Habakkuk's Two Tables #35
Part Four: DANIEL
Presented by Jeff Pippenger
Invocation by Brother Jeff Pippenger: Heavenly Father, we ask that as we take up this study this morning that you grant us the presence of your Holy Spirit. Enlighten our hearts and minds. We want to receive the Latter Rain. We ask that you would forgive us our sins that our vessels might be prepared to understand what you have for us at this time. We want to bring our consideration of the first six chapters of Daniel to a close at this time. We ask that you give us discernment to see these things as they apply to the here and now. We ask that you take control of our thoughts that we might understand things as you see fit, that I will be conveying truths that are from you and not from a human being. We ask your blessing upon the work that we are doing with the DVD production and the LiveStreaming. And we thank you for all these things in Jesus's name. Amen.
BROTHER PIPPENGER: What we have been dealing with here is the Book of Daniel over the past period of time.
Fig. 60A Time of Test Divine Falling
the End Initiated Pronouncement Away Judgment
Visual
Test
MYSTERY OF INIQUITY
Foundations
Fig 60B 1798 1840 1842 1844
MILLERITE HISTORY Midnight Cry
43
Fig 60C 1989 9/11/2001 2520 Belshazzar Sunday Law
HISTORY OF
144,000 1863 Brass and Iron
Greece/Greek 43 50 F I E L D NEW FIELDS
Rome/Latin
Nebuchadnezzar
Seven Times
1798 1989 2001 Judgment COP
Fig 60D
1844 1863
Book of 7
DANIEL Ch1,2 Ch3 Ch4 Ch5 Ch6
Foundations
Figure Nos. 60A, B, C, D.
We are dealing with Habakkuk's Two tables. We started by considering Sister White's endorsement of the truths on these Tables, and then we have been spending a long time looking at these Two Tables [indicating the 1843 and 1850 Charts] typified in Bible prophecy.
In this recent segment of what we are doing, we have shown that Daniel, chapter 1, represents the First Angel's Message; Daniel, chapter 2, represents the Second Angel's Message; Daniel, chapter 3, represents The Sunday Law and the Third Angel's Message.
Then we showed that Daniel, chapter 4, Nebuchadnezzar's seven times that that was William Miller's dream of seven times. And Daniel, chapter 4, begins in our history in 1863, when the foundational truths that are in William Miller's dream begin to be covered up; and, the seven times extends until the end of 1989, at which time the message to return to the foundational truths, at least in 2001, it comes into history.
And that brings us to Daniel, chapter 5, where Belshazzar represents those in Adventism that reject the warning message of their foundation. They reject the message of Nebuchadnezzar.
This is Daniel, chapter 5, in here; the rejection by Belshazzar of Nebuchadnezzar's foundational message.
And now we are going to look at Daniel, chapter 6. And Daniel, chapter 6 down here is The Sunday Law.
So, we have been looking at lots of lines. We have been looking at a general line up here [Figure No. 60A], that there is a Time of the End in each Reform Movement; and, the Mystery of Iniquity precedes the Time of the End. Paul says the Mystery of Iniquity doth already work. Before a Reform Movement begins, the Mystery of Iniquity is already active. We have looked at that from several points of view.
At the Time of the End there is a message unsealed that ultimately is empowered when a Divine Symbol comes down; and, this is where the testing process of this reform line begins. And in this testing process there is generally a Visual Test marked, a Divine Pronouncement, and then the Falling Away marks the point in time where those people that have succumbed to the influence of the Mystery of Iniquity: they are totally settled into a rejection of the message of that time. And then follows Judgment; because, there is a falling away first that the man of sin might be revealed.
And we looked at several lines in prophecy that establish this sequence of events.
And then when we looked at the Millerite History [Figure No. 60B], the Time of the End, 1798, an increase of knowledge; First Angel's Message empowered here in 1840, the Visual Test at this time is the 1843 Chart that leads to the process in 1842 with the Protestants closing their doors against the First Angel's Message, against the message on the Chart. And the Divine Pronouncement in this history is the Second Angel's Message, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen," marking when the Protestants have fully fallen away from the First Angel's Message that the man of sin [1844], that apostate Protestantism, becomes the false prophet of Bible Prophecy and is identified right here in contrast with the true prophet of Bible Prophecy, Millerite Adventism.
What we are saying here [Figure No. 60C, History of 144,000] is in 1989, paralleling Millerite History because Jesus illustrates the end from the beginning and this is the history of Adventism, the Millerites being the beginning and here, today, being 1989, the Time of the End arrives for us. The Mystery of Iniquity doth already work. We have identified the Mystery of Iniquity in Adventism as the bands of brass and iron, the educational processes often directly marked by Sister White as the Mystery of Iniquity. And from 1863 onward we see the production of an educational process that is a counterfeit in Adventism that prepares Adventism to reject this message down here [marked with the visual tests of the 1843 and 1850 Charts]. The brass represents Greece, or Greek; the iron represents Rome, or Latin; and, Greek and Latin are the symbols that Sister White uses of the false education that we are sent to learn in the schools of theology. This is the iron and brass in the time of William Miller's scattering; the Mystery of Iniquity that is already working in 1989, when a message is unsealed that is empowered on 9/11/2001.
