Athen's Library

THE SECOND ADVENT

THE COMING OF “ONE LIKE THE SON OF MAN”

Letter #3 In The Series

June 1998

The Continuation of the Prophetic (Symbolic)

And The Literal Prophecy - Type and Antitype

As Part Two of this article was completed, the Spirit gave me the understanding that it is during the literal application of the 2300 day prophecy of Daniel chapters 8 and 9 that the Seven Thunders of Revelation ten utter their voices.  These two prophecies begin with the marking, both the marking for God (777) and the marking for man (666).  This is also where, Jacob’s time of trouble, Ezekiel 9 and 1 Peter 4:17 apply.  The Literal 2300 day prophecy also, will end with the cleansing of the sanctuary-Judgment for the living.

In the first letter we learned that the prophetic prophecy contains in it the literal application of that same prophecy.  The Spirit said that if we mix the literal with the prophetic we lose the meaning of both prophecies.  The second letter concerned the 2300 day prophecy of Daniel 8 and 9 prophetic and literal, type and antitype , showing how both the first and second coming of the Messiah are prophesied in the seventy week prophecy.  In this the third letter, I was told by the Spirit that the prophecy of Daniel 8 &. 9 in the literal application is the Seven Thunders of Revelation 10 that John was told not to write, and that Bible stories and prophecies have a literal application and during the time of the Seven Thunders the complete and literal understanding will be brought to view.  This letter deals also with the sealing of the first fruits of Revelation 7.

Let me tell you that the Lord will work in this last work in a manner very much out of the common order of things, and in a way that will be contrary to any human planning.  There will be those among us who will always want to control the work of God, to dictate even what movements shall be made when the work goes forward under the direction of the angel who joins the third angel in the message to be given to the world.  God will use ways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His own hands.  The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness. Testimonies to Ministers 300.

These types were fulfilled, not only as to the event, but as to the TIME... In like manner the types which relate to the second advent must be fulfilled at the time pointed out in the symbolic service.  Under the Mosaic system the cleansing of the sanctuary, or the great Day of Atonement, occurred on the tenth day of the seventh Jewish month... Great Controversy 399-400.

These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. Leviticus 23:4.

As the message of Christ’s first advent announced the kingdom of His grace, so the message of His second advent announces the kingdom of His glory.  And the second message, like the first, is based on the prophecies.  The words of the angel to Daniel relating to the last days were to be understood in the time of the end... Desire of the Ages 234.

Here we see that not only are God’s appointed TIMES and types of the first advent the basis of what we are to look for at the Second Advent, but also to the prophecies, for they will give the time.  Sister White says that God’s voice announces the day of His coming.  E.W. 15, 34, 285, G.C. 640, L.S. 65,102, 1 S.M. 75-76, IT 59.  The simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness is in the instruction He gave to Moses, the times in His law.  The fourth commandment begins with, “Remember the Sabbath day”; Malachi 4:4 says, “Remember the law of Moses my servant”.  The reason to “Remember” is that it is the simple means that the Lord is going to use to finish the plan of salvation.

In Genesis 1:14 God made three lights. In Joseph’s dream these lights represented his family.  That family represents the Family in Heaven that gives Light (salvation) to lighten the Earth, Revelation 18.

And when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, ‘Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.’ Revelation 10:4.

Due to the fact that John was instructed not to record what he had heard, but still made note of the event, we can conclude that it is important and that it must be revealed before we can understand and avail ourselves of it.  We also know that the Christian church was founded upon truth being revealed by God at the appointed time. Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets Amos 3:7 For flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven ... upon this rock I will build my church...  Matthew 16:17-18.  Our conclusion is that when it is time, this truth will be revealed to the church.

The books of Daniel and the Revelation are one.  One is a prophecy, the other a revelation; one a book sealed, the other a book opened.  John heard the mysteries which the thunders uttered, but he was commanded not to write them.

