ten horns [nations of divided Europe and little horn - Papal Rome). The vision INCLUDES the history of those nations. And so the same with Daniel 8. Unless we invent some new strange way of Bible study, this vision must include the history of Medo Persia, Greece and the little horn power. Thus 2300 literal days is just NOT enough time! If they are merely there to simply add context and bring us to the little horn, then why did God remove Babylon from the vision? Why? Because the vision was in the 'third year of Belshazzar' (Daniel 8:1) when Babylon was about to fall, therefore Babylon would not be involved in the vision of Daniel 8, even though it was still officially ruling. Therefore God removes Babylon from the vision. This adds more weight to the point that Medo Persia and Greece must be involved in the 2300 day prophecy.

This is another evidence that the 2300 days prophecy cannot be literal days.

The 2300 day prophecy deals with BOTH the 'daily' AND the 'transgression of desolation' if you read Daniel 8:13. Now Daniel 11:31 even mentions BOTH the daily and the abomination that makes desolate (transgression of desolation), which the 2300 day prophecy is dealing with. And yet Daniel 11:31 where we are told the daily is taken away to place the abomination of desolation, is all the way down towards the end of the rule of the Roman Empire in the 6th centrury AD, and has NOTHING to do with Antiochus Epiphanes. Showing again, the 2300 day timeline is MUCH longer than 2300 literal days.

This is another evidence that the 2300 days cannot be literal days, nor dealing with Antiochus.

Now take a look at another point which shows the little horn cannot be dealing with anyone back in the days of Antiochus. Compare Verse 10 of Daniel 8 and Revelation 12:4:

Daniel 8:10 ...'And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.'

Revelation 12:4 ...'And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.'

The dragon in Revelation 12 represents Satan, but also represents Pagan Rome, as you can see from our page WHO IS THE 7 HEADED BEAST OF REVELATION? The books of Revelation and Daniel are closely linked and explain each other. The dragon and the little horn are the same power - Rome (first Pagan, then Papal Rome).

Daniel 12 also deals the 2300 day prophecy because in verse 11 it mentions the 'taking away of the daily and placing the abomination that makes desolate.' Now the question is asked in verse 6 of Daniel 12 ... "How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?" The response in verse 7 is ... "it shall be for a time, times and a half." Have we anywhere else in Daniel that mentions this time? Yes! We are told that the 'little horn' of Daniel 7 will rule for "a time, times and dividing of time" (vs.25). So putting these two together, we HAVE to conclude that this 'time, times and half a time' is INCLUDED in the timeframe of the 2300 day prophecy. Daniel 12:6-11 confirms it.

Now there are two lines of thought regarding the 4 beasts and little horn of Daniel 7. One line of thought says that the fourth beast which the little horn comes out of is the Roman Empire. The other line of thought is that it is one of the nations in the very last days today. The truth is that the fourth beast is the Roman Empire, as verse 23 of Daniel 7 says this fourth beast is the 'fourth kingdom upon earth.' That is, the fourth world ruling kingdom since Babylon (the first). The point is, this 'little' horn that comes out of the fourth beast and rules for a 'time, times and half a time', which is INCLUDED in the 2300 day prophecy CANNOT be way back in the time of Antiochus! Do you see this? Whether you believe the fourth kingdom to be Rome or a nation in the last days today, that 'little horn' rules DURING the 'time, times and half a time' which is PART of the 2300 day prophecy. Therefore it CANNOT be back in the days of Antiochus.

The 'time, times and half a time' points to the 1260 years that Papal Rome (abomination of deosolation) ruled, from 538AD to 1798AD. This is INCLUDED in the 2300 'days' and is another evidence that the 2300 days prophecy cannot be literal days.

Daniel is given a BIG picture of things to take place and yet people want to squeeze it into a very small timeframe of just a few years!

In Daniel 2, God gave Nebuchadnezzar a dream of the image, which God interpreted through Daniel as being the main kingdoms to rule the world since the time of Babylon until the end and second coming of Christ. The rest of Daniel, including its visions and the book of Revelation also, are expansions and investigations of the image in Daniel 2. And what kingdom arose after Greece? Rome. What was the fourth kingdom in Daniel 7 which the little horn comes out of? Rome. As Nebuchadnezzar was an idolater, God gave him a vision of an image to represent the desolating powers of the world. Whereas, God gave Daniel a vision of 4 beasts to represent the same and expand on it. So if we are studying God's Word as we should, comparing scripture with scripture, then we should be able to see that the little horn that arises out of one of the four divisions of Alexander's empire (Greece) is in fact ROME. Daniel chapters 2, 7, 8 and 11 confirms this as fact.