And at this waymark there is always a foundational work. This was the foundational work in the Millerite History, the 1843 Chart; and, the foundational work here in our time period are both of these Tables. They are visual tests. They lead to Seventh-day Adventists beginning to close their doors against this message here [third waymark of Figure No. 60C]. The symbol of this is represented in Revelation 18, verse 2, as "Babylon is fallen." It does not mean the Adventist Church is Babylon; it means the Adventist Church is repeating the history of Nimrod, Nebuchadnezzar, and Belshazzar, who all had a warning message that they rejected and, as they rejected it, they fell and their punishment was always the 2520. With Nimrod, he was scattered; with Nebuchadnezzar, he lived as a beast for seven times; and with Belshazzar, he had MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN, marking the 2520.
So, those three lines of prophecy from the story of the fall of Babylon, marked Revelation 18, verse 2, which says, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen," saying that Adventism is rejecting the warning message, the foundational message.
And the next thing to happen is Revelation 18, verse 3, where the kings of the Earth commit fornication with the whore and this amalgamation between man and beast is one of the symbols of the Mystery of Iniquity. So, in verse 3 of Revelation 18, we see that there is a falling away in Adventism that is complete, just prior to The Sunday Law; because, there is a falling away first that the man of sin might be revealed. And at The Sunday Law, you are going to see Barabbas lifted up, and you are going to see an ensign lifted up. The man of sin, Barabbas, is going to be identified and his counterpart in prophecy, the 144,000, will be identified.
Anyway, that is the premise that we are working on in terms of identifying Daniel, chapter 6, as we bring this to a conclusion. The reason that we are identifying the first six chapters of Daniel 6 as present truth for us today is because Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel, chapter 4, is representing William Miller's dream. And William Miller's dream is about the covering up of the truth on these 1843 and 1850 Charts. The Charts are a subject of prophecy. The truths on these Charts are a subject of prophecy. The truths on these Charts are the jewels of William Miller's dream that get covered. They are the food, the fruit of Nebuchadnezzar's tree.
And if you remember, the fruit when Nebuchadnezzar's tree was cut down, that fruit comes from the word that is used to mark the Month of Abib, the Month of Abib being the month that they came out of Egypt. So, the food, the fruit on William Miller's tree or Nebuchadnezzar's tree is the fruit identifying the foundational message of both Ancient Israel and modern Israel.
So, let us go to our notes.
Daniel Six
Revelation Eighteen and the First Temple Cleansing
"3And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory." Revelation 18:3 (KJV).
When an angel comes down, it is identifying the empowerment of a message.
9/11
This Angel here, He is also coming down right here [9/11/2001 in Figure No. 60C]—you have a couple of lines going here; do not stumble over this. This Angel that comes down here, Revelation 18, verse 1, is paralleling the Angel that came down on August 11, 1840. They both come down with the restraint of Islam.
In Millerite History, now you are heading towards the Triumphal Entry which takes place down here at the Midnight Cry. And we know that in the history of Christ on the Triumphal Entry, what He rode into Jerusalem in the Triumphal Entry was an ass, which is the symbol of Islam. Islam is what carries the marriage of Christ's righteousness in each of these histories.
So, we are here, looking at Daniel 1 through 6 [Figure No. 60D].
In the next passage, it says, Review and Herald, July 5, 1906:
"Now comes the word that I have declared that New York is to be swept away by a tidal wave? This I have never said. I have said, as I looked at the great buildings going up there, story after story, 'What terrible scenes will take place when the Lord shall arise to shake terribly the earth!"—
Now, remember, in this history the testing process begins, the testing process begins. So, you are going to have one class here that is going to fight this message. And just on this particular quote there are certain fights that are fought in Adventism. One of them is the Lord is going to arise to shake terribly the Earth. The people that fight this message, they go to passages in the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy where it is commented upon about the Lord shaking Heaven and Earth. Okay? But, it does not say He is going to shake Heaven here. It says He is going to shake the Earth, and Sister White tells us that the shaking of the Earth is different than the shaking of Heaven. She says that specifically, and she says the powers on Earth that are shaken are the powers that rule the Earth. So, for those that want to argue against this and say that "The Lord shakes Heaven and Earth in the Seven Last Plagues; this can't be 9/11 because probation is still open now," well, you are not marking this carefully as a Berean would, about shaking the Earth. Sister White says it shakes the powers of the Earth, those that rule in the Earth. And 9/11 shook all the rulers of the Earth.
—"'What terrible scenes will take place when the Lord shall arise to shake terribly the earth!'"—
If you look at that sentence and you go into the Scriptures and find when the Lord arises, when the Lord arises, when He stands up, it is marking a change in dispensation. When the Lord arose on October 22, 1844, and moved from the Holy Place to the Most Holy Place, He was changing from one dispensation to the dispensation of the Judgment.
The Bible talks about when Michael stands up, He arises, and now the dispensation of God's wrath begins. When the Lord is changing dispensations, He arises.
So, in this sentence, it says, "'What terrible scenes will take place when the Lord shall arise to shake terribly the earth!'" and, of course, all the prophetic information is that on 9/11 the Judgment of the Living began. He has changed dispensation from the Judgment of the Dead to the Judgment of the Living. So, this sentence is very accurate to the prophetic message.