The special light given to John which was expressed in the seven thunders was a DELINEATION of EVENTS which would transpire under the first and second angel’s message.  It was not best for the people to know these things, for their faith must necessarily be TESTED.  In the order of God most wonderful and advanced truths would be proclaimed. The first and second angels’ messages were to be proclaimed, but no further light was to be revealed before these messages had done their specific work.  This is represented by the angel standing with one foot on the sea, proclaiming with a most solemn oath that time should be no longer.

This time, which the angel declares with a solemn oath, is not the end of this world’s history, neither of probationary time, but of prophetic time, which should precede the advent of our Lord.  That is, the people will not have another message upon definite time.  After this period of time, reaching from 1842 to 1844, there can be no definite tracing of the prophetic time.  The longest reckoning reaches to the autumn of 1844.  Vol. 7 Bible Commentary pg. 971,972  Emphasis added.

According to this, the seven thunders are a sketch, or an outline of the events that will transpire before the return of Christ to receive His Kingdom (Acts 3:19-2 1).  The Literal Prophecy of Daniel 8 and 9 gives us this outline of events which starts with the Voice of God (thunder).  Using the Bible to interpret itself let us read John 12:28-29.  ...Then a voice came from heaven ... Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Here we see that the Voice of God is heard as Thunder.  God speaking during the seventy weeks prophetic prophecy becomes a type for the Speaking during the seventy weeks literal prophecy.

... But there was one clear place of settled glory, whence came the voice of God like many waters (thunder), shaking the heavens and the earth.  There was a mighty earthquake.  The graves were opened, and those who had died in the faith under the third angel’s message, keeping the Sabbath, came forth from their dusty beds, glorified, to hear the covenant of peace that God was to make with those who had kept His law.  Story of Redemption 409.

This event, the voice of the King, begins the seventy weeks.  During the sixty nine weeks the streets are built “again”, and the literal Jerusalem, the holy city, comes down.  The resurrection mentioned in the above quote is the one of Daniel 12, and allows for five of the ten virgins to be guests at the marriage supper.  These people come up to join with those that are sealed, to proclaim the Revelation 18 message that lightens the whole earth.  Daniel 12:3 says ...the righteous turn many to righteousness...  This is the antitypical fulfillment of the resurrection of those who ministered with the glorified and risen Christ during the forty days which completed His earthly ministry.

We know that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment contains the seal.  The seal has three essentials: 1) The name, 2) His official position, title, or authority, and so His right to rule; and 3) the extent of His dominion and jurisdiction.

...But God has set His seal upon His royal requirement.  Each Sabbath institution, both true and false, bears the name of its author, an ineffaceable mark that shows the authority of each.  Vol. 7 Bible Commentary 977.

Here we see that there are two seals, one of God’s and the other is of the one who usurped the authority that was given to Adam.  Sister White tells us that the worldly holidays are Satan’s harvest days (Fundamentals of Christian Education pg. 321) Daniel 7:25 Tells us that he would “... think to change times and laws...”, the holidays that Satan has instituted in place of God’s Sabbaths, have his signature upon them.  If the worldly holidays are the seal of Satan, then all the Sabbaths (feast days) that remind us of our Creator, are the seal of God.

In the Prophetic prophecy, the papal power, symbolized by the little horn, is typical. In the literal prophecy the antitypical little horn power is Satan himself. (Revelation 12). Though times and laws were substituted during the prophetic fulfillment, the authority was derived from the arch-enemy of God, that old serpent called the devil and Satan.

...They will question and criticize everything that arises in the unfolding of truth, criticize the work and position of others, criticize every branch of the work in which they have not themselves a part.  They will feed upon the errors and mistakes and faults of others, ‘until,’ said the angel, ‘the Lord Jesus shall rise up from His mediatorial work in the heavenly sanctuary and shall clothe Himself with the garments of vengeance and surprise them at their unholy feast, (Dan. 7:25) and they will find themselves unprepared for the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ Their taste has been so perverted that they would be inclined to criticize even the table of the Lord in His kingdom.”  Vol. 5 Testimonies 690.