Think about this - Daniel was told that the 4th kingdom of chapter 7 was DIVERSE from all the others (Daniel 7:7,23). Why? Because it CHANGED from being the 'daily' (desolation) to the 'transgression of desolation.' Rome CHANGED from being PAGAN Rome (the 'daily') to PAPAL Rome (the 'transgression of desolation'). And Revelation 13 confirms this by saying the dragon (Satan and Pagan Rome) gave its seat and authority over to the beast (Papal Rome).

It is important to use both Daniel and Revelation to understand the prophecies. In Daniel we have a broad view of the powers that were to rule the world until Christ returns. It is clear from Daniel 2 and Daniel 7 that Rome would become the 'desolating' power until the end. So why would God in Daniel 8 then go back to just one king (Antiochus) who by the way was subject to Rome, and give a great prophecy concerning him, covering numerous chapters (8-12)? It makes no sense. Also Revelation 12 and 13 confirm that Pagan Rome becomes Papal Rome (7 headed dragon becomes 7 headed beast), which confirms the 'daily' desolation becoming the 'transgression of desolation' - Pagan Rome becoming Papal Rome. Remember, the 'iron' in Nebuchadnezzar's image - ROME - was to CONTINUE right until the second coming. Rome is that power which would 'wax exceeding great' and cast truth and the host of God to the ground, until the end.

Taking into account all the evidences above, we should be able to see that the 2300 days are not literal days, but prophetic days, which actually equate to 2300 years. This also lines up with the fact that the 70 weeks prophecy of Daniel 9 is PART of the 2300 day vision, because at the end of Daniel 8 it says that no one understood the 2300 day vision. Then in Daniel 9, Gabriel says he has come to give Daniel understanding about THE VISION. What vision? The only one that is not understood is the 2300 "days". Gabriel then goes on to explain the 70 weeks prophecy, which everyone agrees is not 70 literal weeks (490 days), but 490 YEARS. So the 2300 prophetic "days" also HAVE to be YEARS.

And this all falls into line with the DAY FOR A YEAR principle in Bible prophecy.

Another reason why the 70 weeks prophecy has to be part of the 2300, is that without the 70 weeks which Gabriel gives to help Daniel understand the 2300 "days" (years), we would not have a starting point for the 2300 years, which would render that prophecy useless. But with the 70 weeks, we have a starting date.

So to get a complete picture of this "vision" and a true understanding of it, let's start in Daniel 8, which is where this 2300 day "vision" begins. Daniel 8:2 ...'And I saw in a vision' ... So Daniel is now in a vision.

(v3) ...'Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns.'

(v5) ...'And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.'

Notice that these two animals are animals that were used in the Old Testament sanctuary service. As mentioned earlier, this shows that Medo-Persia and Greece are connected to this timeline. So just to confirm without doubt the identity of these two animals, let us read what Gabriel says.

Daniel 8:20-21 ...'The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.'

Then in verse 9 we have this little horn that comes out from one of 'the four horns,' (4 kingdoms which Greece split into). Some say that the little horn comes out of one of the 4 directions, but we believe the verse is saying that the horn comes out of one of the four horns. So how could Rome be seen to come out of one of the four kingdoms that Greece split into? Well, we know that Greece settled in Italy and had a big influence on Rome. Also during the wars with Macedonia many Greeks united with Rome to form a Roman-Greek army, enabling Rome to finally conquer Macedonia after three wars and go on to rule the world. So it truly can be said that Rome came up from one of those 4 Grecian kingdoms. Let's look at this 'little horn'.

For further study on this little horn, please see our page - WHY ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES CANNOT BE THE LITTLE HORN OF DANIEL 8 for clear evidence why Antiochus cannot be the little horn.

Daniel 8:9-12 ...'And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of the sanctuary was cast down. And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.'