—"Then the words of Revelation 18:1–3 will be fulfilled.' The whole of the eighteenth chapter of Revelation is a warning of what is coming on the earth. But I have no light in particular in regard to what is coming on New York, only that I know that one day the great buildings there will be thrown down by the turning and overturning of God's power. From the light given me, I know that destruction is in the world. One word from the Lord, one touch of his mighty power, and these massive structures will fall. Scenes will take place the fearfulness of which we cannot imagine." Review and Herald, July 5, 1906.
So, we are saying the great buildings that she is dealing with are the Twin Towers in New York City, and the biggest majority of Adventists that will even get interested in this discussion will say, "Well, don't you know that was George Bush and the Globalists and the CIA that brought those buildings down? And you are saying it is Islam?"
And I say, "Well, I may be saying it is Islam, but that is not the point. The point is, is when Islam is restrained, the Mighty Angel comes down. And no matter who brought down those Twin Towers, George Bush immediately thereafter went to the United Nations and placed a restraint on Islam. It is not the issue of who brought the Twin Towers down; it was Islam restrained on September 11, 2001." And it was, immediately thereafter.
For those that are in a position that they are unwilling to see, they do not see some of the larger implications of this in the Prophetic Word. This is a judgment against the United States of America; and, Revelation 13 says the United States of America has two horns and that it is the beast that comes out of the Earth. And the two horns, as Seventh-day Adventists understand it to be the two strengths of Republicanism and Protestantism.
But, we also understand that in Revelation 13, the United States is the power that changes. Not all powers in Bible prophecy change. The Catholic Church never changes. The beast, the Catholic Church of itself says it never changes; and, God's Prophetic Word says it never changes. But, the United States is the power that changes.
And at the beginning of the United States, its two strengths were Republicanism and Protestantism; but, at the end of the United States, its two strengths are no longer Republicanism and Protestantism because Protestantism is going to be set aside at The Sunday Law, and we have changed from a Republic that focuses on defending individual rights to a democracy where the majority rules and destroys individual rights. And anyone living in the United States or in the world today can see, by what is going on in the Government of the United States, that individual rights are being destroyed. So, we are at that point where you are at the end of the history of the United States and the two horns are no longer Republicanism and Protestantism. They are the last part of Revelation 13.
The two strengths of the United States at the end of the world is it is going to force the entire world to receive the mark of the beast upon the premise that if you do not have that mark you cannot buy or sell. One of the strengths of the United States at the end is economic strength; and, if you do not have the mark of the beast and you refuse to take it, then you are going to be put to death.
The other horn of the United States at the end of the world is military strength. The United States is the earth beast. Its two strengths at the end are economic and military. And on 9/11 the symbol of its economic strength, the Twin Towers, were both struck. The symbol of its military power was struck when the Pentagon was hit; and, that fourth plane went into the earth. So, on 9/11 you can see a sign form the Lord, a prophetic sign, that this is a judgment upon the earth beast of Revelation 13; and, all the history that goes along with it says this is so.
So, we are saying that on 9/11, the testing process is initiated for Adventism; and that here you have an argument about return to the foundations, these two Charts [1843 and 1850 Charts].
But, there will be a group in Adventism that does not want to return to these Charts. They have been represented by Belshazzar. If you will recall, Belshazzar refused to be warned by the foundational message of Nebuchadnezzar.
And what was the foundational warning message of Nebuchadnezzar? Seven times.
And what was the pronouncement against Belshazzar? MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN, which I am just going to write down as 2520.
So, in our history it is not an accident that when the Lord brings the foundational test to Adventism that part of the argument is the 2520 that is on both of these 1843 and 1850 Charts.
And Belshazzar reaches a point where he is at his Last Supper.
Remember, we looked at Judas. Judas was at his Last Supper when he finally fully betrayed Christ; and, Belshazzar is at his Last Supper and here is the complete falling away of Belshazzar, the complete falling away of Judas, the complete falling away of the foolish virgins in Adventism.
The Divine Pronouncement is here. The Divine Pronouncement is, "Go back to the history of Babylon and see how Nimrod, Belshazzar, and Nebuchadnezzar rejected the warning message, because then you will understand the history that you are repeating." But, there comes a point in time where the falling away that comes first is complete and it leads to Judgment; and, the Judgment for Adventism is The Sunday Law in the United States.
The First Test
So, in your notes, "The First Test":
"One thing is certain: Those Seventh-day Adventists who take their stand under Satan's banner"—
And you can show in the writings of Ellen White that Adventists that take their stand under Satan's banner do so at The Sunday Law. She uses those terms to identify The Sunday Law.
—"One thing is certain: Those Seventh-day Adventists who take their stand under Satan's banner will first give up their faith in the warnings and reproofs contained in the Testimonies of God's Spirit." Selected Messages, book 3, 84.
And the Testimonies of God's Spirit is the Spirit of Prophecy, and that is where we started in this presentation, is that the Spirit of Prophecy upholds the truths on these 1843 and 1850 Charts. If you reject the truths on these Charts, you are rejecting the Spirit of Prophecy. If you reject the Spirit of Prophecy, you are rejecting the truths on these Charts. They cannot be separated. The Spirit of Prophecy is part of the foundational test, the first test. And there are three: The first test for Adventism is the Spirit of Prophecy.
