By Steve A. Hamilton

Daniel 8:8-14

 Introduction:  Much speculation has been generated over the meaning of the 2300 days found in Daniel 8:14.  In fact, an entire denominational foundation (Adventism) was laid down from one man’s (William Miller: 1782-1849) misinterpretation of that prophecy.  As a result, millions of people have been lead into religious error.  Wouldn’t it be good if we knew the proper meaning of that prophecy?

I. The “2300 days” relates to the sanctuary.

          A. The daily sacrifices on God’s sanctuary would end (Dan. 8:11).

          B. The sanctuary would remain closed (taken away) for “2300 days” until it is cleansed (Dan. 8:14).

II. The word “days” is not found in the original Hebrew text (Dan. 8:14).

          A. The original Hebrew text actually says “morning evening” (erev - boker) rather than “days.”

          B. In relationship to the animal sacrifices that were offered each morning and evening it would be most appropriate to use “mornings and evenings” when referring to the use of the sanctuary.  The choice of the English word “days” as a translation for “mornings and evenings” is not accurate.

          C. Many translations have corrected or noted the accurate rendering of the word “days” (ASV, NIV, NKJV as noted). 

          D. Therefore, the prophecy refers to 2300 mornings and evenings.  That would accurately make 1150 days (2300 / 2 = 1150).

III. Historically, the sanctuary was removed for 1150 days during Antiochus Epiphanes’ reign. (Source: Fred P. Miller, Revelation: A Panorama of the Gospel Age, pgs. 222-224)

          A. Daily sacrifices ended: “On the 15^th day of the 9^th month of the 145^th year [of the kingdom of the Greeks] king Antiochus set up the abominable idol of desolation upon the altar of God” (1 Maccabees 1:54).

          B. Daily sacrifices began again: “And they arose before the morning of the 25^th day of the 9^th month of the 148^th year, and they offered sacrifices according to the law upon the new altar…” (1 Maccabees 4:52-53).

          C. Calculations using the Greek calendar according to Herodotus:

                   1. The Greek calendar year was 360 days long.

                   2. Every other year an intercalary month of 30 days was added.

                   3. Assuming two intercalary years, 360 days x 3 years and adding two 30 day months plus 10 days for the difference between the 15^th and the 25^th we get 1150 days exactly. 

IV. Is it possible that this prophecy fits the destruction of Jerusalem during Antiochus Epiphanes’ reign?   

          A. The time period for this prophecy is during the latter Greek kingdom (Dan. 8:8-9; 21-23).  Antiochus took control of one of the four kingdoms originally concurred by Alexander the Great.

          B. Not only did Antiochus end the sacrifices but he destroyed much of Jerusalem and ordered the end of the Jewish race (Dan. 8:24; Zondervan, Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, pgs. 192-193).

          C. Antiochus exalted himself even encouraging people to worship him in the form of Zeus calling himself Theos Epiphanes which means “the manifest God.” (Dan. 8:11, 25; Zondervan, Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, pg. 192).

          D. He died insane; “without human means” (Zondervan, Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, pg. 193).

          E. Interestingly, Daniel calls this prophecy “the vision of the evenings and mornings” (Dan. 8:26).

          F. Let us not forget that the “2300 days” fits perfectly as the prophecy literally refers to the use of the sanctuary during Antiochus Epiphanes’ reign.

V. Daniel 8:14 is not an end of time prophecy.

          A. The Lord will return one day (1 Thes. 5:1-8).

          B. Notice we will not know the time when the Lord will return (Matt. 24:36).  When people forecast the end of time we should be wise enough to know they are wrong regardless of their prediction.

          C. Any “prophet” whose prediction does not come true has discredited himself (Deut. 18:22).  We would be foolish to follow him.

          D. When Paul says, “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief” (1 Thes. 5:4), he is not saying that we should be bright enough to find the secret answer to the end of time somewhere in the scriptures.  He means as Christians we should always be prepared so it doesn’t surprise us like a thief breaking in unannounced.  Our security system (i.e. our faith) should be on all the time.  We should be ready at a moment’s notice!

Conclusion: Being concerned about the end of time is a good thing.  Not that we should worry about the day which is sure to come.  But we should be concerned whether or not we are prepared for that day if it should come today (Heb. 9:27-28).  Are you prepared?

Last modified: 05/02/08