August 12: THE TWENTY-THREE HUNDRED DAYS (part 3)
Now, as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep with my face to the ground; but he touched me and stood me upright. And he said, “Look, I am making known to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation, for at the appointed time the end shall be. Daniel 8:18-19
The human psyche has a defensive mode when approached by overwhelming circumstances. The approach of Gabriel sent Daniel into a deep sleep with [his] face to the ground. We might say that Daniel fainted! Recall that at the sight of one angel, the trained-to-be-ferocious Roman guards shook and became like dead men at the tomb of Jesus (Matthew 28:4 – see also Luke 24:5). But with the gentle touch of Gabriel, Daniel was awakened and enabled to stand. The explanation to come was not only for Daniel’s benefit but for ours. Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets (Amos 3:7).
The developments in the state of the world and the church since the time that Jesus walked the earth are crucial to understand. Truly, the days in which we live are the culmination of the latter time of the indignation. There are historical highlights, but underneath it all are spiritual influences—both for and against the Savior—that, when understood, greatly aid us in our personal struggles. Best of all, a right knowledge and understanding of the character of our Creator and Redeemer has the effect of setting the pieces in their proper place. This includes our own focus, and the order of our priorities.
The end of the prophetic two thousand three hundred days was in 1844, marking the beginning of this event: the cleansing of the sanctuary. Remember that the rescued children of Israel had a yearly ceremony pointing to God’s judgment, when the high priest would enter the Most Holy Place laying every confessed sin before the mercy seat atop the ark of the Covenant (representing the throne of God) where the Ten Commandment law was placed. A study of the sanctuary reveals that Jesus, in His role as High Priest, moved into the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary to begin the work that brings about eternal At-one-ment. The record of confessed sins is removed, or cleansed. It is a pre-advent determination of who—according to each one’s choice—is saved or lost. He Himself said, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work.” (Revelation 22:12) This statement of Jesus is not to be taken as a “salvation-by-works” theology. Our “work” is to daily follow the leading of His Holy Spirit, seeking alignment and harmony with His Word, abandoning any practices or beliefs that are in error, confessing our sins and allowing His continual cleansing of our thoughts and lifestyles. No, we are not yet perfect, but knowingly pursuing unbiblical habits places us, as well as those we influence, on dangerous ground. We are living on ‘borrowed time’ and every moment is a gift from our Savior, for at the appointed time, the end shall be.
Walk circumspectly… redeeming the time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16).
To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up… Ecclesiastes 3:1-3