Spalding and Magan, page 1, says,
"I saw that the truth should be made plain upon tables, that the earth and the fullness thereof is the Lord's, and that necessary means should not be spared to make it plain. I saw that the old chart was directed by the Lord, and that not a figure of it should be altered except by inspiration. I saw that the figures of the chart were as God would have them, and that His hand was over and hid a mistake in some of the figures, so that none should see it till His hand was removed." Spalding and Magan, 1.
Manuscript Releases, volume 13, page 539:
"I saw that God was in the publishment of the chart by Brother Nichols."—
[Pointing to the 1850 Chart]
This Chart [pointing to the 1843 Chart] was directed by the hand of the Lord and it should not be altered.
God was in the publishment of this chart [indicating the 1850 Chart once more], according to the Spirit of Prophecy.
—" I saw that there was a prophecy of this chart in the Bible, and if this chart is designed for God's people, if it [is] sufficient for one it is for another, and if one needed a new chart painted on a larger scale, all need it just as much. . . .
"I saw that the charts [the 1843 and the 1850] ordered by God struck the mind favorably, even without an explanation. There is something light, lovely, and heavenly in the representation of the angels on the charts. The mind is almost imperceptibly led to God and heaven. But the other charts that have been gotten up disgust the mind, and cause the mind to dwell more on earth than heaven." Manuscript Releases, volume 13, 359.
You reject these truths [indicating the truths reflected on the 1843 and 1850 Charts], you are rejecting the Spirit of Prophecy. You are failing the first test.
Early Writings, page 249, says,
"Those who rejected and opposed the light of the first angel's message,"— Those that rejected and opposed the first test—"lost the light of the second, and could not be benefited by the power and glory which attended the message, 'Behold, the Bridegroom cometh.'" Early Writings, 249.
The Second Test
The Divine Pronouncement—The 2520 on the Sacred Tables (Visual)
"2And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." Revelation 18:2 (KJV).
The Mystery of Iniquity and the Falling Away
"3For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies." Revelation 18:3 (KJV).
Visual
The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, volume 7, page 976:
"The Lord has shown me clearly that the image of the beast will be formed before probation closes; for it is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided.
"This is the test that the people of God must have before they are sealed. All who proved their loyalty to God by observing His law, and refusing to accept a spurious sabbath, will rank under the banner of the Lord God Jehovah, and will receive the seal of the living God. Those who yield the truth of heavenly origin and accept the Sunday sabbath, will receive the mark of the beast" The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, volume 7, 976.
The Third Test
"4And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Revelation 18:4 (KJV).
Review and Herald, December 18, 1888:
"A time is coming when the law of God is, in a special sense, to be made void in our land. The rulers of our nation will, by legislative enactments, enforce the Sunday law, and thus God's people be brought into great peril. When our nation, in its legislative councils, shall enact laws to bind the consciences of men in regard to their religious privileges, enforcing Sunday observance, and bringing oppressive power to bear against those who keep the seventh-day Sabbath, the law of God will, to all intents and purposes, be made void in our land; and national apostasy will be followed by national ruin." Review and Herald, December 18, 1888.
Review and Herald, April 27, 1911:
"If the light of truth has been presented to you, revealing the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and showing that there is no foundation in the Word of God for Sunday observance, and yet you still cling to the false sabbath, refusing to keep holy the Sabbath which God calls 'my holy day,' you receive the mark of the beast. When does this take place?—When you obey the decree that commands you to cease from labor on Sunday and worship God, while you know that there is not a word in the Bible showing Sunday to be other than a common working-day, you consent to receive the mark of the beast, and refuse the seal of God. If we receive this mark in our foreheads or in our hands, the judgments pronounced against the disobedient must fall upon us. But the seal of the living God is placed upon those who conscientiously keep the Sabbath of the Lord." Review and Herald, April 27, 1911.
So, right in here, right in here [referencing 2001, Figure No. 60D], right in here, in the foundational argument of Adventism, you reject that one, you are not going to recognize the second test; and, the second test is the visual image of the beast test which marks the end of the line, the falling away first. But, you have to be on this foundation to even participate in the second test.
Parallel
The 1888 Materials, page 804:
"God has given the messages of Revelation 14 their place in the line of prophecy, and their work is not to cease till the close of this earth's history. The first and second angel's messages"—
Here, [see Figure No. 60B], this is the First and Second Angel's Messages
—"The first and second angel's messages are still truth for this time, and are to run parallel with this which follows.'—
And this is which follows [see Figure No. 60C]. This is our history.
[Paralleling Figures Nos. 60B and 60C] 1798, Time of the End; 1989, Time of the End. 1840, Islam restrained; 2001, Islam restrained. Testing process begins: Foundational Test, 1843 Chart; Foundational Test, both Tables (the 1843 and 1850 Charts). Door Closing here on the Protestants, 1842; here, on Adventists [2520 waymark]; the Midnight Cry demonstrates the complete Falling Away and who is going to go into the Judgment with Christ [1844 waymark]; and, here [at the Belshazzar and The Sunday Law waymarks], perfect parallel, The Sunday Law Judgment.
