The 1335 Prophetic Days
“Still another prophetic period is here introduced, denoting 1335 years. Can we tell when this period begins and ends? The only clue we have to the solution of this question, is the fact that it is spoken of in immediate connection with the 1290 years, which began in 508 as shown above. From that point there shall be, says the prophet, 1290 days. The very next sentence reads, ‘Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the 1335 days.’ From what point?— From the same point, undoubtedly, as that from which the 1290 date, namely, A.D. 508. Unless they are to be reckoned from this point, it is impossible to locate them, and they must be excepted from the prophecy of Daniel when we apply to it the words of Christ, ‘Whoso readeth, let him understand.’ Matt. 24:15. From this point they would extend to 1843, for 1335 added to 508 make 1843. Beginning in the spring of the former year, they ended in the spring of the latter.
“But how can it be that they have ended, it may be asked, since at the end of these days Daniel stands in his lot, which is by some supposed to refer to his resurrection from the dead? This question is founded on a misapprehension on two respects: First, that the days at the end of the days in which Daniel stands in his lot are the 1335 days; and second, that the standing of Daniel in his lot is his resurrection, which also cannot be sustained.
The only thing promised at the end of the 1335 days is a blessing to those who wait and come to that time; that is, those who are then living. What is this blessing? Looking at the year 1843, when these years expired, what do we behold? We see a remarkable fulfillment of prophecy in the great proclamation of the second coming of Christ. Forty-five years before this, the time of the end began [1798], the book was unsealed, and light began to increase.
About the year 1843, there was a grand culmination of all the light that had been shed on prophetic subjects up to that time. The proclamation went forth in power. The new and stirring doctrine of the setting up of the kingdom of God shook the world. New life was imparted to the true disciples of Christ. The unbelieving were condemned, the churches were tested, and a spirit of revival was awakened which has had no parallel since [until the outpouring of the latter rain, that is]. . . .
“Two more questions remain to be noticed briefly: What days are referred to in verse 13? What is mean by Daniel’s standing in his lot? Those who claim that the days are the 1335, are led to that application by looking back no further than to the preceding verse, where the 1335 days are mentioned; whereas, in making an application of these days so indefinitely introduced, the whole scope of the prophecy should certainly be taken in from Daniel 8; hence we may say that in the vision of chapter 8, as carried out and explained, there are four prophetic periods: the 2300, 1260, 1290, and 1335 days. The first is the principal and longest period; the others are but intermediate parts and subdivisions of this.
Now, when the angel tells Daniel at the conclusion of his instructions that he shall stand in his lot at the end of the days, without specifying which period was meant, would not Daniel’s mind turn to the principal and longest period, the 2300 days, rather to any of its subdivisions? If this is so, the 2300 days are the days intended. The reading of the Septuagint seems to look plainly at this direction: ‘But go thy way and rest; for there are yet days and seasons to the full accomplishment [of these things]; and thou shalt stand in thy lot at the end of the days.’ This certainly carries the mind back to the long period contained in the first vision, in relation to which the subsequent instructions were given.”
“The 2300 days, as has already been shown, terminated in 1844, and brought us to the cleansing of the sanctuary. How did Daniel at that time stand in his lot? In the person of his Advocate, our High Priest, as He presents the cases of the righteous for acceptance to His Father. The word here translated ‘lot’ does not mean a piece of real estate, a ‘lot’ of land, but the ‘decisions of chance’ or the ‘determination of Providence.’ At the end of the days, the lot, so to speak, was to be cast. In other words, a determination was to be made in reference to those who should be accounted worthy of possession in the heavenly inheritance. When Daniel’s case comes up for examination, he is found righteous, stands in his lot, is assigned a place in the heavenly Canaan.” – Uriah Smith, Daniel and the Revelation, pp. 324-333.
In closing out this short study, I will cite but two examples of why it is foolhardy not to know with certainty the true exposition of the 1290 and 1335 days, which is the Pioneer View. Why? Because one will very likely accept time-setting interpretations, which are all deceptions.
- The author of National Sunday Law Revisited is Larry Wilson of Wake Up America Seminars, Inc., listed in Bellbrook, Ohio. In 1998, Wilson’s book, “Warning! Revelation is About to be Fulfilled,” printed by Teach Services, made its rounds in Adventist circles. In the latter book he completely reinterprets the seven trumpets and seven seals (as others do) from the Pioneer View on the 1290 and 1335 day prophecies, taught a similar view of the Jubilee Cycles that Warren Waggerby was promoting many years ago. As a result of this revised view, he arrived at the conclusion that: “the seven last plagues would take place between 1997 and 1998, and at the end of 1998 Christ would come.” Well, half of the year 2010 is almost over, and his time-setting, like all time-setters’ dates after 1844, have dismally failed. Inspiration tells us that time-setters will persist to the end.
- An acquaintance of mine, whose name I will not mention here because he did not (or hasn’t yet) officially published his views, and was once an active SDA pastor, insists that the 1290 and 1335 days, according to his studies, refer to literal prophetic days that commences when the “abomination of desolation,” which he interprets as the long-anticipated Sunday Law, is enacted in America. Then, he says, the saints alive at that time can start a countdown, which will be but “three and half years” to suffer the “time of trouble such as never was” and then see Jesus coming. I asked if the precise time of Jesus’ coming can be predicted from his view of the 1290 and 1335 days, and he replied, “Yes.” When I asked him to explain the 45-day difference between the two dates and what do they apply to, separately, he gave me vague and iffy answers.
I am encouraging everyone to dedicate time, effort, and some money if need be in order to individually understand the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. Review the Pioneer View, not the “historic view” as the latter had early errors of interpretation until clearer light shown later corrected these errors. Study thoroughly the subject of the sanctuary, in connection with the 2300 days, beginning with the 70-week prophecy of Daniel 9: 24-27.
Remember that any attempt to re-interpret the Pioneer View on who the beasts are, little horn power, the antichrist, the beast with lamb-like horns, the image of the beast, the mark, name, and number of the beast, the woman sitting on the dragon of Revelation 17, the seven churches, seven trumpets, seven seals, and seven last plagues—which have all been clearly established and ascertained by the Spirit of Prophecy, will only result in gross errors, confusion, and eventually, shipwreck of faith.
I have, and will always emphasize that constant effort must be made to focus on and clearly understand the prophetic time charts that establish 1844 as the termination of the 2300-day prophecy, and to closely study the Great Controversy. In addition, I strongly encourage all to procure and study the following books: (1) The Exhaustive E.G. White Commentaries on Daniel, and Revelation. (2) The Certainty of the Third Angel’s Message by Louis H. Were, late Australian evangelist and author (he has other books/pamphlets that are excellent expositions on the errors of Preterism and Futurism) (3) Facts of Faith by Christian Edwardson (4) Daniel and the Revelation by Uriah Smith.
Finally, there will no more messages to come to God’s people based on definite time. All time-setting is a deception and should be avoided like the plague. The third angel’s message does not need time to underscore its importance and urgency, as some zealous persons think. The work will be finished under the blazing light of the empowerment of the Holy Spirit when it is poured out in the coming latter rain, in fulfillment of Revelation 18 before probation closes on the earth.
May the Holy Spirit guide us into all truth as it is in Jesus.