A book that goes along with

this Daniel series is End-Time

Secrets of Daniel 8–12, which
can be obtained by:
Calling: 760-248-1111
Writing: Prophecy Research Initiative
P.O. Box 829
Lucerne Valley, CA 92356 USA
E-mailing: [email protected]

We now begin our studies on:

The Story of Daniel 8 and 12
Prophecy Research Initiative
presents

Franklin S. Fowler Jr., M.D.

Production of Prophecy Research Initiative © 2011–present

These conclusions are always tentative since new light constantly unfolds.
Lesson One –
Daniel 8 & 12

How to Understand
End-Time Prophecy
Jesus said in His famous end-time discourse:

“And when these things begin to come to

pass, then look up, and lift up your heads;
for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:28)

This message tells us that there are signs so

specific that when seen beginning, we know
that Jesus is coming very soon!
Our understanding is not to be subjective or
sensational, but we are to know the objective
data, so we can really tell when His coming is
near.
In fact, He is so eager for us to know all about
those events and signs that He has given us
“time prophecies” or special “clocks” to be very
explicit!
We are no longer to be tempted by opinion
and superficial Biblical understanding.
God says: “Don’t go there! You can know
exactly what lies just ahead!”
In 1957 the USSR
launched this rocket,
putting Sputnik I into
orbit around the earth.

This scientific achievement came as

a surprise to the world. Its meaning
went far beyond its scientific
journey. Man did something that
many said “God would not permit!”

Was this “cold war” event a sign of the end?

All over the world people began to ask
questions that hadn’t been asked before
about the end of time!
In many religious circles ministers, priests,
parishioners, concluded that this indeed
meant that the end of the world was now
beginning.
But: Jesus didn’t come, and our fears and
hopes melted away.
Why? What happened?
It simply wasn’t one of God’s signs! Sputnik
is not found in the Bible! It was sensational.
But – you say: Daniel talks
about men running to and fro
and the great increase of
knowledge at the very end!

Daniel does say: “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.” (Dan. 12:4)

BUT! – what does this verse mean?

That verse simply tells us that the “sealed”
portion of Daniel will be “unsealed” at the
very end.
A portion of Daniel 8–12 that couldn’t be
understood when he wrote it, would
become open to our understanding at the
very end! People will spread those
discoveries all throughout the world.
Note what Expositor White said:
“The book that was sealed was not
the book of Revelation, but that
portion of the prophecy of Daniel
which related to the last days….
By the increase of knowledge [found
within that book] a people is to be
prepared [future] to stand in the latter
days.” (2SM 105 – 1896)
2001 – Terrorists attacked the United States
▪ Ministers began preaching
apocalyptic messages.
▪ Religious literature quickly
portrayed this image as showing
“the end is upon us.”
2004 – A terrible earthquake hit S.E. Asia
▪ A tsunami followed.
▪ 230,000 dead, 14,000 missing
2005 – Hurricane Katrina devastated
the Gulf Coast.
▪ 1,400 deaths
▪ $81 billion in damages
2010 – Haiti
▪ 7.0 magnitude earthquake
▪ 330,000 deaths (latest estimate)
▪ $14 billion in costs
What does all that mean?
Are they the signs which announce that
Jesus is coming soon? Are they things we
might find in Daniel?
How are we to interpret what is going on
around us?
Why have such events occurred for
centuries and Jesus is still not here?
MAYBE – MAYBE – IT’S TIME TO REALLY TAKE A
LOOK AT THE BIBLE – and carefully analyze
what Jesus actually said!
Let’s begin by looking
at how God reveals
future apocalyptic
truth in the Bible.

When God decided to bring

a flood upon the world, there
were several fascinating
“givens” He introduced:
1. He decided it was time for “desolation.”
That is His ultimate response to sin!
2. He found leaders to warn the world
that God’s mercy has limits.
3. He provided a “place of refuge,” an
ark/boat, if one chose to enter.
4. He gave timing messages.
5. He gave the world final signs.

That is absolutely amazing!!!