—"The third angel proclaims his warning with a loud voice. 'After these things,' said John, 'I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power, and the earth was lightened with his glory.' In this illumination, the light of all the three messages is combined." The 1888 Materials, 804.
Lifting Up an Ensign
Daniel 6:1-3; Isaiah 5:26; 18:3; Zechariah 9:16
And now let us go to Daniel 6. We are finally where we can incorporate Daniel 6 into this scenario.
Most of these concepts we have already put in place in this worship series.
In Daniel 6:1-3, we have pointed out that at The Sunday Law, God's people are going to be lifted up as an ensign. But, we have pointed out the lifting up has to begin before The Sunday Law. It is not suddenly The Sunday Law comes and then the Lord starts evaluating who is going to be the ensign. The character that qualifies to be the ensign is settled into before The Sunday Law, and the character that qualifies as Barabbas is settled into before The Sunday Law. So, the lifting up begins back here, just in advance of The Sunday Law.
And in Daniel 6, beginning in verse 1, it says,
"1It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; 2And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. 3Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him"—what?—"over the whole realm." Daniel 6:1-3 (KJV).
Right here, the lifting up of Daniel is beginning [see Figure No. 60D, just before the Judgment waymark]. In contrast with the 120 other rulers, Daniel is getting set above them all.
And what does this do? This produces jealousy among that other group.
Now, let us go back and remind ourselves—Isaiah 5:26—that there is an ensign that is lifted up. We will just look at a couple of verses that deal with the ensign. There are several.
Verse 26 says,
"26And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly: . . ." Isaiah 5:26 (KJV).
The ensign that is lifted up at The Sunday Law is what draws the eleventh-hour workers to come stand on the right side of the issue during The Sunday Law crisis.
Look at chapter 18 of Isaiah, verse 3. It is an ensign lifted up to the nations. Isaiah 18:3 says,
"3All ye inhabitants of the world,"—
All the inhabitants of the world are represented there in Daniel 6. The 120 rulers of which Daniel was lifted up above represents rulership over the whole kingdom, over the whole world.
—"3All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye." Isaiah 18:3 (KJV).
So, there is a lifting up that takes place that brings the whole world into this issue.
Zechariah 9:16:
"16And the Lord their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people:"—
How many flocks are there? There are two flocks. This is the flock of His people, but Jesus says, "Other sheep I have that are not of this fold, and they will come when I call." The first fold He deals with, the first flock, is His people. This is Adventism.
—"16And the Lord their God shall save them in that day"—
What day? The Sunday Law.
—"as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land." Zechariah 9:16 (KJV).
The first flock is lifted up to draw the second flock unto it.
Daniel is being lifted up, just in advance of the Decree. The lifting up process has begun.
The Law of God
Daniel 6:4-5
Okay. What is the issue over? Back to Daniel 6, verses 4 and 5.
With The Sunday Law crisis we know the issue is the Law of God. Verse 4 says,
"4Then the presidents"—the jealous presidents—"and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 5Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God." Daniel 6:4-5 (KJV).
So, the issue with Daniel 6 [referencing the final waymark of Judgment] is the same issue for us at the end of the world. It is the Law of God. Daniel 6 is describing The Sunday Law crisis.
The Event is Seen to be Approaching
In The Great Controversy, beginning at page 605, it says this:
"Heretofore those who presented the truths of the third angel's message have often been regarded as mere alarmists. Their predictions that religious intolerance would gain control in the United States, that church and state would unite to persecute those who keep the commandments of God, have been pronounced groundless and absurd. It has been confidently declared that this land could never become other than what it has been"—
Now, you realize that with the Supreme Court ratifying Obama's Health Care package that the basic premise for doing so is the common good, the common good; and, this is the same basic premise that will be used to pass The Sunday Law. So, the principles that are going to be used to pass The Sunday Law, they are active and alive in the United States today.
—"have been pronounced groundless and absurd. It has been confidently declared that this land could never become other than what it has been—the defender of religious freedom. But as the question of enforcing Sunday observance is widely agitated,"—
So, right now Sister White is speaking during The Sunday Law, after The Sunday Law, or before? Before; this is before The Sunday Law.
—"But as the question of enforcing Sunday observance is widely agitated, the event so long doubted and disbelieved is seen to be approaching, and the third message will produce an effect which it could not have had before."—
Just before The Sunday Law there is something going on; there is an empowerment of the message. And, those people that are faithful at that time period, they are going to begin to be lifted up; because, they are going to start raising their voices and they are going to be in conflict with the direction of this country.
—"In every generation God has sent His servants to rebuke sin, both in the world and in the church. But the people desire smooth things spoken to them, and the pure, unvarnished truth is not acceptable. Many reformers, in entering upon their work, determined to exercise great prudence in attacking the sins of the church and the nation. They hoped, by the example of a pure Christian life, to lead the people back to the doctrines of the Bible. But the Spirit of God came upon them as it came upon Elijah, moving him to rebuke the sins of a wicked king and an apostate people; they could not refrain from preaching the plain utterances of the Bible— doctrines which they had been reluctant to present. They were impelled to zealously declare the truth and the danger which threatened souls. The words which the Lord gave them they uttered, fearless of consequences, and the people were compelled to hear the warning."—
This is taking place just before The Sunday Law.
