Ellen White on Daniel and Revelation

The quotes from Ellen White below are on future applications of the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation that most Adventists continue to place in the past. It’s hard to overstate our prejudice and stubbornness in clinging exclusively to past applications when we have been flooded by the light of her many clear statements applying them to the future and by others, equally clear, that we do not understand Daniel and Revelation as we should. Her two kinds of statements in these lines complement each other. If we deny the future application of the prophecies, we cannot understand them correctly.

For example, conservative Adventists can read the following pithy quote and roll over with a yawn mumbling to themselves; “I’m glad we’ve got the true prophetic understanding” even when she says the opposite:

The book of Revelation opens with an injunction to us to understand the instruction that it contains. “Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this prophecy," God declares, “and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” When we as a people understand what this book means to us there will be seen among us a great revival. Testimonies to Ministers, Page 113.

In the 180-year history of our denomination have we ever seen a great revival? What does that tell us? The conclusion is inescapable: We still do not “understand what this book means to us.”

God has been urging us for decades to come into close fellowship with him by the sanctification of the truth: “Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this prophecy," God declares, “and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand,” but for 180 years we have refused.

Here’s another statement along the same lines that yields the same sleepy response:

Those who 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 men. -- Review and Herald, August 17, 1897.

Have any of us seen the “forces that cannot be repressed” swing into action in the last 180 years? If not, why not?

Someone challenges me; “Where are the “unstoppable forces” that have resulted from futurism.” My answer is that these forces have been sown. The Lord has planted the word through the Apostle John, through Luther, Tindale, Westley, Miller, Ellen White, Jones, Waggoner and others. That word has born fruit right from the giving of it, particularly in the Protestant Reformation and in the Advent Movement, and, at the appointed time, when Daniel and John stand once more in their lot and place in the last days, it will again bear the richest fruit in the final harvest. “Though the vision tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Hab 2:3.

But how is it that the members of a prophetic movement come to despise prophecy? Isn’t it true that we have been leavened with the spirit of unbelief? We view ourselves as rich in spiritual and prophetic understanding and have need of nothing. We are in denial.

If the prophecies are mostly fulfilled already, then to us, the books of Daniel and Revelation are books of history, not prophecy. But Adventism is a prophetic movement pointing humanity to the cleansing of the sanctuary, the cleansing of our souls and the return of Christ, and the living spirit of prophecy is its seal of authenticity.

Prophecy can only be interpreted and understood by the spirit of prophecy. The reason the wicked do not and will not understand Daniel’s prophecies is not for lack of intelligence or effort. It is because they are devoid of the spirit of prophecy which is one of the two identifying marks of the remnant:

And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus . . . for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. 

Rev 12:17, 19:10.

Conservative Adventists who insist on relegating most of Daniel and Revelation to the past have been the single most important force in the church to quench the spirit of prophecy. May the Lord grant his people mercy and repentance.

Ellen White on Daniel 11 and 12

Here is a statement from our prophet on the future application of Daniel 11:

Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the prophecies will take place. The prophecy in the eleventh of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfillment. Much of the history that has taken place in fulfillment of this prophecy will be repeated. In the thirtieth verse a power is spoken of that "shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant." [Verses 31-36, quoted.] {13MR 394.1}

Notice above that she starts the future repetition of Daniel 11 at verses 29 and 30. (I include verse 29 because it provides the context for verse 30.) The majority of conservative Adventists believe that the final part of this chapter, the last few verses, applies to the resurgence of the papacy, but, in my view, we ought to follow her counsel and go back to verse 29. This verse points, not to the papacy, but to America and to the subversion of the American Constitution. Verse 30 will be fulfilled when a major national crisis, such as a naval humiliation, causes the United States leadership to “be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant” and the American Constitution.