So this little horn, which rises after Greece 'waxes exceeding great', coming from the West, and conquers lands in the South, the East and also the 'pleasant land', which is Palestine. This refers in the first instance to the Pagan Roman Empire, which ruled also during the first advent of Christ and put Christ on the cross. Hence the term 'magnified himself, even to the prince of the host.'.

You will see from our page above (WHY ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES CANNOT BE THE LITTLE HORN) that Rome is the only power that matches the little horn. So Rome was to take away the 'daily' (the word 'sacrifice' is added and does not belong in the text), and place 'the abomination that makes desolate.' Many people read the word 'sacrifice' and believe that this points to the Jewish sacrifice. But when the sacrifices or offerings are mentioned in the Bible, the words 'sacrifice' or 'offering' are given. But in this instance, there is no such word, only that which the translators added. In verse 13 we are told that the sanctuary and the host was to be trodden underfoot. So we are looking at a desolation. A 'daily' desolation and also the placing of the 'abomination of desolation.' What greater desolating power has their been than Rome? We are even told in Daniel 2 and Nebuchadnezzar's image that the 'strength' of Rome would continue right up to the second coming of Christ.

Daniel 8:11-12 ...'Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily [sacrifice] was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. And an host was given [him] against the daily [sacrifice] by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.'

So this little horn power magnifies himself to the prince of the host of heaven, which must be Christ. The little horn power takes away the 'daily' (desolation), casts down the place of his (the little horn's) sanctuary and a host is then given (the word 'him' is supplied) against the 'daily' (desolation) to place the abomination of desolation, which would cast truth to the ground and practice and prosper. What power magnified itself even to Christ and against Christ? Rome crucified our Lord! And what did Emperor Constantine do? He left Rome (the place of his sanctuary) and set up his capital in Constantinople around 330AD, then exhorted his subjects to embrace Christianity - albeit a false, Paganised Christianity - and began to place the abomination of desolation - the Papal Church of Rome. A host was then given to take away the daily (Pagan desolation) and fully place the abomination of desolation (Papal - false Christian - desolation). History confirms that the conversion of king Clovis of France to Catholicism in 496AD was instrumental in supplying the 'arms' to Rome, subjecting the Arian Goths and placing the Roman Catholic Church as the head of both church and state. Daniel 11 also confirms this:

Daniel 11:31 ...'And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.'

The apostle Paul spoke of this event ...2 Thessalonians 2:6-12 ...'And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.'

What else could Paul be speaking of here of 'taking away', then placing and 'revealing' that wicked, other than the taking away of the daily in Daniel 8 and placing the abomination of desolation? And what was 'withholding' and preventing that full revealing of the man of sin or abomination of desolation (Papal Rome)? Pagan Rome, the power ruling in Pauls day!

The 'host' that is given 'against the daily' in Daniel 8:12 is the same as what we see in Daniel 11:31, where 'arms shall stand on his part' ... 'to take away the daily'. The once Pagan kings of Europe gave their allegiance to Catholicism and helped Papal Rome replace Pagan Rome as the new power of the world. In 533AD, Emperor Justinian decreed that the Bishop of Rome was to be 'head of all Christian churches'. Then in 538AD, when the last 'enemy' of Papal Rome, the Ostrogoths, were defeated, Justinian's decree could be fully implemented, and Papal Rome now ruled the world. And thus Satan could truly now 'cast down the truth' through this apostate power, cloaked as a 'Christian Church', and continue to wage war against God, His truth and His people. Which he did for the next 1260 years through the Papacy (Daniel 7:25), until the Papal Church was 'dethroned' in 1798 by the French Army.

So 'the vision concerning the daily AND the transgression of desolation' in Daniel 8:13 refers to Paganism AND the Papacy. The two 'desolating powers' through which Satan waged war against God, His Son, and His people.

Now in verse 13, Daniel asks for what length of time will the vision be, and the answer in vs.14 is 2300 days, and then 'the sanctuary will be cleansed'. As we learned at the start of this study, the 2300 days HAS to be prophetic 'days', which in fact are 2300 literal years, because this vision spans the time of Medo-Persia, Greece, Pagan and Papal Rome. And we must also note that the Hebrew word for 'sanctuary' here is different from the one used regarding the 'Roman sanctuary' in vs.11. The Hebrew word here for sanctuary is 'qodesh', which means a 'holy place' set apart by God. So this sanctuary must be the real holy sanctuary in heaven where God's throne is. So the 'cleansing' at the end of the 2300 years must be a cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary, where Jesus Christ is now our High Priest, in fulfillment of the 'day of atonement' type in the Old Testament sanctuary.