—"Thus the message of the third angel will be proclaimed."—
Who is it being proclaimed by? By those people that are being lifted up in advance of The Sunday Law.
—"As the time comes for it to be given with greatest power, the Lord will work through humble instruments, leading the minds of those who consecrate themselves to His service. The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the training of"—brass and iron—"by the training of literary institutions."—
There is a separation that takes place. The Mystery of Iniquity has captured one class of Adventism through the brass and iron, and they have fallen away. There is a falling away in this time period: Belshazzar, Judas.
—"Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them. The sins of Babylon will be laid open. The fearful results of enforcing the observances of the church by civil authority, the inroads of spiritualism,"—
So, when they are given this message just before The Sunday Law, what is the message? It is the message about the combination of church and state, about why it is wrong. Okay? That is Revelation 18, verse 3.
—"The sins of Babylon will be laid open. The fearful results of enforcing the observances of the church by civil authority, the inroads of spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power—all will be unmasked. By these solemn warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands will listen who have never heard words like these. In amazement they hear the testimony that Babylon is the church, fallen because of her errors and sins, because of her rejection of the truth sent to her from heaven. As the people go to their former teachers with the eager inquiry, Are these things so? the ministers present fables, prophesy smooth things, to soothe their fears and quiet the awakened conscience. But since many refuse to be satisfied with the mere authority of men and demand a plain 'Thus saith the Lord,' the popular ministry, like the Pharisees of old, filled with anger as their authority is questioned, will denounce the message as of Satan and stir up the sin-loving multitudes to revile and persecute those who proclaim it.
"As the controversy extends into new fields"—
Please note this: At The Sunday Law, you are entering into new fields.
Before The Sunday Law, you are in a field, you are in a field here, and we will deal with that later; but, I want you to see that this is marked [see Figure No. 60C].
—"As the controversy extends into new fields and the minds of the people are called to God's downtrodden law, Satan is astir. The power attending the message will only madden those who oppose it. The clergy will put forth almost superhuman efforts to shut away the light lest it should shine upon their flocks. By every means at their command they will endeavor to suppress the discussion of these vital questions. The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and, in this work, papists and Protestants unite. As the movement for Sunday enforcement becomes more bold and decided, the law will be invoked against commandment keepers."—
What is that? The Sunday Law; that is Daniel.
—"They will be threatened with fines and imprisonment, and some will be offered positions of influence, and other rewards and advantages, as inducements to renounce their faith. But their steadfast answer is: 'Show us from the word of God our error'—the same plea that was made by Luther under similar circumstances. Those who are arraigned before the courts make a strong vindication of the truth, and some who hear them are led to take their stand to keep all the commandments of God. Thus light will be brought before thousands who otherwise would know nothing of these truths." The Great Controversy, 605–606.
The Sunday Law Decree
Daniel 6:6-9
Okay. Daniel 6, beginning at verse 6, says,
"6Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. 7All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains,"—the Congress of the United States—"have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. 8Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the"—Romans.
Is that what it says?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: No.
BROTHER PIPPENGER: The law of the Medes and the Persians: This decree is passed by a nation that has two nations in it, the Medes and the Persians. The Medes and the Persians, there are only a few powers in Bible prophecy that have two nations in them. One of them is the Medes and the Persians. Another one is France. France consisted of two powers, Egypt and Sodom (Revelation 11:8). Another kingdom that had two powers was Israel. Israel was the Northern Kingdom and the Southern Kingdom. Another kingdom in Bible prophecy that has two powers is the United States, two horns: Republicanism and Protestantism.
So, when we see that this law here in Daniel 6 is being passed, it is the law of the Medes and the Persians, it is The Sunday Law in the United States
—"the Medes and Persians, which altereth not."—
And it is not just a coincidence on these two powers. This is a prophetic truth that has many ramifications beyond just noting that this is typifying the United States.
Verse 9:
—"9Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree." Daniel 6:6-9 (KJV).
Manuscript Releases, volume 14, page 91, says,
"An idol sabbath has been set up, as the golden image was set up in the plains of Dura. And as Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, issued a decree that all who would not bow down and worship this image should be killed, so a proclamation will be made that all who will not reverence the Sunday institution will be punished with imprisonment and death. Thus the Sabbath of the Lord is trampled underfoot. But the Lord has declared, 'Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and write grievousness which they have prescribed' [Isaiah 10:1]."—
And then Sister White quotes:
—"[Zephaniah 1:14–18; 2:1–3, quoted.]" Manuscript Releases, volume 14, 91.
And in Zephaniah 2:1-3, it says, "Gather yourselves together, . . . Before the decree . . . ." And the point is here, is that Sister White has just marked Daniel, chapter 3, Nebuchadnezzar's decree and has said it is The Sunday Law Decree; and, she says the unrighteous decree of Isaiah 10:1 is also The Sunday Law Decree; and, the decree of Zephaniah, chapter 2, verses 1 through 3, is also The Sunday Law Decree.
So, in Daniel 3, Isaiah 10, and Zephaniah 2, the decree of Bible prophecy is The Sunday Law. Upon the testimony of two or three a thing is established; therefore, when we see a decree of this nature in God's Word, it is The Sunday Law Decree.
Therefore, the decree of Daniel 6, based upon two or three witnesses, is The Sunday Law Decree. All the prophets agree with one another.