Another example:
At the Time of Judah’s Rebellion:
1. 700–600 B.C. God decided that
this nation would become
desolate. (Jer. 4:27)
2. He chose Jeremiah to be the messenger.
(Jer. 1:2-5)
3. There would be mercy only if they repented.
(Eze. 33:11)
4. A timing message was given that within 40
years, one generation, some end would
come. (Jer. 2:31, 7:9)
(continued)
(concluded)

“And this whole land shall be a desolation,

and an astonishment; and these nations shall
serve the king of Babylon seventy years.”
(Jer. 25:11)

5. God gave final signs – two warning attacks,

then a final destructive/desolating move:
“… came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon
unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. And the
Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his
hand.” (Dan. 1:1-2)
Everything came true!
The first attack was in 605 B.C. That was
when Daniel was taken captive. Jerusalem
was not destroyed then.
There would be two other attacks:
In 597 B.C. more captives were taken and
in 586 B.C. Jerusalem was destroyed.
That is when the land became desolate.
All that time Judah had a chance to
repent and change. But they didn’t.
THEY DIDN’T BELIEVE PROPHECY!
In anticipation of the birth of Jesus:
1. A new kingdom would come
(opposite of desolation!)
2. God’s people were to be the
messengers.
3. Saints would possess that kingdom. (Dan. 7:18)
4. Daniel 9:24 on and I Chronicles 23:3 even tell
us when Jesus would be born.
5. Signs of His birth include: Raiser of taxes (Dan.
11:20), a star emerged in the east (Matt. 2:2-9) and
His birthplace would be Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2-3).
 There was no failure of the
prophecy, signs or timing!

BUT – the leaders, the

appointed messengers,
failed to study the
prophecies.

Only a few people knew that the Messiah of

the whole world, the Savior, had been born!
In the Fall of Jerusalem after Christ’s Day
God’s people were saved because they heeded
special counsel Jesus gave:
1. There would be a sin or abomination that would
lead to desolation. (Matt. 24:15)
2. Through the disciples/apostles that warning was
successfully given that God’s mercy would end.
3. If they fled at the “sign,” they would be saved.
4. It would occur within one generation (40 years).
(Matt. 24:34, Mark 13:30, Luke 21:32)

The sign to flee was “when ye see Jerusalem

compassed with armies, then know …”
(Luke 21:20-21)
Everything happened exactly as prophesied!

God’s people escaped and found refuge east

of the Jordon River!
WE NOW COME TO A VERY IMPORTANT
QUESTION:
Do you think that at the very end of time,
when the conflict between good and evil
is ending, God will provide the same
prophetic warnings, special counsel, as
He did when Jerusalem fell?
He not only follows “His warning routine” –
but much more. Amazingly – it is for the
time “Babylon falls!”
“Those who place themselves under
God’s control, to be led and guided
by Him, will catch the steady tread
of the events ordained by Him to take
place. Inspired with the Spirit of Him who
gave His life for the life of the world, they will
no longer stand still in impotency, pointing to
what they cannot do. Putting on the armor of
heaven, they will go forth to the warfare,
willing to do and dare for God, knowing that
His omnipotence will supply their need.” (7T 14)

Everything will happen by events and clocks.