Below are some of White’s other statements applying Daniel 12 to the end. Notice she makes no exception for the time periods - the 1260, 1290 and 1335 days. On the contrary, she specifically places them in the future and underlines the fact that the wicked will not understand these things but the righteous, those who are pure in heart, will understand them:

Already the judgments of God have begun to fall upon the world in various calamities, that men may repent and be converted to truth and righteousness. But the candle of those who harden their hearts in iniquity will be put out by the Lord. They have lived only for themselves, and death must come to them. When the limit of grace is reached, God will give His command for the destruction of the transgressor. He will arise in His Almighty character as a God above all gods, and those who have worked against Him, in league with the great rebel, will be treated in accordance with their works. [Notice this is future tense.]

Daniel writes, “I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto the heaven, and sware by him that liveth forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and an half, and when he shall have accomplished, to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. And I heard, but I understood not; then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” [Daniel 12:7-10.] . . .

In his vision of the last days Daniel inquired, “O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried: but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. ... Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.” [Daniel 12:8-10, 12, 13.] Daniel has been standing in his lot since the seal was removed and the light of truth has been shining upon his visions. He stands in his lot, bearing the testimony which was to be understood at the end of the days. [When White says “Daniel has been standing in his lot since the seal was removed" she is referring to the 1830s and 40s when the 2300 day prophecy was first understood and preached. In saying this, she assigns the main application of Daniel’s time prophecies to the last days, not to the Dark Ages.]

“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” [Verses 1-4.] {Ms50-1893.}

In directing our attention especially to Daniel 12 and in telling us that we have much to learn from this chapter, if we wilfully content ourselves with our past limited understanding of these verses, we ignore the divine counsel at our own peril. I ask those who insist solely on a past application of Daniel 12’s time periods, is it reasonable to assume that the final chapters of Daniel, the core of the little book of Revelation 11, which has been open in the hand of the mighty Angel since the 1830s¹, has no current application? What room is there for any advance in knowledge if this scripture has no future application? It’s futile to attempt to close the little book that God has opened and no man can shut. Any who wilfully pursue this course will eventually find they are warring against heaven.

Here’s another statement by Ellen White along the same lines:

“The pure in heart shall see God.” [Matthew 5:8.] The impure cannot see Him. All upon which they look is tarnished for them by their impurity. Those who search the Scriptures with a heart which hungers and thirsts to know God and Jesus Christ will be rewarded. They will understand the words spoken to Daniel, that man of prayer.

To Daniel many wonderful things were presented in vision. “I heard, but I understood not,” he said; “then said I, O my lord, what shall be the end of these things?” The angel answered, “Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. ... Shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. ... Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand. ... Go thou thy way till the end be; for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.” [Daniel 12:8, 9, 4, 10, 13.]

The time has come for Daniel to stand in his lot. The time has come for the light given him to go to the world as never before. If those for whom the Lord has done so much will walk in the light, their knowledge of Christ and the prophecies relating to Him will be greatly increased as they near the close of this earth’s history.

Those who commune with God walk in the light of the Sun of Righteousness. They do not dishonor their Redeemer by corrupting their way before God. Heavenly light shines upon them. They are of infinite worth in God’s sight; for they are one with Christ. {Ms176-1899.}

Ellen White on the Close of Probation

The following two quotes say, contrary to the common Adventist belief, that probation remains open during the time of trouble for those who have not heard the truth before this time.

In the time of confusion and trouble before us, a time of trouble such as has not been since there was a nation, the uplifted Saviour will be presented to the people in all lands, that all who look to Him in faith may live. {8T 50.3}

Oh, that the people might know the time of their visitation! There are many who have not yet heard the testing truth for this time. There are many with whom the Spirit of God is striving. The time of God's destructive judgments is the time of mercy for those who have had no opportunity to learn what is truth. Tenderly will the Lord look upon them. His heart of mercy is touched; His hand is still stretched out to save, while the door is closed to those who would not enter. {9T 97.2}

For years Adventists have assumed that the falling of the plagues marks the close of probation for all of humanity and the start of the great time of trouble. Contrast that position with what she says above: that in a “time of trouble such as has not been since there was a nation”, the gospel of the uplifted Savior will go to the world! While White does make statements linking the plagues to the close of probation, we can’t allow ourselves to prefer one statement over another. Like all inspired writing, every word is true. If we can’t reconcile two statements, the problem is with us, not the word. The only safe position is to accept apparently contradictory statements on faith. Interpreting one so that it overrules another is wresting scripture to our destruction.