Prophets and Kings, page 605, says,
"The decree that will finally go forth against the remnant people of God will be very similar to that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews. Today the enemies of the true church see in the little company keeping the Sabbath commandment, a Mordecai at the gate. The reverence of God's people for His law is a constant rebuke to those who have cast off the fear of the Lord and are trampling on His Sabbath." Prophets and Kings, 605.
The point here is that throughout the Scriptures these unrighteous decrees are prefiguring The Sunday Law Decree, and the prophets all agree with one another; therefore, this decree in Daniel 6, verses 6 through 9, is The Sunday Law Decree. The prophets do not disagree with one another.
As He Did Aforetime
Daniel 6:10
Early on somewhere in this worship presentation, we read a quote that 'those that will'—and this is a bad paraphrase—'those that will not receive the mark of the beast must have the decision now to say no, when the mark of the beast is enforced.' And I know we touched on it a little bit. You have to be settled in the truth both intellectually and spiritually before The Sunday Law arrives in order to be able to stand during The Sunday Law. It is something you have to settle into in advance.
So, Daniel 6, verse 10 is identifying this. It says,
"10Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime." Daniel 6:10 (KJV).
He did not change a thing. His character was already set for The Sunday Law, before The Sunday Law arrived, and he did not change a thing. You have to be settled into the truth before The Sunday Law arrives.
Testimonies, volume 5, page 216:
"When the decree goes forth"—
Is Ellen White a prophet?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: (Affirmations.)
BROTHER PIPPENGER: Therefore, when she is identifying the decree, it is the same decree as all the other prophets.
—"When the [Sunday Law] decree goes forth and the stamp is impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity." Testimonies, volume 5, 216.
Daniel's character was not going to change there. People who receive the Seal of God, they are set for eternity. They may die before the Lord returns, but they are saved; and, likewise, those people that receive the mark of the beast at that time, there is no turning around for them.
Nominal Adventists, Like Judas
Verses 11 through 14 of Daniel 6:
"11Then these men assembled, and found Daniel"—
So, The Sunday Law has been passed. Daniel is not changing a thing. Now they are going to come and put him on trial.
—"11Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O King, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 13Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. 14Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him." Daniel 6:11‑14 (KJV).
Notice this next quote from Spalding and Magan, pages 1-2.
Who is it that is going to come and point their fingers at Adventists once The Sunday Law arrives?
"I saw that the two-horned beast had a dragon's mouth, and that his power was in his head, and that the decree would go out of his mouth. Then I saw the Mother of Harlots; that the mother was not the daughters, but separate and distinct from them. She has had her day, and it is past, and her daughters, the Protestant sects, were the next to come on the stage and act out the same mind that the mother had when she persecuted the saints. I saw that as the mother has been declining in power, the daughters had been growing, and soon they will exercise the power once exercised by the mother.
"I saw the nominal church and nominal Adventists, like Judas, would betray us to the Catholics to obtain their influence"—
Now, if you remember our study of Judas, Judas goes out and betrays Christ right here, marking the Falling Away [the waymark of Belshazzar in Figure No. 60C]. But the falling away in 2 Thessalonians comes before—what?—the man of sin could be revealed.
And in the story of Judas, Judas dies before the man of sin is revealed. Who is the man of sin in Judas's story? Barabbas, the counterfeit Christ; Barabbas meaning Son of God, but he is a counterfeit Christ.
So, the nominal Adventists are going to betray us as did Judas. So, as you approach The Sunday Law and the two classes are settled into the direction that they are going, the nominal Adventists, they are eating their Last Supper.
—"I saw the nominal church and nominal Adventists, like Judas, would betray us to the Catholics to obtain their influence to come against the truth. The saints then will be an obscure people, little known to the Catholics; but the churches and nominal Adventists who know of our faith and customs (for they hated us on account of the Sabbath, for they could not refute it) will betray the saints and report them to the Catholics as those who disregard the institutions of the people; that is, that they keep the Sabbath and disregard Sunday.
What is this? What has taken place in this history?
Judas, the nominal Adventists, is paralleling these 120 leaders, presidents, and governors that have gone to Darius and said, "He is the one. He is not keeping your law. Deal with him."
Right? You see that there?
So, what has happened? The decree has already been passed. In this history, in this paragraph, The Sunday Law is already here. Okay? But, there are two Sunday laws in Bible prophecy. I want you to see that.
Notice the next paragraph.
"Then the Catholics bid the Protestants to go forward, and issue a decree that all who will not observe the first day of the week, instead of the seventh day, shall be slain."—
Here is a second decree. This is the Death Decree. This is down here [see Figure No. 60D, after the waymark of Judgment]. You have the first decree, The Sunday Law in the United States [at the waymark of Judgment] and then you have the Death Decree in the world.
—"And the Catholics, whose numbers are large, will stand by the Protestants. The Catholics will give their power to the image of the beast. And the Protestants will work as their mother worked before them to destroy the saints. But before their decree bring or bear fruit, the saints will be delivered by the Voice of God." Spalding and Magan, 1–2.
Two Sunday Law decrees, but that is not what we are dealing with.
The Sealing is at the Law of the Medes and Persians
We are dealing with Daniel, chapter 6. Let us read verses 15 through 17.
