FRIDAY MORNING MANNA
October 31, 2014
Nathaniel Fajardo
Biblical Numerology: NUMBER TWO – Part VIII
THE TWO WITNESSES AND THE TWO MAJOR PROPHETIC BOOKS
Daniel and Revelation are the two major inextricably-intertwined prophetic books of the Bible; the former in the Old, the latter in the New that all should be studying now instead of so many other books. They bear the core combined messages of God’s perfect love for sinners and perfect hatred for sin; divine mercy and divine righteousness and justice of the eternal gospel before earth’s probation closes.
“Daniel and Revelation are one; one is a prophecy, the other a revelation. The former is a book sealed, the latter is the book that is opened.” – Manuscript Releases No. 28, Vol. 1, pp 99-100.
These were divinely-designed to enlighten and fortify the minds of God’s people, intellectually and spiritually against Satan’s modus operandi in his last campaign against God’s law and against all who would remain faithful to Him. “And the dragon was enraged with the woman [the true church through the ages], and he went to make war with the remnant of her seed [rest of her offspring], who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev. 12: 17.
He works in desperate confederacy with fallen angels and human agencies to sow confusion, strife, and deceptions of all manner in a flood of powerfully-hypnotic doctrines, theories, and gadgetry in the name of advancing science, technology, and “higher education,” all converging into the final issue—the one that started the grand conflict between Christ and Satan—the law of God! All these are building up to the grand, overmastering delusion that God will allow Satan to manifest before earth’s inhabitants.
Prophets are subject to prophets. 1 Cor. 14: 32. “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation.” 2 Pet.1: 20, 21. Daniel, the prophet-statesman was diligently studyingJeremiah’s prophecies while captives in Babylon. He learned that the captivity would end in seventy years. Thus he knew when and how to intercede with God in behalf of his people. He had barely begun this earnest, informed intercessory prayer when the answer came from heaven. Daniel 9: 1, 2, 3-27. Such will be the powerful intercessory prayers of the antitypical Daniels in these last days.
The Two Beloveds. The late Australian evangelist and author, Louis F. Were, wrote: “It is a true saying that ‘the humble saint can see further upon his knees than the philosopher can see upon his tip-toes.’ Of course, if the saint is also a philosopher he will see further than the saint who is not a philosopher. Our constant effort must be to combine education with prayer and a life of obedience to God’s will.
“Daniel’s sterling spiritual qualities made him a man greatly beloved by God. The angel who have him the visions addressed him as, ‘Daniel, a great man greatly beloved.’ Dan. 10: 11, 19; 9: 23. This thrice-repeated designation shows the reason why he was selected by God to reveal the wonderful prophecies found in his book. John the beloved, and Daniel the beloved, were the ones selected by Heaven as mediums through whom were given the amazing predictions which are found in their books. One commentator (Benson) has well observed concerning the Book of Revelation:—‘The Revelation was not written without tears, neither without tears it will be understood.’ This spirit of humility and devotion to God is necessary in our experience if we would understand the inner, spiritual truths of all the Bible.”-The Certainty of the Third Angel’s Message, p. 17.
Here are extracts from the pen of Ellen G. White on this eternal life-and-death topic:
“As we near the close of this world’s history, the prophecies recorded by Daniel demand our special attention, as they relate to the very time in which we are living. With them should be linked the teachings of the last book of the New Testament Scriptures. Satan has led many to believe that the prophetic portions of the writings of Daniel and of John the revelator cannot be understood.
But the promise is plain that special blessing will accompany the study of these prophecies. ‘The wise shall understand’ (verse 10), was spoken of the visions of Daniel that were to be unsealed in the latter days;and of the revelation that Christ gave to His servant John for the guidance of God’s people all through the centuries, the promise is, ‘Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein, for the time is at hand.’ Revelation 1: 3.”- Prophets and Kings, pp. 547, 546.
“There is need of a much closer study of the word of God; especially should Daniel and Revelation have attention as never before in the history of our work. We may have less to say in some lines, in regard to the Roman power and the papacy; but we should call attention to what the prophets and apostles have written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God [2 Pet. 1: 20, 21].
The Holy Spirit has so shaped matters, both in the giving of the prophecy and in the events portrayed, as to teach the human agent to be kept aside, hid in Christ, and that the Lord God of haven and His law are to be exalted. Read the book of Daniel. Call up point by point the history, the history of the kingdoms there represented. Behold, statesmen, councils, powerful armies, and see how God wrought to abase the pride of men, and lay human glory to the dust. . . Testimonies to Ministers, p, 112.
“Many have entertained the idea that the book Revelation is a sealed book, and that they will not devote time and study to its mysteries. They say they are to keep looking to the glories of salvation, and that the mysteries revealed to John on the Isle of Patmos are worthy of less consideration than these. But God does not so regard this . . . .The book of Revelation opens to the world what has been, what is, and what is to come; it is for our instruction upon whom the ends of the world are come. [1 Cor. 10: 11, K.J.V.]. It should be studied with reverential awe. . .
“The Lord Himself revealed to His servant John the mysteries of the book of Revelation, and He designs that they shall be open to the study of all. In this book are depicted scenes that are now in the past, and some of eternal interest that are taking place around us; other of its prophecies will not receive their complete fulfillment until the close of time, when the last great conflict between the powers of darkness and the Prince of heaven will take place [Battle of Armageddon, Rev. 16: 13, 14].” – Review & Herald, Aug. 31, 1897.
“A message that will arouse the churches is to be proclaimed. Every effort is to be made to give the light, not only to people, but to the world. I have been instructed that the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation should be printed in small books, with the necessary explanations, and should be sent all over the world. Our own people need to have the light placed before them in clearer lines.”- Testimony to Ministers, p. 117.
“Those eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God will bring from the books of Daniel and Revelation truth that is inspired by the Holy Spirit. They will start into action forces that cannot be repressed. The lips of children will be opened to proclaim the mysteries that have been hidden from the minds of [older] men . . . . Many of the [yet unfulfilled] prophecies are about to be fulfilled in quick succession. Every element of power is about to be set to work. Past history will be repeated; old controversies will arouse to new life, and peril will beset God’s people on every side. Intensity is taking hold of the human family. It is permeating everything upon the earth.
“Study Revelation in connection with Daniel, for history will be repeated . . . . . We, with all our religious advantages, ought to know far more today than we do know. Angels desire to look into the truths that are revealed to the people who with contrite hearts are searching the word of God and praying for greater lengths and breadths and depths and heights of the knowledge that He alone can give.
“As we near the close of this world’s history, the prophecies relating to the last days especially demand our study. The last book of the New Testament Scriptures is full of truth that we need to understand. Satan has blinded the minds of many so that they have been glad of any excuse for not making the Revelation their study. But Christ through His servant John has declared what shall be in the last days; and He says, ‘Blessed is he who reads and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keepthose things which are written in it; for the time is near.’ Rev. 1: 3, N.K.J.V.”- Maranatha Devotional, p. 30.
“We should be earnest students of prophecy; we should not rest until we become intelligent in regards to the subject of the sanctuary, which is brought out in the visions of Daniel and John. This subject sheds great light on our present position and work, and gives us unmistakable proof that God has led us in our past experience. It explains our disappointment [in 1844], showing us that the sanctuary to be cleansed was not the earth, as we had supposed [together with the rest of the Christian denominations at that time], but that Christ then entered into the most holy apartment of the heavenly sanctuary, and is there performing the closing work of His priestly office, in fulfillment of the words of the angel to the prophet Daniel [Dan. 8: 14 ].”- Ibid, p. 247; Faith I Live By, p. 208. (Continued next week).