Ellen White on Revelation 4 to 22

Ellen White also makes numerous statements applying Revelation 4 to 22 to the future, essentially all of the book except for the first three chapters. Here is a sample of her application of Daniel 12 and Revelation 4 and 5, linking them together and placing them in the future. Notice carefully that she specifically draws attention to the time periods of Daniel 12:

The things revealed to Daniel were afterward complemented by the revelation made to John on the Isle of Patmos. These two books should be carefully perused. Twice Daniel inquired, How long shall it be to the end of time? “And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. ... But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.” [Daniel 12:8-10, 13.]

It was the Lion of the tribe of Judah who unsealed the book and gave to John the revelation of what should be in these last days. Daniel stood in his lot to bear his testimony, which was sealed until the time of the end, when the first angel’s message should be proclaimed to our world. These matters are of infinite importance in these last days, but while “many shall be purified, and made white, and tried,” “the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand.” [Verse 10.] How true this is. Sin is the transgression of the law of God, and those in the denominational churches who will not accept the light in regard to the law of God, will not understand the proclamation of the first, second, and third angel’s messages. The book of Daniel is unsealed in the revelation to John, and carries us forward to the last scenes of this earth’s history. {Lt 59, 1896, pars.6 - 7}

Here are two statements on the future sounding of the seals and trumpets, Revelation 6 to 11:

The power of the Holy Ghost must be upon us, and the Captain of the Lord's host will stand at the head of the angels of heaven to direct the battle. Solemn events before us are yet to transpire. Trumpet after trumpet is to be sounded, vial after vial poured out one after another upon the inhabitants of the earth. {14MR 287.1}

My imagination anticipated what it must be in that period when the Lord's mighty voice shall give commission to His angels, "Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth" (Rev. 16:1). Thy right hand, O God, shall dash in pieces Thine enemies. Revelation 6 and 7 are full of meaning. Terrible are the judgments of God revealed. The seven angels stood before God to receive their commission. To them were given seven trumpets. The Lord was going forth to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth was to disclose her blood and no more cover her slain. Give the description in chapter 6. {15MR 219.2 – 220.1}

Here is one on the future application of the seven thunders of Revelation 10:

After these seven thunders uttered their voices, the injunction comes to John as to Daniel in regard to the little book: "Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered." These relate to future events which will be disclosed in their order. Daniel shall stand in his lot at the end of the days. John sees the little book unsealed. Then Daniel's prophecies have their proper place in the first, second, and third angels' messages to be given to the world. The unsealing of the little book was the message in relation to time. {7BC 971.4}

For more on what Ellen White says regarding the future application of the seven thunders, click here, here, here and here.

The next statement is on the future application of the two witnesses of Revelation 11.

Let all who would understand the meaning of these things read the eleventh chapter of Revelation. Read every verse, and learn the things that are yet to take place in the cities. Read also the scenes portrayed in the eighteenth chapter of the same book {21MR 91.4}

As I stated above, these are only samples. There are many more. Isn’t it high time we dusted these off and took them to heart? As God admonished us through Moses and Christ: “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Mat. 4:4.

Ellen White on the Coming 3.5 years of Persecution and Latter Rain.

In closing, below I’ve edited and republished a summary of the scriptures dealing with the 1260 days. Regarding the prophecies of Revelation, Ellen White makes this observation:

Many [non-Adventist] ministers make no effort to explain Revelation. They call it an unprofitable book to study. They regard it as a sealed book, because it contains the record of figures and symbols. But the very name that has been given it—“Revelation”—is a denial of this supposition. Revelation is a sealed book, but it is also an opened book². It records marvelous events, that are to take place in the last days of this earth’s history. The teachings of this book are definite, not mystical and unintelligible. In it the same line of prophecy is taken up as in Daniel. Some prophecies God has repeated, this showing that importance must be given to them. The Lord does not repeat things that are of no great consequence. {Ms107-1897.}

Which time prophecy is repeated the most often in Daniel and Revelation, and indeed in all of scripture? Not the 2300 days, found only once. The one repeated the most, by far, is the 1260 days.