If we are going to be part of the last work
on earth, we (God’s messengers) will:
1. Have a desolating message (warnings)
2. Be part of a worldwide movement, warning
that God’s mercy is about to cease!
3. Reveal Christ’s righteousness – the “ark”
4. Have a specific timing message (no ethereal
guess work). There isn’t much time left!
5. Give convincing signs to the world that bring
conviction
That is what Daniel and Revelation are all about.
That is why this study is of vital importance to
God’s last messengers the world will ever hear.
“The solemn messages that have been given in
their order in the Revelation are to occupy the
first place in the minds of God’s people. Nothing
else is to be allowed to engross our attention.
“The testimony of Christ, a testimony of the most
solemn character, is to be borne to the world. All
through the book of Revelation there are the most
precious, elevating promises, and there are also
warnings of the most fearfully solemn import. Will
not those who profess to have a knowledge of the
truth read the testimony given to John by Christ?
Here is no guesswork, no scientific deception.
Here are the truths that concern our present and
future welfare.” (8T 302 – 1904)
 LET’S NOW LOOK AT KEY
FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES THAT ALL
BIBLE PROPHECY IS BUILT ON!
1. Prophecy is event-driven.
2. It is always set in a framework of time.
3. Parts or all of a given message are repeated.
4. They are always in a proper sequence.
5. The symbols and/or metaphors may vary –
6. But the truths are always the same.
7. Daniel frames the basics for end-time issues.
8. Revelation fills in “how” things will be fulfilled.
9. Jesus is found centered in all.
 There are warnings related to
prophetic study!
We have a paucity of prophetic understanding
because:
• Past insight – tradition – often creates bias
against new light.
• In some religious circles, fear of
sensationalism is a reason not to go into
end-time themes.
• Finally – there are pet excuses why we
don’t study events that are now happening.
Let’s look at some of
these more closely.
RESISTANCE TO
NEW LIGHT
 New Light – warning
• “There is no excuse for any one in taking
the position that there is no more truth to
be revealed, and that all our expositions
of Scripture are without an error. The fact
that certain doctrines have been held as
truth for many years by our people, is
not a proof that our ideas are infallible.
Age will not make error into truth.”
(RH 12-20-1892)
 New Light – a personal challenge
“When God’s people are at ease, and satisfied
with their present enlightenment, we may be
sure that He will not favor them. It is His will that
they should be ever moving forward, to receive
the increased and ever-increasing light which is
shining for them.
“The present attitude of the church is not
pleasing to God. There has come in a self-
confidence that has led them to feel no
necessity for more truth and greater light….
God wills that a voice shall be heard arousing
His people to action.” (GW 300)
 New Light – is to encircle the globe
• “There is much light yet to shine forth from
the law of God and the gospel of
righteousness. This message, understood
in its true character, and proclaimed in the
Spirit, will lighten the earth with its glory.
“The great decisive question is to be brought
before all nations, tongues, and peoples. The
closing work of the third angel’s message will
be attended with a power that will send the
rays of the Sun of Righteousness into all the
highways and byways of life, and decisions
will be made for God.” (2MR 58)
New Light – warning to leaders
• “The rebuke of the Lord will be upon
those who would be guardians of the
doctrine, who would bar the way that greater
light shall not come to the people. A great
work is to be done, and God sees that our
leading men have need of greater light,
that they may unite harmoniously, with the
messengers [specially chosen individuals]
whom He shall send to accomplish the work
that He designs they should.” (CW 38)
People have Excuses
to Not
Study Prophecy
Excuse One: “Study of the end of time
is misguided because it places undue
emphasis on things that have little to do
with our salvation!”
1. Current events are distracting.
2. Don’t worry about the signs.
3. When things happen, they happen.
4. Just stay centered on Jesus.
▪ Before Jesus’ first coming:
• “The earth was dark through
misapprehension of God.” (DA 22)
• “For over a thousand years they waited
for His coming. When He came, they
didn’t know Him.” (DA 27)
• “He came to His own, and His own
received Him not.” (John 1:11)
• “Pride obscured their vision. They
interpreted prophecy in accordance
with their selfish desires.” (DA 30)
▪ Those Jewish leaders distorted Messianic
truth, AND they never welcomed the Savior.
▪ Satan has end-time counterfeits to deceive.
• Example! Most of the evangelical world
believe that Jesus will come and set up
His kingdom here on the earth.
• That is a perfect setup for Satan to
appear as an angel of light!
• “And no marvel; for Satan himself is
transformed into an angel of light.”
(II Cor. 11:14)