The question is, what is “their unholy Feast”?  We know that God’s Feasts are His appointed times.  We also know that strange fire is any fire made by man not God.  Thus any substitution for God’s appointed times is “their unholy feast”.  Jesus said in Matthew 23:1-3 The Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not.  With these words of Jesus we are left without an excuse for not knowing when the appointed times, feasts, Sabbaths, are.

God asked Moses to teach the people the law and to put it in their mouths. Moses said, Behold I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me ... for this is your wisdom and your understanding... Deuteronomy 4:5-6.   In Malachi 4, the people living in the time of the end are told not to forget about the Law of Moses, especially the statutes and judgments; and Deuteronomy 32:47 gives the reason, because it will be our LIFE. Those who continue in the keeping of Sunday, Christmas, Easter and etc. will receive the mark of the Beast, Satan, 666.

...Christ, to enforce the will of the Father, became the author of the statutes and precepts given through Moses to the people of God.  Christians who extol Christ, but array themselves against the law governing the Jewish church, array Christ against Christ. ... Christ gave to Moses religious precepts which were to govern the every day life.  These statutes were explicitly given to guard the ten commandments.  They were not shadowy types to pass away with the death of Christ.  They were to be binding upon man in every age as long as time should last.  These commands were enforced by the power of the moral law, and they clearly and definitely explained that law.  Review & Herald May 6, 1875 Emphasis added.

In the time of the thunders - at the voice of God, a select group (Daniel 12) of those that sleep come forth to hear God renew His covenant with His people.  The covenant, or promise that was made to Abraham and to Christ is a part of this covenant.  The promised Son, through our Lord, the Kinsman redeemer, is the one that makes it possible for us to have a part in the inheritance.  The Son of promise is the Christ with whom we are joint heirs, according to Romans 8:17.

Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day” ...And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.  Ruth 4:10-15

Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand.  And let us do all that we can to help others to gain heaven.  We are to have an intense interest in Christ Jesus; for he is our Savior.  He came to this world to be tempted in all points as we are, to prove to the universe that in this world of sin human beings can live lives that God will approve.  Review and Herald March 9, 1905.

What can we do?  What guide do we have to go by?  How can we strive if we do not know how?

But the people were not yet ready to meet their Lord. There was still a work of preparation to be accomplished for them. Light was to be given, directing their minds to the temple of God in heaven; and as they should by faith follow their High Priest in His ministration there, new duties would be revealed. Another message of warning and instruction was to be given to the church. Great Controversy 424-425.

Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. Revelation 7:3.

In the repeat of the messages of Revelation 14 for the judgment of the living, the new duties, warning and instruction mentioned above and the we of the following quote have to do with the added appointed times, God’s feasts. The WE are the Messiahs of Daniel 8 and 9, who are cut off in the midst of the week, prophetic and literal. The new duties are the observance of the rest of God’s appointed times.

Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Malachi 4:4.

When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto His voice; ... He will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which He swore unto them.  Deuteronomy 4:30-31.

And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.  Micah 4:8.

Sometime during the 70 week prophecy, Daniel 11:45 tells us, And He (Satan) shall plant the tent of his palace between the seas (people) and the glorious holy mountain (kingdom, the New Jerusalem); yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him.

In the middle of the seventieth week “Messiah” is cut off, and the “Woman” flees into the wilderness.  The child is caught up to God, at which time Daniel 7: 13-14 apply, ...one like the Son of man ... was given dominion and glory, and the KINGDOM, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” This “Son of man”, after receiving dominion and the kingdom, comes in the clouds.

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. and he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.  Now learn a parable of the fig tree, when his branch (the promised Son, Messiah) is yet tender (Child), and putteth forth leaves, ye shall know that summer is nigh.  So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things (God’s voice, the thunders), know that it is near, even at the doors. Matthew 24:30-33.

In 1798 the one representing the little horn power in the prophetic prophecy was put into prison. Now, as we are about to enter the literal prophecy it will be Satan that is bound.

