Daily in Daniel: Pioneer, Prewitt, and Cooke Views

The term "daily" in Daniel 8 and 11 has been a significant point of discussion among pioneers, with differing interpretations regarding its meaning and application. Let's explore the various perspectives on this important prophetic concept.

The "Daily" as Paganism

Many pioneers held the view that the "daily" (often mistakenly supplied with the word "sacrifice") refers to paganism. This interpretation posits that paganism was a desolating power, and its removal paved the way for the establishment of another desolating power, the Papacy.

• Paganism as the "Daily Desolation": The word "sacrifice" in "daily sacrifice" is erroneously supplied and should be "desolation," indicating a desolating power. This "daily desolation" represents paganism. This is supported by the understanding that the "daily" and "transgression of desolation" are two distinct desolating powers that would desolate the sanctuary and the host.ARSH January 28, 1858, page 92.2+9.

• Paganism Taken Away by Papal Power: It is believed that the papal form of Rome "took away" the pagan form, signifying the transition from pagan to papal Rome. The seat of government was moved from Rome by Constantine in A.D. 330, and the dragon, pagan Rome, gave its seat to the beast, papal Rome, as described in Revelation 13:2.DAR1909 176.6.

• The Cessation of Pagan Sacrifices: Pagan sacrifices continued in Rome until the conversion of the Ostrogoths to Christianity around A.D. 508, after which there is no record of public pagan sacrifices in the city.APEC 81.2+2. This removal of paganism made way for a new system of idolatry, the worship of saints and images.APEC 81.2.

• Prophetic Timelines: The period of 1290 days (prophetic years) in Daniel 12:11 is understood to begin with the taking away of the "daily" (paganism) in A.D. 508 and end with the fall of papal rule in 1798. This 30-year period between 508 A.D. and 538 A.D. (when the Papacy was set up) is seen as the vacancy between the removal of one abomination and the establishment of the other.DAR1909 341.2+10. This aligns with Paul's statement in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 about "he who now letteth" being taken out of the way.ESH 30.4.

• The "Daily" and the "Transgression of Desolation": The vision in Daniel 8:13-14 and 11:31 speaks of two desolations: the "daily desolation" (paganism) and the "transgression of desolation" (the Papacy).ARSH January 28, 1858, page 92.2+4. The "daily" denotes a desolating power that occupies a series of years, unlike the momentary act of taking away Jewish sacrifices.DAR1909 179.2+1.

The "Daily" as Priestly Mediation

Another significant interpretation emphasizes that the "daily" refers to the continual priestly mediation of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary.

• Christ's Continual Mediation: The "continual" includes the leading features of priestly mediation, typified by the morning and evening sacrifices, incense offerings, and shewbread in the earthly sanctuary. These were symbols of the great Mediator, Christ.THD 17.3+3.

• Papacy's Interference: The Papacy, as the "man of sin," has taken away this continual service of Christ, the true High Priest, and has cast down His sanctuary and true tabernacle.CWCP 99.2. This is achieved by substituting human means of salvation, like the mass, for Christ's mediatorial function, thus making His office seem unnecessary.THD 22.2+1.

• Heavenly Sanctuary: The "sanctuary" in Daniel 8 and 11 is understood to refer to the heavenly sanctuary, where Christ, our High Priest, ministers.THD 17.3+72. This sanctuary is not physically impure, but is cleansed from the sins of those who seek pardon through Christ.LUJ 147.1+6. The cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary began in 1844, signifying the investigative judgment.GSAM 190.1+8.

• Daily Renewal and Sustenance: Our spiritual lives are renewed "day by day" through faith in Jesus, similar to how we physically breathe daily.GCB/GCDB April 4, 1901, page 1.30+5. God provides "daily bread" both literally and spiritually, emphasizing His continual care and sustenance.PTUK August 24, 1893, page 326.5+1. This concept of daily reliance on God's power and Christ's righteousness is central to the Christian experience.AMS September 16, 1897, page 564.2+10. As Jesus taught in the Lord's Prayer, we are to ask for our "daily bread" and forgiveness daily. Matthew 6:11+1ARSH March 25, 1862, page 132.23.

Rejection of Antiochus Epiphanes and Literal Interpretation

Many pioneers explicitly rejected the view that the "little horn" or the "daily sacrifice" referred to Antiochus Epiphanes or literal Jewish sacrifices.

• Antiochus Epiphanes is a Type, Not the Fulfillment: While Antiochus Epiphanes' actions might have served as a type of the "little horn" by suppressing Jewish sacrifices, this is not the ultimate fulfillment of the prophecy.HST April 15, 1840, page 9.14.