“In the last days he will appear in such a

manner as to make men believe him to be
Christ come the second time into the world.
He will indeed transform himself into an
angel of light.” (5T 698 – 1889)
▪ Knowledge of truth and prophecy are key
weapons in the final conflict!
“Truth and error are both in the field, striving
for the mastery. The champions of truth will
have a fierce conflict.‘We wrestle not against
flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the
darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places’[Ephesians 6:12] ....
No one need be deceived, if he will make the
word of God his study. How little is the book
of Revelation studied! … it is to be
understood; for it especially concerns us
who are living in these last days.” (SpTA07 52)
▪ Remember that the ones who really knew
the prophecies at the first Advent were
“outsiders” from the east.
“Outside of the Jewish nation there were
men who foretold the appearance of a divine
instructor. These men were seeking for truth,
and to them the Spirit of Inspiration was
imparted. One after another, like stars in
the darkened heavens, such teachers had
arisen. Their words of prophecy had kindled
hope in the hearts of thousands of the
Gentile world.” (DA 33)
Excuse Two: “The study of end-time issues
sounds like we are time setting.”
1. This is very disturbing.
2. It goes against God’s implicit counsel:
“Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When
his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth
leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So
likewise ye, when ye shall see all these
things, know that it is near, even at the
doors.” (Matt. 24:32-33)
3. We are to have major clues as to when!
4. Prophecy is loaded with end-time clocks.
▪ Expositor E. G. White addressed this relative to
Revelation 13:
“In the last days Satan will appear as an angel of
light, with great power and heavenly glory, and
claim to be the Lord of the whole earth. He will
declare that the Sabbath has been changed
from the seventh to the first day of the week;
and as lord of the first day of the week he will
present this spurious sabbath as a test of loyalty
to him. Then will take place the final fulfillment
of the Revelator’s prophecy. [quoting] ‘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.’”
(plus rest of chapter) (19MR 282)
“Let us read and study the twelfth chapter of
Daniel. It is a warning that we shall all need
to understand before the time of the end.”
(15MR 228 – 1903)

Why is that important?

There are three timing prophecies in that
chapter that tie directly to the period when
probation closes. God’s people are delivered
and a special resurrection occurs!
The key is in verse 6. We will be studying
that in detail.
Excuse Three: “Talking about end-time
issues is simply sensationalism.”
1. Because of the numb nature of the
Laodicean heart:
• God will speak within crisis events!
• He knows we won’t study unless we
are suddenly helpless.
• God isn’t fooled – He is soon to bring
calamities to wake up all of humanity.
But for some, it will be too late.
▪ There is a difference between
“sensational” and “sensationalism.”
• “God has a purpose in permitting
these calamities to occur. They are
one of His means of calling men and
women to their senses. By unusual
workings through nature God will
express to doubting human agencies
that which He clearly reveals in His
Word.” (19MR 279-280)
• “The people are asleep in their sins,
and need to be alarmed before they
can shake off this lethargy. Their
ministers have preached smooth things.
God’s servants, who bear sacred, vital
truths, should cry aloud and spare not,
that the truth may tear off the garment
of security, and find its way to the
heart.” (2SG 300)
 A Final Concept About
Prophetic Study
• With all the prophetic clocks that are set
for the end of time – God wants us to
understand a “tarrying time” that precedes
them.
• That period began at the Cross, when the
fulfillment of the purpose of the 490 years
was delayed. In another study, Daniel 9,
this will become part of our deeper analysis.
A “tarrying time” issue was raised by God
in Ezekiel’s time – and is a metaphor for our
day!
“Son of man, what is that proverb that ye
have in the land of Israel, saying, The days
are prolonged, and every vision faileth? Tell
them therefore, Thus saith the Lord GOD;
I will make this proverb to cease, and they
shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel;
but say unto them, The days are at hand….
“Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel
say, The vision that he seeth is for many days to
come, and he prophesieth of the times that are
far off. Therefore say unto them, Thus saith the
Lord GOD; There shall none of my words be
prolonged any more, but the word which I have
spoken shall be done, saith the Lord GOD.”
(Eze. 12:22-23, 27-28)
What was this time prolonged from?
The warnings and prophecies of Jeremiah.
For a generation he had given to them the
message that the end of their nation would
come.
In the study of God’s “clocks,” there is a time –
a distinct period of time – when one prophetic
“clock” temporarily stops “ticking.”
Then time moves forward while that specific
prophetic clock is not ticking. This becomes a
“lull” for that specific prophecy. But God’s great
overall millennial clock still goes forward.
We must understand that that is NOT a delay in
Christ’s coming. Time continues to move forward.
When there is a “lull” in that time period, it is
called a “tarrying time.” It is very important to our
prophetic understanding!
Christ did warn of thinking about a “delay!”
A pause in any of His active clocks is always
anticipated and defined.
Many prophecies throughout history have
appeared to be delayed in their fulfillment (e.g.,
the time of Noah, when Jeremiah warned God’s
people of Judah and even when anticipating the
First Advent). But they all occurred on time.
That will be so for the Second Advent as well.
There is a tarrying time or “lull” in the 490-year
prophecy of Daniel 9. That will be discussed in
another class dealing with that chapter.
Jesus warned in a parable about claiming that the
Second Coming is delayed. It is the story He gave
of an “evil servant,” found in Matthew 24:48-51.
• There, the servant says in his heart: “My lord
delayeth his coming.”
• In his mind that was license to sin, abuse
and live a careless life.
The “delay complaint” undermines the prophetic
precision with which God has set His clocks!
AND – it ignores the imperative to “watch.”
BUT – God has given us a tarrying time period
that we are to understand and reckon as part of
our studies.
During this time, the 2300 Atonement
years of Daniel 8:14 do go forward.
But the tarrying time doesn’t end until
an “abomination” begins, which God
said would lead to “desolation.” That is
when the final part of the 490 years is
completed.
 Abomination is set up