I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.  Daniel 7:22.

And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.  And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them... Revelation 20:1-4.

When we work with symbols (the prophetic) we sometimes forget what the literal is.  When we work with the literal we sometimes forget that we are not working with symbols.  When we mix the symbols in the literal prophecy we lose the understanding of both the literal and the prophetic prophecy.  When we mix the literal in the prophetic prophecy we lose the understanding of both the prophetic and the literal prophecy.  To help understand the two prophecies, prophetic and literal, of Daniel 8 and 9, we need to review the cleansing of the sanctuary from the point of view of Leviticus 16. We find there, two goats, making atonement, symbolic offerings pointing to the literal atonement. One goat died and the other made a live atonement, escaping death.  A point of interest is that the two goats were equal (Jesus said that the Father and the Son are equal).  Either one could have been the one that lived.  Verse 10 says ...the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make an atonement with him...  Some think that Satan makes an atonement, but Satan dies so he does not make a live atonement, or any atonement.  In verse 32, the High Priest’s son makes an atonement; the High Priest, and the Sacrifice that dies, both point to what Jesus our Messiah does for us.  The High Priest’s Son and the live offering point to the work of the Messiah during the literal application of Daniel 8 and 9,- the second advent, the final atonement.  We also see this in the story of Abraham when he offered his promised son.  The ram that was offered, points to Christ, our Messiah. (The ram is a father of a lamb.) The promised son, Isaac, escaped death.  Isaiah 9:6 prophesies the Messiah as “the everlasting FATHER”.

Moses, by striking the rock twice spoiled the picture of the plan of salvation, because Messiah was to be smitten only once. Because of this sin he had to go through the grave.  Onan, (Gen. 38:9) when he spilled his seed on the ground spoiled the picture of the law of the kinsman redeemer, (plan of salvation); for this he died.  We too, if we continue mixing the literal with the symbols will go through the grave.  The Spirit said, It is time to grow up and eat strong meat. (Heb. 5:12). Keep the commandments, (Exodus 20), that he might preserve us alive. Deuteronomy 6:24-25.

For I am the LORD, I do not change... Malachi 3:6.

Zechariah 3 (Joshua and the Angel) is the cleansing of the sanctuary.

And he showed me Joshua the high priest (Joshua is the SON of the high priest Zechariah 6:11) standing before the angel of the Lord (the Angel, who is Christ Himself - 5T p.469, our High Priest.  Hebrews 8:1, Isaiah 9:6 says that the Messiah is the everlasting FATHER so Joshua is standing before his father), and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. (accuse him-Satan’s last attempt to usurp the position belonging only to the heir). And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem (Galatians 4:26) rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?  Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, (the sins of the people which were removed from the sanctuary and placed on the scapegoat Leviticus 16:21, are the “filthy garments”.) and stood before the angel.  And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him.  And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.  And I said, Let them set a fair mitre (priestly head covering-Leviticus 16:32.) upon his head.  So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by.  And the angel of the Lord protested unto Joshua, saying, (1 Kings 2:1-3 same words David said to his son who built the temple) Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, (John 5:25-27 reveals two that judge, the Son of God and the Son of Man one that judges and raises the dead; the other that judges those who escape death.  In Lev. 16, two make atonement, one by dying the other escapes death.) and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.  Hear now, O Joshua the high priest thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: (first fruits of the harvest) for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. (Jesus said, “I am the vine ye are the branches”, John 15:5.  “...the man who’s name is the Branch he shall build the Temple of the Lord.” Zech. 6:13.) For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; (kingdom Daniel2:34, 44 - 45.) upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, (New Name written in white stone Rev. 2:17) saith the Lord of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of the land in one day. (A nation born Isaiah 66:8) in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbor under the vine (Jesus the vine) and under the fig tree. (Israel the Fig tree, a new nation just born.  Isaiah 2:2 all nations flow unto it.).

Yours in Christ to meet in His kingdom

Athen Slawson