Now there is a deeper, more important meaning to the cleansing of the sanctuary connected to God's people today, which we will get into further down the page.

At this point we do not have a starting date for this 2300 years. So we need to continue on into chapter 9, because at the end of Chapter 8, Daniel says that he became sick from the vision and could not understand it. But we will see the angel Gabriel come back in chapter 9 to reveal the all important starting point of the 2300 days (years).

Daniel 9:21-23 ...'Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.'

So we know that whatever Gabriel is about to say, it is connected with the vision of the 2300 days (years) in chapter 8, because at the end of that vision Daniel says that it could not be understood, and there is no other vision that Daniel needs understanding about. So now Gabriel has come to give Daniel understanding.

Look at what it says above in Daniel 9. "Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning" came to give Daniel understanding of the vision. The ONLY vision where Daniel saw Gabriel is the vision in Daniel 8 (Daniel 8:16-18). So clearly, what Gabriel is about to explain in Daniel 9 and also further chapters, is PART of the 2300 day vision in Daniel 8. And when Gabriel says "consider the vision" in Daniel 9:23, he doesn't give Daniel a new vision, but simply an explanation. Therefore, the vision that Daniel was to "consider" in this explanation is the vision of chapter 8 - the 2300 days.

In Daniel 8, Gabriel explains most of the vision to Daniel, apart from the time apsect of it. And what is the first thing Gabriel mentions in Daniel 9 when he comes to give Daniel understanding of the vision? Time:

Daniel 9:24-27 ...'Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 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.'

Now this is what we needed to understand the 2300 "days" (years). A starting date! There is no other starting date in Daniel for the 2300 years, and as stated above, Gabriel had come to give Daniel understanding about the vision concerning the 2300. So this 70 weeks prophecy HAS to be connected with the 2300. There is no doubt whatsoever that the decree to restore Jerusalem is the starting date. Now if you read the 70 weeks of Daniel study, you will see that the starting date for this decree is 457 B.C. Please prayerfully study Daniel's 70 weeks prophecy, because it is a powerful time prophecy and there is no doubt whatsoever that Daniel's 70 weeks and the 2300 have the same starting date of 457 B.C. when Artaxerxes decreed that the rebuilding of Jerusalem could continue and be completed.

Note: As we confirmed at the start of this study, the vision of the 2300 years prophecy starts with Medo-Persia. And who gave the command to complete the restoration of Jerusalem and it's temple, starting the 70 week prophecy? Artaxerxes, the PERSIAN King! So this matches the start of the 70 weeks and the 2300 years.

Now there is pretty much universal agreement that the 70 weeks prophecy is not 70 literal weeks, but rather 490 YEARS. What many miss is that these two prophetic times are connected, meaning the 2300 'days' must also be YEARS.

Now some people say that this 70 'weeks' actually means 'weeks of YEARS' in the original Hebrew, which is different from the 2300 'days.' But when you see that Gabriel is come to Daniel to explain the vision in Daniel 8, then what Gabriel gives in Daniel 9 MUST be connected to the vision in Daniel 8 and helps to EXPLAIN and give UNDERSTANDING of the vision in Daniel 8. So the 2300 days must also be prophetic days and actually be years, otherwise the explanation in Daniel 9 gives no help or understanding whatsoever to Daniel 8.

Some people also have an issue with the fact that the 2300 days are said to be 'evenings and mornings,' and are thus literal days, not prophetic. But if we take into account that we are dealing with the sanctuary in this vision, then we understand why Gabriel describes a 'day' in this way. The same reason Medo Persia and Greece are pictured in sanctuary language (ram and goat). It is still prophetic, but given in sanctuary language, because that is what the vision is dealing with.

Daniel 8:13 ...'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?'

Daniel 8:14 ...'Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.'

As we have learned above, the 'daily' is referring to Paganism and the 'transgression of desolation' is referring to the Papal Church of Rome, an abominable union of church and state. So the question is asked ...'how long will the vision of Paganism and the Papacy trampling upon God's church and sanctuary/law be?' And the answer is, 2300 years.