Tarrying Time

2300 years end

The classic text which outlines well that
prophetic “pause” is in Habakkuk:
“And the LORD answered me, and said,
Write the vision, and make it plain upon
tables, that he may run that readeth it. For
the vision is yet for an appointed time, but
at the end it shall speak, and not lie:
though it tarry, wait for it; because it will
surely come, it will not tarry.” (Hab. 2:2-3)

This ties beautifully with Daniel 8:19 and

Hebrews 10:36-37.
“And he said, Behold, I will make thee
know what shall be in the last end of the
indignation: for at the time appointed the
end shall be.” (Dan. 8:19)
“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye
have done the will of God, ye might receive
the promise. For yet a little while, and he
that shall come will come, and will not tarry.”
(Heb. 10:36-37)
Daniel and Revelation’s end-time
prophecies mainly fit here
(“appointed time” – moed):

Tarrying Time

End of Tarrying Time

(abomination begins)
This brings us to the end
of our review of principles
that help us prepare to
understand the
prophetic Word.
 What Have We Learned?
• Jesus is very interested in time.
• He has filled prophetic messages with timing
information.
• Prophecy is driven by prophetic events. We
have a deep obligation to understand what
they are!
• End-time predictions follow a very specific
sequence of information.
• “New light” or understanding of prophecy will
unfold right at the end. Revelation 10 says it
would come right before the appointed time
begins!
There is no excuse to “not know” what lies
ahead. Prophecy paints the most incredible
picture, in full color, of earth’s final months.

Soon we will enter a “pre-appointed” time.

This is the final time for God’s messengers
to learn about end-time prophecy. WHY?

The next prophecy to be fulfilled is for the

world to hear what we have learned!

There is a prophecy for us to prepare to be

God’s final messengers. We have homework
to do.
“The work of the people of God is to
prepare for the events of the future,
which will soon come upon them with
blinding force.” (2SM 142 – 1903)

That occurs just as the “tarrying time”

ends.
“In the Scriptures are presented truths that
relate especially to our own time. To the
period just prior to the appearing of the Son
of man, the prophecies of Scripture point,
and here their warnings and threatenings
pre-eminently apply. The prophetic periods of
Daniel, extending to the very eve of the great
consummation, throw a flood of light upon
events then to transpire…. None need remain
in ignorance, none need be unprepared for
the coming of the day of God.” (RH 9-25-1883)
“Therefore my people are gone into
captivity, because they have no
knowledge: and their honourable men
are famished, and their multitude dried
up with thirst.” (Isa. 5:13)

“My people are destroyed for lack of

knowledge: because thou hast rejected
knowledge.” (Hos. 4:6)
Are you ready to delve deeply into the
prophecies that He gave us regarding the
time we are living in? Is He your friend? Are
you ready for Jesus to come? It will be very
soon now – as you will see from these
studies!
 The End

Next Lesson:
Jesus Introduces Us to the
Time of the End and Daniel!

Production of Prophecy Research Initiative © 2011–present

 PRI Headquarters
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are a production of
Prophecy Research Initiative
P.O. Box 829
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[email protected]
Franklin S. Fowler Jr., M.D. (8–5 M–Th, 8–12 Fri)
Director