LESSON III.—JULY 20.—THE VISION OF DANIEL IN CHAPTERS 8 AND 9.
[Note to the Student.—These lessons are not designed to be exhaustive, but suggestive. In references to the “Desire of Ages,” in the lessons, the subscription edition is referred to. Those who have only the trade edition will find the matter in chapters 1, 4, 11, 27, 71, 77, 78; also read “Patriarchs and Prophets,” chapters 5 and 30. “Christ Our Advocate,” Bible Students’ Library No. 129 (price, 10 cents), and “Looking unto Jesus” (price, $1.00) will be found a great help. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES will have an article on the subject of each lesson this quarter by J. O. Corliss. Read these articles in connection with the study of the lesson. We have not space to print all the scriptures. Let the student study them carefully from the Bible. Those printed are from the Revised Version.]
13 “Then I heard a holy one speaking: and another holy one said unto that certain one which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the continual burnt-offering, and the transgression that maketh desolate, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? 14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred evenings and mornings; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.”
16 “And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. 17 So he came near where I stood; and when he came, I was affrighted, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man; for the vision belongeth to the time of the end.”
20 “The ram which thou sawest that had the two horns, they are the kings of Media and Persia. 21 And the rough he-goat is the king of Greece; and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. 22 And as for that which was broken, in the place whereof four stood up, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not with his power. 23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. 24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper and do his pleasure; and he shall destroy the mighty ones and the holy people. 25 And thru his policy he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and in their security shall he destroy many; he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. 26 And the vision of the evenings and mornings which hath been told is true; but shut thou up the vision; for it belongeth to many days to come. 27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; then I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.”
2 “In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by the books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, for the accomplishing of the desolations of Jerusalem, even seventy years. 3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes.”
17 “Now therefore, O our God, hearken unto the prayer of Thy servant, and to his supplications, and cause Thy face to shine upon Thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake.”
20 “And while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God; 21 yea, while I was speaking in prayer, 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. 22 And he instructed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to make thee skilful of understanding. 23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment went forth, and I am come to tell thee; for thou art greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision.”
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
1. When does the cleansing of the sanctuary take place?
2. In the same vision how many other symbols are presented to the prophet?—Three symbols, a two-horned ram, a rough goat, and a little horn. Verses 2-9.
3. After having heard the announcement of the time for the cleansing of the sanctuary, what command did he hear given? Verse 16.
4. At what time did the angel say the vision applied? Verse 17.
5. What symbols did he then explain? Verses 20-25.
6. After explaining these symbols, to what other part of the vision did he then refer? Verse 26.
7. What prevented a full explanation of it? What did Daniel say about understanding it? Verse 27.
8. By what means did he evidently seek for further light on this vision? Dan. 9:2, 3. Note 1 .
9. What in Daniel’s prayer shows that his mind was still exercised over the question of the sanctuary? Verse 17.
10. Who appeared in answer to his prayer? Verses 20, 21.
11. For what purpose did Gabriel say he had come? Verse 22.
12. What did he tell Daniel to consider? Verse 23. Note 2 .
13. Having left off while speaking on the subject of time in the previous vision, at what point does he now begin? Verse 24.