Now if you have done the study of the 70 weeks, you will see that Gabriel says in Daniel 9:24 that the 70 weeks, which are connected to the 2300 are "determined" for Israel. And that word determined in the original language means "TO CUT OFF". But to cut off from what? To cut off from the 2300 "days" (years). So the first 490 years of this 2300 year prophecy is specifically for the nation of Israel.

And what does that show? It shows that the 2300 cannot be placed into the end times, because the 70 "weeks" are PART OF the 2300 year time frame. And with the 70 weeks being 490 literal years, the 2300 also has to be years.

The 70 "weeks" start at the command to rebuild Jerusalem, which is 457BC. So the 2300 years HAVE to start at the same point, because there is no other starting point given for the 2300. And Gabriel confirmed that he had come to give Daniel understanding concerning the 2300 day vision. So the 70 weeks HAVE to be part of the 2300 and the starting date HAS to be the same for both. So going 2300 years from 457BC we reach the date of when the sanctuary would be cleansed and when the truth would be restored. And that date is the year 1844.

Note: As we confirmed at the start of this study, the vision of the 2300 years prophecy starts with Medo-Persia. And who gave the command to complete the restoration of Jerusalem and it's temple, starting the 70 week prophecy? Artaxerxes, the PERSIAN King! So this matches the start of the 70 weeks and the 2300 years.

So after 2300 years of suppression by Pagan powers (the daily) and the Papacy (transgression of desolation). God was to do something. He was going to lift the oppression of Paganism and the Papacy and restore the truth to His remnant people. He was also, as the scripture says, going to 'cleanse the heavenly sanctuary'.

At the start of the 19th century a man called William Miller (a baptist) came to the truth about the 2300 day prophecy, that it would come to an end in 1844. Now because the word "sanctuary" in this prophecy was widely accepted as meaning the earth, William Miller believed that the "cleansing of the sanctuary" meant the earth would be cleansed, meaning Christ would return then. So he started preaching this and many people came out of the different denominations to join this new "advent movement", expecting Christ to return in 1844.

When Christ didn't return in 1844 the believers went through a bitter disappointment, and although many left that movement, a "remnant" remained to re-study that prophecy, because they knew that they had the right year, 1844. After careful study of the prophecy and Hebrews 8 and 9, they realized that the sanctuary wasn't the earth, but rather the ORIGINAL sanctuary in heaven where Christ intercedes for us, upon which the earthly Old Testament sanctuary was a copy.

These believers then came to the truth that Jesus had moved into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary to begin judging the world, which Daniel 7:13 confirms. Just as the earthly high priest would move into the most holy place on the day of atonement to "cleanse" the earthly sanctuary of the people's sins (Leviticus 16), Christ moved into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary to begin cleansing it and to begin judgment. Hence the phrase "until two thousand three hundred days, then the sanctuary shall be cleansed." (you can read in Hebrews 8 and 9 about Christ's role as our High Priest).

Now because of this wrong application of the event in 1844, thinking that Christ would return. Many Christians today say that it shows the advent movement was a false one and not of God. Well, all the apostles thought that Jesus was going to deliver them from the Romans. They believed in Jesus, but they got the 'event' wrong concerning Christ. Does this make the apostles, false apostles? No. The same with our Adventist pioneers. Also, what people don't realise is that this event (1844) was actually prophesied to happen to God's people.

Revelation 10:1-11 ...'And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven ... And he had in his hand a little book open ... and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel ... And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.'

What "little book" could this be referring to? Well, there was only one that had been "closed and sealed", and that was the prophecy of Daniel. Specifically, the 2300 day vision (Daniel 8:26). And during the time of William Miller, this prophecy was "opened". And what happened when William Miller and his followers "ate" this prophecy? It was sweet in their mouths (coming of Christ in 1844), but bitter in their belly (Christ didn't return). Then they were to discover the truth and take that truth to the world through the new advent movement that was formed ("prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.")

Now when this group of Advent believers in 1844 came to the truth about the time of judgment beginning, they saw within the most holy place in heaven, the ark of God's covenant ... Revelation 11:19 ...'And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.' ... And what is inside God's ark of His testament (covenant)? The ten commandments! That 'rod' by which God's people are 'measured' as confirmed in Revelation 11:1.

Revelation 11:1 ...'And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.'