• "Daily Sacrifice" is Not Jewish Service: The phrase "daily sacrifice" in Daniel 8:13 is a mistranslation; the word "sacrifice" was supplied by translators and is not in the original Hebrew. The question "How long shall be the vision concerning the daily?" implies a long period, not a momentary event like the cessation of Jewish sacrifices.ARSH January 28, 1858, page 92.2+4.

• Distinction from Daniel 9: Christ's reference to the abomination of desolation in connection with the destruction of Jerusalem Matthew 24:15+1 refers to Daniel 9 which predicts Jerusalem's destruction, not Daniel 11:31 or 8:13. Daniel 9 speaks of multiple desolations and abominations, whereas Daniel 8 and 11 distinguish between the "daily desolation" (paganism) and the "transgression of desolation" (papacy).DAR1909 282.3+1.

Importance of Understanding the "Daily"

The correct understanding of the "daily" is crucial for comprehending the prophetic timelines and the ongoing work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary.

• Unsealing Prophecy: The unsealing of prophecies, including Daniel, leads to understanding.SDP 264.2.

• Connection to the 2300 Days: The interpretation of the "daily" as paganism emphasizes the importance of the 2300-day prophecy, which began in 457 B.C. and ended in 1844 A.D., marking the commencement of Christ's ministry in the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary.THD 2.5+2.

• Warning Against False Time-Setting: Incorrect interpretations of prophetic periods can lead to confusion and unbelief, highlighting the importance of understanding Christ's work in the heavenly sanctuary to avoid such errors.THD 2.5+1.

In summary, pioneer views converged on the understanding that the "daily" in Daniel refers not to literal Jewish sacrifices but to paganism, which was a desolating power. Its removal facilitated the rise of the Papacy, another desolating power. This transition from pagan to papal Rome, along with the subsequent work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary, are central to the prophetic timelines and the understanding of God's plan of salvation.

It's wonderful to explore the various perspectives on the "daily" in Daniel, and it's certainly a topic that has invited thoughtful discussion over time. Here's a comparison of the pioneers' teachings with insights from Eugene Prewitt and Austin Cooke, presenting a rich tapestry of understanding regarding this important prophetic symbol.

The Pioneers' View on the "Daily" 📜

Many early Adventist pioneers were largely united in their understanding of the "daily" in Daniel and 12. They generally believed it referred to paganism, specifically the pagan form of Rome. They saw "sacrifice" as a supplied word in the text that did not exist in the original Hebrew, where the word was "tamid" meaning "continual" or "constant"CWCP 98.1+6. This "continual" desolation, or paganism, was viewed as a long-standing form of worship and opposition to God's people that had to be "taken away" to make way for the papacyDAR1909 341.2+4.

• Paganism as the "Daily": The pioneers identified "the daily" as the continual abomination of paganism, which had been the main religion of the world for millenniaSITI November 26, 1885, page 710.6.

• Removal of the "Daily": This pagan form was seen as being "taken away" by the papal form of Rome, as barbarian nations converted to the Catholic faith and dethroned their former religion, notably around A.D. 508DAR1909 176.6+3. This event was a crucial step in setting up the "abomination that makes desolate," which was understood to be the papacyDAR1909 341.2+4.

• Biblical Foundation: Pioneers like Uriah Smith strongly emphasized that the word "sacrifice" was supplied and should be removed, leaving "the daily desolation" and "the transgression of desolation" as two distinct desolating powers (paganism and papacy)SITI November 26, 1885, page 710.6+4. This understanding allowed for a clear historical application of these prophetic periodsSITI November 26, 1885, page 710.6.

• Connection to Paul's "Man of Sin": They believed Paul, in 2 Thessalonians 2 drew directly from Daniel 8 concerning the "man of sin" and "mystery of iniquity," predicting the removal of a hindering force (paganism) before the full revelation of the papal powerCWCP 98.1+4.

Eugene Prewitt's Perspective 💡

Eugene Prewitt largely aligns with the pioneer view, emphasizing the linguistic and contextual reasons for understanding "daily" as "continuity" rather than specifically "sacrifice." He highlights that the Hebrew word "tamid" primarily means "continual" or "continuity"BDOC 62.9.

• "Continuity" as the Meaning: Prewitt points out that out of 95 occurrences of "tamid" outside Daniel, 80 are translated "continual" or "continually," making "continuity" the closest English equivalent when used as a nounBDOC 62.9.

• Diverse Nature of Rome: He connects the "continuity" to the "diverse" nature of the fourth beast (Rome) in Daniel 7 explaining that the rise of the papacy as a civil power in 508 A.D. ended the continuity of empire successions, as proto-France became the first subjugated land of this "little horn"BDOC 62.9+1. This marked a shift from previous forms of civil authority over God's people, which were overt captivities, to a more subtle form under the papacyBDOC 25.15.