Throughout scripture God consistently forewarns His people of testing and persecution and often discloses its length: For example, the period of sojourn in Egypt, (Gen 15:16; Exo 12:40) the 70 years of Babylonian captivity, (Jer 25:11; Dan 9:2) the 10 years of persecution by the emperor Diocletian. (Rev 2:10) He does the same for the end-time church. In contrast to earlier times this period is 3.5 years, the mirror image of the ministry of Christ.

Below are the seven scripture references to the 1260 days. I’ve quoted them and then made short comments. Notice that the 1260 days are not only days of persecution but also that they cover that period of the scattering of the power of the holy people and of the two witnesses. Like Christ, their powerful witness lasts for 3.5 literal years, the same as the period of persecution.

1. And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. (Dan 7:25-26)

   The judgment here can be applied to the events of 1798 that terminated the 1260 year reign of the papacy, but it refers especially to the last days when the dominion of the little horn will be consumed and destroyed “unto the end.” This is future when the rock cut out without hands destroys all earthly powers, (Daniel 2:34, 35 and 44.) and when the times of the gentiles spoken of by Christ, the 3.5 years, are fulfilled. (Luke 21:24, Rev 11:2.)

2. And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. (Dan 12:7)

   The scattering of the power of the holy people for 3.5 years is the same as the 42 month testimony of the two witnesses of Revelation 11. Both represent the church under the power of the latter rain. The church is granted power to prophesy for 42 months during a time of persecution until they have finished their testimony and Lord permits their enemies to silence them. The latter rain is terminated by the beast from the bottomless pit who silences them. (Rev 11:7)

   As we’ve seen, Ellen White places Daniel 12 and Revelation 11 in the future.

3. And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. (Dan 12:11-12)

   The abomination of desolation applies especially to the final assault by the beast on the church which is future. If this prophecy of the 1290 days is future, the 1260 days are as well because the are concurrent and likely share the same starting or ending point.

4. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. (Rev 11:2-3)

   The two witnesses of Revelation 11 represent the final chapter of Adventism and the remnant that join them. John, a symbol of the disappointed Advent believers, is told to “prophesy again.” He obeys and is given a measuring rod to measure the temple or church. This measuring process which began in 1844 is further illustrated by the two witnesses who bear their faithful testimony for 42 months. Since God has re-commissioned us to “prophesy again”, and He illustrates our work by John who measures the temple and by the two witnesses who bear their faithful testimony for 42 months, this period of our glorious re-commission, is future.

5. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time(Rev 12:6, 7, 12)

   This passage describing Michael’s battle with the dragon parallels Daniel 7 and 12 where Michael stands up and Satan is defeated. Time was not short in 1798 and neither was Satan defeated then. This text is fulfilled in the future when Satan knows his time is short, a mere 3.5 years, and he comes down in great wrath but is defeated by Christ and the saints who overcome him “by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

6. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. (Rev 12:14)

   This text confirms the period of persecution described in verses 6 to 13 of the same chapter.

7. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. (Rev 13:3-5)

   Notice that the 42 months in the above text come after the wound is healed, a future event.

In closing here are two more reasons the 1260 days are future and literal:

1. We’ve seen above that Ellen White says the trumpets are future. Since the two witnesses are located between the sixth and seventh trumpets, and since they prophesy for 1260 days, this period is also future.

2. The 1260 day-period is exactly half of a seven year period which in biblical time reckoning is called a sabbatical. Lev 25:1-7. Because Daniel 9 deals with sabbaticals and the end-time abomination of desolation which takes us to the end of human history, the reign of the end-time anti-Christ therefore synchronizes with a final sabbatical and is exactly half of one. This shows the link between Daniel 9’s reference to the abomination of desolation and the 1260 days of persecution.

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1. The little book is open but the seven thunders are still sealed according to Ellen White, who tells us that the thunders “relate to future events that will be disclosed in their order”. Only when the rest of the contents of the little book are unsealed by the thunders will we have a full understanding of these things.

2. In saying the book is partly sealed, she is referring to the seven thunders that have not yet sounded.