We can clearly see that a 'measuring' of God's people was to take place, and this is what the pioneers termed 'the investigative judgment.' Many lost truths at the hands of the Roman Catholic Church had been restored during the Protestant reformation, but now the truth of the ten commandments, God's great moral law of love, INCLUDING the sabbath day truth, and many other truths had finally been restored and revealed, and the three angels messages, God's final warning to the world could now be proclaimed before Jesus returns at the second coming.

This is a common objection against the "investigative judgment" teaching, even though Revelation 11:1 as we shared above, clearly shows that God's people are to be 'measured' (investigated, judged). Now Romans 8:1 is a typical verse used against the investigative judgment truth. But if we read Romans 8:1 properly, we can see that it doesn't mean what some people think it means:

Romans 8:1 ...'There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.'

First of all, this verse does not say those who are in Christ are not involved in God's judgment. It says those who are in Christ are not condemned. In other words, they will not be condemned IN the judgment. Second, many who profess to be 'in Christ' are still walking after the flesh, which Paul speaks against. To truly be in Christ, we must no longer be walking after the flesh, but after the Spirit, living a holy, sanctified life of separation from the world. Now some people also use verses like Hebrews 1:3, saying that Jesus already "purged our sins" so there is no need for a judgment or investigation for God's people:

Hebrews 1:3 ...'Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.'

The problem is, the KJV of this verse is not the most accurate translation. In the original Greek for the above verse, there are two Greek words that the King James Version simply translated as "purged" and therefore doesn't give an accurate reading. Other translations have translated this verse better, as follows:

AMP BIBLE - "Jesus by himself ACCOMPLISHED PURIFICATION for sin."

ESV BIBLE - "After MAKING PURIFICATION for sin."

NET BIBLE - "When he had ACCOMPLISHED CLEANSING for sins."

Do you see? The word that the KJV missed makes all the difference in the right understanding of this verse. The truth is, what Jesus did on the cross provided the MEANS by which sin CAN be purged and cleansed. Hebrews 1:3 is saying that Jesus accomplished that which CAN cleanse us from sin. And the apostle Peter confirmed this in Acts 3:19 when he said ... "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins MAY be blotted out, WHEN the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." Peter isn't saying that sins were blotted out at the cross, but is pointing to a FUTURE time. What Hebrews 1:3 is saying is that Jesus accomplished the means for sin TO BE purged. Now look at all the following verses which clearly speak of a judgment:

Revelation 11:1 ...'And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.'

Romans 14:10 ...'But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.'

2 Corinthians 5:10 ...'For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.'

1 Peter 4:17 ...'For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?'

James 2:12 ...'So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.'

Romans 3:4 ...'God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.'

Revelation 14:7 ...'Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.'

Daniel 7:9-10 ...'I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.'

Now just to clear up, the name 'Investigative Judgment' was a name given to this time period by our Pioneers. It is not a name you will find in the Bible. But it does fit with what has been going on since 1844. So what is the purpose of this 'Investigative Judgment'? Many Christians have a big problem with this teaching, and yet it is pretty clear in God's Word. There are a number of elements to what this judgment time accomplishes. Look first at the parable Jesus gave in Matthew 22:

Matthew 22:2,10,11-14 ...'The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son ... and the wedding was furnished with guests ... And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.'

The king in the parable is God the Father and the son is Jesus Christ. So the king (God) goes to SEE the guests and sees a man without the wedding garment (righteous robe of Christ). Now does the king throw the man straight out? No. He asks the man why he does not have on the proper garment. In other words, the king (God) is investigating! It was the same in the beginning with Adam and Eve. Read the account and you will see that God did not just throw them straight out of the garden. He asked them what they had done first, even though God already knew. WHY? Why did God do this? To be transparent and open, to settle in the minds of the angels and anyone else observing that God's judgment is righteous and just. Look at the following verses:

Psalm 56:8 ...'Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?'

Psalm 33:14-15 ...'From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.'

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 ...'Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.'

Matthew 12:36-37 ...'But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.'

Luke 12:2-3 ...'For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.'

Romans 14:12 ...'So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.'