"15Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed. 16Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. 17And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king"—what?
FROM THE AUDIENCE: Sealed it.
BROTHER PIPPENGER: This is where God's people receive the Seal of God.
—"and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel." Daniel 6:15-17 (KJV).
The Seal is delivered right here at The Sunday Law.
The Final Deliverance
Daniel 6:18-23, beginning at verse 18:
"18Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him; and his sleep went from him. 19Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. 20And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? 21Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. 22My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. 23Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God." Daniel 6:18-23 (KJV).
That is the deliverance, the final deliverance down here of God's people.
The Seven Last Plagues
Daniel 6:24
And, the final deliverance of God's people takes place when the wicked are being dealt with, verse 24.
"24And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den." Daniel 6:24 (KJV).
Before they hit the floor, they were in the lions' mouths.
The Great Controversy, page 626:
"As the decree issued by the various rulers of Christendom against commandment keepers shall withdraw the protection of government and abandon them to those who desire their destruction, the people of God will flee from the cities and villages and associate together in companies, dwelling in the most desolate and solitary places. Many will find refuge in the strongholds of the mountains. Like the Christians of the Piedmont valleys, they will make the high places of the earth their sanctuaries and will thank God for 'the munitions of rocks.' Isaiah 33:16. But many of all nations and of all classes, high and low, rich and poor, black and white, will be cast into the most unjust and cruel bondage. The beloved of God pass weary days, bound in chains, shut in by prison bars, sentenced to be slain, some apparently left to die of starvation in dark and loathsome dungeons. No human ear is open to hear their moans; no human hand is ready to lend them help.
"Will the Lord forget His people in this trying hour? Did He forget faithful Noah when judgments were visited upon the antediluvian world? Did He forget Lot when the fire came down from heaven to consume the cities of the plain? Did He forget Joseph surrounded by idolaters in Egypt? Did He forget Elijah when the oath of Jezebel threatened him with the fate of the prophets of Baal? Did He forget Jeremiah in the dark and dismal pit of his prison house? Did He forget the three worthies in the fiery furnace? or Daniel in the den of lions?" The Great Controversy, 626.
Summary
So, what we are saying is, Daniel [see Figure No. 60D], chapter 6, is illustrating The Sunday Law time period for Adventism.
Therefore, what we are saying is, Millerite History (Daniel, chapter 1), in Daniel, chapter 1, we demonstrated that it has all three messages in Daniel, chapter 1: First Test: Fear God – Daniel purposed in his heart not to be defiled with the king's meat; Second Test: An Image Test – He was judged that his countenance was better than all the others; and, then, the Third Test: He was brought in to be judged by Nebuchadnezzar. That is Daniel, chapter 1.
Daniel, chapter 2, the Image Test; and, the Image Test in Daniel, chapter 2, takes place down in the toes where the iron and clay are mixed; and, Sister White says the iron and clay in the toes represent the combination of church and state at the end of the world. The Image of the Beast Test is the test of the combination of church and state at the end of the world. That is Daniel, chapter 2.
And, Daniel, chapter 3, Sister White repeatedly says is The Sunday Law.
Daniel, chapter 4, is the only chapter in Daniel that Daniel did not write. Nebuchadnezzar wrote Daniel, chapter 4. It is Nebuchadnezzar's second dream.
William Miller had two dreams. His second dream is recorded in Early Writings. That chapter where is William Miller's dream is the only chapter in Early Writings that Ellen White did not write. William Miller wrote it.
Both Nebuchadnezzar's and William Miller's dreams deal with a scattering for seven times; at the end, a restoration of the kingdom.
This is Daniel, chapter 4 [indicating Figure No. 60D, 1863]. This is William Miller's dream. The restoration comes at the Time of the End, 1989, when the Foundational Message is going to test Adventism; and, the story of Belshazzar in Daniel, chapter 5, is going to be acted out by the foolish virgins of Adventism.
And when you reach the climax of this testing process, you arrive at The Sunday Law, where God's faithful people are going to be lifted up as an ensign; and, Daniel, chapter 6, is going to be fulfilled.
The first six chapters of Daniel are illustrating Adventism at the end of the world, as is Daniel, chapter 9; Daniel, chapter 10; and, Daniel, chapter 12. We are not going there at this time. But, we did do the first six chapters because we want to show that in Daniel, chapter 4, you have William Miller's dream, and William Miller's dream is about the foundational truths on this [1843] Chart.
We will switch gears tomorrow, the Lord willing, and we will begin to put in place 1863 as a waymark of prophetic history.
Shall we pray?
Benediction: Heavenly Father, we thank you that you have given us a good night's rest, that you have awakened us this morning that we could study your Word. We wish to be benefited by the revelation that the Book of Daniel is present truth for the history of Adventism today. We wish to see the foundational work accomplished by the Millerites that is represented upon these Tables. We wish to see them in their proper perspective here at the end of the world. We thank you for the evidence that you are bringing forth in this regard. And as we close this worship, we ask that you would be with each of us this day as we serve you in whatever capacity, that you would let us glorify you in doing so, and that you would keep us safe in whatever we do. And we ask for a continued blessing upon the DVDs and LiveStreaming that is going on here. Thank you for all these things in Jesus's name. Amen.