• Sanctuary Imagery: Prewitt emphasizes that Daniel 8 is rich with sanctuary imagery, and "evening and morning" (referring to the daily sacrifices) points to the sanctuary context rather than a literal sacrifice being removed in the "daily" symbol itselfBDOC 25.15+1.

• Idolatry and Desolation: He links the "transgression of desolation" to idolatry, which was already present in the Jewish temple in Jesus' day (covetousness being idolatry) and was symbolically represented by the Roman armies' idolatrous standards around JerusalemBDOC 26.19. This foreshadowed the idolatry of the Roman apostasy, where the "man of sin" sets himself up as an idol within the churchBDOC 26.19+1.

• Role of Ellen G. White's Counsel: Prewitt acknowledges the historical controversy surrounding the "daily" and Ellen White's counsel not to make it a "test question," yet still believes understanding its meaning is crucial for proper prophetic interpretationBDOC 62.1+1.

Austin Cooke's Viewpoint 🌟

Austin Cooke’s interpretation largely aligns with the traditional pioneer view, emphasizing the literal and chronological aspects of the prophetic periods and the identification of the "daily" with paganism.

• Paganism as the "Daily": Cooke firmly states that "the daily" refers to the "ministration of Christ in the heavenly temple" but then states that this daily was "taken away" by the papacy, which set up a "counterfeit priesthood, sanctuary, and altar"EVRR331. However, in another reference, he explicitly aligns with the pioneer view, stating, " Daniel 12:11 refers to the same event in connection with the 1290 and 1335 days that began in AD 508. In that year the Church of Rome set up her counterfeit idolatrous system of mediation. (A. P. Cooke, The Identity of the Daily of Daniel (Sydney: Self Published, 1988))." This indicates that the taking away of the daily is the removal of the pagan system of worship, and its replacement with a counterfeit form of worship by RomeEVRR638.

• Chronological Time Periods: He highlights the "daily" as part of the "chronological time periods of Daniel," specifically the 1290 prophetic days (1290 years from 508-1798 AD)EVRR323.

• Abomination of Desolation: Cooke consistently connects the "abomination" with idolatrous worship, whether applied to Imperial Rome's armies around Jerusalem or Papal Rome's idolatrous system of worship and mediationEVRR638.

• Sanctuary and Christ's Ministration: He states that Daniel 8:11 shows the "daily" (Christ's ministration) was "taken away" and the "place of His sanctuary was cast down" by the papacy, which set up a counterfeit system. He also notes that the Protestant Reformation did not fully restore this truth, but it was rediscovered after the Great Disappointment in 1844EVRR331.

• "Time No Longer": Cooke interprets "time no longer" in Revelation 10:6 to refer to the end of all chronological prophetic periods in Daniel, with 1844 being the last prophetic date, meaning no new messages on definite time are given after this periodEVRR323.

Summary of Similarities and Differences:

• Core Meaning of "Daily": While the pioneers and Austin Cooke directly equate "the daily" with paganism, Eugene Prewitt delves into the linguistic root of "tamid" to emphasize "continuity," and sees paganism as the specific "continuity" that was removed. All agree that the removal of this "daily" paved the way for the rise of the papacy.

• The "Abomination": All three perspectives understand the "abomination that makes desolate" to be the papacy, a power that opposes God and His truth, introducing idolatrous systems.

• Time Periods: There's strong agreement on the historical application of the 1260, 1290, and 2300-day/year prophecies, with 508 AD and 1798 AD marking significant transitions in the power of Rome, and 1844 AD as the end of the 2300-day prophecy and the commencement of the investigative judgmentEVRR323+1.

• Prophetic Interpretation: All three endorse the year-day principle in symbolic prophecy, where a prophetic day represents a literal yearEVRR344+1.

While there are nuances in their individual explanations, the core message regarding the "daily" points to the historical succession of pagan and papal Rome, and their impact on God's people and sanctuary truth. This consistent understanding across these respected authors highlights the enduring truth found in the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation.

For example, when Daniel describes Rome as a powerful "little horn" that would "magnify himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down," this illustrates the shift from paganism to the rise of papal supremacy Daniel 8:11. The very actions of this power, "standing up against the Prince of princes" Daniel 8:25, signify its opposition to Christ's heavenly ministry, even as it "cast down the truth to the ground" Daniel 8:12.

This consistent portrayal of Rome's role in prophetic history is a cornerstone of our understanding of end-time events. As the apostle Paul warned, the "mystery of iniquity" was already at work in his day, needing only the removal of a hindering force to be fully revealed 2 Thessalonians 2:7. This hindering force was indeed the pagan Roman Empire. The prophetic periods, such as the 1290 days, are precisely tied to this removal and the subsequent establishment of the papacy, leading us to the pivotal year of 1798 and the time of the end Daniel 12:11EVRR323. It's a testament to God's precise and unchanging plan for His people and the world.