Think about this. A pastor of a church outwardly seems to be a very holy man, but because of his secret life of sin he doesn't make it to heaven. Only God knows his secret life of sin. So what does God do in this 'Investigative Judgment'? He REVEALS to all WHY such a person cannot be in the kingdom, so that all can see that God's final executive judgment is just and righteous, removing any doubt in the minds of the angels and the redeemed of God's government and justice. Remember, Lucifer (Satan) persuaded millions of angels to join him in his rebellion against God, telling them that God's way of ruling is unjust and that Lucifer could do a better job. If God had simply destroyed Lucifer and the fallen angels straight away, without revealing the true character of Lucifer, then that could have left doubt in the minds of the rest of the angels. So God has to be open and SHOW that His ways are just. Look:

Daniel 7:9,10 ...'I beheld till the thrones were cast down [SET IN PLACE], and the Ancient of days did sit ... A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.'

The books were opened. Do you see? This is the 'investigative judgment.' We could also call it the 'SEEING judgment' (Matt.22:11-12), or the 'REVEALING judgment.' It's like a court case, which REVEALS why someone is aquitted or punished.

Are lost people going to actually enter the heavenly kingdom (New Jerusalem) and THEN be kicked out when God sees they don't have the righteous garment of Christ? No. This takes place BEFORE Jesus returns. In Revelation 22:12 we are told that when Jesus returns, His reward is with Him to give to every man according to his works. Thus the 'seeing' or 'investigating' (Matthew 22:11-12) must have already taken place BEFORE Jesus returns. This is what has been taking place since 1844. Opening the record books (Daniel 7:10; Revelation 20:12) to REVEAL who are the 'guests' at the wedding and WHY certain people are saved and others not.

Now there is another important truth to understand regarding this prophecy and the cleansing of the sanctuary. Yes, Jesus is fulfilling the Old Testament type of the high priest going into the most holy place once a year to cleanse the sanctuary of sin and separate it from the people. The Old Testament high priest entered into the most holy place once every year, but Jesus entered in once. And whereas the Old Testament high priest could only do this in type and symbols, Jesus can do it in reality. Look at what the apostle Paul said regarding the temple of God today:

1 Corinthians 3:16 ...'Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.'

So yes, Jesus is fulfilling the Old Testament type of the day of atonement, which the 2300 day prophecy points to, just as He fulfills all Old Testament types. And He is fulfilling this by seeking to blot out our sins from the record books, just as the Old Testament high priest cleansed the temple of the sins of God's people. But what is the deeper, more important meaning to this, in conjunction with what Paul said above? This isn't just about blotting out our sins from the record books in heaven. Jesus is seeking to cleanse the 'soul temple.' We are the temple of God on earth today and it is THIS temple Jesus is also seeking to cleanse, to restore us back into the image and character of God which was lost through sin.

Since just before 1844, we have been living in the 'time of the end.' God is wrapping things up for this world and the close of probation is coming when Christ will no longer plead for humanity. The seven last plagues will be poured out upon the world at the close of probation and God needs a people (144,000) whose lives have been purified and made white through faith in Christ and are able to stand through the time of trouble and seven last plagues without a Mediator in heaven. This is another reason for the 'Investigative Judgment.' A time of Christ blotting out sins from our lives, so we can be part of the 144,000 and stand through the last days without sin, to see Jesus return. Thus, God will have a people in the last days, while the world is in the worst state it has ever been, to REVEAL and bring glory to His name and character.

The 'midnight cry' has been sounded. Jesus has gone into the 'wedding' to receive His kingdom. And the world is now being judged to see who is 'worthy,' being clothed with the wedding garment (righteousness of Christ) to be His guests just as taught in the parable of Matthew 22:11. We MUST follow Christ, by faith, into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, where we can receive of Christ's righteousness and have the right clothing.

Please see our page WAS THE ATONEMENT FINISHED AT THE CROSS for more on this.

Revelation 14:7 ...'Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come, and worship Him that made heaven and earth and the sea and the fountains of the waters.'

Will you allow Jesus to cleanse your life today of all sin and clothe you with HIS righteous character, so you are properly dressed for the wedding (Matthew 22:11)? Let us make sure we are of the 'wise' virgins who have oil (the Spirit and grace of God), trimming our lamps (cutting away sin and dross from our lives), so that we can be accepted of the Bridegroom, and not be told by Him, 'depart from me, I never knew you, ye that work iniquity.'

Please also see our page - DUTY OF GOD'S PEOPLE IN THE DAY OF ATONEMENT